Find Me

Pairings: Only the cutest couple ever: Aragorn x Legolas

Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings. I also do not own any money, so really,trying to get money from me won't do you much good...And flames will be greatly appreciated in their own right, as they will be used to burn my math book to a crisp...Anyway...Me hopey you likey!

All was silent in the castle of Gondor. Sleep aided those in bed with peaceful dreams of hope for the years to come. Save for two. The stone halls usually filled with people running to and from the king were frighteningly bare for a few unbearable moments before a single person raced around a corner. The light footfalls of the runner were almost undetectable, and would be in a crowd. As this graceful creature ran, sprinting through the moonlight silvering through the windows lining the corridor, he allowed himself a quick glance over his shoulder, golden hair fanning out as his head moved. No one followed. A silent sigh breezed over his lips before he slowed to a fast walk. Looking down at his feet, as if to hide his face or catch his breathe, he failed to notice the door ahead silently swing open and a dark shadow detached itself from his fellows to stand in the path of the on-coming walker. As if detecting the presence in front of him, the fair haired being glanced up and immediately skidded to a halt. As the dark attacker sensed that his prey was about to bolt, he lunged forward and captured the others wrists in his hands, just as he was turning for a dash to freedom. A quiet scuffle ensued, but did not last long. Darkness overwhelmed the light and the arrested runner was pinned against the stone wall. Golden hair was tousled over the owners face, revealing a pointy ear previously hidden in the tresses. As the adrenalin of the chase seeped away, all that could be heard in the silent halls was the panting of the two fighters. The elf was the first to break the silence, having gotten his breathe back sooner.

"Damn you and your secret passages. Should've known you'd cheat." It was said in a light-hearted manner, but there was an underlying weariness in his words.

The dark figure looked up, a pained expression in his steely eyes.

"You told me you wanted me to live a happy life, Legolas." Immediately, all false cheer evaporated from the lighted face.

"That happy life would be better spent with the Lady Arwen, Aragorn. You and I both know this." The words came from eyes that told the reality of life. That the truth hurt and could not replace the ache within with any honour. Aragorn's face became one of distress.

"Why can't I make you understand!"he hissed, looking beseechingly into the eyes of the elf. "I wouldn't live a happy life. Not with her." With his closing words, he stopped any further protest from the elf by aggressively seizing his lips in a fierce kiss. It lasted several seconds, as if the dark man was trying to pour all his arguments into this one chance to convince the elf to stay. To stay with him. Finally the kiss broke, but neither moved away from each other. It was quiet for a long pause and it seemed as though the elf's arguments had been defeated...

"...We can't, Aragorn. Your people would never except it."

...or not. But the dark still had one more trick left to play. One final hope in which to ensnare the light

"Damn the people. I don't have to be King. We can go down to the stables right now-"

"Aragorn-"

"-Take two horses and ride away. I don't want to be King, especially if you're not there to help me with theproblems I can't handle." The elf's curiosity was piqued, both knew it. Yet his next words were given cautiously, as if stepping gingerly around a trap.

"..Problems like what?" Aragorn heart almost stopped. All the problems, he thought. Every single one that's brought before me and I'm expected to solve. If you leave, this kingdom will be in chaos by nightfall. I am nothing without your judgements.I am nothing without you.He wished he could say that. But the elf would be lost among the words and only an extreme argument would keep him now.

"..Someone's trying to kill me." Aragorn almost winced. Did it really have to be that extreme...?

"What! Who!"

Then again...maybe it did.

"...You."

The elf's elegant eyebrows knotted in confusion.

"...Aragorn, I don't understand. Why would I kill you?"

"I don't know. But you're leaving, and that's enough to rip my heart apart."

Silence followed and Aragorn knew at once with a shock what was about to happen.

He's leaving...Oh Valor, he's actually going to leave me... The sharp reality fell into place with the force of a battering ram and Aragorn was yanked away from the wall and the elf by the sheer force of it. It took all his control not to cry out because of the pain in his chest. It felt like he would actually die. It was hard to breathe and his throat clenched painfully as he fought not to let the stinging tears fall from his eyes. He couldn't look up. He knew what he would see and he would sign over all of middle earth before he would willingly look up.

Even over the pounding of his heart, he heard the soft footsteps bringing the elf, his elf, closer towards him. He stayed looking at the floor, only the toes of the elf's shoes showing in his vision. Though he knew he couldn't look, he was furious at himself for not doing so. He's going to leave and the last sight I'll have of him will be of his toes? Even as he bullied himself to look up, say something, do anything to keep his love from leaving, the elf spoke.

"I have to go."

That was it. Four simple words that were the swords in Aragorn's heart.

He knew it would happen. He knew his elf would leave him. He had just prayed that it wouldn't be this soon. The soft footsteps faded away until not even a whisper of the elf's clothes could be heard. As if released from a spell, Aragorn's head jerked up and he whirled around, staring at the back of the retreating elf. Even as he looked, he felt his heart harden. Loss was replaced with defiance, heartbreak with determination.

"I'll find you, Legolas." he called to the elf, using a loud voice he knew was unwise so late at night. But he didn't care.

"Wherever you go, I will hunt you. You'll never be safe. If you run, I'll catch you. If you hide, I'll find you."

The elf turned andAragorn saw the shimmer of unshed tears in his love's eyes. Even through the tears, he could see the same emotions he had felt. Defiance. Determination.

"You're the best tracker in the world, Aragorn. When have I ever doubted that you wouldn't find me."

FIN

Hope you had as much fun reading it as I did writing it! sigh Gotta love Aragorn chasing after Leggy, don't cha?

So, now all that's left for you to do is review! Pretty please with dancing penguins on top? You know you waaaaaaant to...Just click that button!

TA!

Darashini