Silver Peonies, Blue Chicories (Aralas)

𖣘cold water𖣘

Legolas froze. How could he allow him self such a mistake?!
„Sorry, i meant her."
Thranduil stared at his son, who tried to be convincing, but the King knew his son better than anyone else. It was a man who he gave his heart to. Legolas was lucky that it was only the elven King and Aragorn there.
Otherwise rumours would spread like venom.
The prince bit his lip, resisting the urge to just storm out of the room run away.
Thranduil sighed, closing his eyes for a moment.
He turned to Aragorn, who still looked a bit shocked.
„You can go now, human."
Aragorn lowered his head and bowed quickly, before leaving the big room.

Thranduil lay his hand on his son's shoulder. „Tell me Legolas, is it a man who you love?"
Legolas bit his lip, looking upwards, praying to the laws of gravity that tears wouldn't flow out of his eyes.
„No"
But the father could see the tears shimmer like velvet in his eyes. He could see the moon reflecting under the thin layer
But he decided to let it go.
He did not want to push Legolas, thinking he would tell him when he was ready.
„Good."
It came over a bit colder than it was meant, but Thranduil thought nothing of it.
„You may leave now."
Legolas nodded, turning away and slowly leaving the room.
„Legolas."
He stopped.
The king stared at his only son's back.
He really wanted to tell him that he loved him. That he cared for him, that he wanted to embrace him into a hug, but his ego did not allow it.
„Watch out, you never know what might be lurking in the shadows."
Legolas smiled slightly, knowing that that was his father's way of showing love.
„I will ada. I promise."
And with that, the prince left.

Outside, Aragorn was already waiting for his friend. „Let's have a walk shall we?"
He asked, being polite in front of the guards.
Legolas shared a few looks with him quickly, before responding.
„Yes, we shall."

The friends walked away, till they finally found a spot where they were alone for sure. It was outside, something like a balcony.
They both they both leaned on the railing with their forearms, faced to the woods of Mirkwood.
Legolas stared at the moon, while Aragorn looked at his friend.
„Legolas, you know that i will be the last to judge you for who you love" Aragorn started. „If it is a man, it is okay. Really."
Legolas sighed and let his gaze drop down to the ground. He really felt embarrassed and uncomfortable talking about it.
„Aragorn..seas let us not talk about that now." (seas=please)

Aragorn nodded, understandingly.
„Do not worry my friend, i too felt really embarrassed too, when someone wanted to talk about Arwen in that way."
*Oh Valar..now he's starting with talking about her again..*
Legolas thought to himself, but just smiled slightly and nodded.
They both talked for a bit, mostly Aragorn about Arwen, until Legolas finally was able to change the topic.
„When are you leaving Mirkwood?"
Legolas asked.
„I do not know..i worry about you Legolas. I do not want you to fade away" Legolas smiled slightly. „Do not worry. I will try my best to stay"
„Will you really or are you just saying that to calm me my dear friend?"
Legolas averted his gaze, his eyes getting attracted by the moon like moths to a flame once again.

„I do not know."

The elf suddenly felt a wave of sadness wash over him. His heart ached really bad, that he winced at the pain. His hand met his chest, where it hardly pressed against it, like it wanted to stop a wound from bleeding.
His knees gave up, making him fold together.
Aragorn immediately kneeled down by his side, trying to support his friend.
He lay his arm around Legolas' shoulder and under his legs, picking him up.
Legolas breath hitched, his eyes filling with panic. He was drowning.

Aragorn ran as fast as he could with the suffering prince in his arms. The guards noticed, immediately informing their King and the healers.
Legolas was brought into his room. He was laid down on his bed. Thranduil knew that it could not be helped.
He knew that his son had to go through this now. There was no other way.
It was pretty clear that Legolas would fade without his love. And Thranduil would fade with him. He let his fingers run through his son's hair, carefully combing it.
Thranduil told the healers to leave, wich they did. But one person stayed.
It was Aragorn.
He had fear, sadness and concern in his eyes.

„What will happen to him now?"
He asked, his voice was shaking.
*He really must care for Legolas.*
Thranduil thought.
„He will fade."
The elven king answered. The cold reality both hit them in the face, now that it has been said out loud.
Aragorn felt horrible.
„No"
„We can not do anything about it. He will fade without his person he fell in love with."
Thranduil said.
„Then we will have to find her- or him."
„Well, then try to speak with Legolas about who it is. Best of luck. You will have my thanks until you die if you save my son."
The king raised himself from the seat next to his son. He could not show this human how he was endlessly worried for his son. He could not show him how weak he felt for not being in the position to do anything. It made him feel awful.„Let me know when he wakes up."
Then he left.
Aragorn slightly shook his head in disbelief. How could Thranduil show so little care towards his son?! Did he not love him?
He took Legolas' hand, softly stroking it.
And then reality hit him once again.
It hit him like cold water hit a hot body, like glass hit the ground, like a blind person, who suddenly could see very clearly.

He loved Legolas.