As he answered Arwen's cool question, he felt the tendrils of her power creep towards his weakened body, but they did not speak for long. She hurried away to heal Frodo, and he was left to back against her horse, gasping for breath.

He hated being in her presence; with her suffocating, jealous power. Sighing, he hurried over, once she stopped her spell and bruised the athelas, placing it in Frodo's wound, hearing the words that he did not want to hear. That Frodo was no going to last.

All Aragorn could do was follow the instruction given and take Frodo in his arms.

He hauled the dead weight onto the white mare and put his hand upon the back of the Halfling to stop him from keeling over. Arwen's power branched out and gathered the Ranger in its nets. Aragorn could only hear her, see her and feel the faint stirrings of devotion and arousal to the elf. He was oblivious to the other hobbits.

As they bickered for authority, a vague idea formed in Aragorn's mind, but it was soon obscured by the growing feeling of desire. He took her hand placidly in his own, giving up to her will. Arwen rode off swiftly through the dense forest with Aragorn's charge in her arms. The moment they were out of sight, Aragorn could move once more and exhaled deeply.

He gestured for the hobbits to follow him. They trudged in his footsteps grudgingly. Upset that the 'Big People' felt that they had the right to make a decision involving their friend without consulting them first. They felt devalued and helpless, so small in the plot and so worthless.

Aragorn was examining his idea from before – that Arwen was trying to prove and redeem herself in the eyes of the Ranger, in hope that he would love her once more. She wanted to drive the Legolas away from Aragorn and keep the son of Arathorn for herself.

But Aragorn would never choose Arwen, he belonged to Legolas, without a doubt.

000

The moment Aragorn hurried into Rivendell, the first thing he did was to rush to Frodo's side, with the other Halflings, to find both Gandalf and Elrond by the hobbit's bed. Relief washed over him as the wizard gave him a small smile, Frodo would recover. The other hobbits swarmed around the bed with no sense of custom, no courtesy spared for the Lord Elrond in their worry. Aragorn gave a small nod, a bow to the great ones, and walked out of the room. He had a feeling that his Ada's eyes were watching him as he retreated, and this made him walk even faster. In part, he felt that he had failed: Arwen had been the one to rescue Frodo, not him, and he had been charged with the hobbit.

Sighing, he shook his head and made his way to his bedroom, where he sunk into the soft duvet. Before his head had reached the pillow, he was asleep.

Every day, Aragorn was ravenous, and revelled in the ability to eat sweet meats, fresh fruits and confectionary once again. He ordered all of his meals in his rooms, so he did not provoke worry from his foster father and unwanted attention. He spent many of his days, in recluse, writing, reading and merely sitting thinking for hours at a time, waiting for his father to give him more instruction, Elladan or Elrohir to come, or for Legolas.

On the 24th of October, four days since their arrival in Rivendell but almost 11 week since Aragorn had left Mirkwood, Frodo recovered his strength, and a shout went up from the courtyard below Aragorn's bedroom. Looking out of the glass, Aragorn saw elves gathering below, he could just discern their identities. His heart leapt, Elladan and Elrohir had returned, and with them, a delegation? Edging its way past bare-backed horses, a blond elf caught Aragorn's eye, and made Aragorn's heart freeze in his throat. It looked up to Aragorn's window. Legolas was staring straight up at his melda, his beloved.

After what seemed like a lifetime, but was probably only five minutes, Legolas burst through the door of Aragorn's room. The human had been waiting by the door, and slid his hands over Legolas' slender shoulders as the elf slammed the door closed and fumbled with the lock. As soon as the latch fell into place, Legolas whirled around and flung himself into his arms. Their mouths sought each other out, hands in any and every position. Urgently, passionately, they fought each other in a fiery, passionate kiss. At last, gently, they drew away from each other and took in the dishevelled sight of each other.

"My love," Aragorn caressed the elf's pale, flawless face, brushing the soft skin with his hands.

"Legolas, your hands" Legolas gasped, "They are so cold. He took them between his own hands and rubbed them gently. Then, critically, Legolas looked at his lover. "Meleth, you are so gaunt, and thin. Have you not been eating? Are you ill? Have you seen a healer?"

"Calm down, I have seen the twins, melda, does that satisfy you? They think they know the illness so I am sure they can cure it. I will see them later if they are not busy," Aragorn said, kissing Legolas tenderly, once again. "Relax my love, I shall be fine, I believe we left some business unfinished last time we were together." Legolas was just protesting, when Aragorn's mouth slammed into his lips. Around short kisses, he murmured, "Hush, meleth. It has been too long since I last tasted you."

Legolas kissed him back in defiance, earning a moan from Aragorn, as his tongue slid into the man's willing mouth. Hands pulled at Legolas' robes, and he mirrored the actions with Aragorn's own garments.

Once devoid of clothes, Aragorn drew the elf towards the large king-sized bed, pushing him down on the bed.

"Someone missed me," Legolas joked, but the rest of his sentence was cut off when Aragorn's lips trailed from his jaw down to his stomach, his tongue darting out into his bellybutton before bringing his kisses lower.

Legolas pushed him away, smiling coyly, running his fingers down his lover's body lightly, and sending tingles down both their spines. Aragorn threw his head back, a cry threatening on his lips as Legolas toyed with his arousal.

Soon, Aragorn was sliding into the heat that he craved. Legolas' body under him shivered and he moaned, "Ai, Elbereth"

"No Aragorn remember? Even better."

Legolas laughed but as soon to caught up in delight to talk more, a delight of shifting, hard muscles under smooth skin, hands on sweat soaked backs.

000

They had to dress hurriedly once they were done, though Aragorn just wanted to sleep and Legolas didn't want to move, but they were aware that anyone could come into their room and catch them unawares. Elrond would not be kept waiting at the door if he were to arrive. Only three other people knew of their relationship: Glorfindel, Erestor and, unfortunately, Arwen. Once done, they went back to bed.

Legolas looked down at his lover's lined face, peaceful and contented in rest. Aragorn had his, head in Legolas' lap, and gave a small sigh and shifted his head ever so slightly.

His breathing got deeper and Legolas realised that the man was sleeping. Smirking slightly, Legolas eased himself out from under Aragorn's head and placed a pillow there instead. He padded softly to the window and sat in the oak chair that was there, and waited for Aragorn to awaken, watching over him like a guardian angel.

000

In his sleep, Aragorn strayed into dream. He was on a bridge, dark trees around him and the temptress before him. This time around she was trying a different tactic – guilt. She made him remember the first time they had met, when he was only twenty and had believed that he had found the love of his life. He had been upset then, desperate for comfort and something safe.

If only things had been different. He dreamt about the pledge, to forsake immortal life for him. Then she placed the white and silver jewel that Legolas had given to Aragorn around his neck.

"You can not give me this" he insisted, he tried to explain that it was not hers to give, even as she protested that it was. She was a stubborn woman, raised by a stubborn father.

Desperately, he tried to shake himself out of the dream, as she drew forwards for the kiss. His traitorous body responded, though his mind hated every moment. She was evil, forcing him to say things to give her enjoyment, like a cat playing with a toy; the toy of this century.

"Arwen," he murmured softly, against his will.

000

Aragorn awoke, blinking in the sunlight streaming in from the window. Looking over he saw Legolas sitting upright like the Prince he was.

"My love" started Aragorn, "How…"

"Are you sure?" asked Legolas, fury in the blue eyes that he turned to Aragorn, but there was hurt behind his eyes.

Slowly, Aragorn got out of bed and took a step towards the elf, "What do you mean meleth?"

He caught his breath at the coldness in Legolas' voice, "Arwen, you called out her name. Not half an hour since we made love and you are calling that woman's name. No doubt you imagined that I was her, in your arms. You said that you loved her."

Aragorn groaned in realisation, "I'm sorry my love, it is being so close to her all the time here, it is hard."

"Are you sure that's all that's hard when you're so close?" snapped Legolas.

Stepping back at this unexpected barb, Aragorn gasped, "Legolas, I love you, I promised myself to you, I can't live without…"

Then Aragorn's stomach told him that it was about to part company with its contents. He stared wide eyed at Legolas for a fraction of a second before rushing into the bathroom, just making it to the bowl in time.

His stomach muscles heaved, aching as they did so, as he repeatedly vomited, but then Aragorn felt cool hands sweeping back his hair to keep it from his face. Legolas murmured soothingly behind him, and Aragorn's face crumpled. Again and again, he retched, blood vessels popping and bursting in his eyes. Legolas stayed behind him though, continually whispering things that Aragorn could not concentrate on, but his tone spoke of love. Even without the words, Legolas' body comforted Aragorn's aching one with its warmness and familiar feel alone.

When it was over, Aragorn sagged, gasping, against the wall and Legolas stepped away. At this loss, the tears overflowed from Aragorn's eyes.

Legolas could feel the waves of hollowness, shame and misery flowing from his lover, and hurriedly tore a piece of cloth from his riding suit and folded it in two. He dipped it in the basin of clean, spring water on the stand and went back to the shaking man. Aragorn responded to the quiet instruction, manoeuvring round to face the elf. Legolas pressed the cloth gently against Aragorn's sweat soaked face, sponged the back of his neck and wiped away the tears.

Aragorn wished that the incredible cooling sensation could have lasted longer, the feeling of being looked after by someone he loved could have lasted, but the cloth stopped moving as Legolas planted a tender kiss to the damp forehead. "I am sorry meleth," said Legolas, his anger completely disappeared with remorse in its place, "I know you are not feeling well, I am sorry." He cradled Aragorn in his arms, rubbing his back and stroking his soft hair. All he could so was hold him, rubbing his stomach in small circles to clam it, and rocked him slightly to soothe him. Aragorn's tears of humiliation dampened his shirt, as the human shook uncontrollably for long minutes.

Eventually, Aragorn sniffed, "I am sorry. You probably think I am a weak fool."

"Of course not melda," Legolas said, placating. "I will love you always, even when you are sick. I should not have been so judgemental. I was overly suspicious and I should have trusted you. I do not want to lose you."

"You will not, I promise you" said Aragorn, sitting back on his heels. "You will never loose my love. Now I have got to pull myself together. We have the council tomorrow and the twins to see and Frodo only just awoke and I…"

"Breathe meleth," chided Legolas, then he turned serious. "But I do not want you to do too much. If you are ill you will make yourself worse. I shall help you, please do not insist on doing this yourself, love" Legolas said as Aragorn started to interrupt, "You've always been the strong one in this. When I gave up you were always there to help me through. Now let me be the strong one and help you whilst you are weak. You know that I only live for you, I love you so much."

"I love you too, melda," Aragorn replied, whilst Legolas' blue eyes filled with tears, "Thank you."

"Look at us," laughed the elf, wiping his eyes, "Two weeping maidens." He stood and filled a glass beaker from the basin, offering it to the Ranger. Aragorn sipped from it gratefully, watching in wonder as the lithe form of Legolas whipped around the room making the bed, straightening cushions, putting books back in the case.

"You are a regular housewife," said Aragorn, spirit returning to his eyes.

Legolas mimed a curtsy, grinning, as he tidied the clothes in the chair. Once the room was immaculate, with no hint of lovemaking, Legolas approached Aragorn.

"Do you think you can stand meleth? Or do you need my assistance?"

Aragorn looked pathetically up at him, and took his offered hand. Legolas raised an eyebrow as he pulled him up, knowing full well that Aragorn would never accept help standing unless he was half dead. At once he learnt the reason why, Aragorn pulled himself round so that he was lying in Legolas' arms.

"You…" Legolas did not finish his sentence as he was swept up in Aragorn's kiss.

The newly unlocked door opened without the pair noticing, and Elladan and Elrohir walked in.

000

Elladan cleared his throat, "My Lords."

Legolas and Aragorn looked up, flushed both excitement and embarrassment, mirroring the twins' slightly discomforted faces. They straightened, to face their fate.

"This would explain a lot of things," Elrohir whispered.

"What things?" asked Legolas, with the amplified hearing of an elf. Legolas slipped his hand through Aragorn's and squeezed comfortingly. Almost instantly, Aragorn drew back towards him, partially sheltering his lover and partially seeking reassurance from him. As if he had read his mind, Legolas slid an arm around Aragorn's waist protectively.

"I am sure we will all find out soon enough" Elrohir said defiantly.

"My brothers," Aragorn said hastily, "Please, do not be judgemental, what news do you bring?"

"Maybe, it would be better if Legolas was not here to listen to this Aragorn," said Elladan.

Legolas looked as if he were about to speak, but Elladan interjected, "If we are correct, then it concerns Legolas as well."

Elladan inclined his head, understanding what was completely ambiguous to Legolas and Aragorn. "Estel, you yourself are a healer, what would you say to someone, regardless of gender, who is rarely ill and is suffering from your symptoms?"

"Think about this," added Elrohir. "Nausea particularly in the mornings, mood swings, high appetite, and tiredness. What does it add up to?"

"A normal though irritatingly potent stomach disease," said Aragorn, "Though that would not explain the mood swings. Pregnancy if I was a female…"

"Anything else? Anything at all?"

"No, pregnancy, that is all I can think of. You two are obviously better Healers than me, though we knew that before. So what is it?"

"You have already answered that question," said Elrohir, "Twice now."

"Pregnancy? Me pregnant? That is impossible my brothers," Aragorn chuckled. "Do not be foolish, that is not possible."

Legolas, who had previously been silent, spoke up, "No it is not."

"What do you mean meleth?" Aragorn was so shocked, that he dropped his hand out of Legolas' and took a step away, slipping out of his hold.

"It is not impossible; long ago the men of Nûmenor had the ability to bear a child, a gift to the Edain when they chose mortality. Many years ago, one of your great- something grandfather's had a child, but I do not recall who."

"It was Aravorn, your great, great, great, great, great grandsire. He bore a child a very long time ago," Elladan explained, not mentioning that the child had died before it reached its tenth birthday.

"You cannot expect me to believe this, how could I get pregnant in the first place?"

"Well, we were not sure of that, until we walked in on you and Legolas. You two being together is the only explanation," Elladan said, "Pardon me for asking, but have you gone past the point of no return ever?"

"Of course," Legolas and Aragorn chorused.

Unfazed, Elladan nodded, "When was the last time before you started feeling ill? From that, no doubt, we can discern how far along you are, and your due date."

"Erm, well apart from today," Aragorn said, ignoring the smirks of his brothers, "Eleven weeks ago tomorrow, the one night after… two months?"

"As far as we can guess, that would make you eleven weeks pregnant, as you are clearly not at five months, which would make your due date the start of May."

"It's more than just completely unlikely, it is… it is... ridiculous," stuttered Aragorn, sitting down on the bed, looking faint.

"Meleth nin, stop it please," Legolas pleaded, going over to his lover and placing a hand on his knee. "Can we not just wait and see what happens? It cannot hurt, surely?" he directed this last towards the twins.

"There is one way that we can tell," said Elrohir hesitantly, "Would you lay on the bed for us Estel?"

Grudgingly, he obeyed, and grabbed at Legolas' hand, muttering, "If I am pregnant, it is your fault. Stay right here." Merely chuckling, Legolas sat back down.

"Stop being irritated at us and lift up your shirt," Elladan commanded, "Or I shall get Ada? He does not know you are with Legolas."

Aragorn did as he was asked meekly.

Elladan put a warm hand onto the flesh, roaming around and feeling, then nodding to Elrohir.

"Our suspicions are confirmed Aragorn" Elladan said "And see? You are already putting on weight" He indicated the small bulge that Aragorn had not paid attention to.

Aragorn was pale: he could not believe this. It was something beyond his understanding, something that he could not fight. It was a miracle, and something that would solve a lot of problems, but would also create more.

"How can you tell?" Legolas asked curiously.

"Feel here" instructed Elladan, "You can feel how hard it is. That is the water that is protecting the baby

Legolas' eyes were wide – he had not come into contact with many pregnancies– and shining with unshed, joyful tears. "Can you tell what it is? Will it be a boy or a girl?"

"Aragorn will have a son" Elrohir said. "The men of Nûmenor always do. Our congratulations."

Aragorn closed his eyes, trying to hide his anger, as Elladan and Elrohir spoke to him of health, but Legolas saw the line at his eyes tightening, a clear sign of fury. Interrupting the twins, Legolas said, "Can we have a moment, please, a quiet moment? On our own?"

"Of course," said Elrohir said, and the twins withdrew from the room.

In silence, Legolas rotated and lay on his front. Still wordless, he began to play with a thin strand of Aragorn's hair, twisting it between his fingers.

After a few moments, Aragorn reluctantly opened an eye and asked, "What are you doing?"

"Waiting," said Legolas, simply.

"What for?"

"I am waiting for you to tell me how you are feeling," Legolas dropped the lock of hair and propped himself up on his elbows in order to meet Aragorn's eyes.

"I am feeling annoyed: I want you to stop jesting and just stay with me whilst I get better. Is that too much to ask of you?" The human turned on his side to face him properly. "Please?"

Gently, Legolas slipped an arm around him and pulled him close, "This is an amazing thing melda. A new life we have created! You should be happy."

"It does not feel real," Aragorn buried his head into the crook of Legolas' neck. "I can not have a child!"

"Melda, listen to your body. There is no other explanation."

"But…" stuttered Aragorn, "We are not married, we are in no position to raise a child…"

"Do you accept that you are pregnant?" Legolas softly asked, running his hand slowly over his lover's back. A million things would be going through the human's shocked mind, confusion seemingly most prominent.

Sighing, Aragorn said, "Yes, honestly, but…"

Legolas cut him off, "No more protests. Can you just calm down a small amount melda, and leave the worrying to me? When have we ever let anything stop us?"

Suddenly, the door swung open, and Aragorn, who was facing away, froze. "Who?"

"You are interrupting a nice moment, Mithrandir," smiled Legolas, letting go and sitting up. "What brings you here?"

"I heard there was a drama," said Gandalf. "What is it?"

"My brothers inform me that I am pregnant" said Aragorn through gritted teeth.

"Congratulations, I am glad for you," Gandalf then turned to Aragorn, "But you are not happy are you?"

"What will people say when they see me with a huge belly, what of the shame? And I will have to stay in my chambers doing nothing in case I am sick again. This child carries as many problems as it solves, such as my heir if I were to marry Legolas, but the people's reaction, if they were to find out… I do not know what to do."

"Meleth, this is not the time for disgrace. This is time for celebration" Legolas said, "This could be the only opportunity for us to have children, that can inherit and carry on our lines. And you will not have to stay inside, deprived of daylight. We will find a way around everything. I swear it. I told you, do not worry…"

"Besides, your morning sickness will be gone by next week anyway," said Elrohir bracingly.

Gandalf said, "And I can cast a spell to hide it."

"Well, I do not want any extra attention."

"Alas, that cannot be done Aragorn," said Elrohir, "Male pregnancies are high risk. There will have to be someone who can learn how you are feeling at all times."

"I can do that as well," Gandalf said, "I can bond Legolas and Aragorn, that way Legolas can hear the thought Aragorn directs towards him and feel his emotions when they are high. For tomorrow you will feel everything, but it will lessen slightly after that."

"Mithrandir, how can we ever repay you?" Legolas asked.

"You can keep child babe safe" Gandalf replied.

000

Later, having been bonded, Aragorn and Legolas sat next to each other in a chair, deeply immersed in thought. They were barely touching: Legolas' mind was relatively fine, but Aragorn's mind was not as strong, and he winced whenever they touched, the emotions becoming too much, so they kept a short distance between each other. Mithrandir had told them that when they came in contact, the bond strengthened and they could fell more of their partner's emotions.

Their news had been astonishing, and had taken a toll on them, and so their thoughts ranged from names to risks, and there were many of both.

Abruptly, Aragorn felt a thought occur to Legolas, that seemingly shocked him, as he froze, and Aragorn could feel fear rolling off the elf. "What is it?" he asked in a hesitant whisper.

"I was worrying…"

"I could tell," he had been trying to ignore the fretting, as he had been told by his lover, but the painful, frantic anxiousness was too distracting.

"You… do you want to keep the child?" Suddenly the words were flowing from Legolas' mouth, "If you are going to be in danger, in this environment of war… Do you want the child, because… if you do not…"

Aragorn gasped, "I do want it Legolas! I will not take an innocent life, and I may not have another child with you ever again."

"Good," sighed Legolas, and he held out a hand.

Tentatively, Aragorn took it and Legolas, waiting for the flinch, was pleasantly surprised by the smile that spread across his lover's face. The elf made a question noise, and Aragorn explained, "I can feel the love and affection from you."

Smiling, Legolas said, "Come to bed."