They had been at the clearing for three days before things finally came to a head. Aragorn had just come back from collecting some more firewood. After setting his bundle down next to the fire, he went and sat down next to Legolas, who was busy staring into the fire as if it had all the answers. Legolas glanced at him but said nothing. What was there to say? They stayed like that for over an hour, neither of them having the courage to say what was on their minds. Finally, Aragorn could stand the silence no longer, and he turned and faced the elf and said,
"My friend, we need to talk about what happened."
"Why," asked Legolas, "There's nothing to talk about! It's over Estel! There is a saying among our people Estel. Let sleeping demons lie!"
Aragorn sighed, "Normally I would agree with you my friend, but I can't just let it go. What you did," Aragorn broke off unable to continue. He took a deep breath and tried again, "Legolas you gave up your greatest treasure for me. I am not worth such pain!" By the end of his speech, Aragorn was sobbing helplessly.
Legolas sighed and gathered the man in his arms, "Oh mellon-nin, how can you say that? Don't you see?"
Aragorn looked at him with confused eyes, unable or unwilling to understand what his friend was referring to.
Legolas sighed again and held him harder, "How could I lose my greatest treasure, when you are here with me? Estel I love you! You are as precious to me as if you were of my own blood. You are my best friend, my brother! Why is it okay for you to sacrifice yourself to save me, but it's not alright for me to do the same?"
Aragorn who had stopped crying towards the middle of the elf's speech looked up at his friend, the confusion and apprehension on his face there for all to see.
"What do you mean," he asked?
Legolas sighed softly and began to gently drag his fingers through Estel's soft black hair, "Estel did you really think that I would not know what you gave that man in exchange for our freedom? And even if I hadn't known, there was no way I could miss the look in his eyes, no way I could mistake that vile lust filled gaze for anything but what it was. It was the way Mecklar looked at me. But you were right. I do belive in you, and I know you believe in me too. As long as we are together, I believe that somehow, some way we will find the strength to carry on."