Aralas Oneshots

Arwen's mistake

"Why is this crown so heavy?", Aragorn complained, trying to adjust the crown on his head.

"Let me do this", Gandalf, who was helping Aragorn with his new garments, said. He carefully lifted the crown from the man's head and put it on a table nearby. "You'll wear it often enough as time goes by."

"Thanks."

The two were in Aragorn's chambers right after his coronation. Everything had worked perfectly and he was now the newly crowned High king of Gondor and Arnor. All of his friends were here to celebrate him, and also some who weren't his friends. But those were few. 

Suddenly there was a loud knock on the door and soon after a guard entered, breathing heavily. 

"My king, there has been a fight!", the man exclaimed. 

"What kind of fight, Thered?", Aragorn asked. Of course he knew all of his guards by name.

"I'm not sure, your majesty, but someone's hurt and they need a healer. And since you are the king and a skilled healer they told me to get you...", the guard answered.

"I'll see what I can do. Will you follow me, Gandalf?", the king queried, while fastening his belt and hanging a small bottle and a pouch with herbs on it. 

"I'll come", the wizard stated and followed Aragorn out of the door.

The guard led them to a distant corridor in the palace, where the elves were billeted. Already from far away they could hear loud voices and as they rounded a corner, they were met by a huge commotion. Elves and men were standing in a hurdle around someone on the floor, and Aragorn heard a lady crying amidst all the noise. It stirred something in him, and suddenly it hit him that it was Arwen's voice. Was she hurt?

With swift strides he pushed himself through the people and to the middle. What he found was very unsettling. Arwen was crouched on the floor, sobbing heavily. Beneath her on the ground lay another figure, motionless and with his eyes closed. He seemed not to be breathing. 

"What ... Legolas?"

The first part of the sentence was an order, as Aragorn had intended to ask what had happened. But only then had his eyes recognized the hurt person and his name came out like a whisper. 

The ranger fell to his knees next to the elf and, as Arwen tried to touch his hand, pushed her away. Gently, he shook Legolas' shoulders to try to wake him up. But the elf did not stir. 

"Gandalf!!", the king shouted. "Gandalf, help me!"

Instantly, the wizard was at his side. Though he wondered. Usually, Aragorn would know exactly what to do in such a situation. But somehow, this sight was so disturbing to him, that he couldn't think clearly. 

"Give me these herbs, Aragorn", the wizard demanded and Aragorn complied. He didn't know what to do, his head had gone completely blank suddenly. His heart was racing and he felt a bit dizzy. He took one of Legolas' hands in his shaking one.

In the meanwhile, Gandalf had conjured forth some strong-smelling herb from the pouch and was holding it under the elf's nose. And thankfully, Legolas stirred and took a gasping breath. Aragorn sighed in relief. Then the elf opened his eyes.

"Thank god", Gandalf murmured under his breath, but nobody heard him. He had been afraid for a second that the elf would not wake up again.

"Legolas! Are you alright?", Aragorn exclaimed, stroking a strand of hair out of the elf's face. Then his hand rested on Legolas' cheek.

"Estel", the elf whispered. "You are here."

He spoke very silently, but with a smile on his face.

"Of course I am, you were hurt!", the former ranger stated. "What happened?"

But before Legolas could answer, Aragorn got the feeling that he already knew. He was sure that this was Arwen's doing, he could tell by her behaviour, and her constant worried glances at him. 

"What did you do?", he demanded of her. Suddenly his voice was cold as ice.

"Nothing!", she started, but under the king's cold stare she gave in. "I just ... he ... I didn't want him to be in the way and suddenly we were fighting!"

"You what?", the king questioned. Had this lady gone insane? And he had thought he loved her! "You fought with him because he was in the way? Of what?"

"Of our love, Estel!", Arwen wailed. "He'd surely ruin it!"

Aragorn didn't know what to say. His lips were sealed with anger. Instead, he gave Gandalf a stare, and of course the wizard knew what that meant.

"I think it would be best if you left, my lady", he said. "Your father will wait for you outside and I highly advise you to return to Imladris for now. And swiftly!"

At first, Arwen didn't seem to understand. But when everyone looked at her expectantly, she stood up in rage and cast an angry glare at the wizard. 

"You...", she wanted to complain, but now Aragorn burst out:

"Leave!", he shouted. "Now!"

The bystanders had never seen their king in such a rage and held their breaths to not further anger him. But Aragorn's rage was only directed towards Arwen. 

Legolas nudged Aragorn's hand.

"I'm sorry, Estel", he whispered. 

"For what?", the latter wanted to know. "You didn't do anything."

"Exactly", the elf grinned. "I should have fought back a little, maybe she wouldn't have been so sassy then."

The king grinned too. Now he was sure his elf was back, his cute and funny and beloved Legolas. 

"Will you stay here with me, Legolas?", Aragorn asked. His heart urged him to finally tell the elf the truth. "Will you marry me?"

Legolas smiled. 

Gandalf shook his head and chuckled. Finally.

@iknowidonthavealife You suggested this idea (a long time ago, I know), so here you go. I didn't let Legolas die, but this is much better, at least that's what I think :)