So, I'm thinking that the next chapter will be the last as I really feel that this story is ready to be wrapped up. But for now, we are still in Gondor!
Thanks to Aralas for generously providing me with an impressive amount of versions of 'ahem'. It's entirely my fault they ended up where they did.
A very Merry Christmas to all of you!
*
Chapter 21 – Tower, Minas Tirith (White City), Gondor
"This must be the fiftieth bedroom."
Still with one hand on the handle, Aragorn looked inside and could not help the exasperated sigh that escaped him. Legolas was peering over his shoulder.
"I do not particularly like this one," he announced. "It is too small and too dark; it has no windows. Fit for a Dwarf, I say."
As the new King of Gondor (yes, yes, and Arnor) it really was Aragorn's place to object and stress that all creatures were worthy decent nightly accommodation but he sorely lacked the energy. "Why would you need this many bedrooms anyway?" he grumbled instead, lovingly exhibiting all the appreciation he held for his new home.
Legolas leaned against the opposite doorframe. "For guests? A Dwarf, in this case."
"They would prefer sleeping in the caves, I suspect," muttered Aragorn.
A pair of blue elven eyes went wide. "There are caves here? And you have bedrooms in them too?"
"It is not like I designed this place," Aragorn defended himself and made an attempt to close the door which proved impossible as Legolas stood where he was standing, so to speak. "If I had done that, I would not have included half as many bedrooms."
"No, I see not why you would need more than one," said Legolas thoughtfully. "Or possibly five." He visibly brightened. "That way we could alternate!"
Aragorn could be persuaded into examining that idea more thoroughly in some near future. Now, however, was not the time. Unfortunately.
"In any case" he said, forcefully dragging his thoughts in a more – for the moment – productive direction, "I am not sure there are any caves here."
The brightness was quickly gone from Legolas' features and he frowned. "Then why did you say so?"
"I did not. I said that a Dwarf would probably prefer sleeping in the caves rather than here."
True, it was but an assumption, but not such an unlikely one.
"But we were specifically discussing bedrooms here, in the Tower," said Legolas, emphasising that last part like he thought Aragorn was extraordinarily dim-witted. "Thus, when you speak of 'the caves' I take for granted that there are some here."
"Well, yes… But…"
"Well, as we were discussing this particular location, I would assume that you were referring to the same when you mentioned the caves."
"If they even exist!" Aragorn flung his arms out, something he immediately regretted as the door was in the way.
Legolas' eyebrows were aiming for the ceiling. "Would you not say that offering a Dwarf a cave to sleep in when in reality you have none, is quite uncivil?"
"I am not offering any Dwarf anything!" exclaimed Aragorn as his offended fingers were beginning to throb with pain.
"So where will you have Gimli sleep then?"
Aragorn glared at the bedroom, quite certain it was its fault for bringing about this stupid quarrel. "He can sleep in here, for all I care. It was you who said that it was fit for a Dwarf."
"Until you mentioned the caves…"
"There are no caves!"
Legolas cocked his head to the side. "A moment ago you said you did not know that. Have you made a discovery in these last two minutes that I am not aware of, Elessar?"
Turning his glare on the Elf, Aragorn could only grumble. "No."
"Then do not make it sound like it," Legolas said sweetly, "it weakens your argument." He leaned in and placed a quick kiss on Aragorn's cheek. "I am quite sure Gimli will be perfectly happy in here, although he would have preferred caves, I daresay."
"If there are any…" He would have loved to rub the kiss away, just to show Legolas that he was not beaten yet, but in all honesty if felt too good to get rid of. Legolas might be welcome to kiss the pain in his hand away too. Maybe.
"You were sort of implying that there were…"
"You listen too intently."
"I love you – I listen to what you say!" Legolas tried an expression of indignation.
"No you do not."
"Love you or listen to you?" The Elf edged a little closer and this time his lips landed gently on Aragorn's own.
"Listen," he managed to mutter before he was properly kissed. (Which somehow made it all better.)
Legolas drew back with a smug smile. "Now shall we explore the bedrooms we like?"
With a tremendous effort, Aragorn shook his head. "What we should do, is to head back to that huge hall we started from."
Legolas' hand landed on the small of his back but nevertheless, the Elf seemed to compose himself. "Alright, lead the way."
Finally pulling the door shut, he took a first step to his left. Then he hesitated. "We came from around that corner, did we not?"
"Hm?" Legolas looked up.
"That way?" Aragorn pointed to his left. "Are we going that way?"
Legolas threw a fleeting glance in the opposite direction. "Or that. It is hard to tell…"
"You do not remember the way?"
The Elf only shrugged. "I am with a Ranger," he said. "It is you who should be doing all that tracking and path-finding and such."
"This is a house!" protested Aragorn. "Not a grass plain in Rohan."
"This is a Tower," Legolas corrected him. "And just because it is lacking in grass, does not mean you could not pay attention to where you are going."
"You are certainly not helping."
"It is hard, Aragorn!" cried Legolas emphatically. "When you are wearing these breeches…" He lovingly caressed one of Aragorn's leather clad buttocks. "You are far more enticing than any wood panels."
Aragorn muttered as he fought to maintain focus. "I thought you liked wood."
"'Woods', love, as in trees grouped together." Legolas purred as he extended his caresses to include the other buttock as well. "Could we not stay away for a little longer?"
"We have already spent hours walking around this place…"
It was not appropriate. It was not appropriate! He had a people to look after…
"What is another hour, then?" Legolas hummed into his hair and against his neck.
Aragorn swallowed. The people had managed without him for some years, after all... "Or five?"
He heard the grin. "Mmm... That way we have time to alternate…"
"Ahem..."
Aragorn froze.
"Aaahem..."
Legolas' hands reluctantly withdrew from his breeches.
"A-hem!"
Aragorn cursed under his breath.
"A-HEM!"
Legolas' lips left his neck.
"AHEM!"
Damn.
It really was hard not to scream.
"Strider!"
"What?!" screamed Aragorn.
Legolas jerked back and rubbed the ear that had been closest to the audio assault (one of his own ears – not one of Aragorn's... probably because he – Legolas, not Aragorn – felt that as Aragorn had done the screaming, he – Aragorn, that was, not Legolas – was not worthy of having his ear rubbed). "Elessar..." he began complaining but was brutally cut off.
"How are you both?"
So, Pippin was looking extraordinarily perky. It was obvious that the Black Breath no longer was what it used to be.
Well, what it used to be while it still existed – seeing as Sauron and his minions were destroyed by now and probably took their Breaths with them.
(No use breathing when you no longer exist.)
Which was almost unfortunate in The Hobbit Case.
"Never been better." Aragorn scowled.
"Excellent!" said Merry with an accompanying grin. "It is good we found you both together for we were utterly tired of walking around looking for you."
"This place is terribly enormous," nodded Pippin. "I am sure we could fit the whole Shire within these walls."
If there was one thing Aragorn did not wish to try, it was that.
"There are certainly enough bedrooms here to give every Hobbit in Middle-earth a place to sleep," said Legolas.
An equally bad idea.
The White Tower overflowing with Hobbits?
No thank you.
"No thank you," he said.
Legolas' lips quirked into a smile. "No? Well, we could store them in the caves, I suppose." He patted Aragorn's lower back and then his hand sort of lingered there.
"There are caves too?" Merry asked, (so unable to shut up). "Gimli will love that! He is all for this stone that is everywhere – a little too everywhere if you ask me – but he is very upset that all of it is above the ground, if you take my meaning."
"There are no caves," Aragorn repeated through clenched teeth, focusing on Pippin. Not that it had worked on Merry in Ithilien, but, as far as he could see, Pippin was another individual altogether (Hobbit Four).
Who seemed equally unimpressed.
"Then why did you say so?" He looked from Legolas to Aragorn and back again.
So he had eyes and he knew how to use them. Good for him.
Legolas only shrugged. "I did not. Initially it was Aragorn who mentioned them."
Aragorn slapped away the Elf's hand. And immediately regretted it as his lower back suddenly felt awfully alone.
"I spoke about caves in general," he clarified.
"M-hm," said Legolas without bothering to sound convinced.
Merry frowned. "In any case, they are waiting for you."
"In the Great Hall," supplied Pippin. "You do know that both of you are acting very strange?"
It was evident that Pippin had never considered spending an hour of his time in Legolas' arms.
...
Which was a very, very good thing.
Violently shaking his head to rid himself of any upsetting images, Aragorn grasped Legolas' hand and firmly replaced it on his lower back. It was high time to stop talking about Hobbits and beds. And Elves. (Legolas.) At least when they appeared together in the same bed – no matter which one. Something that should never happen in the first place.
Not that he minded talking about Legolas. It was just the combination that deeply unsettled him.
"Strider?"
The Hobbits were both looking at him expectantly.
"Yes?"
What now?
"Lead the way!" said Pippin.
Legolas half-heartedly stifled a giggle. "Yes, please do, Elessar."
He would show them.
"Left!" he ordered.
– xxx –
A week passed, and then they arrived in the Great Hall.
"By Elbereth! By now we were quite certain that the line of Elendil was finally lost in the folds of history." Elrohir was reclining upon some type of divan, only bothering to open one eye.
"Strider gave us the complete tour," said Merry.
"He was very thorough," supplied Pippin obligingly. "He made sure we saw the eastern balconies twice, and the kitchens thrice."
"Very kind of him." Merry grinned, like the evil creature he was.
Elrohir shook his head and gave a deep sigh. "How shall we summon the courage to leave you alone, little brother, when that day comes?" He turned his one-eyed attention to Legolas. "It would be sad indeed to see you perish, Legolas, when Estel cannot find his way in his own home..."
Legolas flashed him a Smile of Brilliance. "Oh, I am sure we shall manage. There are bedrooms enough to find someplace to... sleep – and now that we have located the kitchens, there is a prospect of survival." He gave Aragorn's shoulder a nudge with his nose. "Or what do you think, love?"
"Hm," said Aragorn.
"And what about politics?" Elladan had been ignoring them expertly, but now he turned from the window to survey them. "What will you deal with first, Estel? The cities that lie in ruins? The ravaged forests? The burial of the dead?" His grey eyes narrowed and his voice acquired a sharper edge. "Kingship does not equal pleasure and bliss."
He knew that.
He really did.
"I know that!"
"Oh indeed?" Elladan strode closer menacingly. "We always supported you, Estel, for we knew of your heritage and your destiny. You have now won this war; it would be a great disaster if you screwed this up."
Because that was his plan...
Elladan stopped only a few inches away and his eyes were gleaming. "Can you handle this, little brother?
Enough was enough.
"I am not so little anymore!" cried Aragorn. (He almost made Legolas jump. Almost. Which was sort of an impressive feat.) "And I know this is no game for children! I have prepared for this for some sixty years – it does not exactly come as a surprise. I will govern Gondor wisely! Yes, and Arnor!" he added when he thought Elladan was about to open his mouth. "We will bury and honour the dead, set about to restore the lands, and secure peace. Houses and huts shall be repaired long before winter and foods and goods shall be allocated appropriately. A new era of prosperity has begun!"
He drew a deep breath.
Elladan said nothing.
The Hobbits were staring.
Elrohir and Legolas were absolutely still.
From the doorway came the sound of clapping.
"Well spoken, Elessar. You will inspire many, I believe." Gandalf slowly crossed the floor, his white robe elegantly flowing around him. "I knew you had it in you, somewhere." He winked.
Aragorn glared.
In front of him, Elladan turned a softening gaze to Legolas. "Mellon nín," he said quietly. "There now lies a great choice before you... Can you endure this city of stone after so many years beneath the green boughs of the northern lands?"
It took Aragorn a couple of seconds before he understood what his so-called brother meant.
He. Did. Not. Like. It.
Elladan moved closer to Legolas – his Legolas – and everyone in Minas Tirith held their breaths. Or at least Aragorn did not breathe, and out of concern for him, the Hobbits really should do the same.
"You will always be welcome in Imladris, Legolas... Many would rejoice should you choose to make your home there."
It was sheer horror that kept Aragorn from moving, or screaming, or punching Elladan so hard that caves finally were created due to Impact Of Elf.
He watched in terror as Legolas placed a hand upon Elladan's shoulder and offered him a gentle smile. "Le hannon, mellon nín," he said softly. "You are very generous, but I have already chosen."
His other hand found Aragorn's and threading their fingers together, he brought their joint hands to his mouth and placed a kiss upon the Man's skin. "I choose your brother, and I will make a home here with him."
Aragorn knew he should breathe, but he settled on crying instead. (Not overly much, but a tear or two trickled down his cheeks.)
Elladan nodded slowly, his eyes a bit duller as the last shreds of hope left them. The Hall was very quiet.
Legolas turned to Aragorn but did not release his hand. "Le annon veleth nín," he whispered. "Again, and again, and again."
Aragorn could not hold back a sob. "I love you too."
Now he was crying overly much.
When Legolas leaned in and kissed him, they were nearly drowning.
Pretty soon he did not care.
When they parted, he knew very little about where he began or ended.
That all changed when his gaze fell upon Elladan. He was ready to say something terribly terrible, but his brother spoke before he had a chance to arrange his thoughts.
"You have my blessing, Estel."
Huh?
Aragorn frowned.
But Elladan only nodded and did not repeat himself.
"Thank you?" He could not help it if he sounded a bit doubtful. After all, only moments ago this brother of his had practically begged Legolas to marry him.
Aragorn never begged.
"You both have my blessing. May the Valar grant you much happiness."
He took a step back from them and gave a weak smile. "Look after him, Legolas. And make sure he behaves."
"Oh, I will!" grinned Legolas. "I plan to bathe him every day."
Aragorn pulled out of the embrace. "Surely no one needs to bathe ever day," he protested. He had done just fine during his Ranger days when sometimes a light rain was the only type of water he had encountered for weeks.
The look that Legolas gave him would convince even the most stubborn Balrog that a bath was in order.
"Fine," he grumbled. "You win."
There came an "Aaaaah" from somewhere to his left. Merry and Pippin were wearing the sappiest smiles he had ever seen.
"That was beautiful," said Hobbit Three.
"He even agreed to bathe..."
"You know, Strider, Gandalf was about to clap again when you declared your love for Legolas, but we stopped him. We thought it might ruin the moment if you were not finished yet – and you were not, as it was. So he refrained from it, and now we are here and you have all made up. Is it not splendid?!"
Oh the drama...
"Splendid," he said and the Hobbits gave a collective sigh.
As if he recognised this as his cue, Gandalf stirred. "Now, if this lovers' quarrel has been settled, perhaps it is time to look to the celebrations?"
Elrohir shifted on the divan and spoke up for the first time in ages. (The fact that he had succeeded in remaining silent for so long did not discredit him.) "We will ride out to meet adar and Arwen. They will surely bring a host from Rivendell."
With a final glance at Legolas, Elladan nodded and went to sit by his twin's side. "We will escort them to the City."
"Very well," said Gandalf. "Yet there are many other pressing matters. I will send for Faramir and you may seek his counsel, Aragorn. That is if he can tear himself from the Lady of Rohan..." The Wizard's blue eyes were twinkling.
Very suspicious.
Not giving him any time to further reflect upon this, Legolas wound an arm around Aragorn's waist and steered them both towards the dais upon which the old, and for many long years unused, throne of the Kings was standing. He managed to slide into the seat first without really letting go.
"You know that thing is for me?" Aragorn tried to figure out how he could best claim the throne with Legolas still in it, not ending up on top (not that he minded being on top) while still looking royal and important. Preferably with most of his dignity intact.
"Yes?"
"And now you are sitting in it?"
"Yes?" Legolas pulled him a little closer using the Arm Around Waist Technique, combined with a heavy dose of Lowered Eyelashes and one Improper Smile. "What do you say we let them plan away all they want while you and I try out the furniture..?"
There was no option but to end up partially in his lap.
"Not here!" hissed Aragorn as the Elf's hand worked itself inside his shirt.
"Oh, but I quite like this throne..." mused Legolas as his fingertips brushed against warm skin.
"I..." Aragorn shivered. "Do not... care." He shot a quick glance at Gandalf who was speaking with his brothers. The Hobbits were nowhere to be seen. No one paid them any attention.
Okay, so maybe he cared a little.
Legolas was very perceptive. He tugged at Aragorn's shirt and nuzzled the Man's neck. "Imagine we are all alone..." he murmured, "what would you do then?"
Legolas did not want to know.
Well, probably he did, judging by the way his hands were stroking Aragorn's upper body.
At least it was his upper body and not other... body parts.
"I would..." he drew a deep breath and closed his eyes.
Do not think about Gandalf.
Legolas' tongue tip gave his neck an encouraging caress.
No Gandalf.
"We..."
Gandalf was nowhere around.
Aragorn let out a tiny gasp as his lover's hand slid down to his upper thigh. His very, very upper thigh. A first rush of blood set certain nether regions burning.
"I adore these breeches," Legolas breathed against his skin. "When you have me right here, promise you will wear only them."
Whatever Aragorn had planned on saying was lost in a magnificent blush. He was quite sure that this was not the type of royal action that Denethor had desired when he cast long looks upon the throne.
"Maybe I will wear the Winged Crown too?" he jested.
The jesting part was completely lost on Legolas. All he got was a moment of blank staring.
"Oh, Elessar..." Elven lips curved in the most delicious smile and the hand left Aragorn's upper thigh and a palm was dragged over his groin, making the Man gasp. "I think we shall find you reign most... pleasurable."
Aragorn was only a breath away from catching Legolas' lips with his own.
"Hoy, laddie!"
Dwarf.
Were not Hobbits enough?
He slowly turned to face the room. Gimli had apparently left his axe behind, but he still looked like he was on a mission.
"These scoundrels here talk about caves," called Gimli, nodding towards Merry and Pippin. "Where have you hidden them?"
Aragorn drew a long, deep breath that was meant to be calming. Still, telling a Dwarf of the absence of caves was a delicate matter.
"There are no caves!" he shouted.
Legolas chuckled low. "I know of one cave that you may visit..." Talented fingers dove beneath the leather and Aragorn shuddered. "But that is you and only you..."
As Gimli's grumbles blended with the Hobbit's eager exclamations, Aragorn pushed Legolas' hand further down. "Is this cave hard to find?" he mumbled.
His Elf left a kiss upon his lips. "A skilled Ranger like yourself will surely locate the opening... But you may want to bring your staff."
TBC
Translations (all Sindarin):
mellon nín – my friend
le hannon – thank you
Le annon veleth nín – I give my love to you
adar – father