Making It Right

Part 6

Posted: April 2003
Author: Kharessa Bloodrose

*****

Helm's Deep had been readied for battle with swift efficiency, and now all that was left was the waiting. Women, children, and the elderly had been hidden away in the caves, and all the men of fighting age stood ready for combat. The greatest concentration of men was arrayed on the Deeping Wall, and along it the men took rest in shifts while they could. The hard stone gave no comfort, and what rest they could manage was uneasy at best.

And Legolas found himself in a small antechamber, some sort of guard room, his head nestled against Aragorn's shoulder. Feeling hate.

"Not now, Aragorn… this is not the time." Spoken into the leather covered mail, smell of Aragorn surrounding him, intoxicating him.

"It is the time. Before this battle, Legolas." The man swallowed hard. "I lost one who might have been a friend in battle, and there is no saying if either of us will be here tomorrow." He stroked the elf's back gently, his hands somewhat impeded by Legolas's quiver. "Tell me you will let me make this up to you."

"Why, Estel?" Plaintively, memory of soft lips touching his own fresh in his mind. He had wanted the word to come out sternly, harshly, a demand rather than a plea.

"Because I love you." Legolas froze in his arms, and Aragorn briefly tightened his grasp. "I did not want to realize it myself. The Ring twisted that, my admiration for you, my love for you, into something dark and ugly. I hurt you. I can't live with that, Legolas."

The elf pushed away from him, his face darkening. "You hurt me. And somehow it is my responsibility to help you deal with it? Who is this for, Estel? Me or you?"

Aragorn's jaw tightened, and he began to speak. Legolas cut him off.

"And what of the Lady Arwen? Did you tell her you loved her when she promised to give up her immortality for you? Whom were you thinking of at Theoden's table when you displayed the Evenstar pendant?"

"I love Arwen, Legolas. Never doubt it." His voice shook. "That does not change the way I feel about you. I cannot justify or explain it."

Legolas stared at the man in shock. "Will you truly doom her to a mortal death, then?"

"Nay, I cannot." Aragorn closed his eyes, tension evident in every line of his face. "Will I lose you both?"

"You cannot lose me, Estel." The elf's lips tightened. "You never had me."

"There is no way, then, for me to regain your trust?"

"I trust you with my life, Estel. I do not know if I can trust you with my heart." He looked away, taking a deep breath. "I know that what… happened, was not of your will. I know that. What I do not know is the truth of your heart." Azure eyes met Aragorn's, steady and serious. "Am I hearing honesty, or am I hearing guilt?"

"Honesty, Legolas." His hand reached forward once again, lightly touching Legolas' cheek. The elf did not flinch or look away, his expression set. Aragorn sighed.

"If we survive this, will you give me a chance?"

A long moment passed, and the two stood like statues. Aragorn slowly drew his hand away, thinking the elf would refuse to answer. Then, softly, Legolas spoke.

"Yes, Estel. If we survive."

*****

previous | Chapter Index | next

If you enjoyed this story, please send feedback to: Kharessa Bloodrose