A/N: YAYY! complete! enjoy everyone! i worked hard on this!!!!!
9999999999999999999999999999999
The journey back towards Gondor was an even quieter affair than the journey to Mirkwood. No one dared to approach their king who looked as if his entire world had been pulled from underneath him. His grey eyes were bloodshot and red rimmed, merely staring straight ahead as he rode with the company. All Estel wanted to do was return to his kingdom, collapse into his nice comfortable bed, and sleep forever. So deep was his despair at permanently losing his lover, that Estel found himself wishing to never awaken. This thought brought tears to the kings eyes and he blinked rapidly so as not to allow himself to lose control.
"My lord?" his captain's voice pulled him from his own thoughts. Estel raised his head and looked into the eyes of the solider, nodding for him to continue. "My lord the road we traveled on before has been blocked by heavy snow. It would be a bad idea to cross with this many men."
Estel's eyes were still devoid of emotion upon this news. "Very well. Do what you think is best," Estel replied softly. Estel's captain gave his king a concerned look before riding back to the head of the troops to order them along the alternate path back to Gondor. The path that his contingent was taking would take many more days to get back, but Estel almost preferred it that way. This way he would not have to face Arwen so soon. He wouldn't have to explain how he had failed. He wouldn't have to face the fact that the love of his life was gone forever.
This thought brought a slew of tears to the king's eyes and he turned his face away from everyone. The captain noticed this and called for a halt. "No!" Estel choked out. "We continue and ride hard for Gondor. We only rest when necessary."
Days passed quickly and on the fifth day, Estel's home came into view. He heaved a great sigh as they neared the palace gates. Estel was like a zombie when he finally rode through the gates of the citadel. He automatically dismounted from his horse and handed off the reins to one of the stable boys. Automatically, he nodded his thanks to said stable boy who had welcomed him back. Automatically, he trudged up the stairs to the palace without saying a word. Estel felt comfortably numb and was determined to stay that way as long as he was in front of his subjects.
Estel walked down the corridor towards the chambers he shared with Arwen. She had planned to begin moving to the room down the hall so that Legolas and he could share the master suite…but now that was not necessary. This thought caused more tears to form and Estel blinked them away as he reached his door. As Estel entered his bed chambers on shaking legs, his face was drawn tight and his expression strained. Arwen had stood upon his entry, her eyes wide with concern. "Estel…" she breathed.
"Leave us," Estel ordered the servants that were in the room quietly. Estel's fists clenched and unclenched at his sides as the ladies quickly obeyed. As soon as the doors slammed shut, Estel began to shake violently. Finally, the king let out a strangled sob and his legs could no longer hold him.
Estel crashed to his knees, one large hand supporting his quaking frame and the other over his mouth in an attempt to stifle the sobs. "ESTEL!" Arwen cried in alarm rushing to her husband's side. She lay a gentle hand on his back from which Estel recoiled. "Estel…nin na ped," Arwen implored gently.
"HO LELYA!" Estel cried in anguish.
"Lelya?" Arwen repeated.
Estel nodded in reply. "Na Valinor," Estel sobbed, "he left me."
"Oh Estel…" Arwen began. Estel interrupted her.
"He was there Arwen. He was in front of me. He was talking to me. And I still could not make him see that he was all that mattered to me. He didn't see nor understand why I was there, though I clumsily tried to explain. He would not reconsider! He has left me! Forever! I shall never see him again! Be glad, dear wife, that I am no elf, for I would fade away right now. Legolas is gone. And with him my chance to let him know how I truly feel. He shall never know how I planned my entire existence around his presence, how much I admired everything he's ever done, and how much my soul yearns only for him He'll never know because he is gone! He should have known! I should have told him! But I could not put it into words!" By this time Estel was hysterical. He felt Arwen shift around him before warm arms encircled his shoulders and a head rested on top of his.
Estel lay there and sobbed brokenly as delicate hands combed through his hair soothingly. After a few minutes, his sobs began to subside from the gentle ministrations. Estel finally caught his breath and rubbed at his swollen eyes as he lay there.
"Did you know, silly human, that the higher pass is the quicker route?"
Estel's eyes opened in complete shock and he lifted his gaze to stare into bright blue eyes. "Yes much faster. By a day at least."
Estel slowly sat up to eye level with the elf in front of him and found he could not breathe. "But I can understand why you did not take it. After all, your contingent was large and with the snow drifts would have taken much longer."
Estel said nothing still, though he opened and closed his mouth and willed his voice to work. "Will you say nothing then human? You know it is quite rude to-" the elf could not continue as a lump had formed. Estel began to tremble violently again as he raised his hand slowly to stroke the fair skin before him.
"I am dreaming," Estel choked in disbelief.
A warm, slender hand covered his own on the face before him. "Nay," the voice was so soft that he nearly missed the comment.
"Then…you are real?" Estel whispered hopefully.
"I am. I am here. Here for you."
Estel let out a cry at this words before launching himself into the elf's arms. "Legolas," he choked before he began to hyperventilate. Legolas held him tightly crooning gently into the human's ear to calm the human. "I…when you…I never told you I…" Estel was making no sense.
"I heard you Estel," Legolas murmured stroking the human's hair frantically, "I heard it all just now. I am so sorry I was so stubborn. I am sorry I have been selfish. I am sorry I tried to leave you. I do not want to leave you! Not today, not ever! I love you! I love you! Im mella lle! Lle na Cuil nin!
"I love you," Estel returned, "more than you cou-" Estel's reply was cut off as Legolas grabbed his face and crushed their lips together.
The reunited couple stopped their kissing when the other occupant in the room cleared her throat. Both pulled apart smiling joyously through tears. "Perhaps, it would be wise Estel to check the room completely before you go trading hmm?" Arwen quipped unable to keep from grinning, "Now off the floor. Royalty such as yourself should not be seen in such a way."
Legolas and Estel obeyed standing before the queen. Both seemed anxious as to how she really felt seeing them together like this. Arwen smiled widely. "I shall leave you two to catch up. You have much to discuss and explain. I left dinner sitting on the table," Arwen informed them, "I shall see you two at breakfast." The she elf grinned before stepping forward to kiss each on the cheek. After Estel she pulled back. "See? I Knew you would not fail Estel. Believe it. Legolas is here. For you. Forever."
Estel smiled and Arwen left the room shutting the door quietly. Estel was immediately upon Legolas again pulling the slender elf to his body. Legolas sighed in contentment as he wrapped his arms around his lover. Estel nuzzled his hair, planting a kiss to the elf's forehead. "How is it," he whispered, "that you have have come to be here. You told me you were leaving me."
Legolas smiled back sheepishly. "It took exactly two hours after you had left for Raenthil to find me…
9999999999999999999999999999999999
"Legolas! What is the matter with you?!" Raenthil demanded angrily.
Legolas barely looked up from his packing in his room. "I did what I must," the prince replied, "what he suggested…it was not fair to Arwen." Legolas assumed that the conversation was over and resumed his packing.
"It was ARWEN who sent the fool after you! It is what she wants!" Raenthil responded gritting his teeth.
Legolas paused and tensed. "I…I just cannot then. Leave it be Raenthil," Legolas responded miserably.
"Why?" Raenthil demanded, "I will not leave it be. You have destroyed something wonderful!"
"I just can't!" Legolas yelled spinning to face his friend, "Estel has other responsibilities now…I am obsolete in light of these obligations."
"Estel would give up everything for you…and you cannot possibly believe that he will be better off without you," Raenthil exclaimed.
"Oh?" Legolas replied unbelievingly, "I think I can."
Raenthil sighed and approached Legolas, laying a hand on his shoulder to halt Legolas's movements. "Mellon nin, you are making a great mistake."
Legolas managed to force half a smile to his face. "I don't think so Raenthil. I am doing what is best for Estel."
"Best for Estel, or best for you?" Raenthil questioned in frustration.
Legolas met his eyes, a fire blazing in them. "Do not assume, Raenthil, that you know more about this situation than I do."
"On the contrary Legolas," Raenthil snapped, "I am sure I do. You're making all involved in your situation miserable."
"Am I?" Legolas snapped, "Because I am trying to do what is right. But by all means, please tell me how I should have handled this situation."
"You know the answer to that Legolas. I do not think I have to say anything," Raenthil replied quietly.
Legolas stared at his friend for a few moments before shaking his head and resuming his packing. "You do not understand."
Raenthil's expression softened as did his voice. "I am trying to Legolas, but you are not making any sense. Why abandon your chance for true happiness? Do not do this!" Raenthil implored.
Legolas paused in his packing once more. "I…Estel will be better off without me. That's why. You'll see. He will dive into his new role and responsibilities…I…I will become an eventual memory…in time."
"If you truly believe that Legolas, then you are a bigger fool than your lover." The new voice startled both elves in the room and they spun around to see Thranduil standing in the doorway looking fierce.
"Your Highness!" Raenthil addressed bowing in respect.
Thranduil barely acknowledged Raenthil, his eyes still trained on his son, piercing him with a fiery look. "Leave us," Thranduil ordered softly.
"My lord," Raenthil responded bowing once more before striding swiftly from the room.
Legolas was still looking at his father when the door clicked shut. The stare was unnerving and finally Legolas had to look away. He resumed packing with a subtle clear of his throat to dispel his nervousness. Thranduil was still quiet and finally Legolas had enough. Throwing down the tunic he was currently packing, he spun around towards his father. "You obviously want to say something, so let it out," he snapped in irritation. At Thranduil's raised eyebrow, Legolas felt chastised. "Sorry Ada," he muttered shaking his head, "I have no idea what came over me."
"It's alright Legolas," Thranduil finally said.
"I know you wish to speak with me Ada," Legolas replied resuming his packing, "I am listening."
Thranduil crossed the room silently and lay a strong hand on Legolas's shoulder, halting his son's movement. "Legolas," Thranduil sighed, "You know what I will say. Why don't you just answer my question without me asking?"
Legolas sighed and closed his eyes obviously pained. "Ada…I am trying to do what is right." Legolas once again began packing in a frenzy.
"And you believe this is it?" Thranduil inquired, watching his son fly about his room collecting his personal things, "For you to leave behind something so important to you…and to leave him irreparably miserable?"
"Is this not what you wanted all along?" Legolas demanded, halting once more to pierce his father with his blazing eyes, "To follow the destiny of our people and venture across the sea to our paradise…to stay with our people?"
Thranduil sighed and motioned for Legolas to sit next to him on the luxurious bed. Legolas obeyed. "Legolas…I must admit that when you…when I…" he paused and sighed again, "When it was first brought to my attention that you were dallying with Elrond's human son, I will admit I was perturbed…to say the least." Legolas smiled here and made to protest his father's words. Thranduil halted his speech with an upraised hand. "When you returned home the first time after I had learned of your new found passion…I had every intention of bruising your ears with a lecture you would never soon forget. But when you rode up, and I began to lecture you, I took a good look at you. Never had I seen such happiness and contentment on your face. I was taken aback momentarily…you had never looked that way before. I was halted. I still had my reservations…as you well know from the many fights we had about it, but as time passed I realized…this was not just you dallying. You had fallen in love."
"Ada…" Legolas whispered, tears coming to his eyes.
"Legolas, since you completed your quest with Estel, Mithrandir, and the entire fellowship…since your last fight with Estel…you look like you did before you began your relationship with the human. You look miserable," Thranduil said slowly, "You are right when you say it was always my dream for you to either succeed me, or for you to journey across the sea to Valinor…but…I see now that…that's not your path."
"Ada?" Legolas asked in confusion.
Thranduil stood and smiled at his son. "I gave Estel my blessing you know. I believe that you should hold onto what you both have."
"But-" Legolas protested.
"Legolas! Ion nin, what is really your reservation of being with Estel?" Thranduil demanded.
"I…" Legolas sighed as he admitted the true problem, "it is only…he is human."
"Legolas…I guess I gave you too much credit…for I assumed you were already aware of this fact," Thranduil chuckled.
Legolas cracked a smile and stared at the bedspread. "Almost all of me wishes to be with Estel. Forever. But…forever for him is not the same as forever with me," Legolas whispered.
Thranduil's mouth made an "O" shape as he realized Legolas's problem. "You mean he will die…and you will not?" Legolas nodded miserably. Thranduil sighed. "Legolas, great love comes with great risk, my son. Yes, Estel will die. But, he will die whether you are with him or not. And…by leaving middle earth…you are losing him sooner than necessary," Thranduil replied wisely.
Legolas's stomach dropped as he considered his father's words. He was right. Though he was escaping to Valinor to escape the torment that Estel's death would bring, Legolas's journey across the sea would bring about the same thing. "What have I done?" Legolas breathed in horror beginning to sob.
Thranduil smiled at his son and sat upon the bed once again. "You are young by our standards Legolas. And very much young in the ways of love. You have made a mistake. An understandable one. And one that you can fix."
Legolas looked up at his father, all color drained from his face. "How can I fix this? I have rejected him twice," Legolas sobbed, laying his face in his hands. His shoulders shook from his sobs.
Thranduil took his son into his arms and slowly rocked him back and forth slowly. "Legolas. This is all remedied if you just use your heart instead of your head."
"My heart?" Legolas sniffed sitting up and rubbing his eyes.
"Aye. Your heart. Listen to it Legolas. What does it tell you?" Thranduil asked quietly. Legolas pondered for a moment, his eyes seemingly roaming the room rapidly. Finally, a knowing smile broke out on his face and he looked to his father. Thranduil smiled at the new life he saw in his son's eyes. "Autlle a' ho," Thranduil whispered smiling.
Legolas beamed and jumped up to resume his packing. He halted momentarily as a thought struck him. "Ada…what about you?" Legolas murmured.
"What about me?" Thranduil inquired.
"The kingdom…I am supposed succeed you," Legolas replied feeling doubtful.
Thranduil chuckled. "I am not going anywhere," Thranduil replied, his eyes shining, "should I have need of you, I would call for you. But I plan on being her for a long time."
Legolas chewed his lip uncertainly. "Are you sure?"
"Yes ion nin. Now pack. You must try to catch Estel," Thranduil replied waving his hands and starting for the door. "Come and say goodbye to me and Raenthil before you leave."
"I will Ada," Legolas replied, "Hannon le, Im mella lle."
"Im mella lle ion nin," Thranduil replied before striding through the door and shutting it softly.
"I rode from my father's palace as early as possible the next morning…and beat you back here. I came across Arwen who was pleased to see me. I still had my reservations of my decision's effect on her life, but have since realized it is truly what she wanted…I am sorry Estel. I was wrong to let the thought of your death keep me from you now," Legolas finished looking hesitantly at Estel.
Estel smiled lovingly. "It does not matter now Legolas. We shall talk about all of that later."
"You are right. We have all the time we need to discuss this. Right now, I am content to 'catch up' as Arwen so eloquently stated," Legolas said grinning wickedly.
Estel laughed and planted a chaste kiss on Legolas's lips. "There is no need. We are both tired. Tonight, I am just content to lay in your arms," Estel replied as he rose with Legolas.
Legolas grinned and pulled Estel toward the bed. "Aye. I would be content with that also. But only if you will be there forever."
Estel smiled. "I would desire nothing more," he murmured softly as extinguished the candles of the room.
No smile could ever rival the face splitting grin on Legolas's face. No feeling of contentment or love could rival that of both Legolas or Estel. The pair climbed into bed and drew each other close. Releasing a sigh of contentment Legolas felt his eyes glazing over, but blinked rapidly and tried to stay awake.
Estel chuckled and kissed Legolas's forehead. "Go to sleep melethron," he murmured as he too closed his eyes. He felt Legolas sigh and relax against him as sleep began to take both of them.
"When the morning comes, I'll be here."
Finis
999999999999999999999999999999
Complete! Wow. this story has been soooo wonderful to write. thank you to everyone for keeping on me about how much they liked this story! I will continue writing ((and have a couple of other stories hopefully worth reading)) soooo keep watching for more from me:)
TRANSLATIONS
Nin na Ped- Speak to me
HO LELYA!- He's gone!
Na Valinor- To Valinor
Im Mella lle! Lle na cuil nin- I love you! You are my life!
Ion nin- my son
Ada- Father/Daddy
Mellon nin- my friend
Autlle a' ho- Go to him
Melethron- Lover