Author's note: I am back, and ready to continue this story. Thanks, everyone, who reviewed the last chapter, it was great to come back to your comments!

Read and enjoy!

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Chapter 23 – To Make A Choice

Three months later.

Elrond looked up from the paper work he was dealing with when he heard the clutter of hooves in the courtyard. He went to the balcony and saw that it was the twins, Estel and Legolas returning from a ride they had taken this day. It was a sunny day, the air clear and crisp after a heavy snowfall during the night. The four friends had decided to embark on a wintry outing, and by the looks on their faces and animated gestures, had enjoyed the experience.

After Estel's and Legolas' arrival in Imladris, the twins had returned to their regular duties and Legolas had resumed the patrol duties and training with Glorfindel. The warriors had been glad to see him and had given him a warm welcome. Legolas had found it surprisingly easy to slip back into life in Imladris.

Estel's recovery had been slow. It had taken many weeks before he had regained his strength and full health, and even now, after mid-winter, he was still thinner than he should be for a human his age. Legolas had spent most of his free time with Estel, making sure that he ate and rested sufficiently. Contrary to previous occasions, Estel had followed his father's instructions without too many complaints, for Elrond a clear sign that his foster son had been very ill indeed.

Silently the elf-lord had blessed Legolas many times. Elrond had no doubt that without the prince's presence, Estel's recovery would have been much slower still. On the first day after his arrival, Elrond had taken Legolas aside and had filled him in on what had happened to Estel and the possible consequences of the illness that the young man had contracted. He had also told his son's partner that for the next few weeks they would have to take things easy, and in particular to wait for Estel to make the first move towards making love. Legolas had promised (and Elrond had no doubt he would keep that promise) to wait for Estel to indicate that he was ready to be intimate again.

Elrond had been deeply moved by the concern and care that both his twin sons and Legolas had shown for Estel. Between them, they had made sure he ate all that he needed, took his herbal mixtures and had sufficient opportunities to rest. They also devised a system of keeping Estel occupied until he was able to be up and about again.

Legolas spent much time simply sitting with Estel, often reading in a chair next to the bed when Estel slept. Once Elrond had asked him why he did that, rather then finding something else to do when Estel rested.

"I have missed being with Estel so much, simply being able to look at him is important to me. I do not know for how long we will be separated again, I am trying to savour every moment we have together."

Later Estel told Elrond that it had been the knowledge that Legolas was with him whenever he could possibly be there that he knew that very little had changed between them. To him, it showed that Legolas loved him as much as he had done before Estel's time with the rangers.

Slowly, weeks later, Estel had now almost regained his full strength. As Elrond watched the four young people riding into the courtyard, he thought gratefully that this healthy looking young man with the sparkling grey eyes bore very little resemblance to the very ill young ranger Halbarad had brought to Imladris. For the time being, Estel had abandoned the rangers' garb and had returned to wearing his familiar elvish clothing. His hair had grown long enough to be tied back in the neck. Altogether, he looked much like the Estel who had left Imladris almost a year ago.

And yet there were changes. Estel, who was now called Aragorn by the rangers, had matured. Physically, his face had lost the last traces of boyishness, and despite having lost weight, his shoulders had broadened. Much to his annoyance, he now also had to shave everyday to keep his facial hair at bay.

Estel had learned to keep his thoughts and emotions much more to himself, and to hide them from others. For anyone not knowing the young man well, he had become much more difficult to read. Initially, he only opened up to Legolas about his time with the rangers, but gradually he also talked about it with Elrond and the twins.

It was not only Estel who had matured in the past year. Legolas, too, was still young enough for a year to bring some changes. The prince had not changed physically, he was just as graceful and beautiful as ever, but he, too, had matured. It was obvious to Elrond that something had changed between Legolas and his father. For the first time in all the years he had been coming to Imladris, Legolas had asked for permission to send regular messages home. Elrond had gladly given his consent. Legolas also appeared more confident and, and much more ready to smile and talk to others. Elrond thought that Legolas would always be somewhat quiet and reserved, but he was much less likely to withdraw into aloofness than he had been a year ago.

Elrond also noticed changes in the way Estel and Legolas interacted. The separation seemed to have deepened their relationship rather than loosened it. The young man and the elven prince had always been committed to each other, but after eight months apart, followed by Estel's recovery period, their affection for each other seemed to be as deep as it had been before, perhaps more so. But Elrond also noticed that as time went by, there was increasing physical tension between the two. Knowing that Legolas would not break his promise, Elrond decided to speak to Estel if the issue did not resolve itself soon.

Whilst all of these thoughts were going through Elrond's mind, the four young people in the courtyard had dismounted and taken their horses to the stables.

After everyone had eaten and changed into more comfortable clothes, Elrond, the twins, Estel and Legolas settled down to an evening of relaxation. Everyone occupied their favourite chairs or couches. Elrohir was working on some sketches he had started earlier, Elladan and Legolas were reading, Estel was dozing, leaning against Legolas, and Elrond had tackled some long overdue letters. The only sounds to be heard were the quiet crackling of the fire and the occasional turning of a page or the scratching of Elrohir's coal or Elrond's pen. It was a peaceful, quiet evening.

All of a sudden, Legolas said: "I wish I could have evenings like this at home." There was a lot of wistfulness in his voice.

Elrond looked up. "Do you not have times like this occasionally with your father?"

"Not really. We are now threatened so much by the evil from the South that my father never seems to have has time to stop. There are always reports to hear or to write, patrols to coordinate, warriors' briefs to listen to, quite apart from a King's regular duties."

Elrond regarded the prince for a long while. "I think it may be time for a council between Lady Galadriel in Lothlorien, your father and myself, possibly with Gandalf and Halbarad. Both have much information that would be useful. Have you been to Lothlorien, Legolas?"

"No, I have not been there. I would like to see Calas Caldhorn very much. I have been told much about Lothlorien."

By now, the twins and Estel were following the conversation. "Estel has not been to Lothlorien either. I will attempt to call a council to take place in spring. We can all travel from here and meet up with your father Lothlorien. It would also mean that I could see Arwen again, it has been a long time that I have seen her."

Elrond did not add that Arwen had not taken up his suggestion to come and visit Imladris. But he still wanted to see her, and if she would not come to Rivendell, Elrond decided, he would go and see her in Lothlorien. After all, his pride was worth less to him than his love for his daughter.

"I will contact your father, Legolas, and Galadriel as soon as possible. I know it will not be easy because Galadriel and Thandruil do not like each other. But we need an opportunity to pull together all information that we have, and to see how we can best defend ourselves against the growing shadows in this world."

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Later the same evening. Estel and Legolas had returned to sharing Estel's bed most nights but this far, they had not been intimate. This evening, Estel had cuddled up against Legolas, and both were almost asleep when Estel suddenly said: "Legolas? May I ask you something?"

Legolas was sufficiently surprised by this question that he pulled himself up onto his elbows and tried to see Estel's face in the dark.

"Estel? Is something the matter?"

"Yes, well, no ... I don't know," the young man's voice was hesitant. "Legolas, do you ... do you still find me attractive?"

Legolas sighed. "Of course I do. Why do you ask?"

"We have been back here for several weeks and you have not touched me once ... I mean you have touched me, but not ... I mean, I know I do not look the way I used to... "Estel stopped.

"Oh Estel! I promised your father not to push you and leave the decision to you whether you wanted to be intimate. I thought you did not feel ready after your illness." Then, with a smile that Estel guessed rather than saw, Legolas added: "At times, I have found keeping to my promise quite hard. Did you not notice when we held each other that I still desire you?"

Estel was silent. He had noticed, and had wondered why Legolas held back.

"Estel? How do you feel about me?" Legolas shifted so that he lay facing his partner, even though they could hardly make out each other's faces in the dark.

"I love you as much as I have always done. I would like to make love. " Estel gently ran his fingers over Legolas' face, down his neck and into his sleep tunic.

That night, Estel and Legolas did not sleep much. The next morning, both felt happier and more relaxed than either of them had felt in a long time.

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A few days later, Elrond told all three of his sons and Legolas that Galadriel and Thandruil had agreed to meet in Lothlorien as soon as it could be arranged.

Legolas was amazed at the news, he had not expected his father to agree to this meeting. The situation in Mirkwood must be more serious than he had known. He mentioned this concern to Elrond.

"Do not worry too much, Legolas. Your father may have other reasons for his agreement. In any case, you will not have to wait long to find out. We will leave as soon as the passes are clear. I do not believe this will be long."

TBC. Please review.