Disclaimer: I own nothing of LotR. ;-; Wait, wait... posters! I own some posters! Ha hah! -.-;;

Warnings: Shounen ai/slash, Aragorn/Legolas! Don't like, don't read. And definitely don't flame!

Ha hah! It's finally out!The shounen ai sequel to "If it's not one thing, it's another!" Enelya Aldarion helped me out with the idea. n.n It's been far too long, like five months since the first one. Wow… did not mean for it to take that long! Been writing other fics and got distracted. But this is finally out and I mean to work on this now. n.n I do have another fic goin' on at the same time as this, though. .:shrugs:.

You can prob'ly read this alone, but it might be easier if you did read the first one. I'll try to make it understandable without it, though. n.n

I really hope you all enjoy this. Let me know what you think, plz. n.n

Heart's Truth

Chapter One

Thoughts

It had only been a few days since Leoglas' near fatal wound had been given. He had been stabbed in the chest – barely missing his heart – by an orc while protecting a distracted Elladan. They had nearly lost the elf a few times the first day.

Legolas was currently sleeping, now in his own room instead of the healing wing. He had requested the move as soon as he was able to.

Aragorn hadn't left his side even with his father, Elrond, constantly trying to get him to leave for a stretch or something similar. The human had left on occasion, but only to bathe or take care of other needs; it was never for a long period of time.

The human watched the blonde as he slept peacefully. He still slept with this eyes closed, for he had lost a lot of blood before and was still weak from the wound, but everyone was absolutely sure he was going to make a full recovery.

Aragorn stood up and stretched, getting rid of the kinks from the position he had been sitting in for hours.

He walked over to the balcony and stepped out. Leaning against the railing he breathed in deeply, enjoying the smell of the flowers below and the gentle caress of the wind running through his hair and his thin night clothes.

He looked up staring at the stars and the moon shrouded by clouds.

Legolas slowly woke up; looking around he found that Aragorn wasn't by his side. He looked harder, for this was unusual. Then he found a lone silhouette standing out on his balcony.

Pushing off his covers he slowly stood up and blinked back the expected dizziness. Then he joined the human.

"What are you doing out here, mellon-nin?" the blonde asked quietly.

Aragorn jumped in surprise, having not heard the wounded elf. "I should be asked you that!" the ranger said once he got over his shock. He had thought that the elf before him was still sound asleep. Clearly he had been wrong.

Legolas just smiled at the human and walked up to him, standing on his left, leaning against the railing as well.

The blonde closed his eyes and breathed in the scent of the night. It had been a long time since he had been able to truly enjoy the refreshing outdoors. With the poisoning, the twins going missing and them looking for them, all the orc attacks, and then the latest injury, he had had no time to just enjoy anything really.

Aragorn watched Legolas, breathless at the sight. The elf looked so tranquil and at ease. Not even when he slept did he look this content. He was going to tell him to go back to his bed since he needed more rest – which had not changed – however, he could not do so now seeing this. The sight would melt anyone's heart. The elf's golden hair blowing slightly in the breeze, his eyes gently closed as he tipped his head back with a breath of contentment…

Legolas looked over at the human beside him, who was being far too silent. He found him staring at him; mouth slightly agape as if in awe. "…Estel…?" he questioned uncertainly.

Snapping out of his thoughts, the ranger quickly turned to look at nothing on his right; a faint blush creeping onto his cheeks. How can I be thinking such things about him? Legolas is my... best friend... he thought confused. He still couldn't help but think that Legolas was beautiful, though, especially looking at him just then…

Nay, stop, the human chided himself mentally. He couldn't fathom why these thoughts were suddenly entering his mind.

"…Estel?" the archer repeated. "Are you well…?"

"Aye, I… I'm fine," Aragorn stuttered. He turned his gaze back up at the sky.

Legolas looked at Aragorn skeptically but let it go. He knew he wouldn't get anything out of the stubborn human.

He followed his friend's gaze and watched the stars with him, loving his company.

After about an hour Legolas' still-fragile condition was letting itself be known. He was feeling extremely tired and found it difficult to stand, even leaning against the railing.

He put his head on Aragorn's shoulders when he started to fall.

"Legolas…" the human started, another slight blush forming. He became concerned, though, when he felt the trembling that ran through the elf's body.

He pulled Legolas close, turning him to face him gently. Panic rose when he saw his labored breathing and his eyes closed.

"Legolas look at me," he commanded softly, but sternly. He was relieved when the elf did just that, however, his mood immediately deflated when he saw how unfocused his eyes were. I should have forced him to get more rest! he berated himself, angry for his foolishness.

Aragorn wrapped his arm around the blonde's waist and pulled one of his arms around his neck. Slowly walking back into the room to Legolas' bed, he heard the archer groan.

"What is it, mellon-nin?" the ranger asked greatly concerned.

"…dizzy…" the prince surprisingly answered back in a whisper.

Lowering the injured elf onto his bed he said, "It's alright, Legolas. It shall pass, just lie down and sleep."

Said elf closed his eyes after lying down as his friend covered him with the blanket. The soothing motion of Aragorn's fingers running through his hair lulling him to sleep.

The brown-haired human let out a sigh of relief when he was sure the blonde was once again sleeping. That had scared him. He was just glad that Legolas was alright now.

He decided that he would stay by the elf's side and not move for the night. He didn't want him waking up again because of him or to follow him for that matter. He was still mad at himself for not getting the injured elf back to bed faster. He had just been so distracted…

"I need some sleep," he murmured, running a hand through his own hair. He sat back in the chair, preparing himself for the night. You think I would be used to this by now, he thought referring to sleeping or staying in the chair the whole night. He had been doing it for probably weeks now with the crazy month they had.

The human leaned forward again; making sure Legolas was really asleep… again. He unconsciously grabbed onto the elf's hand and held it as he rested his head on his arms that were on the bed.

He watched the elf for a while before his eyes slowly drifted shut and he finally fell asleep.

In the morning Legolas awoke to find his hand entwined in that of Aragorn's.

Then he heard a soft knock on the door. He would have responded, but he didn't want the human to wake. He knew he had received little to no rest in light of recent events.

The door was silently opened as Elrond walked in and looked towards the bed. "Oh, you are awake," he said, slightly surprised. Since neither Leoglas nor Aragorn had replied he figured them to be asleep. By the looks of it, however, the human was the only one sleeping… both good and bad. He knew how much his son needed to sleep and he also knew how much the prince of Mirkwood needed to sleep.

"Can I help you, my lord?" the blonde whispered wondering why the brown-haired elf had come in the first place.

Elrond shot him an exasperated look.

"I mean, Elrond," Legolas corrected. No matter how much the elder elf told him to call him that and stop using 'lord' he couldn't help it. It just did not seem right.

The elf-lord gave the archer a smile. "I came to check on your wound," he finally answered, also in a quiet whisper.

"Can it wait…?" the young elf asked pointing down at the sleeping human who still held onto his hand.

Elrond looked at Legolas, then at the peaceful face of his son. "Very well, but only this once," the elder elf said, giving in. "You cannot be careless, penneth, even if it is healing well, alright?"

"Iston," the blonde stated.

"I shall come back in an hour to check it," the healer told Legolas while leaving.

"Hannon le," the prince said gratefully. Aragorn would probably be awake by then. He was actually surprised he was still sleeping.

Ignoring the protest of his wound the blonde turned onto his side facing Aragorn; never letting go of his hand. His face looked more relaxed than it had been in days, even in rest he hadn't been relaxed in about a month.

Legolas sighed deeply. He was amazed with how much the ranger insisted staying by his side and never leaving longer than a few minutes. Usually this would annoy someone to no end, right? Well, the blonde elf didn't mind it in the least. In fact, he wanted Aragorn around him. It made things a lot brighter whenever the human was around. He felt… well, he didn't quite know yet, but… he did know that he loved having Aragorn around and wouldn't wish for anything else. He had always felt similar to this before, but not this intensified.

The archer noticed the human stir, awakening from his sleep. He had been right about him being awake by time Elrond came back; he even still had half an hour left.

"Good morning, Estel," the elf greeted with a smile once the human's eyes were open.

Aragorn mumbled what Legolas could only guess to be a return greeting; then he stretched. It was then that he noticed that his hand was still in Legolas' from the night before.

He pulled it back and turned away.

"What is it, mellon-nin?" the concerned blonde asked curiously. That was an odd reaction that he had never seen before in the human.

"Nothing…" the ranger said, turning back to his friend; giving him a smile.

What was that about? Legolas thought, deciding to ignore the reaction for now. He'd think about it later.

"So… how are you feeling?" the brown-haired human queried after a moment of silence.

Legolas sighed. "Must you insist on asking me that question every time you see I am awake?" he countered irritated, yet amused. Seeing the ranger's look of doubt he answered, "I feel fine. Really. Worry not." Sure his chest did slightly pain him, but it was now an ache he could easily ignore. The pain had dropped considerably from the first day when it had been given.

Before the human could voice any of his doubts their conversation was interrupted when the door opened and Elrond stepped in again.

"Good to see you awake, ion-nin. I was afraid I was going to have to wake you," the elf-lord said with relief. His son still needed rest, this he knew. And it was precisely because of this that if Estel was still asleep he didn't think he'd have the heart to wake him.

"Why would you need to wake me?" the human asked confused.

"I need to change Leoglas' bandages and check on the progress. So I need you to move to the side please," the elder elf added patiently.

"Oh, of course," said Aragorn, standing up and moving for his father.

Elrond then got to work. He frowned when he noticed the blonde trying to hide the winces when he touched still-tender parts.

As Aragorn watched (knowing he would only be in the way if he tried to help) he felt guilty for not being able to save the archer from the orc. He hated seeing the elf suffer so much. He promised that he would always be by Legolas' side from now on and protect him whenever he possibly could.

How do you like it so far? I know it's kinda slow so far, but it will pick up later. I promise. I managed to find a way to slip some angst in here, too… .:grins:. ...later, of course. n.n

Plz review and let me know what you think of this. I really need the input. And I shall try to get the next chapt out as soon as I possibly can. n.n Today is the best day I have had in... prob'ly years, plz don't ruin it by flaming me! I have egg in my hair, though... from a mock-trench war. It was good fun! But I'm off to take a shower now. n.n

Plz Review!

Ja ne