Capitulations

Capitulations

Posted: November 2004
Title: Capitulations
Author: Milady Hawke
Type: FCS
Characters: Aragorn/ Legolas
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: No ownership, no money, no sue.
Beta: Bailey The Infinite Monkey
Summary: The obligatory "Aragorn stinks. Legolas gets him to take a bath," story, because every dedicated A/L writer should cover this cliché at least once ;)
Author's Notes: Pre-quest, where Aragorn and Legolas are just becoming acquainted. Written for the VOLA November "Cheesy" Fluff Challenge, a cheesy love story with the horrid line, "And it feels so good falling into you." Dedicated to my incredibly patient partner in crime, Lupe Chocmarsh, without whom I would be screwed in a bad way at LAS. Yay for scummy humans and prissy elves! And last, but not least, a special thank you goes to Bailey The Incomparable for her quick and efficient beta. Hannon le, mellon-nin!

*****

Capitulation

The Man stinks like fetid meat left to sit too long in the sun. Andhe slows my patrol as we compass the southern borders of Mirkwood -why my lord father sent him with us is beyond my ken. I can almosttaste the man's dusky sweat, his eyes burn as they linger too longupon my form, and the brush of his hand as he passes equipment orprovision to mine... it is all distracting. Patient as is the natureof Elves, I cannot be finished with this mission soon enough.

***

"It would be a shame to furrow your fair brow. Humans believe thatif one continues to frown for as long as you have, their face willbe frozen forever in that expression."

"It is lucky I am not human, then," I reply, somewhat dryly.

"Forgive me. I did not mean to intrude upon your thoughts."

I must admit, grudgingly, that you bear yourself with Elf- likecomposure, and your eyes seem honest. I suppose you are harmlessenough in your own way. For a Man, at least.

"There is a warm pool a little way down the path," I offer. " Thosewho are not occupied with the evening preparations have alreadybetaken themselves there. You should bathe while you can ,Rangerling."

"Then I will," you say casually. "If you join me."

Your eyes gleam impertinence across the fire. You cannot beserious. "Such a thing would be unseemly," I answer.

"What would? To bathe with a man? Have you never seen a naked manbefore?"

The insinuations are simply beyond being borne - and this amusedcomposure is infuriating. I state flatly, "I have bathed with malesmany times before."

"Yet it is not your custom to be so intimate with humans. Iunderstand perfectly," you reply curtly. "Good evening, yourhighness."

You turn from me suddenly and stalk away in the opposite directionof the river, and I do not know what compels me, but I call for youto wait.

***

"I am glad you decided we should bathe after all. The night islovelier for your company."

"I did not wish that you should continue to stink."

When you laugh and splash about so easily, I cannot help relaxing.And your smile does seem richer when you are alone with me ,softening your stubbled jaw almost handsomely.

And then, a certain, sudden air of wonder hangs upon you, as youlift my braid and run it through your fingers.

"I have always desired to see your hair unbound," you say, andbefore I can respond I feel the plait unraveling, my hair fallingloosely about my shoulders.

As you lean in close, I am suddenly aware of my nakedness, with thewarmth of your breath a mere inch from my lips and your armspossessively encircling my waist.

"How does it feel," you ask huskily, "to be unwound like this?"

"Surprisingly good," I murmur against your lips. It feels so good ,falling into you.

*****

THE END

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