Chapter 4

Another continuation for our story!

Please enjoy reading and do forgive me for my mistakes! ^^"

Enjoy!

Legolas gripped the bow on his hands as he set off to follow the trail that was ever visible on his elven eyes. He did not care as he passed the crowd, crouching every now and then down the path to make sure it was Strider's imprints that he was still following and moved in haste with his heart thundering like he had never felt before.

He could not stop thinking of Strider's position. By the looks of it, he was taken by more than five or so men and they were armed. This may have been cause by vengeance - those Strider did not kill out of pity are now ready to strike back mercilessly.

Legolas could not help but feel responsible. If he did not leave Strider, then he might have been able to help him. He was a useless servant- always out of the scene when trouble hunts his Master- his Master- who seemed to have the whole legion of wicked men out to hunt him- just because he was always in the way, to bring justice to those these wicked are oppressing. Strider not only seemed apathetic about these threats in his life, but also seemed unwilling to lay low in interfering with the evil- that is where he get his enemies in the shadow.

Pressing his lips close, he swore if he found Strider, he would never let the man out of his sight again. Strider or Aragorn, or whomever he was- the man hardly gives a damn about himself.

His eyebrows creased, his pace quickened as he remembered the last time that he saw Strider- that was when he decided to call him Aragorn, and by that he saw the man's eyes twinkle. Legolas felt his heart softened for a while as he remembered how fond he became of his Master's kind eyes; the eyes that changes in flash in accordance to whatever emotion its owner was having. The kind of eyes that never lies, and which expresses affection whenever it looks in his blue.

Feeling suddenly eager to see the bearer of the eyes, the Elf sprang more into swift movements that no one around was able to follow. His heart could not take the suspense- the absence of the company to whom it grew fond of, but his movements was halted when at one turn he saw someone move on his path. Legolas skidded into a stop but his distance was not enough and he ended up colliding with the person instead.

There was a thud in which both beings ended on the ground, and the Elf heard the familiar growl of the man he was looking for. His heart leap as he looked up and saw Aragorn before him, whom had his eyes close as the pain of the collision pierced him.

"Aragorn!" Legolas exclaimed, his eyes wide open as he absorbed the features he thought he had missed.

"Legolas?" Aragorn inquired as he opened his eyes to see the Elf above him, whose face looked pale and somewhat disturbed.

"What happened to you?" the elf demanded in a strong voice. Aragorn draw out a sigh before answering,

"Would you be kind enough and stop sitting on my legs, I swear it pains me as much as it do you."

Legolas quickly got up and extended his hands to help the man on his feet. Aragorn took the offer and stood up, shaking his head in the process, and making his tangled long locks messier.

"Thank you." The man said as he reached a hand to brush off the curls that had covered his face. At that instant, Legolas quickly saw the wounds on the man's hand, and the bruises and gashes that seemed to have covered his entire body.

"You don't look good." He said with much concern, as he stretched his arm to dust the dirt visible on the man's shoulder.

"Tell me about it," said Aragorn indifferently, looking at the elf who seemed to have relaxed the moment their eyes had met. This brought a genuine curiosity on the man that he asked, "What are you doing here?"

"I was looking for you." Answered the elf earnestly, his eyes locking with the man, as he added seriously, "I have come to realize what had transpired after I left you alone with your horse. I was worried about your well being."

This honest reply made Aragorn's heart leap up that for a moment he forgot about the pain in his body. He paused to look at the blue eyes and heard the roaring of the beast inside his chest more loudly than ever. Legolas saw the change of expression in the eyes and this made him smile in wonder. The smile brought a tingling feeling on Aragorn's stomach that he quickly and abruptly asked without much thinking,

"Why are you smiling so differently now? Have you fallen for me?"

Expecting the same answer, Aragorn walked away, rubbing the cut on his arm and missing the elf's obvious reaction.

Legolas looked startled, and somewhat more distracted, at the sudden throw of the question that he was not able to give an immediate response. He blinked after sometime and turned to look quietly at the man, who was now on his way to the crowd. A swift flutter of something oddly unfamiliar filled his insides and Legolas wondered if he was going to answer the man or not. All his thoughts were washed away, however, when he saw Aragorn scratching his wounded arm uncaringly while looking up at the crowd; this made the elf jump to his side immediately and take a firm grip on the arm that surprised Aragorn.

"Do not scratch. You'll make it swell."

Aragorn opened his mouth to protest but was stopped when Legolas looked at him with raised eyebrows.

"So this is where you use you medical equipment, I believe true now." The Elf commented.

The man rolled his eyes as he let himself be dragged by his servant among the crowd of people.

"Not all of it." He muttered in a low voice.

"Why are you wounded so much?" came another question from the Elf.

"I had to fight without a sword."

"How many are they?"

"No lesser than a dozen."

"You fought them all?"

"I had to; otherwise they would have killed me."

"And what happened to them after your 'brawl'?"

"They were all sleeping on the ground, unfortunately not a very peaceful one."

"All are going to wake?"

"Yes."

Aragorn felt the grip of Legolas on his arm tightened and wondered if the Elf had wanted him to kill them but dismissed it; he trusts Elves value all life.

Legolas on the other hand was thinking of what was about to come. Aragorn did not kill his enemies and the possibility of them coming back for another reprisal was enormous. He gripped the arm under his hold, vowing to protect the life that brought him back into the light: Estel in the language of Elves. Extremely familiar with the situation, Legolas smiled silently as he remembered how the man's own grip in his hands as they walk among the crowd before had comforted him, and wished that his grip now was making Aragorn feel more at ease as well.

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Bidding Bree-folks a silent goodbye, Master and Servant left the Prancing Pony at first plight the next morning, with Aragorn muttering with reference to Legolas' austerity while mending his wounds the previous night. Legolas bowed at his Master in silent apology, reminding himself that he was but a servant; the gesture made Aragorn taken aback that he waved the apology away as if it was a contagious disease, which made Legolas snicker after awhile, for he was only teasing him.

They travelled North, following Aragorn's plans to go in the ranger's camp, in which Legolas was eager to come. On the way, they left the troublesome road and turned into the forest, in favor of Legolas' liking. This was not a coincidence for Aragorn knew how delighted his companion would be to be back in nature's arms where his kind rightfully belongs. The sky was clear and the ambiance in the midst of the forest was serene, it made the Elf's spirit soar high and he was joyful the whole time they were travelling on their steeds, stopping only for refreshments and some rest. If Legolas was in high spirits, so was Aragorn, for merely hearing the tinkling laugh of the love of his heart, was like music to his ears. He could not stop telling some of his most outrageous adventures, especially with the Twins, whom Legolas seemed familiar with as well. There were times where Legolas would look at him with mirth on his eyes, sometimes with sharpness when he retells one in which he was in brink of death; sometimes the blue eyes would look at him in wonder and sometimes compassion when stories of death of his people would cross his lips. As he told him his stories, Aragorn could not help wonder, what if Legolas was there beside him the whole time. What if they were long time companion, would it make a difference to his fate?

No. His fate was already set before him that not even the appearance of this precious Elf could make a difference.

"Aragorn, are you all right?"

Aragorn was pulled out of his stupor as he looked up to catch the blue eyes of his Elven companion looking at him with utmost concern. It was then that he realized he was spacing out.

"Of course." said Aragorn, inclining his head a little into a bow.

Legolas gave him a strange look then pulled his horse to move closer to him. When they were side by side, the Elf lifted his right hand and touched the man's forehead with a frown on his face.

"You seem in normal temperature."

"I should be," said Aragorn, smiling as he gently brushed Legolas' hand away, "I am fine."

He was wrong. Maybe it would make a big difference.

Legolas looked at him strangely once again and Aragorn felt the weight of the gaze. It was then that he noticed how close they were that he had this sudden urge to pull the Elf close to him in a single swift of his hand- to hold the tender body to his own. It was with revulsion from the beast inside his chest and disappointment from his heart as he shoved the thought aside and casually talked in an indifferent manner,

"I don't catch cold easily."

Legolas raised his eyebrows at this.

"That is unimaginable, with all your stories that had reached my ears."

"I am in full health!" the man argued, but Legolas waved away the reasoning that made Aragorn scowl.

They continued to travel in this manner for two days, in which Legolas had learned more about his Master and the twins, to whom he was more familiar with than what Aragorn had thought.

In the days that had passed, Aragorn had asked Legolas about his life from being a servant in Mirkwood Kingdom to his unfortunate capture in the hands of Men. The information he got was rather vivid for the Elf was changing the subject every now and then. Aragorn, though suspicious, decided, that it was ill experience in the hands of the men that was causing the elf to act that way, and so he asked no further questions. In turn, he felt the urgency to hunt the intolerable men that had offended his companion.

In the light of their travel, the two were able to know each other, more in the heart than their past that shadows their life. Though Aragorn knew little of him, he had judge that the Elf was no lesser than the greatest of Elves he knew, and was one gifted with a gentle heart; it was more reason for him to adore the heavenly being.

On the third night of their travel, they had come out into the road where an expected inn was found, like what Aragorn had promised Legolas while the sun was up that day.

"Do you know the keeper here?" asked Legolas uncertainly as he looked at the shabby inn with all the noise from the inside like the singing of drunken men.

"I do." said Aragorn quietly as they tied their horses securely inside the stables, "He is a good man."

Legolas draw in a breath as followed Aragorn towards the door of the inn; Aragorn waited for him to catch up before going inside and enter themselves into the world of liquor and smokes.

The moment Legolas entered the inn, he knew he wouldn't like it to any degree. He saw men huddled together drinking, laughing and singing and smoking, to all which he was upset but he did not show it in order to preserve peace. To his surprise, Aragorn pulled him toward the counter, where a fat, bearded man was busy giving orders- a man that looked similar to Barliman to the Elf's surprise.

"Ah- Master! You are back!" exclaimed the man when he recognized Strider, "Staying for the night, I see!"

"Yes," said Aragorn with a small smile, "Get us the room ready, my companion is not comfortable with the atmosphere."

The instant he said this, Legolas tensed for the Keeper's eyes suddenly turned to him.

"Of course, Master," nodded the man after awhile and he called one of his helpers.

Aragorn bent to whisper on Legolas' ears. "You can take a rest upstairs."

"And you?" came the abrupt reply.

"I will take some sip and follow suit."

Legolas regarded him and then nodded. When the room was ready, Legolas did not hesitate to leave the crowd. Aragorn watched him disappear on the stairs then searched for a table to use. He seated himself just beside the fireplace where he always use to and ordered a bottle. There he contemplated silently about his journey; about his family and his fate, but most automatically his thoughts would stray to Legolas.

He knew it was indeed affection. A love most treasured, but what if Legolas refused him?

He won't.

Aragorn wildly remember the night when he had cornered the Elf to the bed, Legolas said he would not refuse and would willingly give him his body and soul- does that involve the heart? If not, then he would not take the opportunity to take what he wants. He does not see Legolas as an object for physical ease and comfort purposes only… and so he will wait for the right time to act- when he is sure that Legolas feels the same way about him… He wondered idly when that time would be.

Preoccupied as he was, he still felt the shadow that had approached him and the stubby hands that had fallen gruffly into his shoulder.

"You- what is you- sitting around there like a fool?"

Aragorn recognized the wispy, uneven voice of a very drunk man and heaved a deep sigh. He momentarily forgot where he was and after this distraction, he was reminded. Exasperation gripped Aragorn as he decided not to answer and continue to drink his bottle. The man behind him hiccupped and then glowed at being ignored and growled, his grip tightening on Aragorn's shoulder.

"I do not like- ignore-"

His next word were followed by muffled cry of pain at the exact moment his grip on Aragorn loosened. Aragorn quickly looked up to see Legolas behind him, with a very firm hold on the drunk man's wrist and with a fierce look on his eyes.

"Legolas-" Aragorn started but Legolas spoke in a voice the man was sure he had never heard before; a tone in the voice with mixed anger and patience.

"Kindly leave him alone, old man, he is resting, and kindly watch where you drop your heavy hands else it will be cut."

The inebriated man took a single look from Legolas before pulling his hands roughly and headed on to the opposite direction, drinking the bottle that was ever on his hands.

The Elf seated himself across Aragorn and looked at him while Aragorn decided for a thing to say.

"Don't take me as a freak warrior," he said after a while, with a smile upon his lips, "I would not cut his hands just because he wronged me."

Legolas raised his eyebrows and said more quietly, "Who says it was you I was referring to? No, Aragorn, I was talking about myself."

Aragorn choked the wine he had just taken and looked at Legolas incredulously. Legolas smirked and looked around the inn with consternation in his eyes. As he watched his environment, Aragorn was engrossed with his appearance, as he took another drink from his bottle. He ached to touch the elven face that was before him...It was apparent that Legolas came down to accompany him even if it was unpleasant. A single ray of hope ignited once again in Aragorn's heart and he wondered silently if Legolas was also feeling the same way he was.

If it were, then, what a joyful life it would be, even with that fate he would soon be taking…

"I am tired, let us go and rest." said Aragorn, standing up and stumbling a little, Legolas was on his side instantly and was helping him to stand still, placing a strong arm around his shoulders. Aragorn chuckled at this and said, "What are you doing? I am not drunk- only took one swig!"

"I see." said Legolas nodding and looking at the table quiet pointedly. Aragorn followed his gaze and saw to his surprise four empty bottles on his table.

"That- that's not mine… I don't remember drinking those…" he stuttered as they move on.

"Aye, and what you said is almost like a confession- you don't remember!" said Legolas with visible mirth on his eyes and voice.

"Are you laughing- at me?" asked Aragorn as they take on the steps toward the second landing.

"Why of course not, was there ever a servant who would mock his Master so directly?" asked the Elf, who was most patient with the human he was carrying toward their room.

"There are," nodded the man, his eyes a little unfocused as they entered the room, "Sometimes…those who do not like their Masters…"

They reached the bed and Legolas helped Aragorn into it, pushing him gently down and then went to take off the man's boots afterwards.

"It so happens that I do not hate you, Master." Legolas answered fully as he set the man's head on his pillow, "That is why I would never mock you."

He thought Aragorn was asleep for the man had his eyes close but when he finished his reply, a smile appeared on the man's face and his lips opened to say,

"Then you like me also? If you do not hate me so…"

Legolas stared at the should-be-sleeping man and decided to answer earnestly.

"Yes… yes that is what it means."

The smile did not leave the man's face and for a while, Legolas thought Aragorn would answer again. When he did not, it was then that the Elf realized his Master was truly sleeping.

He distanced himself from the man and sat on the chair beside the bed; the room had two beds, but being an elf, he was fine with sitting down on the hard stool. The loud voices below the inn were still apparent but Legolas did not heed anymore as he watched the sleeping adan before him.

A strong man, so cunning at fighting and fearless even of death, now looked so adoring in his sleep, he thought with a chuckle, how in Arda did the Valar manage to create such a man?

And as the long night pass; Legolas became contented by just staring at the sleeping man in the middle of the dark.

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The next morning what arouse Legolas from his slumber was Aragorn's voice and he immediately got up from the chair where a blanket was now enclosed to him. The blanket fell on the floor but Legolas did not waste time- the bed was empty and Aragorn was below the inn- with swiftness he followed.

"…I did not- did you hear me say give me another one?" Aragorn's voice boomed around the now empty pub as Legolas heard him more clearly when he descended from the stairs.

"No, Master, you did not…" came a short but apprehensive reply.

"So then why did you give me another bottle?"

"Because your last bottle was almost empty- we feared you would rage if-"

Aragorn snorted and brushed a hand through his hair, drawing a sigh in the process.

"…We will leave then… how much do I owe you?"

Legolas smiled at this and decided not to interrupt, as he looked at the window where the bright sunlight was trying to make its path. Another day had come and according to Aragorn, at this fourth day they would arrive at the Ranger's camp. Wondering what lays ahead, Legolas silently prayed they have another peaceful journey and prayed no one knew him in the camp for what he truly was.

~TBC~