Chapter Nineteen: Upsets

Eldarion's thoughts were running around screaming in his mind that his answer did not come out as subtly as he had hoped. "No!" he cried.

He knew immediately that that was the wrong thing to say for Legolas' fair features became sorrowful and the elf prince staggered back slightly, his mouth open in disappointment. And he struggled to say something but all that came out was a sound that was more of a whimper than a mumble of anything.

"I don't mean it like that," Eldarion tried to grasp the long hands as Legolas continued moving unsteadily backwards in the nearest to a human walk that Eldarion had ever seen the elf use.

Legolas snatched his hands away and kept on moving away from his love. "Mankoi?" [why?] he whispered before turning on his heel and running blindly back through the garden, his tears obscuring his vision. Why was Eldarion being so cruel to him? The man knew all that Legolas had been through just for him! So that he had another chance to be with the one that he loved! And know the prince was throwing away cruelly all Legolas' dreams to bind himself with Eldarion forever!

He stumbled as he ran fleetly over the grass but righted himself and in a swift-moving blur returned to his room.

Once there, Legolas quickly started gathering together all his items. He needed to get away from the stone confines of this city; it was choking him. The air breathed in by so many others was harsh in his lungs. Legolas felt dizzy and clutched the side of the bed to stop him from falling. He stood there, bent over for a couple of minutes before the faintness had passed. Then continued snatching the meagre belongings that he had brought with him.

The prince grabbed his elven cloak and flinging it around his shoulders, he headed towards the door of the room. His exit was bared by a smaller figure.

"Legolas, listen to me," Eldarion said in a gentle voice that also let the archer know that he meant business.

"No Eldarion you cannot stop me!" Legolas cried and found his voice shriller than normal. He stared at the man determinedly. "Now move out the way."

Eldarion shook his head and placed his hands on Legolas' shoulders. "Hear me out, please."

There was something in the prince's tone, maybe it was the way he said 'please', but it made Legolas stop and softening his gaze he nodded. "Continue."

"I said no because I do not wish you to be mortal," Eldarion said. "I would not wish that on one as fair as you." He reached out a hand and ran his thumb down Legolas' cheek.

"Why?" the statement had not worked as well as Eldarion had planned. "Would you not want me if I was to grow old like you?!" Legolas' eyes were angry now.

"Of course I would," Eldarion replied patiently. "I would want you if you shrunk three feet, grew hairy feet and turned into a hobbit."

This did not budge the stony expression on Legolas' face. "It is very easy to lie Eldarion; I think you are doing so," he said icily. "Give me a better reason before I go."

"I do not want you to die a mortal death and forsake all the centauries of the world that you could still live." Eldarion felt his voice tremor slightly and swallowed deeply. This option seemed to work though for the elven prince once again softened.

"Eldarion, sweet Eldarion," Legolas murmured. "Do you not see? I would die from grief if I was an elf. If I was mortal, at least I would be able to die comfortably of old age in the arms of the one that I love. Would you want me to die of a broken heart?"

"No, of course not," Eldarion felt his option swaying. If it was what this beautiful creature wanted then he would.... "But what about when I have to become King!" he said suddenly. He had not thought about that. He would have to wed a Queen and-

"Eldarion, if you do not wish to, you would not have to be the Ruler of Gondor."

The man's face looked blank.

"Your father will live long enough to teach Maethor the ways of Kingship. If you let it, Maethor will take the throne instead of you." Legolas' eyes were brimming with hope.

Eldarion gasped slowly and for a minute, Legolas thought that the man was opposed to the idea, but then he grinned and flinging his arms around the elf, started spinning the tall being around.

Legolas tried to bat away the enthusiastic Eldarion, however he did not succeed and had to wait for him to stop. Then he was set back on the floor, wobbling slightly.

"My love, how do you come up with these brilliant ideas?" Eldarion asked.

The prince smiled modestly. "Oh, it was nothing," he dismissed.

"Of course! Then I am free of obligations and I may marry you!"

"You would?"

"Nothing on this earth can stop me now," Eldarion cried. He leant forward and kissed the peach lips lovingly. "Legolas Greenleaf, you may bind yourself to me."

~ Four months later~

Only Legolas and Eldarion's dearest friends were invited to the ceremony, which they refused to call their "wedding"

"Its our binding ceremony," Legolas insisted without much achievement of convincing people.

Gimli snickered and turning away murmured to Aragorn: "Its a wedding isn't it?"

The King laughed and smiled sheepishly at the elf that was glaring at them fiercely. "Binding ceremony," Legolas said enunciating the words strongly to try and sway his friend's opinions.

"Leave them," Eldarion said placing a hand on Legolas' shoulder. "It doesn't matter."

At this the wood-elf became silent.

The ceremony was held in Ithilien, a land that Legolas had grown to love dearly over the past couple of years. The pair was going to settle in the country. A house was already built on the edge of a forest so that Legolas could walk amongst the trees and on the edge of a wide pasture so that if Eldarion could let his horses roam.

It was a far humbler abode than both had lived in their princely homes, but standing near the shabby farm buildings it was like a peacock among blackbirds. It was furnished richly with tapestries and expensive woods.

The day was as beautiful as could be. It was nearing sunset and between the trees limbs, they could see the pink and orange glow of the setting sun. It tinted the wood golden and caught the sunbeams making the forest seem slightly otherworldly.

The Evenstar tried her best to stop the tears that dripped silently down her cheeks as she said the vows that Legolas and Eldarion had written together. Seeing as she was the only present elf, Legolas had gone to his friend and asked a mighty favour of her.

When Arwen had first heard of the proposed union between the two, she had cried in joy. But now she cried for she feared for Legolas. The prince had assured her wholeheartedly that he was ready for mortality, maybe more so than she was. Still Arwen could not help but mourn.

Gimli was aging rapidly, his beard was slowly turning a dignified grey colour and his movements were slowed by old age. He leant on is axe more and more. By his side was King Elessar clutching to his breast, Maethor. The Ranger too had been delighted that Eldarion had found a way to keep faithful to his love. He looked forward to teaching Maethor the ways of his future.

Eldarion's hair had been combed until it glistened like the morning dew and in his blue eyes was tenderness as he looked at Legolas. He had been clothed in rich velvets and looked every inch the Prince of Gondor.

While Eldarion remained very much grounded in his colours, Legolas in contrast seemed as free as the wind. His golden hair was loose of its braids and the only constraint was a crown of red leaves woven together cleverly with gold wire. To everyone's surprise, Gimli had proved that he was not only a skilled workman but also one with nimble fingers. His arthritis it seemed had not spread to his fingers.

The elf's skin shone with an inner light and his eyes were no longer troubled. He was dressed in silks and satins that wrapped around his body like mist tendrils. They were light colours of greens and silvers.

Arwen sighed and opening her mouth began to recite the vows that she had committed to memory.

"Legolas son of Thranduil and Eldarion son of Aragorn stand before us today wishing to strengthen their love by making a union. A union that has never been seen the likes of before by anyone on this earth. Theirs is a special bond that has exceeded even the call of the Halls of Mandos. By joining together this bond will be strengthened."

Legolas smiled shyly at Eldarion.

Eldarion smiled back.

"Hold forward the rings," Arwen commanded in a soft voice. Both men's closest relatives stepped forward with the rings in hand. For Eldarion it was his father and for Legolas it was Gimli. A choice that none had been prepared for. They all had expected the prince to choose one of the remaining Mirkwood elves.

In his Gimli's small hand was the ring that had belonged to Niphredil. Initially Eldarion had refused such a gift, he was not worthy to wear the ring of a Queen, a Queen who had died defending her child. Then he saw the expression on Legolas' face and had agreed.

Elessar held a small silver band that had studded into it four small rubies. It was fairly simple for a Prince, however Eldarion had always worn it. It was a gift for his twentieth birthday from his parents.

"Legolas take the ring." The elf took the ring from Gimli and noticed that his hand was shaking. "Place it on Eldarion's finger."

He gently slid it onto the man's pale finger, his own slightly clammy with nerves. It fit strangely for the ring was a woman's.

"Now recite after me," Arwen said. "By doing this."

"By doing this."

"I, Legolas Greenleaf am joining myself with Eldarion the son of Gondor. I offer myself freely and eternally. This bond will remain unbroken until the end of the world."

"I am joining myself with Eldarion the son of Gondor. I offer myself freely and eternally. This bond will remain unbroken until the end of the world," Legolas repeated dutifully.

Then the same thing was repeated and Eldarion slid on his finger onto Legolas' long hand.

"The ceremony is finished, you are now bonded under the sight of the Valar. May this amalgamation be true and happy. Now, let us finish it with a kiss." Arwen smiled through her tears as Legolas and Eldarion stepped forward and kissed each other. She looked at her husband and found the man blinking rapidly. Their gaze met and Arwen felt like she had when she first met the young boy, now matured into a King.

There were a couple of murmurs of congratulations as the pair now holding hands walked back through the woods. Gimli was unusually silent and pensive. He knew that this bond with Eldarion would bring Legolas' death. If he was satisfied with the prince, then Gimli would not mind loosing his friend.

Waiting for them in the field was the horses that the visitors had arrived on. Quickly they mounted and with fond farewell cries, had ridden away leaving the couple alone.

Legolas and Eldarion stood together, Eldarion's arms wrapped around Legolas' waist as the elf's keen eyes still traced the movements of the horses long after they had disappeared from the man's ranger. Finally the wood-elf sighed and bending his neck backwards affectionately nuzzled Eldarion with his nose.

"So we are together now, after all we've been through," Eldarion remarked and trailed lingering kisses along Legolas' bared neck.

"Aye," Legolas sighed. A sense of contentment the like of which they had both never felt before, settled over them as they walked into their houses. Together.

~

You may feel happy with this end, however there is only tinsy little chapter left. I call it my coda.

Thanks for reviewing so positively.

Anna.