Coronation Day

Aragorn

Aragorn took a few deep breaths, trying to control his racing heart. He had slipped into his tunic and trousers, but he had to wait for help to dress in his armor. He resisted the urge to tap his booted foot on the floor. Legolas had promised to come and help him but hadn't appeared yet. And his absence, combined with waiting, was causing his nervous energy to heighten. Just as he was about to send one of his new attendants to find the elf, the Door swung open, and his friend strode in.

Whirling to face him, he babbled, "Where have you been? I cannot finish getting ready without you...But what does it matter? Clothes can't make a ranger into a king. A few pieces of armor will hardly turn me into a ruler. Or a crown either! Will they really follow me?"

The elf had taken a couple of steps forward as he was speaking. Suddenly he darted forward, and Aragorn found himself tackled. He tried to get away, but Legolas held on. The man struggled and managed to get on top but was quickly tossed off. They wrestled for a few minutes before the elf fully pinned him down. Grabbing the sides of Aragorn's face, Legolas locked eyes with him. It seemed to him that the elf wasn't even out of breath while he was panting. "You should know you can never win in a fight with me, Aragorn. No matter how hard you try. And, remember that if I hear you expressing doubt about yourself, I won't hesitate to knock you down and pound some sense into you. And this proves that I can do it!"

Aragorn stared at him before rolling his eyes and slowly breaking into a grin, squirming out from under the elf; he pulled him into an embrace. "Hannon le!" he whispered.

Legolas

Legolas smiled and returned Aragorn's squeeze. Planting a gentle kiss on the human's cheek, he pulled away and got to his feet. "But, you are right about one thing. We really must make you presentable. You can hardly meet your new subjects with your clothes looking like you've been in a skirmish."

"Isn't that exactly what happened?"

"A loving one, Mellon nin!"

Aragorn rolled his eyes once again but let his friend help him up.

After straightening the human's clothes, Legolas guided his friend to the mirror and began to help him into his armor. As he fastened the coat of arms around his friend's chest, he continued speaking to him, "As I said last night, Aragorn, that fact that you're aware of your weaknesses is what can be a great strength. You are humble, and that is beautiful. Your new people already love and respect you. And as I also said, you do not have to do this alone. I love you, Mellon nin, and I will never leave you."

Then he gently pushed Aragorn onto a bench and carefully fastened his braces before going to work on brushing his hair. The human had been silent this entire time, simply soaking in his friend's gentle words and touch. Once that last of the tangles were worked out of the man's dark hair, he fastened the dark, ornate robe, then placed a hand on his friend's shoulder and squeezed.

Turning around, Aragorn got to his feet and embraced the elf.

Aragorn

Aragorn held onto his friend, trying to find his voice. "I love you too, Legolas. Hannon le seems such an inadequate expression, but it is the only one I know."

Before he could speak further, a knock came on the door. He loosened his hold on the elf with a final squeeze but kept an arm around his waist. "Come in!" He called.

It was Gimli who stuck his head in the door. "It is time, Aragorn."

The elf smiled and started to pull away. "I must go find the elves. But I will be waiting at the bottom of the steps when you come down them as King.

The human gave him a quick kiss on his forehead before letting him go.

After Legolas slipped out, Aragorn took another deep breath before walking down the passage. As he got closer to the courtyard and heard the excited hum of the crowd, panic started to well again, but the memory of the elf's words squashed it down. Coming out onto the steps, he turned toward Gandalf, who motioned for him to kneel. After he did so, the wizard turned and picked up a simple yet ornate crown off a silken cushion. Holding it high over the man's head, he lowered it slowly, placing it gently on Aragorn's head. As the weight came to rest on his forehead, he felt a strange mixture of fear and peace. Gandalf's hand's lingered on the crown for a moment as he proclaimed, "Now come the days of the king!" The man felt a smile curving his lips. Then for Aragorn's ears only, "May they be blessed." He stepped back, giving the king his due respect. Sucking in a deep breath, Aragorn turned to face HIS people. And the cheers and clapping that met his ears built up his confidence but again reminded him of the task ahead of him.

Finally, he spoke the only words that seemed fitting, "This day does not belong to one man, but to all. Let us together rebuild this world, that we may share in the days of peace." Then, as his ancestors before him, he began to sing the song of Elendil. "Et Erello Endorenna utlien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn Ambar-metta!"

Coming down the steps, he nodded to Eomer, Faramir, and Eowyn, who bowed to him as he passed.

Finally, his eyes landed on the one he'd been seeking.

Legolas

Legolas stepped forward, giving Aragorn a soft smile. As he'd watched the man kneel and have the crown placed on his head, his sharp elf eyes catching the way his shoulders heaved as he took a deep calming breath, before turning to face his subjects, his heart had nearly burst with pride.

Now Aragorn approached him, coming to a halt in front of him. Reaching out, he clasped his shoulder and squeezed tightly. Legolas did the same, his eyes communicating his love and pride.

Aragorn again spoke the simple words that carried indescribable weight, "Hannon le!"

Legolas nodded and gave a mischievous smile, gesturing behind him. Aragorn looked beyond him, and the elf felt the strong hand tighten on his shoulder as he saw what the elf had gestured toward. Several feet away, someone stood holding a banner decorated with the tree of Gondor. Legolas watched his friend's face as the banner slid to the side and revealed the face that the new king had longed to see but had thought he might never see again. The face of his true love Arwen. Shifting, he gave Aragorn a gentle shove forward.

As he watched Aragorn walk forward, study Arwen for a moment, touching her chin gently, before pulling her in for a passionate kiss, whirling her around in his embrace.

Legolas hadn't thought his heart could swell anymore, but as he watched his best friend reunite with the one he loved more than life, he realized he'd been wrong.

Later... Still Legolas

Legolas stood off to the side, watching the celebration. Aragorn and Arwen were at the center of it all, the joy shining on their faces at finally being together. As much as he enjoyed the joyful celebration, the crowded space was beginning to feel closed in. He slipped out of the room and walked out into the courtyard. Leaning against a tree, he savored the coolness of the peaceful night.

He wasn't sure how much time had passed when he felt a strong pair of arms wrapped around his waist, pulling him back against a solid chest. A voice grumbled in his ear, "Really, Mellon nin, I hope you didn't think your absence would go unnoticed. You may be able to avoid an entire company of orcs, but you can never hide from me!" Legolas gave a gentle laugh and turned around to embrace his best friend. Looking up into the new king's vivid blue eyes, he spoke softly. "You should not be out here, Aragorn. This celebration is for you after all!"

"It ended! I will admit, I didn't immediately notice your absence, but when I did, naturally, I came looking for you."

"Then you should be with Arwen. I doubt she appreciates you leaving her alone now that you are finally reunited."

His answer was a gentle laugh from a few feet away that sounded distinctly feminine. Pulling away, he turned to the side and saw the dark-haired queen step into the light, smiling gently at the two friends. Stepping closer, she touched Legolas' shoulder and spoke in her soft voice. "Legolas, how could I possibly object to Aragorn coming to find you when you are the very reason we are together now at all. Aragorn has just begun to tell me off all that has happened since you left Rivendell. Still, I know already that you are an indispensable part of it." Reaching out, she wrapped her arms around his waist and continued speaking, "We both love you, Legolas! More than words can express." Legolas returned the squeeze, savoring the embrace. Aragorn wrapped his arms around both of them, and the three of them held each other.

Legolas gave a sigh as he relaxed into his friends' gentle touch.

THE END.

I struggled with the best way to end it. I hope I pulled it off.

Please review! I may write another story about these two best friends at some point if I feel inspired.