~Yours~
The sound of horses, laughter and general hubbub drifting in on the warm, light breeze caused Legolas to stir. Blinking his eyes open to sunlight, he momentarily forgot where he was. Edoras, yes, I am in Edoras.
His dreams had been so vivid. A celebration, dancing, laughter, starlight and finally; kissing the sweetest lips. He ran a hand back through his hair, trying to pinpoint where those dreams became reality. Yet, they were reality from a past long turned from. Strange I should recall such memories now, yet were they all from that eve so long ago?
Slowly his thoughts returned to him as the dream faded to the back of his mind. Last night had been the celebration for Rohan's victory, which he had participated. He had drunk a lot, he recalled that now. Each drink to dull a pain he feared he would always feel.
He remembered her, alight in stardust, beautiful. Beautiful and so far from his reach. No, she had been here, he remembered her by his side, soothing him, promising she would stay. Legolas rolled over to his side to where she had been during the night and saw a folded piece of parchment had been left on the pillow beside him and… a banana. He picked up the parchment and curiously unfolded and read it.
I was going to leave you an apple, but… thought better of it.
Here, have a banana. I hear they are wonderful after an eve of fun having.
Now hurry up and wake up and come and find me, everyone is still asleep or grumpy and it is rather boring.
Yours
A.
Even her writing is fun and beautiful. 'Yours?' Why would she sign her note to me in such a way? He took the banana and peeling it, ate it thoughtfully. Your friend she must mean. He decided, feeling the dull ache in his heart once again. But she wants to see me. He felt a mix of emotions flood him. She stayed with me and looked after me. Taurorn had been drinking too, and yet she had not bothered to see he was safely back to his camp. Maybe I have been wrong? Maybe there is nothing between them. His heart began to fill with hope.
Yours. That one word spurned him to leap from his bed and throw off his sleep clothes and hastily rummage around for something to wear. He practically threw on a pair of charcoal coloured trousers and a dark steel-grey tunic and quickly sorted out his hair. He had to go and find her. He had to find out. He pulled his boots on and dashed out the door, nearly running into Gimli.
"Thorin's beard! Lad watch where you are running!" The Dwarf said grumpily, glaring at him.
"Sorry Gimli, must find Aerlaer!" He replied as he took off down the hall at a more sedate, but fast walk. He took the stair, two steps at a time; surprising two maids in his hurry who whispered to one another but he had no time to listen, nor did he care.
He walked into the King's hall but save for Aragorn, Éomer and Théoden, speaking quietly who did not see him, Aerlaer was not present. He turned on his heel to leave and came face to face with Éowyn.
"Legolas, you look well." She said with a warm smile.
"I am, thank you." He replied. "As do you." He commented politely. I haven't got time for pleasantries. "Have you by chance seen Aerlaer?" He asked hopefully but she shook her head.
"I am afraid I have not." She replied and he let out an exasperated sigh. "If you see her, tell her I am looking for her." He replied and rushed out of the hall to continue his search.
"And did you want to, too?" Legolas heard voices as he walked around beneath the outside platform which overlooked the plains.
"Yes." He heard Aerlaer reply. Ah I have found her. Relieved, he made to head towards the stair which would lead him up to her but the words he heard caused him pause.
"I don't know what to say Taurorn, I am just glad I have you here. What would I do without you?" Her words were full of such raw feeling, Legolas felt the colour drain from him. He knew he should not have been there, but he could not help it. He kept listening.
"I'll always be here for you, no matter." Legolas heard Taurorn say softly. "Someone has to help you sort out your crazy, Elvish predicaments." He chuckled.
"This. Whatever 'this' is… it is…" Her voice trailed off, and then she laughed quietly. "I missed you, I missed this." Legolas had heard enough. He had been wrong. He had been a fool to have put such hope in that letter. He had just heard confirmation of her feelings for the Ranger, and it felt as if a coldness settled over him, wrapping around his vey heart, his soul. I cannot bear any more.
Turning his back on the two lovers, he raced to the stables, feeling as if he would break. I must get away from here, it hurts. He all but bolted into Arod's stall, latching a rope to the grey gelding's halter, hands trembling. Head down, eyes nearly blinded by tears, he led the horse from his stall and leapt up onto his broad, bare back.
Urging him into a canter, Legolas guided the grey out of the city walls, where he set him at a gallop and pointed him east, desperate to get away from the elleth who was tearing him apart.
…
"Where is he?" Aerlaer huffed out in annoyance, leaning back against Taurorn's shoulder.
"Perhaps he did remember what he did?" The Ranger taunted.
"No, he doesn't remember, he would have said something overnight if he had."
"I still can't believe he kissed you." Taurorn shook his head bemused.
"It is entirely unfair. I remember, I must carry this knowledge and it is worse, for I carry the rejection too." She grumbled and Taurorn chuckled.
"I think he feels the same."
"You can think that all you like but until he actually comes out and tells me, and not in some drunken stupor, then I will not believe it." Aerlaer replied regally.
"You know Elladen and Elrohir believe he does." Taurorn retorted.
"Why would they think that?" Aerlaer sat up straight, swinging around to stare at him with narrowed eyes.
"I'm not sure where they got the idea but honestly Aerlaer, drunk or not, last night was telling." Taurorn shrugged.
"Well they can ask him or better yet, you can ask him, because I'm not. I value my friendship and my pride because he sure did not look pleased by what he had done last night." She retorted derisively.
"Aerlaer stop being a damn Princess!" He blurted out, his tone one of frustration, and her eyes widened in surprise.
"I'm sorry Taurorn." She leant back on the sun warmed stone and sighed. "This whole love thing is quite stupid." She muttered and became silent in deep thought.
"What are you thinking about?" Taurorn asked after a while.
"Kissing." She said absentmindedly. "I suppose everyone kisses differently, don't they?" she mused.
"I ah, would assume so?" Taurorn replied, baffled.
"Would that mean you would feel different depending on the kiss?" She wondered.
"Where exactly are you going with this?"
"Oh, nowhere really, just musing." She laughed but Taurorn looked at her, eyebrow raised.
"Where is he anyway? It is now midday. I barely slept, so why in Arda is he still sleeping?" Aerlaer grumbled.
"Does he know he is meant to find you?"
"I left him a note." Aerlaer replied and sat back up. "I'm going to find him." She decided and hopped up, leaving the Ranger to soak in the sunshine.
...
"Aragorn!" He opened his eyes, focusing on Éomer, as he hurried purposely up the entrance stair to Medusald, where Aragorn currently sat with his pipe, along with Merry.
"Greetings Éomer, is all well? He had a feeling it was no by the worried frown between the young rider's brows.
"Do you know where Legolas has gone?"
"He is in bed still, is he not?" Aragorn replied, feeling an uneasy feeling begin to stir in the pit of his stomach.
"No, the guards at the gates said he rode off on his horse not more than half an hour ago. They said he had not even bothered to saddle up." Éomer said.
"Oh no." Aragorn muttered as he jumped up. Legolas must have remembered what he did last night.
"Aragorn what's wrong?" Merry asked worriedly, also standing as he put his own pipe out as Aragorn did.
"Have you seen Legolas? Aerlaer is looking for him." Gimli asked as he walked out from the hall, beside Éowyn.
"No, I haven't." Aragorn replied, running his hand through his hair. The last thing I need is Aerlaer going off looking for him, I must find him, before more damage can be done!
"What's the matter?" Gimli asked, his features turning to deep concern. suddenly concerned.
"Damn Elves." He groaned as he quickly looked around to make sure Aerlaer was not nearby.
"Laddy, what's happened? Where's the Princeling?" Gimli pressed.
'Lord Aragorn?' Éowyn asked uncertainly.
"If Aerlaer asks any of you where Legolas is, tell her he and I have gone for a ride to stretch our horses' legs. Do not tell her he has ridden off alone, or she might go after him and I need to speak with him alone." Gimli looked confused but Aragorn didn't have time to explain, he needed to move quickly before Aerlaer appeared.
"Did anyone see which way he went?" He asked Éomer, but the man shook his head.
"Then, where is he?" Merry asked worriedly.
"Indeed where? Where would he have gone?" Aragorn wondered frantically.
"He's a woodland Elf, he'd seek the solace of trees." Gimli spoke slowly. Aragorn nodded, agreeing immediately.
"Where is the nearest copse of trees, outside the city walls?" Aragorn asked Éomer.
"South-east of here, just below the mountains. Maybe seven leagues from here" He replied.
"That's where he will be." Aragorn decided. Give me half an hour from the time I ride out of the stable before telling Aerlaer I am out riding with him. I don't want her deciding to come and stretch her own legs. Merry keep her distracted if it keeps her here." Merry nodded in determination.
"Is Legolas okay?" He asked quietly, worry evident in his voice and Aragorn smiled down at him.
"He will be, he is just in a mood and I do not think Aerlaer will improve it." Merry nodded. "Go make sure Aerlaer stays away from the stable for me." Aragorn asked and the Hobbit raced off, back into Medusald
"Is this from too much drink last night?" Éomer asked worriedly.
"No, do not fear it was not your drinking games, my friend. Legolas has been moody since Helms Deep. He's an Elf, they bottle things up. I'll talk to him." Aragorn reassured the man and he nodded.
"I best get back to what I was doing." He grinned and strode off.
"Alright, what's really going on?" Gimli demanded gruffly as he and Éowyn followed Aragorn to the stables.
"Last night, Legolas kissed Aerlaer." Aragorn sighed.
"Oh." Gimli said.
"Did she not take it well?" Éowyn asked in confusion.
"Given the circumstances, no. She was quite sensible about it, but it did upset her more than she wanted to let on to me. He was extremely drunk and out of character. I had hoped he would not remember. Aerlaer swore she would not mention it to him and I trust her word but it seems by his absence that he has remembered it himself."
"And this is bad?" Éowyn hedged and he nodded.
"Legolas is proud and honorable and he does not behave in such a way, to awaken and find he has, I fear the damage it will cause both himself and his friendship with Aerlaer." Aragorn explained as he led Brego, from the stable.
"Friendship, bah." Gimli snorted and Aragorn shrugged.
"Right now, it is a friendship which must be potentially salvaged."
"I see." Gimli mused. "So, he has run off because he is upset by what he has done."
Aragorn nodded as he swung up onto Brego's bare back. If Legolas was not using a saddle then neither would he.
"Why does he not just tell her, if he has feelings for her?" Éowyn asked, not understanding.
"It's complicated, and a long story but the short of it is; he's scared of being rejected." Aragorn replied wearily.
"Stubborn Elf." Gimli muttered. "I am sure the lass would not reject him."
"I do not think so either but on this subject, Legolas will not see reason."
"He guards his heart." Éowyn murmured and Aragorn nodded.
"Bring him back, laddy." Gimli said and Aragorn urged Brego into a canter, leaving the stable yards and worried woman and Dwarf behind.
...
"All I knew this morning when I woke,
Is I know something now, know something now I didn't before.
And all I've seen since eighteen hours ago,
Are brown eyes like a fire and your smile,
In the back of my mind making me feel like;
I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now.
I just wanna know you better, know you better, know you better now.
All I know is we said, "Hello."
All I know is I'm far from home,
All I know is beneath these trees, everything has changed
All I know is a new-found grace
All my days I'll hope to know your face,
That you'll be mine and I'll be yours.
All I know since yesterday is everything has changed."
Aerlaer strummed the last few notes on the cithara and Merry clapped approvingly.
"That was lovely. Where does that song hail from?" He asked and Aerlaer had the grace not to look too embarrassed as she quietly replied.
"I made it up." And Taurorn who was with them, along with Elrohir and Elladen, tried not to laugh.
"Who do we know with brown eyes, Elladen?" Elrohir snickered and Aerlaer glared at him, feeling exposed.
"Oh, I can think of someone with brown eyes." Elladen whispered loudly.
"Oh, will you give it a rest. Aerlaer growled at them. "Taurorn, Éomer, Gimli and..."
"Legolas." Elrohir smirked.
"…and Legolas all have brown eyes." Aerlaer bit out in annoyance and the brothers laughed deviously. "But, I made this song up long ago so all your assumptions are invalid." She smirked and was glad to see her two cousins look crestfallen but then Elrohir nudged Elladen and whispered very quietly into his ear and the Elf turned to grin at her. She glared at him balefully, annoyed she could not hear them.
"Lass, that was a nice song." Gimli called out to them as he entered the hall and strode towards them.
"Have you seen Legolas, Gimli?" She asked and the twins snickered but she studiously ignored them.
"Yes, have you seen, the Crowned Prince of Mirkwood?" Elrohir jested and Aerlaer grit her teeth, unsure whether to glower at him or laugh.
"He and Aragorn went out for a ride about an hour ago. I'm not sure when they will be back." Gimli replied and Aerlaer's spirits fell.
"Oh, I would have liked to have gone for a run." She murmured sadly, wondering why they had not asked her to join them. Had Legolas not seen her letter to find her?
"Well, you sound like you are having a good time here." Gimli beamed encouragingly at her. "Can we hear another song from one of you?" He asked and Aerlaer smiled and handed the instrument to Taurorn.
"Of course, Taurorn is much better at using this than I, and I think you would enjoy the songs of the Ranger's, Gimli." She grinned at him, but inside, all she felt was confusion.
…
Aragorn searched the horizon for trees as Brego galloped steadily beneath him. He had not let on to the others just how worried he was for his friend. Legolas was prone to getting into a mood occasionally, but usually he'd talk it out with him. He had been a terrible friend, he knew there was something amiss with the Elf, but there had always been something else happening, something more pressing.
Legolas had never taken off like this before, save for when he left his own kingdom and he had not returned there since. Would he be able to find him and bring him back? Would he be able to convince the stubbornly proud Elf to go within a four-foot radius of Aerlaer again? Finally, he saw a shadowy clump of trees take shape on the horizon before him. Please be there my friend.
Arod was grazing on the fringe of the copse of trees when Aragorn rode up and he seemed to sigh, as if to say; 'thank goodness you're here.' Aragorn slid down from Brego and turned to the grey horse, placing a hand on his neck.
"Where is your rider?" He murmured and was surprised when Arod beckoned with his head to the left side of the group of trees. Of course, furthest away from the mountains. "Aerlaer is to know nothing of this." Aragorn added, hoping maybe the horse would understand him and he was rewarded with a nod. "Good lad." He said as he drew in a breath. Now to find the Elf.
Cautiously, he walked under the trees, listening intently. He noted fallen leaves had been recently disturbed. He must be very upset to be so careless. Quietly, he followed the light trail. He ran in here, not walked. Aragorn mused and looked around carefully before continuing to follow the trail.
He had walked approximately a mile when the trail seemed to stop at a large sycamore tree, which was quite out of place compared to the trees around it. He looked up, searching. He instinctively knew the Elf was hiding up there somewhere.
"Legolas! I know you're up there." He called up to the tree but received no reply. "Legolas come down!"
"Leave me be, Estel." He heard a tired, flat voice softy murmur from above and he sighed. This is going to be difficult.
"Legolas what is wrong?" He braced himself for the answer he knew was coming.
"Why didn't you tell me? After everything, why did you not say anything?" The Elf questioned bitterly. He has remembered. It was worse than he realised.
"Because I did not want you to be hurt by this. I thought what you did not know would not hurt you." He called up to the Elf.
He jumped a little as Legolas seemed to appear from nowhere, landing silently beside him. I hate it when he does that.
"Do I look like I am not hurting?" The Elf snapped irately and Aragorn saw the remnants of dried tears streaked upon his pale face. Aragorn was taken aback by the depth of pain and anger within his friend's tumultuous brown eyes.
"Tell me Aragorn, how was not telling me meant to not hurt me?" He said and then spun on his heel and stalked away a few paces, running his hands distractedly through his loose hair. Aragorn was momentarily lost for words as he watched his friend. Legolas had never seemed so frayed in his emotions. Not like this, even in a mood, he was better composed.
"I really hoped you had forgotten." Aragorn murmured, feeling guilty.
"What in Manwë are you talking about?!" Legolas cried out, exasperated.
"About... wait, what are you talking about?" Aragorn asked now feeling very confused by the Elf's behavior.
"Damn Taurorn!" He growled out bitterly and Aragorn frowned. What had the young ranger done to make Legolas so upset?
"What of him?" Aragorn hedged in confusion. Legolas rounded on him swiftly and angrily, causing Aragorn to take a hasty step back, for the first time, unsure of his dearest friend.
"Oh, I don't know." Legolas snapped sarcastically. "Perhaps it is because he is the lucky bastard who has a certain elleth's affections, and no one thought to at the very least mention it to me in passing!" Legolas seethed and Aragorn felt his jaw drop as realization hit. The idiot doesn't know. He actually thinks they are together. It was all too funny. Poor Legolas! How long had he been getting his bowstring in a tangle over this? Laughter erupted from him and Legolas glared at him balefully, causing him to laugh harder.
"Oh, Legolas! You poor, misguided Elf!" He chortled.
"This is not a laughing matter, Aragorn." He growled out.
"Oh, it is, it really is." Aragorn replied between laughter. "Aerlaer does not care for Taurorn the way you think she does."
"Don't humor me." Legolas snapped, eyes flashing in annoyance.
"No, you don't understand, she sees him only as a brother figure." He managed to compose himself enough to explain and Legolas looked at him, eyes widening in disbelief.
"Are… are you sure?" The Elf whispered, and Aragorn could hear the hope seeping into his friend's voice.
"Yes." He replied, smiling and Legolas flopped down onto the ground, against a tree and tipped his head back, gazing up into the canopy.
"I'm such an idiot." He groaned out and Aragorn came to sit down beside him. "Eru forbid, that elleth is going to be the death of me." He muttered, letting out a sigh as all his earlier anger left him. Aragorn chuckled.
"Taurorn and Aerlaer met in Rivendell, they instantly became friends. At first the Elves and Rangers thought perhaps it would be like Arwen and I, but it soon became apparent that was not so. They are close as siblings and rightfully so, they've both experienced the very same loss of family." Aragorn explained and Legolas nodded silently. Aragorn studied the Elf. There is still more to what ails him.
"What happened at Helms Deep?" He asked gently. Legolas shuddered and pain flickered back into his eyes.
"I nearly lost her." He said quietly. "After the explosion I looked for the three of you and you were all fine, fighting. I should have checked for sure. I watched her slay an Orc, not once realizing she had been blinded. I'll never forgive myself for that one thoughtless decision." He sighed sadly and continued. "I was up on the wall still and I heard a scream. I knew it was her. It felt like an eternity before I reached her, I was terrified I'd already lost her and then I heard her voice, abusing the enemy and there she was, struggling valiantly in the grip of an Urak. That is when everything went terribly wrong." He let out a shaky breath.
"I had no arrows left. I'd used them faster than they could grow. I chanced upon Aerlaer's fallen sword and used that to attack the Urak holding her but there were more and I don't know how but they overpowered me and disarmed me. They held me while the leader attempted to stab Aerlaer in the heart by Saruman's command.
She was completely terrified, they were going to kill her and there was nothing I could do." He took another shuddering breath in. "I begged them to take me instead and then when they refused I begged them to kill me first. Anything to give her some chance at getting away but they ignored me." He explained raggedly and Aragorn placed a hand on his shoulder, horrified by what he was finally learning of.
"The Urak had pierced through her chain mail when Gimli slayed one of the Urak's holding me. It was only by his help, I could seize her sword back and quickly finished the others off and slay the one which intended to take her life." He drew in another breath. "If it wasn't for Gimli, she would not be here. If it were not for him, I would have lost her." He finished brokenly.
"You've been punishing yourself over this the entire time." Aragorn murmured. He realised, interestingly, Legolas had not even acknowledged the fact that Gimli had effectively saved him too.
"If she had died it would have been entirely my fault." The Elf said bitterly.
"You cannot know that." Aragorn replied, trying to console him but he shook his head.
"The night we made camp half way to the deep, I had a dream. In that dream Aerlaer was stabbed in the heart by an Urak while all I could do was watch, weapon-less and pathetically helpless. I watched as she looked pleading and terrified into my eyes as the light slowly left hers." He said shakily.
"That's why you left the tent." Aragorn realised and the elf nodded. Everything was starting to make sense now.
"I couldn't go back to sleep after that, I checked the camp was secure and then settled near the horses but I kept reliving that dream. Then Aerlaer was outside too and it was selfish, but I asked her to stay with me. I knew she was safe then." He sighed. "I thought she was safe and I was wrong, I should have not let her leave my sight. I should have been there beside her. I could have prevented what she had to endure in darkness" He looked at Aragorn, his face etched with anguish.
"Legolas, you must let this go, it is not your fault. She is alive because of you. Who can say if Gimli would have moved fast enough to even slay the Urak, which had her, in time? But you did. And do not forget, if it were not for you, she would have died that day near Imladris." Aragorn replied, willing Legolas to believe him. The Elf looked thoughtful, mulling over his words.
"I had not thought of it like that." Legolas eventually murmured and Aragorn gave him an encouraging smile. How Legolas had not burst from everything he had been bottling up was a feat in itself.
"This is not some infatuation is it, this is not how you felt for Tauriel, is it?" He asked carefully and Legolas let out a helpless sigh and shook his head, staring down at his hands.
"I knew in my heart the moment I walked away from Tauriel and left the Greenwood, that she did not truly mean as much to me as I thought. If she really had, I could not have left. That does not mean I was not deeply hurt, you know yourself more than anyone. If she had loved me back, I suppose we would have somehow defied my father and become lifemates, and I would have known no different but for the warm security of being with her. That is what I thought love must be like but I was wrong, I was so wrong." Legolas shook his head.
"It is so much more with Aerlaer. I do not know how to explain it. I cannot stay away from her. I need to be near her like a moth is drawn into the light, except her light is a bright fire and the closer I get the more I feel like I am going to burn, but I still must be near her. No matter how she nearly drives me to distraction, no matter how much it hurt believing she was with Taurorn, nothing hurts more than now, that I am away from her. It is a deep-seated need to know she is safe and where she is. It has been torment since I rode out of the gates of Edoras being so far away from her."
That damn play fight, yesterday eve…" Legolas muttered. "I knew from the moment the twins instigated it, it would be a very bad idea and damn my pride for not backing out of it. Do you know what she whispered to me? She told me pride is my weakness. She is wrong, it is her. It has been her for so long now, and I have tried to change that but I cannot. I am completely, hopelessly and irrevocably in love with her." Legolas looked up, turning to Aragorn with a haunted look in his eyes. Aragorn was speechless for a few moments as he absorbed possibly the most words he had ever heard his friend speak at once.
"It is why I drank so much, yesterday eve. I wished to numb the pain of seeing Taurorn with her. I cannot remember everything of the eve, which worries me. Aerlaer assured me I had not done anything stupid, yet my dreams where twisted in the past and present and something I think of my own conjuring.
"What did you dream?" He asked curiously and Legolas laughed. Aragorn welcomed the sound, grinning at him.
"Something you do not know about me, Estel, is when I was much younger, just before my father let me join the guard, I met a young elleth. She was nothing like the court elleths I had to usually endure the company of. She was refreshing and treated me like an equal and Manwë could she dance." He chuckled in reverie.
"What happened to her?" Aragorn asked carefully, worried some tragedy might have befallen her.
"I honestly do not know." Legolas sighed. "I have no idea who she was. Ada had hosted a masked dance and she was there. We danced and spoke for hours and then she told me she had to leave but would not tell me why and for the life of me I tried to learn her name, but she would not give it and I could not convince her to stay. I really liked her so I kissed her, hoping to make her stay with me. She felt something too, for she kissed me back, but then she was gone.
I looked everywhere for her, tediously searching all of my father's realm, but I never saw her again. What infuriated me, I think my father knew who she was, but he would not tell me which made me suspect she must have been of lower rank in his eyes. He certainly did not encourage my looking for her." He laughed again. "But I did, for years afterwards. Every patrol I went on I hoped I would see her magically appear beneath the trees.
Eventually I did not think of her as often, and it became more of a dream than a memory. I think it was because of her, I grew feelings of a sort for Tauriel. She was similar, although not so much of an enigma to me as the nameless elleth was, and Tauriel still addressed me by rank which was frustrating." Aragorn chuckled.
"And was this nameless elleth, alike Aerlaer?"
"Yes, very much so." Legolas smiled. "I think maybe that is why I had the dream. At first I was not sure which of the two I dreamt of, and I am still a little unsure." He laughed, trying to make light of it and Aragorn suspected it had something to do with kissing Aerlaer, and his subconscious had taken over from there.
"You know, Aerlaer's herd dwelt quite close to the woodland realm. Are you sure it wasn't in fact her hiding behind that mask? The colts she ran with got up to all sorts of antics." Aragorn suggested, aware there were no elleths quite like Aerlaer.
"Such a thought briefly crossed my mind this morning, but Aerlaer's hair is unforgettable. Whoever she was, I hope wherever she is that she is well." He smiled dismissively.
"Now, what are you going to do about Aerlaer?" Aragorn asked. "You really should tell her how you feel."
"You know I cannot do that." He said quietly. "I would risk everything for her, my life again a thousand times over and more, but I will not risk losing what I already have with her. I could not bear to lose that close friendship if she did not feel as I do."
"I think you will find she feels the same." Aragorn chuckled and Legolas sighed, shaking his head.
"That is not a certainty, and without a certainty I am not going to admit any of my own feelings to her if I can help it." Legolas replied airily and it was Aragorn's turn to shake his head. There is no winning, with him, stubbornly proud Elf.
"Well if you are trying not to help it, you best be careful not to do anything reckless then." Aragorn cautioned. If Legolas was going to continue to conceal this then he did not want the Elf further upsetting Aerlaer, drunk or not.
"What do you mean?" Legolas asked suspiciously, his eyes searching and Aragorn inwardly groaned. He had to quickly think up a reason. The fight.
"Well that knife fight was a little telling to be completely honest. It looked as if you were going to defy Elrond's rules of not slicing ones clothes off." Aragorn chuckled.
"I swear such a thing did not cross my mind!" Legolas exclaimed but there was a telling smirk playing on the corner of his mouth.
"Exactly, and we all thought you were going to kiss her on the floor." Aragorn pointed out.
"I nearly did." Legolas muttered. "I had her right there and, oh Manwë, her presence was intoxicating, if she hadn't flipped me I think I would have. No, I know I would have." He said shakily and Aragorn saw the haunted look return into his eyes. "The way I feel about her, it terrifies me, she makes me feel so many things all at once, it is overwhelming but I like the way it feels. I fear if I should get a taste of it, I would become addicted and I do not know if I could stop." The Elf tipped his head back against the tree again closing his eyes.
"I really do think you need to tell her you love her." Aragorn said again and Legolas groaned.
"Not this again."
"Fine, just be sure no to be reckless then, I'll not have you hurting her."
"I'd never do anything to hurt her." Legolas replied with solid conviction. Aragorn nodded, knowing he spoke the truth.
"We need to get back, before you start fading or something from being so far from the one subject who has caused you to speak more words than I have ever heard you speak before." Aragorn said with a smirk and Legolas glared pointedly at him.
"What I've just told you…"
"Do not fear Legolas, your words will not leave the eaves of this copse." Aragorn assured him and the Elf nodded as he too rose to his feet, stretching. They walked in silence as they left the cover of the trees and as they finally reached their two grazing horses, Legolas turned to the ranger.
"Estel, hannon le, mellon nin." He spoke softly and Aragorn turned to him and placed a hand on the his shoulder.
"Any time." He replied fondly to his oldest friend.
ScreamingTomCat - Where were you up to? Oh wait, don't say! spoilers! Perhaps tell me the location of where you were up to? haha! I will make a note, in this story, both Legolas and Aerlaer are under a thousand years old. I personally hate the age they put on Legolas in the films, I'm unsure if there was any thought behind it in regards to Elven history, or if it was not so much coincidence, that it was the exact same numbers as the year of Aragorn's birth. It is theorized he could be between 100 and 2000. Anyway, I have based their ages in this story based on a theory that Elves, much like all wild creatures, would only reproduce during times of safety which would guarantee the survival of their offspring which were a rarity already. I have had Legolas and Aerlaer born during the time of Watchful Peace which spanned four centuries in the Third Age of Arda. I know the obliviousness is frustrating, it is for the plot, but she assumes Legolas also knows that Taurorn is like a brother to her, because he has also spent time with the Rangers. :)
EmberBeastie - I might be laughing. I am, bet you are still screaming!
Wicked - I know right? Legolas drunk is the best! I'm not sure what was more fun, writting drunk There Were Ten Legolas, or high Fated Legolas in the mines! Hahaha!