I'm very sorry bout the mistakes. Hopefully this will be mistake-free :)

Ch 3

In the two years since becoming King, Aragorn had never felt more alone. It would soon be his and Arwen's anniversary yet he felt no joy at the thought. Every time he looked at the Evenstar, his thoughts wandered to Legolas. Aragorn had not seen or had news of the prince since the day of his marriage and he was beyond worried. His grief was building inside of him at the thought of never seeing the fair headed Elf again.

Aragorn had had many things to occupy his mind since that day and so it was only in rare moments during the waking hours that he could actually allow Legolas into his thoughts. Unfortunately, at night there was nothing to stop the flood of memories.

Arwen was at the present, almost nine months pregnant. Aragorn was glad that he would have an heir but the joy he felt did nothing to dim the pain of his heart.

Arwen had long ago known that she did not hold all of the king's heart. On their wedding night, a few hours after sleep had fallen on them, Arwen had woken to the slight tremors of her husband. It was only a few moments before she realised that he was crying.

"Melanin?"        

Aragorn quietened at her voice.

"I am fine Melisse. I merely had a bad dream. Go back to sleep and all will be well in the day."

Arwen lay still so as to pretend to be sleeping. Eventually she heard Aragorn begin to slumber but as he did, she caught his last few whispered words.

"Namaarie Ilfirin a'melamin."

Sleep did not come to the Queen that night.

For two years she played the part of King Elessar's wife. She still loved him but now her decision not to give up her immortality seemed a good one. She had not told Aragorn of her decision to leave him but it now seemed as if he would not actually care. As soon as her son was weened, she would leave for Valinor.

***

Aragorn was sitting in the great hall when it was announced that a visitor from afar had come to visit him. He bade them enter and was astonished to find Gimli bought in. He got up slowly and embraced his friend.

"Gimli, what brings you to my halls? I did not expect to lay my eyes on you for some months."

"Aragorn, it is good to see you. I was passing this way and I decided to drop in."

"One does not simply pass by Minias Tirith my friend. Where are you off to?"

"In truth I am on my way to Mirkwood but I thought I might pass through here to see how you and the lady are fairing."

"We are well. Arwen is mere weeks possibly days away from giving birth."

"Is that so? Well would you have the room to spare an extra guest till this day arrives? I would love to know first hand who the heir of Gondor will be. I could then take the news to Mirkwood."

"Your presence will be welcome. Come and we shall make room for you before supper."

The two friends walked through the halls of the palace in comfortable silence. Gimli kept glancing at Aragorn who seemed to be in deep thought.

"How…" Aragorn began but faltered as if trying to find the words, "You said you were travelling to Mirkwood. I have not been there in a while, how is it?"

Gimli smiled and a knowing smile lit his face.

"He is well Aragorn. His father is preparing to leave for Valinor and is leaving the kingdom to Legolas' care."

"He will soon be king." Aragorn mused.

"And a fine king he will make."

"Of that I have no doubt." Aragorn assured him.

"I am surprised that you have not talked in so long. You have known each other for a very long time."

"Since I was a small child. He was my best friend aside from my brothers of course. He taught me my skills with an arrow and I taught him with a blade. We hardly went a single year without meeting. He was there when I first learnt my heritage and he comforted me. I do want to see him but lately I have been weary, I can only ride for a day before becoming tired. I do not know what the matter is but until I am well, I do not want to leave."

Aragorn showed the dwarf his room and told him to freshen up and someone would call him when dinner was to be served. He then wandered around his home till he came to a small area where only the king and queen were allowed. The only other time another person was allowed to enter was when they had leave from the king.

Aragorn sat and closed his eyes and for once, let his memories take him.

***

"LEGOLAS!"

The cry rang out all over Imladris. Everywhere, elves stopped what they were doing to try and determine what was going on. Legolas was down on the archery field when he heard the call. He dropped his arrow and ran back toward the palace. Once he got to the main gardens, he found that a lot of the elves were staring at him. He shrugged so as to tell them he did not know what the matter was. Moments later, Estel ran into the clearing and upon spotting his friend he charged up to him.

"How long have we been friends?" Estel asked him.

"Many years melon-nin."

"How long?" Estel demanded.

Legolas was confused but he obliged to the humans questions.

"You are twenty yes? Well then we have been friends for sixteen years."

"And in those sixteen years, have you ever kept a secret from me?"

Legolas' eyes widened in surprise. His thoughts surged back to three weeks previous during Estel's first archery lesson. He mentally shook himself; there was no way that Estel could be talking about that incident.

"How do you mean secret?"

"Do not play a fool Legolas, it does not suit you."

Elves had begun to gather around. An argument was rare in Imladris, at least an argument that didn't involve Elrond and is twin sons and an argument between the human and Legolas was unheard of.

"Melon-nin, if you told me what was troubling you then maybe I can help."

"Who am I?" Estel asked.

"You are Estel. Hope."

"And who gave me that name?"

"Lord Elrond. You know all this Estel; I don't understand what has made you so mad."

"Who was my father? And *don't* say Elrond." Legolas sighed. He knew now what the problem was.

"So you have been told."

"Told, told what? I mean what about my past could possibly be a secret." Estel raged, "I mean apart from EVERYTHING!"

"Estel." Legolas tried to approach him but the man stepped back, his eyes blazing with green fire.

"Don't come near me. I don't know you anymore."

"Estel?"

"DON'T CALL ME THAT!"

"What do you wish to be called if not by your name?"

"Estel is not my name. But you knew that. You knew I was called Aragorn yet you never told me."

"Est…Aragorn, We were not permitted to tell you of who you were. Your life would have been in more danger than it already was. You came to Rivendell so that you would be kept safe."

"Safe from whom? I don't understand. All my life I have grown up with a father who I love, brothers and sisters and the best friend that anyone could have. But none of it was real because it is not who I am. I am meant to be a King of a great race but I have never known anything but the life of the elves."

Aragorn's heart went out to the elf. His whole world had turned upside down and all Legolas wanted to do was help. But he could not bear to look at him. For the first time in his life he felt betrayed and the fact that that feeling came from the two people he loved the most was more than he could bear.

Aragorn turned from his friend and ran. The elves that had gathered moved quickly out of the way. He ran to the edge of Imladris and climbed a tree there. It was not unusual for him to do this and only one person knew exactly where it was that he hid. Sure enough, a few moments later, Legolas climbed the tree and sat on his branch opposite the man.

"I know you are feeling hurt Estel and I am sorry that there is nothing that I can do for your pain. But you must believe me when I say that pain was the last thing I wanted to bring you."

"What else about myself don't I know?"

"What did Elrond tell you?"

"He told me that I am descended from a great king and that I am the last of that bloodline. Only I can sit on the throne in Gondor."

"He tells the truth. You are Dúnedan."

"A man of the west."

"Yes. And your father was one before you. You are descended from Elros, Elrond's brother."

"Brother!" Estel looked at Legolas in surprise.

"Yes, when the time came, Elros chose mortality while Elrond chose Immortality. Elendil was Elros' son. Elendil became king and his son Isildur took his place after."

"I know that. It is written in the journals of Elrond and the history of Middle-Earth. Elrond said that I can wield the sword of Elendil. Yet it was broken."

"it's time will come, as will yours. Estel there was a reason that your father chose to name you Estel, it means hope. You will one day give hope to men."

"I do not want this burden, this power."

"You may not want it yet it is yours none the less. There will be times of trial before you melonin but in all that there will be one thing that will reman unchanged."

"What?"

"me. I will always fight by you and be there for you whenever you may need me."

Estel looked his friend in the eye and let a small tear run down his cheek.

"I am scared Legolas. I do not know what is to come and more so now, I am afraid of what the future will bring. Please never leave me because I do not think I will be able to face the world alone. Elrond wants me to go to Gondor and reclaim the throne but I can not."

Estel broke down and Legolas reached out and pulled the man to him.

"I understand melon-nin and I will be with you till the end of your time."

Legolas kissed the mans head and held him close as he cried into Legolas' cloak.

***

Aragorn wiped away the tears that were threatening to spill from his eyes.

"You made a promise and you didn't keep it." He whispered into the night. Suddenly his eyes jolted open as a warm hand touched his cheek. He looked up to find Arwen watching him.

"Arwen. What is the matter?"

"It is time for supper Aragorn. You did not come so I came to find you."

"Oh I am sorry. I must have fallen asleep and did not hear the call."

Aragorn pulled her down to sit next to him.

"How are you feeling? Is there anything I can get you?"

"I am fine." She told him with a smile.

"May I ask a question of you?" he asked.

"What is on your mind?" She answered.

"I was just wondering if you were going to leave so soon after the baby is born or will you wait for your father?"

Arwen stood up in shock.

"How did…?"

"It is okay Arwen, I do not judge you. I have known for a while that you did not give up your immortality."

"How did you know?"

"For everything that you have said, there was one thing that did not change."

Aragorn held out the Evenstar pendant that was around his neck. If anything, the gem glowed brighter than ever before.

"the Evenstar did not fade even a little, which is what would have happened had you forsaken the immortal life. You may have missed the boat to Valinor when you were meant to sail but there is still one more boat to set off that you may take. All you will need is this."

Aragorn took off the pendant and handed it back to her. As he did Arwen began to feel the elder stir in her again

"I love you Arwen and I know that you love me but I also know that in your heart, you do wish to go into the west. Do not deny it."

"I don't deny that my heart has longed for the sea."

"And I know that you will go, all that is to be decided is when."

Arwen drew her hand across his face and over his cheek.

"I am sorry, yet I do not think that you will be greatly troubled by my departure."

"Nor will you."

Arwen nodded and smiled at him.

"I will leave when our child is born. I do not wish to wait for my father. There is a ship that will sale out with a few from Mirkwood. I will go with them. I love you Aragorn Elessar and I am glad that I can give you what you have wanted, a child to become your heir."

"I have desired this melanin. Hannon le."

They embraced and Arwen smiled.

"Let us now go to supper."

Aragorn got up and followed Arwen to the door. He looked back to the night sky and the stars that dotted it.

"I will never have what I desire." He spoke sadly.

Melanin? – My Love?

Melisse – Lover (f)

Namaarie Ilfirin a'melamin. – Farewell my immortal love.

Melon-nin – my friend

Estel – hope

Hannon le. – Thank you

Thank you to these people who reviewed to Ch 2.

- silvertoekey and legolas19: I completely agree with you

- Lady-Star3: No I don't have a Beta but if someone is willing then let me know

- Lady-Willowish: Will do

- Jadesaber: I'm glad ur interested

- Forsaken^On3: thanks heaps

- Britt Davis: Thankyou anyway

- Silverhope2001: Thank you

:)