Disclaimer: All the characters belong to Tolkien. I just like to play with them.

Summary: Aragorn and Legolas meet for the first time, but they aren't too happy about it.

Pairing(s): Aragorn/Legolas

Warning: None

Nin Calan

Chapter One

'Do not look so glum, my son,' Elrond told his foster son with amusement lacing his voice. Aragorn simply glared at his foster father before training his eyes back onto the road that lead into Imladris. He and his father stood at the top of the steps that lead up to the house of Elrond. They were waiting for a party of elves to arrive. Elrond glanced at his son again and chuckled when he saw that the frown upon his son's face had deepened. Hearing horses draw near he turned to look back at the road. A small party of elves from Mirkwood rode past the gate. King Tranduil was at the head upon an almond coloured stallion with his youngest son, Prince Legolas, on his right upon a snow white coloured stallion. A band of guards traveled behind them.

'Come, we must great out guests.'

Aragorn reluctantly followed the elf lord down the steps. The Mirkwood party dismounted as the Lord of Imladris and his son grew near. Aragorn stared at the Prince in contempt. Legolas glared back in equal hate.

'Thranduil, it is good to see you again, my friend,' Elrond greeted his old friend.

'It has been too long, Elrond, since we have last met,' Thranduil pointed at their sons as he continues. 'But it seems our sons wish it was a little bit longer.'

'Indeed it does,' Elrond laughed with Thranduil.

'Legolas…Aragorn come inside. We have much to discuss,' Thranduil called. The four of them walked into the house with Elrond and Thranduil in between Legolas and Aragorn. Elrond led them to his study where they sat in a semi-circle around the fire. Legolas and Aragorn sat across from each other, intensely glaring. Elrond gave an exasperated sigh at the action of the young elf and half-elf.

'Would the two of you stop that,' Elrond told them. 'You are acting as if the other is the most despicable person on Middle-Earth.'

'He is!' Aragorn and Legolas answered at the same time, causing their glares to intensify.

'This arrangement was supposed to bring joy to Mirkwood and Imladris, not contempt,' Thranduil stated.

'You did not even ask if I wanted to be engaged to someone, father,' Legolas told his father.

'No, I did not, but it was for the goodwill of Mirkwood. We need the aid of Imladris to fight off the growing evil that surrounds our land. Evil is becoming more powerful in these times and you are very aware of that. Together, Mirkwood and Imladris present a greater defense then if we were apart.'

'Father, I know that the joining of Mirkwood and Imladris will greatly help our people, but have you not thought about me. You know how I love to roam around the woods of our home free to do anything. Not to be tide down with some half-elf who can most likely not even climb a stump, much less a tree.'

Lord Elrond raised an eyebrow at the young prince's words. 'You forget, young one, that I too am a half-elf.'

Legolas felt colour rise to his cheeks as he bowed his head. 'I meant no offense, Lord Elrond.'

Aragorn snorted at Legolas apology, causing the blond elf to raise his head and stare at him. 'It seems to me that you meant every offense that was said in your words,' Aragorn told Legolas.

'Aragorn, hold your tongue. The both of you,' Elrond reprimanded the glowering pair. 'Your hateful words will not change mine or King Thranduil's opinion in the matter. In due time the marriage will take place. I suggest that each of you find a way to get to know the other better, for you will be stuck with each other for the rest of your lifetimes. And considering that you are both immortal that will be for a very long time. Now-'

A knock on the door interrupted Elrond and all turned towards the door.

'Come in,' Elrond instructed the person on the other side of the door. The door opened and Glorfindel entered the study.

'My lord, dinner is ready.'

'Good…we will be there within a few moments,' Elrond replied. Glorfindel bowed his head in acknowledgement and exited from the room. Elrond stood up from his chair. 'As I was saying, after dinner you will be escorted to your room.'

'Room?' Aragorn said incredulously.

'Yes, that is what I said. As we have been sitting here, Estel, your belongings have been transferred from your room to a larger one, as well as your belongings, Legolas. The two of you are to be sharing a room, in order for you to get to know one another better.'

Aragorn looked at his foster father with a sly grin upon his face. 'But father, are not betrothed supposed to sleep separate. I thought it was improper for a couple that is to be married to sleep in the same room.'

'It is, my son, but considering that the betrothed are you Legolas, I do not see any reason why we should worry about any improper actions,' Elrond said in a dry tone. Thranduil and Elrond chuckled as they walked out of the room, leaving two gaping youths behind.

*****

'You can sleep on the floor. I will sleep on the bed.'

'Pardon me. I think I should be the one to sleep on the bed. I am the guest.'

'Yes, but my father is the Lord here. I should be the one to sleep on the bed.'

'Your father? He is not your father. He just took you in out of pity,' Legolas uttered.

Aragorn whipped around to glare at Legolas. He drew back his fist and hit the elf on his right cheek. 'Do not ever say that again! You have no knowledge of what you speak!' Without another word he roughly brushed past the stunned elf and stalked into the adjoined bathing room.

Legolas stared at the empty space where Aragorn had previously stood, gently rubbing his sore cheek. A bruise would surely show in the morning. Legolas bowed his head in shame as he thought about the spiteful words that he had just spoken. Never before had he ever said such hateful words. He sighed and walked towards the bathing room.

'Aragorn?'

'Do not come in here!'

'I only want to apologize.' Legolas stepped into the room. He spotted Aragorn sitting upon the stone bench that stood next to the bathing pool. He was hunched over with his elbows resting on his knees and his head cushioned in his hands.

'I thought I told you to not come in here.'

'I want to apologize for what I said. I had no business saying what I did.'

'Get out.'

'I-'

'I said get out!' Aragorn threw a nearby towel at Legolas. The said elf bowed his head again and walked out from the room. He stopped at the side of the bed, staring down at it without expression. He grabbed one of the pillows from the bed and pulled out a spare blanket from under the bed. After he stripped out of his boots, breeches, shirt and tunic he laid down beside the bed on the floor and drew the blanket around his body. Soon his eyes became vacant in the ways elves do when they pass into dreams.

*****

Aragorn walked into the bedroom to find it empty. Without giving a moment's thought of where the elf might be, he began to take off his clothes. As he laid down he noticed that one of the pillows were missing. Hearing a slight noise coming from the other side of the bed, he turned to find Legolas asleep on the floor. He was curled up in a fetal position, his eyes opened, but vacant with sleep, and shivers wracked the slender body. Seeing the elf in a pitiful state, Aragorn's hate lessened. He gently shook Legolas' shoulder in an attempt to arise him. Legolas' eyes slowly lost their vacancy and focused upon Aragorn.

'It is too cold to sleep on the floor. The bed is big enough for two,' Aragorn simply stated as he moved over to the other side of the bed. He soon felt a slight movement of the mattress as Legolas climbed into the bed next to him. As he was closing his eyes he heard a faint whisper, 'Thank you.'

To be continued...