To Love A King

To Love A King

Posted: October 2005
Title: To Love a King
Author: Khylea
Type: FCS
Characters: Aragorn/Legolas
Rating: NC-17 for sex! Yay!!
Disclaimer: I do not own these characters, they belong to the master, Mr. J.R.R. Tolkien. I make no money from their use....and actually, I've spent so much on LOTR stuff in the last few years, Mr. Tolkien's estate is WAAAAY ahead anyways, so what's the harm with letting me have a little fun, hmm?
Timeline: About a year after the War of the Ring has ended.
Beta: Manon. Thank you hon!
Author's Notes: Written as a challenge/swap fic for the Legolas/Aragorn slash Yahoo group. (Each author is given an assignment of what their person wants to read, and writes a story fitting those guidelines.) This story was written for Dís Thráinsdotter, who asked for Romance, humor, PWP, or a songfic. And since I suck at songfics, I wrote a romantic PWP with a little humor thrown in.

Summary: When his marriage to Arwen does not become what he hoped it to be, Aragorn descends into melancholy. Until a long-absent friend helps him learn to love again. Or something like that. Did I tell you I suck at summaries?

*****

The early spring breeze blew across the fields, gently buffeting the eastern side of the city, softly swaying flowers planted in balcony pots, caressing the stone statues, winding its way through the deserted streets. A Gondorian banner flapped in the breeze, a window shutter banged gently against the rock facing of a residence. All appeared to be deserted.

But the city was not deserted. High up on the highest spire, on a balcony facing across the field, toward Mordor, stood a man standing so still, he could easily be mistaken for one of the statues flanking him on the balcony, were it not for the silver-streaked brown hair gently blowing in the wind.

Aragorn Elessar, king of the reunited kingdoms of Gondor and Arnor, stood relaxed, his hands wrapped around the stone railing, paying no mind to the cool breeze ruffling his hair and stirring his robe. Though his gaze was to the east, toward the now deserted lands of Mordor, he no more saw the black land than a blind man would.

With a deep sigh, he looked downward, to where the Evenstar lay on his chest and vaguely wondered what had happened. Had he truly never loved Arwen as he had once thought he had? Or had the war so changed him that the man who returned was no longer capable of loving, or being loved?

He had sensed Arwen's hesitation toward him and out of respect for her feelings had not pushed her for what she seemed unable to give. It had been a month after his coronation before they had lain together as husband and wife, but they both had sensed the passion was not there. They had tried, Valar knows they had tried, but it did not take them long to discover that they were happier apart. They still appeared together as king and queen, held hands at the official dinners, gave each other pecks on the cheek at the expected times; only a select few of their most trusted advisors knew that they slept in separate beds in different rooms.

It was shortly after their separation that Aragorn had first seen his wife retire with one of the captains of Gondor's armies, but could not find it in his heart to be angry with her. His only regret was that she had given up her elven immortality for a man she was unable to love.

Once again returning his gaze outward, for the first time he scrutinized the fields, beginning to regain life after so long in the shadow of Mordor. The meadows were once again the verdant green of the past, small bunches of flowers poking up here and there, and even a few tiny saplings could be seen. Sighing deeply, Aragorn squeezed the railing, needing to feel the solid stone under his hands. Though it was late, only a few hours remaining until dawn, he had as yet to find rest.

"Perhaps if I take my bedroll down and spread it on the earth, I may be able to sleep," he muttered softly to himself. "Perhaps the bed is too luxurious."

"Perhaps, but it is a luxury you have earned, my friend," came a soft voice from behind him, causing him to jump and spin to face the owner of the voice. He smiled when he saw Legolas, still clad in traveling clothes, leaning up against one of the statues, his arms folded loosely over his chest. "You are losing your touch, Estel. Five years ago I would not have had a hope of being unheard."

Aragorn stuck out his bottom lip, pretending to pout. "Sure, rub it in that my hearing is going, Legolas. Not all of us are immortal."

Legolas' grin widened. "It would make for such a boring world if you were. Your flaws are what make you appealing."

Aragorn could not help but laugh at that, stepping closer and pulling the elf into a tight hug. "I did not know you and Gimli had returned."

Legolas squeezed him tightly for a moment before pulling away, shaking his head. "We arrived only an hour ago. Though I am surprised you did not hear his complaining all the way up here."

"He wanted to stay longer in Aglarond?"

"Aye, he did. He is going to return there soon; he mentioned something about starting a dwarvish kingdom there."

"And you?"

Legolas shrugged, striding to the edge of the balcony, staring at the Ephel Dúath, his expression unreadable. "Fangorn was everything I could have wished for and my wanderlust has been satisfied for the time being. Though I do not know how much longer I can ignore the sea-call."

Aragorn moved to his side, laying a hand on the elf's shoulder. "I would never hold you to your promise if doing so would cause you torment, Legolas."

"I know, Estel," he said softly. "But I vowed to stay at least until Gondor was safe and secure once more, and that day is yet many years off."

"Aye, that it is my friend," Aragorn said softly.

The two friends stood together in silence for many minutes before Legolas spoke again. "How is the Lady Arwen?"

The elf's sharp eyes did not miss the brief flash of pain that flicked across the king's face before Aragorn hid it with a smile. "She is well. She did not lose any of her beauty when she made her choice."

"Estel....what is it?"

Aragorn sighed, realizing the elf knew and that Legolas would not let it go until he had uncovered the truth. "She has discovered she is happier with one of the captains of the armies than with her husband," he said softly, not looking at his friend.

For a long time Legolas said nothing. "But I thought...."

"So did I....I do not know if the love was never there, or if the war changed me so that the man who returned was not the same one she fell in love with."

"Do your people know?"

"No, and they must never find out. Our marriage united my people; our separation would tear them apart once more. We appear together as husband and wife, and have agreed to lie together when the time comes for heirs. We simply retire at night to separate rooms."

Legolas moved closer, laying his hand over Aragorn's on the stone railing. "Do you still love her?"

Aragorn sighed deeply and nodded. "But I am not so cruel as to deny her who she loves. I have seen them together. They are happy together; I could never let my pain get in the way of that."

"I am sorry, Estel. I had thought...."

"So did I. But it seems Eru had other plans for us."

"Aye, so it would seem." A shiver ran down the man's spine. "Come....let us head inside. You are cold."

A small smile turned up the corner of Aragorn's mouth, though he did allow the elf to direct him off the balcony. "Is this another one of your 'you are not elven and cannot behave like one' lectures?"

A broad smile broke out over the elf's face. "Aye, I agreed to take over that duty from your father, remember?"

Aragorn laughed. "Aye, so you did, mellon nin. So you did." A deep sigh escaped Aragorn as they returned to the palace.

"You miss him," Legolas said softly.

Aragorn nodded. The two had been friends for so long, and thought so much alike, that there was little doubt who Legolas was referring to. "Father? Aye, very much. But more than that, I simply miss seeing elves. When father and Lady Galadriel sailed, most of Rivendell and Lórien went with them. Only you, my brothers, and a handful of others are left."

"Then your brothers chose differently from your sister?"

"They have said they will stay until Arwen and I pass, then join father in the Undying Lands."

"That must have been a great relief to your father."

Aragorn nodded. "At least he will see half of his children once more." He sighed, a small smile lifting the corner of his mouth.

"Estel?"

The smile widened as he turned to look at his elven friend. "Just remembering some of the mischief we got into when I was younger." They had reached the door to the king's suite. Aragorn unlocked the door and, once they were inside, closed and locked it behind them. "I wonder if there is a bone in my body that father did not reset."

The elf laughed. "Perhaps a few, but not many. You were rather accident prone, even for a human."

"I was not! You goaded me into half the things I did."

"Ah, but why did you not have the self control to resist my goading, Estel?"

Aragorn laughed, motioning Legolas over to the soft sofa in front of the fire. The elf sat, watching as the man took a bottle of wine and two glasses from a cabinet and sat down next to him, pouring a glass for each of them. Legolas took a small sip and smiled. "Dorwinion?"

Aragorn nodded, taking a long drink. "A wedding gift from your father. I had planned on saving it for our first anniversary, but...." His voice trailed off as he slowly swirled the red liquid in his glass. There was no need to complete the thought. Legolas watched concerned as Aragorn took another long drink, then another, draining his glass and refilling it.

"Mellon, drowning your pain in wine will not take it away," he said gently.

"No, but it dulls the edge of it." He finished the glass in several long swallows, but when he reached for the bottle to refill it once again, Legolas intercepted his hand.

"Estel, enough. I did not come here to see you pass out from drinking too much."

Aragorn glared at his friend. "I am Dúnadan, Legolas. It takes far more than that to get me drunk. Now give me that bottle!" He again reached for the wine and once more Legolas intercepted his hand.

"No. You have had enough. This is not the way to deal with your pain, Estel."

"Then what is? Running off with a dwarf and traipsing through forests and caves for a year while a man who is supposedly your friend is left to flounder through establishing a kingdom ravaged by war?"

Legolas' mouth dropped open at the man's sudden anger. "Estel....I asked you, before we left, if you wanted me to stay and help you. I told you that Fangorn and Aglarond were not going anywhere and I would be willing to put off my trip for months or years if you wished me to stay. You insisted I leave, remember?"

Aragorn's shoulders dropped and he turned away, staring into the fire. "I had hoped you would stay regardless," he said softly. "I did not want to look selfish by asking you to stay. I know how much it meant to you and Gimli to visit Fangorn and Aglarond."

Legolas sighed, moving closer and laying a hand on the man's back. "Forgive me, I did not know. If I had known, I would have stayed. Even if it had meant listening to Gimli's grumbling for the next ten years." He hesitated for a long moment before continuing. "You knew about Arwen's changed feelings before we left. Why did you not say anything?"

"What would it have accomplished? If you had stayed, you would have had to do naught but listen to me whine and complain. If you had left, you would have felt guilty that you had."

"Estel, I would not have left. Gimli is a good friend; I trust him with my life. But it was not Gimli that I pulled out of the Bruinen, nearly drowning myself in the process. I did not face down a regiment of Orcs in the Hithaeglir side by side with Gimli. And it was not Gimli who stayed with me for days, who endured my violence when the madness took me from the Witch-king's foul poison." Aragorn said nothing to that, examining his hands to give him something to do. "Estel....we have been through too much together for me to abandon you now. You should have told me. Gimli could have waited."

"I....I did not want to trouble you with my concerns. You have enough of your own."

"That is what friends are for, you stubborn human," Legolas said with a small laugh. "To lean on each other when times are rough. I have always depended on you, let yourself depend on me."

For many minutes, Aragorn said nothing, but as Legolas watched him closely, he could see the tension in the man's shoulders lessen, and after a while realized he was quietly crying. Moving closer on the sofa, he wrapped an arm around Aragorn and pulled him closer, leaning him against his shoulder. Aragorn did not resist the touch, sobbing softly into the elf's tunic.

"Where did I go wrong, Legolas? What did I do to make her stop loving me?"

"Who is to say it was you who changed, mellon? Perhaps it was Arwen who did. You cannot blame yourself for what happened. Even if it was you, can you truly say that the price was too high? Without your courage, the world would not be what it is today. Had you not rode to war with Théoden, Sauron would have stopped Frodo and Sam long before they reached Orodruin, and what was left of Gondor and Rohan and all the free lands would have toppled. You did what you had to do. Arwen must see that. If she does not, if she cannot accept what you had to do, who you had to become to accomplish that, it is her failing, not yours."

He slowly stroked the man's hair, feeling him relax, the sobs gradually abate. "I am certain you heard this far too many times from your father, but this was your destiny, whether you wanted it or not. It was foretold ages ago that you would unite all the armies of Middle Earth under one banner, that you would help to bring down Sauron, that you would become king of the reunited lands. Arwen was privy to that information, Estel. Your father made sure she knew what she was getting into before allowing you to court her. She knew who you would become and chose to pursue a love with you regardless. I believe it is her failing to accept you for who you were always destined to become that is the true reason behind her disenchantment. Perhaps she had never truly believed it. Perhaps she had always thought she could change you, I do not know. But I do not believe it was your failing when you became exactly who she always knew you were destined to become."

Aragorn nodded, surprised at the long speech from the normally reserved elf. "Perhaps you are right, Legolas."

"Of course I am," Legolas said softly. "Elves do not make mistakes."

For a moment, Aragorn said nothing, but when he looked up, his face was still wet with tears, but a small smile had appeared. "Then you have no idea how stinging nettles appeared in that poultice you made for me, Boromir, and the Hobbits when those biting flies decided we looked like a good lunch?"

Legolas said nothing to that, but the king could see he was fighting down a smile. "Gimli. He insisted it was an old Dwarvish recipe for fly bites. Counteract one itch with another."

"Ah, of course." Though he managed to not smile, the lighthearted banter went a long way toward improving Aragorn's grouchy mood.

Legolas continued staring into his friend's eyes, and without warning, felt something shift within him. Though he had looked many times before into those grey depths, never before had he seen such pain, such vulnerability. Not even when Aragorn was first told about a destiny he did not want and did not think he could live up to.

Continuing with his gentle, reassuring smile, he leaned down, and ever so gently brushed his lips against that of his friend. Aragorn started for a moment, but did not pull away, and Legolas carefully deepened the kiss, sliding a hand down the man's back, letting it rest gently on his hip.

When their lips finally parted, Aragorn's mouth was open, an expression of astonishment on his face. "Legolas...." he whispered. "What are you doing?"

"Something I should have done long ago, my friend," Legolas replied equally softly. "Giving free rein to my feelings."

"Feelings?"

Legolas shifted position, sliding his hand up Aragorn's back to once again softly stroke his hair. "Aye....I denied them for years, Estel. I did not wish to come between you and Arwen. But now...." He let his voice trail off, looking uncharacteristically unsure of himself. "Now I will hide them no longer."

"Legolas....what are you trying to say?"

The elf took a deep breath and plunged forward. "I love you, you silly human. I have loved you for years, and not as a friend, nor as a brother-in-arms. I know I should not, I know my heart will break when you pass from this world, but I cannot change what I feel."

For many moments, Aragorn said nothing, staring deeply into his friend's eyes. Legolas began to grow uncomfortable with the direct stare. Had he been wrong? Had the feelings he sensed from the king not been love after all?

"Aragorn? Have I been mistaken in what I have seen in your eyes? Do you not feel the same?"

Rather than responding, Aragorn stretched up and tentatively touched his lips to the elf's. After a moment, he reached a hand up to gently caress the smooth face. "You are not mistaken, my friend. I have felt the same; I have felt drawn to you in a way I could not explain."

Legolas nodded, pressing his cheek into the soft touch. "Then what are we to do about these feelings? I would not come between you and your queen if there is any hope of reconciliation."

Aragorn shook his head sadly. "There is not. I have seen how she looks at me. She cares for me, as a friend, but nothing more. And....I think she would understand. She saw me watching her with her lover once when she thought they were alone. She looked terrified that I would say something, something to force them to part."

"What happened?"

"Nothing. I just nodded and smiled, letting her know I understood. She looked relieved. So I do not think she would begrudge me my happiness."

"And would loving me make you happy, Estel?" Legolas whispered, kissing the king once again, this time letting his lips trail gently down the column of his neck.

"I....I do not know, Legolas." Aragorn gasped, tipping his head back, letting the elf explore his neck.

"Would you like to try and see?"

"I...." He gasped again as the gentle kisses turned into soft love bites. "I have never been with a male, Legolas."

"Shhhh. Just relax, let me take care of you, Estel. I assure you, I will not leave you wanting."

"Legolas, I...."

Legolas stopped the man's protest with another gentle kiss to his lips. "Shhhh." Another gentle kiss. "Do you trust me, Estel?" Aragorn nodded. "Then let me take care of you."

"I want to give you pleasure as well, Legolas."

"You will, mellon. I assure you, seeing your pleasure will cause mine. Now hush...." Gently shifting Aragorn off his chest, he took the sword callused hand in his and led him to the bed. Laying down on it, he patted the mattress next to him. Still slightly out of breath, Aragorn accepted the invitation, laying flat on his back, staring at the ceiling.

With a slight smile, Legolas moved closer, trailing a hand up and down Aragorn's stomach, his fingers deftly working at the ties on his robe. They came open easily under his nimble fingers, and he reached inside to caress the warm skin. Aragorn moaned softly and pressed up into the touches, closing his eyes and arching his back.

"No mellon," Legolas said softly, kissing him again. "Keep them open. I want to see your pleasure."

Aragorn nodded and opened his eyes, and after a moment's hesitation, reached his hands up, feeling the soft suede of Legolas' tunic, tracing the silver stitching with his fingertips. He looked up at Legolas, and when the elf nodded, found the hidden clasps and opened the front of his garment.

They continued working on each others clothes until their chests were bare, giving each other gentle kisses and soft caresses. Aragorn groaned softly when Legolas kneeled over him, kissing his lips and rubbing himself against his partner. An answering groan issued from the elf as his shaft hardened to match that of his Aragorn's.

Slowly, he worked his way lower on the man's body, kissing and nipping at the skin that quivered under the touch of his soft lips. He found an old wound near Aragorn's left nipple and kissed it, then took the nipple into his mouth and sucked. Aragorn whimpered and clutched the bedcovers in his hands, a hard shiver shooting down his spine. Legolas looked up at his face, at the warm grey eyes, now dilated in need.

"Do you like that, my friend?"

"Yes...." Aragorn moaned softly, then louder when the elf switched to his other nipple. "Legolas...."

"Yes, mellon?"

"Please....I need you....I ache for you." Legolas stretched up and kissed him deeply again.

"No....I will not be rushed. There will be pain regardless....I would not add to it by taking you before you are ready."

"But Legolas...." His words were stopped by another deep kiss.

"I will not be dissuaded, Estel. Now hush and let me do what I wish." Aragorn nodded and arched his neck as the elf left a trail of love bites down to his shoulder. This time, his trail southward was quicker, his destination different. Aragorn bit his lip as Legolas' nimble fingers worked at the laces on his leggings, suddenly nervous the elf would not like what he found. After a moment, they came free and the garment was pulled down and off. Legolas lovingly took the king's erection into his hand and gently felt the texture, the warmth and hardness.

Aragorn hissed at the touches, a low moan beginning in his throat, a moan that increased as hands were replaced by a mouth, sucking and nibbling on the flesh. He could not take his eyes off the incredibly erotic sight of his cock appearing and disappearing into the elf's beautiful mouth as Legolas sucked him in again and again and again.

He could feel the tension beginning in his body that signaled his release, but just as he tensed, preparing to climax, Legolas suddenly pulled his mouth away and encircled the base of his erection with two long fingers, preventing him from reaching it. "No, mellon....not yet...."

Aragorn muttered several Dwarvish curses under his breath as he gasped, trying to readjust to his state of arousal. Legolas laughed, his voice like the tinkling of silver bells. "Gimli would be proud that you remembered what he taught you, Estel."

"Why....why do you torture me so, Legolas?" he gasped, his body aflame with need, his aching shaft twitching against his belly.

Legolas stretched up to kiss him once more. "You are a traveler, Estel, you should understand. The longer and more difficult the journey, the sweeter it is once the destination is reached." Once he was certain the man's ardor had dimmed enough that it was safe to release him, he shed his leggings and lay down next to him.

Aragorn felt suddenly uncomfortable and looked away from the beautiful creature next to him. Smiling reassuringly, Legolas grasped one of his hands and laid it on his long, slender shaft, encouraging him to touch, to explore the soft flesh. Tentatively at first, then with more confidence as his touches brought expressions of pleasure from the elf, he explored the smooth skin of Legolas' shaft, cupping the delicate sacs and rolling them gently between his fingertips.

When Legolas dropped his head back on the pillow and began moaning softly, he replaced his hands with his mouth, trying to remember what Legolas had done to him. At first it felt foreign and uncomfortable, but as he grew used to the sensations, he sucked and licked and gently nibbled, smiling as Legolas arched up into his touch.

But he was not allowed to continue his exploration for long before Legolas gently but firmly pushed him away. "You must stop....or I will not be able to take you slowly as you deserve to be taken." He rolled to his other side, exposing the curve of one smooth hip, then back, cradling a small vial of massage oil in his hands.

"Roll onto your side, mellon," he whispered into the man's ear. Aragorn nodded and rolled to his side facing away from the elf. Pouring oil onto his fingers, Legolas shifted closer, rubbing his erection against Aragorn's buttocks. Aragorn tensed in sudden fear, expecting to be taken without preparation, and almost told the elf to stop. The single oiled finger that entered him caused him to relax, closing his eyes and allowing the feelings to wash through him. It felt uncomfortable and strange, but not painful.

A second finger was added after a time, joining the first in slowly, carefully loosening the snug passageway, spreading the oil deep within. Aragorn's breath began to come hard as the feelings of discomfort gradually gave way, to be replaced with longing and pleasure. He tensed for only a brief moment when Legolas added a third finger, and nearly lifted off the bed when the pleasure spot inside of him was touched. "AIIIIIII!!!" he panted, his breath harder and harder to find as Legolas touched that spot again and again, sending white-hot flashes of pleasure racing through his body.

He barely noticed when Legolas withdrew his hand and shifted closer, moving his leg out of the way and gently pressing his well-oiled erection inside. He began thrusting shallowly and slowly, his hand on the man's shaft keeping up the same rhythm as the gentle rocking movements of his hips. But when he felt the tight passageway began to relax, his thrusts met with backward movements of Aragorn's hips, he applied himself in earnest to his task.

Climax came quickly for them both, Aragorn's deep throaty moans joining with the elf's breathless gasps. For a long moment, there was nothing but them, no other worries in the world. No kingdoms, no grief, no fear, no loneliness....just two lovers giving their all to each other.

Finally it was over and they both relaxed into the mattress, breathing hard and trying to ride out the sudden waves of dizziness from their intense climaxes. Legolas was the first to stir, gently withdrawing his spent shaft from his partner and wrapping his arm more tightly around Aragorn's waist. The king pressed back against his chest, sighing deeply in contentment.

They lay together for a long time, watching the sun rise through the tinted windows, not speaking. Finally Aragorn spoke, the question that had been nagging at him since Legolas admitted his feelings. "Where does this leave us, Legolas?"

"Where do you want it to leave us, Estel?" Legolas asked softly. "I would have it mean more than a simple night of comfort, shared between friends, if that is also your wish."

"You know that we can never be seen in public as anything beyond friends."

"Aye, I do....and if that is the restriction I must face for loving you, then that is what I will do. For I can no more turn off my feelings for you than stop Anor from rising and setting." Legolas slowly stroked Aragorn's tangled hair. "I will stay until you have passed, Estel....I will be naught but your advisor, your friend, your brother in arms during the day. But come to me at night, and I will love you as you deserve to be loved....if that is what you desire of course."

"It is, Legolas....it is....I love you...." Aragorn's voice trailed off as his eyes closed, and with another smile, Legolas softly kissed his cheek.

"I love you too, Estel." A slight smile greeted his words before the king's body relaxed, his breathing becoming deep and even as his exhausted body finally found the rest it needed. Legolas could not help but smile. "It appears you did not need the hard ground after all, mellon...." he said softly, closing his eyes and letting himself relax. "Just the comfort of someone who loves you...." A few moments later, he too was resting, content in the warmth of his lover's body.

*****

Translations:

Aglarond: "The Glittering Caves". The caves behind Helm's Deep. Gimli was amazed by their beauty during the War of the Ring and later established a Dwarvish kingdom there.

Ephel Dúath: The mountains on the western and southern border of Mordor. Visible from Minas Tirith.

Eru: Also known as Ilúvatar. The creator of the world and the only one who knows the full plan and destiny of everyone on it.

Dorwinion: A fine wine created in a small area of the same name, located near Mirkwood. Dorwinion is one of the choicest wines in Mirkwood, and perhaps in all of Middle Earth. It is reputed to have been extremely potent.

Mellon: Friend

Dúnadan: Singular of Dúnedain, the descendants of Númenor.

Hithaeglir: The Misty Mountains.

*****

THE END

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