I posted this chapter a few days ago, but I wasn't very happy with it, so I rewrote it a little bit. Adding some stuff to the end there; bits and pieces as such. I hope you guys think it's better. Please drop me a review if you have a few moments, just to tell me what you think. I'll have Chapter Three up in a few days.

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Chapter Two: In The Light Of Fire

Bright, morning sunlight flooded the room. Aragorn slowly opened his eyes, blinking as the sunlight invaded his vision from the open window. The night was far too short in his opinion. The man sighed and stood up. As he gazed out the window, he could see the busy streets starting to fill with people, working, running their errands and all in all, keeping the town demanding and full of activity.

A new day.

How glorious, he thought cynically.

Stepping away from the window, Aragorn decided to head downstairs. Perhaps he would get something to eat before leaving the inn. As he stepped into the main room, his eyes widened in surprise as he realized the bar was empty. Why would this place be empty at a time like this? As he stepped further into the room, he noticed a body lying on the floor next to one of the tables. What the— oh no… is that the innkeeper?

A large pool of blood was surrounding the dead man. Aragorn backed away slowly. Who would do such a thing? Then he gasped. The murderer might still be here! He had to warn the others who were still here!

He quickly ran up the stairs, stopping at the first room he came to. He knocked rapidly. Without waiting for an answer, he burst through the door… and stopped dead in his tracks. Anger flooded through him as he gazed upon a young woman and her husband, still in bed, slaughtered in their sleep. Their throats had been slit open. Aragorn stared wide-eyed at the sight before him, not completely able to understand or comprehend this disaster.

Still standing in the doorway a few moments later, trying to get over his shock of the dead couple's bodies. So the innkeeper wasn't the only one attacked during the night. The murderer must have killed everyone else too. So many people were killed… oh no… what about that elf? Legolas!

The man turned and ran as fast as he could towards Legolas's room. Remembering where it was, he threw open the door and ran inside. "Legolas?" Aragorn looked around the room. Window was closed, bed was made, and it was empty. The bed had not been slept in at all. Is this good news or bad? Is the elf all right? Perhaps he left before the murderer got here. That was the only thing he could hope for now.

Aragorn felt anger swelling through him again as he thought of all the innocent people who were killed in their sleep. They were his people damnit. He should have protected them. But he wasn't given a chance to. Wait a minute. Why am I still alive? If the killer murdered everyone else, why not me as well? Aragorn brushed these thoughts aside. He would return to them another time. Right now he had to find that elf. He needed to know if he was all right. The man sighed deeply, he simply would not be able to live with himself if that beautiful creature was hurt, and he could have prevented it.

He left the inn, for fear that someone would discover the horror that occurred in it and lay the blame on him. Where could that elf be? He had said that he had business in Gondor, he must still be here.

Aragorn ran through the streets of Gondor. Suddenly feeling lost; he realized that he did not even know where to start looking for Legolas. By now, he could have certainly gone far from here. Sighing miserably as realized how hopeless his objective was, and it simply didn't make sense, he sat down on a step in front of an old building. Deciding to take a rest, he finally had time to think. Why am I going after an elf? I don't even know him. He could be anywhere by now. Chance are I might not ever see him again. What am I even doing this? Feeling as if these thoughts were clouding his head, Aragorn looks up and finally notices a swarm of people heading towards one direction.

What's going on now? The man stands up and heads towards the crowd. Hearing many frantic voices, he carefully listened, catching words, "Man, dead, murdered" Aragorn followed them, pushing his ways towards the front of the crowd, he eyes are greeted by those of a dead man. Vacantly staring at the sky, blood pooling from a wound on his chest, and mouth wide open in a silent scream. Aragorn gasps, his heart going out for the man's family and friends. Who would do this? This is terrible, cold-blooded murder without reason. He would find this killer, and he would murder him if it was the last thing he would do, Aragorn silently vowed.

He steps away from the crowd, careful not to draw attention to himself. Looking around at the horror that has been done to his city over night. How could he be expected to fix this mess? To make his people feel safe again, if he felt this powerless? He noticed a golden gleam in the shadows. Hoping against hope, he quickly headed over. He felt a smile grace his face as he once again laid eyes on the strange elf he met in the woods.

Legolas was standing in the shadows, not moving, silently watching the crowd as they raced about, telling everyone about the murder in the middle of the city.

"Legolas!" Hearing his name, he turned his head.

Aragorn ran towards him, calling his name, and stopping in front of him. He had a smile on his face, and was hoping for one in return.

Instead… Legolas narrowed his eyes, the beautiful blue orbs flashed dangerously. "Are you following me?"

Aragorn's eyes widened in surprise. "No, no no no, of course not. I—I wouldn't dream of it".

"Oh, really?" Legolas's voice clearly showed his disbelief. "Well, then what can I do for you?"

"I just wanted to make sure you were all right". Aragorn watched as Legolas's face softened at his words. "The inn we were staying at was attacked during the night. I found them all dead in this very morning, and I feared the worst for you. I just wanted to make sure you weren't hurt".

"Well, obviously you can see that I'm perfectly fine. I didn't even return to the inn. You saw me leave". He paused for a few moments. "But once again, thank you for your concern". Legolas turned back to the crowded streets, still filled with panic and terror. The citizens of the city worried that the murderer was still on the loose. "So, who do you think did it?"

"Probably the same person who slaughtered everyone at the inn." Aragorn felt himself fill with anger at the thought of all those innocent people, now dead. "But I'll tell you this, I'll bet my life that the one who's done these deeds is an elf, an elf from Mirkwood."

Legolas turned to face him. "Mirkwood? How can you be so sure?"

Aragorn shook his head scornfully, "To kill at random with no purpose. Those who have died tonight have committed no crime. Mirkwood has been enemies with Gondor for centuries. Thranduil would certainly send his elves to do such a dishonorable thing as this!"

"You certainly seem to know a lot about the wars between elves and men" Legolas turned backed towards the man, carefully examining him.

"I swear I'll find this murderer, and I'll kill him with my bare hands for doing this to my people, to my city!"

Legolas's eyes widened, "Your people? Who are you?"

Aragorn turned his gaze away from the streets of Gondor and onto the elf, "I am called Aragorn, son of Arathorn." He said sighing deeply.

Legolas looked at him in surprise. "You're the rightful king of Gondor?"

Aragorn hesitated. "Yes, yes I am."

Legolas laughed softly at the irony of their situation.

"What's so funny?" Aragorn questioned.

Legolas shook his head and smiled, "It's nothing".

The man tilted his head to one side. "You look beautiful when you smile".

Legolas looked up at the man in shock, before blushing and looking away again.

"And even more beautiful when you're shy". Aragorn smiled at the elf's embarrassment.

"Aragorn, I'm flattered." They both looked each other in the eye. Perhaps for the first time, feeling a connection between them. Legolas felt a strange emotion going through him. It was a feeling he couldn't quite explain. Such a hatred for Mirkwood. That certainly won't do.

Aragorn carefully reached forward and brushed back a strand of hair that had fallen into the elf's face. "I know this might sound strange, I don't even know you. But I feel a bond between us."

Legolas blinked, not quite knowing what to say to the man's confession. "Aragorn, I—".

Aragorn cut him off by pressing their lips together. Legolas's eyes widened as he experienced his first kiss in all his years. As they slowly broke apart, Legolas gasped and stepped back, "What… how dare you!"

Aragorn gaped at himself. Just as surprised as Legolas at his own actions. Fearing that he had ruined any chance he had. "I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me. I just wanted to—"

"No! No you're right! You don't know me! You had no right to do that!"

"Please forgive me, Legolas…"

"I can't believe you…"

"I apologize, I just wanted to…"

Unbeknownst to the both of them, someone was carefully watching and listening to their conversation. Anger flared through him as he took in what he witnessed. How dare that man? Who does he think he is? Now he has no choice but to die…

TBC

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Hope there weren't any typos.

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Thanks for reading.