Aragorn turned Brego and led the way through the forest away from the convoy to a small glen where he dismounted and led him leisurely by the reins. Legolas rode up behind him and halted in the shade of the trees, quietly watching. "You can come out, Legolas," Aragorn called without looking toward him. "I know you're there…you should give your horse a rest if you intend to join your father after we are done speaking," he finished coolly, and Legolas scowled at his back as he dismounted and tethered his horse to a tree.

"How did you know I would follow you?" Legolas asked after he was finished and walked rigidly out to the glen.

Aragorn turned and smiled, squinting in the sunlight. "Because you are not one to lie, least of all in front of your father." He turned and walked further and Legolas began to wonder at his game, he tried searching his friend's mind but found his thoughts were carefully guarded as if not quite sure of himself.

Does he know me so well? Legolas wondered as he watched the man leading the horse along slowly. A desire to touch him rose in Legolas' chest and he shook his head to be rid of it. No, he thought. He will only hurt me again. I cannot fall into that trap again. Legolas steeled himself with that thought and asked, "You wanted to speak with me?"

Aragorn said nothing for a long moment though he nodded slightly. Then, sighing heavily, he turned to the Elf before him and Legolas was surprised to see tears brimming in his cool blue-gray eyes. "I'm sorry Legolas," he said and extended his hand but seeing Legolas stand so stiffly, he lowered it before continuing. "I didn't mean to hurt you all those weeks ago…will you forgive me? I know I would surely be dead if you had not come, and I was angered at your scolding."

Legolas shifted on his feet as he eyed the Ranger-King uncertainly. "I realized after you left that you had does so to show that you cared," Aragorn continued. "I've been a fool, Legolas," he said as he looked into the Elf's bright blue eyes, his tears flowing now unchecked. "Please," he asked in a pleading voice as he let loose of Brego's rein and dropped to his knees before the Prince, lowing his head a moment before for looking back into his eyes. "Forgive me, please. Legolas," he begged as he reached up and lightly clasped his hand. "Please do not allow your heart to turn cold…for you are wanted."

Legolas breath caught at the man's touch and a shock passed through him at his words. Slowly, Legolas' anger receded and he knelt before the weeping king, who had lowered his head and shut his eyes against the tears. Tentatively and with a gentle hand, Legolas reached out and ran his fingers in the dark locks, once more feeling their softness. Jumping at the unexpected touch, Aragorn looked up and saw kindness shining once more in the Elf's eyes. "You are forgiving," he said softly and watched as Aragorn sighed, and his strength leaving him, he leaned in and wrapped his arms around him. "Aragorn," Legolas said softly a moment later, looking out into the distance as he wrapped his arms around his friend.

Slowly, Aragorn raised his head and watched him curiously. After a moment, Legolas swallowed hard, and still gazing out into the forest, he said, "I know of your feelings toward me." Aragorn looked at him in surprise and Legolas turned to face him smiling slightly. "You spoke of them in the House of Healing when the hallucinations gripped you, leading you toward the darkness. I," he paused then looked away for a moment before returning his gaze to the king. "I never knew you felt so strongly for me," he said just above a whisper.

Suddenly Legolas' words from weeks before resounded in Aragorn's ears. Perhaps, they do and you just do not know it yet. He looked away a moment, then swallowed hard as he once again met the Elf's gaze. "A-and," he started, then paused to swallow again. "And how do you feel?"

Legolas gazed into his blue-gray eyes for a long moment and ran his fingers through the dark locks, letting their softness caress his fingers. He smiled slightly, then whispered, "I have not much use for words, mellon. I hope that my actions speak clearly enough."

Aragorn looked at him curiously for a moment as he sat motionless, as though pondering his next move. Then slowly, he leaned in and captured the king's lips in a gentle kiss, his eyes softly closing. He felt Aragorn stiffen and heard the sharp intake of breath before feeling him relax once more. Then, just as slowly, he broke the kiss and gazed once more into the cool blue-gray eyes he had come to love so much.

For a long moment, Aragorn was quiet, and his gaze lowered to the ground. Then, when he found his voice, he asked softly looking back up to Legolas, "Does this mean…"

"I'll stay?" Legolas asked with a smile and watched Aragorn nod slowly, noticing he was swallowing hard once more. "Yes, my King," Legolas whispered as he played with the Ranger's soft dark hair once more. "I will stay," he said softly and bent to claim his lips once more as he enfolded him in his arms, holding him tightly.

Ten minutes later, Thranduil looked up when he heard two sets of hoof beats fast approaching. "Father!" Legolas cried, his smile more radiant than the sun. The cloud of his melancholy mood no longer shadowing his handsome face.

"Yes?" Thranduil asked as he watched the Ranger ride up next to him, curious as to what had changed between them.

"Father, I came to tell you that I am not returning," he said, the light on his face out shining the sadness in his voice as he spoke.

"What?" Thranduil asked. "Why?"

Legolas looked at Aragorn and beamed before returning his gaze to his father. "Because I have found my place, and it is here. Farewell, father. I will miss you!" He leaned over and hugged his father tightly before turning with Aragorn and heading back to Mirkwood where Faramir was waiting.

Two weeks later, Legolas lay in bed, his head on Aragorn's chest as he watched the sunrise, Aragorn's arms, wrapped tightly around him. He gazed up and saw that Aragorn's eyes were closed and his breathing was slow and rhythmic. Reaching up, he brushed a lock of soft dark hair behind his ear and whispered softly, "My one true love, I have finally found you." Then, he leaned in and placed a gentle kiss upon his lips before snuggling back down into his lover's arms, his head resting on his chest so he could hear his heartbeat, and continued to watch the coming day, sighing happily.