The next morning came and Legolas was exhausted (as expected) and the others kept pushing him.
He even was slower than Gimli.
Eventually they had to stop, eyeing Legolas how he tried to catch his breath. It was very rare seeing an elv out of breath.
Aragorn walked towards him and seemed worried.
Legolas felt bad, not wanting his friends to worry.
„I'm sorry i was-"
He took a deep breath.
„I didn't get enough sleep.."
Aragorn put his Hand on the elvens shoulder. „Did you even get any sleep?"
He asked, already knowing the answer. Legolas didn't want to lie to him and shook his head. „No, i did not, to be honest.." He avoided Aragorns eyes.
„Then let's rest for today"
Legolas couldn't stand having to interrupt things because of him.
Even though it was just a free travel they did, he still felt guilty for being the reason to not move forward.
„But-" „No. We will stay here until you are well rested."
„I am well rested!"
The elven prince whined.
Gimli laughed, earning a glare from the blonde. Aragorn smiled a little and rolled his eyes.
„Go and rest Legolas" he demanded.
Legolas sighed and laid down on a little blanket, closing his eyes. To no ones surprise, he immediately fell asleep.

„Something is wrong with Legolas, Gimli" Aragorn said to the dwarf.
They sat next to each other near Legolas.
„Yeah I think so too..he has been acting really strange lately"
Gimli nodded and looked at his friend, seeing the worried expression on his face.
„You really care about him do you?"
„Of course I do. He's my best friend."
Gimli sighed.
„I'm gonna go and confront him later"
„Maybe he has a reason for being like this, if he wanted you to know, he would habe already told you"
„But it hurts..it hurts to see him like this. He clearly suffers from something. And i can't help him..it's killing me"
Gimli laid his hand on Aragorns shoulder.
„There are things you have to face alone. You know that."
„But maybe i would have the perfect solution..why can't he even give me a chance to help him?"
Aragorn was confused.
He just wanted to support his friend, to help and protect him, not wanting Legolas to get hurt.
Gimli didn't have an answer.
Not an answer that would satisfy Aragorn.

They both sighed again and watched the birds fly in the blue clear sky.
That made Aragorn think of Arwen. He smiled, thinking about her face and hair, that he loved to touch.
It felt like silk around his rough fingers.
He missed her.

"I miss Arwen"
Gimli smiled a little.
"It's nice knowing that you've finally found your lover"
Aragorn nodded.
"When will you marry her?"
Marriage..? Wow...that was something he has never thought of before. He loved Arwen. That was for sure. But marriage? Gimli saw the insecurity on his friend's face.
"You know that you don't have to marry her?"
"Of course I do. But i have never thought of it before. And now that you mention it..i'm not sure"
"Don't let someone push you into marriage. You deserve a happy life Aragorn."
Aragorn nodded and let his gaze fly away from the sky, suddenly feeling weird when looking at it.
His eyes met the sea.
It reminded him of Legolas.
There was pain in the sea, death and danger. It made Aragorn feel like he was drowning. But it didn't feel like someone would expect.
It didn't feel like cold water pressing your lungs  together. Like panic is all around you and the depth of the blue ocean is pulling you down like it did to many others.

Instead, it felt warm.
It felt like he was being hugged everywhere.
He didn't need air, nor did he panic.
He just flew there without gravity.

Aragorn felt free.

"Aragorn? Aragorn! Are you there?!"
Gimlis voice pulled him up to the surface.
"..what?"
"You didn't answer my question"
"Sorry..i was thinking about something."
Gimli nodded and repeated his question, asking Aragorn what he would do after their journey.
"Hmm..i think i will still travel around"
Aragorn said, both men thinking about how he gave up on the throne.
Gimli always said he couldn't understand why Aragorn did that. Even Arwen was a bit upset about it, but Legolas always seemed happy with it. The prince said he could totally relate to the choice Aragorn made.

But since it was a different thing in the elvenworld, everyone knew that Legolas had to take over the throne one day.

They heard a small yawn and turned their heads to see Legolas, who stretched himself out.
"Good afternoon prince Legolas. Have you awoken from your sleep your highness?"
said Gimli with a big grin on his face.
"Don't call me like that dwarf"
Aragorn laughed.
"Are you better now Legolas? Can we keep going?"
The prince nodded and stood up, packing his things together quickly.

As they walked, Legolas started humming a melody, wich Aragorn recognised. It was a Lament, narrated to the big big topic of love.
It made the the mood rather sad, sending the trio to their deepest thoughts.
In his mind, Aragorn whispered the lyrics with Legolas' humming.

Maybe one day, i will accept
Maybe one day, you won't reject
I miss you my flower, my beautiful moon
When will you be there?
Never to soon
But sadly destiny doesn't lie in our hands
sail with me to the undying lands
The world doesn't want us to be lovers
doesn't want us to be seen together
Your love flies away like a feather
It is not me who you love, neither you wouldn't do anything with me from the above
So instead of all the things that would happen
If i told you how I truly felt
I will keep it to myself, wrap it around me like a just too tight belt.

Why would Legolas think of that Lament? Did someone break his heart? Maybe that's why he has been acting weird lately.. Aragorn decided to speak to him later and watched the elven prince inconspicuous.

After finally stopping and quickly building up a little camp, Aragorn was alone with Legolas for a bit, since gimli was looking for wood.

"Legolas?"
Legolas shivered slightly, not daring to look at the man sitting next to him.
"Yes?"
"I wanted to ask you something"
"Do it then"
"Do you have someone in mind when I'm asking you if you want to get married?"
Legolas eyes were pinned on the small bonfire.
Yes. He had someone.
But he could never tell him that.
"No."
"Legolas?"
"Hmm?"
"Did someone break your heart?"

That question was unexpected and stabbed right through Legolas' heart.

Yes. Someone broke his heart. And he was sitting right next to him.

1150 Words