Property of JRR Tolkien :)
Aragorn awoke to hear the crowing of a rooster. Bright sunlight filtered through the curtains, momentarily blinding him. For a second he was unsure of where he was, and then a soft voice called out.
'Did you sleep there all night?' Legolas' voice was a melody to Aragorn's weary ears.
'I believe I lost track of the time,' Aragorn sighed, combing his fingers through his dark hair.
Legolas' beautiful face was troubled, 'I hope I did not make you uncomfortable, Aragorn.'
'It was no fault of yours, mellon-nin. I simply got too immersed in thoughts of finding that lowlife, Gollum and fell asleep in this chair.'
'Ah, from what I have gathered it will be an arduous task.' replied Legolas.
'Especially if he catches wind of us pursuing him, he is a very evasive creature.' said Aragorn grimly.
'It is the beginning of a new day, do not be so foreboding, mellon-nin. Aníral maded?'
'Yes, I think I very much require some nourishment.'
'Well, allow me to put on some clean attire and I will join you at breakfast?'
Aragorn nodded, bleakly watching Legolas leave the room to enter the adjoining bathroom. He could not, for the life of him, comprehend why he was still seeing Legolas through a lover's eyes. He had assumed, or rather hoped, that these impetuous feelings would be vanquished by sleep. But every time he closed his eyes all he could see was Legolas. Standing in a field, his blond hair flowing and glistening in the soft sunlight, his blue eyes wide, and inviting – beckoning Aragorn towards him.
The sound of the bathroom door opening snapped Aragorn out of his daydream. He looked up at Legolas guiltily. Legolas, who looked fresh and, possibly, even more striking, stared back at Aragorn questioningly.
'Shall we?' he asked, his eyebrows raised.
'Uh, yes, of course,' replied Aragorn, flustered, feeling very much like an infant caught in the act of doing something mischievous.
Legolas smiled knowingly and led the way out of the room.
As they made their way down the stairway, Aragorn felt dizzy with disbelief. What if Legolas was blessed with an extra-sensory Elven power, enabling him to read every single one of Aragorn's immoral thoughts?
'Strider,' Legolas used his pseudonym in front of company, 'What is wrong?'
'Nothing,' sighed the Man, placing two of his fingers against his temple and frowned as if in pain, 'Just a simple headache.'
'Are you not a healer? Or can you not diagnose your own ailments?' smirked the Elf, as they sat themselves at the table.
'Only on good days,' smiled Aragorn, as one of Butterbur's workers, a cheerful hobbit named Nob, served them eggs and bread. 'Permit me to ask, mellon-nin, why you were chosen for this hunt? I bear no ill-will – I am merely curious.'
Legolas stared at his plate of food thoughtfully, as if scrutinising it. Then he replied quietly so as to not satisfy prying ears. 'Since before my maturity, I underwent thorough training back home in Mirkwood. However, my father did not concede me to use my skills in proper combat. After years of begging, he finally relented – and I was allowed to patrol the borders of the Woodland Realm. That, in itself, was fraught with danger, due to the rising evil in Dol Guldur. As the number of yrch, or Orcs, multiplied my father grew concerned for my welfare, as well as that of our people. However, as I continued to prove myself in battle against the many threats, my father's unease on my behalf lessened.
'Then when Mithrandir approached my father and informed him about the dire need for the creature Gollum, I managed to persuade him to allow me to be of assistance – and he agreed as I happen to be one of the best archers my people offer, and the Valar only know how much danger could befall us.' he stopped, exhaling sharply.
Aragorn had not heard Legolas speak so much before, and he discerned many things from this speech. When Legolas spoke of his father there was a feeling of great love, and when he spoke of his duty toward his people and his skills in slaying Orcs lay a sense of pride. It was blatant the Elf was a doting son and a self-respecting warrior. Aragorn was frustrated to find that this compelled him to be further attracted to Legolas – he was even more vexed at the fact that he would not be able to concentrate on pursuing Gollum when his mind was obviously focused on something wholly different.
After finishing their breakfast, Aragorn approached Barliman Butterbur who regarded him nervously. The Ranger paid him for the food and lodgings without a word. Just as he was turning away, the innkeeper spluttered, 'Are you a friend of Gandalf the Grey's?'
'And what is it to you if I am?' snapped Aragorn more brusquely than he intended.
Barliman cowered for a moment, before replying 'I simply wished to thank you for what it is you are doing for the people of Bree. A friend of Gandalf's is always welcome here.'
Aragorn was taken aback – he nodded, feeling bad for his churlish attitude, and gave the innkeeper a smile. Then wandered out to the stables where Legolas was waiting impatiently by his horse – a fine, white mare.
'Le abdollen, I think you took all day, the sun would have set ere you joined me,' said Legolas.
'I think not,' grinned Aragorn, mounting his house, a chestnut-colored steed. As he did so, his hand lightly brushed against Legolas' arm – a tingling sensation coursed through his body. It took all his self-control to not take the Elf into his arms and push him unceremoniously against the wooden wall of the stable and kiss him senseless. He wound the reins into his palm so hard that he was certain it would leave a scar. He waited for Legolas to mount his house, determinedly averting his gaze from the Elf.
'Where do we go from here, mellon-nin?' Legolas asked softly.
'I was thinking through the Barrow Downs to the Old Forest – it is after all abundant with places to hide, and it was near there where he was last seen,'
'Well, I guess we ought to be careful of the Barrow-Wights then,' beamed Legolas as if the very idea of battling evil spirits enticed him.
As they rode out into the sunlight, the cool breeze played with their hair. The Ranger smiled too, but for a different reason – he would be spending an excessive amount of time with the one he desired. And who knows what could happen?