Note: None of these characters belong to me, except for Danius and the
deceased Miranda. The others all belong to J.R.R. Tolkien. This is the
sequel to my original 'Strangers' series and takes place two months later.
Remember, this is before LOTR, so no one knows Saruman is evil, yet.
Out of the Forest
Part 1
Legolas balanced carefully on the branch that he stood on. Danius was strapped to his back, giggling. His little hands were playing with Legolas's soft, blond hair.
Legolas gracefully leapt to another tree.
"Da-da," Danius said. "Soon?"
"Very soon, I hope, Danius," Legolas said. He missed Aragorn, who had been taken on a quest with Gandalf last week. Aragorn was supposed to return any time now. "And he will be surprised to see how you have grown." Legolas had not gone, because he had had to be a messenger for his father in Lothlorien.
Danius giggled again as Legolas leaped again and landed in a third tree. The child never ceased to amaze Legolas. He trusted so easily that the elf could scarcely believe it. Danius was like a son to him, as well. He was Aragorn's son by birth, but both now raised him.
Legolas jumped from branch to branch, getting closer to the ground. He was used to having Danius on his back when he did this. The little boy cheered each time he landed perfectly. Legolas didn't mind showing off his agility to such an admirer.
He landed on the ground, and set off towards Mirkwood. At least Danius had been allowed to come with him. He missed the child when he wasn't around. The red tips on his pointed ears proved just how much he loved the boy, for Danius loved nothing better than to play with Legolas's hair and ears. And he wondered for the fifth time in the last minute where Aragorn was. They were supposed to have met here, so they could travel back to Mirkwood together. Aragorn had wanted to show him an inn called The Prancing Pony. Legolas sighed and continued walking. He'd probably gotten delayed.
Aragorn watched Legolas setting off for Mirkwood, and grinned. He'd seen Legolas leaping from tree to tree with Danius.
"Legolas!" he cried.
"Aragorn?" Legolas asked.
Aragorn attempted to sneak up on him, but Legolas turned quickly.
"So you are here," Legolas said with a smile as Aragorn came forward.
"Indeed, Legolas. I was watching you in the trees." Aragorn's soft lips melted against Legolas's own, feeling the magic between them.
The lovers smiled at each other as they broke apart.
"Da-da!" Danius said. Aragorn picked him up and hugged him.
"He's grown," Aragorn said, gazing at his son with pride. "It seems that he grows every day."
"Yes." Legolas let the father and son have a moment quietly. He walked over to the base of a tree and sat there.
"Missed you, da-da," Danius said.
"I missed you, too," Aragorn said. His son was a true delight to him. Legolas had taken it surprisingly well when he'd found out.
Legolas watched them silently, part of him feeling a little left out. As much as he loved the boy, Danius was not 'his'. And that hurt him, sometimes, when he secretly wondered what it would be like to have a child who looked like him and was his by blood. But he never shared those feelings with Aragorn. He truly loved Aragorn, and was willing to give that up. Legolas sternly told himself that it didn't matter if Danius was not his by blood. They were bonded by love, and that's what counted.
Aragorn carried his blue-eyed child over to Legolas, who smiled up at him. He sat down next to Legolas.
"What has this son of mine being doing this week?" Aragorn asked, missing the slight pain in Legolas's eyes, when Aragorn said 'son of mine'.
"He has a new pastime," Legolas informed Aragorn. "He likes to eat leaves. I caught him red-handed."
"Naw, couldn't be." Aragorn grinned at Danius, who giggled and held a leaf. He tried to put it in his mouth, but Legolas's quick reflexes stopped that cold.
Danius pouted and then brightened. "Down," he said.
Aragorn sat him on the ground, where both he and Legolas kept a close eye on Danius, who pushed himself up and toddled around.
"What's wrong, Legolas?" Aragorn asked softly, as he saw a trace of sadness in Legolas's emerald eyes.
"Nothing, Aragorn," Legolas said, smiling at him. "I just missed you terribly. Next time, I'm going with you and Gandalf. Danius missed you, as well."
Aragorn smiled, reassured. He leaned over and kissed Legolas softly, who responded back, moaning softly.
Legolas brought his hands up to Aragorn's hair. He had been waiting for this the whole week. Aragorn's hands cupped Legolas's face gently, as he tilting it up for more kisses.
Sudden giggles stopped them. They turned to look and saw Danius watching them, giggling merrily.
"Da-da kiss?" he asked.
Blushing, they separated from each other.
"Later," Legolas whispered to Aragorn, who nodded.
Aragorn muttered aloud that this was going to traumatize his child, who was too young to understand what he was seeing.
Legolas stood, and walked over to Danius. He scooped the child into his arms, and walked back to Aragorn, who stood.
The three of them started walking towards Mirkwood, looking like a family. Aragorn had his arm around Legolas's shoulders.
Around the third day of their journey, Aragorn turned to ask Legolas a question.
"What would you say to dropping in at Rivendell, Legolas? We're only a few hours away."
"Sounds good to me, Aragorn." Danius was being carried by his father again, though he kept grabbing strands of Legolas's hair.
Legolas took it rather good-naturedly, Aragorn thought. The last two months had been wonderful. He and Legolas mainly stayed at Mirkwood with Danius, because Aragorn didn't want them to live on the road all of the time. He only went on quests with Gandalf, when they promised to be short ones.
So Legolas took care of Danius while Aragorn was gone. He seemed happy enough, Aragorn felt. But he wanted to get some time alone with his Elven lover. And he had to consider Danius.
Legolas was thinking exactly the same thing. He wanted to be with Aragorn, just the two of them, like it was when they first met. But Danius had to come first. They were a family, now.
Legolas wound up carrying Danius for the last leg of their journey to Rivendell.
Lord Elrond himself came out to greet them.
"It's good to see you again, Legolas and Aragorn. And who is this?" Elrond peered at the sleepy child in Legolas's arms.
"My son, Danius," Aragorn said.
Sharp-eyed Elrond saw the pain in Legolas's when Aragorn said 'my son'. He hid a frown, and turned to Legolas. He'd planned this for a while, since Thranduil had written him a letter, saying that Legolas needed an adventure. And Thranduil thought Aragorn should be the one to stay behind, this time. According to him, it hurt Legolas terribly when Aragorn went on adventures with Gandalf, leaving him behind with Danius, even though he never said a word.
"Legolas, I have a favor to ask of you," Lord Elrond said hesitantly.
"What is it?" Legolas looked at the Elven lord curiously.
"Would you please deliver a message for me to Saruman the White in Isenguard?" Lord Elrond met Legolas's stare calmly.
Aragorn was horrified. "You can't, Legolas!" he exclaimed.
Legolas looked at Aragorn and back at Lord Elrond. "Why do you not take the message yourself?" he questioned.
"I have urgent business to attend to here, or I would go myself. But you are said to be one of the fastest Elven riders; as well as the fact that I know I can trust you not to betray me," Elrond said carefully.
Legolas nodded slowly, much to Aragorn's shock.
"You'll do it? Wonderful," Lord Elrond said. "When can you leave?"
"Hold it, Legolas," Aragorn said sharply to the elf. "I don't like the idea of you going to Isenguard alone."
"Aragorn, I am not a child. This will be no different than when you and Gandalf go on your quests. It will take me a mere week to reach Isenguard, if I do not stop all that often," Legolas told him quietly.
"I wanted to spend some time with you," Aragorn said softly.
"I had hoped for the same. But if Lord Elrond needs me to be a messenger, then I shall," Legolas said. "It will give you some time to spend with Danius."
Lord Elrond cleared his throat. Legolas and Aragorn turned to look at him.
"How about a proposal, Aragorn? Should Legolas fail to return within twelve days, you ride after him?" he said.
"I don't want him going, period," Aragorn said.
Legolas frowned at Aragorn. "I am going to Isenguard, Aragorn."
Lord Elrond gently took Danius from Legolas's arms, who was wide-eyed as Legolas and Aragorn argued.
"Why don't you discuss it in your old room?" Elrond asked. "Before you scare the poor child."
Aragorn and Legolas nodded, each feeling guilty when they saw the look on Danius's face. Legolas ruffled the boy's hair, before running forward, and leaping onto the lowest balcony. He leapt up the balconies, until he reached the floor he and Aragorn had roomed in. He then walked out of sight.
Aragorn glared at Lord Elrond. "What are you up to?" he demanded.
"I already told you." The Elven lord walked away, carrying Danius. "I suggest you go talk to Legolas."
Aragorn stormed into the Elven fortress, marching directly up the stairs to the room he had shared with Legolas.
He flung the door open and walked inside. Legolas was sitting on one of the beds and looked at Aragorn.
"Why did you agree, Legolas?" Aragorn asked, feeling hurt. "It means we will be apart again." He walked over to Legolas and sat beside him. "And Isenguard is far away."
Legolas turned to look at him. "Aragorn, I have the chance to meet Saruman, one of Lord Elrond's most trusted allies. That is an honor."
"But I don't want you to go," Aragorn protested.
"It will not be dangerous," Legolas reminded him.
"How do you know that?" Aragorn snapped angrily.
Legolas turned slightly pale. He'd never seen Aragorn so angry.
"Legolas, I want us to spend some time alone. How can that be accomplished when you are traveling to Isenguard, to meet Saruman?"
Anger filled Legolas as well. "You do it to me all the time, Aragorn. Why are you acting like this now?"
Aragorn glared at Legolas. "I do not!"
"How many times have you left me behind in the past two months, when you went traveling with Gandalf on quests? I count at least four, if not five times, Aragorn," Legolas reminded him.
Aragorn knew Legolas was right. His face softened slightly. "I know, but I was never alone."
"I'll be fine, Aragorn. I do not need to be protected and coddled like a child," Legolas said softly, his anger melting away. "Show me the trust that I give to you each time that you leave with Gandalf."
Aragorn sighed. "All right, Legolas. But if you aren't back here within twelve days, I'm coming after you. And remember that you're mine."
Legolas reassured him with a kiss that left Aragorn breathless. Aragorn responded so strongly, that it surprised Legolas, who wound his hands around Aragorn's neck as Aragorn lay him back on the bed.
"And you're mine," Legolas whispered against Aragorn's lips, as Aragorn removed his shirt.
Lord Elrond stood outside of the room, listening carefully. He closed the door with a loud click, as he smiled down at Danius. "That went better than I'd hoped," he said, amused. "Now lets give them some time alone."
When the door closed, Aragorn barely acknowledged it. He was too busy tantalizing Legolas.
*****************
The next morning
*****************
Legolas stood beside Lord Elrond's fastest horse, as he bid his farewells.
Lord Elrond stood there as well, along with Aragorn and Danius.
Legolas kissed Danius on the forehead, ruffling his dark brown hair. "I wonder how you'll grow when I'm gone, sweet one." Danius kissed him on the cheek, which warmed Legolas's heart. He then turned to Lord Elrond.
"I'll travel as quickly as I can, Lord Elrond, so as to bring his response all the more faster," Legolas told him.
Lord Elrond nodded. "Take care of yourself, Legolas." He held Danius in his arms again, for he found the child amusing.
Aragorn stepped forward and kissed Legolas hard. Legolas was surprised that he did so in front of Lord Elrond, but he enjoyed it anyway, once he got over the embarrassment.
Lord Elrond sighed and shook his head as the kiss went on for a long period of time. "Please, not in my courtyard," he finally said.
"Come back to me safely, Legolas," Aragorn whispered softly in his ears.
"I will. I promise," Legolas vowed.
He mounted the horse, and looked back at them one more time.
Then he urged the horse into a gallop, glancing back until he was out of sight.
Lord Elrond looked at Aragorn. "He'll be fine," the Elven lord said reassuringly.
"I hope so," Aragorn said, afraid that he would never see Legolas again.
To be continued
Out of the Forest
Part 1
Legolas balanced carefully on the branch that he stood on. Danius was strapped to his back, giggling. His little hands were playing with Legolas's soft, blond hair.
Legolas gracefully leapt to another tree.
"Da-da," Danius said. "Soon?"
"Very soon, I hope, Danius," Legolas said. He missed Aragorn, who had been taken on a quest with Gandalf last week. Aragorn was supposed to return any time now. "And he will be surprised to see how you have grown." Legolas had not gone, because he had had to be a messenger for his father in Lothlorien.
Danius giggled again as Legolas leaped again and landed in a third tree. The child never ceased to amaze Legolas. He trusted so easily that the elf could scarcely believe it. Danius was like a son to him, as well. He was Aragorn's son by birth, but both now raised him.
Legolas jumped from branch to branch, getting closer to the ground. He was used to having Danius on his back when he did this. The little boy cheered each time he landed perfectly. Legolas didn't mind showing off his agility to such an admirer.
He landed on the ground, and set off towards Mirkwood. At least Danius had been allowed to come with him. He missed the child when he wasn't around. The red tips on his pointed ears proved just how much he loved the boy, for Danius loved nothing better than to play with Legolas's hair and ears. And he wondered for the fifth time in the last minute where Aragorn was. They were supposed to have met here, so they could travel back to Mirkwood together. Aragorn had wanted to show him an inn called The Prancing Pony. Legolas sighed and continued walking. He'd probably gotten delayed.
Aragorn watched Legolas setting off for Mirkwood, and grinned. He'd seen Legolas leaping from tree to tree with Danius.
"Legolas!" he cried.
"Aragorn?" Legolas asked.
Aragorn attempted to sneak up on him, but Legolas turned quickly.
"So you are here," Legolas said with a smile as Aragorn came forward.
"Indeed, Legolas. I was watching you in the trees." Aragorn's soft lips melted against Legolas's own, feeling the magic between them.
The lovers smiled at each other as they broke apart.
"Da-da!" Danius said. Aragorn picked him up and hugged him.
"He's grown," Aragorn said, gazing at his son with pride. "It seems that he grows every day."
"Yes." Legolas let the father and son have a moment quietly. He walked over to the base of a tree and sat there.
"Missed you, da-da," Danius said.
"I missed you, too," Aragorn said. His son was a true delight to him. Legolas had taken it surprisingly well when he'd found out.
Legolas watched them silently, part of him feeling a little left out. As much as he loved the boy, Danius was not 'his'. And that hurt him, sometimes, when he secretly wondered what it would be like to have a child who looked like him and was his by blood. But he never shared those feelings with Aragorn. He truly loved Aragorn, and was willing to give that up. Legolas sternly told himself that it didn't matter if Danius was not his by blood. They were bonded by love, and that's what counted.
Aragorn carried his blue-eyed child over to Legolas, who smiled up at him. He sat down next to Legolas.
"What has this son of mine being doing this week?" Aragorn asked, missing the slight pain in Legolas's eyes, when Aragorn said 'son of mine'.
"He has a new pastime," Legolas informed Aragorn. "He likes to eat leaves. I caught him red-handed."
"Naw, couldn't be." Aragorn grinned at Danius, who giggled and held a leaf. He tried to put it in his mouth, but Legolas's quick reflexes stopped that cold.
Danius pouted and then brightened. "Down," he said.
Aragorn sat him on the ground, where both he and Legolas kept a close eye on Danius, who pushed himself up and toddled around.
"What's wrong, Legolas?" Aragorn asked softly, as he saw a trace of sadness in Legolas's emerald eyes.
"Nothing, Aragorn," Legolas said, smiling at him. "I just missed you terribly. Next time, I'm going with you and Gandalf. Danius missed you, as well."
Aragorn smiled, reassured. He leaned over and kissed Legolas softly, who responded back, moaning softly.
Legolas brought his hands up to Aragorn's hair. He had been waiting for this the whole week. Aragorn's hands cupped Legolas's face gently, as he tilting it up for more kisses.
Sudden giggles stopped them. They turned to look and saw Danius watching them, giggling merrily.
"Da-da kiss?" he asked.
Blushing, they separated from each other.
"Later," Legolas whispered to Aragorn, who nodded.
Aragorn muttered aloud that this was going to traumatize his child, who was too young to understand what he was seeing.
Legolas stood, and walked over to Danius. He scooped the child into his arms, and walked back to Aragorn, who stood.
The three of them started walking towards Mirkwood, looking like a family. Aragorn had his arm around Legolas's shoulders.
Around the third day of their journey, Aragorn turned to ask Legolas a question.
"What would you say to dropping in at Rivendell, Legolas? We're only a few hours away."
"Sounds good to me, Aragorn." Danius was being carried by his father again, though he kept grabbing strands of Legolas's hair.
Legolas took it rather good-naturedly, Aragorn thought. The last two months had been wonderful. He and Legolas mainly stayed at Mirkwood with Danius, because Aragorn didn't want them to live on the road all of the time. He only went on quests with Gandalf, when they promised to be short ones.
So Legolas took care of Danius while Aragorn was gone. He seemed happy enough, Aragorn felt. But he wanted to get some time alone with his Elven lover. And he had to consider Danius.
Legolas was thinking exactly the same thing. He wanted to be with Aragorn, just the two of them, like it was when they first met. But Danius had to come first. They were a family, now.
Legolas wound up carrying Danius for the last leg of their journey to Rivendell.
Lord Elrond himself came out to greet them.
"It's good to see you again, Legolas and Aragorn. And who is this?" Elrond peered at the sleepy child in Legolas's arms.
"My son, Danius," Aragorn said.
Sharp-eyed Elrond saw the pain in Legolas's when Aragorn said 'my son'. He hid a frown, and turned to Legolas. He'd planned this for a while, since Thranduil had written him a letter, saying that Legolas needed an adventure. And Thranduil thought Aragorn should be the one to stay behind, this time. According to him, it hurt Legolas terribly when Aragorn went on adventures with Gandalf, leaving him behind with Danius, even though he never said a word.
"Legolas, I have a favor to ask of you," Lord Elrond said hesitantly.
"What is it?" Legolas looked at the Elven lord curiously.
"Would you please deliver a message for me to Saruman the White in Isenguard?" Lord Elrond met Legolas's stare calmly.
Aragorn was horrified. "You can't, Legolas!" he exclaimed.
Legolas looked at Aragorn and back at Lord Elrond. "Why do you not take the message yourself?" he questioned.
"I have urgent business to attend to here, or I would go myself. But you are said to be one of the fastest Elven riders; as well as the fact that I know I can trust you not to betray me," Elrond said carefully.
Legolas nodded slowly, much to Aragorn's shock.
"You'll do it? Wonderful," Lord Elrond said. "When can you leave?"
"Hold it, Legolas," Aragorn said sharply to the elf. "I don't like the idea of you going to Isenguard alone."
"Aragorn, I am not a child. This will be no different than when you and Gandalf go on your quests. It will take me a mere week to reach Isenguard, if I do not stop all that often," Legolas told him quietly.
"I wanted to spend some time with you," Aragorn said softly.
"I had hoped for the same. But if Lord Elrond needs me to be a messenger, then I shall," Legolas said. "It will give you some time to spend with Danius."
Lord Elrond cleared his throat. Legolas and Aragorn turned to look at him.
"How about a proposal, Aragorn? Should Legolas fail to return within twelve days, you ride after him?" he said.
"I don't want him going, period," Aragorn said.
Legolas frowned at Aragorn. "I am going to Isenguard, Aragorn."
Lord Elrond gently took Danius from Legolas's arms, who was wide-eyed as Legolas and Aragorn argued.
"Why don't you discuss it in your old room?" Elrond asked. "Before you scare the poor child."
Aragorn and Legolas nodded, each feeling guilty when they saw the look on Danius's face. Legolas ruffled the boy's hair, before running forward, and leaping onto the lowest balcony. He leapt up the balconies, until he reached the floor he and Aragorn had roomed in. He then walked out of sight.
Aragorn glared at Lord Elrond. "What are you up to?" he demanded.
"I already told you." The Elven lord walked away, carrying Danius. "I suggest you go talk to Legolas."
Aragorn stormed into the Elven fortress, marching directly up the stairs to the room he had shared with Legolas.
He flung the door open and walked inside. Legolas was sitting on one of the beds and looked at Aragorn.
"Why did you agree, Legolas?" Aragorn asked, feeling hurt. "It means we will be apart again." He walked over to Legolas and sat beside him. "And Isenguard is far away."
Legolas turned to look at him. "Aragorn, I have the chance to meet Saruman, one of Lord Elrond's most trusted allies. That is an honor."
"But I don't want you to go," Aragorn protested.
"It will not be dangerous," Legolas reminded him.
"How do you know that?" Aragorn snapped angrily.
Legolas turned slightly pale. He'd never seen Aragorn so angry.
"Legolas, I want us to spend some time alone. How can that be accomplished when you are traveling to Isenguard, to meet Saruman?"
Anger filled Legolas as well. "You do it to me all the time, Aragorn. Why are you acting like this now?"
Aragorn glared at Legolas. "I do not!"
"How many times have you left me behind in the past two months, when you went traveling with Gandalf on quests? I count at least four, if not five times, Aragorn," Legolas reminded him.
Aragorn knew Legolas was right. His face softened slightly. "I know, but I was never alone."
"I'll be fine, Aragorn. I do not need to be protected and coddled like a child," Legolas said softly, his anger melting away. "Show me the trust that I give to you each time that you leave with Gandalf."
Aragorn sighed. "All right, Legolas. But if you aren't back here within twelve days, I'm coming after you. And remember that you're mine."
Legolas reassured him with a kiss that left Aragorn breathless. Aragorn responded so strongly, that it surprised Legolas, who wound his hands around Aragorn's neck as Aragorn lay him back on the bed.
"And you're mine," Legolas whispered against Aragorn's lips, as Aragorn removed his shirt.
Lord Elrond stood outside of the room, listening carefully. He closed the door with a loud click, as he smiled down at Danius. "That went better than I'd hoped," he said, amused. "Now lets give them some time alone."
When the door closed, Aragorn barely acknowledged it. He was too busy tantalizing Legolas.
*****************
The next morning
*****************
Legolas stood beside Lord Elrond's fastest horse, as he bid his farewells.
Lord Elrond stood there as well, along with Aragorn and Danius.
Legolas kissed Danius on the forehead, ruffling his dark brown hair. "I wonder how you'll grow when I'm gone, sweet one." Danius kissed him on the cheek, which warmed Legolas's heart. He then turned to Lord Elrond.
"I'll travel as quickly as I can, Lord Elrond, so as to bring his response all the more faster," Legolas told him.
Lord Elrond nodded. "Take care of yourself, Legolas." He held Danius in his arms again, for he found the child amusing.
Aragorn stepped forward and kissed Legolas hard. Legolas was surprised that he did so in front of Lord Elrond, but he enjoyed it anyway, once he got over the embarrassment.
Lord Elrond sighed and shook his head as the kiss went on for a long period of time. "Please, not in my courtyard," he finally said.
"Come back to me safely, Legolas," Aragorn whispered softly in his ears.
"I will. I promise," Legolas vowed.
He mounted the horse, and looked back at them one more time.
Then he urged the horse into a gallop, glancing back until he was out of sight.
Lord Elrond looked at Aragorn. "He'll be fine," the Elven lord said reassuringly.
"I hope so," Aragorn said, afraid that he would never see Legolas again.
To be continued