A/N: I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE! I've just gotten so swamped with work….and plot bunnies for other stories…sighs senior year is no fun at all so far…that and I couldn't type that much cause of splitting headaches…turns out I needed glasses! So yay. :-D

Wow. Last chapter was really long. X-D Lot longer than I thought it would be, yet so much shorter than I really wanted. Oh well. I plan on making one really long ass chapter in the future…maybe for the 20th chapterversary…lol. No particular plans for chapter 19 and 20 right now though…I'll get there. K. So off I trot to go write you all more!

Oh, and I guess we (the authors) aren't supposed to thank our readers up here by doing personalized shout outs anymore…so just know that all love you all dearly and treasure the support you have given and (hopefully) will keep giving! Even if you haven't reviewed, I know people have read, and I love you guys too:-) Look for your shout outs at the end of the chapter! ;-)

More Fluffy this chapter, as promised!

Chapter 18

Uncertain Truths

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Faramir woke up, the light from the early morning sun harsh against his still closed eyes. He sighed, not wanting to leave the dream world he had been dwelling in behind. For what dreams they had been…filled with large open ranges of land he could only assume was Rohan, the legendary Golden Hall, and a certain red-blonde shield maiden…

He smiled vaguely and edged closer to the source of warmth that was laying in front of him…

Faramir's eyes flew open, waking completely with a start to see Eowyn nestled up next to him, and him with his arms around her…he let go hastily and pushed himself as far back on the divan as he could go, pressing himself into the backing. His heart was racing twice as fast as his mind, which was desperately trying to come up with a good reasoning as to why she would be laying beside him.

Think Faramir think! What happened! He thought desperately, trying to comprehend all the emotions going through him at the sight set out before him.

Eowyn shifted after a moment, and Faramir realized that the air was indeed a bit chilly, the mist having still not lifted from the grounds. He stared at her again for a moment, then realized that they were both covered in one of the thick blankets from the bed. Eowyn shifted again, opened her eyes blearily with a confused look, then seemed to realize where she was. She saw Faramir was awake and smiled beautifully at him.

"Good morning." She said, stretching slightly.

"Good morning milady." He said, still at a loss of how to completely handle what was happening.

"I thought we had agreed that you could call me Eowyn?" she said, furrowing her brow slightly. "What's wrong Faramir? You look as if you've seen a ghost."

"Waking up with a woman by your side that you don't remember going to bed with can be a little disconcerting." He said with a weak laugh as he tried to back up a bit further.

Eowyn's eyes went wide. "Oh! I'm so sorry! I didn't even think…it's just that I woke up and you seemed cold so I decided to give you the warmest blanket, but when I was going to leave it occurred to me…" she paused, looking searchingly up into his eyes. "You just looked so lonely."

Faramir laughed with relief at her comment, and took her chin gently in his hand, so he could look into her eyes properly. "How could I be lonely with such a wonderful woman to spend my time with?" He said, immediately relaxing.

"I don't know." She said, grinning broadly, and getting up with a cat-like stretch. "But right now I must dress and see about reclaiming my quarters."

"Who took them in the first place?" asked Faramir, sitting up and brushing his hair away from his face.

"The Lord Aragorn and General Greenleaf."

"Greenleaf? I thought he was dead." he asked, his eyes going wide.

"By what I saw last night, I'd say that he was quite alive." Said Eowyn from the bathroom. "I didn't want to interrupt their reunion…I hope you don't mind." She said, peering around the corner with a smile, half dressed and her hair hanging almost to the floor.

"Not in the least Eowyn."

Her smile widened a bit and she ducked back around the corner. She emerged a few minutes later, dressed and ready to go, and was surprised to find Faramir also dressed and looking rather impeccable.

"Well, I guess it's off to wake the love birds." She said, and walked to the door, Faramir following close behind. "Thank you, for everything." She said, opening the door. She turned around and looked shyly up at him. "I'll see you later?"

"Of course."

She smiled, then leaned up slightly and kissed his cheek. "Until then." Eowyn said softly, and left the room, and a very stunned Faramir behind.

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Legolas blinked blearily as the morning light entered his eyes. He smiled slightly, and snuggled further into the blankets, enjoying the warmth on such a cold morning. He felt elated, as if he was floating on a cloud. He felt an arm snake around his waste and started at first, then let his eyes slide into focus to see Aragorn lying next to him, still asleep. He smiled as the memories of the night before came rushing back to him.

What a night it had been. He ran a hand through Aragorn's hair, silently thanking the Valar that they had let him come home safely. Aragorn made a slight noise and opened his eyes, blinking for a few times before focusing on Legolas. He smiled softly at him, before capturing his lips in a chaste kiss.

"Good Morning." He said quietly, as if he were afraid to break the peace around them.

"Good Morning." Said Legolas, returning Aragorn's kiss with one of his own. They lay in silence for a while, neither wanting to break the spell that seemed to lay over them. It was Legolas who finally broke the silence, sitting up and stretching as he did.

"I suggest we dress and head back to our own apartments, as I'm sure that someone will be wanting their room back soon." He said, cringing slightly as he stretched, realizing just how sore he was after the activities of the night before.

"Are you alright?" asked Aragorn, sitting up as well, a concerned look in his eyes. He wrapped his arms around his shoulders, breathing in the scent of Legolas's golden hair as he pulled the elf closer to him.

"I'm fine." Laughed Legolas, leaning back into Aragorn's arms. "I'm just a bit sensitive. Last night was my first time after all…"

"What?" gasped Aragorn, his eyes opening wide. He pulled Legolas around to face him. "I thought you had said…what about…?"

"I have only been with a man twice in my whole life," he began, giving Aragorn a comforting smile, "and the houses only required that I did so much before making the 'client' leave."

"You mean…I was your first…?" Aragorn trailed off remembering Elrond's words to him not long after Legolas's departure.

Legolas cannot remember what happened to make the city fall. His memory will not allow it… 'so he can't remember his last lover…it would seem like it was his first time…that was nearly two thousand years ago…'

Legolas pulled Aragorn's chin up slightly, so he could look him in the eyes, before placing a slow, sensuous kiss on his lips.

"Yes. You were."

"I am honored beyond all imagination that I could be my love." He said softly, and pulled Legolas into another kiss, which quickly deepened. Legolas felt Aragorn pulling him down onto the bed with him, his hands trailing down his back until…

Legolas pulled back with a soft hiss, as Aragorn's hands reached his still tender backside. He laughed slightly at Aragorn's startled look. "I think we should avoid my back for a couple of days love." He said, and crawled off the bed in search of his clothes.

He found his shirt, still slightly damp, next to the door, and his pants not to far from that. He slid into them, shuddering as the cold cloth hit his body. He felt Aragorn's arms slide around him.

"You never did tell me how you came back."

"I walked." Said Legolas playfully after a moment. He turned in Aragorn's arms and kissed him lightly before disentangling himself from his arms. "I'll tell you the whole story once we get back to our rooms and I have bathed, and have clean clothes on."

Aragorn sighed, but smiled at him nonetheless. "Alright." He said, sliding his shirt over his head, "I can wait." He sat and proceeded to don his pants and pull his boots on when a quiet knock came at the door. Both of them just stared at it as it creaked open and a soft voice came floating through the opening.

"Are you two up and decent?"

Legolas almost laughed out loud with relief as he recognized Eowyn's soft voice.

"Yes milady." He said, crossing to the door and opening it wide so that she could see the entire inside of the room. "And I apologize for barging into your room last night with no…"

"I do not mind in the slightest. It was good enough to know that you are alive. The lord Faramir was kind enough to let me stay in his apartments last night, so there is no harm done." She said, cutting him off as she embraced him. "Your all wet. What…?"

"Perhaps some other time my lady." Said Aragorn with a laugh. "Right now we need to be going." Eowyn laughed lightly as well and nodded as the pair headed out of the room.

"I warn you both now. You might want to stay out of sight until you are ready to face everyone." She called after them, and the door closed with a soft click behind them.

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Arathorn leaned forward on his great throne, his fingers steepleing together in front of his narrowed eyes.

"They are all dead?" he asked, his brow furrowing as the nod came from his steward.

"Yes my King. My son has said that only one made it back to the rendezvous point, and that it managed to gasp that they had been slaughtered by those of the Haven when he expired from massive injuries."

"Thank you Denathor." He said sitting back, his brow still furrowed in worry. "I wish to speak to your son, my steward. Please send him to me."

Denathor groveled for a moment more, and then he whisked himself out of the room, off to find Boromir.

'What a troubling path we are walking down.' Thought Arathorn, sinking further back into his throne, his rich black robes pooling all around him. 'A set of traitorous sons, and friends banded with enemies…war is coming on swift wings to us mere mortals who dare to try and avoid it.' His thoughts wandered to tales of the last war between elves and men, and his own family's involvement in the Enlightened Ones downfall. Legends still flitted around the court of an illicit love affair, and the city of light burning to the ground…

"You wished to speak with me, my lord?" said Boromir, bowing low, and bringing the king from his thoughts.

"Yes." He straightened up in his throne, his dignified air quickly returning. "You are to prepare your men, and all the troops of the city, for battle. Train them for fast, hard combat over the coming week, and order that the gates be sealed. No one shall come into, nor leave this city, unless it is under our banner. If anyone is seen trying to leave, kill them. We march on the Elven Haven in a weeks time."

Boromir looked up from his bowed position with wide eyes. "We are going to war with the Rebels sir?"

"It is unavoidable now. We can no longer wait in vain hope that this will fade away. They gain numbers and strength with each passing day…the Walkers were close to them, too close for their comfort. We will burn that forest to the GROUND if it means wiping those intolerable Rebel Scum from this world!" he cried vehemently, rising from his throne. "Go now, Boromir, son of Denathor, and fulfill these orders I have bestowed upon you."

"Yes my lord." Said Boromir, bowing even lower, and then retreating hastily from the hall.

'Yes,' thought Arathorn, sinking back down into his throne, 'war is swift in coming indeed…'

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Legolas managed to sneak back to his rooms with no further encounters, and bathed himself quite thoroughly, desperately scrubbing away the grim that still clung to his body…the reddish tint of the blood still in his hair…when he finally emerged from the sunken bathtub, it looked as if it had been dyed with a pinkish tint.

He shuddered, and wrapped a towel around his waist, before picking up another one and drying off his hair. He heard muted voices from the next room, but thought nothing of it as he emerged into his apartments, and crossed to his wardrobe to begin searching for his clothes.

"Aragorn, do you know where I put the cloak for my uniform?" he asked, turning from the wardrobe to see Aragorn sitting on his bed, with an utterly shocked Haldir standing next to him.

"It's hanging on the door." Said Aragorn pleasantly, ignoring the look on Haldir's face. Legolas just nodded his thanks before gathering up his uniform in his arms and going back into the bathroom to change. As soon as the door clicked shut he heard Haldir's voice speak out, his astonishment evident in every syllable he spoke.

"He is alive? I have been sitting here for almost twenty minutes and you didn't bother to tell me he was ALIVE?"

"Calm yourself my friend. Will you be accompanying us to seek out Elrond?"

He suppressed a laugh as he finished with some of the elaborate ties on the uniform, as Haldir tried to splutter out an answer. He threw his cloak over his arm, draping it correctly across his shoulders, making sure every fold and fastener was perfect. He looked himself over in the mirror before deciding that instead of tying his hair back as he usually did, he would braid it back from his face, so that it still flowed onto his shoulders as if it were lose. He emerged a few moments later to see Aragorn standing, his cloak fastened about his shoulders, and a still-in-disbelief Haldir staring at him.

(Hello My friend. It is good to see you again.) he said softly, enjoying the effect these words had on his long time comrade.

(By the Valar you are alive.) said Haldir after a moment, then rushed forward and drew him into a tight embrace. (I though I had lost you…lost a brother…)

(But you have not, my friend. Do not fret. Come, let us find an audience with Elrond, and then we can go about from there.)

Haldir just nodded, and Legolas lead the way out of the room, and out into the hallway.

As they walked through the main hall, Legolas noted that there were still no other people about, as there usually would be.

(Haldir? Where is everyone?)

(They are in mourning for their fallen leaders.)

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Elrond sat in his study, trying his best to continue on with his work. His son and one of his best generals were both dead, but it should not stop him from running the city, and organizing their defenses…

His thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock on the door, and Haldir entering the room. Elrond sighed. He felt for the elf in front of him. He had lost two of his best friends…

(My Lord…There is someone that wishes to see you. Will you grant him an audience?)

Elrond looked at the almost excited look in Haldir's eyes with curiosity, then sighed and nodded. (Yes. Show him in.)

Haldir left, and he turned back to the papers on his desk, trying to decide how to best word a letter to the Rohan asking for troops to begin movement towards the Haven, as he had the impending feeling that War was eminent, despite his best efforts to the contrary.

He heard the door open again, but did not look up. (Please state your business, as I am a busy…)

(I do not plan on taking much of your time my lord; I am merely here to make my report before I return to my apartments.)

Elrond paused in his writing, not believing, yet wanting the voice he heard to be real. He set down his quill, debating whether or not to look up for a moment, and then gathered himself with a deep calming breath that caught in his throat as he looked upon his visitor.

The familiar smile of his adoptive son, the gold spun hair, and at last, the pale blue eyes that let someone look right into his heart. (By the Valar…it is not possible…) he said, rising up from his chair slowly.

(I would say it is my lord.)

Elrond tried his best to control all the emotions that were starting to rage through him. The relief, the love, joy, and a certain amount of sorrow washed over him, making him want to leap up and embrace the younger elf, but he suppressed them all, and managed to stay in his seat. (Take a seat.) he began, waving Legolas to the nearest seat, and shifting some papers around on his cluttered chair. (I need a full report. Leave no detail sparred. It may mean the difference between war and Life.)

Legolas merely nodded before launching into his report, telling every last thing he could remember, every last detail he could recall. It brought Elrond some sense of closure to know that his son was in fact, gone, and that he needn't carry false hope any longer. How could the witness of two be refuted? He nodded as Legolas finished his report.

(It seems that Gondor has simply begun efforts to find Haven again, though this is no cause for worry. If the Walkers could not find us here, I doubt that the Gondorians could.)

(Unless they had a guide my lord, no they could not.)

Elrond smiled and rose, as did Legolas. (It is good to have you back, Legolas. It is good at heart to know that I did not lose both of you.)

(It is good to be back my lord.) he smiled, and turned with Elrond to the study door. (Maybe now, things will be at peace again.)

(One can only hope, General.) smiled Elrond, and let the young elf out of the door.

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Aragorn smiled as the two elves emerged from Elrond's inner sanctum and stood as Elrond beckoned for Haldir to come into the office. Legolas looked around the room for a moment before spotting Aragorn. He smiled and crossed the room to him, enveloping him in a tight embrace.

"So I take it things went well?" he said softly, brushing back a few strands of blonde hair, and tucking them lightly behind his ear.

"As well as things can be expected to go…" he sighed, relinquishing his hold on Aragorn. "Let us retire for now. Early as it is I am still exhausted."

"Yes, you never did get your proper rest last night did you?" teased Aragorn, stepping out into the hallway, bound for their room.

"With you around, my dear one, I doubt I ever will."

They both laughed at this, the sound echoing through the empty halls. They continued through the corridors, winding their way quickly to their quarters. Aragorn could see Legolas relax visibly once they were inside with the door firmly shut behind them.

"Will you be okay?" he asked softly, leaning up against the doorway.

"What are you talking about? I'm perfectly fine." Said Legolas, smiling at him as sat down onto the bed, his ceremonial cloak billowing out around him.

"Are you sure?" he asked, walking across the room to kneel in front of him. "You just looked so tense out there…like something was dreadfully wrong."

"When I am with you…" he started trailing his fingers through Aragorn's hair, "there is not much wrong, despite the way the world is crumbling." He looked down at him sadly for a moment, his sapphire eyes beginning to fill with tears.

Aragorn leaned up and captured his lips in a soft kiss, running his hand up his thigh to his hip and pulled himself up slightly up towards him. But as he began to deepen it, Legolas pulled away biting his bottom lip as he turned away from Aragorn.

(What is to become of us Aragorn? This 'peace' will only last so long. When this war starts, where are we going to stand? A Man and an Elf as lovers is unheard of enough, but in the middle of a war against our oppressors?) he turned to face Aragorn again, tears flowing down his face in earnest this time. Aragorn felt as if his heart was going to drop out with Legolas's tearful words. (Where are you going to be Aragorn? Where…where are you…) he chocked out between the sobs that were beginning to rack his fame.

(I am going to be right here, with you, war or no war. I love you Legolas, and I refuse to leave your side.) he said pulling him close so that Legolas was crying onto his shoulder. He rubbed a comforting circle into his back letting Legolas shed his tears.

After a moment he pushed back a little and lifted Legolas's chin, so that he could look him in the eye. The sorrow that was hidden behind them was nearly overwhelming, and for a moment Aragorn wondered how one person could harbor so much sadness and not die of it. (I love you my Greenleaf.) he whispered, and brought him in for a light kiss that lasted only a moment. He started to pull away, but Legolas pulled him in again for another kiss, and then another. When he finally broke away, Aragorn stood his hand trailing away, only to find himself held from moving away.

(Please do not go.) he whispered, his blonde head hung before him so that his hair curtained to the sides of his face, making him seem far more helpless than he actually was. Aragorn did not need a second invitation and sank next to the elf on the bed, wrapping him in his arms as he did.

(I'll always be right here.) he said softly, and placed a light kiss on his ear. Legolas moaned at the touch, and turned his head slightly to grant Aragorn better access to the spot. Legolas, much to Aragorn's delight, gasped outright as he traced his ear with kisses, right up to the delicate point. But even as he did, he knew now was not the time for such antics.

He pulled away, but didn't get far as Legolas was pulling him back down. He curled himself into Aragorn's arms, clinging to him in an almost desperate manner. Aragorn just held him, letting him relax, and felt his breathing beginning to even out as sleep to him. (When you wake up, my love, we need to talk.) he said softly, and felt Legolas nod his consent against his chest before sleep took him over completely.

Aragorn looked helplessly at the beautiful creature asleep in his arms. He understood his reaction, his distrust of someone he loved. But what had him worried was the fact that Legolas obviously did not. He couldn't remember the horrible betrayal of so many years ago, a betrayal that had left him a slave to his enemies. He was sure that it was this silent frustration at not knowing the cause of such feelings that had caused Legolas's sudden breakdown, rather than the feelings themselves.

He kissed the top of his head lightly, then let go with one of his arms and slid it under his knees, and lifted him up. He walked to the other side of the bed and set him down on it softly, and covered him with a warm blanket, as the afternoon was bringing in a chilled breeze. He straightened up with a sigh, and after a moment, turned to the washroom, feeling in need of a very long bath.

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Sorry All, for the general shortness of this chapter, but my "Betaer"/muse refused to let me post up the other half of it. It will be posted with chapter nineteen however, so expect a super long chappie by the general standards for that. Sorry again for the horrible lateness of this chapter…. Senior Project and glasses are both blicky things.

THANK YOU TO:

Sully Lu: LOL! Thank you, and I hope you enjoyed it!

Aralas: Thank you for your continued support! huggles I hope you enjoyed!

Anonymous Noldo: THE Anonymous Noldo! Wow...I feel sooooo honored:-D hehehe...Thanks for the review and the tip! I'll definetly look into it.

agera: Yeah...but one of them is back so he'll feel a tiny bit better. But his twin's death will have much further reaching affects than you might think...stay tuned!

UDream: Awwwwwwwww thankies! Glomp

Ilaaris: Sorry I took so long...next chapter won't take as long I promise! Thankies!

So Long All! Until next time! And don't forget to leave you're thoughts. :-)