A friendly trip 2

9.

When Legolas woke up the bed was empty. His heart caught in his throat as he sat up to look around. He breathed out when he saw Aragorn at the table, still shirtless, buttering bread. The bandage stretched around his abdomen. He turned to looked a him as he heard him sit up, and smiled.

"Legolas. Come, join me."

He did. "Where's Gleomer?"

"Feeding the horses I believe. He's been gone for a while, though."

Legolas sat at the long table in the middle of the room, and saw a plate had already been prepared for him. It had a slice of brown bread, with what looked like honey on top. It smelled delicious, and sweet. Beside it was a steaming hot mug of what he only assumed was tea. He hoped that had honey too, and after a sip he knew it did.

So they ate breakfast together, and Legolas could not stop smiling. He had so many questions, but did not want to burden Aragorn with them all. So instead they sat in comfortable silence and ate, enjoying each others silent company. Aragorn still didn't eat a lot, but enough. Then, when he went to put a shirt on, he couldn't raise his arm that high without gracing in pain. So naturally, Legolas offered to help.

He couldn't help but trace the bandage with his fingers. "How did you get cut? Did you... fight them?" He asked carefully, afraid to make Aragorn upset. However, the man just nodded, gazing at him, but Legolas eyes were stuck on the bandage. Their faces were so close Legolas almost felt the man's breath.

"After they hurt you I did fight them, yes. I got cut with a spear like the one they had used on.. Arod." He hesitated, knowing how much the horse had meant to Legolas. He had gotten it in Rohan by Eomer when they met him on the field, and he had meant a lot to him since then.

Legolas just nodded, eyes struck on the bandage. The death of his horse grieved him, especially after the brutal death he had gotten. He still remember his open, frightened eyes staring at him from where he hang over the fire, and he doesn't think he'll ever forget. He pressed his eyes closed and took a deep breath. Then he let it out, and lifted the shirt.

When he put it over Aragorn's head he couldn't help but glance down at his body before he pulled the shirt over it. Dark hair, and tanned, scarred skin. He remembered how he had held that skin last night, and how comforting it had been. So before he could stop himself he embraced Aragorn there, while the poor man was still blind to the world. He heard a chuckle, before strong arms wrapped around him. 'The only person I'd allow to embrace me' Legolas thought. 'Isn't that an interesting thought?'

The warm skin did not sooth him any less today. It's comfort just seeped into him as he lay his cheek against his warm neck and drank in the smell and feel, until the door opened. Then he flinched back, and pulled the shirt down over the man's head to reveal a beautiful, laughing face. He gently helped Aragorn's arms through the wide holes, careful not to touch the purple bruises. Then Aragorn pulled the soft, loose shirt down just as Gleomer came into view.

"Aragorn." He said with a broad smile. "I'm so happy to see you up."

"So am I." Aragorn replied with a smile, and Legolas just gazed at the way he looked when he smiled. Then he met Gleomers gaze, and put up the mask.

"You saw I left breakfast for you."

"We did. Thank you Gleomer."

"No need to thank me, I've told you."

They chuckled as Aragorn sat back down on the chair, rather ungracefully as his leg was stiff and body sore. Legolas sat down too, and kept eating the bread that now felt thicker in his mouth. Had Gleomer seen them embrace, or the way Legolas had stupidly gaped at him? Would he tell people? Would Déorwyn tell people? Would the rumors reach his father?

"Legolas?" His name was whispered, and he looked up. He met Aragorn's concerned gaze with a smile He shook his head with a smile he hoped was convincing. The man nodded, and they kept eating, but the silence was no longer comfortable or easy.