Disclaimers: See the Author's Notes! This is an AU! The R Rating is in effect! Elvish is in ''. You have until the final chapter, before the epilogue, to cast your votes for the sex of the twins and their looks! Ok, the 'vision' that Aragorn had- that was a flashback of a former life. All of them will be, for that matter.

Reasons To Fight, Reasons To Wed

Part 32. Memory

A faint coughing sounded, in the dark corners of a stone cell, where a lone figure lay, moaning softly. Brown hair rested on the hard, stone floor of the cell, covering a handsome profile and a pair of closed eyes. His hands were outstretched slightly, as if he were fending off some unknown evil person. Aragorn shifted a little, before he coughed again.

A few feet away, a golden-haired Elf lay motionless, his breathing hoarse and raspy, as Glorfindel coughed hard, laying face-first on the floor. Vacant, blue eyes focused on nothing, with strands of his hair falling across his pale face.

Outside of the cell, Meron rolled his eyes. "What good will holding and keeping them alive do?"

"Honestly," Rissan retorted, looking annoyed. "To keep what you want within your grasp, you must use whatever means are necessary. Those two are the greatest weaknesses that my pet and that Prince have. If we kill them, there is no way to guarantee that those two will behave themselves."

"Is that what you did to Haldir?" Meron inquired, looking less irritated and more curious.

Rissan smirked. "Well, our arrangement was very satisfying for me… but unfortunately 'Lord' Glorfindel felt that what I did to Haldir was wrong."

Meron snickered softly. "Isn't that always the way? I fail to see why others get involved with something that is none of their concern…"

"They must have nothing better to do," a cold voice said, as Saruman walked into the room, his long, white hair flowing freely, and he was followed closely by Sauron, whose black hair hung loose behind the mask he wore.

Sauron looked at the two who stood there, sneering down at the limp forms in the cells. "Forget the two you're after- we have work to do. The instant that word gets out of what happened, all of the Elves, Dwarves, and Men will come here to rescue them all. Kidnapping the King of Mirkwood, the Steward of Gondor, and the heir to Gondor was foolish." His voice hissed as he glared at the two coldly.

"There was nothing else that could be done, Sauron; I already told you that," Saruman muttered. He glared at Aragorn's unconscious form. "He's awakening too soon, but if we can keep him from being close to him, his powers will be inconsequential."

"What is his name this time?" Sauron asked, irritation in his voice.

Meron answered, "Legolas is his current name."

Rissan took advantage of the silence to wander down to the cell where Boromir and Thranduil lay unconscious on the cold floor. A grim smile appeared, before he went to the next cell, which held Elena in it.

The young Hobbit lifted her chin when Rissan smirked at her. She was the only one who had woken up so far from the sleeping spell, and Elena asked, "Where are my friends?" A strange, almost unnoticeable glint was in her wide, blue-grey eyes.

"Which ones, brat? The ones that were with you, or the other Hobbits?" Rissan scornfully asked.

"All of them," she replied softly. "Are they okay?"

Meron cruelly scoffed, " 'Are they okay?' Did you kill them?" A laugh left him, making Elena shiver slightly.

"They're alive… for now," Rissan taunted, before he stalked away.

Elena silently watched, her tiny hands holding onto the stone bars of her cell, as the other three evil ones left the room. A strange emotion shone in her eyes, before she closed them in sorrow, listening wordlessly.

Further down, Aragorn moaned again, lost in the visions surrounding his unconscious mind.

************

Flashback

************

Merry laughter echoed around the numerous trees, where Aragorn stood. Hauntingly familiar laughs, which plagued him, calling to his memories.

'I'm going to beat you this time, Elessar!' a voice shouted, with the slight accent that told Aragorn that it was not Legolas- it was Lasgalen. The half Elf wondered how he had gotten back here again, but had no time to think because the sounds of galloping hooves across the soft green grass grew louder, as they approached the small clearing.

Aragorn ducked instantly behind a tree, and watched as a familiar blond figure rode by, standing on his white stallion, a grin on his face. Close behind him, a brown-haired Man dug his heels into his own stallion, trying to catch up with the other rider.

The golden-haired rider laughed again and pulled his stallion to a stop, still standing on the pure white horse. The Man came to a stop and dismounted.

"All right, Lasgalen- you beat me this time," he said, feigning disappointment.

The Elf smiled down at Elessar. "I know," he teased. "Whatever shall you do, oh King of Gondor?"

Elessar smirked and answered, "Well, when I get you off that horse…"

"Oh, I don't know. Tis the only way I don't have to look up at you." Lasgalen easily balanced on the horse, placing his arms behind his back.

Aragorn was in too much shock to listen to what they were saying, as he stared at the Man that looked like him- sort of. This… Elessar was older than him and somewhat taller, but other than that they looked exactly alike.

Elessar snorted and ended the debate by simply taking a hold of Lasgalen's waist and lifting him to the ground. The blond Elf frowned slightly, until Elessar sweetly kissed him, a deep, passionate kiss that sung through their veins, which lasted for quite a few moments.

Aragorn crept closer noiselessly, trying to hear what they were saying, curious despite the sense of guilt he felt for spying on the two. A feeling not unlike déjà vu went through him, confusing him even more.

Lasgalen rested his head against Elessar's broad chest, brushing the green, velvet tunic the Man wore over his silk, blue shirt. 'Do you really have to go, Elessar?' he whispered, too distracted to hear the one that was listening to them. A glimmer of tears shone in the sapphire eyes, as they met the sad brown eyes of the taller Man.

'I must, my fair one. The rumors are too disturbing to ignore,' Elessar said softly, one of his larger hands cupping the soft, smooth texture of Lasgalen's cheek.

'I do not trust him… or them,' Lasgalen admitted, leaning into the gentle caress.

Elessar sighed slowly. 'I know…' He slid his hands down his Elven lover's slim back, pulling the Elf against him completely, before firmly kissing him. Lasgalen softly moaned, returning the kiss with fervor. His tongue easily darted in between Elessar's lips, exploring his mouth hungrily.

'You're trying to distract me,' Lasgalen protested slightly.

'Is it working?' Elessar replied, half serious. A low chuckle was his answer, and the Man murmured, 'I'll return as soon as I can, my love. You do believe in me, don't you?'

Lasgalen fiercely embraced Elessar and whispered, 'I do… I trust the blood in your veins; it is your strength… your will to survive. And it is the reason I can let you go.' The Elf felt like his heart was breaking, as teardrops, which shone like diamonds when the light of the sun hit them, ran down his face.

A few tears were on Elessar's face. 'I will not die in this battle, Lasgalen. I swear it on my blood. If you were not needed to watch over Gondor and our son…'

'…I know; I would go with you. Be careful,' he whispered.

The lovers shared another fierce embrace and desperate kiss, before the sounds of other riders approaching drew their attention. Reluctantly, they separated.

Aragorn felt like crying suddenly, as he saw through the masks of nonchalance and bravery that Elessar and Lasgalen had put on, for he could see the pain in their eyes. His own heart ached for them, surprising him with its intensity.

Lasgalen caught his breath when the Men rode off together, though Elessar turned back to wave, the sun making him seem like a bronze figure. His black breeches and cloak blended together, until he finally turned, to watch where he was going.

The Elf waited until they were out of sight, before sinking to the ground, in his white, satin shirt and green leggings. One of his pale hands came up to cover his swollen lips as he whispered to the fading light, 'Why do I have this awful feeling that I will never see him again, not in this life?'

Aragorn started forward, to try to comfort the sad Elf who reminded him of Legolas. But the vision ended before he reached the figure, who eventually stood and headed back towards the castle silently.

***********************************************************************

Aragorn jerked awake suddenly in the pitch-black cell, and glanced around warily, instantly knowing that he- and the others must have been kidnapped. But Aragorn also knew that Legolas was not here, so the one he loved was safe, which made him glad. This depressing place was not somewhere he wanted Legolas to be.

He didn't know how he knew that Legolas wasn't here; something inside of him was telling him that his husband was safe from this dark, dreary prison.

The half Elf was still trying to understand what those strange images were, for this was the second he had had of Lasgalen, and this time he had seen himself- or someone who looked almost exactly like him- with the Elf. So Elessar truly lived and so did Lasgalen, Aragorn mused. At least, they had in those visions. But what were their connections to himself and Legolas?

***********

Rivendell

***********

Elrond had not spoken since Pippin had been returned, telling the message that he had been ordered to. The Hobbit, Mithrandir, Elrohir, and Elladan all watched the Elven lord now, as he sat in a chair beside a window silently, a brooding look on his face.

'What's got Father so upset?' Elrohir hissed. 'I haven't seen him like this since Mother chose to go West.'

Elladan shrugged and murmured, 'I don't know. Whatever message that young Pippin gave him must have really upset him, but I didn't hear it myself.'

Elrohir frowned. 'And it doesn't help that Estel, Legolas, and Glorfindel are all off risking their lives. Father considers all of them family, after all.'

'Patience, young ones,' Mithrandir told the twin sons of Elrond. 'Your father will reveal the trouble in his heart when he is ready and not before then.'

***********

The River

***********

Legolas was the first to awaken from the exhausted sleep, and he roused Haldir awkwardly, in case the 'Lorien Elf was hurt. A few gentle shakes woke Haldir, who wearily yawned and stretched, before his blue eyes met Legolas'.

'They're gone, aren't they?' he asked knowingly. 'They were taken.'

Legolas wordlessly nodded, terribly afraid for Aragorn. Who knew what Meron was doing to him right now? What if… what if Aragorn was also ravaged by him? The Elven Prince could feel very, very little through their bond.

Haldir saw Legolas pale and quickly stood, placing a hand on his shoulder. 'They're alive, Legolas, and we will find them. We have to.' Haldir was as worried for Glorfindel as Legolas worried for Aragorn.

'Yes, we must, before…' Legolas grimly looked at Haldir. 'And I want no more coddling, from anyone. It's up to us; if we fail… our friends… the innocent, kidnapped Hobbits… and the ones we love will die.'

'I understand,' Haldir said. 'Let's gather what few remaining supplies we can, and start walking, for it is a long way still to reach where Elrond believed that the Hobbits would be trapped. The lack of weapons is my concern, because I lost my dagger when we fell into the water, and your quiver and bow are gone, as well.'

Legolas readily went back over to the river and froze. 'The boats… the current carried them away; we have nothing save for our hands and feet.'

'I forgot about that,' Haldir muttered. 'We'll have to forage as we go, then.' He looked at Legolas, hiding his own weariness. 'Are you ready?'

A nod answered that question, and the two blond Elves began walking through the many trees, heading up towards Mordor. Along the way, healing herbs and edible roots and berries were grabbed and placed in Haldir's pouch, which he had luckily tied onto his belt before Rissan and Meron had appeared and attacked them.

Legolas kept up, not liking the look of grim obsession in Haldir's eyes. He ignored the pain in his heart and body, following directly behind Haldir as best as he could. The brutally-fast pace slowed down slightly, a few hours later, when Legolas couldn't stifle his groan.

'Time to rest,' Haldir announced unnecessarily, sitting on a tree trunk. He gestured for Legolas to join him, digging out some of the food he'd put in his pouch.

Legolas eagerly sat down, a hand resting on his growing waist. He took some food from Haldir and quickly began eating it, for his body craved nourishment. Chewing carefully, he questioned, 'Just who is Rissan, Haldir? And what does he want with you?'

Haldir stiffened at the question, though he knew that Legolas could not have known the painful story that belonged to him, and what exactly had happened between himself and Rissan. It was something that Haldir liked to pretend had never happened, though it never truly left him.

'What does he want with me?' Haldir bitterly, softly repeated. 'He wants me for the same reason Meron wants you.'

To be continued.