Legolas had been expecting the call for a few minutes, but would have given his husband another minute before intruding, had he not sent the message. It had started with shock, then progressed to dismay, anger and hurt. The emotions were reaching a high point in the bond, when Aragorn's voice echoed in his head.
Legolas, please. I need you. Ada…
Coming.
He cursed loudly when he knew that Lord Elrond was involved, and motioned Gimli and Elrohir to stay in their seats. He wanted to do this with Aragorn alone, and getting the other two involved would merely aggravate things. He sprinted up the mountain path, where the gravel seemed to be conspiring to trip him in his haste, and soon reached the King's tent. Théoden himself was perched on a seat close by, looking pensive.
"Who is in your tent?" he demanded of Théoden. "Who?"
Théoden answered without looking up. "A fey elven Lord and Lord Aragorn."
So it was true, and there would be no one else there to intercede. Cautiously, he approached the guards, knowing that even if they did not let him in, they would not be able to stop him.
"I must go in," he stated. There was no request in his voice, just iron hard resolve.
For a moment, the guards hesitated, but most of them recognised him as a member of the party leading their column the day before. They shot a nervous look behind him at Théoden, and then parted, letting him through.
He paused at the opening and listened. He heard the words, "Put aside the Ranger, and become who you were born to be." That was Lord Elrond. Fury fuelled him forwards.
"He creates his own destiny." He pushed the draping fabric aside. "It is not made for him."
A welcome cry of "Legolas" greeted his ears, and Legolas stepped forwards to pull Aragorn close to his chest. He could clearly see Aragorn's distress in his features. Calmingly, he let his hands run up and down, whilst searching through their bond to find out what happened. He had to hide a gasp as he discovered Arwen's devious ploy of remaining on Middle Earth to guilt her father into making Aragorn marry her. It would never happen; he swore he would not let Aragorn be controlled as Elrond had always tried to do. He let his anger loose in his voice once more.
"You have hurt the one I love so many times, you are lucky you are his father. I would have killed you long ago, Lord Elrond."
Aragorn grasped his hand as Elrond replied furiously. "You," he growled at Legolas. "This is your fault. All the blame lies on your shoulders."
"No Ada," said Aragorn quietly. "I went to Legolas, not the other way around. I can not love Arwen. Even if she did not try to take my husband away from me, I would not be able to love her."
But Elrond had recoiled at the word 'husband'.
In a whisper, Legolas warned, "Be careful."
He only received a squeeze of the hand to signify comprehension.
"You married this…" Words seemed to escape the Elven Lord as he grappled for an insult of the right calibre. He swelled with indignation.
"Of course I did," snapped Aragorn. "I love him, he loves me, why should we not marry?" His hand tightened around Legolas' painfully, as he dropped the second bombshell. "And I am carrying your grandchild. That was another… reason…"
Aragorn trembled as he watched his Ada's eyes grow livid. Elrond stepped close, and Legolas could feel Aragorn sink further back into him. "I saw a child wearing that pendant. I thought she gave you it." Elrond wrapped his hand around the jewel Legolas had given Aragorn, bumping into the human's distended stomach as he did so. "This? This is what you are sacrificing a good Lady's love for? A single, worthless child? You are putting all of Middle Earth at risk for a being not even born yet?"
"Ada, you are a Healer. You know…"
"I know that parents feel irrationally towards children," Elrond barked. "You are sacrificing lives for a single one. You idiot!"
At the word idiot, Elrond swung back and gave Aragorn a stinging slap. In a flash, Legolas had Elrond up against a tent pole, knife at his throat.
"You do not hit my husband. You hit him far too much as a child," snarled Legolas. "Merely because he was not doing all that an elf should is ridiculous. He is human, damn you! And you have no idea how long I have wanted to tell you that."
"Legolas!" protested Aragorn, but he quieted when he saw the livid look in his lover's eyes at the older elf. Maybe it was time for Elrond to know how good Legolas was to his son. He had given nothing but love, whilst Elrond was blind to all emotions when Arwen was around.
"You hurt him more than you know, and you ought to be supporting him, not your selfish whore of a daughter who is trying to poison your mind," Legolas snapped.
"My daughter is dying and he will not marry her."
"Your son's heart is dying because you will not help him. He needs you more than anyone else, and you are dragged into the Enchantress' web," Legolas argued. "And now I am going to let you go and you are going to apologise to my husband or leave until you find it in your heart to open your eyes and see that you owe you Aragorn your help."
"I let you into my lands, my home, to let you teach my son…"
"I'm going to let you go now." Legolas interrupted him and then took the blade away from his throat. Elrond stumbled for a second, but then caught himself.
He stepped towards Aragorn and there was a burst of hope, though it was quickly squashed.
"You let my daughter die, and for that I will not forgive you. You betrayed my trust by being so secretive for this five minute romance."
"Five decades," said Aragorn. "This is no quick romance."
"And you never told me you got yourself pregnant, gave up your destiny, married, and killed my only daughter in the process. You are risking more than your own selfish self, and until you come to your senses you may not consider me your father."
Aragorn blanched as Elrond swept past him and left the tent. Legolas hurried forwards and wrapped his arms around his lover, who was trembling and pale. As Legolas' arms came around him, he sagged and Legolas slowly lowered him to the ground so that they were kneeling. Tears had clouded Aragorn's eyes, and when he leant against Legolas, resting his head on his shoulder, they began to spill over, a steady stream of them soaking his tunic.
For a long time, Legolas let his husband cry as he rocked and soothed him as gently as possible, until he found the twins at his sides. Elrohir and Elladan lay a hand on one of Aragorn's arms each, a sign that they had chosen him over their father and sister. It was a huge sacrifice. Soon, the sobs quietened and Legolas pulled away slightly, looking miserable. His thoughts had been racing since Elrond's departure and now he thought he knew what he had to do.
"Aragorn. If you wish to be with your father so much, if it is causing you this much pain to you, I will ride out and tell him myself that you will do your duty to him. I will leave if you wish me to, if you want your father's support more." Legolas hung his head. "I understand if this is the case and I will take myself away if it brings your happiness. I spoke too much, presumed too much."
When he looked up, he found that Aragorn, Elrohir and Elladan were looking at him in amazement and incredulity.
Aragorn spoke chokingly. "Are you insane? You said and did everything that I did not have the courage to do. You told Elrond what I feel exactly. You are my choice, and that was what this argument was about. That I chose you over him, love."
Gaping, Legolas flushed. "It is hurting you so much. I do not want you to hurt."
"His words and actions hurt me, Legolas, but not nearly as much as you could hurt me if you left," Aragorn managed, before his crying renewed and Legolas gathered him in his arms once more.
"We have chosen you too, brother," murmured Elladan. "Our sister has always been a selfish brat. It is time our father sees that."
Legolas mouthed a thank you at them, and they nodded their heads in unison. It had been the right thing to do.
000
Aragorn had abandoned all feelings and emotions; he had to in order to escape from Legolas. Only ten minutes earlier he had ceased his mourning for the death of the love of his father, and that was because he had seen Legolas blaming himself, and because he had to leave. He had to travel under the mountain. He could not have his husband there, no matter how much comfort it would bring him. Legolas was too precious to him; he could not lose him under the mountain. Snapping angrily at Éowyn on his way, who was delaying him, he finished saddling Brego and walked him towards the entrance to the long pathway between the two mountains. Suddenly, he heard footsteps behind him, and horses hooves. More than one set.
Those idiots, he sighed to himself, but spoke to Gimli when spoken too, and when Legolas emerged behind him he did not give in.
"I have to do this alone. You could both get killed," Aragorn argued. Legolas merely rolled his eyes at him, and then looked over his shoulder. Aragorn followed the gaze and sighed. The Dúnedain were gathered behind him. Groaning, he protested only half-heartedly. He knew that it was a lost cause.
"If you all die, it is not my fault."
"We will not die," Ráhlin spoke up from the front of the neat line. "We have every faith in you."
Aragorn sighed and turned from them. He pulled himself up onto his horse, ignoring the few sniggers he heard from behind him at his ungraceful manner. Legolas, who had leapt lightly onto his own Arod, sent the message,
I have always liked your men. They know precisely how to tease you.
Hush, Aragorn ordered.
He heard Legolas turn to Gimli, who he had just helped up behind him, and whisper, "Did you hear me talking, Gimli?"
"What are you talking about, lad?" he muttered back, very conscious of the looks he was receiving from the gathered Rohan soldiers.
You know what I meant, argued Aragorn sourly. I am probably the safest one here and yet I seem to be the most fearful.
Your men will follow you anywhere. Even through the mountain. We have trust in you, why can you not trust yourself?
There was silence for a long moment as they rode, finally clearing the Rohan onlookers. They could all hear the whispers, asking where they were going, what they were doing, why Aragorn was taking the horde of soldiers.
Then, when the walls of solid, ghostly-pale stone became claustrophobically overbearing, Aragorn sent, I am glad you are here.
You cannot get rid of me. There was a grin in Legolas' voice as he replied.
Nor do I wish to. It was the honest truth, and when he turned to see his husband, there was a small smile on his face. Aragorn sighed. He wished that they did not have to risk their lives, especially the men that had only been with him for a few years. It was not fair on them to be launched into such dangerous situations so early in their experiences. Once more, he glanced around to look back at the Dúnedain.
One of the newest men, Hartha, had his horse very close to Ráhlin's, who was still leading. Aragorn smiled: he had paired the two of them up last year when Hartha joined the Dúnedain. He was one of Ráhlin's best friend's youngest brothers, and by making Ráhlin Hartha's mentor it meant that Hartha was still in contact with his brother. Aragorn had seen Ráhlin and Hartha's closeness the last time they had gathered, and was pleased that they had become such steadfast friends.
He turned back to the front, thinking. This would be one of Hartha's first conflicts, the very first had been the battle with the Nazgul, but Ráhlin had kept him near the back for that. Was Aragorn dooming them all?
000
Many heard about the difficult trek through the mountain, though none reported the occasional soft touches used to comfort, or the constant conversation going on between Legolas and Aragorn in their minds. It ranged from singing half-remembered songs in their heads, to wondering weather they should adopt more children, and from the beginning of their relationship where everything felt so perfect to thinking up baby names. There were jitters even in Aragorn's mental voice, and his conversation become more and more limited as they came closer to the centre of the mountain. Because they had to walk, Legolas felt Aragorn flagging slightly and asked about it.
Do you wish to stop? Or I can give you a portion of my energy, melda.
I am fine, immediately stated Aragorn.
You are exhausted. You were sleeping for an hour before you woke.
For now, I am fine.
Legolas, who was looking up at the ceiling, sent, I am here if you need me, with a sigh in his mental voice. He knew that if Aragorn had a blanket and a piece of floor, he would be asleep in minutes.
Legolas, the Dúnedain… he sounded embarrassed, but Legolas knew at once what he meant. Aragorn had always been very sensitive to what his men thought of him, and was never truly himself in front of them, always showing his strongest front. If Legolas was being honest to himself, it was what he had done too, but his squadron was back in Mirkwood, under new rule.
It's dark. No one would see, persisted Legolas, still concerned. And think of the shame if you fell asleep.
Your son is most defiantly keeping me awake, do not fret about that. The tone was snappish, and Legolas smothered a laugh. They kept on running.
000
They had gathered the Dead, ran the rest of the way through the mountain and through several villages. Aragorn could feel his head nodding as Brego cantered at the front of the army of Dúnedain and the Dead towards a heavy forest. He could feel the worry radiating off Legolas as he rode barely a foot behind.
I am fine, if you were going to ask. When we get to the woods… he said.
You can collapse and the twins can chop my head off, pointed out Legolas.
Aragorn felt a bit confused. What do the twins have against you?
If you had not noticed, they know when you are still upset. So do I, though you do not seem to recall this, Legolas explained patiently. The look in your eyes when you thought I was leaving…I hurt you then, which upset us all. Anyway, since then their gazes are so furious I am surprised my tunic is not on fire.
I will speak with them.
You will not, you will sleep.
Stubbornly, Aragorn repeated, I will speak with them. You were trying to help me, and if you were willing to sacrifice your happiness for mine…That is more than anyone else has ever been willing to do.
Legolas' embarrassed reply was interrupted by Aragorn's order to his army to stop. The Dúnedain dismounted easily and Gimli jumped off from behind him, but the Leader of the Dead approached Aragorn. Legolas sidled closer to his husband.
"We do not need to stop," growled the Leader.
Looking down at the spectre, Aragorn said, "My men do. They need to eat and sleep, and so do I."
"The Dead do not sleep. The Dead do not eat."
Aragorn rolled his eyes. "We are not all dead," he said, but Legolas saw him tense, readying himself for a fight.
"The Dead wish to be released."
"You've had centuries being bound, you can wait a little longer for your fight." Aragorn's tone was as rigid as his back.
The Leader shifted restlessly, but faded back into the green mass. Aragorn turned to Legolas, who leapt off his horse.
"Was that the right thing to do? Should I have sent them onwards?"
Soothingly, Legolas said, "They would only create havoc if you are not there to rein them back in. And they have been treacherous enough of late," as Aragorn slipped off Brego.
"Let us find food before I fall asleep."
000
Aragorn snuggled down against his husband. They had a small tent to themselves and he was grateful for that bit of privacy. Elrohir and Elladan had not cornered his elf yet, because Aragorn had snagged him for himself. They had eaten quickly, so that Legolas could herd Aragorn into bed.
Yawning, he let his head rest on Legolas' shoulder, and Legolas wrapped an arm around him.
"This is the place I want to stay, forever," the human whispered. "No one else, just the two of us."
"You know I would love that too," Legolas murmured, placing a kiss on Aragorn's temple. "But only when you are awake and coherent."
"Who need's coherence when they are in love?"
Legolas paused, not sure how to reply to that, but when he looked down, he found the Ranger asleep already. Stifling a chuckle, he pulled the blanket around him and drifted off into his own dreams.
A/N: Sorry, I love writing fluff :D I couldn't restrain myself. But I updated scarily quickly because I got a ton of inspiration, though I really should have been revising or some crud like that. Can I just say that w/rock music is so awesome to listen to when you're writing? Then again, w/rock is awesome to listen to ANYWHERE! OK, thanks for all the reviews, they were all soooooo great.