Note: None of these are my characters! Elvish speech is in ''. This is an A/L slash fic! That means a male/male pairing. Takes place about 5 or 6 hours after the last chapter! Major angst warning!

Deceitful Truths

Part 11

Legolas awoke first, and stirred as he turned to look at Aragorn. The half Elf was still asleep, so Legolas decided not to wake him.

The blond Elf reluctantly left the warmth of Aragorn's arms, and sat up carefully. He then stood and made his way over to where his dress robe lay. Legolas quickly pulled it on, before returning to the bed.

Aragorn mumbled something as Legolas covered him with a blanket, before the blond Elf left the room silently. The door was closed behind him.

Legolas wanted to see how much of Rivendell had changed, so he wandered through the Elven kingdom, admiring the trees that had grown much taller sense he had last been here. The grass felt soft and tickled his bare feet, as Legolas reached a small bridge over a gently trickling stream. No one was around, so the blond Elf sat down, and pulled his robe up just enough so that he could dangle his feet in it without getting his outfit wet.

Legolas sat there for a while, breathing in the sweet smells of the flowers around him. He did not realize he was being watched by someone from the shadows. The someone approached him from behind, but the younger Elf was deep in thought.

He was wondering how much what he had done with Aragorn would change their relationship. For centuries, they'd been best friends, even though they had rarely seen each other. Did this mean that they were more than friends? Legolas was uncertain, for he was slightly apprehensive about what would happen next.

'Legolas,' a voice called out from behind him.

Legolas turned, and was a little unsettled to see Elladan walking towards him. Then he mentally told himself that there was nothing to fear from Aragorn's foster brother. The blond Elf stood and greeted Elladan politely.

Elladan hid the smug look on his face. 'Have you seen my foster brother? A messenger from the North is due to arrive any time now, and Aragorn needs to be prepared.'

'He's asleep,' Legolas said quietly. A confused look was on his face. 'Prepared for what?'

'Surely Aragorn told you that he must return to the North for at least a year, Legolas,' Elladan said innocently, enjoying the pain that suddenly entered the younger Elf's eyes. 'He didn't tell you?' Pretended shock was in the older Elf's voice.

Legolas' lower lip trembled. Was this true; was Aragorn really leaving again for the North? It must be so, because Elladan had no reason to lie to him. 'W-When did he find out that he had to go?' the blond Elf questioned, hoping that it had only just been decided. Maybe Aragorn hadn't found out yet.

Elladan hid a smile, as he told the shaken younger Elf the truth. 'Aragorn knew before we went to Mirkwood. He is the heir of Isildur, and has a responsibility to the Dunadain, in case he should ever take the throne.' Satisfaction was racing through him as he saw the hurt, anger, confusion, and other emotions flicker across the beautiful blond Elf's face.

'Oh…' Legolas' voice sounded bewildered and lost. How could Aragorn do this to him? Especially after what they had shared together. It must not have meant as much to Aragorn as it had to him, Legolas decided. 'T-Thanks for telling me, Elladan. I'll go wake him…' The blond Elf walked away, his hurt and confusion quickly melting to anger.

Elladan wore an unpleasant smile on his face, as he watched Legolas walk away. By Elbereth, the Elf was so beautiful. And so easily manipulated, Elladan thought, pleased with himself.

Elrohir had been watching, but had not overheard what his brother had said to the younger Elf to make him so upset. The hurt and anger on Legolas' face had been easily seen by Elrohir. He approached Elladan, and made certain that his brother heard him coming.

Elladan turned instantly, and his tense expression melted away at the sight of his twin. 'Tis you, Elrohir,' he said in greeting.

'What did you say to Legolas, to upset him so?' Elrohir questioned a bit sharply, with a slight frown on his face.'

"I simply told him the truth. It seems that Aragorn did not tell his best friend that he had to return to the North. I thought Legolas knew, and I asked him if he knew whether Aragorn was ready, for the messenger from the Dunadain should be here any day now,' Elladan said, feigning innocence. 'I can't understand why Aragorn didn't tell him. I didn't mean to upset the young one so.'

Elrohir's eyes narrowed, but he detected no lies. The frown eased off his face, though he was still slightly suspicious. Elrohir knew his brother always wanted those he couldn't have, and was willing to do anything to get what he wanted. 'Father will not be pleased to see Legolas so unhappy,' he finally told Elladan.

Elladan nodded, unaware of his brother's suspicions. 'I'm going to go practice my skills,' he finally said, before the Elf walked away.

Elrohir looked after him, wondering silently. What are you up to, Elladan?

Aragorn was still asleep when Legolas returned. The blond Elf went to the closet, and angrily began tearing out the clothes in it, flinging them at Aragorn.

The half Elf awoke, and gaped at Legolas. 'What are you doing?'

'Here's your clothes, what else do you need to be ready?' Legolas asked bitterly.

'What's wrong?' Aragorn was slightly confused.

The blond Elf answered by flinging some of Aragorn's shoes at him. 'And your shoes!'

Aragorn hastily pulled on a pair of the leggings that had been thrown at him. He stood and walked over to where Legolas continued tearing things out of the closet.

Legolas wordlessly glared at him. 'What else do you need for your trip to the North?' he shouted.

Aragorn paled. 'Oh, no… I forgot,' he whispered. 'Legolas, I-'

'I don't want your excuses; Elladan told me everything. I thought maybe you yourself didn't know, but he told me that you knew before you even came to Mirkwood,' the blond Elf yelled.

Aragorn frowned. Why would Elladan tell Legolas that he was leaving for the North? Suspicion went through the half Elf's mind, before he turned back to the Elf, who had finally collapsed onto the floor.

Sobs were coming out of Legolas, as he angrily wiped his tears away. 'So what we did meant nothing to you?' he demanded.

Aragorn was pure white now. 'Legolas, calm down. Let me explain.' His voice was pleading.

The younger Elf shook his head vehemently, breathing in short gasps. 'I don't need an explanation. I already got one, when the one who should have told me said nothing.' His voice had grown even louder.

Elrond burst into the room, drawn by sounds of the shouting. 'What in the name of Elbereth is going on in here?' he said firmly.

Legolas's voice was hoarse now from yelling. 'Nothing, Lord Elrond.' The blond Elf jumped to his feet and ran off.

'Legolas!' Aragorn cried. He went to run after him, but Elrond caught his arm.

'Let him be for a while,' Elrond said compassionately. 'The messenger from the North is here now, and waiting for you.'

Aragorn gaped. 'I can't leave while Legolas is so upset.'

'You must. The Dunadain are suspicious that you have died, for you have not been seen for some time in the North. Elrohir and Elladan will look after Legolas,' Elrond said, firmly but gently.

'Not Elladan,' Aragorn said angrily. He knew there was no way out of this, not with the closed expression on his foster father's face. 'This was his doing.' Aragorn was furious that he was being dragged off like this, and let Elrond know it with the reproach in his eyes.

Elrond didn't understand, but nodded. 'Very well, then. Grab your bag, for it's time to go. And don't make me have to bind you and foot to make you go, again. Legolas will still be here when you return.'

Tears were in Aragorn's eyes, as he grabbed his bag and threw what he needed in it. He followed Elrond, but his thoughts were on the pain that he'd seen on Legolas' face.

The messenger was relieved to see that Aragorn was alive, and the two mounted horses. As they began riding off, Aragorn kept looking back.

Wait for me, Legolas, Aragorn silently whispered.

And as the two rode out of sight, a blond-haired figure in a white robe, who'd been watching from a balcony, sank to the ground, weeping.

Come back to me, Aragorn, Legolas wept silently.

To be continued