Other: Sorry for the delay! Thank you to those who hoped I'd feel better soon; I'm finally starting to, so I dashed off this chapter. Hmm… The majority votes for twins; it's tied between two boys and a boy and girl. Still have no idea of who Meron's mother is… But I do want him related to Elrond in some way… Oh well… Yes, I know the last chapter could have been better, but I wrote it while having a 100 degree fever.
Disclaimers: See the Author's Notes! This is an AU! Takes place a few hours after the last chapter. The R Rating is coming in effect now for good reason! Aragorn and Legolas' mental speech is in *. Elvish is in ''. Shounen ai between Haldir/Glorfindel. This is the longest story I have ever written! Takes place early the next morning.
Reasons To Fight, Reasons To Wed
Part 24. Beginning
The group who was traveling to Mordor to rescue the Hobbits stood before Elrond, who was supported by Elrohir and Elladan.
"Be careful- all of you," Elrond told them, his gaze primarily on a certain blond Elven Prince. "Return safely, and may Elbereth watch over you all."
The Elves who were going nodded silently, along with Aragorn. Gimli bowed his head, and Boromir inclined his own.
The Dwarf wore his customary armor and a brown hood. His axe had been freshly sharpened and his helmet was on his head. Gimli shifted position slightly, impatient to get on the way already. The sooner they left, the sooner they would return, after all. Though he would have to keep an eye on that dratted Elf, who would, no doubt, get himself into trouble if he didn't take more care.
Boromir wore rich clothes, though they were suitable for traveling. A dark cloak hung over his shoulders, showing off his dark red shirt and black breeches, and a gleaming sword hung at his side, along with the Horn of Gondor. His eyes roamed to the son of Arathorn, who was attentive to what his foster father was saying. Boromir then glanced at the admittedly beautiful Elf standing at Aragorn's side. He was certain that he could keep him from harm, and the Steward of Gondor was determined to settle his score with the evil deceiver- Meron.
Thranduil's own clothes were fancy, but had the colors of the forest in them. Dark green were his leggings, with a slightly lighter green shirt over them, the color of grass. A tan tunic was over his shirt, and his own sword hilt shone at his side. His hair was braided back, like his son's, showing against the dark green of his cloak. Right now, his blue-grey eyes were focused on his only child, though he did look at Elrond. Meron would not hurt his son again, Thranduil vowed.
Glorfindel stood next to Haldir silently. His soft, blond hair was pulled back, but a few strands framed his face, showing off the solemn look on his face. A light blue shirt, yellow tunic, and matching light blue leggings were what he wore, along with the sword at his side. A quiver was slung over his shoulders, as was his bow, showing against his grey cloak. Glorfindel vowed that he would not let either the kidnapped Hobbits, Legolas, or Haldir come to harm.
Haldir watched Elrond gravely, knowing this was no time for jokes or games. This mission was serious, and all of them knew it. The grey leggings he wore showed off his dark brown shirt and light brown tunic. He also had a quiver, with arrows, and a bow across his shoulders, and a small bag of herbs around his waist, instead of a sword. Two daggers were strapped behind his flowing blond hair, on his back. His cloak was a grey as well, matching Glorfindel's. His gaze drifted to Glorfindel, and he was slightly pleased to see that the Elven lord was looking at him, before they both turned back to Lord Elrond. He was determined to keep Legolas safe, nearly as much as he wanted to make certain that Glorfindel would be, and his little, captured friends.
Aragorn wore black leggings, a baby blue shirt, and a green tunic. He, too, possessed a bow, quiver, and arrows, along with his own sword, and a dark brown cloak. His brown hair was unkempt, as usual, though he had tried to brush it. His attention was divided between the one he loved and his father. Aragorn had to make certain that Legolas was not hurt again, and that his beloved took care of himself.
Loose, flowing clothes were what the Elven Prince wore. His leggings were a bright blue, matching his sapphire eyes. He wore no tunic, a pale, white shirt, and a bright green cloak flowed around him. Gimli and Aragorn both had insisted that he wear the mithril coat, which the Dwarf had offered, and arguing with them had done no good. A strip of blue cloth had been tied around his forehead and under his long locks, to keep stray, blond strands of hair from falling onto Legolas' face. His golden hair hung loose and free, with its few braids in it. Aragorn had returned his sword to him, having found it in the forest of Rivendell, so it rested against his right hip.
Legolas was mainly listening to Elrond, though he did feel the looks that the others were giving him. He knew that his father disapproved of him going, as did Aragorn, but he had meant what he said; he could not just sit and cry out his grief over what had happened to him. A blessing it was that he had been unconscious the entire time, or Legolas knew that he would be even more upset.
Elrond finally finished bidding them all farewell, before he returned to his room, to rest. In two days' time, his wounds would heal fully, but until then, his strength was limited.
The group of seven silently walked over to where their packs rest against the wall. Each picked up their own, including Legolas, even though Aragorn had frowned at him. They were not riding horses, for it would be too easy for the Nazgul to find them that way.
Glorfindel led the way out of Rivendell, as they headed towards Mordor. He was followed closely by Haldir and Boromir, who had positioned himself in between the blond Elf in front of him and Thranduil. The Elven King kept a close watch on his son, who walked beside Aragorn. Gimli brought up the rear, listening for any sounds of trouble.
Aragorn was doing his best not to coddle Legolas, but it was very hard for him, especially since he thought that Legolas should not even be going.
'Are you all right?' Aragorn finally asked, to break the silence. They'd been walking for a few hours, and Legolas had been silent most of the time.
Legolas raised a dark eyebrow at that question. 'I'm fine, Aragorn. Believe me; when I am not, you will be the first to know,' he replied.
Aragorn slowly nodded, though he anxiously watched his husband. Thranduil saw this and was slightly amused, so he wandered over to his son-in-law, when Legolas slowed down, so he could speak to Gimli.
'He is not a child, Aragorn,' Thranduil murmured. 'Though I would have liked to bind him and foot, to make him stay in Rivendell.'
Aragorn laughed, feeling his spirits lighten at those words. 'I am sure Legolas would have loved that.'
Thranduil grinned. 'Indeed,' he said.
"How are you faring, Gimli?" Legolas questioned. He was mildly irritated that Aragorn was fussing over him, but he tried not to show it.
Gimli grumbled, "I walked farther than this when I worked in the Mines."
Legolas laughed, before replying, "I am sure you did. But, pray tell, what did you do in the Mines?" A twinkle was in his azure eyes; a spark of mischief.
"I mined, of course," Gimli retorted.
Boromir slowed his pace down, when he saw that the Elven Prince had done so, to ensure that naught would take them by surprise. He was vaguely amused, however, at how Aragorn coddled the lovely creature. Though if he had been in Aragorn's position, Boromir knew that he probably would have done the same thing. Revenge was his prominent plan right now, and keeping such beauty safe from an evil villain.
Glorfindel and Haldir were speaking as well, quietly enough so that the others did not hear their words.
Haldir winked at Glorfindel when he saw a wince on the Elven lord's face. 'Not used to walking so far?' he teased.
'I have walked much farther than this before,' Glorfindel haughtily informed Haldir.
'Are you certain?' Haldir pressed, letting a sly grin appear on his face.
Glorfindel stopped walking for a few moments and narrowed his eyes. 'I should punish you for such words, youngling. Be glad that I am not a Man, for otherwise I would spank you.'
Haldir smirked, 'Would you truly, Glorfindel? And though I may be younger than you, I am no youngling.'
Though the two continued their jests, neither let their focus slip from the possible threat of enemies. Their game was merely aiding to relieve their tension, for it seemed that they were the unofficial leaders of this group.
Aragorn spoke to Thranduil, hearing many amusing tales of his husband as a child, and the mischief he had caused until Legolas had finally managed to gain control of his blossoming magical abilities.
Soon, however, Aragorn was feeling weariness, though it was not his own. It emanated from the Elven Prince that kept pace with Gimli.
Legolas sighed slowly, as he took a drink from his water bag. He could feel his fatigue growing, but he was determined not to show it. If the others knew, they would undoubtedly stop to rest, and Legolas had no intention of being a burden to them. He was here to help free the Hobbits, who had helped him, in a roundabout way. But he was so tired…
Gimli saw the yawn that Legolas tried to hide, and shook his head. Why exactly had the Elf been allowed to come on this quest, especially since he carried a child, the Dwarf wondered. He didn't approve of it, but no one had asked his opinion. If Legolas had been further up in the group, instead of hanging back with him, Gimli would have gone to Aragorn and told him pointblank that Legolas needed to rest.
Boromir could see Legolas was tiring; it showed in the uneven, hesitant steps. Even the Steward was getting weary, for they had been walking for nearly eight hours now. A rest would not be unwelcome, he mused. But Boromir would not say anything until someone else did.
Aragorn knowingly looked at the one he loved, reading the exhaustion easily through their bond. *You are tired, aren't you,* he stated unnecessarily, using their mental connection to speak to Legolas.
*I am capable of walking until Glorfindel decides that we will rest,* Legolas answered defensively. Even his mental 'voice' sounded tired.
Aragorn shook his head, and quickened his step, until he caught up with Haldir and Glorfindel. The two Elves looked at him, pausing their own conversation.
'We need to rest soon, Glorfindel, for Legolas is tired,' Aragorn murmured, keeping one eye focused on his husband.
Glorfindel nodded, and set his keen eyes to work, scanning the flat terrain for somewhere that they all could rest, letting their guards down for a little while. Most of the ground was covered with green grass and stones, but not too far away, a small glade of hemlock trees stood.
The Elven lord turned back to Aragorn and said, 'We'll head for those trees, where we all can relax.'
'Tis a good place to hide from any who might seek to hinder us,' Haldir seconded.
Aragorn nodded. 'And someone ought to take a watch in the trees, in case enemies do try to approach, for then they will be seen quicker. And that someone will not be Legolas.'
Haldir laughed quietly and replied, 'Then I shall do so, though I fear I will be lonely.'
'Then I shall join you, to keep you from being lonely,' Glorfindel slyly told Haldir.
Aragorn was amused at the exchange, and was not too surprised by it. He had, after all, seen the two Elves kissing in that tree. The son of Arathorn grinned, before heading back towards Legolas.
Legolas glanced up when he saw Aragorn approaching, and was too weary to notice the rock on the ground in front of him, until it collided with his right foot. Being deeply embedded in the ground, it nearly caused Legolas to fall, until a strange, strong pair of arms caught a hold of him, stopping him mid-trip.
Boromir held the Elf, straightening him up fully, before releasing him. "Are you all right, Master Elf?"
"My name is Legolas, so please feel free to call me by my name," the Elven Prince replied quietly. "And thanks to you, I am fine, though I shall watch more closely where my feet tread." He smiled, which lit up his face, and then walked towards Aragorn.
Boromir watched Aragorn hurry over to Legolas, concern on his face, before he placed an arm around the slender waist. Faramir had the son of Arathorn right, Boromir mused, seeing the obvious affection between Aragorn and Legolas, when the two walked side-by-side.
Thranduil and Gimli walked on Legolas' other side, worried about him, fearing that he might trip once more.
All were glad when Glorfindel announced that they were going to rest when they reached the trees.
None had spotted the shadow on the ground behind them, which had actually been following them from some time. It bobbed along silently, nearly a yard away.
To be continued
