He sighed as he looked once more off into the distance, at the faraway city and the smoke rising from the tall towers, mingling with the clouds of the overcast day, producing a thoroughly gloomy atmosphere. It had been like this for a week, since they had torched the towers. Before that, Legolas had been here for a year, camped out beyond the lines of the enemy, mourning always at the thought of what might have happened to his beloved. A chill wind brushed through his hair and he absently tucked a wayward blond strand behind his ear. Aragorn used to do that he remembered suddenly, and his face saddened further.

It had been a long time since he had seen Aragorn. And that hurt a lot. His past was full of wonderful memories of Aragorn, of a long love and a longer friendship. But so much had changed since then. Practicality had forced him to marry, and he even had a son. There really had been no way out of getting married; the love between the king and he was known to but a few, and they knew how to keep their mouths closed. Although he had spent so much time in the city, with the king, everyone assumed there was no more between the two save friendship.

Legolas knew that he should be in the besieged city. Waiting out here only made him wonder about all the terrible things that might have happened to Aragorn. And worst of all would be if he had been killed. It was the type of abysmally stupid thing that Aragorn would do; getting himself killed without any thought to consequences, like how badly he would hurt Legolas through his death. Men are so rash, he thought. So why do I love him so much? But even as the question entered his mind, it was answered. Aragorn was perfect for him, and none other had ever made him feel so complete. But Aragorn had always had other priorities than him. Legolas knew that well.

Aragorn glared at him as he paced the hall. "I tell you again that you have to go, Legolas."

Legolas closed his eyes sadly. "Why, Aragorn?" he asked softly. "You know I would gladly stay, would gladly fight at your side. They are coming, Aragorn, whether you will it or not. This city will be besieged within the month."

Aragorn smiled shortly. "Precisely, Which is why I need you to go rally support from elsewhere. I trust only you to this task."

"No," corrected Legolas. "You just want me out of here. But you are king. You know it is not safe here. You know that you should leave. I can command the army; you know that, too. My death means less than yours would."

Aragorn smirked. "The prince of Mirkwood? I'd rather have all my own people dead than have to answer to your father as to why I let you die. No, I am king, and my word goes. You must leave. These are my people; I will not abandon them. And I can protect myself."

Legolas frowned. "Okay. So let me get this straight. You, a man, a king, even, can stay here and protect yourself, but I cannot. Despite the fact that I am an elf, and have about three thousand years of experience on you?"

Aragorn turned on him. "Those words do not become you, Legolas. I have made up my mind. You will leave. Go, now." Aragorn turned to leave the hall, his footsteps sure and quick.

Legolas watched Aragorn leave, hurt by his actions. Aragorn had not kissed him good-bye. He always did that.

Legolas's eyes narrowed as he remembered that. It had been a long time since he had recalled their last fight. That memory still hurt a lot. But they had had a tumultuous relationship and had fought often. Especially over Legolas's marriage.

When Legolas walked into the room, he immediately knew something was wrong. Aragorn's face was drawn and tired. He seemed to be mumbling to himself, but Legolas could not tell what. In quick, sure strides, he crossed the room and laid his hand gently on Aragorn's wrist. To his surprise, Aragorn jerked his arm violently away from Legolas. In a rather shocked voice, Legolas asked, "What's wrong?"

Aragorn glared up at him. "You know fine well what's wrong."

Legolas thought that over for a few seconds, and then shook his head. "Sorry, but I don't."

Cruelly, Aragorn said, "Try and think, 'darling.' It involves a fancy ceremony, a man and a woman. Are you starting to get the picture?"

In an instant, Legolas realized. "You're upset that I'm getting married?" A brief nod confirmed this guess. "But why? You're married, too, and that hasn't seemed to have affected our relationship."

"Yes, Legolas, I know, but I had to get married. I'm king, I need heirs."

Legolas felt his temper rising and fought to cool off, but it was hard. "You may have forgotten, 'Your Majesty', that I am a prince. One day I shall be king. You are not the only one that needs heirs. But it's for that reason only. You know I love you."

"Right," said Aragorn, not looking at him. "And this has nothing at all to do with certain rumors I have the heard that the she-elf in question happens to be pregnant?"

Legolas bit his lip. Hard. He should have known Aragorn would have found out. "I'm sorry," he began. "I love you..."

"I don't want to hear it," said Aragorn dismissively. "Go now, get married, have a great life. I wish you well."

Legolas felt tears welling up in his eyes, but fought them back. The last thing he could do at this point was cry. Calmly, he turned and walked from the room, not once looking back.

That had been one of their worst fights. They hadn't spoken for six months afterwards. But, as always, they made up in the end. Both had learned to deal with the other being married, despite the narrow escapes from being caught by their spouses. Even these bad memories, thought, brought a little bit of a smile onto his face. He knew that as long as he kept Aragorn alive in his mind, everything would be all right.

"Father?" asked the childish voice behind him.

Legolas turned and smiled at his son. "Yes?"

"The Commander wants to see you."

"Okay. Thank you." Legolas walked off. This was another thing that occasionally got on his nerves. When this group had been formed, his father had ostentatiously not given him command. Instead the duty fell to someone not even from Mirkwood, Haldir. Not that Legolas was especially jealous. Commanding was hard work and Legolas didn't know if he'd be able to take the pressure. But that wasn't the point. Legolas felt that his father should have much more trust in him than that. When he reached Haldir's tent, he called out, "Haldir?"

"Come in, Legolas," said the voice from within.

Legolas entered the large tent and saw Haldir looking critically at him. "Sit," he commanded. Legolas smiled, but did as he was told. "You look troubled, my friend," Haldir continued. "Can I be of any assistance?"

Legolas's smile grew a little. "No. I was just thinking."

"About Aragorn?"

"Yes." Haldir was one of those who knew about their love and so it was okay to admit that he had been pining over Aragorn.

"Then I have good news for you. We may have found a way into the city. It's through the sewers..." Haldir paused when he saw Legolas's face twist into disgust. Haldir laughed. "I know, Legolas. But if it gets us into the city, I shall not complain."

"Nor will I."

"Then the matter is settled."

"Is that all?" asked Legolas, beginning to rise.

"No," said Haldir, advancing towards Legolas. Legolas saw it coming and tried to stand, but Haldir stopped that simply by sitting on him. "No," repeated Haldir, but this time it was a command.

Haldir kissed him roughly. Initially, Legolas resisted, but then gave in, simply enjoying it. But when Haldir's hands began to roam under his tunic to the flawless pale skin beneath, Legolas pushed him away. "No," he said softly. "Not here and not now. It isn't safe."

Haldir grimaced, but backed away. "Gods, it's been too long, Legolas. Why do you torture me so?"

Legolas smiled fondly at him. "Perhaps you can invent an expedition from the two of use to embark on tomorrow. Until then, though, good-night." He leaned forward a little and kissed Haldir chastely on the forehead. As he walked into the cool evening, he smiled to himself. Haldir had been sent to his father just before Legolas returned home, asking for help to defend Aragorn. They had renewed their friendship, as it had been many years since they had seen each other. But there was more this time. Legolas didn't know if it was because he was angry with Aragorn or something else, but something new had bloomed between them. And it moved fast. Within a week, they were regularly sleeping together. Their relationship ahs lasted just about a year, and though Legolas had tried to break it off several times, he had found he couldn't. He needed the comfort that only Haldir could provide. Or, thought Legolas dismally, Aragorn.

Legolas was awoken long before the sun rose by Haldir. "Hurry, Legolas, we must go," Haldir said urgently as he crouched near Legolas's head.

For a moment, Legolas was alarmed. "Why, what's wrong?"

Haldir kissed him. "We have an expedition. A very serious one. And we must leave immediately."

Legolas smiled conspiratorially. "Ah, in which case I must get up immediately." He rose and dressed quickly, almost carelessly. It wouldn't matter how he was dressed. It wasn't as if said clothes would remain long on his body. Haldir watched him dress, his expression showing that he wanted nothing more than to rip the clothes of off Legolas's body. "Hurry up," he said impatiently.

Legolas kissed him lightly as he rose from tying his boots. "Okay, then, I'm ready to go." He grinned. "Now, tell me, this is a very important expedition we are going on?"

"I fear my sanity depends on its success," said Haldir as they walked out of the tent.

Legolas smiled when he saw his horse, ready to go, right outside the tent. "Oh, so there was only one horse available?"

Haldir nodded. "Afraid so. Front or back?"

"On top."

Haldir closed his eyes, stifling a laugh. Then he sized Legolas up, then the horse. "I imagine that would be quite difficult...but I'm willing to try if you are."

"Get on the horse, Haldir."

Haldir vaulted easily up, and then gestured for Legolas to do the same. Legolas got behind Haldir, putting his hands lightly on Haldir's hips. Haldir frowned. "Don't do that. How long do you think I'll be able to concentrate with you doing that?"

"Who said I wanted you able to concentrate?" Legolas kissed the side of Haldir's neck and then bit it lightly. Then harder. Haldir absently swatted at Legolas's head.

"Don't."

In mock anger, Legolas moved slightly away from Haldir, removing his hands from Haldir's hips. "Fine. Have it your way."

Haldir knew he had about five minutes before things escalated and he would be in no fit state to ride a horse. Or do anything, really. So he kicked the horse lightly into a gallop. Meanwhile, Legolas's hands roamed freely over Haldir's chest, before finally dropping to work their way into Haldir's leggings.

Haldir gasped. "Gods, Legolas. Do you think I can control a horse when you do that?"

Legolas smiled, leaning in to nuzzle at Haldir's neck. "So you want me to stop? Because..."

"No." Haldir was finding it increasingly hard to concentrate on anything by Legolas's cool breath on his neck, one hand gently massaging his abdomen, the other hand down there. Deciding that he couldn't take it anymore, he pulled the horse to a stop, and pushed Legolas out of the saddle to land on his back on the ground. Haldir dismounted and straddled Legolas's hips.

Legolas frowned. "I know I'm an elf, but you still could have broken by back."

"Did I?"

"No."

"Then shut up."

"Make me."

Haldir did. He leaned down and kissed Legolas hard, brutally hard. Haldir broke the kiss long enough to say, "And now, for torturing me like you did, I'm going to make you pay." He resumed kissing Legolas, but pinned Legolas's hands above his head, while the other hand quickly removed Legolas's leggings, freeing the imprisoned member.

"Gods!" swore Legolas. He had been in need of this as much as Haldir. "Stop teasing me like this."

"You want me to take you?" whispered Haldir delicately, kissing Legolas's ear.

"If you don't, I will."

"You'll take yourself? That would be an interesting sight. I didn't know that even you were that...flexible."

Legolas rolled his eyes and made a brief attempt to push Haldir off him, but it didn't last too long. They both needed this too much for them to play these games. So, after removing his own leggings, Haldir took Legolas hard, just the way he liked it.

Legolas looked up at Haldir, a thin sheen of sweat standing out on his forehead. With his arms entwined around Haldir's neck, he pulled him down and kissed him deeply. "We should go back," he said, not really meaning it.

Haldir nodded. "Yeah, we should." He rose to his feet and began to dress. As he did, he contemplated his situation. It was not a very favorable one. Sure, he might currently be the lover of a very beautiful and very powerful elf. But he also had to consider Aragorn, who was a very powerful man. It was very clear to him that Legolas was deeply in love with Aragorn. And eventually the siege would end. Legolas would go running back to Aragorn; Haldir knew that for sure. And that upset him deeply, because he could sense that, as hard as he was trying not to, he was falling in love with Legolas.

He felt the warm hand on his shoulder. "Are you ready to go, love?"

Haldir involuntarily winced at that name. He turned his head slightly and kissed Legolas, almost chastely. "Yes."

"Help me, would you?"

Haldir looked up from the bed at Legolas. He was bare to the waist, though Haldir couldn't say he would have minded if the pants came off, too. "Do what? Get undressed? Because if it's anything else, I'm too tired."

"I knew my father should never have made you commander. You're useless."

"No, I'm good in bed. That's what counts. Your father understands that."

It took a second for that to sink in. A look of disgust crossed Legolas's face. "No, Haldir. Don't tell me you did."

"Did what?" asked Haldir, finally rising from his bed (actually, it was Legolas's) and took Legolas in his arms. He began to kiss his way down the pale, flawless flesh.

But Legolas forced him to stop. "You slept with my father?"

Haldir bit his lip, not looking at Legolas. "Only once."

Legolas closed his eyes. "I cannot believe you. You never told me that. And it's really disturbing, to say the least."

"If it's any consolation, I like you much better."

"That was far more than I needed to know. But we digress. I asked you to help me."

"Do what?"

"Unless you forgot at some point, today we do happen to have to go delve into the sewers, and that would require me to be slightly more dressed than I am at this point."

"I can't say I agree."

"Help me, idiot."

"Well, I don't give without getting in return."

"If you're implying what I think you are, the answer is no. I don't want to deal with that right before I go into a life-threatening situation."

"So you'd rather go into battle hard?"

"Much rather than sleep with you."

Haldir tightened his grip around Legolas, then thought better of it and dropped to his knees in front of Legolas. He kissed Legolas's belly button and heard Legolas moan slightly. "I think I've changed your mind, haven't I?"

"You're going to have to do more than that to change my mind." He pulled Haldir up and kissed him. "But I don't have time for this right now. Maybe later." He kissed Haldir again.

"You don't love me, do you?"

Legolas was taken aback by this question. Never before had love come into the equation. He had always assumed that what was between them was purely casual. He fought back the immediate reflex to say 'I love Aragorn' and considered the question honestly. Did he love Haldir? Sure, they had lots of fun and Legolas had gotten a certain amount of comfort from Haldir because he missed Aragorn. But love? His love was to Aragorn first, and then to his wife. Was there any room left for Haldir? He didn't think so. Slowly, he shook his head. "No, I don't."

Haldir nodded. That had hurt, but he had been expecting it. With only a skill an elf could possess, he retained enough self-control to say, "I can still help you, if you'd like."

Legolas smiled a little. He could see the hurt on Haldir's face. "Yes, I'd like that." He, for some reason, had always enjoyed having people dress him. Aragorn was, of course, his favorite, but Haldir ran a close second. It was just after Haldir had handed him his knives that he said, "I'm sorry."

To his surprise, Haldir kissed him on the cheek. "I know."

Legolas turned a little to face him and kissed him hard. Haldir kissed him back. He knew that he was only hurting himself, that Legolas didn't love him. "I'm not undressing you," Haldir mumbled as Legolas's capable hands began to fumble at Haldir's tunic. "Not after I spent all this time getting you dressed." Legolas's hands finally found their way in. "You said you didn't have time." But for some reason, his hands began to remove Legolas's clothes. "We're not going to do this."

Legolas pulled away. "Stop talking. I can think of much better uses for that tongue of yours." He pushed Haldir down onto his knees. Though it wasn't really pushing, because no force whatsoever was needed.

"Father!" called a voice.

Legolas groaned. "What?" he snapped.

"Do you know where Commander Haldir is?"

Legolas looked down at Haldir. "No," he called back. Haldir kissed his hip as his hands began to work at Legolas's leggings. Legolas stifled his moan. "Is there anything else?"

"No, father."

"Then, I'm busy, so please go away."

"That was rude," commented Haldir.

"I've told you once already to shut up."

And, for a while, Haldir did. Then Haldir helped Legolas dress again without further comment. Legolas then followed Haldir back to his tent, where Haldir prepared for the upcoming adventure. Before they left, Haldir hugged Legolas fiercely and whispered, "I love you," to him. Haldir saw that Legolas looked shocked, but did not pull away or tell him not to say that.

But then again, he also did not say the same thing back.