Author's notes: please come by my fanfiction site "a heart's scribbles" and submit yur fanfics~~~ *^^*

To GundamNymph: I actually have the one ring haha. But hey~ I'll try the clear nail polish thing…THX!

To Elvenlassie: omg, thank u for that reply. Though I don't think I deserve half of the compliments you've given meeh, I'd just like to give u a big thank you for thinking of meeh as such a great writer…

Chapter 16: Do Not Be Afraid of Love

As the companions entered Lothlorien, they found Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel waiting for them. The two Elves smiled down at the group as Haldir disappeared to the side.

"We welcome you again to our city." Celeborn greeted. "It is a pity we seem to meet only when danger strikes."

"But as before, we shall give all the protection we can." Galadriel added. "However, no parting gifts have been prepared."

"And we need none." Gandalf said graciously. "We are honored at having your blessing."

Galadriel smiled. She looked at Haldir and then back at the group. "Though you are in a hurry, we ask that you rest in our city for a while. Your quarters have been prepared. Haldir shall guide you to them. Legolas, I wish to speak with you privately." The rest of the group obediently followed Haldir away from the three Elves. Legolas stood in front of Celeborn and Galadriel and looked at them questioningly. "Legolas, you have come a long way." Galadriel began solemnly. "You do not hold your powers but Earendil's light enables you some magic, though in a much weaker state."

Legolas fingered the phial around his neck. "Frodo's necklace…" he murmured.

"Yes Legolas, 'tis the necklace I gave to Frodo many years ago. But it shall aid you far more in this particular quest."

"Once you enter Mordor, Saruman shall be expecting you." Celeborn said. "Though you have protection in both Imladris and Lothlorien, you are vulnerable elsewhere. I have no doubt Saruman knows you are here already." He looked gravely at Legolas. "The fate of Middle-Earth lies in your hands, Legolas Greenleaf. By saving your own life, you save ours."

"Yes, Lord Celeborn, I understand." Legolas replied. "I would give my life to protect our world." Something in Legolas' tone caused Galadriel to frown. She looked deeply into Legolas' eyes.

"You know you risk your life." She murmured darkly.

Legolas nodded. "I know I may well die should I regain my powers. But I do not understand why."

"As a Mage, you hold the ability to recall your powers, Legolas. You know that much." Legolas nodded. "However, with your power will come some of Saruman's. It shall be tainted with evil and could easily kill a soul as pure as an Elf's. You would be more powerful, no doubt more powerful than Saruman or perhaps even Sauron whose name is all but forgotten.

"An Elf is Immortal, Legolas. We can only die from grief or being slain, or so we believe. We do not teach that the entrance of evil could just as easily kill us as well. We do not teach this doctrine for it has been so long since such a death has occurred. Indeed, not even I or Celeborn have witnessed one. No Elf has survived such evil. Do you still wish to continue?"

Legolas nodded resolutely. "I do not fear death, Lady. 'Tis only the thought of losing this battle that I fear. But I shall fight my very best. If I must give my life for this cause, so be it. Evil shall not rule while I live."

***

Aragorn bit his lip as he waited apprehensively for Legolas to appear. The rest of the group was asleep in their bedrolls except for him and Elrohir and Elladan who had gone off with Haldir. Suddenly, the two aforementioned Elves appeared on the path. They saw Aragorn sitting alone and they went to join him.

"Well King Elessar, you show your emotions so clearly on your face." Elrohir jested. "Is such openness proper?"

"Oh Elrohir, call me Aragorn as you always have, won't you?" Aragorn asked exasperatedly.

Elrohir laughed. "So you despise your formal title as does Legolas. I daresay Legolas would shoot an arrow into Elladan and me each time we called him a prince if we were not such good friends."

"I do not despise being recognized as a king," protested Aragorn. "It is only when my friends insist on doing so. Royal titles should not matter amongst friends."

"Perhaps." Elladan shrugged. He grinned slyly. "He shall come, Aragorn. Do not worry so much." Aragorn attempted to straighten out his frown at the comment. Both Elladan and Elrohir laughed at the action. "It is no use, friend." Elladan giggled. "You shall have lines etched into your face until Legolas comes back. But you need not worry as I have said before. He is becoming stronger. He does not hobble anymore. You need not worry."

"Only take action." Elrohir added. He grinned cunningly. "Take action, Aragorn! It aggravates us to see you do nothing though the desire is so clearly written in your eyes."

"I do not wish to hurt him." Aragorn replied.

"More hurting brings more healing." Elladan said reasonably.

"That's ridiculous!" Aragorn scoffed.

Elladan shrugged his shoulders. "'Twas worth a try."

Aragorn shook his head in disbelief. "You two are impossible." He looked up as Legolas appeared in the clearing. His golden hair shone in the moonlight, making him appear as an angel. He smiled when he saw his three friends sitting together.

"It is late!" he exclaimed as he approached them. "What keeps you awake?"

"The worry that you would not return." Elladan replied under his breath.

Legolas frowned. "Why would I not return?"

Aragorn pinched Elladan's side. "Lothlorien has beautiful Elves, Legolas." Elrohir answered innocently. Ignoring the hostile glances Aragorn was shooting him. "We thought maybe one had caught your eye."

Legolas let out a twinkling laugh. "The Elves of 'Lorien are indeed glorious but I did not come to this fair forest in search of love."

"What about pleasure?" Elladan suggested. He coughed as his brother slapped him in the back. "What? It was an innocent question!"

Legolas giggled. "The thought is indeed tempting, Elladan, but I have no intention of doing so tonight in the very least."

Elladan shrugged his shoulders. "It is your loss. I know a good many Elves who would give an arm or a leg just for a taste of you."

Legolas groaned and gave a disgusted look. "Elladan—"

Elladan laughed and sprang up onto his feet. "You offend easily, Prince Legolas. Surely that is unbecoming of such royalty?" He ran off, his laughter echoing in the woods.

Elrohir also stood up. "I shall leave too. Unlike you, Legolas, I desire pleasure. Perhaps and Elf such as I could accomplish something tonight. King Elessar, surely you could do so…" His voice trailed off. He winked discreetly at Aragorn before running off himself. Aragorn rolled his eyes. He would need to do something about those two. He turned his head again to stare at Legolas. The Elf was staring up into the sky. He was oblivious to the gazes Aragorn sent him until the Man's hand grazed his cheek. Legolas pulled away and looked up at Aragorn in surprise.

"Aragorn, what—" His blue eyes widened as Aragorn pressed his rough lips to his own soft ones. He struggled to push Aragorn away but the Man grabbed his wrists and pulled them behind Legolas' back.

"Do not fight it." Aragorn whispered between kisses. "Do not refuse it. Give into your desires, Legolas." He continued to kiss Legolas and when Legolas finally began to respond, he slowly slid his tongue into the Elf's mouth. He slowly let go of Legolas' hands to caress the Elf's face. Legolas pushed him away and tried to run away but Aragorn grabbed him again. "Why do you keep running?"

"You torture me so much!" Legolas cried out.

"How do I torture you?"

"You use my love for you to fulfill your desires. It tortures me because I do nothing to stop it. Was it not just yesterday you promised that we would be friends?"

"Aye, it was yesterday I said so," Aragorn agreed, "and had I known that was truly what you wanted, I would have kept that promise. But I know you, Legolas and I know you long for me as much as I long for you. I am not the one who tortures you. You torture yourself."

Legolas snorted and looked darkly into Aragorn's eyes. "So all those times you forced yourself on me were not considered torture?" he asked heatedly.

"Have I not apologized for my actions?" Aragorn asked sternly.

"An apology does not heal scars." Legolas replied softly.

Aragorn put his hand to Legolas' cheek again. Legolas turned away. "I wish I could turn back time to amend my mistakes, Legolas. But that path cannot be retaken. I wish only for you to give me another chance to try and make up for my foolishness. Can you not give me this opportunity?"

Legolas shook his head. "I could not hurt Arwen that way."

Aragorn sighed. "You know already that we are not together anymore. She knows we love each other. She does not resent you."

"But I would resent myself should I continue." Legolas replied harshly.

"You would resent yourself for being in love?"

"I resent myself for loving someone who already has another in his heart."

"I love only you, Legolas. I do not know how much I must tell you so for you to believe me." Aragorn said tenderly. "Why do you close your heart to me?"

Legolas turned away and once again futilely attempted to pull away. He sighed and looked sorrowfully into Aragorn's eyes. Aragorn witnessed the deep turmoil Legolas was in and his heart pained to see his love in such confusion. "I am afraid to love you." Legolas whispered finally.

Aragorn ran his hands through Legolas' silky hair. "Do not be afraid," he whispered huskily before kissing Legolas again.

***

Elrohir and Elladan peered at the scene from behind a tree. They smiled in satisfaction when Aragorn kissed Legolas the second time. They watched as Legolas hesitantly wrapped his arms around Aragorn's neck.

"Do you think Legolas will accept him?" Elrohir asked, turning his attention to Elladan.

Elladan looked back at his brother. "Do their actions tell you otherwise?" he asked in return. Elrohir looked back at Legolas and Aragorn. Aragorn had now moved his body on top of Legolas' and was stripping the Elf of his shirt. Elladan chuckled slightly. "I believe we deserve a pat on the back, dear brother."

"Do not be so brash, Elladan." Elrohir warned. "Legolas may regret tonight come morning." He watched the Man and Elf for a moment. "Should we interrupt them?"

"Oh, let them enjoy an evening." Elladan replied carelessly. "Legolas still has his wits about him. He would not let anything go too far out here in the open."

"Yes, but they are in plain sight for the time being." Elrohir reminded him.

"It is not as though no one would enjoy the show." Elladan said mischievously. "The Elves of 'Lorien are beautiful but no match for Legolas. They would be curious to see who the beautiful Elf of Mirkwood loves."

"You're evil." Elrohir said, shaking his head in incredulity. Elladan pretended to look put off by the insult.

***

Aragorn softly traced Legolas' upper body with kisses. He could hear the soft, quick beats of Legolas' heart. He eagerly tasted the sweet saltiness of Legolas' delicate white skin. Legolas sighed as he felt Aragorn explore his neck, chest, and stomach with his mouth and hands. As he began to arch into Aragorn's touches, he suddenly became aware of Gimli's snores, which could be heard from his sleeping spot a few feet away.

"Aragorn," Legolas whispered, "It is not a good place."

Aragorn stopped and sighed as he ran his fingers once again through Legolas' hair. "I suppose you are right." He rolled off of Legolas and wrapped his arms around the Elf's shoulders. Legolas leaned into his chest. "Does this mean you will give me a second chance, love?" Aragorn whispered into Legolas' ear.

Legolas yawned sleepily. "Do not be so cocky, King Elessar." He replied drowsily. Aragorn chuckled softly and held Legolas as the Elf drifted off to sleep.

Author's note: hmm… Legolas turned into the weeping fairy again.