Discl. : Lotr does not belong to me
Warnings: AU, M/M, M-preg
Pairings: Aragorn/OCC, Aragorn/Legolas, Glorfindel/Erestor
Author's Note:I am really happy to see that people like the story! Just so you know, the war of the ring will be mentioned and eventually it will mean something in the story.
I know I'm not suppose to update another chapter all ready, but I'm going to anways. I'm trying to keep up with one chapter a day. And I'm going to update a chapter each evening (Remember I live in the Netherlands) but I really wanted to update so you guys could read the next chapter. So here's another chap anyways, I don't know if that means I'm also going to update tonight. Let's keep it on the 'maybe'
I'm happy with all you who review but I'd like to answer one review in particular from Sully Lu.
...The title played around in my head for a while, in the beginning I couldn't find anything and I really hated that. I had a story without a title and because I always want a title for my stories it bugged me! But thinking about what one of the 'deeper' meanings of my story was (focusing on countries where people actually are wedded because of their parents who find them a reasonable match and eventually find love through respect for one other) I found that this title 'A love once realized' was actually perfect.
...I wanted the wedding to be somewhat of a 'normal wedding' as we know them and sadly enough for both Legolas and Aragorn it also meant a wedding night. Because both of them know what it means to have responsibility's and always learned to take them seriously I wanted them to actually have sex with each other instead of just lying about it and not going through with what was expected of them. And as you could easily see there was no real love between them all though this was a very intense moment for Legolas resulting in what elves usually don't do, crying.
...Elrond does hold a sort of blame in not telling Aragorn about this and I know that. I tried to think of what parents would go through after adopting a child which they start to love as their own as years go by, but of course they always know that the 'talk' about who are my real parents always arrives. That doesn't mean they don't try to ignore it and hope that the question never arrives at all. I agree with you that with telling Aragorn this just before Legolas would arrive he hurt Legolas, Aragorn and Firiël. There will be a conversation between Elrond and someone else about the reason why Elrond has not told Aragorn about who he truly is earlier so I can't tell you much about why Elrond did not tell or teach Aragorn thing about his name or companion.
...The reason why Legolas has 'always' loved Aragorn will be mentioned in this chapter so once again I won't be able to tell you much about this without giving something from the story away, sorry.
A Love Once Realized
By Clio Leanan Sidhe
Chapter five
When Aragorn woke up he found no one next to him. He sat up in his bed and looked around to find Legolas sitting in front of the mirror, combing his hair. He watched the blonde in silence until Legolas looked at him through the mirror with tired but mostly expressionless eyes.
"Did you sleep well?" Legolas asked.
Aragorn nodded. "What about you?"
Legolas shrugged and continued combing his hair. "I have had better nights." He decided, but left out the fact that he had been crying most of the night, a thing that elves did not do that often.
Aragorn got out of bed, grabbing the pants that were lying on the end of the bed. He pulled them on before walking over to Legolas and taking the comb from the pale hand. He brushed Legolas' hair, watching the blonde through the mirror while Legolas looked down at his hands. "Today is the last day of spring." Aragorn said, trying to start a conversation but he found it hard to do so.
"Yes, and I believe we will have a warm summer." Legolas returned.
Aragorn nodded. "How long will your father stay?"
"I do not know," Legolas started and placed his hand on Aragorn's which tensed. "But he will probably have to return to Mirkwood soon."
The dark haired man placed the silver comb on the table and braided Legolas' hair. "Would you like to join me for breakfast?" He asked then, the words leaving his lips before he even thought about them. For a second he hoped that the blonde sitting in front of him would say 'no' but when he saw Legolas smile and agree he couldn't help but smile softly himself.
Legolas waited in silence as Aragorn dressed and together they left the chambers they shared. They were silent, but for once it was not uncomfortable like it had been all those times before.
O O O
Legolas placed his fingers on the dark emerald green cover of the book in his hands. He noticed the ring around his finger and it made him warm inside. When he heard Nayevar's soft voice he looked up and smiled at the dark haired elf on the other side of the desk. He placed the book on the desk and placed his elbows on the dark wood. "What is it Nayevar?"
"I am really sorry my prince but both Aethil and Gaellyn have asked if they could return home." He told Legolas. "They miss their family."
Legolas nodded. "I understand Nayevar, I will not keep them here," He decided and smiled up at his friend and servant. "What about you, do you wish to return to Mirkwood?"
Nayevar shook his head and rested his pale grey eyes on his prince. "No my prince, I will not leave your side, even if you asked me to." He replied. "Not as a servant, but a friend."
Legolas smiled and got up. "And I cherish your friendship Nayevar, I hope you know that."
"I do." Nayevar answered.
The blonde walked over to him and placed his hands on Nayevar's shoulders. "Then for once call me Legolas, my friend."
"Very well, Legolas." Nayevar replied and smiled. "I will go and tell the news to Aethil and Gaellyn." He decided but was interrupted by Legolas.
"Please will you stay for a little while Nayevar?"
The dark haired elf nodded. "Of course." He sat down on the ground next to Legolas' chair and smiled when the blonde quickly sat down next to him on the ground. "What is it Legolas?" He asked.
"I do not understand Nayevar..." Legolas started. "Yes I was also angry when I first heard that I was to marry someone who had just been born, a baby...a child." He whispered. "But I learned to love the man I now see as my companion, I have respected him, cared for him, and eventually loved him without even knowing him." The blonde elf continued and looked away. "And in return I find a man who tries to avoid even looking at me."
Nayevar nodded. "Don't worry Legolas, you were meant for each other, in the-"
"How!" Legolas cried out, anger taking over him. "How does everyone seem to know what we are meant for each other, what does that mean?" He continued. "How can you know if something is suppose to be and something is not." Legolas asked, not waiting for an answer. "Two can be together for years and seem happy, you will hear everyone say that they always knew, they always knew the two of them were meant for each other." The blonde elf decided. "But on the inside lies pain and hatred towards each other, do you think anyone cares Nayevar? Inside you can be weary, absolutely tired and wish to cry but for the crowd you need to be strong, bright and loving that is what they want of you, they don't care for what you feel...they need someone to guide them, they need an example, nothing more then that."
Nayevar stayed silent, looking at the elf in front of him, wondering how tired Legolas truly felt inside.
"Go tell Aethil and Gaellyn then can go..." Legolas whispered.
Nayevar nodded and left in silence.
The blonde returned to his seat and sat down, pulling the book into his lap. He opened it and turned the first empty page, then he started reading. For a long time he was not disturb but at the end of the day Aragorn came to the library after hearing from some servants that they had seen the blonde elf there in the morning.
"Legolas?" Aragorn looked around the library until he saw the blonde elf sitting in one of the chairs, reading a book that was carefully placed in his lap. He walked over to the blonde, leaving the door to the library open. When he had reached Legolas' side he stopped and looked down at the blonde elf. He wondered if Legolas was ignoring him or hadn't noticed him yet. "Legolas."
Legolas looked up when he heard Aragorn speak his name and smiled at the dark haired man who was towering above him. "Aragorn, I am sorry, I didn't hear you."
"That is all right." Aragorn decided and took the book from Legolas' hands, placing it on the desk in front of the blonde elf. He then took Legolas' hand and pulled him up. "Elrond asked me to find you, we were waiting for you."
Legolas blushed. "I am sorry."
"It is fine." Aragorn decided and pulled the elf with him, slightly annoyed.
O O O
Legolas looked at the elves who were sitting on the ground, surrounded by large golden pillows on the large ivory balcony. He smiled at Arwen who had noticed them. She sat up, straightening her back as she waved at him to come over to her. He did so and sat down next to Arwen while she pulled at his arm.
"So, tell me about last night?" She asked softly so no other could hear.
Legolas blushed and shrugged. "There is not much to tell..." he decided, not wanting anyone to know that he had cried in Aragorn's arms who had whispered another's name.
"I see." Arwen grinned.
Aragorn sat down next to his father, Elrond, listening to his brother's who were laughing about someone they had met the day before.
"Mithrandir brought me bad news Aragorn." Elrond told him and looked at his son. "A war is hanging as a shadow above our heads and over all other's in Middle-Earth."
Aragorn frowned, looking at his father.
"Do not let your thoughts dwell on it now, but there might come a time you will need to fight." Elrond told him and then looked at Legolas. Aragorn followed his gaze and frowned when he saw the blonde elf laugh together with his sister. "And leave behind what is most precious to you."
Aragorn knew that Elrond meant Legolas but he still could not find any form of love for the elf he was looking at. "I understand." He muttered and looked away when the blonde caught him staring.
The dark haired man frowned, thinking about Elrond's words. 'A war is coming then?' Aragorn thought to himself. 'Between whom?' But his questions would stay unanswered for a long time.
O O O
Legolas found himself spending more and more time alone. Aragorn was always training on the fields with either Glorfindel or his brothers. And Legolas remained behind, often in the company of Nayevar or Erestor, who had slowly become good friends with. At first Erestor had been cold towards him while they shared every day in the same library. But as time passed Legolas found that he had a great friend in the dark haired elf.
"Erestor?"
The other looked up and watched Legolas in silence.
"Do you and Glorfindel often make..." He blushed and stopped speaking, looking away from Erestor. "Do you..." He tried again but the question couldn't pass his lips.
"Make love, Legolas?" Erestor asked, looking at his friend with expressionless eyes.
Legolas nodded but stayed silent.
"Of course, we are bonded after all." Erestor told him and lay down his quill, knowing Legolas had a couple of questions for him. "What do you want to ask me Legolas?"
Legolas opened his mouth to speak but kept his eyes turned downwards, not knowing if he could look at Erestor while asking this from his friend. "I would like to know...how I could pleasure Aragorn..." Legolas asked, his voice trembling slightly. He had been thinking about this idea for two days now, hoping it could change something between himself and Aragorn.
Erestor frowned but nodded. "I see..." He walked over to Legolas and knelt down next to Legolas' chair so he could look at the blonde's face. "Let's discuss this in my chambers, you never know who will come barge in here."
Legolas nodded and got up following Erestor.
O O O
Elladan looked at his brother and smiled, holding up his sword. "So what is happening between Legolas and you?" He asked, blocking Aragorn's sword with his own.
Elrohir sat on the ground, a perfect red apple in his hand. He watched Aragorn with interest, not wanting to miss a word what his brother would answer to Elladan.
"I have not seen him very much the passed days. "
Elladan frowned and blocked another blow. "Why not?"
"Because I do not wish to see him." Aragorn answered, thinking of the blonde elf.
Elrohir's frown increased when he heard those words coming from Aragorn's lips. "Why?"
Aragorn blocked Elladan and gave his other brother a quick look. "Because...I don't know why."
"Maybe you are finding yourself in love with him?"
The dark haired man shook his head and dodged Elladan's attack. "No, I do not love him, I will never love him."
"Somehow those words sound like lies to me, Aragorn." Elladan decided and before he knew it he was lying on his back, looking up at the sky. He sat up and looked at Aragorn. "One day you will find that you can no longer lie to yourself Aragorn, you have feeling for him but you are afraid to show them."
"You know nothing of my feelings Elladan." Aragorn returned before he left the twins on their own, anger coursing through his body. He could still hear Elladan's voice in his head and he found himself angry at himself because Elladan would have been right. He walked through the halls of Elrond's house and found his way to the chambers that belonged to Legolas and himself. He opened the door to find Legolas sitting on the large bed they now shared.
Legolas looked up and blushed. "Aragorn..." He breathed and quickly got up. "What are you doing here?" He asked, his throat becoming dry all of a sudden at the sight of the dark haired man. He walked over to Aragorn and let out a deep sigh, feeling somewhat nervous.
"I am here because these are also my chambers." He returned and frowned when Legolas placed a hand on his chest. He could feel the small fingers trail upwards until he could feel the soft skin of Legolas' fingertips on his neck.
Legolas cupped Aragorn's cheek with his hand and leaned forwards, pressing their lips together. It was a soft kiss, lasting only seconds before Legolas pulled away to look up at his companion with a blush on his pale cheeks. He pressed their lips together again this time licking Aragorn's lips, asking for entrance. He received it quickly and Legolas pushed his tongue inside Aragorn's mouth. He closed his eyes and felt Aragorn's arms wrap around his waist and pull him closer.
Aragorn pulled away and looked at Legolas, confused at Legolas' behaviour. He watched as Legolas started to undo his robes, watching Aragorn in silence. But before Legolas was finished Aragorn placed his hand upon the blonde's. "Don't." Aragorn muttered.
Legolas frowned and kissed Aragorn again. When he pulled away he looked up at Aragorn. "Do you not find me desirable?" He asked softly, waiting for the reply.
"Yes, I do find you desirable." Aragorn decided and watched Legolas smile. "But I still do not love you." He continued then and the smile faded as quick as it had come to Legolas' lips.
"I understand." Legolas whispered and felt like a complete fool. "I am sorry." He said then and turned, buttoning up his robes again. Before Aragorn could say another word Legolas had all ready left through a pair of doors that led to the small room next to their bedroom. Aragorn did not follow him but sat down on the bed. He closed his eyes and rested his head in his hands.
He did not know that Legolas was sobbing softly in the other room, cursing himself for even thinking that Aragorn would want him with his silly idea. All though Aragorn had said that he found Legolas desirable it still had nothing to do with love, it was simple lust. He wrapped his arms around his legs and pulled himself into a little ball, hoping that he could just disappear in the large chair he was sitting in.