Legolas slowly opened his eyes, the light immediately stinging them. He raised a hand and blocked his eyes, before they got used to the light. He slowly sat up, and was surprised when he found himself in his bed. Aragorn must have carried him there as he fell asleep.

He slowly scooted so he sat on the edge of the bed, and winched as his muscles were still a bit sore. He tried massage his sore arm, but found out it did not help.

"Aragorn?" He asked as he couldn't see the man anywhere, which in itself was unusual. He slowly rose from the bed and walked over to the door. He opened it and his eyes narrowed at the sudden light. He blinked a few times before he got used to the light, but immediately frowned.

Aragorn stood opposite to Duinhir. The chief were mad, obviously hangover, and held Aragorn's arm in a tight, threatening grip. Aragorn clenched his jaw in fear, knowing that Duinhir could easily hurt him if he wanted to.

A few of the people watched, too afraid to interfere. Gléomer held his hands behind his back not to, worry and pity in his green eyes. Legolas also wanted to interfere, but knew it was useless as he was still weak.

"Duinhir...I can't help that your nephew finds me attractive.."

"She is crying because of you." The muscular chief said, poison clear in his voice. He took a grip around his neck, hard enough so the man couldn't breathe.

"I am sorry." Aragorn choked out, and clenched his fists hard.

Gléomer tensed up, so did Legolas, patiently waiting for anything to happen. Legolas blue eyes showed pure fear, knowing that Duinhir could easily strangle him if he truly wanted to.

"If you don't love her I want you gone." He said and threw Aragorn backwards roughly, making him stumble with a soft gasp and fall heavily on his back in the ashes from the fire. He coughed a few times from the ashes, taking deep breaths as he could finally breathe again.

Legolas frowned deeply and went outside to help him up. Aragorn looked at him in surprise, obviously not expecting him. Legolas held out a hand, no emotion on his face, which Aragorn took with a small smile. Legolas forged a small smile back as the man stood from the ground.

Then he looked at Duinhir with a look full of hatred, a look that was returned.

"How can he help that your nephew finds him attractive?" He said before he hooked his arm to Aragorn and led him back to the house.

"I want you gone by tomorrow!" Duinhir shouted behind their backs as they left.
"King or not, this is my village!"

As he closed the door Legolas pulled the skirt over his head, relieved when it caused him no pain whatsoever.

"We leave now." Legolas said as he took a skirt on and strapped the belt on gently.

Aragorn frowned as he gently felt his now bruised neck with his fingertips. He winced as it stung and he coughed again.
"Do you feel well enough?"

"Aragorn." Legolas said and faced him, a bit irritated. Aragorn was nearly choked and he ask if Legolas was alright?
"I won't stay here if he treat you like that."

"It was one time! He obviously had a hangover."

"I don't care!" Legolas said and faced him, anger flashing in his eyes.
"He hurt you." He said in a quieter voice and lowered his eyes, ashamed that he shouted. A prince should never, under any circumstances, raise his voice.

Aragorn looked at him in concern before he walked forward to embrace him.
"He was just angry..."

"That's not a reason. In any way he want us gone." Legolas sighed and gently lay his head to rest on Aragorn's shoulder, breathing in his smell to calm himself.

"I know, but I need to talk to Gléomer first."

Legolas smiled a small smile and looked up at the man.
"He could always follow us."

"I'll ask again." Aragorn smiled and kissed Legolas nose, making him chuckle softly.

When Gléomer entered Aragorn immediately went to talk to him. Legolas smiled and went to fill their water skins from the bucket Aragorn had received, leaving the men to talk alone.

"Gléomer...We leave now, and we want you to know that you are most welcome to follow us."

Gléomer smiled sadly and put a firm hand on Aragorn's shoulders in a friendly gesture.
"I can't. The village needs a healer and I am the only one. I'm right now teaching those who want to be healers, but I am the only one professional."

Aragorn nodded, visibly disappointed, and raised a hand to return the gesture.
"I understand. I must say that I really enjoyed your company."

"I did too." Gléomer smiled sadly and looked at Legolas as he approached with a bag.

"Can we take this?"

"Of course, take what you need for your travel."

Aragorn took it with a smile and hang it over his shoulder.

"Thank you, I mostly appreciate all your help Gléomer." Legolas smiled and lay a hand on his heart and bowed his head slightly.

The man nodded at the elvish gesture, a smile on his face.
"It was my pleasure. Just remember to change the bandages a few more times until the wound is completely healed to prevent infection."

Aragorn nodded and took the items he got from the healer and put it in the bag. He hugged Gléomer once before the man left them for the last time.

Legolas sighed and turned to face Aragorn, who smiled assuming at him.

They took one last look at the healing house, before they exited.

As they entered the forest and were out of curious eyes Aragorn immediately grabbed Legolas arm gently, still minding the bruises. As the elf spun around in surprise he was kissed a bit more rough, one hand behind his neck. Surprised he let Aragorn kiss him, until he got his senses back. Returning the kiss he grabbed Aragorn's skirt, maybe to pull him closer or maybe to prevent him leaving. They backed until Legolas hit a tree and he moaned softly.

They broke apart, Aragorn's lips gently left Legolas, who's lips was swollen again, like his own.

"Not here." Legolas whispered and chuckled, before he grabbed Aragorn's hand and began to run. Aragorn immediately held him back and the elf looked back at him in question.

Aragorn chuckled.
"I know you want to run but let's take it easy a few days alright?"

Legolas rolled his eyes, but began to walk instead. Aragorn smiled and walked beside him, holding his hand hard.

"It will be a long walk without the horses." Legolas sighed and looked to the sun for guidance.
"It took a week with them, and we stopped many times."

Aragorn sighed too and nodded, remembering their path.
"Yes."

They gave each other a look, before they began to walk, holding hands. At nightfall they made a fire, just big enough to give some warmth. Aragorn needed sleep, so Legolas lay awake all night as he did not necessarily need it. It was a long night, but he kept Aragorn in his imagination. He did look hot without a shirt..

In the morning they continued their path, torturously slow. Suddenly Legolas stopped in the middle of a step, listening closely. Immediately a grin touched his face and he ran off in the other direction. Aragorn, confused, ran after him.

When he moved a branch to finally see Legolas he saw him embrace Arod's neck, kissing his mane happily. Aragorn relaxed and let a his lips pull into a grin.

"See I told you." He said relieved.

Legolas smiled and patted his neck a few times, brushing off small leaves and dirt. He noticed a little blood in his mane, but after a quick check saw it was nothing serious.
"Hannon le Arod." (Thank you)

He mounted the horse, and immediately motioned for the man to mount behind him. He did, and they once more were on the track.

With a horse it shortened their path with a few days at least.

Elrond sighed and sat down in his chair heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. He could not keep his mind off Estel and Legolas. It have been almost three weeks, they should've been back. He forged himself to relax, trying to convince himself they were fine. Maybe he should have sent a guard with them? You never know what they stumble into, especially as their history of trips all involved all kinds of disasters.

A knock was heard. Elrond sighed, but straighten up in his chair.

"Enter."

It was a guard, who smiled a little.
"Your son is back my lord, Legolas with him."

Elrond felt himself relax visibly, his son was back.
"Is he unharmed?"

He saw the corners of the servant's mouth twist into a small smile.
"Yes, they both look fine."

"Thank you, you are dismissed." The servant nodded thankfully and went down the hall with soft steps.

Elrond rose and began to walk down to the stables, knowing that they would need to be there to leave their horses.

As he entered the stables he saw Aragorn and Legolas beside Arod, who looked far too tired but for his own good. The boy filled up a bucket of water completely, and Arod immediately began to drink from it.

"Estel, Legolas." Elrond said and approached the two, making the man flinch slightly as his elvish name was used. Legolas chuckled at Aragorn's reaction, but quickly bit his chin as he got a look from Elrond. He knew the elf Lord wasn't gonna be happy.

"What happened to you? And to Arod?" He said and gestured towards the horse who drank like he hadn't seen water in years.
"And where is Brego?"

Aragorn looked at Legolas for help, but received only a helpless shrug.
"Brego ran, I believed he would be home by now."

Elrond narrowed his eyes.
"This sounds alarming. I was suspicious the second Lindor told me you both looked fine. You're hiding something."

"We got attacked by trolls." Aragorn finally said and forged himself to remain calm.
"Legolas got badly injured and we...I met a few ents. They helped us to a village, where we met this very kind healer."

Elrond looked at his son, having a hard time progressing all of what he just said. Legolas shifted uncomfortably, knowing that Elrond would be really mad, and he would probably contact his father as well.

Facing his father Aragorn smiled almost innocently. Elrond sighed and totally unexpected embraced his son. Only Aragorn could smile at something like this afterwards like it was nothing.

Aragorn stood frozen for a second, before he softened and lay his arms around his foster father.

"Is good to see you again Ada." Aragorn said almost teasingly as he leaned back. Then he remembered that changing Legolas bandage so many times had made them run out of supplies.
"We have been on quite a adventure. That reminds me, do you have any bandage?"

Elrond pinched his nose with two fingers, before he sighed and faced the two. Amusement finally showed in his eyes and he gestured towards the beautiful building called Rivendell.
"Estel, lead Legolas to the rooms and let him choose one. Take whatever supplies you need, and I'll tell a healer to check upon you later."

He knew Estel was a trained healer, but wanted to send a healer up just in case.

Aragorn smiled relieved and put a hand to his heart.
"Hannon le Ada."

They went up to the gates to greet the guards. They immediately recognised Elrond and let them in with their heads slightly bowed.

Aragorn led Legolas to the bathing chamber first to wash off. He knew the bath in the village haven't cleaned Legolas enough, just enough to prevent infection.

They undressed in front of each other, trying hard not to steal glances, and sank down in the hot water. Aragorn sighed in relief and closed his eyes in bliss. He slowly opened them to look at the elf beside him, who also had closed his eyes.

"May I?" He asked gently, and the blue eyes opened. He nodded and let Aragorn gently clean the now healed wounds. The one on his arm was healed now, nothing but a scar. The one on his stomach would also leave a ugly scar, but he was lucky to be alive.

Aragorn's hands moved smoothly, as if he had done this a million times before. Legolas almost closed his eyes in relaxation as the scars did not hurt anymore.

Afterwards the pair went to Aragorn's room, and there they met the healer Elrond had sent up.

Legolas knowingly took his nightshirt off, like he had the last few days, and lay on the bed.

The healer kneeled down in front of him to gently wash the scars with sterilisation. It did not hurt as much anymore, as it had almost healed, but Legolas but his lip anyway as it stung a little. He lay the cloth down and knowingly tied the bandage up as Legolas sat up.

"Thank you." Legolas said and stood up, his chest still bare. The healer smiled and nodded, before he moved towards the door.
"Sleep well prince Legolas, King Elessar."

When they were alone again Aragorn also stood from beside him, and wrapped his arms around Legolas waist loosely. He captured his lips with his own and gently kissed him, feeling Legolas return it.

Legolas broke it enough to mumble.
"What about the twins. They're always snooping around."

Aragorn chuckled.
"Yes but even they have the polite to knock."

"Aragorn." Legolas said almost sternly and looked up, his eyes filled with dread.
"We need to speak to our fathers. You need to go first, Elrond is a few rooms away."

Aragorn groaned, still knowing he had to.
"Then will you follow me to Minas Tirith?"

"What about your heir?" Legolas asked, a sad look in his eyes. He did not want to, but he needed to face reality. Aragorn needed a heir.

Aragorn smiled and Legolas looked confused. What was so funny?

He gently took Legolas hands in his and looked into his eyes kindly.
"I made adoption legal, so the ones who cannot get their own can adopt."

Legolas smiled, realision dawning to him.
"We can adopt a child." He spoke quietly, afraid that speaking louder would ruin the moment.

Aragorn nodded and Legolas threw himself into his arms, embracing him hard. Aragorn laughed and returned it, and both of them have never felt this truly happy before.

"I love you." Legolas laughed and kissed Aragorn lovingly. Aragorn put his hands behind Legolas neck and kissed back, putting all of his love into the kiss.

When they broke apart Legolas eyed him expectedly, and Aragorn sighed. He knew his father would far from accept it, and began to wonder if it was worth losing his father. He loved Legolas, but no matter who much it hurt, family came first. Elrond had taken him in when he had no one, he needed him in his life as well.

"Can't it wait 'til morning? I'm really tired."

Legolas sighed, but knew Aragorn probably was. He grinned and gently lay an hand on Aragorn's cheek, slapping it gently.

"Yes it can wait. Go to sleep human."

"Come with me?" Aragorn grinned and took his hand from his cheek to hold it.

"Elrond will be suspicious if my room is empty."

"Yes he will, but I will tell him everything tomorrow."

"Everything?" Legolas grinned back and lay down in Aragorn's bed. Aragorn grinned and took his clothes off, slowly, almost teasing. He slowly unbuttoned his night skirt he had put on and let it fall to the floor.
Legolas watched him, amused, before he climbed into bed with him.

Aragorn spooned Legolas, who lay with his back against his chest. Legolas closed his eyes and cuddled closer, sighing softly, actually feeling fully content. Aragorn lay his face in Legolas neck, nuzzling it gently, favouring his smell.

Legolas smiled and turned around in the embrace, facing Aragorn. The man lay his arms tightly around Legolas back and kissed him, Legolas responding quickly. After a few seconds Aragorn couldn't control himself anymore and slowly licked Legolas lip. Opening his mouth Legolas accepted it, and soon their tongues stroked each other gently. It soon grew more heated and Aragorn slowly moved so he lay on top of Legolas.

One hour later two figures could be seen in Aragorn's room in the light from the full moon. One figure lay on his back, loosely holding the other one close, their chests touching. His arms were loosely wrapped around Legolas back, which now heaved with slow, relaxed breaths. Legolas leg were loosely wrapped around the man's waist, and his head rested on his chest. The thin blanket lay around their waists loosely. It was a peaceful rest.