Disclaimers: Read the Author's Notes. About the heir thing… I already said that was the reason that Mithrandir is there. Celebrian's leaving for the West is in LOTR.

Reasons To Fight, Reasons To Wed

Part 6. Coming To Terms

Elrond was leaving the ball when Aragorn met him, though it was going to last until dawn. The Elven lord had looked at no other since his wife had left him, choosing to go to the Grey Havens instead of remaining here with him.

'Father, may I speak with you?' Aragorn questioned.

Elrond nodded. 'Of course, Aragorn.' He followed his youngest son to an empty corner and waited to hear what he had to say. Elrond was concerned, because he saw resignation and tension in Aragorn's brown eyes.

'I…I will wed Legolas,' Aragorn said quietly.

'Why?' Elrond questioned, wanting to test Aragorn's feelings. If the younger half Elf married Legolas out of a sense of duty, he would soon grow to resent the Elven Prince.

Aragorn muttered, 'If he doesn't marry me, he has to marry Meron. Meron cornered him in the garden and hurt him.'

Elrond sighed, 'Aragorn, you cannot wed him out of concern or an obligation. Marry him only if you truly want to.' His dark eyes narrowed at the thought of King Thranduil's best friend hurting Legolas. 'Is Legolas all right?'

Aragorn nodded. 'He used his magic to make Meron leave him alone,' he murmured. 'I… I would not hate being married to him, Father. I feel something for him, but I do not know what it is yet. Legolas… he makes me feel so strange.'

'Legolas' Elven mage abilities are well known, my son,' Elrond answered. 'He does not need you to wed him in a misguided attempt to protect him. You would insult his pride and honor if you married him for such a reason.'

'Someone has to take care of him, because he doesn't,' Aragorn argued. 'He went out alone, knowing what Meron was like. Then he used three spells, which drained most of his energy. I had to carry him to bed. What if Meron had not left when he did?'

'Again, Aragorn, I tell you that you must not wed Legolas to protect him.' Elrond's dark eyes held compassion. 'Soon you would grow to resent him, for seemingly trapping you in a loveless marriage. And the two of you are supposed to have heirs. Would that be a problem for you?'

Aragorn frowned and questioned, 'How can two males have heirs? Even an Elven male?'

Elrond's eyes held a twinkle in them. 'Mithrandir has been preparing Legolas for it for nearly three months now. The final part of the spell will be cast when he is wed.'

'Why him?' Aragorn asked stubbornly.

'He is pure and noble, Aragorn,' the Elven lord answered.

'Pure Elf?' Aragorn thought that was what his father meant.

Elrond shook his head. 'Yes, he is pure Elf, but Legolas has also spent most of his life learning to master his magic with Mithrandir. They have traveled together since you were brought here by him.'

Aragorn inquired, 'Brought here by who?'

'Legolas was the one who brought you here, Aragorn, for protection against the Nazgul and the Orcs that were swarming through Gondor. He was young, then, in the eyes of our people. He then began his journeys with Mithrandir, returning home when his royal obligations demanded it.' Elrond waited slyly to hear his son's response to that.

'He saved…me?' Aragorn was very surprised to hear that, though he did not show it. He was surprised that one so beautiful would have saved him when he was so young, though Aragorn then figured that it was because of their betrothal.

Elrond raised an eyebrow. 'You called out to him and he responded,' the Elven lord explained. 'I ask again, can you bring yourself to have two heirs with him?'

Aragorn thought of the beautiful creature sleeping in his bed right now… the sweet kisses they'd shared, the feel of Legolas in his arms…his pride, his strength… but most of all, his courage…

'Yeah,' Aragorn muttered. That would be easy… As for the rest, he was not so sure.

'Then I will make the necessary arrangements,' Elrond informed his son. 'Though I would advise that you try very hard to become his friend first, before the wedding.'

Aragorn nodded. 'Thank you, Father.' He bid Elrond farewell, and was surprised to realize how weary he felt. Changing your entire life in less than twenty-four hours was tiring, especially when you had to consider someone else, besides yourself.

Elrond shook his head as Aragorn took his leave. 'The young believe that they can fool the very wise…and very old. But they do belong together.' The Elven lord smiled, a knowing smile, which would have surprised anyone had they seen it. But he was glad. The act of marriage itself would be easy; it was love that was the hard part. Legolas loved Aragorn, Elrond knew, but as for Aragorn… He needed time, which was one thing that both had now.

Legolas was still sleeping when Aragorn returned and unlocked the door. After entering, he re-locked the door, before he shucked off his shoes, shirt, tunic, and sword-belt. He then blew out the few lit candles and went over to his bed, pausing only briefly to admire the one who looked child-like when he slept, the light of the moon bathing him in a soft glow.

Aragorn eased himself into his bed, trying not to wake Legolas as he pulled some covers over himself. To the half Elf's surprise, the Elven Prince stirred slightly, pressing himself closely against his warmth. Aragorn ran a hand down the bare back of the Elf who lay next to him, causing a shiver, and Legolas pressed himself even closer.

Aragorn was surprised out of his half-asleep trance when something softly and silky rested against his bare chest, along with something metal. He blinked and saw that it was strands of Legolas' hair, along with the circlet on his forehead. He reached out a hand and removed it, before he absently put it on the table next to the bed.

Legolas sighed, as he snuggled right up against Aragorn, not knowing how his head wound up on Aragorn's chest, or the torment that he caused the half Elf by being so close to him. He was oblivious to the slight gasp that sounded when his hand joined his head, resting against the warm, bare chest.

Aragorn sleepily took Legolas into his arms, to hold the Elf still, or so he told himself. His arms embraced the slender waist, holding the beautiful one against him. He tried to ignore the desire he felt, for Aragorn knew that Legolas was asleep. He finally fell asleep as well, feeling relaxed as he listened to the deep breathing of the Elf held tightly.

Elrohir and Elladan were now very concerned, a few hours later, when they had not found Legolas. Meron had been found, finally, but Legolas was nowhere near him. And Aragorn was now missing, which made the twins wonder if the two had been kidnapped or something.

They finally went to check Aragorn's room, and were startled to find the door locked. Elladan drew a dagger and began picking the lock easily, while Elrohir waited impatiently. A click sounded, and the door opened. The twins peered in and went gasped audibly at the sight they saw.

Their close friend lay in the arms of their younger brother, sleeping soundly. Legolas' head and part of his arm rested on Aragorn's chest. A protective look was on Aragorn's face as he slept as well.

Elladan and Elrohir swiftly closed the door. The two then exchanged a look.

'Well, that was quick,' Elrohir said slyly.

Elladan nodded in agreement. 'We should go…'

The two heard a strange sound coming from the room. They cracked the door open again and peeked in.

Legolas had stirred again, shifting slightly and knocking most of the blankets to the floor. One of his legs crossed Aragorn's legs, resting between them. Aragorn let out a muffled groan, and shifted as well. Now the Elf was partially covered by him. A whimper came from Legolas, as his hands came up to touch Aragorn's bare chest.

A crimson-red flush appeared on the twins' faces at this sight. They closed the door yet again and re-locked it, before rushing away, choking back their feelings right now.

'We should have left,' Elladan muttered.

'Yeah… Didn't they look cute together, though?' Elrohir murmured.

Elladan grinned. 'Definitely. But there are some things I do not want to see.'

The twins chuckled together at that, trying to ease their embarrassment over what they had seen. They went to their room, ready for sleep as well.

Aragorn and Legolas both stirred again, and opened their eyes at the same time when they felt the other. They then each saw the other's eyes and both turned red.

Legolas frowned and said, 'Get off me!'

Aragorn tried to, but the leg that Legolas had resting between his legs prevented him from moving. 'Move your leg so I can!'

Legolas tried, but wound up laughing at what had happened. He could read Aragorn's emotions on this, and knew that the half Elf was mortified.

Aragorn frowned. 'What, pray tell, is so funny?'

'This situation,' Legolas whispered, hampered by his merry laughter.

Aragorn started grinning and laughed as well, rich, hearty laughter. He slyly murmured, 'I guess it is rather amusing.'

'Indeed.' Legolas struggled to remove his leg and finally did so. 'There… I moved my leg, so you can get off me.'

'What if I don't want to?' Aragorn whispered, as he kissed Legolas, long and enjoyable. The Elf responded urgently, a flush remaining on his face as he easily took control of the kiss, sweetly teasing Aragorn with his tongue.

Their mouths chased hungrily for a few moments, before they stared at each other for a few moments. Aragorn's right hand came up and caressed the soft, golden hair that cascaded down to Legolas' shoulders.

A strange feeling was in Aragorn's heart, as he peered into the beautiful azure eyes that shone brighter than even the stars, or so Aragorn felt.

'Aragorn?' Legolas questioned, looking at the half Elf seriously.

Aragorn answered, 'Hmm?'

'What's going to happen between us?' Legolas feared that… above all else. The Elf was reassured a little when a slightly coarse hand cupped his cheek, worshipping its softness.

'We are going to wed,' Aragorn informed Legolas firmly.

Legolas froze. 'Why?' he questioned sharply. He was not going to wed Aragorn if the half Elf only wanted to wed him to keep him safe from Meron. Though part of him taunted that it would be better than marrying the Man… And his soul desired to find peace this time… But to settle for less than love… Legolas did not know if he could survive it.

Aragorn had been prepared for this question. He had been planning to make false promises to Legolas, but the anxious look in the azure eyes kept him from being able to. He sighed and spoke honestly. 'Part of it is because of Meron,' he admitted. He felt Legolas' rejection of that, and continued. 'Part of it is because you bring something out in me… which I have never felt before. I don't even understand it myself, but you… You make me want to protect you… love you… touch you.'

Legolas gaped silently. He knew that Aragorn was being honest; he could see it in his brown eyes. 'I did not come here to bring you pain,' he murmured. Aragorn felt something for him, Legolas mused. It was honestly better than he had hoped it would be, for he had been afraid that Aragorn wanted to wed him because of Meron and nothing else. 'If you truly want me, I will wed you.'

'I do,' Aragorn said, hesitating only slightly.

Legolas somehow knew that he did not have to state that if Aragorn was cruel to him that he would leave, for he was certain that the half Elf would never harm him. Legolas knew that this did not mean that he would always obey Aragorn, as he whispered, 'Then from this moment on, I belong to you and you alone.'

To be continued