Disclaimer: I don't own anything of the Lord of the Rings.
Note: Thanks for the reviews. Okay here is the council; I do not know all the names of the Valar so forgive me if I misspell them. Let's begin. I know that there are 14 of the Valar but I only the ones I thought were important and wanted to judge a mere human, they probably have better things to do, so don't get me wrong. Not the whole council because I don't feel like writing it.
Aragorn uttered a gasp when he entered the grant room where the Valar held their council. He could feel the enormous shift in power in the air and swallowed thickly. These were the people that he needed to convince to allow him to stay in Valinor, he was sure this was the hardest thing he would ever do.
He acted out of instinct and sank down to one knee, keeping his head bowed while he muttered. "With all that I am I stand before you today to await judgement upon entering Valinor. I would give you anything if I had anything that was worth this sacrifice but I have nothing. My soul and heart are in the keeping of Legolas and they shall remain, even if I am not allowed to stay in your realm."
"Stand, son of Men. You may speak freely here, as this council shall. There shall be no shouting or insults here. Will you respect our decision as hurtful as this may be?" Manwe asked him. Aragorn's gaze was drawn upward and he held his breath.
Before him were seven chairs, seated upon them were what appeared to be Firstborn, yet they were fairer then any of the Firstborn Aragorn had ever beheld. He could understand why people choose to give their love to the Valar. He nodded, not trusting his voice.
Manwe was seated in the middle; his bright gaze had shifted to the people who came in after Aragorn and Legolas. Galadriel and Celeborn were at the head and behind them were Elrond, Gandalf and Thranduil.
"The people here today have come out of their love for Aragorn, son of Arathorn, King of Men. Who shall be judged if he is allowed to stay in Valinor or not. For this is not a place for Mortals but he has done many a thing that some mortals have not." Varda took over from her husband and Aragorn cast a quick look at Legolas.
"But not all, it seems. It seems to me that not everybody is here in favour of Aragorn, am I not right, Elrond?" Aragorn's gaze shot back towards his foster father. Elrond's dark eyes narrowed while the door swung shut behind him. He drew his crimson robes around him and answered. "No, my lady, it is not."
Aragorn let his gaze wander over the stern form of Elrond. Instead of hatred like he had felt before pity welled up within him. Pity for Elrond that whatever it was had not allowed him to see the happiness that Legolas and Aragorn shared when they were together but instead see their love as something bad.
"Can I say something?" Aragorn asked, looking forward again. Manwe nodded and Aragorn turned fully and saying. "It pains me to say this, Elrond. But I pity you, the anger that I had when we were still in Middle Earth has disappeared. I wished I could have your support in this but I find that I have to oppose you in this. So be it then."
Aragorn settled on the floor, he did not want to stand all the time; he was only getting more nervous. Manwe shifted in his seat and then said. "What are the reasons why Aragorn should not stay in Valinor?"
"For he is Human and a mortal, thus he does not belong here with the Firstborn; he belongs with me, in the Hall of Mandos" Mandos answered. Aragorn felt his heart sink, if this is truly how all the Valar felt well then he was in trouble. "Yes, but we allowed the mortals Gimli and Frodo and the Bilbo into these lands, and the things Aragorn accomplished in his life are least as great as theirs, why should we not thrown them out as well." Varda answered, fixing Mandos with a starling smile.
"True indeed, Aragorn had accomplished much in his life as he has tasted sorrow. They were brought here with the Firstborn as was Aragorn. We cannot judge upon different measures simply because he is a man and the others are different species." Manwe softly added.
"Does anybody have anything to add to as why Aragorn should not stay in Valinor?" He then called out to the people assembled before him.
"I do." Elrond stepped forward and answered. "He had murdered one of the Firstborn, he killed my daughter, how can he then life happily in Valinor? If my daughter could not be happy in my life then how can he?" The Lord demanded.
Aragorn felt white hot rage explode in his chest and he sprang to his feet while he did his best not to raise his voice. "You have killed as well. Everybody here in Valinor has killed and it was Arwen's own choice, how can I go against that? I was not happy in my life, the only times I have been happy was when Legolas was near me and when you took him away, my world fell. You do not know anything about me."
Legolas interrupted "I know him and can guarantee you that Aragorn has not been happy as I well as I. You have been selfish Elrond, beyond all reasons. You never wanted your daughter to be happy, what you wanted was for her to be happy with somebody you approved off. You have accused Aragorn of things he has never done. If the council decides that he should not be granted permission into Valinor, I shall throw myself into the sea." he was angry by the time he had finished the sentence, shocked gasps were heard through out the council.
Even Aragorn looked at the Elf like he was out of his mind. His usually bright grey eyes had dulled some and he noticed the same lack in brightness in Legolas' eyes. The Elf held his gaze, knowing Aragorn would do the same for him. "We shall be together, be it in ever lasting life or death, I shall find you. This binding is beyond the Valar." His thoughts whirled, why was this so hard to understand for everybody?
"Is that really what you wish to do, Legolas?" Thranduil stalked forward, the old King did not look good. His worrying for Legolas had drained him of his strength and it had only come back when he left for Valinor. He had seen his son waiting for so many years for Aragorn to come to him and now it started once more. He did not know how much he could take anymore.
"Ada, I want to be with Aragorn. Be it in life or death, it all depends on their decision." Legolas turned from facing his father and looked to where the Valar were sitting. Varda's gaze was sad as she looked upon the two lovers while she asked. "Why is it that you wish to sacrifice your life and heart for him? Explain this so I know how to make my decision."
"Because if it is truly meant for people to have a soul mate by their side then why is it that it is frowned upon if that soul mate is a human? I loved Aragorn from the moment he stumbled into my life and that love only grew stronger. I knew what I would get myself into the moment I bound myself to him and I shall face it all again and do the same if it brought me but those three months of happiness with Aragorn, it is worth a lifetime of heartache. But to know that we should have been together for eternity while it is opposed, that is something I cannot take and I shall not. Too long have we both backed down from what we wanted and look where it has gotten us, further apart then anything else. I hope that answers your question." Legolas bowed.
"This council shall continue another time while we shall think upon this decision that we have to make. Aragorn, you shall be granted seven days in Valinor in full peace, use the days well." Manwe decided. Aragorn did not smile but instead asked. "What about…?" He blushed briefly but wished to continue so he said. "When I got here I was not allowed to touch Legolas, what about that?"
"That shall remain as it is. You are not allowed to touch Legolas." Manwe answered. Aragorn felt his heart sink. Varda cast a look at Aragorn, seeing the distressed look upon his face she said, placing a hand upon her spouse arm. "Think, Manwe, oh King of the World, here you have something akin to the King of Men. You both love somebody, and even if we do not have to touch as the children of Eru do, we cannot begrudge them that. Eru, who you are dearest too, has given them the gift off binding through touch. Allow them that, for they have gone without for too long. I daresay that if you do not, you shall soon have a war upon your hands. So think about your decision, oh mighty one?"
The Vala closed his eyes and answered while he opened them again and fixed both Aragorn and Legolas with his gaze. "Then hear me you two, Aragorn shall know our decision within seven days. You shall live in peace, enjoying all the privileges Valinor has to offer to you. Rest and come back renewed. Within my might I revoke the missive that they were not allowed to touch. . Use the days well. This council is dismissed."
The next moment Aragorn blinked he found himself outside again. He looked around, seeing smiling faces next to him. A shout was heard nearby and Aragorn found himself covered by Frodo and Sam, the man smiled and hugged them back, feeling relief surge through his veins.
He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned, finding himself looking into to the smiling face of Legolas. "We did it, well at least for a little while." The Elf's voice was a hoarse whisper and Aragorn nodded eagerly, taking the Elf's face between his own hands and seeing in those blue eyes what he knew must have been in his own eyes, tears.
"I am so glad to finally hold you once again, I can hardly begin to describe how happy I am to be here and see you once more." Aragorn's voice was barely above a whisper and he did not wish it to be. It was only meant for the Elf before him, his Elf.
Legolas smiled at him and then while putting a hand to Aragorn's cheek, backed away while he pulled the ring from his finger and said. "I have something that belongs to you." He opened his hand to hand Aragorn back the Ring of Barahir.
The Man looked at it for a moment before he lifted his gaze to Legolas' once again and answered. "Aye you do, you have something else as well, something that can never be returned…" Legolas' expression was puzzled and Aragorn smiled tenderly at him while he answered. "But keep it, both of the things. They do not need to be returned to me for I know they are safe within your keeping."
Legolas cocked his head to the side, waiting for Aragorn to explain and after a moment the Man did. "You have my ring, which is the heirloom to my house, which is beyond my reach now and forever shall be. But ai, Legolas, you have had my heart as well, and you kept it safe, guarding it like I knew you would, all those long years ago when I fist met you in the forest of Mirkwood that is no more. I do not need my ring back; it shall be our engagement ring for lack of better."
With those words Aragorn took a deep breath and sank down on his knee, taking Legolas' hands in his own. He had not intended on this. But it felt so right and he had confidence that it would sound right as well. "I cannot offer you a throne like I once could or a high place among my people. I can offer you a peaceful life, well as peaceful as living with me shall be. You have made your feelings for me clear on numerous occasions and I do not hope I am asking for too much to do it one more time, in front of our friends and family. I cannot say I can offer you a happy life if you stay with me for I do not know yet. What I do know is, that I can offer you a life full of love. Love that you shall receive from me for all eternity, for that is what we both have. You have kept my heart safe with you for the past century and now I am asking if you wish to be the keeper of my heart for all eternity. So that would be the reason why I am down here and now for the question, people think I speak too much, anyway. Legolas Greenleaf, will you do me the utter most honour in becoming my husband in marriage?"
Gasps sounded from the people surrounding them. When Legolas did not answer after a few seconds, Gimli elbowed his way in between Celeborn and Galadriel with the words. "Excuse me. Lad, just say yes to the Man, the Gods knows how much ya wanted too. As I know you do."
Legolas grinned shyly at his friend, a fair blush spreading into his cheeks while he sank down as well and answered while clasping Aragorn's hand to his chest. "Of course I do. It surprised me that you even had to ask." He watched as a grin appeared on Aragorn's face where for a moment doubt had been present. "Well your father would have surely liked it if I would have asked first." He answered teasingly, casting a quick look at Thranduil, who indeed nodded at this.
"As your own father would have wanted." Elrond's soft voice answered a voice full of compassion and guilt. Aragorn scrambled to his feet, facing both Elrond and the lady by his side, Celebrian. "Go ahead, it is time you two made amends, I shall wait outside for you." Legolas smiled at him and nodded at Elrond.
"No, you should be here for this for I need to apologize to you as well. I am awfully sorry for all the things I have said and done. Things I should face a lifetime of punishment for. I should have known better and I can understand if you two do not want anything to do with me anymore." Elrond bowed his head, comforted by the hand of his wife on his arm.
"Isn't that what children of Elrond do? They forgive and forget; else we would never have forgiven Elrohir and Elladan every time they played another prank on us." Aragorn softly answered, smiling as his foster father's gaze lifted back to his own. "I would be honoured if you would be there, Elrond, as my friend…" He added.
"And always as your father, Estel." Elrond added, catching his son in an embrace. Aragorn relaxed and felt some of the tension that he had since Elrond had first accused him of killing Arwen disappear, it was time to leave those things behind.
When Elrond let go of his son, he wiped some of his own tears away and said. "I am sure you wish to be alone right now with Legolas. We shall see you in the morning then." With those words the lovers were left alone and Aragorn turned to Legolas, the night still ahead of them.
Wow that was the hardest chapter I have ever written. Next chapter, action on the beach between those two. Update probably next week. Please review.