Forgot to note: Song from last chapter came from Enya.
"Within my pounding heart
which kept itself entirely for him
He fell into his sleep
beneath the cedars all my love I gave
From o'er the fortress walls
the wind would his hair against his brow
And with its smoothest hand
caressed my every sense it would allow
I
lost myself to him
and laid my face upon my lover's breast
And care and grief grew dim
as in the morning's mist became the light
There they dimmed amongst the lilies fair."
No one said anything to them for the next few days. Some were still indulged in gossip and others simply have lost interest in the subject. As dawn of the seventh day came, they sat upon the balcony in silence. Neither of them mentioned anything about what happened as they lay in each other's arms.
"… There goes the sun… rising again…" Legolas said softly, "Sometimes I wish that she may rise and never set, and other times I wish she may set and never rise…"
"It seems that our wishes are never granted…"
"No… I suppose not."
"I know that… you don't wish to go back to your father…. But if he can save you…"
"… He can, but I don't think he will." The elven prince spoke gently, "Death is what I deserved for betraying him."
"You did not betray him… all you did is abandon something you never believed in the first place. And if that is betrayal, then I don't see any good in keeping a vow." Aragorn said firmly as he fingered the elf's hair.
"… I left him… without even saying a word." Legolas breathed as he closed his eyes in pain, "How could I?" His body was weak and weary and his lungs hurt. He looked up at his lover solemnly.
"… Do you regret it?"
"No… of course not." Legolas replied softly, "It's just… he gave me so much…" He pressed a hand over his chest as another stab of pain came over him.
"Legolas!"
"… I'm alright…" The elven prince muttered. Aragorn lifted his lover up and gave him a soft kiss. He rubbed the elf's arm gently in a soothing way. It hurt him so much to see his lover in such pain.
"…Estel…" Legolas spoke up after a moment of silence, "I'm scared …of dying…"
"… I'm not going to let you die…" Aragorn whispered firmly, "You're going to be alright… you'll see." Legolas felt another tear slip down his face as he felt his body being folded toward the man's breast. "I love you." He whispered.
"It is light enough for a walk…" Legolas said quietly as he sat up, "Will you show me the waterfall?" He smiled forcefully. He wanted to forget everything, even for just a moment. Aragorn nodded. In the corner of his eye, he caught someone watching in the distance. He could just make out a male figure holding something in his hand. "Can you see who that is?" He whispered to his lover.
Legolas turned his head toward the direction of the door. 'I don't believe it.' He thought quietly. It was Eomer watching them. He did not know how to feel for a few seconds, whether to be angry or hurt or even afraid.
"Who is it?"
"It's no one." Legolas said turning his eyes away. He did not feel like confronting anything with anyone. He could still feel the knife against his body upon the scars that will never fade. But as he looked to the tall, strong man before him, his thoughts softened. 'I should forgive him.' He thought to himself, 'He never meant for anything to happen the way it did. Besides… they are close friends, and when I am not around they still will be.'
Aragorn watched as the elf's golden hair flowed gently in the wind. It seemed that watching an angel could not be more fair and intriguing. Even after all this time he felt chills watching the elven beauty. If Legolas would not go speak with his father, then he will.
"It's gorgeous…" Legolas whispered as he dipped his slender hand into the crystal water.
"Isn't it? I would sit here for days at a time just enjoying the view."
"… I feel that even days may not be enough."
The sun beamed down on the water creating a soft touch of light that made thousands of golden specks sparkle. A thin fog arose from the waters making a mist that felt cool on the skin.
"Come in for a swim?" Aragorn smiled as he stripped his top clothing.
"… I don't swim." Legolas replied simply.
"You are an elf… all elves swim."
"Well… not I." Legolas said gently.
"Come… the water is shallow enough."
"… I don't think so."
"Are you going to seriously let yourself leave here saying you never have never swam in the crystal waters?"
"… I don't swim." Legolas repeated.
"You don't or can't?"
"I never needed to." Legolas said noticing the smirk on his lover's face. He felt himself smiling and the next thing he knew he was in the water. The water seemed warm yet cool at the same time and it caressed every bit of his skin. He let watched the sky for a few moments and smiled.
"Come let me show you the cave…." Aragorn nodded to the elf. He made his way ahead toward the darker end of the waterfalls and ducked under into small cave. The walls glittered with diamonds and crystals that made little rainbows as the light shone through. "Legolas?" He called but there came no answer.
He glanced around in fright for a moment and called again. Still there came no answer.
What if something had happened? He thought in panic. But it seemed impossible. Nothing could have happened in such a short period of time.
Something suddenly grabbed his arm and he quickly turned his head. "There you are!" He sighed in relief as the elven prince was laughing softly to himself.
"Where else would I be?" He grinned, "Did you think I had drowned?"
"You said you do not swim."
"I said I don't swim… not that I don't know how." Legolas answered with a hint of satisfaction. He glanced around the shining caves and gazed in awe for a few moments. He felt his lover's arms slip around him and he leaned against him willingly. He felt Aragorn's lips softly caressing his neck as he relaxed.
"Are you happy with me?" Legolas whispered quietly as they relaxed on the sand after a few hours.
"How could you even ask me such a question?" Aragorn replied as he cupped a hand on the elven prince's cheek. "I love you… of course I am."
"And you'll miss me when I am gone?"
"…I will… but that is not important… you are not going anywhere."
Legolas smiled a bittersweet smile. He said nothing more.
A few days later Aragorn was riding hard east for the forest. He had only one thing on his mind. He could not let the one he loved die. He had lost too much to let this go. He knew that doing this he may be sacrificing how little time he had left with his lover. But he knew not that the elven prince was getting much worse even as he made his trip.
_____________________________________________________________________
Song is Loreena McKennitt's.
Review please.