Disclaimer: I do not own Aragorn, Legolas, or anything else; nor do I make any profit from this story. Unfortunately I cannot even hope to rival Tolkien, the great creator of Middle Earth, and I have no claim to his creation. This distortion of his characters was written purely for entertainment and to improve my writing skills. I also do not own the song “Into the West.” I believe it belongs to Howard Shore or New Line Cinemas.

The Sea Is Calling (chapter 1)

Legolas looked tired. Aragorn could sense something had come over his friend, his lover. He knew elves didn’t actually need sleep, but perhaps it might do him some good. He walked up behind the beautiful elf and began singing softly to him.

“Lay down your sweet and weary head. Night is falling. We have come to journey’s end.”

Legolas turned around. He had been thinking and didn’t hear Aragorn come into his room. He had not been himself lately. He was distracted and tired. The sea was calling to him. He had stayed up all of the previous night listening to the gulls, straining his ears for the sounds of breaking waves. He looked down at the map he had been studying, but Aragorn seemed to sense his thoughts.

“Sleep now, and dream of the ones who came before. They are calling from across a distant shore.”

Aragorn guessed that was why Legolas had been so lost in thought. After all, he did have a map of the Gray Havens. Aragorn hoped Leogolas wouldn’t leave him. He walked over to the window. The sea was calling his love away, and there was nothing he could do to stop it. A lone tear slipped down the man’s cheek. He quietly wiped it away. He sat on the edge of the bed, utterly absorbed in his thoughts. What would he do without his best friend, his one true love? Scalding tears traced their way down his stubbled face. He would rather die than lose Legolas. Why was the world so unfair? Why must their love remain a secret? However, it was his duty to be a respectable king, and that had meant marrying a woman he didn’t love and hiding that he was in love with his best friend. Oh, how he wished that he could just abandon duty and honor and be free to love who he wanted, without having to worry who was watching. The tears began falling, and he couldn’t help it.

Why do you weep? What are these tears upon your face? Soon you will see; all of your fears will pass away.

Legolas sat on the bed next to Aragorn and wiped the man’s tears away. Aragorn wrapped his arm around the slim elf, and Legolas leaned his head back on Aragorn’s chest.

Safe in my arms, you’re only sleeping.

Legolas felt safe in Aragorn’s embrace, yet it did not ease his pain. He knew that Aragorn must be king of Gondor and that the King must have a Queen. He understood that even with Aragorn’s help he could not take on the traditions and customs of Gondor, Mirkwood, and Rivendell all at once. He and Aragorn had settled this long ago. Aragorn had offered to give up his throne in order to be with Legolas, but Legolas would hear nothing of it. It was Aragorn’s duty to his people. He could not abandon them, even for love. Yes, Legolas understood why they must keep their love a secret, but it did nothing to alleviate his suffering. And above all, his keen ears could still hear the siren cries of the gulls on the shore. The sea was calling. Aragorn said, “Mellon-nin, I think I understand. The sea has captured your heart, just as you have captured mine.” Legolas was surprised to hear Aragorn speak. He had been quiet for so long that Legolas thought he had fallen asleep. “My love, you have my heart and my soul. They belong to no other.” Aragorn didn’t look like he believed him. “The sea calls to you, mellon-nin.

What can you see on the horizon? Why do the white gulls call?”

“Shh, I love you, Aragorn. I will not sail to the Undying Lands for many years yet.” That seemed to settle the matter, for Aragorn didn’t bring it up again, and they fell asleep in each other’s arms.