Disclaimer: I think we've already established the fact that I own nothing to do with LotR.

Warnings: I also think that everyone knows this is slash by now: Legolas/Aragorn. Leave if you do not like.

Sorry 'bout all grammar and/or spelling mistakes.

I'm so freakin' sorry about the wait! I had no time to write last week with two practices a day. Only got an hour between them and then had to come home, take a shower, and then practically leave right away to eat or whatever else we were doing that day. Fortunately, I now have one practice a day, since the tryouts are over and the teams are decided and whatnot. One thing that sucks, though… and it's a major thing: I have a writer's block on this fic. It's getting smaller and smaller, but that's why this chapter also took forever to come out. I think I may be past it, but… well, we shall just have to see… after I write the next chapter for my other fic. XD

School also started next week. ..:hisses:.. So… updates will be slower once that does start up. I'll try to get another chapter out before then, 'kay? n.n

Well, now that I'm done with my excuses, let's get on with this, shall we? n.n;; Hope you enjoy.

Heart's Truth

Chapter Thirteen: Weighing the Options

Four days had passed and Thranduil was growing desperate with no signs of his son. It was still early in the morning of this day and he would not give up. They would search all day; hopefully without having to take a break.

The elf king seriously needed a break himself, one with sleep, for he had only been able to get brief amounts while his warriors slept at night. He was just too worried about Legolas to even consider sleep.

Why could he never control his rash behavior?

He sighed heavily, forcing his eyes to stay open as he continued to scan his surroundings for any signs of the missing elf or human. He was sure that wherever Aragorn was Legolas would be with him so it was safe to look out for his prints as well. They would probably be easier to spot anyway… he was human after all.

Nothing. No prints, horse or human or elf.

He echoed his earlier sigh in despair.

About three to four hours later there was a surprised gasp from a few warriors a couple horses behind him to the left.

"My lord!" one of the few warriors with red hair shouted. "Look here!" he exclaimed pointing to a spot below a tree.

Thranduil immediately turned his horse around and went to the excited warrior. Following his gaze he understood exactly why he was so ecstatic. Finally they had some sign of the two friends, for before them it looked like a pair of footprints, and they seemed like one was elf; one was human. Perfect. Moving his gaze to the side of the footprints, it looked as though they had actually fallen from the tree.

He frowned in confusion. Whatever would cause them to fall? It looked like they fell together by the marks on the ground. Were they in trouble? Had they been attacked? He didn't understand!

But they had finally come across some clue as to where they had gone!

It was a very good thing he didn't know what the two had done in that area. That probably would have just turned on his anger again, even if he was so worried about Legolas. No, because he was so worried. If he had known that they had been fooling around and having a good time he would have been none too happy… not that he was at the moment.

Eventually the footprints turned into hoof prints, showing that they had decided to take their horses. Who knew how far they were now, but at least they had prints to go from now, whereas before they were just aimlessly searching for them. Things were finally looking up.

"Hannon le, Lindëdil," the elf king said gratefully to the red-headed elf.

The warrior smiled and nodded.

They then set off to follow the prints, hoping that they would soon run into the two friends. Thranduil, of course, hadn't mentioned why Legolas had left in the first place or that Aragorn was his son's lover. However, rumors of this were quickly spreading like wildfire throughout Mirkwood from the few elves that had seen it. He had commanded the ones who had informed him of their relationship to tell no one else and was sure they hadn't, but he couldn't tell the others, for he didn't know who they were.

Thranduil sighed deeply for what must have been the thousandth time that day. Oh Legolas, what have you gotten yourself into? he thought shaking his head. Who knew what the kingdom would think of this. Would they accept the prince? Would they allow him to become king if need be? How would they treat him?

Elves weren't looked down on for taking members of their own sex as lovers, but if anything were to happen to Thranduil and Legolas had to take the throne he would eventually need an heir. Nothing would probably happen, though, so no one would have to worry about that for a long time.

He shook his head again, ridding his mind of the thoughts. There would be plenty of time to think out them later. He had to find his son first otherwise none of that would matter.

Forcing his mind back to concentrate on the trail before, he pushed aside all the pointless thoughts. He didn't care anymore; he just wanted his son back.

Hours later, when the sun began to give in to the moon's demand for dominance, Thranduil and his warriors heard voices; it sounded like two people.

Once they got close enough they could hear the raised voice, like it was a one-sided argument. …The voice sounded familiar…

"—care not if you are not hungry! You need to eat," the voice said sounding frustrated with his companion.

The response was too quiet even for their elven hearing but whatever was said seemed to make the person desperate as their voice lowered.

"Please, you need to stop doing this to yourself," they pleaded with a sound of defeat.

It was then that Thranduil suddenly recognized the voice. It was Aragorn and he must have been talking to Legolas. What was going on, though? The human sounded genuinely concerned over something the elf was doing… or not doing. He wasn't eating? Why not?

He sped up, since they had never stopped, and headed directly for the two, his heart beating wildly in anticipation. He was finally going to see his son! …If he had assumed correctly. He didn't know who else – if anyone – the human knew in Mirkwood.

Going around some bushes, he found Aragorn hugging Legolas caringly, both sitting in what looked like their camp for the night. The sight made him angry, but his relief far outweighed his anger.

Thranduil stopped in his tracks – the warriors doing the same – as he saw them. The ranger was facing them, and the elf king was surprised to see a single tear slip from the closed eyes, the remaining rays of sun reflecting off of it.

How much did the human care about his son?

Legolas suddenly lifted his head up from Aragorn's shoulder and turned his weary gaze behind him, having heard noises.

The human was puzzled at his lover's actions at first, but then he shifted his own eyes to where he was looking.

Their eyes widened in disbelief when they saw Thranduil before them, warriors tailing him.

The two quickly stood up, Aragorn wiping away the trace of his tear as he did so, trying to hide his moment of weakness from the one who had been the original cause.

The elf king frowned deeply when he noticed his son sway as he stood and lean against Aragorn for support.

Legolas hated that the dizziness had attacked him at this moment. He did not want to appear weak in front of his father, especially after their last argument. He closed his eyes tightly, waiting for the ground to stop tilting beneath him.

"You alright, love?" the human whispered in concern for Legolas' ears only.

The archer nodded briefly and opened his eyes, standing fully. Still close to the ranger, though, Thranduil couldn't help but note.

The elf king dismounted, signaling to his men for them to stay. He slowly approached the two. He couldn't believe he had finally found his son. He could barely contain his excitement. If it weren't for the wary way Legolas and Aragorn watched him he probably wouldn't have been able to. In a way, he supposed he could understand why they were wary of his presence.

Legolas watched as his father came towards them, body tense as he waited and waited and waited. It seemed to take forever for Thranduil to even get close, let alone in front of them by inches. He didn't know if he was ready to confront the elf king yet. However, it didn't look like he had much choice on the matter. At the same time, though, he was thrilled to see him; his conflicting emotions only exhausting him more.

Aragorn kept an eye on his lover, more concerned about him then the elder elf. He couldn't help but feel relieved at seeing Thranduil, for it would surely be good for Legolas… right? He knew the archer needed to resolve this on-going battle with his father. Now more than ever. It was tearing the young elf apart.

Thranduil finally stopped in front of them, his nervous gaze alternating between the blue and grey orbs.

"Ion-nin…" he started uncertainly. Now that he had found them he didn't know what to say. But he had to say something… "I was worried sick about you! How could you just run like that?" he said angrily, but quiet, unable to help himself.

Upon seeing the human's eyes narrow in barely restrained anger, and the look of utter sadness pass over his son's eyes, the elf king cleared his throat, willing himself to calm down and not lose himself again, which was why they were in this situation to begin with.

"I'm sorry, Legolas," he amended softly. He didn't know what to do. He had never been in this situation before and had certainly never seen it coming.

Legolas didn't know how to go about this either. That had been one of the reasons why he hadn't been ready to face his father. He just didn't know what to say or do.

Aragorn sighed in exasperation. This would get them no where.

"My lord, I know I am partially to blame for this and I hope you can forgive me. Whether you do or not, you must forgive Legolas. The things you said to him hurt him deeply," the human stated, staring directly into the elf king's eyes. He thought he'd help them along, he knew how important this was to Legolas and probably Thranduil as well.

The elder elf stared at the human, taken aback by his short speech. Then he nodded in understanding. He knew Aragorn was right, so he did what he had wanted to do since the search began, he did what felt right.

Legolas was surprised when his father suddenly hugged him tightly. However, he soon got over his shock and hugged him back, resting his head on the elf king's shoulder, eyes closed.

"I'm sorry, Ada. I shouldn't have run like that," the archer said quietly, clutching the back of his father's cloak.

"I… I am too. Some things I said were… heartless and uncalled for," Thranduil admitted reluctantly.

A moment of silence passed.

"Legolas… why are you shivering?" the elf king questioned in bewilderment. Cold didn't affect elves; there should be no reason for him to be doing so.

"Why are you?" the younger elf countered, causing his father to drop the subject. Thranduil hadn't even known he had been; he figured it was probably due to his exhaustion and stress.

They broke their hug and looked at each other, unsure of what to do next. Another minute of silence passed while they thought of what to say, each wanting to be careful and not make things worst than they were already.

"Everyone misses you at the palace. You should return with me, ion-nin," the elf king said slowly.

"You know I shall not return without Estel. If you cannot accept who and what I am, and what he is, then I know not when I shall be back," Legolas stated sadly, but sternly, getting his point across. He hated the thought of not going back but he had to do this.

Thranduil blanched at this suggestion. He had searched for his son for weeks. He wanted him back; there was no way he could lose his son forever, either. "But… he is a human," he stated again, as if it wasn't obvious, "they have fickle hearts."

"Nay, Estel is a good man, Adar. Give him another chance… please," the younger elf pleaded for his lover.

Aragorn looked at the archer, worried. The elf had barely eaten these past few days – less than before, a lot less – and hadn't gotten any sleep. Add the stress of suddenly running into his father and it wasn't a good combination. He knew his elf needed this, more than anything, and it would help his current condition without a doubt.

The warriors had stayed back as they were ordered, still mounted as they watched the scene before them. The ones that hadn't seen the two kissing were shocked that the rumors of their relationship were actually true. They wondered what their king was going to do now.

Thranduil weighed his options. He could refuse the request and not be able to see his son in who knew how long, or he could agree with it and get to know the human, he could have his son back…

He sighed heavily, still not entirely sure, but he did know that he didn't want to lose Legolas again.

He nodded reluctantly. "Very well, I shall try. Now let us return home."

Everyone was shocked by this answer, Legolas more so than anyone. He was actually going to give his lover a chance this time? It was almost too good to be true.

Somehow, it was Aragorn who first overcame his shock. "If I may, my lord? I believe we should wait 'til the morn," he suggested carefully, not wanting to ruin his chance so soon. He wouldn't have said anything but he did not want them to be traveling quite yet without Legolas eating something. Also, if they ran into a battle he didn't know how the archer would fare, and since it was nighttime it was more likely that they would run into something.

At first Thranduil was irritated that the human dared question him, however, he quickly quelled it. He had said he would try and he had meant it… last time he had too, it was just that he had inadvertently driven Legolas away before the human could even get a chance. The ranger did have a point anyway. The warriors needed rest – as did he – even if he had tried not to show it. He had actually forgotten that the warriors had been sitting back, waiting for them to finish patiently.

He beckoned for them and then told them to relax.

Aragorn and Legolas turned to each other, smiling brightly. They were glad that the elf king had finally agreed to give him another chance, and this time it looked like they were actually going to get it. Now they just had to convince him that Aragorn was indeed a good man, even if he was human.

Blah… me no like. This chapter was freakin' hard, man, especially with their interaction. That part took forever! …and I don't really like it still… ..:sighs:.. Well, that's how it's goin' to be… ..:shrugs:..

Well, as prob'ly everyone knows, review responses are no longer allowed. So freakin' messed up! If you get the petition make sure you sign it! They shouldn't take away our ability to be able to talk to our reviewers! Because of this, I have written the responses on a different page; if you wish to view them please do. I love being able to respond to you guys. It's at http/ www . geocities . com / indeath666 / rr . html. Sorry 'bout the spaces and whatnot, but FF . net doesn't allow sites either… They're getting way too many rules, and incredibly stupid ones at that. You also need to put in the colon and the other slant thingie in the beginning. Sorry for the inconvience.

I have also decided to start my own site for fics… any kind (except Mary-sues and self-insertions). Go to my profile page for more info. Please check it out. I need the support. n.n

Thank you everyone for the reviews! Please keep them coming, they are what feed my diminishing muse. XD

Ja ne