Gently, Quietly, Carefully…
"I fear what will come with the morn."
A soft whisper of cool air, much akin to our own breath, rustled the leaves on the balcony.
Gently…
My face grew soft at his words. "We all fear it." I turned to him as he gazed over the land, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight. My hand sought his, our fingers brushing together before they were clasped properly.
Softly, now…
A sigh escaped his lips, eyes still gazing mournfully across the horizon, before they were turned to me.
"I have no wish to die, Estel." He murmured.
"Nor I. Nor do any of our company. But, dear friend, you must understand. Our fear is not something to be hushed. With our fear of death comes a desperation… A determination, to survive. Whether we fear only for ourselves," I gripped his hand tighter. "Or whether we fear for the ones we love. Whom we care for so intensely, that the very idea of being apart from them brings us to tears."
"I do not wish to be apart from you."
Quietly…
I raised my free hand to touch his face, tracing my fingers along that delicate jawline.
"And I you, Legolas. However, we both know in our hearts that our own lives are but a small price to pay for the freedom of our people."
"Aragorn," he whispered. I placed a finger over his lips.
"For our people." I repeated. "We must do this for them, no matter how painful. We must fight; to reclaim our freedom."
"I know, Estel… I know this." His eyes were lowered, his silken voice quiet. "I have no wish to leave you… So for tonight, I shall not… I f either of our lives are taken on the morrow, at least then we shall know."
"Know what?"
"Know that this love was not a dream. If we survive, you shall return to the Lady Arwen, and I… I shall return home." His voice shook slightly.
"In no world could this love have been a dream, my prince…" I lowered my head to his, stroking a wisp of pale hair behind a pointed ear. "You are the very essence of me… You are my heart."
His eyes were filled with a quiet sadness.
Carefully…
"And you mine." He breathed, and our lips met.
End