Ringspell

Chapter 24.
Reconciled...

"I wanted to apologize," Aragorn offered, as they made their way slowly, towards the main hall. "If I said or did anything to upset you this morning. It was not my intention."

Legolas glanced at him, gentle melancholy smouldering behind the elf's dark eyes. The bruise on his cheek, Aragorn noticed, had already faded significantly.

"It is I who must beg your forgiveness, mellon-nin." He said, quietly. "I was out of sorts."

Legolas offered the Ranger a tentative smile, which Aragorn readily returned. On the inside, he leapt joyously into the air. The simple ease with which the tension between them had been lifted made him supremely happy.

They emerged into the foyer of Thranduil's halls and it slowly dawned on Aragorn that it was growing steadily darker inside the complex and the air was rapidly becoming cold. As they crossed the hall he glanced over to the entrance. The doors were closed. Aragorn felt a sudden tinge of claustrophobia, not something he usually suffered from.

"Why are the doors closed?" He asked of Legolas.

"It is probably raining outside." The elf answered.

Feeling somewhat stupid, Aragorn neglected to comment further.

They continued to walk in silence for a while, Legolas seemed lost in his own thoughts and Aragorn was content not to disturb him, satisfied as he was that their friendship was in no danger and pleased to share in the prince's company once more.

"So, you are going on this Hunt tomorrow." Aragorn finally said, satisfying a keen urge to interact with his companion.

Legolas nodded, sighing gently.

"I hate these things."

"You have done this before, then?."

"Yes, many times." Legolas replied. "The forest must be managed. We have
always cleared the lands to the South, every ten years or so but Ada has been somewhat reluctant to order the task done, of late."

They pulled up outside the prince's chamber and stood, looking at each other uncomfortably, as the guard unlocked the heavy door.

"Well," Aragorn said, as the door was opened. "I guess you have things to do..."

Legolas shook his head, prettily.

"Not really. I should probably speak to Kehlios at some point but that will not take long."

Both man and elf seemed to hesitate for a very long time, neither wishing to be apart from the other, both struggling with their own doubts.

Finally, after an eternity, Legolas spoke.

"Did you want to come inside?" He asked, his voice dropping to little more than a whisper.

Aragorn did not answer, there was no need. His heart thumping, he followed the elf into the darkness beyond the door.