Property of JRR Tolkien. I own nothing
Legolas awoke feeling as if he had barely slept; he stifled a yawn and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He could see the rising of the sun, it was beautiful, the sky was tinged with red and pink. But for Legolas true beauty laid in the sunset – he felt a day was not worth remembering if he could not watch the sun set on his beloved Middle Earth. He sat up and stretched his lean muscles, running his fingers through his tousled, golden hair he looked around for the Ranger. There he sat by the oak tree, cross-legged, sharpening his sword. As Legolas watched Aragorn's strong arms flex as he ran his sword against the whetstone, he remembered his dream. Instantaneously he felt lightheaded, Oh Valar, he thought desperately, what is happening? Aragorn looked up, acknowledging that Legolas had awoken and gave him a small smile before returning to his task. Legolas felt himself flush a deep crimson, and his palms turned wet with sweat. He couldn't believe himself; he had to break the silence before he did something silly.
'Anything of interest happened, mellon-nin?' Legolas asked.
'Oh, simply a band of Orcs crossed this way. But it is no matter; I managed to slew them with ease.'
'Ai! Aragorn, what are you saying? Why was I not roused? Sen tîr?' questioned Legolas, astounded. In the two days of their journey they had come across no Orcs or any such danger. But only while Legolas happened to be drowsing would the attacks descend. The Elf was completely irate.
Aragorn broke into laughter at the expression on Legolas' face, 'I was merely jesting, mellon-nin.'
Legolas stared at him, shocked. 'Ti tállbe Orch,' he replied rudely and punched Aragorn lightly on the arm. Both of them laughed, but Legolas felt chills run up and down his spine at both the slight contact and the camaraderie they were sharing. For the life of him he could not comprehend these new feelings for Aragorn that were coursing through his mind and body.
'Well, that was my little bit of revenge for delaying our search.' Aragorn grinned, 'Now come, Legolas, let us find some food.'
The sun was high when they finally decided to continue searching for Gollum. Legolas was irritable due to the scorching heat, and even more irritable with himself for having Aragorn on his mind. He really did not understand why. His mind kept wandering back to the previous day where the two had gazed into each other's eyes, every time he thought of it he felt a tingle in his fingers. He determinedly kept his eyes down on the ground, refusing to allow himself to be distracted by thoughts of the Man. But this only resulted in him not anticipating where he was heading, and causing him to collide with Aragorn.
'Careful,' warned Aragorn, softly, catching Legolas' arm and steadying him.
'I'm sorry, Aragorn, my mind is really some place else,' said Legolas more miserably than he intended to. He was conscious of Aragorn's firm grip on his elbow.
'I know you miss your home and your father, but the sooner we find Gollum the sooner you can return to them,' as he said this, a trace of agony crossed his eyes.
'It's not that,' replied the Elf, frustrated that Aragorn could not comprehend. He wasn't even sure if he wanted the Man to understand. But Aragorn misconstrued Legolas' annoyance, believing was directed towards him and released his hold on the Elf and stepped away. Legolas did not want to be let go of, but he did not want this to go any further. He was afraid of what he could feel and, more so, he was afraid of what it could do to him.