Chapter 3 - Day's Passing By

The days were passing by them, each day Aragorn and Rei grew closer and closer. Both Aragorn and Legolas taught Rei how to use a bow and sword, Rei learnt rather quickly, but he still felt the eyes of the other man upon the group. Boromir. Rei wasn't sure, but he was certain this was not who the man really was.

The fellowship where sitting in a rock quary, Boromir was teaching two of the hobbits, Pippin and Merry, on their sword skills. Rei couldn't help to smile

"The hobbits loves Boromir" Rei looked up at Aragorn who had spoken

"Yes...I believe he loves them too...he's more free with them, himself. I some times wonder..." Rei cut himself off

"You wonder what?" Aragorn asked, sitting next to him

Rei looked hesatant at first "I feel...like their is a darkness inside of him...something that is not meant to be there"

Before Aragorn spoke Gimli's loud voice was heard "I'd say we were taking the long way round. Gandalf, we could pass through the Mines of Moria. My cousin Balin would give us a royal welcome"

Aragorn scoffed making Rei raise an eyebrow "Will we not get a royal welcome?" Rei spoke lowly so only Argorn would hear

"Going to Moria would...would be my last resort" he mumbled in reply

Rei nodded in understanding and watched the Hobbits before something caught his eye. The neckace around Aragorns neck, it had caught his attention a few times. "That necklace...where did you get it?" Rei bit his lip "Sorry that was rather forward of me-"

"Its fine" Aragorn smiled "My...sister gave me it" At Rei's questionable look he explained "Remember I told you about me being Isildur's heir?" Rei nodded "Well, when he was killed his first born went into hiding. The line of the Gondor king has been hidden for years. There is a city called Rivendale, its a elvish city. Their king is called Elron, he is known to have looked after passed heir's of Gondor. So he took me in when my mother passed away. He was like a father to me, his children took me in. Twin sons and his daughter. His daughter, Arwen, is rather beautiful, one of the fairest elves people have seen. When I grew up I once thought I loved her. But I soon learnt it was a sibling love I shared." Aragorn smiled "Arwen of course knew, she is gifted like that, she did not share the same love that I once thought. She too loved me as a sibling. She gave me this, her mother gave it to her. A gift to remember her by. Arwen has left middle earth"

"Left?" Rei croaked out

"Its quite hard to explane...Elves say its a calling, when they feel they have no use for the world, they take a boat and go off to the sea, I suppose you would call it heaven" Rei nodded in understanding "Here" Aragorn took the necklace off and went to pass it to Rei

"Oh...no I couldn't! It's yours-"

"It's mine to do as I please...I think it will suit you better" Rei licked his dried lips and turned around So Aragorn could put it on him. When he turned back Aragorn held in his gasp "You...it suits you" he spole gently, running his fingers through Rei's raven hair

Rei blushed lightly before he eagerly dug through his pockets and pulled out his red bandana "It's no jewel but...my mother gave this to me before...well before she left me" He soke as he tied it around aragorns wrist, so not to be in his way "That symbol...it's called the Yin and Yang, it is like oposites water and fire, high and low, light and dark. It's how even though there oposite together their even greater" he spoke smiling.

Aragorn felt touched, glad to learn different information. Slowly the two of them were leaning in closer, their lips almost touching.

Legolas shout pulled them apart "Crebain from Dunland!"

"Hide!" Aragorn cried out, quickly grabbing Rei's hand and pulling him along, hiding in between the rocks and the grass, quickly one by one they all went into hiding, Sam ensured that their fire was out before hiding along side their pony.

Rei bit his lower lip as he buried his face into Aragorn's chest, who was just holding him just as tight.

Mer seconds passed before a flock of black birds rushes overhead, cawing loudly. They circle the hill, then turn and fly back Southward, were they once came

Gandalf was the first to come out of hiding. "They where Spies of Saruman! The passage south is being watched." He spoke before looking up at the mountain beside the fellowship "We must take the Pass of Caradhras"

A heavy sigh escaped Aragorn as he looked over Rei's form "You best take my cloak. It's going to be cold" Rei nodded and let Aragorn help him up before helping the others collect their things.

Aragorn wasn't kidding when he said cold. Rei clung the cloak close to his skin as they moved further up the mountain, the snow blizard was getting more ferced the further they climbed. Legolas kept close to Rei, but it did so little to warm him

"Gandalf we need to set camp! He can't go on like this!" Legolas called out "The hobbits need rest too" the four hobbits looked just as bad as Rei. With Gandalfs short nod Aragorn, Legolas and Boromir started to set up camp. Once one of the tents where set up Aragorn pulled Rei inside, putting on a second cloak

"Y-you'll f-fr-freeze" Rei chattered out. Aragorn only shook his head and pulled Rei closer

"I'm used to this" He mumbled into Rei's hair "Just pretend your somewhere warm" He whispered soothing sighing with relief as Rei's shivers started to calm down

"Is he okay?" Legolas asked as he came into the tent, ensuring he kept it tight shut behind him. Rei didn't answer but Aragorn nodded "Oh you poor thing" The elf mumbled to himself "Sam is cooking up some stew I'll make sure he'll get some" He stated to Aragorn who once again nodded.

Legolas ensure Rei had an extra helping of the stew and when morning came the storm had settled. Rei was the first to wake up and he smiled down at Aragorn's sleeping form. Wriggling out of Aragorn's arms Rei stepped out of the tent and smiled as the sun it his face. It looked beautiful the view. It was still cold but not as cold.

"Its lovely up here isn't it?" Rei jumped as he looked over at the males voice, it was none over than Boromir, he looked more carefree

"Yes it is" Rei smiled as he looked down into the snow he jumped when something cold and wet was thrown at him. Rei blinked a number of times before he slowly turned to face Boromir, who was looking a little 'too' innocent "Have you just thrown a snow ball at me?" Rei asked in disbelief

"Me? Would I?" He gasped in mock horror before he turned and run, Rei chasing after him throwing more snow balls at the man. The chasing soon turned and Boromir soon went after Rei, quickly catching up to him and pulled him to the ground. The two of them rolled around in the snow before Boromir had pinned Rei on the ground. The to where chuckling but it slowly drifted. Rei's heart sunk as he saw that dark look return in Boromir's eyes. Just as the man leant down to kiss Rei a noise from camp snapped him out of it.

Legolas climbed out of his tent, Rei took the opportunity and quickly got up and headed over to the elf