Chapter 10: At home again

The next days were agony for Legolas and the twins. They made good progress and soon left Tharbad behind them, but during the first three days no opportunity arose to speak with Aragorn in private. While they rode, the group kept close together to protect each other from the harsh wind and the occasional rain shower, and when they made camp, there was always someone around. Halbarad seemed to be glued to Aragorn's side, so happy was he to have his cousin and friend back. And when it was not Halbarad, it was Halgel who wanted a word with Aragorn. It was frustrating for the elves, but they did their best not to let it show.

Of the three companions, Legolas was the one who suffered the most. Being so near to Aragorn and at the same time unimaginable far away was torturing him. He longed to speak with him in private, to hold him in his arms, to feel him near. Oh, how he missed him! Furthermore, the questions that Legolas wanted to ask and which's answers he dreaded, ate him up from the inside. They burned on his tongue, and Legolas knew that he would sooner or later explode if he could not ask them soon.

To his great relief, that opportunity arose on the fourth day of their journey. It was already late afternoon when they stopped to make camp. While the rangers began to built a small fire, Halgel and Halbarad cared for the horses; one of them had trodden on a sharp stone, and the hoof had to be treated so that he animal would not begin to founder. Seeing that the rangers were distracted, Legolas quickly grabbed Aragorn by the elbow and guided him away from the small group, calling over his shoulder at the twins, "We will search for firewood. We'll be back soon." Elladan and Elrohir exchanged a quick look, relief and worry in equal parts visible in their grey orbs.

Legolas led Aragorn away from the small camp, and when they left the group behind, they were slowly swallowed by dusk. After a few minutes, the group of rangers and two elves was barely visible in the swiftly falling darkness. Aragorn, unaware of Legolas' intentions, had his arms already halfway filled with dead branches and the occasional dry bush; When he was suddenly grabbed and engulfed by strong arms, the wood clattered to the ground. But, it took Aragorn only a moment to return Legolas' hug with equal passion. He buried his face in Legolas' golden tresses and breathed in the oh so familiar scent of his friend and lover. It was many minutes later that they broke apart, their eyes shining with renewed friendship and tender love.

"I missed you so much, Legolas." Aragorn whispered, tracing his finger down Legolas' cheek and jaw. "I thought that I would never see you again, that fate had us parted forever. It was a doom I could barely bear. Only the hope that Lithdal had lied and you still lived saw me through those weeks." A single tear rolled down his cheek, and he bit his lip to stop more from following. The weeks he had spent in the company of Lithdal, the days of pain and insecurity, of humility and fear suddenly overwhelmed him. The walls he had erected around his heart broke, and fresh tears fell freely down his cheeks.

"Oh Estel!" Legolas cried and drew the young man against himself. Stroking his back, he placed his chin on Aragorn's head. "When I saw you being stabbed, I felt my heart break in my chest. It was so horrible! And then I thought that you were dead and I nearly lost hope to ever find you. But now, now you are back and everything will be as it once was. You'll see, meleth (love), the darkness has no power over us. Even the darkest night will be lighted by morn and you and I, we will overcome even the most bleak of fates. We are stronger than that, Estel. You have been returned to me, and I will be forever grateful." He drew away and gazed into Aragorn's eyes. "I love you, Estel, with all my heart. And if the Valar would ask it of me, I would climb into the fires of Mount Doom, dive to the ground of the Sea and even kneel before the Valar if only I could spend another day in your company."

Surprised and moved by Legolas' fervent speech, Aragorn whispered, "Do you mean that?"

"Aye, I do, Estel." Smiling, Legolas leaned forwards, cupped Aragorn's face with his hands and kissed him. When their lips met, passion raced through their bodies, fuelled by their long separation and the overwhelming emotions of love and devotion. Soon, arms wrapped around chests, fingers tangled in golden and dark tresses, and the soft sounds of salacious kissing filled the air. It was not long before they sank to the ground, the world around them forgotten.

They lay on the grass, their bodies intimately entwined, and their lips companions of passion. Neither Legolas nor Aragorn was inclined to end their reunion, but they both knew that they could go no further than kissing and touching. The camp was too close, the night too still. And furthermore, their absence would soon be marked. So, they joined their lips in tender union once more, before they regretfully broke apart.

Sighing in delight, Aragorn snuggled close to Legolas, placed his head on the elf's shoulder and entwined their fingers. Being close to Legolas was pure bliss, and he felt once more the harmony he only experienced when he was with his Prince. After all these weeks, he finally felt complete once more. He closed his eyes and let his mind drift away, unwilling to just yet return to reality.

Beside him, Legolas enjoyed the feel of Aragorn at his side, and filled his nostrils with his lover's familiar scent. His lips still tingled from their shared kisses, and his pounding member clearly told him that he wished for more. He knew they must wait until they were alone, but oh, with Aragorn at his side, it was so difficult to behave!

Smiling at the memory of his young lover's passionate kisses of just moments prior, Legolas gazed down at the young man. Aragorn had his eyes closed, and there was a happy smile on his lips. A gust of wind moved through his dark tresses, and a beam of moonlight streamed down and bathed his face in silvery light. The sight nearly took Legolas' breath away; in all his years on Arda had he never seen such a perfect creature, a being so full of love and passion and honor. His heart swelled at the sight, and instinctively, he pressed Aragorn tighter against his chest. Not for the first time he wondered what he had done to deserve a friend and lover as Aragorn. Truly, he was blessed.

When more minutes had passed than was entirely appropriate for them to be away from the group, Legolas gently shook Aragorn's shoulder. "We should return, meleth (love), ere they send someone to come looking for us."

Sighing, Aragorn sat up and brushed dry leaves and blades of grass off his cloak and tunic. "I wish we were home already, and this secrecy would end. It is frustrating to be someone else all the time."

At Aragorn's words, Legolas was reminded of the questions that had been burning on the tip of his tongue for days now. Secrecy….what secret was Aragorn hiding from him? While their intimacy of this night had mostly alleviated his fears that Lithdal might have touched him, Legolas was still worried, and he knew that he would only find peace when he had heard from Aragorn that nothing had befallen him. Deciding that now was as good a time as any, Legolas touched Aragorn's hand to get his attention.

Piercing blue eyes met stormy grey in the light of the moon, and before he could change his mind, Legolas practically blurted out his question, "Estel, please tell me to ease my heart. Did Lithdal touch you?"

Aragorn was taken aback by the question, and his eyes narrowed for a second. But then he saw the sincere pain in the Prince's eyes, the heartache should his answer be yes, and the compassion for his plight. So, he gripped Legolas' hands tightly with his own, looked deep into his eyes, and shook his head, "The day I attempted to escape he tried to take me, but he did not succeed. He paid with his life for his attempt." A shadow fell across Aragorn's eyes, and he looked to the ground briefly, before he got to his feet, reaching a hand down to help Legolas up. "Rest assured in the knowledge that you are the only one whom I yielded to, willingly or unwillingly."

For the first time since days, a true, relieved smile played across Legolas' face. Their lips met in another fierce kiss, before they quickly scrambled around the plains for firewood. The moon stood already high in the sky when they repentantly returned to the small camp the rangers had made.

*****

At the next opportunity, Legolas informed Elladan and Elrohir of Aragorn's words that Lithdal had not violated him, and from that day on, the mood around the twins changed from tense to almost enlivened. They took up their usual banter, goaded each other into exhilarating tales of their childhood, and regaled the rangers with their pranks.

When they finally reached the village, the lore of Aragorn's escape had already reached the North, and all other search parties had in the meantime returned to the village. The night of their arrival, the Dunedain arranged a great feast in the town hall of the village. Almost all inhabitants attended, and there was much song and dance, good food and even more wine and ale. Aragorn was asked to tell the tale of his journey numerous times, until Legolas practically speared everyone who dared to ask with his gaze. It was not long before the rangers simply clapped Aragorn on the shoulder as a sign of their gratefulness of his return.

It was already long past midnight when Legolas, Aragorn and the twins closed the door to Aragorn's house behind them. They had lit a tiny fire before leaving for the feast, and the small house was still cozily warm. Yawning, Aragorn stumbled for the bench at the table; he had drunk too much ale, but the happy atmosphere and the good food had put him into high-spirits. Only now, after the feast, his body felt tired and exhausted, and he knew that he would be asleep in mere minutes. Still, he was surprised when Legolas wrapped his arms around his waist and pulled him away from the bench and towards the bedroom.

"To bed with you Estel!" He laughed, carefree and happy. "If you sit down on the bench you will fall asleep with your head on the table!"

"I'm not tired." Aragorn replied, but his eyelids were already drooping and he had to hide a huge yawn behind his hand. When his brothers shot him pointed but amused looks, he conceded, "Alright, maybe I'm a bit tired."

"Go to bed, little brother." Elladan teased, waving him out of the room. "I'm sure Legolas will tuck you in properly."

"Aye, and if you are a good little boy he will read you a story." Elrohir quipped, a broad grin on his cheeks. Sensing a little good humored banter in the air, Elladan winked at Aragorn and Legolas. "And when you are a very good little boy, Legolas might even play with you before bed."

Snickering, Elrohir nodded eagerly, "You could play horse and rider!"

"Elrohir!" Aragorn groaned, blushing to the very tips of his hairs. But before his elven brothers could say another word, Legolas jockeyed them into the bedroom and closed the door behind them with an audible thud. For a moment, silence reigned, and then the melodious laugher of the twins echoed from the walls.

"Peredhil!" Legolas huffed, but he smiled and Aragorn knew that he was not serious. Legolas had been friends with the twins for centuries, and he loved them and their wicked tongues dearly. Although, he too had blushed slightly at their words. While the twins had accepted their relationship from the start, neither Aragorn nor Legolas had shown their bond when not in private, and that even included the Last Homely House. The fact that the twins now joked so openly did them both good, for it meant that their relationship had truly been accepted.

Legolas and Aragorn quickly washed and stepped into their nightclothes, before they climbed into bed. Both were too tired to even think about any bed play, and so Aragorn simply rested his head on Legolas' shoulder as was his wont, with his arm draped across the elf's chest. They shared a sweet kiss, then soon fell asleep.

At first, Aragorn was not sure what had woken him, but a second later his mind was shaken wide awake by a warm tongue that lapped down the side of his neck. Hissing at the sensation, he tilted his head to give the tongue more access. The tongue travelled down to the place where his jaw met his ear, only to be replaced by teasing lips. Moaning softly, Aragorn shifted his body, and he was not surprised when strong arms took him by the shoulders and rolled him so that he lay on his back.

Opening his eyes, he gazed into the lust filled orbs of the Prince. A sweet, tender smile played around Legolas' lips, before they sank down to meet Aragorn's in a passionate encounter. His tongue asked for entrance which was readily given, and he invaded the warm cave with salacious movements. Their bodies molded together, legs tangled and fingers groped, touched and caressed. Soon, Aragorn writhed under Legolas with undamped desire, and Legolas groaned from the effort to slow down; He wanted Aragorn to enjoy their reunion as much as he would.

Shifting downwards, he kissed and nipped his way along Aragorn's chest, making Aragorn shift wantonly on the bed. With long, slender fingers, Legolas massaged Aragorn's thighs, before he kneeled between his legs. Willingly, Aragorn spread his legs to give him more access, and when Legolas leaned down and engulfed his shaft within his mouth, Aragorn cried out in pleasure. His pounding member was thoroughly licked and squeezed, and he could not help but buck up into the demanding mouth. Legolas quickly brought him to completion, and when he found his release, Legolas' name spilled hoarsely from his lips.

After pleasuring his young lover, Legolas felt his own desire mount to incomparable heights. The sight of Aragorn finding his release, the healthily flushed cheeks, the thin sheen of sweat on his body, it was enough to drive Legolas crazy with want. Spreading Aragorn's pliant legs even further, he settled between his legs and skillfully let his fingers dive into Aragorn's passage. A deep moan filled the air, and Aragorn writhed on the sheets. It was but moments before Legolas guided his erect shaft to his entrance.

As was their wont, the pair shared a passion filled gaze, before they rubbed their noses together in their own signal that they were both ready to be joined in body. Legolas entered Aragorn's flesh with but one deep thrust. Their hips immediately found their rhythm, and they joined each other in the rapidly mounting pleasure of their coupling. What began as a tender loving, soon turned into a heated coupling, in which Legolas lost all restraint, while Aragorn gave himself fully over to his lover. Aragorn found his release first, spilling his essence between their joined bodies, and Legolas followed him over the edge but a moment later, crying out Aragorn's name just as the other had done before.

After their joining they lay in blissful afterglow for many minutes, each of them trying to find his breath and the strength to move. Their coupling had been pure pleasure, the sensations intensified by their long separation. It was almost half an hour later when Legolas hushed to the water basin that stood on a table, came back with a wet cloth and quickly cleaned them up. Then he lay down beside Aragorn and drew the young man into his embrace. It was still dark outside, although the first grey glimmer of morning sparkled at the distant horizon.

Aragorn was lost in thought, and he absently brushed his thump in steady strokes across Legolas' forearm. For some endless minutes Legolas' watched his young lover's distracted play, musing about their relationship. What had begun as a fickle crush on his side had over the years turned into a deep seated desire for the young human and then become true, never ending love. But oh, Legolas had never hoped that Aragorn would return his feelings! But then fate had intervened, and Aragorn had opened to his love, and with gentle steps and loving tenderness, Legolas had managed to enter the man's heart. During the two years of their relationship, they had overcome more sorrows and had been hurt more than he had ever imagined was possible. But Aragorn had never turned from him, on the contrary, even after all the mistakes Legolas had made, he had stuck with him. Before Aragorn, Legolas had not known how wonderful life could be. Legolas knew that Aragorn loved him, and that he held a deep-seated affection for him.

And still ... Looking down on Aragorn's dark locks, Legolas frowned. Although Aragorn loved him and trusted him with his very life, he kept a secret from him. Maybe their love was not as strong as he had thought. Or perhaps the secret Aragorn was keeping was something that he did not wish to bother Legolas' with. The frown on his handsome face deepened, and Legolas bit his bottom lip. Coming to a decision, he placed a kiss on the dark locks.

"Estel?"

"Mh?"

"Do you love me?"

Legolas felt the young human tense in his arms and a second later, wide grey eyes looked up at him, "Of course I do, Legolas. I thought you knew that." There was a little hurt in the grey depth, but it was overshadowed by anxiousness.

"And do you remember what we swore each other after the horrible things that happened in Mirkwood?"

Now truly confused, Aragorn sat up and drew slightly away from the elf, so that he could face him. "Of course I do, how could I ever forget when it was I who asked for this pledge? We swore that we would tell each other the truth, always, and keep nothing of import from the other."

Legolas nodded and locked his blue eyes with Aragorn's. Very gently, so as not to hurt his young lover, Legolas queried, "You say you love me and that you trust me. But then why do you lie to me and tell me that you are alright, when I can see that something is bothering you? Why do you keep secrets from me, Estel?"

Aragorn's eyes widened in surprise, but barely a second later his shutters came down and he hid his emotions behind his barriers. Indignant, he shook his head and turned away from Legolas, "I'm not keeping a secret, Legolas. You should know me better than that." Reaching out, he picked up his nightshirt and pulled it over his head.

"I should, but I obviously don't, for you just lied again at me." Sadly, Legolas shook his head and sighed. "Do you hold me in so little regard that you would think that I would exploit your weaknesses, Estel? That I would mock you for whatever it is you do not wish to tell me? You should know me better than that." He flung Aragorn's own words back at him, but without scorn or rancor.

While Legolas watched, Aragorn's shoulders sagged and he bowed his head. A deep sigh floated through the still room. "I'm sorry, Legolas, I did not mean to be cross with you. It's just that…I don't know." He turned pleading eyes at Legolas, hoping that his lover would understand.

"Come here." Legolas reached out and drew Aragorn back into his embrace. "You trust me, don't you?" Aragorn nodded, resting his head on Legolas's shoulder, his face turned away from the elf. "Then why don't you confide in me, Estel? You know that I will listen." Gently, Legolas trailed his slender fingers through the young man's dark locks in a supportive and at the same time loving gesture. After a moment, Aragorn took a deep breath. Resting in the Prince's arms, he felt loved and wanted as he had never been loved before, and the feeling of belonging was so strong that tears stung his eyes. Blinking them away, he began to tell Legolas of what was troubling him.

"Do you remember the day in Mirkwood when we discussed Lithdal's possible sentence with your father?" Legolas nodded, "I remember as if it was but yesterday that we talked about it." And it was true; the elven memory is far superior to that of humans, and as soon as Legolas concentrated on that day, he could clearly remember it.

"When we spoke about Lithdal's future, do you remember what I told you? What I thought about the possible options and why I thought them inappropriate?" Aragorn's voice was soft now, and he idly twisted the sheets between his fingers, his mind far away.

Frowning, Legolas thought back on that day, "We faced the choices of Lithdal either being exiled or sailing to the Undying Lands. You said that you did not want him to sail because that would mean that I would have to face him one day. And that would mean that Aman would not be a place of peace for me, but just another nightmare." Legolas had to swallow at the memory, still moved by Aragorn's concern for him and the young man's devotion to make Legolas' life happy and peaceful even after his own death. "The option of Lithdal being exiled did not appeal to you, either." Legolas' frown deepened. "You said you would have to face him again one day and that it would come to a fight in which you would have to kill Lithdal to safe your own life." Legolas' voice became a whisper as realization set in. "You said that you could never kill an elf, because that is against the will of Eru."

Suddenly, Legolas understood what bothered Aragorn, what had caused his troubled sleep. In the end, Aragorn had had no other option than to kill Lithdal, to end the life of a Firstborn. For one who had been brought up with the knowledge that life was sacred and that especially the life of the Firstborn was a gift that had to be treasured, killing an elf must have been a horrible experience. While Legolas mourned every death of an elf, the demise of Lithdal did not bother him; the elf had been evil incarnated. Instinctively, Legolas drew Aragorn closer against him.

Twisting the sheets in his fingers, Aragorn continued, "Yes, that were my words, and now look what happened. I killed him. I ended an eternal life, Legolas." Aragorn shook his head in misery, "I ended that which was not meant to ever end! What right did I – a mere human – have to lay hands on an elf? What was I thinking? If I could just go back or turn back time, I would…"

Legolas cut him off, "I hope you would do just the same."

This brought Aragorn up short, and he turned his head to look at Legolas, "But…"

"No but, Estel." Earnest blue eyes locked with stormy grey. "You did the only thing you could do, Estel, and you furthermore acted in self-defense. Yes, you killed an elf, but that same elf tried to kill you."

Unwilling to believe Legolas' words, Aragorn argued, "But Lithdal was an elf, Legolas, he was not meant to die. Not at the hands of an adan (human)."

"Nonsense! What right do you think did he have to kill you? You are not less than he was, Estel, if anything, you are worth more than he could ever have been, elf or no." Legolas saw that something flickered in Aragorn's gaze, and he quickly moved on. "It is true that elves are not meant to die, but we can die. That in itself means that even the Valar wished for a possibility to kill us." Aragorn opened his mouth to dispute, but Legolas swiftly placed his fingers over his mouth to silence him. "You said that you did not wish to kill Lithdal because he was an elf, and that I can understand. But Estel, the worth of a person is not defined by their race. It is what a person does that characterizes it, only their intentions and their actions make a person who it is. The worth of a person lies not in its race. An elf, a human even a hobbit can be good or evil. We would do right in only judge a person by their actions and not their appearance.

Lithdal was an elf, but he was evil to the core. He might have been born an elf and brought up as an elf, but he decided to cast off everything that defines elves; the pure heart, the good intentions, that we care for others and not only ourselves, our readiness to help others and so much more. By doing so, he turned into something that was so evil and so bad that I would have thought him to be an orc, had he not looked like an elf. Lithdal got what he deserved, and he brought his own doom down upon himself."

Legolas took Aragorn's hands in his own, "You, Estel, are much more of an elf, in heart, spirit and mind, than Lithdal could ever have been."

A single tear rolled freely down Aragorn's cheek and he bowed his head, "Legolas, I…" He shook his head and locked his eyes with the elf's, "Thank you."

Impulsively, Legolas wrapped his arms around Aragorn's shoulders and held him near. They stayed liked this for many minutes, both secure in the other's arms. When weak light began to seep through the window, Aragorn told Legolas of his nightmares and the times that he had meant to see Lithdal's ghost. Legolas had no explanation, but he thought that it had been Aragorn's guilty conscience that had conjured up the apparition. Maybe now, after Aragorn had told him of his misplaced guilt, the nightmares would end. Not soon after, Aragorn fell into a deep slumber, his strength sapped by their love play and the confession of his feelings.

It was almost noon when he climbed out of bed, washed, dressed and began his day. When he had woken, the bed had been empty; Legolas had gotten up hours ago. Revived by his long rest and the burden that had been lifted from his shoulders, Aragorn pushed open the door to the main room. And stopped in his tracks in wonder!

"What….what is this?" He asked nonplussed, a confused smile on his lips.

In front of him, the room had been decorated with colorful banners, sweet smelling herbs and numerous candles to staff of the gloom of the day. Dried leaves and nuts decorated the table, on which plates and cups had been placed. The smell of freshly baked bread filled the air, combined with herbs, butter and honey. His brothers sat in front of the hearth, huge grins on their faces, while Legolas sat at the table with a package in hand that he quickly hid behind his back when Aragorn entered the room.

"What does it look like, little brother?" Elladan said and got up from his seated position. He exchanged a smile with his twin, who climbed to his feet and winked at Aragorn.

"I don't know." Aragorn tilted his head to the side and glanced at the room. It did remind him of the feast they had held the night before, but for the life of him, he had no idea what his brothers and friend had planned.

Getting to his feet as well, Legolas moved to stand beside Aragorn. "It is a birthday celebration, Estel. To be precise, your birthday celebration."

"My birthday…." Aragorn's eyes turned wide as he stared at the banners, candles and food. He smiled in delight, but shook his head at the same moment, "But my birthday was weeks ago. You really should not have bothered to do this. All the time it must have taken you to get these things, and the food! Did you bake all this?" He gestured at the fresh bread, scones and some honey rolls.

"It was my wish to do this, and your brothers helped me." Legolas took Aragorn's hand and directed the man's attention towards him. "We never had the chance to celebrate your last birthday, Estel, and I always felt sorry for that. And this year, I thought that we could celebrate together, and again my plans were thwarted." He smiled sadly, for a moment lost in memory. "But last night, I decided that you should have a proper celebration, even if your birthday was weeks ago. This is a special day, Estel, for it was the day that you entered this life, and I will cherish that day forever, for without it, I would never have met you and never have gotten the chance to love you." He pressed his lips against Aragorn's in a sweet kiss, his hands cupping the young man's face. When they broke apart long moments later, Legolas smiled at him with loving eyes, "Happy birthday, love."

Aragorn blushed to the tips of his ears, but his wide smile bathed the room in a happy glow. "Again, thank you."

"Now, are you two finished with whispering sweet nothings into each other's ears?" Elladan called from his position by the hearth, rolling his eyes good naturedly.

"As if their reunion this night had not been enough." Elrohir quipped, causing Aragorn to turn bright red. Until now, he had not spent one thought on the fact that his brothers had slept in the same house and might have heard him and Legolas the other night. Still, he could not wipe a stupid grin from his face.

"Ow, stop behaving as foolish hobbits!" Legolas laughed, pushing Aragorn towards a stool at the table. "Sit down, Estel. Do you want some tea? We also have apple juice and fresh milk. And here, try some of the honey rolls, they are still warm." Aragorn did as he was bid, and Legolas was right. The honey rolls were still warm, and coated with fresh butter, they were the best thing that Aragorn had eaten in weeks. He was halfway through his third honey roll, when the twins quickly vanished outside, only to return a minute later, carrying a large package in their arms.

"What would a birthday be without presents?" Elrohir placed the package on the table in front of Aragorn, tapping it lightly with his fingers. "We gave our present to Legolas when we left for the Grey Havens, but I am glad that we can give it to you personally now. We have long pondered what we could give you, and I think we have found the perfect gift. Come on, open it!"

Aragorn peeled away the white cloth in which the present was wrapped, and when he beheld the item within, his eyes widened in surprise, "You didn't!"

"I hoped that you would like it." Elrohir grinned from ear to ear. "It took months to make it, and I feared that it would not be finished in time, but..here you are! Happy birthday, little brother." He engulfed Aragorn in a hug, who returned the sentiment eagerly. A moment later, Aragorn wrapped his long arms around Elladan, squeezing him, too.

"Oh brothers, you really shouldn't have, but thank you!"

"What is it?" Stretching across the table, Legolas gazed at the present. To him it looked quite ordinary. Smiling, Aragorn reverently moved his fingers across his present. "It is a book, Legolas." The Prince just lifted an eyebrow in amusement; he had surmised that at least.

"But not just any book." Aragorn quickly continued. "This is the complete history of Arda, from the days when the Valar heard the first songs, to the day that the copyist wrote the last word. Its contents span over more than two thousand years." Now it was Legolas who's eyes widened; that was truly a magnificent present!

"Open it, Estel, to the last pages." Elrohir urged, his eyes twinkling. Aragorn did as he was told, and he frowned in confusion as he beheld the pages. "But they are empty!"

"Aye." Elladan touched the leather-bound book with his forefinger, "We thought that it is time for you to add your own history to the ones already laid down in the book. The last pages are for you to fill."

"Oh, that is marvelous. Thank you." Aragorn hugged his brothers tightly once more, touched by their consideration and thoughtfulness. "I will do you proud, brothers."

"I know you will, Estel. Your history added to this book will one day make it invaluable, you will see." Elladan said, smiling.

Then it was Legolas' turn to present his gift. He vanished for a moment in the adjoining bedroom, and then returned with a long and thin object in his hands, which was swathed in thick cloth. Upon seeing it, Aragorn's eyes widened and the twins exchanged a knowing grin. Stepping up to Aragorn, Legolas held his present in his outstretched hands.

"Estel, I have long pondered what to give you. I wanted to present you with something you could carry without wherever you go, so that it may remind you of me. But as a ranger, you don't wear any trinkets, besides Barahir, of course. And also, I did not want to burden you with something heavy or unserviceable. I know that when you are on patrol, you travel light. But I think that, in the end, I found the perfect gift. I made it myself, with a bit of help of our weapons master. I hope you like it, Estel." Reaching out, Legolas pressed the object into Aragorn's hands.

Slowly, the young man unwrapped the present. Moments later, he held a splendid longbow in his hands. The bow was made of dark wood and polished so that it shone in the candlelight. The fine but strong cord wound around the upper tip, and when Aragorn let his fingers caress along the wood, he found that along the top and bottom tip, fine elvish engravings adorned the bow. And in the middle, where the arrow would come to rest, the bow was strengthened by a silver plate in the form of a leaf. Smiling, Aragorn let his fingers touch the silver leaf.

"Legolas…this is a magnificent gift! I…I don't know what to say. It must have taken you weeks to make it."

"Four weeks, to be precise." Legolas bowed his head and smiled, "But it was worth it. The bow is strong and will suit you well." His eyes darkened somewhat, "Although I hate the thought that you have the need of a bow to protect yourself against gruesome foes, at least now I know that you have a strong friend at your side who will serve you well."

Their eyes met, and there was no more need for words; in Legolas' blue orbs Aragorn saw worry and love in equal parts, and he held the bow tightly. He knew that Legolas loved him, and if carrying this bow with him meant that Legolas could sleep more peacefully, knowing him well protected, then Aragorn would gladly carry the bow till the end of his days. "Thank you, Legolas."

"It was my pleasure, my friend."

*****

Late that night, when the Dunedain had long doused their candles and gone to bed, Aragorn and Legolas sat on the porch of Aragorn's house, enjoying the quiet of the night. It had rained much that day, but now the clouds had moved on, and the dark sky sparkled with tiny silver diamonds.

Sitting on the wooden railing, with his chin resting on his drawn up knees, Legolas gazed out into the darkness, musing about the last few weeks. Close to him, reclining in a chair and wrapped in a thick blanket to staff off the cold, Aragorn watched his friend. They had laughed much that day and enjoyed their time together. For the first time in weeks, Aragorn had found that he had not thought of Lithdal for many hours. When a small smile lifted up the Prince's lips, Aragorn gently prodded the railing with his boot. "A coin for your thought, my Prince."

Turning his head, Legolas smiled at his young lover, "I was thinking of the future, Estel."

"The future?" Aragorn raised an eyebrow, "and what do you see?"

Legolas' lips widened to a brilliant smile, "Us. I see us, Estel."

The end.