Title: Until We Reach Valinor

Chapter 14: A Letter for Aragorn

NOTE: This story is sequel to "A Teacher's Duty" and you'll have to read that one first to understand this. Also, this story does not contain slash, and it is not a romance, despite what the first chapter might suggest.

SPECIAL THANKS to Orlando's Sweetheart for helping me pick the name of Legolas's bride-to-be as well as the title of this story. Also, Lindaholyand, who has agreed to fill in for beta-reader while Cassie recovers. (Hopefully, she is recovering, but since I can only contact her by e-mail, I have no real way of knowing).

DEDICATION: This chapter is for Lindahoyland, for her detailed corrections and wonderful advice!

…

Dear Aragorn,

I'm getting married.

Aragorn nearly fell out of his chair in surprise, and read and re-read the words, wondering if his eyes had deceived him. Then he checked the back of the letter to make quite sure that it was Legolas who was writing, although the handwriting and the matter-of-fact manner of dropping the bombshell would normally have been proof enough. However, the Legolas he knew wouldn't just get married. Not the same Legolas who was forever talking about how he cherished his freedom as a bachelor. What in the world possessed him?

I must confess, I enjoyed doing that. Springing it on you, I mean. I can just see your expression.

Oh, you can, can you? He glared ferociously at the letter.

I know you have good reason to be surprised. I would be too; in fact, I still am, this has all happened so quickly. Oh, and, I think I'll make it clear to that overly optimistic, romantic imagination of yours that I DO NOT love her, and she DOES NOT love me, and we have discussed it, so there will be no misunderstandings later. I know that this might be a little difficult for you, who have loved Arwen since your twentieth birthday when you first met her, to understand, but some of us are just not made to fall in love.

Aragorn glared at the letter again, begging to differ. That was, in his opinion, the most ridiculous thing he had ever heard. Everyone was destined for love sometime in their lives. He had dared to love an Elf, a love which from the start had been doomed because of his mortality; yet, it had ended in happiness. Even when he thought he would never see her again, thought she would sail and abandon him, it had still ended in happiness. So thus it was his firm belief that sometime or other, people did fall in love; whether it was requited or not was a different matter. He winced, remembering Eowyn.

But enough of that. I'm sure you're wondering WHY I've decided to get married so suddenly and at such short notice. Truth be told, as the days go by, and I spend more and more time with Alanna, my fiancé, I'm beginning to wonder too, if it is worth it to spend the rest of my life with a complete stranger. But then I remember Ivana, and my father…

The letter went on to explain the circumstances which led to the marriage, although Aragorn did not miss that Legolas had been careful not to say much about Alanna's reasons, and had stuck only to his. When he reached the end of the explanation, Aragorn closed his eyes and shook his head. It was so like Legolas to sacrifice his life, as he knew it- because that was what he was doing by marrying a stranger- for the sake of someone to whom he owed next to nothing. Aragorn knew the Elf would always blame himself, irrationally, for being the reason why Ivana had had to feign her death and live without her family for so many years, but it was NOT his fault. It had been her choice, not his. However, Legolas would never see it that way. His friend was insufferable sometimes in his reasoning.

Then the letter went on to describe Alanna. Aragorn was highly amused by Legolas's account of their first meeting, where her clumsiness had caused her to fall into his arms, sending him crashing to the floor, winded and drenched. He chuckled at the thought of how he would tease Legolas mercilessly about how he had 'fallen' in love with Alanna at first meeting. Well, perhaps not the love part. But still, it really was hilarious. How his friend got himself into these dilemmas was beyond him.

As time goes by, and I see more and more of Alanna, I grow more and more perplexed by her. She is very hearty, open, honest and spirited, but I think she has fingers made of butter. In four meetings she smashed three vases. And she has this peculiar frankness; it isn't offensive, exactly, but she has a knack for making me feel uncomfortable, which I would gladly do without. For example, she comments quite openly that I'm handsome. But it's so matter-of-fact, I never know if I'm supposed to thank her, or ignore her, feel flattered, or even somewhat insulted! And then, she keeps going on about my 'dry' sense of humor, as she calls it. I didn't even know I HAD a sense of humor, so I don't see what 'wet' and 'dry' has to do with anything..

And worst of all, she keeps putting herself down. At least once every meeting, she has to say something like, "I can't believe that you chose ME, of all people." And the way she says it, it's clear she doesn't value herself, or her appearance, which is admittedly not especially beautiful, but it is hardly something to abhor! And when she says that, I don't know what I'm supposed to say. I tried asking her why she keeps belittling herself, but for some reason, she became very upset. Not because of me, I wasn't being offensive, but something distressed her. She was actually crying.

Then I tried to praise her (think perhaps she was hoping for a little praise) but she scoffed at me and waved my awkward speeches about her breath-taking beauty to the four winds with the greatest indifference. So now, I just don't respond when she says things like that, but it's still uncomfortable and I fear to give her the impression that I'm ignoring her. I have a strange feeling she wants me to laugh with her at herself, but how could I do that; it's impolite, and besides, I don't even know her, so I could never behave in such a familiar fashion!

Suffice it to say that I have no idea at all of what I'm doing, and I greatly need your help.

Aragorn raised his eyebrows. This, he had not been expecting. Legolas normally hated asking for help.

I know it is strange that I'm asking for your assistance. But I'm going to spend the rest of my life with this woman, and try as I might, I just can't understand her. I don't want to spend the rest of my life like this. I know what I will ask of you is much, but please read the whole letter before making up your mind.

First, I will start with the logical reason. I know you had good reason for being absent at the Graduation, but it was not well received all the same. The parents were particularly upset, as the children did better than they had expected, I think, and they wanted to show them off in front of you as well as me. In addition, you have not been coming regularly recently, and this news will be certain to reach them now, during the children's holiday, even if it hasn't already. The school is supposed to be OURS, not just mine, and everyone knows that, so at least for appearance's sake, you need to take a greater part in the proceedings.

I know you were also saying that your own people were not too pleased with your frequent absences to Greenwood to teach a group of young Elves, even though they are SUPPOSED to be making up a combined army for Gondor and Greenwood. Well I have a perfect solution for that, believe it or not. Why don't you bring fifteen to twenty strong lads here, as students and recruits, so we can both train them? Then the army will truly be one of Gondor as well as Greenwood. And you'll have a valid reason to spend a year here, as well.

I'm not trying to compel you, and I hate to ask this of you. But women, and Alanna, as one of them, have always been a source of great mystery to me. You, who met and loved Arwen from the moment you saw her on her on your twentieth birthday, who have gone through every pain love could ever cause a man, who once thought your mortality would make yours a doomed love. I believe you know everything about what marriage involves and would be the one person best able to help me.

It is good to know I have uses, Aragorn thought, shaking his head, unable to decide if he was amused, exasperated, or flattered by his friend's reasoning.

I eagerly await your response. In the other letter is the formal wedding invitation. The wedding is on the 26th of this month, that is, February.

Aragorn's jaw dropped. So soon? Has he taken leave of his senses?

I know, I know. It's very hurried. But please, do not try to change my mind. I hear objections from my father every other day. Just come, will you? Even if you can't stay for a year, the least you could do is attend your best friend's wedding. I hope to hear from you soon. Give my love to Arwen and Eldarion, and tell Eldarion I can't wait to meet him at last. I cannot BELIEVE I haven't ever met your son before, and he's already four! And it seems a long time ago since I last saw Arwen, as well. Write back quickly, please!

Yours affectionately,

Legolas Greenleaf, Thranduilion.

P.S. Alanna can't wait to meet you either. I can't think why.

Aragorn sat stunned for a moment, his mind reeling. "Arwen!" he called, "You will never believe this."

His beautiful wife hurried from her bedchamber with four-year-old Eldarion beside her. "What is it?"

"You'll never guess who is getting married."

"One of the Fellowship?"

"That's right."

"Gimli?" she asked, a little doubtfully.

"No," Aragorn exclaimed, laughing at the thought.

She frowned for a moment, then her eyes widened at his pointed look. "Legolas?"

He half-grinned, half-grimaced, and then said sarcastically, "Who else?"

"But how…? When…? Who…?" his wife spluttered. He couldn't blame her. She'd known him far longer than he had, after all, and even he was still dazed by the whole affair.

"How? A matter of duty. I cannot explain fully without breaking his trust, but it matters not. Suffice it to say, that it is not a marriage of love, on either side. Not yet, anyway. Who? A woman named Alanna, apparently. She has lived all alone all her life in an empty castle, so she probably is even worse at relationships than Legolas is. And that's actually saying something." He sighed, frustrated. "When? I still cannot believe it, he hasn't even troubled himself taking the time to get to know her. He is planning to marry her on the 26th- of this month!"

"Whatever is he thinking?" She exclaimed incredulously, "He has…taken leave of his senses!"

That's exactly what I thought.

"He wants me to stay with him for a year," he said, instead, "Something about me being able to help him, and him having no idea what he is doing, and women being a mystery…" He groaned, "And I cannot refuse him. He really sounds panicked and…desperate. But…"

"The Kingdom will keep without you. He needs you more, now. Besides, it will be a well-deserved vacation. For all of us." She put her arms around his shoulders and kissed him on the side of his jaw, reassuring him with the small gesture.

"All of us?" He echoed.

"You do not expect me to part with you for an entire year, do you?" she scoffed, "Eldarion and I will stay with you at Greenwood. I doubt Legolas will mind."

"No, he would not, not at all," Aragorn replied, "And he has a point. The school is mine as much as his. And maybe introducing Men to it is what is needed to stop the tongues from wagging on this front." He gestured out of the window towards the city.

"Ada?" Eldarion asked, who had been tugging on Aragorn's shirt for a while now.

"Yes, Eldarion?" Aragorn said, dropping on one knee before his son, so he was level with him.

"Am I getting to meet my Uncle Legolas at last?"

"Yes, Eldarion," Aragorn said, rolling his eyes. "And your Aunt Alanna." Then he winced. "Aunt Alanna…maybe that's a little too much, too quickly. Valar. He's getting married…" He shook his head, and swung his son up over his head and placed him on his shoulders. The boy giggled in delight, but Aragorn's heart was not in the child's play. He was wondering how lost Legolas must be feeling in such a strange, awkward, extraordinary, and no doubt painful situation. Which he brought upon himself. That Elf will be the death of me…if he doesn't do himself in first.

TBC…

Next chapter! The wedding! And the wedding night, as well! Which are you looking forward to more? Be honest…(grins naughtily and bows out).