Disclaimer: I don't own anything from the Lord of the Rings.
Note: New story. This story will revolve around Legolas and Aragorn in the War of the Ring. I am going to try not to make it like Love Is Meant To Bloom. Let's begin. Slash story.
Summary: Aragorn has loved Legolas from the moment the man laid eyes on the elf, but Legolas refuses to accept Aragorn's feelings, even as his own heart breaks; for the man must be king and needs a wife. Can their love ever be, and who are we to deny the ways of a heart?
Title: Ways of the Heart.
Author: Laurenke1.
Warnings: Violence, Angst, Slash.
"Estel, this cannot be!" Legolas Greenleaf, Crown Prince of the Woodland Realm tried to tell the young male standing in front of him. "Your people need a king. They need you to lead them…"
The blond male elf was rudely cut off as the young, brown-haired man spoke. "I love only you, Legolas. You know this. Besides, what people should I lead? The Dúnedain in the Northern countries, who have fended for their own for centuries? My father could have reclaimed the throne of Gondor as well and he chose not to. So why then, must I do so?"
Aragorn, son of Arathorn looked at Legolas with an angry expression upon his fair face, but the elf replied, "You are the only one who can reclaim the throne of Gondor, you know this. Besides this love you feel for me shall pass. You are young. You have not even seen twenty-five summers yet. It cannot be, Aragorn." Legolas sighed, wondering how many times he would have this conversation and how many lies he had to tell to keep his heart from breaking.
"Then tell me you do not love me in such a way and I will leave," Aragorn said passionately, taking the smooth elven hand within his own.
"You will always be my friend and only my friend, Aragorn. Nothing more and nothing less. I do not care for you in such a way. And if you insist on continuing this then, to my regret, I will have ask you to go back to Rivendell for you cannot remain here," Legolas stated firmly.
"There is no need to say such things, Legolas. I understand and I am sorry I brought you into such a difficult position. Friends?" The man released Legolas' hand to hold out his own.
Relief flooded in the elf's handsome face as the prince nodded happily. "Yes, my friend Aragorn. I am glad that you understand, mellon nin."
Aragorn merely shrugged, matching the elven smile with one of his own. He would not let anybody see how this was upsetting him. "I should pack then, since I will leave at first light."
"You are leaving?" Legolas asked, baffled. He searched his memory to try and find any indication Aragorn had given a reason for this unexpected leaving.
"Yes, I need to get back to Imladris before the winter makes it impossible for me to cross the passes in the mountains. Besides, I have spent nearly four months here," Aragorn answered softly.
"But you can remain for the autumn festival surely. You have never seen it and my father would like it, as would I, if you were to remain," Legolas tried gently.
"I cannot, Legolas. It is time for me to return to my own people, and Lord Elrond has asked me to meet up with his twin sons Elladan and Elrohir to patrol the northern countries." Aragorn took a step backwards as he smiled and continued, "I will see you at dinner tonight, Legolas and surely tomorrow morning. You will wish me a good journey, will you not?"
Legolas nodded as he heard the insecure note in the man's strong voice. "Of course I will... When did you plan on telling me of your leaving, Aragorn?" The elf could not deny he was slightly hurt.
Aragorn turned to him and the man answered, "I would have told you eventually if my leaving had not been pressed by other issues."
"Pressed by what issues?" Legolas asked confused.
"The fact that you do not return my feelings, Legolas. I cannot remain here. Now if you will excuse me, I cannot tarry any longer for I must pack. Till later, mellon nin." With those words, Aragorn walked away towards the palace with brisk steps, leaving a sadden Legolas behind.
The prince blinked a few times before leaping into a tree. You have never been so wrong, Aragorn. I do return your feelings but I cannot tell you this, for your destiny does not lie with me but with somebody else. Those feelings of yours will pass, I am sure of it.
Aragorn was staring at all the clothes he had dumped in a heap on his bed. He sighed deeply before running a hand through his hair. These feelings will not pass, Legolas. They have only become more intense as each day I have spent in your company passes, but perhaps by my leaving, our friendship will be restored. But be assured you will be in my every thought, and in my future, as a friend but hopefully as more.
The next morning it seemed Aragorn had greatly changed. Not by appearance, but his eyes held a bitter look to them even though he forced a smile to his lips as he said his goodbyes to Legolas and King Thranduil.
The elven Prince embraced him more warmly, as he smiled in relief at Aragorn. The man returned the embrace as he said, "I do not know when I may return, Legolas or when we will be able to see one another again, for now a time approaches that I must learn from my people and many years will separate me from the ones I call family and friends."
"I know this, Aragorn and always be aware of the fact, that if you need any aid, I will be there for you." The Prince spoke these words even as his insides clenched together at the new look in Aragorn's eyes. A look he did not like. It seemed the man had abandoned all hope, but Aragorn smiled at him and then, with a last fleeting look, mounted his horse and set off towards the horizon.
Legolas stared after him until he felt a calming hand upon his shoulder and he turned to look his father in the eye. "Come, ion Nin and allow your heart to be at peace. Aragorn needs to find his own road now, and you have done well, even though it will not feel this way."
Legolas allowed Thranduil to lead him inside, not knowing he would not see Aragorn for another sixty long years in which the man became the haunted and brooding Strider and acquired Arwen Evenstar's love even though his love still had said nothing about his own feelings. But both were not aware that the ways of the heart are complicated, and no one has a choice in those matters.
Hope you liked it. Please review and until next time. Merry Christmas.
