A\N: Yes, I know that some time has passed since my last update. Sorry for that. I am going through some kind of personal hell called "dorm" so I am a bit late with my chapters. I am extremely sorry for that. Every minute of my day is planned so.. Anyway, this story will be finished, as it's planned. Just at a slower pace. I'll try to post a new chapter every saturday or sunday so it's going to be more regular than it used to be. One chapter per week. :D Sounds fair? Thank you so much, I am about to reply all of your reviews! Hope you're still there! :D
To Kat: Here you are! :D Yes, I am actually trying to pull something out with that in the end. You'll see. :) Thanks.
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Legolas narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"Where are we actually going?"- he asked Lostariel who was firmly holding him by his forearm.
He was barely given ten minutes to wake up before she pulled him out of the bed. The maiden looked back and gave a shiny smile.
"To our father's private chambers. He required your presence."
The elf blinked as he struggled to keep the pace with his fast sister.
"To talk?"- he squirmed uncomfortably when he remembered their previous conversation. Of course, he had to explain a lot, especially the current situation with Aragorn. He hoped against hope that the king hadn't already cut into that matter. He swallowed.
"Lostariel..?"- he started slowly when they passed under a stone arcade.
"Yes, my brother?"- she laughed- "I really like calling you thus."- she added.
For a second, Legolas had strayed.
"I wanted to ask something, actually.. You see, I do remember my mother, through the haze, yes, but I can recall her presence. I can even remember some small parts when it comes to Adar. But you.."- he stopped for a second, suddenly not so eager to continue this for he was scared that he might hurt the elleth.
But it seemed that his worry was futile. Lostariel smiled once again.
"You were a little child. Of course you would remember our mother the best. Adar.. Well, don't misunderstand, but he wasn't always with us, and our mother was often too protective of you so it wasn't very interesting for me to be with you back then. That's probably the main reason why you can't remember me, but don't worry. We have years now!"- she laughed but the elf's eyes grew wide. Years?
"Umm, yes, of course."- he said in uncertain voice- "One more thing.. Did Adar speak to.. to Aragorn?"- he started to sweat.
Lostariel looked back and studied her brother's strange face expression.
"Aragorn? You mean king Elessar? Yes, he did. He has actually offered him certain things in order to thank him for he had helped you, but that man is a little bit strange. He refused it, but either way he asked for a permission to stay here with us for some time. Anyway, how did you two meet?"- she said with visible curiosity.
"By chance."- the elf murmured darkly and continued to walk with Lostariel.
"You don't meet kings by chance, Legolas."- she laughed brightly and tapped his shoulder.
Legolas wondered if this was the right moment to tell his sister about Aragorn and him but he bit his tongue. Instead, he started to hesitate.
"What our father thinks about Humans?"- he asked suddenly and the maiden was aback. She blinked.
"I don't know, Legolas. I think that he doesn't think about them. They have no touching spots with us. I guess that no highborn elf approves mingling with them."- she spoke in kinda troubled tone that made Legolas wonder if she was actually talking about herself. When he was about to ask, they stopped walking.
"There."- she pointed at the large door and pushed one wing slowly. There was no sound as the door was opening.
Legolas ignored the majestic looking of this chamber. The whole household looked like that. He was used to it in Gondor, but this place had somewhat eternal dignity. It was alive.
He nodded shyly at his father who was calmly standing and talking with Haldir. Everything was still new to Legolas, but Thranduil gave a loving smile.
"Legolas."- he said warmly as the elf was pushed down to sit in a large armchair.
"Did you sleep well?"- the elf was shocked how natural they were with him, as if there was no gap in time made of a few decades while he was absent.
He nodded weakly and patiantely waited.
"There are some thing I wish to tell you. Or explain to you."- Thranduil said in quiet voice and set next to the elf. Both Lostariel and Haldir followed his example.
Legolas searched for Haldir's eyes, wanting him to tell him what he should do now.
"You are well aware of the fact that you are a prince."- the words were kind, slow but they cut into Legolas' ears like knives. He jumped in his seat, earning some worried looks from his family and Haldir. Thranduil stopped talking and gave his son time to recover.
Legolas swallowed and forced himself to nod. Everything was happening too fast for his likings. He wanted to speak to Aragorn.
"There are certain things that you, as a prince, should do."- the kind was carefully studing his son's troubled expression, wondering what was so wrong about this.
The elf waited, feeling as if he was sitting on needles.
"Tonight you must attend a reception. We shall celebrate your returning."
The elf tossed his hair aside and breathed out. At least this wasn't as bad as it could be.
"Who is elated about my retruning home, Adar? I know no one."- he said in plain tone.
The king wasn't sure if he was supposed to smile.
"The whole household, my son. Everyone knows that you are here."- he gave Haldir a confused look and grasped Legolas' arm. Haldir nodded slowly and encouraged the king.
"And who is everyone? I don't want to do this. Don't make me. I-I have to talk with Aragorn and Bjarte, where are they?"- he jerked his head up. Lostariel was blankly staring at him.
"Legolas, what's wrong? Your guests are well. The boy is with your sister most of the time, she accompanies him, and the man is somewhere in the palace."- the king was throwing glares at Haldir, not sure what to do.
Legolas forcefully shook his head and closed his eyes. Silence took over.
The king and the maiden were dazed. They were blinking in confusion and staring at the young elf, unsure what to think. Of course, things were happening too fast, but the prince shouldn't be hidden.
Legolas felt when his Adar removed his hand and stood up. He heard when the light elleth stood up too and made few hesitating steps. They were moving slowly across the room until they reached the door. They threw one look more at Legolas before they left and gently closed the door.
"Legolas."- Haldir immediately started.
Legolas gave a painful sigh and opened his eyes only to see the elf's stern face.
"Leave me alone, Haldir."- he rubbed his eyes and looked around himself.
"What are you doing? Why are you so disregarding?"- he asked in caring, but in strong voice.
Legolas stared in disbelief at the elf's fair face.
"Haldir, I came yesterday here and discovered that I'm a prince. Today, they want me to attend receptions same as Aragorn does and greet my.. people. You really think that I'm capable of just nodding and saying "yes" on every demand? Besides, do you even realize what this means? Lostariel said that we have years, but what about Aragorn and me? We have plans, he promised.."- he bit his tongue and shook his head desperately.
Haldir gave a confused look.
"Legolas, this is your home. Not Gondor, but Eryn Lasgalen. Thranduil is your father, your family. You are meant to be here. Aragorn is a mortal."- he was explaining softly, hating himself for he was forced to do such thing now, when the elf was everything but eager to think about the man's death.
Legolas hissed.
"Aragorn will be just fine. We don't have much time, but no one is going to die."- he didn't want to talk about this anymore. It was their secret.
Again silence. Both of them were staring at the shadows on the table. The sun was shining bright and the sky was cloudless.
"You wish to go back to Gondor?"- the question was spoken without any emotion.
Cold water flushed through the elf's chest. Shocked to realize it, he found himself shaking his head.
"No. I don't wish to live there. Same as I don't wish Aragorn to leave."- he said slowly and lowered his head down.
Legolas wasn't sure for how long they've been sitting together, both lost within their thoughts.
At last, Haldir stood up. Legolas didn't bother to look where the elf was heading, but something was gently placed on his knees when the elf returned and stood above him.
Legolas gave a confused look at him and eyed the clean clothing, ably sorted. It was obviously a long robe, gently blue and rich, dappled with a silver thread, but he barely managed to see all that for his eyes were devoted to the metal, lean object in Haldir's hands.
Simple, silver crown with smooth edge was glistening in the elf's hands. They were opened and stretched towards Legolas. The crown looked different from every crown he has ever seen in Gondor. While the crowns of the Men were made so they can put them on the top of their heads, this one was obviously made to be worn around the forhead and tucked in the hair. He took it in his hands and gently caressed the cold mithril.
"You see, Legolas? That's your life and your fate. You can always run away from this forest but you cannot run away from yourself, not now."- the elf barely heard him. He placed the crown down on the clothing and stared at that pile in his lap.
"You can rest now and think over. By the night come up with your final decision. Everyone will be in the main garden, you'll have no trouble finding it. If you decide to stay, come as you are. If you decide to leave.. Don't come at all."- the words were quiet, slow, almost empty. Haldir didn't look angry or disappointed. In the end, he had no reason to be any of that.
Legolas didn't reply. He was staring before himself with no voice or thought.
Haldir headed to the door but he stopped after few steps.
"One more thing. Think about your father before you tell him you want to leave with Elessar."- and after that, Legolas was left alone.
He leaned against the armchair and sighed heavily. Some grievous bird was singing above the window.
Could he possibly accept this? He shook his head.
There is nothing he should accept. It was all his. He wasn't actually offered- he was only given back what was his. A bitter smile was formed on his tightly pressed lips.
"Life really knows how to play games with us."- he thought and crossed his arms.
But the end of this game was here. He was home and there was nothing beyond it. The only thing he was supposed to do is to stay. Stay and never leave. And where else could he go anyway? Gondor has never offered him full and unquestionable joy. His days there were happy, yes, even perfect in some way, but the main reason and the only reason to that was Aragorn.
Aragorn.
His face went sour. The man hasn't even come to pay him a short visit. Legolas felt rage and a hint of disappointment. Everything they had started to shake and quiver the moment they started this journey. Like it was cursed. The elf hissed. Aragorn was somewhere in the palace instead of being here and helping him to go through this insane, silly comedy of turning points. He felt as if he was all alone on this world. Even the boy was absent. And now Haldir.
Legolas started to panic. The room seemed too large, too silent. He liked it. And it scared him.
Silence. Healing silence. It was a beautiful thing. This place was filled with it. Nothing like this he had found in Gondor.
He wanted to slap himself for he started to spit on the home of the man he loved, but he could help but thing that it wasn't Gondor that had saved him but the man. Aragorn, Aragorn and some more of him. He knew that he would move to any other place on this earth if the man wanted that. It wasn't a secret that he didn't love the man's homeland but it felt wrong to be so disregarding about it.
"Firelands."- he whispered heavily and closed his eyes.
Haldir was right, after all. He wasn't born to dwell in the firelands. The forest was the right place for him. Quiet, damp, easy, natural, breezy, healthy and more than everything else together- it was his home. His father was here. His sister loved him. Could he turn his back on them?
But there was still the man. He couldn't throw him away like a wrecked toy.
"He'll need me when everything starts to fall apart."- he thought and started to count the man's years in his mind. He stopped when he felt a sick lump in his throat.
"You are still young, my love."- he said quietly but he knew it was a lie. Aragorn wasn't young- he was too old.
Legolas' heart started to beat faster. Lostariel had mentioned years. It was obvious that his father wanted to represent him as the prince that shall stay by his side and rule this kingdom with him. And Aragorn? Their last journey? Sailing? As if the whole world stopped thinking and talking about that matter. There were days when that fact was warming up his heart. Now it turned into a problem. Another issue hit him like a rock. Bjarte. What about him?
Legolas' head started to hurt really bad.
It was easier to love just one person. To live for him, protect him like a she-wolf protects her cubs, to have all of your hopes and worries shaped in that one man or woman. Legolas thought about that carefree time when there were only him and the man. And the whole world was behind.
Hours were passing while he was thinking. The sun started to fall down.
It seemed that his heart was slowly becoming bigger. There was more love inside of him. That love was for his father, sister, the boy, this kingdom. He was starting to fall in love with all of it and his fears were dire. More vulnerable spots.
The Moon started to glisten and he looked at the clothing and the crown that were silently gleaming in the dark armchair. Legolas took the crown in his hands.
"I do love you, Aragorn."- he thought weakly and lowered the crown down.
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Fair, smiling faces all around him. Kind lights above his head and fresh air. Legolas inhaled deeply and felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up.
Thranduil have another proud smile. Legolas had stopped counting.
Beautiful elven words were flying through the air and easy dresses and robes were gently moving with the weak breeze. So many eyes filled with adoration and utter happiness were on him as if they have been waiting for him the whole age of this Land.
Legolas smiled once again and moved through the crowd although that word wasn't the right one. This wasn't crowd. This was his family. No one didn't bother to push him and scream his name in order to express their love. The Elves were quiet, filling with dignity. A noble elf or a musician.. Both were on the same level. There were only bright eyes and silent, caring words. He was free to go whenever he wanted. No chains or restraints. He was a prince and he was free.
"Lostariel."- he said and the elleth turned around. Her long white dress was slightly touching the green grass. She curled her arm around his forearm and pulled him nearer.
"I am so glad that you've come. Adar was quite worried."- the elleth was repeating that sentence throughout the whole night. A huge stone fell down her fragile heart.
Legolas eyed the thin mithril that covered her narrow forhead. He slightly touched his own crown.
"It suits you really well."- Legolas heard a familiar voice. There was no way he could mistake it. Bjarte moved behind him.
Legolas only grinned and slowly nodded at the boy that was dressed in a long robe too.
"Bjarte."- he greeted him and it was enough.
"He's really funny, gwanur. Impressive for a human."- Lostariel laughed lovingly and Bjarte's heart jumped few times.
Lostariel's young face seemed without any worry or fear. She released her brother and pulled the boy nearer.
"Come, I want to introduce you to some ladies of the household."- and both of them disappeared behind the lean bodies.
Legolas frowned shortly for his sister slipped through his fingers when he was about to ask her something. He threw a look around the garden, his eyes searching but finding nothing.
"Legolas."- Haldir smiled when he appeared before the elf, scaring him slightly. The elf took the glass he was offered.
"You did the right thing."- Haldir spoke in calm voice and eyed the crown in Legolas' hair. The blond elf only coughed a bit and run fingers down his collar. He searched again.
"Haldir.. Where is Aragorn?"- Legolas asked and stretched his neck.
The elf frowned.
"It's not the right moment to.."- he started talking but the young prince lanced him with a cold gaze.
"Enough, Haldir, by Valar, enough. Stop separating us."- he hissed and made a circle around the garden with the shocked elf following him in step.
"You've misunderstood."- the elf started to speak quietly, not wanting to get any unwanted attention.
"You don't like the idea of Aragorn and me being together, that's what I've understood."- Legolas uttered in almost bored tone but either way he started slowly to panic. Where was he?
"No one likes that idea."- Haldir breathed out heavily and Legolas abruptly stopped walking. He turned around to face the troubled elf.
"No one even knows about.."- Legolas tried to whisper but he failed. His voice was too rushed, too worried. They earned a few curious looks.
"No matter how your father might seem to you right now, you cannot fool him. He's even worried about the boy and your sister. That closeness, well, iritates him. How long do you think it will take until he finds out?"- the elf's eyes were pleading. Legolas was frozen.
"And what if he finds out? What then? I've had a life before this. He can only accept it as a part of me."- Legolas finished but he knew that this was far from the end. He continued to walk.
"Legolas, you cannot take yourself away from him."- Haldir started to talk faster.
"I'm not going anywhere. I've decided to stay here. Isn't that obvious?"- the elf murmured and desperately looked around himself.
Haldir was staring at him, his mouth slightly opened.
"But.. Aragorn is.."- and Legolas' eyes flashed.
".. not here."- he finished Haldir's sentence. The elf frowned.
"Where is he?"- he faced the elf once again, realizing that his attempt to find the man by himself was futile. A pure question was glistening in his eyes. Haldir's frown cut deeper.
"What are you going to do?"- he asked carefully, assuming that the elf had some kind of a plan. He didn't like this. He didn't like this at all.
"I am going to speak with Aragorn."- Legolas replied, softly confused. He raised his eyebrows.
"You know what I mean."- he wouldn't let this go. Legolas saw Thranduil through the crowd.
"Just tell me where he is. I have no hidden motives, trust me."- he started to plead with more fierce, knowing that once his adar comes, there will be no chance.
"I don't.."- Haldir started over again, studing Legolas' unaturally calm face.
"I'll stay, I swear. Don't you understand? There is nothing I'm going to do, Haldir, nothing."- his voice was desperate same like his eyes, but there was a small smile on his lips. He was pretending. There were only ten steps between them and the king.
A second passed. Haldir tried to find something in the elf's eyes that would be on the contrary with his words. There was nothing, just as Legolas had said.
Fast, almost silent words fell down Haldir's lips and he took a step back when the king approached them. With a small nod, he left.
Thranduil suspiciously watched the elf.
"What's wrong, Legolas?"- he said and moved his gaze back on the prince. Legolas gave his best smile.
"Nothing. I'm just tired."- he yawned but the reaction he yearned for wasn't the one he received. Thranduil frowned even more.
"Tired? Elves are not so easily tired, my son."- he unconsciously patted Legolas' shoulder. The elf bit his lip.
"Can they excuse me? I wish to leave, Adar."- Legolas spoke quietly.
"Leave?!"- the word was spoken a bit too loud. Legolas jumped when he realized his mistake. He stared at Thranduil's hurted and, more than everything, scared face.
"No! Not like that! I want to go to my chamber. I'm not going anywhere, I'll stay.."- he started to soothe his father that lost his sense for a second. It took him a minute to calm down.
"Certain words have a great effect upon me, Legolas."- Thranduil whispered and Legolas hated himself for the look on his father's face. He nodded.
"Forgive me."- he sighed and both of them remained to stand like that for some time. The hand was removed.
"You can leave. It's too soon anyway, you need to adjust. They'll understand. Sleep well."- the king smiled and moved aside so Legolas can pass.
The elves moved aside to so the prince can leave. They bowed their beautiful heads that were bathing in the light. Everything had stopped for those few minutes as Legolas was passing.
It was all gone when he touched the first stair that led to the stone porch.
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The elf carefully knocked on the wooden door. He waited in the dark for the reply, but he received none. His heart started to beat faster. He knocked again. Nothing.
Stilling his palms, he pushed the door. To his surprise, it was unlocked. Legolas frowned as he stepped into the room.
There was no light, only darkness and sharp silhouettes. Almost immediately, his eyes trailed to the bed. There was a shape of the man, wrapped in the blanket and slightly curled on his side with a hand under the pillow. His breathing seemed proper, but his pose was somewhat rigid. Legolas saw some clothing on the floor, obviously thrown away in boredom or rush.
The elf smiled weakly and gently closed the door. In soundless steps, he got closer to the bed. With a corner of his eye, he noticed a bag on the floor. Aragorn's bag. It was filled with clothing and everything else that the man took with himself. It was unpacked. As if he was about to leave tomorrow morning. He swallowed dryly and changed his course.
With swift fingers, he unlanced the straps around the bag and took everything out. He placed the clothing in the closet in the corner of the room, pulled out all of Aragorn's herbs and papers, landing them on the desk. When he forced the room to look as if someone was actually living there, he smiled with relief and headed towards the man.
He carefully sat on the bed and stared down. The face was covered with the man's dark and messy hair and he was breathing deeply into the mattress. The urge to touch him was too strong but he dug his fingers in the soft bed and bit his lip.
Legolas started to think. Think and worry. There was no way he could go back to Gondor. He didn't want to. With his eyes, he caressed the man's still form.
"What have I gotten myself into.."- Legolas whispered desperately and rubbed his eyes that indeed started to burn out of tiredness. Then he gave up and erased all the thoughts out of his mind.
The elf stood up and started to unbutton his formal clothing. A metal picture of the man taking his robe off after a long day was formed before his eyes. He smiled bitterly and dragged the material down his shoulders.
Legolas shivered as he realized how cold was in the room when his naked skin was touched by the easy breeze. He thought of closing the window, but instead he rushed with taking his clothing off.
Carefully he sorted his robe over the chair, ignoring the mess Aragorn had made on the floor with his worn out clothing. He sat down on the bed and pulled the crown out of his hair. He didn't want to look at it right now so he hid it under the papers on the night table.
With a sigh made of pure relief and tiredness, he pulled the blanket up and moved his body under it. His muscles shivered at the drastic change of temperature. The man's body, as usually, was heated in sleep.
"At least some things never change."- Legolas mumbled and ignored the man's jerks when he nestled his way colder body near him.
Aragorn mumbled as he felt hands around his back or neck. Sudden coldness started to wake him up. Soft, faint kisses were poured down his throat and shoulder. He breathed out as his hands instinctively searched for Legolas.
The elf purred as the warm hands caressed his spine. He nuzzled his nose against the man's collar bones and gently wrapped his legs around Aragorn's waist. The blue eyes were closed but his eyelids flexed when his hair was yanked down, a little bit too hard. That was a response to his cold limbs touching the man's exposed skin under the sheets. Legolas was still for some time, letting the hands to caress his body, fully aware that Aragorn was still half asleep. He wrapped his arms around the man's neck and tangled his fingers in the messy hair.
The lean body arched so it can perfectly match the sleeping form that was pressed against him. Legolas lifted his body up a bit and searched for the man's mouth in the dark. Aragorn started to mumble and his words were clearer than before but the elf ignored it. He muffled every sound when he forced his lips over the man's.
When was the last time they actually kissed? It scared the elf when he realized that he couldn't remember.
Aragorn tried to breathe out but when he noticed that he only managed to breathe in the elf's hot mouth, he blinked in surprise. He tried to say something, push the elf away and ask, ask anything but nothing seemed as a logical thing to do when the legs pressed his waist harder and the lips moved faster over his. It didn't matter.
He gripped the body in his hands forcefully and lifted it up some more, feeling lean and soft texture of the elf's muscles under the smooth sheet. Aragorn grabbed the backside harder than it was really needed and pressed their bodies together. Legolas' eyes snapped open at this sudden and harsh movement. He moaned in the man's mouth but pushed his behind against the hand. He could feel the warmness of the man's palm even through the sheet.
The hand responded to the rising pressure and gently squeezed taut flesh. The elf hissed pleadingly and lifted himself on his elbows.
"Aragorn, Aragorn.. I've missed you so much."- he whispered hotly and started to kiss every inch of skin he could find under his lips. He moved down and kissed the throat, flesh.. He grabbed Aragorn's shoulders and dug his nails into the skin. The man hissed and opened his eyes.
The only thing he could see was the mass of the silver hair poured on his chest. The elf threw his leg over his waist, forced him to lay down on his back and easily sat on the man.
"Legolas.."- Aragorn started to protest weakly, desperately hanging on the last strand of will.
The elf only lifted his head and crushed their mouths together again. He needed this so bad.
"Legolas, listen.. Stop this, we have to talk and.."- it was followed by a pleading moan when the spoken elf removed his mouth and fully sat down on the man's stomach. He had his palms pressed down on the broad shoulders and he stared straight at the steel eyes.
When the hands wanted to move down his body and change the position, Legolas shook his head and stilled them, bringing them back on his backside and then gently moving them up and down his spine, legs or stomach. His eyes were burning with dark blue flame but they were oddly calm.
"Just touch me. You don't have to do anything else. Just.. don't stop."- he said in quiet voice and released the hands on his body. They didn't move for a second and it seemed that the whole room was drowned in silence. Legolas closed his eyes and put the hands back on the man's shoulders, leaning forward so the ends of his hair were touching the man's chest in soft, insane caresses.
After few moment of stillness, Aragorn started to move his hands. Slowly, carefully. He was caressing the soft skin, touching ever inch of the pale flesh, fully enjoying it. The elf sighed and let his head to hang between his shoulders.
Rough fingers teased, slightly harmed the soft skin. They were branding him, letting him know that the man was his as much as he belonged to the man. And there was no crown that could deny it.
Legolas purred softly when the hands started to massage his tensed shoulders.
"Open your eyes, look at me.."- it was a silent, loving plea. He did so and faced the man's bemused expression. Fingertips caressed his chin, ran over his slightly parted lips and gently pulled his hair.
Blue eyes were gazing down, glistening like some foreign waters under the eternal moon. They were vitreous and under them they were small dark circles. Aragorn caressed them too.
"You are tired."- he whispered and the elf nodded.
"You are even more tired."- he said and, for the first time, noticed dark marks around Aragorn's eyes that looked like bruises. Aragorn shrugged.
"Lately there's been too much of this."- he said and pointed with his chin at the room and, with a corner of his eye, he noticed the hidden crown on the night table. After it, he turned his eyes back on the elf.
Legolas closed his eyes and lowered his head down on the man's chest, hearing the steady beats of his human heart.
"Why did you leave me?"- the elf asked and nestled his chin against Aragorn's bare torso.
"I did not leave you. How could I? You needed to be alone and decide all by yourself. And you did."- Aragorn said and run his fingers through the neat hair. Legolas slowly opened his eyes, feeling as if the crown was burning like fire.
"I understand you, my love, I really do. I've even expected this. Just give me some time."- Aragorn said in plain tone and stared up at the ceiling feeling small stings inside of his chest.
"We won't tear everything we have apart. We'll survive this."- he continued to speak and caress the hair he adored. Legolas was silent.
"How?"- he asked at last. The hands stopped moving.
"Somehow. I don't know."- Aragorn said and tried not to sound as panicked as he really was.
"Caress me."- the elf protested when he felt that the hands didn't start to move immediately. Aragorn laughed weakly.
"Let's not talk about it, I'm tired. Can't we just sleep tonight?"- Legolas said and closed his eyes again. He started to move his fingers and make lazy circles on the man's skin.
The man was hesitating.
"Legolas, my little Leaf, I am afraid that.."- he frowned and pressed the beloved creature harder on his chest.
"I know that we're lost but soon.. We'll be found."- Legolas yawned and smiled in joy when he felt how needed he was.
"It's not the time for telling tales, my love."- Aragorn whispered darkly but his heart melted when he felt a soft pressure of the elven lips just above his heart.
"Can you tell me if you love me..?"- Legolas spoke nearly asleep, ignoring the man's fear. Not now.
"More than I dare to admit."- was the troubled answer. The elf smiled.
"I would make love to you, but it seems that I'm too tired."- Legolas mumbled and yawned again. Aragorn laughed, more honestly than before.
"This is as good as the love making is."- Aragorn assured him and rested his hands on the elf's hair.
Legolas grinned before he passed away in the land of oblivion but Aragorn didn't stop caressing him.
The man decided that he should enjoy this time as much as he could. His throat went tight when he noticed that all of his things were taken out of the bag. He looked at the sleeping form on his chest.
"You are trying too hard, my love. You are terrified as much as I am."- he said heavily and continued to run his fingers through the silver hair.
There was no actual solution and both the man and the elf avoided to talk about it. They were desperately avoiding failure. But was the failure avoiding them?