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A scruffy Man awoke and winced as a ray of sunlight peeked through the gap in the curtains and landed on his face. Twisting around in the bed, Aragorn rubbed his face feeling very much worse for wear; he silently berated himself as the excessive amount of alcohol he'd consumed the previous night began to torture him. Getting out of bed was suddenly an extremely difficult task as his head ached so much that it spun, and the nausea did not do much in aid to him either. His bare feet felt oddly cold as he walked across the wooden floor to the bathroom. The future King of Gondor squinted at his reflection in the bathroom mirror as he splashed cool water against his face. He vaguely wondered where Legolas was, and almost immediately recalled the happenings of last night.
He inhaled sharply as he remembered Legolas bathed in moonlight, his beautiful features thrown into sharp relief. His soft lips pressed against the Man's blurred with his expression of fear and confusion. Aragorn groaned into the washcloth pressed against his face. Why had he allowed himself to be pulled into the shameful clutches of alcohol? he thought furiously. He had to see Legolas; as awkward as it was, he had to sort out this situation. Perhaps the Elf may not even remember it – he prayed hopefully that this would be the case. Changing his attire and running nervous fingers through his messy hair, he left the room.
With each step he took, he felt an increase of the heavy pounding within his heart. What was he even supposed to say? How in Arda was he supposed to even approach the topic? It wasn't as if the two could laugh about it and simply shrug it off. The whole moment had been too intense – too real – to treat it so lightly. Aragorn decided he would ignore it, act as if nothing had happened. And if Legolas wished to talk about it, then so would he. Entering the dining hall, his eyes searched for the fair Elf and located him sitting at the very table at which they had gotten inebriated the previous night. However to Aragorn's surprise, he was not alone – with him was another fair-haired Elf, of a larger build, whose face was not visible. The two Elves were conversing animatedly in their language; Aragorn felt a sudden consternation about interrupting this scene. Just as he was about to turn and leave the room, Legolas looked up – his eyes meeting Aragorn's. The bright shade of crimson the Prince turned made it quite clear to the Man that Legolas had all but forgotten their kiss. Aragorn's answering blush did nothing to improve the uncomfortable situation. The newcomer followed Legolas' gaze and stared at Aragorn, his handsome face wearing an expression of confusion.
"Is this he?" he inquired.
"Ay, this is Strider." spoke Legolas softly, inclining his head.
The Elf stood up, reaching Aragorn in one stride, and clasped his hand. "Mae govannen, I am Haldir, March-warden of Lorien,"
"It is a pleasure, and I am Strider, a Ranger of the Dunedain." replied Aragorn releasing the Elf's hand.
"Yes, I know of you, and your heritage. I have been searching for the pair of you for the past week. Quite evasive, might I say." As he said this he turned his head back to look at Legolas, a small smile complementing his haughty countenance. For some inexplicable reason this made Aragorn feel ill at ease.
"And why would that be?" he spoke, forcing the words out of his mouth.
"Mithrandir sent me," replied Haldir, his eyebrows raised as if this was quite obvious.
"Gandalf sent you? Why?"
"He wished for me to inform you to call off your search for the creature. It is futile. The other side has already snared him."
Aragorn felt his heart sink to his stomach. They had failed Gandalf, and in doing so, they had failed Middle-Earth. He dragged a chair to the table, and sank into it, feeling utterly worthless.
"Nay, do not despair, Aragorn," said Legolas, worry etched into every line of his beautiful face, "This happened ere we set out from Bree, word reached Mithrandir just a week ago." When Aragorn did not respond, Legolas leaned across the table, and lightly touched the Man's arm. Aragorn looked up at the unexpected contact, his eyes meeting those of the Elven Prince. He felt himself being calmed as he looked into the blue pools brimming with warmth and reassurance. He nodded numbly, his forearm extremely aware of the soft touch of Legolas' fingers – and before Aragorn could begin to savour the moment, it vanished as Haldir broke the silence, causing Legolas to pull away.
"Well, young Prince, perhaps this is the best time you chose to visit Caras Galadhon. Lord Celeborn wishes you would grace us with your presence in our beautiful home. I am certain quite you will enjoy spending your nights in a talan and allowing the beautiful stars to entice you with their many stories. At the end of your stay, leaving may be the furthest act from your mind."
There was no mistaking the suggestive tone in his final sentence, Aragorn inhaled sharply; he could not erase the deep feeling of unease that was taking over him. Legolas tore his eyes away from the Man to look up at Haldir. "What an offer, mellon-nin, but I must return to my father and King. If the darkness is spreading, then the only place I need to be is by my family and people."
The Ranger's breathing returned to normal at hearing this; however he still did not like the look in Haldir's eyes. There was a touch of possessiveness in them when he looked at Legolas. Aragorn did not like this at all.
"A very wise decision, I must say. But perhaps we could converse further? Let us take a walk and allow the Ranger to have his breakfast," his eyes flickered to Aragorn, an unmistakeable look of disdain in them. Aragorn felt his guard rising – right now, more than anything, he wished to plant his fist in the March-warden's proud face.
It took all his self-control to not act out his desire when the Elf-Prince replied, "Of course, you do not mind, do you, Aragorn?"
Aragorn unclenched his jaw, "Not at all, mellon-nin". Judging by Legolas' concerned expression, he doubted he was very convincing, hence he added a smile for good measure. It seemed to have worked, for a minute later he was alone staring out the window to the left of him, watching Legolas strolling in the garden with that insufferable Haldir. Pushing his chair away from the table, ignoring the plate of food placed in front him, he stood up and made his way back to the room
Consumed by a vicious jealousy that dug its nails into his heart, Aragorn wondered why everything had spiralled so out of his control.