Chapter 5
Once Aragorn left Legolas he walked slowly back to his rooms. His thoughts however were not on his passage through the palace, and he was therefore surprised when he walked into his cousin Boromir. He smiled in greeting.
"Boromir, why are you not outside with our guests?" Aragorn enquired.
"I might ask the same of you cousin," the older man responded, with a raised eyebrow.
"I tire of these events, the endless socialising. I long for the coming weeks to pass swiftly," Aragorn said with a hint of frustration.
Boromir frowned, "You wish for the crown this much?"
Aragorn looked confused, "Not at all, ah I see, your father has not spoken to you yet, well I think no harm will come of it if I tell you cousin. I am engaged to Mirkwood's Prince, we are to be married shortly before my coronation." Aragorn missed the look of shock that came upon his cousin's face, so absorbed was he in picturing Legolas in his mind.
"So you are the one," Boromir muttered under his breath.
"Did you say something?" Aragorn asked, coming back to himself.
Boromir looked up startled. "Nay, nay, I was just thinking of the news you just gave me. I am sure the union will be a fruitful one." Boromir said and then excused himself.
Aragorn shook his head slightly at Boromir's behaviour and then carried on towards his rooms.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once Aragorn had left Legolas had headed towards the direction his father's voice came from.
"Father, I am here," he called out.
"Ah Legolas, come, I have had enough of the company of men this evening, let us retire to our rooms, where we can pass the time with elven music and songs.
Legolas smiled, and followed his father. The rest of the evening was spent with members of their group taking turns to play instruments and to sing, well-known songs of their people. King Thranduil even gave voice to a few tunes. Legolas succeeded in putting Aragorn and his forthcoming marriage to Prince Elessar, from his mind for a short time as he took his turn and sang of the long gone good times in Greenwood.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Over the following week Aragorn was frustrated in his attempts to spend time with Legolas, as the elven Prince was for the most part closeted with his father and their retinue whilst plans were carried out for the wedding. An entire wardrobe had to be created for the Prince for his new role as the married partner of Prince Elessar. Much of Legolas' own clothes, both casual and formal were still in Mirkwood, and would be sent along after his father had returned home.
Legolas stood patiently through many sittings with his tailor for both his new wardrobe and the outfit he would be wearing for the wedding ceremony itself. However as time passed and the date of the wedding drew ever closer Legolas' patience began to wear thin.
"Father please, can I just go out for some archery practice? I have spent this past week standing here to play pincushion for Geldwyn, I would just like some time outside." Legolas asked pleadingly.
Thranduil sighed. "Very well my son, go outside, but please remember that there is still so much to do and time is flying."
"Yes father I understand, and have I not been the soul of patience whilst you rush around me trying to prepare everything in time," Legolas said with a teasing smile.
Thranduil answered with a smile of his own. "Insolent young pup. You are not yet two centuries old my son, I can still turn you over my knee if I feel you warrant it." Yet Thranduil's twinkling eyes belied the threat in his words, and with a triumphant grin Legolas went to his room to collect his bow and quiver.
As before he made his way down to the practice fields, choosing one further from the palace, and which was currently unoccupied. He took a deep refreshing breath of the clean air, and felt a weight lift from his shoulders. Then he took out an arrow and nocked his bow before taking aim.
"May I join you?"
Legolas spun, forgetting his bow was still raised and armed.
"I surrender," Aragorn said with a grin.
Legolas blushed and lowered his weapon.
"What are you doing here?" he asked the man.
"I have been watching your rooms, waiting this week for you to leave so I could catch up with you."
Legolas' blush increased. "You should not..." he trailed off as the man approached him.
"I have missed you Legolas," Aragorn said softly, pulling the elf gently into an embrace.
Legolas sighed and allowed his head to fall upon Aragorn's shoulder. "I have missed you also."
"I wanted to spend as much time with you as possible before I leave."
Legolas' head shot up in shock. "You are leaving?"
Aragorn frowned, "I must. I have to meet with the rest of the dunedain. There are things that must be done before I return."
"How long will you be gone?"
"I am not sure, possibly a week. Most of the dunedain are camped not far from Gondor's borders. Do not fear Legolas, I shall be back before you know it. Now come, let us quietly spend time together. You shall practice your archery, and I shall watch you. See, I have bought us food so that we do not need to leave here until this evening."
Legolas smiled. "Think you, that you shall merely watch whilst I practice, you shall also practice Aragorn. We shall see what improvements need to be made to your aim and style."
Aragorn laughed. "I fear that I shall be no match for you."
"Ha!" Legolas exclaimed, "If you were, as you say, raised by elves, then I should imagine your skill with a bow would rival my own."
"But I am far more accomplished with my sword," Aragorn leered suggestively.
Legolas blushed but said nothing, he simply went back to taking aim and releasing an arrow. It hit the target true center. Then he turned and offered his bow to Aragorn.
"Your turn," he said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Both were very conscious of the time flying that day and so they made the most of their time spent together. They practiced archery for some time, Legolas learning that Aragorn was almost as good an archer as himself. Then Aragorn persuaded Legolas to come with him to a secluded spot he knew in the gardens. Legolas was entranced by the vision of beauty as he stepped beneath the long willowy branches of a tree and came upon a small waterfall surrounded by lush green grass and fragrant flowers.
They spent the rest of the day there feeding each other from the food Aragorn had provided. It was only as darkness fell that they became aware of the outside world once again.
"I must leave soon," Legolas sighed. "Otherwise my father will send out search parties."
"I cannot wait to leave in the morning so that I can more swiftly return to your embrace," Aragorn said.
"I wish that too, yet I fear that we will not be able to spend much time in each other's company when you return," Legolas said thinking of the plans for his wedding. "Aragorn..." Legolas began, planning to inform the man of his pending nuptials.
However Aragorn cut him off with a curse. "I hear voices," he announced. "I fear that we must depart now, however I wish you to know that I will be thinking of you every day that we are apart."
He pulled Legolas into a swift and crushing embrace whilst claiming the elf's lips. Legolas gave himself over to the kiss and was disappointed when Aragorn pulled away before collecting the remains of their meal and disappearing.
"As will I," he whispered softly after the departing figure of the man.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Aragorn and his small party left early the following morning. He was to meet up with the gathering dunedain in order for them to escort him back to Gondor as honour guard for both his wedding and the coronation. He keenly felt every mile that separated him from Legolas.
Lord Elrond was also on a mission, he was to prepare everything for the elven dignitaries who would arrive to witness the wedding between the Elven Prince of Mirkwood, and the Elven raised Prince of Gondor.
Lord Denethor was spending many hours closeted with King Thranduil as they finalised plans for both the wedding and the treaty between the two nations that would come into effect after consummation of the marriage.
After Aragorn's departure Legolas found himself with a decided lack of interest in practicing his archery. However he had no desire to be closeted indoors once more whilst his father continued to outline the plans for his wedding. Instead he decided to wander the streets of Gondor, much as he and Aragorn had. He took a long cloak which would help disguise his elven features and slipped out of the guest wing.
He was pulled up short just leaving the palace by a hand grasping his shoulder.
"Did your father not tell you that wandering the streets of this city of men a foolish thing to do without protection."
Legolas turned, a mulish expression on his face as he confronted his personal bodyguard.
"I am a full-grown warrior elf Celdarion. I do not think I need fear a few men."
Celdarion frowned. "You forget my prince that there are more than a few men in this city, and not all may be in favour of elves. You could easily be overpowered. Or worse, I have heard of men with unsavoury characters who would capture a lone elf for ransom, or fates far more dire."
Legolas sighed, knowing he would not win an argument with the much older and experienced elf.
"Very well, then come along, but try not to draw too much attention to yourself," Legolas said pettily. Then flushed as Celdarion merely rose an eyebrow.
Celdarion had been Legolas' protector since birth and Legolas looked upon him more as a companion than a silent shadow at his side, although Celdarion was good at that too, and so the day passed with some enjoyment felt on the part of both elves. They returned to the palace in the evening still discussing the strange antics of mankind.
As they entered the palace once more they stripped off their concealing cloaks and made their way towards the Mirkwood party's guest rooms.
They were stopped by a number of people along the way, all wishing the young prince congratulations on his coming union with the Prince of Gondor. Legolas looked at Celdarion after getting over his initial surprise.
"It seems that the formal announcement has finally been made," the older elf said wryly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The following morning Legolas again rose early, however this morning he felt a need to be out in the open. He joined his father in the king's sitting room.
"Father, I would like to go riding through the forest today with Celdarion," he announced.
Thranduil barely looked up, he was absorbed in the draft of the treaty which he and Denethor had put together.
"Very well my son, please do not return too late," he said vaguely waving before returning his attention to the treaty.
Legolas smiled as he left, and he and Celdarion gathered their bows before making for the stables.
Both had bought horses with them to Gondor. Celdarion's steed was a giant of a horse, with a shining black coat. He was kept with the other elven horses in a large paddock, for elven horses disliked the confinement of stables. Legolas' own horse was a beautiful white stallion.
Both animals rushed to the sides of the paddock upon hearing the sharp distinctive whistles of their masters, and it was not long before both riders and horses were making their way out of the city and into the nearby forest.
"This feels so very refreshing after being confined in the city for so long," Legolas stated.
"And yet you will now be residing within the city and not the woods of our home. Are you sure that this is something you wish to give up?" Celdarion asked curiously.
Legolas sighed. "I will miss Mirkwood greatly, however this alliance is sorely needed, and it is my duty to put the people of Mirkwood before my own desires. Besides I am sure that I will be able to venture out into this forest often," he said hopefully.
"I am sure that it will be so, especially when I am here to protect you," Celdarion said.
Legolas looked at the older elf in astonishment. "But I thought that you would be returning to Mirkwood with my father."
"Nay, how could I abandon my little prince to this city of men without any elven company." Celdarion said with a gentle smile.
Legolas blinked away sudden moisture from his eyes. "You have always been there for me Celdarion." He looked down suddenly in embarrassment before meeting Celdarion's eyes. "You know that I look upon you as a second father."
It was Celdarion's turn then to blink away the moisture. The emotional moment, however, was interrupted by a sudden voice.
"How very touching," it said. "Such a pity I must spoil it."
Once Aragorn left Legolas he walked slowly back to his rooms. His thoughts however were not on his passage through the palace, and he was therefore surprised when he walked into his cousin Boromir. He smiled in greeting.
"Boromir, why are you not outside with our guests?" Aragorn enquired.
"I might ask the same of you cousin," the older man responded, with a raised eyebrow.
"I tire of these events, the endless socialising. I long for the coming weeks to pass swiftly," Aragorn said with a hint of frustration.
Boromir frowned, "You wish for the crown this much?"
Aragorn looked confused, "Not at all, ah I see, your father has not spoken to you yet, well I think no harm will come of it if I tell you cousin. I am engaged to Mirkwood's Prince, we are to be married shortly before my coronation." Aragorn missed the look of shock that came upon his cousin's face, so absorbed was he in picturing Legolas in his mind.
"So you are the one," Boromir muttered under his breath.
"Did you say something?" Aragorn asked, coming back to himself.
Boromir looked up startled. "Nay, nay, I was just thinking of the news you just gave me. I am sure the union will be a fruitful one." Boromir said and then excused himself.
Aragorn shook his head slightly at Boromir's behaviour and then carried on towards his rooms.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Once Aragorn had left Legolas had headed towards the direction his father's voice came from.
"Father, I am here," he called out.
"Ah Legolas, come, I have had enough of the company of men this evening, let us retire to our rooms, where we can pass the time with elven music and songs.
Legolas smiled, and followed his father. The rest of the evening was spent with members of their group taking turns to play instruments and to sing, well-known songs of their people. King Thranduil even gave voice to a few tunes. Legolas succeeded in putting Aragorn and his forthcoming marriage to Prince Elessar, from his mind for a short time as he took his turn and sang of the long gone good times in Greenwood.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Over the following week Aragorn was frustrated in his attempts to spend time with Legolas, as the elven Prince was for the most part closeted with his father and their retinue whilst plans were carried out for the wedding. An entire wardrobe had to be created for the Prince for his new role as the married partner of Prince Elessar. Much of Legolas' own clothes, both casual and formal were still in Mirkwood, and would be sent along after his father had returned home.
Legolas stood patiently through many sittings with his tailor for both his new wardrobe and the outfit he would be wearing for the wedding ceremony itself. However as time passed and the date of the wedding drew ever closer Legolas' patience began to wear thin.
"Father please, can I just go out for some archery practice? I have spent this past week standing here to play pincushion for Geldwyn, I would just like some time outside." Legolas asked pleadingly.
Thranduil sighed. "Very well my son, go outside, but please remember that there is still so much to do and time is flying."
"Yes father I understand, and have I not been the soul of patience whilst you rush around me trying to prepare everything in time," Legolas said with a teasing smile.
Thranduil answered with a smile of his own. "Insolent young pup. You are not yet two centuries old my son, I can still turn you over my knee if I feel you warrant it." Yet Thranduil's twinkling eyes belied the threat in his words, and with a triumphant grin Legolas went to his room to collect his bow and quiver.
As before he made his way down to the practice fields, choosing one further from the palace, and which was currently unoccupied. He took a deep refreshing breath of the clean air, and felt a weight lift from his shoulders. Then he took out an arrow and nocked his bow before taking aim.
"May I join you?"
Legolas spun, forgetting his bow was still raised and armed.
"I surrender," Aragorn said with a grin.
Legolas blushed and lowered his weapon.
"What are you doing here?" he asked the man.
"I have been watching your rooms, waiting this week for you to leave so I could catch up with you."
Legolas' blush increased. "You should not..." he trailed off as the man approached him.
"I have missed you Legolas," Aragorn said softly, pulling the elf gently into an embrace.
Legolas sighed and allowed his head to fall upon Aragorn's shoulder. "I have missed you also."
"I wanted to spend as much time with you as possible before I leave."
Legolas' head shot up in shock. "You are leaving?"
Aragorn frowned, "I must. I have to meet with the rest of the dunedain. There are things that must be done before I return."
"How long will you be gone?"
"I am not sure, possibly a week. Most of the dunedain are camped not far from Gondor's borders. Do not fear Legolas, I shall be back before you know it. Now come, let us quietly spend time together. You shall practice your archery, and I shall watch you. See, I have bought us food so that we do not need to leave here until this evening."
Legolas smiled. "Think you, that you shall merely watch whilst I practice, you shall also practice Aragorn. We shall see what improvements need to be made to your aim and style."
Aragorn laughed. "I fear that I shall be no match for you."
"Ha!" Legolas exclaimed, "If you were, as you say, raised by elves, then I should imagine your skill with a bow would rival my own."
"But I am far more accomplished with my sword," Aragorn leered suggestively.
Legolas blushed but said nothing, he simply went back to taking aim and releasing an arrow. It hit the target true center. Then he turned and offered his bow to Aragorn.
"Your turn," he said.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Both were very conscious of the time flying that day and so they made the most of their time spent together. They practiced archery for some time, Legolas learning that Aragorn was almost as good an archer as himself. Then Aragorn persuaded Legolas to come with him to a secluded spot he knew in the gardens. Legolas was entranced by the vision of beauty as he stepped beneath the long willowy branches of a tree and came upon a small waterfall surrounded by lush green grass and fragrant flowers.
They spent the rest of the day there feeding each other from the food Aragorn had provided. It was only as darkness fell that they became aware of the outside world once again.
"I must leave soon," Legolas sighed. "Otherwise my father will send out search parties."
"I cannot wait to leave in the morning so that I can more swiftly return to your embrace," Aragorn said.
"I wish that too, yet I fear that we will not be able to spend much time in each other's company when you return," Legolas said thinking of the plans for his wedding. "Aragorn..." Legolas began, planning to inform the man of his pending nuptials.
However Aragorn cut him off with a curse. "I hear voices," he announced. "I fear that we must depart now, however I wish you to know that I will be thinking of you every day that we are apart."
He pulled Legolas into a swift and crushing embrace whilst claiming the elf's lips. Legolas gave himself over to the kiss and was disappointed when Aragorn pulled away before collecting the remains of their meal and disappearing.
"As will I," he whispered softly after the departing figure of the man.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Aragorn and his small party left early the following morning. He was to meet up with the gathering dunedain in order for them to escort him back to Gondor as honour guard for both his wedding and the coronation. He keenly felt every mile that separated him from Legolas.
Lord Elrond was also on a mission, he was to prepare everything for the elven dignitaries who would arrive to witness the wedding between the Elven Prince of Mirkwood, and the Elven raised Prince of Gondor.
Lord Denethor was spending many hours closeted with King Thranduil as they finalised plans for both the wedding and the treaty between the two nations that would come into effect after consummation of the marriage.
After Aragorn's departure Legolas found himself with a decided lack of interest in practicing his archery. However he had no desire to be closeted indoors once more whilst his father continued to outline the plans for his wedding. Instead he decided to wander the streets of Gondor, much as he and Aragorn had. He took a long cloak which would help disguise his elven features and slipped out of the guest wing.
He was pulled up short just leaving the palace by a hand grasping his shoulder.
"Did your father not tell you that wandering the streets of this city of men a foolish thing to do without protection."
Legolas turned, a mulish expression on his face as he confronted his personal bodyguard.
"I am a full-grown warrior elf Celdarion. I do not think I need fear a few men."
Celdarion frowned. "You forget my prince that there are more than a few men in this city, and not all may be in favour of elves. You could easily be overpowered. Or worse, I have heard of men with unsavoury characters who would capture a lone elf for ransom, or fates far more dire."
Legolas sighed, knowing he would not win an argument with the much older and experienced elf.
"Very well, then come along, but try not to draw too much attention to yourself," Legolas said pettily. Then flushed as Celdarion merely rose an eyebrow.
Celdarion had been Legolas' protector since birth and Legolas looked upon him more as a companion than a silent shadow at his side, although Celdarion was good at that too, and so the day passed with some enjoyment felt on the part of both elves. They returned to the palace in the evening still discussing the strange antics of mankind.
As they entered the palace once more they stripped off their concealing cloaks and made their way towards the Mirkwood party's guest rooms.
They were stopped by a number of people along the way, all wishing the young prince congratulations on his coming union with the Prince of Gondor. Legolas looked at Celdarion after getting over his initial surprise.
"It seems that the formal announcement has finally been made," the older elf said wryly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The following morning Legolas again rose early, however this morning he felt a need to be out in the open. He joined his father in the king's sitting room.
"Father, I would like to go riding through the forest today with Celdarion," he announced.
Thranduil barely looked up, he was absorbed in the draft of the treaty which he and Denethor had put together.
"Very well my son, please do not return too late," he said vaguely waving before returning his attention to the treaty.
Legolas smiled as he left, and he and Celdarion gathered their bows before making for the stables.
Both had bought horses with them to Gondor. Celdarion's steed was a giant of a horse, with a shining black coat. He was kept with the other elven horses in a large paddock, for elven horses disliked the confinement of stables. Legolas' own horse was a beautiful white stallion.
Both animals rushed to the sides of the paddock upon hearing the sharp distinctive whistles of their masters, and it was not long before both riders and horses were making their way out of the city and into the nearby forest.
"This feels so very refreshing after being confined in the city for so long," Legolas stated.
"And yet you will now be residing within the city and not the woods of our home. Are you sure that this is something you wish to give up?" Celdarion asked curiously.
Legolas sighed. "I will miss Mirkwood greatly, however this alliance is sorely needed, and it is my duty to put the people of Mirkwood before my own desires. Besides I am sure that I will be able to venture out into this forest often," he said hopefully.
"I am sure that it will be so, especially when I am here to protect you," Celdarion said.
Legolas looked at the older elf in astonishment. "But I thought that you would be returning to Mirkwood with my father."
"Nay, how could I abandon my little prince to this city of men without any elven company." Celdarion said with a gentle smile.
Legolas blinked away sudden moisture from his eyes. "You have always been there for me Celdarion." He looked down suddenly in embarrassment before meeting Celdarion's eyes. "You know that I look upon you as a second father."
It was Celdarion's turn then to blink away the moisture. The emotional moment, however, was interrupted by a sudden voice.
"How very touching," it said. "Such a pity I must spoil it."