Months have passed since their parting and it seemed that life went back to the way it was before they had met. Legolas had found a place to live on his own and Aragorn had almost given up his search. It seemed that fate had given up on its work and that time will make it all forgotten.
Eomer on the other hand could not forget his guilt. He knew that they would be together if not for that one night. He was now returning to his own kingdom and still had to confess what happened. He could not bring himself to tell Aragorn, being afraid of his reaction.
He seemed to have trailed off in his thoughts till he saw a little house in a clearing in the woods. He blinked, had that been here the last time he passed by? He stopped suddenly as he saw a figure sitting on the steps staring into the horizon.
He leapt off his horse and noticed the brilliant flash of light coming from the figure. The golden strands of hair blew about in the breeze and the piercing blue eyes seemed to pierce the darkest of night. "Legolas?" He whispered softly. The figure quickly turned to him.
"Who… who are you?" Legolas has feared his father coming after him. He feared of what the elven king would do when he found out that his son had left over a 'silly' a thing as love.
"It's me. Eomer."
"Eomer?" Legolas quickly stood up, a spark seemed to light in his eyes. 'Maybe Aragorn was with him.' He thought happily to himself. He had been secretly hoping that Aragorn would come after him, despite his still dread of what happened that one night.
"Yes it is I."
"What are you doing here?"
"I am only passing by, on my way home."
"Is Estel here?" Legolas asked hopefully. Eomer shook his head.
"Now, what are you doing here?"
"This is where I live now."
"Come, this is much too plain for an elven prince."
Legolas frowned; he did not like being addressed in such a manner. It always seemed cold to him. "Plain is good." He said simply. He was deeply disappointed and hurt that Aragorn did not come after him. Especially since he still loved the man.
"… Are you alright?" Eomer asked, he saw that Legolas was a lot paler than he had been in Imladris and he seemed weaker than ever.
"Of course." Legolas replied turning away, he was a bit glad that Eomer was so kind to him. "How is he? Estel…"
"He is well, but he misses you."
"Does he?"
"… He needs you… he has tried everything to look for you." Eomer paused. 'He has tried so hard to look for you yet it was I who found you, perhaps that is to say something…' He seemed to smile at this thought. It seemed to him that fate was showing him the way. Legolas caught a queer gleam in his eye and said nothing.
"It was… it was nice… seeing you I mean. You should probably go." Legolas said quietly as he began to feel a little uncomfortable around the man.
"I can take you to see Aragorn… if you want of course."
"… I…" Legolas paused; he did not know if he could go back after what happened. He could feel the pains on his arms and legs coming back to him. 'Every time I see him, that is all I will think of.'
"I know what he did. I think you should forgive him… he did not mean it to happen." Eomer stopped; he could not believe that he had spoken those words. It seemed that his lust for the elf was doing something strange to him. "But I understand how you should be angry…"
"I am not angry," Legolas replied simply, "He was… drunk… I know." He suddenly felt the need to see Aragorn. "You must think I'm silly, getting all upset and hurt over this but…"
"Its alright… I understand perfectly." Eomer said as he reached out to stroke the beautiful elf's gentle silk like hair. Legolas looked up uncomfortably and said nothing more. "So will you come? At least speak to him?"
"I suppose." Legolas muttered. He turned away and remembered the old man. "I will be back in a second."
Aragorn sighed as he looked out of the glass windows. He felt a hand on his shoulder as he turned.
"Are you alright?"
"… Why? Why did it have to happen to him? He has suffered so much in his life…"
"I am sorry about my hasty words that day." Elrohir said softly, "I suppose I let my emotions get the better of me, I should not have been so quick to judge…"
"Forget it, what's done is done."
"He will come back to you… if he loves you as much as he says he does."
"You don't understand… he gave up everything for me… and now he thinks I…"
"But you didn't. That's what is important… it is a misunderstanding that takes minutes to clear up."
Aragorn nodded and looked down.
"Besides… perhaps you need this time to think about what you really want…"
"What are you talking about?"
"By now you must have noticed how different you and Legolas are…"
"… So?"
"He longs to live in quiet, in peace, without the outside world. You on the other hand want to travel, wander around, and enjoy company of people. Do you not remember how miserable he was here, around all these people? He won't be happen traveling with you, and you sure as hell won't be happy living in seclusion with him."
Aragorn felt his mind stop. He had never thought of anything like that before. Elrohir stared at him for a moment, as if expectant of this reaction then walked off.
Eomer and Legolas came to a stop at the inn on their way back to Rivendell.
"We only have one room with a single bed left…" The innkeeper spoke without looking up.
Eomer looked to Legolas who turned away in embarrassment. "It'll be alright," Legolas spoke, "I'll sleep on the chair or something."
Eomer felt his hands shake as he watched Legolas lay a few blankets on the ground. "Why don't you sleep on the bed," He said feeling a bit uneasy, "I will sleep on the ground."
"No, I don't mind, it is nice enough of you to take me back with you." Legolas replied, "What kind of a person would I be if I made you sleep on the ground?" He smiled softly as he spoke and ran his fingers through his long shimmering hair a few times.
"Please, I insist."
"You are so stubborn…" Legolas said as he shook his head, "How about we both sleep on the bed, it is certainly big enough."
Eomer said nothing, he did not know if he could handle it if he slept with Legolas on the same bed.
"Afraid I shall seduce you?" Legolas said with a soft laugh, his heart lightened considerably as he looked forward to seeing Aragorn. He had pretty much gotten over the whore comments and was finding it quite amusing. Eomer said nothing but only forced a smile.
Legolas changed his clothing and ran a comb through his hair a few times. He smiled as he thought about Aragorn and how happy he was when they were together. He noticed not the nervousness running through Eomer at that moment. Eomer was sweating a bit and wringing his hands.
It seemed that as the night deepened, Eomer forgotten to stay on his side of the bed. He reached out the elf that was beside him and wrapped his arms around him. Legolas responded only out of his lust for his lover. But as he realized what was happening he quickly pulled away.
"Eomer? What are you doing?"
"Oh… oh my, I am so sorry… I er… I thought you were someone I…"
"Your have a lover, back home?"
"Yes… you could say that…I'm really sorry." Eomer said in his relief.
"Its ok, you must have thought I was your lover." Legolas said as he breathed deeply, "I think it is better if I slept on the ground…"
Aragorn stared into space for a few moments. He knew that Beltane was drawing near but he did not feel like celebrating for the state that he was in. He longed for Legolas but he still was unsure that he would be able to live with his lover. He did not wish to live in seclusion but he would rather that than make Legolas unhappy.
He sighed as he swallowed another drink and leaned back.
By the night Legolas and Eomer reached Imladris, it was already Beltane night. The celebration had begun and singing could be heard from far away. Legolas made his way through the crowds looking for Aragorn. He did not know if the king of a man would be happy to see him. "He has to…" Legolas thought to himself, "He has to."
It seemed that nowhere in the crowded halls was there a trace of the man. Legolas had pretty much given up till he spotted a door unlocked and slightly open. He pushed it open in curiosity and gasped at what he saw…
"I really do not want to be lonely…" Aragorn was saying as he pressed Arwen to his breast, "I can't live with him all alone… I need people and travel and new sights…" It was clear that Aragorn was drunken and had no idea what he was doing but the sight was still enough to make Legolas uneasy.
"Are you sure?" Arwen was saying as she pushed away.
"It would be so much easier if I really did marry you…" He was saying to her. Legolas stared in horror, as he comprehended those words. He felt his heart being torn to pieces as he stood there. He turned away as a crystal tear slipped from his face. Never before had he ever felt so hurt and the pain was far worse than any weapon could have given him.
"It isn't nice to eavesdrop," said a voice from behind. Legolas wheeled around and saw Elrohir standing there with almost a gleam of satisfaction. "Do not worry about what you saw… Aragorn is only afraid of being lonely."
"Lonely?" Legolas repeated.
"Come now, you do not think that he would enjoy being all locked up without excitement. He is a free spirit that shan't be tied down."
"…I didn't think…"
"No you didn't think." Elrohir said as he sighed, "It is too bad that there is no way this could work out. He does care for you, you know. And he did not rape you…"
"…" Legolas flinched at those words but held his dignity nonetheless.
"It was Eomer…"
"No…" Legolas breathed as he turned away.
"Yes… it was he. He has longed for you all along and when he was drunk enough to see you there for the taking… he lost it."
"It couldn't have been…."
"It would be a pity when Aragorn finds out though. That would certainly be the end of their friendship… mind you he has known Eomer a lot longer than he's known you."
"But he… how could he…" Legolas stammered as hot tears slipped down his cheeks. He could feel his body growing faint. He quickly turned away and ran from where he stood. It seemed that everything he had known was a lie. He turned from the place and leaned on the steps of the grand palace. He was in too much pain to think.
"Legolas?" Came a soft voice that was unfamiliar to him. He looked up to see Arwen kneeling beside him.
"What you saw…it wasn't… he was drunk… he might have even been drugged."
"It's alright, you will take care of him won't you?"
"Me? What about you? He loves you."
"I finally understand after all this time. We can't be together… it was never meant to be… he will be happier with you." Legolas said softly as he blinked back more tears.
"No… but…"
"You will take care of him… he deserves the best."
Arwen nodded. Legolas smiled weakly and walked from the palace.
__________________________________________________________________________
Review if I should keep going
Still undecided on an ending…