Note: Read 'Loss of Freedom' if you have not done so! This is an AU fic, and it will make more sense if you read 'Loss of Freedom' first. Contains shounen ai between Legolas/Aragorn, and eventual slash! Elvish speech is in ''. Only the unknown characters belong to me! The rest are J.R.R. Tolkien's creation! The next chapter will explain where and what Arwen is currently doing.

Understanding Destiny

Part 4

Elrond kept his gaze on Legolas, who was oblivious to it, as he slept on Aragorn's lap.

Gandalf hid a sigh. His old friend was attracted to the young Elf, and nothing good would come of it. Legolas and Aragorn were in love, and the wizard did not wish to see Elrond die of grief when he finally accepted the truth. 'Elrond, Legolas is too young for you, anyway.'

'So he should be with Saruman's son?' Elrond countered sharply, finally acknowledging the wizard.

'Aragorn is but Saruman's son,' Gandalf said. 'He has no control over who his father is. Judge him not by his father.'

Elrond looked at Gandalf. 'Put aside my personal feelings on this, you mean? Elessar was defended- Legolas defended him, which proves that he does care for him, and now you speak in his defense. I have only seen his arrogance, and have yet to see someone who will not turn to the dark path Saruman did.' A neutral expression was on the Elven lord's face. 'If Elessar does not learn humility before he takes the throne in place of his father, it will be as if Saruman himself were still there.'

'Legolas reaches him in ways we cannot,' Gandalf finally stated. 'And he is very young, and quick to act.'

'Saruman's arrogance was his downfall. I do not wish to spend the next few millennia watching a younger version of Saruman destroying my people,' Elrond murmured. 'Yet there is hope, for Elessar cares for Legolas. His caring proves that he has the potential to change, before it is too late.'

Gandalf looked at his half Elven friend. 'Will you interfere in their relationship, Elrond?'

Elrond sighed. 'Among my people, Legolas is too young for a lover, being so young. He cannot be older than five hundred, and I am certain that he is younger than that. Most Elves are in their majority before they choose a lover, and Legolas has centuries to go before he reaches his.'

'Do not separate them, or the consequences could be dire,' Gandalf warned. 'Their love for each other is strong, and it is the only thing that sustains Aragorn right now.'

Aragorn stirred a little and yawned, hearing voices speaking. The half Elf was not happy to discover that it was Elrond and Gandalf speaking, though he couldn't understand what they were saying. It had to be something important, for their voices were serious.

Aragorn knew that Elrond had been saying something to Legolas about him, for his lover had instantly replied, flashing him a quick look as he did so. The actual words that were said were beyond Aragorn's understanding.

Legolas murmured Aragorn's name and snuggled closer to him, whimpering a little when his injuries pained him.

Elrond and Gandalf turned when they heard Legolas say something.

Aragorn's grey eyes looked at the two who stood there silently. Elrond met the stormy expression neutrally, inclining his head to the left. Gandalf's eyes warned Aragorn not to say anything rash.

"I would ask you what you were speaking of, but I know you would not say," Aragorn finally stated, as he brought a hand up and gently stroked the blond head that rested against him.

"Correct, Elessar," Elrond said. "Why are you not in Legolas' room? Surely that would be more comfortable."

Aragorn raised an eyebrow. "He fell asleep before he could tell me where to go. I didn't want to wake him." His hand continued the caress and Legolas stirred again, but stayed asleep. His head tilted towards Aragorn's, with his lips slightly parted. Aragorn was tempted to kiss Legolas, but truly did not want to wake him or take advantage of his sleeping state.

If Elrond was surprised, he showed no sign of it. "Follow me, Elessar, and I will lead you to Legolas' room. Then I will take you to where the younger Elves train."

Aragorn scowled. "I'm not going to train with them," he muttered.

"You will, Elessar, until the day you are able to defeat me in combat," Elrond told the youth. "You will be the King of Gondor and need to be able to defend yourself against attacks."

"I'm not the heir anymore," Aragorn pointed out. "He tried to kill me!"

Elrond frowned. "Yet it is Legolas he is now trying to kill?" he mused, before turning back to the original conversation. "If Saruman is overthrown, you will be the king."

Aragorn was astonished, for he had never considered that implication. If his father was defeated by the Elves, he, Elessar, would be the only successor of legitimate birth. "I do not know if I want to be King," Aragorn finally said. "I just want to be with Legolas and nothing else."

"Your people need you," Elrond stated firmly. "We, the Elves, need you. Saruman is bent on either killing us or sending us away. The fact that you are no longer on his side is a turning point in our favor. If you stand with us, Aragorn, the people of Gondor will rise against him."

Aragorn looked at the sleeping Elf who trustingly slept against him, who meant more to him than words could say. "My blood is tainted," Aragorn pointed out. "How many will favor Saruman's son becoming King?"

Elrond's dark eyes narrowed. "Your people suffer daily because of him. My people are murdered and worse because of him. You are the one who can change that, Elessar. It is your duty… and your destiny, to end this circle of violence. If not for your people, do it for him." Elrond looked directly at Legolas. "So Legolas has a chance to live without being persecuted any longer. No Elf can change what they are, even if they wish to."

'I think you made your point,' Gandalf interjected quietly to Elrond. "Would it be so bad for you to learn to fight as Elves do, Aragorn?" He looked at the younger half-Elf.

Aragorn scowled. "I guess not… But Legolas is mine," he muttered, for he could see how Elrond gazed at his lover.

A dark eyebrow raised, as Elrond squarely looked at Aragorn. He spoke dispassionately, as he said, "Legolas is too young for a lover, Elessar. Compared to most of the Elves here, he is just a child."

Legolas mumbled sleepily, "I'm not a child." His green eyes blearily looked at the older Elf. The sounds of the voices had finally awoken the blond Elf.

Aragorn stroked Legolas' head. "I know you aren't, Legolas," he whispered. "But Lord Elrond seems to think you are."

Legolas eyed Aragorn, enjoying the feel of the hand running through his hair. "It's too late, Lord Elrond. Aragorn has already corrupted me." A weak grin was on his face, as he looked at the Elven lord.

Elrond sighed. "It is a law, Legolas, that until an Elf has reached his or her majority, he or she is not allowed to have a lover."

"I haven't lived with other Elves," Legolas pointed out. "In fact, I rarely met any, until I was brought here. I am glad you saved my life, Lord Elrond, but not at the expense of my heart. It would kill me to leave Aragorn."

"He does have a point," Gandalf said.

"Legolas is a Prince," Aragorn said. "Shouldn't an Elven lord obey an Elven Prince?" He didn't know that Elrond was not aware of Legolas' heritage.

Elrond's eyes widened. "Who were your parents?" he questioned, looking directly at the young Elf.

"King Thranduil of Mirkwood was my father," Legolas said quietly. "My mother was Corone, and she died bearing me."

"And Thranduil was murdered before you were born," Elrond stated. "This is astounding news. All believed that you and your mother had gone West, for the ship left Gondor with supposedly every Elf who had been in Mirkwood."

Legolas tensed a little. "My mother went into labor and never made it to the harbor."

Aragorn wordlessly reassured Legolas by holding him tighter, mindful of the injuries. He could see that his lover was troubled as he spoke of his parents. Legolas had never had a chance to know them.

Elrond realized that what Gandalf had said was the truth, as he watched Legolas relax in the arms of the other half Elf. The two were in love, and little could be done to change that. However, what the Elven lord had said was also true, and Legolas was nowhere near his majority.

But Aragorn had been correct. Legolas was the Crown Prince of Mirkwood, and should be obeyed. It was joyous to know that the line of Thranduil was still present in Middle Earth, though unless Legolas had a child, he would be the last. And judging from the loving looks that Aragorn and Legolas were giving each other, it didn't seem likely that the newly discovered Elven Prince would be producing an heir.

Elrond finally looked at Aragorn. "Since Legolas is now awake and seems to be more aware, I shall take you to begin your training."

A scowl crossed Aragorn's face, until Legolas tenderly kissed him. The kiss was sweet and had Legolas' special taste in it. They stayed like that for a few moments, before the two reluctantly parted.

Aragorn silently followed Lord Elrond, and Legolas trailed after him.

Briefly, Aragorn wondered what the training would be like.

To be continued