Property of JRR Tolkien :)
A fair-haired Elf stood looking looking down at a Man who was calmly hunched over inspecting the ground.
'This track seems to belong to Gollum. The mud is fresh, he can not be far.'
'Are you certain?' questioned Legolas wearily. It had been two days since they had left Bree, and had reached the South Downs, and on one other occasion had Aragorn felt certain that he knew Gollum's position – hence the two spent hours scouring for him only to realize they were wandering aimlessly in circles. Legolas was inwardly appalled to discover that his traveling companion seemed so inexperienced. Legolas' Elf eyes could seek out anything for a few miles, and a keen sense of hearing happened to help as well, but he barely had any training in tracking. Therefore it was essential the Ranger proved himself. Legolas was further confused as to why the Man was acting strangely, he always seemed to avoid looking Legolas in the eyes, and when he believed Legolas was not paying attention he would gaze at him with a curious expression in his eyes. Little did Legolas know that reason as to why the future King of Gondor was behaving oddly was because he was enamored by the Elf. Hence, Legolas, blissfully oblivious, remained bewildered.
'Well, I am more positive than I was the previous time,' replied Aragorn defiantly.
'I meant no offence, Aragorn, I am merely tired I feel we should rest,' said Legolas.
'Legolas, is this not an inopportune moment to suspend our chase?' responded Aragorn through gritted teeth.
'Well, I feel like taking a rest.' said Legolas irritably, 'The sun has already set, I wish to sleep. And to be honest the track resembles that of a duck's.'
Aragorn looked Legolas in the eye infuriatedly, but almost immediately his irate expression turned into something softer as his eyes of blue steel locked gaze with those of bright blue.
Legolas felt his breath hitch in his throat as the Man looked intensely into his eyes. After what seemed like an hour to the Elf, Aragorn finally pulled away, and walked over to an oak tree and settled himself down and proceeded to fill his pipe and light it. Legolas watched him unnerved. He laid his cloak on the ground, regaining his normal heartbeat, and lay down on it. His mind buzzed with thoughts - why was the Man making him feel so strange? Legolas was baffled, he had never had a feeling like this before, and he could not comprehend it. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the Man smoking his pipe – his face sad; he seemed to be lost in thought. The Elf couldn't help but wish he could know what was going through Aragorn's mind, and to understand what it was that upset him so. Just then a soft voice started singing – it was Aragorn. It was melodious and melancholy, Legolas strained his ears to catch the words:
As Beren looked into her eyes
Within the shadows of her hair,
The trembling starlight of the skies
He saw there mirrored shimmering.
Tinúviel the elven-fair,
Immortal maiden elven-wise, About him cast her shadowy hair
And arms like silver glimmering.
It was the song of Lúthien, a Sindarin princess, and Beren, a mortal. The story was considered the most epic in all of Arda, it was of how an Elf-maiden gave up her mortality in favor of a short life with the Man she loved. He was fascinated that Aragorn was singing it – did it have a meaning to him? But Legolas could think no more, Aragorn's voice was unconsciously lulling him to sleep. He felt his eyes drift out of focus and before long he was asleep.
'Meleth,' a voice whispered in his ear. Strangely it was a man's voice. A pair of arms was wrapped around him, they tightened their hold, causing Legolas to look down and acknowledge that they were muscular and tanned. Boldly Legolas' hand reached and took hold of one of the hands holding him. Legolas brought the hand up and placed a kiss on it, although he did not know why.
Legolas felt a stubbly jaw graze against his shoulder – eliciting goose bumps all over his skin. 'Aragorn,' he replied – he was unable to see the man whose arms he was in, but his heart told him he was right.