Seedling.

Seedling.1

~~~~~~2

Disclaimer: The world/cultures/characters of Lord of the Rings are obviously not mine...I really wish they were, but they’re not :-( So I’m just borrowing them for a little while :-)3

Male/Male pairing. Over 18/Adult readers only due to erotic material - please do not read if you are under 18 or do not feel comfortable with *explicit* male/male sexual content, you have been warned...any who do choose to read it do so of their own choice, thank you.4

~~~~~~5

Swinging his sword lazily, Boromir had an easy smile on his features for the first time in days. He'd been feeling...heavy and tired of late...not his usual self. Perhaps it was being away from home, where he should be with his people...or...perhaps it was the Ring....either way, he didn't wish to think on it, for now...now he could relax. He watched the hobbits with a grin, chuckling to himself. Something about them usually managed to make him smile. 6

Legolas gave a small smile as Pippin jumped back rather than meet the sword blade. It was amusing, to say the least. After watching for a moment he stepped towards them. Aragorn was on watch, so Legolas could, for once, walk amongst them not as the watcher, but as one of them. "Meet the sword with a swing of your own," he said softly, not noticing how Merry stared at him with surprise. 7

Boromir gave a chuckle, looking to Merry who had suddenly turned a questioning glance back to him. He gave a nod of agreement, swinging the sword lightly toward him. 8

Legolas watched Merry block it and chuckled as he sat down to watch them. His eyes went to Boromir, watching him instead. He held and used the sword differently than Aragorn. While Aragorn was trained with Elvish speed and the Ranger's timing, Boromir held the sword like something he could slash, hack and...kill with. He tilted his head with a small smile. 9

Boromir found his eyes drifted to the elf, unable to keep away from the beauty and grace...it was a lure almost as powerful as the...he stopped his thoughts, but still couldn't take his eyes away. A sword suddenly caught his finger, making him jump, shaking it with a hiss of pain. 10

Legolas laughed and got up, moving between the Hobbits. It was Merry who had managed to nick him, and the Hobbit was beaming with pride yet shivering with concern. Legolas touched his hair fondly before moving to Boromir. "Let me see," he said, holding his hand out for Boromir's as he arched a brow. "Let us hope you don't lower your guard like that should we meet Orcs..." he gave a chuckle, but a good natured one. It had to be the sunny weather...it was agreeing with him. 11

Boromir met his eyes a long moment, wondering if he knew what it was that had lowered his guard. He gave an almost playful smile. "I doubt that an Orc would have the same effect on me..." He arched an eyebrow for a moment before lifting his finger to suck, glancing back to Merry. He gave a grin and ruffled his hair up. "I'd better watch my back, or soon you will be taking my place with the sword." 12

Legolas felt heat rise in him and looked away to the Hobbits. "Perhaps...perhaps you could show your true strength with the sword better...if you fought an Elf for play?" he said and looked at Boromir again. 13

Boromir looked at him with surprise for a moment before giving a chuckle, getting a better grip on his sword as he turned to him. "I shall try not to cut your head from your shoulders..." 14

"Aragorn!" Legolas looked at the Ranger and gave a smile. "Is your old sword still in the pony's pack?" Upon getting a somewhat confused nod, Legolas moved over to Bill the Pony and took out the sword. He removed his quiver and placed his bow down with his knives, before taking the sword. He knew how to use one, but he rarely did. It was the skill of men, and he had been taught it briefly hundreds of years ago. He moved to Boromir, smiling as he held the rather ugly weapon in his hand. "I prefer the blade of an Elven knife...but we shall fight fairly." 15

Boromir chuckled. "Knife or Sword...either to beat you..." He gave a small smile...he knew the elf was stronger, quicker and more experienced than he...but it didn't hurt to at least start with confidence. 16

Legolas smiled and moved back. "You know you will not hurt me...so show us what you can do, Son of Denethor..." he said, but teasingly as he moved the sword from one hand to another, getting to feel the weight of it. 17

Boromir moved forward at that, swinging the sword over his head before slashing down with it, sparing no strength and letting out a cry as if in real battle. 18

Legolas blocked the sword, but was taken by surprise at the strength of the man, the passion. His breathing was heavy as he attacked Boromir back, letting out a cry as he moved. 19

Boromir hit back, their swords connected with a scraping complaint as he started to push forward with brute strength, but not with his sword, by walking instead, trying to make him back off. 20

And Legolas did, hair falling into his face from the loosened braid, his eyes intense with battle, a smile curling his lips as his chest moved with each breath. 21

From a distance, Gandalf watched with a slight frown, observing Thranduil's youngest son closely, but made no move to interrupt. 22

A small smile came to Boromir's features also, his eyes shining as he let out another cry, turning to thrust with his sword...his fighting wasn’t pretty, but then he never thought it should be. 23

Legolas brought his sword up to meet it, but pressed his back against Boromir's chest, driving an elbow into his ribs. He laughed back away, throwing his head to get the hair out of his face. "I have three older brothers...I can fight dirty, as you would say..." 24

Boromir looked at him with shock for a moment before giving a laugh, moving forward again as if to swing his sword, and instead bolting forward to try and tackle him to the ground. 25

"Eh!" Legolas hit the ground with a groan, dropping the sword to try and push him away. "Cheating!" 26

"You started it!" Boromir gave a laugh, trying to grab his wrists. "Yield!" 27

"No," Legolas hissed and laughed as well, watching him. 28

Boromir scrabbled up to straddle him, letting his weight cover him, his hands struggling to keep a grip on the pulling wrists as he met his eyes. "Yield." 29

Legolas took a breath and looked at him, a small smile touching his lips. "Do you want me to?" he whispered softly, and relaxed under him. 30

Boromir let a long breath out at the feel of the body relaxing under him, giving a slight grin. "I wouldn't tell you to if I didn't." 31

Legolas watched him and suddenly bolted up, his forehead connecting with Boromir's. He chuckled as he pushed him off him and stood up, brushing himself down. He ignored the Hobbits' laughter, Gandalf's frown and Aragorn's puzzled look. He offered his hand to Boromir. "Never underestimate an Elf, Son of Denethor...you might get a headache..." 32

Boromir looked at him a long moment before reaching up and taking the hand, using it to pull himself up. "The battle was lost before it had even begun." 33

Legolas chuckled and touched Boromir's forehead for a moment. "I should return to my duties," he said and pulled back, moving to his quiver. He took it on and moved to Gandalf, avoiding the look the wizard gave him. 34

Boromir watched him walk away with a slight frown of confusion, his mind racing as to what he had done wrong...and then realised that he had likely misjudged the situation from the beginning. He looked down a moment before straightening, looking around. He caught Gandalf's look. Moving over to him, he tilted his head slightly to ease the ache that was developing there. "You look at him as though he has grown another head..." 35

Gandalf silenced Boromir until he was sure that Legolas was far enough away. "Rarely does one of Thranduil sons mix with humans," he said and looked at him. "And I have not seen him play games since he was a child. Something is wrong. Or perhaps, he is just letting his guard down" 36

Boromir frowned slightly, concern growing in him now. He glanced to the wizard, and although wary of him, he knew he was wise. He gave a slight nod of his head to him in both understanding and salute before moving away to follow the Elf. Once caught up, he reached a hand out to carefully touch his arm. "Legolas?" 37

Legolas turned to look at him, his fingers getting his hair back in order. "Yes?" he asked, frowning slightly. 38

Boromir watched him a moment, suddenly awkward. "Are you well?" 39

"I am fine," Legolas said, quietly as he let his arms fall. "I apologise, Boromir, for how I acted. I should not...I do not know what came over me." 40

Boromir gave a chuckle and looked down at where his hand had moved down to rest on his waist. "Actually, I enjoyed it..." he assured. 41

Legolas rubbed his hands together awkwardly and looked away. "I have no bonds of fellowship with you or the Hobbits. I should not act as if I was a youngster their age. That is what I am apologising for." 42

Boromir frowned at his words. "So what you mean is that you are too good for us," he said quietly, his frown deepening before turning and moving off, speaking over his shoulder to him. "Gandalf worries over you...although it seems now that his concern is unwarranted." 43

Legolas watched him go and took a breath, sitting down with a frown as he pulled his knees to hug. "Curse..." he whispered and closed his eyes. He had just wanted to forget...to go back to when he could play with his brothers. Boromir's play with the hobbits had reminded him about it and...he rested his hands on his arms. And it had been fun, until he had realised that he wasn't home, he wasn't safe, he wasn't young. He was old. And he was not safe anymore.44

~~~~~~45

Boromir wore a dark frown on his features, moving back to the others with a sigh. He absently took a place next to Aragorn, rubbing his forehead. Several long moments of silence passed before he finally glanced to the man, almost reluctant to ask what was weighing so heavily on him. "What do you know of Legolas?" 46

Aragorn looked at him for a moment and took a drag from his pipe. "Why?" he asked, wanting to know why this man was suddenly taking an active interest in the elf. 47

"I thought it would be wise to learn a little about my companions," Boromir replied with a defensive frown, looking down at his hands. 48

"What do you want to know about him?" Aragorn asked softly, a slight frown of his own creasing his brow as he thought what he could and could not say about the Elf. 49

"His nature...his background?" Boromir glanced to him. "I would ask Gandalf...only, he does not trust me." 50

"Legolas is an Elf, immortal...old...over two thousand years," he looked at Boromir to see his reaction. "By Elven standards, he is younger than you are" 51

Boromir gave a disbelieving snort of laughter...he knew of the Elves gifts of course, but to be so close to them was different. "You...know him?" 52

"Mirkwood and Rivendell have never been friends...not since the time of the Alliance...Legolas' grandfather was Lord back then, and fought beside Elrond..." Aragorn smiled weakly and looked at him, holding his eyes. "But I know him. I have often travelled to his woods and dined at his father's table." 53

"And his brothers?" Boromir asked curiously. 54

"He has three older brothers," Aragorn chuckled and shook his head. "Celeblas, Aldalas and Erynlas..." 55

Boromir looked down, smiling briefly as he thought of his own brother. "They are so...regal, the Elves I mean...so fair and blessed...they seem so far away from us, yet really, when all is considered, we have more in common than you at first think." 56

"Yes," Aragorn said with a small smile and nodded, sitting back. "Legolas' mother has travelled over the sea, much like Arwen's mother has. His father has given up faith, his brothers are leaving for the Grey Havens" 57

Bormoir frowned slightly at hearing that, sitting forward anxiously but glancing back to him. "And Legolas?" 58

Aragorn met his eyes. "He volunteered to go with us." 59

"And afterward?" Boromir asked quietly. 60

"I do not know," Aragorn shook his head and gave a last look to Boromir, watching him. "I have never seen him so abandoned as he was when you two fought." 61

Boromir turned his head away, watching his hands with a frown. "Well, he has closed up quick enough again...seems the likes of men and hobbits are not grand enough to be worthy of him." 62

"Or maybe, he realised that he had made himself vulnerable to his own curse," Aragorn said and stood up, watching the sun go down. 63

"Curse?" Boromir watched him, but didn't move from his place. 64

"He is immortal. We are not," Aragorn looked at him and gave a small smile. "Men die, Boromir. As do Dwarves and Hobbits." 65

Boromir looked down with sudden understanding. "He is scared of grief....but that's absurd...it is the same for any warrior, but we do not go about sealing ourselves away from our comrades..." 66

Aragorn frowned and looked at him. "He has never known the Race of Men," he whispered. "Only heard what his father told him from the war. He has little faith in your survival. In any of our survival. So why should he make friends? I understand his logic. That is why I never expected seeing him like that with you." 67

"Or to ever be like that with me yourself either..." Boromir looked at him. "After all, you have their teachings..." 68

Aragorn knelt down beside him and watched him. "I never intended you to know who I was, Boromir. It was a slip of tongue from his side. I am no threat to your position, to your throne." 69

"Which makes me wonder why you went through so much trouble to keep it from me," Boromir said, heat rising in him as he reached over and gripped his arm, looking at him with appeal for him to explain, to make him understand. 70

Aragorn looked down, away from him. "I do not want my name," he said and looked at Boromir, trying to make him understand. "I never wanted it. I long for the oblivion I once had from it. When I was Estel, and no one else" 71

Boromir watched him a long moment before giving a sigh, rubbing his forehead before standing. "Would you have done this entire quest by my side without telling me who you really were?" 72

"Perhaps," Aragorn said and stood up. "But then again, we all have secrets for each other...don't we, Boromir?" 73

Boromir arched an eyebrow. "I have none. Only things waiting to be found." 74

Aragorn chuckled and nodded. "Yes...raised in the court of Gondor...you sound like Denethor himself," he moved over to his blanket. 75

"You say it as if it is a curse..." Boromir said with a moment of hurt before shaking his head and clenching his jaw, moving away to find somewhere quiet. 76

Pippin lifted his head at the man’s approach. "I'm hungry," he smiled and got up, running quickly to the warrior and tugging on his cloak. "Boromir. Do you have some of them apples?" he asked, glancing at Merry who was grinning. 77

Boromir watched him a long moment before letting out a long, tense breath. He offered him a small smile...at least these two seemed to trust him and smiled at his presence. He stretched out, opening his pack up to pull a couple out, throwing them neatly to him. "There you go." 78

Pippin smiled and took a bite as he moved closer. "Can we sleep next to you tonight?" he asked, quietly, or as quietly as he could. "Your cloak is warm, and Sam said it would be cold..." he wrinkled his nose. "I hate cold." 79

Boromir looked at him with surprise. "You want to?" 80

Pippin and Merry nodded and the older of the two Hobbits gave him a warm smile. "And you can tell us stories...about you and Faramir." 81

Boromir laughed gently at that before nodding weakly. "You two can share my cloak if you want." 82

"Great!" Pippin nodded and took another bite of the apple. "And I think we should stay close to the fire, because flames are warm...yes?" 83

Boromir chuckled as he watched him...it still amazed him how little experience these hobbits had, and yet they were so...adaptable. "Yes...yes, we'll stay close. I'll keep you warm, no need to worry there." 84

"You're so big, that you could warm up a whole Hobbit hole just by sneezing!" Pippin said and got nudged hard in the ribs by Merry, who was trying not to laugh. "That hurt!" 85

Boromir cleared his throat, not quite sure how to take that. "I think I'll take that as a compliment." 86

Merry sighed and shook his head. "I told you, never make jokes about how big Men are," he told Pippin, who was grinning innocently. "Yes, they're big enough to warm holes, but that never says much now, does it. Even Sam's Gaffer could sneeze warmth into a hole...now, Boromir could keep the whole of Hobbiton warm with his cloak."87

"That's enough," Frodo said and he moved to them, casting a nervous look at Boromir. "Both of you...it's late. We have to sleep..." 88

Boromir glanced toward Frodo, watching him a long moment and having to struggle to keep his gaze purely on his face. "As you wish...Ringbearer..." 89

Frodo met his eyes and backed a few steps away, his suspicion clear in his eyes. He turned away and walked to Sam, who was looking at Boromir with a mixture between tiredness and anger. Merry and Pippin didn't notice, just took Boromir's hands and got him to the fireplace, sitting him down and moving to sit beside him, one on each side. 90

Boromir glanced to them before giving a chuckle and wrapping both an arm and piece of cloak around both of them. "Get some rest...we can practice more tomorrow." 91

Pippin snuffled close, so that he was almost on top of Boromir. Merry watched him for a moment and smiled. "Tell us a story?" 92

Boromir's eyebrow arched as he watched him with mild surprise. "What of?" 93

"A day when you were cold," Pippin said and smiled. "Something...from Gondor? About Gondor? About you and Faramir?" 94

Boromir chuckled. "There was the night we went camping...father never knew, as usual, I doubt he would have approved. Faramir had a...difficult day, so I took him away from it all. We took our packs, and weapons to hunt for our food like real warriors...only, we had made sure to steal a little from the cook in the kitchens, just in case...as you can imagine is a very important thing to do..." 95

Pippin nodded seriously. "Yes...for if you don't have any food, then what will you do?" he said, his blue eyes big as he listened. 96

"Exactly." Boromir gave a nod, chuckling to himself. "We picked our camp well, built our fire and sat down to just...talk. We would talk for hours, he and I...." He was silent a long moment, remembering. He finally shook his head, focussing back on the story. "Anyway, we finally went to hunt, young and foolish as we were, we were certain that we were as strong and bold as any real warrior....until we discovered we were the ones being hunted by a huge beast...." 97

"What was it?" Merry asked, looking at him with wide eyes. "Was it a Troll? Bilbo Baggins told about Trolls...nasty creatures..."98

"Big too!" Pippin whined, looking fearfully at Boromir. 99

Boromir gave a chuckle, looking at them fondly. "No...I'm afraid I cannot claim that it was a troll...but what it was I still cannot tell...I had never seen one before, and when we described it at home, no one would believe us...but whatever it was, it was hungry." 100

"Did it eat you?" Pippin asked.101

"Of course it didn't eat him," Merry said and rolled his eyes. "Or else he wouldn't be here" 102

Boromir gave a laugh. "Merry is right...it didn't...but it got very close....only, we were too quick and clever for it..." he said with a hushed, secretive voice, getting into the spirit of story telling. 103

"What happened?" Pippin asked, his hands grabbing Boromir's shirt. 104

Boromir chuckled, holding tight to them both. "Faramir saved us...he always was the clever one...he took his bow, and tied rope to an arrow. He fired it strong and true, piercing the leg of it that was as thick as a tree trunk....but because it was so big, it was very slow and clumsy....so I ran to the other side of it. We were ducking and jumping, avoiding it's tail and mouth, all the time throwing the coil of rope to each other so that it wound round and round it's legs....when we tightened it, it began to struggle....so much that it fell down to the ground with the loudest crash you've ever heard...we took our swords and climbed on top of it, stabbing down into the back of it's neck, killing it." 105

"What was it?" another voice said, softly. Legolas looked up from where he sat, looking directly at Boromir with a small smile. He had listened to them. 106

Boromir looked over to him with surprise before giving a weak smile back to him. "I have no idea...never seen one before or since...and they were convinced we were making it up when we got home...never found out." 107

"Maybe it was an Oliphant!" Pippin said and his eyes shone. "A big Oliphant" 108

Boromir laughed. "I doubt that even Faramir and myself would have been able to defeat one of those," he said with a wink. 109

Pippin yawned and snuggled closer. "I want to meet him some day...he sounds nice." 110

"And I'm sure you will...when this is all just a dream to us and we are celebrating instead," Boromir said warmly, stroking his hair gently. "When Faramir will welcome us home to a grand feast, fit for..." he was about to say Kings. "Fit for warriors." 111

Merry smiled and looked at him. "You're the warrior, Boromir...thank you," he whispered and hugged him before settling close. 112

Watching them with a sinking heart, Legolas stood up and returned to his watch, glancing into the darkness. 113

~~~~~~114

Legolas wasn't cold. Not like the others, not even in the biting snow of the mountain. He cast a sympathetic look at the Hobbits, shivering and clinging onto the Men. The Dwarf was shaking, but muttering curses. Gandalf looked tired. Legolas flexed his fingers, the only sign that he was cold, and took the lead. "We should find a place and make a fire," he said, casting a look back. "You are cold." 115

Boromir frowned. "We should not be here at all...there must be another way!" Truth be told, he was worried for the hobbits. 116

Aragorn sighed and rubbed Frodo and Sam's shoulders. "We might as well find shelter and get some sleep...we cannot walk any further." 117

"If we stop now, it could get worse." Boromir met Aragorn's eyes, trying to speak in a hushed voice, not wanting to alarm Merry and Pippin.118

"Boromir is right," Gandalf said and walked to them. "Legolas, take Merry. I'll carry Sam down. It will go faster"119

Legolas nodded and moved to Boromir, meeting his eyes before holding his hand out to Merry. "Come here" 120

"We're fine," Boromir said without hesitation. 121

Legolas looked at him and nodded, stepping back. Instead, he took Sam, letting Gandalf walk without anyone. He carried the Hobbit easily, but cast looks at Boromir and the two younger Hobbits often. 122

It was pitch dark when they made camp, away from snow and ice. "This is better," said Gandalf and stretched. "Some fire, Gimli, if you'd please." 123

Boromir set both hobbits down, stretching with a wince at the pain through his shoulders. "Are you alright?" he asked quietly to Merry and Pippin. 124

Pippin nodded, shivering. "Freezing cold, I am," he complained and then rubbed his tummy. "And hungry..." 125

Boromir watched him a long moment, frowning with concern. He moved away to pull some food for them, passing it over before pulling his cloak off and wrapping it around the two of them together. "That will keep you warm." 126

Merry smiled and started eating, and Pippin whispered his thanks before doing the same. 127

Legolas watched with a fond smile, before shaking his head, going to gather firewood. 128

Boromir wrapped his arms around himself for a brief moment, tensing his jaw even as he relaxed his body muscles to try and accept the cold rather than fight it before moving after Legolas. "Let me help." 129

Legolas looked at him and nodded. "See if you can find any..." he said and looked around, before kneeling down. "I'll see if I can find any food." 130

"I doubt you will..." Boromir said with a frown, already searching with his eyes, his hands clasped tightly together to keep from shivering. "I doubt that there is much of anything here..." 131

"No..." Legolas agreed and looked at him. He got up and moved to Boromir, taking his hands between his own and rubbing them. "You are cold." 132

"That would be because it snows..." Boromir joked weakly, looking down as he let a long, shaking breath out. "We should not even be here..."133

"Rather that than the mines," Legolas whispered and took Boromir's hands, placing them under his arms, since his own hands were as cold. "I will be gone for a while...not much, but I will run down to where there is more game, and see if I can find food." 134

Boromir frowned and shook his head. "Stay." 135

"The little ones will be hungry. Our supplies are low," Legolas said and met his eyes. 136

"And you will be in danger...now stay," Boromir said firmly, his frown deepening. 137

"I can defend myself," Legolas pulled back, frowning. "I am not one of the Halflings. I can handle myself better than any man" 138

Boromir blinked, flinching as if physically struck by the words, watching him with disbelief before his features turned cold. "For a Prince, your manners are appalling," he hissed, turning and walking away. 139

Gimli frowned as he watched them and coughed loudly to draw Boromir's attention. A frown was on his face, but it didn't really show under the helmet. "Boromir." 140

Boromir turned to him, arching a single eyebrow, his features still hard. "What? If you would like to add that Dwarves are just the same, I would save it for another time if I were you..." he said quietly, trying to keep his anger back. 141

"The Elf can take care of himself," Gimli said, even with distaste. "Anyway, I am not here for that. The Hobbits were worried about you." 142

"If 'the Elf' dies, so will the rest of us...did you think of that?" Boromir almost shouted before halting and taking a breath to steady himself. "He is a Prince of the fair...he deserves protection." he said quietly before walking away, moving back to Merry and Pippin, to try and reassure them, passing the time with more stories of his brother Faramir. 143

Legolas returned later, much later than planned, carrying four rabbits he had killed. There was no wound on them, their necks had been broken, and he looked as if he had never left them. He knelt down by the fire and silently handed them over to Aragorn, before casting a look at Boromir. A challenging one. 144

Boromir looked back, the look of the Elf's making him stand. He looked back openly, taking a step back and opening his arms up, arching an eyebrow. "Yes?" 145

"Nothing..." Legolas said, but a smirk touched his face briefly. He looked at Aragorn, who was politely pretending not to notice anything as he skinned the rabbits. 146

Boromir saw the smirk, a look of confusion briefly crossing his features...he was laughing at him. Why was he laughing at him? He frowned before leaving, preferring the cold outside to the cold of the people inside. 147

"Legolas..." Aragorn said in a warning tone. "Putta..."148

Legolas gave a laugh at that and shook his head. "He deserved it," he said and got up, walking to get some sleep. 149

~~~~~~150

Boromir glanced around the darkened area, rubbing his eyes before blinking. Honestly, he had no fear of the mines they were headed for...the worst that could be there were enemies they could at least fight...there was nothing you could do against the cold. He had remained silent the entire day, the hobbits caught up elsewhere with Gimli's stories, and he had no need to speak with anyone else...the only problem was it left him alone with his thoughts. 151

Legolas paced at the water's edge, his hands on his bow. The mines...he shuddered. He would rather face the mountains. He closed his eyes and got his reasoning back. He was an Elf...he could do this. He looked at the moon and then at the waters, unease coming over him. "It is not reflected..." he whispered. 152

"Of course it is," Boromir said irritably, looking to the water...he was tired of hearing warnings of doom...they were just superstitions, nothing that could harm...not like weapons. 153

"No, it isn't," Legolas said and moved closer to the water, scanning it. "I am reflected...but not the stars nor the moon..." and even his reflection was odd. He knelt down and touched the water. 154

Boromir reached out and pulled the hand back with a frown. "Just...just don't tempt fate," he said uncomfortably. 155

Legolas looked at him and the hand, but surprisingly enough he obeyed, getting away from the water with a shudder. "You did not reflect either," he said quietly. "Like you never existed there, beside me" 156

Boromir watched him, frowning. "So you were reflected and I wasn't? You exist, but I do not?" he gave a slight laugh of disbelief. "You are unbelievable..." he whispered, his frown deepening as he moved on. 157

"Boromir," Legolas moved to him and grabbed his arm, his voice hushed. "I meant no offence...I was merely stating what I saw...these are ill waters." 158

Boromir's breath halted a long moment as he looked back, meeting his eyes. "I agree...but until there is something we can fight, there is no use in worrying," he said almost softly. 159

"You are right," Legolas said and nodded. "We have no waters like these in Mirkwood. We have no...well, no caves save the caves that my father has built. Moria will be interesting. I dread it already." 160

Boromir watched him a long moment before a small smile pulled at his lips. "But you are an *Elf*...you do not need any help...you can protect yourself better than any Man...do not tell me that such perfect beings are afraid of the dark..." 161

Legolas stiffened, a look of confusion and hurt coming over his features before they hardened. He raised his chin and met his eyes. "No more than the blackness of a Man's soul would still my hand," he whispered and walked away angrily. 162

Boromir moved after him, grabbing his shoulder to turn back to him, his voice a low whisper and his eyes shining with annoyance. "So you can mock me all you wish, then Elf? Like on the Mountain? Smirking and laughing as if I were a joke played on life...and soon as I hit back, you act as if I am the most poisonous thing in the world..." 163

"Let go of me, *Man*," Legolas hissed and slapped Boromir's hand away hard, knowing it would sting the man, knowing his own strength. 164

Boromir's hand recoiled and he watched him, meeting his eyes. He looked a long moment before realisation struck him from the words Aragorn had spoken....that to his standards, Legolas was younger than him...the young Prince. He suddenly laughed out loud. "I just realised what your problem is...the little Prince has come out to play, only he no longer likes his toys....you are a spoilt child!" 165

Legolas hit him. Slapped him, actually. It was loud. It stung his palm. But it was something else than the hurt that welled up inside of him at Boromir's words. Without looking at anyone in the Fellowship, he walked away, going back the way they had come from.166

Aragorn frowned as he watched them, and looked at Boromir with question. He hadn't heard what had been said. But he wanted to know. "Boromir?" 167

"Yes?" Boromir looked at him darkly, his hand rubbing his face. "I just told him the truth...that he was a spoilt child." 168

Aragorn's eyes widened and he let out a shaking breath. "You fool..." he whispered softly. "The men of Gondor have clearly grown stupider since I was there last." 169

"It is true. And do not set yourself apart so, you are a Man too, even if you do dream of the Elves," Boromir replied quietly. "He is a child playing at war...only he has found that it is not the glory that he had thought it was, like all youths who have no experience...who go out into battle, expecting to become a hero but return home scarred. He is here for an ideal...you said it yourself, his ancestors fought in the last war...he thinks it some brave duty to follow their lead...well it's not. It's hard, and it's dirty, and it's dark, and it's painful. He came here to play soldier, the young bored Prince...I will no longer be his entertainment, the Jester that he laughs at, his piece of fun that he can tease and play as he wishes. I am finished with it." 170

Aragorn watched him for a long moment. "Legolas has fought before. His kingdom is threatened the same way that yours is. He has saved my life times before. He is a valiant warrior, for his age..." he met his eyes. "Are you so blind not to see that what ails him is not this, but his growing desire for you?" 171

Boromir watched him with shock, more so than when Legolas had hit him. "What?" 172

Aragorn smiled weakly. "Elves are not like Men. And Men are not like Elves. Perhaps that is what attracts him? It can hardly be your intelligence, since you have sent him away now. Better hope he returns...Thranduil's kin are of the Noldor, and known for their tempers." 173

"He has done nothing but insult me..." Boromir whispered with confusion. 174

"He is young...and he has never met a Man before, apart from me. And I am Elven raised," Aragorn chuckled weakly and shook his head. "I do not know about what he has done with lovers, but with three protective older brothers, I doubt he has much experience to speak of." 175

Boromir frowned, looking about with near worry. "Where is he?" 176

"He ran off," Aragorn said and arched a brow. "No use running after him. By now he will have reached the woods we passed" 177

Boromir frowned. "I can try..." he murmured, pulling away to run quickly. 178

~179

Legolas was in the woods, in a tree. But whatever calm he had hoped to find there was gone as he turned his face against it, crying silently into it. He was a fool...a spoilt prince, like Boromir had said...he had hoped...he had tried. But nothing had helped. He swallowed hard and turned his face towards the leaves, feeling them touch his wet cheeks. His quiver and bow lay abandoned beneath the tree. He hadn't cared. His brothers had always said that when he was upset, the most precious things to him didn't matter. Maybe it was true. He closed his eyes, his lips twisting silently in words he didn't utter. 180

"Legolas!" Boromir was severely out of breath, having run far too fast for the distance he had covered. He stopped, looking about with desperation. "Legolas!" 181

"What is it?" Legolas slipped from the tree, his face cold and emotionless. Only one single green leaf was stuck on his face, unwilling to fall off from the wet cheeks. Yet it was impossible to tell if the elf had cried at all. 182

Boromir watched him a long moment, a frown creasing his brow as he watched him, letting his deep regret show as he pulled the leaf away. "Legolas...please forgive me...I did not realise..." he whispered, trying to meet his eyes. "I thought you were being cruel simply to hurt me..." 183

Legolas swallowed and looked away. "Tis nothing," he said, at last, as he got his quiver. "You were right, Boromir. I guess I was just too proud to know it. Mithrandir will understand. He knows I loathe caves" 184

"Legolas...Legolas I was wrong," Boromir said firmly, taking hold of his arm ."I don't say that often, so don't dismiss it so easily...the reason that it has hit me so hard, your being cruel...is because of all people, you are the one I want to smile at me. I tried to find a reason for your being like that with me, and I thought it was because you were spoilt...I didn't see the truth...not until it was pointed out...the truth that you were scared and had no idea what to do and so tried to push me away in fear I would get too close...is that the way of it?" 185

Legolas looked away, but tears were once again in his eyes. "I should leave," he said and looked at him. "I do not belong here, Boromir" 186

Boromir's grip tightened. "No...no, you are stronger than all of us. We need you, and you know that." 187

Legolas looked away, but his mind couldn't come up with an excuse. He nodded weakly and looked at Boromir, giving a weak smile. "I will go to the mines...and if the Valar allow me, I will walk out of them as well..." he offered his hand to Boromir. "I will not be rude to you...but we should keep a distance..." 188

Boromir looked at him with a frown. "Why?" he whispered with confusion. 189

"Because that is the only thing we can do," Legolas said and pulled back, chuckling as he looked around. "I think this will be my last day in a wood..." he moved to a tree and stretched, and took a few leaves. He tucked them under his shirt, over his heart. "Greenleaf...that is what Legolas means" 190

Boromir looked at him a long moment. "And that is your final word on the matter?" he asked quietly. 191

"I am afraid so..." Legolas said and gave a weak smile. "But we are still a Fellowship...so we must be friends" 192

Boromir looked to him with disappointment and pain for a moment...he had hoped that he would wish to explore the feelings...how could he have been such a fool to hope so? How could a creature as beautiful and light as Legolas ever trust him when he could hardly trust himself any longer? "Then I shall never bother you again," he said quietly, bowing his head slightly before walking away back to the others. 193

~~~~~194

Legolas closed his eyes as he walked, his hands close to his chest. No one noticed how his fingertips caressed the leaves close to his chest, touched them and stroked them as if they were the only things that kept him alive. When he closed his eyes and did that, the darkness wasn't so dark. But the air was just as heavy and the coldness crept in his bones. It was not the cold of winter and snow, but another coldness, that had made his hands cold and his face cold. 195

"How much further?" Boromir asked the whole group, even as he knew he sounded like a child on a long journey. 196

"We can still walk for an hour," Gandalf said and stopped. "No...just up here, and we'll rest. There are several small caves there" 197

Boromir let a long breath out, rubbing his neck with a frown, his hand sliding up to hold his temple briefly. There was a weariness and ache inside of him that no rest could cure. 198

"I don't like it here," Pippin said and looked around. "It's smelly...not like a Hobbit hole...more like a Dragon's cave."199

"You've never been in a dragon's cave, Pip. So how do you know what it smells like?" Merry shot to him, arching a brow. 200

"Because Mister Bilbo has been in one, and *he* knows how it smells like and he told me," Pippin said and folded his arms with a grin, a direct impersonation of Boromir. 201

"I think you can be safe in knowing there is no dragon here, Boromir said with a weak smile. 202

Pippin smiled and took his hand. "Promise? Because Dragons are nasty." 203

Boromir chuckled and squeezed the hand. "Promise..." he lowered his voice. "After all...would *you* want to live with a cave full of Dwarves?" he joked weakly. 204

Pippin giggled and looked at Gimli. "No...they'd be too busy swinging axes..."205

Gimli gave a weak laughter, the merriest sound that had come from him since they had entered and discovered the fate of the Dwarves. "No Dragon could survive us..." 206

"He's right," Boromir added. "It would never stand a chance next to the strength and courage of Dwarves," he said quietly, glancing to Gimli, his way of saluting his people's bravery. 207

Gimli bowed his head in thanks, and continued to trot on silently. Aragorn moved to Boromir's side, briefly, before continuing. In front was Legolas, attached to Gandalf it seemed, as he had been ever since they had entered the caves. 208

Boromir glanced back down to Pippin, squeezing his hand. "No fear...we will be out of here soon, and the light of Frodo's blade will warn us of anything that lurks in the dark." 209

"Yes," Pippin said and smiled as Gandalf sat down, and Legolas made a fire. "At last! Food!" 210

Boromir chuckled. "Better ask Legolas what he has for you," he said with a small smile before moving slightly away to sit down himself. He had taken to separating slightly from the others...Legolas was close to Gandalf in the caves for the light and comfort he gave most likely, and it happened that the others seemed to do the same. 211

Pippin walked off to join the others and Aragorn moved to Boromir's side, watching them. "Poor Gimli," he said quietly. "This must be horrible for him." 212

Boromir frowned, giving a nod. "I only wish there were a way to ease him...we cannot even bury his kin for him." 213

"The sooner we reach Lothlorien, the better. Not only for his sake..." Aragorn's eyes went to Legolas, and he frowned. 214

Boromir knew who he was talking about and looked down with a frown. "Well, you would know better than I about such things." 215

"If I didn't know better, I'd say you were either angry with him, or guilty..." Aragorn whispered and looked at him. 216

"Neither," Boromir whispered back, swallowing. "He asked me to stay away." 217

"Maybe it is for the best...for both of you," Aragorn said, with a slight grimace. That explained a lot...it explained Boromir's sullenness...and Legolas' dimming light. 218

"No....it may be for him, but it is not for me," Boromir said heatedly. "It is *misery*...it is..." Boromir pressed his eyes closed, a painful frown on his brow...the lure of Legolas and the lure of the Ring....he was going insane. 219

"Necessary...but confront him, if you must," Aragorn chuckled and shook his head. "Anything to get your snoring and his crying over with." 220

Boromir shook his head. "I made him a promise. I will not break my word." 221

"Then you are both fools," Aragorn stated and moved away from them, sitting next to Gimli to touch his shoulder gently, before starting a story. 222

~223

Legolas bit his lower lip as he rocked himself, having found a quiet place in one of the smaller caves away from the rest of the Fellowship. At times, a whimper or a sob would escape him, but he kept quiet most of the time. He hated it here. The light that Gandalf had was not much, and somewhere, he had lost the most of the leaves. He held the last one in his hand, a green leaf that seemed to be losing its life rapidly. 224

"Shh....Legolas...." Boromir whispered soothingly, crouching in front of him to touch his face. 225

Legolas took a shaking breath and looked at him desperately, his hand closing around the leaf. "I cannot...I cannot do this, B-Boromir...I can't stay here...So dark...so cold...and death all around." 226

"Yes you can..." Boromir pulled him against him, wrapping his arms tight around the slender body. "You can do this, Legolas...not far now...we are nearly there...you are so close, you cannot give up now..." 227

"I can't stop shaking..." Legolas whispered and took in the scent of him, the feel of him. "I feel...weaker...I am fading...I am fading, Boromir..." 228

"No...." Boromir closed his eyes tight, panic rising in him. "No....you can't be..." 229

"Do not let me fade..." Legolas pleaded, his hands grasping Boromir's shirt weakly, tears running down his eyes as the leaf fell from his hand, crushed. 230

"Never...I will *never* let that happen..." Boromir promised, taking a hold of his face as he kissed him deep and hard, almost as if trying to lend his strength. 231

Legolas whimpered, but after a moment he returned the kiss, deeply and desperate as he grabbed Boromir only to pull him closer. 232

Boromir pushed him back against the ground, his body moving over him as he groaned into his mouth. His hand wrapped tight into his hair, kissing him with need and want as his other hand slid hard up Legolas' leg, pulling it up around him. 233

Legolas moaned with him and wrapped his arms and legs around him, desperately kissing him. He pulled back and met his eyes, a small smile over his lips. "Please?" 234

Boromir smiled back, his hands moving down between them hurriedly to try and get the leggings out the way. "I want you, Legolas...I want you so badly...more...more, I *need* you so badly..." 235

"Take me..." Legolas whispered and watched him. "Make me feel alive..." 236

"I will." Boromir promised, leaning down to kiss him hard with raw passion as his hands pulled his own clothing out the way, a gasp of delight coming from him as he pressed their already hard flesh together, hot flesh against hot flesh. 237

Legolas moaned with surprise and wrapped his arms around Boromir, looking at him. "You're...so beautiful..." 238

"How can you say that?" Boromir asked with shock, sucking on a finger with a soft moan before moving the hand down to push the finger inside him, moving it with a deep groan at the feeling. "I have never seen anything as beautiful as you." 239

Legolas whimpered and bit his lower lip. "No...you...beautiful..." he whispered and looked at him, smiling gently. "Like one of the Valar..." 240

"Don't argue with me...you know I'm right..." Boromir chuckled breathlessly, a second finger sliding inside of him, searching for the spot he hoped that Elves had the same as Men, nuzzling needfully at his neck. 241

Legolas cried out as Boromir hit the spot, and bit his teeth together to stifle another one. "Oh...yes..." 242

Boromir laughed out with pleasure at seeing him so, starting his fingers stroking inside of him, wanting to see more of it "So beautiful...so beautiful...so much pleasure..." he whispered urgently before sucking at his throat. 243

"Take me...now..." Legolas whimpered, begging now. He looked at him, his eyes shining as if a flame was newly lit inside of him. 244

Boromir wasted no time, his own need urging him on. He moved properly between his legs, pushing them apart with strong, rough hands as he moved into place. He thrust inside the hot, tight body without warning, crying out the pleasure of it against his neck, his hands gripping his hips hard and their bodies pressed tight together. His thrusts were hard and deep with need and his kisses matching. "I wanted you like this from the moment I saw you..." 245

Legolas moaned and kissed him back, amazed how wonderful it felt. He pushed back eagerly, whimpering with each hard thrust. "More...I wanted you...want you...more..." 246

Boromir groaned desperately, unable to stop it. One hand remained gripping his hip as he thrust faster and deeper, his other hand reaching up to slide into his hair, using it to grip the side of his face, tilting it slightly, looking at the pointed ear, the Elf's defining feature. "My beautiful little Elf..." he moaned with desire. "Mine...mine, Legolas...claimed you...love you...makes you mine..." he took the point of his ear in his mouth, sucking hard on it with a loud, urgent, almost primal moan. 247

Legolas cried out his climax in the form of Boromir's name, trembling and bucking under him with open, unseeing eyes as he moaned his pleasure. 248

Boromir climaxed with him, burying himself hard and deep inside him as the pleasure made him call his name against his hair, his hands clutching him tight as he rocked. 249

Legolas moaned and wrapped his arms and legs around him, smiling to himself as he held him. "Thank you...oh, thank you..." 250

Boromir held him tight against his own body, moaning softly against him as he rocked Legolas tenderly, smiling as he stroked his hair. "Oh no...thank *you*...that was the most wonderful thing I have ever felt." 251

"I've never felt that before," Legolas whispered and rubbed his cheek against Boromir's shoulder. 252

Boromir turned his head, meeting his eyes as he caressed his hair. "You *had* done that before...yes?" 253

Legolas looked at him and gave a smile, though not half as confident as his rare smiles usually were. "Does it matter?" 254

"You should have said..." Boromir whispered, but with a smile, kissing him deeply with a soft moan. "I would have been more careful for you." 255

Legolas smiled weakly and shook his head. "You wouldn't..." he said and gave something suspiciously close to a giggle. 256

Boromir gave a chuckle at that. "You're probably right," he whispered with a smile, kissing him with a sigh. "Don't tell me this is a once only thing...I want to do this with you often...I meant what I said." 257

"I...don't want you to stop," Legolas said and smiled as he met his eyes. "Don't stop?" 258

"I won't," Boromir promised, kissing his forehead. "Mine now," he whispered, kissing the tip of his ear.259