Hi! It’s Shadow! Admittedly, I know I should be working on Magic isn’t everything right now, but I have writer’s block, so I’m working on this.

 

Summary: Regular LOTR storyline until the battle where Boromir dies. Aragorn thinks Legolas loves Boromir, so he heals Boromir by giving him his own lifeforce. Aragorn doesn’t die immediately, but he is slowly weakening and he will die soon… AU fic!

 

Rating:

 

Notes: NOT MINE! Tolkien owns ‘em. I never will. I do own everything else mentioned in this story, i.e., element mages and all connected attacks and stones.

 

 

 

            “Boromir!” Aragorn ran over to the fallen man.

 

            “ I tried to take the Ring from Frodo. I am sorry. I have failed.” Boromir said.

 

            “No! You have conquered. Few have gained such a victory.” Aragorn said. He looked at Boromir closely. There were three arrows lodged in his chest. Aragorn made a few quick calculations inside his head and decided that it just might work.

 

            “Farewell!” Boromir said. “Go to Minas Tirith and save my people.”

 

            “You’re not dying yet.” Aragorn hissed. As Boromir’s eyes closed, he touched Boromir’s chest with his left hand and placed Boromir’s right hand against his own. Pale red energy seeped from his body into Boromir’s. Then he slowly extracted the arrows and bound Boromir’s wounds. He sat by and waited.

 

            Boromir slowly opened his eyes. “I am not…dead?”

 

            “No. Your wounds were not that serious. But I would advise no sudden movements.” Aragorn said. Boromir saw that his chest was swathed in bandages and thanked Aragorn for binding his wounds.

 

            “You’re welcome, my friend. Now where are Merry and Pippin?”

 

            “The orcs took them. They bound them. I do not think the Halfings are dead.” Boromir said.

 

            “Then we will pursue them.” Aragorn said as he helped Boromir up. Legolas and Gimli arrived at that moment.

 

            “We came as soon as we heard the horn.” Legolas said. “Boromir, are you wounded?”

 

            “Only a little. Aragorn has helped me already. I am fine.” Boromir said.

 

            “Where are the hobbits?” Gimli asked, looking around.

 

            “The orcs took them. We must pursue them.” Aragorn said. He knew Boromir’s wounds would heal swiftly, but they should still rest for a day.

 

            “We shall search when the sun rises tomorrow.” Aragorn decided. “Who will take the first watch?”

 

            “I will.” Gimli said. He took up his axe and went to the edge of the clearing. The others lit a fire and stowed under the last boat what they could not carry with them.

 

            Legolas looked at Aragorn carefully. He had denied being wounded, but he still seemed… weaker, handicapped in some way. Maybe it was just his imagination…

 

           

 

They ran. And ran. And ran some more. Following the trail of the orcs required running, so they ran on. Aragorn led the way, and as he ran, he felt the remains of his lifeforce, chained to his body by the light of the wind, dropping, little by little. Aragorn made a few quick calculations and decided that at this rate he would still be able to stay alive for about three more weeks.

 

Boromir ran last of all, behind Gimli. He still felt ashamed about trying to take the Ring from Frodo and wondered why he hadn’t died in all his spare time. It wasn’t as if he minded being alive, but something was just wrong.

 

As they ran, Legolas wondered what was going on. Both Boromir and Aragorn seemed… out of it. Was there something between those too that he didn’t know about? Heavens forbid… but he couldn’t hope wondering if they were together.

 

Gimli just ran. He was too busy trying to stay awake that he had no time to do anything else.

 

Then, they met the Riders.

 

All watched as Aragorn proclaimed who he was to Éomer, who gave them the horses. Hasufel, Arod, and Finya. Aragorn mounted Hasufel, Legolas and Gimli Arod, while Boromir rode Finya. They bade farewell to the Riders of Rohan and headed into Fanghorn forest.

 

Night fell.

 

“Remember. Cut no living wood from Fanghorn!” Aragorn reminded them.

 

“There is no need to.” Gimli said, pointing to the piles the Riders had left. They lit a fire and sat around it. Suddenly an old man appeared, and made off with their horses. Gimli cursed.

 

The next day…

 

“Mithrandir!”

 

“Gandalf!” Aragorn cried, running down to meet him.

 

“But you are all in white!” Gimli protested.

 

“Yes, I am white now. I am Saruman as he should have been.” Gandalf said. He explained his escape to them, and they were merry.

 

Aragorn took first watch that night. When he thought all of the company was asleep, he drew a white crystal out from underneath his shirt. It flickered very briefly, before winking out.

 

“It is almost gone. Even the light of the wind, gift from my cousin-sister, cannot keep me alive for much longer. Yet I am content.” Aragorn said. “They do not need me anymore, now that Gandalf has returned. He will guide them, and they will be safe. There is only one problem. I must have miscalculated, for it seems I only have three day’s time left.” He tucked the crystal back under his shirt.

 

Legolas’s eyes widened from where he was lying on the ground. Did Aragorn just say what he thought he had said? The light of the wind was a mysterious crystal, given to the weakest of the legendary element-mages, legends, really, but it had the power to keep element-mages alive, even without their lifeforce. That would mean that Aragorn was an element-mage…

 

Aragorn sighed and stood up. The fire had gone out. He piled some more wood on top of the ashes. Then, he touched it. “Flare.” A small flame appeared in his hand, and he lit the fire easily. Then he turned around. “Void Shield.” A shield of emptiness dropped around him, blocking Legolas’s ability to read his lifeforce.  The elf might know what he had done, so it was better to be careful. However, a gasp startled him.

 

Aragorn spun around and came face to face with Legolas, who was staring at him in horror.

 

“Legolas? What is the matter?” Aragorn queried.

 

“A-Aragorn, you are dying?” Legolas asked.

 

“What gave you that idea?”

 

“I-I wasn’t asleep, and I heard you talking…” Legolas murmured.

 

Aragorn’s eyes narrowed and Andúril was in his hand. “Tell no one!” he hissed.

 

“But I cannot! How did this happen?” Legolas asked.

 

“You would care?”

 

“Of course I care!” Legolas cried.

 

“You’d care more if Boromir died.” Aragorn said bitterly.

 

“What does Boromir have to do with this?” Legolas asked.

 

“You love him.”

 

“What?”

 

“You do not love Boromir?” Aragorn asked, now very confused. “But I thought…”

 

“You assumed wrong, Aragorn.” Legolas said. “I still do not get why Boromir has anything to do with the fact that you are dying.”

 

“Perhaps this will help you understand.” Aragorn said as he removed his shirt. Legolas stared at the flame ruby embedded in Aragorn’s chest.

 

“You’re an element mage!”

 

“Yes. I am the Bringer of Light, the fire mage.” Aragorn said. “I assume you have heard the legend about the light of the wind, the crystal that was given to the wind mage?”

 

“But how did you get it?” Legolas asked. “Why would the wind mage give it to you?”

 

“Her beloved had died. Element mages are immortal, like elves, but that does not make them invulnerable. She did not wish to live, so she gave me the light of the wind after putting her own lifeforce inside. She told me that she hoped that I would find my own beloved.” Aragorn finished.

 

“I am still confused.” Legolas admitted.

 

            “Let me show you, then.” Aragorn offered. He got up and kissed Legolas on the lips.

 

            Legolas’s eyes closed as he wrapped his arms around Aragorn.

 

            “You love me, then?” Legolas asked a few minutes later.

 

            “Yes.” Aragorn said, putting all his pain, despair, and longing into that single word.

 

            “I do not know what to say…” Legolas admitted.

 

            Aragorn placed a finger on Legolas’s lips. “Just don’t tell anyone. Promise me. Especially don’t tell Boromir.”

 

            “All…right.” Legolas said. Aragorn put his shirt back on. “I’ll go wake up Boromir, it’s his watch now.” He went over to where Boromir was and shook him awake. Boromir made a few muffled grunts before going up and standing guard.

 

            Legolas was still in shock. He forced himself to fall back to sleep as he pondered Aragorn’s actions.

 

            The next day, they headed off towards Rohan in search of King Théoden. Legolas’s mind was still whirling with confusion. He simply couldn’t believe that Aragorn, of all people, was one of the legendary ‘element mages’. He also couldn’t understand why Boromir had anything to do with Aragorn’s condition.

 

            After all the proper introductions had been made and the battle plans completed, Aragorn excused himself, saying that he was not feeling well. Legolas watched with worried eyes. Even Gimli seemed a bit shocked.

 

            “Aragorn, are you all right?” Gimli questioned. “You seem weary.”

 

            “It is nothing. I am simply a bit tired from our journey.” Aragorn said, lying smoothly. “I will be leaving now.”

 

            Gandalf looked concerned. Was there something Elrond had forgotten to mention to him?

 

           

 

            “Phoenix.” Aragorn commanded as he looked out his window to make sure no one was watching. The firebird cawed as it appeared in front of him. Aragorn climbed on it’s back quietly.

 

            “Take me to Mordor. We will find Sam and Frodo and destroy the Ring. Sauron does not know that the fires of the phoenix are even more powerful than those of Mount Doom. Once the Ring has been destroyed, my quest will be complete and they will not need me anymore.” Aragorn said.

 

            Phoenix inclined its head and they flew off into the night.

 

 

            The next morning…

 

            “Boromir, have you seen Aragorn?” Legolas asked.

 

            Boromir yawned. “No, I have not. Why do you ask?”

 

            “He was not in his room last night. I do not know where he has wandered off to.” Legolas confessed.

 

            Boromir looked around. “Well, he might be in the city.”

 

            “Maybe…” Legolas said, not reassured. Just then, there was a brilliant flash of red/gold light from the direction of Mordor.

 

            “What just happened?!” a voice shouted.

 

            “Is Mt. Doom erupting?!”

 

            “Help!”

 

            etc.

 

 

           

            Phoenix landed behind Sam and Frodo. It had taken more than a night of flying to find them, but here they were. Aragorn dismounted, much to the astonishment of the hobbits.

 

            “Strider? What are you-?” Frodo started to say, but Aragorn’s eyes were flashing fire.

 

            “Give me the Ring.”

 

            “No!” Sam said.

 

            Aragorn sighed. “You’re going to make this difficult for me, aren’t you. Very well. Flame Spiral!”

 

            Sam and Frodo were both trapped by rings of fire. Aragorn took the Ring and placed it on the ground. Then, he turned to Phoenix.

 

            “Phoenix, lend me your power.” Aragorn said. Phoenix cawed and melded with him. Sam and Frodo stared as fiery red wings sprouted out of Aragorn’s back and his legs changed into bird’s talons.

 

            “Eternity- Flame!” Aragorn shouted, using his most powerful attack, which he knew would most probably cost him his life. As the flames consumed the Ring, Aragorn slowly fell to the ground, a smile upon his face.

 

            “Strider!” Frodo and Sam shouted, running over as soon as the fire had died down. They were still in shock.

 

            “Come on, wake up.” Sam said as he shook Aragorn. “Open your eyes, damn it!”

 

            “Why aren’t you getting up?” Frodo asked. Phoenix and Aragorn had separated again, and phoenix, newly reborn, was a tiny bird sitting on Aragorn’s chest.

 

            “I-is he dead?” Sam asked.

 

            “I-I’m not sure.” Frodo said. He felt for a pulse, but there was none. “Oh my god!”

 

            “He’s not breathing either.” Sam said worriedly. “Do you think-?”

 

            “He used his own lifeforce to destroy the Ring.” Frodo said. The implications of this sacrifice stunned them.

 

            “What will we tell the others?”

 

            “Well, first we have to get back.” Frodo declared. He turned to the bird. “I don’t suppose you would mind giving us a lift?”

 

            Phoenix cawed. Instantly, a bridge made of fire stretched from Mt. Doom to Rohan.

 

 

 

            “What is that?!” Boromir asked, staring at the fire that was steadily getting closer.

 

            “I do not know myself.” Gandalf confessed. The bridge grew nearer and finally attached to the castle walls.

 

            Legolas stuck a hand into the fire. “It’s not hot at all.”

 

            “Really?” Gandalf said.

 

            “Yes. And I seem to see figures…” Legolas shaded his eyes and gasped.

 

            “Legolas?” Gimli asked, concerned.

 

            “It can’t be…” Legolas said softly. “Sam… and Frodo?”

 

            “What?!”

 

            “That’s impossible!”

 

            “My eyes are better than yours, stupid dwarf!”

 

            “QUIET!”

 

            Everyone turned around to stare at Théoden. “Whatever it is, we’d better be careful, right?”

 

            “Oh, right.” Several archers took their positions, Legolas among them, while a few guards also stood there, watching.

 

           

 

            Thirty minutes later…

 

            “We are almost there.” Sam said cheerfully.

 

            “That’s true.” Frodo said, feeling a lot better. “Is that Gandalf?!”

 

            “Looks like him to me, Master Frodo.” Sam stated.

 

            As they continued watching, they could make out the figure of Legolas as well. He was standing on the ramparts with his bow and arrows.

            Twenty minutes later, they reached the end of the bridge and fell over the walls.

 

            “Frodo, is that you, my lad?” Gandalf asked.

 

            “Gandalf!” Frodo said happily.

           

            “What happened?” Several voices asked.

 

            Sam spoke up. “Well, you see, Master Frodo and I were on our way to Mordor, so we could destroy the Ring. But then, Strider dropped in on us! He was riding this big firebird, and he says for us to give him the Ring. Of course we didn’t do that, so he said these words and fire surrounded us! He took the Ring from Frodo, and then he said some more words, and he turned into a bird! And then there was a flash of light, and when we got free of the fire, he was lying there and the Ring was gone!”

 

            There were several loud exclamations of ‘what?’ and ‘how?’ and ‘are you sure?’.

 

            “But how…” Gandalf asked, puzzled. “I thought only the Istari that much power. Are you sure the Ring was destroyed?”

 

            “Yes sir, we saw it all!” Sam said.

 

            “But where is Aragorn? Did he not come back with you?” Legolas questioned.

 

            Frodo looked mournful. “He couldn’t… he’s dead.”

 

            “He can’t be dead!” Legolas cried, trying to break free of Boromir’s grip. “Let me go!”

 

            “Calm down, crazy elf!” Gimli shouted, restraining Legolas also.

 

            “LET… ME… GO!” Legolas shrieked. Blue-green energy swirled around his body and blasted Boromir and Gimli into the walls.

 

            The assembled stared at the elf, which was now faintly glowing with light.

 

            “I am going to bring Aragorn back.” Legolas said, ignoring the protests. “Wing Blade!” The wings sprouted from his back and he took off.

 

            “Gandalf? Do you have an explanation?” Théoden finally ventured to ask.

 

            “I believe so.” Gandalf said. “Impossible as it may seem, it seems to me that both Aragorn and Legolas are ‘element mages’, mythical warriors with the powers to harness the elements.”

 

            “Aragorn would be the ‘Bringer of Light’, the fire mage.” Gandalf mused. “I think Legolas is the ‘Winged Messenger’, but I am not sure. I thought she was dead.”

 

            “Yet he can fly.” Boromir observed.

 

            “There is never more than one element-mage, unless the previous one dies…” Gandalf trailed off.

 

            “You don’t think?”

 

            “I’m not sure, but it might be safe to assume that Aragorn is dead.”

 

            “That’s impossible!” Gimli said. “He was fine last night-.” He trailed off, remembering how weary Aragorn had seemed.

 

            “But how? He was not wounded.”

 

            “I fear we shall not get any answers until Legolas returns with Aragorn.” Gandalf said. “Let us wait for them to return.”

 

           

 

 

            Legolas flew towards Mordor as fast as he could. He did not know where this mysterious power had come from, but frankly, he did not care at the moment. He needed to find Aragorn!

 

            Finally, Legolas spotted Aragorn lying on the ground. There was a small red/gold bird perched on his chest. He assumed that it was Phoenix.

 

            “Go away! I don’t want you here!” Phoenix said in a surprisingly strong voice.

 

            Legolas blinked. He hadn’t known it could talk.

 

            “But I might be able to help him.” Legolas protested.

 

            Phoenix sniffled. “Really?”

 

            “Yes.” Legolas walked over to Aragorn. There was no pulse, but there was a red/gold crystal lying on his chest.

 

            “Isn’t that the light of the wind?” Legolas asked. “Why is it red?”

 

            “Because it’s got Aragorn’s powers inside as well. Now it’s the firestorm’s glow.”

 

            “This keeps element mages alive without a lifeforce, right? So why isn’t it working on Aragorn?” Legolas questioned.

 

            “Aragorn doesn’t want to live.”

 

            “Why?! He has so much waiting for him – Arwen, the throne…”

 

            “But he doesn’t have love.”

 

            “Love? Arwen loves him. She was willing to give up her immortality for him!”

 

            “He’s already immortal, so it doesn’t count.”

 

            “It’s the thought that counts!”

 

            “The point is; the one who Aragorn loves doesn’t love him back!” Phoenix snapped, finally getting too annoyed to care.

           

            “The one Aragorn loves…” Legolas thought back to when Aragorn had kissed him in the forest. Then he blushed. “Me?”

 

            “Bingo!” Phoenix said.

 

            “I…” Legolas was stunned. “But what can I do?”

 

            “Not telling. I’ll let you figure it out.” Phoenix said, before it flew off.

 

            “Love…” Legolas looked at Aragorn’s still form as tears dripped out of his eyes. “Aragorn, why?  WHY?!”

 

            Legolas wrapped his arms around Aragorn’s still form and cried.

 

           

            Silver light washed over both of them. Legolas’s eyes widened as Aragorn slowly opened his stormy eyes.

 

            “Legolas?” Aragorn asked. “Why am I not dead?”

 

            “I don’t want you to die.” Legolas confessed.

 

            “Legolas?”

 

            “I- I love you too!” Legolas cried. “I can’t stand being away from you. Please forgive me!”

            Aragorn blinked. “Legolas… you mean it?”

 

            “You would doubt my words?” Legolas asked, hurt.

 

            “I-.” Aragorn shut up and kissed Legolas. Legolas sighed and leaned into Aragorn’s embrace. The skies opened and rain began to fall softly.

 

            From where the others were standing, they saw two figures appear, bathed in silver and golden light, respectively.

 

            “Strider! You’re not dead!” Merry shouted.

 

            “No.” Aragorn said. His fingers were entwined with Legolas’s. However, nobody noticed this because they were so happy to see him alive.

 

            That night, two figures were seen on the battlements, both glowing with a faint light. And if you watched carefully enough, the taller one bent down and kissed the other. They were never seen again.

 

 

The End!

 

I finished it in time for Valentine’s Day! Yay! I’m so happy, this took two weeks to write. *_*()

 

Please review! Tell me if you want a sequel! Constructive criticism accepted. Oh yes, and if you want to send plotbunnies, that’s good too. J

 

Completed 2/13/02