Title: And So the Leaf Falls. Pt. 19/20

Author: Deathangelgw

Author email: deathangelgw@hotmail.com

Disclaimer: The characters belong to Tolkien, not me. Though I wouldn’t mind them! ~_^

Warnings: AU, slight OOC, sap, angst, dark, lemon/lime, slash.

Pairings: Elrond/Legolas, hinted Erestor/Glorfindel, Ereinion/Celebrían, Elladan/Haldir, and Elrohir/Rumil

Rating: PG-13

Summary: A time to explore finds new things for a certain Mirkwood prince

Notes: After a long hiatus...*now* they talk. Thanks for the reviews and to MA thanks for the beta! Love ya! Enjoy! Feedback is much loved and appreciated!

‘thoughts’

[Osgiliath Harbor, Lairë 56, 121 Fourth Age]

The sea breeze was almost biting as Legolas watched the final preparations that were going on the ship that was to take them to Aman. It had been a year since Aragorn had passed away and about four months since Arwen had gone to Lothlórien and most likely had faded. Eldarion had taken up the crown of Gondor and was ruling well in the shadow of his father, shining through with his own fair rule. In truth, the Elves were no longer needed and all who had once walked freely among Men were fading into the background. It was time to leave these shores.

He sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose on his memories and the emotions they brought to the fore. He seemed to be losing all the light in his life and he wasn’t even sure he would find it in Aman. With how cold his link to Elrond had become, he had a feeling that it had been severed by his beloved. Returning to Elladan and Elrohir’s good graces had lightened the past five and a half decades, but his heart still yearned for the elder Peredhel.

Turning, Legolas watched over his shoulder as he walked away, and then stopped in surprise when he saw a cloaked figure before him. He blinked and watched as the figure removed his hood, for it was male, and gasped as his father was revealed before him. It had been well over two centuries since he had seen his father and they had not parted on good terms. But then the War and the founding of Ithilien after the War had taken his mind off of his estrangement with his father. The fact that his brothers and sister had come to live with him in Ithilien had been a balm to his heart as he longed for his beloved, but it had been tinged briefly with bitterness when his father had refused his offer to stay in Ithilien as Eryn Lasgalen had faded from its brilliant standing as the former Greenwood the Great.

But there was his father standing before him, watching him as warily as he was watching. He didn’t move as he just watched his father, not wanting to be the first one to hold out his hand because it might be slapped away. That was why it was a surprise when his father stepped forward and embraced him. Stunned, Legolas stood in his father’s hold for a few seconds before his arms came up to return the hold, hugging tightly to the father he had missed dearly. He felt tears come to his eyes as his father held him just as tightly for several minutes. They leaned back then and Legolas searched his father’s eyes, feeling warmer as he saw the fondness and happiness. “Ada, it has been so long,” (Father) he whispered softly as he smiled brilliantly.

Chuckling, Thranduil ran a hand through Legolas’ hair. “It has indeed. I missed you, ionen,” (my son) he whispered tenderly before hugging his son to him again. “Is there room for a couple more passengers?” he asked softly.

“Always, Ada...always,” Legolas whispered, his voice choked with happy tears as he hugged his father. They released each other and Legolas led him to the house he was staying at with Gimli and Celeborn, who had joined them a couple of weeks prior. It was an interesting reunion for all of them and Legolas stayed up all night talking with his father, catching up. He was touched that his father had come to terms with his love for Elrond and how proud the former King was of him and all that he had done.

The next day, the harbor was chaotic with activity as they loaded up their supplies and personal possessions while the passengers said farewell to the friends that were still alive. Legolas watched the bustle with a fond smile in between his commands. He was used to being the sole leader since Faramir had left their world over forty years previous. Not that he minded. It was, after all, what he had been bred for.

By midmorning, everything was loaded and they all started boarding. Legolas smiled as he turned with Gimli to Eldarion, who was hugging his uncles. Eldarion turned to them and hugged them both, tears rolling down his face unabashedly. “Both of you...please be safe and well,” he whispered and wiped a hand on his face. “Thank you, both of you, for what you have done for us,” he added warmly as he took their hands in his.

“You will be a fine ruler, lad...a fine one. You do us and yer father proud,” Gimli stated gruffly as he patted the hand he held.

“You are the new ruler, Eldarion...be good to your people and teach your children and grandchildren the same,” Legolas said quietly as he smiled at Eldarion. The young King nodded as he released them, then stepped back to his wife’s side, who was already showing signs of her second pregnancy. Legolas and Gimli bowed deeply to the young King of Gondor before turning and heading onto the ship where the twin sons of Elrond, Celeborn, Thranduil, Haldir, and Rumil were waiting by the guard rail along with the rest of the remaining Elves that were choosing Aman.

The call went out to set sail and a loud roaring cheer rose up from the crowd of humans who had come to bid them farewell. There was not a dry eye among the crowd as they waved and shouted their goodbyes to the nigh mythical people who had helped make their lives better. The Elves and single Dwarf waved as well, watching until the harbor disappeared from their view before they went either below deck to their rooms or spread out so the crew wouldn’t be hindered. Legolas leaned on the rail and closed his eyes as he took in the scent of sea air. He was going home...to his beloved.

*~~**~~*

The spot on the horizon grew as the day passed and Legolas found he couldn’t wait. He watched it anxiously even as all of the rest of the crew and passengers rushed around packing their things and preparing for landing. He just wanted to be *there* already even though he knew he should pack up. But he couldn’t as he just watched the horizon grow into more detail with mountains becoming visible and thoughts of his beloved flooding his mind.

A hand on his shoulder broke through his thoughts and he looked over his shoulder into his father’s amused gaze. He grinned excitedly as he turned towards Thranduil. “We are almost there, Ada,” he said quietly as Thranduil went over by his side and looked out.

“Aye...soon we both shall be reunited with our beloveds,” his father replied with a chuckle as he winked at his son. They both turned to watch the land grow even closer and both could hear the sound of seagulls growing louder. Thranduil tilted his head and said, “Go pack, ionen. You have plenty of time to anticipate our arrival, but only a few moments to pack.” He grinned as Legolas tossed him a sheepish grin before nodding and heading to his room.

Dodging other passengers as he headed for his room, Legolas could feel his spirit thrumming with the anticipation even more. He arrived at his room that he was sharing with Gimli and began putting away what little clothes he had out away into his trunk. He noted that Gimli had already cleaned up but was no where around, so he most likely was up on deck. Finishing quietly and swiftly, he set his trunk for easy access for the crew to unload before going upstairs. He went on deck and over to his father’s side as they kept watch on the nearing land.

By mid-afternoon, they were entering Aqualondë’s Harbor and docking at the overcrowded pier. Legolas could see his mother and eldest sister and felt tears roll down his cheeks given that it had been a millennium since they had seen each other. But as they began disembarking, his heart and spirits plummeted when he saw that his beloved was nowhere to be seen. Trying to keep a cheerful smile on his face as he left the ship with his family and Gimli, he went over and dutifully hugged his mother and sister. But his heart wasn’t in it even as they started talking after he had introduced his friend and they headed for a nearby cottage that his mother and sister were staying at. Eventually he grew quiet, just listening to his family talk with Gimli interspersing his own comments as he tried not to fall into despair. But he soon lost the battle and turned from them.

Suddenly needing to go out, he left the cottage, ignoring their concerned calls for him from his family and Gimli and headed back towards the docks. His trunk had already been delivered, but he didn’t feel any comfort from it. Clutching the pendant around his neck, he stepped out onto the pier and stared out with tear blurred eyes at the sunset. The colors that spread over the sea and sky did little to ignite his wonder as it crashed down onto him. His beloved had not come. Elrond had forsaken him.

He wrapped his arms around his waist and hugged himself tightly as his head bowed. He sobbed a bit and tried to stifle it with his shaking hand over his mouth. He thought losing Elrond had been crushing before, but he didn’t think he could survive this. He had been hoping that his beloved was going to at least be present for his sons’ arrival, but perhaps he should have known better. Perhaps he should have taken the sundering of their bond for what it was: the end.

Eventually, his sobbing died down and his heart became numb once more as night drew in around him. He just stood near the ocean, shivering in the cold wind but unwilling to leave out of hopelessness. Even the light of Eärendil couldn’t bring him any joy as it shone on him from the dark night sky.

A gentle hand on his shoulder coaxed him from his despair and he looked over silently. To his surprise, he found himself with an unknown Elleth by his side. She smiled up at him as her pale blonde hair flowed around her from the wind and her delicate hand came up to cup his cheek. He turned a bit towards her in curiosity and confusion as she brushed away his tears. “Who are you?” he whispered huskily and shivered hard with the cold wind that rose up around them from the sea.

“My name is Celebrían. And you are Legolas Thranduilion...beloved to my husband Elrond,” the Elleth answered and Legolas felt his face blanch even paler than it most likely already was. She turned and looked out at the star studded horizon as he stared at her, seemingly nonchalant about what she had just said. “Elrond told me about you...how you made a vow to be with Estel until he died. We were afraid that he might fade for a long time there when he had first arrived at Aman,” she continued and sighed as she shrugged. “Thankfully he did not and found another reason to live.” She glanced over at him and smiled almost sadly. “Work saves him again I suppose.”

“We? Work? Where is he?” Legolas pleaded as he went in front of her and reached for her, but he stopped and hugged his waist instead. “Please...where is he?”

She watched him silently, thoughtful as she seemed to consider things. Finally, she smirked and turned from him. “Follow me, young Legolas. You will have your answers,” she said before starting away from the pier and towards Alqualondë. Legolas hesitated for a few seconds before following after her, wondering what she had to tell him. They went along the cobblestone road until they came to a warm looking cottage that was closer towards the edge of town. She went inside with him following and led him into the den where a regal looking Elf waited for them by the fire. He stood and smiled at them before holding a hand out to Celebrían, who took it and accepted the kiss he placed tenderly on her lips.

Confused even more as his beloved’s wife kissed another Ellon, Legolas stood in the room and waited until they were done with their greeting. When they turned to him, he nodded. “Do you wish me to leave since it would seem you have other things in mind?”

“Valar nay! Not with my sons in the same cottage as us!” Celebrían replied with a tinkling laugh and the other Elf chuckled as well. “Legolas, this is Ereinion Gil-galad. He and Elrond were briefly lovers before his death and he is now my fiancé,” she explained as she gestured to the former High King.

“My...liege...” Legolas murmured as he bowed, now utterly confused. What was the purpose of bringing him there?

“I see you have thoroughly confused him now, melethen,” (my love) Ereinion commented lightly as he sat and gestured for Legolas to sit as he tugged Celebrían to her seat next to him. Legolas followed the silent order and sat on the plush chair across from them, watching them warily. He still didn’t know what they wanted with him, but if they could tell him where Elrond was then he would do anything.

“Well, I had to capture his attention somehow. I do not think my mentioning that I was once Elrond’s wife would bring him to trust me enough,” Celebrían explained lightly as they laced fingers.

“So you and Elrond are no longer together?” Legolas murmured in curiosity as he watched them.

“Nay, though we had offered to be with him since we were all once bonded. But it seemed his heart was too broken to even contemplate being with the ones who were also lovers to him,” Ereinion replied sadly as he gazed at the young prince.

Swallowing hard as he looked down at his shaking hands, Legolas couldn’t stop his despair once more from welling up and washing over him in a dark blanket. “What...happened?” he finally asked thickly as tears rolled down his face.

Silence greeted him for a bit before his answer arrived. “He was tasked by Ingwë to create a vale much like Imladris to support the exploration that was occurring to the southwest of Formenos. Farmlands and orchards were being started and they needed a central shipping city to connect the new land to the rest of Aman. He founded Imlothuial and has been there since,” Ereinion explained and smiled when Legolas finally looked up.

“Is he...happy?” Legolas inquired and took a shuddering breath as he glanced down at his hands again. When silence answered him, he looked up and saw their looks of sorrow and worry. “What has happened?”

“He...” Celebrían trailed off and looked up at Ereinion imploringly.

“He fades, Legolas. He is alone, not even accepting help from us or companionship to ease his heart. His letters are brief and to the point even though his valley thrives,” Ereinion explained quietly. “But the letters from his Seneschal, Ecthelion, are of grave concern as they detail how little he eats, his lack of socializing, and his nightmares.”

“Nightmares?” Legolas sobbed out, horrified. What had he done?!

“Aye, his past is riddled with the horrors of the Eldar wars and other Wars. But we believe it is his broken heart that is breaking him,” Celebrían whispered tearfully. “W-When we told him of our r-relationship...” She stopped and sobbed as she covered her face with her hands.

Ereinion held her close as he gazed at Legolas. “He shut down right before our eyes. He looked to me just as he had when his twin had chosen the life of Man and he had come into my care. We had only...we had only wanted to share with him what he shared with us. But I think we were too late,” he explained sorrowfully.

“Aye...because I had broken him with my staying in Arda,” Legolas answered and started weeping anew as he curled in tightly, hugging himself. He heard some shuffling, and then trembled as he was gathered into gentle arms and held.

“Do not blame yourself any longer Legolas. There is still time to save the both of you,” Celebrían murmured softly as she held him while rubbing his back tenderly before tucking him close.

“How?” Legolas cried as he wept, shaking. “He does not want me any longer!”

“He does and you will know this as soon as you see him. We are going to Imlothuial in two days and you are coming with us. And no matter what, you must not give up hope,” Ereinion ordered gently as he placed a hand on Legolas’ head. When the prince looked up at him, he smiled encouragingly. “Do not give up, Legolas Thranduilion. If you do, we lose you both. Do you wish that?” he whispered fiercely.

Sniffling as he leaned back while staring at Ereinion, Legolas felt that flame within him flicker and flare to life. He wiped his face and nodded. “I shall not lose hope...I *will* prove to him that we are meant to be and I will make him the happiest Elf in all Aman!” he declared as he grinned at the two elder Elves. They nodded and grinned back with relief. Legolas sat back in determination. Elrond wasn’t going to know what hit him!

TBC