Battles Lost and Won
Chapter 11
Whilst in Gondor, Aragorn frequently awoke to find Legolas' side of the bed empty. It was his custom to rise early to watch the sun come up, walk as the day flowers bloomed and the bees went about their daily business. But here in Mirkwood, he rose every morning to find his husband gone from their room. It hadn't perturbed him before but ever since the exchange with Beriothien a few evenings ago, Aragorn had become increasingly more suspicious of Legolas' dawn ventures.
One such lonely morn, Aragorn went in search of his princely spouse, hoping to either catch him in some unfaithful act so his suspicions would not be misplaced, or engaged entirely innocently, like sitting in a secret alcove reading a book – just as he had discovered him frequently just after they were married and Legolas was displaced in the unfamiliar and foreign surroundings and customs of Gondor.
After asking as many people as he passed if they had seen their Prince – none of them had, or at least feigned innocence – he decided to visit Thranduil, hoping he could shed some light on the relationship he despised so much.
He strode to the doors of the throne room with confidence but, on arriving outside the exquisitely carved doors, his poise faltered. What if the Kind took offence of his accusations that his son could be adulterous? That Beriothien was a prized and well-loved friend and member of his guard and realm, and he would be damned if anyone should speak ill of him. Surely he would not be forgiven for such insolence.
Aragorn took a deep breath and knocked on the door.
A royal guard, dressed entirely in gold armor, opened it from inside and allowed him in.
"King Aragorn, my Lord." She announced, bowing her head.
"Ah, Aragorn, come in! Good to see you, I was getting bored – what brings you to see me?" Thranduil said with a welcoming smile, gesturing him into the room. He was sitting at a table laden with papers.
"I wish to speak with you, sir, but if you're busy I can-"
"Nonsense, I was just finishing my work. Guards, bring us some wine and food, I'm famished." He said, gathering the papers into a neat pile and placing them out of the way before standing to his full height to move towards him. "Now, what is you wish to talk about? Not more business, I hope?" he asked, shaking his hand. Aragorn was ever so slightly taller than the Elf, but never failed to be intimidated by the elegant wrath of the beautiful creature.
"No, sir, not at all. I, um, I wish to ask you something." A thick elven eyebrow rose.
"Is my youngest son and a certain male friend of his part of this 'something'?" he asked, smiling knowingly at Aragorn. The man frowned and nodded.
"Yes, exactly…how did you know?"
"It is a history we have. Beriothien and Legolas were somewhat of an item more than a hundred years ago, the troubles of those two are familiar to me. What is it, my friend?" he asked, sitting down on one of the less regal chairs in the throne room, gesturing to one beside him. Aragorn sat down and sighed, leaning forward
"I'm concerned…Legolas is spending too much time with Beriothien…and not enough time with me…his husband." He said slowly, trying not to say anything accusatory. Thranduil sighed, nodding his silky blonde head, his hair gliding down his shoulders like water.
"I thought as much. Tell me…how much has Legolas told you of their relationship, in the past?"
"He said they had…relations once, but you became angry and they never did again." Thranduil nodded again, his expression one of seriousness.
"That is only the very basics of the story.." he said, not looking at the Man.
"What is it, sir? Please, I must know what happened. I'm worried about my love-" the Elven king nodded, holding up a hand.
"From what Legolas told me and his siblings at the time…it seems Beriothien forced himself upon him." He said, and Aragorn felt anger bubble up in his being.
"How…how dare he?! Legolas said they 'made love'.." Thranduil looks unfazed by Aragorn's anger, apparently having felt it himself, but also looked somewhat weary.
"Legolas was very young and naïve, he did not know he had the right to refuse…utterly my fault, I should have taught him to respect himself but I thought he was too young to know of such things.. Of course, he knew the reproductive element of copulation from his tutors but he was not aware of the emotional and moral aspects of the act. He returned home very late that night and his siblings noticed immediately that he was injured."
The beautiful king clenched his jaw at the thought, closing his eyes to stop himself getting angry. Legolas had always been such a clever, happy youngling, the memory of him coming through the door, limping, bloodied and in pain and thinking he'd been treated well by someone he loved filled him with rage.
"He told myself and his siblings what had happened, but when I ordered for Beriothien's exile, Legolas screamed at me not to punish him. It seems Beriothien told him it was supposed to hurt." The heat of rage rose in both man and elf at this and Aragorn let out something akin to a growl.
"I cannot allow him to be near Legolas. Surely he now knows what was done to him? Why does he still trust Beriothien after such a betrayal?"
"Apparently my son is far more forgiving than I will ever be… I did not wish to keep Beriothien here, but Legolas begged me. I gave him a position in the Guard of the Gate hoping he would be away from Legolas but it seems I was wrong." He sighed and looked at Aragorn. "I will speak to Legolas' brothers, perhaps Harn will be able to dissuade him from seeing Beriothien. I do not want him to be hurt again." He said. Aragorn nodded.
"Thank you, my Lord, I'm so grateful. I just want Legolas to be safe and happy." He said. Thranduil smiled and patted his shoulder.
"I am glad he married you, Aragorn." He said.
Legolas was just on his way to see his father, having just from visited Beriothien at his guard post, when he was intercepted by his older brother, Harn.
"Legolas! I need to speak to you!" the gentle giant said, frowning down at him. Legolas was surprised and confused.
"What about?" he asked.
"Come with me!" he cried, grabbing his brother's arm and pulling him into the palace. Legolas was tugged forward through the halls of Mirkwood, towards their old quarters.
"Harn, where are you taking me?" he asked, running slightly to keep up with his large brother's wide steps. The taller blonde elf looked round with a grin.
"To our hideout!" he said. Legolas frowned for a moment, then his brow cleared when he realized what he meant. They soon arrived and were eager to relive their childhoods as they crawled into their den. It was in an old closet of some kind in the Princes' quarters, where the two of them and Dagor had spent their young lives.
The three royal brothers had made this their safe haven, where they could hide from their mean nannies or spent time together playing or reading or napping once their combat training had begun when they each turned 90. Their sister was allowed in too, though she preferred to be alone, sometimes they would tempt her to join them through such proceedings as tea parties or dancing with the four of them as their only, and therefore very exclusive, guests. They never permitted their father access, nor any servants. It was their sanctuary.
"Harn, why are we going here? What is it you wish to talk so privately about?" Legolas asked just as they were arriving at their old rooms.
"All in good time." Harn said, smiling. They went into their old study room, where they received lessons in Elvish, arithmetic, embroidery, harmony and composition, war, literature, Middle Earth studies and antiquity. Fighting and training was left for the outside centers, where their mean tutor would shout and tease them if they struggled physically. Thranduil eventually had him exiled, for making Alassiel cry one too many times.
Harn walked over to a small door labelled 'Royal Younglings Only' in badly printed Elvish – courtesy of 34-year-old Dagor – and opened it. Legolas smiled at the nostalgia and crawled inside, finding it exactly as he recalled. They'd hung soft fabrics from the ceiling in a tent-like fashion, the floor lined with large goose-down pillows, books, toys and blankets. Legolas immediately was drawn to his favorite spot as a child – the furthest corner from the entrance, where he'd created a nest of pillows and blankets, beside which was a large stack of his favorite books. Harn crawled behind him and closed the door, the lights they had installed illuminating themselves in a gentle, delicately colored array of tiny florescent flowers their father had found whilst he was in the Shire many centuries ago.
"They're still alive." Harn observed triumphantly, grinning at the hundreds of tiny bulbs. Legolas was looking through the old books beside his nest, smiling fondly at the old pages and faded illustrations, stroking his long gentle fingers over the expressions of those who used to comfort him. He felt himself getting emotional so forced himself to close the book.
"Why are we here, Harn? Not that I am not grateful for seeing it all again…" he said, looking around warmly. Harn sighed and sat on one of the pillows, facing his younger brother. Legolas sensed the seriousness and did the same.
"Father is worried about you…so is Aragorn, so are we.."
"Worried? Why?" Legolas asked, frowning.
"Beriothein, Legolas! You remember what he did to you, do you not?" he asked, exasperated. Legolas' eyes widened and he looked down.
"That was a very long time ago…neither of us knew any different.."
"He knew more than you and he knew that. He took advantage of you, onooro, and he will again if you let him."
"No, he did not take advantage of me, he was-" Harn grew angry and closed his eyes, shaking his head.
"Please do not defend him, Legolas, I saw you when you returned to us after he hurt you… You were bleeding and bruised…he harmed you with the intent to harm you…to take you…" he clenched his jaw, cutting himself off, and sighed for composure. "He is not your friend, Legolas. Your husband misses you, you must not hurt him in such a way." Again the blue eyes widened.
"Harm…Aragorn..? What do you-"
"You must see how this affects him! He is here for you, with you, and you are off with someone he despises, like he does not matter." Harn watched Legolas' eyes fill with tears, the long eyelashes that reminded him of their dear late mother and their sweet shy sister, lower to stop them falling.
"I…I did not realise… I was so excited to be back…and see my old friend again…I forgot who actually loves me…" he looked at Harn "Why have I been blind?" he asked and Harn saw the tiny youngling he used to see, their little brother, before he grew to be so beautiful – just a dirty little troublemaker with quick legs and a mischievous nature. Harn smiled.
"You have not been blind…you have just been looking elsewhere.." he said gently and pulled him into a hug. "You should speak to Aragorn, he worries so much about you.." he said, rubbing his back. Legolas nodded into his shoulder and sighed.
"I feel so foolish…" he said softly. Harn moved away with a smile.
"You should not feel foolish, you have just been tricked by someone who does not deserve your trust. Would you like anything to be done about Beriothien?" He asked. Legolas smiled and shook his head.
"No, thank you…I will just not see him again."
"And if he tries to see you?" he asked. Legolas smiled that pretty smile of his.
"I have a bow and arrow now." He said, making his older brother laugh.
"That is true! And you are quite good with it, I hear." He said. Legolas laughed and nodded.
"So I have been told." He said, both laughing.
The two brothers stayed in their sanctuary for a little over an hour, before Legolas decided he must see his husband. He kissed Harn goodbye, saying they should return to their place with their siblings and have a decent talk together, without their father or servants' prying ears. Harn grinned and nodded, and Legolas went to the chamber he shared with Aragorn.
He hesitated when he arrived at the door, scared of Aragorn being angry with him. He was just about to knock, not feeling he deserved to let himself in, when the door opened and Aragorn stepped out. He jumped a little when he saw him, surprised.
"Legolas? Why are you standing out here..?" he asked.
"I-I am so sorry, Aragorn…I have been so stupid.." he said, tears already flooding his eyes. Aragorn frowned and pulled him into a tight embrace.
"My love…come in, let's talk properly.." he said, opening the door and they went inside. The fire was lit and the room was warm and filled with the gentle yellow glow. Aragorn sat them both down on the bed and looked at his husband.
"Harn…told me what you said to father…and I realize now how…foolish I have been. I thought Beriothien loved me-"
"He has not harmed you again, has he?!" Aragorn cried. Legolas shook his head, Aragorn sighing in relief. "So, you now know why I was being so…possessive, don't you?" he asked, a hint of guilt and regret in his voice. Legolas nodded, looking down. "I didn't mean to talk to you like that, I was just so angry, and he was so smug… I was trying to keep you close, but I ended up pushing you away.." he sighed, shaking his head. Legolas looked at him sadly and cupped his cheek with one hand, gently raising his head so their eyes met.
"Thank you, Aragorn…I love you." He said and kissed him softly. Aragorn's hand wrapped loosely around his wrist as he kissed back, the other slipping around his waist to bring him closer.
They parted and Aragorn planted a kiss on his husband's palm, smiling at him.
"I love you, Legolas… Now, shall we be husbands again..?" he asked. Legolas laughed and nodded.
"Yes…always, my love.." he said and they kissed again, deeper.
And cut.
This will continue on in the next chapter! Please review, follow, favourite, tell your friends, enjoy life and drink plenty of water.