Other: Legolas will give birth in this story, all right? Though it won't be for quite a while, and the birth will end this story.
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 right after the 'Rivendell Seven' reach the glade of trees. This chapter is basically a little interlude of what went on during the first break, with the 'Rivendell Seven', in Rivendell, and in Mordor. More action promised next chapter! Sorry it's so short!
Reasons To Fight, Reasons To Wed
Part 25. Rest
"I am not climbing a tree, Elf," Gimli growled, glaring at Legolas, who smiled demurely.
"Most of us are, Gimli, including me. Elves are more at home in trees than the ground,' he told the Dwarf.
Gimli stubbornly shook his head. "I am staying on the ground- where I know I cannot fall."
Legolas let out a merry laugh and clapped his short friend on the shoulder. "Very well then, I shall see you later." The Elven Prince went over to one of the tall hemlocks trees and easily began climbing it, enjoying the feel of the bark on his hands.
"You be careful," Gimli grumbled, fretting as he watched his friend climb to the middle of the tree, before stopping.
"Honestly, Gimli, you worry too much. With you, Aragorn, my father, Glorfindel, and Haldir watching me constantly, what could possibly go wrong?" Legolas questioned, as he rested against the trunk of the tree, letting his legs stretch out their full length. His green cloak made a sort-of blanket over him as he sat there, gazing around.
The dark hemlocks were beautiful to behold, with the dark coloring of their bark, their green leaves, and the smoothness of their branches, which easily would hold numerous Elves. Most of the trees towered nearly as tall as the sky, though a few were smaller. The forest itself was not very big, with its ground covering with soft, fresh grass, and the small, bubbling stream nearby. The sky overhead was a dazzling blue, with the sun's rays shining down on them, and a few clouds drifting by.
Legolas could not hold back a yawn, as he made himself comfortable. He truly did not meant to fall asleep as he did, with his head resting back against the tree, and his mouth slightly open. A smile was present on his face, a sweet smile, which told those who saw it that Legolas was, at least, having a good dream. His vacant eyes focused on nothing, not even the half Elf that was searching for him.
Haldir and Glorfindel had taken to much higher branches than the Elven Prince. The two Elves were currently tossing things at each other in jest, while keeping a lookout for any intruders.
Haldir slyly grinned when a leaf he tossed at the golden-haired Elven lord landed directly on his head. Glorfindel scowled and tapped a foot against the branch he currently stood on.
'Just how high do you plan on climbing?' Glorfindel asked.
'How high do you want to climb?' Haldir questioned. 'We must be high enough so that we can spot our enemies should they try to attack us.'
Glorfindel easily leapt up another branch, right below Haldir. 'I believe that this is high enough.'
Haldir sighed. 'Very well, my lord Glorfindel.' He sprang off the branch lightly, and would have easily landed next to the Elven lord, if Glorfindel had not positioned himself to catch the younger Elf.
'Honestly, Haldir! It's hard to know who is worse about keeping themselves safe; you or Legolas,' Glorfindel scolded. He'd been afraid that Haldir would fall.
Haldir sighed. 'Glorfindel… I am not a child, and I would have landed perfectly,' he pointed out. 'I am older than Legolas.'
Glorfindel set Haldir down on the branch. 'So you are, but I am older than you.'
Haldir brought his face close to Glorfindel's and whispered knowingly, 'Older does not always mean wiser.' His breath drifted across the Elven lord's face, as the two leaned closer together, before their lips met.
Hungrily they kissed several times, though their senses did not relax, as they enjoyed the tantalizing taste of each other. Hands encircled waists, drawing them together as closely as possible.
Down below, Thranduil started laughing when he saw his son sleeping soundly against a tree. The Elven king was very amused, because no less than ten minutes ago, Legolas had been arguing that he was not tired and he did not need to sleep. Yet he now slept, looking young to his father, who remembered Legolas' youth, and how his only child had always loved to sleep in the trees. At least that was one thing that had never changed.
Thranduil climbed up the tree next to his son's, and relaxed slightly as well, keeping his senses attuned for danger. He cast a fond look at his child, wondering at the smile on Legolas' face. Thranduil figured that he was dreaming of Aragorn, and chuckled.
Boromir eyed the trees dubiously. He had not climbed a tree since he was very young, but he did not wish to appear less than the Elves, who had easily chosen their resting places. The Steward of Gondor stubbornly attempted to climb a tree, but his mind had long forgotten how.
Legolas happened to be sleeping in the tree that Boromir was trying to climb, so he awoke at a muffled curse. Curiously, the blond Elf peered down and saw the Man shaking his head, as he tried a second time. The lithe Elven Prince yawned and stood, stretching slightly, before he climbed down a few branches to where he could watch better.
When Boromir looked up, he saw a familiar face above his, with shining azure eyes.
"Would you care for assistance?" Legolas offered kindly, extending a hand.
Boromir hesitated for a few moments, knowing that if he did accept help, he would be seen as weak, but if he did not, he knew that he would not be able to climb the tree. So he took Legolas' hand, and, after needlessly warning the Elf to brace himself, the Steward of Gondor managed to get onto the lowest branch finally.
Aragorn finally spotted his husband, as he helped Boromir into the tree. The half Elf frowned slightly, because he felt that Legolas should have asked someone else to help the Steward, instead of doing so himself. It might have knocked him out of the tree, after all.
"My thanks, Mas- Legolas," Boromir said.
Legolas merely smiled. "You're welcome." Then he saw Aragorn, and a broader smile lit up his face, as he grinned down at his husband. 'Are you coming up?' he called.
'Unless you are coming down, I am,' Aragorn replied, as he easily climbed into the tree, though not as gracefully as Legolas had.
'Come,' Legolas said, before he made his way back up to his perch.
Boromir watched him go silently, and then his attention turned to the son of Arathorn, who had obediently followed the blond beauty.
Legolas yawned again, as Aragorn sat next to him, sitting in very much the same position that Legolas had been sleeping in.
Aragorn murmured, 'Rest, dear one.' He said the words quietly, so as to not offend Legolas, who wearily nodded.
Legolas crawled over to Aragorn and rested against him, his back pressing on Aragorn's firm chest. His blond head lay on his husband's right shoulder, whose arms were wrapped around his waist, holding him close. Legolas folded his arms, relaxing against the one he loved. When he fell asleep, he did not know.
Aragorn was pleased when Legolas drifted off to sleep, for it proved that he did feel safe in his arms. He knew that it could not be easy for Legolas to see him, knowing that Meron had stolen his form to do such an evil thing to him, but the Elf was dealing with it remarkably well. Though Aragorn did worry that it might be an act put on to deceive him, so he reached out with their bond, trying to figure out how Legolas was feeling. What he read were different emotions; contentment, grief, determination to rescue the kidnapped Hobbits, and love.
Aragorn held Legolas while he slept, not daring to move, lest he wake him.
Boromir had been able to climb the tree more easily, now that he was actually in it. The Steward settled on a branch slightly below the one that held his potential King and the Elven Prince. He still was not certain why so much fuss was being made over Legolas; perhaps it was because of the Elf's radiant beauty, Boromir mused. He knew very little about Legolas, save that he was to marry Aragorn, he was an Elven Prince, and that Meron wanted him. He knew even less about Aragorn, except that he was the heir to the throne of Gondor, and that he genuinely loved the beautiful Elf that he was currently holding.
Gimli settled on a rock below the trees that everyone else rested in. He would never climb a tree; Dwarves never climbed trees. Or so he told himself. He frequently glanced up to check on everyone, and couldn't hide a fond look when he saw Legolas sleeping in Aragorn's arms. Those two were obviously in love, and it was even more plain to see that Aragorn adored Legolas, though he also tended to fuss over him.
At least there had been no sign of the Nazgul, Gimli thought. Things would have been a lot worse then; Dwarf or no, he would have climbed a tree to get away from the Ringwraiths. But the first day had been pretty promising so far, with no battles being fought yet. After an hour or so, Gimli knew they would start walking again.
A small figure watched the seven figures, narrowing its eyes as it glanced from one to the other. The figure was surrounded by tall bushes, and only its eyes showed as it gazed at them all. Silently the figure remained, seemingly content just to watch them from afar, not revealing its presence to any of them. The small figure stayed out of range of the Elven senses, to remain undetected by them, for then its cover would have been blown.
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Rivendell
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Hobbits had finally begun arriving, after fleeing from the Shire and Mithrandir saw to the wounded, along with Elladan and Elrohir, as more and more Hobbits kept appearing. Many had slices and gashes on their arms and legs, from when they had run from the Nazgul. A few were lucky to remain unscathed, and they supported the wounded.
Elrond sat in a chair, directing his sons on how to tend the injuries. He outwardly showed no sign of his sorrow and anger that the little ones had been so cruelly mistreated, all because of the sick and twisted desires of one person- Meron.
Mithrandir silently bandaged wounds and applied herbs, but even he could not remain unaffected by this. What the Nazgul had done, in his opinion, was sick. Most of the Hobbits did not know how to defend themselves, so it was horrifying to see them so bloody, with bruises and ashes staining their clothes.
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Mordor
*********
Meron laughed as he taunted each of his four prisoners, threatening them with spells, which he said would make them look truly hideous to behold.
Frodo defiantly reminded silent, hoping his friends would do so as well. Brave Sam glared at the evil one, but Merry and Pippin were uncertain. The fun-loving mischief-makers had never been treated like this before, and they were anxious to get home and make certain that their friends were all right.
To be continued
