Meleth-nin

Disclaimer: Not mine but J.R.R. Tolkien’s.
A/N: Whoa, 11 reviews. Thanks for the feedback, ppl. :) I know; it was just horrible of me to end the chapter like that… Poor Leggy and poor baby! But before you decide to hunt me down, please read further and find out what happens next. :) Hope you enjoy.

thoughts


Chapter twenty-five


This could not be happening. That was the only thought that was in Aragorn’s mind. This could not be happening. Legolas finally in his arms, but unconscious and covered in blood instead of smiling and happy. This. Could. Not. Be. Happening. Not now, when he finally was here by his mate’s side.

Aragorn was carrying his unconscious mate to the Halls of Healing. He pressed his beloved gently against his chest, murmuring tenderly into a pointed ear. “Don’t leave us, melethron. You have to be strong for the baby and for me. I have found you at last and I will not be parted from you ever again. Stay strong for me. I love you.”

He forced his tone even and calm despite the inner turmoil he was in. He couldn’t panic, not now when Eldarion and Legolas’ lives depended on him. He had just asked Legolas to be strong but the truth was that now it was time for him to show strength and determination. Aragorn thought his heart stopped beating when he saw Legolas drop on his knees, his arms clutching his stomach. The pleading look in Legolas’ eyes before he lost consciousness pierced his heart. He had failed his mate, again.

Both males had immediately dropped their swords when Legolas was hit. Aragorn was kneeling by his side in mere seconds. “Legolas”, he called, touching his beloved’s face and unmoving body. His worried gaze turned into furious when he looked at Randír. “If Legolas or my baby dies I will kill you without mercy. Go now to the Halls of Healing and inform them of what has happened. I will carry my mate there.”

Randír left without a word. Just the thought of harming the Elf he loved tied his stomach in tight knots. The captain was mortified that by trying to defend Legolas’ honour he had actually managed to wound the Prince and probably harm the child.

King Elessar’s child, his mind whispered. You could sire the Prince another son; he would love both you and the child, and you would be happy together. He quickly dismissed those thoughts, chastising himself for his foolishness. Legolas might be dying and he was daydreaming! He quickly blinked back the tears that threatened to spill. Randír knew that he would never forgive himself if Legolas or the baby had suffered serious harm.

Soon he reached the Halls. Luckily the Healer, Golwen, was there as were his young apprentices, Merilin and Balan. “Why do you come in such a haste?” Golwen inquired upon seeing the flushed Captain. “Are you or your warriors injured, Randír?”

“Nay, I am not injured, but Prince Legolas is. King Elessar is bringing him here. As you know, the Prince is pregnant and he suffered a blow in his stomach and lost consciousness”, Randír spoke quickly. He couldn’t bring himself to explain how exactly Legolas had gotten injured; it was hard for him to admit, even to himself, that he had caused the beautiful Elf’s wound.

“Could someone please fetch Lord Elrond, I think his knowledge and skills are needed now”, Golwen said calmly and Merilin quickly exited the Hall and went to search Lord Elrond. “Balan, heat some water and Randír, bring me some clean linens.”

His orders were obeyed without question and by the time Legolas was brought in everyone was ready to tend to the Prince. “Help him, please”, Aragorn said to Golwen and the Healer nodded. “I cannot help him, I know nothing of pregnancies and my hands are unstable; I fear for him too much”, the King of Men said, laying the Prince carefully on the table.

Lord Elrond walked in quickly but calmly. “I was told that Legolas is injured”, he said and rolled up the sleeves of his velvet robe. “Now, bring me athelas and boiled water”, he told the apprentices of the Healer. “I will not let Legolas die; this I promise to you, Estel.”

*~*~*~*~*~*

“How is Legolas? And the baby?” Aragorn finally demanded. Lord Elrond had been attending to the Prince for what felt like eternity but the creases on his forehead wouldn’t vanish. Right now he was checking on the Prince’s vitals, frowning in concentration. “Adar, tell me, will they be fine?”

Golwen and his apprentices had assisted Elrond in cleansing and bandaging the wound and had left only a little while ago along with Randír. Lord Elrond had announced that it was not necessary for all of them to be present; in fact, it would be better if they let him work in peace without any interruptions. He only allowed Aragorn to stay, for it was obvious that the Man wouldn’t have left even if his father told him to. The Man was now clutching Legolas’ hand tightly, his gaze shifting between his husband and his father.

Aragorn had told Elrond what had happened between Randír and himself and how it had resulted in Legolas getting injured. The Elf Lord had raised his eyebrows when his foster-son told him about Randír’s proposal, saying that he was not surprised that the Captain felt so strongly about Legolas, but it was a surprise that he proposed to the Prince this soon.

Elrond’s eyes met Aragorn’s and he nodded seriously. “I have bandaged the wound and applied herbs there to stop the bleeding. Also I had to give Legolas some sedating herbs to keep him from delivering; it is too early for the baby to be born.”

Aragorn leapt to his feet. “What? Do you mean that this incident almost caused an early delivery?” His worried glance shifted to his beloved’s unmoving body and he had to resist the urge to gather his mate into his arms and protect him from all harm. All he could do was take Legolas’ hand in his and draw comforting circles with his thumb on the soft skin.

“It almost did”, Elrond answered and wiped his bloodied hands on a clean linen cloth. “This wound and the emotional turmoil he undoubtedly was in almost resulted in Legolas delivering the baby two months too soon. Luckily I was able to keep that from happening.”

The Man nodded and gratitude shone in his eyes. “I can never thank you enough, Adar. I do not know what I would have done if Legolas had died.” He gazed the Elf’s beautiful face for a while, stroking his hand. There was no doubt what the human felt for the Elf; his feelings were all very clearly written on his face as he looked at his beloved. “Can you tell when he will wake up?”

“Unfortunately there is no saying how long Legolas will be unconscious, but I can promise you that he will wake up”, the Lord of Imladris answered and patted his foster-son’s shoulder comfortingly. “I cannot say if he can hear us or not, but I do not think it would hurt if you spoke to him. After all, the last thing Legolas saw before losing consciousness was you being attacked and the last thing he felt was his stomach being slashed. He must know that there’s something to return to; that both you and the baby are fine.”

“Thank you, Adar”, Aragorn said and embraced the only father he had ever known. “I know there are many outside this room who are concerned about him. Can you tell them that Legolas will be fine and that I would like to spend some time alone with him? There are so many things I want to tell him, and these things are for his ears only.”

“Of course. If there is a change in Legolas’ condition please inform me immediately”, Elrond replied with a smile and left the Halls of Healing. He knew that Aragorn really needed to speak his mind to Legolas and Elrond was ready to do anything to ensure that no-one disturbed the two of them.

As soon as they were left alone Aragorn sat on the side of the bed and leaned to kiss Legolas’ forehead. “You gave me quite a scare, melethron. For a moment I thought you were dead. Gods Legolas…” The Man finally broke down; tears ran down his stubbled cheeks and he hastily wiped them off with his palms. “Legolas, you are my life. Please don’t go where I cannot follow. I have tried to be strong for you, but if you died I would have nothing… Legolas, meleth-nin…”

The Man buried his face in the soft hair of the Elf, finding the clean smell and the silken texture very comforting. “I thought I would never be this close to you again, beloved. I thought I would never see you again. Naught have I regretted as much as what happened between us that evening; I cannot understand how I could raise my hand against you. You, who are everything to me.”

He nuzzled Legolas’ hair with his nose. “You are my heaven, Legolas. I have been in hell these months without you. I have battled with Éomer and his people against the forces of darkness; and always it was the thought of you that kept me going. All I wanted was to see your beloved face again, and hold you near my heart.”

There was a small change in Legolas’ breathing and Aragorn quickly raised his head to look at Legolas’ face. “Can you hear me, meleth?”

He could swear that the Prince’s face was not as pale anymore as it had been, and that his eyelids fluttered slightly. Aragorn couldn’t tear himself from his husband’s side even when he knew that Elrond wanted to be informed of Legolas’ condition. He stroked the Elf’s smooth forehead gently with his fingertips, hoping to wake him up in a pleasant manner.

“Legolas, please, listen to me. I love you. Please come back to me. I swear to you, I will never hurt you again. I will do anything you ask if you only come back to me”, the Man whispered.

Slowly, very slowly, the Prince’s eyes fluttered open. It took him a while to be able to focus his eyes on the Man next to him. “Baby”, he whispered in hoarse voice and his hands flew to his round stomach. “How is my baby?”

Aragorn knew that he had a foolish grin on his face but he couldn’t care less. Legolas had woken up and that was all that mattered to him. “Baby is fine, melethron. And you are fine, too. I feared for you so much. Thank the Valar that you are both all right. I almost lost my mind when you fell on the ground.”

Legolas looked at his bonded with an alarmed expression, remembering the sword fight between Aragorn and Randír. “Are you injured, Estel?” He asked and tried to touch his face. He halted in midway and brought his hand back on his stomach.

“What is it, Legolas?” Aragorn asked anxiously. “Are you hurting somewhere? Would you like me to bring Lord Elrond to check on you?”

Legolas shook his head slowly. “Nay, I am fine.” Aragorn noticed that the Prince’s expression had changed and he looked at the Man almost coldly. “I would like to speak with Randír, alone. Could you bring him to me?”

Aragorn’s heart broke at those words. For a moment he couldn’t think of anything to say; he was rendered speechless by Legolas’ request. Legolas wanted Randír? Not him but Randír? I guess this is what I deserve, he thought, blinking furiously, for not being there for him and for not being able to protect him. But gods, this hurts. Finally he managed to speak. “Of course, Legolas. If you need me you only need to ask. I’ll be waiting outside.”

He stood up, numbly. He couldn’t look at Legolas right now so he left without looking back and exited the Hall. There were many Elves waiting outside and they all looked at him anxiously when he came out. “Is he all right?” “Has he woken up?” “”How is Prince Legolas?”

Aragorn didn’t answer those questions but spoke to Randír. “He wants to see you. Do not harm him with your words or your actions or you will answer to me.”

He then walked quickly away, his heart pounding in his chest. Aragorn was a proud man and didn’t wish to be seen like this. He couldn’t stop the tears that once again spilled. He was so deep in his thoughts that he didn’t watch where he was going and collided with someone. “Excuse me”, he said and tried to walk past the other person.

It was Lord Elrond he had walked into. The Elf Lord gasped aloud as he saw that the Man was crying. “Sweet Elbereth, do not tell me that all isn’t well with Legolas or the baby!” He exclaimed. “For surely you wouldn’t have left his side otherwise.”

The Human spoke quickly. “Legolas woke up not many minutes ago and all is well. He wanted to speak with someone in private and I left him alone, is all.”

Elrond frowned and lifted Aragorn’s chin with his fingers, forcing him to meet his eyes. “All is not well, that much is obvious. Come with me and tell me what is wrong.”

Aragorn nodded meekly, not having the strength to resist his father’s will. Once they were in the Elf Lord’s study Elrond spoke. “Now tell me, why do you look like something bad has happened? Isn’t it good news that Legolas has woken up and that both he and the baby are unharmed?”

“I did as you suggested and spoke to him about my feelings and apologised for my earlier actions. I was overjoyed when he woke up and even more so when he showed concern for my well-being”, Aragorn began. “Then something happened and he looked at me with a very cold look. When I asked him if he wanted anything he told me that he wanted to speak with Randír, alone. That broke my heart.”

“I am sorry to hear that, Estel”, Elrond said sympathetically. “However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that he cares for him more than he cares for you. It is only that Randír has been a trusted friend to Legolas. Perhaps it was easier for Legolas to speak with Randír than with you. After all, when you last spoke with him it was in Minas Tirith and it didn’t go too well.”

Aragorn nodded miserably. “That makes sense, but I cannot help feeling rejected. I know that I must give him time to make his decision, if he hasn’t made it already, and not push him; but it is so hard. Tell me, Adar, what can I do? I cannot give up without a fight, but how can I keep Legolas from choosing Randír?”

“You must set Legolas free, Aragorn. You cannot force him to choose you. By forcing him you will lose him for certain”, Elrond said kindly. “Do not lose heart, my son. He loves you, more than you will ever know, but he is afraid to trust you again.”

“But what am I to do, Adar?” Aragorn asked. “I went through hell to get to him, and yet the first thing he says after waking up is that he wants to see Randír. I cannot even say how much that hurt, Ada. I cannot undo his feelings for the captain, and I cannot make him choose me.”

“Estel, listen to me”, Elrond said firmly. “You will not gain anything by feeling sorry for yourself. What you need to do is be honest with yourself and with Legolas.”

“I will do anything to get him back, Adar. You know this”, the King said and ran his fingers through his tangled hair. “These past few months have been pure agony. All my waking thoughts have been about him and our son. I will not give up on them, not ever.”

“I am glad to hear you say that, Estel. But let us say that Legolas decides to give you another chance and returns with you to the White City. What things will be different? Will you still be burdened with your work? Will Legolas be neglected again? What will prevent this from happening again?” Elrond asked.

“You need to give these things a serious thought, my son. Legolas will not return to that misery, I can assure you. He will need you, and your son will need you. You cannot hide behind your title and status anymore, Aragorn. You have to take the responsibilities of a husband and a father.”

“You are right, Adar, as always. I have been afraid to be the husband Legolas needs and deserves. But no more. I told him I will do everything he asks of me if only he returns to my side”, Aragorn said with new determination. “I will go to him now, to ensure he is all right, and speak with him and Randír.”

“Remember, if this is hard for you it is hard for Legolas, also. Do not lose patience with him”, Elrond advised. “I wish that you and Legolas can find each other again; he needs you as you need him.”

Aragorn walked back into the Hall of Healing, wanting to tell Legolas that he was willing to give him time to make up his mind. He pushed aside the feelings of rejection and hurt; this wasn’t about his feelings alone but about both his and Legolas'. He knew that he had hurt his mate very badly and it wouldn’t be easy to repair the broken, but he was willing to try and could only hope that Legolas was ready to try again as well.

What he saw upon entering the Hall of Healing shook his self-confidence. Legolas and Randír were locked in an embrace, kissing slowly. Aragorn found out that he couldn’t take his eyes off the kissing pair. He forced himself to stay quiet despite the jealousy he felt. After a while they parted and looked into each other’s eyes before Randír rose from the bed. He walked past Aragorn, bowing down to him slightly and exited the room, closing the door behind him.

Legolas’ eyes met Aragorn’s. “I am glad you came. I just talked with Randír about his proposal and I gave him his answer. Do you wish to hear it, as well?”


TBC…

A/N: What has Legolas decided? Hope you liked, please review. :)