Dawn broke and Aragorn remembered Gandalf's words. As he and Legolas rode out with King Theoden, Aragorn saw the white robes and horse of his friend leading Eomer and the rest of Rohan's army. The day was won. Saurman's army was defeated. Sauron still lay ahead.

Aragorn rode beside Legolas and Gimli as they took the women and children back to Edoras. Gandalf rode at the front with Theoden and Eomer. Gimli knew that something had changed between his friends, but he wasn't sure what it was. Legolas noted that Eowyn's fascination with Aragon had only increased since his return from the dead and the victory at Helm's Deep. He didn't want to say anything to Aragorn for fear of being called jealous.

Gandalf rode to where they were in the group and asked to speak to Aragorn. They rode away from the group as they scouted ahead. "So," Gandalf said as they pulled away from the group. "You and Legolas finally came to your senses and admitted that you love each other."

Aragorn looked at the Wizard in surprise. "How did you know?"

"Aragorn, I have known for years that the two of you love each other," Gandalf said laughing a little. "Elrond saw it as well. Which is why he wanted to tell you to tell Arwen to go to the Undying Lands. He knew that the truth would come out eventually and that she would be hurt at first."

"It was never my intention to hurt her," Aragorn said sighing. "I honestly thought that I could overcome my love for Leoglas and make her my queen."

"Why did you want to make Arwen your queen?" Gandalf asked, knowing the answer already.

"If I am to embrace my destiny and become King of Gondor, I must have a queen to produce an heir," Aragorn said as he looked back towards the group and saw Legolas riding at the front with Theoden and Eomer. "Now I do not want to embrace that destiny. I know I have said that before. But that was before I admitted my love for Legolas. I will not abandon him so that Gondor can have an heir."

"*Estel, have you forgotten what you learned in Rivendell?*" Gandalf asked. "A male Elf who bonds with a man or another male Elf is capable of baring a child. When it is two Elves they decide which on shall bear the children. You and Legolas are bound together. You will be able to give Gondor an heir because of your love for Legolas. You do not have to abandon him or your destiny. As for Arwen, she also forsaw this. She will not be crushed by the news that you and Legolas wish to marry. That is if you do wish to marry him."

"I do," Aragorn said as he smiled for the first time since he and Legolas had made love. "I fear it will have to wait until after we have defeated Sauron though."

"Not necessarily. I can preform the ceremony when we get to Edoras if Leoglas is willing."

Aragorn and Gandalf returned to the group and Aragorn rode to Legolas' side. "When we arrive at Edoras, if you are willing to have me that is, Gandalf has offered to marry us."

Legoals looked at his lover for a minute and smiled. "Of course, I will have you. I want nothing more in the world."

Aragorn got his horse as close to Legolas as he could and kissed him. Gimli cleared his through from where he rode behind Legolas. "It is about time. I thought the two of you were going to live the rest of your lives in denial."

Aragorn and Legolas laughed. Then Legolas saw Eowyn looking at them from where she walked with her people. "You should talk to her. She thought you would fall in love with her."

Aragorn got off his horse and stood still until Eowyn was walking beside him. "My Lady," he said softly. "I hope those tears are not because of me."

Eowyn wiped her eyes. "You are mistaken My Lord. These tears are for the lives lost in the battle and the return of my brother."

"Eowyn," he started.

"No," she said as she looked at him. "I knew when I met you that your heart belonged to another. When I thought that other was Arwen, I thought that perhaps I had a chance of winning your heart because you said she was going to the Undying Lands. Legolas is another matter. He had your heart long before you met me. I know he will make you happy."

Aragorn looked at her for a long moment and saw that she would be all right. What she had felt for him had been infactuation nothing more.

When they reached Edoras they found that the city had not been touched. Saruman's army had known everyone would be at Helm's Deep. "Wormtounge," the King said with disgust. "He told Saurman that we would be at Helm's Deep and what its weakness was."

"Wormtounge will get his punishment soon enough," Gandalf promised. "Right now you need to rest and tend to the wounded. Tomorrow the ones who are able and willing to must set out to Isengard. In the meantime, I have a ceremony to preform."

Gandalf found Legolas and Aragorn waiting for him near the stables. They agreed that the meadow near Theoden's palace was the prefect place for the ceremony. Eomer, Eowyn, and Gimli witnessed the ceremony.

Eowyn told them they could take Theoden's son's rooms for the night. They knew they would be marching for Isengard the next morning. When they entered the room, they kissed each other. "We are wed," Legolas said not really believing it until he said it.

"Yes we are," Aragorn said as he stroked Legolas' face. "This is a day I never thought would come to pass. And now we shall enjoy the time we have here and try not to think about tomorrow."

Aragorn gave Legolas another kiss and led him to the bed. They play down on the bed and made love to each other. They took their time this time. They did not feel as rushed as they had at Helm's Deep. They knew there was still danger ahead but they also knew that they would face the danger together.

The march to Isengard started the next morning. The company was in better spirits than they had been before Helm's Deep. They had formed a battle plan for Isengard through Gandalf seemed to think it was unnecessary. When they got into view of Sauramna's fortress, they were surprised to see it in ruins.

Eomer stopped his horse short when he got to the gate and laughed. "You are right, Aragorn. They do appear as children to my eyes."

Aragorn and Legolas looked at each other and rode to Eomer's side. Aragorn was off of his horse first. "Merry! Pippin!" he said as he ran to the two Hobbits.

"Aragorn!" they said as they met him and embraced.

"We weren't sure we would ever see you again," Pippin said as Legolas and Gimli joined them.

"And there was a time we thought you were done for Master Hobbit," Gimli said as they all embraced each other. "It seems some of Aragorn's luck has rubbed off on the two of you."

The reunited members of the Fellowship caught up as Gandalf and Theoden talked with Treebeard. Saurman and Wormtounge were hiding in the tower. And there was still the matter of Sauron to deal with. But for now, there was renewed fellowship and much needed rest.

The War of the Ring was over. Sauron and Saurman were defeated. The Ring was destroyed and Gondor had a new king.

Aragorn was crowned King and took the name Elassar not long after the War ended. The people welcomed Legolas as Prince Consort and the kingdom began to rebuild. Aragorn and Arwen had parted on good terms and she wished him great happiness. She told him to keep the Evenstar, as it now represented his love for Legolas. Aragorn kissed his sister on the cheek as she left with Elrond for the Undying Lands.

Aragorn got assimulated to his new role as King but worried about Legolas. Ever since their arrival at Minas Tirith, it had appeared to Aragorn that his beloved Elf was ill. Legolas denied it but Aragorn was still concerned.

Then came the day when he came to their rooms and saw Legolas in quiet discussion with Gandalf. He saw the Wizard give his beloved a vial that he knew had to be medicine. "What is wrong with Legolas?" he asked from the door.

Legolas and Gandalf looked up in surprise and Gandalf laughed. "I had forgotten how quietly you can enter a room. There is nothing wrong with Legolas."

"Then why did you give him medicines?" Aragorn demanded.

Gandalf looked at Legolas who rose and went over to his beloved. "The medicines are not for me, they are for the babe. To make the babe strong and healthy."

Aragorn stared at Legolas for a long moment. Then he said softly. "The babe?"

The couple did not notice Gandalf leave the room. Legolas looked Aragorn in the eye and smiled. "I am with child."

Aragorn smiled and kissed Legolas. "We have been here such a short time," he said. "I did not realize it had happened so fast."

"Aragorn," Legolas said as he led his love to the window seat. "This child was conceived at Helm's Deep."

"What?" Aragorn asked surprised. "How can you be certain of that?"

Legolas took Aragorn's hands and looked him in the eyes again. "When an Elf conceives the Elf knows immediately. There is an instant bond between the parent and the child."

"Why did you not tell me this before?" Aragorn said as he rose and started to pace the room. "You could have been killed then. You could have been killed…"

Legolas stood in front of Aragorn and kissed him. "I knew we had conceived a child," he said as he looked into the strong eyes of the man he loved more than life itself. "And I also knew the pain of losing you. When I thought you were dead, I wanted to die myself. The only thing that kept me from ending my own life was the thought of defending the people you gave your life for. When you returned to me and we declared our love for each other, I wanted to do everything in my power to make sure you did not fall. I knew that if I told you about the babe, you would insist that I go to the caves with the women and children. I was not going to risk losing you. This babe was created out of our love for each other. I wanted to make sure you were there when this child is born. I am sorry I kept this hidden from you for so long my love. I should have told you as soon as the War was over."

Aragorn smiled and stroked Legolas' face. Then he kissed him. "I love you all the more for what you have done for me and for our child. Now, what is this medicine that Gandalf gave me?"

Legolas looked away then handed the vial to Aragorn. Aragorn took it and opened it so he could smell it. Then he looked at Legolas again.

"The babe is all right," Legolas said trying to sound confident. "Gandalf gave me that as a precaution."

"Because you thought you were losing the child," Aragorn said as he heard the anger in his voice. "Because of the strain you were under during the War."

Legolas nodded slowly and walked to the window seat. When he looked at Aragorn again, the King's heart broke as he saw the tears in his eyes. "The day after the coronation, I felt an illness like I had never felt before. Elven pregnancies are different from human ones. The sickness that affects women when they are with child does not affect Elves. Unless there is something wrong with the child. I knew I must rest, and I did. Then Gandalf saw my concern and brought me this medicine. He assured me that the child is growing stronger and any danger has passed. But he also said I should continue to rest for at least a fortnight."

Aragorn sat beside his beloved and pulled him close. "I am sorry that you thought you had to keep this to yourself for so long. You are right. If I had known at Helm's Deep, I might have tried to send you to the caves. But I also know you would have fought me on it. And I know that had you not been there, Gimli and I may have fallen."

"I do not wish to think of that," Legolas said as he cuddled closer to Aragorn. "All I wish to think about now is our child. We have almost a year before this little one comes."

Aragorn smiled as he held Legolas. "I had forgotten that Elvish pregnancies take a year. I had also forgotten that Elvish males could conceive. But I am eternally grateful that I was proven wrong."

He placed his hands over Legolas' stomach. "Gondor will have an heir," he heard Legolas say.

"I know Gondor needs an heir," Aragorn said sighing. "But I think I would like a daughter. A daughter with your beautiful hair."

"Are you comparing me to a woman?" Legolas said as he sat up and tried to look angry.

"Not at all my love," Aragorn said smiling. "I would just prefer that our daughter have your hair instead of mine. The yellow in your hair brings out your eyes so well."

Aragorn kissed him but Legolas pulled away. "When Gandalf told me I was to rest for a fortnight he said I was to avoid all physical activity."

"I see," Aragorn said as he pulled Legolas back into his embrace. "Then we shall wait. And you shall rest. Not only so the child can gain strength but so you can as well. You were physically and emotionally drained by the War and you need to recover your strength."

"As were you," Legolas said as he sat up again. "And yet, I do not see you resting to recover your strength."

"But you are the one that is with child," Aragron argued then he sighed. "All I can do for now is promise you that I will rest when I can. Gondor is in tatters. I have to rebuild it not only because I am the King, but because I made a promise to Boromir. And if I can, I will make certain that the White City is returned to the glory that Boromir longed to see."

"He was a brave man," Legolas said as he reached across and touched Aragorn's face. "And he loved you as a brother. Even if he said Gondor needed no King. As he grew to know you he felt a kinship towards you. If the Ring had not tried to take him, he might have lived to help you defend Gondor."

"I do not know," Aragorn said as he put his hand in Legolas' and brought it to his mouth for a gentle kiss. "But I do know that if the Ring had not attempted to take him, he would have given his life to protect Merry and Pippin. That would not have changed."

"You are correct," Legolas said as he leaned against Aragorn once more. "I do miss Boromir. And I wish he could be here so you could benefit from his council. But Faramir is a worthy heir to his brother and will carry on his legacy."

"And unless my eyes deceive me, he will be carrying on that legacy with Eowyn," Aragorn observed.

"Oh really?" Legolas asked intrigued.

"They have been in each other's company constantly since the coronation. And I was told that he has requested to speak with Eomer privately concerning a personal matter."

"Like asking for his sister's hand? Oh Aragorn, that is wonderful news. They will be very happy."

"Yes, they will," Aragorn said as they got up. "But now you must rest and I must complete my work for the day. I will arraigne for our supper to be served in here."

He took Legolas' hand and led him over to the bed. After Legolas lay down, Aragorn bent over and kissed him softly on the lips. "Rest my angel. I will return to you before you know I am gone."

Legolas smiled as he closed his eyes and Aragorn watched him drift off to sleep. Then he headed to his study. He met Faramir along the way. "Did you learn what ails the prince, My Lord?"

"Yes," Aragorn said smiling. "He is with child."

"That is wonderful news, My Lord," Faramir said as he smiled as well. "I am glad that you and the Prince will soon have a child. I am certain you will be wonderful parents."

"And if the child is a girl, what will you say?" Aragorn asked warily.

"The same, My Lord," Faramir said honestly. "This child, whether male or female, is a product of love. Gondor will have its heir when the time is right."

Aragorn looked at Faramir and smiled. "You are very wise. I see much of your brother in you. I know he would have been proud of the way you defended Gondor."

Faramir sighed. "But would he have been proud of the way I endangered Gondor by bringing the Ring so close to it?"

"Boromir knew the power of the Ring," Aragorn said as he put his hand on the younger man's shoulder. "It tried to corrupt him. It almost succeeded. But in the end, his honor restored him. As did yours. You must never doubt his love for you Faramir."

Faramir looked at his King for a long moment then nodded. Then he smiled. "If I have your leave, My Lord, I must make my way to go and speak with King Eomer."

"You have it," Aragorn said as he bowed slightly. "I am sure he will honor your request."

Faramir smiled and bowed as he left the King. Aragorn found Gandalf waiting for him when he entered his study. "I trust you and Legolas had a good talk."

"Yes we did," Aragorn said smiling. "And I would like to thank you for all you have done for Legolas and the babe."

"Legolas is doing most of the work," Gandalf observed. "He was aware of what was happening, he rested and took to bed. That is precisely what I would have told him to do. The medicine will only aid in a process started by Legolas' own body. He will be fine, as will the babe."

"It is hard to imagine that he kept this a secret for so long," Aragorn said laughing a little. "Then again, there has been little time to notice any changes that may have taken place in his body so far."

"You will notice soon enough," Gandalf promised. "Now, I regret that I must take my leave. I promised the Hobbits that I would come and see how the Shire fared while they were away. And Merry says that Sam needs some encouragement in the courting of a certain she-Hobbit he has had his eye on for quite some time."

Aragorn laughed. "That's Sam. Let us know when the wedding is."

"I will," Gandalf said as he rose. "And you let me know when Faramir and Eowyn are to wed."

"Somehow I think you will know before I will," Aragorn said as Gandalf gave him a look before he left the room.