Destiny

Summary: This is a plot bunny challenge from Wilwarin on Aragorn leaving Legolas for Arwen. It’s been done so many times the other way (Aragorn leaves Arwen for Legolas) that it was time for something a bit different. This is a short one shot. Please let me know if you like it. (I’m not a slash writer, incidentally but since it's me, it's mushy!) This is movie-based.

Disclaimer - I don't own any of this and I did not make one cent from this story.

~DESTINY~ – by Nephthys


“This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do,” Estel began as he took the elfs delicate hand in his own rough one and gazed deep into Legolas’ gray eyes.

Legolas drew himself up and eyed his friend warily. He knew this day would come. He knew it would come and he had dreaded it. What transpired between him and Estel was not meant to last, he understood that but it didn’t lessen the pain. He closed his eyes against the truth but Estel continued to speak in a tight voice.

“My friend,” the ranger struggled against his own guilt and pain. “We both knew this would not last. I cannot go on like this – torn between the two of you,” he choked.

Legolas said nothing only opening his eyes to gaze at Estel as one silver tear slid down his flawless cheek. Slowly, he withdrew his hand from Estel’s and wiped the tear. He knew his friend loved Arwen. He understood the destiny that was bound up in their union. He held no grudge against her rather he hated himself. He hated his wayward heart for betraying him and hated his body for craving a touch that he could never have as his own.

“Speak to me,” Estel whispered. “Please don’t stand there saying nothing. I cannot bear it. At least yell at me,” he begged.

“I cannot chastise you,” the elf said softly and placed his delicate hand on Estel’s bristly cheek. “I knew this could not last. My head knew it but my traitorous heart refuses to beliet unt until I hear it from your own lips.”

The ranger lowered his eyes and gently removed Legolas’ hand from his cheek. He had to make a clean break of this. He could no longer bear the pain and guilt of his brief affair with his dearest friend. He still loved the elf and always would but his destiny lay with Arwen and they both knew that. He would not endanger his destiny for even the love of his dearest friend.

“I love Arwen,” Estel said softly. “I always have and I always will. She is my destiny and I cannot deny that.”

“I understand,” Legolas said in a strangled whisper. Why was there so much pain? He and Estel had been friends for years. It wasn’t until that night after the battle at Helm’s Deep when Estel had tried to comfort him that he realized his feelings went deeper than friendship.

Legolas had been standing at the breach in the wall lamenting the fallen elves when Estel had approached him with kind and soothing words. Silently, Legolas turned to his friend and realized how very fragile Estel truly was. His heart was torn by conflicting emotions. He could not imagine life without the ranger. He did not want to imagine it.

Legolas reached out and Estel took his hand comfortingly. The elf was overcome with grief and began to cry silently and Estel took him in his arms and held him.

Estel felt tightness in his throat. He had never seen Legolas cry and it rent his heart in two. He had no words of comfort. Legolas’ kindred lay dead or dying all around, their lives given to save the race of men. Estel swallowed hard and squeezed his friend tightly. How could he ever repay the selfless sacrifice? He could not deny his destiny.

Legolas held Estel for a long time until his tears had stopped. Slowly, he pulled away but rested his cheek against the ranger’s for a few short moments, feeling the rough stubble against his delicate skin. Gently, he placed a kiss of gratitude on Estel’s cheek and the two had stood there for several more minutes in silence before heading back into the keep.

That was how it had started. Later in the evening, Legolas found himself drawn back to Estel, wanting comfort and needing to know that Estel was safe. He knocked softly on the door and Estel had let him in. They had talked and shared some wine. Legolas had confessis fis fears for Estel’s safety and Estel had laughed, assuring him that he could not come to harm as long as Legolas were with him.

In a blinding moment of overwhelming emotions, Legolas had leaned forward and kissed his friend, tasting the wine on the ranger’s rough lips. Startled by the action and his own reaction, Estel first pulled away then returned the kiss.

Tentatively, the two explored each other’s bodies, never speaking of their intentions. They did not need to. And they did not speak of their union but continued their covert meetings until Estel had become overwhelmed with guilt, realizing that he could no longer continue to lead a double life.

He was the last king of Gondor, destined to re-unite the race of men and the race of elves with his true love, Arwen. Arwen! How he missed her. Just being near Legolas reminded him of her. He told himself that was the reason he had taken the elf but his heart knew better. He loved Legolas but they could not be together. Legolas had his own destiny to fulfill just as Estel had his.“I s“I still love you, my friend,” Estel whispered. “And I cannot forget the joy you have given me.”

Legolas held up his hand to stay his friend. “Speak no more for it will certainly tear my heart from my body,” he said softly.

The ranger sighed, wishing there was some way he could make their parting easier. He hated being torn the two most important beings in his life. He could not deny his feelings for Legolas but neither could he abandon Arwen. She was his first love, his heart, his soul and his destiny. They were bound together though blood and history and he loved her more than life itself.
Oh, Arwen! He thought miserably to himself. Why are you not here?

Legolas turned to leave, his heart constricting in his chest. He had known all along that Estel would not leave Arwen for him. And he would not have allowed it. The fate of men hung in the balance and he could not selfishly demand that Estel leave his destiny for him. No, Legolas had eternity to find a mate. To find someone who made him feel like Estel had. And he would need forever to fill the void that the ranger had left in his heart.

Estel watched him leave and buried his face in his hands. He knew he had hurt the elf terribly but they both had known it could not last. It was not meant to be but that did not lessen the pain for either of them. He gave a silent prayer to Eru to comfort the elf and send him a love of his own that deserved his noble and gentle spirit.