Title:  Part IV:  Journey's End
Sequel to "The Healer's Seduction", "The Golden Prince of 
Mirkwood" and "Rivendell's Mortal Son" (Sigh. . . I have 
really got to get around to naming this series sometime.)

Author (including email):  Dhvana (Dhvana@aol.com)

Pairing(s): Legolas/Aragorn (who is still Estel)

Rating: NC-17  

Summary:  In this sequel to "The Healer's Seduction", Estel and Legolas 
go off on a journey to enjoy each other's company.  However, they 
encounter a few glitches along the way and Legolas realizes that in order 
for Estel to be king, one of them is going to have to make a choice.

Disclaimer:  Not mine--Tolkien's.  Go ahead and sue--once you see how 
deep in debt I am, you'll only feel pity and let me go anyway.

Author's Note: I told myself this would be a happy little fluffy story filled 
with Legolas/Estel fun and sex.  And it is, to a certain point, and then 
things turn angsty again, as usual.  I tried, I really did.  Special thanks to 
Syro--fastest reader in the west!  ;)  I hope you enjoy and I would 
definitely appreciate feedback.  Thank you! 

All stories can be found under the files section of my group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Dimensions_of_Dhvana/


Journey's End


	The flickering light of a campfire guided the Ranger through the 
trees and he approached slowly, taking more care than usual not to make a  
sound.  Passing through the woods, his presence was barely even a 
whisper as he neared the figure sitting with his back to the Ranger, the 
golden hair shining darkly in the nighttime light.  The Ranger stepped 
softly into the clearing, grinning that he'd finally been able to sneak up on 
an Elf.
	"You're late."
	His smile fell.  "Not that late.  How long have you known I was 
here?"
	"I heard you coming half a mile away, and you were supposed to 
be here this morning."
	"I'm sorry," he said as he knelt down behind the Elf, wrapping his 
arms around the slender waist and resting his head on Legolas's shoulder.  
"I was delayed in Lorien.  Forgive me?"
	"I don't know.  I've had to spend my entire day conversing with 
squirrels and blue jays, two of the most inane creatures to be found in any 
forest."
	"You poor, poor Elf," Estel chuckled.  "How did you ever 
survive?"
	"By thinking of ways to punish you for your tardiness."
	"Indeed?" the Ranger said, arching an eyebrow as he began 
nuzzling the archer's neck.  His tongue tasted the saltiness of his beloved's 
skin while he breathed in deep the scent of sunflowers and rich loamy bark 
unique to Legolas.  The scent had been haunting him for three months and 
now he couldn't get his fill of it.  He was lucky he had been able to escape 
his family so quickly, and that the Orcs had momentarily cleared out of 
Mirkwood, leaving them free to spend time with each other.  "I hope these 
punishments of yours are long and arduous.  I deserve nothing less for 
making you suffer."
	"Oh, I didn't suffer too badly," Legolas said in a light, teasing 
voice.  "The memory of Menelhen's farewell was more than enough to 
ease my boredom."
	Estel gave the pale neck an admonishing bite.  "I say we create a 
new rule for whenever we travel--I'll never mention Arwen if you never 
mention him."
	"Why Estel, are you jealous?"
	"Extremely."
	"Good," Legolas said, turning his head to gaze into the Ranger's 
blue-gray eyes.  "I've missed you."
	"And I've missed you," he said, once more claiming the soft pink 
lips as his own.  Legolas hungrily responded, twisting in the Ranger's arms 
and pushing him to the ground.
	"What about my punishment?" Estel gasped as the Elf quickly 
removed his tunic and began sucking on the human's nipples.
	"I'm saving that for later," Legolas said, rising on his knees and 
lifting his shirt from his body.  "Three months is far too long to be without 
you."
	Estel sighed at the beauty of the Elf--the skin that shone like 
marble, the clearly defined muscles, even the gleaming scar where he'd 
been injured by an Orc so many years ago accentuated the Elf's perfection.  
Placing his hands on the lean waist, Estel ran a thumb over the scar, 
causing Legolas to shiver.
	"Three days is too long," he said, Legolas quick to catch the note 
of sorrow in the Ranger's voice.
	The golden Prince lowered himself onto his beloved, grinding his 
groin against the human's as a not-so-subtle reminder of the present.  
"Which is why we should hurry to make up for lost time."
	Pressing his lips against Estel's, he found the Ranger opened 
quickly to grant his tongue access.  While their mouths were busy re-
familiarizing themselves with each other, Legolas was untying Estel's 
breeches, slipping his hand inside.  He surrounded the waiting member 
that throbbed hotly beneath his hand as he began to caress the shaft, which 
grew even harder at his touch.
	"Mmm..." Legolas chuckled.  "You have missed me."
	"Unlike you," the Ranger panted, "I've had no choice but to be 
celibate these past months."
	"I'd suggest you get yourself your own Menel--"
	"Ah ah ah--don't say it!" Estel said, rolling them over so he was on 
top.
	"Your own Healer," Legolas amended with a grin, "but I don't 
think you deserve one."
	"I don't?"
	"There are very few who do, and I'm not even certain that I'm one 
of them."
	"You are," Estel smiled softly, kissing the Elf's forehead, then his 
nose, and then his cheeks.  "You deserve to have the world."
	"And what would I do with a world?  But speaking of my 
Healer...," Legolas said, rolling out from under him and reaching for his 
bag.  Estel groaned, his hands grasping in frustration at the grass where 
Legolas had been resting.
	"Must we?" he said, leaning on his side to watch the Elf.
	"Oh, I don't think you'll object to this.  He sends you a gift," 
Legolas said as he dug through the pockets, pausing to laugh at the 
skeptical grimace on the Ranger's face.  "You look just like Elrond.  I've 
seen that expression on him a dozen times."
	"It's one he wears often," Estel agreed, his eyes on the vial in 
Legolas's hand.  "What is that?"
	"This is an oil, a very special oil, one concocted by Menelhen 
himself and is a favorite among certain Elvish princes."
	"Is it now?" Estel said, uncertain as to whether or not he wanted to 
think about what that implied.
	"It is just the right scent to be pleasing but not overpowering," he 
said, rubbing a small amount on his fingers.  "It warms when applied to 
the flesh and even tingles--" he rubbed the oil into Estel's nipples, which 
stiffened even more at the sensations caused by the oil "--to provide an 
extra bit of stimulation.  Not that we need help in that area," Legolas 
added with a wink.
	"And Menelhen wished to share this wondrous oil with me?" he 
asked, removing from the bottle from the Elf's hand and using the 
concoction to draw designs across Legolas's chest.
	"He sent you half a dozen bottles, though it may have been more 
for my pleasure than for yours," the Elf teased, his body shivering as the 
oil tickled and warmed his skin.
	Estel watched admiringly as the trails of his fingers caused the 
Elf's blood to quicken, his pale skin deepening to a dark rose.  "Remind 
me to find some way to thank him."
	"Just use it well, and he will know his gift is appreciated."
	"Believe me, it will be well used indeed," he said, joining his lips 
once more with the Elf's.
	Amidst their caresses, Legolas maneuvered himself so that he was 
on top.  Kissing a path down Estel's stomach, he began inching the 
human's breeches off of his legs.  Estel sighed as his erection was freed 
from its confinement, only to find it captured by an eager mouth.  The hot 
tongue massaged his long shaft, eager for release after so many months 
without any company except the teasing temptations of the Lorien Elves.  
His body trembled as he arched into the Prince's mouth, Legolas adjusting 
to each movement without breaking rhythm.  Though he wanted the 
moment to last as long as possible, his urgency could not be denied.  
Within minutes, Estel released himself into Legolas's mouth, the Elf 
continuing to draw on him until every last drop was spent.  Even then, 
Legolas did not withdraw, but toyed with the wilting member with his 
tongue, sending vibrations through the human's body.  Estel was so 
distracted by the attention he was finally receiving that he didn't realize 
the Elf had been keeping his hands busy as well.
	Having covered them in oil, Legolas slid his fingers beneath the 
writhing human and between Estel's buttocks.  He slipped a finger inside 
the puckered opening and the Ranger tensed.  It had been a long time since 
he had been taken in such a manner and the touch had almost become 
unwelcome.
	Sensing his beloved's discomfort, Legolas raised his head, the blue 
eyes questioning.  "Estel?  Is everything all right?"
	He smiled reassuringly, touched by the concern in the face he 
loved so well.  "I've nearly forgotten what it feels like to have you inside 
of me."
	"If you would like for me to stop--"
	"No.  I don't want you to stop," Estel said gazing into the worried 
blue eyes.  "I want you to remind me, and keep reminding me so that a 
hundred years from now, I'll close my eyes and still be able to feel you."
	Legolas's heart swelled with love at Estel's words while his elfhood 
swelled with passion.  Possessing Estel's mouth, his tongue delved into his 
beloved, almost as if attempting to devour him whole.  Estel groped for 
the bottle of oil and poured some onto his fingers, quickly covering the 
Elf's straining member, causing him to moan in pleasure at the human's 
touch.  The Elf leaned against him, his shaft brushing against Estel's, who 
bit his lip to keep from crying out.
	"By the gods, Legolas, do it now!  I can't wait another minute!"
	Legolas kissed a path down Estel's neck, stopping just above the 
collarbone.  Biting down hard enough to distract the Ranger, but not hard 
enough to break the skin, he used Estel's cry as the signal to penetrate his 
beloved.  He had meant to ease into Estel's deepest opening, but being 
surrounded by the tight heat he so adored, he found he couldn't resist 
impaling himself fully.
Estel gasped, tears welling in his eyes, and immediately Legolas's heart 
sank as he berated himself for his impatience.
	"I'm sorry, my love," he whispered, planting healing kisses all over 
Estel's face.  "I should have been more aware of how this would hurt you."
	"It is all right," Estel smiled, pressing his lips to the Elf's as he 
grasped the hardened silky buttocks and pushed the Elf further inside of 
him.  "I love the way you feel when you're in me.  Even the pain is a joy 
because it increases my awareness of you."
	At his beloved's encouragement, Legolas continued thrusting into 
the human, Estel moaning with delight beneath him.  Smiling, the golden 
Prince closed his eyes and allowed himself to be flooded by the essence of 
his beloved.  He breathed in deep the Ranger's scent, the gentle spiciness 
that came from growing up with the Elves combined with the tangy sweat 
and freshness of a long time spent in the outdoors that was purely human.  
He opened up his mind to absorb every touch of Estel's skin against his 
own, every sound that was emitted from Estel's lips, trying to savor the 
taste of Estel lingering in his mouth.
	Finally, Legolas's impending release took control and with a final 
thrust, he emptied himself into the human.  Estel moaned as he was filled 
with the heat of the Elf's seed, pulling Legolas down on top of him even 
while the archer was still imbedded deep inside.  Wrapping his arms 
around the quivering body, Estel held him close, kissing the pointed ear.
	"This, I will never forget," he murmured.  "Your life force inside 
of me, mine inside you, our skin pressing together, the same air leaving 
my lungs and entering yours, this is as close as two beings can get.  It is 
almost as if we are one."
	"That is how it should be," Legolas said softly, holding tight to his 
beloved.  "There should be no Arwen, no Menelhen--no one should come 
between us."
	"But Menelhen and Arwen do exist, two people who love us 
dearly, as we love them."
	"No," Legolas said, burying his face in Estel's shoulder as if he 
could hide there.  "Don't say that!  For the rest of the time that we're 
together, not only do we not mention their names, but we pretend they 
don't exist.  It is just you and I in the world."
	"Legolas--"
	"Promise me, Estel!" the Elf said, looking into the troubled blue-
gray eyes.  "Promise me that they don't exist, at least for a little while."
	Estel sighed, pulling Legolas's head back down onto his shoulder 
and stroking the golden hair.  "I promise."
	Before long, the Elf's even breathing could be heard, and Estel 
eased Legolas onto his side, the blue eyes staring blankly at him as he was 
lost in reverie.  The Ranger pulled a blanket over them, snuggling against 
the Elf while still keeping his arms wrapped around his beloved.  He 
rested his forehead against Legolas's and allowed himself to drift off into 
sleep, trusting his senses to keep watch over them as they slept.


	When Estel woke the next morning, he found their gear had been 
packed and was ready to go, a pan of biscuits and sausages sitting beside 
his head.  Though Legolas was nowhere to be seen, the Ranger knew he 
wouldn't be far off.  At the urge of his grumbling stomach, Estel quickly 
devoured his breakfast and dressed for the day, preparing for many hours 
of hiking.  As it was only the middle of spring, he clothed himself in 
layers that could be easily abandoned, momentarily envying the Elves 
their high tolerance to cold.  If nothing else, it meant they didn't have to 
carry as many clothes with them when they traveled.  He packed up the 
rest of his things, piled dirt onto the last smoldering flames of the fire, and 
stood for a moment, glancing around.
	"I can feel you.  I know you're near.  You'd might as well come out 
so we can get started."
	He waited, a leaf falling from above and across his shoulder.  He 
glanced at it, seeing an old, brittle brown leaf that had tenaciously held on 
throughout the winter only to be brought down by spring.  Brushing it 
aside, he continued to look around.  The Elf's presence was a as a brush 
against his mind, causing a shiver to run down his spine.  He knew 
Legolas was close, but he couldn't figure out where.  Another leaf fell, this 
time landing on top his head before continuing its fall to the forest floor.
	A scowl formed creases between his eyes as his eagerness to start 
on their way began to influence his formerly generous mood.  "Show 
yourself, Elf!  Or I shall leave without you!"
	A third leaf fell, the meandering path crossing directly in front of 
Estel's face.  His eyes narrowed further as he realized that the falling 
leaves were targeted directly at him.  Looking up, he saw two legs 
dangling from the branch of a large oak tree, an Elvish giggle drifting 
down to his ears along with a fourth leaf that landed on his mouth.
	"Good morning, Estel!" Legolas called out in a singsong voice.
	Blowing the leaf away, the Ranger glared at his lover.  "Good?  
Perhaps, but it could have been better."
	"Oh, come now, don't be that way!" Legolas smiled, stretching out 
on the limb, his chin resting in his hands as he gazed down at the human 
with glowing eyes.  "It is a beautiful morning!  And do you know why?"
	"Why?"
	"You.  It is beautiful all because of you."
	Legolas looked at him with such adoration and joy that Estel 
couldn't prevent the smile from twitching at his lips.  Admonishing 
himself not to give in so easily, he sustained his scowl.  "Come down here, 
you golden menace, or I'll be forced to come up there after you!"
	"I'd like to see that," Legolas smirked.  "The tiny amount of Elf 
blood in your veins doesn't give you all our abilities.  You'd fall before 
you were even halfway up and hit the ground like a stone.  A big, heavy 
stone.  A big, heavy, hairy stone," he added as he wrinkled his delicate 
nose, his cobalt eyes dancing with mischief.
	"While I know I should be above such a petty challenge," Estel 
said, dropping his pack to the forest floor, "I'm afraid I cannot resist 
climbing up there and teaching you a lesson."
	"I'm trembling in my boots," Legolas said, rolling his eyes as he 
flipped over onto his back, his hands behind his head.  "I'm going to lie 
here and watch the clouds drift by.  Let me know when you give up so we 
can leave."
	Cursing under his breath, Estel grabbed onto the tree trunk and 
began pulling himself up.  His hands found every hole, every knot, every 
break in the rough bark, his boots digging into the old tree in order to 
support himself.  When he neared the first branch, Legolas glanced down 
and snickered.
	"You're only that far?  This is going to take forever.  Give it up, 
Human, and leave the trees to the Elves."
	"Quiet, menace," he said, pulling himself up onto the first limb and 
pausing a moment to catch his breath.  From that point on, it would be 
easy to reach the Elf, who was only half a dozen branches above him.
	"That's golden menace to you, my hairy one."
	"If you're going to keep that up," he said, pulling himself onto the 
next branch, "I'm going to shave."
	Legolas sat up in a panic at the threat.  "Don't you dare!  I love that 
scruffy face of yours."
	"Then why do you keep mentioning it?"
	"Because it's obvious," he shrugged, then looked slyly down on the 
human, "but I could change it to something a little less obvious, like my 
ticklish one, or my long-fingered one, or my little tongue teaser."
	"You'd better keep the teasing-tongued one handy, because you're 
going to learn a whole new meaning for it when I get up there."
	"When?  Don't you mean 'if'?" Legolas grinned.
	"I meant 'when', my golden menace, and you know it," the Ranger 
said, pulling himself up another limb.  He was only three branches away 
from the Elf now.  Legolas stood up and leaned against the trunk to get a 
better view.
	"I don't know--you're slowing down a bit, and this really is quite a 
large old tree," he said, looking fondly at the ancient oak.
	"Then you should show it more respect than to use it as a refuge 
for your silly games," he huffed as he heaved himself up onto another 
branch.  Two to go.
	"The best way to respect a tree is to love it.  By playing amongst 
these limbs and sharing our fun with it, we are loving this tree as it 
deserves."
	"One more branch, and it's going to witness an entirely different 
kind of loving."
	"I have no doubt it'll enjoy sharing that with us as well," Legolas 
said, eyeing the human seductively, then added in a contemptuous voice, 
"Assuming you have any energy left once you get up here."
	Estel hauled himself onto Legolas's perch, slowly rising to his feet, 
his eyes menacing as he approached the Elf.  "I believe I owe you a 
lesson."
	"And what are you teaching today?" the archer asked, his eyes 
twinkling in anticipation.
	"That you should never underestimate human strength," he said 
and smothered the Elf's lips with his own.  This was only a distraction, 
however, as his quick fingers unbuckled Legolas's belt and wrapped the 
leather strap tightly around the Elf's slender wrists.  The Prince's eyes 
widened, but before he could object, Estel spun him around to face the 
trunk.  Lifting the Elf's hands high above his head, Estel thrust a knife into 
the bark, pinning Legolas's arms to the tree.
	"Now, my golden menace," Estel said, his teeth pulling at a 
pointed ear as his hands slid over the Elf's chest, "you will learn what it 
means to tease a human."
	Legolas's heart skipped a beat as his breathing quickened.  His 
beloved rarely displayed the more dominant side of his nature, but when 
he did, it was as if he became a different person.  It was in these rare 
moments that Legolas thought of his love not as Estel, but as Aragorn.  
Legolas could easily see him as a man who was capable of becoming a 
leader and a king of all men.  Certainly, he became someone who was 
more than capable of controlling a single Elf.  
	Estel's hands slid under Legolas's tunic, pulling the cloth up and 
over the Elf's head, leaving it wrapped around his arms.  The human's 
calloused hands caressed the smooth sides as his tongue traveled with an 
agonizing slowness down Legolas's spine.  The tip of his tongue left a trail 
of moisture along the ridges while his fingers moved up to pinch the 
stiffening nipples until they were swollen and sore.  Legolas moaned as a 
stubbled chin rubbed against the small of his back, the prickly hairs 
turning the skin red.
	Grabbing on to the edge of Legolas's breeches, Estel pulled the 
cloth over the rounded buttocks and knelt down behind the Prince.  Taking 
the white cheeks in his hands, he spread them apart and continued to 
follow the path with his tongue he had started above.  He paused at the 
starburst opening, circling it with the tip before flicking inside the Elf.
	Biting his lip, Legolas clenched his eyes shut as his hands worked 
themselves raw trying to hold onto the bark.  He writhed beneath the 
human's touch as Estel's tongue slide in and out of him.  He pressed his 
aching groin against the tree, not caring about the roughness of the oak's 
bark, but simply needing the friction necessary to ease his torment.
	Though the throbbing between his legs was growing increasingly 
more demanding, Estel continued to tease the Elf with his tongue.  He 
pulled Legolas away from the tree, causing the Elf to cry out in protest.  
Once he felt that Legolas was nearing orgasm, he stood up and quickly 
freed himself.  Smearing some of the essence from Legolas's weeping 
member over his cock, Estel steadied his legs and thrust inside the Elf.  
Legolas shouted, throwing his head back against the human's shoulder.  
Entwining his hands in Legolas's above them, Estel submerged himself in 
the Elf, the two moving as one, causing the branches around them to sway 
with the force of their lovemaking. 
	A few minutes later, Legolas couldn't hold back any longer and 
emptied himself onto the tree, the white fluid starkly visible against the 
dark brown of the bark.  His tiny cries of pleasure filled Estel's ears along 
with the rustling of the leaves, almost as if the tree was applauding their 
actions.  The vibrations of Legolas's orgasm and the tightening of the body 
around him were enough to push Estel over the edge.  Grasping the narrow 
hips, he cried out his own release as he filled the trembling body.
	Falling forward against the tree, they leaned there, panting with 
their exertions.  Estel buried his face in the golden hair, his arms wrapping 
around the Elf's waist as Legolas's head fell forward to rest on his captive 
arms.
	"Teach me that again," he whispered.  
Estel didn't respond, but kissed his flushed cheek, holding the Elf closer.


	They had been walking for two weeks and much to their surprise, 
though not to that of the forest, the lovers found they covered very little 
distance in that time.  Rarely did they rest at night when they intended, and 
waking early in the mornings became difficult.  Once awake, their 
mornings were often hindered by other activities.  They would often stop 
during the day to swim whenever they came across a body of water, or to 
enjoy a particularly breathtaking view, or follow an interesting trail.  
Fortunately for them, time wasn't a concern.  They had no real goal for 
their journey except to get away from everything and everyone familiar.  
They just wanted the chance to be together, and they took advantage of 
this every opportunity they could.
	Upon reaching a small rise in the middle of a meadow surrounded 
by woods, Estel looked up to see mountains ahead of them, and even 
further in the distance, the wintry peak of Caradhras.  
	"I thought we would have reached those mountains by now," Estel 
said, stepping towards the rocky crags when Legolas grabbed his arm, 
pulling him back.
	"Careful!"
	"What?" Estel said, tensing for danger as he glanced around him.
	"You should watch where you're walking," the Elf said, kneeling 
down to get a closer look at something on the ground.  Moving down next 
to him, Estel frowned.
	"What am I supposed to be watching for?"
	Legolas chuckled.  "Wait till Elrond hears about this.  He will be 
most amused."
	"By what?"
	"Look!" Legolas said, and pointed to a single bloom growing 
amidst the dry brown grasses just beginning to recover from the months of 
winter's touch.  The flower's stem and leaves were a dark green, the six 
petals a brilliant white, three large ones cradling three smaller ones 
surrounding a yellow center.  "The first flower I've yet to see this spring, 
and you were about to crush it."
	"I do apologize," Estel said, watching with wonder as Legolas 
brushed his fingers lightly against the petals.
	"It's a mistė lossė, a rain lily.  They only bloom after a rainfall-you 
can still smell it in the air," Legolas said, lifting his head to breath deep the 
lingering fragrance of a spring rain, his eyes closing in delight at purity of 
the scent filled his lungs.  "Touch it-the petals are like silk, and so 
delicate."
	Taking Estel's hand in his, Legolas folded in all but one of the 
Ranger's fingers.  His forefinger stretched out against his beloved's, the Elf 
moved Estel's finger over the flower.  He moved them over the tops of the 
soft petals, and underneath, over the smooth green leaves-the sensitive 
fingertips able to trace over the veins in each leaf.  They traveled up and 
down the stem, slightly rougher than the rest of the flower, thicker and 
stronger.
	Estel turned his head to look into Legolas's face and smiled to see 
it filled with the serenity of his connection with nature.  Never had 
Legolas seemed more Elf-like than in that moment.  The blues of his eyes 
were deep and shining with his love of the earth as a wind blew strands of 
gold across his face.  The rays of the sun surrounded him like an aura, and 
for a moment, Estel was silent with awe.
	"As each day passes," Estel said, reaching up to caress Legolas's 
face, "I tell myself I cannot love you any more than I do today.  Then 
tomorrow comes and shows me I was wrong, and that I love you even 
more than I did the day before."
	"I feel the same about you," Legolas smiled, and leaned forward to 
kiss his beloved, then yelped in surprise as Estel's enthusiasm knocked 
them to the ground.  
	"What are you doing?" Legolas chuckled as Estel quickly began 
unlacing his tunic.
	"It's been about five hours since we've made love--I was starting to 
miss you."
	"Hmm...has it only been five hours?  It feels much longer to me," 
he said as he began pulling at the Ranger's leggings.  Their embraces 
became more frantic as they rolled over the ground trying to remove each 
other's clothes.
	"Damn!" Estel swore, staring down in horror, his eyes focusing on 
the ground next to the Elf.
	"What?  What is it?  Is something wrong?" Legolas asked, afraid 
he'd done something to hurt him.
	Estel looked into his eyes, afraid of what Legolas's response would 
be.  "We crushed the flower"
	Legolas stared at him, then started to laugh.
	"It'll grow back," he said, grabbing the Ranger by his neck and 
pulling him down into a kiss.  


	Several hours later, they stopped to set up camp for the night.  A 
small stream bubbled nearby, providing water for cooking and, more 
importantly, bathing.  Legolas had finished getting the fire started and was 
preparing for a bath when a shout reached his ears.
	"Estel!" he cried, grabbing his blades as he ran into the woods.  
"Estel, where are you?"
	"Over here!" the Ranger replied, his voice filled with resignation.  
	"Where?"  The Elf looked around him--his beloved's voice was 
near, but he was nowhere to be seen.
	"You're almost there.  Good--now look up!"
	Legolas did as he was told and stared in astonishment at the sight 
before him.  Estel was hanging in a net from a tree limb high above the 
earth.  The net was so large, Legolas could barely distinguish the human's 
body amongst all of the folds.
	"Estel, are you all right?"
	"I'm fine," the Ranger grumbled, not even bothering to hide his 
irritation at being caught and hung in such an undignified manner.  
"Would you please get me down?"
	The Elf nodded as he avoided looking at his dangling love.  Estel 
watched as Legolas searched for where the rope holding the net was tied, 
and then the Ranger's eyes narrowed.  Legolas's shoulders were shaking.
	"What are you doing?"
	The Elf hesitated before responding.  "Looking," he replied, his 
voice strained.
	"What else are you doing?"
	He could hear Legolas gasp as he answered, "Nothing."
	"Legolas..." Estel said, his voice a warning.  "Look at me."
	"What?"
	"Look.  At.  Me."
	"Please don't make me do that."
	"Do it."
	Legolas looked up, saw the normally composed Ranger hanging 
halfway upside-down, his arms and legs askew, and couldn't hold back 
any longer.  He started to chuckle, then doubled over as the laughter he 
had been holding back took control.
	"This is not funny!"
	"I know," he gasped, tears streaming down his stoic Elven face.  
"I'm sorry.  I'll stop, I swear--just give me a minute."
	"Legolas, if you don't quit laughing--"
	"I will...just let me catch my--AI!" Legolas shouted as he found 
himself swept off his feet and lifted into the air, a stream of Elvish curses 
escaping his lips.
	Estel stared at the undignified position of the regal Elf and started 
to chuckle, the chuckles followed by gales of laughter.
	"Oh, shut up," Legolas growled, struggling to relieve the pain of 
his arm that was twisted behind him.  Reaching down, he pulled his spare 
knife from his boot.  The Elven blade slicked through enough links in the 
net that he was able to lower his body down into free air.  Holding on with 
one hand, he replaced the knife, then pulled himself up the net, climbing 
up the rope that connected it to the tree until he reached the limb it was 
hanging over.  Bracing his legs, he grabbed on to the rope holding Estel's 
net and began drawing him up.
	"I keep forgetting how strong you are," Estel said, watching in awe 
at the tensing of Legolas's muscles, the merest hint of a sheen of sweat 
covering the pale limbs.  Licking his lips, he had the sudden urge to run 
his tongue over the bare arms.
	Pulling Estel onto the branch, Legolas quickly cut the Human free.  
"Are you all right?"
	"Yes, I told you I'm fine, and you?"
	"Perfectly well," Legolas said, wrapping his arms around his 
beloved.  "When I heard you cry out, I was so afraid something had 
happened to you."
	"Nothing is going to happen to me," Estel smiled, stroking the 
golden hair, "especially not while you're looking after me."
	"While we're looking after each other."
	"Exactly.  So," he said, glancing at the ground thirty feet below 
them, "who do you think set these traps here?"
	"I don't know.  Do you want to find out?"
	Estel thought for a moment, then shook his head.  "Not 
particularly.  I've been enjoying our time together too much to want to 
interrupt it with something serious."	
	"I agree," Legolas said, rubbing noses with his beloved.  "This is 
far too much fun."
	"Legolas..."
	"Yes?" the Elf asked as he began kissing the human's chest.
	"Could we get out of this tree first?"
	"Why?" Legolas frowned, looking up at him.  "This wouldn't be 
our only time in a tree."  
	"Last time, it was a larger tree with larger limbs.  You may be able 
to do anything on a branch without losing your balance, but I'm not quite 
so agile."
	"I don't believe you.  I happen to know firsthand just how agile you 
are."
	"Test me once I'm standing on solid ground."
	"Oh, you won't be standing," Legolas said with a feral grin.
	"Then you'd better get me down there," Estel replied, his grin 
equally ferocious as he and the Elf made their way to the trunk to begin 
their climb down.


	Estel stretched out on the grass, allowing his limbs to be dried by 
the sun's rays.  It had been another lazy morning of lovemaking and 
bathing.  As he was starting to feel a bit waterlogged, Estel finally dragged 
himself out of the stream to give himself a chance to dry off.  Legolas had 
found the quality of the water of the stream to be so ideal that he had 
convinced Estel to stay two extra days.  Now, even though those two days 
had passed, Legolas was enjoying himself so completely that Estel didn't 
have the heart to tear him away.  
	The golden head broke the surface of the water and Legolas lifted 
himself halfway out of the stream onto a bolder, resting his chin on his 
arms.
	"Are you sure you're not half fish?" Estel asked, grinning at the 
Elf.
	"I think it's the call of the sea," Legolas said, his eyes closed as he 
relished the sensation of the sun on his back while the rest of him was 
caressed by the stream.
	"Do you feel it that strongly?"
	"Not so much as others of my kind.  For the moment, it's little 
more than a whisper in the back of my mind.  I don't even notice it most of 
the time.  I think that having spent my life in the woods has kept it at bay.  
I have the trees, I love being surrounded by the forest--it comforts me, its 
in my blood.  For the moment, I don't need anything else."
	"Except me."
	The golden Prince opened his eyes and smiled.  "Except you."
	"When you do start to feel it, what do you think you'll do?"
	"I'm not sure," Legolas shrugged, closing his eyes again, his voice 
drowsy with contentment.  "Fend it off for as long as I can, I imagine.  So 
many of us have already left these shores, it will be hard to resist joining 
them.  Fortunately, Menelhen is young enough that he hasn't even begun 
to smell the sea on the air as those of us who are older can.  He's still at 
home in Middle Earth.  It will be good having him here.  He will act as an 
anchor to help me resist the yearning."
	"And remembering your promise to me, that will also help."
	"My promise to you will be my strongest anchor.  I swore I 
wouldn't leave you, and I won't.  You will hold me to Middle Earth even if 
it means I am the last Elf here."
	"Do you think it will come to that?"
	"Not really," Legolas said, looking at him with a twinkle in his 
eyes.  "You are human, after all, and I seriously doubt that you will live 
long enough to see the last Elf on Middle Earth."
	"Your sincerity is appreciated," Estel said dryly, knowing the Elf's 
warped sense of humor well enough not to take offense.
	"Besides, there may always be those Elves who decide not to cross 
over to the Havens and choose to spend their immortality here."
	"Can you imagine what that would be like?" the Ranger asked, his 
eyes on the distant clouds.
	"What?" Legolas asked as he waded out of the water to lie down 
on the grass, his head using Estel's stomach as a pillow.
	"Living in a world shared with maybe only a dozen Elves where 
once there were thousands.  You will become a thing of legend, a ghost 
glimpsed late one night deep in the forest.  Your songs will be forgotten, 
no living creature will know the joy of an Elvish laugh or the melody of an 
Elvish voice.  Your passions, your beauty, all will fade."  
	Estel was quite for a moment, twirling the fingers of one hand in 
Legolas's damp hair.  His heart had grown heavy with his thoughts.  He 
tried to imagine what his life would have been like without Legolas, or 
Arwen, or his family, and the idea created a hole inside that he knew only 
they could fill.   He would not exist without them, and he knew it.  "I am 
glad that I will not live to see such a time.  I would rather be dead than 
know a world without Elves."
	"And I would rather you not die at all."
	Estel chuckled at the Elf's sullen tone, lowering his hand to trace 
the delicate pointed ear.  "Some things are inevitable, my love."
	Soothed by his lover's caresses and relaxed by the languid warmth 
of the sun, Legolas allowed his eyes to drift shut.
	"Inevitable doesn't exist," he said, his voice heavy with 
approaching sleep.  "Anything can be changed."
	"And you believe this, do you?" Estel asked with fond amusement 
as Legolas nodded.  "That my death can be prevented?"
	"I'll find a way.  Maybe Mithrandir knows of a cure."
	"For death?  I don't think that's possible."
	"Mmm...we'll see," was his only reply as the golden Prince fell into 
an easy slumber, something he could do around Estel--something he only 
needed to do around Estel, as they often found ways to use up his stores of 
energy.
	The Ranger smiled, shaking his head as his fingers continued to 
linger on the Elf's beautiful face.  "Sleep well, my beloved.  I'm afraid it is 
only in your dreams that we will always be together."


	"I don't suppose there's anything I can do to convince you to stay 
here," Legolas said, gazing forlornly around the camp site.
	"You've already talked me into staying an extra week.  If you want, 
we can return in a couple of days, but we're not staying.  There's a village 
about a day's walk from here on the edge of the forest.  I want to stop in 
and see if anything has happened while we've kept ourselves hidden in the 
woods."
	"I've rather enjoyed not knowing."
	"Are you saying you wouldn't mind staying here and spend your 
entire life forsaking all contact with the outside world?"
	"As long as you are with me, yes."
	Smiling, Estel kissed the golden Prince.  "I do love you."
	"And I love you."
	"But we're not staying."
	Legolas sighed.  "Very well then.  Let's go sit in a tavern reeking 
of smoke, sweat, and ale, surrounded by drunken humans, and listen to 
their exaggerated stories of the nothing that has been happening since we 
left.  Maybe that will convince you next time to linger by a stream."
	"I doubt it," Estel said as he began walking, "but we'll see."
	Casting one more longing glance in the direction of the water, 
Legolas muttered something under his breath, then rushed to catch up with 
the Ranger.
	

	As night began to settle around them, the creases on Estel's 
forehead deepened.  He was beginning to doubt his memory--he could 
have sworn they should have reached the village by now.  At least Legolas 
didn't seem worried--the Elf was humming as he walked, clearly pleased 
to be spending another night in the woods.
	"Could you please try not to sound so smug?  You're interrupting 
my thoughts."
	"I'm not trying to sound smug.  I'm merely humming... in a slightly 
superior manner."
	"Which I never would have thought possible if I hadn't lived my 
life amongst the Elves."
	"We can't help it if we're superior in everything we do."
	"I was thinking more along the lines of 'insufferable'."
	"Which simply demonstrates the limitations of your thinking.  
Those of us with superior minds do not suffer from that particular 
incapacity."
	"No, your personality flaws stem from other incapacities, and those 
are limitless."
	"I can see what you're trying to do, little Man, but you will not 
succeed in angering me into silence.  I shall continue humming while you 
decide how much longer you wish to wander through the woods before 
giving up and stopping for the night."
	"What if I decide we should keep going until we find the village?"
	"I've been sleeping quite well for the past few weeks, so I will 
gladly continue.  You, however, may collapse from exhaustion first."
	"I'm beginning to remember why I've been spending so much time 
with Rangers."
	"Just so long as you don't forget why you keep coming back to 
me," he said, giving the Human his best "come hither" stare.
	Estel glanced quickly around, then nodded, taking the golden 
Prince into his arms.  "This is as good a place to stop as any."
	Legolas chuckled as Estel began nibbling on his pointed ear.  "You 
just can't resist me, can you?"
	"It seems to me that works both ways."
	"I can resist you when I want to," the golden Prince said, grazing 
on the Human's neck.  
	"Indeed?  I don't recall you ever doing that."
	"I haven't wanted to yet," Legolas said with a smug smile, which 
was quickly stifled by Estel's mouth. 
	The Ranger began pulling at Legolas's tunic, who lifted his arms 
over his head as Estel pulled it off.  Tossing the tunic to the ground, Estel 
began sucking on Legolas's nipple, a feminine scream filling his ears.  His 
tongue froze on the stiffening nub, his eyes rising to Legolas's face.
	"That wasn't you, was it?"  The Elf's eyes narrowed.  "I didn't think 
so."
	With a sigh, he stood up.  Legolas picked up his tunic and 
gracefully wriggled back into it.
	"I suppose we're going to discover who it is who made that sound."
	"It would be the decent thing to do," Estel said, then grabbed onto 
the golden Prince's waist, "but we will continue this later."
	"That's a promise," Legolas said, kissing his lover as he reached 
down and stroked the Ranger's crotch.  Twisting out of Estel's arms, 
Legolas started making his way towards the scream.
	His body singing from the Elf's touch, the Ranger swore and 
followed him into the woods.  "You did that because I asked if it was you 
screaming, didn't you?"
	"You have not yet begun to suffer for asking me that."
	A second scream echoed the woods and the two quickened their 
pace, stopping at the sound of struggling above them.  They looked up to 
find a young woman caught in a net like the one that had captured them 
not long ago.
	"My lady," Estel called out, "are you all right?"
	"Please, help me!  Get me down from here before it finds me!"
	"Before what finds you?" Estel asked while Legolas swiftly scaled 
the tree.
	"The Cave Troll!"
	"A Cave Troll?" Legolas frowned as he started to pull up the net.  
"Are you sure?"
	"It showed up a few weeks ago," she said, looking up at him 
through the holes in the net, "and has been hunting us ever since.  We 
don't know why, or where it came from, but so far, none of us have been 
able to kill it."
	"That's rather unusual behavior for a Cave Troll," Estel frowned.
	"Dark things have been acting in a manner contrary to their nature 
lately," Legolas said, drawing the net up onto the branch and cutting 
through the links.
	"Something must be driving them out into the open."
	"I agree, but what?"
	"The answer to that question is too terrifying to consider."
	Legolas tossed the net onto the ground, helping the young woman 
to her feet.  She seemed to be about sixteen in age, with thick honey-blond 
hair and bright blue eyes, very attractive for a Human.  "Are you all 
right?"
	"Yes," she said, staring at the Elf, her eyes filled with wonder as 
she gazed upon the beautiful creature.  "Thank you."
	Legolas smiled.  "Let's get you down from here.  Can you climb a 
tree?"
	"I live outside a forest," she said, watching as Legolas tied a loop 
of rope around her waist, tying the other end around his own.  "Of course I 
can climb a tree."
	"Then this will simply be in case I lose my balance and fall."
	She smiled.  "Why do I doubt that's ever happened to you?"
	"Everyone's fallen out of a tree at least once--including Elves.  Are 
you ready?"  The young woman nodded.  
	"Then you'd better move fast," Estel yelled.  "I think we're about to 
have company."
	Three heads turned at the sound of a large object crashing through 
the forest. 	
	"Hurry!" Legolas said as the woman took hold of the trunk and 
began climbing down the tree.  After making sure that she could, indeed, 
climb, the Elf followed her down.
	"Legolas!" the Ranger shouted, drawing his sword as the ground 
began to shake with the approaching monster.
	"We're on our way.  My lady, I don't suppose you could move a 
little faster."
	"I'm trying!  And my name is Gretchen, not 'my lady'."
	"I'm--"
	"Legolas, I know.  And he is?"
	"Estel."
	"And we're about to become Troll fodder!" the Human in question 
said as Gretchen reached the ground.  He cut her free from the rope around 
her waist, then freed Legolas after he had leapt the last few feet to the 
ground.
	"Are you okay?" he asked softly as he removed the rope from the 
slender waist, and the archer smiled.
	"I'm fine, my love.  A little climb up a tree is the least of our 
worries."
	"Anything that might cause you harm worries me, but you're right-
-let's get moving.  Gretchen," he said, tuurning to the fair maid, "what's the 
fastest way to your village?"
	"It's about an hour that way," she said, pointing to the east, exactly 
where Estel had thought it would be.
	The Ranger sent Legolas a look that could only be interpreted as "I 
told you so", but the Elf just chuckled and shook his head.  Estel turned 
back to the young woman.  "You lead the way--we'll follow behind and 
protect you."
	Gretchen began running through the forest, the warriors fast behind 
her, wary for any signs of danger.  A roar surrounded them as they ran, the 
pounding of the Cave Troll's footsteps rattling their bones.  Looking back, 
Legolas could see that the beast was nearly upon them.  It was three times 
his height, its skin gray and covered in layers of dirt.  The eyes gleamed 
not with intelligence, but with hunger and the pure desire to destroy.  The 
sharp teeth left no mystery as to what it would do if it should catch them.
	"Keep running!" Legolas shouted as he turned, notching an arrow.  
Estel stopped beside him, his sword ready as Gretchen ducked behind a 
tree, watching the two warriors.
	The Troll knocked trees out of the way as he ran towards them 
through the woods.  Legolas fired three arrows in succession, each one 
hitting its target, and each one having little effect on the creature.  He 
readied a fourth and Estel's eyes grew wide, knowing the Cave Troll 
would reach them before Legolas could fire.
	"Legolas!" Estel cried out, shoving the Elf into the underbrush on 
his left even as he dived to the right.  They narrowly avoided being 
trampled by the rampaging Cave Troll, which came to a sliding halt 
behind them, leaving in its wake the fetid odor of rotting flesh.  With a 
bellow of anger, the Troll turned around and charged them again.  The two 
warriors exchanged glances and scrambling to their feet, started to run.  
	"We can't fight this thing alone!" Estel said, looking behind to see 
the Troll gaining on them, fortunately hindered somewhat by the trees.
	"Any ideas?"
	"Draw it away from Gretchen!"
	"Done.  Now what?"
	"That was my only goal, but I'm open to suggestions."
	Legolas nodded.  "Do you remember the ravine we passed earlier 
today?"
	"I recall.  Think it'll work?" Estel asked, instantly predicting the 
path of his lover's thoughts.
	"We have to try--it's our only chance!"
	"Alter our path a bit towards the north--that way we'll be heading 
directly towards it, and should hit it much faster."
	The two ran towards the ravine, but as they did so, Legolas began 
to see that there was no way for them to reach it before the Troll reached 
them.
	"Keep going!" he shouted to Estel.  "I'm going to distract it."
	"What?  Legolas, no!"
	"I'm just going slow it down a bit--it'll follow you when it's done 
with me."
	"It's the 'when it's done with you' part that worries me."
	"I'll shoot a few arrows, then hide in the trees.  You're the one who 
should be worrying--you're the one it's going to follow."
	Estel peered at his lover, frowning.  The last thing he wanted was 
to let Legolas do this, but he couldn't think of any other way to stop the 
Troll.  Damnit! he thought as he took one last look at the golden Prince.  
"Remember your promise, Elf!"
	"Remember yours!" Legolas said as he stopped running and faced 
the oncoming Troll.  Estel continued to run, a heavy feeling in his heart.  
Legolas had better make it past the Troll alive, or he was going to kill him.
	Legolas watched the raging Troll, carefully taking aim.  He held 
his body perfectly still, not even moving his lungs to breathe as he waited 
for a clear shot.  The Troll tore a limb out of its way, leaving its head 
open, and Legolas fired.  The arrow hit the Troll right between the eyes, 
and didn't slow him an inch.  Legolas launched another arrow, and 
another, but once more to no effect.
	Swearing, Legolas threw down his bow and drew his twin blades, 
flinging himself between the Troll's legs.  Turning around, he sliced at the 
monster's ankles.  The Troll howled in pain and twisted its body, its 
massive arms swinging at the Elf.  As Legolas dived to the side, a giant 
fist caught him in the back and tossed him against a tree.
	Lying on the ground, stars sparked before his eyes, his body's 
aches punctuated by stabs of pain from his ribs.  He turned his head, 
reaching out for the Troll as if he could stop it by will alone.  The world 
growing dim, he watched as the back of the Troll faded, the monster 
continuing its chase after Estel, and then Legolas lost consciousness.
	The Ranger ran until he could no longer hear the Troll.  If he 
recalled the ravine correctly, it should be curving towards him.  They had 
assumed it was large enough--it wasn't the most impressive ravine, but 
hopefully it would do the job.  Just then, the sound of crunching timber 
reached his ears.  
	Legolas certainly didn't slow it down for long, he realized, 
stumbling as the thought caused his blood to run cold.  The Elf had to be 
fine--he would know if anything had happened to Legolas.  He would 
have to--there was too much between them.  Then why couldn't he sense 
the golden Prince?  Anger filled his heart and he vowed to see the creature 
destroyed, though he wasn't sure how he was going to be able to stop the 
thing.
	The Cave Troll caught sight of the Human and let out a triumphant 
roar.
	"No time to think about that now!" Estel said to himself and picked 
up speed.  Through the trees, he thought he glimpsed the gap in the land 
he was looking for.  With the Troll gaining on him, he didn't have time to 
come up with anything elaborate.  He slowed down just enough for the 
Troll to come within two strides of him, and then he delved deep into his 
store of energy and added a final burst of speed.  
	The Troll tried to grab him, the bulky fingers coming close enough 
to brush his hair.  Estel swore and continued to run, ducking as the Troll 
took another swing.  The creature nudged his shoulder that time, giving 
him an extra push forward.  So focused was the it on Estel that it failed to 
notice the giant crevasse in the ground until the Ranger dove into it.  The 
Troll was too large to stop itself in time and followed him into the ravine.  
Howling in frustration, the Troll's gravelly voice echoed all the way down 
until a crash shook earth as it reached the bottom.


	"Legolas!"
	The golden Prince murmured in protest, the shaking of his 
shoulder caused him to cringe in pain.
	"Don't!" he said his the world began to lighten again.  "My ribs!"
	"I'm sorry, but you have to wake up!"
	"Why?" Legolas moaned, forcing his eyes open to see the pretty 
young woman leaning over him, her face filled with fear. 
	"We need to find Estel!"
	"Estel!"  The Elf sat up and immediately regretted it, crying out as 
he clutched his waist.  The world around him began to waver, but he 
forced himself to ignore it, focusing on staying awake.  "Gretchen, help 
me up."
	She took his hand and gingerly helped him rise to his feet.  "What's 
wrong?"
	"I think that damn monster cracked my ribs."
	"Will you be all right?"
	"In a couple of days.  Come on, we have to hurry."  He started to 
bend down to grab his weapons and gasped, standing back up.  "I don't 
suppose. . ." he began, glancing at Gretchen.
	"I've got them," she smiled, picking up the blades and bow.  She 
resheathed the blades behind his back, Legolas opting to carry the bow.
	"At least we won't have any trouble figuring out which way they 
went," he said, gazing at the trail in front of him littered with broken 
branches and toppled trees.  They started down the trail, the injured Elf 
moving as fast as he could.  Gretchen helped him over the larger trees and 
Legolas had to admire her perseverance.  She didn't seem to be the last bit 
unnerved by the destruction and violence of the Cave Troll.
	"What are you doing here?" he couldn't help asking.  "I thought we 
told you to keep running."
	"This is all my fault--I couldn't leave you alone, and it's a good 
thing I didn't."
	"I won't argue with that," Legolas chuckled, then swore as his ribs 
ground together.
	"I'm sorry!"
	"No, don't be.  They're my ribs."
	"I'll just stop talking for a while," she replied, clamping her mouth 
shut.  
	They walked quickly and quietly through the woods for about five 
minutes, and then the silence became too oppressive.
	"Do you think he's all right?" she asked, voicing the question that 
was causing Legolas more pain than his ribs.
	"He is," the golden Prince said, his voice leaving no room for 
argument, though his mind was filled with doubts.
	"I believe you," she said, giving his hand a comforting squeeze.
	He glanced over at her and smiled.  "Let us hope we're right, but 
we'd better reach the ravine soon--I'm not sure how much more of this I 
can take."
	"Do you want to stop and rest?"
	"No," Legolas said, a hint of steel in his voice.  "I'll keep going 
until I collapse."	
	Gretchen glanced at the Elf out of the corner of her eye, looking 
beyond the fear and determination to see what was truly driving him.  "He 
means a lot to you, doesn't he?"
	"He is my closest friend, but that doesn't even begin to describe 
what he is to me.  There aren't words for that."
	"You're very lucky to have--there!" she shouted, pointing ahead of 
them.  "I think I see the ravine!"
	"Go!" Legolas said, taking her arm and gently pushing her 
forward.  "Find him!  I'll catch up with you."
	She nodded and took off running, leaping over the branches 
blocking her path.  Legolas had to smile and shake his head as he watched 
her.  This had to be the only time in history that an Elf was relying on a 
Human for speed.  The golden Prince quickened his pace, ignoring the 
protests of his ribs.  As he cleared the trees, he saw Gretchen lying on the 
ground, her head peering over the edge.
	"Did you find him?" he called out, and she twisted her head back 
to look at him.
	"He's down here!  Hurry!"
	Legolas moved to the edge of the cliff and peered down.  Estel, 
who had landed on a small ledge, was slowly climbing his way back up to 
the top.  Feeling the mountain lift from his heart at the sight of his 
beloved, Legolas grinned as he watched the Ranger's progress.
	"I thought you would have gotten over your fondness for sheer 
drops by now!" he shouted down to him.
	Searching for a new handhold, he smiled as he pulled himself up 
another foot.  Hearing Legolas's voice made him feel like he could float to 
the top.
	"What can I say?  Old habits are the toughest to break, but I do 
think the results are worth it."
	Looking beyond the Ranger, Legolas and Gretchen could see the 
form of the Cave Troll lying motionless on the bottom.
	"Is it dead?" she asked.
	"I don't think so--it was moaning a while ago.  I think it's just 
unconscious."
	"Hopefully it won't wake up," Gretchen said, scowling at the 
creature.
	"If it does, we'll stop it," Legolas said, and the Ranger snorted.
	"Don't even pretend you can take on a Cave Troll right now.  
Gretchen told me about your ribs--you can hardly walk, much less fight 
that thing.  As soon as I get up there, we're going to see what we can do 
about bandaging you up and then you're not moving for the rest of the 
night."
	Legolas gave the girl a dark look, but she just smiled and shrugged, 
returning her attention to Estel.  Sighing, his gaze also turned to his love.  
"Shouldn't we make our way to the village instead?"
	"I didn't think you wanted to go," Estel replied, moving up only a 
few inches this time, leaving another twenty feet to the top.
	"I don't, but Gretchen's family is most likely worried about her."
	"I can't wait to see them again.  They must be so scared, my 
mother, my father, Calen."
	"Calen?" Legolas asked.
	"My brother.  We tend to look after each other, even if he is older 
than I am."
	"So why wasn't he looking after you when you got yourself caught 
in a Troll trap?"
	Gretchen at least had the decency to look embarrassed as she 
looked down at the Ranger.  "He didn't know I was out there--no one did.  
I was supposed to be meeting someone."
	Legolas chuckled.  "I have a feeling your nighttime activities are 
about to be severely restricted."
	"It'll be worth it to see my family again."
	"Don't worry, Gretchen, we'll get you home as soon as possible."
	"Which might not happen at the rate you're climbing.  Estel, would 
you mind speeding things up?"
	"I know I'm making this look easy, but really, it's not.  I don't 
suppose you have anything up there you could use to help me up, such as a 
rope?"
	"I'm afraid not.
	"There's never any rope around when you need it.  I wish we'd 
brought the rope from the net."
	"We didn't realize we'd need it."
	"I could run back and get it," Gretchen offered, but Legolas shook 
his head.
	"By the time you found it, he'd already be up.  Well, maybe," the 
Elf teased, and the Ranger scowled at him.
	"This would probably go a lot faster if you weren't distracting me."
	"Yes, but that would be very tiresome for us.  This is much more 
fun, and you've given me so many opportunities this trip, how could I not 
take advantage of all of them?"
	"Legolas, have you ever considered that maybe this dark side of 
yours isn't quite as appealing as you would have us believe?"
	"I like it," Gretchen said, smiling up at the Elf, who couldn't resist 
smiling back.
	"It seems you're outnumbered, Estel."
	"I throw myself off a cliff to save you, and this is the thanks I get.  
Next time, you're going over the cliff."
	"I will gladly trade you cracked ribs for an easy climb."
	"I think it's alive."
	"What?"  They turned their gazes to Gretchen, who was pointing 
down at the Troll.
	"I think it's starting to wake up--I saw it move."
	All joviality fled from Legolas's eyes as he focused on Estel.  
"You'd better hurry."
	"I'm trying," he said, grinding his teeth in his effort to find the next 
handhold.
	"Do you think it'll climb up here?" she asked as the monster sat up, 
whimpering at its ensuing pain.
	"That depends on how angry it is."
	But the Cave Troll didn't appear to be angry at all, just hurt and 
confused.  It struggled to its feet and glanced up the cliff.  The three 
companions froze, waiting to see what it would do.  The Troll glanced 
from one side of the ravine to the next, and seeing that the side opposite of 
them appeared to be shorter, it began to climb.
	"Gretchen!" Estel hissed, trying to remain quiet.  "Give me your 
hand!"
	The young woman reached down and helped the Ranger up the last 
few feet and over the edge.  Nearly out of breath and with his limbs 
trembling from the effort, Estel collapsed onto the ground, gazing up at 
Legolas who gazed down at him.
	"Did you miss me?" the Human asked.
	"Always."  As her head was facing the Troll, they missed seeing 
Gretchen roll her eyes.  "Did you have a good trip?"
	"It was surprisingly uneventful.  Did a little climbing.  You?"
	"Tried to see if I could bounce off a tree.  Didn't work as well as I 
planned."
	"Pity."
	"I thought so."
	His lungs no longer burning for air, Estel rose to his feet.  "How 
badly are you hurt?"
	"By tomorrow night, I should feel only an occasional twinge, and 
the morning after that, I'll be perfectly fine."
	"Are you certain?  Even for an Elf, that seems rather fast."
	"Since when did you become an expert of Elven anatomy?"
	"Since the first night we spent together.  I know your anatomy as 
well as my own," Estel said, placing his hands on Legolas's hips and 
drawing him close.  "Every inch of it, inside and out."
	"Then that must make me an expert on Human anatomy," Legolas 
said, wrapping his arms around Estel's waist.
	"I won't argue with that," Estel whispered leaning forward to claim 
the Elf's lips.
	As the Troll was about to reach the top, Gretchen turned to inform 
them only to find herself mesmerized by the sight of the two handsome 
men kissing each other with a passion she'd only dreamt of.  She'd never 
seen anything more romantic, or more sensuous.  Feeling her face flush, 
she returned her eyes to the Troll.
	"It's reached the top," she said, her voice sounding unnaturally loud 
to her ears.  "What should we do?"
	"Let's wait and see what it does," Legolas said, keeping an arm 
around Estel's waist, the Human's hand stroking his back.
	"Are there any villages over there?"
	Gretchen shook her head.  "No, just some caves, plenty of Goblins 
and Orcs, and an abandoned mine that used to belong to the Dwarves."
	They watched as the Troll limped off into the mountain, 
presumably to find shelter before the sunrise.
	"I say let it go," Estel said.  "It'll have plenty to feed on over there, 
and a place to live.  I doubt it'll want to return to these woods."
	Legolas's sharp eyes scanned the mountain range, his eyes 
lingering briefly on Caradhras, a chill running down his spine.  "I hope we 
don't regret this."
	"Well stay here for the remainder of the night--you need to rest, 
and we'll make sure it doesn't try to cross back over.  Tomorrow, we'll 
return Gretchen to her village."
	"And after that?" Gretchen asked, unwilling to see her rescuers 
leave so quickly.  "Perhaps you can stay with us for a while, if you don't 
have anything else planned."
	"We'll see," Estel said, smiling gently at the young woman.
	They spent an uneventful night on the ravine's edge, the Troll 
never once making an appearance.  Estel took the first watch, allowing 
Legolas to get as much of a healing sleep as possible.  If he hadn't been so 
exhausted from the fight, he gladly would have let the Elf sleep 
throughout the entire night, but as dawn neared, he found it difficult to 
keep his eyes open.
	"Legolas," he whispered, and the eyes that had been staring 
unseeing at him instantly focused.
	"What hour is it?" the Elf yawned, stretching until the twinging in 
his side caused him to wince.
	"It's almost dawn."
	Legolas scowled as the Human helped him to his feet.  "You were 
supposed to wake me hours ago."
	"You needed the sleep.  Here, let me look at those ribs," he said, 
pulling up the archer's tunic.  The normally alabaster skin was covered 
with a rainbow of bruises.  It pained his heart to see his beloved so harmed 
and he allowed the tunic to fall back into place.  "How do you feel?"
	"Better," Legolas smiled, leaning forward to kiss the Ranger.  "By 
tomorrow, the day after at the latest, I should be fully healed.  Now, go get 
some sleep."
	"Wake me in a couple of hours.  We're going to have to travel 
slowly to the village, and we shouldn't waste the day."
	"A couple of hours?" Legolas protested.  "You need more sleep 
than that."
	"I'll sleep in the village."
	"At least, until I'm healed," Legolas said, his eyes dancing 
suggestively, and the Ranger pulled him into a kiss.
	"Count on it," Estel grinned, then released him to lie down.
	Four hours later, Legolas shook him awake.  Blinking in the bright 
sunlight, Estel frowned as he realized the Elf had let him sleep longer than 
he had wanted.
	"Don't even bother," Legolas grinned.  "We'll still reach the village 
in good time.  Just get up and eat your breakfast.
	Estel gave the Elf a dirty look, then did as he said while Legolas 
and Gretchen took down the camp.
	The golden Prince was able to walk faster than Estel had 
anticipated, through whether that was because the Prince was feeling 
better or if he was just pushing himself, Estel couldn't tell.  He kept a close 
eye on the Elf just to be sure.  
	Gretchen led the way back to her village, practically running in her 
hurry to get home and show off her saviors to her family.  They had to 
keep reining her in or they would have lost sight of her entirely.  Finally, 
the neared her village and she slowed down, beginning to realize that her 
parents might not be happy she had been gone all night, or understand why 
she had left in the first place.
	"Don't worry, child," Legolas said, taking her hand in his as a sign 
of comfort and support.  "They'll be so relieved to see you home safe, 
nothing else will matter."
	"At least I have you two as my allies, just in case," she said, 
smiling up at him and Estel chuckled.
	"Once your parents hear how brave you were in helping us face the 
Troll, I think they'll appreciate what a strong and courageous young 
woman you are, and maybe they'll worry a little less."
	"I hope so," she sighed, but held on tight to Legolas's hand as they 
approached the small farmhouse on the edge of the village where her 
family lived.  "Will you come in with me?" she asked, stepping onto the 
porch.
	Legolas shook his head.  "We'll be waiting right here--you go on 
in."
	Taking a deep breath, Gretchen released his hand and went inside.  
Ten minutes later, she returned with her two thankful parents, who paused 
on the porch, staring hard at Legolas.
	Gretchen, noticing her parents' hesitation quickly urged them 
forward.  "Mother, Father, these are the two who saved my life." 
	Gretchen's father shook his head and smiled at the two, inviting 
them inside and asking them to stay as guests in their house for as long as 
they wished.  Somewhat bemused at their enthusiasm, Legolas and Estel 
followed them into their home.
	The farmhouse was neat and tidy, the furniture all handmade, and 
the atmosphere one of love and warmth.  The front room showed signs of 
a large crowd having recently gathered there.
	"A search party," Gretchen's mother explained, motioning for them 
to sit down, "led by our son, Calen.  You should have seen his face when 
he realized you were missing."  She reached up and cupped her daughter's 
cheek.  "He immediately began looking for you, organizing the entire 
town in his efforts.  There's nothing he wouldn't do for you--he'll be so 
relieved to see you're home safe.  He should be back soon--he hasn't slept 
all night and he promised to return this afternoon."
	"I'm so sorry I made you worry," Gretchen said, hugging her 
mother.
	"It's all right," her father said, stroking the honey blond hair.  "It 
was almost worth it to get rid of the Troll, though I wish you didn't have to 
be in danger for that to happen."
	"I had Legolas and Estel to help me," Gretchen said, beaming at 
her rescuers.  "I was never in any danger with them around."
	The two grateful parents reiterated their profound gratitude at the 
rescue of their daughter.  If Estel hadn't stopped them, he had little doubt 
they would have continued to thank them for the rest of the day.  Seeing 
that their guests were tired and dirty, they were shown to their rooms and 
given a chance to clean up.  An hour later, Legolas climbed back down the 
stairs, completely refreshed.  The farmhouse was comfortable and he felt 
that he could relax there.  Walking towards the front door, he heard a 
commotion and opening the door, walked out onto the porch.  Gretchen 
was being twirled around the yard in the arms of a young man with the 
same honey brown hair and blue eyes as the girl, and therefore could only 
be her brother.  Legolas smiled to see them, thinking Gretchen was lucky 
to have a family who loved her so much.
	Calen set his sister down and talking excitedly, the two began 
walking towards the house.  As they reached the porch, Gretchen caught 
sight of him and waved.
	"Legolas!  Come meet my brother."
	The golden Prince couldn't help but noticed the same hesitation in 
Calen's eyes that he had seen in their parents' eyes.  With the exception of 
Gretchen, all the Humans in the village he had met appeared somewhat 
disturbed by his presence, or so it seemed.  He was probably imagining 
things.
	"Thank you for saving my sister," Calen said, holding out his hand.  
Clasping each others' forearms, Legolas nodded.
	"It was our pleasure.  Gretchen has told us a great deal about you.  
You're lucky to have her as a sister."
	Calen's smile broadened, his eyes lighting up as he gazed upon the 
Elf.  "I am fortunate indeed.  If it wasn't for my sister, I surely would have 
fallen into ruin by now."
	"Of that, I have no doubt," the archer teased, and Calen laughed.
	"We've just met, and already you know me so well.
	Pleased that the first encounter had been so amiable, Gretchen 
grabbed onto her brother's arm and pulled him inside.  "Come on, Calen.  
You must meet Estel."
	Her brother laughed, allowing himself to be pulled along, turning 
to the Elf before he disappeared inside.  "Sorry about this.  I hope to speak 
again soon!"
	Legolas waved, grinning as he turned to the village.  He had 
wanted to explore a bit while Estel was bathing and was about to step off 
the porch when a passing Human made him pause.  He had never met this 
Man before, but the expression on his face didn't leave any room for 
speculation that if he met Legolas alone on the street, only one of them 
would survive.  Of course, the archer had little doubt as to who that 
survivor would be, but it was unnerving nonetheless.  Legolas considered 
continuing his exploration, but a dark feeling lingered in the back of his 
mind, and he decided to go back inside.

	"Legolas?"  Estel opened the door and peered into the Elf's room.  
He'd spent the entire day wandering through the village and getting 
acquainted with everyone.  He hadn't seen Legolas once, and was 
beginning to miss the golden Prince.
	Legolas was sitting in a chair, staring out the window.  Clearly lost 
in thought, his eyes were distant, not even acknowledging the Ranger's 
presence.  He'd been hiding in his room ever since the incident on the 
porch, feeling unusually timid about daring to go into the village.
	"Legolas," Estel repeated, walking inside and kneeling down next 
to the Elf, "are you there?"
	He slowly turned his head to gaze down at the Human.  "Estel?  
I'm sorry--I was..."
	"Thinking?" Estel grinned.
	"Yes, something like that," Legolas smiled.  "Did you have a good 
day?"
	"As a matter of fact, I did.  I've enjoyed myself immensely.  The 
people here are good people.  If you'd like to meet them, Gretchen's dad 
asked us to join him and his friends at the tavern.  Do you want to come?"
	He shook his head.  "I think I'll stay here."
	Estel frowned as he gazed at the Elf, trying to see beyond the 
surface of his eyes.  "Are you all right?  Are your ribs bothering you?"
	"A little," Legolas said, not being completely honest, but not lying 
either.
	"We were going to go into the woods tomorrow and take down the 
rest of the Troll's traps.  If you're still injured, I think it would probably be 
best if you remain here.  I want you fully healed as soon as possible."
	"I'll be all right by tomorrow," Legolas said, shaking his head.  
"It'll be good to be back in the forest."  
	Estel stared at the golden Prince, knowing there was something 
more the Elf wasn't telling him.  "Are you sure everything's okay?"
	"Everything's fine," he smiled, knowing if he didn't convince him 
soon, Estel would press the issue until Legolas felt obligated to tell him 
everything, and he didn't want his beloved to know he felt unsettled by the 
Humans whose company Estel had been enjoying so thoroughly.  
Reaching down, he pressed his hand against Estel's cheek.  "But I love that 
you worry about me."
	"Don't get used to it.  Once you're healed, I won't have any reason 
to worry," Estel grinned, standing up, kissing Legolas as he did.  "If you 
need anything, you let me know."
	"I will.  I love you."
	"I love you, too," he said, kissing him again, and then left.  Legolas 
returned to staring out the window.
	A couple hours later, Legolas stirred, growing increasingly angry 
with himself and miserable about being shut up inside.  He was an Elf, a 
Prince of Mirkwood.  There was no reason for him to be intimidated by a 
Human, any Human.  
	He went outside and stood still for a moment, listening for the 
sounds of the tavern.  He found it easily enough, but instead of going 
inside, he hesitated.  Walking around, he peered in the windows until he 
found Estel.  The Ranger was laughing, surrounded by Humans who were 
hanging on his every word.  Legolas stared at Estel and found himself 
having difficulty recognizing him.  He was completely at ease, relaxed in a 
way that he never was with the Elves.  This is what he was meant for, 
Legolas realized, to be a part of them, their friend, their leader, their king--
so why wasn't he?
	Legolas jumped away from the window as Estel stood up and 
headed for the door.  Using the stealth that came as easily to him as 
breathing, the Elf followed, watching as the Ranger paused to light a pipe.  
Legolas didn't even know he had his pipe with him.  Estel never smoked 
around him, knowing it bothered the Elf's sensitive nose.
	As Estel walked by a house, a sound made him turn.  Squinting 
into the shadows of the porch, he smiled.  "May I join you?"
	"Be my guest," the old woman said, motioning to the chair next to 
her with her pipe.  Legolas hid around the corner of the house, not wanting 
to spy on his beloved, but he was growing increasingly curious to know 
what Estel was like without him.
	"You're one of the ones who helped our Gretchen, aren't you?"
	"That I am."
	"Are you enjoying your stay here?"
	"Yes, thank you.  Everyone's been extremely welcoming.  You've 
got a wonderful little village."
	"We're fond of it.  You'll find there are a lot of villages like ours 
when you are king."
	Estel broke into a coughing fit, the old woman smiling smugly as 
she watched the younger man trying to catch his breath.  Estel stared at her 
through watering eyes as he breathed in deep the clean air. 
	"What did you say?"
	"You heard me, Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and don't pretend 
otherwise."
	Both Estel's and Legolas's eyes widened at the woman's words.  
How did she know? Estel thought, glancing around to see if anyone was 
listening.
	"Do not worry, my words are not falling on new ears," she said.  
Legolas frowned, thinking she was being deceptively vague.  Did she 
know he was listening?  Considering what she'd just revealed, he didn't 
doubt it.
	"How do you know my name?"
	"I carry the curse of foresight.  I have seen your future.  I know 
who you are."
	"Then I am going to be king," Estel said, his voice tinged with a 
hint of wonder.  He knew it was his destiny, that it was his birthright, but 
he had never truly believed it.  It seemed so strange to think a mere Ranger 
could be a Ruler of Men.
	"It is one possibility."
	He started, closely studying the eyes that gazed back at him with 
wisdom beyond his years.  "What do you mean 'one possibility'?  It isn't 
certain?"
	"If you continue on this path, you will never be king."
	"I didn't realize I was on any particular path."
	"Every choice we make directs us onto a new path.  You've been 
avoiding the choices that would lead you to your destiny."
	"Why would I do that?"  Estel chuckled, shaking his head.  He was 
beginning to doubt the woman's sanity.  
	"Perhaps you are paying more attention to your heart than to your 
future."
	"I don't know what you mean," he said, his voice growing cold.
	Legolas, on the other hand, felt like a tree had been dropped on his 
chest.  The old woman was right.  Estel should have been following his 
path, but he had been too selfish.  He had been holding on to Estel, doing 
everything he could to keep him near at his side and away from Arwen, 
away from Rivendell, away from anything that would remind him of what 
he needed to do.  Though none of this was a surprise to the Elf--Legolas 
had been hiding the truth from himself, and he knew why--the moment 
Estel began going after his birthright, the moment he became king and 
took his true name, that would be the moment the he would lose Estel 
forever.
	"You know exactly what I mean, Aragorn.  You will be an 
excellent ruler, but in order to do so, you will have to let him go."
	Estel shook his head.  "He has nothing to do with this."
	"He has everything to do with this.  Don't lie to me--I can see right 
through you, and don't lie to yourself.  It isn't worthy of a king."
	He was silent for a moment, his fists clenched on his knees.  
"You're wrong," he said, his voice laced with anger.  "When the time 
comes, I will be king, and he will be by my side."
	The old woman laughed.  "Oh, yes, I can just picture him happily 
watching as you raise a family with your wife.  You know as well as I do 
that he will not stay."
	"He will have Menelhen to be his companion in all the ways I 
cannot."
	"Menelhen?" the old woman said, her eyes clouding over for a 
moment and then she nodded.  "Ah, yes, the silver Healer--he will be of no 
use.  He will not remain in Middle Earth as long as you think, assuming he 
survives."
	Legolas's blood ran cold at this dire prediction of his lover's future, 
and he fought an urge to run back to Mirkwood's castle to reassure himself 
that Menelhen was safe.
      "Survives?" Estel demanded.  "Survives what?"
	But the woman refused to answer.
	Estel rose to his feet, afraid of the woman's words, and angered by 
them.  "I'm not going to listen to this.  I don't know what you think you've 
seen, but it seems to me that your vision is clouded.  Good night."
	Storming off, Estel felt all good feelings for the village 
disappearing as the old woman's chuckling seemed to linger in his ears.
	Back on the porch, the watery eyes craned towards the corner of 
the house, aware of who was standing there though she could not see him.  
"He's not ready--he may never be ready.  Are you, little Elf?"
	"Leave me alone, old woman," he whispered.
	"I will," she nodded, "as I can see you know what you have to do.  
If it's any comfort, he will always love you."
	"Be quiet!" Legolas snapped as he turned and ran.  He fled through 
the village, not even seeing the road before him.  He simply wanted to put 
as much distance between himself and the old woman as possible.
	Estel, too, was trying to escape from the old woman's words.  He 
fought them in his mind, but deep down, he feared there was a hint of truth 
in what she had to say.  He couldn't deny the resentment in Arwen's eyes 
when he set out to visit Legolas, especially after what Elrond had said.  
When they had approached the Elf Lord with their engagement, he had 
told them they would not be permitted to marry until Estel was king.  To 
claim the throne of Gondor--it seemed an impossible task.  After so long a 
rule by the Stewards, he doubted the people would even accept him.  If he 
didn't try, however, he would never be able to wed Arwen, and that was a 
desire he did not doubt.  But what if marrying her and becoming king 
meant losing Legolas forever?  Was that a decision he could live with?
	Shaking his head, Estel sighed.  The old woman had been right--he 
was avoiding his destiny.  He would have to find some way to convince 
Legolas to stay even after he was married.  He knew there was no way he 
could continue on this journey without Legolas at his side.  His heart 
wouldn't allow it.
	When Estel returned to the farmhouse that night, he went to 
Legolas's room instead of his own, hoping the Elf would be awake.  
Opening the door, he looked inside.  Legolas's eyes were open, but distant 
in reverie.  Estel walked in and knelt down by the bed.  The blanket 
covered the golden Prince only up to his waist, revealing the bruises that 
had changed from blue and purple to yellow and brown and green.  
Leaning over, he kissed each of the bruises, lightly touching his lips to the 
injured ribs. 
	Legolas stirred, murmuring in his sleep as he brushed his hand 
over his stomach.  Estel chuckled, thinking how unnerving it would be for 
anyone else to see the Elf in such a state--eyes open but completely 
unaware of the world around him.  He was so beautiful in his sleep, his 
face so pure, so innocent, so devoid of the pain Estel caused him.  With a 
sigh, the Human kissed the slightly parted pink lips, and left the room.
	The door clicked shut and the mist passed from the Elven eyes.  
Legolas blinked, staring at the space the Ranger had occupied.  It had 
taken all his self control to continue to feign sleep, especially as Estel's 
lips had traversed his body.  He had wanted to take the Ranger into his 
arms and hold him, beg him to disappear into the wilds and never return--
which is exactly why he had done nothing.  He was afraid of his 
disappointment when Estel said no.


	  The next morning, Estel led twenty Men into the forest to search 
for any remaining signs of the Troll.  With the help of Legolas's quick 
eyes, they were able to find and dismantle most of the traps.  At first, the 
Humans barely spoke a word to Legolas, watching him with guarded eyes.  
He dealt with it as best as he could by pretending he didn't notice and 
acting completely as himself.  As the day wore on, the tension around the 
Humans eased and they began treating the Elf as one of their own, with 
only a few exceptions.  Fortunately, those few didn't dare raise their voices 
against the Elf, seeing as how he was so well favored among their 
comrades.  Calen in particular took to Legolas and even Estel grew a bit 
amused at the way the two acted as if they'd known each other their entire 
lives.  
	"It is a good thing you were with us, Legolas," Calen said, clasping 
him on the shoulder.  "The only way I would have found that last trap 
would be by walking into it."
	Legolas laughed, shaking his head.  "How do you think I found it?  
One more footstep and you would have had to cut me down from that 
tree."
	Estel watched as Legolas joked and teased each other, his heart 
warming at the sight.  If he didn't know any better, he would have sworn 
they were best friends.  Look how well he fits in, the Ranger thought.  He 
could adjust as easily to a city as to a village.  He was beginning to believe 
that this just might work, that he could keep Legolas at his side.
	As they neared the outskirts of the village, the party drew up short 
to see nine magnificent Elven steeds appear before them, six carrying 
Mirkwood guards, one Mirkwood's Healer, and upon the remaining two 
sat the twin sons of Elrond.  The villagers' faces quickly turned sour as 
they recognized the symbol of the Royal House of Mirkwood adorning the 
guards' horses and tunics.
	Though Estel felt and was immediately concerned by it, Legolas 
failed to notice the change in mood as Menelhen leapt down from his 
horse and took the golden Prince in his arms.  Speaking in Sindarin, all the 
elves answering in kind, he was quick to greet his lover.
	"Menelhen, what are you doing here?"
	"Well, if I'd known you'd be this happy to see me, maybe I should 
have stayed home," the Healer teased, and Legolas vigorously shook his 
head.
	"You have no idea how happy I am to see you," he said, the old 
woman's words echoing in his mind, "but you're not supposed to be here.  
Is something wrong?"
	"Not a thing," Elladan said as he and his brother dismounted, each 
embracing the Elf in turn.
	"Mithrandir," Elrohir continued, "has a need for Estel, so we came 
here to fetch him.  Menelhen offered to help us find you, and your father 
insisted we bring the guards."
	"Yes, it seems he's become quite protective of your fair Healer."
	Menelhen felt a blush creep over his face at Legolas's inquisitive 
stare.  "Your father and I have had a lot of time to talk while you've been 
gone.  We've been discussing some of my ideas of ways for Elves injured 
in battle receive help sooner, and we've spoken a lot about you.  He seems 
to approve of me, or as he put it," Menelhen added with a  grin, "'better 
you than one of Elrond's brats'."
	The twin brats of Elrond started to laugh.
	"I always thought we'd get along with Thranduil if he ever gave us 
half a chance," Elladan said, throwing an arm around his brother.  "Now, 
where's the missing brat we came here to find?"
	Estel had stood back, watching the exchange but focusing on the 
rise of angry mutterings amongst the Humans as they glared at Thranduil's 
crest.  He moved to step forward and Calen grabbed his arm.
	"I know you and Legolas are friends, but I'd be wary of these new 
Elves, particularly those who wear the sign of the Tyrant."
	"The Tyrant?" Estel repeated, arching an eyebrow.  "I don't think I 
know anyone by that name."
	"Thranduil," answered a Man behind him, Eric, a close friend of 
Calen and one of those who never warmed to Legolas.  "The damned Elf 
who rules these woods."
	"What has he done to earn that title?"
	"For generations, he has sent reminders to us informing our village 
that it exists only through his 'generosity' and that we shouldn't get too 
settled because he can take it from us at any second.  Some generosity," 
Eric sneered.
	"You say he has done this for generations.  Has he ever actually 
tried to take the village?"
	"No," Calen said, shaking his head, "but it doesn't matter.  Do you 
know what it's like to live every day knowing you can be run out of your 
home at any minute?  To know that you, your children, your children's 
children can have everything taken from them at the whim of a single 
being?  Just being aware of what he can do is enough for us to hate him."
	"Have you ever tried talking to Thranduil?  Maybe you could buy 
the land from him?"	
	"There's no talking to the Tyrant!" a voice shouted from behind 
them.  "Tell Thranduil that if he wants our homes, he'll have to fight us for 
them!"
	A rumble of agreement rose up from the crowd.  The Elven guards 
bristled upon hearing their Lord's name uttered with anger and hatred, and 
the four Elves standing together cast worried glances between the two 
parties.
	"Estel," Elrohir called out, "what is going on?"
	He quickly explained the situation and Legolas stepped forward.
	"I can assure you that Thranduil has no intention of ever taking 
your village.  His warnings are a need to flex his muscles, nothing more."
	"And how would you know this?"
	"Don't listen to him--he's an Elf.  They'll say anything to protect 
each other."
	"He's jus as much a Tyrant as Thranduil is!"
	Legolas stiffened as he glared at the crowd.  "He may not be the 
kindest of Elves, but my father is not a tyrant!"
	Calen's jaw dropped.  "Thranduil is your father?"
	A Human shoved his way forward, gripping his axe in his hands, a 
malevolent gleam in his eyes.  "You mean we've had the Tyrant's son at 
our mercy this entire time?"
	Before he could make another move, the six guards had their bows 
drawn and ready to shoot.
	"I'd be careful if I were you, Mortal," the Captain spat, his eyes 
fixed on the Human with the axe.  "You're in no position to argue with a 
Prince of Mirkwood."
	"You might want to review your own position.  It seems to me that 
you're outnumbered."
	"Clearly, you've never had the privilege of seeing an Elf in battle, 
or you wouldn't make such a boast."	
	"My Lords, please," Estel said, walking between the two menacing 
groups, "there is no need to fight.  This is simply a misunderstanding I am 
certain we can clear up."
	"The misunderstanding is yours if you side with Elves," Eric 
growled.
	Elladan and Elrohir, sensing trouble, moved to stand behind their 
brother.
	"I am not siding with anyone.  I am trying to make sure no one gets 
hurt."
	"Look at the way they protect him--he's clearly with the Elves!"
	Estel forced himself to remain calm--growing angry would not 
help ease the situation.  "Listen to me.  There has to be a way for us to 
resolve this.  Legolas, can you speak to your father and ask him to release 
the village to these people?"
	The look of skepticism on the Elf's normally placid face was more 
of an answer than he wanted, and not the right one.
	"Legolas, there must be something you can do."
	"Listen to him--a Human pleading with an Elf.  He's a disgrace to 
Mankind."
	"This Man standing before you is Humanity's only saving grace," 
Elladan said, midnight blue eyes flashing with anger.  "You would be wise 
to show him a little more respect."
	"I say we take the Tyrant's son hostage and kill the others!"
	A shout of agreement filled the air as the Humans surged forward.  
Menelhen jumped in front of Legolas, his hands in the air to show he was 
unarmed.
	"Listen to me!  It doesn't have to come to this.  We can find a way 
to resolve this peacefully."
	Calen, fearing that many of his friends would die before the 
fighting stopped, rushed forward to add his support to the strange Elf with 
the silver streak in his hair.  One of the guards, seeing the Human running 
towards the Healer, feared he meant to attack and fired an arrow at the 
young man.  Calen yelped in pain as he was tossed to the ground by the 
arrow's force.
	Shouts went up from both sides as the battle ensued.
	"Try not to kill them!" Legolas yelled to the Elves.  "See if you can 
disarm them!"
	The guards frowned at the order but clearly made an effort to obey, 
holding back their hardest blows.  Menelhen knelt down next to Calen and 
examined the wound, seemingly oblivious to the fray around them.  He 
sighed in relief to see that the arrow had lodged in the Human's shoulder, 
the point passing cleanly through skin and muscle to the other side.
	"Don't worry," he said, smiling to try and reassure the Human.  
"You're going to be all right just as soon as we remove this arrow and put 
a bandage on your wound."
	Calen attempted his own smile at the Healer.  "Thank you."
	"You're welcome."
	"I wasn't trying to hurt you."
	"I know," Menelhen smiled, glancing around as he tried to spot a 
friendly face, searching for anyone who could help him get Calen out of 
the way, but all were occupied trying to not to kill the Humans who were 
trying to kill them.  He looked back down at Calen.  "Can you move?"
	Calen hesitated, then nodded.  "I think so."
	"This will probably hurt."
	"I'd be surprised if it didn't."
	The Healer wrapped an arm around Calen's waist, who reached 
around the Elf's shoulders with his good side.  Counting together, they 
lifted Calen to his feet, the pain causing him to cry out. 
	"Damn you, Elf!  Leave him alone!"
	"Eric, no!" Calen shouted, trying to stop him, but it was too late.
	Menelhen's eyes widened as the hunting knife was thrust into his 
chest.  The Healer stumbled, then fell to his knees.  He looked up to find 
Legolas's blue eyes watching him, horror and disbelief filling the cobalt 
gaze.
	"Menelhen?" Legolas whispered.  The Healer sank to the earth and 
was immediately lost from view.  "Menelhen!"
	His heart clenching with fear, Legolas pushed himself through the 
fighting mass till he reached the fallen Healer's side.  Estel followed, the 
world seeming to freeze when he saw the Healer lying on the ground, a 
gaping hole in his chest.  Calen was trying to hold back the flow of blood, 
but from the despair on his face, it was clear he felt there was little hope.  
An immense wave of grief pass through Estel's body as he knelt down 
next to the Healer, trying to organize his thoughts and find a way to help.
	My love," Legolas said said, grasping the Elf's cold hand.  "My 
love, everything's going to be okay."
	"Legolas," Menelhen gasped, his eyes filling with tears.
      "Tell me what to do!" Legolas said, brushing the hair away from 
Menelhen's forehead.  "How can I heal you?  Pretend we've switched 
places--what would you do if it was me lying here and not you?"
	"I would beg the Valar to take my life instead of yours," Menelhen 
replied with a gentle smile.  His breath was little more than a strange 
liquid sound emanating from his chest.
	"You're not helping," Legolas said, fighting back his tears.  
"Menelhen, please, we have to find a way!"
	"Legolas..." Unable to find the words, Menelhen shook his head 
and Legolas seemed to collapse in on himself.
	"Calen, come on," Eric said, pulling at the injured human who 
fought him with his little remaining strength.
	"No--we have to help him!" Calen said, continuing to try and 
prevent the spread of the stain across the Healer's tunic.
	"There's no helping him--the Elf is dead."
	Legolas's head shot up, his face a mask of rage as he focused on 
the Human who had spoken and the bloodied blade in his hand.
	"Legolas, don't!" Menelhen said, trying to grab on to the golden 
Prince's arm, but Legolas didn't even seem to hear him.  
	Drawing his matched blades, the golden Prince rose to his feet with 
the grace of the wind through the trees, only swifter, deadlier, and about to 
uproot whatever was in his path.  Eric didn't even have time to blink 
before his head went flying through the air with one clean stroke.  
	The battle came to a halt as the head landed on the grass, all eyes 
turning to the Prince of Mirkwood.  Legolas stared back, his body 
trembling with fury, but his swords were steady and waiting for their next 
victim.  
	Estel jumped to his feet and grabbed the Elf's arm, his effort 
promptly rewarded with an elbow in the face.  Despite the pain 
blossoming in his cheek, Estel refused to let go.  Legolas turned on him, 
ready to strike and the Ranger's eyes widened.  He couldn't even find the 
Elf he loved in the murderous creature gazing back at him.  He suddenly 
felt nauseous, afraid he was about to lose all the good in his beloved.
	"Legolas!" he shouted, grabbing onto the Elf's shoulders and 
shaking him.  "Legolas, stop it!"
	The golden Prince blinked, his eyes clearing a little as he 
recognized Estel.
	"What are you doing?" the Ranger asked, his voice almost 
pleading as he looked at the Elf.
	Legolas shook his head, his expression one of confusion as he 
surveyed the scene around him.  "I don't. . . I don't know."
	"I thought you didn't want anyone to get hurt."
	Legolas turned back to his beloved, his eyes hard.  "Somebody did 
get hurt."
	"And is this helping Menelhen?  Will this heal him?" Estel asked, 
gesturing to the headless corpse at their feet.
	Looking down, the golden Prince stared blankly at the body.  "It 
helped me."
	Estel shook his head.  "This isn't you, Legolas.  You have to stop."
	Legolas was silent for a moment, then nodded, and when he spoke, 
his voice sounded distant.  "You're right.  This isn't me.  This is you--you 
and all Humans.  Your first reaction is always one of violence.  Why?  
There are more of you than there are of us.  My people are fading, leaving 
this land--soon, there won't be any of us left and you can have all of 
Middle Earth to yourselves, so why won't you leave us alone?  Don't you 
understand how valuable the life of each Elf is?"
	"What about the value of Human lives?  Because there are more of 
us, do you think it's all right to kill as many of us as you want?"
	"I didn't want to kill any of you--I never have.  He left me no 
choice!"
	"You had a choice, Legolas.  You always have a choice."
	"No," the Elf said, shaking his head.  "He had to pay for what he 
did to Menelhen."
	"And if Menelhen lives?  What then?"
	Legolas stared in disbelief at the Ranger.  "If Menelhen lives?"  He 
was silent for a moment, trying to comprehend what Estel was saying, if it 
was an attempt at a terrible joke.  "How can you..."  
      His mouth closed, unable to continue.  He knew what Estel meant.  
Somewhere, in the back of his mind, he knew he'd gone too far when he'd 
let his heart control his arm and he'd struck down that man.  But if he'd 
gone this far, he thought, perhaps it was time to finish it.  He needed to 
make a decision, possibly the most difficult decision of his life.  The gods 
grant him courage to continue, he prayed as his eyes hardened.  Legolas 
faced the Ranger.
      "I think you should go."
	Estel stared at him, thinking he'd heard wrong.  "Legolas--"
	"Now.  Take your people with you.  Leave us to care for our 
injured, for our..." he stumbled, the word catching in his throat, "...for our 
dying.  I don't care if I never seen another Human again, any Human, 
including you."
	Estel looked at the golden Prince, his heart ripping in two, as tears 
sprang to his eyes.  "Beloved--"
	"Estel, I want you to go.  Leave.  Now!" he shouted, pushing the 
Ranger away from him.
	The Mirkwood guards surrounded their Prince and his fallen lover, 
staring at the Humans with glittering eyes.  Calen took the stunned Estel 
by the arm, leading him away from the Elves, the other Humans following 
behind carrying Eric's remains.  Elladan and Elrohir stood off to the side, 
trying to understand what had happened.  Knowing they wouldn't be 
welcome with the Humans, they remained with the Elves, but their eyes 
never once left their brother's retreating form.
	Legolas returned to Menelhen's side.  The Healer's eyes were 
closed, his breathing shallow.  The Prince could barely hear his heart 
beating.
	"My Lord?" the Captain said once the Humans had gone.  "What 
are your orders?  What do you want us to do?"
	"Let's move him away from here, deeper into Mirkwood where 
they won't dare to follow.  We will keep him warm, we will try to close 
the wound, and we will wait."
	Elladan and Elrohir watched the somber party move into the woods 
carrying the Healer on a makeshift stretcher, then followed behind.  
Keeping a good distance between themselves and the Mirkwood Elves, the 
twins were unusually silent.  They waited until camp was made and 
Menelhen was set up in a tent, then approached the golden Prince.
	Drawing back the tent's flaps, Elrohir entered first, followed 
closely by his brother.  "How is he?"
	Legolas looked up at them, his helplessness evident in his eyes, his 
face filled with panic.  "I don't know what to do."
	"Let us help," Elladan said as they knelt down by the Healer.  "We 
are the sons of Elrond, after all, and our father did teach us something 
about healing."
	"Where are Menelhen's things?" Elrohir asked, and Legolas 
quickly called for the Healer's bag.  The twins cut away Menelhen's tunic 
to examine the wound.  The Prince swallowed hard, looking away.
	"How much longer do you think he has?" he whispered.
	"I don't know.  He's entered into a healing trance.  If he is as 
powerful as Father believes him to be, there may be a chance for him."
	"Do you mean it?" Legolas said, too afraid to hope.  "He might 
live?"
	Elrohir shook his head.  "I don't know, Legolas.  I don't have the 
skills to say for sure.  Estel would have a better--"
	"No!" he interrupted.  "No, leave Estel out of this."
	"Even if he could give Menelhen a chance?"
	The Prince shook his head.
	"What's going on, Legolas?" Elladan asked.  "That scene between 
you and Estel--don't tell me it's because you suddenly hate Humans.  Why 
did you do it?"
	"It had to be done," he answered in a heavy voice.
	"But why?  I don't understand."
	"I don't expect you to."
	Elladan glared at the golden Prince, wanting nothing more than to 
knock some sense into him.  "You're a fool, Legolas."
	"That may be, but it won't change anything."  He stood up, 
brushing his head on the top of the tent.  "It is too crowded in here.  Call 
me when you've done everything you can for him.  I want to be here in 
case. . . just in case."
	Legolas emerged from the tent and gave his orders to the guards, 
sending one with a message to Thranduil letting him know Menelhen had 
been injured, but not how.  He added strict instructions that the guard was 
not to say anything about the fight.  He had little doubt his father would 
destroy the village if he knew everything that had happened.  
	Once the camp was in order, Legolas walked into the woods, 
needing to be alone.  He didn't get far before he couldn't hold back any 
longer.  Collapsing onto the earth, he curled up into a ball, wrapping his 
arms around his legs.  His body was wracked with sobs as he was finally 
able to release his grief at what he'd done.  He felt like his insides had 
been ripped to shreds, his heart crushed and squeezed until there wasn't a 
drop of blood left.  Only one word could be distinguished through the Elf's 
pain, the name of the love he'd given up forever.


(There will be a part five, eventually...)