Part 61

" How are you,Legolas?" asked Elladan,his face turning just as solemn as Elrond often looked. He walked on Legolas' right,and Elrohir was at the prince's left. Galadriel had told Elrond that Legolas had not been well of late,and though he had not told his sons,they sensed something was amiss.

" I will not try to lie to you,for I know my attempts would be futile ", said Legolas,breaking into a grin.

" I know not,mellonin. I feel so...troubled. Like there is a shadow in my mind that will not lift.And my heart has been made heavy with burden. There is so much weighing upon me,and I know it must be only half of what Estel is dealing with. I loathe myself for being so focused on my own problems,when my best friend is in much more need of my support than I am of his",Legolas was honest and pensive as he spoke. The twins listened wordlessly.

" Do not feel so guilty, Legolas. Estel loves you to no ends,you know that. He wants to be there for you. And he is to be king of Gondor,he will always be burdened. Your presence alone is a tremendous comfort to him,whether you know it or not ", said Elladan.

" Yes,it's true. For all the time I have known Estel, just as long as you have,Legolas,I have never known him to love anyone more than he does you,save for my sister. He loves you even more than he does us ", said Elrohir smiling as he said his last words.

Legolas blushed guiltily.

" I am sorry. I'm sure that's not true ", he said.

Elrohir only broke out laughing.

" Legolas,you are much too polite and princely ", he said as he clapped Legolas on the back and the blonde Elf flushed even deeper.

" I am not jealous in the least. I know Estel loves Elladan and me very deeply. You have nothing to apologize for. I was simply saying what I know to be true ", the younger twin continued.

" Indeed ", added Elladan.

The three continued to walk toward Helm's Deep,until they were quite near and could see Aragorn talking with one of his old friends of the Dunedain. He turned to see his best friend and his two foster brothers and his face lit up.

" Elladan,Elrohir ", he exclaimed.

" Estel ", the twins cried in unison.

They ran to each other and embraced just as Legolas and the twins had earlier.

Legolas stood back and smiled as he folded his arms across his chest. And then he laughed as he saw the shocked faces of the men who watched their old friend, they knew to be a deadly ranger, embrace the two dark haired Elves.

" Mae govannen,nin gwadors", said Aragorn as he let them go.

" Estel,it has been too long, my brother ", said Elladan.

" We have not seen you for years. You've been traveling as a ranger for long, and when you did come to Rivendell, we were else where. When father held his council not long ago, we were hunting a band of Orcs that had lingered along the borders of Imladris. It was grievous tidings indeed when we returned, and Father told us you'd been and gone. Arwen spoke little of you ", Elrohir explained.

" She is torn in two,Estel. Between immortality and love. I marvel at her strength and endurance. It is an impossible choice ", said Elladan in a hushed voice.

" I was sure she was already gone,across the sea in Valinor ", Aragorn replied.

" I know not,brother. We only saw her briefly before we set out again on our travels,on which we met your old companions. And as I said before, when we were there, she would not speak of you. I believe it pained her to think of you ", said Elladan.

His eyes darkened and his face was solemn with a sad air about it.

" It is the last thing I wish to cause her. I hope she is gone now,and has found peace in the Havens. Though I cannot deny that I shall love no other as I loved the Evenstar ", said Aragorn wistfully.

" I know not what to tell you,brother ", sighed Elrohir. " I have no doubt that both your love and hers is true. It is only her choice. Do not hold grudge against Father. He does not wish you to be unhappy. He just fears the loss of his only daughter."

" Oh,it must be a nightmare for Father. He's torn also. He loves his son, and he loves his daughter. He wants the best for both,but he also does not want to lose them. And he already knows that he will lose you,Estel. There is no helping that. And he is pained by it,he dreads the day of your parting. But he might still keep Arwen. And yet,he knows both his son and his daughter would not be completely happy again without each other.It is an impossible thing for him as well", Elladan sighed.

" He must choose whether to let his daughter be with the man she loves or cling to her. You must choose whether to fight for the woman you love or let her go to have her birth right that is immortality. And she must choose whether to take her immortality or give it up for the man she loves. All whom I love are torn with choices",

Elrohir sighed pensively.

" I have already made my choice ", said Aragorn sadly.

" I would have her sail to Valinor. I deserve not her immortality."

" But in your heart,you know you would have her stay, for you love her ", said Elladan as he looked into the man's gray eyes.

And to this,Aragorn could say nothing. He knew his brother spoke the truth,and he could not deny it. Legolas only stood silently, his blue eyes looking sadly and sympathetically upon his best friend. Such a terrible and heavy situation he had fallen into. Legolas knew not what he would do if he was in Aragorn's place. He had loved Thaurnoviel more than his own life,just as much as Aragorn loved Arwen. But would he have let her give up her immortality for him? To this, he could not find an answer.