Chapter Six
Estalado gave a chuckle and pulled the slim Prince against his chest. "Yes, Legolas it is me." He pressed his lips against the blondes for a second time, "I was wrong, I love you Legolas, I always have it just took me a while to realise it."
Legolas could only grin as he rested his head against the other Elf's chest. Then he came to his senses and he pushed Estalado away. "No, I am married."
Legolas moved away from his old friend and crossed over to stand beside the twins who were stood staring at Estalado. The short, skinny Elfling that they remembered had grown to be a handsome, broad shouldered Elf. They walked forward and clasped the Elf's shoulder. "It is good to see you again, Estalado."
The dark haired Mirkwood Elf was not to be distracted from Legolas, though. "What do you mean? You are married? You told me long ago that you loved me and that while I remained on Arda your heart would be mine."
Legolas shivered with trepidation as he thought of cheating on Aragorn. He hated just the thought of it, but he truly loved his dear friend, he always had. Estalado had been his first love. You could never forget a love like that. But Aragorn was his soul mate, something that Estalado could never be.
"Estalado, I did mean what I said then, at that time, but you never returned to me as you said you would. I tried to wait for you, but as the years passed I had to change. I thought that you had sailed when I heard nothing from you and I let my heart love another, the King of Gondor." Legolas somehow managed to keep his voice level.
Estalado gave a loud laugh that echoed through the forest. "That is well then, for when he dies of old age we can still be together then. It is only a matter of time and patience."
Legolas somehow stopped the twins from hitting his old friend. This was a new side to his friend and Legolas was amazed. This was a cruel side he had never seen before, one that only saw his personal gain. It was not a side that Legolas liked very much. "That will never happen. The King is immortal. The King is known to you, it is Estel..."
"That Adan, You fell in love with a Ranger?" Estalado changed the tone of his voice. It now held a compassionate note as he stared at the Prince of Eryn Lasgalen. "Legolas, I am truly sorry it took me so long to come home to you, but I needed time. But I am here now will you give me another chance?"
"I have changed; you would no longer want me. Plus I have Aragorn and three... I mean two children to look after and love." Legolas was pleased that none of the three had picked up on his slip up.
"I could love them if it meant being with you." Estalado walked towards the blond and wrapped his arms around him. "I love you." The twins had stayed out of the conversation so far, but both moved forwards at this point. If Legolas decided to go with Estalado they would not stop him, but they knew that it would break Aragorn's heart.
"I... I do not know what to say, I am deeply in love with another, but I still have feelings for you. I want to be able to love one and only one, but I do not."
Estalado gently soothed the Prince and whispered quietly. "I can wait."
When Aragorn walked into his chambers later that night he was pleased to see that the decorating was finished. The painters had worked quickly covering all the soothing greens with a light blue. But all it did was to remind Aragorn of a pair of wonderfully clear bright blue eyes.
Shaking his head he walked out onto the large balcony and rested his head in his hands. Staring out at the setting sun he wanted to do nothing more than cry. He was exhausted, he had never realised just how much hard work it took to look after two highly active twin children, especially ones who were entering the terrible twos.
He now knew just how hard Legolas had worked while he was away. But he was still far too prideful to go after his blond husband.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before re-entering the chambers. Around the walls were several boxes packed full of Legolas' things, clothes, jewellery and personal mementos. Aragorn rummaged around and withdrew three items. One was the robe that Legolas had worn for their wedding and then again for his coronation as Prince Consort. Lifting it to his nose he smelt the clean woodsy smell that belonged purely to Legolas. He placed it to one side and looked at the second item. It was a thread bare bear, Growly. The Teddy Bear that Legolas had taken everywhere with him since his mother's death.
One of the ears was nearly falling off after years of being chewed whenever the owner was feeling worried or scared. The third and final item was a sketch pad full of drawings done by Legolas, quick sketches that said so much about the Elf as a person.
Aragorn flipped it open and the first drawing was a sketch of all the members of the Fellowship drawn from memory a few months ago. All the rough work had obviously gone into the pad as there were several more pictures and each time the group had different expressions and postures, all that is except for himself and Legolas. They were staring lovingly into each others eyes and holding hands.
Quickly moving on Aragorn saw numerous pictures of the twins, in the gardens and around the Citadel. Continuing to flip through the pictures Aragorn noticed that he hardly featured in any regarding the children. Faramir and Eowyn were in a large amount along with their son Boromir. Legolas had put himself in a few and Gandalf, Gimli and the Hobbits were in a few each. But the only one of him had been drawn with the utmost of care. The pencil strokes were deliberate and definite. It had obvious been drawn with care and love.
Closing the pad Aragorn placed all three items in the top draw of the cabinet beside his bed and sank back onto the pillows. Giving a sleepy yawn he fell asleep with images of Legolas dancing in his head.
Elardion sat in his chamber watching his wife sleep. Arwen gave a soft sigh and rolled over in her sleep. The healer stood and looked out of his chambers window. He wished he knew more about what was wrong with his baby brother, but for now he would settle on informing his Ada that Greenleaf was heading for home.
Dear Ada,
I hope that this letter finds you and my brothers well. Arwen and I are safe and content in our marriage, but alas I cannot say the same for Legolas. He and Aragorn have fought and as I write this missive the young Leaf is heading home to you in Eryn Lasgalen. Elladan and Elrohir are with him so I know he is safe. He needs us know and I fear that he will endanger his health once more. There have been rumours that he is struggling to eat once again.
Please take care of him Ada as I know you will. I will return home once I am able to leave Arwen. I promise to visit soon and wish you well. Give my love to everyone and hug Legolas for me.
Your faithful son,
Elardion
The King of Eryn Lasgalen had just finished reading the letter from his son; it had been sent by bird and had arrived only one day after it had been sent. Thranduil was worried when he heard of the crisis that the marriage of his son and Aragorn was in, but he was secretly and most shamefully, also happy about this fact. Maybe, just maybe the forest would have its Greenleaf back.
Standing from his desk he hurried to find his three remaining sons in the palace. The most obvious place for him to start looking was Lomion's study; the Crown Prince spent increasing amounts of in his work area preparing for the day when he would take over and become King.
Entering the elaborately decorated chamber, Thranduil saw his son already hard at work. "Lomion, may I speak with you?"
"Of course you can, Ada." Thranduil went onto explain what had happened in Gondor. By the end of the story Lomion was looking down cast.
"Why does nothing ever go right for him?"
"I do not know, but our Little Leaf will need all of us."
Father and Son walked towards the chamber door on their way to find Nolvo and Alcarnor.
Legolas gave a soft sigh and stared at Estalado. The four Elves had remounted and were heading back to the palace of Eryn Lasgalen. The twins and Legolas had told Estalado all that had happened during his absence. How Legolas had been a part of the Fellowship of the Ring and how he and Aragorn had fallen in love.
Darkness fell and as they were still a few hours ride from their destination, they decided to camp for the night and carry on in the morning, they all took a watch and settled down to sleep.
Legolas felt someone shaking him by the shoulder and looked up blearily to find Estalado smiling down at him.
"Wake up, sleepy, it is time for your watch." Estalado pulled the blond to his feet and Legolas shook his head to rid himself of the remaining tendrils of his dreams. He had seen the figure in his dreams once again, the one surrounded by bright light, but he still had no idea of who it was.
"So tell me what are your children called?" Estalado asked as he settled himself beside Legolas and placed his arm around the waist of the Prince.
Legolas smiled as he answered. "They are twins; they were two a few days ago. We have one girl and one boy. They are a perfect mix of Aragorn and I. Laireloth and..." Legolas trailed off.
Estalado pushed for the remaining name. "And..."
"Estalado, they are Laireloth and Estalado." Legolas blushed and looked down.
"You named your only son after me? I am honoured, but why?"
"Because you were, are one of the most important people in my life and I wanted to remember you and I wanted my children to know you." Legolas felt tears form in his eyes as he admitted this.
Estalado did not answer and simply pulled the blond towards him as they stared up at the star streaked sky. Legolas felt him self drifting back into sleep, but mentally shook himself he was supposed to be on guard duty. He did not, however pull away from Estalado.
Legolas felt a nagging feeling in the back of his mind and then his head exploded with pain. All around him he saw images of Estalado and the twins on the floor dieing from spider bites. Screaming in pain the images faded and he was flat on his back looking up at his travelling companions.
Legolas was gasping for breath as he felt the severe pain in his slowly diminish until all that was left was a dull throb. He was confused; he had always been able to sense things, more so than other people, but nothing like this. He imagined that this was what Lord Elrond and Lady Galadriel saw and experienced.
"We must move on, there is danger here." Legolas sat bolt upright and waved off the hands that tried to help him stand. The twins had learnt long ago not to ignore Legolas' feelings and senses. If he said there was danger then danger there was.
Legolas felt weak and struggled to keep his balance as they rode through the forest. The pain in his head seemed to intensify whenever he focused on what he had seen. He had yet to tell the twins and Estalado the truth about how he knew there were spiders about but luckily they had enough sense to believe him.
Looking across at Estalado, Legolas smiled and for a moment he was distracted from the pain in his head, but the pain was replaced by the one in his heart, he had no idea what to do.
Never knew how to act around you
You left me once and I fear you will again
Love in my heart is never ending
But it's shared by many.
I love because I can and I never stop to think
What my heart will feel if you leave.
Love is the answer to many of my questions
Love is what I crave
Many see it as crystal clear but to me
It is a mystery
No matter what I do you are there
No matter how I act I cannot hide
These feelings are not what I want right now
I wish I knew what to do
I love because I can and I never stop to think
What my heart will feel if you leave.
Love is the answer to many of my questions
Love is what I crave
Many see it crystal clear but to me
It is a mystery
My thoughts swirl when I look at you
I need you to know but then again you hurt me so bad
Love is the answer or so I was told
Love makes it better so I was told
But looking back I doubt those words I heard
Love is not easy love takes work
Love is the answer to many of my questions
Love is what I crave
Many is it crystal clear but to me
It is a mystery
It is a mystery
It is a mystery.
Legolas had become distracted in his mind and he failed to sense the threat that was creeping up on them. The four Elves were taken by surprise as spiders surrounded them and yet more of the evil creatures fell from the trees. One managed to knock Elladan off of his horse as it landed.
Legolas whirled his horse around on the spot and within seconds of the spiders attack he was firing arrows rapidly into the black bodies. Without hesitation Elrohir vaulted from the back of his bay stallion and leapt over to where his brother lay unconscious from a spider's poisonous bite.
Luckily Legolas and Estalado's deadly aim managed to push the spiders back enough so that Elrohir could pick his twin up and was back upon his horses back. Legolas and Estalado kept up the continuous firing for as long as possible, but in the end they both had emptied their quivers. The twins had a head start at galloping towards the palace and the remaining two quickly joined in the race. Neither noticed the threat from over their heads.
Aragorn had woken and could not get rid of the feeling of cold dread that was spreading from his stomach. He had looked in on both of his children and they were happy, that meant that only one other of the people he loved could be in danger. He could not settle and he continued to pace the chamber for hours until his father came to speak with him.
Elrond upon seeing the king's broody mood knew immediately that he too could sense the danger that Legolas and the Twins were under. However, Elrond knew more than he was letting on. He had received a vision of Legolas kissing another Elf, one that was most definitely not a family member.
Approaching his pacing son he tried to calm him. "I sent him off with Elladan and Elrohir, there is little need for worry all three are mighty warriors."
Aragorn jumped, unaware that his father was even in the chamber with him. The King gave up any pretence at trying to hide his true feelings. "I miss him, Adar; I truly thought that I would be better off without him. I thought that all he did was cause problems, but he did not. He was the solution to many more problems than he could have ever caused."
Aragorn could not stop the tears from filling his eyes, they fell unheeded. "Why did I push him away? He is the best thing that ever happened to me."
Elrond wrapped his youngest son in an embrace and whispered into the King's ear. "It is not too late to see him again. Do not do something that you will always regret, he loves you as much as you love Legolas."
Aragorn gave his father a watery smile before wiping the tears that had coursed down his face; he then stood and began to gather the things he would need. His decision was made and it was surprisingly easy, Aragorn would follow his angel.
"Ada, will you take care of the Twin's for me?" Aragorn looked up from his packing.
"Of course, Estel they will be safe in my care while you are gone, just make sure that you bring their Naneth back for them." Elrond smiled fondly at his youngest son sure in his own heart that the family would soon be reunited.
Legolas felt another jolt of fear fill him and he could do nothing but scream as yet another rush of images filled his vision. He saw nothing but death and destruction. He saw himself caught between the two great loves of his life. He saw Aragorn on the floor, dying as blood flowed swiftly from a large wound to his head. The images stopped as suddenly as they had started and with a shudder Legolas felt himself begin to fall sideways off of his horse. He hit the ground and fell into darkness just as the spiders swarmed from the trees around them...
Aragorn lost his breath as a wave of pain swept over his body but he forced his way through it. He hurriedly stuffed clothes and what ever he thought he might need for the journey to Eryn Lasgalen into a warn travel sack. He left the chamber only to stop and turn back, he re-entered the chamber as an after thought. With tenderness he pulled a royal blue velvet bag from the bedside table's draw. He gently placed the bag into a pocket in his robe and left the chamber. Legolas would need this back.
Aragorn ran down the stairs into the main reception chamber, he skidded to a halt as he saw the remainder of the fellowship waiting for him, all held their own stained travel kits. "Where do you think you are all going?" he asked, not that he needed an answer, he knew all too well where they were going.
Gimli looked straight into the King's face and answered his question boldly. "With you, I know not why the others are here. I refuse to stand by and watch you hurt Legolas anymore, you have done more than enough already."
Aragorn considered arguing with the dwarf for a moment but then realised that it would only be causing yet more delay in his pursuit of the blond Elf.
Nodding once to his friend's they all set off in the direction of the stables.
Legolas blinked as he saw nothing but bright lights around him, he moved his head and squirmed on what he expected to be hard ground. The Prince felt no solid surface but cool smoothness of a feathery resting place.
Her blinked once more before realising that he looked upon a face that he had dearly missed. The face belonged to his father. Legolas threw himself into his father's open arms, sobbing quietly. "Ada, I have missed you so much. I did not know what to do. I thought that you would hate me, I did not know where to go." Legolas repeated this over and over, his fair head resting against his fathers shoulder and hair, crying as if his heart was breaking.
Thranduil clasped his baby to his chest, stroking the golden hair, gently rocking the Prince and trying to calm him. "It is no problem, now. Legolas, we will sort all of this out."
Legolas rested his head on his father's chest and started to relax, but he suddenly remembered his friends. "Where are the Twin's, Ada? Elladan was bitten and Estalado?"
"Elladan is having his wound seen to and Elrohir is unhurt. Estalado was bitten also, when he tried to save you. They managed to fight the spiders off long enough for one of the patrols in the area found them. They then brought all four of you back here."
Legolas smiled as his father stroked his hair, he was home and in his own chamber, the colours and contents unchanged from the last time he was here. He tried to sit up but was pushed back down by his father, "You have been very stressed, rest my little Leaf. I will send Lomion to sit with you if you wish, but I want you to lay back and rest."
Thranduil stood and kissed his son's forehead before leaving the chamber in search of the Crown Prince.
Legolas lay back and rubbed his stomach slightly before talking to his unborn child. "Forgive me, little one, I will tell them of you. But only after I am sure that Aragorn will not break us apart, I love you my sweet child."
Legolas was interrupted by Lomion entering the chamber with a puzzled look on his face. "Who are you talking to, Legolas?"
The blond hid his face and replied with a mumble. "No one."
"Yes, you were. You called them your... Oh sweet Valar, you are pregnant! Why did you not tell Adar?"
Legolas considered lying, but he knew all too well that he could hide nothing from his eldest brother; he never had been able to. So he told his brother the whole sorry story. Lomion listened quietly as Legolas sobbed as he told him what Aragorn had said about their children.
"Please, Lomion, I beg of you do not tell Ada and the others. I need to get my head and heart sorted out before I can even consider talking to them. Please?"
Lomion thought for a few moments before answering. "I will not tell them, Leafie, but it is going to become obvious when you start to grow."
"I will deal with that as it happens. Thank you, Lomion I knew I could trust you."
Lomion pulled his baby brother into a hug and rested his hands on the already slightly swollen abdomen of Legolas, saying his first hello to his new niece or nephew.
To be continued