*Sniff*. Things get a little angsty here. Have a tissue handy if you're the sentimental type! xxx

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In a secluded corner of the palace grounds an underwater stream bubbled to the surface of the land and continued for a mile or so before disappearing again. Along this stretch of stream the grass grew long, lush and green, and was dotted with flowers; white daisies and purple clover. Huge willow trees lined the banks, trailing their long fronded branches in the frothy depths of the stream, and sending their curled leaves twirling through the air like snowflakes. One or two of these trees had branches growing in a full circle, to form a cave of branches, and it was in one of these caves that Legolas and Aragorn could be found several days after the breaking of the plate. Aragorn sat with his back against one of the trees, and Legolas lay on his back with his head in Aragorn's lap, sleeping. Aragorn had discarded the book he had been reading, and was idly playing with Legolas' hair, allowing the spun gold strands to slip lazily through his fingers, dappled by the cage of willow branches surrounding them. Sitting in the drowsy warmth, surrounded by the sound of bees, the bubbling stream and the sound of birdsong, Aragorn admired the elf. He ran his fingers over the sun-warmed paleness of his flawless cheek, tracing his cheekbones, brow, nose, lips and chin. His eyes were closed, which was unusual. He ran his index finger over the elf's eyelids, feeling the soft bristles of his blonde eyelashes. His hair fell in a golden fan across the lap of the man, shining in the sun. A leaf fell from the tree above and fluttered down, and touched the elf's hand. Aragorn brushed it off, and Legolas opened his eyes to find the man staring at him.

'What?' he asked, raising a hand to shield his eyes from the glare of the sun.

'Nothing.'

'Why were you looking at me?'

'No reason.'

'You never mean that. There's always a reason.'

' I don't always need a reason. And don't be nosy.'

'I love you, it's my business to be nosy.'

'Say that again.'

'What? That it's my business to…'

'No. The I love you part.'

'Why?'

'Why not?'

Legolas frowned and rolled over onto his stomach so that he could see Aragorn more clearly.

'You never say it to me.'

'Yes I do.'

'No you don't. You say "me too" or "so do I". It's not the same.'

'I'm sorry.'

'You still haven't said it.'

'I know it's just…nothing.'

'Aragorn!' Legolas sounded slightly irritated, which was uncharacteristic of him. A telltale pink flush had crept into his porcelain cheeks. 'What are you talking about?'

Aragorn exhaled harshly and stood up, pacing from one side of the willow cage to the other. Legolas sat up and watched him.

'Legolas, what are we going to do when someone finds out?'

'Finds out what?'

'Finds out about you and me…about us?'

'What do you mean "finds out"?'

'Well we aren't going to be able to keep this a secret forever, are we?'

'Of course not, we're going to tell everyone when the time is right.'

'Tell them! Legolas, are you crazy?'

Legolas looked hurt and angry.

'I don't understand.' His voice rose and he went even pinker. His blue eyes flashed. 'Why should we not?'

'Because…because…Legolas, do you think this…us…is just going to be accepted? As if you had chosen some aristocratic elf maiden for a bride? Legolas, people aren't going to understand, aren't going to be welcoming. I mean, my father…what would he say? My brothers? Your family? We will be questioned, examined…scorned.'

'Scorned? Is that what you fear? Derision for choosing an elf prince for your mate?'

'Don't you worry also?'

'Love is love. What difference does it make? Aragorn, correct me if I am wrong but I thought that some things were more important than the opinions of others? Will you give up on us because you fear the judgment of some unimportant elves?'

'Of course not, but the judgments of others are going to play a part are they not?'

'They are not. Not for me.'

'Legolas, it is different for you! You are their prince, they will not blame you, but me…I have to please them, make them like me and look up to me…'

The moment Aragorn spoke his last word he regretted it. Legolas' eyes widened in shock and in hurt, and his fists clenched. His voice trembling, half from anger half from fighting tears, he gazed at Aragorn.

'Blame you? As if this…us is a mistake? As if it is someone's fault that I accidentally fell in love with you? As if it was something to be ashamed about?'

'Legolas, no! I did not mean…I shouldn't have said…' Aragorn desperately reached over to touch the Princes arm, but Legolas shied away from the contact.

'Do not touch me.'

'Legolas please…they were just words…they did not mean anything…'

Aragorn saw tears of hurt and anger in the eyes of the Prince.

'On the contrary, Aragorn, they mean everything. More than your touch, more than your kisses…I know your truth and so now can see your lie. I did not realize, did not see…I thought you felt as I did, but I see it is not so. You are not elf kind; I should not have expected you to behave as though you were.' Legolas turned from Aragorn, glancing over his shoulder as he reached the edge of the branch cage.

'Goodbye.'

He left before Aragorn could say a word, and he had to simply watch in anguish as his best friend and first love walked away from him.