Disclaimer: I do not own LotR. Didn't I just say this yesterday…

Warnings: Slash, Aragorn/Legolas! Got a problem with that? Then leave. There's a little thing called a back button, either on the mouse or on the monitor;both work quite well…

Sorry 'bout all grammar and/or spelling mistakes.

Hah ha! Not that long of a wait this time, was it? n.n Only 'bout seven days. …that's longer than I thought… well, that's only cuz I'm workin' on two fics now… .:shrugs:. I'm actually still sick, though. Can ya believe it? I can't get rid of this freakin' thing… Rawr! I am done with the research project that I had to work on, though. n.n So hopefully now I'll be able to write more…

Hope you all enjoy! n.n

Heart's Truth

Chapter Six

Permission… Granted?

Dinner had just finished and Aragorn dreaded what was to come next. He had told Legolas that they would ask his father after it, though, and that was exactly what he was going to do. He didn't go back on his word.

For the first time since he had arrived Legolas had finally eaten with everyone; Elrohir had been there as well, his injuries had also healed. Everyone was pleased to see the blonde at the table with them, but were disappointed to find him distracted.

Aragorn and Legolas were walking to the elf's room at the moment when Elrond stopped them.

"What has been bothering you, penneth?" the elf-lord asked. He had noticed that the archer, and even Aragorn, had looked anxious during the meal and looked as though they wanted to ask him something, but weren't sure if they should.

Legolas looked over at the human next to him. Seeing a look of encouragement, he breathed deeply. "Well, I was going to ask you something…" he trailed off. Even if he had been desperately wanting to go back to his father he had no idea of how he should go about this, though it really shouldn't be too hard, especially since he was no longer injured.

"What is it?" the elder elf asked, baffled by the younger elf's strange behavior.

"Well, seeing as how I have not been home in almost a month, and have not seen my father in the same amount of time. Not to mention he's been stuck with all my duties," Legolas said quickly, "I was wondering if you would permit me to return to Mirkwood."

Elrond nearly laughed at the nervous way the prince had asked to return to his own kingdom, but was able to contain himself. He really did not want the blonde to leave, though. He ran into too much trouble. Knowing him, he'd run into something again and after just recovering over too many close calls. He did not think it wise.

"I wish to accompany him as well, Adar," Aragorn added. He didn't think their odds of going were very good, or at least going that evening. His father seemed to be thinking about it too much… or maybe, in this case, it was for the better…

Elrond liked that idea even less… in a way. On one hand Legolas would have a better chance of survival, not to say he was weak, but he still wasn't at his full potential. However, on the other hand, whenever the two were together they seemed to attract even more danger than usual.

Looking at their pleading expressions, he found he could not deny their request, especially to Legolas. He had every right to return home. He had been gone for far longer than he had intended in the first place. He could tell that the prince also felt guilty for dumping all his duties onto his father. Elrond was sure Thranduil could handle those fine, though. After all, he had done so before Legolas was born, although he did have the help of his wife most of the time.

Legolas was about to give up and go back to his room when he heard Elrond sigh heavily and say, "I shall allow you two to go, but only if you go tomorrow," he finally relented, knowing they had been planning to go that very evening.

The elf and human just stared at the elder elf at first, unsure if they had heard correctly.

Aragorn was the first to recover from his shock. "Thank you, Ada!" he exclaimed excitedly. He couldn't help but feel happy for his love, even if he didn't really want him to go in the first place. He knew how much it meant to him.

Legolas smiled widely and laughed at the human's reaction. "Aye, hannon le," he said in agreement.

"Of course. I want you two promise me that you will do everything possible to avoid danger, alright?" he questioned the human and elf now completely serious.

The two nodded. It wasn't as if they purposefully ran into danger anyway. Aragorn wanted nothing to harm Legolas and would do everything he could to prevent it, even more so than usual.

"Good," the elf-lord said with a clap. "Now, you two relax and make sure you get some rest tonight. Do not leave without letting me know first."

Aragorn and Legolas nodded again still amazed that it had been so easy to get Elrond to let them go.

At their nods of affirmation the elder elf smiled at the two and left. He would have to talk to them in the morning about this again…

Aragorn and Legolas exchanged a shocked glance.

"Wow that was easier than expected…" the human said in disbelief.

"No kidding," the blonde stated in agreement. It had been a lot easier than he thought it was going to be for him. With all the injuries he had sustained the past month, he thought it would take a lot more convincing for the elf-lord to agree. And he was allowing Aragorn to come along with him… that was truly amazing, for everyone knew how much trouble they found when together.

"Let us get ready," Legolas said about to go back to his room.

"Not yet. Ada said for us to relax. That is hardly relaxing," Aragorn said, stopping his elf from getting any closer to his room.

"What do you suggest, then?"

The human leaned in close, mouth teasingly close to the elf's. "Why the garden, of course," he said with a smirk.

"Hmm, I do not think I want to go with you," the blonde said thoughtfully. That had nearly been too much of a tease for Legolas and he was extremely tempted to close the gap between them. He knew their only place of solitude was in the garden, though.

"I think you will, whether you want to or not, and you shall like it."

Legolas raised his eyebrows in amusement. "Oh, will I now?"

Aragorn smiled mischievously at his elf.

The archer laughed at the human's expression, sure of what his intent was and what would happen in the garden. Too bad they had to be so careful all the time. They would finally get some privacy on the four-day ride to Mirkwood, though. They would have to put that to good use. "I know not if that is a wise idea quite yet, love," he said reasonably, with his own slip up with the term of endearment. Well, no one was around at the time being.

"Who cares? Let them find out," the human said, finally voicing his opinion on the matter. He really did not care anymore. If his family had a problem with him loving Legolas… well, then that was their problem. He wouldn't give up his love just because they had a problem with him loving another male. He didn't think they would really mind, though, or at least he hoped not.

Legolas was a bit taken aback by this comment. They still hadn't had this conversation, too many things had gotten in the way, or they got distracted. He didn't know that the human felt this way. He was glad that he did, but he still couldn't agree yet. If his father somehow found out… he had no idea how he would react. With Aragorn accompanying him back home ran the major risk of their relationship being exposed to the elf king, however, he couldn't just leave his love behind, especially since he wanted to come along so much. His father still had a slight problem with his best friend being human as well, and now that they had a relationship; not just a friendship… he wasn't sure of how he would respond, not in the least.

"We do not want to start something right before we leave, though," the blonde finally said.

Aragorn sighed heavily and backed away, but accepted the reply. The elf did have a point, though it was a lousy one; definitely no fun for them either. "You are right," he said in a defeated manner.

Legolas hated that he had made the ranger so sad. "I'm sorry, mellon-nin."

Aragorn shook his head. "Do not be," he said, understanding the prince's feelings. "Killed the mood, though… Well, that can be easily fixed…"

Legolas chuckled at the look the human was giving him, one that showed that, somehow, the spark had already been rekindled. The archer was relieved to see that the ranger was able to understand him so well. "Shall we go to the garden then?" he asked uncertainly.

"Aye, let us go," Aragorn said, looking around briefly, much to Legolas' bewilderment. Then turning to his elf he quickly kissed him and ran.

Legolas stood there in shock for a moment before he realized what had happened. "Estel!" he yelled, chasing after the human, who was laughing hysterically.

Both Aragorn and Legolas almost ran into a maid when they turned the corner to the garden, causing her to yelp in surprise and nearly drop the items she carried.

They shouted an apology, but did not stop running.

"What are you two up to?" an amused voice questioned them.

Both human and elf stopped in their tracks. In front of them were Elladan and Elrohir; it had been the younger one who had spoken. It seemed like they were on their way from the garden.

"Definitely more lively than dinner, I see," the elder twin stated. Both twins had noticed how anxious the two before them had been.

Aragorn and Legolas just exchanged a glance, unsure of how to respond. They hadn't known they had been so obvious, however, it seemed like everyone had noticed. Oh well, it really didn't matter. They were going to tell the twins about their departure anyway.

"So, what's going on?" Elrohir asked. He knew the two had something on their minds, and also wondered what they were up to. It was odd to find them running down the halls; Legolas chasing after the human.

"Just on our way to the garden," the ranger replied nonchalantly.

"Mind if we join you?" Elladan queried. He had to ask them why they had been so nervous. Now was as good as a time as ever, he figured.

"Not at all," Legolas said, sounding more pleased than he felt. He had been looking forward to spending more time with Aragorn. Well, they were leaving tomorrow and would have plenty of time alone then; with no chance of interruptions either.

The four walked to the garden together.

Aragorn looked over at Legolas with a wistful gaze.

The blonde merely shrugged, unable to do anything about the twins and not about to try. He mouthed a 'later' to him with a grin. Luckily, neither twin had seen this, for they were too into their own conversation.

Finally, Elladan turned to the two and said, "What had to you two so distracted during dinner?"

"Well," the archer started awkwardly, "I was thinking about a question I was going to ask Elrond…"

When the prince didn't elaborate Elrohir asked, "What was the question?"

"If I could go back to Mirkwood, and if Estel could accompany me," Legolas finally answered the two.

The twins stopped walking; this wasn't what they had expected at all. They both knew that their friend had to return home sooner or later, but for some reason, it never occurred to them that it would happen so soon… or at least it seemed soon to them.

Aragorn and Legolas almost laughed at the shocked looks Elladan and Elrohir sported.

"And…? What did Ada say?" the elder twin inquired as soon as he was able to.

Aragorn smiled widely, "That we could leave tomorrow."

That surprised the twins the most. They could understand about Legolas, it was his home after all that he wanted to go back to; their father couldn't really force him to stay any longer since he was recovered… well, he could… but they knew he wouldn't. However, he agreed to let their youngest brother go with? They supposed it wasn't too much of a shock. They had just healed, though. There was too much chance of them running into danger again, and they still weren't at their fullest, especially Legolas, for the wound to the chest had caused a lot of problems before.

This time neither Aragorn nor Legolas could hold back their laugher.

"This is no laughing matter! You still are not at your full strength, Legolas," Elladan said seriously.

This immediately stopped the two and they became solemn.

"Do you think I do not know this?" the prince questioned, angry that Elladan thought him weak.

"Do not take it the wrong way, mellon-nin. I merely worry for you," the eldest brother quickly mended. He still felt guilty too, for the near-fatal chest wound the blonde had received had been for him. If Legolas were to get injured again because he wasn't at his fullest after an injury that was his fault, he'd never forgive himself. Too many close calls had happened already; no one wished for more.

Legolas saw the sadness in Elladan's features and regretted his rash outburst. "I know you care. I'm sorry, mellon-nin," he said guiltily. "I just cannot leave my father to worry any longer."

Elladan nodded, understanding how the blonde felt. Everyone knew how much Legolas cared for his father, especially after his mother had died when the grief had almost consumed their hearts.

"Just make sure you – both of you – are careful, alright?" Elrohir chimed in.

Aragorn and Legolas smiled.

"Of course. Aren't we always?" the human said with a smirk.

"No!" the twins shouted in unison.

It's weird writing this fic right after Unforgivable Pain. They're the exact opposite. That one's all extra angsty, while this one's extra happy and fluffy. .:shrugs:.

Man, I was going to post this last night, but the site wouldn't let me log in so… yeah. But at least I got it out, right? Got me kinda frustrated, though…

Hah ha! I have tomorrow (Monday) off of school…I guess technically it'd be today, but that's not the point. The point is I have a day off of school! Yayness! n.n;;; And it's not freakin' roasting anymore… only 78 degrees inside now, whereas yesterday it was 90. O.O Not right, man, not right.

Anywayz… Review Responses

Anonymous Noldo – Thank you! I'm glad to see that you enjoy my fic. I didn't think that you did. And normally people that leave those type of reviews (not that it was bad, don't get me wrong) never return so, I'm glad that you did. n.n Yeah, I agree, and I very much appreciate your review. You helped me come up with an idea for what I could do, though it was not even close to what I had been planning. So thank you so much!

empath89 - Yeah, pretty much. Fluff is good. I don't know how I can (apparently) write it so well, though. I don't really like that kinda stuff in real life. .:shrugs:. Lol, glad ya think so! n.n

InsanePirate – Yayness! Lol, glad ya like it! n.n Lol, I just had to refer to him as that. n.n;;

IwishChan – Well, as you can see he did just that. n.n Didn't take much convincing either… hmm… Yayness! I'm glad ya think so. n.n .:sighs:. Man, I'm going to have to take those soon… blah.

Enelya Aldarion – O.O No way! I write fluff as well as I do angst? Wow, that was a shocker. Glad to hear that, though. n.n Yeah, sorry 'bout that. I'm usually extra careful 'bout that cuz I know how confusing that can get. I was bound to slip up some time. Thank you for pointing it out to me.

Shadow41 – Glad ya think so! It's not as if I don't like it… cuz I do to a certain extent… it's just weird writing it for so many chapters in a row, especially since my other fic that I'm writing at the same time is all angst. And yeah, the fluff will continue… prob'ly throughout the entire fic. I think a lot of people are goin' to be happy 'bout that. Lol.

Thank you so much for the reviews everyone! They're very much appreciated! Glad you guys think I can write fluff so well. Lol. I think all of you said that you liked it. Yayness! n.n I'm just glad you're not getting tired of it… or I hope not at least, since it's prob'ly goin' to continue… .:shrugs:.

Man, finally I was able to post! I haven't been able to log in for a day at least. .:shakes head:. I was goin' to post this... uhh... Sunday night I think. Oh well… got it out at least, right? n.n

Plz Review, and any and all pointers or suggestions are welcomed. n.n

Ja ne