A/N: The title for this chapter is taken from the first verse of Michelle Branch's song Goodbye to You. Here is the relevant verse, along with the chorus:

Of all the things I've believed in
I just want to get it over with
Tears form behind my eyes
But I do not cry
Counting the days that pass me by

Goodbye to you
Goodbye to everything I thought I knew
You were the one I loved
The one thing that I tried to hold on to

Legolas lingered for a moment, minding to keep close to the wall that was shielding him from the sight of the other members of the elvish train gathering to enter the coronation ceremony. Spying the twins standing close by, he took a deep bracing breath. 'This is it,' he thought resolutely. He could do this; he could put on a joyful expression and pretend that the shattered pieces that used to be his heart weren't breaking all over again.

As quietly as he could Legolas crept up behind Elladan and Elrohir, who were so engaged in their whispered conversation that they didn't hear him. "What's this? Are you two plotting and scheming?" the blonde elf questioned loudly, shaking his head. "Well, I supposed it's good you both that you know the future king of Gondor personally."

The twins simultaneously jumped at the unexpected sound of his voice. "Elbereth, Legolas!" gasped Elladan. He spun around and Legolas could see him smiling through the scare he'd just received. "Why did you have to do that?"

"Perhaps the better question is," smirked Legolas as he discreetly swallowed down a lump that was forming in his throat. He doubted that the twins even believed that he could cry; he knew he wouldn't be able to endure the questions that would follow if they actually saw the tears falling. "Is why you two weren't able to hear me? Are your ears failing you in your old age?"

"We'll have you know," said Elrohir with joking indignance, "that we can hear a bird walking on the road on the first level of the city when we're on the seventh. You seem to be one of the only people who can sneak up on us. Why is that?"

"Because you two are sadly out of practice in dealing with anyone who has the same capabilities as you," teased Legolas, mindful of keeping his tone casual without sounding like he was trying to sound casual. "I think you've spent too many years riding in the company of the rangers of the North."

"They're fine Men," countered Elladan jovially. "Besides, if we hadn't done that we would never have seen our poor, vulnerable baby brother at all in these last few years."

Legolas prayed that they didn't see if any devastated gleam came to his eyes. "Still, that doesn't change the fact that the even the best Men are still Men when it comes to the noise they make," he said, thankful that his voice didn't shake enough for Elladan and Elrohir to notice. "And while you were with them I was learning from the finest elvish warriors in Mirkwood. Not to mention that I've just spend several months honing my skills on the great Quest of our time. It goes without saying that it would be very peculiar indeed if it wasn't easy for me to get the better of you each and every time I try."

"Did you just hear that, Elladan?" asked Elrohir in mock outrage, putting his hands on his hips. "Our young friend here goes on a little adventure with our little brother and a bunch of short people and comes back forgetting those who helped him on his way. However, I seem to recall a certain pathetic, overly sheltered princeling from the heart of the woods coming to Rivendell for the first time for the specific purpose of us teaching him everything we know."

"That was certainly the longest hour of my life," sighed Legolas. 'Keep it up!' he encouraged himself. 'You're doing so well!'

Elladan shook his head dramatically. "It's heartbreaking" – Legolas bit the inside of his cheek to stop a sob from escaping –"how elflings forget the work of their elders," tsked Elladan.

"Tragic," murmured Elrohir in agreement, looking not at his brother but giving their friend a strange look. Legolas' heart sunk and he braced himself for the inevitable unbearable questions.

Luckily for him, Elladan was too involved in their verbal sparring to realize that anything was off about Legolas. "And what's all this about it being fortunate that Elrohir and I have a personal relationship with the great Elessar Telcontar?"

Legolas forced out a short bark of a laugh. "Oh, I was only thinking about how much trouble that the king has just gone through to expel as many troublemakers – such as yourselves – from the city," he told them with false seriousness. "Were you two not his brothers you'd probably have been dragged off to the dungeons by now."

"Just remember that it wasn't so too long ago that you were as much of a troublemaker as we are," Elrohir reminded him, his tone teasing but his expression a little concerned as his mouth turned into a warm, nostalgic smile. "This has been a terrible ordeal for you, hasn't it? You've grown up so quickly."

"As have we all," added Elladan, sounding old for the first time in his long life. Putting one arm around Legolas and the other around his twin, he pulled them into a three-person embrace. "Such a curse and a blessing it's been that all of this had to happen during our lifetimes! I'm just so happy that we can all stand here together once more and in one piece."

No in one piece – not entirely, though apparently one could continue to live without their heart and soul intact. As painful as the moment was, though, he was grateful for it; it gave him an excuse to have so much emotion in his eyes. It felt almost liberating not to have to hide it. "The terrors of Mirkwood and Rivendell, reunited once again," he mused, wistfully remembering those more innocent days when the orcs were make-believe, the Ring was a part of ancient history and stories they told to scare each other, and Aragorn wasn't even a thought let alone a driving force in his life.

No – it was too much, thinking about himself as an elfling unaware of how much heartache his future would hold. He looked around in search of a suitable distraction. "Where is everyone?" he finally inquired.

"Still inside," Elladan informed him. "Arwen has a crown that's gorgeous, of course, but it's also pretty complicated to put on and walk around in without ruining its presentation. She's having Ada help her get it looking absolutely perfect. They should be out here in a minute or two – I hope so, at least, since it would be in poor taste for the bride to be late for her own wedding."

The last thing that Legolas wanted to see was Arwen in a crown that was suitable for an elvish queen…Gondor's elvish queen…Aragorn's queen…. "Not them," he said a touch too quickly. "As much as I – look forward to seeing your family again I already figured that they'd need some extra time. I meant the representatives from Mirkwood. Don't tell me that Ada didn't send a few of our people to the coronation! He's always talking about how important it is to maintain good relations with other kingdoms."

The twins exchanged an uneasy, sympathetic glace. "I'm afraid that it's fallen on to you to serve as Mirkwood's sole representation today," said Elrohir softly. "King Thranduil couldn't spare anyone else at this time."

"Why not?" Legolas' frustration and concern grew when his question was met only with more anxious looks from them. "Something terrible has happened, hasn't it? What aren't you telling me?"

"Legolas, please understand that you father didn't want to worry you; he said as much in the note that came with your clothing for the ceremonies," said Elrohir, his eyes flickering with compassion. "He asked us not to tell you until after all of this that, that Mirkwood was one of the northern settlements that was attacked during the War. Your people won in the end, but not without sustaining many losses. A number of elves died and the orcs set fire to many of the trees."

"Ai, Elbereth," moaned Legolas, his stomach churching. It wasn't a shock to find out about the attack – he figured that the War had been taken to that populated northern area – but hearing about the extent of the damage almost brought him to his knees. After all of the time and resources his father spent to keep their dwellings safe, having orcs damage it with their foulness, death, and fire felt like a personal insult.

Guilt washed over him as he imagined his favorite trees going up in flames while his people fell lifeless to the ground. Where'd he been while all of this had been going on? Joining with the only person he'd ever fallen in love with, having a romantic adventure before losing him again. "I left them all alone. I should have been there!"

"Because only you could hold the orcs at bay all by yourself?" questioned Elladan with kind censure, recognizing the guilty abyss that Legolas was propelling himself into.

The elf prince pulled away from them to bury his face in his hands. "I should have been standing at my father's side!" he retorted miserably. "Defending my people and my realm. Actually being the prince of Mirkwood."

"Don't regret the decisions you've made now," advised Elrohir as he wrapped him in comforting arms once more. Elladan managed – barely – to maneuver himself in with them as well. "Though it grieved him to think about anything happening to you, King Thranduil was so proud that you were a part of the Fellowship. He said that you were completing the task that he and your grandsire had started in the Second Age. He isn't angry that you weren't in Mirkwood these last several months; you were meant to have a part in all of this and your father understood that."

"He did indeed," Elrond's rich voice came from one side of them.

"And I'm glad for it," chimed in a more feminine voice, "for now I get to have all of the people whom I consider to be my brother at my wedding."

It took all of Legolas' inner strength to look over at the she-elf who was about to obliviously marrying the Man that he loved and the elven lord who was the only person who knew just how far his relationship with Aragorn had gone. "Mae govannen, Lord Elrond, Lady Arwen," he greeted them, punctuating his words with a formal bow while raising his hand to his chest and waving it out again.

"What's this all about?" scoffed Arwen kindly, sounding more a younger sister than a noble elf – or a romantic rival. She sprang forward and threw her arms around Legolas before he could think of a vague but acceptable answer. "Don't start behaving like the proper elf prince now for the first time in your life," she scolded him, swatting his arm playfully. "You've grown up so much that if you behaved all maturely too I wouldn't be able to recognize you."

"I know that you're excited, my daughter," said Elrond dryly, "but it's still in poor form to strangle such an esteemed guest of the city right before your wedding."

Legolas thanked Elbereth for Elrond when Arwen sheepishly let go of him with a laugh. He nodded slightly to the elven lord who returned the gesture stiffly. "Greetings, Legolas Thranduilion," Elrond addressed him. "Your father sent to me two things to gift to you. As I can plainly see that you've already received the package that contained your courtly attire, all I have left to deliver is his love for you."

"Thank you, my lord," replied Legolas in a choked voice.

Arwen laced her fingers through his, squeezing Legolas' hand sympathetically with one hand and rubbing his arm comfortingly with the other. She couldn't imagine what he was going through, spending all of that time away from everything that was familiar only to find out that his home was attacked and none of his people could be with him during the days of celebration. Well, she and the rest of her family had always unofficially acknowledged him as one of their own and she was determined to cheer him up. "You look very handsome," she offered. A joking twitch bent her lips. "Everyone will probably be so busy looking at you that they won't even notice me."

He didn't want the attention of everyone in the city; all he wanted was to be free to love their king. "I don't think that you have anything to worry about," Legolas assured her. Indeed, she was a vision in her voluminous gown that was the perfect shade of green to make her blue eyes stand out; and the butterfly-style crown that highlighted the delicate points of her ears. Anger and jealousy twisted Legolas' insides and he sternly reminded himself that Arwen had no knowledge about him and Aragorn ever being involved.

While he fought down his negative feelings, Arwen continued to study his facial expression and body language. She could tell that he was still troubled. How she wished that there was something that she could do to take his mind off of the plight of his realm for a little while! Arwen thought for a moment before her eyes lit up with inspiration. "Legolas, I know that you've just completed an incredible task for all of Middle-earth," she said. "Yet would you permit me to ask a favor of you?"

What more could she possibly expect him to give? "Of course, Arwen."

"I have a bit of a dilemma," she explained. "Ada will be giving me away, but that leaves us with no one to walk before us and present us to Aragorn. Choosing who that person should be between Elladan and Elrohir had proven to be too difficult for me and I would feel rather foolish if I had both of them do it – why, the people of Gondor would think that I was overly extravagant or too indecisive! Since you're practically family anyway –"

Elrond cleared his throat. "Arwen," he said warningly, "it might be best if you made this request of someone in our household. It is not polite to impose on Legolas at this late time."

"Normally I wouldn't have waited so long but I haven't seen him until now," protested Arwen to her father before turning back to Legolas. "Please, mellon nin; given your close friendship with Aragorn I can't think of a better person to do this for us."

Legolas desperately tried to think of one reason – any reason, save the real one – why he couldn't accept but came up with nothing. "I'd be honored to do it," he told her, subdued.

"Wonderful!" exclaimed Arwen, planting a chaste but enthusiastic peck on his cheek. With that taken care of, her attention was drawn to the gigantic crowd of Men and honored guests that had almost completely formed by then. "Oh, I think we're about ready to start! If you'll excuse me, I must gather the rest of the procession. I can't believe the time has almost come!"

"Go with her, my sons; and at least make sure that her gown doesn't get ruined or her crown fall off in her excitement," instructed Elrond. "That will give Legolas and I a few moments alone to discuss…what his duty today entails."

The three children of Elrond scurried off to make sure that the days events started off perfectly, leaving the lord and Legolas behind them. "I know what you're thinking and you're wrong," Legolas blurted out before Elrond could say anything. He was too weary and worn-down in spirit to possess the strength to engage in a full-scale debate with the wise elf. "She wanted me to do this for her so badly that I couldn't very well refuse without offering a good excuse as to why not. Unfortunately, the only one I have right now is that I'm in love with her intended and that just wouldn't do at all, would it?"

"Legolas, I know that you'd consciously do anything to disrupt the wedding," said Elrond carefully, trying to balance the affection he had for the young elf before him with his concern for his daughter's future, "but even the most controlled people have moments of weakness."

"And I've indulged in those already," countered Legolas, irritability creeping into his miserable tone. "Don't worry, Lord Elrond; I'm not planning to disrupt the ceremony and that includes both my conscious and unconscious behavior. Maybe, maybe – I didn't really get a chance to formally say goodbye to Aragorn; maybe this will serve that purpose."

"I knew that he's been in love with you ever since he came home after that summer he spent in Mirkwood," admitted Elrond quietly. He nodded when Legolas looked at him with raised eyebrows. "It's true. That's one of the primary reasons why I disapproved of his relationship with Arwen so strongly – I knew that no matter how deeply he felt for her she would only be but a replacement for the one that he truly loved. I tried to tell them both that he could never really love her in a way that a husband should love his spouse, but I suppose he didn't listen until it was too late for both of them. I thought – I thought that she'd finally heeded my advice to take the ship into the West, but then…her mortality." He bit off a cry. "I'm truly sorry that you have to suffer through all of this, Legolas."

"We can't control what other people do any more than we can change the past," said Legolas, allowing one more look of raw emotion to come to his face before he had to act like the stoic-but-pleased friend of the bride and groom. "The only thing we can do is try to do the best that we can with the choices that were made. Come, Lord Elrond; the procession is gathering and we shouldn't be late.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

With a resoluteness that Aragorn, unsurprisingly enough, found incredibly oppressive, Gandalf the White lowered the winged crown of Gondor onto the Man's head. "Now begins the days of the king," the wizard announced proudly.

And Gandalf had reason to be proud – Aragorn had proven himself more than worthy to claim the long-unoccupied throne; and what was more important was that he was willing to take on the responsibilities that seat came with. When Aragorn looked up and gave him a closed-mouth, accepting grin, the wizard felt a rush of fondness course through him. Yes, little Estel Elrondion had grown up quite magnificently into Elessar Telcontar. He could sense a great sadness in the Man, but that was only natural considering that he was essentially saying goodbye to the life that he'd always known for one that he might not have chosen on his own. "May those days be blessed," he added in a whisper meant only for Aragorn's ears.

Then Gandalf took a step back, conceding all attention to the new king. Aragorn didn't accept it right away though; first he needed a moment to mourn all that he was giving up for the good of others. 'Kissing Legolas,' he thought wistfully as he imagined the elf's soft lips pressed against his as their tongues dueled. 'Traveling all over Middle-earth. Waking up with Legolas at my side. Butterbur's fine ale at the Prancing Pony in Bree. The sound of Legolas' voice when he tells me that he loves me. Being able to secretly observe the simple lives of the hobbits of the Shire while the rangers guard that land. Being able to look at Legolas without being worried that someone might discover how much I love him. Going to Rivendell to see my father and brothers without it being too much of a fuss to get away. The feeling of utter wholeness I get when Legolas clenches his body around me…'

While he would never be rid of the regret he felt at losing those beloved things, Aragorn knew that for now he had to bury that. Taking a deep breath, he turned and faced the crowd. "This day does not belong to one Man, but to all," he said with a perfect mixture of grandness and humbleness that proved that he'd actually been paying attention when Elrond had lectured him about the proper etiquette of a ruler. "Let us now work together to rebuild this world so that we may share it in peace."

The crowd approved of this sentiment, judging by the thunderous applause he received. This was accompanied by white rose petals that fell from the sky and Aragorn was suddenly struck with the memory of the first snowfall that the Fellowship had encountered on the Quest. Everyone else had immediately huddled together under blankets; but Legolas, unaffected by the cold – as elves generally were – had moved gracefully about. It had almost looked like he was dancing while trying to catch the snowflakes in his hands –

'No!' Aragorn admonished himself, mortified by the way he almost lost all sense of where he was. 'There will be private moments later on where I can indulge in these memories; now I have to think about getting through this.'

He closed his eyes briefly to banish the beautiful image and search for a reminder of why he had been willing to give up all that made him happy for people who would never know of his sacrifice. The words that Elendil – who had been forced to come to a strange land after the home he left behind was completely destroyed – came from long ago into his mind and he sang:

"Et Earello Endorenna utulien. Sinome

Maruwan ar Hildenyar tenn'

Ambar-metta."

(Out of the Great Sea to this Middle-earth have I come. In this place I will abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world.)

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Aragorn scoured the crowd as he walked through it. He saw Faramir and Eowyn side-by-side, the radiance of love in their faces as they bowed. Eomer stepped forward to bow as well, a gesture that he returned with an incline of his head. The hobbits were present as well and he would pay them due honor soon enough. Gimli continued to stand by Gandalf on the stairs behind him. There was only one face that the new king desired to see, however and it wasn't anywhere to be found.

There! Aragorn's heart leapt as the elvish host, led by Legolas, approached him. His one true love was beautiful beyond even what the eloquent words of the ancient elves could describe. The selfish part of the Man wanted to grab him and run from it all, but of course he didn't. Instead he grasped Legolas' shoulder as if he was the only thing keeping Aragorn from drifting away. "Hannon lle," the king said. 'For loving me, for understanding why I have to do this, and for still being here for me,' he added silently.

Legolas could barely stand to look at Aragorn, lest he dissolve right then and there. It had been a foolish daydream of his that his lover would change his mind; something that he wouldn't have known how to respond to if it had actually happened, but a sweet way to help him keep his promise to Arwen nonetheless. Now reality was coming up behind him in the form of his beloved's bride. Not trusting himself to speak, he gestured back to her with his eyes and then stepped off to the side.

Aragorn watched in muted horror as the lovely Arwen approached him in her exquisite dress and crown and handed him a banner. She bowed her head and he reached out and grasped her chin, urging it back up so that he could examine her face.

He felt absolutely nothing for her.

Not even the bond of friendship and fondness that used to be there; her unintentional role in robbing him of his relationship with Legolas had smothered it away for now. He could only hope that the disinterest would fade away and he could at least learn to like again the person he would be spending the rest of his life with. When he claimed her lips to seal their union, Aragorn hoped that no one realized how much he was overcompensating for the feelings that just weren't there. 'I can make this work,' he told himself as he continued the kiss that left him cold inside. 'I have to.'

To be continued…