Forgiveness Kiss: A Legolas and Aragorn Fanfic

The Divide

 Aragorn pulled on his boots as quickly as his trembling fingers would allow. He fumbled his way out of the tent and looked around, trying to get his bearings. The fresh snow on the ground showed Legolas' footprints leading away, into the forest. Aragorn followed them, stumbling through the dark.

 Eventually he stopped to rest, leaning on a nearby tree. He suddenly realized how cold he was; he cursed himself for chasing blindly after Legolas without putting on his cloak. 

 Aragorn thought about what to do next. He had been running after Legolas for some time now. The Elf had quite a head start, and Aragorn was exhausted. It would be foolish to continue on in this state. He decided to turn back to the tent and wait there. When Legolas came back they could talk about what happened with clearer minds.

 When Aragorn finally entered the tent again, he barely had enough energy to pull off his boots. Shivering, he forced himself to change into dry clothes. He then bundled himself in his blankets and waited for Legolas to return. However, sleep overtook Aragorn as soon as he closed his eyes. 

                                                                                         *** 

 When Aragorn awoke, morning light filtered through the tent. Remembering the events of last night, he quickly sat up and looked around. Legolas' things were gone. 

 Aragorn felt sick. He tore out of the tent, only to find that the footprints he had followed the night before were covered in a layer of fresh snow. After a cursory inspection, it was clear that Legolas' trail was several hours old. He must have returned while Aragorn was sleeping. He could track the Elf easily enough, but clearly Legolas didn't want to be followed. 

 Aragorn went back in the tent, began slowly packing his things, and thought about what had happened. How Legolas had looked at him....

 How Legolas had always looked at him.

 As though Aragorn was the only person in the room worth listening to.

 The subtle touches, the earnest gazes, the way the brightness in his eyes dimmed when Arwen was mentioned. 

 "You will always have someone who loves you even more than Arwen does."

 Aragorn froze, the packing forgotten. The reality of what happened the previous night finally sank in.

 Legolas loved him. Had maybe always loved him. And Aragorn had just rejected him while he was at his most vulnerable. 

 Aragorn buried his face in his hands. How had it ended up like this? He was losing Arwen, and now he had lost Legolas too. It felt like everything in his life was slipping out of reach. And now he had to return to Rivendell. He had to continue spending his days dodging Elrond's lectures, and listening to Arwen dismiss his choices. 

 Arwen... Just thinking about her filled Aragorn with dread. He couldn't lie to himself any longer: He did not love her. He hadn't for a long time now. And as much as it pained him, he needed to do the right thing and end it, for both their sakes. It wasn't fair to keep stringing her along, especially now; the kiss had shaken him to his core. 

 The kiss....

 Aragorn sternly pulled himself out of his thoughts. He needed to take things one step at a time. Once he got back to Imladris and sorted things out with Arwen, he could send Legolas a message and meet with him. They could mend their friendship together. 

 But first, Arwen.

 With a heavy heart, Aragorn finished packing and began the long journey back to Rivendell.