Legolas withdrew further into himself, thoughts of his adar running through his mind. He knew it was irrational to fear his father's reaction. He had not willingly sought the sea calling out, but he had not avoided it either. He did not know that Galadriel spoke of awakening the sea within, but he had thought she meant he would only find his own death if he went with Aragorn. How could he tell his adar, "I am terribly sorry for this distressing news, adar, but I was under the impression that it meant I would die, not live with this torment." He could just imagine the king's reaction. He shook his head. It would be his adar, not the king, that he would face with this knowledge. But alas, it was the king that was beside him now that he should be worrying about.

He could feel the tension radiating from Aragorn, and he could not blame his friend. The Elf knew he had been difficult these past few weeks. He understood that after what had transpired two days ago, his silent rejection of his friend would only be worse. He would swallow his pride for the sake of this man.

Aragorn watched Legolas, and the vast array of emotions that flickered across the Elf's face were easy to read. He saw anger turn to sorrow, then to confusion, then to irritation, and finally to distress. He did not know of the intense thoughts that dominated the Elf's mind. He only knew that he had taken Legolas' silence as another act of dismissal.

"I'm sorry."

It was softly spoken, and Aragorn almost missed the quiet admission. He was taken aback at first. He had come out here with every intention of having it out with Legolas, and forcing the Elf to let him in; but with this simple apology, Aragorn found himself wavering.

"I have wronged everyone here. In my attempt to spare everyone, I have only managed to make things worse. I find myself in despair and once again seeking your forgiveness."

The former ranger was unsure of what to say to this. He was still upset with the Elf, but everything he had planned to say was voiced in anger. Could he still scold his dearest friend after this? Perhaps not, but he could still let Legolas know of his own hurts.

He spoke in Sindarin, but found that he could not look his friend in the eye, "I have offered all that I have to give, and yet you still seek to do this on your own. I have nothing left, mellon nin. I had thought we had come to an understanding that night. I was ready to be what you needed, yet once again, you rejected me by avoiding me for two days, and not only me, but all those around you. I do not understand this need you have to push us all away." Aragorn slumped forward and frowned. He rubbed a weary hand through his hair and waited, prayed even, for a response from Legolas.

"I know...and I wanted too. Twice I found myself outside your chambers, only to flee like the coward I am."

Legolas stood, and this time Aragorn allowed it, for he could not keep Legolas prisoner, and if his company was truly that unwanted. He winced at the thought. But to his surprise, Legolas did not flee. Instead, he paced liked a caged animal, his hands gesturing everywhere as he spoke.

"I do not know how to do this, Estel. I cannot fight a battle I am destined to lose. And I will not drag those I love down this road of torment with me."

"You cannot drag those willing to follow, gwador nin. For too long have we come to rely on each other, and you cannot expect me to give up because things have become hard. What more can I say to make you see that I am not going to leave just because you shut me out?" With this, the king stood before the prince and gripped his arms tightly. "You are no coward, Legolas, far from it. You are just too stubborn for your own good." Without meaning to, he began to shake the Elf as he spoke, "For all of my years there has been one constant in my life, one thing that I could always count upon, and that has been you."

And here it was that Aragorn finally let his anger be conveyed with his fear. He cared not that his grip bruised the Elf's arms, or that his gentle shaking had become more forceful. He finally had Legolas before him, and it was an opportunity that he would not waste. "Can you not see that your silence is just as deadly? You waste away before my very eyes, and there is not a thing that I can do."

Legolas was shocked, and he could only stare into the cold steel eyes before him. He knew his actions of late would have consequences, but he never dreamed that his silence would bring this man before him to such desperation. He remembered something his adar had once told him when he was an elfling. He had a terrible nightmare, and the storm brewing outside had not helped matters either. Thranduil had told him that in the absence of light, the shadows that prevail only do so with the absence of hope. And now, before his very eyes stood the very embodiment of hope...Estel, his brother, not by blood, but by love.

Aragorn must have seen the change in his friend's eyes because he stopped shaking him, but he did not release his grip. He only brought their foreheads together and held in a breath, afraid once again to lose the moment.

Fortunately, for the two friends, Legolas was ready to let go of everything he had kept hidden deep within. He would give voice to his fears and doubts, and more importantly, he would seek comfort in the hope that this man before him could give him. This man gave him a reason to keep fighting the call of the sea, and a reason to resist the temptation of the naiad who haunted his dreams.

"I know not where to start, gwador nin, but it is often said to start at the beginning. All I ask is that you let me reveal all that I have to say without interruption. There will be a time for questions, but I fear that if I allow you to question me to soon I will not have the courage to continue." As the king nodded his consent, they sat upon the stone bench, each with heavy hearts and unwarranted guilt lying upon their consciences. Legolas looked to the stars for guidance and strength, and he slowly began his tale.

"Firstly, Aragorn, I ask that you let go of the burden of guilt I know you carry." The man was about to protest, but Legolas held up a hand. "No interruptions. I know you mellon nin. You feel that if I had not followed you to the Paths of the Dead and ultimately to my foretold doom, I would not be in such turmoil now. But what makes you think you could have ordered me to stay with King Theoden and those who road toward the White City? What makes you think I would not have followed on my own, or perhaps found death without you there by my side? King of Men you may well be, Aragorn, but you are not my king, I follow you by choice, but I am no more duty bound to you than you are to me." Legolas paused for a minute to let this sink into the thick skull of the man next to him, and he hoped that he had expressed his thoughts clearly. Aragorn sighed deeply and shook his head.

Legolas returned the nod and continued, "It was a warning, Estel, and it was meant for me. It was my choice to let it go unheeded, and I do not regret what I have done. Though the situation is regrettable, the actions that have led me to this point are not. I promised to see you through to the end, and I have. Please do not belittle what I have done with guilt that has no foundation."

"Secondly, I have not avoided you out of spite, nor did I set out to cause you anymore grief than you already feel. It was my not my intention to hurt you, but perhaps spare-"

"But did I not-"

"Aragorn, did I not say no interruptions?"

The scolded king lowered his head, and Legolas took this as a sign to continue.

"Good. I find that I cannot put into words that which haunts me day and night, my friend, for I do not always understand it myself. At times I do not feel its presence, for the cry of the gull that dwells in my heart becomes quiet, and I can almost believe it is gone. Other times, it becomes so loud that it is all I can hear, and in my fear, I find it easier to push people away than to seek them out for comfort. Despite what everyone has said, I cannot help but think that this is my burden to carry alone. How can I possibly expect to find solace in those who cannot possibly understand what it is that I feel. No, Aragorn, there is no one that I can confide in, for I cannot even begin to explain this to myself. I do not seek to hurt you, gwador nin, but until I can find my way through this, I cannot accept that which you offer. I can only ask for your forgiveness and patience, and hope that when I do find the need for your words, you will be there."

At this, Aragorn took Legolas' hand, "I will always be here for you, whenever you have need of me. I am only sorry that you could not come to me sooner, for in your absence, I took your silence to heart. It is I who ask for your pardon." Aragorn waited to see if Legolas had more to say, but the Elf just gave a firm squeeze to his hand. A slight smile crossed Aragorn's face, for he knew that this gesture was the silent forgiveness that they both had sought.