Summary of what happened when Galadriel, Celeborn, and Haldir arrived from Lothlorien: They, along with Elrond, Elladan, Elrohir, Glorfindel, Frodo, Merry, Pippin, and Sam decided to post a reward for the safe return of Legolas, to ensure that he will not be harmed, in the event that he is found by an enemy. They sent out Haldir, Glorfindel, and the Hobbits to spread the word about the reward, while Elladan and Elrohir left on a secret mission. Aragorn is still thinking on what Elrond told him, about the price of love, and was finally allowed to get out of bed, but Elrond forbid him to leave Rivendell, to keep Aragorn from overexerting himself and relapsing.

Question: Who should take Meron down, how, and why? Best answer will be used.

Disclaimer: See the Author's Notes! This is an AU! A/L shounen ai! Yes, Mithrandir is Gandalf, and I didn't realize that 'Aragorn' in Elvish would sound the same as it does in Western. Takes place a few days after the last chapter. Focuses primarily on Aragorn. Tanka tel' taurnin = Greater Heal

Reasons To Fight, Reasons To Wed

Part 15. Reward

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Rivendell

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Aragorn sat on a balcony, still brooding over what his father told him. The price of love, the half Elf mused. Father would know all about it, after Celebrian went West. But does this mean that I truly love him, though I never said the words to Legolas?

He told me that he was happy and loved me every day. And all I said was that I was glad, and sometimes I even said that I cared for him too. But love… Can it be? Could my feelings have turned to love without me realizing it, before it was too late? Legolas deserves nothing less than love, even though he married me knowing that I did not love him in return.

But love… That's such a lasting commitment. What if Legolas falls out of love with me- or worse, Meron manages to…

Aragorn put his face in his hands. If Meron ever touched Legolas, Aragorn vowed that he was going to chop off Meron's hands himself.

Do I love him? This agony… this worry, concern, fear… It gnaws at me, which tells me that I care for him as more than a friend… or lover. More than just as a husband should care for his spouse… It must be love…

That's the only explanation. Why was I so blind all this time, that I didn't realize it sooner? Legolas… sweet, gentle, stubborn, sly, and beautiful… He might be hurt or captured… and he's carrying our child. And I have to just sit here and do nothing about it? This is tearing me apart!

The sounds of a horse approaching drew Aragorn's attention from his fears for Legolas and their unborn child. He stood and leaned over the balcony, enough so that he could see better. Twas a solitary rider that approached, bearing the colors of Gondor.

Aragorn inwardly groaned, for he was too upset to deal with more diplomats right now. He'd just finally been allowed out of bed, by Elbereth, and now he had to deal with yet another delegate? The half Elf sighed, and stood, slowly making his way inside.

His skin was still pale, for he had not been outside since he'd gotten ill. His brown hair was unkempt, though he had brushed it, and whiskers were growing on his face; a result of the blood of Man in him, and the fact that he hadn't been able to shave for a week. He wore a blue shirt and green leggings, with no tunic. Soft, brown shoes covered his bare feet.

Faramir dismounted off his horse, which was led away by an Elf. The Man was taken inside by another Elf, where he was left to wait, while the Elf went to find Aragorn or Elrond. He didn't have to look very far, for Aragorn was slowly stumbling down the hallway, towards where the person had come in.

Aragorn was slightly tired, but he hid it, as he finally reached the room where Faramir stood waiting. The half Elf sank into a chair, before he looked at the Man who was peering around the room, taking in the Elvish decorations.

"May I help you?" Aragorn questioned, leaning back slightly in his chair.

Faramir turned and stared for a few moments at the young-looking… He couldn't tell if the youth was a Man or Elf. "I am waiting to see Aragorn, son of Arathorn, or Lord Elrond of Rivendell."

Aragorn then said, "You have found me, then, for I am the son of Arathorn."

Faramir appraised Aragorn silently then, noting the pale skin, his brown eyes, the slight lifting of his chin at the appraisal, and the determination in them. Aragorn did strongly resemble his father, who had been depicted in tapestries, though Aragorn looked so… young. "Are you a half Elf?" Faramir said, for that was the only explanation he could think of.

"Indeed," Aragorn answered. "Who, if I may ask, are you?"

"I am Faramir, advisor and brother to Boromir, Steward of Gondor," Faramir replied. "I have some questions for you- but first, might I sit?" Aragorn nodded silently, and Faramir took a seat almost directly in front of the son of Arathorn.

He sighed in relief before he said, "Do not be angered if my questions offend you, for these were raised by an outside source." Faramir took a deep breath, before continuing. "Is it true that you plan to marry an Elf named Legolas?"

Aragorn was surprised at that question, and nearly blurted out that he and Legolas were already married. "Yes, I do."

A nod came slowly from Faramir. "Are you forcing him to marry you, or does he genuinely want to?"

Anger blazed in Aragorn's eyes at that question. He would never force anyone to marry him, if they did not want to. "I don't know who told you  that- though I can harbor a guess- but Legolas wants to marry me, and I want to marry him."

"Then you did not kidnap him away from his betrothed?" Faramir inquired, not surprised by the answers he was receiving. The son of Arathorn appeared to be every bit as just and noble as his father had been said to be.

"I am his betrothed," Aragorn told Faramir. "Who is spreading these lies?"

Faramir looked straight at Aragorn. He was a quick judge of character, and determined that the son of Arathorn had a genuinely good heart. "Does the name Meron sound familiar to you?"

Aragorn started, before he said in a low voice, "Meron? Aye, I know him. A liar and a coward, who wants to take Legolas for himself. How do you know him?"

"Meron is currently in Gondor. He arrived quite some time ago, with tales of you forcing an Elven Prince to marry you. My brother was angered at the story, for he is fond of Elves, and acted presumptuously. Twas he, his troops, and Meron who attacked Prince Legolas. Is Prince Legolas truly missing?" Faramir asked, knowing that his brother was not going to be happy about this turn of events.

"Aye, Legolas is missing. He… he is an Elven mage, and attempted to teleport away during his struggle but… he has not been seen since," Aragorn murmured. He gazed directly at Faramir. "If anything has happened to him, your brother had best watch himself, for Legolas carries my child." The half Elf had chosen his words deliberately, to make certain that the Man from Gondor would heed him, and how serious the situation is.

Faramir froze at those words, though he knew that it was not impossible for a male Elf to have a child. But Aragorn would have just cause to harm Boromir, if his unborn heir and/or betrothed died. "Meron does not know this," Faramir murmured.

"Nor should he, for he will try to kill the child before it is born, to claim Legolas. That is the one thing that I know for certain that he wants," Aragorn informed the Man. "What his intentions are after that, I am not sure. But he cannot be trusted."

"I need to tell my brother that Meron lied to him, so that he can be on his guard." At the warning look from his potential future sovereign, Faramir added, "I will not tell the deceiver that Legolas carries a child."

Aragorn sighed, long and sad. "Legolas belongs here… not alone, lost, and carrying my child." The half Elf stood, and beckoned to Faramir to follow him.

The Man did so, slightly curious as to where he was being led. Aragorn stopped by a painting of Legolas, which hung on the walls.

"If he was so unhappy here, wouldn't it have shown in the picture?" Aragorn questioned, a knowing look in his eyes. "It was drawn the day we announced we were going to wed, and painted two weeks later."

Faramir was stunned at the masculine beauty of the Elf, which was clearly depicted in the well-done painting. A few, stray golden strands covered the pale cheeks, which had a faint, rosy blush on them, and twinkling blue eyes shone like stars, glowing with happiness. A cascade of the rest of Legolas' blond hair hung down past his shoulders. He wore a green outfit, with a dark green tunic, and an olive-green shirt and leggings. The Man gasped, in spite of how many Elves he had seen before, for this was a rare beauty that he had not seen. "He does look very happy," he admitted, noting the gentle, wise smile on the perfect Elven face.

"He was," Aragorn replied.

"And he is very beautiful. I can see why Meron would want one like him," Faramir murmured. "But he should not have…"

Aragorn nodded. "And now Legolas' life is in danger, because he could be anywhere in Middle Earth, even in Mordor, where Saruman and Sauron rule."

Faramir paled drastically at those words. "Part of this is my fault, for I should have told my brother of my suspicions sooner."

"My father, Lord Elrond, has forbidden me from leaving Rivendell," Aragorn sighed. "Otherwise I would be out searching for him myself."

"I see…" Faramir replied. Part of him felt guilty that this whole mess had happened, for it was obvious to him that Aragorn was miserable. It showed in those brown eyes, and the wistfulness in his voice when he spoke of Legolas. "Maybe I could search for him… since I am to blame as well, along with my brother."

Aragorn raised startled eyes to Faramir. "Twas not your fault that Meron deceived you or your brother; he has managed to deceive Legolas' father. You do not have to search for him, if you truly do not want to."

"I know," Faramir answered. He disliked hearing the sadness and pain in Aragorn's voice. Though it was obvious that the son of Arathorn would make a good King, Faramir thought to himself. Aragorn was fair, with his inherited nobility and dignity showing through in his actions.

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Mines of Moria

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Legolas and Gimli spoke to each other as friends mostly after the few days that had gone by, though they were now arguing with each other. Both were scowling, stubborn, and had their hands on their hips.

"I have to return to Rivendell, Gimli," Legolas stated firmly. "Aragorn must be worried sick about me. I have to go home to him."

Gimli shook his head. "You cannot go alone, Legolas. Tis not safe for anyone to travel alone, let alone you, in your condition."

Legolas flushed slightly, and crossed his arms in front of his waist. "If you release me, Lord Elrond of Rivendell would gladly pay you any ransom that you desire." He knew it was true, for Elrond was a caring and compassionate Elven lord.

"I don't care about a ransom," Gimli argued, though he was slightly tempted. Just a tiny bit… "It's not safe. And you don't even know how to leave Moria." He was genuinely concerned for the Elf.

The sounds of their argument was interrupted by a loud rumble, signaling a cave-in in one of the nearby pathways. Legolas' sharp ears heard the sounds of a child crying, and he instantly bolted towards it, closely followed by Gimli.

The two reached the passageway swiftly, though Legolas had to use his hearing to find it. The few remaining Dwarves were there, removing rocks from the ground. Two young, small Dwarves lay there, bleeding profusely. The Healer was there, and he shook his head; the wounds were too great for him.

"Let me through," Legolas said loudly, and all eyes turned to him, before they slowly stepped aside.

Gimli watched his Elven friend walk over and kneel beside the seriously wounded children, who were only here because their parents were.

Legolas placed one hand on each of the childrens' foreheads, before he murmured, 'Tanka tel' taurnin…tanka tel' taurnin…' Legolas silently prayed to Elbereth that the spell wouldn't go wrong, and was relieved when a familiar glow shone around his hands.

In a matter of moments, the children were conscious and fully healed. They were embraced by their parents, who sent grateful looks to the Elf who knelt there, revoking his spell carefully.

Gimli was very impressed, though upset that Legolas had not mentioned his magic abilities. The Healer frowned and shook his head, before he stalked over to where Legolas was now sitting, breathing hard.

"You do realize that you put your life at risk- and your unborn's," the Healer said sternly. "Do not use your magic abilities; the chance of them failing or backfiring is very, very high."

Legolas paled slightly; he had not known that. But he would have done the same thing anyway. He was just glad that the children were all right, as he stood and began leaving again. Maybe Gimli wouldn't notice if he just slipped off…

Gimli did and glared at Legolas. "If you insist on making this foolish trek back to Rivendell now, then I'm going with you." His tone left no room for an argument.

"All right," Legolas said, knowing that arguing with Gimli was not going to get him anywhere. He needed to get home, find Aragorn, and hold him tightly. Besides, two were safer than one on the road, as Gimli had said.

To be continued