CHAPTER 11

HELLO!

Was it a long wait? Sorry I had to make up my mind about a few things!

Anyways I am here again to give another chapter! I hope you'll like it!

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The ride to Gondor was swift and fast. Aragorn had lead his men to a three days journey with few stops for some rest and food. He had lead his men pass the Greenway and was heading for the borders of Dunland, silently aiming for the Gap of Rohan, and if possible, ride pass Isengard. He was sure it was the most convenient way. He would not risk passing Fangorn Forest for the rumors about its mystery had reached him to Arnor. He also never had thought of coming to Lorien, he knew the Elves there enough to give them aid but under his own circumstances it was impossible. The thought about Elves made Aragorn remember one Elf who was along side him that very moment. He had not been able to talk to the Elf since their journey had started. Indeed, he had been avoiding Legolas the whole time even at time of rest. He was aware of it and thinking about the reason made him grind his teeth in anger.

I can't even look him in the eye, he thought after some self introspection, I believe I was mad the night we spoke on the tent... I was also ashamed that very morning but my actions and words surprised me as well! I should have apologize! But I acted cold, it was insane! It was unforgivable! I needed time to reflect! I knew I need to over power the anger that was stirring inside me. When he offered me his service by helping me change for the journey, I knew I wasn't ready to face him so I told him no -but when I saw how sad it made him it broke my heart! I really planned to have a word with him before leaving the camp...

Aragorn believed he was ready to face Legolas that day...

But why was he with Rohimnūn that day?!

"I cannot believe it," Aragorn muttered silently, his grip on the rein of his horse tightening. He remembered as they were about to disembark from the rangers camp how close Legolas had been to Rohimnūn! He had been wanting the attention of his rangers when his eyes caught Rohimnūn talking to Legolas. He remembered clearly what Rohimnūn did. It angered him. Why didn't Legolas pull away as quickly as possible? Why did he stood there as though he was in a trance?

"Aragorn?" Legolas called from behind and swiftly his horse was beside Aragorn's for he had notice how the man's hand had closed fiercely on the reins, "Are you alright?"

"What do you mean?" Aragorn asked sharply and not looking on the elf's direction, "Of course I'm fine." He kicked his horse to move away from Legolas. The Elf stared after him with a surprise look. It had been days since he saw Aragorn's face looking at him...Ever since then, it had always been his back...

What is bothering you... thought Legolas silently with hurt visible in his eyes, Why not tell me...

From behind, Rohimnūn was watching the two with interest on his eyes. That's right, fool, he thought as he encouraged his horse to reach Legolas' white horse, push him away...there was no need for me to have a hand in it, you're doing fine on your own.

He reached Legolas' horse and peered at the Elf's face. He saw Legolas' sad expression and was half annoyed, half irritated that Aragorn was the reason for the Elf to make such an expression.

"What's wrong with your master? You two had an argument?" he asked eagerly in an undertone.

Legolas blinked slowly, his eyes still fixed at Aragorn's back before whispering, "Nay... it is nothing...He is simply tired..."

I wish that was all, Legolas added hopefully. There was never a day since the start of this journey that he wished Aragorn would change his attitude toward him. Legolas could not take the suspense, especially in this kind of time when it was risky for both their lives.

Taking a small sigh, he turned to smile at Rohimnūn.

"Thank you for the concern, my friend,"

Rohimnūn shrugged with a meaningful glance at the Elf.

"I do wish to be more than a friend to you, my fair Elf."

Here we go again, thought Legolas while raising both eyebrows. He gave a swift glance on the Gondorian's direction before smiling.

"You really amuse me, Rohimnūn, to the point that it makes me uneasy." Legolas admitted truthfully. He bowed a little before looking up again, waiting for the man to answer. Rohimnūn was a good man. A bit full of himself and very expressive about his feelings and never afraid of what others may think. He was arrogant -indeed, that sometimes he failed to care of what people around him were feeling about his words. And he was a proud man. These were the traits that made Rohimnūn a man...

Aragorn, Legolas' mind suddenly jumped to the man he was most concerned of, if you were only like him whose very expressive then I might be able to tell what you are thinking right now...

He looked up and caught a glimpse of the Chieftain riding ahead his back strong, firm and his poise ready for battle. He had never noticed how Aragorn's back seemed so alert and tense. He had always been looking on the man's face which he adored so. He really never had any view of the back which seemed more familiar to him nowadays. A sudden realization dawned on Legolas as he stared fixedly at the man's back. The way it was carried, how strong and manly it seems; it was giving off a message only Legolas could understand and he read it as if reading an open book about the man's life: He was a man whose identity was hidden to the world; a man whose existence was never anticipated; a man who was forced to hide away due to his enemies' malicious threat; A man who was forced to live in the shadows and trust no one but himself...

If it were me how would I be feeling? Legolas asked himself in empathy. Visions of unimaginable things passed before the Elf's eyes. Visions of a small child deprived of his parents and visions of a man whose whole life was all about darkness and hiding. It was for the first time that he understood. It was not easy to be the Aragorn, son of Arathorn and heir of Isildur...

Come to think of it... We haven't even discussed yet about him being The Aragorn... Why didn't I notice it once I've heard the name?

"...Legolas -Legolas!"

Legolas looked around with a jolt of surprise to see Rohimnūn leaning over him from his horse in an awkward position. The Elf immediately distanced himself from the man, his grip on the rein of his horse tightening.

"What's the matter?" the Gondorian asked, frowning as he straightened himself.

"Oh," Legolas answered, licking his dried lips and looking ahead, "I uh-", he saw Aragorn's back from ahead and had the urge to approach him. Turning a little to Rohimnūn, he said, "Excuse me but I need to go," and without another word he rushed his horse ahead his golden hair flying behind him as he hurried.

"Wait -" Rohimnūn called but failed to stop the Elf.

"Aragorn!" called Legolas with his horse closing the distance between them, "Aragorn- hold it-"

"What?" Aragorn did not turn to Legolas but determinedly looked ahead. The Elf contented himself by riding alongside his Master with his own thoughts not planning to be kept.

"Aragorn?"

"What is it? Why do you keep calling my name?"

Legolas did not let Aragorn's cruel words to stop him instead he looked up at the man lightly and said, "I see it more clearly now."

"Hmm?" Aragorn turned to look at him for the first time.

"Your back." Legolas added meaningfully.

"Ah?" asked Aragorn in wonder and Legolas seize the chance to finally remove the gap between them.

"I can see clearly what you bear in your back... Your back is the most wonderful thing I had ever seen and..."

He got Aragorn's full attention now and Legolas was glad he had talked to him.

"...and I realized I know less about your feelings than I care to admit... pardon my ignorance..." he bowed lowly.

Aragorn was surprised and raised his eyebrows up to the lines of his hair. What was wrong with Legolas?

"I do not understand what you are getting at but- you need not ask for forgiveness..." the man uttered completely caught off guard.

Legolas smiled. Aragorn was never the expressive type of man, he understood that. If possible he would endure everything on his own and never tell anyone. In the end the result was his unpleasant mood, lack of enthusiasm and sometimes preferring to be a loner. Aragorn had never been the evil one. He only had troubles in dealing with his feelings...apart from that Legolas knew the man's heart was in the right place. Their feelings were in the right place.

"May I stay beside you?" he asked feeling bolder as he had always been before.

"I am your master," pointed Aragorn quietly, "You should be staying close to where I am."

Legolas nodded and the both of them silently rode together.

Being expressive...it will never suit him in words... thought Legolas in silent understanding.

Aragorn was bewildered and over all surprised at how he was approached by Legolas.

The man was sure he was angry, and surely after everything he had said to the Elf, Legolas had every reason to despise him?

He looked sideways to the Elf still uncertain.

What could be playing on his mind, I wonder? He thought silently. But despite his uncertain feelings Aragorn had once again found comfort beside Legolas. He could not understand why he was mad at him in the first place. Looking back how did it even started?

A name flashed before his eyes.

Rohimnūn. It was always Rohimnūn.

It was Rohimnūn who angered him about being too afraid to come out in the open and meet his foes.

It was Rohimnūn who had always been eying Legolas from the start.

In the end it was Legolas who had always taken the blown.

But then...there was always the question about his feelings for Legolas once again.

Love or desire. What?

I'd rather have the desire, said a small voice from the back of his mind and Aragorn grind his teeth, his anger starting up again.

Before Aragorn could even curse himself, an intense feeling of forbidding alerted him. Raising his right hand to stop his men and halting his own horse, he let his keen eyes search the land. They were amidst the land of Dunland which was formed by divisions of rocks, trees and mountains. Ahead were the dark trees that surrounded the area and above was the shadows of the Misty Mountains and White Mountains. On the other side of these Mountains was Isengard...they were near the Gap of Rohan...

"Legolas," he asked turning a little with his eyes still fixed ahead, "Do you hear anything?"

Legolas was aware as well for he too had felt the impure presence. He sharpened his ears until he heard what he was expecting.

"Orcs... their heading on to us from the forest ahead. I could hear their heavy footsteps." he informed Aragorn.

Aragorn nodded and unsheathed his sword. With this as a sign, the rangers pulled their own swords and raised it in shoulder leveled.

"To be attacked in this situation," snorted Rohimnūn from behind Legolas, "is the biggest disadvantage for us to happen. Are you sure you've lead us to the right course, Captain?"

Aragorn did not answer but focused on what was upon them. He hated to admit it, but Rohimnūn was right, they could not afford casualties before they could even reach Gondor. What now?

"We must finish this battle with less casualties." Legolas said from beside him.

"I know." Aragorn answered in a grim voice, "Watch your back."

Legolas nodded.

Aragorn turned to his men before looking at the almost dark sky. The sun was set, darkness was about to approach and so are their enemies. He acknowledged the twenty men before him, his eyes glinting. Raising a finger and pressing it upon his lips he told the rangers meaningfully,

"We will be facing some old friends... I hope you are all ready for the game."

The Rangers of the North raised their swords up to indicate their silent salute to their captain. Aragorn gave a slight nod before turning back to Legolas who had his bowstring and an arrow; it was the weapon he had given him. Aragorn recognized it and immediately gave Legolas an approving smile.

"This will be the first time I will be witnessing how you use it."

"Its because the first time I was ready to use it to save you, you handled an entire group of men without any help." Legolas answered in a matter-of-a-fact tone which made both of them paused and look at each other, remembering their past adventures before reaching the camp.

Aragorn chuckled and Legolas felt relief wash over him. They were still ok...

"As long as you know how to use it." remarked Aragorn and the Elf recognized a hint of challenge in his voice.

"Watch me." Legolas murmured, raising his bow and steadying his pull on the arrow notched at the string in level of his ears; it was pointing ahead the dark trees where nothing could be seen. Swoosh. Legolas freed an arrow and it vanished among the trees.

There was a long, ear piercing cry of what sounded like an orc amidst the trees and then silence.

The rangers of the North gripped their sword.

The ground started to shake. The shadows of the trees doubled. Dozens of slit red eyes appeared from the darkness. They stepped forward to approach their prey, their color dark as the soil, their bodies large and unbeatable. The menace on their eyes were visible as well as their thirst showing on their blood-dried lips and sharp teeth. Each of the heavy bulked orcs carried sharp blades, hammers and axes.

The rangers of the North were not intimidated. Especially not the Elf.

The battle began as another arrow from the lone Elf pierced one of the leading orc's heart. The fight before dusk started.

Aragorn yelled and urge his mighty horse to advance forward with great speed. Behind him his men followed, in a blink of an eye the clashed happened. Aragorn swung his sword and cut the first orc he made contact and its head flew up, hitting another orc from the back. The other rangers were eager for the fight -they kicked and stroke, slashed and cut more heads. The orcs were stupid enough to watch the swords swing by their necks, but some of them were danger zones. They fought without mercy, killing not only the men on their way but also the horses. Aragorn saw one ranger fell -an orc approached the man with its axe raise and ready to kill. The Chieftain jumped over from his horse and knocked the heavy axe from its hands. He immediately released a kick to its stomach so strong that the creature toppled over.

From near by, Legolas' arrows were singing. He was quick in releasing and filling his bow and arrow that no one was able to see where the arrows where flying. It was only clear that he was hitting his targets when great number of orcs were dropping on the ground, dead. The Elf was also able to save some rangers who were in danger of being killed. While doing this stunning act, half the Elf's attention was spent in watching over Aragorn. A couple of times he had turned to save the man but the man was always able to fight back in a cleverly way. Nonetheless, he watched him. He saw Aragorn charge with nothing but his sword to another group of swarming orcs -how careless!

The Elf immediately followed with speed. He caught with Aragorn's back -instincts told him to back away so he jumped backward exactly as Aragorn turned to swing the sword on his neck, thinking he was an enemy. They both froze with Aragorn being most surprised of all. He quickly draw his sword away and gave Legolas a searching gaze. The Elf merely pointed the arrow at the orc attacking Aragorn from behind.

"Stay with me!" shouted Aragorn above the roars and cries, "They've notice you now!"

Puzzled, Legolas looked around to see the creatures were surrounding them in a circle.

"They're forming?" the Elf asked in disbelief.

"Seems to be," Aragorn answered, raising his sword up his chest. Days with fights could be tiring, he thought wearily, and I really did not get much sleep after seeing them together...fighting in this state, I might as well die...

"Why are they gathering around us?" Legolas asked in awe, he had never seen orcs make a formation before.

Aragorn hesitated before answering, "They noticed you. An Elf among the Men."

Legolas was about to ask why when their enemies started to gaither closer with menace in their eyes.

There was growl from one of the orcs behind the Elf. It was like a roar but the message was clear:

"Capture the Prince!"

Legolas' heart leaped. What? Beside him, Aragorn had started to pierce the enemies.

The Elf stood frozen. How did they know he was the Elf Prince?

A shadow appeared in front of him but his deep thoughts and anxiousness had clouded his mind.

Did Aragorn hear?

A blade was upon his head -the Elf did not move.

There was a sound of a sharp object digging its way on flesh. Blood spilled out.

"What are you doing?"

The glint of consciousness came back to the Elf as he recognized the voice of the man. He blinked and saw Aragorn standing in front of him. Their eyes met and Legolas found himself looking at the grey ones. The man's right hand was gripping his shoulder and shaking him awake.

Legolas blinked again. Aragorn frowned at him before turning to finish off the orc who was behind him. As he turned, Legolas saw the man's back was bleeding with visible slash mark on his clothes.

"Aragorn!" he cried frantically, not knowing where to touch the man.

"It's nothing." Aragorn shrugged though he felt the seer of pain from behind. "And its almost over..."

Legolas looked up and saw piles of dead orcs and some men lying on the ground. Few men were still finishing off the half dead orcs, some of them checking their injuries. The casualty they received was big.

"I still think we should take care of your wound," Legolas whispered gently, touching Aragorn's back as light as he could. "I've seen enough of your sufferings without you bearing a wound."

Aragorn looked down the ground. He was touched by the Elf's word. Surrendering himself, he turned to Legolas with a sad smile on his lips.

"I apologize." he uttered.

Legolas' eyes shot open as he saw Aragorn fall. He immediately caught the man on his arms, his heart thundering -

No! he mentally cried, No wait.... He's just sleeping...

And a big sigh of relief came out of Legolas' lips as he watched the peaceful sleep of his Master who was back again on his arms.

"You almost killed me..." Legolas admitted, pressing his temple on the man's head and closing his eyes.

I wish you would never turn away again...

O.O

You all saw that coming did you??

Aw darn... I wish I could have continued until the scene I was imagining... it was pretty interesting.. ^^

Ah~ but alas I think this is too long for me!

Until the next Chapter! ^_^

Thank you, my friends, for reading!

Watch your backs *grin*

*bows*