Disclaimers: Read the Author's Notes. As for having an heir; that's why Mithrandir is there.

Reasons To Fight, Reasons to Wed

Part 2. Bitter Anger

Legolas and Mithrandir were warmly greeted by Lord Elrond, who insisted on treating the small cut on the Elven Prince's face. Legolas protested but eventually gave in, because it wasn't worth the argument. Instead, the blond Elf was distracted by thoughts of his betrothed, for Legolas had temporarily put aside the incident with Estel.

Elrond made silent for the most part, because he knew why Legolas was here. The Elven lord had dreaded this day, for he knew that soon Aragorn would learn the truth and return to take the throne of Gondor, as was his birthright. Elrond truly considered Aragorn as a son, so this was sad for the half Elf. Though he knew that Legolas was a worthy match for the one that he considered as a son.

Mithrandir said little as well, but a knowing look was in his eyes. He had a suspicion that Elrond was troubled by something, which the Elven lord did not want Legolas to know. Mithrandir knew that his 'young' friend was eager to see Aragorn once more and fulfill their betrothal. If they didn't… If Legolas and Aragorn did not wed, the results would be devastating, moreso for the Elf than for Aragorn. Mithrandir banished the depressing thought from his mind. Why would the son of Arathorn not want Legolas? He was beautiful, noble, compassionate, wise, and Legolas also possessed magic, inherited from his own parents. Though Aragorn would be upset for a while, Mithrandir knew, because of the incident with the arrow.

Elrond cleared his throat, causing Legolas to took at him. 'We need to speak, Legolas,' the Elven lord murmured.

Hopeful, sapphire eyes lit up. Legolas nodded, making his hair sway onto his face, but he ignored it. 'We do need to talk. Aragorn is old enough now and knows of our responsibility and our bond. He and I must fulfill it soon.'

'I'm afraid it isn't quite that simple,' Elrond told the younger Elf.

Estel, Elladan, and Elrohir entered the castle together, before splitting up. Estel was walking towards his room when he heard his father's voice, along with that of Legolas', for he recognized the lilt in the voice.

Curiosity took over, and Estel silently moved over to where he could listen. He peered around the corner, and again, he was struck by the beauty of this Elf…of Legolas. Estel frowned when he saw the look of distress and confusion on his face. The youngest son of Lord Elrond listened carefully, trying to figure out what had upset Legolas so.

'How could it not be simple? He knows that we are to wed… Unless he does not want me,' Legolas murmured.

Elrond sighed and said, 'He does not know yet, Legolas.'

Color flew from the Elven Prince's face, as the blood rushed from his head. 'You have not told him? Elrond, I have been waiting a lifetime and beyond for Aragorn. This is his birthright… his duty and mine.'

'Forgive me,' Elrond told Legolas. 'I did not anticipate you arriving so soon. I was going to tell him tonight of his true heritage…and you.'

'I see…' Legolas' eyes clouded over. 'I will wait then, for a while longer.'

Mithrandir saw the torment in the Elf's blue eyes, and he gently placed a hand on Legolas' shoulder. 'Let us go freshen up a bit and eat, Legolas. Surely it will not take too much longer, my friend.'

Estel narrowed his eyes at the hand on Legolas' shoulder. It upset him, though the half Elf did not know why. Why should he care if someone touched Legolas, Estel thought irritably. Yet he was jealous. He briefly wondered who Aragorn was, and why he got to marry Legolas. Estel completely forgot the mention of 'true heritage', as he told himself that he didn't want anything to do with Legolas. His right hand automatically touched the spot where Legolas had given him a small cut with his dagger. The Elf was trouble, in Estel's opinion. Such rare beauty did strange things to Men, sometimes even Elves.

Mithrandir led Legolas away, for the blond beauty was lost in his thoughts. As they left, Estel saw the expression of anguish on his father's face. He was even more confused at his father's words, as Elrond whispered softly.

'Forgive me, Legolas, for wanting to hold him so close… I fear losing him, but I know of your promise…' Elrond bowed his head slightly. 'And I will miss him, so very, very much. The long years have only strengthened my affection for him.'

'Father?' Estel questioned. He came out from his hiding place, and walked over to his father. 'What's wrong?'

Elrond instantly composed himself. 'We need to talk, Estel. I need to tell you something, which I had hidden from you until now.' Though this was breaking Elrond's heart, because he knew that Estel was going to be terribly hurt by this secret.

Estel frowned. 'I don't understand.'

Elrond beckoned Estel over, and led him silently down the hallway, to his room. Elladan and Elrohir saw them go, and bowed their heads in grief. They'd known it could not last forever.

Once in his room, Elrond took his seat beneath a window. The younger half Elf sat across from him, after he closed the door. Estel did not understand what his father was trying to tell him, but he knew it could not be good.

'Estel… I don't know how to tell you this,' Elrond said softly, pain in his eyes. 'You… you are not my son by blood.'

Estel turned ashen. 'What do you mean?' he hoarsely demanded. 'You are my father!'

Elrond shook his head and whispered, 'No, I'm not. You were brought here when you were two years old and I have raised you from that time.'

'What??' Estel gasped. He'd always lived in Rivendell… or so he had thought. The pain in his… the dark eyes that looked at him told Estel that this was not easy for Elrond, either.

'You are a kinsman to me, for my brother was one of your ancestors,' Elrond explained. 'You were the only survivor of the attack on the kingdom of Gondor.'

Estel was too stunned to say anything. His life… everything he'd been told… It was all lies and nothing more. 'Why didn't you tell me the truth?' he demanded.

'I am not finished, Aragorn, son of Arathorn,' Elrond said, deliberately using his foster son's birth name. 'You are the heir to Gondor, you and you alone.'

'Aragorn? I…' Estel looked confused and bewildered. 'Gondor?' He then remembered… someone named Aragorn was supposed to marry Legolas; at least, that's what he assumed from what he had earlier. 'Aragorn… the person you were talking about with Legolas?'

Elrond nodded. 'Legolas is betrothed to you, Aragorn. You are old enough now to understand what that means, and the promise was made long, long ago.'

'You've lied to me my entire life!' Estel shouted. 'How can I ever trust you again?' The half Elf jumped to his feet and ran off, leaving behind a sorrowful father.

Mithrandir was still eating, but Legolas had wanted a chance to clear his head, so he was roaming through the hallways silently. The Elf was not paying attention, for he was thinking of what Elrond had told him. Aragorn didn't even know him at all, the blond beauty thought, sadness in his heart. That meant that he might reject him. He was walking along an empty corridor when a taller figure suddenly slammed into him hard.

Legolas was knocked off-balance and nearly fell, until a pair of hands caught him around the waist, keeping him from falling. He gasped softly, as his blue eyes met the brown eyes of Estel. The two gazed at each other for a few moments, for everything else was currently forgotten, as they stared openly.

A flush rose in Legolas' face as he stared at Estel, who was more handsome than the Elf had given him credit for. The hands on his waist pulled Legolas closer to the half Elf, who was gazing at him intently, a strange look in his brown eyes.

Estel held Legolas by the waist, staring at the beautiful Elf in his arms. For a few moments, he forgot the pain in his heart over the lies that had been told and the secrets that had been kept at the feel of Legolas against him. That perfect mouth was so tempting, Estel thought. He tilted his face down towards Legolas', his warm breath brushing over those soft-looking lips.

Legolas didn't understand the thrill that raced him at that warm air against his lips, nor his desire for Estel to do something…

Almost against their will, their faces grew closer together, until Estel finally kissed Legolas, nearly crushing his mouth. The blond Elf sweetly returned the kiss, soft and skillfully. The two kissed for a long time, hungrily, until reality crashed back into Estel's mind. This was his betrothed, who could kiss like an angel. And the thought frightened him.

Legolas felt Estel mentally pull away and was disappointed as he was let go. But he knew he should not be kissing Estel, when he was betrothed to Aragorn. The two looked at each other for a few moments. Legolas was concerned, in spite of his own inner torment, when he saw the pain in those brown eyes.

'What's wrong, Estel?' Legolas questioned, concern in his eyes.

Estel scowled. 'I think you know.'

Legolas' sapphire eyes narrowed, as he considered what might be making Estel so upset. 'Is it because you kissed me? If so, I will not mention it again. I am betrothed to someone, after all. I should not have let you kiss me.'

'I know you're betrothed to someone,' Estel snapped. 'Me!'

Legolas froze. So his first impression was right; Estel was Aragorn. However, he did not seem to be too happy about their betrothal. 'Aragorn, I…'

Estel saw a glimmer of sadness in Legolas' expressive blue eyes, but all he could think of right now was his own pain. He glared at the Elf resentfully, for his entire life had been torn apart because of Legolas. 'I learned that everyone I thought was my family wasn't, and they all lied to me.' His voice was harsh and angry. 'And I'm supposed to marry you!'

Legolas said nothing, because he knew that Aragorn needed to vent out his anger, before they could talk rationally. So the blond beauty waited patiently for his anger to pass. However, pain was in Legolas' heart, for he had been right.

Aragorn did not want him.

To be continued