Late Night Confessions

Late Night Confessions

Late Night Confessions
Aralynn Evenstar
Rating: R-soon to come people, please be patient!
Disclaimers: I OWN THEM! OF COURSE I DO! Legolas and Aragorn are mine…bwahaha! Take that! (I dare ya to sue me…I promise you, I live in the boondocks of Iowa…you won’t get much.
Summary: (Bit of a song fic)…Bar reminiscing causes Legolas to realize where he went wrong. A/L SLASH. Don’t like it? Don’t read it, duh!
A/N: Finally, a chapter you’ve all been waiting for! And this one contains…MORE OF ARAGORN AND LEGOLAS! And it’s pretty long, but you deserve it cause it took ME so long to post. Honestly, I never thought that between school, homework, writers’ block, stupid computer, and stupid Internet that I would get this posted! But I did! So enjoy!

 
 
Chapter 3 – Unfair Fighting

"And that’s when I met him…" He took a sip of his new drink, licked his lips, and ran his hand through his soft blonde locks.
"That’s a very lovely story, but I’m to take it that it wasn’t love at first sight?" The tender was leaning forward, antsy with anticipation. "I mean, if it’s not askin’ too much."
He smiled. Finally Legolas was able to place the man’s voice…it reminded him of Pippin.
"No, it’s not asking too much at all. And truthfully it wasn’t love at first sight."
"Then what was it?"
"More like an admired affection. It wasn’t until later in our quest that I realized I was falling in love."
"How much later?"
"I’m not sure on the length of time, but it was a fair amount…Gandalf perished only to return as Gandalf the white, Boromir perished only to never return, Merry and Pippin had been removed from the fellowship by an awkward chain of events, and the ring bearer and his companion left to go to Mordor on their own. I was left with him and the dwarf. We were-" The door to the pub opened and another set of men walked in and plopped down in a booth not too far from where Legolas was sitting himself. They shouted a series of mumbled words toward the tender.
"Sorry elf, but I’ll have to be getting’ them somethin’ to drink…"
He gave an understanding nod and watched him walk away.
"I promised myself I would forget you, Estel, but some how I haven’t stopped thinking about you since I left." A surrendered sigh left his mouth and he replaced it with the warmth of the whiskey. He resorted to staring at his previous spot.
All the detail of Aragorn’s face ran through his mind…like a map. He could see his Estel, lying next to him, his entire profile exposed to Legolas’ soft eyes. Even in the slumber of his bedroom Aragorn still looked strong and noble, like a king should. His gentle lashes fluttered as he dreamt of forests, cities, a beautiful pond in the evening glow, and one particular blond elf. The man’s soft, dark locks were spread across a satin pillow in wild abandonment, and the beautiful moon and starlight gave them a silky glow. Legolas wanted so badly to touch it…his fingers ached for the feel of his skin, his hair, his lips…but no matter how hard he tried, his fingers couldn’t find their way to their love’s body. Legolas could feel hot tears well up in his eyes, but never fall. He gave a disgusted sigh and took another mouthful of his alcohol. If he kept up his nightly drinking habits, he figured he would soon grow attached to the incoherent feeling it gave him.
It hadn’t seemed too long when the tender returned, but he had been day dreaming. The man moved the stool, which made a screeching sound along the bottom of the tile floor, making Legolas look up. The only other customers in the bar were the few men that had just walked in.
"Sorry ‘bout that, when those boys get ta talkin’, there’s not stoppin’ ‘em. Now where were you? Oh yes, it was just you, Aragorn, and the dwarf…what was his name?"
"Gimli."
"That’s right…you, Aragorn, and Gimli were the only group left."
"Right, and we had been having a bit of a vacation, as it would seem. But valor wouldn’t have much of that. So soon we found ourselves in cohorts with king Théoden of Rohan and his company…and we were marching toward Helm’s Deep."

~~~ Road to Helm’s Deep~~~

On foot, Legolas runs in front of a long crowd of King Theoden’s people as they make their way to the safety of Helm’s Deep. He is proud to be asked to help be a look out. He turns and glances at Aragorn ever so often, then turns back when he gets a nod and smile. It is obvious that the man is proud of him, also.
It isn’t long before they reach a hill and two of the king’s riders, Háma and Gamling, speed up a few hundred feet ahead of the group to check for nearing enemies. Legolas watches intently as they scan the rolling plains. Gamling asks a question, but even his elven ears can’t pick it up.
Thinking everything was safe, Legolas almost turned to inform the group but something caught his eye. It was the two rider’s horses…they suddenly became restless, bucking beneath their rider’s commands to remain still. Háma glanced around, confused, then spoke, loud enough for his elf ears to finally hear.
"I’m not sure…" His answer was spoken and following it, a warg scout, bearing an orc, ran over the slope and charges upon them. The beast leapt on Háma, killing him instantly.
Legolas sat in shock. He had gotten to like both of the men, as they were both strong riders and among the best marksmen. Now one was taken so easily. Hearing Gamling’s cries reminds him that both of them weren’t dead and he could still save the lone Rohirrim. He immediately ran over to his aid. But he didn’t get far before the warg turned from the dead form and set his sights on the other rider who was frantically trying to calm his horse. Legolas’ skilled fingers grabbed an arrow, notched it, and then sent it flying. He didn’t stop to watch it hit its target as he unsheathed his knife and lunged at the stranded orc. It only takes a few cuts and the vile creature joined its beast in a bloody heap.
He immediately turned back to the company and shouted at Aragorn, who was also near the front of the group. "Arg! A scout!"
He watched as the former ranger turned, ran, and alerted the king. Villagers that heard the warning cried out and panic ripped through the line. They all looked at their leader, fearfully, and waited for him to save them. As if he alone could protect their entire future…humans could be so daft…but not Aragorn, of course.
"All riders to the head of the column!"
Out of the corner of his eye, Legolas could see Gimli trying to get upon Arod, one of the horses. Finally, two, spear-ready men help the height challenged creature on the beautiful being. And after a few moments, the dwarf kicked and shouted, willing the horse to move. Amused, Arod took a few steps forward. Gimli reacted to his movements with a triumphant smile.
Out of the other corner of his eye he could see, and hear, Théoden and Éowyn arguing.
"You must lead the people to Helm’s Deep! And make haste!"
"I can fight!" She looked pleadingly at him. He knew that his niece was one of the most capable warriors he had, and that it would take a lot to stop the stubborn girl. But he couldn’t loose another of his kin.
"No, you must do this…for me."
They held an arguing gaze for a moment, then Éowyn turned her attention to the villagers.
"Make for the lower ground! Stick together!" She ushered a few stray men and women to the rest of the group.
Legolas then looked around and spotted Aragorn, locked in a gaze with Éowyn. He felt a twinge of jealousy until the man looked up at him. Then he only felt guilt.
‘Why do I feel jealousy toward an innocent, friendly glance? He is Aragorn; he may do what ever he wants. I have no control over him! What should I care about his love life? Why should I wish that when he is thinking of Arwen that he’s thinking of me instead? Why should I wish that when all of this is over it were I returning to Gondor with him? I don’t wish and I don’t care! He IS a friend and I DO care about him…but not his love life…I don’t love him. Or do I?’ He sighed.
The elf turned his gaze to the group of approaching wargs and orcs. He released an arrow on the group and a warg rider fell…then another…and when he reached for a third arrow he noticed the king and his riders approaching quickly. He ran over to Arod and swiftly jumped on, Gimli behind him. By then the wargs had finally reached the company.
"Charge!" Théoden commanded and his riders obeyed. The clash of beast and man was deafening to the immortal, but he didn’t notice it…his concentration on the arrow in his hand.
He did notice, though, that after a few moments of fighting, Gimli lost balance and fell off of Arod. When the dwarf turned, he was face to face with a teeth-baring warg.
"Bring your pretty face to my axe!"
‘Threatening, Gimli…you come up to the creature’s shoulder. But perhaps if your axe doesn’t scare him away the fear of getting spit on will…’ Legolas smiled to himself.
Obliging, the warg sprang forward and leapt to the unprepared Gimli. Legolas quickly killed it with one arrow. The beast fell and almost landed on top of the dwarf.
"Ah! That one counts as mine!" He scowled at the elf. He then swung his axe and hit another warg, it falls, only this time it does land on top of him, pinning him to the ground. "Stinkin’ creature! Argh…." He struggles until an orc climbs upon the heap. Gimli grabs its head in his hands and breaks its neck; it falls on top of the pile.
He continues to try and free himself when another riderless warg approaches him. "Oh…" His eyes widen. But then Aragorn rides by, spears the warg, and it falls, adding to the growing pile.
Legolas watches all this as he killed many around them. Then his eyes follow Aragorn as he attempts to kill another orc and falls off Hasufel, his horse. He immediately regained composure and tried to kill the warg rider, who grabbed the ranger by the neck and pulled him along. They struggle and soon the orc is thrown from his beast. But before he is left in the dust trail, he grabbed at Aragorn and missed, but caught his Evenstar pendant instead. It is broken effortlessly from his neck and wrapped in the orcs disgusting fingers.
Outraged, Aragorn tried to let go of the warg but discovered his wrist is tangled with the saddle straps…and is nearing the edge of a cliff. He frantically grabbed at the leather in an attempt to release himself but there is no avail. The warg and Aragorn plummet over the cliff and fall out of view.
Thetle tle had ended only moments after his fall and Legolas, who got distracted from watching his ranger after he fell off his horse, looked around for him now. But he was no where to be seen.
‘What? Where is Estel? He was fighting strongly just a few minutes ago, where could he be?’
He finally clicked back to reality and decided it would be better to vocalize his thoughts.
"Aragorn!" He screamed, hoping for him to return his call and run over where the two would share a "friendly" hug. But no call returned.
A harsh laugh followed by a wheeze caught the attention of the immortal. Gimli was the first to reach the dying orc.
"Tell me what happened and I will ease your passing…" The dwarf lifted his axe.
It just laughed. "He’s… dead…" Another wheezing laugh spewed forth from the distorted face. "Took a little tumble off the cliff."
No! Estel! "You lie!" Legolas accused.
The creature laughed some more until he choked. No more sounds came from its disgusting mouth. The deed that Aragorn tried to accomplish was finally finished.
Legolas then noticed that the orc was clutching something shinny…Aragorn’s Evenstar pendant. He snatched it from the dead carcass and ran to the cliff’s edge. ‘No Valor, please let him be alive…we need him! I need him…’ But at the bottom of the great drop was rushing waters and no Aragorn.
"Get the wounded on horses. The wolves of Isengard will return. Leave the dead." Théoden ordered his men.
Legolas spun around and glared at the king. How could he just leave Aragorn for dead? He had to be alive! He was Estel…he was a warrior…he could never die!
Théoden just put a hand on Legolas’ shoulder. "Come." And he left the remaining of the fellowship to gaze down the river, hoping to catch a glimpse of their fallen leader. There was none.
Defeated, they turned and followed their new leader to Helm’s Deep.

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"And he just died? Just like that? A very sad story, master Elf…don know how yer still standin’ after loosin’ the love of yer life!" The tender stared in awe at him.
"And ya didn’t even get ta tell him you loved him!" Legolas was now seated in a circle of men, all interested in his story. The group that had before interrupted his tale had over heard him talking, and sat to listen.
"Well, I never said that was the end of my story. I just said that Aragorn had fallen off a cliff."
"So he’s alive then?"
"Just listen…"

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Legolas sat in a corner of an empty room, knees to his chest and tears streaming down his face.
"Why have you left me, mellon nîn…meleth nîn?" (My friend…my love)
The sight of Aragorn falling off his horse replaying in his mind as he rocked back and forth, crying. The elf’s heart felt ripped in two…he knew he had to finish their fight, but he couldn’t bring himself to move.
Over the journey Aragorn and Legolas had formed a bond. They trusted each other with their entirety and could speak volumes with a moment of eye contact. And though they wouldn’t admit it, their friendship had evolved beyond normality. Though it wasn’t until now that Legolas realized it, he missed it terribly. So terribly it frightened him.
"How could I love you so much, Estel, that my heart breaks? I fear that if I continue to cry, I will die. But would that not be best? Then I could spend forever with you." He pounded his fist against the wall. "No! I will fight and we will beat Sauron! Middle Earth will be free! I will do it for you!"
After wiping his tears, he jumped up and ran out the door and into a hallway. The traffic was less and only a few maidens walked about. He gazed out the window, the sun shone and there were birds flying over the plains. He scanned the surrounding hills and the vanguard of Helm’s Deep. It was an amazing sight. Soon movement on the open grass caught his cautious eye. It was a rider approaching. Probably a scout, Théoden sent one out everur. ur. This one looked tattered and exhausted…he most likely met a group of orcs on his quest.
"Only he survived it…Estel did not." Legolas fought with the tears that were welling up in his eyes. He couldn’t let anyone see him cry. He had to remain strong for the others. So he carried on an internal struggle with himself for the longest moment in his life. And that’s saying a lot for an elf.
Just then a woman ran by, screaming happily about something. He averted his gaze in her direction, trying to make out her babble.
"He’s back! He’s alive! The King of Gondor is alive!" She ran past him and her voice was gone as quickly as he had heard it.
He stared in questioning and then what the woman had said sunk in. He was alive…Aragorn was alive.
‘Estel! He’s returned to me!’ Legolas stood straight, fixed his hair, and waited for his love to walk past to get to the king. He didn’t have to wait long however.
He saw him approaching, his hair disheveled, face dirty, and his lips pursed in a smile when he saw Legolas. When he finally reached the spot where the elf had waited, he was greeted with a hug.
"Le ab-dollen." (You’re late.) They shared a smile, then the immortal remembered what happened and became concerned. He ran skilled eyes down the length of the rugged’s body. "You look terrible."
They gazed at each other a few moments. And in those few moments Legolas let everything go in his eyes. He could no longer keep his feelings bottled up inside of him. Aragorn, though promised to Arwen, returned the gaze and was glad to finally feel all right to love the elf.
And as Éowyn gazed on, she cried.
Legolas captured Aragorn’s hand and placed his Evenstar pendant into it. A smile spread over the man’s face and he placed a hand on his elf’s shoulder.
"Hannon le." (Thank you).

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"I’m going to set a few things straight. Aragorn had promised to bind himself to Arwen. And he had loved her…with all of his heart he had loved her. He always would, but he thought she would be moving to the west with her people and onto the undying lands. So he found it time to move on with his life."
"You don’t need ta explain yerself to us, we don’t think less of ya for fallin’ in love."
"Thank you, I feel relieved." He thought for a moment. "And Éowyn cried tears of joy to see the fallen king returned. It truly was an amazing moment and I learned later that she also cried because she saw how much Estel and I loved each other."

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~~~Helm’s Deep~~

Though the returning of Aragorn was wonderful news, the news Aragorn himself had to share was not.
"A great host you say?" Théoden stood inside the walls of the Helm and gazed at the room around him. His men had tried to make it a beautiful place to rule and protect from, but he still felt homesick.
"All of Isengard is empty."
"How many?" The king asked, still gazing about.
"Ten thousand strong at least."
"Ten thousand!" He finally averted his attention to Aragorn.
"It is an army bred for a single purpose: to destroy the world of men. They will be here by nightfall."
"Let them come." Théoden turned to find his commander. The three of the Fellowship followed.
The king found Gamling in a passage by the deeping wall.
"I want every man and strong lad able to bear arms to be ready for battle by nightfall." He commanded. Then with a nod, Gamling went to prepare the Helm for war.
The king turned to Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli.
"We will cover the causeway and the gate from above. No army has ever breached the Deeping Wall or set foot inside the Hornburg." He tried words of reassurance…but Gimli would have none of it.
"This is no rabble of mindless Orcs. These are Uruk-hai. Their armor is thick and their shields broad."
"I have fought many wars, Master Dwarf. I know how to defend my own keep." Théoden glared at Gimli and turned back in. Legolas put a warning hand on the dwarf’s shoulder to help him keep his mouth shut.
"They will break upon this fortress like water on rock. Saruman’s hordes will pillage and burn; we’ve seen it before. Crops can be resown; homes rebuilt. Within these walls, we will outlast them." Théoden sounded sure of himself.
"They do not come to destroy Rohan’s crops or villages. They come to destroy its people. Down to the last child!" Legolas could see the desperation in his Estel’s eyes.
The king leaned in closely to Aragorn’s face. He wanted not to shout.
"What would you have me do? Look at my men. Their courage hangs by a thread. If this is to be our end, then I would have them make such an end as to be worthy of remembrance."
"Send out riders, my lord. You must call for aid." Aragorn had then resorted to pleading. He knew that the army approaching the Helm would be too much and they would all be slain.
"And who will come? Elves? Dwarves? We are not so lucky in our friends as you. The old alliances are dead."
"Gondor will answer."
"Gondor? Where was Gondor when the westfold fell? Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in around us? Where was Gon-…" He stopped speaking when he realized whom it was he was speaking to. This man was the heir to the throne of Gondor. It’s one leader… "No my lord Aragorn, we are alone."
And the king left, shouting an order to put the women and children in the caves.
Aragorn look at Legolas, his expression was not fear…it was sadness. As Legolas looked into those eyes, he could almost feel the hidden doubt soar through their gaze…doubt that Aragorn would never admit.
Gamling shouting abstracted their gaze. "SECURE THE GATES!"

~ ~ ~
9;To9;To the dismay of Gimli, the two warriors found their way to the empty room Legolas had wept in a few hours ago. It seemed darker than the elf remembered…almost a perfect spot to sit alone in despair.
"Aragorn…it is wonderful that you have returned. I must admit, I was afraid that I was alone to finish the quest."
"Nay, you were never alone, nínim, you had Gimli." (Nínim = Snowdrop…a type of flower).
"You know what I mean…"
"Legolas, I had time to think as I was riding toward the Helm. When I awoke at the side of the river it was to the voice of Arwen…to the feel of Arwen, but I was hoping-no praying-it was you. And I decided that when I found you I would tell you I loved you, even if you didn’t feel the same way. I am sorry that I have these feelings-"
Legolas put his soft hands to his lips.
"You have no need to feel sorry, Estel. I am not offended."
"But you are so beautiful, nínim, that I am undeserving. Why I manage to fall for the most splendid of the elves, I am not sure."
"Estel, are you saying that you love me?"
The man smiled softly. "Legolas, every time I look at you, sensation washes over me and I can’t describe it. I fall asleep and wonder what it would feel like if you were there when I awoke. Or how I would feel to serenaded to sleep by your whispers every night…or how it would feel to tell you I love you."
A tear fell softly from the immortal’s eye. "I pray to Valinor that this will not be our only moment together. I fear the war Estel. I don’t want to loose you as soon as I have found you. I love you."
The man pulled the elf into a loving embrace. "I love you Legolas, my nínim, and if I have to dye to protect you, so be it."
"And I you."
Then elven lips met that of weathered man’s…and for moments they stayed.

~~~Helm’s Armory~~~

Aragorn lifts a sword and weighs it from hand to hand. His skilful eye running it up and down from hilt to blade. For a moment it seems the sword gleams with hope and pride, but Legolas notices it is just a trickery of candlelight reflecting off the blade. With a disgusted look on his face, he throws it back in the pile.
"Farmers, farriers, stable boys…these are no soldiers." The three warriors scanned the group of men obtaining weaponry and protection.
"Most of them have seen too many winters." Gimli was staring in amazement at three old men, all struggling to keep hold of their swords. It was obvious that they were weak and even holding the sword was too much work, let alone trying to use it.
"Or too few…look at them. They’re frightened, I can see it in their eyes." All the men around the three fell silen Leg Legolas’ words. The elf turned to speak to Aragorn. "Boe a hûn: neled herain dan caer menig!" (And they should be... Three hundred against ten thousand!)
The immortal couldn’t believe that they were even thinking of attempting this, it was possibly the most irrational thing he’d ever heard of. Somehow he wished he and Estel could just leave, run away before the madness began. He looked upon his beloved with fear and hopelessness in his eyes.
"Si beriathar hýn. Amar nâ ned Edoras." (They have more hope of defending themselves here than at Edoras.) Aragorn could see the fear and was deathly afraid himself. Not for his life, but for that of his comrades. He’d gladly die if it meant his nínim was safe. And if it meant that the people of Rohan were safe, so be it. He had promised to protect them both, andthatthat he was going to do. And trying to reason that with the immortal, he could tell was just wasting his time.
"Aragorn, men i ndagor. Hýn ú-... ortheri. Natha daged aen!" (Aragorn, we are warriors. They cannot win this fight. They are all going to die!) He couldn’t believe his ears; Aragorn would actually stay here when there was no chance of a win. It almost broke his heart to think that he loved the general public more than him.
"THEN I SHALL DIE AS ONE OF THEM!" Aragorn stomped away angrily. He was not going to let the elf, though seriously tempting it may be, to run away. He was to be king, so he had to start doing the right thing. And that’s the way it had to be.
Legolas tried to run after his ranger, but a hand on his arm stopped him.
"Let him go, lad. Let him be."
His stopped in his tracks and his eyes followed the back of his head as he walked away from them. Chocolate orbs narrow in sadness and confusion. ‘Why did I just do that? I can finally have him but now I resort to petty arguments? Oh Estel…I am sorry, hopefully you’re not too mad to forgive me. Or else I won’t forgive myself…’

 
A/N: dun Dun DUN!! OH NO! Will Aragorn forgive Legolas? Will they survive the night? Don’t give me any of that "Yea, I’ve seen two towers, stupid, I know what’s going to happen." Cause I’m doing my own thing now! Yay! Uniqueness! Anyway, I’ll stop now before I make a complete fool of myself and all of my reviewers stop reviewing. That would make me sad. Anyway, now on to the thanks!

Attar: I’m so glad you are enthralled by my fic! It means a lot that you like it!
Legolas19: Hopefully you love this chapter too! It took me a few hours to think sometimes, but I got it!
Ashen Skies: Sure hope this is enough Aragorn/Legolas to keep you happy! There will be a LOT more next chapter…I promise!
Tamara: Yay! You’ve reviewed twice! I have a new fan! No, seriously, it was your TWO reviews that motivated me to get the new chappie up faster! Go you!

So anyone returning or just reading…before you go…

REVIEW, PLEASE!
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