A/N: I do not own LOTR and never will. I do own Feanor and Neliana. Thanks for the support! So sorry for the long wait! I have had terrible writer's block. But hopefully I am back in the swing of things. For those waiting on FPTH10 it will be soon. I am writing a battle scene with a friend on it. Believe me it will be worth the wait! – Seylin (Dur En Thurin Naur)
The Forfeit
Chapter 5
A Beating Heart
3 months later…
Aragorn went in search of Legolas. It had been 3 months since his challenge and also 3 months since Legolas had given him a glance that was not icy. True he regretted calling Legolas a spoiled brat but Legolas had not let him apologize. With a sigh he walked into the garden, he had discovered that Legolas spent most of his time among the trees.
-
Legolas sat under one of the trees of the garden. As much as he tried to get lost in the peace the trees offered, he could not.
"Blasted human!" He thought with a scowl. A leaf fell onto his left shoulder; he glanced at it. Then moving swiftly and standing he drew his bow and arrow aimed and ready, bowstring taught. He stared coldly into Aragorn's surprised eyes.
"You spy on me?" He questioned.
"No…I only want to talk," Aragorn replied.
"Then find someone else for I do not wish to hear the voice of one that speaks ill of me," Legolas told him lowering his bow. Aragorn sighed and watched as Legolas sat back down his bow at his side. He decided to try something different.
"You are very quick with your bow. How did you get to be that quick? My brothers told me after our match it was a mistake to challenge the best archer of all three elven realms," Aragorn said sitting beside him. Legolas sent him a glare that he ignored.
"It was your mistake of not learning about your enemy beforehand," Legolas answered stiffly. Aragorn stared at him for a moment and then chuckled. Legolas turned cold eyes on him. "First you insult me by calling me names and now you laugh in my face. I have had enough. I shall tell Lord Elrond I cannot go through with this alliance but will ask that he still help," Legolas said standing. He started to walk away from Aragorn.
Aragorn watched him walk away for a moment before he realized he had insulted the Prince once again.
"Wait! Legolas! Please!" He exclaimed running to catch up with him. He grabbed Legolas's wrist in hopes of stopping him.
"Leithian enni!" Legolas hissed.
"Not before you stop and listen to reason!" Aragorn told him tightly.
"I do not wish to hear your reasons now release me!" Legolas said through clenched teeth.
Aragorn did the only thing he could think of then. He pulled Legolas into a tight embrace, ignoring his struggles, and then kissed him, hard. Legolas bristled at this going stiff his eyes wide. Aragorn felt this but he was unable to stop himself, he softened the kiss just a bit. As he did so he could feel it, Legolas slowly let his tension go, melting into Aragorn's embrace and his kiss.
-
Arwen's eyes went wide as she watched this scene take place. She had to hold in a gasp so they would not discover her. As she watched hate began to eat at her heart.
"Legolas will pay dearly for his actions," She thought and silently walked away. All she saw was Legolas kissing Aragorn. Not the other way around as it really was. No, her Aragorn was innocent to all of this.
-
Aragorn finally pulled away and stared at Legolas. He gently touched Legolas's face; the face that was so relaxed now. The eyes that were still closed, the cheeks that were tinged with just and bit of pink and last… the lips that were full and soft from his kiss.
Legolas slowly opened his eyes. He stared straight into Aragorn's eyes, ones that were studying him. Coming to his senses he pushed Aragorn away.
"How… how DARE you!" He raged. It was often said that he had the looks of his mother but the temper of his father… which many would rather die than see. Now Aragorn saw what few saw, an angry Legolas.
"I had no other way for you to listen!" Aragorn replied.
"And now you have lost all chances you did have! Elladan! Elrohir!" Legolas called.
"Wait Legolas! What do you plan?" Aragorn questioned.
"I will speak with Lord Elrond and then leave as soon as my horse and men are ready," Legolas replied as he turned and started to walk away.
Aragorn did the only thing he could think of, he ran and put his legs around Legolas and brought him to the ground straddling his waist. He stared into the eyes that were almost black with hate for him now.
"I want you to tell me why you agreed to do this in the first place. Tell me why as it seems you hate me so much! Is that too much to ask!" He demanded.
"From one who is holding me against my will yes! Have you ever thought of why you agreed to it?" Legolas hissed. Aragorn was surprised… he hadn't expected that question for himself.
-
Elladan and Elrohir stood at the entrance of the garden watching and listening to this scene. They had often wondered the answers to these questions themselves.
-
"I am looking out for the future… what about you?" Aragorn replied. Legolas shoved him off himself and then stood. Aragorn also stood watching him closely. Legolas undid his tunic and took Aragorn's hand placing it right over his heart.
"A beating heart," Legolas simply said.
"Legolas… I-I don't understand…" He started confused by Legolas's actions.
"Aragorn… you cannot begin to imagine the pain my heart has gone through… through every battle… every loss that my kingdom has suffered. I have stayed by the sides of my men as they died. As their hearts beat their last. But I have also been there as new elves were born. I have felt their hearts beating against my chest. That is why I do this," Legolas explained. Aragorn was still confused but he was to confused to say anything as Legolas walked away.
-
Neither of the twins said anything or tried to stop Legolas as he walked by them. He wasn't leaving and they all knew it. Instead they went to their human brother.
"What does what he said mean?" Aragorn asked. The twins were quiet for a moment thinking about their words carefully.
"It's his reason for agreeing to this alliance. Legolas had never planned to get married, but he always promised to do what was needed for his kingdom, the ones he loves, or even those he doesn't know but has deemed worthy. He would not think twice about giving his life for Mirkwood if it would ensure it's future. Legolas agreed to the terms of this alliance in hopes of hearing more beating hearts than dying ones," Elrohir told him.
Aragorn listened intently… Legolas would willingly give his life for his kingdom? For someone he didn't even know? His eyes followed the golden haired prince as he walked away, his thoughts and heart racing.
"What about me?" He wondered. "Would Legolas give his life for me?"
Elvish Translation (may not be totally correct)
Leithian enni! – Release me!
angelbird12241- Thanks so much! That makes me happy.
Sielge – Guess you have your answers. Things will get better and then worse… then worse again most likely.
MoroTheWolfGod – Tada! Here it is!
Nessa Inwe – Yup. Thanks for reading!
Gemini969 – Thanks!
crazyrabidfangurl01 – Oh no the letter was real. Beauty and the Beast? Really? Very Interesting.
tmelange – Kudos to you to for reviewing!
DarkYoaiFox – This story is the prequel to The Princess Unknown which is the prequel to For the Princess's Heart. Thanks so much!
chu-chu – Awwww! You're too sweet! Thank you so much!
