Title: Respite
Author: Linda Hoyland
Characters/Pairing: Aragorn, Halbarad
Rating: G
Warnings: none
Book/Source: LOTR book-verse
Disclaimer These characters all belong to the estate of J.R.R. Tolkien. This story was written for pleasure and not for financial gain.

Sweat trickled down his face. Aragorn paused to wipe his brow.

"We have reached the river," said Halbarad.

The weary Ranger quickened his pace. At the water's edge he knelt, cupped his hands and drank deep.

Halbarad gazed longingly at the river's smooth surface. "Dare we?" he enquired.

"Why not? We should be safe here. A bath would feel good."

Aragorn was already peeling off his travel stained garments and casting them on the bank. Halbarad did likewise.

Laughingly the Rangers dived into the river, splashing and ducking one another like heedless children, their cares cast aside with their clothing. 

A/N. written for the Tolkien Weekly Prompt “Water.”