Darkness' Claim, Shattered Heart

A/N Dating 13-02-2013 I started rewriting my other LOTR fic "Facing the Shadows - Loss of the Light" and came to see that this fic was nearly as popular. I can't divide my attention between both fics at the same time and rewrite (and continue this). So I decided for easier reading to at least throw a spellchecker over the fic as it is (I know, I was hasty and didn't have an english spellchecker in those days, I sucked xD). Rewrite of his and continuation probably coming after I finish on the other one.

A/N Well, what the heck, why wait for 5 reviews, gonne post this now, but now I WILL wait for 10 reviews, I can't run on low fuel y'know, seeing reviews do fuel me and keep me out of writer's blocks :s.

As for the three reviews I had already:

Endurwen en' kalina: U in need of Leggie, me 2! Want him next to me in my bed, gheghe :D.

Nife: Well here's what happend next...dududududum...

Saxaphonebaby: Good thing u are :D Like this, r&r Facing the Shadows, Loss of the Light :D

All of u, thanx for reviewing and r&r FTS, Loss of the Light! Well, here's the new chap 4 u and don't forget 2 review...

~Disclaimer~ Any idiot who actually thinks I could make my dream come true of owning Lotr and who actually needs this disclaimer so they will not sue me, is an idiot who makes me cry, 'cause remembering me my dreams of Leggie and Aragorn are only dreams, makes me sad beyond.

~Summary~ Legolas and Aragorn go on the journey to destroy the ring, but things happen and both realise they are more than just friends. But what will it take to let Aragorn realise it in time? A/L Slash.

Chapter Two, Departure

~Aragorn's POV~

I had heard of Mithrandir finally, after so many years I finally saw him again. How long had it been, perhaps 10 years? I did not know exactly, but I knew I had missed the wizard. I had met him when I was only 19 years old, I had left Rivendell for the first time, it had been only two days then. It had been two days since I chose to become a ranger, instead of claiming the throne. I was not ready, the world of men was not ready. It was still the age of the elves, what difference would I make when I would take the throne. None, I knew nothing would change, but I would lose my freedom, may ways of roaming the forest and learning of other races and Middle-Earth.

Only 19 years, I knew I was to live longer as any other human, I had time... It was when Elrond told me I was old enough in human years to take the throne of Gondor. It scared me, was I really to trade my life here in Rivendell for a life I did not know what would hold in store for me? No, I had whispered to the elder. "I cannot, the woods call me, Middle-Earth calls me, I cannot" and with that I had left and Elrond had let me go in peace, knewing the same as I did. It was not the time, Middle-Earth was not yet ready.

I had made it far, I could see a wood from afar and I wondered if that was the famous realm of Mirkwood. I had been to eager back than and I had overseen a group of Orcs heading my way, trapping me by surrounding me. I had been foolish, unexperienced and it had led me to great pain. They had robbed me of my sword easily, I had not even been able to slay any of them, but they had managed to break many of my bones, they were about to kill me, when the wizard had come to my aid. The orcs had been scared of him when he so easily had slain one, they ran away, leaving my broken body at the feet of the white steed the grey person rode.

I was bearly conscious, but I remembered him taken me upon his steed and he taken me to the palace of Mirkwood, were I was taken to a bed. I remembered his name, I heard the elves say it to me, actually I remembered three, but I only knew afterwards they were meant for two persons. I heard the names, Mithrandir, Gandalf and Legolas fall.

When I awoke I found myself in a beautifull room, one that seemed worthy of a prince and I looked around. There I had seen a person in silver dressing, next to my bed on a chair, his eyes shone out relief and compassion. I did not know why, but I named him right, "Legolas" it was all I could say and he had introduced himself proparly, smiling that wonderfull smile all the time.

I learned Gandalf and Mithrandir were the same person and Legolas himself looked after me every day, aiding me in combat skills, learning me how to use a bow and healing me slowly. He had become my best friend, for many years now.

I had been ever greatfull too the grey wizard, though I had only seen him perhaps 3 years after that incident. Not only greatfull for him saving my life, but also for bringing me to this Mirkwood prince, for bringing that joy and friendship into my life. I vowed then I would return the favor someday, I vowed I would make it up to him and I did so now.

Mithrandir had almost stumbled upon me in his haste to get to Isengard, to the white wizard Saruman. He had smiled upon seeing me and I knew right then this was the time to relief myself of my vow. And indeed, he had asked me to take care of two halflings, one in particulair. He told me a brief version of what I already feared, the ring of evil had returned and a great war was coming upon Middle-Earth. He asked me to go to Bree, to go to the inn of the Prancing Pony, there they would go and there I would find this Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee, the two Hobbits with the ring.

I nodded and the grey wizard and his steed left me in the woods. Immediatly I made way to Bree, to the Inn of the Prancing Pony, were I sat now..

I deliberatly clothed myself to be unknown to everyone, I knew which danger was to come and I knew who I needed to protect. They sat on the other side of the Inn, waiting for the wizard, whom had been hindered in some way. I feared not for the wizard, I knew he could take care of himself, like he had done all these years.

The two that were supposed to arrive, were now with four. I did not mind, it was alright by me. I was only happy that they had made it this far. I knew whom I knew carried the ring, the one I knew was to be Frodo Baggins, checked in as Mister Underhill. The grave look on his face when he heard Gandalf the Grey had not yet arrived, I knew who he was in an instant.

There I sat, watching them closely, smoking my pipe. After a moment I realised they knew I was keeping my eye upon them. I saw one of the compagnions, probably Sam, point at me with his bread. I saw him word some suspicious words of me and the scared look upon Frodo. It was then I was 100 percent sure it was him. Frodo adresssed the bartender and they both eyed me suspiciously. I laughed inwardly, that man was probably telling all sorts of scary things about me. "The Ranger Strider, the dark man who is to be feared by all. When his eye falls upon you, you are in trouble for sure. Run you cannot, for he will find you and..." I remembered Legolas joking about it when we were young, in our own way. The way he had joked about it had actually become a rumor in some places of Middle-Earth and it sometimes actually aided me in going unnoticed.

My mind fell back to the elf, the fair blonde elf. I had seen him grow the past years. Many times I had visited him and every time I returned, I was flooded by happiness of seeing his face again. He made me happy, we would go hunting, joking often, it were happy times. I wondered briefly what he would be doing now, if he knew of the ring and if I ever was to see him again... I grieved me if those things would be true...

I suddenly noticed one of the other hobbits at the bar, talking about Frodo and his name, the stupid fool.. But it made no difference, these persons would not form a threat to him. But it was when I saw Frodo make such a panicked reaction to it, I feared he would betray himself and his bearing. Unconsciously my pipe left my mouth as I stared at what was about to happen. Frodo made way for the other hobbit he reffered after as Pippin as pulled at his sleeve. In reaction, Pippin turned and Frodo fell backwards. I saw the ring flying through the air and I made an attempt to rise, but I decided to wait and see. The ring fell upon the hobbit's finger and he dissapeared! All reacted the way I had feared, the young hobbit had drawn all the attention and now the Nine would know where to go. I had to act and I had to act quickly.

~Normal POV~

Frodo reappeared near the staircase against a table and luckily none had discovered him just yet, or so he believed. The look on his face was scared, then when he knew where he was, he was relieved. The dark hooded man pulled him up against the wall and whispered:

" You draw far too much attention to yourself, Mister Underhill" and before Frodo could react, the man had taken him up the stairs into one of the guest rooms where Frodo was tossed to the floor.

"What do you want" Frodo asked when he regained his composure.

"A little more caution from you, that is not a trinket you carry"

"I carry nothing"

"Indeed"

"I can avoid being seen if I wish, but to dissapear entirely, that is a rare gift" the man spoke as he turned out the candles with his bare fingers and undid himself of his hood, his face was handsome and raw, Frodo noticed. He must be a ranger indeed, always in bear nature, wandering.

"Who are you?"

"You frightened?" the man asked, as if challenging him.

"Yes" Frodo knew nothing to say but the truth.

"Not nearly frightened enough, I know what hunts you"

The man walked closer to Frodo, but when he heard something stumble behind him, he drew his blade and awaited what burst through the door.

It were his friends, Sam with his bear fists, ready to fight, Merry with a candelholder and Pippin with a chair, ready to fight the man Sam just threatened.

"Let it drop, or I'll have you Long shanks!"

"You have a stout heart little hobbit, but that will save you" the man spoke as he returned his sword to its hilt.

He encounterd Frodo, "You cannot wait any longer for the wizard Frodo, they're coming".

The way he said it made Frodo frighten what was bestowed upon him even more, but he would not let it in, he would be strong.

Indeed the ranger had been right, the dark forces whom had haunted him before, were now in Bree, searching for them, but Strider had hidden them well, planning a trap. He had told the hobbit's to get some sleep, they would be leaving at dawn, for Rivendell and it would be a long road.

In the middle of the night the dark had indeed fallen for the trap, they had stabbed what they thought to be the hobbits, but were only pillows in beds. At the sound of their discovery, at the sound of their screechs, the hobbits awoke, staring all at Strider, waiting for answers.

"What are they?"

"They were once men. Great kings of men, then Sauron the deceiver gave to them nine rings of power. Blind by their greed, they took them without question. One by one falling to darkness, now they are slaves to his will. They are the Nazgul, Ringwraiths, neither living nor dead. At all times they feel the presence of the ring, drawn to the power of the One.

They will never stop hunting you"

~Aragorn's POV~

I saw they were scared, all of them and they had reason to be scared, hell, they even had reason to be much more scared. But I saw their determenation and I could feel them beginning to trust me. At dawn I took them into the wild, away from civilasation, away from where the Nine could find us so easily. I could hear them talk off me behind me, thinking my hearing was not as good as it was. I could hear them being shocked when I answered one of their questions, which not meant for me to hear. I laughed inwardly, it was funny, but I gave them credit for their strenght and they had indeed reason to mistrust me now, not knowing me, being a stranger to them.

I told them we were heading for Rivendell, to the House of Elrond and they all seemed enjoyed, most of all Sam, being enlightened by the thought of meeting elves.

We crossed woods, swamps and it was no easy journey. To me it was not even a simple one, let alone to the smaller hobbits, whom had not known or experienced anything close to this yet. Pippin was whining about food all the time, but it seemed to grow on me, instead of irritating me like in the beginning.

At nightfall we had covered a great deal of land already and for dinner I had shot a deer, so they could eat proparly. I myself did not eat much, for I soon realised how much more hobbit's ate and needed right now. I could last without food untill we reached Rivendell.

When the hobbits fell to sleep I began to wonder of several things. Of Legolas and how much I needed his enlightend spirit beside me, of the travels we had done together and still if I ever was to see him again.

And of Arwen, I loved her and I held her heart close to me, but something seemed wrong, incomplete. I wanted to see her, yet I did not. I knew she wanted to give up her immortality to me, but it felt so terribly wrong. Not only the fact it was a humongous step for her, but also... I knew not if I could respond to her in such way... if it was worth it... I remembered a song Legolas had tought me so many years ago, a song of an elven woman who did the same and died... and I softly began to sing it. Soon Frodo had awoken and he asked me of the song, I enlightend him of the meaning, but not of the connection it had to my life.

A/N I'm gonna leave Weathertop out of the detailed version I think, if you do want it, review and lemme know, I'll include it for u. Instead I'll leap on to something else, but you'll see in the next chap, which indeed will contain Legolas once more. Well, wrote two chapters today, seeing FOTR before me while I write, so the lines they say will be the right ones and uhm, now I'm going to shop, for it's almost christmas and I need to buy christmas gifts.

Please REVIEW?!