Mallorn looked at him
sadly before looking away. Elrohir saw a tear sliding slowly down the prince’s
cheek and he reached out his hand to wipe tee tear away. Mallorn looked back at
him, confused.

‘I know that you are sad
for losiour our mother,’ Elrohir said. ‘I don’t know how I’d react myself if I
lost my mother one day…but your family is still with you, Mallorn; you can
share your pain with them. And I will be there for you too. If you need to
talk, then I’ll listen to you. You don’t need to hide and cry all by yourself.’

Mallorn looked at Elrohir
in surprise. He was hiding there because he didn’t want his father to see him
cry. Not that his father would mind, but Mallorn knew that his father was also
suffering from grief even if he had managed to hide it well. And neither
Aredhel nor Mallorn wanted to increase his pain, so the two agreed to mourn
their mother’s loss away from the eyes of their father.

‘Why would you want to
listen to me?’ Mallorn asked finally.

Elrohir smiled. ‘Because
I want to be your friend, Mallorn, ’ he said softly. ‘You are the same age as
my twin and I, so it is natural for us to be friends.’

‘Oh,’ Mallorn said.

The two stood in their
spots silently, gazing at each other.

‘Have you seen my baby
brother yet?’ Mallorn asked finally.

‘Yes,’ Elrohir nodded.
‘He is such a beautiful baby!’

‘Ada says that Legolas looks
exactly like my mother!’ Mallorn whispered.

Elrohir smiled softly at
Mallorn. ‘So does my mother. She had said that your brother is an image of
her!’

‘Hannon lle, Elrohir,
[Thank you, Elrohir,]’ Mallorn said, returning Elrohir’s smile. ‘You have made
me feel much better!’

END OF FLASHBACK

Elrohir smiled sweetly to himself.
They had become friends very fast and as the days passed, Elrohir's friendship
turned into something deeper. He had fallen in love with Mallorn despite his
wariness towards King Thranduil. Elrohir sighed dreamily, wondering if he would
have a chance with Mallorn. The golden-haired elfn’t n’t shown any interest in
males before and Elrohir doubted that he would return his feelings one day.

Mallorn and Elladan exchanged
confused looks. At some point during their conversation, Elrohir had drifted
away from them. Now he was sighing and smiling to himself without any known
reason.

‘Care to share with us your happy
thoughts, brother?’ Elladan asked, placing his arm around Elrohir's neck. Elrohir
looked up at his brother and shrugged.

‘It’s nothing. I’ve just remembered
something,’ he said neutrally.

‘Well, it seemed that it was a happy
thought, considering that strange look on your face, Elrohir!’ Mallorn said,
looking at the dark-haired elf pointedly. Elrohir opened his mouth to answer
when Legolas walked swiftly pass them to wheis bis belongings were set. The
Elven prince’s face held a strange expression; he was very troubled. The three
elves looked worriedly at each other, for Legolas had passed them without even
acknowledging their presence.

‘I’ll see what’s wrong,’ Mallorn
said, as he stood and walked towards his brother. The twin exchanged worried
looks. Soon, they saw Aragorn coming towards them from the same direction that
Legolas had came from. Elladan called his foster brother.

“Do you know what’s wrong with
Legolas, Estel?” he asked as soon as the man sat near them.

Aragorn sighed and nodded. “We were
talking near the horses when I tried to kiss him,” the man said, running his
hand through his hair. “I don’t know what had gotten into me but I couldn’t
stop myself from leaning over him and trying to kiss him.”

“Did you kiss him then?” Elrohir
asked slyly.

“No!” Aragorn snapped. “I couldn’t. I
sensed his fear as I drew nearer anthinthink he felt my desire for him,” he
whispered the last sentence.

The two elves sighed, shaking their
heads.

“Well,” Elrohir breathed. “At least
he felt glimmers of your true feelings towards him.” This earned him a glare
from Aragorn.

“It will take you a long time before
you gather the courage to tell Legolas your true feelings, won't it?” Elladan
sighed.

“Why can’t you understand?” Aragorn
snapped. “Legolas loved Haldir. I’m nothing but a friend to him. And now, I’ve
destroyed everything between us because of my own weakness!”

“No, you didn’t,” Elladan said
calmly. “You are in love with him. One day, he will love you back. Why you
can’t see, Estel? Legolas is in need of your love. His heart is weary from
grief. You only have to be patient.”

“And don’t forget,” Elrohir said.
“You have to confront Legolas with your true feelings one day.”

Aragorn sighed deeply as he stared at
the small fire, thinking of what his brothers had said. “Don’t be so
optimistic!” he finally murmured.

~~~~****~~~~

Mallorn found Legolas preparing his
place for sleeping. The odd expression hadn’t left his brother’s features; it
was mixture of anger, confusion, exhaustion and sadness.

‘Legolas,’ Mallorn said, placing one
hand on Legolas’ shoulder. ‘What’s wrong?’

‘Nothing,’ Legolas answered flatly,
as he continued to adjust his bedroll.

‘You don’t get upset over nothing
Legolas,’ Mallorn said, folding his arms in frof hof his chest. ‘Now tell me
what’s wrong?’

Legolas sighed, sitting on his newly
arranged bedroll.

‘A small incident that happened
between Aragorn and I, when I was talking to Laure,’ he said.

Mallorn smirked and sat near his
brother. ‘Your first quarrel?’ he asked, slyly.

‘No,’ Legolas shook his head. ‘We
were talking, when suddenly Aragorn pulled me towards his body and leaned over
me, trying to kiss me!’ Legolas frowned deeply. ‘I don’t know why he did it. I
was so afraid! I nearly yelled at him to snap him out of it.’

Mallorn raised an eyebrow. ‘Trying to
kiss you?’ he asked slyly. ‘Did he actually kiss you, then?’

‘NO!’ Legolas snapped angrily.

‘Then why you are so upset?’ Mallorn
grinned evilly. ‘Are you upset because he did not kiss you?’

‘MALLORN!’ Legolas glared at his
brother. ‘I’m upset because he actually thought of kissing me! How dare
he even think of this! No one is allowed to kiss me after Haldir, let alone my
best friend! I even felt him desiring me!’

‘Haldir is no longer here, Legolas,’
Mallorn snapped. ‘When your mind will accept that fact? He’s dead, Legolas! And
in few days you will be in the same place where he died!’ As soon as the words
left his mouth, Mallorn bit his lips in regret.

Legolas looked away, trying to hide
the hurt and tears that flashed in his eyes. So far, he had managed to ignore
the fact that they were on their way to Rohan, the place where his heart had
died. His hand rested on his belly, where Haldir’s baby was growing.

‘I’m sorry, Legolas.’ Mallorn
whispered, lifting his brother’s face to meet his eyes. ‘I didn’t mean to hurt
you.’

‘I truly understand that Haldir is gone,’
Legolas whispered. ‘But my heart still trying to convince me that he will be
back someday…and I have to stay faithful to him until then.’

Mallorn sighed deeply. ‘Haldir would
not have wanted you to live in grief and pain all your life, Legolas. He would
have wanted you to love and live in happiness again.’

‘But Aragorn is my friend!’

‘He’s also your husband, Legolas,’
Mallorn said. ‘Besides, the man does have some needs to be fulfilled, you
know!’

‘What do you mean?’ Legolas looked at
his brother, confused.

Mallorn smiled slyly. ‘Come on,
Legolas! You know that sometimes a man cannot fight his desires for long!’

‘Are you saying that Aragorn lusts
after me?’ Legolas asked angrily. ‘Does he see me as his desire-releasing
toy now?’

‘I didn’t say that,’ Mallorn said
calmly. ‘I was saying that Aragorn may not see you only as a friend,
Greenleaf!’ With that, Mallorn stood and walked away, leaving his brother to
think in peace.

‘Not only as a friend?’ Legolas
whispered softly.

~~~~***~~~~

Two days later, the couple and their
friends reached the lands of Rohan. Legolas rode silently next to Aragorn all
the way to Edoras. After that night, Legolas acted as if nothing had happened.
He kept his thoughts to himself and spoke only when he needed to, trying to
keep a distance between himself and Aragorn; he tried to avoid being alone with
the man as much as possible. Other than this, Legolas acted normally around
Aragorn and they were acting like good friends once more.

Aragorn didn’t mention that night
again either. He talked and jested with Legolas as usual, trying to lift the
elf’s spirit as they drew nearer to Rohan.

“Welcome, my friends!” King Éomer
greeted them with a warm smile at the gates of the city. “It has been so long
since we last met!”

Aragorn dismounted his horse and
walked to his friend. “Well met, Éomer! Aye, it has been so long.”

The two friends hugged each other
tightly. Legolas dismounted from his horse and went to the two.

“Well met, King Éomer!” he greeted
the King with a nod. King Éomer pulled away and looked at Legolas, smiling.

“Legolas,” he smiled. “It’s nice to
see you, my Elven friend!” His eyes then traveled to the twins behind Legolas.
“I see that Elladan and Elrohir are also present. How are you, my two good
friends? It’s an honor to have you as Edoras’ guests!”

“We are fine, good Éomer,” Elladan
bowed slightly. “The honor is ours!”

Éomer’s eyes then spotted a blonde
elf standing next to the twins and another dark-haired one behind them.

Aragorn followed Éomer's eyes and
smiled.

“King Éomer,” he said, gesturing to
the two elves. “Let me introduce you to Prince Mallorn, Legolas’ second eldest
brother.” Mallorn nodded his head. “And our healer from Rivendell, Dior of
Daerleon.” The healer bowed to the King.

King Éomer smiled at them. “Welcome,
my friends. Please, follow me inside.” With that, the King walked to the
palace, followed by his men and guests.

“So, my friend,” King Éomer said as
they walked back. “To what do I owe your joyous visit to my lands? I remember
the last time I asked you to visit, you excused yourself with your duties in
Gondor!”

Aragorn smiled warmly. “Actually, I
am on my way to Gondor from Rivendell, carrying some joyous news with me.”

“Indeed!” King Éomer raised an
eyebrow. “And what is this joyous news, my friend? If I’m allowed to know!”

“Of course, you are!” Aragorn put a
hand on Éomer's shoulder. “In fact, I was going to invite you to visit Gondor
and celebrate with us this happy occasion.”

“You have provoked my curiosity,
Elessar!” Éomer said. “I would like to hear your happy news. However, first you
and your company must have some rest. We will continue our conversation over
dinner.” With that, Éomer ordered some servants to escort the guests to the
guest chambers when they reached the castle.

~~~~***~~~~

King Éomer raised an eyebrow as
Aragorn and Legolas entered the dinning hall together. He watched suspiciously
as Aragorn helped Legolas to heat eat and then sat next to him. Éomer glanced
at Mallorn to see his reaction but Legolas’ brother seemed to not notice. His
eyes then went to the twins, who were smirking slyly at the pair. Checking on
his sister, Éomer sighed in defeat. The Lady of Rohan seemed to not notice
anything except the mere presence of King Elessar. Éomer stared back at
Aragorn. He knew that Aragorn was in love with Legolas; even he still couldn’t
quite untandtand how a male could love another male. However, since it was
known among elves and Aragorn was raised by them, he didn’t question his
friend’s preference. However, he also knew that Legolas was in love with
Haldir, who had died in Helm’s Deep, a fact that kept Aragorn from telling
Legolas his true feelings, so why would the two act as if they were a couple?

Was it possible that Aragorn had told
Legolas his feelings and the elf accepted them?

Éomer looked at Legolas and frowned.
The elf was so quiet and his features spoke only of deep pain and sadness.

Realizing that everyone was waiting
for him to start dinner, Éomer clapped his hands, allowing the servants to
serve dinner.

Once the plates were uncovered and
the strong smell of the cooked meat filled his nose, Legolas felt nauseated. He
tried to block the strong aroma but failed miserably; it was a horrible smell
to his nose. Quickly, he pushed his seat back and stood.

“Legolas?” Aragorn looked at him with
concern.

“I don’t feel well,” Legolas said
quietly. “I think I need some more rest. Enjoy your meal, my Lords.” With a
small bow, he left the room. Aragorn looked at Mallorn, who stood from his
seat, as well.

“I’ll ask Dior to check on him.” With
that, Mallorn left after his brother. A few moments later, he came back
smirking.

“He is fine,” Mallorn said in
amusement. “Nothing to worry about… and please call me Mallorn.”

“But he has to eat, Mallorn!” Aragorn
said worriedly. “And where was Dior?”

“I have asked for some fruits to be
taken to his room,” Mallorn said. “And we still have some Lembas in our bags…he
said that he couldn’t stand the smell of the meat, that’s why he left the room.
When I summoned Dior from healing wing and informed him, he said that this is
normal considering his condition…”

“His condition?” Éomer asked puzzled.
“What condition?” He looked at Aragorn questionly. “I thought elves don’t get
ill!”

“They don’t, my friend.” Aragorn
smiled softly. “I’ll tell you about Legolas later. In the meantime, a
celebration will be held soon in Minas Tirith and I’d be honored if you and
your sister, Lady Éowyn, would attend.”

“What the occasion, my Lord?” Lady Éowyn
asked, smiling sweetly at Aragorn.

Aragorn smiled warmly at her. “My
marriage, fair Lady,” he said quietly.

*CLACK*

The fork in Lady Éowyn’s hand dropped
soundly on the ground. Everyone in the hall stared back at her.

“I’m sorry,” she said, looking downwards.

“So,” Éomer cleared his throat. “You
are going to marry, my friend?”

“No, Éomer,” Aragorn said as he
looked at his friend, smiling. “I am married already…I had gotten married
before the final battle, though I haven’t announce it yet. Many reasons prevented
me from announcing my marriage when it actually happened but now I have much
stronger reasons to announce my marriage to my people.”

“And may I ask to whom you are
married, Elessar?” Éomer asked, though his mind had formed a guess.

“Prince Legolas of Mirkwood,” Aragorn
said with a dreamy smile.

Éomer frowned. “You two have been
married for four months but you haven’t told anyone! Even your friends?!” he
said, hurt was clear in his voice. Aragorn bit his lip, knowing that he had to
come up with a lie. He hated lying to his friends but it was necessary.

“It’s not like that, Éomer,” he said
calmly. “Everything happened very fast, really! Lord Elrond thought that a
marriage between men and elves would strengthen the relation between all the
free peoples and unite them under my flag in the battle, but since Arwen had
decided to follow her kin to the grey heavens, he suggested Legolas. We had
joined the night prior to our march. No one knew except Lord Elrond, Gandalf
and some Elven Lords. And after my coronation, we feared that people would
reject my rule if I was married to another male…so we decided to keep our
marriage secret until I restored Gondor and proved myself to its people.”

Éomer looked at Aragorn suspiciously;
there was something in that story that didn’t fit! However, he didn’t press on
the subject.

Mallorn and the twins stared at
Aragorn in disbelief.

//When and how did Aragorn come up
with that story?// the three elves wondered.

“Are saying that you married Legolas
without truly loving him, Elessar?” Éomer asked.

“Well,” Aragorn took a deep breath,
knowing that he had to lie again. “As I said I was waiting to rebuild Gondor in
full before I announced my marriage. However, during my last visit to Rivendell,
I met Legolas there and he told me that he’s pregnant with my child!”

“How could that be possible?” Lady
Éowyn asked darkly. She was fed up with this nonsense. She may accept that a
male could love and marry another male. But to hear that a male was pregnant!
They really went too far with this!

“Prince Legolas is a male!” she
hissed. “How could a male get pregnant?”

“By magic, Milady,” Mallorn answered
calmly. “My kin had created a spell that could make an Elven male fertile. It
was created when the number of the Elven newborns started to lessen. And since
some elves had taken mates of their same gender, some wise elven mages set that
spell on them to ensure that our kind does not go extinct!”

Lady Éowyn looked at Mallorn in awe,
trying to digest the new information. Éomer also looked surprised; this was new
to him as well.

“So Legolas is carrying your child
then, Aragorn?” Éomer looked at his friend. “He’s carrying your heir?”

Aragorn smiled and nodded.

“Well, I don’t know whether I should congratulate
you or feel sorry for you, my friend!” Éomer said. “The people of Gondor may
not receive this news with welcoming!”

“I know,” Aragorn sighed. “However, I
will not forsake Legolas and the baby just to please my people. I’m ready to
fight the whole w if if I have to for them!” he said determinedly.

Éomer smiled. “Don’t worry yourself
over this very much my friend; I’m sure that you and Legolas will find a way to
gain Gondor’s people’s approval.”

“Thank you, Éomer!” Aragorn smiled
warmly.

“Well, this news surely deserves a
celebration,” Éomer said, raising his glass of wine. “A toast to the newly
couple and their unborn child! May all the Gods grant them happiness and
peace!”

“Cheersveryveryone raised their
glasses except Lady Éowyn, who was silent for the rest of the night.

~~~~***~~~~

Legolas looked at the sleeping figure
and sighed. After Éomer had learned that Aragorn and Legolas were married, he
insisted on moving them into the same chambers…much to Legolas’ discomfort.

They had been staying in Rohan for
two days now under the excuse of resting after the long journey from Rivendell.

Legolas sighed again and got out of
the bed slowly, not wishing to wake Aragorn. He walked to window and looked at
the dark sky of the night.

//On a night similar to this,//
Legolas thought, caressing his belly. //above these lands, I shared my bed with
Haldir for the last time.// He sighed deeply and continued to stare at the sky.

Aragorn sighed, rolling his body to
the other side of the bed; his hand reached to Legolas’ side of the bed.
Finding nothing but the cold sheets, Aragorn opened one eye to check on the elf
next to him.

Confirming that Legolas wasn’t in the
bed, Aragorn rose and searched the room with his eyes. He found the beautiful
elf standing by window, staring at the sky.

“Legolas?” Aragorn said, rising from
his bed. Legolas turned to see Aragorn approaching him.

“What are you doing up at this hour
of the night?” Aragorn asked as he came near his husband. “You should be
resting!”

“I was thinking,” Legolas whispered
softly, looking back outside the window. “When we are going to Gondor?”

“In a few days. Why?” Aragorn
frowned. There was something in Legolas’ tone he didn’t like.

“I want to visit Helm’s Deep,
Aragorn,” Legolas said determinedly, looking straight into Aragorn’s eyes.

Aragorn watched Legolas in disbelief.
“What?” he asked abstractedly.

“I said I want to visit Helm’s Deep,
please,” Legolas repeated quietly. Aragorn frowned deeply. He hated when
Legolas was in his Royal-Prince-Legolas-of-Mirkwood mood. The elf talked with
coldness and composed himself in a way that didn’t suit his carefree nature.<
<

“May I know why?” Aragorn asked, in
the same cold tone.

“I want to visit Haldir’s memorial,”
Legolas whispered softly, looking down. “I want to face his death once and for
all, before we reach Gondor.”

Aragorn sighed deeply. He moved
closer to his husband and put his hands on the elf’s shoulders.

“Legolas, you don’t have to do this,”
he whispered softly.

Legolas looked up at Aragorn; his
tears were already flowing down his cheeks. “I want to do this, Aragorn. I need
to do this,” he lowered his gaze again. “Mallorn said that I have to face and
accept Haldir’s death. I need to go to Helm’s Deep in order to prove to myself
that I’m able to do it. I don’t want to feel sad anymore, Aragorn. I don’t want
to be hurt again.” At that point, Legolas threw himself into Aragorn’s arms,
sobbing. He cried until there were no more tears to shed.

Aragorn waited patiently until
Legolas’ crying ceased before pushing the elf gently away and lifting his chin
with his finger.

“It’s alright, Legolas,” he whispered
gently. “If that will make you feel better, then I won’t object. I’ll ask Éomer
if we could go to Helm’s Deep first thing in the morning. Ok?” Legolas nodded.
“However,” Aragorn continued. “You must promise me that you won't stress
yourself very much. Not wou would you risk your baby’s life with grief but
also your own life! You must promise me that you’ll try and get hold of your
emotions, Alright?” Again Legolas just nodded, not trusting his voice. Aragorn
smiled warmly at his husband. “Come Legolas,” he said softly, guiding the elf
to the bed and tucking him in. “You need to rest.”

Aragorn watched as Legolas’ blue eyes
turned vacant slowly. With a deep sigh, the King of men closed his eyes.

~~~~***~~~~

Everyone was surprised when at
breakfast the next morning Aragorn asked Éomer if they could visit Helm’s Deep.

“Are you sure you want to do that,
Legolas?” Mallorn asked his brother after Aragorn had told them that it was
Legolas’ request.

“Yes, Mallorn, I’m sure,” Legolas
said quietly. “I will be fine. Besides, I was hoping that you would accompany
me.” He forced a smile to his face. “I would like to show you and the twins
where we fought in that great battle.”

“Of course; we would love to come
with you to Helm’s Deep, Legolas,” Elladan said cheerfully. “I was hoping that
we would be visiting that place. Helm’s Deep has become a very famous place
after the battle…I wish I was among the Elven army and didn’t miss all the fun
that night!” Three pairs of eyes glared at Elladan. Legolas lowered his head,
not wanting his pain to show in his eyes.

“There was no fun that night,
Elladan,” Aragorn said, glaring at his foster brother. “Many died that night
and many suffered from their losses…so try and show some respect to those who
lost their lives that night.” He placed a comfort hand on Legolas’ shoulder.

Elladan looked apologetically at
Legolas apologetically. “I’m sorry Legolas,” he whispered. “I didn’t mean to
hu-”

“It’s fine, Elladan,” Legolas said as
he looked at his friend with small smile. “I know you didn’t.”

“Well,” Éomer said, clearing his
throat. “I don’t see why we shouldn’t visit Helm’s Deep. We can go there after
we finish breakfast.”

~~~~***~~~~

Éomer and his friends rode to Helm’s
Deep after breakfast. Aragorn and Legolas were explaining to Mallorn and the
twins what happened during their journey.

“And Gimli kept explaining to Lady
Éowyn about dwarf women all the way,” Legolas said merrily. “I was having a
hard time preventing myself from laughing.”

“The funniest part, though,” Aragorn
continued. “Was when h Gimli fell from his horse and stood again saying It’s
all right, it’s all right. Nobody panic. That was deliberate! It was
deliberate!” Everyone laughed merrily.

Legolas sighed, smiling softly. “That
stubborn dwarf! I really miss him and miss our little games together!”an>

“We can invite him and the little
hobbits once we reach Gondor, Legolas,” Aragorn said. “Though I’m sure that Ada
has already sent messages to them informing them about our marriage.”

Legolas nodded solemnly, thinking of
his absent friends.

“Look, there is the cliff where I had
fallen!” Aragorn exclaimed, pointing to a near cliff. The twins and Mallorn
dismounted and ran to it, looking down.

“Elbereth, Estel!” Elrohir exclaimed.
“You sure are lucky to have survived such fall!”

Aragorn smiled at his brother. “I
don't say that I’m not, Elrohir. I owe my life to Arwen. Her love saved me
numerous times.”

“Are you sure that it was Arwen's
love that saved you, Estel?” Elladan asked slyly, looking at Legolas.

Aragorn just glared at his brother
and walked away from the cliff to where Legolas and Éomer were standing.

“Come, we must reach Helm's Deep
before sunset,” he called to the three elves, mounting his horse and continuing
on his way.

The three elves chuckled and
followed.

“What did Elladan mean by his
question, Aragorn?” Legolas asked quietly.

“Nothing,” Aragorn shrugged. “Don’t
mind him. The twins like to tease me sometimes.”

“Oh,” Legolas said. He had noticed
Elladan's pointed looks during his conversation and wondered what the
dark-haired elf had meant.

~~~~***~~~~

Near sunset, the five friends arrived
at the gates of Helm's Deep. Legolas stood in front of the gate, staring at it
sadly. He took a deep breath before forcing his legs to move. Aragorn sensed
Legolas’ inner battle; the place held so many sad memories for the young elf.
He walked to his husband’s side and took his slender hand into his.

“Legolas, are you sure you can handle
this?” he whispered softly.

“Are you ok, Legolas?” Aragorn asked
worriedly, as soon as Legolas neared them.

Legolas smiled and nodded his head.

“We must go and join Éomer and the
twins,” he said softly, wiping the trace of his tears. “Are we going to spend
the night here?” he asked as the trio walked back to join Éomer and the twins.

“I suppose so,” Aragorn shrugged.
“It’s too dark to return to Edoras now.”

“But where we are going to spend the
night?” Mallorn asked. “The place is completely destroyed.”

“Not the entire fortress is
destroyed,” Aragorn said. “The inner part of the fort is still intact. I’m sure
that are some rooms suitable for spending the night. I’ll ask Éomer about it,
just to make sure.”

~~~~***~~~~

Legolas was standing in
small clearing, golden trees with sliver leaves sang softly to the winds around
him.

Hearingoft oft rustle
behind him, he turned around and saw Haldir walking towards him. Legolas stood
silently as the Marchwarden approached him and took him into his strong arms.
Legolas felt Haldir’s lips brushing softly against his and he closed his eyes
as Haldir deepened the kiss.

They pulled away and
Legolas’ stared into Haldir’s jade eyes.

‘I’m dreaming!’ Legolas
whispered softly.

Haldir smiled warmly.
‘Then you must wake up, Legolas,’ he replied, caressing Legolas’ cheek.

Legolas closed his eyes
and crushed his lips into Haldir’s, pouring all his love into the kiss. He
pulled away and looked at Haldir.

‘I don’t want to wake
up,’ he said. ‘I want to stay here forever…with you.’ He took Haldir’s hand and
placed it on his belly. ‘With you and our child.’

Haldir smiled and held
Legolas’ hands and raised them to his lips.

‘You must wake up,
Legolas,’ he whispered. ‘You cannot live in the past forever!’

‘No!’ Legolas said,
tearing falling down his cheeks.

‘You must,’ Haldir said,
pulling away. ‘You must, Legolas!’

‘NO!’ Legolas cried, as
Haldir’s image started to fade slowly into the darkness. ‘No, Haldir, please
don’t leave me!’ He ran after the fading image but with no success. Haldir was fading
and so were their surroundings, leaving Legolas in total darkness.

‘No, Haldir, please.’

“Legolas!”

Legolas’ eyes came back into focus
and saw a worried Aragorn standing over
him. He pushed himself off the bed into a sitting a position.

“Aragorn?” he whispered softly. “What
happened?”

“You were dreaming, Legolas,” Aragorn
said, brushing Legolaearsears away.

“I was dreaming!” Legolas whispered
softly. He stared at Aragorn strangely before looking away. “I was dreaming,”
he whispered again. “And I have woke up!”

~~~~***~~~~

To Be Continued…