Chapter eight: Time for Revelations
"You're quite good with him." Legolas walked towards his lover and child, his hips swaying as he spied Aragorn's eyes rake over him. He'd never get tired of the way the man looked at him; like he was an angel, a warrior, a treasure and his personal mistress merged into one being. The elf let a sultry smile tilt his lips as he placed a soft, lingering kiss on the scruff of Aragorn's jaw. A more tender light transformed his face as he laid his eyes on his child. He wasn't used to this clawing separation anxiety, but he was glad their son could share time with both his parents. It was something he was terrified of depriving the babe of, no child should go through that unless they absolutely had to.
Aragorn shook himself of the spell the sweet kiss blanketed over him. He needed to speak seriously to Legolas, and he couldn't have the elf's wiles and… assets bring him to distraction. "I want to be a part of his life, Legolas." The blonde stilled, hand frozen at the babe's cheek, mid-stroke. "A solid part of his life love, please." Aragorn was unsure what to do if his plees fell on deaf ears. This beautiful, perfect creature, who he's known only a few hours at most… had completely stolen his heart. At the English, Legolas let his eyes dart around the garden, his ears sharpening for movement around them; this conversation needed to stay between themselves.
As if on cue, Melleth let out a soft giggle, curling his fingers around Aragorn's tunic. Both parents' eyes were enraptured by the bright gray orbs that sparkled like silver, full of warmth and innocence, and love. Legolas understood what Aragorn wanted here, he did. But, with Kingdoms so far apart, and as rulers he didn't know how…unless… "There is a way… now. However, it requires sacrifice, Aragorn." The king straightened his back, Greenleaf never called him by his name. Legolas met the surprised gaze steadily. "I would need to live here with you till Melleth has lived out his childhood…You will need to tell the Evanstar the truth."
At the Palace
Arwen moved languidly around the halls, one hand on her belly for support. She would need to be on bedrest soon, she needed to stretch her legs while she could, before the worrywarts that were her nurses and husband started hounding her. She let a small smile light her face, mirth crinkling the corners of her eyes. She looked out for the party of unlikely friends, most especially her elven brethren and her husband.
As the Queen came upon the garden, she heard three individuals breathing, recognizing the pattern of the King. Soon she laid eyes on the staring match, all three aware of her presence, but clearly important words had been shared before her arrival, it was quite tense. "Is everything alright, love, Legolas?"
Aragorn broke the silence first. "I need to speak with you Arwen… we both do" Arwen watched in confusion as Legolas' eyes widened in surprise. The prince did not think that this would happen so fast. He wasn't even sure how to buy time, his brain scrambling for a way to salvage the situation. He was sure Aragorn was acting in the heat of the moment, he didn't want the man to do anything he would later regret, or handle the situation differently to how he would later have liked to.
"Aragorn, perhaps now isn't the most appropriate-"
"Let this play out, Legolas. It is something necessary. If not for us, then for the child." The words 'our child' went unspoken, passed through locked eyes and warm depths.
"Aragorn, love, what is going on?" The Queen began to feel nervous, unsure about the tension that seem to weigh the men down.
"Come, we should talk in private. Let us go to the West Quarter." Aragorn looked at his Queen sadly, understanding that in no capacity was this conversation going to go well.
"…Alright…" Arwen followed, flicking her gaze back on the somber expression of her melancholy cousin, faced away from her and towards his child. For something to trouble such strong men so deeply was sure to be heavy to bare. She focused on the broad back of her husband once more. There was so much she didn't know about the man that stole her heart, so much she wanted to know. Perhaps this is a way of finally breaching the wall he erected around his heart.
Once the trio had arrived to Legolas' chambers, all the servants in the wing, dismissed, and guards stationed only at the entrances, Aragorn allowed him pause. The weary King allowed him a moment to gather his thoughts, letting out a shudder of pent grief and sickening guilt. He led his wife to a seat, wishing her to be overtaken with as little stress as possible, he would never forgive himself if he harmed his child, especially after dealing such a blow to the kindest, most giving women he had ever met.
Legolas seated himself on a loveseat, feeling emotionally drained as assumptions and expectations ate away at his psyche. He could just imagine the utter look of heartbreak and betrayal his loving cousin would direct at them. The elven prince startled as a warm hand pressed on his shoulder, looking up to Aragorn to see a strength and protectiveness that enabled him to steel himself.
Aragorn then turned back to his wife, moving from Legolas' side to sit in an armchair by the fire. On the walk here he was wracking his brain, thinking of the quickest way to break the news, a way that would 'rip the bandaid off' so to speak. So, he quoted his prince. "While we were apart, in pursuit of the ring, Legolas and I fell in love." He didn't give the Queen processing time, soldiering on. "I bedded him many times, including the night before I came back to you. Unknown to us, Legolas was gifted the ability to give birth by the Elks, prior to our final night together. Melleth is my son."