Forbidden Love
Disclaimer: Don't own anything, except for the storyline, so don't sue me. ^_^
'My Lover's Gone' is sung by Dido, off her 'No Angel' album. Try listening to it while reading this chapter, it helps set the tone. ^_^
This is a slash fic, so slash haters beware!!!
My Lover's GoneMy lover's gone
His boots no longer by my door
He left at dawn
And as I slept I felt him go
Returns no more
I will not watch the ocean
My lover's gone
No earthly ships will ever
Bring him home again
Bring him home again
My lover's gone
I know that kiss will be my last
No more his song
The tune upon his lips has passed
I sing alone
While I watch the ocean
My lover's gone
No earthly ships will ever
Bring him home again
Bring him home again
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
Throughout the ceremony, Aragorn had to force himself to not let his eyes wander. It was hard not to search the crowd for a certain pair of green eyes. Eyes that were always sparkling with laughter, that never lost their brilliance even in the darkest night…
Emerald orbs that had been filled with pain and unshed tears just the night before…
It had taken every single ounce of his self-control not to look back as he had walked out of his room, leaving the elf staring after him. He knew that if he had taken a backward glance, he would probably have gone flying back into the elf's arms.
He took a guilty glance at his bride. Here he was, marrying the one who had waited more than half his life for him, and yet his thoughts were turned to another. Arwen felt his eyes on her and smiled radiantly up at him. He tried to match her smile, but found it unbearable to keep up that façade.
"Is something wrong, love?" She asked him, her musical voice bringing unwanted memories of another elf's voice to his mind.
Aragorn shook his head slightly. "No. It's nothing."
"You seem a little distracted to me."
Aragorn forced a smile and replied as playfully as he could, "It must be because I finally have you here with me, after so many years of hoping and praying. I guess I'm still trying to convince myself that this is not a dream."
Arwen laughed lightly and arched a brow. "Indeed? Well, shall I pinch you to wake you, my lord?"
Aragorn made a face. "No, that won't be necessary, my lady." Unconsciously, his gaze swept over the crowd gathered in the hall, hoping to catch a glimpse of golden hair reflecting the sunlight.
Arwen saw the distant look in his eyes and sighed softly.
You don't belong here with me anymore do you, Estel? Your heart is with… him…
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~*
Back in his room, Aragorn flung himself wearily onto the bed. He had no idea that a few simple ceremonies could be so exhausting, and there was still the wedding feast to come in a few hours…
He groaned and wished that he could just disappear.
Disappear…
He sat up abruptly as he realized something: he hadn't seen Legolas at all since that morning. He had not even caught a glimpse of him in the crowd that thronged him, and his elf was always never far from his side.
He rose and made his way to the door, the need to see his elf again overcoming his fatigue. But as he put his hand on the handle, his rational side whispered:
Don't forget, you are married now. What will seeing him do to change that?
Aragorn gritted his teeth and swore silently to himself. Suddenly, he caught sight of the piece of parchment lying innocently on his table. Unfolding it, he ran his eyes over the flowing script:
[Estel,
I wish I didn't have to say goodbye to you in this manner, and so abruptly as well. I feared that if I told you I was leaving face to face, I would not be able to do it.
I am truly sorry that I didn't go for your wedding, but I cannot stay here anymore. It would behave been too hard for the two of us to go on this way, pretending that those things had never been. I would only have hindered your duties as King of Gondor, and your duty as husband to Arwen. Think of what we had as only a passing phase, one that would never have lasted the test of time.
So, I wish you happiness. May you find peace in your life, and above all, may you find that the one you truly love is Arwen.
Forgive me, it is for the best.
Forget me.
LG.]
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
Aragorn strode down the hallways leading to the stables, the letter crushed tightly in his hand. He knew that it was a futile attempt, but he still had to try…
He reached the stall where Legolas' mount, Arod, had been stabled.
It was empty.
He slumped against the door to the stall, the harsh realization that his elf was gone sinking in slowly.
A stable-hand passed by, whistling jovially as he went about making sure that the horses were comfortable.
Aragorn called out to him, "Lad, did you see where the Elvin Prince went?"
Frowning, the boy said, "He left this morning, around the time that the wedding was taking place. Hmm… I remember now! He had all his things with him, like he was going on a long journey or something, so when I asked him about it, he said that he was going home on some urgent business…"
"I see, well, thank you." Aragorn turned and made his way out of the stables slowly.
Gone.
He was really gone.
Eyes unseeing, he almost walked smack into a stout figure that had to practically shout to make itself seen and heard.
"Aragorn! What are you doing, wandering around here? You should be getting dressed!" Gimli wrinkled his nose at his companion's disheveled clothing. "Unless, of course, you plan on going to your feast dressed as a bale of hay." He laughed heartily, before he realized that the man was not sharing his mirth. "What's wrong?"
Aragorn looked at him with dull eyes. "He's gone, Gimli."
The dwarf's expression clouded over. "Aye, I know. He told me this morning that he was leaving. I offered to go with him but he refused. Did he not tell you?"
Aragorn sighed in exasperation. "That's precisely the point, he told me in a letter, but I only got it after he had left!"
"But what would you have done if you knew he was leaving?"
Aragorn raised his voice slightly. "What would I have done?! I would have - " he paused and thought for a moment, then continued in a softer tone, "I would have tried to stop him."
"Which was what he did not want you to do." The dwarf's gruff voice was uncharacteristically gentle.
"Why?"
"That is something you should know the answer to."
'I cannot stay here'…
Gimli patted Aragorn's back awkwardly. "I'm sorry, about the two of you, but some things just… happen. For a reason, I suppose."
Aragorn smiled sadly at him and replied, "Thank you, Gimli."
The dwarf watched the human's retreating back as he made his way slowly back to his room. He muttered to himself, "I hope you know what you're doing, you fool of an elf. Running off like that without thinking twice. And going off to Mirkwood from Gondor all by yourself too!" He snorted and shook his head ruefully. " Elves!"
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
Aragorn read and reread the letter as he walked slowly back to his room. Wishing with his whole heart that his elf had not left without a word.
But it was too late to regret now.
And knowing the stubborn nature of the Prince of Mirkwood, it was very unlikely that he would ever hear from him again.
Pausing by a window that faced the general direction of Mirkwood, he looked out. His mind soared on the wind, over the plains of Rohan, over the forests of Middle Earth, until he could envision the forest of Mirkwood. He imagined the golden figure, riding on a white horse, disappearing into the dark depths, never to lay eyes on him again…
He felt his heart wrench within him as the breeze caressed his face. Closing his eyes, he sighed.
Namaarie, Legolas. I… I will try to let go of you, but my heart will always belong to you, and you alone.
* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *
TBCAuthor's Notes:
Firstly, the part about Gimli knowing, well, I kind of assumed that since Gimli and Legolas were so close, it wouldn't have taken Gimli long to figure out that Legolas was in love with Aragorn. Or that maybe Legolas told Gimli. Or… *tries to think up of a few more theories* Argh… basically, Gimli knows about their relationship, that's why he could console Aragorn. Wait, why am I explaining this in the first place? *thinks for a while…*
*gives up* Apparently, my thought functions have gone AWOL…. *shrugs* must be the exams.
Other than that, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Next chapter will be from Legolas' end of Middle Earth. ^_^
R & r please! 'cos reviews make my world go round! ^_^ And thanks for reading!
jacobs_angel86: Thanks for the vote of confidence… Erm, no promises about what the ending will be like though, 'cos I prefer keeping stuff in canon. Guess it'll just depend on how much I want the poor lil' elf to suffer. ^_^
IMTrinity: Thank you! Don't worry, I'll definitely finish this story. ^_^ I like it too much to give up on it.
Anthem82: Thanks! Hope you enjoyed this chapter! ^_^
silvertoekee: Well, that settles the part about the letter and Aragorn's reaction… Was it what you expected? Wouldn't want to get too predictable… ^_^ And I found another person who likes the Touya x Yue pairing!!! Or rather, that's what I'm assuming from the stuff you've written…
Rrrr: *lol* Thanks for the compliment… Actually, I've Microsoft Word to thank for the lack of glaring mistakes… Although it get on my nerves when it keeps insisting that the words I type in don't exist. Don't worry, their feelings are mutual; hope you enjoyed this chapter!
Alexis: Thank you! Here's the next chapter, and there'll definitely be more to come. ^_^
Curious Dream Weaver: Thank you! Heh, looks like all the time I spent staying awake in literature class paid off. Glad you liked the style. ^_^
castor: Err… actually, I don't understand French… but thank you for your review anyway, I'm glad you liked the story. ^_^ Maybe this is a sign I should take up another language…
I've just realized that I used a smiley face in every single response…. More proof of my overly hyper state of mind… I should go invest in some sedatives. ^_^