Drops
The cloaked and hooded figure, stood quietly at the edge of the cliff and stared out at the landscape. He could hear the soft footsteps of the ranger approaching, but didn’t say a word. An arm settled around his lithe shoulders.
“What is it that you see or hear mellon-nin? You’ve stayed here longer than you should’ve, and I was getting worried.” Aragorn’s asked softly as his eyes looked over the trees and open land, trying to see what his friend obviously saw.
“It’s neither Estel, it’s more of a feeling. Something is waiting.” Legolas spoke, his voice barely a whisper but it lingered on the night air like music. He pushed the hood of his cloak down, his long pale blond hair ruffling lightly on the wind.
“Something? What something is waiting Legolas?” Aragorn questioned. He looked into the elf’s eyes trying to see if he could find out anything, but they held nothin that Aragorn could see at the moment.
“I know not mellon-nin, but I can feel it.” Came the reply.
“If ye aren’t sure laddie, then why don’t ye go on back to camp with Aragorn. It’s my watch now and ye both need some rest.” Came a stout voice.
Aragorn and Legolas both turned to face the dwarf, who came through the trees a moment later. Aragorn put his arm around Legolas’ shoulders and turned the elf back towards camp. “Come Legolas, let us go back to camp.”
With a deep sigh Legolas nodded and allowed himself to be led back to where the others were sleeping. He lay on his bedroll and faced away from the others. He knew the ranger would be watching him, and he was okay with that, but he wanted some resemblance of privacy.
Dark blue eyes watched the back of his friend’s golden head. He knew he would not sleep for a while and decided he would keep a vigilant watch till the elf figured out whatever it was that was puzzling him.
He could hear the whispers of the trees calling to him and responded. Legolas got up slowly from his bedroll, chanced a glance back at Aragorn, who was sleeping. The elf drew the hood of his cloak up and slipped quietly into the trees. He found a large tree that would accommodate him and climbed up. He settled against the thick trunk, lightly gliding his back over the bark a moment to relieve an itch, then going still. Legolas turned and rested his head against the branch paying no mind to the rough bark and listened as the old tree whispered secrets into the elven ear while a branch nearby caressed the leg of the elf.
A loud pop in the fire startled the sleeping ranger awake. He looked over and groaned when he saw the elf’s place was empty. Aragorn hadn’t meant to fall asleep, it had just happened. He got up stoked the fire a little, then moved off to find his friend.
Legolas could hear Aragorn before he even came upon the elf’s tree. He sighed inwardly and had hoped to have a little more time alone, but knew it was not meant to be especially now as he look down into the ranger’s smoldering blue eyes. He swung down out of the tree and stood before the man.
“What were you doing Legolas? You are supposed to be resting and not in a tree mellon-nin.” Aragorn spoke calmly though his eyes gave way to other feelings such as concern and anger.
The golden haired elf sighed. “I’m sorry Estel. I did not mean to worry you, but the trees were beaconing me and whispering for me. They are the ones waiting.” Legolas explained as he brushed a loose tendril of hair back into place.
Aragorn arched an eyebrow at the explination, then remembered the elf’s words from earlier. “What are they waiting for mellon-nin?” He asked and then turned to walk into the forest and knew the elf would follow.
Legolas began to walk with his friend unsure of where he was going. “They said they were waiting for drops. I’m not sure what that means. Estel hold, where are we going?” Legolas asked stopping in his tracks.
The ranger stopped when he heard the elf stop behind him. He turned to face Legolas and saw a curious look on the elven prince’s face. Aragorn stopped and looked around the area. He spied something that would accommodate him and said, “We’re stopping right here Legolas. Waiting for drops? What kind of drops mellon-nin?”
“I told you Estel, I know not. Why are we stopping here mellon-nin? What is here?” The elven archer looked around but didn’t see anything of interest to him. He sat down on a tree stump and regarded Aragorn calmly.
Aragorn smiled slightly, then pointed to the other stump next to a tall oak and said, “That is why we’re here Legolas. Come elfling.” He walked over to the stump and sat down. He beaconed Legolas over with his finger, wiggling it in a “come here” motion.
*Elfling? Did he just call me elfling?* Legolas stared at Aragorn shocked and his mouth gaping open.
“Are you trying to catch something Legolas or are you trying to say something mellon-nin?” Aragorn asked with a hint of humor in his voice. He saw the elf’s mouth close quickly and scowl.
“I am not an elfling Estel. That stump is why we’re here? What is that supposed to mean? If the stump is why we’re here, then why are you sitting on it?” Legolas asked as he got closer. He wasn’t aware of the danger.
Aragorn reached out quickly and snatched Legolas by his wrist. He pulled the now struggling elf over to him and shook him gently. “Legolas, stop. Sit here a moment mellon-nin.” He pulled Legolas on to his lap and to his surprise the elf didn’t struggle. “I know you are confused at the moment or that’s what your telling yourself. Deep down Legolas, you know why we are here. Don’t you mellon-nin?”
A large sigh was heard. “Aye Estel, I do. I know you must’ve been worried when you awoke and found me gone.” Legolas said leaning his head back and staring up into the sky.
“Mellon-nin, I am not up there. I’m down here, so may I have your attention.” Aragorn told him, lightly grabbing the elf’s chin and drawing his head back down. He looked into Legolas’s eyes and said, “I was very worried about you. You were in this daze when I brought you back to the camp from your watch and then when I wake I find you gone. Did you not hear me when I told everyone to always let someone know when they go off so we know nothing has happened.”
Legolas lowered his head even more, then nodded. “I-I did Estel. I’m sorry but it was the pull of the trees and the not knowing.” He said sighing softly.
A gentle smile was given, though Legolas didn’t seem to see it. “I know how much it was puzzling you earlier mellon-nin, but you should’ve said something to me when you got up to leave.”
“Aye I know and I thought of it, but I didn’t think you would accompany me. I thought you would merely tell me to lie down again and wait till morning. You have this bad habit of getting your way Estel.” The elven archer replied with a hint of humor in his voice.
The soft chuckled escaped the ranger before he could stop it. “Do I now elfling?” He questioned laughter still in his eyes.
“Aye you do and I’m not an elfling Estel so please stop referring to me as such.” Legolas said as he tried to stand and found himself being held down still. “Let me up now, saes.” He asked beginning to slightly struggle.
“Be still mellon-nin, we’re not finished here yet. Now I might have accompanied you, but you’ll never know because you chose not to find out and left on your own without a word to anyone. You could have been overtaken by Orcs and injured Legolas and none of us would’ve known till morning. You can’t risk your life like that mellon-nin. You are too precious to us and to me.” Aragorn pulled Legolas close to him and held him a moment breathing in his unique scent. He reluctantly released the elf a moment later, but held fast to his arm.
Legolas slightly pulled at his arm knowing he could break free if he truly wanted to. One look into Aragorn’s dark blue eyes and Legolas ceased his struggles and began to untie his leggins. “I am sorry Estel.” He said softly as he pushed his leggins down to just under his bottom.
“I know you are princeling, so let’s get this over with.” Aragorn said as he helped Legolas over his lap and pushed the leggins down further, exposing more of Legolas’ backside much to the elf’s dismay. “Why are you getting this spanking Legolas?” Aragorn asked softly as he raised his hand and brought it down sharply on Legolas’ rump, leaving a red handprint on the milky white skin.
“OW! For going into the forest alone without telling anyone.” Legolas yelped at the first smack.
“And why is that a bad thing elfling?” The ranger asked as he began to paint the rest of the blonde elf’s bottom bright red. He made sure to target the undercurve of the bottom as well as the tops of the elf’s thighs.
Legolas howled as each swat melted into the next creating an intense pain for the archer. He squirmed and tried to move his flaming bottom away from the next swat but his efforts were in vain. “Saes Estel, I…I ..I’m sorryyyy!” He finally howled before laying limp over Aragorn’s lap. His tears falling to the ground wetting it. Suddenly he felt a something wet and cool fall on his blazing rump. He laid sobbing unable to raise up and see what it was at first.
Aragorn lifted the sobbing elf and turned him so that he was once again upright on his lap. He held Legolas close to keep the hot bottom from touching anything. Something fell on his head at that moment. He looked up and was treated to another drop on his cheek. He put his head back down and began to soothe his sobbing friend. “Shh mellon-nin it’s over with now and all is forgiven. Shh that’s right deep breaths elfling.” He said softly as he petted the blonde head against his chest.
“I understand now.” Came the elvish voice a moment later as the rain began to fall harder. Legolas snuggled himself closer to Aragorn as both elf and ranger became thoroughly drenched.
“I’m glad Legolas that you understand how dange…” Aaragorn started but was cut off by his elven companion.
“This is what the trees were waiting for. Drops. Raindrops. Aie why didn’t I know?” The elf grumbled as he stood on shaky legs. He walked over and leaned his head against a tree. He pulled his leggins up over his still stinging bottom though he liked the feel of the “drops” on it.
The ranger groaned at the misunderstanding and walked over to his elf. “You understand something else too right princeling?” He asked turning Legolas around to face him.
“Aye Estel. I will not wander off even if the trees beg me without telling someone. Even if it’s for something as puzzling as “drops”.” Legolas assured his friend.
“Good other wise you’ll experience “drops” of your own. Dropping your leggins, dropping over my lap, tears dr…” Aragorn began and was stopped by a growl.
“Not funny Estel.”