The Forgotten One

Feelings

aragorn eventually got up from his spot on the bench. he knew he should go look for legolas. but aragorn also knew that if anyway runs off like that, they just need some time alone. people loved aragorn for his empathy and understanding. anyone who came near him felt compelled to him.

trying to keep his mind off his deepening concern for legolas he briskly made his way to the house of healing and found an old woman looking through what seemed to be a cabinet of medicine.

"it is a pleasure to see you here." the old healer said, immediately standing erect and taking a bow. aragorn hated that people treated him like that but he knew it was out of love and respect.

"i'm assuming you're here to see how the halflings are doing." she said.

"yes, how are they?" aragorn asked.

"they are fine. i assume samwise will wake soon. but frodo might take a little longer. his wound from the foul creature shelob is tiring his body, but luckily the infection has gone." she informed. at this point everyone knew the names of frodo and sam. they were practically famous.

"that's great news." aragorn smiled. but his thoughts were elsewhere.

just then faramir strode in, with a huge grin plastered across his face. which was a rare sight. faramir was a wise man, but with that came much sorrow. they had just recently met but faramir of course knew who aragorn was and they quickly became friends.

"hello faramir." aragorn smiled at the look of happiness on faramir's face.

"hello aragorn." faramir said, bowing to his king.

"would you like to take a walk with me?" aragorn asked.

"of course." faramir answered. anything for the future king of gondor.

as they strode through the busy streets of gondor, people parted the way so aragorn and faramir could walk through.

"you must miss being a ranger. being able to just disappear." faramir said boldly.

"yes, i do, such a simple life," aragorn sighed. "but i can't turn my back on gondor, my destiny."

after a few moments of silence faramir said suddenly, "you seem troubled, my friend."  he stopped to look at aragorn.

"oh, it's nothing," aragorn said. "legolas has just been acting up lately, he seems upset."

"i'm sure he's just not ready for his best companion to be the king of gondor." faramir said jokingly. faramir had also met legolas recently.

aragorn nodded. he hadn't thought about that. maybe faramir was right, even if he was just joking.

after a little while, they said there goodbyes and parted ways. aragorn went back to the bench and got lost in his thoughts, no one dared to bother him.

eventually he noticed a lithe figure walk briskly through the crowd. aragorn quickly made his way to legolas and grabbed his hand. the elf drew in a breath, and aragorn dragged him to his room.

"where have you been, legolas?" aragorn exclaimed.

when legolas didn't answer, just stared. aragorn asked again, "what is wrong, mellon nin? you are truly worrying me. you are never this way."

all of a sudden aragorn felt legolas's soft elven lips crash into his. he was so taken aback in that moment, that he didn't pull away at first. he kissed back, he didn't have the slightest idea why. but once he awoke from his trance he ripped away. staring at legolas with utter shock.

"what! why — why did you do that?" aragorn could barely form words through his rage.

"just once." is all legolas said before he slowly got up and started to walk to the door. aragorn forcefully grabbed his thin arm. he needed to know what the hell was going on. but legolas ripped out of his grip and continued to walk away.

he stopped at the doorway to momentarily turn back and look at him. this time aragorn didn't try to stop him. and just like they did at the black gate, they shared a strange moment. then legolas walked away. and aragorn was left all alone in his room, the warmth of legolas, swiftly leaving with the elf.