Author: MistofStars

Pairing: Legolas/Aragorn

Rating: T

Warnings: Violence, angst, slash, sad, silly

Author's note: now we're in the year 2960 of the Third Age. The title of this chapter refers to a song I've been listening to during the last week and I think „no more fears and flaws" fits to this chapter quite well. The song is called „no roads left" by Linkin Park, I can only recommend it to you :)

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters; this is all just a beautiful lie. I don't make money with this. Everything's made up! Totally made up! Unfortunately made up! But still- made up!

Comments: Desired, loved, adored, wished for, so please ;)

!!! explanations elfish words !!!

my meleth = my love

Chapter 11: no more fears and flaws

Legolas didn't return in this night, nor was he to be found the next day or the other night. Never before had Aragorn felt so lonely and forsaken. But instead of dwelling in self-pity Aragorn's thoughts considered Legolas' reasons to stay away from his lover. What had he done that the elf couldn't stand him any longer? And if it wasn't something he had or hadn't done – what was troubling the elf so much? It wasn't the fact that he didn't speak to Aragorn about his feelings, no, what really bothered the mortal was that the elf stayed away from him in general. Maybe there would have been a way to make him talk, but Aragorn wanted the elf to speak about his emotions freely and without being forced to. And that his adored beloved elf had chosen not to talk to Aragorn was harming the human a lot. Didn't Legolas trust him anymore?

Also it was strange that Legolas seemed to feel so heavy-hearted, after all what had happened. His brother had been murdered such a long time ago, and yes, his mother had left them too, and it was a terrible loss. However, Norgas had been killed, and the southern and northern elves were united again. Why didn't Legolas heal like everyone else? And why in all the world had Legolas left him like this? What did he try to accomplish through this deed?

So many questions occupied Aragorn's mind these days and he felt sick all the time for being left behind. He was very worried about his lover, but he also saw no way to end this lack of communication between them. Legolas had to come to him when he was ready for it, it was he who had to talk to Aragorn. The mortal couldn't make him talk. He didn't even have the opportunity because Legolas never returned to his chamber to meet him.

It was just another lonely sleepless night and Aragorn lay in the empty oversized bed. In the darkness he daydreamed about Legolas and their relationship and tears escaped his emotionless numb eyes. The pain was hardly bearable. He missed the elf so much, it tore his heart in two. Why didn't Legolas seem to miss him the same way? Aragorn loved him with all his body, mind and soul and it was terrible and terrifying to think Legolas didn't love him any longer. To Aragorn there was no other explanation for Legolas' behaviour. Maybe he really didn't love him anymore. Finally the human man got up and with a certain wealth of bitterness inside he walked to the ledge and sat upon it.

Right here he had told Legolas so many stories when he couldn't stand up for so many days. Back then Aragorn had thought everything would turn out all right in the end, but now, here in this lonesome dark and most heartless room, he had to admit he had been wrong. What was keeping him here, if the elf stayed away from him all the time? With a gaze that was full of cares Aragorn looked to the moon as if he was calling it for advice, but the moon didn't reply to any of his questions. The critical words of his mother headed back to Aragorn's mind:

"What are your businesses in Mirkwood?" Gilraen had asked her son and now Aragorn had to confess there had been some truth behind this question. Indeed, what was he doing here? He had fought a battle because he had felt it had been necessary. He had accompanied his lover and had remained steadfastly at his side. But now that the elf was gone, what was keeping him here in Mirkwood?

For the first time this year he really longed to go back home to see his known friends again... He also dearly missed Lord Elrond and even his stubborn mother. How had it happened that he had to feel so miserable?

All of a sudden a noise stopped the mortal's train of thoughts: There was someone opening the door to this room. When he turned around he realized it was Legolas who was coming back to his own chamber after two days and nights. His wary facial expression made Aragorn's heart skip a beat. The elf looked exhausted and sad, and he closed the door and every of his movement screamed wordlessly an indication of regret. Very slowly and carefully he drew nearer to the window's ledge and sat down on it right next to Aragorn without even looking him in the eye. Tensed Aragorn looked up and stared at his lover, not wanting to miss a single word he might say.

"I'm sorry, melethron", Legolas said deadly serious and quietly. He didn't dare to meet Aragorn's worried gaze. Oh Eru, what had he done to his beloved mortal? How could he have been that full of selfishness? All he wanted was Aragorn's forgiveness for his actions. Eventually he felt a warm hand touching his and holding it gently and loosely. Doubtfully.

"Look at me, Legolas. Let me see your eyes."

Hesitantly Legolas uplifted his head and his gaze captured Aragorn's and their eyes observed each other's. Suddenly a smile crawled to Aragorn's lips. Relief flooded through his veins powerfully.

"You still love me, right?", he whispered and Legolas nodded and smiled in return.

"Of course I do. I love you like I have never loved someone, how could I ever forget about you?"

"Then why did you leave me alone lately?", Aragorn asked quietly to disguise the hurt in his voice – needless to say he failed. He realized this the moment Legolas looked at him again, astonished and grieved. The immortal hadn't thought Aragorn could be so offended and disappointed through his deeds. He sighed and wagged his head in a harassed way.

"First of all I have to tell you that even elves aren't without a stain. The most of us are self-pleased and like to think they're perfect, but I guess they're all just afraid to see they have the same flaws as mortal beings. And in the last days I had to realize I'm everything but perfect, too. I mean...", Legolas glanced up and smiled sadly.

"When was the last time I told you I love you? And when did I ask you how you're feeling recently? What did I think when I left you all alone in this horrible chamber, with nothing to do, no one to talk to... I must have been blind, mad, selfish, I don't know, maybe all of it..."

"Just tell me why you couldn't be with me, that's all I want to know before you continue running yourself down. And I might be feeling a bit sore about you, but that doesn't change my feelings for you at all."

With another desperate sigh of confusion and reservation Legolas got up and wandered around in the room aimlessly.

Over and over he ran his fingers through his hair.

To Aragorn his beloved seemed not only exhausted but also restless. What did he try to hold back? The mortal had seen Legolas like that before: The night Legolas had told him everything about Tinwe's death he had – at first – refused to let Aragorn be a part of his pain. A touching memory returned to the young man's mind: He had held Legolas tightly in his arms, pressed against his chest and had breathed in the ever so sweet and fresh scent of his gallant. He had wiped away the tears the elf had cried, and he had taken his fears with his words and caresses. Back then he had realized Legolas hadn't had the heart to explain his history to him because he had feared Aragorn would thought of him as a weak person. Unlovable, twisted with pain, too broken to be adored.

It was like a hit in his face the moment Aragorn understood that Legolas wasn't speaking to him right now for the same reason: He was afraid. Afraid that Aragorn didn't want him any longer, afraid that Aragorn wouldn't love him if he knew everything about him.

Forcefully Aragorn got up too and stepped right in front of his lover.

Determination shimmered through the mortal's gaze.

He needed Legolas to open up. He had to make him speak to him, no matter what. Aragorn didn't want to risk another desertion of the elf. Another time he didn't want to go through this all over again. With caution he reached out his hand and got hold of Legolas'. Gently he wrapped the immortal's hand with his fingertips.

"What have I done that I deserve so much of your mistrust? I miss you, Legolas, and I don't know why you didn't seem to miss me too. I'm just sad, very sad, when you are no longer around and I...", he started thoughtfully, but Legolas interrupted him in his monologue.

"No, I'm coming back to you. I have returned. And now I will never leave you again. I am yours, with all my heart. "

"Then please just tell me what happened to you... I was very worried about you...", Aragorn said quietly.

Legolas felt his heart throb heavily against his breast and somehow it was hard to keep breathing after he had perceived Aragorn's genuine, wary and doubtful words. Yes, he felt guilty because he had brought even more sorrows to the sorrowful mind of the mortal and because he had left him all on his own with these dismal thoughts. But nonetheless Legolas' heart twitched in joy the moment he realized Aragorn had thought about him all the time and it made him smile to be thought about.

Relieved the elf sat down on the sheets of his bed and with glittering eyes he beheld his young upset lover. Soon Aragorn took a seat right beside the immortal and he stared to the ground, waiting patiently for Legolas to start speaking. They didn't touch or look at each other, but Legolas' soapy and becalming scent felt like a caress to Aragorn which was softly meeting his skin and which was crawling under his clothes forcefully. It made him feel undressed. Without attracting attention Aragorn had to shudder in a thrill of excitement. It had been too long since they had been so close to each other. Legolas sighed. He didn't show if he was feeling the same way about Aragorn too, and when he started his explanations Aragorn forgot for a moment what he had been thinking of.

"You know... it all came to me when I woke up again after the last battle. Norgas was dead, the southern and northern elves were no longer foes and everything could have been perfect again. But not for me, I thought", Legolas said musingly. Aragorn nodded secretly. He began to understand Legolas' reasons.

"All these centuries my grief for Tinwe and my mother was mingled with rage, uproar, hate. I wanted to murder Norgas so badly all this time, I couldn't think about something else... but now that he's finally defeated all I feel is... well, not satisfaction, but sadness. Rage could have never replaced my beloved relatives, this I've finally understood... I guess for the first time in my life I could really mourn about my relatives without being furious about someone else. I don't know, I assume I simply had to straighten some things in my head, and I needed time to do this, all by myself. In fact I couldn't even care about the world around, not even you, because I was so confused. I was straying through the forest all day and all night long, not knowing where to go, not knowing how to continue living. Like I had thought so many times before: How shall I live on when these memories are always coming back and I'll never be able to suffer them?" For a second Legolas paused and shrugged.

"So, that's it. My great excuse and precise statement: I walked around in the wood, crying and in mourning, for two long days and two long-winded nights... Are you mad at me?"

For the first time this night Legolas uplifted his head to look right into his lover's eyes. All he could find in the fond gaze was sympathy, mixed with relief and devotion. A gentle smile enlightened Aragorn's weary features and without much thinking Legolas reached out for the pale face. With caution he wiped away some of the cold tears Aragorn had cried because of his loneliness a few minutes ago. Thereupon the mortal grasped Legolas' hand and held it pressed against his cheek. Flustered he shut his lids and sighed.

"No, I'm not angry. I just don't see what made you come back, what made your weak will strong again..."

Quickly Legolas leant forward and his lips touched Aragorn's briefly. It was just the idea of a kiss, but it made Aragorn shiver nonetheless. Deep inside he had to smile broadly.

"That's easy", Legolas whispered. "It was you."

Aragorn opened up his eyes and looked at Legolas with astonishment, being choked with emotion.

He didn't want Legolas to see him so moved by his words, so he chuckled quietly and looked away.

"Ay, but don't do that again or you won't have someone to come home to any longer", he teased.

"I mean it... If it wasn't for you I wouldn't be here, I wouldn't be who I am today. The longer I stayed away from you the more I realized how much I love and miss you...", Legolas confessed.

All of a sudden Aragorn became very serious too.

"I only say this once..." Slowly the mortal came nearer until his forehead almost met Legolas'. He felt the shivering breaths of Mirkwood's prince hitting his lips recurrently. Flustered about this sudden nearness and the arousal implied Legolas shut his lids and breathed in. The young man had to struggle with himself and he was biting his bottom lip. It was so difficult to hold his fire back, not to grab Legolas and kiss him until both of their mouths bled. He had to make a point.

"The only reason I stayed here was my hope you would come back. If you are not around there is no need for me to stay here any longer. So please think twice before you leave me like this again... You had me worried to death. I know you didn't mean to, but I... I care more about you than I should." With these words being said Aragorn's voice failed and turned into a silent whisper which gave Legolas the creeps. In earnest and with a solemn face the elf nodded his head whereupon he sighed.

Then he crawled into Aragorn's lap and put his arms around his lover's back. Their foreheads touched and Aragorn embraced the elf, pulled him nearer to his chest, to his harsh beating heartthrobs. Eventually the couple kissed. Similar to so many other nights their mouths didn't form a smile, nor did they speak a word. The passion they felt for each other was too pressing to waste time with such simple and meaningless gestures and attempts.

In spite of that they took their time to explore every part of their soft lips and secretly they counted their breaths and heartbeats. Aragorn was simply glad to hold the elf in his arms again. For one night he didn't have to keep worrying. In lack of air they disengaged unwillingly and continued hugging each other. It was a thoughtless gentle touch the moment Aragorn's rangy fingers ran through Legolas' blonde and soft hair, but to the elf this touch meant the world. He could feel his gallant's longing and love for him within this caress, he could understand every unspoken word. Their feelings for the other man were beyond expressions. Again they shared a long and slow kiss whereat Aragorn's hand slid down Legolas' ribs demandingly. Aroused Legolas' threw back his head, breaking their kiss to moan gently. The mortal rested his hands upon Legolas' hips and drew him closer to his body.

The desire and loneliness of the last days had led to this, Aragorn thought. He had wanted to feel his lover by his side in all these sleepless nights and right now the increasing pounding in his crotch underlined this wanton craving. Without being able to control his movements the young man watched how his right hand covered Legolas' bare throat and how it found its way down. Ever so lightly but yet so demandingly the palm of his hand slid down the immortal's collarbone, thereupon it lingered upon the muscular upper body until it came to rest upon Legolas' abdomen. The elf kept shuddering, his lids closed. Several moans escaped his lips when Aragorn kissed the spot where his neck met his shoulder. Only accidentally Aragorn noticed how his physical shell had started to tremble too. His breath came at intervals. Over and over again his lips returned to Legolas' mouth. How he longed to be one with his soul mate again...

By the time his other hand lay down on Legolas' clothe covered chest the immortal suddenly pulled away, refusing every further touch. Several thoughts and doubts headed back to Aragorn's mind and he beheld Legolas' serious mien. The elf was averting his eyes, disallowing every attempt of making eye contact.

"What is it?", Aragorn gasped at last. "Am I hurting you?"

Legolas wagged his head to deny Aragorn's apprehension. There was a long moment of awkward silence, but eventually Aragorn dared to ask another question. He couldn't hide the fear and his offended feelings while speaking.

"Don't you want this? Shall I keep my hands off of you?"

Legolas raised his head and his eyes showed Aragorn a shy hesitant gaze. Again the elf looked down and shook his head in denial. He wanted Aragorn, oh, and how he craved for the mortal. But he couldn't because...

"It's not like that... I want you, Aragorn, but...", he whispered with a trembling voice. It wasn't more than just a breathy voice and it aroused the mortal even more. It would have been so easy to simply grab Legolas and force him to explain his doubts to him. Instead he let his fingertips crawl down to the immortal's slender wrist and with caution he caressed their soft skin. The elf didn't have to give him explanations – he had guessed his worries some time ago.

"I'm not as naïve as you think, Legolas", Aragorn uttered whereupon he kissed his lover's temple. Legolas sighed, leant in and bent his head to let Aragorn kiss his neck playfully. But there was still something beneath Legolas' skin that showed Aragorn the elf was still resisting this nearness.

"Do you really think I only see your outward appearance?", Aragorn asked quietly against the soft skin of Legolas' throat. Immediately he felt the elf tense up in his arms. Nonetheless Aragorn couldn't be intimidated. Somehow he was very self-assured at the moment and he wasn't going to let Legolas believe his wrong assumptions.

"I want you to know I still think you're the most beautiful man I've ever seen. And I love you and I need to be with you right now...", he continued affirmatively. Determination captured and strangled Aragorn's heart and he embraced Legolas firmly to press him against his trembling chest. He felt the elf's whole body shudder in his hug and no seconds later Legolas responded the embrace. Encouraged Aragorn let his fingertips crawl down to Legolas' waist and most unerringly they slipped under the sheer fabric of Legolas' tunic to stroke the elf's smooth skin.

"Let me show you how much I desire you", Aragorn whispered and Legolas clasped the mortal's body firmer. It was the moment Aragorn lost his mind's control when Legolas kissed his neck with caution and whereupon he spoke into Aragorn's ear an almost begging "please" with his hoarse dark voice.

Dealing gently with the uncertain immortal Aragorn disengaged a bit to take off Legolas' tunic. The elf allowed the sudden exposure, but he held his eyes shut as if he was too afraid to see his own body, not able to bear the thought of Aragorn seeing him like this. His scar seemed to burn on his chest disruptively. He sighed and tried to hold back the tears – how could Aragorn enjoy this sight? How he could love someone who looked like this?

The mortal just beheld his friend and lover with a knowing smile. He ran exploring hands up and down Legolas' naked back and bare stomach, not willed to be frightened through Legolas' unease. He had to feed this creature of longing inside of him and he had to make sure Legolas believed his revelations. Aragorn watched how his hands twined around the elf's shoulders to gently push him from his lap down upon the mattress. It was like a cruel game when he pulled his shirt over his head oh so very slowly as if to tease Legolas who considered Aragorn's chest attentively. His craving for the young man almost made him forget his nagging doubts and thoughts.

Impulsively Aragorn bent over Legolas' half-naked body and they made eye contact automatically. The mortal supported his own weight through bracing himself against the mattress with his hands which bordered Legolas' head, never escaping the elf's gaze. He could read so much in his lover's eyes: the fear, the love, the want. Soon he found delight in teasing his beloved when he moved his face nearer to Legolas' lips. Instead of kissing him he breathed right against the sweet trembling mouth, almost tasting their flavour and whenever Legolas tried to capture his lips Aragorn pulled away. He watched how Legolas closed his lids, flustered and strung up for lust. "Aragorn, stop taunting me!", he panted whereupon Aragorn just laughed.

Before long Aragorn slipped down his lover's body, always focused to touch and kiss each fibre of this addicting warm skin. After all the mortal felt unsure whether he could touch Legolas' wound or if it was better to leave it alone for now. Then he decided, because he was trying to get something across to Legolas, to show him how he really felt about his stigmata. Actually he thought it made his lover look more dangerous but also more vulnerable, which was a strange but arousing mixture for the eye. Very carefully he let his lips wander like a ghost over the healed but marked skin. Underneath his body he felt Legolas twitch nervously, but he didn't know if this was a good sign or not. So he continued his caresses, slightly unimpressed about Legolas' innocent attempts to struggle against what the elf himself wanted so badly. Aragorn's hands slid up and down Legolas' naked sides and finally he heard some few aroused sighs escaping his sweetheart's mouth. For a few seconds the elf's violent temper took away Aragorn's breath.

Soon Aragorn's lips covered every part of Legolas' scar, noticing the former injury had become a very sensitive spot to him because the elf was heavily trembling and moaning every time his mouth touched another piece of his healed skin.

When he finally kissed Legolas' hip bone he felt rangy hot fingers upon his neck.

"Aragorn, what are you doing?", the elf murmured but Aragorn didn't reply. Instead he undid, ever so freely, Legolas' trousers, whereupon Legolas chuckled breathlessly and leant back into the pillows.

"I told you I wanted to show you how much I love and want you", the mortal finally uttered while he took down the last clothing which hid Legolas' body.

"Now be quiet and let me show you what I mean..."

With that last and clear announcement Aragorn positioned his head between Legolas' slender thighs. He forced him to put them slightly apart when he kissed the insides of his thighs whereupon he received a heartbreaking and surprised moan. From the corner of his eyes Aragorn could spot how Legolas' hands grabbed the sheets of the bed to get some support. The world in front of Legolas' eyes was spinning and the shadows of the ceiling were falling down upon his body. When had it become so hard to hold the balance, so hard to keep his eyes opened? Oh Eru, he had never felt so desired and so vulnerable at the same time...

Aragorn could not continue. He had to sneak a peek of his aroused lover, the creature inside of him longed to see him in this seldom appearance. Never before had Aragorn seen Legolas so handsome, violable and dangerous. The red scar upon his chest seemed to shine like a flame in the dark. Without much thinking Aragorn reached out his hand and touched Legolas' cheek and the elf opened his eyes to meet Aragorn's fond gaze. For a few seconds the time was standing still. Aragorn felt as if he had been drawn into an abstract painting - Legolas' beauty and their passionate love for each other seemed so unworldly, not comprehensible for a world like theirs.

"I can't even explain to you how much I need you. I want you so badly, it almost hurts", he finally whispered. Then he saw something coming to life in Legolas' pupils and from one second to the other the immortal's eyes went dark with want. Aragorn barely payed attention to Legolas' hands that skimmed over his naked back but he had to gasp when the elf grabbed hold of his buttocks and when he pressed their pelvis together. Somehow their roles had been reversed within the last seconds.

"Why don't you just take what you and I need so badly?", Legolas questioned and smiled when Aragorn awoke from his reservation. The mortal kissed his beloved harshly until he tasted their mingled blood in his mouth. Nonetheless he didn't stop kissing his lover who quivered and moaned in unison with Aragorn. Somehow the pain of their kisses felt right. Determined Aragorn let his hand wander between Legolas' legs again to press them apart forcefully.

"Don't worry, I will...", Aragorn muttered whereupon he let Legolas take off his trousers.

(…)

Legolas' whole body ached but nevertheless he felt the complete bliss of pure perfection running through his veins. His and Aragorn's wet bodies were wrapped around each other and intertwined in an embrace of sheer exhaustion. Again Legolas could feel Aragorn kissing his forehead and he had to smile happily. He uplifted his head slowly and considered his lover's features thoughtfully. The mortal's eyes were shining at him in the gloom. The moon provided only the idea of an illumination. Dawn was near. Just when Legolas wanted to say something Aragorn smiled and put his index finger upon Legolas' bottom lip.

"Before you start... I just want to know if you believe me in the end."

Legolas furrowed his brows to express his confusion.

"Believe you what?"

Abruptly Aragorn had to smile.

"That I love you. That I think you're charmingly handsome. That I can read between the lines of the book that is you. You know there are so many things I love about you and they're covered beneath your good looks. Right here...", Aragorn explained and touched Legolas' head and heart lightly, "and I can see them, I'm not blind..."

Ever so gently Legolas seized Aragorn's hand and cosied up. In an instant their lips osculated affectionately. The elf could not hide the layers of mixed emotions when he raised his voice to speak.

"I know, meleth... Just had to make sure you still do love me."

"Darling, I'm sorry, but sometimes you're just foolish", Aragorn teased and laughed, rubbing his noise against Legolas'.

"How could I ever let you go?", he asked the immortal.

Legolas shrugged.

"All I know is that I will never let you go, too", the Mirkwood prince promised musingly. Suddenly he became as solemn as a judge and he rose into a sitting position, affectionately glancing down at Aragorn who contemplated their intertwined fingers.

"After all you have done for me I think there won't be a way for me to ever give up on you, and I never ever want to abandon you. I owe you so much..."

For a second he paused, not sure whether he should unfold his innermost thoughts and secret promises to his lover. The voice of uncertainty inside never seemed to sleep or go away. But then he looked into Aragorn's reassuring eyes and he found the courage to speak on.

"I think it was destiny that brought us two together and my life shall be bound to yours as long as you want it to. And whatever it is that is good for you... I'm going to spent my power for that you will receive it... I want to do whatever makes you happy...", Legolas said resolutely. Deeply moved by this selfless oath Aragorn looked at Legolas' pale and pretty face in amazement.

"Why? What have I done to be due to this?", he asked sceptically. Softly Legolas touched the man's cheek. The mortal felt so fragile in his hands, almost too fragile and too precious to be touched.

"You have saved me from myself. You made me overcome my pain, you turned me into a better person. And you showed me what it's like to love and to be loved. It's something I will never forget...", he confessed in a whisper, whereby he blushed. He couldn't look up again after saying these sentences – he felt too vulnerable and too bare to even risk receiving an emotional glimpse of his beloved human. His nudity made him feel uneasy as well. The elf had shown Aragorn everything that had been kept inside his mind. Aragorn had made him his completely. He had taken possession of his body, heart and mind. And Legolas knew he would never be able to suffer any form of rejection coming from the mortal.

Anyhow all of his fears turned out to be meaningless, because Aragorn just st up and put his arms around Legolas' shoulder and pulled him close to his chest, aware of his gallant's complex emotional structure and dark thoughts. Finally their torsos touched and their hot skin collided. Soon Legolas could notice Aragorn's forehead resting upon his naked shoulder and sweet tickling kisses were being placed upon his sensitive spot. Thoughtlessly the elf let his rangy fingers slid down Aragorn's back, always tracing his spine. The mortal shuddered in his arms. Words headed back to Aragorn, a suggestion the elf had given him a while ago. He had to smile. Maybe it was just fair to beat Legolas at his own game.

"Melethron, have some confidence", he whispered into the immortal's ear, whereupon Legolas just clasped him to his bosom. The elf had to smile and a tear of affection escaped his eye. Aragorn could feel it bedewing his skin as well. The elf's fingers got lost in Aragorn's warm soft hair, continuously playing with the dark strands of hair.

"I do... I do now", the elf said quietly. Subsequently the couple intensified the embrace, not willed to ever let go.

(…)

Legolas heard dozens of birds twitter in the forest when he woke up. For a moment he had to straighten his mind, but the moment he saw Aragorn sleeping peacefully right next to him he remembered everything. A smile crept to his lips and he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes. The golden morning light illuminated the quiet chamber – it was the early prime of the day. Musingly Legolas got up and collected some clothes for today. He walked to the bathroom and washed himself thoroughly, smirking when he found a few bite marks upon his body Aragorn had left there last night. Finally he was dressed and coincidentally his eyes got hold of his mirror image in his room.

As accurately as possible he sight himself, trying to read his eyes' expression. He visualized all the happenings of the last months, years and centuries and for the first time in a long time he felt young and incredibly alive. Whenever a dismal thought grabbed his mind it was automatically replaced with a vivid memory of Aragorn and a smile could return to the elf's mouth. At last Legolas' recollections wandered back to his older and dead brother Tinwe. He was suddenly overcome by the realization that he couldn't mourn for his beloved relative any longer. Somewhere in his heart the door to his sorrows had been shut. And even if someone opened it up again all one could see wouldn't be horrible thoughts anymore. When Legolas turned around to face his sleeping lover he understood he had finally overcome his losses.

It was like a last greeting and a confirmation of releasing when the wind whooshed against the chamber's windows. Legolas looked outside. The wind rocked the fresh green leaves of the trees in the forest and for Legolas they waved goodbye to his grief. In the end the wind took all what was left of the elf's pain to carry it far, far away. With a smile Legolas sat down next to Aragorn and his fingers stroked some wisps of the dark hair gently. Aragorn just murmured in his sleep and when Legolas lay down beside him the mortal snuggled up to him. Legolas put his arms around his gallant's body and pulled him close. Finally things had come to an end, but a new life was coming to them, and Legolas was absolutely ready to embrace it with open arms.

To be continued...

Wanna know something? When I started this story I had the aim to reach 20 000 words, now there are circa 45 000 words... insane, right? Well, there is going to be one more post! Please write a review, it means more than I could tell...! I'm so nervous about this chapter... coughs, laughs... See you next time! Yours, MistofStars