Stolen Romance

Disclaimer: Poor, un-innovative, thus own nothing at all that you find familiar in LOTR. Only write for a pastime.

Warning: this is strictly AL slash, therefore if you are against m/m relationship do not proceed – don't say you haven't being warned

Author's Notes: Alas, my writing and my imagination is not well combined. Tell me if I'm going overboard! PS I wrote the latter part of this chapter half-asleep. So expect the worst =P

Pairing: A/L (mild H/L in this chapter)

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"…" – Speech

This – Thoughts

Chapter 3: Of the Paths Ahead

"He…He has fallen into darkness. T's likely he shall fade before sun arise."

Aragorn felt his knees give away beneath him, his body numb of emotion. A hand reached to comfort him, placed heavily upon his shoulder of million burdens: to live without Legolas was a burden, far too great to bear. He closed his eyes, silent tears trickling down his troubled face. Why? Legolas…why are you fading? Have I not given you enough hope? Am I not enough to bring you back to the light?

And as his thoughts run wild, the most sickening contemplation sneaked its way to his mind. Legolas' words were shivers up his spine.

"But Aragorn – I no longer love you as lovers do, only as a friend. Do you not understand?"

It was horror to him, as he made sense of what his blonde elven lover had said, and what he had so easily brushed away. He was blinded by his lust towards the elf, never had he given Legolas a chance to explain his words. Alas, perhaps Legolas was indeed in love with another – whom? He wondered. And even that thought brought much more pain to him, and he gave another gasp as his heart seized with ache. He could almost feel it shattering into pieces.

"Estel?" Thranduil's voice was thick with sorrow, "I'm sorry. I have gone for your aid too late."

"Nay," Aragorn's voice was ragged, a broken murmur, "Perhaps you have chosen aid from a wrong source, milord. He loves another – aye, he told me such. His love no longer lingers with me." He's face was paling with every word he spoke, and his voice was devoid of passion, it sounded … dead. Had that not being my utmost fears?

"Be that what Legolas has told you, Estel?" Thranduil was suddenly angered to a light degree, his gaze upon the young ranger never wavered. "A fool that is my son! Can you not see, Estel, that he lies? He has long ago given you his heart, and he cannot take it back. It is a gift of which is eternal. He had spent long days suffering without you by his side, and he prepares to leave Middle Earth – he spoke of such when he wanders in his dreams. Never doubt his love, Isildur's heir. Never."

Aragorn looked up to the old king of Mirkwood with shining eyes, but he did not raise his hope in fear it would be taken from him too pitiless, "I do not doubt him, milord, it is myself whom I doubt. He deserves much better than the likes of me, for all I can give him are false promises and…" He choked upon his last word, "death."

"Nay Estel," Thranduil's voice was soft as his eyes strayed towards his fading son, "You give him hope."

*

Legolas POV

Darkness.

It was all around me – nothing but darkness. Where was the light within the dark?

I turn, in circles I walked unknown of my destination.

Where am I?

And all of a sudden I see a stray of beam in the far way distant. It had being so faint, I could've sworn it was but a trick of my eyes. Yet I stared at it, unblinking, and it did not disappear.

Slowly, I begun walked towards it. And with every step I took the outline of a figure at the other end of the light grew sharper. He had striking elven features, of the Silvan bred.

"Haldir!" I gasped, the figure was no other than the very same warrior who had fallen at the battle of Helms Deep, the fierce war against the works of Saruman.

"Legolas." He acknowledged me with a haughty voice too familiar to my ears, and it brought the truest smile upon my face for the longest of time. Ah, how I dearly missed his presence. He was everything to me.

"Am I to follow you to the Halls of Mandos?" I asked, almost a little hopeful. He had not changed one bit…just as he was in my memory, to the very last twinkle of his eyes.

"Nay, mellon nin (my friend). You wander now between darkness and the light." He stared at me, what was that expression upon his clear-featured face? I could not read it as I used to.

"I do not understand."

"Then you will, when our time ends here." He sounded as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, alas, why must he talk with such riddles.

He turned rather swiftly, a nod of his head bid me to follow his lead. Obediently, I trailed behind his soundless steps, allowing the flowing question to subdue themselves, holding my tongue and speaking of nothing -  for I knew the answer would give me naught save more confusion.

The scene began to transform around us, the darkness faded into white, and white into colours; silence changed into the beautiful chirping of birds and singings of rivers and trees. As we picked up on our paces in our endless walk, the world began to spin. I was sure I was flying…

"Look at me, mellon nin." Haldir called to me in a small whisper.

I locked my eyes upon his handsome face.

"You are beautiful Legolas." He said, like he did many times before.

"Do you remember when we first met? I thought my eyes had being cheated by some spell – no elf could be more beautiful than I!" He laughed lightly, not breaking our contact. I wondered what expression showed on my face: was it surprise? Or perhaps knowing?

"I love you, you know that."

I nodded numbly, and in a rusty voice I choked upon my words, "I loved you too."

"I know." His lips curled faintly, there was the slightest pause before he continued, "Tell me, meldanya (my beloved), did you truly loved me as a lover and no else?" His voice was gentle and soft, his gaze rested like burning blaze on my face, his eyes were the likes of a hawk, and I knew immediately I could not lie to him. Yet the lie was far more comforting than truth, and I had no choice.

"Aye… I did… a long time ago." I unlocked our firm stare, fastening my sight to his lips instead. I had not the heart to tell him I had only ever loved him as a friend and no more, for Estel stirred in me the passion and lust he could not. He needn't know that, he mustn't.

"Legolas…"

"Believe me, Haldir." I almost pleaded.

"I do." He murmured, pulling me close to him and stroking my hair just as how he used to. I closed my eyes and allowed a sigh escape my lips, relieved.

[Flashback]

"The dwarf breathes so loud we could've shot him in the dark." Came a proud voice, a figure appeared from amidst the silvan elves, his head held high.

"Haldir." Legolas whispered upon recognizing the elf, his chest tightened.

"Haldir o Lórien. Henion aníron, boe ammen i dulu lîn. Boe ammen veriad lîn. (Haldir of Lorien, we come here for help. We need your protection.)" Said Aragorn.

"Aragorn, these woods are perilous! We must go back!" Gimli cried, uncomprehending of Aragorn's elvish words.

"You have entered the realm of the Lady of the Wood. You cannot go back. Come, she is waiting." Haldir directed his words at the dwarf, choosing to ignore the man. He had seen the way Legolas' eyes trailed towards the ranger, of love and lust mixed into one.

He tried to mask it, but his eyes are his very own traitors.

And Haldir could feel the jealousy and envy burning within him…

[End of flashback]

"I hated Aragorn," Haldir sighed, his hands now upon my cheeks as he caressed them, "I was envious of him. I could see it in your eyes, Legolas; your love for him runs deep."

"I know." He flinched at my words. "I'm sorry…"

"Shh," His hands left my face and reached for my hands, "Do not be, my elf. Open your eyes."

I didn't obey him; it felt good just to lose myself once more in his embrace. I did not want to face reality. Never again. "Open your eyes for me, Legolas." He prodded me gently.

"Lorien!" I heard myself gasp with surprise as I peered at him through an eye, for now Haldir and I no longer stood within a void, but beneath the golden leaves of Caras Galadhon where we first met. "Nay Haldir – you have learnt wizardry!"

"Bless the Valar, nay!" He laughed. "T's merely a trick of our minds. Come and sit with me under the Mellryns of Lorien."

"Our mind?" I was at lost. "Do you mean to say this is but a fickle imagination? But it seems too real. Alas, the day comes when my elven eyes are cheated by craft."

Haldir smiled. "Come, my little elf."

"Tell me, little one, why are you fading? …Why are you here?" He pulled me close the second I sat down, drawing me into his hug. His breath was hot on my neck.

I looked anywhere but where his eyes searched mine for an answer – I could give him none. "I do not know."

"But you must know that Aragorn ails because of thee?"

"Aye, but he has Arwen, Haldir. Arwen is akin to him, and I am not. I should not keep them apart, mellon nin, him and I … it was stolen love… he was destined to be with the evenstar. Only her beauty and wisdom deserves him. Our love will fade, Haldir, men are weak, they cannot withstand the trail of time." I sounded rather as though I was convincing even myself.

He didn't speak for a second. I wished the silence would last. It did not. "Aragorn is no mere men. He dwelled among the elves for many years."

"But he is mortal," I argued, against myself or him I didn't know. "A mortal's blood runs in his veins."

Pause.

"What does your heart tell you, prince?"

I lowered my eyes, what does my heart tell me? "That he needs me."

"Listen to your heart, Legolas, it seldom leads you astray."

"Then this is one time when it will."

I could hear him sigh beside me, frustrated.

"I have long forgotten the beauty of the golden leaves of Lorien." He said out of nowhere, his eyes gazing above us in wonder. Surprised, I followed his orbs, only to find myself staring into a pair of the most intense gray eyes. Aragorn.

"By the Valar…" I whispered, "Aragorn?"

The sky above darkened as I saw Aragorn before Gondor, many thousands of men behind him, bearing swords and shields, wearing armours and helmets. What madness is this? 

He charged towards the enemies, they were men. Men? Lost in the fierce battle cries, I could see his face radiate of determination and power, yet there was something amiss in his eyes – I could not place it, it was just horribly wrong. Within minutes his sword was stained of bloody red, I almost smiled; he was indeed a true warrior. I followed his eyes as he scanned the battlefield; the light was dim in his eyes at the sight of many fallen men. My vision, however, fell to a man meters from him, close enough to strike. He had not yet realized the peril he was in, and obliviously aimed his sword at another, pace dangerously slow. "Watch out!" I cried.

Was it because he heard me or pure coincidence, he turned just as the man aimed his sword at him. There was hope yet though, had Aragorn only leapt aside he would've being out of harm's way. But Aragorn did not move. I meant to scream at him, had I not being so horrified. He stood still with a light smile upon his weary face as the sword plunged into his chest. He was smiling. Smiling. There, time seemed to pause.

I watched as he fell to his knees in one graceful movement, his hands were limp by his side. His faint smile still graced upon his lips.

"Legolas." I heard him whisper my name ever so softly. My heart leapt.

His eyes collapsed…his body sank onto the ground…his spirit was no longer. Yet even as he died he was smiling. Still smiling.

"Nay…" I whimpered. "Please Haldir, this cannot be the future? He has the age thrice those of normal man. He cannot … die."

He touched my face, bidding me to look at him. "Do you not understand?"

I shook my head.

"You cannot leave him now, Legolas." His eyes were earnest "Did you not hear him? He calls for you as he faded from Middle Earth. His hopes and happiness had left with you – he was empty without you. If you leave now, the line of Isuildur will be no more. Gondor will be no more. It is not yet your time."

The last of his words were echoes.

I felt his warmth leaving me, the world was fading again. "Haldir!"

"Listen to your heart, my elf. Follow it." His voice was by my ear, but he was gone.

Blackness enveloped me.

And I cherished it.  

~*~

Notes: After watching the Lord of the Rings trilogy in cinemas over the weekends. You can just imagine how high I am over Legolas/Aragorn at the moment. ^_^ Sitting there for 10 hours in the cinemas… and it was only them that kept me awake in the end. Anyhow, does anyone know when the Return of the King DVD is going to be out? The one containing the Blooper Reel of Legolas/Aragorn scene with Hungry Eyes songs? And the whole 3-DVD pack. =P LoL, cannot wait. Updated chapter in celebration of release of Pirates of Carribean DVD special Edition =P