Disclaimer: I don't own anything of the Lord of the Rings.

Note: New story that centres around Aragorn and Legolas and their life in Gondor. This will eventually be a slash story between those two, so if you are not comfortable with this then you have been warned in advance. Character death of both Thranduil and Arwen. But anyway enjoy.

When Aragorn's horse galloped through Rivendell, he was quite sure he could already feel the sadness lingering in the air. The sadness of the Eldar for having to burry their princess before she would even get into her own, like she was meant to and quite well on her way, to the White City to marry the newly crowned Aragorn. At this moment Aragorn blamed the crown, for if he was not crowned Arwen had never had to make the journey to Minas Tirith and she would not have been killed when one of the last roaming bands of Orcs had attacked the party from Rivendell.

He dropped from his horse and fought the urge to rush into the house, demanding to see his betrothed. "Estel? I am so very glad to see you, ion nin." Elrond came down the stairs, his robes dangling after him while he wore them loose and the next moment Aragorn was safely tucked into his father's arms. "Ada, I do not know what to say, I came as soon as I heard the news." The king's voice broke while tears overcame him.

Elrond let go and Aragorn could see the same tears in his father's eyes before the lord spoke. "I am afraid not the only casualty on this journey. We have another loss to mourn, one more body to give back to the earth as well."

"Who, Ada?" Aragorn surely hoped not it was somebody he cared for as well. "Lord Thranduil." Elrond signed before he answered. "He died on the way to Rivendell. Wounded as he was they did not have the skills to heal him in Eryn Lasgalen and sent him here, to me. But it was not to be. As of this moment Legolas is the newly crowned king of Eryn Lasgalen as he is here as well."

"When is the burial ceremony going to be?" Aragorn asked, his heart going out to his best friend. "Tomorrow, it is better if you rest now, Estel. And then after that I wish to have a word with you and Legolas both." Elrond added. Aragorn nodded, already walking into the house.

The next morning the weather reflected everybody's mood. Thick drops of rains fell out of the sky onto the two tombs resting underneath the willow tree. Aragorn felt the weight of the crown on his head and the weight of his sorrow on his shoulder as he watched for the last time Arwen's beautiful face before it was hidden underneath stone forever.

"Arwen, why did this have to happen now? After such a long time, how I longed to have you in my arms again. To kiss you and finally make you mine. Now everything I have worked for is for nothing, because you are death and not by my side, like I wanted you to be. Now where does my destiny lead me?" Aragorn's heart and mind was in turmoil, how he wished that Arwen could come back alive and be with him.

He looked down at the knife hanging from his belt. If he just took it and stabbed himself, then death would claim him and he would see Arwen again. He looked upon startled when he felt eyes upon him. A pair of sizzling pure blue eyes, the eyes of Legolas. The elf's eyes held grief but also determination in them, determination not to let Aragorn die before his time was up. The man nodded and lifted his head once again, finding an odd sort of comfort in the way he could focus on Legolas and long afterwards when the young king's eyes had shifted back to his father's proud body, Aragorn continued to watch him.

The ceremony was short but long enough to see the grief of all the elves here together. At the end Aragorn walked towards Elrond's study, like his father had asked him. He sat down; noticing Legolas was sitting on the couch. He looked up in surprise when Gandalf took a chair opposed him. "Both of you were summoned here today to discuss the future of both your realms. Arwen's task was a hard one; she had to reunite the world of elves and men. Yet her death leaves an empty space behind that can never be filled and we do not expect it to be so, but if both of your kingdoms have to survive the world of men and elves has to be reunited. This includes Aragorn that you have to marry an elf."

Aragorn visibly paled before he raged. "No, I shall not take another wife. I loved Arwen and no one can replace her."

"As we do not expect it so. But the line of kings has to be restored and for that you need heirs. I know this is hard and especially on such a short notice but it is best that we say this now then in a matter of months your council will demand the same thing. Most people did not know Arwen was intended to be your wife and thus they will not understand that you mourn the loss of somebody they do not know. All they wish to see and do is rejoicing in the fact that there once again is a king to rule their land."

"But then why did you summon us both if this only concerns Aragorn?" Legolas asked softly. This time Elrond took over and he said. "For Aragorn has to marry an elf, we shall get to you later Legolas. But it does not matter if this elf is male or female. All he has to do is marry an elf and quite soon as well."

Aragorn sank down against the cushions on the bed, still pale. "Marry a male?" He choked out. Elrond nodded and asked. "Yes, is there any elf that you might feel attracted too? Love is something that you do not have to have right now."

The man thought deeply and said in a small voice. "No, not anybody I can think of. Well nobody in particular really. Some, yes but I do not think I will like them enough."

"How about marrying a friend? You can usually grow to love somebody like that." Gandalf tried to suggest. "I would not know whom." Aragorn answered before he stood and added. "This is crazy. Barely an hour ago had I to bury the one I intended to marry and now, I have been asked to select a new partner. I cannot do this."

"Then how about somebody you would call brother?" Gandalf suggested next, causing Legolas to look up as well. Aragorn turned a perplexed look upon his rugged face while he answered. "Do not say you wish for me to marry Elrohir or Elladan, for then I shall kill myself right now. That is sick, Gandalf."

"I was not talking about Elrond's sons, but a friend you might call brother." Gandalf explained. Aragorn gave him a blank look. "I have called many elves brother in my time. There would simply be too many..."

He was interrupted when Legolas stood and said. "Then marry me."

"Legolas, come now. You have a kingdom to think about and…" Elrond began when Aragorn replied, surprising even himself. "Alright then."

Hope you liked it. Please review and let me known what you think.