Disclaimer: I do not own these characters.

Silver Roses have Thorns

The Myth that is Love

Legolas had always thought that being in love existed only in stories. The racing of the heart was a game that no longer was in this life. The silent conversations that go on between lovers were a myth. They were the lost tales that existed only in the mind and books. Of course, he had not known Estel then.

He made mistakes in Rivendell. Yelling at a servant until she ran in fear. Being frightened on his own wedding night. Fighting with his husband. But none, he thought, none were as bad as falling in love. That was the worst mistake of all. Now his heart had no clue where to turn. To letting go with only a taste of love or to hold on to every memory and suffer the loneliness?

Estel would hold onto the memories of Legolas forever. But he knew that no others would happen. He decided long ago that Legolas was not returning. He was a ranger now. He no longer stayed in one place for good. He had journeys now. Legolas was his past. Marriage was his past. Love was definitely his past.


He led them to weather top. They were his responsibility and Frodo was harmed. He failed them. He was supposed to protect them.

"You need rest, Estel," Her hands explored his face, "You did not fail them. Frodo will heal, my love." Arwen was his love. She was absolutely perfect. They had a moment when they were nearly children before their relationship that still lingered in the mind. Estel's husband had caught them kissing and that had turned into chaos. It was amusing to even say 'Estel's husband' anymore. It used to seem so natural. Now, it seemed so strange.

"I was supposed to watch him. He was my responsibility." He said. He was tired but he knew he couldn't sleep while Frodo's life was still in danger.

"You hardly knew him, my dear Estel, get some rest now." She always knew what he was thinking. But she could never fully grasp how it affected him. He felt her small hand be replaced by a long thin one.

"It is time to rest, Aragorn." Gandalf said, "I will watch him."

Hesitating, Estel left the room to return to his own. He never did get much rest that night.


Legolas was having trouble resting himself. But not from worry that another's life was in danger. He was going to look for his husband from so many years ago. He knew that he would not be seeing the same young 16-year old. His husband was now a man. Tales had reached his ears of his love's quests.

But would Estel remember him?

Of course he would! Legolas was his husband still. Years and distance had separated them. But Estel had promised to be faithful and Legolas trusted him.