Chapter 16

Another Update~

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The stars shone above the white tree of Gondor that stood on Minas Tirith's Court of the Fountain. The air was cold and every soldier that walks under the stars was silent. Dark shadows were enveloping the lands around the city and none else could be seen. It was the middle of the night.

The same night stars could be seen outside the large windows of Aragorn and Legolas' dark room. The room was solemn, with drapes of shadows in every corner and a single light of fire coming from the fireside. One would think that the occupants were asleep but it's not entirely true. One of the two resident of the room was wide awake, his grey eyes clear and reflecting the fiery on the fire while watching a heavenly being sleeping on his chest.

Aragorn had the back of his head and exposed shoulder leaning on the bed's wedge. He had no clothes on with only a blanket to keep his lower body from cold. Beside him lay Legolas who was fast asleep with his head leaning on the man's chest. Half of his body was covered with the warm blanket while the rest up was bare. The man kept his arm wrap around the Elf's shoulder as if not wanting to let go.

In the middle of the night the man watched with the memory of the day's event on his mind. He traveled his eyes around the Elf's fair face; from his long golden hair that he could not resist to touch, to his long eye lashes and eyelids that now hid the blue orbs he was so fond of, to his tender lips he loved to kiss… He would never allow anyone to get close to those lips…

Anger flared on Aragorn's chest in that instant for a flash of Legolas' trembling state jumped on his mind. He remembered bumping on to him on one of the hallway while he was inspecting around. He had postponed their plan that day for he could not afford to fight with Legolas like that- or rather- with himself like that. He was afraid he'd accidentally slit his own men's throat out of anger. Or slit that bastard, Rohimnūn's neck while everyone was looking. Truthfully, he liked the idea but his concern for Legolas was great. Until awhile ago the elf wouldn't hear of it, about him leaving even for awhile. He must have been so frightened. Even until tonight Legolas had not spoken aside from calling his name while they made love under the gaze of the fire…

Aragorn reached a hand and stroke the fair Elf's cheek. He looked longingly at him and then kissed his forehead. The trembling body of the Elf awhile ago was now relax and comfortable. That was how he liked Legolas to be, always safe and secure beside him. That was why there was no doubt about what he must do that night, that there was no question why he should do it...

He had to pay someone a visit and made that some one realize who he was messing with…

With swift movements only someone with Elven eyes can follow, Aragorn raised from the bed, dressed up, put his black cloak on and grab his sword. With his body hidden in the dark with only his eyes glinting in menace and revenge, the man they call Strider on Bree and many other names on the North, made his way quietly around the dark halls of Minas Tirith. His walk was as dangerous as his grim face; like a living warning to anyone he would meet on the way. And it was only for one purpose:

Find Rohimnūn and make him pay for what he did.

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Rohimnūn shifted on his bed feeling very uncomfortable. He shifted after another minute and then finally sat up straight with his face contorted into a frown. Something was not right, he decided at last. He could feel something was not right. A nagging feeling was on the back of his mind as if telling him to wake up and never let his guard down. Like many times when he was in the middle of a battle. For him that was what he calls instincts. But he could not understand -will he be under attack inside the high walls of Gondor? His senses must be too agitated. Nevertheless he traveled his eyes around his dim room, trying to see if something was amiss his view.

Everything was perfectly normal as far as he was concerned. On the side table near his bed was his sword, on the chair next to it was his armory shield, and then his armors. Near it was the fireside with a little fire on it making the room somewhat dim and cold. He traveled his eyes near the door which appeared to be locked, then to the window where a huge curtain was covering the night sky.

Rohimnūn gaped suddenly for he saw something that made his heart race under his chest. A pair of eyes was looking at him from the curtains. They eyes were glinting with what he recognize as threat and intimidation. He scrambled about and blinked at the eye I disbelief. It stared back. He tried to calm his screaming senses and remembered where his sword was. He looked at the table next to him where he last saw his sword but it was empty.

His sword was gone.

Trying to muster his strength, Rohimnūn stood up from the bed and looked at the shadows where the glinting eyes remained looking at him. As a soldier of Gondor there was nothing he should fear. Not even this darkness before him. With great bravery he shouted,

"Who are you and what do you want?"

Silence greeted his words. The pair of eyes continued to glint at him with fire on them.

Rohimnūn felt uneasy.

"Who are you and what do you want!" he repeated agitatedly.

"You." a low voice replied. Rohimnūn's eyes narrowed.

"Come out of the dark and show yourself!" he commanded, angry at how he could feel the intensity of the eyes watching him.

"You do not know me?" asked the voice from the dark that echoed on the Gondorian's ears. "I, whom you had such rivalry from the very beginning, I, who owns something you wanted from the start…and I, whom you wanted nothing but to be rid of from the very moment that we met. Are you sure you do not know me?"

Rohimnūn's frowned deepened, then his eyes reflected recognition and he stared.

"Aragorn?"

There was a spark on the man's eyes.

"I am Thorongil, have you forgotten?"

Rohimnūn felt his hatred flare and rise in every way possible. How could he be frightened of the fool ranger he loathed? How dare that man threaten him! How dare he make him feel vulnerable to death that very moment? How dare him!

With his voice shaking in rage Rohimnūn spoke acidly.

"Get out of my room now! Now before I have the soldiers drag you outside!"

Aragorn did not speak but his eyes conveyed its meaning clearly.

You can try.

Rohimnūn felt his anger rise once more that he shouted more loudly-

"GET THE HELL OUT OF MY ROOM-"

In a blink of an eye he was roughly pushed backwards and had his head banged on the wall. He felt the pain but did not groan- he also felt the point of a blade pointing on his neck, just before his throat. It was sticking close, like it was itching to dig deep. Rohimnūn inhaled.

"I shall get out of your damn room only after I make myself clear." said Aragorn's sudden grim voice in low whisper that Rohimnūn barely recognized as the ranger's. "Look at me and listen carefully you bastard."

Rohimnūn looked down from the corner of his eyes for his neck was still being threatened by the blade of a sword. He saw Aragorn looking at him with such darkness he had never seen any man posses before. It was of pure hatred and threat; as if there was no tomorrow for anyone who would dare oppose its command. It was as if the devil had possessed the man in his sleep. Rohimnūn couldn't help but gulp and in the process felt his throat grazed the tip of the blade.

"Get away from Legolas." the tip of the sword was pressed down his neck and made a small cut that instantly caused bead of blood. "Get away from him!" Aragorn hissed the words with so much loathe he felt like he could never be angry again. "If I see you or even felt you've done something to him I'll kill you on the very spot. Do not tempt me. I can do it with your two eyes open."

Rohimnūn gritted his teeth.

"If you think asking me this way-"

"Oh, I'm not asking you." Aragorn glowered at him from the darkness, "I'm telling you. Threatening you. I'm going to kill you."

Rohimnūn did not answer- he swore he just saw Aragorn glowed from that darkness! He blinked for a second to see clearly- but then saw nothing- not even the pair of eyes. With realization he found himself free from the ranger's clutches with the ranger gone. Rohimnūn exhaled and look around, his shoulders sagging down. There was no sign of Aragorn anymore. His sword was back on the table too; next to his bed as if nothing had touched it.

Frowning, Rohimnūn wondered if it was all a dream- after all, that ranger couldn't possibly make him that wary. But as he touched his neck Rohimnūn realized something when he smelled blood on his fingers; that the glimpse of darkness he saw- it was everything but not a dream.

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Legolas felt something moved pass him. He shifted. He was having a good dream but somehow he much preferred reality for there was something in it waiting for him… He opened his eyes and saw bright lights. He blinked.

Looking closely he saw the window curtain was pulled open and outside gleam the bright sunlight of the morning sun. It was already morning… He tried to get up by leaning on his elbows then realized someone was standing by the window, someone he preferred than the good dream he was having. With a smile he called for him softly.

"Aragorn."

Aragorn looked back at him from the window, and then smiled. He was already dressed from head to foot and there was something about him, the Elf noted as the man walked near, something like a grim satisfaction… It made him curious.

Aragorn sat on the side of the bed while the Elf sat up too.

"A fine morning to you." greeted the man warmly that made the Elf raise his eyes brows.

"A fine morning to you too; and why do you look so… different?" the Elf asked curiously, reaching his hand and touching the man's neck, "Did I miss something?"

Aragorn merely gave him a small smile and then without warning moved close to him and kissed him. Legolas appreciated the kiss and answered it willingly. He had wanted to ask again why the man seemed energetic but he was pushed down the bed and was rained with kisses on the lips and neck.

"Aragorn, tell me what happened?" Legolas manage as Aragorn was kissing his neck and he remained still on the bed, "I knew you did something… I can read it without you telling me."

"Really?" whispered the man as he looked Legolas in the eye, "Have a fair guess."

Legolas stared at the ceiling thinking deep. Then suddenly he shot up from the bed, making Aragorn collide with his body.

"I'm sorry." the Elf said apologetically as the man rubbed his forehead. "But I really can't guess it…do tell me before I lose my head."

Aragorn considered for a moment and then sighed.

"I assaulted Rohimnūn last night."

The elf's eyes shot open in surprise.

"What?"

"I had enough of him. I couldn't stand it anymore."

Legolas saw the man's eyes darkened.

"Why did you do it? What did he do to you?"

Aragorn looked at the Elf's blue eyes full of wonder. He frowned.

"I did it not for me… but for you."

"For me?" the Elf blinked in surprise. "Why? What did he do to me?"

It was Aragorn's turn to be surprise. He shook his head and grabbed the Elf's hands.

"He attacked you yesterday, am I right?"

"Attacked me?" Legolas whispered slowly, "I don't know… what you are talking about. I only remember the two of us looking at a White Tree …and then I can't remember…" the Elf touched his head, frowning.

"What do you mean you can't remember?" the man looked at the Elf apprehensively. "Can't you remember what happened yesterday? We bumped on each other and you were-"

Aragorn stopped. Legolas was looking at him blankly as if he missed what the ranger was talking about. Fear suddenly erupted from the man's chest that was filled with mighty hatred just last night. With sinking heart he touched the Elf's cheek and directed his eyes on him.

"Do you know who I am? What we are…?"

Legolas frowned still at him and then after a moment smiled a little.

"What are you talking about you weird fellow. Of course I know you, you are Aragorn and we are together."

Relief washed down the man's worries. He took Legolas on his arms and embraced him tightly. He knew something was wrong with the elf- something on his memory it seemed… but as long as he remembers who he was and what they were then nothing else matters…

And it may also mean that the Elf has forgotten that terrible thing Rohimnūn must've done yesterday. He could ask for nothing more.

"Aragorn… what's the matter?" Legolas sounded worried for him.

"Nothing." The man whispered quietly. He pushed the elf a little and they look at each other's eyes. Aragorn's eyes then wandered down the Elf's bare body and had to chuckle softly.

"You have to go ahead and dress yourself, silly Elf. You are tempting me too much with that look of yours." He stood up.

Legolas looked down his body and realized the covers of the blanket have left him completely. He rolled his eyes and looked at Aragorn with narrow eyes.

"Then turn around till I do."

Aragorn chuckled more.

"But there is nothing to hide from me anymore. I own it all." He grinned.

Legolas rose from the bed and stood before the man with his eyebrows high.

"Well then… if there is nothing to hide anymore then allow me to walk around naked."

That wiped the grin on Aragorn's face. He grunted with what sound like 'people will see you…won't allow' and then turned around anyway that made Legolas laugh in a tinkling way.

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The twosome left their quarters early that morning and headed straight for the ranger's post. The two saw the group being well taken care of by Gondor's servers. There they were sitting on a long table with plenty of food to eat.

"Come and eat gentleman and Elf." called Ecthelion to the two. Legolas blinked at the steward as if trying to see if he was someone he knew, then back to Aragorn who nodded at him. They sat down together and started sharing the festivities with the group.

"Careful with the ale, gentlemen." Aragorn called to his group who nodded and cheered. Legolas smiled at them and then started to eat the food on his plate too. Just then he felt a familiar stare on his direction. Looking up he saw that Rohimnūn was looking at him from where he was standing by the wall. Legolas blinked.

Rohimnun saw him look and he turned around to leave. Legolas watched him with question on his eyes. Aragorn had told him to stay away from Rohimnūn and he was not too eager to disobey but Rohimnūn's willingness to avoid him seemed unusual- if what- surprising.

"Legolas?" Aragorn inquired as the Elf fell silent on his own thoughts. The Elf looked at him and then down his plate. "You should start eating now. We'll immediately set off towards the coast; the men from Umbar have probably set a good defense on the region already. We need to save our strength."

Legolas nodded and took the spoon on the plate. From the corner of his eyes he saw the Steward of Gondor come near them.

"Lord Thorongil? If I could have a word?"

Legolas gave Aragorn a look of question but the man returned his gaze with a nod. He stood up after and followed Ecthelion in one corner where the two spoke quietly. The elf's eyes followed where Aragorn was with full of wonder. Since when was Aragorn called 'Thorongil'? And a little while ago why was Aragorn telling him he had assaulted Rohimnūn? And why was Rohimnūn avoiding him this time? Did he really miss something while he was sleeping?

A pain suddenly shot up to his head and Legolas exhaled. He reached a hand toward his forehead and tried to bear the pain. Why was he having headaches all of a sudden? After a few moments the pain passed and Legolas was left with so many questions on his plate.

When Aragorn returned to his seat, he immediately saw the distress on the Elf's face.

"What's the matter?" he asked in concern. Legolas shook his head and wished to stand up. Aragorn helped him, telling his rangers to continue their feast and led Legolas to a corner where the heart of the room stood, the fireside.

"You do not look good to me."

"I know. I don't feel good either."

"Take a rest on our room."

"No, I'll be fine. I just need some fresh air."

Aragorn's eyes narrowed and he led the Elf towards the door to the open air where they could see the sky outside and Gondor's plane. The man watched as the Elf tried to catch his breath and look at the sky. He looked paler than how most Elves should look and there were shadows on the corner of his eyes. Aragorn's worry increased. He walked near the Elf and wrapped an arm around his body from behind.

"Be good while I'm gone." He whispered on Legolas' ears.

Legolas whipped around to face him, his lips already curved into refusal when he saw the look on the ranger's eyes. It was solemn with mixture of sadness, concern and firmness put together. He couldn't help but feel calm as if he realized the man was telling him it was futile to refuse and at the same time telling him how much he cared. The elf slowly closed his lips.

"Aragorn." He managed to slowly whisper in a pleading note while the man put his arms around him. They stood there under the gaze of the sky until Aragorn gently pushed the Elf away.

"I love you."

They shared a moment's kiss once more and then went back inside the hall with Aragorn's decision clear and Legolas feeling the happiness he had felt since being together with the ranger decreasing.

He prayed for Valar to look after his only man.

He had no idea how his heart would falter after the awaited battle.

~TBC~

Truth be told you are all gonna hate me for what's gonna happen next~

Until the next chapter^^

Hope to do it during the holidays~

See yah^^

Thanks for reading!