Disclaimer: I don't own anything of LOTR.

Note: I know it has been two years but what a two years it has been. I moved to the other side of the world and I have almost finished Uni. But now it is time to finish this story I think. Let's begin.

The voices in the council chamber were soft as Aragorn strode into the chamber. His guards gave the salute as the command ran out. "All rise for the king."

Perhaps Aragorn should have realized something was wrong when nobody rose to their feet immediately. It took a moment and then the council rose. Aragorn approached the throne where Faramir waited. The steward didn't glance in his direction once and Aragorn could not guess what the other man was thinking.

He longed to tangle his hand in Legolas' and to feel the reassured squeeze but it would be inappropriate so it would have to wait. He instead glanced back at his elf and Legolas tilted his head to the side. He took a deep breath and squared his shoulders before he turned around.

"I take it that you have reached a decision." His voice sounded strong but he was nervous. His hand clenched into a fist before he relaxed again. This could decide his entire future. "Let's hear it then."

There was some shuffling amongst the council members as they glanced back and forth. Aragorn tried not to shout at them to hurry up. It would only encourage them and could possible turn them against him, as if that was even more possible. It wasn't as though they liked him to begin with. Well the truth was that they did like him but they didn't like his husband.

"Won't you sit down, sire?" Aragorn glanced back at the marble throne. The thing didn't look very comfortable. The first thing I'm doing is buy cushions for it. It may be pretty but it can't really be comfortable to sit in it. I suppose a king isn't supposed to be comfortable but I doubt that Legolas will appreciate it if I have a sore arse, especially if he has plans for that arse.

He swallowed thickly and then shook his head. "There is no chair for the consort to sit."

"You are right, sire, because a queen does not have a need for a throne in the council chamber." Aragorn's mouth flatted in a tense line.

"If that is so than I do not need a reason to sit either." He all but growled. Legolas shifted his stance slightly and his hand brushed Aragorn's arm, sending a thrill up the man's spine.

Calm yourself, Meleth. Biting their heads off isn't going to change their minds…

My nerves are raw. I don't think I was this nervous for our wedding…

That is because we have not yet had a ceremony. And you barely remember our wedding night.

We have made new memories since then.

Legolas' lips curled up slightly and Aragorn found his spirits lifting. He turned back to the council members as one cleared his throat and then rose to his feet. The young man looked guilty as he met Aragorn's eyes briefly before he said.

"The council has reached this decision though a majority of the votes. We have taken into account the people's wishes but there is a reason that this council was established." The man took a deep breath. His voice was monotone but then he pushed the parchment away and said, his voice clear as it rang out. "We cannot recognize your marriage to prince Legolas of Eryn Lasgalen as such. Our laws are clear that the king must marry a female who is capable of producing an heir within three years to continue the line of the king. For this to be verified a council member must be present at the birthing of the heir. We recognize you as king, Lord Elessar, because of the prophecy and the healing you brought to our lands."

The man crumbled the parchment in his hand and then continued in a rush. "I'm sorry, my lord. While some of us can see the love between you and prince Legolas and the benefits it would bring Gondor to have an alliance with Eryn Lasgalen, the majority has been ruled in favour of the council. We may have a rebellion on our hands but it seems that most of us are unconcerned with that, just as long as we can have our way in our world, no matter of the changes in the world."

The council member glanced around and then held Aragorn's gaze. His expression was remorseful before he sat back down. The room was silent and all Aragorn could hear was the calm beating of his heart. A calmness stole over him and he took a deep breath. They finally knew.

He had expected panic but above all anger but all he felt was a clarity he hadn't even known he would have. His shoulders felt lighter and he nodded at the council member.

Another member rose to his feet with an almost gleeful smile on his face. "Now that you have accepted the council's decision, we must find you a suitable and appropriate wife. There are some daughters…."

"Who says I have accepted your decision?" Aragorn was amazed that his voice sounded so calm.

"You plan to fight us than, sir?" The council member all but spat and Aragorn shook his head with a smile.

"I do not. I can only fight your decision as your king and as your king I would be subject to your law. However as the chieftain of the Dunedain and a free man, I can go where I please and be subject to not a single law of Gondor. As a visitor of Minas Tirith I will celebrate the end of the war and then leave with the Fellowship to go North to my husband's family…."

"Excuse me, sir?" The council member went pale and Aragorn stepped forward. He reached up and took off his crown. He even felt lighter now that the crown and thus the responsibility was gone.

"I said that I would lay down the crown if it meant spending the rest of my life with Legolas. As far as I see you have decided not to recognize my marriage to Legolas and are forcing me to marry somebody I have no intention of marrying and especially somebody I do not love. So it is simple if I want a live with Legolas, I cannot be a king, unless I can get a new council."

"That is impossible. The council positions are appointed through the old families of Gondor."

"If that is the case then I suppose that the king position has just been vacated. " Aragorn stepped towards Faramir and clasped the man on the shoulder as he said. "I wish you all the luck, brother. You are the steward of Gondor now."

Faramir looked him in the eye and then nodded. He accepted the crown Aragorn handed him and said. "This will receive a place of honour, Aragorn. And perhaps it is time to revisit that law of establishing another council when the old one is clearly defected."

Aragorn smiled. Faramir had a spine of steel, much like his brother, even when the man was much more quitter, Aragorn had no doubt that he would make a great steward. He had no choice to be honest.

"But sir, you can't just lay down the crown. Gondor needs a king…" The council member actually looked panicked and Aragorn shook his head.

"A great man once told me that Gondor has no king and Gondor needs no king. You have a steward, a great steward and you have been fine without a king for years. I'm quite sure that you will be fine now. But I suppose that it is no longer my concern."

And as Aragorn walked out of the chamber, with Legolas' hand clasped in his own, he held his head high as he felt his husband's step beside him, he knew he had made the right decision.

Xx

"You did what?" Aragorn was expecting this. The moment they had stepped out of the chamber Aragorn had to share his news. He had no idea how Legolas felt about this because he did not have a chance to talk to his husband. However as they faced their family and friends, Legolas was a silent, steady presence by his side.

"I laid down the crown…" He repeated the sentence as he glanced around the room. Thranduil was standing beside Elrond, both who had not yet spoken a word and Gandalf was leaning on his staff. The hobbits and Gimli had kept their mouths shut as Gandalf advanced on Aragorn.

"You laid down the crown after everything you have faced to get here." Aragorn felt a moment of fear but he held his head tall as he nodded.

"Yes, I rid Middle Earth of Sauron. I think I deserve to be with the one I love." Aragorn's temper rose. He had shared much of Gandalf's dark road to ride Middle Earth of the evil that tried to capture it. The wizard knew about Aragorn's long toil and how often he had lost hope, not able to see and end to his long years of struggling.

"Gandalf!"

The next moment Elrond stepped forward and Aragorn turned to his father. The elf's face was unreadable and his eyes hard. Aragorn swallowed. He didn't know what the healer was thinking. He feared his father's reaction. He had turned away the Lord's only daughter to bind with Legolas. And now he had even tossed away everything they had worked for.

Elrond took his face in between his hands and Aragorn closed his eyes. He could almost imagine the words the healer would speak, disowning him and renouncing him as Elrond's foster son. But his father surprised him as greatly as he had when came to present Anduril.

"I could not be prouder of you as my son as I am in this moment, ion nin. All love is a gift and a binding such as you have with Legolas is precious. It should not be sully with a sham of a marriage to another woman. It would both be unfair to Legolas, yourself and the unfortunate female. She would have been deprived of a chance with somebody who loved her. Had you chosen to fight this decision we would have stood by your side but if your choice is to spend your years in the wild as a Ranger than that is more than fine." The elven lord's lips graced his forehead and Aragorn felt the stress melt away in a few tears as he bowed his head.

"Thank you, Ada." The elven lord stepped away and Aragorn blinked as Thranduil stepped forward.

"Should you desire it, Aragorn, there is a place at my court as an advisor. The gates of Eryn Lasgalen are always open to you and when Legolas takes the throne you shall be king of a woodland realm with people that will support you."

"Does the council support me as well?" Aragorn grinned. Thranduil tossed his head back and laughed.

"Oh, I have a few years to work on them so by than they will." The elven king winked at him and then stepped away.

"I suppose that we should start vacating the king's bedroom than. I would rather not anger the council further by making use of the king's bedchamber. And it just does not feel right." Aragorn turned to go to his room. To be honest he just needed a moment to come to terms with what had just happened. He had done it without thinking because he could not imagine a life without Legolas, but that didn't mean that his decision didn't have consequences for the both of them.

"We shall see you at the evening meal." He said as a goodbye before turning to go to his room for the last time

Xx

Aragorn had expected that Legolas would have wanted to talk about what happened the moment they were alone but he was very much mistaken. The moment the bedroom door closed behind them Legolas was upon him. The elf pushed him back against the door and his mouth was kissing Aragorn hungrily.

Pulling at their clothing, Legolas had Aragorn's shirt off in a moment. The elf pulled away to kiss along the man's neck and Aragorn gasped out. "What are you doing?"

"Last time in this room…we need to make it count since the chance to do it in every room is slim at the moment." Legolas murmured against his throat. Aragorn swallowed thickly. He was like pudding in his elf's hands and he could feel Legolas' arousal against his hip as the elf pressed him against him.

"I thought we were going to talk about this…"

"We can talk later." Legolas' voice was soft and breathless in a way that aroused Aragorn even more. He groaned against the other male's lips. Legolas' fingers were quick and nimble and within moments they were undressed.

Legolas didn't waste any time as he left Aragorn briefly to find the oil that they kept in their bedroom tables. Not that it had been much use there. Their schedules and exhaustion kept them from doing much more in the bed than sleep.

Aragorn admired the prince as the elf walked back. Legolas moved with lethal grace and the elf was his. Aragorn took a deep breath as he smoothed his hair back. They hadn't even moved away from the door. He couldn't have walked to the bed if he had tried, his trousers were around his ankles and as the blue eyes found his he knew without their bond that Legolas wanted him there and not on the bed.

He toed his boots off and then stepped out of his trousers. Part of him wanted to hide himself away but he stood proud in front of his husband. He met Legolas' gaze and the elf smiled. "Gorgeous."

"I could say the same to you, my prince but the words do not seem justice enough. I think that majestic and magnificent do you more justice." Aragorn had never been one to have his way with words but there were times when he did, such as this moment. The joy that lit up Legolas' eyes were enough to make Aragorn breathless.

He was responsible for this. He was responsible for putting that loving expression on Legolas' face. It hit him all at once. If he hadn't made the decision that he had made today he would have missed this. It would have come down to stolen moments whenever his country didn't need him. And he would never see the joy he saw today on Legolas' face. He would never feel the elf's love as he did in this moment.

Hands touched him and Aragorn opened his eyes. He hadn't even been aware he had closed him. Legolas' eyes met his and then the elf kissed him deeply. "Hannon le." The elf said softly and Aragorn kissed him again.

They set out to reaffirm the bond between them. Legolas prepared Aragorn lovingly as their minds intertwined. When their bodies joined so did their minds and Aragorn wordlessly let Legolas in. At this moment there was no difference between their minds and Aragorn could feel the almost alien landscape of the elven mind.

He came with a shout of Aragorn's mind, hearing Legolas echoed it in the next heartbeat. His hands tangled in the blond hair as Legolas panted against his skin. Cramp shot up his leg and he winced. Legolas' hand moved up his calf as the elf eased Aragorn's legs down from around his waist.

Aragorn mourned the loss when Legolas pulled out and left him briefly to grab towels to clean them up. The elf was back in a moment and Aragorn smiled. He took the towel in welcome and quickly cleaned himself up. He didn't want to leave the room. He didn't want to leave the privacy of the moment.

"Shall we make a go at it in the bath as well?" He ventured. Legolas' blue eyes heated but the elf shook his head.

"No, you are right. We need to talk."

His breathing caught in his chest and he began to talk as he went to put the towel away. "I do not care if you do not agree with me. I cannot undo what I have done. I will not apologize for it. I will not stand that my marriage to you is diminished by forcing me to marry somebody else. I will not watch your light grow dim when you see me having to act out my feelings in public, the feelings I have for you, to somebody else. I have loved you for 60 years and I refuse to give you up….To have only stolen moments. This is more precious to us than any realm on Middle Earth and I would take on the Valar themselves if they sought to keep me from you…."

"Estel…."

"No, Gondor is not important. You are. You are my life and my…

"Elessar…."

"No longer my name. I will only answer to you and to whatever name you give me. I'm yours to command and yours to have. I will obey all your commands except ones that send me from your side…"

"Aragorn!" Finally the man fell silent and turned to regard Legolas. The elf had dressed and Aragorn realize he was still naked. The blue eyes held his and then Legolas said.

"If you would be so kind to let me get a word in, than we can have this conversation. It is not a monologue, meleth, but a conversation in which two people take part. I love you and I would not be parted from you. If this is your decision than it will be mine as well. I would live in a pig sty with you if that is what you would desire. I'm proud of you and humbled that you would lay down the crown for me. You are mine, Aragorn, son of Arathorn. We shall make our own kingdom."

Aragorn smiled, relieved as Legolas kissed him again. They could do this for the rest of their lives in the openness of whatever life they chose.

Xx

They managed to appear in time for dinner and even before Aragorn could step into the hall his brothers descended upon him.

"So no royal wedding?"

Aragorn stared at the table longingly. He was hungry but his brothers prevented him from entering the room. Legolas eased passed them and smiled as Aragorn called after him.

"Leaving me to face my brothers alone, how dare you? I laid down the crown for you otherwise would have pulled rank."

"My rank is higher than yours and you will be fine. You faced Sauron. You can face Elrond's sons." So much for support from his husband, Aragorn thought. He faced his brothers and smiled as he said.

"Shall we adjourn to the hall? I would have invited you to my office but it seems that I no longer have one. So we shall have to do this out here." His stomach rumbled but he ignored it. He hadn't eaten lunch and dinner would have to wait.

"So you gave up the throne just like that?" Aragorn turned to face Elrohir. He nodded once. There was nothing else to say. He couldn't lie to them.

"They wanted me to cast Legolas aside and marry somebody else. Somebody that could bear an heir and would be worthy in their eyes as a consort of their king."

"Would they have considered Arwen?" The question was phrased carefully and Aragorn shrugged. He had expected his brothers to be angry with him for shaming their sister and for casting her aside in favour of a male. But instead they had been supportive of him and had taken him out for the day.

"They may have considered her but I think that they would have preferred a daughter of men." Aragorn sat down on the steps. He watched as both Elladan and Elrohir paced.

"Then I suppose that they should be glad that Faramir is marrying Eowyn." Elladan turned to face Aragorn and took a deep breath. "So what will you do now? We have long prepared for you to take the crown…"

"No, you have prepared for me to lead and lead I shall. I shall lead the Dunedain in the North as chieftain. It is what I have been prepared for me and I have been leading them for sixty years. Long have we lingered in the shadows and hunted the servants of Sauron as the orcs preyed on my people. It will be time for my people to settle down and began their own cities. With my marriage to Legolas an alliance will exist between us and the woodland realm, an alliance that will benefit my people." It would be good to be among his own people for a while. The war had also struck in the North and he needed to verify that his people were alright.

Too long had they lingered in encampments and lived lives that had been dedicated to protecting the Shire and their own people. It was time for their people to start their own cities and find a place to call home instead of living amongst ruins of a time long passed.

"And you shall come to Imlandris as well." It was a statement and Aragorn inclined his head.

"Of course, another alliance."

"You are family by blood and by choice so an alliance is already sealed. We would have enjoyed calling you our brother through marriage but if that does not suit you then so be it." Elrohir came to sit beside him, resting a hand on Aragorn's knee.

"Yes, about that. How is Arwen?"

"She is as well as can be expected after seeing the man she has loved for so long collapse because his mate was being honourable and turning him away in favour of me." The musical, femine voice had all of them turning around. Aragorn rose to his feet as did Elrohir.

Arwen was dressed in a gown of silver and her dark hair was bound away from her face. However her smile was radiant, kind and gentle as her eyes found Aragorn's and held them. Aragorn swallowed. He had been so caught up in his own problems and happiness that he had never thought of her.

He glanced away but then Arwen's hand caught him under the chin and she turned his gaze back to him. "Do not turn away from me, Estel. I at least deserve your gaze."

He nodded and then said, taking her hand. "I'm sorry, Undomiel. I'm sorry that I could not give you the love you deserve or that I…"

She shook her head and said. "No, you are not. You may have loved me but no more than a brother loves a sister. I was so desperate for your love that I was too blind not to see that you never loved me as I loved you. Part of the fault lies with you for not telling me the truth."

"I thought I had strayed in a dream when I met you. Especially after Legolas rejected me. You overwhelmed me and part of me had hoped that I could love you as I loved Legolas."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I don't know. I'm a foolish mortal who against all hope wished…" She smiled at him and then said.

"And that is why you are not sorry that you have not thought of me. You are happy, almost deliriously so at having survived the war and being with the one you love and want above all others. Despite of what happened you hoped and knew that Legolas would return to you. You deserve this, Aragorn. This honeymoon of being with your husband out in the open without fear. I do not begrudge you your happiness or that do your thoughts not linger towards me."

Aragorn bowed his head and she kissed his forehead.

"I gave thee my blessing, Aragorn, may the light of your union shine ever brighter until the end of time." The blessing was given in Elvish and Aragorn closed his eyes. He didn't deserve this. He had tossed her away for somebody else. He had made her a promise and…

"I thank you, Undomiel. May you find peace wherever you go."

He could only echo the blessing. He had nothing else to offer her. She turned to regard him and then gave him a smile as she nodded. Apparently it was alright now. It was done and as she walked away, Aragorn felt as though he could finally breathe.

He walked outside, needing some fresh air. The guards saluted him and Aragorn nodded at them. They must not know yet that he was no longer their king. Although he had seen them bow to the other members of the Fellowship. It must be a sign of respect. The cold air felt brilliant on his cheeks and with a start Aragorn realized that they were wet.

He wiped at his cheeks before he walked to the edge. He could see the fields of Osgiliath far away, some smoke still burning from the city far away. It would take time before it was liveable again. It would take time before they would rebuild everything but that was no longer his concern. His concerns were his own people and his husband.

He paced for what must be an hour, his thoughts tumbling over one another. He had never had a chance to truly think of the consequences of his actions when he would lay down the crown. But he was a free man now. He had fulfilled his destiny and it was time to start living his own life.

"Ah, Strider, how are you?"

Aragorn turned to face Sam. The blond hobbit had a sandwich in his hand and extended the other one with another sandwich to Aragorn. The man's stomach grumbled at the same time and he smiled in thanks. "Thank you, Samwise. This is much appreciated."

He took a bite. This could be very well be the last meal he was going to eat as a king of Gondor.

"So Legolas said that you are going to join us when we leave for the shire." Aragorn nodded at Sam. He supposed it was true in a fashion. He was going home. He was going to say goodbye to his friends in the South and he was going to go back home to his friends in the North.

The future was unsure but he was going to do something that he loved but most importantly to be with the one he loved and that was all that mattered.

Xx

The last days passed swiftly as Aragorn passed his duties over to Faramir. The steward wasn't happy but there was nothing they could do. The council was not going to budge and so neither was Aragorn. They had spent so long in Gondor that everybody was anxious to leave and see about the states of their own homes.

Aragorn was more than prepared to return to his own lands. He had spent his nights with Legolas, chatting and doing other things. The bone between them was stronger than ever and both were on the same page. They would travel to Rivendell with Elrond and then up north before travelling to Eryn Lasgalen. After that they would decide where to settle and begin their lives.

After making certain that all the packs would stay on his horse. The animal whinnied at him and he petted it on the head. "Yeah, we are going home, boy." He softly said. He wanted to get on the road. They would return within the year to see Eowyn and Faramir wed. Perhaps the council would have changed its mind but he didn't think that they would.

"You ready, my husband?" He turned to regard his elf and finally nodded.

"Yes, Legolas, more than ready to start our own path to the future." And with those words they began the journey to their very own future, whether that was going to be in Gondor or up North, as long as they had each other than they would be happy.

The end

I hope you liked it. It has been a journey but I hope it is an end that you guys like. Review please.