Disclaimers: Read the Author's Notes. The wedding night will be…soon. I think I already know how it is going to go, too, and I hope I can pull it off. Sorry about using azure so much. The first part of this focuses on Meron and what that little…is up to. Remember, this is AU! Yala onna en' vilya = Summon Air Elemental

Reasons To Fight, Reasons To Wed

Part 8. Plans

Meron stormed out of Rivendell. He grimly vowed that the united front between the son of Arathorn and the beautiful Elf would not last. Meron told himself that it was only a minor setback; there were other ways to keep the two from fulfilling their betrothal. However, he would first have to keep them occupied while he carried it out.

So Meron rode his black steed towards Gondor, intending to speak with its Steward, Boromir. It would be easy for him to drop a few false accusations about Aragorn in Boromir's ears, such as that Legolas was supposed to belong to him; Aragorn was forcing Legolas to marry him, etc… Meron dared not risk Legolas' safety, for he had not spent all this time waiting and planning for nothing.

The son of Arathorn must be executed at once, before he could conceive a child with Legolas. It was the only way that Meron could get his hands on Legolas, for if Aragorn died, they could not wed, and Legolas would have to marry him. He had enough influence on Thranduil to ensure that.

Millennia had been spent planning and waiting for Legolas, for Meron had known that the Elf would be born eventually, along with Aragorn. Yes, it was destiny that the two would be born on the same day, with the same alignment of stars, albeit over six hundred centuries apart. And then the beautiful Elven Prince had been born. Meron had waited a very long time before arriving at Mirkwood.

So he corrupted Thranduil easily, slowly turning the close father-son relationship into anger and spite, telling Thranduil lies about his son. The Elven king was no match for his mind-control spell, for since Legolas' mother had died, Thranduil had been unable to perform magic. It had worked.

So, too, would his plan. Legolas was too strong with his own magic abilities to be so easily controlled, so they would have to be made weaker, to create small chinks in Legolas' shields. Breaking them was easier when he was angry or agitated.

But the thought of Legolas in his bed… It was too great to resist, at least in Meron's opinion. And he was going to use Boromir's fondness for Elves in general against him. The Steward of Gondor was very arrogant, but he enjoyed the company of Elves. Surely one who worshiped Elves would be furious when he was told that the heir to Gondor was coercing an Elven Prince into marrying him.

Of course, that was entirely a lie.

But it would provide the distraction that Meron needed to finish his plans. A beautiful, ethereal creature in his bed… An Elven kingdom to rule… And magic to siphon off of Legolas, to use for his own evil purposes. Not to mention that their child would be raised to be just like him.

Meron smirked to himself, as he saw the far off, distant gleam of Minas Tirith.

It felt so good to be so mean…

************

Rivendell

************

Mithrandir was speaking with Lord Elrond, as they headed towards the Elven lord's study. They were prepared to discuss the wedding, what was left to be finished with the spell, and what to do about Gondor. They were prepared for almost anything… But they were not prepared for the sight of Aragorn and Legolas sleeping in a chair together, a plate of food on the table before them, as Elrond and Mithrandir entered the room.

Elrond's mouth dropped open when he saw the two young ones together, with Legolas in Aragorn's lap, arms around his waist. Had Aragorn seduced Legolas, the Elven lord wondered, knowing that his younger son was no virgin. As for Legolas… Elrond did not know about that.

Mithrandir hoped that this did not mean what he thought it meant. But they did have their clothes on, so that was a good sign. He cleared his throat loudly, causing the sleeping ones to stir and sleepily look at him.

'What is it?' Legolas murmured, as he shifted slightly. He froze when he saw Elrond and Mithrandir looked at him with a bemused expression on their faces. A flush crept onto his face and he tried to stand, but Aragorn would not relinquish the firm arm around his waist.

Aragorn merely raised an eyebrow. 'Hmm?'

'Aragorn…' Elrond said, raising an eyebrow. 'What were you two doing in here?'

'Nothing,' Legolas cried, before he attempted to stand once more. 'We were eating…'

'…and we fell asleep,' Aragorn finished, not letting go. They had nothing to be ashamed about, after all, for they were going to wed, in Aragorn's opinion. He enjoyed the feel of the graceful, lithe Elven body pressed against his, though it was very hard to maintain self-control.

Legolas nodded, his sapphire eyes glinting slightly. 'That's all.'

Mithrandir looked sternly at Legolas. 'You are being careful, aren't you, my young friend?'

Aragorn answered that, because he felt Legolas stiffen in his arms in indignation. 'Yes, we are. We're waiting until…'

'Good,' Mithrandir said.

'I am not that foolish, Mithrandir. I did tell him and he agreed to wait,' Legolas murmured.

Elrond wasn't certain what the three were speaking of, but he paid it no heed. 'Aragorn… I need my study, for Mithrandir and I have things to speak of,' he informed his youngest son.

Aragorn finally released Legolas, who stood. Aragorn stood as well, and the two picked up their plateful of food and left silently, walking next to each other.

Elrond shook his head and closed the door behind the young ones. He then took the seat that they had vacated, and Mithrandir took the one next to him.

'The wedding plans must be made secretly, Mithrandir, for Aragorn told me that someone else is interested in Legolas,' Elrond told his friend slowly.

Mithrandir did not look too surprised to hear that. 'It is to be expected, Elrond, for Legolas is both beautiful and royal. But he and Aragorn belong together.'

Elrond leaned forward slightly, a thoughtful frown on his face. 'Yes, but Aragorn also said that the person attacked Legolas in the garden. What do you know of Meron?'

'Meron?' Mithrandir frowned slightly. 'I know that he is King Thranduil's close friend and that Legolas dislikes him. For that matter, I do not like him either. He is too sly and crafty, harboring many secrets. I have heard worse things about him, as well.'

'Meron was the one who apparently attacked Legolas last night, and Aragorn saw the entire thing,' Elrond murmured.

'I see. Legolas' safety must be ensured, then. Mayhap there should be both a private wedding as soon as possible, and a public one, as is expected of an Elven Prince. Meron will have no way of knowing that they are already wed, if he tries anything at the public ceremony,' Mithrandir mused.

Elrond nodded slowly. 'That will work,' he said. 'The arrangements will be made for the private one to be held in three days. In the meantime, Aragorn needs to reveal his true identity as the son of Arathorn, to take his place as the rightful ruler of Gondor. And the Steward of Gondor must be sent for, to inform him as well.'

Mithrandir smiled and jested, 'You never change, do you?'

'No, my old friend.' Elrond smiled slyly.

Legolas and Aragorn had returned the plate to the kitchen, and were now standing on a balcony that overlooked Rivendell. The golden-haired Elf had his hands resting on the railing, peering out at the Elves who were walking around.

Aragorn stood next to Legolas, his back pressed against the railing, as he looked at the Elven Prince. 'Is it really that interesting of a sight?' he teased, noticing the look on his betrothed's face.

'I have not seen this sight since I last came here, when you were but a very young child,' Legolas answered. He gracefully turned to Aragorn, before he hopped onto the railing and sat, gazing at the half Elf with a smile on his face.

'Why?' Aragorn questioned.

Legolas inquired, 'Why what?'

Aragorn sighed in exasperation, for he saw the amused glint in Legolas' cerulean eyes. 'Why did you save me so long ago? And why didn't you come back before now?'

'You called to me, Aragorn, and I had to go to you, despite what my father said. It was the first time in my life that I disobeyed him, but the calling was too great to be ignored. I knew you were in danger, so I went to Gondor to find you.' Sorrow showed on Legolas' face. 'I was too late to save your mother or father, but I was able to fulfill Arathorn's dying wish and save you.'

Aragorn frowned slightly. He forgot his other question, for he wanted to understand why his birth parents had been killed. 'Why Gondor?'

Legolas gently touched Aragorn on the shoulder, easily keeping his balance as he continued sitting on the rail. He murmured, 'I do not know why Gondor was singled out. It must have been a devious plot of Sauron and Saruman, but it eventually failed. The damage was done, however, for Orcs, the Nazgul, and a few Uruk-Hai killed them and many other people that day. We were lucky. Though I was injured saving you from an heir and diving through a window, for I kept you from getting cut by the glass.'

'What?' Aragorn said sharply, his frown growing worse. 'Is there a reason you dove through a window?'

'To get away from the Orcs,' Legolas answered. 'I could not fight them, not while I was holding you and injured. As for the rest of the story, my stallion carried the two of us close to Rivendell, and we were within sight of its borders, when the Nazgul that pursued us managed to cut me off. I was prepared to fight them, to keep you safe, when Elrohir and Elladan came to our aid, with a few other Elves. After getting the arrow wound treated, I left once more, returned home for a short while, and then began journeying with Mithrandir.'

'And you left out the part where you fainted, Legolas,' Elladan chimed in, grinning.

Aragorn had not heard his older brother sneak up on them and chided himself. How could he keep Legolas safe from Meron when he couldn't even hear his own brother sneaking up on him. Then his mind remembered what Elladan had just said, and he looked at his betrothed, who was swinging his dangling feet slightly.

Legolas met the angry look on Aragorn's face calmly. He was starting to realize that no matter how strong and wise he acted, Aragorn was going to see him as something to protect. Legolas did not want protection, however, for he was capable of protecting himself. Though it did make him feel happy that Aragorn cared so for him.

Aragorn saw that Legolas was pretending to act innocent, looking at him, his eyes wide with feigned innocence. The half Elf raised an eyebrow pointedly, and Legolas gave him a sweet smile. Aragorn shook a finger at the beautiful Elf, who batted his eyelashes, grinning.

Elladan smirked and started laughing at the sight of the two teasing each other like that.

Legolas finally stood on the railing and put his hands on his hips. 'Honestly, Aragorn! Do I truly seem so weak and in need of protection?' he questioned.

Elrohir, not realizing what Legolas was standing on, chose that moment to leap onto his friend, to tackle him to the ground. Instead, Legolas was knocked off the balcony, and Elrohir barely managed to catch a hold of the railing, but the blond Elf fell.

Three agonized hearts beat as one, until they heard a familiar voice shout, 'Yala onna en' vilya!'

Gusts of wind began blowing, coming together somewhat like a small tornado. In the center of it, surrounded by the wind that plucked at the golden strands of his hair and his clothes, Legolas stood, a scowl on his face. He was hovering above the three, scowling directly at Elrohir, who had managed to pull himself back over the rail.

'Not funny, Elrohir,' Legolas said sternly. 'Shall I perhaps teach you a lesson?'

'Come down from there,' Aragorn said, worried. What if the spell cancelled or something.

Legolas gestured with a hand, and he was brought lower. Whether it was because of a subconscious desire or not, or whether it was the interference of a certain Istari, the spell revoked itself, and Legolas fell again, landing directly in Aragorn's arms.

'Now I've got you where I want you,' Aragorn teased, as he cradled Legolas against him. He then glared at Elrohir. 'If you do something that foolish again, I will throw you off the balcony myself, brother or not.'

'I'm sorry,' Elrohir cried. 'I didn't know he was standing on the railing.'

Elladan nudged his younger twin rather hard. 'Next time, look before you leap. If Legolas hadn't been able to use his magic…'

Legolas struggled slightly to get out of Aragorn's arms, but the half Elf refused to let him go. 'I am not a doll that needs to be carried around, Aragorn,' Legolas informed him sternly.

'I like holding you like this,' Aragorn countered. 'You can't do anything.'

'Is that what you think?' Legolas, a smirk in his voice. 'Recall what I did to Elladan and Elrohir for putting honey in my hair.'

Aragorn smirked back. 'If you do that, you will get dirty as well.'

Legolas inclined his head slightly. 'Not if I teleport,' he pointed out slyly. But he did like being in Aragorn's arms, so he snuggled against the half Elf's chest, enjoying it while he could.

Elrohir and Elladan smirked at each other as they listened to Aragorn and Legolas pretending to fight. The twins shook their heads and walked away, leaving the two who were now shaking fingers at each other alone, for they had already heard from their father that Legolas and Aragorn were going to wed, and it pleased them greatly.

Aragorn was about to say something, when Legolas finally ended the argument by kissing him firmly, letting his tongue slip enter Aragorn's open mouth. He hungrily chased the half Elf's tongue, stopping only when Aragorn began doing the same to him.

This, Legolas decided, as he tilted his face up for more kisses, was happiness.

To be continued