CHAPTER THREE

Disclaimer: The characters aren't mine, and neither are the locations. They all belong to J.R.R Tolkien and various affiliated companies. There is no intention of plagiarism or copyright infringement. Everyone will be returned safe and sound, with food in their bellies and smiles on their faces (:D).

A/N: Sorry for the cliff-hangers, but it makes you want to read more, no? :P

Aragorn awoke, fear coursing through his veins. He sat up in the dim light of the room and tried to slow his breathing. Movement beside him drew his attention to the presence of his wife; he was in Rivendell. But where was Legolas? He tried to get out of the bed without waking Arwen, and thought he did so successfully. However, unbeknownst to him, she was laying there awake, tears glimmering in her eyes. She knew he loved her dearly, but also that his heart was drawn to Legolas. They were destined to be together, it was written in the stars and, although that caused her pain, she knew soul mates had to come together eventually and she knew Aragorn would never do anything to intentionally hurt her. She cried softly for herself, but mostly for her husband and the golden elf, and the love they could never have.

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Aragorn raced to Legolas' room, but did not find the elf there. It looked as though no one had been there for days. Surely he was fine? Aragorn knew he had run fast, but what if it hadn't been fast enough? What if his wound had been more serious than previously thought? What if…? He turned at the sound behind him and saw a young elf standing nervously in the doorway.

'Sir…? Master Greenleaf is not here.' He stammered.

'That is quite obvious. Where is he?' Aragorn asked, trying in vain to keep his temper under check.

'I…uh…that is…hesaidnooneistoknowwhereheisespeciallynotyou…' he said all in one breath, then turned and raced off.

Aragorn screamed and punched the wall. What was going on? He stalked through the halls of the citadel, fury growing in him. He wanted…no, needed to find Legolas. He needed to talk to him about…about things that he didn't want to talk about. Things he couldn't talk about with anyone but Legolas. He went deep into the bowels of the citadel, where no light and therefore no elf would be. Yet, he sensed someone was hidden there, where no one would unknowingly find them. He wandered in the darkness, his anger ebbing away, replaced by concern. Somehow he knew it was Legolas down here. But why? His eyes adjusted to the light (or lack thereof) and he could make out vague shapes. He paused before a door, listening to muffled sobs from within. He was in there, Legolas was in there and he was crying. He softly opened the door, and the sobbing stopped abruptly.

'Who's there?' Whispered a voice he knew so well, only never before stained with such sorrow.

'Mellon nin…?' Aragorn whispered in return.

'…Estel…how did you…I told him not to…'

'He didn't; I followed your…pain.' Aragorn muttered, knowing it to be true.

Aragorn stepped further into the room, closing the door behind him. The room was lit softly by a single candle; the light insufficient to chase the shadows from all corners. He could see Legolas' legs, but the rest of him was clothed in darkness. As he made to step forward, Legolas raised a pale, shaking hand.

'No, come no closer. Leave me Estel.'

'Legolas, I-'

He was cut off by the elf screaming 'NO!' It was so unlike him to shout that Aragorn stood in shocked silence.

'Return to Gondor with your wife and forget the name Legolas Greenleaf. It means nothing now.' Legolas spat hatefully.

'Legolas, I don't understand. Come into the light, let me see you.' Aragorn pleaded, not bothering to mask the hurt and confusion in his voice.

'No Aragorn…the atrocity that is now my face shall not be seen again, especially not by you. You should have let the orcs kill me. I would have been happier. Im fuio le (I abhor you).'

Aragorn felt the tears spring into his eyes at the hate in Legolas' words and voice. He didn't understand. A pain in his chest struck him like an arrow and he fell to his knees heavily, pressing his forehead to the cold stone floor. There, he let the tears fall.

'Legolas…meleth nin (my love)…how foolish I have been to consider similar feelings in your heart. It is all a lie, I was foolish. May I suffer eternally for the pain I have caused. Meleth nin…I will leave…so foolish of me to…care.'

He stopped mumbling, and stood; his face devoid of all expression. No hate, no love, just…emptiness. Legolas whispered softly, 'Ho meleth nin (he loves me)'. As Aragorn turned to leave he heard his name called in a voice stained with tears. He hung his head and reached for the doorknob, his hand resting on it, quivering, as a hand ran along his back. The nimble touch of the elf set his heart beating rapidly. He lifted his head and turned around.

A/N: I abhor you was the closest I could figure out to I hate you. I know abhor and hate technically mean the same thing, but generally people don't say it like that (some might, I don't know). If anyone has a better way of saying this, let me know, and I'll happily change it; elvish is not my strong point. Also advice on other elvish phrases I've pieced together would be exceedingly welcome.