Together

Written By: RedFireHead41

Legolas strode down the halls of Imladris as quickly and formal as he legs would carry him. The night before he had spent all his time with his three new friends and never had the chance to talk with Aragorn. It was disappointing that he didn't get the chance to spend the night with his lover, but if he could find him, Legolas was sur that he could make it up. He reached the man's chamber doors and knocked quietly.

After getting no response, Legolas knocked again and called from outside, "Estel are you there?" Still no answer, and so he opened the door. Aragorn's room was surprisingly neat and organized, including his bed which seemed to have not one blanket tossed around. Legolas curiously looked around seeing no sign of the ranger, and called again, "Estel are you here? Aragorn?" Another long silence came and suddenly, fear grabbed the elf's heart. What if something happened to him last night? He could've been injured or attacked. But these borders are well-protected, and Estel can defend himself...maybe Elladan or Elrohir knows where he is. With that, Legolas exited the man's room, closing the door behind him, and proceeded towards the twins separate chambers not too far down the hall.

After knocking a few times he asked, "Elrohir, it's Legolas. May I speak with you?" The door opened and there stood the dark-haired elf, already dressed for the day.

"Hello Legolas, please come in."

Legolas respectfully shook his head, "I would my friend, but I just wish to ask you something."

Elrohir nodded, "Of course."

"I was looking for Estel, and I couldn't find him in his room. Do you know where he might be?"

The twin chuckled, "Yes, I have a fair idea as to where he could be. He's been disappearing to his favorite spot for some time now, and that place always relaxes his mind. May I show you?"

Legolas nodded, "Yes, thank you."

After Elrohir shut his door, both elves walked out the halls and onto one of the many paths of Imladris. They passed through the main gates which started to make Legolas even more curious as to where they were going, and finally, after maneuvering through the forest, reached a small clearing where one single tree stood a ways from the rest of the woods. With his keen eyes, Legolas could see Aragorn lying against a long branch, one of his legs dangling from the edge.

"My dear brother, again you have fallen asleep out here," Elrohir said to himself. Legolas heard him and smiled as they walked under the single tree. Even at a long distance, any elf could see that the man was asleep.

"I shall take my leave now Legolas, please make sure to bring him back soon. Ada wouldn't be happy if your journey started late."

"Hannon le, Elrohir," Legolas replied. The son of Elrond turned and walked back from where they'd came as Legolas carefully climbed up onto the old tree. As he reached the same branch that held his lover, the wind seemed to caress around the pair and the sun's rays skimmed lightly across their forms. Legolas instantly felt relaxation around himself, and could see why Aragorn would pick such a delicate place like this to fall asleep. He quietly scooted both his knees onto ether side of the man's body(the branch is very wide), and laid his head upon the clothed chest.

"Mmg...Lego...las..." The blonde prince chuckled as Aragorn talked in his sleep. After a few more groans of having an unfamiliar weight placed on his body, Aragorn shifted his eyes open to wake in the sight of the tree branches and colorful leaves. He looked downwards and smiled at the sight of golden hair below him.

Legolas felt the man awake and lifted up. He turned around and straddled Aragorn's hips before leaning in and kissing his lips sweetly, "Good morning Estel nin."

Aragorn closed his eyes as Legolas pulled back and breathed in the scent of the clean fresh air mixed with Legolas' sweet grassy smell. He leaned his head back against his occupied tree branch and mumbled quietly, "What are you doing out here Legolas..."

The elf snorted softly, "I'm sorry Aragorn, I didn't know thatyou wanted to be alone. I shall take my leave then." With that, Legolas started to lift himself up by his knees before a hand brought his entire weight back down on the ranger's chest.

"You know I didn't mean it like that elf," Aragorn said with amusement. Legolas made no reply and lingered in the feeling of Aragorn's tan fingers tenderly stroking the flesh down the side of his neck. The wind gently breezed over them, lifting the golden and dark hair against their faces. Aragorn gently kissed the tip of Legolas' ear before repeating his question, "What are you doing out here? I've never showed you this place before..."

"Elrohir showed me after I couldn't find you in your chambers. I have to say that you made me fear for a moment Estel; I couldn't find you in any of Imladris since the council."

"You were entertaining the hobbits, so I did not want to bother you," Aragorn explained simply.

Legolas snorted again, "You know you can never bother me. Only dwarves, and men like that Boromir could edge my mind." The elf's words were spoken firmly and coldly. Legolas never liked any dwarves, nor the man of Gondor since the moment he laid eyes on him and especially after the way he spoke to his love.

"Boromir is loyal to his country Legolas, do not be angry with him." Aragorn spoke quietly as he finished just as softly, "It's true. Gondor has no king, so he is the one to lead her people."

Legolas lifted his head and dove his blue eyes into the depths of the silver ones. Aragorn's expression was one of sorrow and hesitation. The elf knew he did not want to become the king of the white city, for he believes that all of his ancestor's weaknesses lived inside him. Aragorn could tell by just the elf's stare that he was speaking of that. The ranger nodded his head with a light smile in thanks before dipping his head down to kiss those sweet tender lips.

The two seemed to loose track of time since the sun's rays were now almost overhead. The wind seemed to push the two out of the tree to get their attention. Finally, Legolas realized what nature was telling him and lifted himself from the cushion of Aragorn's chest making the man whimper in loss.

Legolas rolled his eyes and easily stood, "We must go Estel, your father and the rest of our companions are probably waiting on us. Do you want to set off with lord Elrond giving you a lecture on not to be late anymore?"

Aragorn, with not as much balance as the elf, stood quickly. Legolas climbed down the tree followed by the ranger, and watched as the man jumped the last few feet to the earth. He landed not as skillfully as his lover even though he's been climbing the same tree for the past years.

Legolas held out his hand for Aragorn to take, but to his surprise the man did not. He simply starred at the grass beneath his boots watching the invisible wind slice through the thin projectiles. "Estel?" Legolas questioned.

Aragorn slowly looked up. His silver eyes appeared clouded with deep worry which was exactly what Legolas was feeling at the sight of them. He stepped forward and clasped his hand on the man's shoulder, "What is wrong?"

Without hesitation, only with love, Aragorn asked, "Are you sure you wish to go Legolas?"

The elf was confused, "...To Rivendell? We have too Estel, otherwise the fellowship will leave without us!"

Aragorn shook his head and gazed into his lover's blue eyes, "I meant to Mordor...what if you get hurt...or even killed on this journey? You know even the thought of something so devastating would kill me..."

Legolas felt sympathy at Aragorn's words, and gently pulled the man against him in a loving hug. He feared for the same thing to befall Gondor's lost king and would give anything to stop it. He let his lips touch the skin over Aragorn's ear and pledged, "I won't be slain on this journey Estel, I promise you that. I am sure that I want to go, for the fate of my race, Middle-Earth, and you will be decided from it."

Aragorn felt the elf pull back inches away from his face with tender eyes smiling at him as he asked. "Are you sure you wish to go, Aragorn, son of Arathorn?"

At the mention of his full name, Aragorn lowered his gaze back to the flowing grass. No, he was most defiantly not sure if he should go, but something in his heart was pleading him to follow through, to go on this journey. With his love at his side, what reason should he not?

"Yes..." Aragorn finally whispered lifting his head once more. Legolas smiled at him and kissed his lover with every passion and care he could muster. Aragorn allowed himself to let Legolas do his will before pulling back and gazing over the elf's beautiful face. He stroked the pale cheeks and kissed him softly once more. Legolas took hold of the same hand and interlocked their fingers before saying, "We should head back now. I do not call this wasting time, for it is more important to me to know your true wishes. But, we must go before your father has both our heads in for a lecture." Aragorn nodded and both walked back towards the elven city; Aragorn leading most of the way with a caring elf at his side.

Thankfully when they returned, both man and elf was not lectured at all, for Elrond was too focused at the departure of the fellowship. All nine members stood together for the second time along with a pony called Bill carrying their supplies. All appeared ready for the long journey ahead of them, and awaited the last moment in Rivendell's gates.

The elf lord stood before the fellowship, gazing over each member with determination and hope. His gaze fell upon his adopted son who only nodded at the elven lord with a small smile. Elrond prayed to the Valar that they would watch over him and his companions, and he prayed that Estel would be guided down the right path to the throne of Gondor. His people needed his strength.

As the many elves of Imladris surrounded the departing fellowship along with the twins, Elladan and Elrohir, Elrond began speaking, "The ringbearer is setting out on the quest of Mount Doom, and you who travel with him no oath, nor bond is to go further than you will."

Aragorn eyed his father sadly as his gaze fixed onto his own. "Farewell. Hold to your purpose, and may the blessings of elves, men, and your freefolk go with you..."

Both Aragorn and Legolas lifted their hands to their hearts and outwards toward Elrond in the elf gesture of respect. Elrond nodded to them both and bid them the same way before they were led out by Frodo Baggins through the gates of his house.

"Merry, how far do you think we've gone?" Pippin asked, his voice out of breath. If his feet had lungs he was sure that they'd be dead by now.

Merry shrugged his shoulders, "Not sure Pip. If your feet hurt as much as mine, then I'd guess many hours."

"Many hours indeed Mr. Meriadoc," Gandalf said from a few beings ahead. His voice was strained, but still held the cheerfulness the hobbits were all used to hearing. Gandalf ceased his walking and turned around facing his eight companions; nine including Bill who appeared the same as he had left.

"We shall rest in another hour or so, for the sun has just began to set across the lands. You should get used to this young hobbits, for we will be walking for over many months." Aragorn smiled as the wizard seemed to chuckle at the halflings quiet gasps. The ranger looked far ahead seeing on tall boulders, hills(many hills), and plenty of grass, alive or dead. Their fourth day of traveling hasn't been all that bad. Only the two hobbits, or Gimli would start complaining long enough to get Gandalf to stop.

Sam turned around to face his small friends. "Be quiet you two. I don't want to be hearing your complaints all the way to Mordor."

"But Sam, aren't you tired?" Pippin questioned or rather pleaded.

"Yes, but I can still move on. Let's just hurry and go so we can stop before the sun sets!"

Pippin groaned along with Merry. Legolas smiled at his two new friends and placed a hand on Pippin's shoulder. The young halfling looked up and suddenly felt excitement rush through his veins as he was greeted with the sight of the elf's face.

"I have an offer for you young one.," Legolas began. Aragorn watched as his lover got an amused glint in his eyes.

Pippin quickly nodded as Legolas continued.

"If you and Merry are able to walk until Gandalf says, I'll play any game you wish until you retire for the night. I swear on my immortality that I'll keep to my word, and that I'll join you in any game you desire."

The two hobbits quickly got their jumping expressions back on their faces as they agreed to the elf's offer. Legolas smiled and looked up at Gandalf saying, "Then let's move on Mithrandir. These two wish to play."

Gandalf shook his head and began walking on again. "Now they've corrupted an elf in their silly games," he chuckled, "Hobbits..."

There were no more complaints for the rest of that day after Legolas' offer. Merry and Pippin couldn't be more relieved to be off their feet when they stopped for camp. Legolas began to wonder if they had anymore energy left to play one of their games.

"Legolas, can you help gather some firewood with me?" Aragorn asked standing across from where the halflings and elf sat. Legolas nodded and got up from his seat on a flat boulder, and walked with Aragorn down the hillside. Their camp was set up at the top of the hill for three reasons. One: if any enemies were to come near their resting place it would be difficult for them to climb up the steep slopes and they would be an easy target. Two: the look-out for the night could see clearly throughout the landscape, and three: Gandalf said so. And if Gandalf says so, he says so.

The two made it to the bottom of the hill and walked towards a small patch of trees a little ways from camp. The elf and man never let their guard down as they walked forward. A huge shadow and spread over Middle-Earth and they would not take any chances that evil had spread this far.

After they searched the area and concluded that their wasn't any nearby danger, the two began to brake off thin branches or gathered twigs from the area of plants. Legolas was picking up some long twigs when he heard Aragorn give out a quiet cry that his elven hearing caught. He turned towards the ranger to see that he was holding his hand tightly against his chest.

"Estel!" Legolas called softly running next to the man's side. "Estel, what happened? Are you injured?"

Aragorn smiled up at the elf as he tried to hide his left hand underneath his outer clothing. "Nothing, I'm fine. Just a prick on the finger that's all."

"Very funny," Legolas commented as he gently gripped Aragorn's wrist and pulled the hand out towards him. The tan palm was decorated with a line of red slicing from the bottom of his forefinger to the edge of his palm. Legolas glared up at the ranger, "You call that a prick on the finger? Estel, you cut yourself down your palm!"

Aragorn rolled his eyes, "It's nothing to worry about Legolas. I'll clean it up once we get back with the firewood. Now let's go, or Merry and Pippin will starve and freeze."

The man tried to walk away, but Legolas held firmly onto Aragorn's wrist, not letting him go. Without any thought, the elf unbuckled one of his armguards and ripped a piece of his light blue tunic with his teeth. Aragorn groaned, "What're you doing? I have supplies back at camp, can't you wait?"

"No," Legolas replied simply as he cleaned the cut with part of the cloth before wrapping it up in it's softness. He replaced his armguard back on his forearm and clipped it in place. "There, now tell me what happened."

Aragorn sighed, "Elves worry to much..."

"I take that as a compliment," Legolas said getting a glare from his lover.

Aragorn picked up a broken piece of wood from the ground and showed the edge of the bark where it was torn. His bandaged hand now held what seemed to be the other half and he explained short and simple, "When I snapped this piece in half, my hand was placed on the middle of it and the other at the end. One of the pieces cut into my palm as it broke, and that's what happened."

Legolas chuckled, "Humans should pay attention more."

Aragorn rolled his eyes and chuckled back. Being away from the others gave them one advantage at that moment and before Legolas began walking away, Aragorn had his mouth over his. The ranger dropped the two pieces of wood and cupped his lover's face pressing his tongue deeper into the elf's opening. He earned a moan when sucked on Legolas' bottom lip.

"E-Estel...the others–mmph!" Aragorn devoured Legolas' mouth again, not allowing him to finish. The man wanted to use this freedom wisely, for they realized that time alone would be scarce on this journey and they would be in the company of seven others everyday.

Aragorn left the elf's tender lips and began kissing down the pale neck. His hands held each one of Legolas' hips as he trailed down to the archer's collarbone. Legolas tipped his head back giving his love full access to the soft skin there. He let out a quiet gasp as Aragorn pressed against the joint between his shoulder and collarbone.

"Aragorn...we...we have to go back..." Legolas breathed out. Aragorn continued pleasing his lover at his weakness and began roaming his hands under the elf's tunics. At the feeling of the man's skillful hands touching over skin, Legolas pressed harder against his body, begging for more contact. If this continued on, Legolas knew that he would have no way to get Aragorn to stop. Gaining control of himself, Legolas began to pull his neck away from the man's lips that were still placed upon the joint in his shoulder.

Aragorn sensed when the elf tried to push away and released the soft skin leaving a small red mark. He brought his hands back up to the pale face and kissed Legolas tenderly. The elf sighed. That could've gone too far.

"We can go back now," said Aragorn stroking the flesh under Legolas' left eye, "Forgive me meleth nin, I did not wish to make you uncomfortable."

Legolas pulled the man close and pressed his cheek against that of Aragorn's. "You did not make me uncomfortable Estel, just a little worried. I feel weary of the day when we're found out."

Aragorn pressed gently against Legolas' cheek. "I understand meleth, but let us not worry of that now. We're together under the stars and still no one knows." He pulled away and kissed the elf softly. "Let's head back...I'm sure the hobbit's are eager to play that game you promised with them."

Legolas sighed, "Those two look spent. I'm not sure if they want to play or not."

"Oh, I'm sure they can muster enough energy to play with you elf."

Legolas let that thought slide and scooped up the small pieces of wood and twigs from the ground. Aragorn followed suit and carefully held the pieces against his chest. The two lovers made their way out from under the trees and up the steep hills. Aragorn had some difficulty, but still arrived at the top with each piece of wood that he started with.

Luckily for Legolas, after dinner was served, a small fire was burning, and Aragorn's injured hand was cleaned and rebandaged, Merry, Pippin, and Sam played a game of tag with the elf until their feet were limp and all their energy was spent. Aragorn chuckled as the hobbits finally collapsed after their fifteenth game, and was surprised to see Legolas lie down next to them. It was amazing on how such small beings can tire such a skillful elf.

The moon was directly overhead when Boromir finally took over for Aragorn's watch. The warrior walked over to the man's side and touched his shoulder. Aragorn jumped at the touch and whirled around pointing his sword at whoever's throat.

"Aragorn, calm down!" Boromir gasped holding up in hands innocently. After realizing who it was, Aragorn lowered his weapon as he uneasily made out an apology. Boromir chuckled and patted him on the shoulder, "Go get some rest, I'll take over now."

In reality, Aragorn was tired. His feet were hurting more than usual and his legs were aching just as bad. Boromir noticed this and the ranger began questioning himself if he was that easy to read. He nodded at Boromir's offer, and walked back to camp where everyone was asleep. All except Legolas, who leaning against the boulder behind him and watching his lover sit down at his side.

Legolas noticed the aching in Aragorn's silver eyes and looked at the side of his face. Aragorn took one glance at the elf before realizing that he could also see the weariness of his body. He took Legolas' hand and silently kissed his knuckles before whispering, "I'm fine...just tired."

Legolas was still concerned, but smiled and kissed Aragorn's temple. "Then sleep Estel nin, I will watch over you tonight. Do not worry for me, for I have already rested."

"You should still sleep..." Aragorn mumbled resting his head on the elf's shoulder. Legolas chuckled and began to sing quietly until the man was in a deep slumber. He let his blue eyes gaze up at the sky where thousands of white specks could be seen across the blanket of night. Hopefully, every night could be as peaceful as this one.

A/N: I'm sorry for the late update. Since I published the first chapter, I was drawn into reading more and not updating. I promise I shall try to update faster, so please stay with me! Review!

FireHead