Author's note: Again, many thanks, from the bottom of my heart, for all of you who reviewed. It's very nice to know that you like this story. Also, I'm really sorry about the delay, but this chapter wasn't working at all. Even now, I'm not entirely pleased with it, but I didn't want to keep you waiting any longer. Finally, as you can read in my bio, my English isn't that good and I would love it if someone could just tell me about all the errors that I have made, so that I can correct them. Thanks!

Disclaimer: I own Sarina, the most amazing ones, belong to J.R.R. Tolkien

Warning: This SLASH. Don't like it, don't read it!

Who Lives On Love Lives On Forever

Chapter Five - Choices to be made

By Marylou

       

"Love means to strive and to be elated unceasingly."

- E. Verhaeren

~~~~~ Legolas ~~~~

I cursed under my breath for the one that was disturbing us once again and gestured to my lover to remain silent. "Who is it?" I asked, as calmly as I could.

"Prince, Legolas you must come out quickly," a servant called from outside the door. "No, no, you can't go in. It's the king's bedroom," he suddenly cried in panic, as he tried to keep someone from coming into the room.

Before I had the chance to stand up, the door opened and my father burst into the room.

I was panicked. I just couldn't believe my eyes, as I saw my father standing there with his eyes wide open and covering his mouth with his hand.

It couldn't be true, it couldn't be true... I covered my face with my hands, ashamed, because I couldn't look into his eyes anymore.

This shouldn't have been the way for him to find out. I wanted to tell him, to explain... Not this...

I felt Aragorn's hand covering me and like in a dream, I heard him talking. His voice seemed to come from far, far away.

"King Thranduil, please go out. This is not... We must..." he seemed to have lost his words as well.

"My son, my own son..." My father's voice was broken, betraying his surprise and his disappointment. It made me hurt even more.

"Please," Aragorn softly repeated.

Only when I heard the sound of the door, did I look up again. Aragorn's face was white, betraying his panic. He just shook his head, unable to talk and buried his face in my hair.

"I must go. I must talk to him." I said softly, apparently finding my strength again. My father would understand, he was an open-minded and understanding elf.

"I shall come with you, love. You shouldn't do that alone," Aragorn said and I nodded. I wanted him to be there, it would make things easier.

       

^^^ After a while ^^^

When I entered the great hall, I saw my father walking up and down impatiently, softly murmuring to himself.

As soon as he saw me entering, he stopped and threw me a murderous look. "Explain," he snapped and walked towards me.

I knew I couldn't waste anytime with long prologues so I cut right into the chase. "Father, I love him. That's all the explanation I have to give."

I heard gasps coming from my father and from Aragorn, who was standing right behind him. He squeezed my shoulder to support me.

"You love him? But how?" I had never seen my father so straddled before. If the situation was different I would have laughed at my father's amazement, but now I couldn't.

"I have loved him for more than 15 years, father. We were together back then, but an evil trick separated us for all these years. That's the reason why I wouldn't talk to him. That's the reason that you've seen me suffer all these years. That's the reason I didn't want to get married. Because I love him, father. I love him more than my life, more than I will ever love another human being. And now that I've found him, I won't let him go again. Because that would kill me. I can't go through all that again. I simply can't."

When I finished talking I saw Aragorn wiping a tear from his cheek and realized that I had tears in my eyes as well. Aragorn gently took me in his arms, whispering in my ear, "I love you too, Legolas. You know that, don't you? And I shall never leave you again, my heart, I promise."

We gazed at each other for a few moments, as I felt warmth and passion taking over me. But I knew I should hold myself. This wasn't the most appropriate moment. I let go of my lover and turned to look at my father.

He looked us both very seriously, but I could see that his anger was gone. "I understand. But what of your wife, Elessar?" he asked softly.

Aragorn sunk his head to the ground. "I've deceived Arwen in the most awful way. I was never worthy of her love, anyway. I shall speak to her as soon as I can." He looked up again, "Because I love your son, king Thranduil and I want to be straight and honest about that to everyone."

My father nodded. "I see. Well, boys, this is all too much for me. You better give some time alone, because there are a lot of things in my mind that I want to clear out." He must have seen the anxiety in my eyes, for he continued, this time softer. "Don't be afraid, I won't stand against your love. I'm happy for you, my son."

I sighed with relief and surprising even myself, I made a step and hugged him. "I knew you'd understand," I softly whispered, before I turned around and walked out of the room with Aragorn by my side.

       

^^^ Evening ^^^

I had spent almost the entire day with Aragorn. I knew that he had many businesses he had to take care of, yet he did not leave my side.

I had also talked to my father for a while. We didn't talk much about Aragorn, because I knew that he wasn't fully settled with that matter. But he had told me that if I had made my final choice he would stand by my side. I was more than grateful for his understanding.

I was making a walk in the garden and I had just stopped to watch the beautiful sunset when I felt two hands grabbing me from my waist and two hot lips 'attacking' my ear. "I was wandering, when you would show up," I said as I leaned against my lover to enjoy the sensation.

"Your prayers were answered," he said and turned me around so that I could see his face. I rewarded him with a warm kiss that made him moan.

"Oh, sweet elf," he whispered, "You sure know how to turn me on."

I smiled. "Still, I need more practice," I said mischievously, slipping a hand under his shirt.

"As appealing as your offer sounds, my prince, there's one thing that I have to do first."

I frowned. "And what would that be?" I asked curiously.

"I have to speak to Arwen. I can't continue doing this behind her back," he said seriously. I nodded. I knew that he was right.

"I have been searching her all over the palace, but I just can't find her. I better continue now. But," he said, as he seductively slipped a hand in the inner part of my hip, "as soon as I'm done, you'll have the chance to get all the practice you need."

I laughed and watched him walking away until he disappeared into the castle. I continued staring at the empty path, lost in my thoughts, until I heard steps behind me.

I turned around but I didn't see anything. I suddenly had a very bad feeling about the whole situation. Before I could do anything, I saw four dark figures running towards me. Two more came form behind me and grabbed my arms. The other ones got a hold of my legs and lifted me up.

I fought and struggled for release, but didn't succeed. They were just too many. I tried to scream, but a hand had already covered my mouth. All of a sudden, I felt an intense pain on my head and within a second the whole world turned black.

       

~~~~ Aragorn ~~~~

The whole situation was driving me mad. First I had lost Arwen and now, I couldn't find Legolas anywhere. What was it, the 'Elf-disappearing Day'?

As I walked along the same corridor for the 10th time in one hour, I saw king Thranduil approaching me. "Aragorn, have you seen Legolas anywhere?" he asked me.

"I was going to ask you the same question, my king. I have lost both him and Arwen and I just can't find them anywhere. I have a bad feeling about this," I said seriously. I was beginning to lose my patience. Where could they have gone already? This couldn't be good at all.

I wanted to go on when one of the guards came running towards me. "What is wrong?" I asked him.

"My king, lady Sarina is down at the gate, demanding to see you," he said anxiously.

I frowned. What could that devil want here, after such a long time? "Send her away. I do not wish to see her," I said angrily.

"My king, she said that if you didn't want to see her, then I should give you this." He handed me a small velvet bag.

I opened it hastily and my heart stopped at the sight in front of me. It was Legolas' ring.

"Bring her up, quickly," I demanded. But before I even manage to end my sentence I heart steps behind me. I turned around and then I saw her.

I hadn't seen Sarina for three years, but she hadn't changed much. Her breathtaking beauty wasn't gone, as well as the sparkle in her eyes. Only now she seemed even more evil than usual.

"Well, well, well... It's been a long while since we last saw each other, King Elessar, isn't it?" she said as she stepped to the light. Her black dress and cloak made her look like a shadow.

"Where is he? What have you done to him?" I asked, as anger was taking control of me. I grabbed her from her shoulders and shook her furiously.

"Take it easy, Aragorn. You wouldn't want to harm now. You never now what might happen to your precious elf then," she said calmly.

I let go of her. "Where is he?" I asked again, as my heart leapt inside my chest for my beautiful elf.

"Somewhere," she said mysteriously. "And as a matter of fact, he's not alone. Your fair lady is with him. To be honest I hadn't planned that, but she just made things easier by showing up at my doorstep, demanding to know how I could be so 'evil' and separate you lovebirds," she said sarcastically.

"What have you done with my son?" King Thranduil demanded. He seemed to be furious as he made a few steps towards Sarina.

"So far nothing. But I forgot to tell you," she turned to face me again, "those guys that I left to guard them, are real animals. Too blind to tell a woman from a man, if you know what I mean. And I haven't given them any specific orders, if again, you know what I mean," she said with an evil smile, that made me lose control.

I made a step towards her, ready to hit her, but king Thranduil stopped me.

"Enough, Aragorn," he said shortly. Then he spoke to Sarina, "Tell us what you want."

A smile brightened her face. "Finally, we got to that. Don't you think you'll get away so easily with that, Aragorn. I don't want money. I want... your kingdom."

My breath stopped. I couldn't believe my ears. I would have given her all the money of the world, but this! This was too much. I opened my mouth to protest, but king Thranduil spoke first.

"You can't ask for something like that. You know, that Aragorn can't give away his kingdom," he said desperately. He could understand how I felt, since he was a king himself.

"That's my final offer. Either I become queen of Gondor, or you'll never see the pretty elves again." And with that she made her way out of the palace, leaving me standing there, facing the most serious dilemma of my life.

To be continued...

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