Summary: As Aragorn struggles to deepen his relationship with Legolas, outside forces work to interfere. Can Legolas see what is right in front of him?
Feedback: Is always welcome.
Beta: Laura and Tsunami
Warning: A bit of violence and attempted non-con
Disclaimer: Aragorn and Legolas both belong to Tolkien, as do many of the supporting cast and I do solemnly swear I am making no profit from this.
Authors Notes: This was written in September 2003 and published in November 2003 in the Melethryn #1 fanzine.
Part 6
As the days past Aragorn noted a remarkable speed in Legolas' healing. His broken bones began to set and fuse together once more. The gashes on the elf Prince's body had closed leaving only red strips, which would eventually fade away to leave no trace of the wounds.
Legolas had been allowed to spend his afternoons in the gardens resting in the sunlight provided someone sat with him, usually Gimli or Eldarion. After a few days Legolas felt well enough to ask Aragorn's permission to visit Lord Harodel and Aragorn reluctantly agreed, in his heart not wishing to have Legolas see Harodel again, however the elven prince was unaware of the king's dark thoughts.
When he was carried into Harodel's room Legolas was pleased to see the nobleman sitting up in his bed, a sling holding one arm and the remains of bruises on his face the only evidence of his ordeal. The nobleman was equally pleased to see Legolas looking much better than the last time he had laid eyes upon the prince.
"Prince Legolas, I am so very pleased to see you," he said enthusiastically as soon as the elf appeared in his room.
"And I you Lord Harodel, I feared that you did not survive our... adventure," Legolas said, looking for a word that in no way described what they had endured.
Harodel grimaced. "Indeed. Had it not been for patrols that the king sent out to search for us I may not have been so lucky. They found me before Cadofel's henchman could finish the job he had been assigned." The nobleman paused for a moment before looking at Legolas with a direct gaze. "I do not know how much you remember but for a time Lord Cadofel kept me in the same room whilst he… whilst his man… hurt you."
Legolas flinched at the sound of the other man's name, but forced a smile anyway. "I see. I am afraid that I was unaware, but I am grateful that we are both free now, however it seems you will be much in need of convalescence. Perhaps you would like to accompany your sons to Ithilien and remain with our colony for a short time?" he asked finally.
Lord Harodel in genuine pleasure. "That is a very kind offer Prince Legolas, I would be most honoured to do so, we can still collect my boys on the way to your home then?" he asked.
"Yes of course. I sent my people home to make arrangements for their stay but it will take no time at all to make somewhere available for you as well. I understand that humans are not comfortable with sleeping so high off the ground," Legolas said smiling this time in amusement.
"I am afraid that not all races have the ability to land so easily on our feet were we to actually fall from so high a perch my lord," the younger man said.
Legolas laughed. "Then it is agreed."
"What is agreed?" Gimli asked as he walked into the room followed by Aragorn and Eldarion.
"When Aragorn sees fit to release us from our beds we will be leaving, I am returning with Lord Harodel to his estate," Legolas explained.
"For how long?" Eldarion asked frowning.
"I am uncertain at present, it should not take long, and then we will journey on to Ithilien," the elf said.
"Both of you?" Aragorn asked sharply.
"Yes of course," Legolas said, his brow furrowed in confusion.
"Very well, then I shall do my best to make sure you are both ready to travel as soon as possible," the king said before turning and departing, leaving a room full of stunned faces.
"Does something ail him?" Legolas asked the king's son and his friend.
Gimli and Eldarion shared a look before Eldarion shrugged uncomfortably, yet they said nothing. Sighing in frustration Legolas turned back to Lord Harodel.
"If you will excuse me, I will venture out into the gardens to partake of some fresh air, perhaps later if you are given permission to move from your bed you would like to join me," the elven prince asked.
Harodel nodded, smiling and Legolas allowed his friends to see him back to his room.
Aragorn had no destination in mind when he left Lord Harodel's sick room, only wishing to be as far away from the sight of his beloved elf sat next to the other man as possible. Yet he could not wipe the image from his mind and anger began to cloud his thoughts.
Why should Legolas give his affections to this stranger. I have known him for many years, long has he been my friend. My love for him was strong in my breast before this man had even ventured into the elf's line of sight. It should be me he wishes to be with, the king thought to himself.
A frustrated sob left his throat, surprising him. He looked around and seeing he was alone in a quiet part of the palace he allowed himself to sink to the floor, his head held in his hands. His heart ached, a constant thrum of despair. He had loved truly only once before. With Arwen though, he had never felt this uncertainty, this pain. Theirs had been a quiet love that was always present. Their passion for each other had been great but it was a devoted passion that allowed them to be together and simply bask in the other's presence, without feeling the need to possess.
With Legolas it was different. Perhaps something to do with their homelands Aragorn thought idly. Where Arwen had been brought up in the serenity of both Rivendell with her scholarly father, and in Lothlorien with the wise presence of her grandparents, Galadriel and Celeborn, Legolas on the other hand was a woodland elf, and never had Aragorn known a spirit so wild and free. His whole life had been spent in the defence and exploration of his father's woodland kingdom.
Although now centuries old Legolas was still young to his people and as much experience as he had garnered from defending his homeland, the elven prince had not often been allowed to venture beyond it's borders. The quest of the fellowship had been the first real opportunity for the elf to see more of the world and with awed eyes he had taken in everything around him, often times reacting with a wonder that was childlike. Aragorn had always found his friend to be fascinating, at first finding himself in the position of an older, more experienced brother, Arwen easily filling the place in his heart for a lover. But even then, the king now realised that he had felt some attraction towards his fair companion, always finding some reason to spend time with the elf.
Arwen's death had left him naturally devastated but it had only been in the company of Legolas that Aragorn had felt able to dim the pain in order to begin healing. With a guilty start he wondered if Arwen had realised that her husband had romantic feelings towards one of their best friends. He hoped she had not. During her lifetime she had been his world and he would not have caused her pain for anything.
Sighing at the mess his life had become Aragorn rose once more to his feet. His anger spent he instead decided to help Legolas find happiness wherever his heart led him. He would ensure that both his patients healed swiftly and if his own heart broke in the process, well that was something he would have to deal with.
Legolas lowered his still sore and weary body into the comfortable chair that had been provided for him. Next to him Lord Harodel had already been seated, his face still bearing the evidence of his ordeal. Their seats were held to the side of both the council and the king, due to their being the primary witnesses in this trial. A small group of people sat at the rear of the room, which included Gimli, they were the few that had been allowed entry to witness the proceedings. Once everyone had taken their places, the king called for Lord Cadofel to be brought before them.
Everyone watched with bated breath as the nobleman was escorted into the room. He had been given a basic set of tunic and breeches to wear yet his stance remained proud, his eyes boldly meeting the gaze of anyone who looked upon him. He was marched to the centre of the court to a lone chair where he was forced to sit.
"Lord Cadofel you stand on trial before this court to answer the following charges, that you did wilfully abduct both Prince Legolas Thranduilion of Ithilien and Greenwood and Lord Harodel of Gondor. That you did arrange and oversee the torture of Prince Legolas and order the deaths of both Prince Legolas and Lord Harodel. How do you plead to these charges?" the king's scribe asked.
Lord Cadofel said nothing, but he turned his head to glare at both of his victims. Beside him, Legolas felt Harodel tense in response, but the elven prince felt only anger at the audacity of this mortal.
"Lord Cadofel if you do not answer in your defence then we shall let the records show that you allowed a verdict of guilty to be placed upon you," Aragorn said finally, frowning at the Gondorian's distinct lack of interest in the proceedings.
Cadofel finally turned back to face Aragorn, his gaze frank and assessing as he held the king's eyes. "It matters not," he said finally, shrugging. "I failed in what I set out to do, there is nothing more to be said."
Legolas felt only disbelief at Cadofel's words. The man was making no attempt to alter his fate and in that moment the prince understood that whatever sanity the man had once possessed was now gone. Perhaps lost the moment he took his prisoners, or perhaps later when he was confronted with his crimes.
"Very well, then I have no choice but to pass sentence on you. Lord Cadofel you are stripped of your land and title. You will spend the rest of your days in a cell beneath the palace where you will one day die in a prison of your own making," Aragorn said, his voice firm and betraying no emotion.
The elven prince could not help feeling satisfaction at this fate. He would feel no sorrow for the lifetime imprisonment of the former nobleman, especially not after the man's attempts to entomb him. The young elf waited only until the formalities had been settled before he left the courtroom.
Legolas travelled quickly back to his own chambers, Aragorn having released him in good health only that morning. His thoughts became sorrowful as he thought of his friend. Aragorn had constantly avoided him since his rescue and the elven prince could not help but wonder why the change in the man. It confused and hurt him, more so since he had come to the realisation that he had unwittingly given his heart to the king.
Sighing deeply with regret the elven prince decided to pack his things instead. He wanted to leave the city with Lord Harodel as swiftly as possible. They sooner they departed the sooner his charges would be under the boughs of Ithilien. Then once the humans were settled in his colony he had plans to travel to Greenwood. He longed to visit with his father, to feel the unquestioned love the older elf had always bestowed upon him. Perhaps that would help begin to heal the hurt that Aragorn had caused him.
He usually travelled light, and many of his formal clothes had already travelled back to the colony with his comrades, so it did not take long for Legolas to complete his task. The elven prince then decided to break the news of his swift departure to Gimli and Eldarion, and perhaps give Aragorn one last chance to say something.
Legolas looked around the courtyard one last time. Gimli and Eldarion stood nearby, both wearing sorrowful expressions. The elf prince forced a small smile of reassurance for them, he had promised both that he would see them again soon. Aragorn stood behind them, but the man's expression was closed and Legolas could not tell whether the man was even affected by his leaving. The king had said little after Legolas' announcement, simply wishing the prince a safe journey before leaving the room.
Hardening his heart against further hurt the elf jumped nimbly up onto his horse's back and without a word rode out of the palace, Lord Harodel and his company following closely behind.
As soon as Legolas had disappeared from view Aragorn quickly left, leaving his stunned son and friend to watch his departure. The king spent the better part of the following week losing himself in his work as much as possible and avoiding the knowing gazes of his son and Gimli. At the week's end Eldarion could stand it no longer.
He walked with a purposeful stride to his father's personal chambers knowing the man would have nowhere else to retreat. He knocked briefly before entering, deciding not to allow his father a chance to send him away.
"This has to stop," he said without preamble.
Aragorn looked up from his glass of wine to gaze with a bleary red eyed gaze at his son. "What are you talking about?" he said wearily.
"I am speaking of this impossible moping of yours. You said that you loved him yet you allowed him to ride off with another man," the young prince said, still trying to understand his father's actions.
"Legolas wanted to be with Harodel," Aragorn said softly. "I would not stand in the way of his happiness."
"Father that is nonsense. Legolas loves you. Gimli and I both can see it, why can't you?" Aragorn said nothing so the young prince stepped closer to his father, kneeling at his feet. "When he left the city he looked as if his heart were broken."
Aragorn looked up sharply at that, and then shook his head in disbelief. "Nay, you must have been deceived."
"Was I? Was Gimli? Cadofel took Legolas because he thought that he'd taken up with Lord Harodel, but it was not true, they were not lovers. You never asked Legolas why he spoke so often with Harodel did you?" he asked.
Aragon shook his head. "It is obvious. Legolas is beautiful, both within and without. I am not the only person to see that, but if Legolas has chosen Harodel then I must honour his choice."
Eldarion sighed. "What if he thought that he did not have a choice?" the young prince asked suddenly.
The king frowned in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"I mean that perhaps he thought that you were not interested in him. If you were to go after him now you could tell him how you feel. Allow him to choose when he is full possession of the facts. You may never have another chance." Eldarion said.
Aragorn said nothing for a moment, then he put aside his glass before sitting up straight in his chair. "If the king were to disappear for a short time, do you think you could handle the council?" he asked.
Eldarion laughed. "Of course, but you should take an escort with you," he pointed out.
The king shook his head firmly. "Nay they would only slow me down. Come Eldarion help me I must pack swiftly. There is no time to be wasted."
Grinning, together both father and son quickly put together a pack with provisions enough to last for several days carefully swiped from the kitchens. It was with a lighter heart that Gondor's prince watched a dark figure slip through the gates and away through the city.
Aragorn rode into the courtyard of Lord Harodel's manor, not slowing until he reached the steps leading up to the main house. He vaulted from his horse landing easily and ran up to the main hall. A manservant moved forward, his face one of polite disdain.
"What is your business here?" he asked looking down his nose at the dishevelled king.
"I am here to see Legolas, where is he?" Aragorn asked scarcely sparing a look at the butler as his eyes scanned the hall.
"Prince Legolas is with Lord Harodel, if you would like to wait here I will send someone to see if he is available." The servant motioned one of the waiting boys to attend him.
"That will not be necessary," Aragorn said dismissively. "Simply tell me where he is and I shall go to him myself."
The manservant and boy both looked scandalised, but before the man could reply a piercing voice rang out from the stairs.
"Goter, what is going on?"
The manservant turned quickly, glaring at Aragorn before bowing low to his mistress. "Forgive me madam. This... man has come requesting to speak with Prince Legolas."
"Ah, has he come to take the vile creature away?" the piercing voice asked and as the lady descended the stairs Aragorn saw that she was a middle aged woman, slim with long golden hair that betrayed no sign of her age. Her face had been carefully painted to disguise the effects of time upon her body but Aragorn saw that she was still a beautiful woman. Her eyes however were cold and malicious.
"I have indeed come to take the prince with me my lady," Aragorn said speaking to her directly.
The lady of the manor reached the bottom of the stairs and she approached the men, slowly taking in Aragorn as he stood straight and tall, even in his rough leather riding clothes.
"Who is your master?" she demanded. "He has obviously not taught you the correct etiquette when speaking to one of the nobility."
Aragorn smiled but it was not friendly and the lady shivered in response. "I have no master," Aragorn said bluntly. "Now kindly direct me to the location of Legolas so that we might be on our way."
"Goter, what's going on? One of the serving lads came to tell me that there was a man here to see the prince," Lord Harodel said as he came slowly down the stairs, still mindful of his recent injuries. He stopped abruptly as he saw who awaited him.
"Harodel, will you please deal with this ruffian who refuses to show the slightest bit of manners," Lady Harodel said in a shrill tone.
Lord Harodel came forward and surprised both his wife and servants when he bowed low to the man before him. "Your Majesty, what an unexpected honour. May I enquire as to why you are visiting my estate?"
"Harodel what are you doing? Who is this man?" the lady demanded.
Lord Harodel turned to his wife. "How dare you dishonour us in front of the king," he said coldly to the woman.
Lady Harodel's face paled dramatically as she looked with new eyes upon the man standing before her. She suddenly swept into a low curtsey. "Forgive me Your Majesty, we… did not recognise you. How may we make amends for our ungracious behaviour?" she asked tremulously, her eyes lowered to the floor.
Aragorn sighed in frustration. "I want to see Legolas. Is that really so much to ask?" he said in an impatient tone.
"Aragorn!" exclaimed a surprised voice and as one the small group turned to face the ethereal beauty slowly descending the staircase. The prince's eyes though, remained locked upon the king.
"Legolas," Aragorn breathed, his eyes wandering the length of the elf's body, taking in the fragile way the prince still held himself, the tired looking eyes with deep shadows underneath and he frowned.
The elven prince reached the small group and they parted without a word to allow him to stand directly in front of the king. Aragorn felt hope stir in his heart at the way the elf's eyes seemed to devour him.
"Aragorn, what are you doing here? Where is your entourage?" Legolas asked. His confusion was evident in his voice.
The king smiled. "I ran away," he said and Legolas' answering smile warmed his heart. "I had to see you."
Legolas frowned. "But why? I only left the city a week ago, surely whatever you needed to say could have been said then."
Aragorn shook his head. "I was a fool then, I..." he paused and was aware of the eyes that were fixed on them. Frowning he turned to the lord of the manor. "Lord Harodel, is there some where that Legolas and I could speak privately?" he asked.
Harodel nodded and led them to his private study. Once Aragorn was sure that they had been left in peace he approached Legolas, taking the elf's hands into his own, his thumbs unconsciously stroking the warm skin.
"Aragorn what is it?" Legolas asked.
"Come back with me Legolas, come back to Minas Tirith," Aragorn pleaded, his grip on the prince's hands tightening.
"But why?" the elf prince asked again, his confusion growing. During the last few days of his stay in the city Aragorn had avoided him completely, excusing himself whenever the prince sought him out. Now he was here begging him to return to the city and Legolas felt lost. His heart yearned to say yes to the man, but his head spoke to him of rejection and pain.
"Because I love you," Aragorn said.
Legolas felt the voice of his reason suddenly fall silent. "You love me? But I thought... you avoided me, you did not wish to see me," he said, his voice betraying his hurt.
"Aye, and I am more sorry than you could know. My foolishness hurt us both. But I love you Legolas, I want to be with you. Please, come back with me now," the king said, his heart in his eyes as he gazed at the elven prince.
Legolas shook his head in regret. "I cannot," he said.
Aragorn felt as though an arrow had suddenly pierced his heart, so great was the pain caused by the elf's words. "Then it is true. You do not care for me in the same way that I care for you. I am sorry my friend, I should not have forced my attentions on you." The king stepped away, his head bowed in defeat and he moved to the door, ready to depart.
"Aragorn wait!" Legolas said in sudden panic. This was not working out correctly. "I do care for you," he said. Aragorn paused and slowly turned back to face the prince, his expression still wary. Legolas took a hesitant step towards the man. "I was shocked at first when you kissed me in the gardens and scared, even more so at your words in the training room."
Aragorn frowned. He could not recollect exactly what had been said, just the feeling of Legolas' body beneath his own.
Legolas noticed the confusion on the man's face. "You said that you wanted to claim me," he said softly.
Aragorn was still confused, he still did not see how that could have caused such panic in the elf. "I meant only to claim your heart and body in the same way that I would wish you to claim mine. You could never be anything less than my equal," he said.
Legolas smiled warmly, and for the first time since Legolas' refusal to return with him Aragorn felt hope lighten his heart once more.
"I feared at first from your words that I had been mistaken in my trust of you. That you were like the other men who wanted to take me and place me at their side as a bauble to show off, as Cadofel wanted to do." Legolas said bitterly. "Forgive me Aragorn, I should not have counted you amongst such men."
"There is nothing to forgive my love, I should have spoken plainer when first I truly realised the depth of my feelings for you. Now will you return with me back to the city?" Aragorn asked, more hopeful this time.
"Aragorn I cannot!..."
Aragorn quickly interrupted the prince before he could continue. "Forgive me, I mistook your words when you said that you cared for me, I thought that you perhaps returned my feelings fully. I shall not ask you again," he said.
"Aragorn, will you allow me to finish?" Legolas cried with exasperation. Aragorn nodded cautiously. "I meant to say only that I cannot return with you right now. I have made a promise to Lord Harodel."
"Then I am too late," Aragorn said sorrowfully. "For all our final understanding you have promised yourself to him."
Legolas frowned. "Aragorn, I do not understand anything that you say. Yes I have made a promise to Lord Harodel, in fact we were to leave later today. Once he is settled in Ithilien I will be free to return with you to the city."
Now it was Aragorn's turn to frown. "Perhaps we are yet again misunderstanding one another," he said. "I was under the impression that you and Lord Harodel had formed a romantic attachment, yet you speak of taking him to Ithilien whilst joining me in the city. I know you are not the kind of person who would play two suitors against each other so please Legolas speak plainly, what did you promise to Lord Harodel?"
"He requested that our colony take in his sons to be fostered with us for a short time. I spoke with my people and we agreed that it would be acceptable, but after his injuries at the hands of Lord Cadofel I asked him if he would also like to spend time at the colony convalescing. We are to journey there today," Legolas explained.
Aragorn let out a sudden whoop of laughter. He strode forward and pulled Legolas into his arms, embracing the elf, whilst keeping in mind the still sore body of his beloved. He pulled back slightly to look at the prince's face, the bright blue eyes shining as they had not for some time. His eyes wandered down to the soft lips that were slightly parted. A pink tongue crept out to moisten them, and Aragorn gave in to instinct as he leant forward to gently kiss his heart's keeper.
Legolas released a soft sigh as Aragorn's lips met his own. His hands wound up around the man's shoulders, before finding their way into his hair as the kiss deepened. One of Aragorn's hands found its way to the base of the prince's neck, the other snaking down over the slim form of the elf before resting on one of the prince's wonderfully formed buttocks, squeezing gently.
When the need for air became too great they reluctantly broke apart, their panting breaths audible in the otherwise silent room. Aragorn's hand traced a slow path along the edge of Legolas' cheek before sweeping back to caress the pointed tip of his ear. The elf moaned in response, his body arching helplessly forward as he pressed his ear into the caress.
"Just why are you agreeing to foster Harodel's children anyway?" Aragorn asked idly.
Legolas smiled. "Let us just say that it is in an exercise in cultural awareness."
"For who?" Aragorn queried laughing softly.
"That will be the surprise I think," the prince said thoughtfully.
"Do you really have to be the one to escort them to Ithilien?" the king asked, his hands taking Legolas' into his own.
"Yes, I did promise, but I shall come back to you as swiftly as I can," he added.
"That cannot be swiftly enough," Aragorn said groaning.
"Come," Legolas said, drawing the king towards the door. "The sooner I depart for Ithilien and settle Lord Harodel and his sons, the sooner I can return to the city."
Aragorn stood by and watched later that afternoon as Harodel, his sons and Legolas rode off towards to elven colony in Ithilien. A small number of guards had been sent as an escort to ensure their safety. Once they had gone beyond his sight Aragorn moved to mount his own horse and swiftly rode out of the courtyard onto the road that would lead him back to his city.
He had ventured no more than a few metres when his senses suddenly prickled with warning. Halting his horse he cast his head about trying to see or hear what was making him so nervous. Movement from the bushes to his side had him drawing an arrow to the bow he carried.
"Peace my lord, you would not wish to shoot your loyal servant," a wry voice came from beyond and Aragorn nearly dropped his bow in surprise.
"Corlis?" he asked in astonishment.
"Aye my lord. You did not think you could escape my watchful eye did you?" the bodyguard asked and though the face was impassive as the man stepped into view, the tone was wry.
Aragorn snorted. "I should have known that Halbarad would not leave me with someone from whom I could flee whenever I wished. Remind me to thank him next time he visits," the king commented, his own tone equally dry.
Corlis smiled but said nothing. "Perhaps we should return to the city my lord, your son has been doing an admirable job in your stead but I fear many of your people are worried as to your safety... and sanity."
Aragorn laughed but nodded his agreement. A small whistle from Corlis signalled his men that they were ready to move out and Aragorn, for all his skills learnt as a ranger could not detect how many of his men surrounded him. He reminded himself that it was time his royal guard were rewarded, besides which, once they learnt of their new task in guarding his new consort they would be using their skills a lot more frequently. That thought made him smile.
End of part 6