Title: And So the Leaf Falls. Pt. 9/?
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, Elladan/Haldir, and Elrohir/Rumil
Rating: PG-13
Summary: A time to explore finds new things for a certain Mirkwood prince
Notes: Here I thought it was going to be another month for more because the muses went on hiatus! Glad I was wrong! Thanks for the reviews and to MA thanks for the beta! Love ya! Enjoy! Feedback is much loved and appreciated!

‘thoughts’

A lone rider approached the darkened forests of Mirkwood, leading an almost skeletal, yet sinister creature behind him. The rider stopped, tilting his head ever so slightly as the wind blew up around them in warning, drowning out the inane babble of the creature.

Leaning his head up as if in a decision, the rider tugged back his hood a little bit to reveal his face. "Elves of Mirkwood I come in peace! I seek an audience with King Thranduil on behalf of Mithrandir!" His words floated out clear and strong, supported by the wind through the trees.

"Tell me, human, why are you to speak to our King and not Mithrandir himself?" A rather derisive tone of voice preceded the emergence of several Elves, all with arrows aimed at the two strangers.

"That I cannot say, however I bear a letter from him as well," the stranger replied as he took out a sealed scroll and handed it to the leader, who had been the one speaking.

Taking the letter and examining it, the Elf nodded slowly. He glanced disdainfully at the still muttering creature. "And what is this…thing?" he asked in disgust.

"He is the creature Gollum, once known as Sméagol. I captured him in the Dead Marshes and I am bringing him to Mirkwood so that they might guard him," the stranger replied with an amused smile.

"I…see," the Elf replied with a wrinkle of his nose before glancing up at the rider. "And you are?"

"In the Dunedain, I am known as Strider, but amongst the Elves I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn," the rider known as Aragorn supplied with a bow of his head.

"Son of Arathorn you say? As in, the heir of Isildur, betrayer of the light?" the Elf asked in half interest, half wariness as he fingered his sword hilt.

"The son of Arathorn…and that is all," Aragorn responded firmly, eyes flashing with a hint of anger.

"And the foster son of Elrond…if I am not mistaken," the Elf added slyly as he glanced up at the human, smirking as he saw the Man stiffen. "We are ordered to kill any who dare come from that realm to ours," he murmured before slowly looking up at Aragorn challengingly.

Bowing his head, Aragorn countered quietly, "And start a Kin slaying for your King's closed mind and cold decree? Fine then…let my blood be spilt for those whom I was raised by and love. But I shall not raise a sword against those who have not earned it."

Eyes gazing at the Man intently, the Elf remained silent as the wind blew gently around them. Suddenly a smirk appeared on the pale face. "Perhaps we might just maim you as a warning. But we shall leave that for our King to decide. Mayhap you may be able to force sense on him when we, his children, have not. Come…I shall lead you in, Aragorn, son of Arathorn," he said with amusement, patting the leg of the Ranger as they looked at each other.

Aragorn chuckled softly under his breath as the commander quietly gave orders to his men before returning to Aragorn's side. Gently kneeing his horse into a slow walk, the Ranger followed after the mystery Elf and considered himself lucky that he was indeed still alive. 'It would seem that not all Elves believe in Thranduil's decree…' he thought in bemusement, still pondering what the Elf had meant by 'we, his children'. Shrugging it off and knowing it would most likely be explained later, Aragorn refocused on their conversation as they went to the heart of the forest.

*~~**~~*

Thranduil sat tall on his throne as he waited for the bold Ranger that had dared to come to his realm. His face was marred by a small frown, while his eyes were cold as they stared at the door to his throne room. He glanced to the side slightly, taking in the presence of his three children that were home. His eyes, however, did not stay long on the waning visage of his youngest son and immediately squashed the tremble of regret and sorrow that keened inside of him at the sight of what his decree had caused. He would not regret it now nor would he change…

After his decree fifty years ago, he and his family along with their kingdom had watched as Legolas had slowly faded from his sorrow. The once youthful and vibrant visage was now pale and almost translucent. His eyes that had once rivaled the sky were now dull and empty, while his figure which had once vibrated with strength and vitality was but a shadow of his Elven heritage. Golden hair now dulled to a pale yellow hung loosely about the thin frame and, while he had not succumbed yet to the Elven sickness, it was clear that Legolas was losing his want to live. But Thranduil refused to change his mind, telling himself that twas better his son die free of the Peredhil curse than to be tainted anymore by its vile touches.

Focusing forward once more as he heard the doors open, Thranduil watched his eldest, dressed in his border uniform, enter, leading the human and the creature that the scouts had reported. He resisted the urge to wrinkle his nose in disgust at the muttering beast, calming his face into a cool mask as his hard emerald eyes took in the Man's form instead. "Who has dared come into my realm from Imladris?" he asked coldly, his voice floating throughout the hall.

Bowing his head as he stepped forward, the Man saluted Thranduil with a hand over his heart. "King Thranduil, I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn," he answered quietly, causing murmurs of surprise and suspicion to immediately well up at the mention of his name.

Looking around sharply at his advisors in a silent order for quiet, Thranduil returned his gaze to Aragorn. "Son of Arathorn, you say. I knew your father…he was a good Man, even if he was raised by the Peredhil," he said thoughtfully, though spite poisoned the last word and earned a sharp look of reproach from both his family and from Aragorn. "What brings you here, brave son of Arathorn, when you know of my decree?" he demanded as he sat up, tilting his chin haughtily.

"I bring a message from Mithrandir as well as seek for your cooperation in holding the creature Gollum in your dungeon," Aragorn replied smoothly as he straightened and offered the sealed scroll, which Thranduil's scribe took and brought to the King.

"Mithrandir, you say? And where is the old wizard now?" Thranduil asked sarcastically, yet fondly as he broke the seal and quickly read the contents.

"That I can not say, King Thranduil. But what he needed for you to see was urgent," Aragorn responded politely, yet stiffly as he stood before them.

Remaining silent as he gazed at the letter before glancing up at the human, Thranduil nodded. "Very well then…Calenglîr, show our guest to some quarters so that he may clean up. Never let it be said that Mirkwood treats guests shoddily. Brandglaur, take this…Gollum…to the dungeons and feed it," he ordered as he gestured to the various people. Aragorn bowed his head in thanks before following the advisor out, while Brandglaur took the light chain and tugged on it gently to encourage Gollum to follow him out. Gollum protested a bit, but, when met with an Elven sword at his throat, he grumbled and growled, but followed reluctantly.

Thranduil tilted his head and rested his chin on his fist as he gazed thoughtfully at the wall, wondering what the wizard was up to. He dismissed all present in the hall and went to his study to ponder what Mithrandir's words might foretell.

*~~**~~*

Walking almost as silently as the Elven hosts that he was staying with, Aragorn looked around the caverns of the Mirkwood kingdom as he wandered them. He had cleaned up once the aide had left him in his guest rooms, then had had dinner brought to him. After eating and still feeling restless despite his fatigue, he took to wandering the stone home of the forest Elves.

He came to a grotto that held a vast garden, lush with trees and flowering plants. He smiled as he listened to the birds singing, their notes echoing on the marble and granite walls. He walked in quietly, his footsteps softened by the luxuriant green grass that carpeted the ground. He glanced around, noting the small waterfall that was rumbling in the distant corner, where a small stream flowed away from it to form into a clear pool near the center of the grotto. He guessed that there must be an underground river for it to remain so clear, for there was naught but a bit of dirt within its sparkling depths.

Stopping, he tilted his head as he heard soft singing near him, filled with melancholy and longing as it floated amidst the birdsong and waterfall. He turned and followed its sad tones until he found the youngest son of Thranduil where he sat under a tree. His heart ached as he saw the verdant longing on the Prince's pale face as the slender fingers clung to the pendant that he, in his youth, vaguely remembered hearing the twins saying had been a gift from their father to the Prince. As the song ended, the Man crept over quietly. "Such a sad song from one that had brought such great joy once," he murmured quietly, surprising the young Prince.

Looking up, startled, Legolas looked away quickly once he had seen who it was. "My heart only knows sorrow, even as I cling to this life in the vague hope that my father will repent and allow me my heart's desire," he replied bitterly as he brought his knees up and wrapped his arms around them tightly.

"My foster father also clings to that hope, Prince Legolas. He longs for you, even as the night longs for the moon's gentle light," Aragorn said softly as he sat down next to the Elf nimbly.

"Your words are such that you understand longing, Aragorn. Your heart longs for one such and must be denied?" Legolas asked quietly as he looked up and focused on Aragorn sadly.

"Aye…my heart has been taken by one of your kind. You know her well," Aragorn answered hesitantly after a minute of silence.

"Arwen," came the soft answer as it was lit by a small smile while the Prince nodded in understanding. "She is lovely for an Ellith," he added with a teasing wink and laughed slightly as Aragorn's cheeks pinked slightly before the Ranger looked away.

"I first saw her on a bridge in Imladris and wondered if I had wandered into a dream. She felt the same when I told her," Aragorn mumbled as he looked down, picking at the grass as memories came to him once more, warming him.

Legolas observed him closely and smiled softly as he relaxed. "So your feelings are returned. Then why so sad?" he asked quietly.

"Like you, my feelings are not well received by my foster father. The twins accept it, more for that it makes Arwen happy. However…" Aragorn trailed off and sighed softly.

"However, my beloved one is afraid of Arwen's looming choice," Legolas surmised correctly, sighing as well as Aragorn nodded miserably. He reached over and placed a cool hand on Aragorn's arm. "Mellonen…how did we end up loving that which is forbidden?" he asked teasingly.

Aragorn looked up and blinked, then started to laugh. Legolas joined him, laughing softly at the irony of their situations. A comfortable silence fell over them for a while as they sat within the grotto.

But after a while, Aragorn turned to Legolas. "Legolas…I wish to ask you something on behalf of someone we care for."

"Ask and I shall see what I may do," Legolas replied easily as he inclined his head towards Aragorn while leaning back onto his hands.

"Do not give up hope. Times are changing and you, I feel, will be needed. Grow stronger and remain firm in the faith that you will see my foster father once more and that your love is ever strong," Aragorn said firmly as Legolas looked at him in surprise.

Listening to the softly spoken words, Legolas felt something stir within his heart: hope and the desire to live. He nodded firmly and smiled as Aragorn clasped his hand with a smile and a warm nod before standing. He watched the human go, and then looked forward once more. Perhaps there was something to live for after all…

TBC

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