NOTES: Aragorn's POV.

A Secret Shared - Chapter 9

When I saw Legolas look at me in the way he did, I knew it was no use trying to curb my wants and needs any longer. I want him. He knows it.

It's a dangerous thing to do, after all, who knows who might catch us? But I think I'm going to go mad if I don't get to do this.

He is mine, and yet I have never claimed him. I suppose, it hasn't been the right time up until now. But I feel so strongly about him, I cannot wait another second, and I know it must be the right time to take this step.
We have to be very careful, I know this. We have to be as discreet as possible; I feel as if I am dishonouring Lord Elrond already by not letting him know of the feelings I hold for Legolas, let alone wanting to do this. But it's something that must be done. I am sure Legolas feels the same way, and I intend to proposition it to him as soon as I get the chance.

****

It was evening before I was able to talk to Legolas on his own, away from anyone. The evening meal had been served, and now people were adjourning to the sitting rooms and gardens. Strolling nonchalantly outside, I motioned for Legolas to follow me. We walked apart into a deserted area far from anyone else. Looking around to check that the place truly *was* deserted, Legolas then took me into his arms and kissed me softly, his lips like the flutter of a butterfly's wing.

For a while we stood, not saying anything, just holding each other. I loved this closeness, how I could smell his scent, hear his breathing, and feel the warmth flowing through his body. It was all I could do not to push him to the ground now, pull off his clothing and show him pleasure, show him the true depth of my love for him, make him truly mine.

"Legolas?"

"Yes my love?"

I searched for the right words to say to him. "I do not know the right way to put this...Legolas, we've…we've known each other for such a time, known of how we feel for each other...its getting hard to hold it all in. I-"

"You wish to make love?" Legolas shocked me a little with the ease that he said those words.

"Well...only if you do,"

He smiled. "I would love it,"

"Alright...um...when?" I never planned our conversation this way, and had forgotten all I meant to say.

"My room is in the top of the house...come to it, when the house is quiet and the moon has risen high in the sky."

"How will you know it is me?"

"Knock three times on the door, then pause, then knock twice. Then I will know it is you," he said softly

"Until then, my fair prince," I spoke quietly, as we parted, both taking a different path away from the place in which we met.

******

I ensured I did not reach the house until long after Legolas had returned. Instead of returning straight after our liaison, I walked around outside, thinking about what tonight would bring. Tonight, Legolas and I would lay together. Tonight, at last, our souls would be one, if only for a little while. I must admit, I was feeling a little nervous. It was going to be the first time I could express myself in this way, I was worried I would do something wrong, or that he wouldn't enjoy it, that I wouldn't enjoy it, or that we'd be heard. Hopefully we won't.

I should be intoxicatingly happy about this, but seriously, what if he really doesn't like it? It might mean the end for us. I am so afraid of doing it wrong, I really don't want to hurt him and have him never speak to me again.
But why am I not happy? I forced myself to forget all these worries and focus on the important things: Tonight, there will be a union of souls. Legolas's and mine. And I will allow nothing to stop that. I love Legolas with all my heart, mind, body and soul, and I will not let him down on his expectations.

I was determined to show Legolas the greatest pleasure he had ever known in his long years, and hopefully the greatest love he'd ever known as well.

As I reached the house, I met with Boromir, who was sitting on a chair outside the door, taking in the night air.
"Good evening, Strider," he said, calling me by my ranger name, a smirk on his face as if he knew something I didn't.

"Good evening, Boromir," I replied as politely as possible, not stopping to talk

"Yeah, have a good one," he said as I walked past and into the house.

"Strange man," I mused as I ascended the stairs to my rooms. Once there, I washed, then tried to find things to keep me busy until the time that the moon was high in the sky. I sat looking outside at the moon, willing it to move into the sky, willing all those still awake in the house to retire to their beds and sleep a deep sleep, not waking until sunrise. But the moon sped up for no one, and I had to wait.

Sitting at the small desk in the room, I pulled out a piece of paper and tried to write. Several tries later, I gave up, throwing the screwed up page to the ground with frustration, and returned to the window to gaze at the moon.

"Hurry moon," I urged in my mind. "I cannot wait much longer."