CHAPTER FOUR

Disclaimer: The characters aren't mine, and neither are the locations. They all belong to J.R.R Tolkien and various affiliated companies. There is no intention of plagiarism or copyright infringement. Everyone will be returned safe and sound, with food in their bellies and smiles on their faces (:D).

A/N: I got carried away with that last chapter.  Sorry it took so long to update…

He saw the beautiful elf framed in the soft candlelight, his hair shimmering, encapsulating the light. His pale cheeks stained with tears, his forehead marred with worry. And the scar, puckered and red, from his hairline across one eye to the opposing jaw line, cutting through his eye, now blind. His good eye roved the ranger's face, the blue full of fear and yearning. The blind eye, still blue, but masked behind white, moved too, as though it could still see him. Aragorn just stared at the elf, his love, his soul mate. Legolas looked down, ashamed.

'I'm hideous…' He whispered.

Aragorn put his hands on Legolas' jaw and lifted his head so their eyes met. Without saying a word he moved and kissed him tenderly, saying more in this manner than words ever could. Legolas cried anew, this time tears of joy. Aragorn held the elf, his arms around his waist, as he cried, the frail body shuddering. Both men felt a happiness they had never known before, that of soul mates finding one another. Aragorn felt guilty as well, for Arwen. As he thought back over the past week, he remembered her staring at him on more than one occasion, eyes full of sorrow and…knowing. He knew he could never hurt her, but currently Legolas was all that mattered. He kissed the hollow of the elf's throat, eliciting a small gasp from him. Legolas gently pushed Aragorn away, a smile on his face but worry in his eyes and still…fear. Aragorn knew it to be fear of rejection, fear of causing disgust. If only he could let the elf know how beautiful he was, and would always be.

'Estel…' Legolas whispered, 'We mustn't…'

Aragorn looked deep into Legolas' eyes and kissed him again. The elf put up no resistance as Aragorn gently lowered him to the floor. As Aragorn's lips left his he whispered again 'We mustn't…' but Aragorn didn't stop. And in a way, Legolas was glad. He needed this, needed to be loved. He cried as Aragorn loved him, tears for the elf he had been, the beauty he had lost, the love he had gained, and the love he knew could not last. And, when all was spent, the man and the elf lay on the cold stone floor and held each other as if they were the only two in the world.

--

Aragorn tenderly ran his hand along Legolas' scar; it took all of Legolas' resolve not to flinch away. He still could not believe that anyone could find him beautiful after such disfigurement. Aragorn read this in Legolas' eyes, his movements, and choked back tears.

'Meleth nin…I am sorry…if I had only been faster, perhaps you would not suffer so…' he whispered.

Legolas looked at Aragorn's face, seeing the anguish this caused him.

'It was no fault of yours. If I had not been so foolish, perhaps none of this would have happened.'

'Would you prefer it that way?' Aragorn asked.

Legolas sat up, looking at the wall.

'Perhaps it would be better if it hadn't.' he whispered.

The words tasted vile in his mouth, and he could feel Aragorn flinch beside him. However, he knew this to be the truth; it would have been better had none of this happened. Aragorn stood, his movements stiff.

'I'm sorry, Legolas.' He whispered before leaving the elf alone in his sorrow.

--

Aragorn knew it was foolish to feel such…sorrow. He would never be able to love Legolas the way he wanted; he couldn't hurt Arwen. He entered their room, blinded by tears, and grabbed his wife, holding her tightly.

'You're crushing me, dear…' she whispered tenderly.

He released her slightly and she breathed deeply, brushing the hair from his eyes.

'I have been a fool,' he murmured, 'Can you forgive me?'

Arwen smiled at her bear of a husband, so forlorn. She loved him more in that moment than she ever had, despite what she suspected had happened.

'It is not necessary, Aragorn. You have done nothing for which I need to forgive you. The question is can you forgive yourself?'

Aragorn smiled, his lips quivering. His heart filled with love for her, and he thought perhaps he may be able to forget about Legolas. But for that to happen he had to leave Rivendell.

'I wish to return to Gondor.' He whispered, resolve in his eyes.

'I know. I am not yet ready to leave Rivendell, but you may return home. I will return soon.'

Aragorn pulled her tenderly toward him, whispering 'Thank you', and, kissing her gently, left the room. Arwen knew she wouldn't see him again until she returned to Gondor. She sat quietly for a moment before rising and entering the citadel in search of the elf who had caused Aragorn such pain.