Discl. : Lotr does not belong to me
Warnings: AU, M/M.
Pairings: Aragorn/OCC, Aragorn/Legolas, Glorfindel/Erestor
Author's Note: Thanks for the reviews! In this chapter we will find out why Elrond has not told Aragorn about his name and companion earlier.

And to Kawaii Kistune-Kun I did not insult 15 year olds. I am happy with everyone who ready my story, I'm sorry if you thought that I was insulting 15 year olds. Please forgive me!

A Love Once Realized
By Clio Leanan Sidhe

Chapter seven

In the morning Thranduil did what his son had asked him to do wishing he could take his son with him once again only if it meant for a little while, it would be enough time for both Aragorn and Legolas to sort their thoughts, he talked with Lord Elrond at breakfast, asking him if it was possible for Legolas to come with him back to Mirkwood. Elrond had agreed of course, seeing how things were between Aragorn and Legolas. He hoped Aragorn would calm down if Legoals would be gone for a while.

Elrond looked around Legolas who was sitting next to his father, Thranduil. "I hope you enjoy your time in Mirkwood." He said and smiled at the blonde elf.

Legolas nodded, returning Elrond's smile. He was happy to see Elrond agree with his return to Mirkwood. It meant he would have time to spend without his companion. "I know I will." He replied.

Arwen looked at Legolas an idea coming to her head. She had never seen Mirkwood before and wished to go there, this could be a great opportunity for her to finally go to Mirkwood. "Legolas, would you object if I asked to come with you?" She asked him, whispering softly.

Legolas looked at her and shook his head. "No of course not Lady Arwen." He replied, finding that he actually liked the idea of some company on the journey back home.

Arwen smiled brightly and looked at her father. "Father, would you mind if I joined Legolas?" She asked, hoping that her father would let her go. Underneath the table she crossed her fingers, biting her lip softly as she saw her father think for a while. She really wanted to see Mirkwood and she could spend some times with Legolas.

Elrond sighed but nodded in agreement, knowing he would not be able to stop his daughter if she really wished to go. "But I ask of you Legolas, to keep my daughter safe."

"I will Lord Elrond." Legolas replied and smiled at Arwen.

Aragorn joined them when almost everyone was all ready finished with breakfast, he sat down next to his companion but did not say a word to the blonde elf who sat next to him. He had nothing to say to his companion, remembering the fight from the night before clearly. When Legolas had walked out on him he had grown even more angry. He did not recall anyone speaking to him as Legolas had and it bugged him.

"Aragorn, I am going with Legolas to Mirkwood, isn't that wonderful." Arwen cheered, knowing she would be able to get a response from her brother if she would say those words.

Aragorn watched his sister and then turned to look at Legolas who had his eyes on the plate in front of him. "Really?" He asked and turned to look at his sister again. "Yes, that is great." He muttered and started eating.

Legolas excused himself and left in silence, feeling uncomfortable sitting next to Aragorn while the man knew he would be leaving for Mirkwood and Aragorn had still not shared a word with him, only about him. He could hear Aragorn following him but tried to ignore the dark-haired man, not really wanting to spend any time talking with him, not after the silence of Aragorn with breakfast.

"Legolas..."

The blonde elf turned and stared at Aragorn. "Yes?"

Aragorn walked over to him, ignoring the anger he could clearly read in Legolas' blue eyes and stepped close, placing his hands on Legolas' hips who tensed and stepped away from him to create a space between them.. "Don't go..." He whispered softly and pressed their lips together in a kiss that Legolas did not return. "I am sorry about last night." He said after letting go of Legolas' soft lips.

Legolas sighed and looked down at his hands, trying to calm himself down. He really wanted to yell and get angry at Aragorn but knew it would not help things between them and so he stayed silent for a long time until he finally spoke.. "I need to pack Aragorn." He whispered and left the dark haired man standing in the hall alone.

O O O

Thranduil waited until everyone was gone before he turned to look at the lord of Rivendell. "My son came to me last night." He started, wondering if Elrond all ready knew and if Aragorn had all ready told him about the fight between the two of them.

Elrond frowned. "Why?"

Thranduil didn't answer right away, looking at Elrond to see if the man was asking it because he really did not know or just wanted to hear it from someone else before he said something that might damage the relationship between Aragorn and Legolas further through Thranduil. "Because your son once again shows how selfish men can be, why does he not love my son Elrond?"

Elrond sighed and looked away. He had tried to avoid these questions for a while now but knew that they were displayed in everyone's mind, the reason why Aragorn did not know of Legolas, the reason that Aragorn did not even know his name.. "Because he did not know of Legolas for years."

Thranduil frowned when he heard this. "Why not?" He tried, needing to understand the strange relation his son shared with his companion now.

"I was afraid to tell him," Elrond whispered truthfully, his feelings feeling as a burden on his shoulders and pressing down heavily upon them He turned to look at Thranduil, hoping to find some compassion from the other elf. "You of all should know how it feels to loose a child, I was selfish and tried to keep him to myself for longer then I should have..."

Thranduil sighed and shook his head, knowing exactly how Elrond felt, but it still did not change the fact that Elrond should have told Aragorn. "And now my son is the one who suffers."

"I did not know I would hurt so many with my decision to keep him close to me." Elrond said and looked at Thranduil, thinking of not only Aragorn and Legolas but also Aragorn's former lover who he had send away to Lothlorien to create a distance between Aragorn and Firiël in which both of them could let go of their feelings for each other. "I love him so much, I love him as if he was one of my children."

Thranduil shook his head once again. "That is no excuse Elrond, you knew what was asked of you them moment he was pushed into your arms."

"But that does not mean I liked what I knew," Elrond started, whispering. "Do you not think I often tried to find a way to tell him."

"Then why didn't you!" Thranduil yelled, angry.

"Because I love him, I didn't want to lose him!" Elrond replied, his voice weak all though he yelled back. He was taken a back to finally say those words. But they were nothing but the truth, he had been afraid of loosing Aragorn but now he knew that it would not have changed a thing between them, of course it was no to late.

Thranduil laughed softly, feeling pity for the one in front of him. "You are a fool Elrond, a fool who cares maybe but nonetheless a fool."

"I know." Elrond decided. "But the fact that he has loved me all those years..., it makes me the happiest fool alive."

O O O

Aragorn watched in silence as Legolas left with his father, Nayefar and Arwen. He stood next to his brother's and Elrond. Aragorn didn't say a word when the four of them said their goodbye's. He did not know what to say but also found that there were no words he wished to share with any of them.

Legolas felt bitter when he saw Glofindel and Erestor say goodbye to each other, once again Glorfindel would accompany them to make sure nothing would happen while they were on their journey towards Mirkwood.. He glanced at Aragorn and found that he wished to say goodbye to his companion the same way Glorfindel and Erestor shared their goodbye. He tried to smile when Aragorn looked up at him, their eyes resting on each other.

Aragorn broke their eye contact and walked away from them. Legolas watched him leave, the sickening feeling he had felt in his stomach slowly disappearing which every step he saw Aragorn take away from them and back towards Elrond's house.

O O O

Days passed which Aragorn spend with his brothers but he often found himself wondering how long Legolas would be away and hoping that the blonde would come home quickly.

"Is your mind set on Legolas once again dear brother?" Elrohir joked and sat down next to his brother on the fields. Elladan joined them after seconds and sat down on the other side of Aragorn.

"It actually is..." Aragorn told them and looked at Elrohir. "I think I miss him."

Elladan raised a brow, confused. "So first you want him gone, and when he is gone you want him...here?" He asked and couldn't believer his ears when Aragorn mumbled a quick 'yes'.

"Does this mean you love him?" Elrohir asked.

Aragorn looked at his other brother and shrugged. "I think it might."

"You think, or you know?" Elladan asked then.

Aragorn turned his head to look at Elladan. "I don't know."

"Why not?" Elrohir asked, watching his brother.

The dark haired man looked at him and opened his mouth to speak but he was all ready interrupted by Elladan.

"You know if you love someone, don't you?" Elladan asked.

Aragorn sighed and looked down at his hands. "Yes, I know but...I don't think I love him...yet." He decided then before looking up at his brother's again.

"Well I guess that is good enough..." Elladan decided.

"It took you long enough." Elrohir muttered.

Elladan nodded. "Luckily for you a letter arrived from our dear sister yesterday, telling us when they are returning."

Aragorn looked at Elladan and frowned. "Why didn't you tell me."

"Because then you wouldn't have come to realize that you love Legolas after all." Elrohir answered his question.

Aragorn smiled. "So, when are they returning?"

"Two weeks from now, enough time for you to think of a nice way to welcome Legolas." Elladan grinned.

Aragorn sighed and shook his head.

O O O

The two weeks passed slowly as Aragorn tried to keep himself busy enough so that his mind was not set on Legolas. He glad to finally see his companion, sister and friend return from Mirkwood.

Legolas on the other hand dreaded his return. He had wished to stay even longer in Mirkwood but he knew he couldn't. Arwen had been a good friend and listened to all that Legolas had to tell about Aragorn and himself. She had felt bad for him, but did not know how to help him.

They were greeted by Lord Elrond who quickly pulled his daughter in an embrace when she got of her horse. Aragorn took Legolas' hand and pulled him away from the other's so they couldn't be heard. "I missed you." Aragorn whispered, pulling Legolas close to him. He kissed the blonde elf but it wasn't returned.

"You don't have to lie to me to make me feel better, Aragorn." Legolas smiling sadly and kissed the man's cheek.

Aragorn shook his head. "I'm not lying, I really missed you."

Legolas nodded but didn't believe the man in front of him. "I'm rather tired," Legolas decided. "I'm going to get some sleep."

Aragorn nodded and let go of his companion, his stomach turning. He couldn't help but ask himself: 'Now that I finally realized that I love him, am I to late?'