Title: "Restless"
Author: Leiasky@aol.com
Synopsis: Aragorn is restless and yearns for freedom he had as a Ranger. Aragorn and Arwen take a trip to the Shire to see old friends. The journey is long and quite disruptive….
This is an AU story that does not follow the timeline of the book.
1.1.1 Rating: PG-13 - NC-17
Spoilers: No.
Pairing: Aragorn / Arwen.
Disclaimer: I'm not Tolkien. I don't own these characters. (darn!) I make no money. Done for fun.
Additional Info: Movie-verse.
This story is going to be a little different. I have ideas for specific scenes but nothing to fill in the ‘gap’ in between. So, each chapter will be a specific ‘Day.’ Hopefully it all makes sense. Aragorn and Arwen have been married for 5 years at the start of the story.
Archive: If you like, just tell me where.
"Restless"
2 Chapter 1
"Day 1"
The cool breeze ruffled his hair as he watched the White Tree sway in the wind, smiled wryly as flocks of birds, even at night, soared to destinations unknown. He gazed longingly at their wings, silently wishing that his had not been so thoroughly clipped. While the City slept, there was still activity in the streets below. Always activity. Always someone awake and moving, securing the City from those who would see fit to destroy its beauty. Crystalline eyes fell over the secure gates, rebuilt not long ago by the Dwarves, experts in stonework. Riders came and went, patrolling the outer regions of the kingdom for any lingering evil that resided in the hills. Once, long ago, that was his duty. Protecting the Shire and its outlying farms. Protecting the people of Bree, and the kingdom, recently rebuilt, known as Arnor. Now, he was the recipient of such protection and, while not at all unwelcome, it was tiring.
"You long for the freedom of the wild," Arwen stepped behind him and wrapped slim fingers around the hand that lay flattened against the cold stone window. Her other hand slid up his back, slowly kneading the skin, before delving into the long, dark locks that fell to his shoulder.
He nodded but remained silent. The restlessness had been growing in every decision he made, in every word he spoke. Arwen could see it in his eyes and in his stance.
"I can feel it, love," Arwen stepped into the circle of his embrace as he opened his arms. She rested her head against his chest as his arms tightened around her shoulders. He absently rubbed at the silk to keep her from catching a chill.
"I love Gondor," He began after several moments of silence, gently stroking her hair. "I love its people. My people."
"But?" She tilted her head and looked into his troubled face.
"I simply long for a bit more freedom." Long fingers delved into her hair and he breathed deeply the fresh scent dripping from her freshly washed skin.
Arwen pressed her lips to his whiskered chin and whispered, "Come with me."
Arwen took his hand and led him toward a far corner of the bedchamber. Decadent tapestries hung from the walls and large, ornately carved wooden sculptures framed their work, accenting the designs embroidered into the fabric. Arwen released her husband’s hand and reached behind one of the large statues. He could hear her depress stone lever, but was not prepared for what happened next.
Arwen quickly pulled him away from the sculpture as it slid to the side, revealing a small pathway, barely large enough for a full sized man.
Aragorn’s mouth fell open and Arwen gently brushed a fingertip across his lips. "You’ve already had final meal, my love. Close your mouth." Her eyes sparkled with a mischievous gleam. "Dessert is not to come for a while yet."
Aragorn shook his head and blinked, splitting his attention between his wife and the darkness before him. He snatched a candle from where it rested on a nearby table and glanced into the dark passageway. The candle’s light flickered against the stone as he stepped cautiously into the tunnel.
"Such caution is not necessary," Arwen draped a cloak across her shoulders and stepped behind him. "I’ve explored the pathway thoroughly enough."
"You’ve what?" Aragorn turned his full attention on his wife, eyes wide. "You could have been…."
"It is a passageway built for escape if the City were ever attacked by an invading army." Arwen took his free hand in hers and brought it to her lips. She kissed the palm slowly, then his wrist, before settling it against her cheek. "Tonight, it will serve as a path to….freedom."
The beginnings of a smile tugged at his mouth and he drew her into his arms. Slowly, his mouth descended and captured her lips in a breath- stealing kiss. "I should have known. You always were a rather curious elf." He whispered against her cheek.
"It has served me well," She smiled, eyes dancing.
"That it has," he grinned as her lips pressed a gentle kiss to the corner of his mouth. A simple tilt of his head and their lips met. One hand tightened around her waist and pulled her against his body. The other trembled with growing desire as it held the candle up and away from the shifting fabric of their clothing.
They remained in one another’s arms for a few moments, hands tangled in one another’s hair, soft kisses dropping on any bit of visible skin. "I think," he murmured as one hand dipped slowly below his belt, "that we should remain here and finish …"
"We can finish what you’ve started along the way….." Her eyes sparkled in the candlelight as she pressed her body against his side.
"What you’ve started," he corrected her with a smile as he pulled her tightly against him.
"Or once we reach our destination." Arwen continued as if he’d never interrupted.
With a mischievous grin to match her own, he added, "Or both," before capturing her lips in a deep, penetrating kiss.
After several seconds, she stepped away and depressed the lever that would set the statue in motion. It settled into place with a soft thud, casting them into darkness with only the flickering of the candle for light.
"Well, my Evenstar, whatever shall we do now that darkness has fallen?" His voice was low, husky as he held her tightly against him.
"You are the light, the hope, against my darkness. What say you, my King?" She answered, her voice low.
"Whatever you wish is as if a command," He whispered against her lips, catching her wandering hand before it was able to part the fabric of his tunic.
"Not here. There is more room where the passageway splits." Arwen whispered, leaning in to gently bite the lobe of his ear.
She grinned at the tremor that she felt race down his frame and gasped as he nearly picked her up in an effort to locate this fork in the tunnel.
The tunnel was long and soon they were walking slowly, distracted with the blatant groping in the dark, the slim hands that slid seductively down and around his body. "We are never going to get to this fork if you don’t stop." Aragorn growled, his voice deep with arousal.
"Then turn around and let me relieve this undue stress." She raked her nails down his chest to his belt, before hooking her fingers into the leather that draped loosely over his hips.
"I can wait." He hissed, drawing her up against him quickly before her roaming fingers brought him too far to turn back. He captured one hand in his and brought it to his lips. Their eyes met briefly before his teeth sunk gently into her wrist. Fabric parted and her other hand slipped between its folds drawing his lips from her skin with a shocked gasp.
The hand forgotten, he bent to capture her lips, sucking the air from between them like a vacuum. "How far?" He growled.
"Walk, love," She whispered in return, removing her fingers from between the folds of the tabbard. "Not far." A small grin played across her features as he led her quickly down the passageway.
A small burst of air, fresh and cool, whirled through the darkness, a welcome change to his burning skin. When they reached the fork, a faint flicker of light could be seen at the end of the shorter passage. Aragorn set the candle down in the tunnel that revealed only darkness. When he turned around and reached for his wife, his eyes narrowed at the sight of her back pressed flat against the farthest wall. Her eyes seductively rolled down his body and he quickly crossed the distance that separated them.
He caught and lifted her into his arms, his mouth coming down and capturing her lips in a hard, possessive kiss. Her fingers tangled in his hair, pulling gently at the strands and causing him to growl into her mouth. She smiled against his lips, a nipped playfully as his hands quickly lifted the skirts about her waist.
"So urgent, love," Arwen whispered against his lips as she played with the neckline of his tunic.
"Your doing, woman," Aragorn hissed as he quickly parted the folds of the confining fabric covering his legs and steadied her against his hips. He pressed her back into the wall and groaned loud and long into her mouth when their bodies met.
--------------------------------------------------
The candle was nearly spent as the King and Queen re-arranged their clothes and began to stalk, hand in hand, down the dark passageway. At Arwen’s insistence, they had taken the longer, darker route. "I hope your screams did not awaken whoever may be at the end of this path." Aragorn teased.
She scoffed and simply answered by sliding a hand around his waist and hooking her fingers into his low-slung belt.
"Where does this passageway lead?" Aragorn grumped. It was taking far too long for them to traverse the distance and he was tiring of this mysterious passage. "The candlelight is waning and I see no light at the end of this tunnel."
"Well, had you not felt the need to stop at the fork, we would have reached the entrance before the wick burned to its end." Arwen smiled at his back as he only grunted in response.
"We should have taken the other pathway." He moved a bit quicker, hoping to reach the end before the candle burned down completely.
"That would have led to the courtyard near the White Tree. Hardly far enough for you to stretch your restless wings."
"The light wanes, we must hurry. The keen eyes of even an elf would do little better than my own here."
"I know my way." Came the quick reply and Aragorn didn’t ask. He’d discover her secrets given enough time.
A warm breeze ruffled their hair and Aragorn breathed a sigh of relief that they were nearing the passage end.
"Not far now." Arwen moved in front of him. "I will lead. You don't know the way."
Aragorn frowned and glanced at the candle, flickering in its last throws of life. "Well make it quick or we will be stuck here for the remainder of the night."
"As long as we are together," Arwen stopped, turned toward her husband, and flattened her hands against his chest. The candle flickered out just as her mouth covered his in a gentle kiss.
He groaned against her lips and shivered against the hands he felt sliding down his chest. "Insatiable." He muttered, flinging away the candle. He flattened his hands against her backside and pulled her against him.
Several moments later, she stepped away. Her hand disappeared into the darkness and they could hear the movement of stone as a large statue moved to reveal a clear, starlit sky. Moonlight streamed into the passageway and Arwen took Aragorn's hand and led him through the doorway.
Arwen pressed a secret control and the statue of the last Gondorian king slid back into place.
Aragorn stood quietly, gazing out over the small river that served as the closest outlet to the Anduin. The starlight reflected off the steady flow of water and the moon cast its bright glow on the couple below. The white walls of the City could be seen not far away, but farther than he would have ever guessed they’d traveled.
Arwen took his hand and led him to a small glen, secluded on three sides by dense foliage. Water trickled in a stream at their feet and small creatures moved through the grass, stalking their prey.
"Come here often?" Aragorn asked, smiling at his wife as she removed her cloak and spread it atop the blades of grass. Sitting down, she beckoned to him with open arms.
"Not often," she answered, eyes drifting toward the water. He settled behind her and drew her into his arms. "Only when I need…..solitude."
"Gondor is a far cry from the peaceful forests of Rivendell," Aragorn wrapped his arms around her shoulders and nuzzled her hair with a whiskered cheek.
"It is as much of a change for me as your leaving the wandering life of a Ranger and becoming King of both Gondor and Arnor." She leaned into his arms and sighed, eyes fluttering shut as his lips closed around the tip of her ear.
"True." He whispered, nibbling down the curved lobe and sending tremors racing down her spine.
"You've taken on a great deal of responsibility in a very short amount of time," Arwen arched her head to give his wandering lips easier access to the creamy skin of her neck.
"Hmmm," he muttered, rubbing a whiskered chin along her collarbone.
"Perhaps it is time to visit some old friends," Arwen offered, trembling, as his hands slid around her waist and pulled at the fastenings of her dress.
"Your wish is my command." Came the muffled response.
Suddenly, shocking him from his passion-induced haze, she turned and knelt before him. Settling her hands along the side of his face, she gazed at him with a passion kept in check only by a thread. "Send for Legolas and Gimli. I'm sure they would be quite upset if we were to make this journey without them."
"And where exactly are we to journey?" His hands settled at her waist and tugged at the thin belt holding closed her silken dress.
"To visit Arnor, of course," She leaned down and dragged her mouth across his before stopping just below his ear to whisper, "By way of the Shire."
Aragorn's eyes widened as her lips closed around his lower ear and began to suckle like a babe. As her belt fell from her hips, he parted the folds of her dress and pulled her tightly against his hard chest. "Quite a long journey." He murmured, eyes dancing as she settled herself onto his thighs.
"I’m sure you will be up for the task." Dark eyes danced as nimble fingers removed his own belt. She pushed him onto his back and slowly removed the fastenings of his tunic, baring burning skin to the evening chill. Moonlight glinted off their bare skin as they finished their passion-filled evening beneath the stars.
Chapter 2
"Day 5"
"Mae govannen, Elessar!" Legolas honored Aragorn with a traditional elven greeting before clasping his old friend in a tight hug.
"Mae Govannen, Legolas!" Aragorn smiled at his friend as the elf moved to bow to Arwen. She stood nearby patiently waiting for the old friends to part. "Thank you for coming on such short notice."
Legolas bowed deeply to Arwen and took her hands in his. "You look radiant, Evenstar. This life suits you."
Arwen smiled widely and squeezed the fingers that delicately held her own. "Thank you, Legolas." She cast a loving look at Aragorn, who watched the exchange with an amused smile. "There is no place I would rather be."
"Your journey was safe?" Aragorn looked around, noting Legolas' visibly absent, vertically challenged traveling partner.
"Aye, indeed it was." Legolas said. The elf noticed the concerned look Aragorn tried to mask. He looked back toward the entrance and straightened - the perfect epitome of a woodland elf. When he said no more, he caught the muffled snort of annoyance from the King. An amused smile crept along the normally unemotional features and the pale blue of his eyes began to dance.
"Alright," Aragorn finally broke the silence, "Since you have not the slightest intention of telling me where Gimli is, I'll ask.
Legolas simply stared and Arwen muffled a very feminine chuckle with a hand clasped over her mouth. Aragorn shot her an annoyed look before pinning his gaze on his elven friend.
"He lost a bet and will be along shortly," Legolas said flatly.
"Elininga! Legolas," Aragorn rolled his eyes and raised his arms as Arwen quickly stepped into the circle of his embrace. "Will you two ever cease this useless bickering?"
"Never." Legolas smiled at the fond memories of his constant battle of wit with his friend. "It is all too amusing to continually prove to him how inferior he is to elves."
Arwen's eyes sparkled and she cast a sidelong glance at her husband. He caught her eyes and raised a finger. "Not a word."
At this, Legolas allowed a small chuckle as Arwen placed a quick kiss to her husband’s cheek. "Never would I presume to admit that the race of Men are inferior to my own people."
His hand tightened around her waist and he favored her with an arrogant smile, "You’ve had no complaints."
Legolas scoffed and took a step back as the couple dissolved into laughter.
A few moments later, a rather irritated Gimli wandered into the garden, mumbling incoherently.
"Welcome Gimli!" Aragorn released his wife and strode forward to greet the Dwarf. "Thank you for coming."
"I could hardly refuse a summons from the King himself," Gimli replied, bowing low before sending a sneer in the direction of where Legolas was standing with the Queen.
Aragorn nodded to his guard, who acknowledged the signal and removed himself to the outer garden to give the King and his guests some privacy.
Gimli stalked toward Legolas, eyeing him with contempt before gracing Arwen with a wide smile and a low bow. "Greetings, Lady Arwen. You look as stunning as ever."
"Why thank you, Gimli." Arwen reached for her husband's hand as he moved to stand beside her. "And thank you for answering Aragorn's summons so promptly."
"It is my duty," Gimli nodded and, sticking his nose up at Legolas, added. "I also see the craftsmen I sent to complete repairs on the southern wall have come and gone."
"Beautiful and unmatched work as was expected." Aragorn nodded, and took a seat along the lip of a large fountain that sat nestled into the surrounding foliage. He motioned for his guests to take a seat in one of the ornately carved benches as Arwen stood behind her husband and rested crossed wrists on his shoulder. "We cannot thank you enough for your generosity."
"It is my honor to serve." Gimli said. Looking at the lone bench before them, he exchanged a quick disapproving glance with Legolas. The elf moved to the side of the bench and leaned against the tall pillar that served as a support for the overhang above. Gimli grunted his disapproval and took a seat, resting his axe against the opposite support pillar.
"To where would you like us to accompany you?" Legolas asked before Aragorn could frame the question. His elvish senses were as keen as ever and the Prince figured he'd once again prove how inferior all other Races were to the Elves.
"Leave it to an elf not to mince words," Gimli scowled.
"We'd like you to ride with us," Aragorn reached up and covered Arwen's hand with his own, "to Arnor."
"By way of the Shire," Arwen added with a smile.
"I would dearly love to see the hobbits again!" Gimli nearly bounced out of his seat. "When do we leave?"
Legolas shot him an annoyed look for shaking the pillar before turning a calm gaze on his friend and King.
"Your heart yearns for its wandering days," Legolas said simply, reading Aragorn's thoughts as easily as he would read a piece of parchment.
"A bit," Aragorn admitted after a few moments of silence. "I miss our old friends, the hobbits. I would like to see them again."
"We will simply visit the rebuilt city of Annuminas while we are there to fulfill state obligations," Arwen added, running a hand through the back of Aragorn's hair.
"Which brings us to another point," Aragorn said, a mischievous grin alighting his crystalline gaze. "We want to make good speed and the court will insist on a royal escort larger than I care to approve."
"We will serve as your personal guard for as long as you have need," Legolas said, nodding to Gimli. "But you may find it difficult to convince your court that we are all the protection you need."
----------------------------------
"Absolutely not." The Chamberlain addressed the King, eyes wide with indignation. He paced the hall, irritated that the King would even have the gall to voice such a request. "My Lord. I can not allow you to make such a long journey without the appropriate escort."
Aragorn closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "This will not be a formal visit. Such a large entourage will not be necessary." He cast a desperate look at Faramir who simply smiled sadly, pity for Aragorn’s situation clearly visible in his eyes.
"It is necessary for your protection." The Chamberlain was obstinate in this decision. "Protocol requires that you be accompanied by - "
"Legolas and Gimli will be our chief escort," Aragorn stood and drew himself to his full, intimidating height. If the Chamberlain found Aragorn’s interruption rude, he made no mention. "They are more than capable."
"Sire," The Chamberlain began, slower, so that the King understood the importance of the necessary entourage. "You will need squires for armor, servants for the baggage, attendants for the queen, a herald for announcing your arrival into Arnor, a bard for entertainment and your champion will be necessary. Stable boys will accompany you as well to care for the horses each night. I will accompany you to supervise." The Chamberlain regarded Aragorn with a look that was meant to stop any and all refusal. "That you will be protected by a well-armed escort goes without saying."
Faramir pressed a gloved hand to his mouth and coughed a laugh into his hand, drawing the attention of a very annoyed Aragorn. The Steward struggled to calm the mirth threatening to burst from his lungs and simply coughed again to clear his throat. He forced the laughter from his eyes, wiped the smirk off his face and nodded slowly to Aragorn.
Aragorn exchanged an exasperated look with Arwen, who sat silently on the throne next to him.
"A champion will not be necessary." Aragorn stated firmly. " I will defend my own honor, should it be challenged, as well as that of my wife. The champions will remain here." The King turned to the aforementioned men. "No insult is intended, Sirs, you will be needed here should someone challenge the throne while we are away."
"None taken, My Lord." The King's champion stood and bowed before returning to his seat. "We are yours to command."
"One attendant for the queen is all that will be required," Arwen nodded as Aragorn turned to her for approval. "Arwen is quite capable of looking after herself."
"The rest -" Aragorn sighed, pinning the Chamberlain with a stern look. "I do not want it to take a year to get there and a year to return. I have made the journey in little more than a month riding alone."
"My Lord," the Chamberlain began, "You have a kingdom to rule and a kingdom whose royal council dictates that whenever the King leaves his realm, these individuals must accompany him."
"We understand your frustration," Faramir stood and the Chamberlain bowed, giving the Steward the floor. As he strode to the center of the hall, he favored each member of the council with a direct look, before turning his full attention on Aragorn. "This is your first long journey from Gondor since your coronation." He paused and nodded reverently to Arwen, who sat behind her standing husband. "It has been five years, and in that time, you have rebuilt the White City to its former glory and beyond. This Council will not let you set foot outside this realm without adequate protection and attendants." The Steward regarded his King with a pitiful look. "I’m sorry, but that is how it must be." Faramir winced at the harsh tone he had no choice but to use. Even he would not dare speak to the King in such a manner but he also knew the Council would not let Aragorn leave the City with his wife and only the barest minimum of an escort.
"So then it shall be," Aragorn dismissed the Council with a wave of his hand and turned to his wife. "We will leave on the morrow." Arwen slid her fingers into his outstretched hand, stood, and walked out of the great hall with her husband.
Once they were out of sight, Aragorn leaned against the stone wall and sighed. "So much for the easy way."
Arwen leaned into his arms and he could feel her body tremble as amused laughter began to bubble from her lips. "Oh love, it is the way of things. We will just have to follow the flow."
He leaned his forehead against hers and flattened his hands against her back. "A little freedom. A little peace and quiet away from," he waved a hand in the general direction of the hall, "that, them, this."
Arwen slid a finger under his chin lifted his gaze to hers. "And here I thought you'd stopped running from your responsibilities." She pinned him to the wall with a questioning gaze.
"I have," Aragorn said quickly, taking an immediate defensive posture. "Some days, it is just…too much."
"I know," she pressed her lips to his in a gentle, understanding kiss.
He wrapped his arms tightly around her waist and pulled her against his chest. When she slid her fingers into his hair and pulled him deeper into the kiss, he groaned against her lips. "Insatiable, elf."
She slipped out of his embrace and motioned toward where the Council waited. "I believe you have more business to conduct today. I’ll be waiting for you this evening." With a wink she turned and floated down the hall, the soft material of her dress kissing the polished stone as she walked.
1.1 Chapter 3
2 "Day 25"
"I do believe my count ended higher than yours, Legolas." Gimli argued, holding tightly to his stallion's reins. He would never be quite comfortable atop the four legged creatures but, for this journey, he had been required to get used to it, or stay behind.
Aragorn rolled his eyes and steered Roheryn closer to Arwen, who simply chuckled and gazed down the path ahead.
"I beg to differ," Legolas shot back, eyes darting around the landscape as they spoke. "You clearly mis-counted the number of kills that evening. Perhaps it was the blow to the head that you received."
Gimli huffed and shot back a comment Aragorn did not completely hear. Arwen had taken his hand and settled it atop her thigh as the horses walked along the trail. That simple gesture had served to thoroughly distract him. "As much as I hate to remove your hand, love, I believe we should trot along a bit faster, perhaps the motion will jar them from their current feud."
"Unlikely, but lets make the attempt," Arwen removed her hand and gripped the reins tightly. As Roheryn trotted ahead of her, she gave Asfaloth’s sides a bit of a squeeze, urging him alongside her husband.
When the guard and the rest of the entourage noticed the change in pace, they matched it, keeping close to the king and his wife so as to protect them should trouble fall into the path.
Aragorn’s plan worked for a time, and he quietly watched Arwen as they rode, entranced by her simple beauty. Her hair blew around her face as the breeze tugged strands of the long, dark mane from its braid.
When the sun began to set, the caravan stopped at the base of the mountain. Aragorn chose a site greatly surrounded by trees, their leaves full and green in the midst of the summer bloom. This would serve to protect and insulate the caravan as the temperature dropped.
Legolas scouted ahead, leaping off his horse before Gimli had the chance to follow the much more limber elf.
Aragorn could see that Legolas enjoyed loosing the Dwarf in the forest. His speed and agility, not to mention his familiarity with the trees, gave him much more of an advantage than the Dwarf would ever admit. Gimli muttered beneath his breath and followed the direction he 'thought' Legolas had gone.
The stable boys rushed to prepare a proper brushing for the horses, tending first to Roheryn and Asfaloth as the King stepped into the forest for a few moments of solitude.
Royal Guardsmen were never far behind and Aragorn sighed as he settled into the ground at the base of a large oak. Its roots delved deep into the earth, surrounding him as he sat between the dark wood. He leaned his back against the large trunk and closed his eyes, feeling the weight of the day's journey roll off his shoulders.
Once Arwen finished speaking with her attendant, she joined her husband. The Guardsmen took a few steps away from the couple, giving them what privacy they felt safe enough to permit.
"The journey is progressing much faster than I anticipated," Aragorn admitted, holding up his arms in an invitation Arwen could not refuse.
She sat comfortably on his lap and leaned deeply into his tight embrace. She closed her eyes and listened, the deep baritone of his voice reverberating through her back as he spoke. "But it does not satiate your restless blood."
He smoothed her hair and pressed a kiss to the side of her forehead. "We are never alone here. In ways it is worse than the City." Leaves rustled above them and Aragorn took a deep, relaxing breath. "But in many it is better. It is truly good to be out in the wild again, regardless of who trails on my heels."
Arwen nodded and pressed a kiss to his whiskered jaw. She laced her fingers through where his hands were clasped together at her waist and rubbed her thumbs slowly along his skin.
Silence fell as he bent over and pressed a slow kiss to the shell of her ear. A smile spread slowly across his face as he felt the tremor race down her spine at the simple touch. Encouraged by her reaction, he slowly rubbed his lips along the length of the lobe, stopping at certain points to press a short kiss to the sensitive skin. When he reached the pointed tip, his lips closed over the shell and she whimpered, sinking even deeper into his embrace.
"Perhaps the woods are not the best place for you to be exploring the more sensitive portions of my body," she whispered, abruptly turning so as to face him. When she set her hands on his upper thighs for balance, he quickly swallowed a muffled groan. But she smiled knowingly at him, eyes sparkling even in the rapidly approaching darkness.
"I believe it is time for bed, my Lady," Aragorn breathed hotly.
She took note of the drop in his voice and the crackle in the air now alive with the sparks of passion. "Yes, I do believe I agree." Arwen said as she stood. "They should have the pavilion set up by now." She reached down and held out her hand to her husband, who took it and pulled himself to his feet. Before turning away, he executed a most spectacular bow over her hand and pressed a lingering kiss to the soft skin.
When they returned, their pavilion was set up, food was cooking over the fire and guards had formed a parameter around the camp. Arwen immediately disappeared inside, but not before she tossed a look toward her husband that warned him not to be long. Arwen's attendant, seeing her enter the pavilion without her husband, moved to follow her charge.
Aragorn noticed this and held out his hand to prevent the young woman from entering. "Arwen is well. The evening is your own." He smiled down at the girl and she nodded and bowed to her liege before moving back to her own small bedroll.
A squire and guardsman approached Aragorn and proceeded to ask him a few questions about the company and the planned path for tomorrow. Aragorn answered as politely as he was able but, the recently kindled desire for his wife's touch, long held in check on this journey, was slowly beginning to boil his blood. The longer he was made to wait, the more impatient he became. Finally he just dismissed the two and rubbed at his eyes muttering something about exhaustion.
Just as he reached for the pavilion's flap, a rather exasperated Chamberlain interrupted his escape.
"What is it?" Aragorn asked calmly. He could feel the edges of his temper begin to fray, but he smiled politely.
The Chamberlain shot an annoyed glance at a bickering Gimli and Legolas, who had recently returned from securing the perimeter of the camp. "Do they ever stop?"
Aragorn chuckled, long and loud. It had been a standing bet between himself and his wife how long the Chamberlain would last before mentioning Gimli and Legolas' strange friendship. He mentally ticked off the days and groaned inwardly. Arwen won.
"It used to be worse." He admitted and they listened to the next few exchanges, unsure as to whom to declare the winner for the evening.
"It would be a lovely gift if we could be spared the sound of your attempt to pull a howling boar from your nasal passages this evening," Legolas settled onto his blanket and closed his eyes.
Gimli looked at Legolas horrified. Before he could frame an answer, Legolas continued.
"If you are incapable of preventing such an occurrence, could you please sleep at the head of the camp so as to scare away any large animals that may consider using us as its evening meal." Legolas said calmly, eyes still closed, senses outstretched to feel for any threat, veiled or evident.
"I don't know why I tolerate your treatment of me!" Gimli scooped up his blankets and scowled at Legolas. "Aragorn should send you up into one of those trees you love so much to spare us your unneeded boasts about elves and how you are so far above we mere mortal creatures. Forget not, Legolas, it is we 'mortals' who saved your collective hides during the War of the Ring."
"They used to mean every rude word they said to one another." Aragorn grinned at the irritated Chamberlain.
"They don't mean such words now?" The Chamberlain shot an exasperated look at the unlikely friends, "You could have fooled me."
Gimli muttered a few choice words in the tongue of the Dwarves as he passed the Chamberlain and the King, and Aragorn chuckled. The Chamberlain glanced at his King with a slightly confused look.
"The comment was rude, and rather untranslatable in any language."
The Chamberlain rolled his eyes and shook his head. He executed a perfect bow and added," Are you in need of anything else this eve?"
Aragorn smiled, "Nothing at all."
The man nodded. "Your meal will be delivered soon."
"No rush," Aragorn smiled at the Chamberlain and quickly disappeared behind the pavilion's curtain before anyone else could stop him.
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Aragorn navigated his way around the silk hanging from the ceiling and stopped suddenly when he stepped into the makeshift bed chamber.
Arwen sat atop the furs, long hair flowing down her back as she attempted to comb out the knots from the day's travel.
Aragorn knelt beside her and covered her hand with his own. "Let me."
Wordlessly, she released the comb and turned her back to her husband. As he began to slowly brush her hair, she closed her eyes and sighed. His hands worked gently, pulling and smoothing the long, dark strands. Tremors raced down her spine when he leaned over her shoulder and unashamedly sucked the tip of her ear into his mouth. The comb fell forgotten to the furs as Aragorn trailed the back of his hand down the length of her neck. With the other, he delved into the smooth locks, and pulled her head to the side, baring even further the smooth, creamy skin.
"It has been far too long," Aragorn whispered against her neck. He nuzzled the skin with a whiskered chin as his hands slid around her waist.
"Yes," she melted into his embrace as his hands began to unfasten the intricate clasps that held the dress firmly secured to her body. Before he had finished with the first, there was a rustling inside the pavilion. They heard a small voice call to them from the other side of the hanging silk.
Aragorn tore his fingers away from the fastenings and cursed beneath his breath. Arwen chuckled and nudged him with an elbow to the side.
"Meal, my Lord," the servant called shyly.
Aragorn raised a curious eyebrow and waited for Arwen to decide what kind of hunger was more important. The only answer came in the form of her own fingers quickly unfastening the clasps on her dress. When the material slid down her shoulders, Aragorn called to the servant, "Leave it, please." To Arwen, much lower, he said. "We're not hungry."
"Only for one another," she whispered, cautious of the ears that could still be waiting on the other side of the cloth door.
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Aragorn leaned back, exhausted, drawing Arwen into his arms. She rested her cheek against the damp skin of his shoulder and pressed a kiss to his whiskered chin.
The rumbling outside the pavilion continued and Aragorn considered asking Gimli to move. But, he reconsidered, realizing that the Dwarf's snoring was probably the only thing that prevented the entire camp from becoming aware of what kind of 'rest' their king and queen were getting.
"Ah," Aragorn breathed. His muscles ached, his body was entirely satiated and he was finding it difficult to remain conscious.
Arwen could feel his fatigue and cupped his cheek in her hand. "Sleep, love. You will need rest for tomorrow."
Aragorn looked down his nose at her upturned eyes then sighed heavily. "There are times when I envy the speed in which elves recover."
Arwen chuckled and settled herself tightly against his side. "Sleep now." She flattened one hand against his bare chest. She could feel the strong and steady beat of his heart reverberate in her ears and she, too, closed her eyes.
Unfortunately, the close proximity to Gimli's snoring, caused the couple to remain awake, and mostly sated, for the entire night.
Chapter 4
"Day 45"
Arwen shot her husband a playful smile as she moved to mount Roheryn. The stable hand, used to releasing the reins to the King every morning, stared at her in awe.
"I will ride with Aragorn for the first part of the morning," she told him and he moved to help her into the saddle. She accepted his help with a small smile. Please ready Asfaloth so I may move to him when my husband tires of me pushing him out of his saddle."
"Never," Aragorn walked around a few of the saddled and waiting horses and smiled up at his wife and then down at the stable boy. "You will get no complaint from me." He winked at the boy and then mounted his stallion behind Arwen.
As he settled behind her, she shifted her hips and leaned back against his chest. When his arms came down around her shoulders to grasp the reins, she arched her neck and looked into his eyes. "You look well this morning." She whispered against his cheek.
"As do you, regardless of such little sleep." He flattened a hand against her stomach while the other held tight to the reins.
"Tonight, perhaps Gimli will sleep in a tree." Arwen offered with an amused smile.
"Love, please don’t give me any ideas." Aragorn groaned and whirled Roheryn toward the head of the caravan. "Ever since Legolas refused to sleep next to him, he has made his bed far too close to us for my taste."
Legolas brought Arod around to stand beside the King and Queen. There was something different about the Prince of Mirkwood this morning, and it wasn't lack of sleep. His eyes flickered with a secret knowledge and Aragorn stifled a groan of realization.
While Arwen leaned down to speak with a servant, Aragorn narrowed his eyes at his elven friend.
"Gimli's snoring does not drown every sound from the forest." The elven prince muttered quietly, careful that Arwen didn't overhear.
Aragorn winced and squeezed his eyes shut at the implication of Legolas' words. Aragorn began to redden with embarrassment but not before he noticed the deep flush tint his friend's ears.
Aragorn took a deep breath and Legolas offered his friend a small smile. He leaned toward Aragorn to be sure no one could hear his next words. "Worry not, I slept in the river."
Aragorn blinked as Legolas pulled Arod around and trotted toward the back of the company. He fought another flush of embarrassment mixed with amusement at the thought of Legolas needing to find comfort in a cold river solely because he could hear a simple passionate encounter.
He resolved to speak more of this with Legolas when Arwen was not within earshot.
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When they had stopped for the evening, and night fell over the camp, Aragorn crept out of the pavilion like a thief, stalking toward the tall trees for a bit of solitude. He slipped through the watch of the royal guards and made for the dense forest. What he didn’t notice was the lithe form of a very limber elf following not far behind.
Aragorn found a large, tall tree and climbed easily into it, relieved to see that he still remembered his basic Ranger training. He breathed deeply of the bark, of the freshness of the air and closed his eyes. When he opened them again, Legolas sat above him, staring down into his face. Aragorn sighed.
"Can I get no peace?"
"I will not let you alone in the forest, regardless of how safe these woods appear to have become." Came the soft reply. A blond head glanced back toward the direction in which they had just come and smiled. "No one followed us."
Aragorn nodded and fell into a thoughtful silence. "I was too harsh, I’m sorry."
"It is understood," Legolas said. "This has been a long trip, and we have not yet reached our destination. That stuffy Chamberlain is enough to grate on even the most patient man’s nerves."
Aragorn chuckled. "He says the same thing about your banter with Gimli. I do believe you are driving the poor man slowly insane."
A pale eyebrow raised in amusement. "And you complain?"
"Not at all, my friend." Aragorn admitted with a wry smile. "Not at all."
The two fell silent as they heard the crashing of footsteps below. "Find him!" The Chamberlain hissed to the royal guard. "I can’t believe you allowed the King to simply walk out into the dark forest without so much as an honor guard!"
Aragorn’s eyes twinkled in the moonlight torn with the choice of calling out his location or simply letting the Chamberlain think he had gone deep into the forest. The poor man was probably nearing heart failure at his disappearance. Aragorn smiled again as his mind whispered ‘little victories, take them while you can.’
"No one saw him leave, My Lord Chamberlain." The captain of the guard said, eyes wide with fear.
"Then you and your men need to be better trained!" The Man refused to hear reason. "I do not want excuses. I want you to find him." A long, deep sigh escaped his lips and he looked into the dark forest dejectedly.
Aragorn’s eyes caught those of his elven friend and Legolas nodded in understanding, observing his King’s unvoiced command. They remained completely still, watching with interest as the guards trouped through the forest.
"I’m certain no ill has befallen him," The Captain attempted to reassure the Chamberlain but his calm voice only served to infuriate the man even more.
"Well, had you been more watchful, you would know for certain!" The Chamberlain whirled on the Captain of the Guard, eyes bugging as if they would pop out of his head. "If one hair on King Elessar’s head has been hurt, I will hold you personally responsible."
Hearing the Chamberlain’s treatment of his well-trained men strengthened Aragorn’s resolve to remain right where he was – out of the Chamberlain’s sight. The Ranger in Aragorn, however, found it very difficult to keep from slitting the Chamberlain’s throat for the unnecessary delivery of such harsh words.
Soon, the guards had moved on – at the Chamberlain’s insistent nagging - determined to find their missing King.
So concerned with the goings-on below, Aragorn did not see Legolas’ head snap in the opposite direction, eyes piercing the darkness as if it were daylight.
"Come," Legolas stood, easily balancing on a branch no larger than the circumference of his wrist. His head was turned toward some invisible prey, his ears listening for the barest hint of sound. "There is trouble about."
Aragorn frowned and stood, a little less gracefully, atop the branch on which he had been sitting.
Slowly, they began to climb the trees, moving from branch to overlapping branch with little effort. Legolas slowed to a pace Aragorn could keep up with, the man having not the training or the balance to move swiftly atop swaying branches.
When Legolas deemed they’d reached a far enough distance away from the camp, he crouched low, balancing precariously above a small rock-ladden stream. Aragorn looked around in the darkness, letting his elven-trained instincts take over. He looked toward Legolas, whose nose was turned into the wind.
"There is a foul stench on the air," Legolas whispered, eyes piercing the darkness. "We must be wary."
Aragorn’s eyes narrowed. "Is the camp in danger?"
"I do not think so." Legolas turned to his friend, hearing immediately the concern for the Queen in his friend’s simple question.
Without warning, Legolas leapt from the branch and landed lightly on the ground below. Immediately his head jerked up and sniffed the air. When Aragorn landed solidly on the ground next to him, Legolas shoved his friend to the side, drew his bow and nocked an arrow faster than the eye could see.
"What is it?" Aragorn gritted as he nearly tripped on a protruding rock. As Aragorn peered into the darkness, two yellow eyes appeared before him. Bared teeth gleamed in the moonlight, haunting in their ferocity. The stench was nearly unbearable, made worse as the creature launched itself off powerful hind legs toward Aragorn.
"A Warg," Legolas loosed an arrow that caught the advancing creature in the shoulder. It fell to the ground with an angry yelp but immediately gained its feet and continued to stalk toward the King. Aragorn drew Anduril, its ‘shing’, as it was released from its scabbard, echoed across the quiet forest and into the ears of the searching royal guards.
"If there are no others, we should be able to take him," Legolas loosed another arrow, this time catching the snarling wolf in chest, dropping him instantly. But behind him, two more evil creatures lunged.
Aragorn caught the first in the chest, his blade slicing tendon and bone, dropping the vile creature where it stood. With an elegant flourish, Aragorn drew his blade from the torn flesh and brought it up to parry the flaring teeth that gnawed at his tunic.
"The guards!" Aragorn cried, concern for the well-being of his people carried in his voice. "Their senses are not so keen, they will be overtaken caught by surprise should there be more of these vile creatures about!" Before Aragorn could say any more, the creature’s teeth punctured the skin of his arm, drawing a shocked cry from the King’s lips.
Material ripped and blood flowed heavily from the wound as the creature’s teeth caught Aragorn’s arm. Aragorn blinked back the tears that pooled in his eyes. Skin was ripped painfully away from bone as Legolas fired two arrows straight into the Warg’s side, causing the creature to release Aragorn’s arm. Another arrow straight into the chest, silenced the Warg’s snarl for good.
Legolas whirled quickly around to be sure there were no more of the vile beasts lingering in the darkness. Once satisfied that there had been only three, Legolas rushed to his friend’s side.
The pain of the bite stung more than the King wanted to admit, and Legolas immediately grabbed the torn flesh and plunged it into the cool water of the stream. Aragorn bit back a cry of discomfort.
"We must cleanse the wound before the poison sets in," Legolas ripped the shredded material away from his friend’s arm and scrubbed roughly at the skin with a fistful of nearby leaves.
Aragorn winced in pain at the harsh treatment but understood what his friend was trying to do. Fresh blood ran down his arm taking the poison of the Warg’s bitewith it.
Guardsman, having heard Aragorn’s earlier cry, trampled heavily through the trees until they reached their King. The Chamberlain moved from between the guards, a scowl permanently affixed to his wrinkled features. "My Lord! You should not have left camp without the appropriate escort! We heard your cry!" His eyes fixed on Legolas’ hands. "You've been injured - " He knelt beside Aragorn and Legolas favored him with an unemotional stare.
Aragorn glared at the man. "I am fine." He looked around at the guard that surrounded him. "And did you leave protection in the camp for my wife?"
The Chamberlain stood, snorting his disgust at Aragorn's complete disregard for his responsibilities. "I assure you the Queen is well protected, My Liege."
As Aragorn spoke with his Chamberlain, Legolas gathered a few herbs and squeezed the juices into Aragorn's open wound. Aragorn hissed in pain, drawing an angry look from his Chamberlain.
"Let him work." Aragorn gritted. "He is the best healer among us. He knows what he is doing."
"You may have a difficult time using the arm for the next few days." Legolas advised. "It will be stiff and may burn a bit." When he finished cleansing the wound, the elf placed a few leaves against the torn skin and wrapped them with a frayed piece of Aragorn's tunic to stop the bleeding.
"I'll be fine." Aragorn assured his friend. When he stood, his head began to swim and his eyes crossed.
"The effects of the herbs." Legolas said as the Chamberlain shot him a cold look. "As well as the loss of blood." The Elf turned to the Chamberlain. "We must get back to the camp or we will be carrying the King to his bed."
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Arwen paced inside the pavilion. Royal guardsmen stood inside and out, weapons drawn and at the ready. Arwen's elven blade was never more than a few feet from her hand. She was torn between rage at him sneaking off and fear that he had been injured. The Chamberlain wasn’t the only one who may not survive the journey to the Shire.
When Aragorn, Legolas and the Chamberlain stepped through the flap, Arwen breathed a deep sigh of relief. She rushed to her husband and embraced him tightly, murmuring a few select elvish phrases into his ear.
"You're injured!" Arwen's eyes went wide and she quickly examined the rest of him to be sure he was still intact.
"Not badly," Legolas led Aragorn to the bed-chamber and assisted in the removal of his torn shirt.
Once bare-chested and wearing only a pair of loose-fitting breaches, Aragorn settled into the furs. "I think I'm fine for the rest of the evening." He stared at the men who insisted on remaining to lend their assistance and yawned. The herbs had begun to take the desired affect.
"Indeed you are," Legolas knelt beside his friend and gently touched his wrist. Noticing Arwen was otherwise occupied with the Chamberlain and a servant, Legolas leaned closer to add, "At least I will get some sleep for the next few nights."
Aragorn's eyes lit with understanding and he stifled a laugh. The herbs had not yet begun to affect his wit and he winked at his friend. "Oh, I don't know. Arwen can be pretty persuasive - "
Legolas stood quickly and shook his head. "There are some things, my friend, that I don't need to know. I've 'heard' enough for the rest of my days."
Arwen, hearing the end of the conversation, favored both men with a curious look.
"Don't ask," Aragorn smiled affectionately at his wife and Legolas bowed in respect before making his escape. He was not going to be the one to have to answer Arwen's questions about his conversation with her husband.
When the Chamberlain began nattering about protocol, leaving a secured camp to wander in the woods and various other ‘duties’, Aragorn's eyes began to cross. "We'll discuss this later. The herb’s medicinal properties are beginning to take affect and I will not be responsible for things that I should say from this moment forward." He gritted between clenched teeth.
The Chamberlain’s eyes widened and Arwen covered her smirk of amusement with the back of her hand.
Once Arwen recovered, she assured, "We will be fine for the evening. I will call should we need assistance." Arwen's gentle voice was a stark contrast to Aragorn's deep, rough tone.
The Chamberlain bowed gracefully and stepped out of the pavilion, the guardsmen following close behind.
"And apologize to my Captain on your way out!" Aragorn called loudly, the annoyance in his voice shining through with amazing clarity. "Not many men can successfully track a Ranger."
Arwen knelt beside her husband a brushed a few strands of hair that had fallen across his clouded eyes. "Don't ever do that again. I don't care who you think you are and who you wish you still were."
He turned sleepy eyes toward her as she settled into the furs beside him. She opened her arms and he settled into them, resting his head against her chest. He draped his injured arm across her waist and mumbled a response before falling into a deep, medication-induced sleep.
Arwen glared down at the sleeping man, her anger fading as she stared at his bandaged arm. She would have words with him in the morning when he was awake and unable to use medication as an excuse to extract himself from an argument.
END CHAPTER 4