A/N: Not mine. I really, really hope you enjoy this. I wanted to make sure that the characters stayed somewhat true to their origins (especially for this chapter). And it was extremely hard for me to write. I can only hope I did them some kind of justice. So, it would really mean a lot to me if you'd review. Special thanks to all those that did review previous chapters, you are awesome! Thanks, and enjoy.

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Fall from Grace

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Aragorn, King Elessar, was gingerly smoking his pipe by a fire as he waited for news of his wife. It had been a fortnight since she rode off into the sunrise and he expected her return shortly. In his impatience, and against Arwen's wishes, he sent a mortal man to the woods of Lothlorien to see what had befallen his Queen. Suddenly, the door opened, it's creaking pierced through the silence of the night and his messenger clumsily stumbled into the room.

"My Lord, I bring news from Lothlorien."

"What is it? Where is the Queen?" The King asked, rising up from his seat.

"I believe she is making her way back to Gondor..."

"Why are you not with her?"

"She has company with her...an elf."

"Legolas!" Aragorn breathed a sigh of relief, his alarm vanishing instantly. "It has been many seasons now that I have not seen him!"

"But my Lord..." The messenger was quite confused by the King's sudden change in mood and temperament.

"Do not be alarmed, for he has been my great friend through many tidings and the Queen's dearest friend."

"But they--I saw them your majesty," he managed to blurt out.

"What are you trying to say?"

"The Queen and the elf..."

Aragorn patiently waited for him to continue.

"They were in the woods...I saw them, they were...he embraced her and then he...he kissed her."

Aragorn's face grew grave as a dark shadow passed over his features. His eyes darkened and it seemed to the man that he suddenly looked much older. The room seemed colder despite the fire that was lit, and the man grew afraid.

"Boy, you speak ill towards two I care more about than the whole of the world. He is like my brethren and she is your Queen, I advise you to select your words carefully. Do you swear on your life that what you speak of is indeed the truth and is no lie...and that you saw this with your own eyes?"

The King now towered over the messenger and it was all the poor man could do by meekly reply,"Yes."

"Did they see you?"

"I do not think so."

"You are sure of it?"

The man simply nodded, out of fear or uncertainty, Aragorn knew not. He stared at the man who cowered before him for a long time before turning his back to him.

"Notify me at once upon their arrival."

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The way back to Gondor was quiet and often times awkward for the two elves. The closer they got back to Minas Tirith the more Arwen thought about running away from everyone and everything. Her whole body seemed to weigh ten times heavier and she found it hard to breathe.

It seemed to her that the life she was going back to was surreal and her true happiness could only be found with the elf riding next to her. Many times she wanted to stop them both and just ride off, never to return. Yet, something always brought her back from her fleeting desires. But whenever they stopped to rest she would take her time gathering her things together again. She wanted to prolong the journey as much as possible. It was too soon yet to be going back.

Legolas rode in silence. He had nothing more to say. He did not, nor did he think he could ever, understand how two who were so meant to be, weren't. He wanted her to be stronger for them... but it was not for him to decide how she was to live her life.

Neither of them talked about their affair nor her decision to stay with Aragorn. In fact, they pretty much avoided all contact and situations where they would have to be in close proximity with one another. Although it pained them both deeply, both were too scared, ashamed and hurt to do anything but.

At last they reached the gates of the city. They both paused before entering...neither wanted to venture on yet both unwilling to stay.

Immediately upon their arrival, they were greeted by a small company of the King's men. "Legolas, son of King Thranduil of the Elven realm of Mirkwood, you are under arrest for treason against King Elessar."

Arwen stood between the elf and men. "What is the meaning of this?"

"Queen Arwen, we have orders to seize the elf called Legolas."

"He has not committed any crime."

A man came through the crowd, the messenger from the woods. "My Queen, it would be wise to let him go with them for we act under the King's command. If you do not, you will be acting against King Elessar by aiding the accused."

There was some snickering to be heard from the crowd. She saw their faces and looked into their hearts. These were the men whom she pitied for so long, the ones who hated the fact that the Queen was elf-kind and ruled above men.

She stood defiantly before them, eyes raging with an awoken spirit. Men cowered before her and dared not to move. The were accustomed to the always gorgeous, gentle, wise and temperate Queen. The one who stood before them now was strong and powerful. As if seeing her with new eyes, they realized truly for the first time that she was mighty and wondrous among Elves. She showed them a glimpse of all her lineage, splendor and magnificence. They stood in awe of the Elven Queen.

Legolas placed a hand on her shoulder, forced her to face him and looked deeply in her eyes, "Peace Arwen. I will go."

"Legolas!" She look at him incredulously, "You are no criminal. I am still Queen here and this is my command."

"With all do respect, my Lady, I believe it would be better if I went with them," he spoke slowly, hidden warning in his voice.

Arwen did not like it but she cast her eyes down in silent agreement. "Take him away, but be warned...do not harm him or you shall suffer my wrath."

She watched as the men bound her lover and took him away.

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Aragorn, King Elessar sat before a fire in the dark of night. He imagined himself back in Rivendell, seated before the Great Fire, back before the war of the ring, before returning the Numenor blood back to Reunited Kingdom. Back when he could think in peace and he knew, really knew, that she loved him.

But he was sitting in front of just another fire as King Elessar and things were not as clear as they once were.

Just then, Arwen burst through the door, and despite all her lineage and grace, she was impatient and enraged.

"Aragorn, what is the meaning of all this?" she demanded. "Why have you captured Legolas?"

"Quel undome, Arwen," his voice cold and unfeeling. "Surely, dear wife, I know not what you speak of."

"Your men have seized him and have thrown him in prison!" she cried. He studied her for a moment, as if trying to determine if she was lying. Then he crossed the room and opened the door to address his guards and the messenger who stood nearby.

"Is it true that you have seized Legolas and now hold him prisoner?" he demanded.

"Yes, my lord. The elf sits in prison as all other traitors do."

"I gave no such command. Release him and bring him forth."

"But... he is a traitor to the crown!"

Aragorn unleashed his fury, "Do not advise me in the ways in which I choose to rule and deal with the affairs that belong to me alone!"

He then retreated back to the room and slammed the door shut. He leaned his head against it heavily, in deep contemplation.

"Thank you Aragorn..." her voice was like music around his head.

"I did not do it for you," he snapped. He sighed heavily, and turned to see the ageless face of his wife.

"Are you unhappy here?" he asked in a kinder voice.

Arwen thought it a ludicrous question, but there was something in the look in his eyes that made her heart turn cold. She finally found her voice, "No, my Lord."
"Then I do not understand... is it true that Legolas was with you during your journey?"

Arwen grew afraid. Had they been found out? How could that be? He heart was pounding excruciating loud in her ears. "Yes, but it was not planned. By chance we met in Rivendell..."

"By chance?" Aragorn questioned, unbelieving. "Do you regret your choice now, Undomiel?"

"No, and I would not lie to you."

Legolas entered then, much to the distress of Aragorn, and bowed before the couple.

"You could have had anyone Legolas. But you insist on taking what is mine! Have you no honor? Does our friendship mean nothing to you at all?"

Legolas stood silent and proud. This was his own doing, and now he was to suffer the consequences.

He addressed them both, "For years I have tolerated your relationship out of my love for both of you. And to hear of this? My wife and friend rendezvous in the woods, locked in a lover's embrace! In my worst nightmares, I never believed it would be so."

Arwen had had enough.

"You presume too much my Lord. Even though I have been made Queen of Men ...I am will and always will be elf-kind. Knowing that all of my people and my kin have left these shores is not an easy burden to carry. Their light has forever been extinguished and their dwellings deserted. And while Legolas did kiss me, it was not of romance. It was simply an Elven prince comforting a queen. How easily you have let your jealousy cloud your judgment!"

"I cannot allow myself to believe the words that fall from your mouth," although he deeply wanted to believe her and have the whole situation disappear.

"Then you shall hear it from another." Legolas stepped outside and dragged the messenger in by the collar. "Were you the one that spied us in the woods?"

"I am. I saw you coveting the Queen!"

"You are mistaken! Was I not in distress? Was I not in tears?" Arwen was desperate for answers.

The man was speechless. His eyes darted between the three who now surrounded him.

"Speak!"

"I-I do not remember... perhaps."

"You do not remember? I think you should be thrown in the dungeons to help you remember!"

"I think it is coming back to me now...yes, I believe the Queen was in a state of misery. But that does not excuse your actions or behavior!!"

Legolas threw him out of the room.

Aragorn now stood apart from them. He looked out of a window and he could barely make out the silhouettes of the buildings in the city below. To his surprise, he felt remarkably calm. It was not exactly relief, but it was something.
Arwen walked up behind him and tentatively placed a hand on his arm. Her voice came softer now, "You must not let your jealously take your good judgment. That is not the King I know...that is not the man I love."

Legolas witnessed the display and cringed.

Aragorn held Arwen's hand briefly before walking towards Legolas. "Forgive me. My reason for loving you far outweighs my reason for hating you. Still, a shadow now lays between us. And the Queens reputation, as well as you own, is now questioned."

Legolas stood in silent obedience, accepting the fate laid before his feet.

"You are welcome to stay the night, but I think, it would be best that you should leave as soon as possible."

The elf bowed slightly, "I thank you for your hospitality but I shall be leaving tonight."

"Legolas...please, stay," he begged.

Legolas could see that their falling out was as hard on Aragorn as it was on himself. He could see how much it would mean to Aragorn that he should stay the night, at least.

"Very well, but I shall leave at first light," Legolas then took leave of the king and queen.

"It has been a long journey and fatigue is upon me. I shall retire to our room. Goodnight my love," Arwen kissed Aragorn's cheek lightly before leaving.

Aragorn, King Elessar, was now alone in the room. He sat before the fire for quite sometime before he sent for the messenger.

"We shall not speak of this night again. It will be washed from your memory and all those whom you uttered the story."

"Of course," the man bowed and left.

Aragorn, King Elessar, sat in front of the dying fire and wondered how his life had taken such a twisted path.

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'Quel undome: Good evening.