"You promised me that you would not do this. How could you break your word?" Aragorn was filled with both mixture and rage as he took in his emaciated husband.

Legolas looked into Aragorn's eyes. "I just wanted to be nice for you." He stated simply.

"Legolas, nice is such an inadequate word to describe you. Much closer to the truth would be that you are beautiful or even perfect. How ever you look, I love you. But this, this is madness. It is obvious you are ill, please let us help you?"

Legolas looked close to tears at Aragorn's words, but did not say a thing. Thranduil pushed every one out of the chamber and left the couple to them selves.

"I am so sorry, Aragorn, so sorry. I must be an awful husband. I am fat and ugly and I would understand if you decided that you did not want to be with me." Legolas whispered.

Aragorn could feel his heart jolt at the quiet words and their heart felt meaning. "Legolas, I could never ever not want to be with you. You, my Prince are the possessor of the soul that entwines with mine and makes life worth living. But to see you starving your self and making your self sick, worries me. More than you can ever know."

Legolas could bare it no longer and tears ran down his face. Sniffing delicately he said. "I do not think we are soul mates, Estel. If we were then all these bad things would not happen. If you had married Arwen as you were meant to do you would have your Happily Ever After by now."

Aragorn frowned this was twice now that Legolas had mentioned that phrase. He could not help but ask. "Why is a fairy tale ending so important to you? Why is it the only thing that matters?"

"Because all I had as an Elfling was fairy stories. When ever I was sad or hurt my family would tell me grand stories about how perfect life was. I have always thought that every one had a Happily Ever After, but now mine seems further and further away from me."

"I love you, Legolas that is all we need. I was never fated to marry Arwen, we are soul mates and I have proof. I knew that you needed me here, I could sense in Rohan that you were in need of my support and my love. I was hungry when you were starving and I lost consciousness when you did. I felt sick when you were and I cried when you did. We are bonded, married, connected how ever way you look at it. No matter how you classify it we are soul mates."

Legolas looked down, still unable to move his limbs. With soft words of encouragement Aragorn gently pulled the tubing from Legolas' nose and wiped the fresh tears that this action caused away. Then he undid the leather straps holding him to the bed. Slipping into the bed next to his husband he pulled Legolas into an embrace. It was not long before they both fell asleep.

Thranduil and Elrond quietly approached the healing chamber that currently held the King and Prince. They had moved Legolas here so that he could close to both healers and herbs if the need arose. Not fully sure what to expect they were surprised to find both Royals sleeping. They were both curled around each other and looked incredibly peaceful.

"Legolas seems better already. Just having Aragorn here is improving his health." Elrond commented.

Thranduil could only nod his agreement before saying. "I can not believe that I was against Legolas marrying when I first heard of there relationship. They are perfect for each other."

Elrond agreed with the last sentiment. There hushed conversation woke Aragorn. Seeing his foster father and father in law watching him he smiled and extended his greetings.

"Good morning, Ada, could you do something for me? Send for food from the kitchen, something light but nourishing. Oh and see if they have any strawberries?"

"I do not think strawberries are a good idea, Ion-nin." Elrond went on to tell the story of what Legolas had done the last time he was presented with strawberries.

Aragorn laughed softly at this before saying. "Why do we not ask him if he wants them?" Lowering his lips to his husbands deformed ear he whispered. "Wake up, my beauty." Slowly after many whispered encouragements from Aragorn the blond awoke.

He murmured about going back to sleep but Aragorn helped him top sit up.

"Legolas, I released you from your restraints but now you have to earn that freedom. What will you have for your morning meal?"

Legolas paled at the thought. Looking up into his husband's eyes he replied so quietly that his family had to strain to hear the reply; "I do not know I have not eaten in so long. The only things I can think of are some strawberries."

Elrond smiled at this and left the chamber to get the food.

Elardion felt both incredibly happy but also very guilty. Guilty that his baby brother should suffer so much while he was on could nine.

If any one was to ask him before this day that he could feel this way he would have called them a fool. Know he knew it was he who was the bigger fool.

Legolas sat up in the bed, leaning against his husband. He was eyeing the platter of food before him warily. "Estel, I do not think I can eat all of this." He told Aragorn watching him closely afraid of what his reaction would be.

Aragorn only chuckled and placed his arms around the blonde's shoulders. "Legolas, I need my morning meal as well. I would presume, though, that these are yours." Aragorn handed the Prince a small bowl filled with the juicy red fruit that Legolas had loved since Elfhood.

Gently taking the bowl Legolas placed one strawberry on to his tongue and slowly started to chew. As he ate, extremely slowly, Aragorn wolfed his down. He had not eaten for several days not wanting to stop his journey to worry about food when he knew Legolas needed him.

"Estel, may I ask you a question?" Legolas found that once again he could not meet his husband's eyes.

"You just did, Melleth-nin. But I suppose you may ask me another." Aragorn tightened his hold on the Prince.

"Did you really feel as I did? Do you really believe that we are soul mates?" Legolas placed the bowl down on the tray after eating half of the contents. Aragorn frowned and picked the bowl up. He started to feed the last half of the strawberries to Legolas.

"Legolas, I do not believe any thing. I know that we are soul mates. I knew that you needed ne and I rode all the way back here with out a break to get to you. I love you and have loved you from the moment I saw you."

Legolas smiled his dazzling smile and raised his eyes. Aragorn had a sudden idea and he pulled Legolas from the bed. He made the blond stand in front of the wide mirror. This was something Legolas had been steadfastly refusing to do.

"What do you see, Legolas when you look in the mirror?"

"I see some one who has changed, some one who is not him self. I see a fat Prince." Legolas could only reply his voice hoarse and barely a whisper. Silent tears of pain fell down his cheeks. "I see some one who is ugly."

"Do you want to see what I see? I see a Prince. I also see a mother but more importantly I see you. I care not what you look like as long as you are happy and healthy. I love you. But right now I can see that you are neither happy nor healthy. What would make you happy?"

"My children, Estel, they would not let me see my babies." Legolas voiced his greatest fears. "They took them away."

"Shush." Aragorn gently stroked the Elf's hair. Once Legolas had settled a little he pulled him gently towards the door. "Come, let us go and find our children then."

Legolas and Aragorn walked slowly away from the Halls of Healing to find their children.

Arwen and Elardion sat in front of their families, all of whom had been shocked into silence by what they had just been told. There was absolutely no sound apart from their surprised harsh breathing.

A knock on the door to Arwen's chambers made them all jump and Arwen quickly granted entrance. Into the room came Aragorn and very thin and frail Legolas.

"Is everything alright?" Legolas asked as he accepted the seat offered by Nolvo.

Arwen glance at Elardion with a bright happy smile before answering. "Yes, Legolas we have some news. Elardion and I are going to be married."

Legolas looked at his brother and laughed with delight. "Congratulations, my Brother." Moving from the chair he faltered for a moment as the room spun. Aragorn hurried to help him over to Elardion's side. Hugging him tight he could only show his pleasure at this news. "May I congratulate you also Arwen?" Aragorn joined in with the hugging. Pleased for his foster sister.

Elardion smile down at his youngest brother and wrapped his arms around his painfully thin brother. "I am glad that at least one member of my family is happy about this."

Legolas looked surprised. "What do you mean? Surely Adar and…" Legolas trailed off after seeing the looks his family had on their faces.

"Legolas, it is not that we are displeased with news. We just feel that it would not be appropriate at this particular time." Thranduil tried his hardest to explain while Elrond nodded his head in agreement.

"I have to admit I agree you are both very young." he pointed to the new couple. "You have only been together a few weeks and have foregone all the formal rituals that are etiquette. You can not announce your engagement."

Aragorn listened to his father with growing amazement and shook his head. "Rituals and announcements have nothing to do with love. Legolas and I were only in love for three months before we married and look at how well that has turned out."

Thranduil was annoyed at his son in laws disregard of propriety and could not help but comment. "Oh yes, very well. So well in fact, that over the last two years Legolas has tried to kill him self not once but twice. First he slits his wrists and now he starves him self."

Legolas could not believe what he was hearing; he felt the air rushing from him due to the shock. Looking around he noticed that both sets of twins and Arwen looked as shocked as he felt. They had never been told of Legolas' attempt to take his own life, it had been agreed that no one else needed to be informed. Now, though they knew and in the cruellest way that was possible.

Suddenly Legolas found his voice and he used anger throbbing with each word. "Adar, you promised me that you would never speak of this with others. How could you? How can you do this to me? How can you do this to them? Love is all that matters and if Arwen and Elardion choose to marry then I for one will celebrate with them."

Thranduil could not believe he was hearing this from his youngest and felt his anger grow rather than abate. It was rare that he was annoyed at Legolas, but this was one of those times. "I forbid my son to marry. He will be able to marry without my consent in any of the three Elven Realms. If you go against me I will have you banished from Eryn Lasgalen."

Neither Arwen nor Elardion could believe their families lack of support.

Legolas moved away from Elardion and over to Arwen and hugged her tightly. Elardion and Aragorn flanked them. Aragorn turned to Thranduil his face set. "If they wish to marry then they have this Realms permission. They would have to marry in the way of men but at least they will be bonded."

Lomion had had enough of all this argument. "That is enough. Legolas sit down before you fall down." His youngest brother was wavering in Arwen's arms and it looked as if for the entire world that if she was to let him go he would fall. "Aragorn there is no need to shout. Arwen, Elardion I apologise for my lack of judgement and I congratulate you. Father, Lord Elrond they are adults and have the right to do as they want. They are both well over their majorities and do not require your permission."

Thranduil looked thoughtful for a second before nodding his head. "You are right Lomion. I apologise, Ion-nin, please accept my congratulations."

Elrond still did not look happy about his only daughter marrying and leaving him, but eventually he had to accept that there was nothing he could do to prevent further heart ache.

Legolas yawned from his position, once more leaning against Aragorn, he was more tired than he could ever imagine.

"Maybe you should go back to bed, Legolas. You look exhausted and you need to have more rest." Alcarnor suggested.

"I am fine, I ate all my breakfast. I will rest later but know I need to see my children. I miss them." He turned wide eyes to his husband and Aragorn could read fear and the growing panic in them, panic that he would be prevented from seeing his babies.

"I will not break my promise, Legolas. But you need to be calm before you see them." With Elardion's help Aragorn calmed the Elf.

"I do need you to promise me that you will eat your noon day meal for me. Then you can both go and see the twins, but I have to be satisfied with what you have eaten." Elrond proposed to his son in law.

Legolas nodded weakly, not realising just how late in the day it had become. Aragorn sent for the food to be sent to the study and they made their way there. Legolas was leaning more into Aragorn with each step horrified at just how weak and tired he was. Aragorn murmured reassurances in his ear.

Once in the study the family sat and the meal was served. They ate in silence all of them trying to watch the Prince discretely as he ate. It failed.

"I would eat more if I did not have ten people staring at me." Was Legolas' acerbic comment each of the family members looked embarrassed at having been caught watching their youngest member.

Legolas ate and ate, or at least that was what his mind told him. In reality he only managed two mouthfuls of meat and three of vegetables before he felt full and bloated.

"Little Leaf, are you well?" Thranduil enquired. Legolas looked up at his father and nodded. He did not dare speak, he felt as if his stomach was heaving, so much so that he thought that he was going to be sick.

Elrond could see just how the Prince was struggling to finish the platter in front of him. "One more mouth full, Legolas and I think that that will be enough for the time being." Legolas nodded reluctantly and took that final forkful. The meat tasted like dirt to him and felt horrible in his mouth. But he was desperate to see his darling children.

He swallowed and took a small sip of water, looking eagerly ay Elrond. In the time it had taken Legolas to eat six mouthfuls the others had cleared their plate. At the Elf Lord's nod Legolas eagerly stood and left the chamber followed by Thranduil, Elrond and Aragorn.

Legolas cradled both of his children close to him. Closing his eyes he bent to catch their distinctive scents. Gently rocking them he began to sing. As he carried on it was as if a light began to reassert itself behind his eyes.

When you're weary feelin' small

When tears are in your eyes

I will dry them all

I'm on your side

Oh when times get rough

And friends just can't be found.

Like a bridge over troubled waters

I will lay me down.

Like a bridge over troubled waters

I will lay me down.

When you're down and out

When you're on the street

When evening falls so hard

I will comfort you.

I'll take your part,

Oh when darkness comes

And pain is all around

Like a bridge over troubled waters

I will lay me down.

Like a bridge over troubles waters

I will lay me down.

Sail on children,

Sail on by

Your time has come to shine,

All their dreams are on their way

See how they shine,

Oh when you need a friend

I'm sailing right behind

Like a bridge over troubled waters

I will ease your mind

Like a bridge over troubled waters

I will ease your mind

I'll ease your mind.

Aragorn approached the elf from behind and wrapped his arms around him, kissing his cheek.

"I love you, Legolas I am sorry for leaving you when you needed me. I will never forgive myself."

"You did nothing wrong, I do not care what anyone says. I see what I am, what I have changed into." Legolas replied. He gently placed the two children back into their cribs and pulled from his lovers embrace.

Aragorn was shocked that Legolas had pushed him away, but even more so at the weakness radiating from the Prince. This was astounding, Legolas had always been strong. After all he had killed his first spider at five years old, saving both Aragorn and Estel at the same time he was also a skilled warrior. But know he barely had the strength to repel some one who was giving no resistance.

"Soon after you left I heard some of the Ladies of the court talking. They were saying that you thought I was fat, that I needed smaller meals. It hurt, Aragorn, more than you can know. Why did you tell me you like me the way I was? I would have changed if you had asked; you had no need to go behind my back." Legolas could not look at Aragorn once again.

Aragorn could only stare at his husband open mouthed before finding his voice. "You idiotic Elf, I asked the kitchen to serve you smaller meals so that you would feel less pressure to eat large amounts. I can not believe that you would think so little of me."

"Really?" Legolas asked peering from behind his blond hair at Aragorn.

"Really, I love you, Legolas please believe me."

Legolas nodded and gave a loud yawn. Aragorn laughed and picked up the sleepy Prince.

He carried Legolas back to their sleeping chamber as he walked he promised to him self that he would find these 'Ladies' and let them know what he though of their gossip.

Laying Legolas on their bed he kissed his cheek whispering. "Rest well, my Love."

Leaving the room he knew that Legolas had started down the long road of recovery. Legolas had many obstacles to over come, both mental and physical, but with so much love behind him Aragorn knew he could do it.

Tbc . . .

Wanda : I hope that you see this as a reasonably realistic view on it. If you have any suggesytins please email or review them to me.

MoroTheWolfGod: Review hurry Please

Knight Kenobi of Eryn Lasgalen: I wiuld never permantly kill Leafie. Well at least not in this story

Halimanya: You better review every chapter whe you get back. Where are you going?

Triptych : That's exactly the plan

Luna Love good : Does happy dance. Thanks hope you like this to.

Legolas19: He's getting better

Pointy-eared-elfs: Just told me you liked it all and I will be happy. Please continue to review as I reply on them to write.

bradleigh: Thanks for the song idea. I am going to look at it. Hope you like.