Bright Like a Star

Okay, I’d like to apologize for this taking so long to get out; I have had so much work the last couple of weeks that it is nearly impossible for me to read, write, or do anything that brings me the least amount of joy. Oh the misery of STILL being in school.

Anywhoo…I wasn’t that pleased with this chapter, but I couldn’t think of any other way to write it where I liked it more than this, so you will have to bear with me here. Also, I am sure you will be glad to hear that the story picks up a little in this chapter, unfortunately, out boys still have a loooong way to go, and this is only the tip of the needle on top of the iceberg.

I would now like to thank: harui- Thank you for your great compliments on my story. Also thanks for Happy B-day, you definitely made my day! Christine- Wow! I think my ego just went up a couple of points!
Remember, reviews make me happy, when I am happy, I write, when I write….well….Stories and chapters get out. Just thought y’all might like the hint.

Author’s Challenge: Cookies to anyone that can tell me the definition of schadenfreude.


Part 3: Encounters


Aragorn was the first to wake up, and he couldn’t help the smile that broke out on his features at what he saw. Legolas lay sprawled in his arms, his hair falling like water upon the blankets, and his deep blue eyes distant in reverie. For a long time, he could do nothing but stare at the fey beauty that was his new lover and mate. No longer able elp elp himself, he leant forward and pressed his lips to the petal soft ones of the prince that lay in his arms, and he was rewarded as Legolas’ eyes cleared and regarded him sleepily.

“Good morning my love,” Aragorn whispered, as he pressed another soft kiss to red stained lips. Legolas said nothing; he simply rolled onto his back, pulling the man fully atop him.

“What shall we do today,” Legolas said, as Aragorn leant down to suckle on his neck. “For as much as I like the attentions you lavish upon me, I do not think I could stand staying in this bed all day.”

“Hmm,” the man said, between kisses and a particularly hard nip that made his lover squirm beneath him. “Perhaps we could go riding, the weather is perfect for such an outing, and besides, I think I know a place we might go where we would have our privacy.

“And why is it that we would need our privacy?” Legolas questioned sweetly, before rolling from under the man that had him pinned to the bed and walking into the bathing room.

“You should not tease, fair one,” The king of men said in mock warning, “for I might have to punish you.” “An “And what punishment would you dare to administer to the Prince Consort of Gondor?”

“Hmm, perhaps I can arrange to have you chained to the bed for a day. That should tame that wild spirit of yours.”

“Oh, but you wouldn’t dare. I do not think the king of men would take lightly to his mate being treated in such a manner.”

“I don’t think he would much mind, in fact, I think he might thank me for preparing such a gift for him.” Legolas snorted, and gave no reply, though he did allow himself to be pulled into a deep, scalding kiss.

“I think going riding sounds like a wonderful idea,” Legolas finally said when they pulled away.”

“Good,” Aragorn replied, turning his back to his lover and disappearing into the small changing room that was attached to the room.

When Aragorn returned, he was once again Strider of the Dunedin, wearing dark warn clothes, and a thin cloak that would cover his face when they entered the city. After “Strider’s” emergence, Legolas slid into the small room, and studied the clothes that were meant for him. Most of them were his taken from Mirkwood, but there were new garments that would suite his purposes as Prince Consort of Gondor. Finally, he chose an outfit that consisted of soft cotton breeches, and an emerald silk tunic that laced up the front. He also carefully donned the green cloak that had been given to him in Lothlorian. When he was done dressing, he walked back into the room and gave Aragorn a teasing glance, before walking out of the door, his hands making quick work of his hair, tying it back in a single braid that fell like a rope down his back.

They slowly made their way down to the stables, playful banter passing back and forth between them, learning each other in a way more intimate than either ever would have thought. When they did finally reach the stables, they were both laughing and breathless from the surge of emotions that washed over them as if they were drowning in a sea of surreality.

The sun was high in the sky when they finally reached their destination. Legolas looked around in awe at their final destination. Despite all the beauty that was known to him as an elf, this scene touched him in a way that not even the peacefulness of the elven realms could match. This was the kind of undisturbed beauty that people dreamt of, but never really experienced. There was a waterfall, and though it was not very big, it was perfect in all its reality as the water cascaded down from an outcropping of stone that looked as though it was made of glass. The water pooled at the bottom of the fall in a large pool of water so clear that it was impossible to tell its depth. The beach that surrounded the pool of water was broken only by a small stream that broke away from the pool of water, while the sand that made up the beach was composed of sand that was pink in color and the glistened in the warm sun. The sandy bank of the small pool of water soon gave way to grass that was as warm and soft as a carpet of the finest animal fur, and then finally, surrounding the entire ethereal scene, were trees that were magnificent in structure, all sprouting proud green foliage.

“Aragorn….where did you find such a place? For never have I been witnessed to such beauty. How is it that such beauty survived that darkness of Sauron and his evil?” All this Legolas said in a whisper, for there was a fear in his heart that should he utter a sound above such a whisper, the scene before them would shatter into the coldness of reality. Aragorn, for his part, could not help but smile.

“I know not how it is that I knew of this place. Somehow, I just knew in my heart it was here. I think I remember it in the eyes of my mother. I think that this place was very special to her.” All of his words held a feeling of nosta, aa, as if there was something he was remembering, but he wasn’t sure if it was a dream or reality. Suddenly the man shook his head, and extended his hand to his elven companion. Together they disrobed and stepped into the water that was surprisingly refreshing against their heated skin. And as they moved together, making love in a place whose beauty almost matched the exquisiteness of the act they performed upon its shore, peacefulness fell upon them. Both lovers, in a place of unreality, finally understood the truth of their situation, they were married, bound together for eternity, and though the road ahead of them would not be easy, they would deal with everything life gave them. Their love may not be enough to conquer all, but they would surely try, for what they had was worth ever sacrifice in the world.


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When they finally left the shores of their secret paradise, the moon was already high in the sky, shining in its throne of milky darkness and scintillating stars. Their pace through the forest was slow, for neither of the lovers wanted to break the peace that had settled upon their hear. No words were spoken between them, they simply walked together, letting the radiance of the night shimmer around them. The mood, however, was broken when Legolas tensed, his ears twitching.

“Something approaches,” he whispered, “I can feel the darkness.” Aragorn nodded, amootmoothly drew his sword, as his elven companion took hold of the twin blades that were his only weapons at the time. All too soon, the darkness enclosed about them, and within the blink of an eye, they were surrounded by a group of about ten orcs. As the tortured creatures moved towards them, both man and elf pressed their backs together, intrinsically trusting the other to protect them from harm. As quickly as the evil had appeared, they attacked, their yellow eyes glinting in the moonlight. Easily, they managed to take down several of the creatures, but a few danced in and out of their reach, manipulating their pray away from each other. Both warriors tried vainly to keep together, but soon that were forced apart. The cost of this manipulation was a low cry of agony, before the sounds of battle died out completely.

Instantly, Aragorn was at Legolas’ side, crouching down next to his fallen lover.

“I am fine, Aragorn, the wound is not too deep. I am more concerned about the blade being poisoned.” Aragorn nodded, as he pressed a cloth to the wound in his lover’s side, hoping to slow the blood as much as possible.

“We must get you back to Minis Tirith,” he stated matter of factly, as he moved to lift the elf into his arms.

“Nay! I can walk Aragorn,” Legolas insisted. It was obvious to the man, however, that his lover was lying, for he new that the elf’s pride was probably injured as much as his side, as it was greatly out of character for an elf to be injured so easily. Making a quick decision, he easily brought the elf into his arms, despite the protests and elvish curses thrown his way, and he carefully walked back to where the horses had been grazing. As he walked, his thoughts wandered to the attack, he wondered where they had come from, and if there was one such a group of straggling orcs, there were probably more. When they finally reached the horses, Aragorn slid Legolas into the saddle of his horse, before climbing on behind him, while the second horse was tethered to the first. They slowly made their way to Minis Tirith with Legolas slumped in Aragorn’s arms, as the wound in his side continued to bleed. Aragorn himself gro growing more and more worried, and soon his fears were realized as Legolas failed to respond to his touches and softly spoken words of love and hate, and any other emotion the man could bring himself to feel.