Chapter 9

Hello! ^_^ I'm glad you all liked the last chapter before this! I pray you enjoy more!

Note: A/L (slash!! ^o^)

Halbarad was in deep thought as he stared at the spread map of Arnor in front of him. He was inside his tent, alone and undisturbed; outside darkness has covered the sky and only the use of torches lit his insides. He was pondering over some plans on how to deal with the outnumbering orcs that kept on attacking their lands, killing innocents and destroying everything as their mark. He was also having troubles about Rohimnūn asking for aid- helping was out of question- but with their number right now, they too would not stand a chance- not to mention all the incapable rangers. They would heal in time but Gondor could wait no loner- time is short- they must act and finish it all.

Admittedly, the second in command was anxious at how quickly the number of enemies was growing. He could ask for help from the Elves, he had consider it long ago for there aren't that many of the Dúnedain anymore. He was sure Elladan and Elrohir would be delighted to help, especially since their youngest brother was there and if by chance- they could persuade the young man to go back with them.

Halbarad frowned.

Without Aragorn means fewer rangers; he could not deny the fact that Aragorn was useful as a healer and he knew sooner or later the Chieftain would neglect the order from him to stay hidden. It will be dangerous…rumor has it that his name has reached Gondor, like what Rohimnūn had said, that means Mordor's aware of his impossible existence.

He was surprised Elrond was not looking for the man.

That brought the elder ranger to sigh. If he could only find a way to make the young man see reason…

Halbarad was about to draw out another heavy sigh when he heard a running footsteps heading to his tent. He knew who it was judging at how quickly and light it was coming. The appearance of Aragorn made Halbarad wonder but the man's next actions caught him off guard.

Aragorn literally jumped at him- grabbed both his cheek and pressed multiple kiss on them from the sides up to the forhead.

The second in command was amaze for when Aragorn looked at him- he was wearing a wide smile as if all the good in Middle Earth has been found. There was a glint of something extraordinary from his eyes that represented utterly happiness and satisfaction, and when the man spoke, he spoke of nothing but gratitude to the old and surprised fellow.

"My Halbarad! Aye, My Halbarad! You are my savior! I don't know how to thank you enough! You gave me my love- my happiness! Halbarad my dear man!" and he gave the second in command a huge embrace.

"Whoa- hold it- Aragorn-!" started Halbarad as he began to pick himself from the too-much-happy man, "I sure am glad you have found your happiness- but do give less overwhelming gratitude and stop all the kisses."

Aragorn laughed freely with both hands on his waist and shook his head as he remembered the event that has transpired inside his tent.

"You deserve every bit of it my friend!" he said, looking at Halbarad in the eye with a knowing smile upon his lips, "My joy is yours to share. Hail all the beauty in the world."

"You are finally together with your beloved." said Halbarad, smiling in his turn.

"Yes! My beloved!" exclaimed Aragorn again. A smile kept on tugging at the corner of his lips and Halbarad could just imagine the paradise he was in.

"Well then, it is right that I congratulate you." and the second in command stood up and raised a hand for his chieftain to shake.

Aragorn willingly took it. "This is the happiest day of my life!"

Halbarad nodded and watched as Aragorn gave a final bow and left his tent in excitement. He waited till the young man was gone before sitting back on his chair with the grin on his face slowly fading. Legolas was a beautiful being and Aragorn deserves him…for all the misfortune that had befallen him in the past and also that which will be revealed in the future.

"Bless you, Aragorn, son of Arathorn…" was all he silently prayed.

Aragorn was dashing back to his quarters with only one being in mind when he was stopped by his senses. He skidded into a halt when he saw Rohimnūn standing on his way with crossed arms and hard features on his face. His aura was somehow different but Aragorn did not feel any threat from him for his heart was still singing inside.

"You again." he started, not planning to linger more for he had told Legolas it would not take him long. Rohimnūn lifted his eyes to the man with unmistakable coldness. When he did not say a thing and continued to stare at the man, Aragorn became impatient. "What now?"

"I seemed to have lost the battle?" Rohimnūn started with indifferent tone.

Aragorn inclined his head to his right side a little and said rather haughtily, "Since when did you consider you will win?"

Rohimnūn immediately frowned as though any word from this man was a poison he could not take, his arms fell down his sides as he said, "I do not like your attitude."

"Neither do I." said Aragorn grimly. "It would be best for you to stay away from Legolas. You know you don't stand a chance against me."

Rohimnūn looked at him severely before saying slowly, "I am here to tell you that I have not lost hope, I will continue to pursue him-"

"I am his lover!" cried Aragorn with anger stirring up in him. "Have you no dignity as a man?"

"Not until he tells me so." was the retort.

Aragorn opened his mouth to respond but no words came out. He blinked furiously toward the adamant ranger before him; Rohimnūn was looking at him as if he would want nothing but to trash him- a threat he was accustomed in receiving. It was no use, he decided, to reason out a man driven by his heart- that was what Aragorn had learned from his experience. So what he did was to draw in a breathe and collect himself from the anger he was feeling. Legolas said he loved him and to that he will trust.

"I will say no more. There's no reason for this meeting." he said in a firm tone and walked around the southern ranger.

Rohimnūn's eyes flashed and his hands flew directly to the hilt of his sword but the sharp edge of Aragorn's dagger to his neck defeated him.

"You are not yourself." Aragorn stated, his voice grim and full of warning, "Are you sure you want to raise your sword against me?"

Rohimnūn gulped as he stared at the sharp edge and lowered his hand down his side. Aragorn pulled his dagger with hard eyes on the man before him. They looked at each other with Aragorn's stare dominating the other.

"I suggest you take a sleep." The Chieftain advised, placing his dagger back on its sheath below his belt. "I will not tolerate another attack from you if this happens again."

The Southern Ranger did not answer but merely gave Aragorn a look before walking away with hands into a fist. Aragorn watched his back then shook his head.

Too many has been mesmerized and he could not blame them…his elf was too striking from the start.

Legolas wondered if he had fixed Aragorn's bed properly so that it would let the man sleep more comfortably. He looked intently and stared at the made bed with a frown on his face, tugging and dusting whenever he felt like something was wrong. In the end, the bed looked the same and Legolas sighed and almost smiled at how he was too concerned for Aragorn's well being.

He looked at the entrance and strained his ears to hear if the man was coming but silence of the night greeted his ears.

"That's strange …" he whispered his eyebrows creasing. He remembered wildly how Aragorn had run off outside saying that he would need to give his praise to Halbarad and that he would not be long and will be with him within moments. The 'moments' took time and Legolas felt his heart thumping with worry.

This is the camp- what could possibly happen to him here? He asked himself as to not sprint outside like a fool. But then he silently decided he'd rather look like a fool than wait and headed outside to look for his man.

He had gone not too far when he saw Aragorn walking down the path quietly. He smiled at him when the man looked up; Aragorn returned the smile warmly and jogged near his destined one.

"What kept you?" asked Legolas when Aragorn reached him and placed a neat kiss on his forehead.

"Was I long?" asked Aragorn in mock surprise, his arms sliding around the Elf's shoulder and they headed slowly back. "It's nothing…I just took the longer trip towards here."

Legolas arched an eyebrow.

"I find that hard to believe for there is no longer trip towards here and surely you wouldn't want to keep me waiting?"

Aragorn laughed heartily and looked at the dark sky.

"Believe me I did." he sighed then.

Legolas watched him with a frown for a second. They stalked toward their tent until they reached its entrance, that was where Legolas halted. He turned to the man he said in a serious tone, "What is the matter? Something's troubling you."

The man stopped in his tracks and looked at the elf in the eye slowly. "I am not too troubled, believe me." He flashed him a confident smile before turning around and entering the tent. Legolas was left looking after the man's back, he wondered then if Halbarad said anything that could have upset him. He shook his head in the end gently and followed the man who he found already sitting on his made bed. If anything was wrong, the man was hiding it quite perfectly that Legolas decided to drop the subject and to just sit beside the man.

Aragorn watched from the corner of his eyes how Legolas had sat beside him coolly. A grip and a lump formed in his throat- the beast was already screaming at the top of its voice.

"I do not know what happened but I wish it would not affect your rest tonight. Of all seriousness Aragorn, you looked tired." came the Elf's serene voice. The beast inside Aragorn stopped as he looked sideways to his loved companion.

"Do you suggest that I rest?"

"Very much."

The man thought of it for awhile then smiled.

"All right." he said straightening up. Legolas grinned then went up to help the man get tucked on his bed. Aragorn laid his black haired head down the stiff pillow, snug himself in and stared at the attractive elf before him.

"Get a good rest and do not slink outside to check the wounded ones, they are better off by themselves, I believe." said Legolas firmly, his hand caressing the untidy hair of the man. "And do not slip away in case you wake up in the middle of the night. I don't know how my heart will take it if I wake up with your empty bed."

The man laughed softly then reached for the gentle hand on his head and pulled it to his lips.

"I swear I won't leave you." he whispered putting a light kiss on the palm that made Legolas go red. "I swear I will get better so you need not worry for my health and then you can join me for a passionate night."

The words made Legolas flush in embarrassment which made Aragorn smile for he was so fond of seeing it. He had always liked it when the Elf would flush before him...he always find it so attracting. He pulled Legolas close and they shared yet another passionate kiss which the Elf did not refuse.

"Sleep well, my love." Aragorn bid Legolas when it lasted and the elf gave a soft nod before turning to his own bed with his feet bouncing off the ground...

And The night started to roll…

It hadn't been long since he closed his eyes- that was what he felt- when voices rang to his ears, waking him full to his senses again. Aragorn sat up his bed and looked sideways to Legolas' place. The Elf was wide awake too and was looking at him with a mixture of wonder and scowl; clearly he did not like the disturbance, and so did he.

"…we have to wake him! Go-!" said a voice outside.

"Aragorn! Aragorn!" called another voice.

Aragorn and Legolas both got up when two rangers came inside their tent looking stricken and alert. Their eyes immediately fell on the man and went for him straightly with out stopping.

"What's the matter?" asked the Chieftain, brushing back some of his black tangles that crossed his face. Legolas was on his side swiftly before anyone had realized.

"There's been a message from Gondor-" informed one of them, "They've been under another blowing attack."

Aragorn's eyes went wide.

"Halbarad has sent for you." said the other one.

With a swift glance to Legolas, Aragorn and the men went ahead,and the elf did not hesitate to follow Aragorn's thread.

It certainly was not a good rest, Legolas thought as they walked down the path to Halbarad's place. The moon was still light above their heads, shining like a guide, indicating the late of the night. Legolas looked sideways to Aragorn's weary profile and had to frown again. No, not a good rest at all, he decided. I wish this would not involve him too much.

They strode down the camp till they were able to enter Halbarad's quarters. Inside they saw all the torch lit up and three men talking with each other in the center of the room. One was Halbarad, the other was Rohimnūn, and the third was another man wearing the armory of Gondor.

"Aragorn." Halbarad motioned for the Chieftain to come closer.

"What is going on?" Aragorn asked, walking to them with slight pause as he stared toward Rohimnūn. Halbarad turned the letter in his hands and showed it to the chieftain who read it thoroughly.

"Gondor's been attacked. The casualties were huge." said Halbarad after awhile, his voice grim. "They've asked for the help of Rohan but we certainly need to, eh, send some of the rangers too."

He looked at Rohimnūn who nodded vigorously. Legolas looked uncertainly at Aragorn who looked at Halbarad and asked, "Who are you sending?"

"I'm not sure." admitted the second in command frowning, "We have been under some casualties ourselves and the rangers are not in shape for a travel and fight… There might be only seven or eight able rangers but apart from them- there is no one here fit to go at the moment."

Aragorn draw in a breath and looked around at the new Gondorian, who was looking at him quite expectedly. He did not know but for some reason the gaze held meaning and he quickly asked, in curiosity and wonder, "What is it?"

"You are Lord Aragorn." answered the messenger carefully, "The son of Arathorn…My King? We have heard of great things about you."

Legolas' ears snapped in attention. What?

Aragorn held his head up as he felt all the eyes in the room drawing to him.

"He is only Aragorn of the rangers, do not be mistaken." said Rohimnūn quietly, bending down the map indifferently, "He cannot go with us to Gondor even with those 'great things' you have heard clinging to his name."

Every head now turned to Rohimnūn who did not look up. Legolas stared at him with sudden tension in his shoulders…

"And what is that suppose to mean?" asked Aragorn suddenly, his eyes glowing.

"Rohimnūn." warned Halbarad with the edge in his voice but the southern ranger did not heed. Instead he turned to the other Gondorian and said, "This man is being hunted, he cannot help us the way he is."

"The way I am what?" exclaimed the heating up Chieftain, stepping closer to Rohimnun indignantly, "Are you trying to imply something?"

"Am I?" asked Rohimnūn, his own eyes lashing fiercely, stepping forward as well and meeting Aragorn's eyes fearlessly, "We have been risking our lives flying in the open to ask assistance and yet you worry about your own shortcomings? Our people are dying out there and we risked leaving them in hope of finding the answer from our allies! Yet what? We found a petty being afraid to be killed?"

"Rohimnūn!" Legolas shouted angrily.

Rohimnūn did not heed but continued to stare at the Chieftain whose face has darkened at the words. Halbarad draw in a sigh and shook his head, clearly knowing the ending of the conversation.

"Fine." said Aragorn after a long pause, "I will be with you and we shall head for Gondor."

Legolas held his breath…something was awfully wrong…

Rohimnūn smirked on Aragorn's face.

"No. We don't need you." he said spitting the words with emphasis.

"No." said Aragorn in turn to the southern ranger's face, "Allow me."

At that moment, Halbarad considered himself to be a goner when he met Lord Elrond in the future.

All for a wise provocation…

Rohimnūn decided to go outside the moment things were settled. The messenger has been sent to his resting quarters for the rest of the night while the chieftain and his second in command remained talking inside the tent. Of course, the Elf was with them but Rohimnūn's triumph over the matter was weighing down his celebrating heart. The road will be dangerous for Aragorn. That was all he was asking for.

"What is the meaning of this?"

Rohimnūn whipped around and saw Legolas behind him wearing a glowering look he had never seen him wear. But he cannot deny, the new feature was still captivating

"What?" he asked indignantly though he did not wish for Legolas to be his enemy. He looked fondly at the elf though his tongue was sharp at the moment.

"You know how dangerous it is for him!" hissed the Elf with unusual intensity in his voice.

"So what? The man cannot protect himself anymore?" he snapped stepping closer to Legolas with a crease on his eyebrows, "What is it with you people defending his neck from danger? He is not a child! He is a fully grown man! Might you be underestimating him too much?"

Legolas opened his mouth to speak but a voice behind him answered.

"He is right, Legolas. For the first time his mouth has sprouted some sense in this world."

Legolas turned sideways behind him with his eyes fixed on the ground. Aragorn emerged from the darkness with a grim and silent aura, his eyes glinting and set upon Rohimnūn who flinched at his sudden appearance.

The atmosphere increased its intensity again as the Chieftain walked toward the two beings in silent strides- as if a walking menace, ready to strike if goaded. But the threat passed when Aragorn continued to walk pass Rohimnūn without saying any word but a mere utter of Legolas' name.

"Come, Legolas."

Legolas watched Aragorn go before darting his eyes back to the inert man in front of him. Rohimnūn did not dare breathe when the dark man passed him by. It was funny, none of his limbs would register any of his command. Not knowing what happened to his body, the man realized he could finally breathe. He turned his eyes back to elf whose eyes showed no mercy; he felt another pang of threat.

Legolas glowered at him and said in a tone of serious conviction, "I shall not tolerate any more of your actions if by chance it is against Aragorn again. Believe me, Rohimnūn, I shall not forget. I have my eyes on you." and with that he turned to follow Aragorn without looking back.

Rohimnūn took in some air, his chest heaving, his eyes wildly looking around and his mind confused. Legolas spoke of threat…

Jerking himself, he forced a step forward until he was out of the scene, still clearly perturbed at how the auras of the two beings could change his feeling of triumphant just a little while ago.

Dawn started to roll.

~TBC~

Thank you for reading once again! See you in another chapter!

*bows*