The discussion froze for a second as Theoden's words rung out around them. Luin sat straighter as he saw Aragorn bristle from the corner of his eye. Gandalf's eyes growing frustrated. Theoden looked around, face set and his body language refusing any argument. Luin tried not to sign. Humans and their failings. "I will go", Aragorn voiced.

"No", Gandalf shot it down.

"They must be warned!"

Gandalf turned and walked slowly to Aragorn, his voice dropping. Luin moved close enough to hear, hands gripping his staff. "You must come to Minas Tirith by another road. Look to the black ships". Aragorn inclined his head only slightly at the instruction but it was enough to know that he was listening. Luin straightened again, not even bothering to hide that he had been listening, as Gandalf turned away to speak aloud again. "Understand this, things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for Minas tirith and I won't be going alone".

The white wizard turned abruptly, his robes flapping as he strode to the door. "Luin!" He called over his shoulder. Luin ran to keep up, the others on his heels. When he got close enough Gandalf's hand seized him by the shoulder and pulled him close. His voice a hushed muttering that would be too low for their company to hear as they approached. "Luin. There are two choices for you here. You can ride to the city of Minas Tirith with me or you can follow your lover with Aragorn. Danger awaits you at both sides but you must not let emotion cloud your judgment my apprentice". Then he was patting Luin's shoulder and letting him go. White against green as he strode out of the hall and down the hill.

Luin fell into pace with Legolas at the back of the group as they followed Gandalf through the town. The wizard now scolding Pippin irately. "Of all the inquisitive hobbits Peregrin took, you are the worst! Hurry! Hurry!"

"Of what did you speak?" Legolas asked as they brushed passed the people of Rohan. Women and men moving out of the streets as they strode passed. Luin looked around at them all, feeling the warmth of his Qi in his chest. It was still shaken from the night before. Sauron's flaming eye flashing across his eyelids when he closed his eyes. He took a deep breath and tried to let the energy tell him what he must do. To go with Gandalf to Gondor or follow Aragorn and Legolas after the black ships. He trusted Legolas and his friends to handle themselves without him and he also trusted Gandalf.

"He wants me to go with him", Luin sighed as they entered the stables. Legolas' eyes were blue and understanding.

"Will you?"

"Sauron saw me", Luin grimaced at the reminder and Legolas' eyebrows furrowed. "I doubt he saw much of me but he got a feel for my Qi. My magic. He thinks that Pippin is the hobbit with the ring which is why Gandalf is taking him. It's best that I go with them".

Aragorn turned to them, having been listening to their conversation. "Also, Luin heard what Gandalf told me of black ships. He just doesn't want to board a boat". His smile was teasing. The jest lightning the mood.

"The only time I will board a ship is to travel to the undying lands", Luin scowled at him. "A boat is different but a ship, no. No ships". He shook his head and Aragorn chuckled. Legolas smiling slightly.

"Go on then", the elf pressed a kiss to Luin's forehead as Gandalf saddled up shadowfax. "Be safe Melethril".

Luin let a grin pull on his lips as Legolas pulled away. "Aren't I always Nin Ithil?"

"That is a bold lie", Aragorn patted Luin on the shoulder. "Who was it who caused that bar fight back in Dale thirty four years ago?"

Luin rolled his eyes. "Not me. That was technically Legolas". (It was, sort of. They had been drinking a celebrating the birth of Kili's and Tauriel's first child and Legolas had gotten a bit too drunk on the elvish wine his father had sent. The night had been rather chaotic and Luin may have started a bar fight with Legolas' help). Trust Aragorn to bring it up thirty four years later.

Legolas frowned. "That night is still unclear in my mind", he frowned at them. "There was a fight?"

Luin and Aragorn shared identical amused looks. "Nothing to worry about", Luin reassured with a fond smile. "It was long past". Legolas raised an eyebrow at them suspiciously but the equally fond smile on his face was hard to hide.

"Luin!" Gandalf called. His voice interrupting their laughter. He and Pippin were on the back of Shadowfax and he was steering the stallion towards the doors. "Run shadowfax. Show us the meaning of haste". Then the horse was taking off. Hooves clattering on the cobbles as he disappeared out of the door. Pippin's face worried and scared.

"Merry!" He called out before they were gone.

Luin sighed as he watched them go. "I should catch them up", he muttered. "Don't worry Merry. I will look after him", he smiled at the young hobbit. Merry nodded once before running out after them to watch his cousin go. Aragorn and Gimli patting Luin on the shoulder, or the arm in Gimli's case, in parting before following him.

"Be safe Mellon", Aragorn nodded. Luin smiled.

"Don't let those stuck up Gondor people tell you what to do", Gimli grunted. The dwarf nodding at him with a smile behind his beard before leaving. Legolas and Luin momentarily alone in the stables.

"You be safe", Legolas muttered as he wrapped his arms around Luin's shoulders in a hug. "The rising darkness does not bode well. Things will happen soon. You be safe. Do not scare me like last time".

Luin nuzzled his nose against Legolas' cheek. The touch soft and comforting as he closed his eyes, leaning into his hold and savouring his presence. The elf a security blanket of warmth and love. The spiritual energy in the jewel hanging around the blonde's neck pulsing along to his heartbeat just to remind Luin that they would always be connected. He leaned in and kissed his fiancé gently, softly but also with reassurance. He could feel the hesitation in the elf, the concern. The last time they were separated, Luin was kidnapped and traumatised. He did not fault him for being worried. "I promise. Nothing like that will happen again. I will not let it. Also, I always trust that you will find me", Luin stroked his thumbs under the elf's eyes. "Wherever you go, I am not far behind and wherever I go, you follow. I trust that whatever happens, we will find each other. You will just have to follow me".

"I will always follow you. It does not ease my concern and worry for you. I will always feel for you. We are in dangerous times. Just reassure me that you will be safe". Legolas' blue eyes were dark and centred only on him. Luin pressed in for another kiss. This one shorter but firmer.

"I will be safe. Tell me that you will be also".

"I will be safe. I have your charm. It will protect me". Legolas raised a hand to the jewel on it's cord and pulled it out from under his vest. The deep blue stone a reminder. The same colour that he was known for. Luin smiled at the sight and leaned up to press one last fierce kiss to Legolas' lips. The elf tightening his hold and keeping his eyes open as if to absorb the sight of his face.

Then the kiss was over far too soon and Luin was forcing himself to pull back. Legolas letting him go sadly. "I will be back", he grinned as he turned and began running for the doors, cloak fanning out behind him. One of his jade swords unsheathed itself and flipped through the air. He hopped onto the blade in a agile movement and was rising up. "Follow me!" He waved back to his Prince as he flew out of the doors and high up into the sky, after the the white stallion and the two riders. A figure dressed in green watching him go with a human, a dwarf and a hobbit.

Unedited

Who has missed them?
Also, that video reminding me how dangerous Legolas is. I mean, he could kill me without breaking a sweat and I'd say thank you.