Disclaimer: I don't own anything of the Lord of the Rings. It all belongs to J.R.R Tolkien.
Note: Thanks for the reviews. Legolas is going to Gimli because he knows that Gimli can help him get Aragorn and Nienna back to normal but you shall see in the next chapter. Let's begin.
Gimli twirled the diamond around his fingers, searching with an intent gaze to see if any flaws marred its beauty. He smiled when they did not and handed the diamond back to one of his fellow dwarfs before he exclaimed. "Aye, beautiful indeed. See to it that the other diamonds are recovered as well. We shall have a feast in honour of this new found glory." Gimli grinned at the prospect of ale and a feast to please his dwarves.
He looked up in alarm when a cry came from the door and sounds off steel clashing upon steel was heard. He grabbed his axe and rushed as fast as his feet would allow him to hallway where the gate was. There his jaw dropped. A cloaked figure in the colours of Mirkwood was holding a knife while trying to protect himself and his horse.
"Stop that this instance, what is this folly? Show yourself at once." Gimli bellowed and his order was carried out. "It is me, Master Gimli, Prince Legolas." The stranger removed his hood, revealing that he was indeed Legolas.
"Legolas, what a pleasure but what brings you here, my friend? Were you not at home with your lovely wife and child?" Gimli cried, watching with growing concern as the Elf flinched and taking in the appearance of Legolas.
The normally healthy looking Elf had dark circles underneath his eyes and his pale complexion was even paler then usual. He looked weak and supported himself at the wall. "Come in, Legolas and sit down. How fare you?"
Legolas waited until all of the Dwarves had left them before he said, dropping lower into his chair. "I feel very tired. Which is not strange, I shall tell you, Gimli, if you wish." He looked at the Dwarf through dull blue eyes.
"Aye, pray tell what has happened." Gimli said, trying to sound cheerful. Legolas did not attempt a smile and instead began to tell his tale. When Legolas was done with telling everything that had happened since Gimli left Eryn Lasgalen after the wedding, the lanterns had been lid.
Legolas slumbered back in his chair, he was so very weary. Gimli stared at him through eyes darkened with shock and anger. "Aragorn claimed her?" He asked once again.
"Aye, that is one way to put it. Something happened on that battlefield and I have honest to god no idea what, save that it made them think that they are evil. I am be willing to forgive them, are you?" He looked at Gimli through half lidded eyes. Gimli huffed and then nodded with a defeated sign. "Of course, Dwarf do not stay mad for that long."
Legolas raised an eyebrow but did not persuade the subject and he tried to stand. "Then why are you here, Legolas? This is not for old times."
Legolas sat back down in the chair and answered. "I am here for old times sake and for new ones. I cannot stand to lose Nienna as well, nor could I stand to lose Aragorn. I would die, Gimli, I cannot do this. I need your help with getting Nienna and Aragorn back to normal. Will you help me?" He folded his hands in his lap, not meeting Gimli's gaze.
"I will help you, Legolas, but I think you might need some rest. You look weary, perhaps grief weighting down on you." The Dwarf offered. Legolas smiled a sad smile and answered. "Yes, grief and my bond with Nienna had left me weakened. I want to sleep." He mumbled and Gimli was even more worried.
"Then let me show you to your room." Gimli smiled at him but it faltered when the Elf stood and swayed, collapsing onto his knees. Gimli rushed to his side and while helping the Elf up, he said. "I think I shall remain by your side while you sleep, it would be best." Legolas only nodded and allowed Gimli to show him to his quarters, ignoring the looks on the faces of other Dwarves.
When they got there, Gimli was pleased to find that Legolas's packs were already at the bedside and all he had to do was help Legolas in bed. The Elf smiled at him and then slowly relaxed back and answered. "Thank you, Gimli, for being my friend." He closed his eyes and his breathing evened out, allowing him to slip into dreams.
Gimli settled in a chair and let his mind wander for the remaining of Legolas's sleep.
Gimli was snoring in his chair when Legolas finally stirred, it had been a full day since the Elf had arrived before he woke. He smiled at his friend before Gimli snapped into focus. The Dwarf look back at his friend and asked. "How are you feeling?"
Legolas stretched before he answered, yawning widely and amusing Gimli. "A lot better, I feel fully rested, perhaps a little bit hungry." His stomach choice to grumble at that moment and Legolas chuckled lightly, his cheeks redden with embarsement. "Then perhaps, princeling, it is time we find you some food." Legolas smiled and was about to rise when Gimli held up his hand and answered. "Perhaps you should remain here. Some of the Dwarves were shocked, to say the least and well it is nearing 11 at night so I shall get the food."
Legolas cocked his head to the side and answered. "Very well, Gimli. You know the way in your own halls far better then I shall ever know. Go on now, I shall remain here." Gimli nodded and left the room swiftly.
Legolas sat on the bed crosslegged before he closed his eyes, allowing his mind to seek the faint connection to Nienna. "I shall find you, my dear and then you shall know what happens when you anger the Prince of Eryn Lasgalen." The thought crossed along the bond and he knew in the back of his mind that Nienna would receive it. "Try me." Was the answer he received.
"I shall, meleth, I shall." With those words Legolas opened his eyes just as Gimli entered the room again, carrying a tray full of food. Legolas's mouth watered just as he saw the food. Gimli smiled while the Elf began to ravish the food.
Nienna eyed her reflection in the mirror and chocked back a sob, only a whimper escaped her slightly parted lips. What had she gotten herself into? She has been trained for greatness for all her life and here it was, but was it the path she wished to take. Would she be willing to lose everything in order to become queen of the world? "But I already lost everything that I can lose." With that thought her eyes harden and yet a single tear ran down her cheek.
"What is wrong?" A hand caught the tear and she turned in the arms of Aragorn. He looked at her with a worried look on his face. "Is it the babe?" He gently touched her stomach, continuing. "Is it Legolas? What is it, Nienna? Seas (please) tell me."
"I am merely…I do not know how to answer to this, Aragorn. I felt Legolas's presence in my mind before, he said that he was angry with me. Perhaps you should go back to Gondor and tell them… well I am sure you can come up with something, I can take the magic away, you should return to Arwen, let me take the blame. You are king of men, you are not supposed to be here." Nienna softly told Aragorn.
The Man's expression changed rapidly and he answered while he gripped both her arms, in a tone gentler then she was used too. "Do not say that. True, I love Arwen but I cannot return, I just cannot. You know me better then anybody else. I need a queen by my side who can rule not somebody who can just sit pretty there and do nothing. Nienna, say something." He demanded, shaking her more forcefully.
She quivered and her voice shook while she answered. "I cannot, I do not know what to say. I cannot do this." More tears leaked out of her eyes and she closed them. He moved away from her and she cried even harder, she felt utterly deserted.
Then a warm blanket was wrapped around her and she was drawn into a strong chest while Aragorn's soothing voice whispered. "Hush, meleth, you do not have to do this alone, I am here with you. And besides you will carry this babe for another 6 months, so you shall not be alone for a long time." He smiled gently at her.
"How can I when this babe does not even want me as it's mother? I failed Moriethel, I shall fail this one too. Such as my mother failed me." She whispered brokenly. "No you are wrong. You did not fail anybody, your mother raised you to the best of her abilities while she was imprisoned as Saruman's slave. You broke free and now you are carrying a second child to Legolas. Are you feeling alright?" His tone hitched and betrayed his worrying for her.
Nienna swayed and lifted a hand to her head while she answered. "I cannot afford to be weak now. I do not know, I just don't know." She leaned against his shoulder, feeling him wrap his arms more securely around her.
"It shall be alright, if it is for good or for bad, I cannot see but you shall see Legolas again. I know I shall have to take my own throne again but with who? I cannot see who shall rule by my side." He lifted her in his arms and placed her on the bed again, drawing the blankets around her before he sat down beside her and closed his eyes, seeking the presence of Gandalf as the wizard had thought him so many years ago. Gandalf, it is I, Aragorn, as you might know. I am sure you are angry with me, which is not suprising but please respond, I need your help."
He soon felt the crashing weight off Gandalf in his mind and he felt Nienna startle to the presence within the tent. He touched her on the arm and mounted with his mouth the words. "Do not worry."
"Aragorn, son of Arathorn, do you have any idea what so ever what you have done? You have been a fool, endangering not only your life and that of Nienna but off Legolas and Arwen as well. I do not know if I should be mad at you and kill you right now or leave that to Elrond when he gets here. Perhaps I should be glad that you are alive and not running around Middle Earth with this strange power."
"I guess I deserve whatever is coming to me but it is Nienna that I am concerned about. She seems ill, weak and certainly not as strong as she was before, including with the powers that have been given back to her." His worry grew when he heard nothing from the Wizard and asked. "Gandalf?"
"Aye, Aragorn, you are still very impatient, young King, do you honestly not know the answer? She bonded with Legolas, what happens when a bond like that is severed?"
"She can die. Gandalf what needs be done for her to be saved?" Gandalf was pleased to hear Aragorn's tone of voice sounding worried.
"That depends on you, Aragorn, who do you care more for? Nienna or Arwen? For you shall have to bond with either of them before you can accept them as you queen? Is Legolas worth it?" With those words Gandalf left off, while Aragorn looked back at Nienna.
Hope you like it. Okay you have to make a choice do you want to see a happy ending or not? If so with whom Nienna with Aragorn or Legolas with Nienna? And what should happen to Arwen. Let me know in a review.