Chapter Eighteen: At Long Last

Trying to keep his pride about him, but showing remorse enough to look actually sorry, Glorfindel made his way to Aragorn's room. He knocked softly on the door and went over his apology in his head while he waited for an answer.

He needn't wait long, for Aragorn opened the door right away, a smile on his face. It faded, however, into a forced little half-grimace when he saw it was Glorfindel at his door.

"Hello, Aragorn." Aragorn bowed his head and looked expectant. He did not move to let Glorfindel in. "May I come in? I came to… apologize."

Aragorn raised his eyebrows but moved aside to allow Glorfindel passage inside. He crossed his arms across his chest and looked as though he were thoroughly enjoying himself. Glorfindel did not sit.

"I am deeply sorry for what I said to you yesterday, I was allowing my emotions to rule me and I took it out on you," Glorfindel said, and one could hear the regret in his voice. Aragorn nodded.

"You are forgiven," he said. "I too apologize for aught I may have done to deserve your ire."

Glorfindel smiled for the first time, he inclined his head. "You too are forgiven."

Aragorn returned the gesture, and a great relief seemed to wash over his features.

~*~*~

Legolas walked slowly back towards the hallway where the three rooms of himself and friends were located. A plan was forming it self as he walked, and the more sure of it that he became the faster his pace got.

He headed directly towards Aragorn's room, hoping that Glorfindel would still be inside of it. Glancing at the various doors along the hall, Legolas broke into a near run. His mind was set.

~*~*~

Glorfindel and Aragorn's and friendly chat was interrupted by a soft knock on the door. Immediately, Glorfindel—and Aragorn a few moments later—realized it was Legolas. Both stood to answer, but after a small bemused look from Aragorn, Glorfindel sat back down and allowed the Ranger to open it for himself. Aragorn walked swiftly to the door and opened to find Legolas indeed on the other side.

"Hello Legolas," he said with a smile and moved aside to allow him passage. Legolas stepped inside, offering a smile to Aragorn as he passed. He smiled too at Glorfindel.

"I wished to speak with both of you, if you mind not?" Legolas said taking a seat beside Glorfindel. Aragorn sat across from them.

Both Aragorn and Glorfindel shook their heads and motioned that Legolas should continue. Legolas took a stilling breath then glanced at both of them. "I have decided," he said a determined look in his fey eyes, "to leave Greenwood for a while."

"Leave?" asked Glorfindel but there was no opposition in his voice only concern. "But why?"

Legolas looked as though he had been expecting this question, a smile touched the corners of his mouth, he glanced at both of his observers. "My father," Legolas started, then took a deep breath and looked down at his hands, but finally looked back up and continued. "He has recognized me as the son I am."

"Then why would you like to leave?" Aragorn questioned kindly, Legolas met his eyes.

"Time," Legolas answered. "We both need time."

"Where would you go?" Glorfindel asked, his tone just as gentle as Aragorn's had been. Legolas sat silent for a moment, then he shrugged minutely.

"I know somewhere that would be glad to have you," Aragorn said as though sudden inspiration had come to him. He looked directly into Legolas's eyes. Legolas nodded for him to continue. "I call this place home sometimes. It is very beautiful and the people there are kind."

Glorfindel was looking at Aragorn peculiarly; he rubbed at his brow with a small sigh. "If you call it home, I suppose it must have good. Where is it, Estel?" Legolas asked leaning forward slightly.

"To the east, it is a fair country, Legolas. The terrain is varied, and the cities flourish, nature endures but modern comfort there is also. Gondor," Aragorn answered a smile quirking at his lips.

"Gondor," Legolas said nearly inaudibly. He smiled and nodded, a little sparkle was in his silver eyes. "Aye, aye, to Gondor I will travel."

"I will of course go with you, it was my destination on this journey and I fear I am long overdue," Aragorn said and Glorfindel shot him an odd look.

"And you, Glorfindel?" Legolas asked smiling softly. "Will you travel with us?"

Glorfindel looked troubled at the request, but then he smiled and an odd glint came into his eyes. "Aye, I will at the very least travel with you to the borders of this country."

Legolas smiled brightly at this and squeezed Glorfindel's hand. "When shall we leave?" he requested looking at Aragorn.

Aragorn glanced questioningly at Glorfindel. "Whenever you should like, Legolas."

"At the dawn."

Aragorn nodded, then said, "Then that is how it shall be."

Legolas smiled again. His face was alit with expectation and a form of excitement. "I must say goodbye to the King," he said, and then stood. "I shall meet you back here."

Glorfindel and Aragorn nodded and they watched him go, his excitement was palpable. The moment he was sure Legolas was out of earshot, Glorfindel turned to Aragorn his eyebrows raised high on his brow. "You intend not to tell him the truth?"

"I told him the truth," Aragorn said defensively. Glorfindel shook his head.

"You told him a half truth, it is no way to start a relationship."

Aragorn started, then shook his head. "I know naught of what you speak."

Glorfindel nearly rolled his eyes. "I saw you two, under the trees. That was just a kiss between friends, then?"

Aragorn's eyes widened and the question went unanswered. "You were spying on us?" he questioned, voice low and nearing deadly.

"I would not call it 'spying', I happened to be on my balcony when you…Well, it was not my fault you two were within view of every elf within these borders."

This time Aragorn nearly rolled his eyes. In slightly superior tone he said, "If you say so, Glorfindel."

Glorfindel decided not to scowl or increase the tension level; instead he let a little half smile fix itself upon his lips. "Oh, worry not Aragorn. Let us not argue now. If you wish to lie to Legolas, I will not stop you."

Aragorn's mouth opened slightly. "I never lied."

"If you say so, Aragorn," Glorfindel said, a real smile falling onto his lips. His tone was very familiar to Aragorn's ears.

~*~*~

Legolas walked somewhat briskly to his father's quarters. He knocked softly upon the door; Thranduil appeared, he smiled a bit roughly when he saw Legolas.

"Oh, hello," said the King. "Come in."

Legolas stepped inside the room, it was quite a bit larger then the one he had been using. He smiled softly. "Hello."

Thranduil smiled a bit more warmly and invited Legolas to sit. The King had a separate little room with a few couches, cabinets and a long table. They both sat on one of the couches, Thranduil poured himself a cup of wine from one of the cabinets, but Legolas turned down the offer for a drink of his own. After a few moments of silence, Thranduil said, "So, what brings you by?"

For a few seconds Legolas said nothing and the King simply sipped his wine. Taking a deep breath Legolas told Thranduil of his plan to leave Greenwood. Once he had finished the King set down his wine glass and smiled tenderly at Legolas.

"You need not leave, Legolas. This is your home too."

Legolas returned the smile then glanced briefly at his hands. "I am not sure that I am ready to call it that again."

Thranduil nodded. "I think I know what you mean."

Legolas gave a small laugh. "Then we agree on something." A heavy silence settled on them, Thranduil picked his wine glass back up and swirled its contents around. He didn't drink any.

"I do love you," Legolas said after a bit. "I will be back when the time is right."

Thranduil smiled again. "And you will be welcomed graciously back, my son, whether you make that return in the morrow or a millennia from now."

Legolas smiled brightly and leaned over to hug Thranduil. They embraced from a long time and when they broke apart, Thranduil's eyes were over bright. Legolas stood. "I had best be going," he said.

Thranduil squeezed his hand. "Wait a moment?"

Legolas nodded. The King stood and left the room, he returned a moment later with Legolas's old cloak in his tired hands. With slow steps he moved towards Legolas and carefully clasped the fine cloak about his shoulders. "May it keep you safe and warm."

He reached out and caught Legolas's hand; he squeezed it then just held it in his own. After a pause he reached out and hugged Legolas fully, this time when the embrace had ended tears fell down his cheekbones.

Legolas brushed them away with slender fingertips. "Farewell, Father."

Thranduil smiled very softly. "Farewell," he said and Legolas left with a light declaration of 'thank you.'

~*~*~

The next day dawned and found Legolas, Aragorn and Glorfindel once more on mounts. The Sun was ahead of them, her rays gently breaking through the forest and the waning darkness.

Aragorn spoke happily and excitedly of all the wonders Gondor held and offered. Glorfindel noted that he made no attempts to fully enlighten Legolas, he rolled his eyes at the Man's excited spiel. Legolas laughed when he saw Glorfindel roll his eyes and Glorfindel offered him a small smile.

The three rode off toward the light, Legolas a little behind the other two who had started to bicker somewhat good-naturedly. He smiled at both of them and knew at long last hope was his.

The end.

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