Forgiveness Kiss: A Legolas and Aragorn Fanfic

The Elf, the Man and the Fellowship

 At some point during Aragorn's retelling, the pair had moved closer together on his bed. Now they were lying next to each other, their foreheads almost touching. When Aragorn finished speaking, there was silence. Legolas was at a loss for words, his head spinning with this new information. All he could think to say was-

 "I'm sorry."

 "You have nothing to apologize for," Aragorn said.

 Legolas shook his head. "If I had only read your letters-" 

 "But you didn't," Aragorn replied. "And with good reason: you were hurt and confused. What happened was not your fault. Nor was it mine. We both failed to communicate, and we both paid the price for it. The important thing is that we are able to come together now."

 "Together?" Legolas' heart fluttered. "Is... is that what you want? To be together?"

 Aragorn laughed quietly. He reached out and touched Legolas' cheek with a gentle hand. "Of course that's what I want," he murmured. "I haven't been able to stop thinking about you since that night we parted."

 With those words Aragorn wrapped his arms around the Elf and kissed him. 

                                                                                         ***

 The rest of their time in Rivendell was a beautiful blur. Although they spent much of the days in council meetings to decide the fate of the Ring, Legolas cherished his quiet nights in Aragorn's arms. When Aragorn volunteered to accompany Frodo to Mount Doom, Legolas didn't hesitate to join them. He couldn't imagine being apart after waiting so long to meet again. 

 At last the day came for the Fellowship to set off on their journey. Legolas awoke to the sound of birdsong through the open bedroom window, then turned and realized that Aragorn was gone. The Elf wasn't worried; he knew where to look.

 After getting dressed and going outside, Legolas found Aragorn in the garden, kneeling beside Gilraen's grave. Aragorn visited his mother's headstone often, and never left for a journey without saying goodbye. Legolas knelt beside the Man and took his hand. They sat quietly together for several minutes before Aragorn broke the silence. 

 "We may not come back," he said. 

 "That uncertainty is part of every journey," Legolas replied.

 Aragorn shook his head. "It's different this time. This is not one of our hunting trips; the entire world hangs in the balance, all depending on getting Frodo to Mordor." He gazed solemnly at the headstone in front of them. "It feels like I'm saying goodbye for good."

 Legolas squeezed Aragorn's hand. "You're right," he said. "We may not come back. This may be our last time in a safe place, free of pain and sorrow. 

 "But we cannot dwell on what may happen, only on what is already happening. When we leave Rivendell, we may be walking to our doom; or we may be walking to a brighter future, for us and for all of Middle-Earth. I know I would rather leave and fight for our world than sit quietly and wait for the darkness to envelop us." 

 He turned to the Man beside him and smiled. 

 "Besides," Legolas added, "What's life without a bit of danger?"

 Aragorn laughed and leaned his head on the Elf's shoulder. "Usually I'm the one reassuring you," he teased. "But today it seems that you have all of the comforting words I can't seem to find."

 "I suppose that is a part of love," Legolas replied, putting his arm around Aragorn and pulling him closer.

 "What is?" Aragorn asked.

  Legolas closed his eyes. 

 "Being each other's light in dark places."

                                                                                              ***

 The pair sat in front of Gilraen's headstone until it was at last time for the Fellowship to depart. As the group passed through Rivendell's front gates, Arwen caught Aragorn's eye in the crowd. She smiled at him, her eyes shining. He smiled in return, their silent farewell passing unnoticed by the others. 

 When they had crossed the bridge over the Bruinen river, Aragorn reached out and took Legolas' hand. The Elf felt his heart soar. Although there was certainly danger ahead, he felt at peace with Aragorn beside him. Up ahead, the Hobbits had begun to sing a traveling song. Boromir and Gimli were discussing weapons, Gandalf was checking over his maps... And at the back of the group, an unlikely pair walked hand in hand. 

 After all this time, the Man and Elf had found each other. And no matter what fate had in store, neither of them were going to let go.