In the dim light of morning the Twins rose quietly from their shared bed, leaving their lover to sleep. Murmuring quietly to each other as they pushed the covers into a pile onto their mate, with a little more care they would have noted the worryingly closed eyes. Dressing swiftly and drinking down the dregs of wine from a glass on the bedside table they left the room. They were aware that it had only been a few scant hours since they had retired from the offices. In returning to their chambers, even with the lateness of the hour they had woken their mate from his sleep to seek his carnal company. Now though they gave the other elf little consideration as Elladan scribbled a note on a scrap of parchment, tossing it onto the mound of covers before following Elrohir out the door.
Legolas became aware slowly, it was becoming harder to wake in recent days. With cool grey blue eyes on the ceiling about him he reached out a hand to the side, only cold sheets to greet him. He let his eyes slide shut again as he ran the hand down over the thin cotton, fingers stuttering a moment when touching the edge of torn parchment. A momentary pause before his long fingers wrapped around the note, he knew what it would say, what they all said. With a languid flick of his wrist, he tossed the note off the side of the bed. It took more effort than he would ever admit getting himself up, where once he would have been up with the sun now, he would rarely be in time for the end of breakfast. It just took energy that he didn't have anymore. He sat on the edge of the raised bed, casting his eyes about the room with a cracking smile. He had been in Minas Tirth over two weeks now and had yet to see his bonded for more than a tumble in their sheets. They would say that they had negotiations, with the men in the east and the dwarves from the west. Before that it had been an uprising of the people who thought Faramir held more claim to the throne than some Dunadain from the west. Further back Aragorn's ascension to the throne. Legolas made great effort to come from his own Citadel, where he ruled, frequently to visit his bonded each time he was more alone than before.
With a heaving breath he pushed himself up, his muscles ached as he moved elven grace forgotten. He looked at the crumpled parchment as he passed, the elven script appearing mannish in form. Another sign of the gulf between them. It was another promise that would soon be broken as other before, he didn't need the half-elven gift of foresight to see this. He would go, in the hope that this time something would change, he always did. He pulled on leggings and a tunic; golden accents that would usually highlight his silken hair now only showed how dull it had become. Stiff fingers wove his silver circlet into his hair, braids that had not removed the night before pulled into formation again.
Something in his chest, aching and cracking, made him bend and pick up the note form where it had fallen. He blinked a few times to bring the words to focus, his suspicions confirmed.
Meet us at the base of the western most tower. At the tolling of the noonday meal, we will bring a picnic and enjoy the air.
He let the note return to the floor, he noted numbly that he wasn't worth more than the end of a parchment scrap. It seemed like that small observation summed up the last few years. A roll of parchment used and used until all that is left is a scrap that has no real use. Over a half a millennium they had been bonded in they eye of the Valar and near double that they had been together. They had pledged before the Valar their undying love, loyalty, and respect and now all that had come was a scrap of parchment. Lost and tossed aside when something else came forwards. A decade should have been a drop in the ocean of time for an elf, for Legolas it was an ocean of its own. Of Promises and hope too soon dashed and broken in favour of trivial matters. In the moments that should have been beacons in the long years he was burdened with their worldly complaints and then the bruises like stories of their rough pleasure, no care like there had once been.
He blinked away tears that threatened to fall, pulling what little composure he had left into a mask. He would wear this mask to breakfast and beyond. It would keep unwanted questions at bay, and for a few moments in a hall filled with people he could pretend that all was well, and he was not alone.
Aragorn was not entirely surprised to see that both his aides were already within the council chamber. It did concern him though. He noted the two plates of food that indicated they had taken their breakfast in the chambers and not in the hall as he had. He had also noted that at his time of leaving Legolas had not appeared either. Without a third plate it was clear to him that Legolas had not joined them here. He pair were hunched over a small stack of documents that Aragorn recognized at the revised traded agreements from the previous day, documents that would have only been copied by the scribes in the past night. He wondered briefly if not for the lack of documents they would have left the chamber during the night at all.
"Here early again. I am sure they you were here not four hours previous. Though I admire the dedication I am aware that Legolas, your bonded, it currently within the city walls. I would have expected you to want to be with him." He probed with a disarming smile heading down to his own high-backed chair. In truth he had seen the messengers arrive from Ithilien, he had even on occasion intercepted them to inquire after Legolas. Each time he was met with more hostility and anger, often holding letters that there would have been no time to write as responses.
Elladan looked up briefly and then at his brother with a smile that Aragorn couldn't help but find discomfiting.
"Worry not, we have indeed 'been with him' as you say." He replied. "We have spent time enjoying our Legolas presence." Elrohir cut in agreeing with his brother. It was clear that neither of them had noted that Legolas had left their bed last night. Nor heard the elf crying in the bathing chamber. Even Aragorn could see there was something wrong, but he hoped that maybe this time something would change. This was the last day of the negotiations and there was nothing on the royal docket for another few weeks after. He could not force the Twins to do anything but if the natural order lined everything up who was he to argue. He was spared further internal speculation when Faramir arrived, followed by a contingent of ornately dressed Dwarves and Men.
In past visits Legolas would have spent much of his day wandering in the small gardens at the top of Minas Tirith. Today he admitted that his all energy and will had fled him. He found a shaded corner in the courtyard of the West Tower to sit; nothing grew here it was just white stone on more white stone. He could see the base of the tower, the single entrance that lead from the palace and the entrance from the courtyard of the white tree. He let out a sigh and tried to find some peace in the wanderings of his dreams. The elvish revery came less and less recently but by that he more actively sought it out for the comfort the dreaming world could offer him.
They day drew on, the sun arching across the sky, the shadows moving with her. Legolas had found a little peace, his heart and mind reluctant to give it up, time passed and even the ringing of the noonday bell so far above him could not pull him back. It was a soft hand on his shoulder and the calling of a voice that finally pulled him back. With the sun over the tower now and behind the figure in front of him hope for a split second that his hopes had been answered.
"Prince Legolas?" The voice shattered his hope like a window. Raising a hand to shield his eyes from the sun the figure became distinguishable as a guard.
"Theo? Well Met." He finally spoke, dropping the hand and pushing himself odd the cold stone. His head rushed for a second and he was sure if not for the wall behind him he would have fallen. Theo looked the elf over with concerned eyes. He was the west tower guard that Legolas would often end up talking to when he was in Minas Tirth. "Are you well?" Legolas asked the young guard to break the others stare. Theo gave a blinding smile and for a moment Legolas imagined he could physically feel the warmth.
"Yes, My Lord. I was hoping that I would see you. I wanted you to know that I finally asked Mary to marry me. We are betrothed." Legolas gave a genuine smile for his happiness. Much of his time with Theo had been talking of this Mary, watching, and listening as a child's infatuation became a man's love.
"Congratulations. I should like to meet your Mary. Have you begun the building of your future?" He asked, the others happiness something for him to cling to.
"Yes, Indeed. Our captain had given me leave to purchase his old house for a small deficit in my wage. He had moved back with his sister and her husband after the death of his wife." Legolas reached out can clasped the other by the shoulder giving it a supporting squeeze.
"Live these years to the fullest you can Theo. Love each moment and hold them dear." He implored quietly as he tipped his head to look at the sun and noting it position. "I have missed the noonday bell, Yes?" Theo nodded solemnly, he had been on this duty for near five years now, he was used to seeing the elf here waiting.
"Yes, My Lord. The council did not adjourn for noon meal. It was taken in chambers. I'm sorry." Legolas face dropped to the floor, his hand clamping down on his Theo shoulder for a few seconds before he looked at him again. Every time this happened it hurt more, like stepping on shards of glass with already cut feet. He pulled his hand back to rub at throbbing temples, his fingers graced the edges of his circlet and the braids wrapped around it. He pulled the silver from his hair dropping it to the ground as his fingers started to pull at the braids.
"Don't apologise. Nothing you could do." He breathed; voice choked. "If they come at- "He cut himself off with a slightly hysterical laugh. "I don't know why I said that. They will never come. I thank you Theo. For being here. I wish you all the best with Mary." The words felt final and lasting as Legolas pulled back and began to walk, body bent in on himself and spirit clearly broken loose hair buffeted by the breeze.
Theo watched the retreating form; he felt an ache and an anger for the Prince. He made to step after him, worried about his state of mind, when his foot hit the fallen circlet and sent it skittering across the stones a few feet. He chased it and picked it up brushing off the delicate leaves, they were bent and scuffed. He knew a lot about elves, they had fascinated him for many years and Legolas had been all to happy to indulge him. He knew that the braids were symbols, that an elf could read braids like a book of the other. What he wasn't sure was that removing them was anything other than a way to help a headache. He hesitated for only a moment before heading off in the other direction in search of someone that could help.
He had been shuffled up the chain, each time he had voiced his concerns and shown them the circlet he held. Each time he had been directed to the next superior until he came to where he was stood. Faramir stood beside him a grim expression on his face, he spared a momentary look at Theo before rapping on the door.
"Enter." The deep voice was easily recognizable at the Kind. Faramir pushed the door open and entered in front of Theo. The guard didn't take the time to take in the room's décor, he had to growing sense that time was running out. The King was sat behind his desk reading another sheaf of documents as Faramir round the desk bending down to whisper into his ear. Aragorn looked Theo up and down as a brief flash of recognition passed over his eyes.
"Step forwards." He ordered gently, Theo obeyed and bowed deeply. He waited a moment before he presented the circlet. Aragorn reached out and took the metal ring and considered it. "You had better sit down and explain." He declared sitting back and placing the circlet before himself like evidence in a court.
Theo nodded, adjusting his sword so that he could sit on the edge of the chair. "I fear for Lord Legolas. I fear for his spirit. He is breaking." He started with a puff of breath. "When Lord Legolas came with you to Minas Tirith he was bright and kind. He answered all my childish questions when he could have pushed me away. You see I guard the West Tower; I did with my father as a child as well. Lord Legolas spends much of his time there waiting for his bonded-" The word felt foreign on his tongue, but the Kings nod encouraged him to continue. "They make him promises you see. To take meals together or spend time with him. They are always broken; they never turn up. He was accepting at first as they would make apologies, turn up late or send food. Now they do nothing. He is forgotten." He took a breath, to tell the next part with as much accuracy as he could. "Today he was there before I went on duty. This is not common. I checked with the last guard rotation and found that he had been there for some hours, then end of breakfast at least. I approached him and appeared to wake him from some elven trance. He seemed confused and low spirited. I made small talk hoping to brighten him but soon he noted the time. I informed him that council had taken noon meal in chambers and that seemed to be the breaking point. He pulled that from his hair, dropped it like it meant nothing and left. He looked so unwell too, like he had been acting and the show was done. He bears bruises too. I could see them at his wrists." He spoke the last part quickly, trying to convey everything hr needed too in a short space of time. He held the point about the braids back though, he didn't want to confuse the matter.
"Theo, Legolas could not have pulled this from his hair without removing his braids?" Aragorn's voice was worried as his own now.
"The braids are important? To remove them is important as well?" Aragorn nodded with a new urgency.
"Did he? Did he remove his braids?" Theo nodded his own panic starting to well up now that it was clear his fears had solid foundation.
"Yes, My Lord. When he left his hair was loose." Aragorn cursed lowly in elvish before looking to Faramir.
"Summon my Aides. Tell them that they are to wait here until I return." He ordered briskly, he stood nodding to Theo as he strode from the room.
Legolas sat on the very precipice of the embrasure. He had once thought that it was odd that such a pinnacle be left unguarded when their own previous steward had thrown himself off it. For now, though he was glad of it that he might see the green outside of city of stone. He could feel his hair brushing about his ears in the breeze, it was an odd feeling as he could not remember the last time, he had worn his hair loose outside his bedchamber. He had worn Princes braids since his hair was long enough to braid, a warrior's braids when he entered the service of king, family braids to show his house and bonding braids to announce his devotion to his mates. To be without them was to be nameless, worthless, and unknown. To remove them was to condemn yourself and yet as he felt now it was just a mirror of his heart. He didn't notice Aragorn coming up behind him, the ranger's footsteps far quieter than most men.
"Legolas?" His voice was calm, so as not to startle the elf and cause him to fall. He turned his head to the voice and Aragorn was struck by how unwell Legolas truly did look. He seemed to have sunk in on himself, his fading light creating a vacuum he was being pulled into. "Talk to me? Please my friend. I have had a very worried friend of yours in my office." He plead, he guided Legolas away from edge until he could sit with him and not fear falling himself. He reached up and carded a hand through the loose locks. "I don't think I have ever seen you without your braids. Let me put in your warriors' braids at least." He offered, voice soft. It was a forbidden for any elf that had condemned themselves in such a way to replace them. They had to be sought again, someone represented by the braid had to put them back.
A warrior's braids - A brother in arms.
A prince's braids - A King
A Bonding braid - A bonded
Family braids – Family
Legolas gave Aragorn a searching look, considering the other face for a few moments. "Do I deserve them Aragorn?" The King didn't bother with a verbal reply, he began to weave in the familiar braids. He had helped his brothers when they were injured before. He finished the braids with ease and moved onto the more complex Princes braids, he only managed a few strands before his hands were pushed away.
"No. I don't deserve them. I have never done anything more than was asked of me. I am only a Prince by birth, not action." Aragorn let his hands fall down, his face twisting with its own grief. He could see that without Legolas pretence he was truly broken now. It seemed that the neglect of the Twins had finally worn the elf down to nothing.
"Legolas, you were part of the Fellowship. You joined a quest that was a best a fool hope and at worst a suicide mission for the good of others. If that is not Princely, then there is nothing that is. Please Mellon-nin." Legolas considered him for a few moments before waving his hand in a dismissive gesture, let the king do as he pleased. Aragorn wove the braids quietly, he tried to pull the elf into talking a few times, but Legolas was lost to his thoughts again and was unwilling to be pulled back. "Please, Talk with someone. Anyone. If not me then maybe Theo. That friend of yours. Unburden your soul somehow." He begged in a last attempt as he stood. He needed to seek the Twins, they were the cause of this, and they were its cure. He hoped.
Legolas sought his soul; he sought the bonds that connect him to the Twins. Where once had been a great river there was barely a trickle. It was not hard for him to finally close it. It had been the support that had gotten through the war, the quest, and months after. When the nights were darkest, he had pulled light from that bond. With the feeling of cold that passed over his him he made his choice. He was leave for the havens, pass over the sea in search of peace. He wasn't sure that he would make it to the havens, but he would try. Anything was better than this half-life he was surviving.
The Twins had taken up the small couch that occupied one wall of the office and were talking quietly. Unsure of the reason for their summons they found no indicators that they should worry. There was the presence of the guard but surely that was nothing to do with them. Even if the guard did seem to have the hobby of glaring at them occasionally. Their discussion was abruptly interrupted when the heavy wooden door was slammed open with an ease that belied it weight. Aragorn strode in, face twisted into a mask of anger.
"I- You. Arrogant sons of- "His first attempt at speaking was just a litany of half started sentences and expletives. Finally taking a breath he found some sense.
"First you will stand when you are before the King." His voice was venomous with his rage and the Twins stood quickly even if confused.
"Do you have any idea as to the current state of your mate? What have you done to him? Do you?" The pair cast anxious looks at each other and shrugged confused by this sudden barrage of anger.
"He was asleep when we left this morning. We were with him during the night. He was fine" Elrohir rebuked unsure as to why he was suddenly getting so defensive. Aragorn managed a growl in his anger at the response.
"With him during the night and he was fine? If you had actually bothered to look at him, you would see how fine he is." He pours himself a drink of dwarven brandy and knocks it back just for something to do with his hands. Elladan frowned and stepped forwards.
"What is going on? What has Legolas said? Why hasn't he come to us?" The questions game from both Twins in a back forth barrage. "It's unfortunate that we need to work as much as we do. Legolas needs to accept that even with him here the duties as your aides can not wait." It was Elladan this time that got defensive, the twins were as much a single unit as they were two bodies and in times of stress it just became more apparent.
"Do you hear yourselves? Needs to accept. He stopped sending letters a year ago, I haven't seen a messenger from Ithilien in over a year. The only correspondence is sent from Minas Tirith and then returned via our own messenger. He has complained of nothing, he has said nothing. What ever is tormenting him has been push so deep it's eating him." Aragorn reached out gestured to Theo to step forwards.
"This guard managed to see what you are blind to. He came to me today, having found Legolas in the aftermath of your abandonment. Apparently, a common occurrence. When I offered that we call recess for the negotiations for noon meal you insisted that we continue. I was an unwitting accomplice." Elrohir and Elladan both opened their mouths to reply but a raised hand cut them off.
"You seem to willingly forget that while you are my aides Legolas is the ruler of his own kingdom. A king in his own right if he should choose to take the title. Yet he comes here when you call for him, honouring his vows to you. To my knowledge since you entered my gates you have not visited Ithilien once. He is left out in the cold of your bond." The pair at least had the presence of mind to looked sheepish at their ignorance of Legolas position.
"It should shame you to know that within the Citadel of Ithilien there are gardens dedicated and built in your honour, yet you have never sought my leave to visit." They had nothing to reply with, no rebuttal that would satisfy. They looked at each other, a few moments of silent communication. When forced to think on it now they could see their complacency, how it might hurt their third. They were together day in and day out and had the company of themselves and their adoptive bother and sister. Only when they wanted the connection that none of the former could offer would the turn to Legolas, calling from his home for nothing more than carnal pleasure.
"What did you mean, eating him?" Elrohir asked quietly, afraid of the answer. Aragorn let out a huff of worry. He looked at his brothers unsure if Legolas would want them to know but them knowing could begin to help him.
"They symptoms of the elven sickness. He's thin, everything about him is dull and washed out. He must bruise easily for his wrist bare the evidence of your joining; I would imagine his hips do to by the way he is moving. I almost hope for that for if he bare bruises for any other reason I know not what I would do." He reached over to the desk and pulled the damaged circlet to himself; he bent a small leaf back into shape before showing the Twins.
"He left this on the courtyard flag stones. When he removed his braids, in public." He gave them a sorrow filled look as their hands touched their own braids. "You need to go to him. He's destroyed emotionally. He feels worthless and I worry for his spirit."
Not long after Aragorn had departed, he had removed himself from the precipice of the Embrasure. The drop had looked, for a few moments, far too enticing to his fragile spirit. Retreating to the Twins chambers he had taken the time write a series of letters, to his father, Elrond, and Aragorn. He had started a few versions for the twins but couldn't find suitable words to explain himself so in the end he had written a few words about he was feeling and an apology.
He looked at the items that he had brought with him to Minas Tirith, clothes, weapons, gifts for the twins. None of it seemed that important to take with him and he wondered if leaving it all behind was better.
With the fire unlit due to the time of day the chambers were on the cool side and he noted that was in fact shivering. He considered the feeling for a few moments, watching as his body quivered in the looking glass. Fading, and fast, he noted slowly. He wouldn't reach the Havens in his state. He supressed the urge to open his side of the bond and pull comfort through, one he wasn't sure that he could pull enough and two he wasn't sure that the Twins would give it. Turning away from the looking glass he stumbled to the bed feeling the exhaustion growing. Sitting he caught sight of the silvery mark on his hand, the only scar elves bodies would never let fade, his bonding mark. It was the source of his connection to the Twins, cut when they bonded and mixing their blood. He pulled out one of his knives out from their sheaths, looking down at the edge in split second he opened the bonding mark up. The bleeding was quick, and the evaporation of the bond was final. He imagined for a moment that he was releasing the Twins, that they would be pleased to be free to bond again with someone they deemed more suitable.
Emptiness consumed him, like a void sucking everything in. His light dimmed further till it barely sparked. He wavered as he stood stumbling, wanting to feel the open air and the sun. He wanted to be free. He let his body lead him through the halls, using the wall to keep upright as he tripped and stumbled. The West Tower was the tallest, he slipped a few times as he climbed the light breeze pulling him to the top. Out on the worn stone he stopped, the wind and sun on his skin felt right. Looking over the stone city his face was graced with a sad smile, he had hoped to stay on these shores as long as the Twins did but he knew this was not to be true. He looked at the distant forest of his Kingdom, so green and verdant now and wept.
"I pray that their love last forever, that my intrusion is not remembered. I prey that Ithilien grow on and be a haven for all this side of the sea. I pray that someone remember me." He breathed the words to the wind that they be carried to the Valar. With the last of his strength he sang, the music of his soul returning to Iluvatar from whence it came.
In the offices of Aragorn, the discussion was cut short when the song permeated the space. A song of the soul was distinct and sacred, private, and precious to the elf that bore it. Mid-sentence the Twins stopped, casting horrified looks at each other, for this song they knew. It was weaving with their own sounding through their bond, loud when Legolas was particularly in love with them or seeking of their comfort. Aragorn has also stopped, the look of the twins telling him what he feared.
"That's Legolas?" He murmured, hoping against everything he was wrong.
"His Music. His soul…." Elrohir murmured as they tried to reach him through their bond but finding mothering where it should be, like it was never there. Elladan grabbed his Twins left hand pulling it up with savage motion. He had his own out palm flat, where their mark should have been there was a pinking scar that would soon heal into nothing. With out words they pushed their way passed Aragorn following the music.
"What is it? What did you see?" Aragorn called as he tried to keep up. Elladan didn't stop to explain just called back.
"He's dissolved our bond. He sings to fade and die."
The world was dimming in his eyes now, Arnor shadowed though she had not moved beyond the horizon yet. His eyes were empty now, vacant and his own body, a shell and nothing more. With the last notes it was done. He fell back onto the floor of the tower head bouncing sickly for stillness settled.
They felt their hearts stutter as the song ended, pushing their way onto the roof of the tower they stopped. He could have been sleeping if not for the missing rise and fall of his chest. Gathering him up and pulling him close into a loving embrace they cursed themselves. Elladan grabbed his dagger from his boot and cut his and Elrohir's marks open, pressing the bleeding hand of their mate to their fresh cuts.
"Please…. What the Valar…. has…has" They fought for the words that formed their bond in the hope of reigniting it. "Has...g..." Their tears too much. Aragorn clasped the trio of hands in his own, giving the twins a nod when they looked at him.
"What the Valar have brought together and blessed let nothing and no one tear apart." He paused. "Let the bond broken be reforged, stronger than before." He looked at the Twins waiting. In unison they gave their vow.
"What grace has given us let it pass to him." In the wind and sun of the Tower they waited.
Legolas came to consciousness slowly. Looking about him at the beautiful halls, all white and golden, reminding him of the halls of the last homely house. He took a few tentative steps forwards and found that although his feet made sound it was muffled in the calm. He felt so tired but not in pain as he had been, upon spotting a white dressed bed he wished nothing more to lay and sleep. He moved slowly checking about himself as his did so. The bed appeared to be in an open room with gauze covered windows. He touched it briefly before making to lay down only stopping when an ethereal figure appeared to the side.
"Greenleaf. I was never meant to have you in this place. This bed was not meant for you. You were never made a bed here. It is not your time. You were destined to sail in time to undying lands." Legolas felt fresh tears start to trail down his cheeks and the pain and weariness flowed back into him from Arda. He knew that he would have to go back and be unloved or find no peace wandering the halls. Namo stepped forwards, long fingers wiping at the tears.
"Please…Please... It must be in your power..." Legolas looked up at the Vala, pleading with him in both word and soul. Namo wrapped long arms around him and held the Elf's soul. He could see the damaged, the fragility that would bring nothing but torment. This gave him sorrow, having watched this elf for many centuries. As he turned tides in battles that should had failed and gave his light to others to help them or ease their passing. Legolas has often prayed to him, in both peace and war, not many prayed to him outside of death. Each of his actions had endeared him to Legolas and to seem him as such was too much.
Without outward change, he nodded. In a smooth motion he lifted Legolas form up, cradling the smaller elf to his chest and walked through the halls. The halls changed and formed around him until he was faced with a large pair of doors. His own chambers, his refuge in his realm. The door opened and he entered. It contained no bed for the Vala did not sleep, the halls were free of such things for those that wished it. With a push of will and intent another small chamber was brought into existence. Within it was a luxurious bed, the covers a pleasant pastel green and plenty of pillows. He carefully lay the crying elf down and rested his hand gently on his forehead.
"Calm My Little One." He breathed the words like a spell. "They have realised their wrongs and seek to repair the damage. You need to return to them, there is much work for you yet. They well be better, and your love will be stronger. This is now your destiny. You are beloved of me and many of the Valar. Your true passing would cast a shadow on Arda." His voice was soft, lilting and even in his sadness Legolas found that he enjoyed it. "I will keep you here three days on Arda. It will feel longer here. In that time, you will rest and heal." He added running the thick coverlet up over Legolas. Legolas nodded his consent to the Vala, he could rest here. Namo gently touched his forehead and Legolas slipped into the space between the realms to rest.
Elladan and Elrohir were waiting, it seemed like an age, then the bond flared and burst in the back of their minds. It was weak, fragile, and odd to them, but it was there. Looking in hope at the body there were gratified to see the rise and fall of his chest start again as life was returned to him. Their relief was short lived though as a black shadow spread over and around them, so black it covered the sun. Namo stood before the three of them, Aragorn included, with sad and angry eyes.
"I am loath to return him to you, but he has consented as it is his destiny. He wished to stay with me though and were it in my power to alter the Music to that degree I would have taken him in a moment for my own." His words were heavy with meaning and it made the twins shiver. "That being said, I will keep him three of your days. He will not wake, will not require sustenance of any kind, just the warmth of a bed. In this time, I will spend much of it piecing his fae back together that it may survive here again. Should he ever feel the sorrow of neglect or so in need of a refuge for his fae again that he should commit such an act I will welcome him." The Vala bent and laid a chaste kiss on the head of the elf. As he pulled away an interlaced triquetra and circle sigil appeared. It glimmered and shone for a few seconds. "His soul is a great gift, and he is much suited to be Valar Bonded. Take better care of him for his much beloved by me." With the final words he retreated back to his halls leaving them alone in the sun.
In his halls again he retreated to the small room and Legolas. He spent a few moments of his time making the room fit the elf before beginning his work. The damage the twins had done was great and it would take a lot of time to heal if some of it ever did. As he worked, he considered events, his thoughts wandering and his own music adding various decorations and such as trees, vines, and blooming flowers in hope of soothing the soul.
Elladan wrapped his arms tighter around Legolas, Elrohir doing much the same, wanting to their mate close as possible.
"We nearly lost him. He was gone and …" Elrohir was muttering softly, one hand stroking the silken hair.
"We have lost him El. He wanted to stay in the halls, stay with Namo. He had a place there. Namo has given him a place in that halls as lover not resting spirit." Elladan's voice quivered in places as he spoke. 'What if' Questions crowded his mind. What if the damage was too much and he couldn't return fully? What if he chose to go back to that halls if he did return?
"You're going to have to work and work hard." It was Aragorn that spoke this time, his voice making them jump as they had nearly forgot his presence. "He needs love and care. To feel secure in the knowledge that he will not be neglected nor forgotten again. I will remove you as my aides immediately. He is your soul concern." The twins nodded, in a smooth moved they lifted him from the floor and began a slow decent into the tower.
They carried him into their chambers intent on putting him to bed. Aragorn pushed the door open and grimaced at the scent of stale despair and sex. He went to pull the covers down and his grimace deepened further at the spots of blood evident on the sheets. He looked at the twins who has stopped at the door, their elven sight was sufficient to see what Aragorn had. Elladan looked physically sick and Elrohir didn't seem to want to look as he pressed his face into Legolas hair.
"Run him a bath. I will change the sheets myself." Aragorn ordered softly already stripping everything back and tossing it all to the floor, he would just have fresh brought up. Elrohir took the full weights of Legolas into his arms as his twin done as Aragorn suggested. Calling for hot water from the same servant that Aragorn had demanded a fresh set of bedding and fresh pillows, the poor man started to look harried. Just for something to do Elladan began rummaging through the wardrobe that was off to the side. They had varying robes and other clothes and he made a small sound of triumph when he pulled out a soft well-worn sleep robe.
Soon the water and other requested items arrived with a flurry of servants in tow. The bed was made up with practiced speed, with the order that this was for a convalescent it was ensured that an extra bedside table for medication was provided and warmer bedding as well. It wasn't long before Legolas was bathed, his wound tended, dressed, and tucked away in the warm bed. Elrohir fussed with the covers, twitching them this way and that until his hand were clasped by Elladan.
"He looks dead Dan, I can't… He looks like we have laid him out for rites." He murmured. Elladan pulled his brother into his arms nodding.
"He's not though. He's breathing. He will come back." Even he could not deny how sobering it was to see his mate as he was. It showed them something that they never wanted to see again.
For the next three days the Twins stayed at their mate's side. Without the needs of a man, they were able to maintain a constant vigil. They could feel Legolas fae, it grew strong by inches and then in small jumps. Even then it was dimmer than it had been, this made them uncomfortable knowing that they had managed what war could not. As the third day drew to a close, they noticed the first of the true changes; the mark that had been barely visible started to glow again, spreading in small vines to cover the tops of his cheek bones. There seemed to be a deep sub wave of sound that accompanied, like a hum from the depths of the earth. The hair on the back of their necks stood on end, it pushed them to pull away but held them still at the same time. There appeared then a presence in the room, stood by the bed watching the body placed upon it. It took the twins longer than they would like to admit seeing that it was their mate. Legolas fae watching his body, the spectre has black bands of fabric around his limbs, bandages that were holding him together. On the transparent skin that they could see he was a web of vines, the markings of Namo. After a time, the spectre turned and considered the Twins, his eyes were the blues they had ever been glowing in the shadow of the room. His lips moved like he was speaking to them stopping only when the black figure of Namo appeared at his side.
"They can not hear you little one." His words seemed to come from all around them. "The time you have spent with me has changed you. You are of me now and of my halls, but you must return to your form now." He gently tuned the shade towards his body, with a guiding hand he lifted Legolas hand to touch his own. At the contact, the fae grew blindingly bright before diminishing into the physical form. Namo turned briefly to them, fixing them with a look that conveyed more than words would ever be able to. He touched Legolas head in reverence before passing into the shadows.
The Twins moved closer with hesitant hope, the bond felt right and whole now even if the fae at the other end felt different. Legolas became aware of the Twins slowly, eyes opening and taking time adjust to the light of the room.
"Legolas, Meleth-nin." Soft hands caressed his hair and touched his cheeks with the gentlest of touches.
"Dan?" His voice was hoarse with disuse but was still strong.
"Yes. I am here. So is Ro. We are both here." He whispered and drew closer that Legolas might see them easier. The elf smiled a little, the love he saw in their eyes was renewed and strong in a way that he hadn't see for years. "Meleth-nin, we can't begin to- "Elrohir was cut off when Legolas lifted a hand and rested it on the other lips.
"Do not speak. Listen. I do not care for your reason, nor do I care for your excuse. I know trials and needs of kingdom. I know that you were needed but I needed you too. Just, what ever comes, please care for me. Care for your impact on my fae. I love you as I always have. I have loved you to my own hurt, but your neglect hurts innumerable times more. When we bonded you vowed to love me? Do not break these vows." Legolas was aware he was crying but had to get out his feeling or he would never be able.
"We have renounced our claim to anything that could pull us from you. Faramir has taken our place, we are free to be with you, to love you as we should. We would follow you across the see if you wished it this very day." Elladan murmured into golden locks. Legolas shook his head.
"I ask nothing but a single wish." He breathed.
"Just Love Me."