So for my first entry in this book, I went with a plot bunny that came to me the other day and would NOT leave me alone.
The plot bunny being, What if Aragorn took the Ring?

I will eventually get to the one shots you all requested, but once I started this one I couldn't stop. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this!

Warning: this is possibly one of the darkest things I've written so far. Reader discretion is advised.

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"In that hour I looked on Aragorn and thought how great and terrible a lord he might have become in the strength of his will, had he taken the Ring for himself."
(Legolas, Return of the King: The Last Debate)

(Minas Tirith)

Cold, that was all she felt, as if her very bones were chilled. She rubbed her arms in vain trying to bring some warmth back into her body, only to realize that she was shivering. A soft knock on the window caused her to jump. Drawing a sharp intake of breath, she stood up and cautiously opened the window.

"Legolas?" She exclaimed in a whisper; watching as the golden haired archer climbed into the window and stepped silently onto the floor.
"Lady Arwen." He bowed his head before closing the window behind him.
"What are you doing here? If he catches you-"
"Gimli is keeping him distracted," Legolas replied walking swiftly towards the door and making sure it was locked. Arwen could not keep her nerves in check. The moment Legolas was standing before her again she grabbed both of his arms, her eyes wide with fear.

"You cannot be here! Please go before it's too late." Tears filled her eyes and her trembling increased. Legolas' own eyes were filled with a deep sadness as he gazed at the Evenstar, he could hardly recognize her anymore. Dark circles had formed under her eyes, her hair was riddled with tangles and her skin was pale, but it was the dullness of her eyes and the way she trembled that grieved him the most.

"I will not stay long Arwen, I promise." Gently he pried her fingers from his arms. Taking one of her delicate hands into his, he guided her towards her bed and sat down beside her, keeping her hand in his.

"I just needed to make sure you were alright. I have not seen you since..." His voice trailed off and he wisely decided not to continue. Arwen's bottom lip was quivering and her hand squeezed Legolas'.

"This isn't how I imagined life would be after we were together." She whispered. Her eyes stared blankly ahead, lost in another time.

"I always pictured light and warmth, laughter, being held in his arms. But now..." Arwen's voice cracked. She buried her face in her hands and wept, all the tears she had been holding back poured out as sobs racked her body.

Why? Why did this have to happen?

She tensed when she felt an arm around her. Arwen glanced up and saw Legolas, his own eyes mirroring her own grief, a single tear ran down his face and fell onto the bed.

"We both lost him," He whispered. Unable to control herself, she threw herself against him, burying her face in his shirt. The tears wouldn't stop and her body could not keep still. She clung to his tunic as if it were a lifeline, the only thing keeping her from drowning amidst this sea of grief.

When he put both his arms around her she did not protest. They sat there for what could have been hours; Prince and Evenstar, two lights alone in the dark, left to the cold. Suddenly both elves tensed, their sharp ears picked up shouting and storming feet coming towards the room.

"Legolas-"

*CRASH*

It was too late.

The door burst open; Arwen and Legolas released each other and stood up, she was shaking so hard she had to lean a hand against the wall to keep herself from falling.

"What is this?! Why are you here Legolas?!" The tall, dark figure roared. He stormed over to the two elves, without hesitating Legolas moved in front of Arwen.

"I was just seeing how Arwen was faring Aragorn. Seeing as you are always busy and her family has been unable to visit her, I decided to keep her company so she wouldn't be alone." Legolas kept his tone calm, but Arwen could see that his body was tense, he was ready to fight at a moment's notice.

"Oh, is that all you were doing? Visiting?" Aragorn took a step forward, his eyes burning in anger. "Tell me Legolas, is a locked door required for a friendly visit? Or you sneaking in through Arwen's window? Either you have an odd way of doing things or there is something else at play."

If Arwen's skin turned any whiter, she could be mistaken for a ghost. Watching her husband, the man she had loved, glaring at Legolas the way he was, accusing him, what would Aragorn do?

"Aragorn, mellon-nin, since when have I ever lied to you?" Legolas waited for Aragorn's response, which was a mocking laugh.

"You are avoiding my question Legolas. This has nothing to do with your honesty, what I want to know was what you were doing in my wife's chambers with the door locked. Perhaps you are trying to turn her against me?"

He turned his glare towards Arwen. Her mouth opened in shock and her eyes widened. She could scarcely make out the silver chain that hung around his neck.

"Leave her out of this Aragorn." Legolas moved to shield her from his sight, an action which angered Aragorn further. "This had nothing to do with Arwen. I was the one who came without her consent, do to me as you wish but leave her be. She has done no wrong."

Aragorn said nothing. Arwen held her breath. Legolas remained still.

After a moment of silence, Aragorn spoke. "Done no wrong? I am not convinced. Who can say how many times you have crept in here in the dark? What acts could the two of you be doing when you think no one is watching?"

Legolas went rigid, but he said nothing.

"I can think of no better way to punish her," Aragorn's hand shot out and latched onto Legolas' wrist, "then to have you suffer for what you've done." Arwen wanted to scream, but she couldn't even move her own hands. She could only watch in horror as Aragorn dragged Legolas out of the room. The prince managed to look over his shoulder, offering her one last smile, before vanishing out of sight.

Once the door slam closed Arwen collapsed, burying her face into her arms.

What have I done? What have I done?!