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.

~2 My Reviewers~

Quantuminferno~ Thnx for liking my fic :D Reviews such as yours and all the others fcourse make me go on :D Thnx

Endurwen en' Kalina~ One of my faithfull reviewers :D Just 4 u I'll whack Thranduil now... *WHACK* there ya go, he has a big bump on his head now, gheghe.

Nife~ Sad isn't it :'( And to think a chap in my life has been somewhat like this... Well, it's over now, thnx 4 reviewing!

YAMI CHIP~ Thnx 4 liking it as well, gheghe, here's the new chap!

Rath~ Neh, your not ranting, y'know we should sue (write it this way?) those peeps of Black Hawk Down, lovely Orlando needs to be in the movie more! Yeeeeee! Didn't know though, but he sure does rock in LOTR and POTC and perhaps in the upcoming Troy too :D. And I do care :D

Wilde Phyre~ So you did read my story, glad ya like it :D And I am gonne make him happy...or not, who knows but me?! Whahahaha, *evil* Read on and you'll see :D

Cofi~ He, where you from, I myself am from Holland, so English not my mother language either, but I do like it a lot. I really loved your complimenting review, so really really really thnx :D

Well, all my faithfull reviewers, I thank you and here's the new chap, just 4 y'all :D

~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 Four, Arrival at Imladris

~Aragorn's POV~

I sighed deeply, I knew letting my positive thinking down for a moment, would influence the worried hobbits behind me, but I could not help it. I made sure they would not see my face as we continued to wander through the few tree's that stood upon these plains. Frodo had been stabbed by a Morgul blade, a blade of death and was to pass to the realm of shadow, had my elven love not come along. Sam and I were searching of the Athelas plant, trying to find something to slow Frodo's passing and agony and indeed I had found some. It was then I heard her taunting voice, which I recognised in a moment.

"What's this, a ranger caught of his guard?"

It was Arwen Undomiel, the daughter of Elrond, the one elf which held my deepest affection, the one who held my heart. She had promised me her life, she had vowed to become mortal, to be with me always, but I still feared I would fail her somehow. I did not know how or when, I honestly didn't, I loved her with all my heart, yet this was the one part of my body which told me it was wrong, unjust and unfair to her.

And I was a man of my heart, I went were it carried me and I did not often question it, or ignore its premotions, all but once...

~Flashback~

There he lay in the clearing, his clothing torn and painfull gashed and bruises scattered across his body. My feet froze to the ground, I could no longer move. I ignored the pain in my own body, the few gashes I had gained during the battle I and my friend had fallen into.

We had seen a group of Haradrims rob a family whom were on their way towards Bree and Legolas and I decided to regain whatever they had stolen. But little did we know they were setting a trap for Us when we followed them into a small forest. Battle had fallen upon us in an instant and soon I lost sight of my best friend as we were delibaretly driven apart. Both of us had slain many of the evil men and eventually they had fled, leaving the injured elf in a small clearing in this dark forest.

Moonlight fell upon his body and it showed me more than I wanted to know, his eyes were closed and he did not seem to breath. My heart fell, fell deeply at the sight of this.

Then I found courage to go to his body, aid him if he was still alive, do whatever I could. It feared me though, the thought of him dead. Walking over there and finding his lifeless body, but I had to see it with my own eyes, I had to know...

Slowly and unsteady I walked over to Legolas, his golden hair was draped across the forest floor, stained with mud and blood... I lowered myself to the ground and I listened closely...

Joy had leaped in my heart, setting it back in the right place. He was still alive, he was still breathing, hurt, but alive!

I had clensed him, and made a camp for us to stay. I tended to his wounds before I did to mine and I was relieved nothing vital had been hurt in the elf's body. Being an elf he would heal soon, very soon, I knew.

It was when dinner was ready, I heard soft moans coming from the elf's body. I had rushed to his side, waiting for his eyes to open. In my heart I felt something out of place and I did not believe it when I had finally put my finger upon it. I...loved him, I wanted him to open his eyes, so I could embrace him and tell him how much he meant to me, how heartbroken I was when I thought him dead. His eyes had not opened though, and perhaps it was right.

~End of Flashback~

I think I know now it had been something foolish, I now know it could not have been love, brotherlove yes, love of a friend yes, but not love that I would give to my lover... Not like I loved Arwen, no, it could not be.

Everytime I thought of this again, I could feel my heart drop as it did then, and everytime I felt the same yearning to see him, to see if he was alive and well. And everytime it was my heart that lost to my mind, it was Not love...

I shook the thought of my mind when I saw the road that led to Imladris, to Rivendell, partially hidden in the mountains. I turned and smiled to the three hobbits behind me, reassurring them we were close. "Perhaps 4 more hours until we arrive at Rivendell" , I told them. Smiles lit their tired and worried faces. I knew Frodo was well, somehow I knew and I trusted the feeling, he would be healing in Rivendell now, under the watchfull eyes of Mithrandir and Elrond.

This was my home once, Imladris, but as a ranger I could never call anything home. But as they say, "Home is where the heart is" and this was where the woman whom held my heart lived. So perhaps this was what I could call home once more. I smile lightend my own face, I knew it. She would have been able to save Frodo and now she would wait for me here.

Arwen waited for me in Rivendell and I wondered if Legolas would be there too.. No, he could not be, there was no reason for him to be here at Imladris. He would not come to visit me so soon after we had departed from each other, 4 weeks ago.. Yet a small hope in my heart remained that he would be here, simply so I would know he was allright still. A sigh escaped my lips, I missed my friend...

I wondered if he was thinking the same way, if he felt as strong about our friendship as I did. If he felt the same way I did. It grieved me to think I was but another friend to him, but somehow I knew I was not that. But then again, I knew not if he cared for me the way I did for him. Sure, I could see his eyes enlighten when I would arrive and we would be reunited and I could see the grieve in his eyes when I left him once more. That he felt the same as I, but perhaps I was wrong and perhaps it was nothing more as this.

~Legolas POV~

I had left Mirkwood five days ago and it would only take us another day to arrive at Rivendell, we would be there early in the morning, if we would hurry perhaps at night. But I felt no rush, nor did my compagnions. We had time, if we would arrive in the morning, we would still be 2 days early.

I had deliberatly left this early, for I felt no need to be at home anymore, my father's accusing words ached me and I needed to be in mother nature's hands, away from hurt and pain for a while. Though, ofcourse the pain would never ease anymore, the burden would not lift, but I was able to take my mind of it and enjoy the nature around me and it was enough...

My mind had often wondered of Estel, how was he? Where was he? And... if he perhaps would join us at the council as well. I knew that he had distenced himzelf from the Gondor crown, but something in me knew he could no longer deny it, now this threat was upon Middle-Earth. I felt myself sigh as I felt my heart ache again. It was such an empty feeling, such a empty hole inside my chest, it felt as if my heart was not even there anymore. Except for the excrusiating pain that excisted there at times, stabbing my heart, taking the air out of my lungs for several seconds. It was agony and sad it enough it was the only affirmation I got, knowing my heart was still there.

I wondered if anyone would understand what I was going through, if anyone found any logic in how I explained my emptiness and pain. I guessed not, I guessed they would all think me crazy, but then again, who was to know? Noone would, ever... not even Estel himself.

I and my companions arrived at Imladris in the morning and the sun had risen already. Through the night I had felt myself growing eager of arriving here at Rivendell. The thought of Estel being here urged me and I jumped of my steed which much grace and still the hope of seeing him here. It had been long time since last I have been in Rivendell and it's beauty awed me. The sun made all of Rivendell look like it shone out a beautifull warm yellow color. Even though it was a constant fall here, it was warm and beautifull none the less.

I knew Aragorn would love this, I knew he would enjoy it as much as I did right now and I wished we could enjoy it together. My heart fell when I could not find Estel, when my eyes had gone through all of Rivendell I could see from here. I knew he would greet me, was he here, so it was no more than obvious he was not here.

~Aragorn's POV~

The trip had been tiring to all of us when we arrived at Rivendell. I advised all of them to take a good night sleep, to rest and then do whatever they liked to do. Ofcourse it was in vain...

"Where is he, where is he Strider? Let me see him!" Sam was becoming more and more restless when we approached Rivendell. He wanted to see Frodo, hold him, so he would know he was alright and alive. I could not deny this to him could I?

I pointed towards a room, I knew to be a room in which injured elves, men and allies rested. Frodo had to be there, and if he were not, I was sure one of the elves here could tell Sam where to go. When I looked back down to the ground, to bid the hobbits a farewell, knowing I would not see them until the other morning, but they had already dissappeared. In the distance I saw them running up the stairs of the beautifull Imladris.

I sighed deeply and inhaled the scent that was unique to Middle-Earth. No matter where I went, nothing could compare to the wonderfull scent that clung to Imladris. Lothlorien and Mirkwood came close, but this place had something special and unique, perhaps it was because this really was my home...

I decided to head for the master of the House, to Lord Elrond. I knew this was necessary, informing him of what had come to part the last days and he could give me the knowledge of several things as well. I was hungy and tired yes, but this was more important, than my own wellfare, at least for now. Rest and food would come later the day, even love would., Arwen had to wait as well.

~Normal POV~

Aragorn walked up the stairs of Rivendell as well, heading for the room he knew Elrond would be. It was Elrond's personal study. The room itself was filled with bookcases and shelves upon the walls which held countless books of the past and healing. On the other end of the room stood a large table, with nine chairs around it. Four chairs on either side of the table, all were always standing neatly and ordened. One head chair stood on the end of the table, undoubtly to anyone being Lord Elrond's chair. Here Elrond learned of healing and the past still, the books he had read were countless as well, but he still seemed to read a lot of them, seemingly he has not read those yet. Council within the family were held here as well, numorous times Aragorn had sat at this table. Discussing things and laws which were important to Rivendell and the family, and ofcourse he had learned much of his healing skills here as well. Reading the books his foster father had lain there for hem, the numorous books of healing, surviving and other topics he had to read. But he did as he was asked, he always read every word, every page and every book that lay there waiting for him every morning. Every morning for perhaps ten to twelve years he read several hours and learned them well. Aragorn had found it disturbing and boring at times, being young and wanting to play with his foster brothers Elledan and Elrohir, but he had found his studies very usefull when he had chosed his life as a Ranger.

Elrond sat in his study, where Aragorn had thought him to be. He had learned of Frodo's illness six days ago and he had treated him well. The boy was on the mend and all seemed to be going well. Ofcourse, he would always feel it, the pain could, at some times come back to him, seeing as this was no ordinary wound. He had been stabbed by a Morgul blade, one of the Nazgul and such wounds would never heal. He was glad though, he was there in time to counter it's effects. His lovely daughter had brought the Hobbit into his lands just in time.

The old Istari had arrived only few days after Frodo had entered his realm, perhaps 3 to 4 days. Elrond could do nothing for the hobbit but watch him, he needed no more medicine, no more draughts. He would heal by himself now and he would wake in a few days, perhaps just in time for the council. The old elf sighed, how could this have happened again. He had prayed not to counter the evil Sauron ever again, but alas, his praires had gone unaswered. The evil deceiving lord had risen once more and was creating armies in the lands of Mordor.

A sudden knock at the door shook Elrond from his thoughts and he wondered if it could have been Mithrandir. Mithrandir watched over Frodo and would only remove himself from his seat when he needed to go to the bathroom or when something would ail Frodo, which was yet to come apart.

Elrond moved towards the door, opening it slowly. The face he saw there was one of the faces whom enlightened him often. It was his foster son and perhaps his son in law in the future.

"Estel, you have arrived finally" the old elf embraced the man.

"Yes, it has been a hard journey for us all, how faires Frodo?"

"He is fairing well, I have treated him and he on the mend as we speak" Elrond gestured for Estel to enter.

"Thank you" Aragorn voiced as he headed in, taking a seat.

"You seem tired and thin, as I remember you have had better features", Elrond spoke as he took up his seat.

"Yes, we were low on food and the hobbit's needed a bigger share of it then I had imagined or counted for" Aragorn explained, "I have not eaten well since we left Bree 9 days ago".

"You have not eaten for 9 days? I thought you had promised me and your love to take better care of yourself?" Elrond was shocked and amazed by the strenght the man still had.

"I am a Dunedain Ada, I can fair well without food if needed" Aragorn smiled.

"Yes, I am aware of this, I shall have food and your room prepared" Elrond said as he walked towards the door, giving his orders to one of the guards. Aragorn was about to protest, but he felt it unneccesary, he needed both indeed.

"What shall be done of this new evil?" Aragorn asked as Elrond had reseated himself.

"I have called upon a council, all races upon Middle-Earth need to decide about it, we are all in danger. All of us have a part in the upcoming war".

"Yes, that seems best," Aragorn's features suddenly lightened, "Who are to come?" he asked eagerly.

Elrond laughed, just now, he sounded like the child he was so many years ago. "I know what you ask Estel, I have send word to Mirkwood indeed and I have asked specifically for Legolas".

A smile lit Aragorn's face and a sigh of content escaped his lips. Elrond watched his reaction closely and he saw something that went unnoticed to even Aragorn. Something Elrond thought to be of great importance. He had forseen this many years ago and he was glad this had happened before his daughter had bound herself to the man she thought to be the love of her life. Arwen had not believed her father when he told her it was not the best decision to wed the Ranger, but he knew she had to find out for herself.

"How fares he?" Elrond asked.

"Hmmm, I guess he is doing well under the circumstances, at least it is what he tells me. Sometimes though, his eyes betray him. His father has been so terribly unkind and Legolas yearns for life outside of the gates, among nature.".

"His father, King Thranduil, has he so much hatred for his young son?"

"I guess so, I once overheard him talking to Legolas, he says nothing but hurtfull words. I feel for the young prince, he does not deserve this..." Aragorn's voice trailed off.

"And what does he deserve?" Elrond asked, a sparkle in his eyes.

"He deserves some love Ada, he deserves people who love and care for him. He deserved not to be alone anymore. He suffers because of it, I can see it" Aragorn sighed, it hurted him deeply his friend was to live this way.

"Hmmmm," Elrond's voice was distant, as if he were in deep thought, "you should let him know" he only spoke.

Aragorn head turned to his father quickly, a confused look upon his voice, "Ada?" he asked, waiting for an explenation.

"Hmmm?" Elrond turned back to his foster son, the thoughtfull look had flown away, "'Tis nothing Estel, I was in thought. Your food should be ready and your bed made, I will see you in the morning. The council will be in four more days, the ones I have invited should arrive in two or three days, the hobbits will be taken care of".

Aragorn stood slowly, still confused, but he needed the food and his rest badly. Slowly he retreated himself from the room and he headed towards the dining room.

~Legolas POV~

I looked around myself and found my compagnions heading inside the palace, making the Lord of Rivendell aware of our arrival. He would probably be surprised of our early arrival, but he would not mind, I knew Lord Elrond would not mind us elves being here in Rivendell. I found my hope had flown and my features dampened. I had no reason to head inside just yet, I was not hungry, I never was anymore and I felt not the need to rest, I was not fatigued. Perhaps in the evening my fatigue would catch up upon me, I did not know.

I headed into the gardens and from afar I was able to see my own balcony. The house of Elrond had many rooms and even though I was not here as often as I would like, I had my own room. The one guest room that had a beautifull view at the magnificent garden. I sighed again, even this would not lift my spirit, damn! I had to find something that would, I had to find something that would take away my thoughts, something that would let it all come to pass without me drowning in my own sorrow. I would not let myself, I would net be this egocentric, I hated it and I would not let me. I would be there for those who needed me and whomever was in need of a good warrior or aid during the upcoming war.

I strolled through the gardens, not even seeing the beauty that was there, so deep in thought I was. I sat down near a bush of roses, trying to get my mind of things. My back was turned to the path I just walked and I did not notice some things I perhaps should have with my elven hearing.

A/N AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAa, attack on Legolas! What to happen next?! I don't know, aaaaaaaa. Owh, I'm the author, ofcourse I do, STUPID!

I am in need of more reviews, I changed the summary, perhaps more people will come to read this story, I truly hope so... If I can just get above 100 reviews, or 200, 300, perhaps I am asking for too much, gheghe :D. So please REVIEW and get others to read this as well, let them REVIEW as well :D