Disclaimer: See the Author's Notes! This is an AU! A/L shounen ai! I promise the reunion between Legolas and Aragorn will be soon! All right; I've decided which Istari that Meron is related to, and that will come out in the next few chapters. As for how long this fic will last… Probably about five or more chapters. Takes place some time after the last chapter. Slight shounen ai between Haldir/Glorfindel. The R Rating is coming into effect now for good reason!
Reasons To Fight, Reasons To Wed
Part 18. Danger
Mithrandir had to duck, as Thranduil angrily flung a light blue vase against the wall.
'How dare he!' Thranduil shouted. 'Oh Elbereth… Legolas…" The Elven king buried his face in his hands. 'What did I do to him?' His normally smooth and flowing voice was stricken.
'You tried to force him to break off his betrothal to Aragorn,' Mithrandir murmured. 'Legolas could not, and thus chose to travel with me to master his magic talents. Your son is currently missing, and I suspect it has something to do with Meron.'
Thranduil scowled. 'That deceiver… If he hurts my son…'
Mithrandir gently placed a hand on Thranduil's shoulder. 'Thranduil… Legolas carries Aragorn's child; your grandchild.'
'What?' Thranduil gasped. 'They are not even wed yet.'
'They are wed; twas a private ceremony, in case Meron tried to stop the other one,' Mithrandir replied. 'Your son needs you now, more than ever. Meron will not stop trying to claim him for his own.'
Thranduil said slowly and deliberately, 'Meron will pay for what he has done; to both me and my son. And for what he made me do to Legolas. As for my unborn grandchild… Meron had just better forget killing it.'
Mithrandir was glad to see that the over-protective Thranduil was back to normal, though he wished that someone had figured it out sooner. Things would have been a lot easier, then, but the smoothest course was not necessarily the best one. Now, if Legolas could just be found and returned to Aragorn before anything happened, then everything would be much, much better.
If Meron got a hold of Legolas… that would be disastrous.
The Elven King and Mithrandir quickly set out to find Legolas, traveling as fast as they could, back towards Rivendell, on their Elvish steeds.
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Somewhere Else
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A lone figure with dark brown hair and brown eyes rode through the woods, heading towards Rivendell. He would wait there for word of Legolas, for he had searched futilely for the beautiful Elf everywhere. He was pleased when he finally arrived there, and dismounted.
No one in Rivendell paid him a second glance, for he was Aragorn, son of Arathorn and foster-son to their lord.
The brown-haired figure strode inside the castle and sat down to wait on a balcony.
It was only a matter of time…
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Near Rivendell
******************
Glorfindel carried Legolas, as the small group headed back towards Rivendell. Legolas slept in an exhausted sleep, though he occasionally murmured Aragorn's name.
Gimli walked a little bit behind Glorfindel, his eyes full of concern for the limp figure in the other Elf's arms. Legolas had been sleeping for hours now, without any sign of waking up. If nothing else, he needed to wake up long enough to eat, Gimli thought. Legolas' unborn child needed food, after all.
Frodo and Pippin were walking beside Gimli, and the entire group was silent.
Glorfindel didn't know what to say to Gimli, because he had never really been around Dwarves before. The Hobbits were worried about the seemingly unconscious Elf, who had not moved since they had found him. Gimli was disgruntled and silent because he was very concerned about Legolas, and they were heading towards an Elven kingdom, where Dwarves probably weren't allowed.
Legolas stirred suddenly, coughing. Glorfindel peered down into the Elven Prince's face, as his azure eyes fluttered open finally. Legolas gazed around for a few minutes, before he realized that someone was carrying him. He looked up into Glorfindel's face.
'What happened?' Legolas sleepily murmured. "Gimli?"
"Right here, Elf," Gimli answered, stepping to where his friend could see him.
Glorfindel said, 'You've been asleep for awhile, Legolas. Frodo, Pippin, and I found you- and Gimli. You were sound asleep.'
Legolas frowned. 'I can walk, Glorfindel. But I do thank you for your assistance.' He sought out Gimli and smiled slightly. "I'm glad to see that you are all right."
Glorfindel muttered, 'Is the Dwarf truly a friend of yours, Legolas?'
'Yes,' Legolas said sternly. 'He is the one who found me when I teleported, and Gimli insisted on accompanying me back to Rivendell. He also defended me against the Nazgul, with no thought to the danger it placed him.'
Gimli couldn't understand any of the Elvish words, except for Legolas' name and his own. "Don't worry about me, Legolas. You were the one I was worried about. And you should eat something."
Legolas made a face at that. "Release me, Glorfindel," he firmly stated. "I am capable of walking." Though he had to stifle a yawn.
"Are you so certain of that?" Glorfindel questioned, a knowing look in his eyes. "And I believe that he is right; you weigh little more than a feather."
"I am not a child!" Legolas shouted in indignation. He was cut off by Glorfindel, who had placed his hand over the younger Elf's mouth.
Gimli snorted as he dug through his pack and came up with the last bits of dried fruit. He stepped closer and placed them in Legolas' empty right hand. He exchanged slightly amused glances with Pippin and Frodo, who were grinning.
"Honestly… An Elven Prince ever stubborn?" Glorfindel jested.
Legolas muttered something inaudible, as he scowled at Glorfindel. The hand was removed from his mouth, and Legolas stuck his tongue out at the Elven lord as he sulked, silently eating the dried fruit. Gimli bit back laughter at that, for he knew that Legolas was going through a mood swing right now. Glorfindel grinned, and shook his head.
Frodo finally murmured, "Glorfindel… How're Pippin and I going to get home to the Shire?"
"I am certain that Lord Elrond will arrange an escort for you to return to the Shire," Glorfindel replied. "The important thing is to get Legolas to safety right now, and splitting up would not be a good idea at this time, especially since the Nazgul are about."
Legolas continued nibbling on the fruit, though a scowl yet remained on his face.
Gimli patted Legolas on the arm. "It's all right, Elf. You'll be home again before you know it."
"Don't patronize me," Legolas muttered, sticking his tongue out at Gimli as well.
Glorfindel laughed. "Come now, Legolas… Maybe you need a nap."
Legolas promptly stuck his tongue out a third time. He didn't know what was wrong with him; he never acted so childishly. Yet for some reason he was very irritated right now.
Gimli was not offended by the way Legolas was acting; nor was Glorfindel. Both knew why the Elven Prince was acting like this, though the Hobbits did not. They merely watched curiously.
But everyone froze when a blade suddenly pricked Glorfindel's neck, stretching out from a nearby grove. The Elven lord cursed himself silently for not paying better attention, as he instantly froze. He only hoped that it was not the evil Meron or an ally of his.
"What's this? An Elven lord caught off his guard by a 'Lorien Elf?" a male voice questioned, with a drawl in it, before Haldir of 'Lorien stepped into view. Sam and Merry were behind him, grinning.
"Don't do that, Haldir!" Glorfindel cried. Though he was pleased to see Haldir again.
Legolas had actually dozed off against the Elven lord's shoulder again, so he slept silently, looking vulnerable in his sleep. His perfectly-formed mouth was open slightly, and a soft, rosy flush was on his face, which had strands of golden hair framing it.
Haldir grinned, before he saw the sleeping Elven Prince. 'You found him!'
'No,' Glorfindel replied. 'Gimli the Dwarf found Legolas, and was bringing him home, when we found them.'
Frodo, Pippin, Merry, and Sam all started speaking, while the two tall, blond Elves caught each other up on what was going on.
'The little ones need to return home, Haldir. Do you want to escort them home, or should I?' Glorfindel questioned.
Haldir replied, 'I'll take them home, and meet up with you later, Glorfindel.' A sly look was in his eyes, before he clapped the other Elf on the shoulder. "Come, Pippin, Sam, Merry, and Frodo. I will take you home now."
The Hobbits nodded eagerly, for they wanted to go home now. It was very nice being with their Elven friends, but the Shire was home, after all. Not to mention that Bilbo was probably looking for Frodo by now, wondering where he was.
Haldir winked at Glorfindel, who raised an eyebrow, smirking. Some things never changed, the Elven lord thought, as he watched Haldir confidently walk away, with the little ones gathered around him closely.
Gimli had never claimed to understand Elves, and he sure didn't understand what that had been all about. The Dwarf shrugged, but merely continued following Glorfindel to Rivendell. It was none of his business, anyway.
A few hours went by in silence, until the small group reached Rivendell. Gimli hesitated at the border, but Glorfindel gave the Dwarf an encouraging nod. After all, the Elven lord reasoned, Gimli was a friend to Legolas- and he had defended the Elven Prince. Surely Aragorn would want to thank him.
As if summoned by that thought, the son of Arathorn walked out to meet them. His eyes lit up when he saw Legolas, and he rushed over. 'You found him! I was so worried!' he cried. The half Elf took the sleeping Elf into his arms a little roughly, causing Gimli to frown.
Glorfindel raised an eyebrow slightly but shrugged. He figured that Aragorn must have been very worried about Legolas, and that was why he was acting slightly strange. He watched as the heir to Gondor ran off into Rivendell, towards his room.
Gimli frowned. Even Glorfindel had better manners than that. He looked at the tall, blond Elf, with a frown on his face. "Does he always act like that?" Gimli questioned.
"No…" Glorfindel said slowly. He felt uneasy for some reason, but he couldn't figure out why.
Inside of a locked room, Legolas had been laid onto a bed. Aragorn traced the perfect face, before he pressed his lips against Legolas' hard.
Legolas moaned faintly, stirring. He opened his eyes slowly, and saw Aragorn leaning over him. 'Aragorn?' he whispered. He was surprised when his husband began nibbling at his neck. 'Please… Aragorn… I am too tired…'
A harsher kiss was given to the semiconscious Elf, who protested again. Legolas then began to realize that something was wrong… He couldn't feel Aragorn through their bond.
Aragorn straddled the beautiful Elven Prince, nipping very sharply at his pale throat. Legolas shook his head and tried to push Aragorn away.
'Stop, Aragorn,' he said as firmly as he could.
Aragorn scowled angrily. 'Do you not love me, Legolas?'
Legolas murmured, 'I am too weary now, Aragorn. Later…' Something was very wrong…
Aragorn ignored the Elf's words and slid a hand under his white shirt, caressing the firm chest, as his other hand took a firm grip on Legolas' wrists, slamming them into the bed above his head.
'Aragorn, I'm serious,' Legolas angrily said. 'Stop.'
He froze when he saw the cold look in Aragorn's eyes. Legolas quickly realized that Aragorn was not going to stop, even if he asked him too. The Elf instantly began struggling against the weight holding him to the bed. His struggles were ignored by the son of Arathorn.
What's wrong with you, Aragorn, Legolas wondered, as he fought against his husband. Yet, Legolas still could not read anything from him. If he hadn't been fighting so hard, he would have realized what that meant.
'Aragorn, let me go!!' Legolas cried desperately. A hand slapped him across his face hard when he kicked the half Elf as hard as he could, leaving a stinging, red mark.
'No,' Aragorn smirked.
**************
Somewhere
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Aragorn was stunned by a sudden, overwhelming sense of danger. He closed his eyes and heard Legolas' voice in his mind, intertwined with pain.
'What's wrong with you, Aragorn? Let me go!!'
'Legolas?' Aragorn asked silently. Every fiber in his being was telling him that the one he loved was in tremendous danger right now. That Legolas needed him now!
His bond cried to him to return to Rivendell, before it was too late…
Aragorn instantly whirled his horse around and galloped back hard towards his home. Lucky for him, he was not too far away from Rivendell.
To be continued
