Disclaimer: Don't own anything.

Please, please review. Got two towers game, so I have been playing with Elf lots. If people want me to spend more time fantasizing and writing instead of killing Orcs and Uruk-hai, review =)

A/N: Happens night before the council at Gondor Castle. This chapter is written differently since I happen to be obsessing over this song at the moment. So it will have a soundtrack at the beginning to set the tone and parts of the song will be used at appropriate times of the story later on =) It's called Only Love by Trademark; I am just so completely in love with it and I think it fits the story so well.. so please bear with me.

Song lyrics //..........//

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// 2am and the rain is falling; here we are at the crossroads once again. You're telling me you're so confused, you can't make up your mind. Is this meant to be, you're asking me. //

// But only love can say, try again or walk away. But I believe for you and me, the sun will shine one day. So I just play my part; pray you'll have a change of heart. But I can't make you see it through; there's something only love can do. //

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Chapter 5: Change of Hearts

NIGHT 7, GONDOR

It was early evening when the Hobbits arrived at Minas Tirith along with the company from Rivendell. The wizard had anticipated that Elessar would send for the little ones and waited for them on the Great Forest Road before heading to Gondor. He knew it would speed up the Halflings journey if they rode on horseback with the Elves. They rode hard from Imladris and reached the Human city in only four days with the help of their Elven horses. Even Èomer was impressed with their great speed. The King of the Mark was very interested in seeing their mounts; but given the pressing situation, he knew he would have to wait another day.

Over dinner, Aragorn briefed his allies on the situation at hand. He told them everything about his short dream-encounter with Glorgalad, but was careful to leave out his feelings for the Golden Elf. It was not appropriate to discuss such things with his wife and her entire family present. The King of Mirkwood remained silent, understanding that Legolas was a subject to be discussed only between himself and Elessar.

As the Man finished, Gandalf spoke, "From your description, a reincarnated Tirn Uipira is much like the Istari and Maia, a spirit made flesh to walk the Middle Earth. Morn-ndúath is like Sauron and Saruman, only more powerful."

"What our enemy is doesn't matter as much as where he is. How can we possible find someone when we don't even know what he looks like?" asked Frodo, looking expectantly at the Lady Galadriel.

"I tried using my magic to discover the identity of the enemy, but he is too strong. I cannot break his shield," answered the Lady of the Woods sadly.

"Perhaps with the powers of all three Elven rings combined, we could counter his defenses," suggested Aragorn.

"The Rings are not meant to be used together; each of them have its own characteristics and a different power," said Galadriel, shaking her head sadly.

"Then this discussion is pointless; there is nothing we can do!" cried Gimli. Patience had never been the Dwarf's strong suit.

"I will not give up hope just yet. Perhaps Aragorn's friend will be able to help us more," said the wizard.

"But Aragorn said he hasn't seen him in the past six days. What if he has told us everything already?" inquired Èomer.

"Rest assured that he will visit my King again," said Faramir with a cryptic smile.

The Man in question was beginning to feel uncomfortable. He did not know how his Steward could be so sure that Legolas would come to him again; not to mention he disliked the other Man's tone. He did not want his companions to suspect there was more to his dreams than important business.

"Well, I see there is not much more we can do tonight. I suggest we rest now and meet again in the morning. Maybe Aragorn would be able to communicate with this Eternal Watcher again in his dreams," said Lord Elrond.

The council members were more than happy to take the Elf-Lord's suggestions. They were all weary from their journey. They knew they must rest to regain their strength. They would need to be refreshed and prepared if they were to stand a chance against their new foe.

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Aragorn was having difficult sleeping. He wanted to enter the realm of dreams as soon as possible. He hoped that Legolas would come to him tonight. They needed more information if they were to have any chance of succeeding. It was knowledge that only the Watcher could provide. Yet, the stress of the past few days was keeping him awake, making him toss and turn.

You are afraid to sleep, aren't you? Afraid that your lover has finally abandoned you; that no matter what you do, he will not come back to your dreams again. taunted a small voice in his head.

In answer to the taunt, a different part of him retorted, I need to see him for information, nothing more. There is nothing between us now. Nothing at all..

Aragorn knew that if this continued, he would never get a wink of sleep. The Man never thought he would resort to this, but he left his bed and headed for the medicine chest. Aragorn took a vile of clear green liquid from the cabinet and emptied its contents into his mouth. He hurried back into bed and was lucky to make it there before the sleeping potion began to numb his senses. The Man barely had time to lie down and pull back the covers when his eyelids grew heavy as lead. Within a minute, he fell into the deepest of slumber.

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NIGHT 8, DREAMWORLD

Aragorn stood alone on a small bridge overseeing a waterfall. The mists, the small rainbows, the golden twilight...The Man knew he was in Rivendell. It was the night that Arwen offered to bind herself to him. He recalled firmly refusing to take the pendant that signified her immortality; but it was strange how he could not think of why. Aragorn had assumed that it was because he was not sure if he could return to her alive from the Quest. That would explain his change of heart after Sauron was defeated. Yet, he could not help feeling it had something to do with Legolas. It would be the only reason why he could not remember.

The Man's head was on the verge of hurting from his efforts to summon more memories when Legolas appeared in front of him. If possible, the Prince looked even more stunning now than in their first meeting. Light from the Elf illuminated the misty scene. The soft glow cast a golden hue onto expressive azure eyes as they regarded the Man with love and longing, turning those exquisite sapphires into glistening emeralds. His green velvet shirt and leggings complemented the Prince's eyes perfectly while providing contrast to highlight his porcelain skin and unbound flaxen hair. Aragorn stood frozen in his admiration of this golden beauty, eyes captured by the Watcher's loving gaze. For what seemed an eternity, the two regarded each other in silence, reveling in each other's company before Legolas began to sing.

//In your arms as the dawn was breaking; face to face, yet a thousand miles apart. I've tried my best to make you see, there's hope beyond the pain, if we give enough, if we learn to trust. //

// But only love can say, try again or walk away. But I believe, for you and me, the sun will shine one day. So I just played my part, pray you'll have a change of heart. But I can't make you see it through; that's something only love can do. //

The sadness in the Elf's golden voice was tearing Aragorn apart. He knew Legolas was singing to him, pleading him to give their love another chance. The Man in him wanted to hold the Prince and say his love would never changed, regardless of what had happened. Elessar the King knew he had duties to his family and people. He could not indulge in this fantasy, these forgotten emotions, even if it was true love.

Aragorn knew things could not continue this way. It was unfair to both of them. They must settle what was between them in the past and move on. Besides, the situation with the dark sorcerer was pressing. They could not afford to waste time being immobilized by personal issues each time they meet.

"Legolas, tell me what our past relationship was and why I cannot remember you," inquired the King. The truth was that seeing Legolas had weakened the Man's resolve to keep things formal with the Prince. Aragorn wanted to know their past before he made his final judgment.

Glorgalad was very surprised when the Man called him by his Elven name. A dash of hope raced through him. Maybe his love would remember everything given time. They could not be physically together again, but the Watcher would not mind creating a dreamworld nightly where they could meet and talk, or join in the ways of the Tirn Uipira.

The young Prince smiled as he explained, "More than three thousand years ago, I angered my father, the king of the Eternal Watchers. As punishment, I was sentenced to be reincarnated in Middle Earth without my powers. Glorgalad, Prince of the Tirn Uipira, became Legolas, Crown Prince of Mirkwood. We met during your first visit to Mirkwood and fell in love almost at first sight."

The Golden Prince stopped to steal a glance at his beloved. He had hoped more memories would resurface in the Man when his beloved listened to his tale. But Aragorn's face showed no emotions or expression. The Watcher was gifted in reading people's hearts, but for once, he could not sense anything from his beloved. Troubled, Glorgalad continued.

"During the War of the Rings, we found ourselves trapped and significantly outnumbered in Minas Tirith. Orcs were close to breaching our defenses. If they were to sack the city, everyone would be slaughtered. The army of Gondor decided to make a last stand in the fields outside the gates, hoping to draw the foul creatures further away from the city walls. I sensed that something terrible would happen if we carried out our plans; but my feelings alone could not convince our allies to change their course of action."

"That was when my father, Alagos, approached me. He told me my true identity and that what I sensed would come to pass without his help. In exchange for his assistance, I must give up being Legolas and return with him to the Realm of the Tirn Uipira. I had no choice but to accept. I could not risk Middle Earth falling into darkness. My father planted the compulsion in Elrohir's mind to come to your aid. After the war was won, I carried out my end of the bargain. What I did not expect was the extreme measures Father took after my return. He wiped out everyone's memories of me. It was as if Legolas had never existed on Middle Earth," finished the golden Prince sadly.

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Aragorn studied the Watcher as he tried to remember the events Glorgalad described, but to no avail. Though the feelings of love and loss filled his heart, no memories returned. The Man suspected it would be fruitless to pursue these lost recollections. After hearing their story, Aragorn knew his decision; he must end what should have ended eleven years ago. If Legolas was willing to sacrifice their love to protect Middle Earth, he too must stop his foolish fantasies for the sake of his Kingdom and family.

"Legolas, I believe you told the truth. But I cannot remember you, except for your name and some hazy images of our time together. My heart yearns for you, but I cannot truly love someone I do not know. Without my memories, I simply do not know you anymore. Please understand," said the King quietly.

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Glorgalad nodded numbly. He should never have lifted his hopes so high. He knew the Man had a loving wife and adorable children. He should have known that the King would not return his love. Besides, he could offer the Man nothing, not even a soft kiss or a warm embrace. The Watcher could not believe he was naïve enough to think they could still be together. He was glad that Aragorn had spoken so bluntly to rid him of his delusions. The Prince swore he would leave their love in the past. He would never try to win the Man's heart again.

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Watching the pain on the Golden Prince's face, a small part of Aragorn could not help wondering if he had made a mistake. But what was done was in the past, as was their relationship. The Man knew he did not have time to lose if they were to find a way to defeat Morn-ndúath.

"Legolas, even if we are no longer lovers, we are allies. I am sure we will become friends one day. A council has gathered in Gondor. We are ready to act against the evil Watcher, but we need to know how we can find him," said Aragorn, breaking the agonizing silence.

"There is a crystal, much like the palantir, that has the power to see all things in Middle Earth. Great magic will be required to use it. If the three Elven Rings are placed upon it, the energy will be enough to power the crystal for one vision. It is hidden in the forest beyond the Sea of Rhûn. Fierce monsters guard its hiding place. None who sought it had ever lived to tell the tale," replied the Watcher.

"We will find it, Legolas. And we will stop the evil one, I promise," said the Man.

"Thank you. And be careful," whispered the Watcher as all faded into darkness.

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NIGHT SEVEN, GONDOR

Aragorn awoke with a start at the abrupt ending of the dream. Something was wrong; he could feel it. Every fiber of his being was on alert, listening for sounds of potential enemies. There was nothing to be heard for the night was eerily quiet. If the danger is not here, that means... Legolas!

Though the Man had broken up with the Prince, he felt his heart stopped at that thought. It took several minutes before Aragorn managed to calm himself. The evil sorcerer is on Middle Earth. Legolas should be safe within his own realm.

Aragorn knew he must stop worrying about the golden beauty so much. They were allies. He must trust that the Prince could care for himself. His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on his door.

The Man knew it must have been one of his Elven friends since he did not hear any footsteps approaching. He did not even have time to fully open the door when his wife rushed into his chambers and embraced him.

"Estel, I cannot stop thinking about the discussion at dinner. I am so worried about you. I don't know what I will do without you," sobbed Arwen.

"Don't worry, dearest. I can look after myself. Besides, I have many friends who will look out for me. Things will be fine. I promise I will always be there to protect you, for as long as I live," comforted the Man.

"I love you, Estel," whispered the Elven Lady as she pressed closer to her husband.

Aragorn knew his wife needed the comfort of his love tonight. He was glad to provide it, as he too needed her love. The relationship between Legolas and him was finally laid to rest. He had given up on the dreams that once gave him solace. In exchange, the Man was granted freedom from the heartbreak and guilt that plagued him all these years. From now on, he would love Arwen and Arwen alone. This would be the first night Aragorn and his wife spent together without someone else in between. The Man would do his best to make it a night to remember for both of them.

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Choice of scene of Dream World will become clear in next chapter

I think song fits because they are face to face yet in two separate worlds; and Legolas is silently waiting for Aragorn to trust his heart and love him again =) Either way, this song is currently my favorite ever, since I am author.... it belongs here!!

In response to reviews:

lolo: I live in California; but I am not originally from there. I am actually not a native English speaker; Chinese is my first language.

Rings of Saturn and anonymous reviewer: Cannot comment to your reviews since I don't want to give spoilers. All I will say is that at this point, Prince of Dreams will be a two-part story unless I get poor reader response; in which case, I will leave things at the end of part one. So in a way, the fate of our favorite couple in this story is in the reviewers' hands.

Nina: I actually like long reviews. Especially since they help me figure out what I am doing right or wrong, so I can slightly modify later chapters. And for this particular story, it's even more important since things are not as planned out my other serious fictions.