WARNING: There is a sex scene in this chapter. I must say this as a warning for I had few people complaining in my inbox how they don't like being unprepaired for such surprises. So I hope it is fine now. This chapter is a bit longer, sorry for that.:D
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After many weeks on the road, the small fellowship reached an old inn near Rohan. Aragorn got off his horse and greeted with the inkeeper, leaving his companions in the big yard outside the inn.
Legolas gently pushed Bjarte's sleeping form on the peaceful horse for the boy started to sway too much and risk falling. He jerked his head in surprise and lazily blinked his eyes.
"We are finally done?"- he asked in hoarse tone and run his fingers through his tangled, black locks that were slightly touching his lean shoulders.
Legolas smiled and looked at the inn.
"Far from done, Bjarte. We are only having a break."- the elf spoke and now studied the inn more closely. There was something too familiar in that sharp roof and large eaves. Legolas shuddered uncomfortably when he captured the looking of the whole building. Hesitating, he looked over his shoulder and gazed at the deep forest that reminded him of something. Again, he looked before himself and wondered once more.
"Oh, I stink.."- Bjarte screwed his nose up and narrowed his eyes in discomfort when he smelled his clothing. He looked at the bemused Elf who was constantly turning his head side to side and gazing around himself with suspicious eyes.
"What is it?"- he asked and Legolas absently shook his head.
"Nothing.. It is like I know this place.."- he said in uncertain and low tone, more to himself and continued to study the slant house.
Bjarte shrugged and pulled his colar down as if he tried to get some fresh air.
"I stink so bad.."- he hissed and eyed the elf's neat skin and shimmering hair- "And how do you manage to stay that clean?"
Bjarte's question pulled him out of his thoughts and he turned to the boy.
"What did you say?"- he asked once again.
"We have been riding for weeks, almost with no break. The weather is just colder and colder, the land was rather dry and rough, horses are.. Well, they are animals, we have the least possible package of clothing and you still look like you had a warm, pleasant bath this morning. Look at my nails!"- he yelped in frustration and showed the spoken part of his body where were visible lines of dirt. Even on his face there were some dark spots made by dust.
Legolas laughed.
"I am an elf, after all." the elf said in amused tone and jumped off his brown and weary stud.
"Even our quiet friend is exausted."- Bjarte spoke in bored tone and tried to pull the dirt under his nails out.
Legolas lifted his gaze and looked over the horse's neck at the necromancer.
His hair was messy and tied in a low tail in a manner of pure discomfort. His long robe was creased and his face was stressed and nervous. His servant was silently sitting next to the horse, on the ground. Legolas briefly wondered how he had managed to keep their pace. Devon leaned against his horse and yawned like a starved animal.
"Valar, I stink like an orc."- Bjarte cried in frustration and squirmed inside of his clothing.
"You are already complaining?"- Legolas mocked.
"Smell me, then I'll ask you."- the boy nearly darted his tongue out at the elf and raised his eyebrows.
"No, thank you, I shall manage somehow without it too, I assure you."- Legolas rolled his eyes.
"Nai boy, it is good when you feel how terrible your scent is. You are in great problem when you actually don't."- one man sneaked behind their backs and patted Bjarte on his back. The boy jumped on his horse and threw one shocked look at the man over his shoulder.
He was tall, broad, with a strong jaw and light messy hair.
"Now be kind and tell me, where is that old, useless.."- he started to speak but before he could finish, Aragorn walked back to them and eyed the man with a wide smile and short laugh.
"Ahh, there he is. Aragorn, son of Ara-..!"- he shrieked and opened his arms.
"Agard!"- Aragorn said with pure hapiness in his deep voice and pulled the man into a bear hug with a thud when two bodies crashed. Aragorn earned few hard blows over his back by the man's hand. Legolas raised his eyebrows but couldn't help but smile a bit when he caught Bjarte's scandalous glare with a corner of his eye.
There was another thud when both of men pressed their forheads together in a less than gentle move while they were laughing.
"Oh, my friend, you look miserable."- Agard laughed and eyed Aragorn's ragged clothing.
"And you, my friend, look and smell like a bride on her wedding day."- Aragorn said with a smile and looked at Agard's pale clothing that looked like it has passed through the both winds and tides and seven hells, all mixed together.
"Humor has never been your virtue."- Agard knowingly nodded his head.
"An orc bride."- Aragorn added.
"I see, you know many orc brides, you lover."-and they were even. Aragorn's stormy eyes were glistening with pure joy. He took a step back and patted Agard on his broad shoulder.
"I want to introduce you to.."- Aragorn started but Agard was faster.
"Yes, the boy with fleas, Bjarte, if I am right and the blond Elf, Legolas. And I am not in mood for the rest of your companions, Aragorn."- his eyes were bright but Legolas noticed how his voice went lower for few tones when he spoke about Devon. And Devon shared the man's sympathy. He throw an icy glare at Agard and gudied his horse towards the stables, not even considering the option to come near and greet with him.
Bjarte got off his horse and sticked his chest out.
"I have no fleas."- he spoke in strict tone.
"Now I am scared, boy. You look like you can put a spider from Dol Guldur on a stake and bake him over the fire."- Agard spoke in serious tone.
"Really?"- Bjarte let his confused hands to hang low on his hips and eyed the man with amazement in his green eyes.
Agard burst into laughter and gave a good aimed blow over Bjarte's chest, nearly striking the boy down.
"No, I am only kidding. That spider would eat you and shit your soul out in a blink of an eye."- Agard laughed and rubbed his watery eyes.
Bjarte was not sure if he was supposed to laugh.
"Sir.."- he started but it was followed with another loud laugh.
"I have been called many names, my boy, but sir is not one of them. Save it for Theoden's chubby lords, they like courtesy."- Agard said with sincere eyes and sympathy.
"I like this one, Aragorn."- he kicked Aragorn in the ribs with his elbow but the man seemed like he hadn't noticed it.
Aragorn smiled.
"This is Agard, one of the last of the Rangers that still wander around Middle-Earth. My friend."- he said with obvious warmness in his tone.
Agard carefully watched the Elf now and Legolas could do nothing but return his open gaze filled with curiosity.
"How did you know my name?"- Legolas asked and let his gard down when he noticed how much Aragorn and this man were close. He believed Aragorn and if the man decided that there is no danger, he would not question it. Except of Devon.
"Rumors spread fast."- Agard said in a joking tone but there was a tone of severity as well. Leglas raised his eyebrows.
"What are you doing here?"- Aragorn asked.
"Just passing."- he said but the Elf caught a rapid blink of the man's eye towards Aragorn and Aragorn's face went slightly grim and worried. He nodded his head a bit.
"Let's go inside. It is already twilight. Come, we can talk with a glass of wine and some warm food."- Aragorn said and pulled Agard by his hand.
"You can leave your horses here, stableman will appear in instant."- Aragorn said to Legolas and Bjarte who followed them.
When they were about to enter the inn, Legolas looked over his shoulder and saw the stableman. He was limping on his right leg. Legolas studied his back curiously but before he could notice anything else, he heard Aragorn calling for him.
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After a quick bath, Legolas was waiting for Aragorn in their room. He was sitting on the bed in a bathrobe with still wet hair while he was suspiciously studing the walls lit by the candel light. There was something too familiar.
Aragorn walked out of the bath into the room without a shirt and with wet hair. One cheek was coated in white shaving foam while the other side of his face was clean, almost with no stubble. In his hand he was holding a small, sharp and straight blade.
"Where is my clothing?"- he asked Legolas as he walked across the room, in search for something.
"It is being washed."- Legolas said absently and looked at the ceiling, thinking.
Aragorn continued to the night table and fumbled through his linen bag.
"It is a good thing I took some more clothing with myself so I don't have to walk naked through the hall. But if I don't find another razor.."- he started to mumble to himself.
Legolas gave up his thinking and stood up. He walked towards Aragorn's half naked form and studied his face.
"I need to shave this other unfinished half."- he explained to Legolas' curious gaze and moved his hand over his shaven cheek.
"You used to shave almost every day."- Legolas spoke and stared at the man's face in amazement.
"Like there is a great use of it. It grows every day. I would look like a savage after few weeks."- Aragorn sighed when he finally found the needed object. He continued to the bath with Legolas following him in step.
Legolas stood in front of the man, next to the mirror that was slightly blurred from the steam and eagerly watched how Aragorn was shaving himself. The Elf crossed arms on his stomach and followed the man's hands with his eyes.
"What are you looking at?"- Aragorn quietly whispered, feeling blue eyes on his face but he was concentrated on the razor in his hand, not wanting to cut himself. He lowered the razor down in the small bowl filled with water that was laid on a high but narrow table in front of him and washed the foam off its blade and then again pressed it on his cheek. Legolas crooked his head on the side.
"This is interesting."- he spoke as he watched. Aragorn smiled a bit but his eyes were fixed on his reflection in the large mirror.
"Why are men so hairy?"- Legolas asked suddeny as he throw a look on Aragorn's tanned chest. It was slightly covered with small hair. His eyes trailed down and Legolas captured a small line under the man's navel that was going down his abdomen and it was lost under breeches that covered Aragorn's private parts although the elf exactly knew how looked every part of the man's body for he saw him nude many times before.
"Valar made us so. It keeps me warm when I am cold."- Aragorn explained with a chuckle.
"No wonder. All that fur.."- Legolas sighed and Aragorn bursted into laughter. He shook his head in amusment and continued to shave.
Legolas stretched his hand and touched the man's chest with his fingers. Aragorn ignored his movement. All he showed was a small smile and he continued to gaze at his reflection, although he was able to see how Legolas' palm was caressing his torso.
The Elf moved his hand down, over the hard stomach and carefully caressed the line under the man's navel with one hand. He doubled the pressure on the sensitive lower stomach and Aragorn shuddered a bit. Legolas gave him a wicked smile.
He moved a step closer to the man and put both hands on Aragorn's breeches. With certain fingers, he started to unstrap his belt.
"Legolas, I am holding a razor. Don't molest me."- Aragorn mumbled in wary tone and shaved another white line on his cheek off.
"Then I advise you to be careful with it."- Legolas said in less than interested tone and he pulled the belt out and threw it on the floor. He unzipped Aragorn's breeches and lowered them down with his fingers a bit.
"It keeps you warm, you say.. Even here?"- Legolas said in amused tone and sheated his palm within now too tight breeches. He took a firm hold of flesh he found there that twitched in his grip. Aragorn clenched his jaw.
"I've missed you here, Aragorn."- Legolas whispered when he moved behind the man and rested his chin on Aragorn's bare shoulder. He continued to rub him as he watched over his shoulder at the stiff reflection.
His hand was slightly wet for the man took a bath few minutes ago. He felt how the flesh was eagerly respoding to his stimulus.
Aragorn queitly groaned and closed his eyes. His hips started unconsciouly to push in Legolas' hand, needing to feel caressed, touched.
With his free hand, Legolas took a strip around his waist off and opened his bathrobe. For a moment he had left Aragorn's aching need that started to weep out of pleasure and pushed the robe down his shoulders, letting it to fall on the floor.
Aragorn opened his eyes when he felt the loss of the sweet touch but before he could say a word, he felt a palm down on him again and he whimpered at one too firm grasp.
"You are naked."- he whispered when Legolas pressed himself on his back so he felt tiny nipples that went too tight in instant on the touch of his skin. Legolas rubbed his body against the man's that was half-naked.
"Aye, I am."- was the faint whisper and Legolas moved his head aside so he can suck on the man's neck. His damp hair fell over the man's shoulder and tickeled his nipples.
Aragorn moved his hand down and pulled each side of his breeches down so he was able to breathe in all his glory. He threw his head back and moaned.
When the flesh in his hand was too hard and heated and when his hand became wet from teasing, Legolas gave a tortured sigh for he himself was bursting with desire. He stopped his ministrations, but the man was still pushing his hips forward so Legolas stilled him with his free hand.
"Wait."- he said in frustrated tone and moved behind the man. Aragorn was ready to protest but Legolas silented him when he stood in front of the man. Aragorn hastily wrapped his hands around svelte waist and pulled the elf on his chest. He kissed his neck and felt rushed pulse on the elf's neck vein. Aragorn trailed down and moved his head aside, lowered his body down a bit so he can suck on tight nipples. Legolas breathed out in shock of sudden heat on his chest. His body was too impatient, as if he was an animal in heat so he pressed his groin on the man's and started to grind slowly, drowning a soft cry of sweet pain deep in his throat.
Aragorn bit one nipple hard when their arousals were pressed firmly together and the Elf jerked and hissed in his hug. Sharp nails dug in his skin.
"Agard is waiting for us downstairs."- Aragorn panted when Legolas pulled him by his hair, wanting to take the man's wet mouth off his chest for he started to feel dizzy and he didn't want his intentions ruined tonight.
"He can wait a little bit longer."- Legolas hissed on uncertain legs.
Aragorn decided that he had had enough and with one knee he pushed Legolas' legs slightly apart. He grabbed him by his thighs and tried to lift him up and land his backside on the table and take him like that, while he was standing, but Legolas had other plans.
When he realized the man's intention, he said one certain "no", and took the hands off his thighs. Although he was burning and wanting their bodies to join together, he wanted to do something else. He already started to shiver and he knew that they were both late for dinner so he had no time to argue about this with Aragorn so when the man started to protest, he took a firm hold of his shoulders and turned him around and pushed him against the table with strenght he knew he possessed but with strenght he rarely used.
Aragorn blinked few times when he realized he was turned around and pushed by the lithe Elf, but he soon forgot about it when Legolas started to lick and gently blow on the skin of his chest and stomach. He grapsed the edge of the table with his hands.
"Legolas.."- he said in heated tone when the Elf knelt before him. He shuddered and yelped when the Elf took his arousal in hand and caressed him in long and fast strokes, mercilessly.
His navel was tenderly kissed by the elven wet mouth that started slowly to trace the line under it.
"Valar, Legolas!"- he cried out when his boobing desire was enveloped with hot saliva. Instinctively, he grasped the damp hair with his fingers and pushed in deeper.
Legolas rested his hands peacefully on Aragorn's sides and started to suck on hard flesh. He took it deep in his mouth, almost in his throat and fire in his belly started to burn wilder when he heard few pitful cries out of the man's mouth.
"Aiii, Legolas, please! Have mercy!"- Aragorn panted out for the friction was too painful, too sweet. Legolas tonuge was licking underside of his arousal, his mouth was too wet and when he would feel tightness of his throat, he thought he would burst out with both pleasure and pain.
"Ahh.. Yes, yes.. You are going to unman me.."- he panted and grasped the blond hair tighter when Legolas took him deeper and faster, with no torture from his side. His knees threatened to give in so with another hand he grasped the table stronger and leaned against it. His hand pushed the razor and it fell down on the floor.
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"Aye, Aragorn, I didn't know that taking a bath and shaving lasts that long."- Agard said in half angry tone when Aragorn and Legolas finally approached his table in the pleasant dining hall.
"I am sorry, I got carried away."- Aragorn explained and sat opposite to Agard and Legolas who sat next to the light haired man.
Legolas only raised his eyebrows and man gave him a smirk.
"Where is Bjarte?"- Legolas asked as he absently gazed around the hall. There were plenty of people, but neither of them was the boy. Aragorn didn't bother to look for he was starved so he immediately took a fork in his hand and joined Agard.
"He got carried away too."- Agard said and Aragorn almost choked on a piece of meat he started to chew.
"What is it? The boy likes taking baths it seems."- Agard said in conufsed tone and studied Aragorn's face.
"Yes, I don't doubt it."- he mumbled and took a sip of wine.
"Now tell me why are you really here, Agard."- Aragorn spoke and eyed the man.
Agard shifted uncomfortably.
"You can say everything in front of Legolas."- Aragorn said when he caught the man's gaze.
Legolas only crooked his head on the side and carefully watched the man.
"When you said that rumors spread fast.. What did you mean?"- Aragorn continued to eat.
"Well.. I heard here and there.. rumors that the King Elessar took a consort that isn't a highborn. Things to be more difficult, he isn't a human but an elf."- Agard said frankly although he felt a bit ashamed for he had to speak thus in front of Legolas.
Legolas' face went somewhat bitter but Aragorn paid no attention.
"People are still burdened with titles Aragorn, you know it well."- Agard said carefully and took a piece of food. Legolas was gravely staring at his glass.
"You think I care what people say?"- Aragorn said with a wide smile but he felt a sting of sorrow when he saw Legolas' face that went sorrowful in less than a minute.
"No, I don't think you do. But things can.. Things can be difficult if this goes on. If Legolas only was a highborn.. No one would say a thing."- Agard said in bitter voice and acted like Legolas wasn't sitting next to him.
"I cannot be what I am not. I am not a highborn. I am just an elf."- Legolas said with a sigh.
"And no one charges you for that."- Agard said in gentle tone.
"You've just said that people don't like the fact that the King has someone by his side that is not a highborn."- Legolas spat.
Aragorn took a deep breath but he was silent either way.
"Of course, but that is more than expected. It would be a great problem if you were wedded. Many kings and queens have a wide range of bed warme..."- and then Agard took a long and loud cough when he saw how Aragorn's head was rapidly lifted up and his gaze was more than deadly. Legolas only shuddered.
"I wanted to say.. They choose whoever they want. A healer, a baker, a trader or any other kind of humans. It doesn't matter if they have a title or not."- Agard explained quickly but Legolas understood what he meant.
"It is not that simple, Agard."- Aragorn spoke in stern voice that made Agard to stop eating and study Aragorn with serious eyes. Then he stared at the Elf.
Legolas stood up.
"I think I'll go for a walk. Pardon me."- he whispered and left two men to talk in peace for he wanted to hear no more.
He got out. The night was cold but he didn't care. He walked beside the window of a dining hall and watched how Aragorn was explaining something to the shocked man. Agard opened his mouth to say something, but Aragorn only grew more angry and lifted his hand. His handsome face was lighted by a candel on their table and his face expression was desperate and angry in the same time.
Legolas sighed and continued to walk with no goal. So Aragorn already started to fight with people because of him. Legolas smiled weakly. Like he didn't know this was going to happen sooner or later. People in the palace didn't fancy him because he had no noble blood in his veins. And when Aragorn's friend thought that what Aragorn was doing was wrong, what could Legolas possibly expect from other people?
In that moment Legolas wished that Aragorn was no one. Just a solider. Or a ranger. Or a trader. Oh everything except of a noble. And especially not a king.
He suddenly rembered Meanor's words.
"You are nothing now. It will follow you wherever you go."- Legolas repeated in his mind.
And truly, he was no one. Wind blew harder. Legolas gazed at the trees in the forest and wodered how even plants had roots. But he hadn't.
Legolas turned around when he heard two low voices and he saw Agard and Aragorn. They left the dining hall and now they were walking across the yard, heading towards the stables and walking away from Legolas. They haven't noticed him. The Elf eyed the man's back and then lowered his gaze down. At least he had Aragorn.
He had a noble, wise, old and blue-blooded man who was willing to abandon the safety of his White City coated in wealth and roam around, shiver on the cold wind and spend nights sleeping on the ground, in the search of the Elves that mayhaps didn't even exist. Legolas shook his head.
It must be love.
And that thought gave him solace although Legolas couldn't help but think and fear what will happen when Aragorn declares that he decided to leave the Land of his ancestry and sail with an unknown elf that used to be a slave once to the Undying lands. But Legolas was too selifsh to do the right thing and let Aragorn to live like he should. It was too late for that anyway.
When Legolas was about to turn around and leave, he captured one moving figure in the forest. Although he didn't see him properly, Legolas had no doubt who it was for he felt him. Felt a wave of old, rotten breath. Devon.
And Devon hasn't noticed the Elf. He threw a hood over his face and trailed deeper in the woods.
Legolas decided to follow him but when he took a first step, he heard a voice behind him.
"Can I help you?"- simple four words were poured in his ears. And that was enough to nail him into the ground. His pupils were frozen, only able to stare at the dark forest and see nothing that was made of this time.
So many views of his past ran before his blind eyes in that moment, and echoes of that voice that shaped different words with different meanings were whispering in his elven ears. And he recognized everything. He recognized the inn, he recognized the forest. And more than everything else, he recognized the owner of the voice behind him.
"... Master."