The Fellowship of the Ring (Finished but Editing)

The Eyes of Aragorn II

"Bre."

"Thorin," I smiled.

Thorin let out a small laugh. "I met you the day we got our burglar, and I..." He looked down for a moment, grinning to himself.

As I raised a brow, I noticed Kili and Fili were in the background snickering. I smiled to myself as I took a step closer to Thorin in the narrow tunnel we were in. "You what?"

Thorin's head snapped up. "I want to know if you--"

"Still awake, I see."

My back snapped straight as I looked at Aragorn. I snapped my mouth closed and looked away. "I wouldn't say I was all here."

Aragorn sighed. "It wouldn't be because of your hatred for Elves would it?"

I rolled my eyes and grabbed my sword. It was too early for this, and I was thirsty. I began walking toward the river.

Aragorn's hand landed on my shoulder and he spun me around. He looked me up and down. He began to frown. "I don't quite understand you."

"I didn't ask you to," I whispered. "And quite frankly the only one you truly care to understand is Arwen."

Aragorn's eyes widened. "I b--"

"It's true. We may be a fellowship, but there is no reason to go beyond that, like understand each other." I slowly moved his hand off my shoulder.

Aragorn paused. "I was simply going to state the fact that you hate Elves, but only like Caleniel."

"I didn't like her at first. She was like any other Elf to me. But then she kept following me and trying to help me even when I told her I didn't need her... That's when I realized why she kept coming back. She and I had a similarity." I locked my gaze with Aragorn's eyes. "That is why she and I are friends. That is why she is the only decent Elf I ever met."

"There can be many Elves like her."

"I will not take your word."

"Why not?"

I stayed silent, looking into his eyes. Thousands of thoughts and questions ran through my head. My head felt like it was going to explode. I was tired. I hadn't slept.

"You're exhausted." Aragorn placed a hand on my shoulder. "You will only have short time to rest."

"Stop touching me!" I threw his hand back.

"I'm trying to help you."

"Stop." We locked gazes. His face was all I could see as sunlight entered through the trees.

I looked away. "You need to stop helping me."

"Why?"

"Is it not clear I have an affection towards you?" I paused, and I was glad I whispered that question.

Aragorn's eyes shifted throughout every inch of my body. He looked down for moment, recalling something. He looked back at me. "Back in the woods, you said nothing, did nothing, as I pressed my lips against yours."

I closed my eyes and my brows furrowed. "I would have if Legolas hadn't interrupted. I knew you were going to stop at the mid-way kiss anyway."

Aragorn paused and looked down. "I didn't stop because of Legolas. I stopped because of Arwen. I--"

I rolled my eyes and looked at Aragorn. "Exactly the reason why this is a simple fellowship."

"I wasn't finished."

"You don't need to finish." I sighed. "I knew from the moment Elrond spoke of Arwen my affections were doomed. The only reason I'm in this fellowship is because I am a person of Middle Earth and I want to make certain that my good friend stays alive."

Aragorn's eyes narrowed at my hand. "It seems that you have a lover as well. Who gave you that ring?"

I moved my hand out of sight. "It does not matter now. What matters is this is never spoken of or mentioned again. Understood?"

Aragorn's gaze locked with mine. "We can't hide it."

I pursed my lips. "But I can deny it. You're not going to choose me. I know it. I went down that road once. I was lucky it was patched up. However, I don't think I can handle another wound like that again."

Aragorn's mouth was agape. "Who inflicted this wound? Was it the one that gave you that ring? Is that why you don't want to be in love with me?"

"I don't because you will choose Arwen. We both know that."

"And if I don't?"

My brows furrowed. "Don't make me cut you."

"It was a man, wasn't it?"

I rolled my eyes. "Now it not time for that story."