They were all in the great hall where Luin had first spoken with Denethor less than three days ago. This time the stone throne was empty. It stood, black and firm at the bottom of the pedestal where the throne of the king would sit. The empty spot. Well, the steward throne was empty until Gimli spotted it and gleefully sat himself down and crossed his legs. Luin couldn't help but giggle at the sight of the red haired dwarf smoking his pipe in the chair where Denethor had lorded. 

They had all removed their armour and washed away the gore of battle. Luin was in a fresh deep blue tunic with black trousers. A new cloak covered the bandages on his shoulders and his staff was back in his hands. (Legolas had retrieved it for him, being the only one other than Luin himself who could pry it from where it had ben stuck in stone). He had leaned the wood against a pillar as his hands worked. Legolas was seated on a simple wooden chair that a servant had brought for them, his long blonde hair freshly washed and his green cloths clean. Luin's fingers were expertly braiding the silver strands as they listened to the rest of the room. 

Only Gandalf and Aragorn were standing. Eomer was also there to represent Rohan. Theoden having died in battle and Eowyn recovering from her wounds. The man was seated near Gimli on one of the steps leading up to the pedestal, eyes flickering around them all. "Frodo has passed beyond my sight", Gandalf sighed. "The darkness is deepening". He began pacing the room, white robes flowing. 

"If Sauron had the ring we would know", Aragorn stated, his back to the room as he gazed out of one of the windows with his arms crossed. 

"Its only a matter of time. He has suffered a defeat yes but behind the walls of Mordor our enemy is regrouping".

Luin let out a small hum as he finished the row of courting braids. Legolas turned and smiled as he caught his hand in his, pressing a kiss to the knuckles before he could pull away. Luin beamed as the elf got up and they switched places. The archer's hands finger combing his shorter strands. His hair was just about long enough for a few braids along his head, which the elf set to work on. He left hand of Luin's hair down while braiding the other half out of his face. 

"Let him stay there", Gimli boomed. "Let him rot! Why should we care?" He gestured with his pipe. 

Gandalf's face was tired. "Because ten thousand orcs now stand between Frodo and mount doom". Gimli sighed and exhale of smoke. 

"I've sent him to this death", Gandalf's voice was defeated.

"No", Aragorn turned, arms unfolding. "There is still hope for Frodo. He needs time and safe passage across the plains go Gorgoroth. We can give him that". 

"How?" Gimli frowned. 

"Draw out Sauron's armies, empty his lands. Then we gather our full strength and march on the Black gate". Gimli began coughing loudly at Aragorn's suggestion. 

"We cannot achieve victory through strength of arms", Eomer stood up and stepped forwards. 

"Not for ourselves but we can give Frodo his chance if we keep Sauron's eye fixed on us". Aragorn's voice was strong. "Keep him blind to all else that moves". 

"Frodo needs support", Luin voiced. They all turned to him. "I can sneak passed the eye while you keep it distracted. I can get to Frodo". 

"A diversion", Legolas nodded, fingers still tangled in Luin's hair. He could feel the sudden tension of the room. Legolas' fingers braiding smoothly but there was a tightness in his shoulders. Worry and concern. Luin reached up with one hand and tilted his head back to meet the blue eyed gaze as his hand brushed his cheek. He gave him a reassuring smile that flickered in a mirror across Legolas' face. 

"Sauron will suspect a trap. He will not take the bait", Gandalf warned. 

Gimli laughed around his Pipe. "Certainty of death. Small chance of success. What are we waiting for?" Luin laughed. 

-----------

They agreed to march for the Black gates in the morning, giving time for the remainder of their forces to gather themselves and see to the wounded. Everyone needed rest after the battle they had just had. Rest, food and water, to mourn and to rejoice with those who had survived. After the conference, Luin separated from Legolas to fetch himself some food for them both. The elf had offered to help but Luin had made him wait in the hall with the others while he searched. 

When he returned with three servants and platters of food, he found the company assembled around a dining table in the corner of the room. Gandalf and Aragorn at each end of the table with the other split evenly between both sides. Merry and Pippin had joined them and someone had passed round pints of ale. The two hobbits were talking loudly with enthusiastic hand gestures, both comparing stories of what had happened during their time of separation. Aragorn was listening with a smile on his face and Gimli was still smoking his pipe, chuckling every so often. Upon seeing Luin, their eyes lit up with hunger at the sight the food. 

"Finally!" Gimli exclaimed. "I am starved". 

"Don't worry Gimli", Luin grinned as he set down the plate he had been carrying. "There is enough to fill the belly of a hungry dwarf". Gimli let out a pleased sound and put out his pipe to dig in. The wizard laughed at the eagerness and took the empty seat next to the blonde elf. 

"How's your shoulder?" Legolas asked in elvish. 

"Healing", Luin replied. Due to the Qi circling in his body, the skin around the stitches was already pink with healing. Legolas smiled and took a bread roll from the plates and began buttering it, the butter melting from the warmth of freshly baked dough. When he was done he held it out to Luin, who returned the gesture with a sliced up apple. The elf smiled and began eating as Luin savoured his bread.

"Pippin as just telling us how you threw yourself onto the back of a fell-beast to kill a Nazgul", Aragorn interrupted the meal with a sly smile. Luin blinked then shot accusing eyes at the hobbit as he felt Legolas' gaze weigh on his shoulders. He didn't need to look at his lover's face to know that it was questioning. 

Under the stare, Pippin averted his gaze pointedly. Luin sighed. "I killed the Nazgul", he pointed out. 

"You said you'd stop scaring me", Legolas muttered. Luin paled and turned beseeching eyes to his lover. 

"It was the most effective way! Nin Ithil, don't look sad", his voice took on a whining tone. Legolas sighed and turned his gaze to his food. Luin looked around for any help but the table were avoid his gaze. All apart from Aragorn, who was trying hard not laugh. Luin gave him a dirty look. 

"You are a danger without us", the man pointed out. Luin scowled at him. 

"Excuse you. How many times have I saved your life? It was a battle! I am allowed to be reckless". 

Next to him, Legolas let out another sigh and took Luin's hand in his. He turned to meet the sad gaze and his heart fell. Luin hated upsetting Legolas. "Melethril, You got shot. I almost watched you fall to your death". 

Luin's posture sank into a sulk. "I never intend to scare you Nin Ithil. It was only a light arrow wound. And I never fall. The air loves me too much to let me fall to my death". Legolas's expression didn't change. Luin bit his lip. "Ithil. I am being careful". 

"The blue is pouting", Gimli sniggered. The hobbits giggled and Luin glared at them. Merry and Pippin hurriedly tried to look absorbed with their half pints of ale. At his end of the table, Gandalf snorted then avoided Luin's gaze with a far too innocent look on his face.

"I am glad that I do not speak elvish", Eomer muttered over his own goblet. "Sounds like a lover's quarrel". 

"That is exactly what it is", Aragorn nodded. 

"You be quiet or the moment I see Arwen I am telling her about everything single reckless thing you have done on this quest", Luin threatened, jabbing a finger at the man to illustrate his point. 

Aragorn blinked as he put on a innocent expression. "You would not". 

Luin grinned. "I would". 

Aragorn narrowed his eyes, the two of them now caught in a challenging glare across the table. "I could tell Legolas about that time in Rivendale when you were practising your talismans"-

"Don't you try it!" Luin interrupted loudly. Legolas looked up at the mention of his name and glanced between them. 

"What happened with his talismans?" 

Aragorn grinned widely and opened his mouth. Luin flicked his fingers and a blue spark flared. Aragorn's mouth promptly clammed shut and the man glowered at him. The silencing spell doing it's job. Legolas sighed deeply as Gimli burst out laughing, his deep voice bounding around the hall. Luin grinned then his face dropped under Legolas' stare. "Nin Ithil, You don't want to know about that. It was a long time ago. And I'm sorry for being reckless in battle. I knew what I was doing". 

Legolas made a soft fond noise and cupped Luin's face in his hand, leaning up to press a kiss to is forehead. "I know. You are a fearsome warrior but that will never stop me worrying about you". 

"As I will always worry about you", Luin murmured back gently. "Are you still upset?" 

"I am always upset when you are injured, just not with you. I hope that the dark forces will soon come to and end". Luin relaxed with a happy smile at the words, leaning into Legolas' touch. Down the table, Gimli made disgusted noises and Aragorn tapped his fork against his goblet pointedly. 

Luin sighed with a roll of his eyes as Legolas chuckled. He flicked his fingers again and Aragorn opened his mouth. "So", the man grinned, leaning forwards across the table. "Any wedding plans?" Luin scowled as Legolas laughed harder. 

unedited 

Luin maybe the mum friend but Aragorn is the embarrassing dad friend. Legolas just likes to wind the both of them up. 

vote, comment, follow etc..