Chapter 49: Recovery

Chapter Text

This is especially for Naledi- Happy Birthday I have another little fic I am working on for Elladan and Imrahil that I was going to post today for your birthday but chickened out!

Thanks as always to my fab beta reader, Anarithilien.

And thank you to all those who leave kudos or reviews and comments. It really is encouraging and is always the writer's reward. Thanks to Golden, Pame, chasingbluefish, Samui, Starfox_5000, paradis_artificiels, LayneWolf, keekercat (who is the Mother-of Plot-Bunnies!)And who INSISTED we had a L/E scene soon, so you have her to thank for the fact that Legolas actually goes and see Elrohir rather than just hightailing it off into the Wilds!), twinjay, Naledi, Spiced Wine, Gabriel, Narya, Neyafinwefeanorian, earthdragon (sorry- no black pudding- I hate it!) Alanic, freddie23, SparkyTAS, Raider-K. And for kudos from Veill, LorienofLoth, pmhw, astrogirl, patrese1 (hello again ) spalso (hello again to you ) widlfoot, and the 447 guests who left kudos. Thank you all.

This chapter is especially for Aragorn-fans.

Chapter 49: Recovery

Aragorn could not stop smiling. Like a fool, Arwen had said last night as they slid into the huge bed and into each other's arms. His wife. His wife! He felt like jumping in the air and whooping like a child.

She was still asleep when he stole from the bedchamber into the garden and picked roses for her, dew still upon them for the sun was just rising and he wanted them to be the first thing she saw when she awoke.

'For my wife,' he explained the roses to Aradhel, who was opening the door to Aragorn's study, a sheaf of papers clutched to his chest. The little clerk's face split into the widest grin imaginable and he looked as happy as Aragorn himself.

'My wife,' he repeated to himself happily.

Arwen laughed at him when he thrust the roses under her nose and woke her with kisses along her jaw, her collarbone, cupped her breast in his hand and marveled at how soft it was. She pulled him down to her and, to his delight and ecstasy, stopped his mouth with her own kisses. But where he was hoping for more of what he had enjoyed last night, Arwen had other ideas and she leapt up, naked and unashamed, (why should she be for she was perfect!) and laughed at his protests.

'I have too much to do, my lazy lord slug-a-bed! You will have to wait until tonight.'

He heard her splashing about in the bathroom and she emerged quickly, her long hair streaming down her back, wearing a loose and comfortable gown and her beautiful, perfect feet bare. Aragorn loved her feet. He loved her ankles. He loved her elbows…her breasts…he thought about her breasts a bit longer.

'You have that silly expression on your face,' Arwen laughed at him and threw a pillow at him. He smiled so happily he thought he would burst.

'Why are you up and dressed so early?' he asked, reaching out to catch her hand, but she pulled away lightly.

'May I remind you, my lord, that you have a kingdom and someone has to run it!' She tossed her hair over one shoulder and brushed it quickly, twisted it into a coil and fastened it at the nape of her neck. Aragorn thought she looked so beautiful, so radiant…

'You're doing it again! Close your mouth or a fly will go down your throat.'

She stood up and thrust her feet into soft sandals and gathered the gown about her slender waist, cinching it with a fine leather belt.' Right. I am going to meet with Aradhel and Faramir. I will see you later today at the Council.'

'Why are you meeting Aradhel and Faramir?' Aragorn asked, bemused.

Arwen laughed. 'The Elessar Aqueduct will not build itself, my darling. And I want to make sure that Gimli sees the plans before he leaves.'

'Gimli? What do you mean? Where is he going?' Aragorn suddenly felt completely adrift.

'He and Legolas are going to the Lebinnin to fetch Legolas' horse. I have a quick question for him before he leaves.''

'Legolas and Gimli are going out of the city? They'll be camping out and riding all day.' He knew he sounded plaintive. 'How is it that you know all these things and I don't?' He looked up at her.

Arwen rolled her eyes affectionately. 'Aradhel told me.'

'How does he know?' He was indignant now- after all, he was supposed to the King!

'Oh my darling Estel! Aradhel knows everything. Have you not realised that yet? He is a treasure.' She looked at him a little more seriously now. 'You must make him your chancellor. Give him power to do things and you will see how he can transform this city.'

Aragorn rubbed his chin, slightly ashamed for he had let Bearos drive Aradhel from his side when he knew that the clerk was the most loyal man he could wish for. 'I will,' he promised. 'But if Gimli and Legolas are here, I can have breakfast with them while you are in your meeting.'

'Do not forget that Gimli is meeting with Mithrandir this morning. He may not have time for breakfast with you, my darling. But Legolas might. Go and find him,' she said briskly. That could not possibly be a note of impatience in her mellifluous voice?

'Perhaps later we can go for a walk together?' Aragorn said wistfully.

Arwen threw him a quick look that was definitely a bit impatient. 'Maybe. But you do know that I have engineers and stone masons coming in this morning. And then the Ladies of the Girdle.' She sighed and Aragorn twitched slightly guiltily for he had been asked by the widow of Lord Herion if the Queen would follow the tradition of Finduilas and meet the ladies of the noble families every week…He winced, trying to forget what Arwen had said when he told her.

She was cinching in her belt rather crossly now and so Aragorn thought he had better not mention that the ladies were expected to sew and embroider.

'Once I have finished there, I will join you in the Council,' Arwen was saying as she pinned an elegant brooch over a chiffon shawl that she had thrown around her shoulders. The delicate lilac and blue set off her hair so beautifully that Aragorn just wanted to sit and stare at her. 'Oh, and don't forget, you are also needed by Mithrandir. He wants to move that damned Mirror into the Tower of Ecthelion. Do that before you find Legolas my darling. He won't want to be reminded of the Mirror.'

'No one else is supposed to know about that,' Aragorn said slightly concerned. But she just threw him a look that was all Galadriel. 'I would have told you anyway,' he added quickly.

When Arwen had whisked off, Aragorn sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the floor. Under the bed was his bedroll, tightly rolled with a blanket, and tied with a leather belt. He had not slept in the bed at all until last night; it was too soft and hot. But last night it had served another purpose and he smiled blissfully; he had never dreamed it could be like this. Even if Arwen had indeed rushed off to work, leaving him sitting here like an idle lady of some great house.

It had been easier in some ways when he had just been Strider, he thought gloomily. But now, in this time of Peace, there was no need for the skills for which he was famed; he did not need to track Orcs, or hunt for food, or fight the Enemy any more. All of that was gone. Arwen loved governing, she loved councils and projects and surpassed any other, Erestor said. She would be much better at it than him. So Aragorn decided he would have to find something he was good at. It would have to involve things he liked, like armour and swords, and perhaps fighting. And some tracking. Perhaps he should attack the Pirates of Umbar and make the waterways safe for travellers?

He pulled on his boots a little more happily, thinking that Legolas and Gimli would enjoy an expedition to Umbar too. And that would bring wealth to the city and open trade routes or something. He wasn't quite sure about that bit, but Arwen would know what to do and how. They would make a great team, he told himself cheerfully.

0o0o

Although he had told Elrond he would see Elrohir on his return, Legolas knew that Elrond had meant for him to go and see Elrohir. As he left the Houses of Healing, it seemed such a small thing to find Elrohir, to make his peace before he left Minas Tirith. He thought as well about what Erestor had said and so he made his way to the wing of the Palace where Elrohir and Elladan's rooms were. Although he did not bound up the steps to Elrohir's room, he felt his limbs moving easily, the hunch in his shoulders had lessened and he felt lighter. More himself.

He knocked only briefly and opened the door, stepping inside. For a moment, he was disappointed, thinking that there was no one in the room but the long gauze of the curtain fluttered and he saw a shadow at the window. He froze. A finger of ice stroked his spine and he felt the hairs on his neck and scalp stiffen. He reached back and brushed his fingers over the hilts of his knives, hearing their sharp little whispers. Silently he drew each one, a rill of blue fire glinted along the blades.

Orcs, he wondered? But that could not be.

Then the shadow moved slowly, and resolved into Elrohir. He had been standing at the window, looking out over the rooftops of the city.

'Legolas?' Elrohir's voice was incredulous, filled with hope, and doubt.

Legolas let go the breath he had been holding and let the knives slide back into their sheath. He breathed out and let his shoulders drop. Perhaps this was what Elrond meant by his fear being loosened? That he was not quite in tune again with his body and soul, and so he made mistakes?

Elrohir must have seen his tension and release because he came towards Legolas, his face concerned, almost fearful. 'I startled you? Forgive me?'

Elrohir was anxious, hesitant, Legolas realised. It made him cringe at his own unkindness, his own fear that had made him act so ungenerously last night.

'No. No, it was just…' He shrugged and smiled ruefully. Then he slid his arms around Elrohir. 'I love you,' he said quietly, earnestly. 'I have missed you.' He looked into Elrohir's disbelieving eyes and felt guilty for his carelessness, for Erestor had told him that Elrohir would doubt himself, would think he was unworthy. Legolas tutted at himself and his own clumsiness. 'I wanted to find you. After last night. I love you,' he said again, nuzzling into Elrohir's neck.

Elrohir said nothing but gave a little gasp and Legolas drew back a little and tilted his head so he could look into his lover's face. 'What?' he said, thinking that perhaps he had got everything wrong.

'Nothing,' Elrohir shook his head and smiled so radiantly that Legolas laughed.

'I have not said it enough before,' he confessed, 'because I did not think I needed to. Our Songs are so entwined. But now I see that I was wrong.' He kissed Elrohir then, sweetly. Breathing in, Legolas pressed his face against Elrohir's shoulder. A long sigh escaped him as if a loaded spring were uncurling and stretching out like a cat, as if the tension in his blood and bones was smoothing out.

Legolas laughed a little at himself. 'You are my home now,' he said and Elrohir seemed to slump a little too, as he were also holding his breath and had let it go. The sunlight streamed through the window brightly and pooled on the oak floor. Just out of the corner of his eye he saw the gauzy curtain lift slightly in a breeze. Thin black shadows crept across the pooled sunlight like fingers. The silk of the curtains sounded like a slither of dry scales. Horror crawled over his neck for a moment and he pulled back, eyes wide.

'Legolas?' Elrohir stepped away from him, immediately releasing Legolas and moving away, giving him room. His voice was solicitous.

Legolas felt his heart thundering in his chest and his limbs trembled with the need to fly from this place.

But the curtain moved again in the breeze and there was nothing. A scent of roses drifted in on the air.

And there was only Elrohir, standing very still and looking at him as if he were a frightened wild animal that he did not wish to alarm.

Legolas rubbed his hand across his face and closed his eyes for a moment. 'It is nothing…I jump at shadows,' he said disgusted with himself. I keep imagining things. I see…what is not there.' Because he knew now that his fears were imagined, they were not real. Elrond had begun to unravel the knots and tangles of his humiliation and pain and he had begun to recover, believed that he could.

Elrohir sat on the edge of the bed, his head bowed and his hands twisting the ring on his finger. He looked miserable and dejected.

It wrung Legolas' heart and he knelt at Elrohir's feet and lay his head on his lover's thigh. He sighed. 'Gimli thinks I need time away from the city.'

He felt the warmth from Elrohir's hand over his hair but Elrohir did not touch him. So Legolas wrapped his arms about Elrohir's hips, and turned his face into Elrohir's thigh, pressed against him. 'And I am not quite … myself yet. I don't know. I want you so very much…but I startle at my own shadow. Your father helped me and I am recovering, but not quite yet.'

Elrohir's head was still bowed as if in shame and Legolas glanced up at him. At that Elrohir seemed to draw himself together, to steel himself. 'I think it is a good idea to have some time away from the city,' he said quietly. 'It will give you time to be amongst the trees, away from all this. And time with Gimli is always good for you. He earths you.'

Legolas laughed slightly. It made him sound like lightning that had to be tethered but he knew that was not what Elrohir meant. He asked, 'Will you come with us?' he asked.

'No. I have things I must do here,' Elrohir replied as Legolas thought he would.

He sighed, a little disappointed. 'I am sorry. I do need more time. I thought I did not but I do.'

'How long will you be gone?' There was sadness in Elrohir's voice that matched Legolas' own, like they were bidding farewell for more than just a day or two.

'Not long. Just to fetch Arod. Gimli missed sleeping on the hard ground with leaves in his hair and wild animals on the prowl.'

'I will miss you,' Elrohir said softly and Legolas nodded. He would miss Elrohir too. But he realised that he already missed him, as if he were not quite here even though he was leaning against his thigh and Elrohir's hand hovered over Legolas' hair.

0o0o0o

Aragorn found Gandalf at the foot of the Tower of Ecthelion with Beregond. The iron casket that Gimli had made and which now contained the Mirror was being carefully carried up the winding steps. Galadriel was waiting for them in the Tower for there were binding spells that needed to be cast so that nothing could escape the casket. Thrice iron-bound it was so that sorcery could not break it.

'And you say Khamûl was not there?' Aragorn asked again.

'He has gone and there is no trace. He could not have escaped without my knowing,' Gandalf said confidently. He looked up at the Tower. 'No. I think he has been dragged back into the Dark. Or perhaps it was not Khamûl that we saw, but maybe a projection, trying to protect the Glass perhaps?' Gandalf shrugged. 'Who knows? But he is gone.'

A little doubt niggled away at the back of Aragorn's mind, but when he tried to think about what had happened to him when Bearos attacked him, his mind was sluggish and clouded and he could not quite remember. There is something important, he knew, but he could not grasp it and when he reached for the memory, it slipped away.

Gandalf had climbed up after the casket and had forbidden anyone to enter so that he and Galadriel alone were there and Aragorn stood with Beregond at the foot of the Tower.

'I have set the guard.' Beregond nodded towards two of his Tower Guards who stood watch. 'Two of your own Rangers are inside.'

'Good.' Aragorn walked a little way with his captain, looking up at the impenetrable Tower and nodding courteously to the two Men who were on guard.

'It was a difficult task, taking the casket up there, my lord. It is in the cell that we kept Bearos in.'

Aragorn felt a frisson of danger at the thought but surely there could be no danger from simply putting it where Bearos had been? There could be no connection, no lingering sorcery? He shook himself. I am being fanciful, he told himself.

'There is something else, your majesty,' said Beregond. 'This.'

He held out his hand and Aragorn looked warily; it was a ring. But he recognised it instantly. It was the same ring he had seen on Elrohir's hand ever since he could remember; gold, a small crimson jewel winked at him in the sunlight. The ring that Celebrían had given to her favourite son.

'I know this,' he said. 'It is my brother's, Elrohir's. Where did you find it?'

Beregond fidgeted uncomfortably. 'It was in the cell, near the Mirror itself.'

Aragorn nodded. 'He must have lost it when he fought the Ghoul. It must have slipped off.'

'Of course, your majesty,' Beregond said relieved. 'I just thought it was odd, alarming. To find a ring in that place. I thought for a moment…' He laughed nervously. 'Well, it doesn't matter what I thought. I am glad to have found its owner then.'

'It was given him by his mother, before she sailed,' Aragorn said quietly. He took it from Beregond carefully and closed his hand about it protectively, as he would protect Elrohir if he could. It would have been hard on Elrohir to have lost it. Briefly he wondered that Elrohir had not said anything but Aragorn reminded himself that Elrohir had had much to distract him, or perhaps he had missed it but not wished to burden anyone else with it.

Aragorn pocketed the ring and made his way through the Palace towards the chambers where his brothers were housed. Or at least, Elrohir, for Elladan was away hunting with Imrahil, Glorfindel and Erestor on the Mindolluin. Aragorn thought it would have benefitted Elrohir to have gone with them but he had wanted to be with Legolas, to be near him having so recently almost lost him.

He knocked tentatively on Elrohir's door, thinking that perhaps Legolas would be there too and not wishing to interrupt them.

But it was flung open almost immediately and Elrohir was there, startled, and then disappointed it seemed. He turned away and went back inside. Aragorn followed him.

'I am sorry, you are expecting Legolas?' he asked, thinking that Elrohir looked tired, but not the happy, energized tired that Aragorn felt from a night of love-making, but instead a weariness.

'No,' Elrohir said shortly. 'He has gone.' He did not turn round but pulled his sword belt round his waist and buckled it. He slid Aícanaro partly out of the sheath and then let it drop back in.

'Already?' Aragorn asked disappointed that he had not seen Legolas. But when Elrohir looked up, Aragorn was shocked by the bleakness in his brother's face.

'Maybe you should go with them?' he suggested.

Elrohir's head dropped and he breathed out through his nose. 'No. It will be good for Legolas to be out of the city, and good for him to be with Gimli. I will not come between them.' He fiddled with something on the table but he looked annoyed with himself, like he was inwardly berating himself.

Aragorn sighed and felt the ring in the palm of his hand. It cheered him a little for he knew that it would have grieved Elrohir to have lost his mother's ring.

'I have come to return something.' He held out the ring.

Elrohir looked down, and froze. His face was white and he clutched the side of the table as if he might stumble.

'Did you not know you had lost it?' Aragorn asked puzzled.

Elrohir blinked, and shook his head. Then he held out his hand for it and Aragorn dropped it into his open palm. 'Where did you find it?' he asked.

Aragorn shifted uncomfortably. 'This morning Gandalf had some of my men move the Mirror out of the tombs. He had a special casket made by Gimli and they moved it this morning when the city was quiet. They found this. It must have come off during your fight with Bearos. You must not tell anyone, not even Legolas, that the Mirror has been moved, Elrohir. Gandalf felt its whereabouts was too widely known, and with the story of Legolas' imprisonment by the Ghoul, too many people speculate, or are curious. Your ring was on the floor of the cell,' he said. 'Thank Elbereth it was found. I know how important it is to you.' He placed it in Elrohir's hand. 'Don't lose it again.'

Elrohir stared down at it. Aragorn followed his gaze and sunlight glinted on something already on Elrohir's hand. Gold.

'You have another ring?' he asked curiously for he could only see the gold band around Elrohir's finger for his palm still faced up.

Elrohir snatched his hand back. 'Just a trinket,' he said quickly. 'My hand felt empty without my mother's ring. I will not wear it now I have this back.' He forced a smile. 'Thank you, Estel. I do not know how I came to lose it.' He closed his palm over the ring and Aragorn saw that the ring he already wore was very alike with a red gemstone set in gold, but it was very old and the gold was worn thin. He tilted his head slightly to look at it more closely but Elrohir drew his hand back.

'A trinket,' he repeated. He twisted it on his finger, consternation momentarily flickered over his face but he did not take it off. He slid Celebrían's ring over a different finger, but he did not spread his hand and look at the ring that Aragorn had returned to him as one might either. Instead he closed his fist over it as if he wished to hide both rings.

'Tell me again why Gandalf wanted the Mirror moved?' Elrohir said, turning towards Aragorn. He seemed to have recovered from his shock and throwing his arm around Aragorn's shoulder, he steered Aragorn towards one of the two chairs set on either side of an empty hearth for it was Summer in Gondor.

'So many people know about the Mirror now,' Aragorn repeated as he sank into the deep. comfortable chair and leaned back. 'I don't mean Glorfindel and Erestor. But there are many Men who also know and Gandalf felt it was safer in the Tower of Ecthelion. Easier to guard. He asked me to order a troop to move it this morning.'

'And Khamûl?' asked Elrohir, his head tilted slightly to one side and his eyes glittered. 'Mithrandir bound him but he was imprisoned in the cell presumably? What has Mithrandir done about Khamûl if he has moved the Mirror?'

Aragorn paused for he was not entirely happy with Gandalf's response to him when he asked the same question. 'Gandalf believes he has been sucked back into the Dark.'

Elrohir quirked an eyebrow, unaware of how like his father he was. 'And where does Gandalf think he went? That he disappeared in a puff of smoke like some conjuring trick?' His voice, his manner was disdainful and Aragorn leaned back, frowning.

'Khamûl must have possessed Bearos somehow,' Aragorn said slowly. 'Perhaps now that his host is gone, he has also gone. It is the only explanation.' Aragorn paused thoughtfully. 'Khamûl could not have escaped Gandalf's binding spell. When my men got there, there was no trace of Khamûl and the Glass was still and quiet. They have gone. You defeated them.'

Elrohir's expression was one of sardonic amusement that confused Aragorn. It was something too in the way Elrohir sat heavily on the edge of his chair, his hands loosely clasped before him but they tightened slowly over the rings, and his face gradually hardened. 'Good. So we are free.'

Aragorn felt a strange discomfort, a prickling at the edges of his nerves and he thought perhaps he had exhausted himself, for he too was not fully recovered from his own injuries. The words his brother had spoken seemed oddly loaded but he shrugged it off, thinking he was tired himself.

'Estel?' When he looked up, the harshness had gone from Elrohir's face and there was only kindness and concern. He leaned towards Aragorn, holding out his hand, palm upwards in invitation. Sighing, Aragorn put his hand in Elrohir's, felt his brother's fingers probe gently at his wrist. His blood pulsed under Elrohir's fingertips, the steady thunder of blood through his veins and arteries and for a moment he became intensely aware of it. There was something unsettling in Elrohir's eyes, but he blinked and it was gone.

Even so, Aragorn pulled away gently and smiled. 'I am a little tired,' he said lightly. 'That is all. You do not need to examine me.'

Elrohir smiled. 'I am sure you did not get quite enough sleep last night.'

'Nor you,' Aragorn replied gently. But Elrohir turned his face away then and looked towards the window. Aragorn winced for Elrohir's hurt was plain. It was his love for him that prompted Aragorn to say, 'Why do you not take Barakhir and ride after Legolas? Have some time in the Lebinnin away from everyone else?'

But Elrohir was rising to his feet, restless and tense. 'He has Gimli and I would not intrude on those two.'

Aragorn laughed. 'They are like an old married couple, it is true.' He watched Elrohir carefully, the healer in him cataloguing the movements, the strain in his brother's face. 'But Legolas loves you. It is you he wants more than anything. Gimli might complain a little but he will give way if you pursue them.'

'No.'

Aragorn shrugged sadly. Was that the way of it then? Legolas had gone and Elrohir, bruised and hurt, was either brooding at some perceived rejection, or the rejection had been real and Legolas gone in more ways than merely the physical. He tapped his finger against the stone window sill for a moment. And then wondered where Elladan was. For if Elrohir had indeed been rejected by Legolas, no one could help.

0o0o0o

tbc