Forgiveness Kiss: A Legolas and Aragorn Fanfic

The Call to Council

 "W-what did you say?" Legolas stuttered. When King Thranduil had summoned him to the throne room, Legolas wasn't worried. He assumed he was being sent out for border control, or asked to clean out a nest of spiders somewhere in the forest. God, the spiders were everywhere. Legolas would gladly kill spiders over the task at hand.

 "I SAID, you must go to Rivendell. Elrond has just called for a council, and I want Mirkwood represented."

 Legolas felt his heart drop to his knees. Go back to Rivendell.... Valar must be trying to punish him. How could he show his face, after everything that had happened? 

 "Legolas, are you listening to me at all??" Thranduil's voice cut through Legolas' thoughts, and he immediately straightened up. 

 "Yes, Father. I will go to Rivendell."

 "Good. You leave at dawn."

 Legolas began to walk out of the throne room. Just before he reached the door, he turned. 

 "Are you sure you don't need me here? The spider population is getting out of hand again."

 Thranduil just rolled his eyes and waved Legolas out of the room.

                                                                        ***

 Later that night, Legolas paced his chambers. Everyone not on guard duty was sleeping, but Legolas couldn't relax. His stomach was in knots, and his mind was reeling with thoughts of what Aragorn would think of him returning to Rivendell. 

 How could he go back? Aragorn would surely hate him. It took all of Legolas' strength not to weep at the thought. He had destroyed any chance of salvaging a friendship...