Disclaimer: All of the characters are J.R. Tolkien's, not mine. I do not make any money with this story.
Rating: PG-13 – to be on the safe side, for fluffy, non-explicit m/m.
Summary: Many years ago a young Aragorn betrayed Legolas with Arwen. Legolas left, and finally found a new life in Lothlorien. Now he and Haldir are formalising their bond, and the celebration is an opportunity for Elrond and his sons to visit. Legolas and Aragorn meet again. Will they be able to renew their friendship? Very fluffy L/H, L/A implied. Should probably be considered AU.
This story is entirely unrelated to To Make A Choice and Inauspicious Beginnings, but could perhaps be considered an alternative story line to To Make A Choice.
Author's note: The plot bunny for this story has been lurking about for quite some time but I wanted to finish To Make A Choice first.
If you do not like or cannot cope with m/m, please do not continue. You will not find any explicit or graphic scenes, it is all very fluffy. But you have been warned!
I still have no beta to inflict my stories on, so all errors are mine.
Please read and review, flames are not accepted.
- - - -
Chapter 1 – Days in Lothlorien
Elrond, Lord of Imladris, was gazing thoughtfully out of the window of his study. He had just read a letter from Legolas, son of King Thandruil, whom he knew well. Legolas had been a regular and welcome visitor to Imladris for many years, and had developed a deep friendship with Aragorn, called Estel, Elrond's foster son, many years ago. Elrond was fairly certain that the relationship between Estel and Legolas had been more than friendship.
When Estel fell in love with Arwen, his foster sister, Legolas did not visit Imladris regularly any longer. But the young elf had made an effort to stay in touch with letters to Elrond, who in turn had always made sure that Legolas' letters received answers, even when other matters were pressing. Over time, Elrond had grown to like the young prince a lot, and considered him part of the family.
Dear Elrond,
This letter will be a surprise to you. As you know, I have spent much time in Lothlorien in the last few years, and this has not been without reason. Haldir, March Warden of Lothlorien and I are planning our official bonding ceremony for mid summer. I am very much looking forward to this day. I have anticipated this now for several years, to have it come true brings me great happiness.
You have been like a second father to me and I would dearly like to invite you for this occasion. I would also like to invite your sons, but hesitate, because I do not wish to cause an awkward situation. All four of you are very welcome to come, but I leave it up to your judgement whether you tell Estel about this occasion or not. For my part, it would be lovely to see the twins again, and Estel, too. My father will come as well, and Lady Galadriel will conduct the official ceremony. In truth, I am terrified that something will go wrong or I will disgrace myself in some way!
I hope very much to see you in the summer.
Greetings
Legolas
Elrond smiled as he looked at Legolas' words. He remembered how nervous he had been on the day of his bonding, and his bonding had not been a love match, as this one clearly was. He felt a pang of regret and pain for Estel, who now preferred his human name Aragorn. In the back of his mind, Elrond had hoped all these years that in some way his adopted son and the young prince would get back together again. They had been well matched, and he had always regretted their separation.
Elrond had not known that Legolas had another lover, the young prince had been quite discrete about this. 'Probably he did not want to hurt my feelings', Elrond thought with a small sigh.
Haldir. Elrond remembered the warden of Lothlorien as an expert archer with an arrogant beautiful face and the characteristic blonde hair of the Lorien elves. Beyond this, he had no impression of Haldir, they had been introduced at various functions but had never talked together. Elrond wondered how Legolas had met and fallen in love with Haldir. Maybe he would find out.
Elrond made up his mind. He did not want to miss this happy occasion for Legolas, and he would ask his sons whether they wanted to come as well. It would present an opportunity to see Arwen again, he had not seen his daughter in the last fifteen years.
- - - -
Two weeks before mid summer.
It was a warm sultry afternoon, with a threat of a thunderstorm in the air. Legolas and Haldir had just returned from a month long patrol on the northern borders of Lothlorien. They had returned tired, dirty, and much too warm.
By the time they return to Calas Caladhon, both Legolas and Haldir had no other desire than to drop their packs and go for a bath. They arrived at the flet they shared, dumped their travel packs and were rummaging for soap and towels for a bath, when a messenger arrived and called Haldir away to report to the Lady immediately. Haldir groaned, he was tired and dirty, and had hoped to have the time to at least freshen up and eat something before reporting.
"Legolas, when you come back from the bathing pool, could you please see to my weapons as well? I don't know when I am going to be back."
Legolas nodded in response. Whenever they returned from a patrol, one of the first things they did was to clean and otherwise maintain their weapons, so that they were ready for any emergency.
"Haldir? If you come back in time, we can take the evening meal together in the Common Hall."
"Don't wait for me." Haldir briefly kissed Legolas and left. Legolas sighed. He, too, had hoped for a bit of a break. The last month had been hard, they had had little rest, no privacy, and had travelled long distances each day. He looked for soap and a towel, and with a disgusted look at the half-emptied travel packs, he left their flet and went to the bathing pool.
After the bath, Legolas felt considerably better and pleasantly cool. He was barefoot, and had only dressed in a pair of simple dark leggings and a light sleeveless undershirt, with his damp hair braided into a single loose braid falling down his back.
Having arrived back at their flet, he decided that there was no way out of unpacking, tidying away their travel equipment and seeing to their weapons. The flet Legolas and Haldir shared was not large and only consisted of a small sitting area and a sleeping area. Currently the sitting area was all but taken up with the discarded travel kits, so if they wanted to sit somewhere in the evening, he would need to do some tidying up.
Legolas thought with an exasperated sigh that on some occasions the privileges of a prince were not a bad thing, in his home in Mirkwood, servants would always see to his unpacking. But not here, and Legolas had never been one to trade on rank. So he returned to unpacking their bags.
He had finished emptying his own pack, sorting dirty clothing, blankets and equipment into piles, and was now kneeling in front of Haldir's pack, pulling out the contents and adding to the respective piles on the floor. When there was a gentle knock at the door, he did not even turn around but said:
"Come in", and, without waiting for a response,
"Haldir, I am not yet ..."
"It is not Haldir", said a familiar, soft-spoken voice.
Legolas turned abruptly. In front of him stood a tall young man, with shoulder length dark hair and a tanned, clean-shaven face, clad in dark leggings and tunic. His grey eyes sparkled in slight amusement. Aragorn had not expected to find Legolas in such a domestic situation.
"Estel!" Legolas was so surprised that he overbalanced in his kneeling position and had to use his hands to steady himself. He stood up quickly.
"This is a surprise. I did not expect you."
"Evidently. May I come in?"
"Yes, of course... please sit down, if you can find anywhere to do so. We have just returned from a patrol, and as you can see we did not exactly expect guests. Are your father and brothers here as well?" Legolas realised that he was babbling with surprise.
Aragorn shifted a pile of dirty blankets from a chair and sat down. "Yes. We have come for your bonding. Father did not want to miss it, and Elladan, Elrohir and myself decided it would be nice to tag along."
There was an awkward pause. With a stab of pain, Legolas remembered the last time he had seen Aragorn fifteen years ago.
Flashback
"Estel? Where are you? Your father is looking for you..."
Legolas was searching his partner's favourite haunts in Rivendell. Elrond needed his son's assistance with healing an elven warrior who had been seriously injured.
After checking Estel's room, the library and the Great Hall, Legolas searched the garden. No Estel. Where could the young man be? Legolas continued walking through Imladris, remembering a secluded spot where they had spent many hours together. It was a wooden carved bridge over a small inlet of the river Bruinen, hidden from view and perfect for spending long hours as a twosome.
When he approached the bridge, he was relieved to see that Estel was indeed at their secret place. Legolas' relief turned quickly to shock when he saw that Estel was not alone but was gently caressing and kissing Arwen Evenstar, Elrond's daughter.
Legolas' surprise and shock were so great that he involuntarily gasped aloud. Both Arwen and Estel turned, and froze.
Legolas' mind had gone completely blank, and without a word, he fled from the couple on the bridge.
Legolas had not returned to Imladris for several years, and had not seen Estel, or as he preferred to be called now, Aragorn, since that day.
End of Flashback
TBC. Please review.
Rating: PG-13 – to be on the safe side, for fluffy, non-explicit m/m.
Summary: Many years ago a young Aragorn betrayed Legolas with Arwen. Legolas left, and finally found a new life in Lothlorien. Now he and Haldir are formalising their bond, and the celebration is an opportunity for Elrond and his sons to visit. Legolas and Aragorn meet again. Will they be able to renew their friendship? Very fluffy L/H, L/A implied. Should probably be considered AU.
This story is entirely unrelated to To Make A Choice and Inauspicious Beginnings, but could perhaps be considered an alternative story line to To Make A Choice.
Author's note: The plot bunny for this story has been lurking about for quite some time but I wanted to finish To Make A Choice first.
If you do not like or cannot cope with m/m, please do not continue. You will not find any explicit or graphic scenes, it is all very fluffy. But you have been warned!
I still have no beta to inflict my stories on, so all errors are mine.
Please read and review, flames are not accepted.
- - - -
Chapter 1 – Days in Lothlorien
Elrond, Lord of Imladris, was gazing thoughtfully out of the window of his study. He had just read a letter from Legolas, son of King Thandruil, whom he knew well. Legolas had been a regular and welcome visitor to Imladris for many years, and had developed a deep friendship with Aragorn, called Estel, Elrond's foster son, many years ago. Elrond was fairly certain that the relationship between Estel and Legolas had been more than friendship.
When Estel fell in love with Arwen, his foster sister, Legolas did not visit Imladris regularly any longer. But the young elf had made an effort to stay in touch with letters to Elrond, who in turn had always made sure that Legolas' letters received answers, even when other matters were pressing. Over time, Elrond had grown to like the young prince a lot, and considered him part of the family.
Dear Elrond,
This letter will be a surprise to you. As you know, I have spent much time in Lothlorien in the last few years, and this has not been without reason. Haldir, March Warden of Lothlorien and I are planning our official bonding ceremony for mid summer. I am very much looking forward to this day. I have anticipated this now for several years, to have it come true brings me great happiness.
You have been like a second father to me and I would dearly like to invite you for this occasion. I would also like to invite your sons, but hesitate, because I do not wish to cause an awkward situation. All four of you are very welcome to come, but I leave it up to your judgement whether you tell Estel about this occasion or not. For my part, it would be lovely to see the twins again, and Estel, too. My father will come as well, and Lady Galadriel will conduct the official ceremony. In truth, I am terrified that something will go wrong or I will disgrace myself in some way!
I hope very much to see you in the summer.
Greetings
Legolas
Elrond smiled as he looked at Legolas' words. He remembered how nervous he had been on the day of his bonding, and his bonding had not been a love match, as this one clearly was. He felt a pang of regret and pain for Estel, who now preferred his human name Aragorn. In the back of his mind, Elrond had hoped all these years that in some way his adopted son and the young prince would get back together again. They had been well matched, and he had always regretted their separation.
Elrond had not known that Legolas had another lover, the young prince had been quite discrete about this. 'Probably he did not want to hurt my feelings', Elrond thought with a small sigh.
Haldir. Elrond remembered the warden of Lothlorien as an expert archer with an arrogant beautiful face and the characteristic blonde hair of the Lorien elves. Beyond this, he had no impression of Haldir, they had been introduced at various functions but had never talked together. Elrond wondered how Legolas had met and fallen in love with Haldir. Maybe he would find out.
Elrond made up his mind. He did not want to miss this happy occasion for Legolas, and he would ask his sons whether they wanted to come as well. It would present an opportunity to see Arwen again, he had not seen his daughter in the last fifteen years.
- - - -
Two weeks before mid summer.
It was a warm sultry afternoon, with a threat of a thunderstorm in the air. Legolas and Haldir had just returned from a month long patrol on the northern borders of Lothlorien. They had returned tired, dirty, and much too warm.
By the time they return to Calas Caladhon, both Legolas and Haldir had no other desire than to drop their packs and go for a bath. They arrived at the flet they shared, dumped their travel packs and were rummaging for soap and towels for a bath, when a messenger arrived and called Haldir away to report to the Lady immediately. Haldir groaned, he was tired and dirty, and had hoped to have the time to at least freshen up and eat something before reporting.
"Legolas, when you come back from the bathing pool, could you please see to my weapons as well? I don't know when I am going to be back."
Legolas nodded in response. Whenever they returned from a patrol, one of the first things they did was to clean and otherwise maintain their weapons, so that they were ready for any emergency.
"Haldir? If you come back in time, we can take the evening meal together in the Common Hall."
"Don't wait for me." Haldir briefly kissed Legolas and left. Legolas sighed. He, too, had hoped for a bit of a break. The last month had been hard, they had had little rest, no privacy, and had travelled long distances each day. He looked for soap and a towel, and with a disgusted look at the half-emptied travel packs, he left their flet and went to the bathing pool.
After the bath, Legolas felt considerably better and pleasantly cool. He was barefoot, and had only dressed in a pair of simple dark leggings and a light sleeveless undershirt, with his damp hair braided into a single loose braid falling down his back.
Having arrived back at their flet, he decided that there was no way out of unpacking, tidying away their travel equipment and seeing to their weapons. The flet Legolas and Haldir shared was not large and only consisted of a small sitting area and a sleeping area. Currently the sitting area was all but taken up with the discarded travel kits, so if they wanted to sit somewhere in the evening, he would need to do some tidying up.
Legolas thought with an exasperated sigh that on some occasions the privileges of a prince were not a bad thing, in his home in Mirkwood, servants would always see to his unpacking. But not here, and Legolas had never been one to trade on rank. So he returned to unpacking their bags.
He had finished emptying his own pack, sorting dirty clothing, blankets and equipment into piles, and was now kneeling in front of Haldir's pack, pulling out the contents and adding to the respective piles on the floor. When there was a gentle knock at the door, he did not even turn around but said:
"Come in", and, without waiting for a response,
"Haldir, I am not yet ..."
"It is not Haldir", said a familiar, soft-spoken voice.
Legolas turned abruptly. In front of him stood a tall young man, with shoulder length dark hair and a tanned, clean-shaven face, clad in dark leggings and tunic. His grey eyes sparkled in slight amusement. Aragorn had not expected to find Legolas in such a domestic situation.
"Estel!" Legolas was so surprised that he overbalanced in his kneeling position and had to use his hands to steady himself. He stood up quickly.
"This is a surprise. I did not expect you."
"Evidently. May I come in?"
"Yes, of course... please sit down, if you can find anywhere to do so. We have just returned from a patrol, and as you can see we did not exactly expect guests. Are your father and brothers here as well?" Legolas realised that he was babbling with surprise.
Aragorn shifted a pile of dirty blankets from a chair and sat down. "Yes. We have come for your bonding. Father did not want to miss it, and Elladan, Elrohir and myself decided it would be nice to tag along."
There was an awkward pause. With a stab of pain, Legolas remembered the last time he had seen Aragorn fifteen years ago.
Flashback
"Estel? Where are you? Your father is looking for you..."
Legolas was searching his partner's favourite haunts in Rivendell. Elrond needed his son's assistance with healing an elven warrior who had been seriously injured.
After checking Estel's room, the library and the Great Hall, Legolas searched the garden. No Estel. Where could the young man be? Legolas continued walking through Imladris, remembering a secluded spot where they had spent many hours together. It was a wooden carved bridge over a small inlet of the river Bruinen, hidden from view and perfect for spending long hours as a twosome.
When he approached the bridge, he was relieved to see that Estel was indeed at their secret place. Legolas' relief turned quickly to shock when he saw that Estel was not alone but was gently caressing and kissing Arwen Evenstar, Elrond's daughter.
Legolas' surprise and shock were so great that he involuntarily gasped aloud. Both Arwen and Estel turned, and froze.
Legolas' mind had gone completely blank, and without a word, he fled from the couple on the bridge.
Legolas had not returned to Imladris for several years, and had not seen Estel, or as he preferred to be called now, Aragorn, since that day.
End of Flashback
TBC. Please review.