Aragorn was bored. He was in a meeting with the royal council. They had been discussing the military defences of the city and other things. But then a councilman had to bring up a touchy subject.

"My King, what of an heir? With which of your spouses do you expect to provide him?"

The other councilmen laughed.

"What do you mean?" another councilman asked. "Of course his wife! Males cannot bear children."

"On the contrary," Aragorn said. "Male Elves are capable of bearing children. I could have an heir with either of my spouses."

The councilmen were suddenly serious. One, obviously the head, stood.

"My King," the Head began, solemnly, "only the Queen is to produce and heir. Only the one whom you are married to can bear you a child."

"I am married to both Arwen and Legolas."

"But only your wife, the Queen, should bear your child. You know that anyone else bearing a child of the King is to be burned to death."

Aragorn sighed. He knew this law. But this would break Legolas' heart. Aragorn just nodded. He would have to have all of his children with Arwen, or Legolas' life would be forfeit. 

Later, when Aragorn returned to his chambers, he found Arwen and Legolas still asleep in bed. The meeting had been early, but he would have expected them to be awake by now. He quietly closed the bedroom door and took some time to just look over the commons room. He sat on one of the sofas.

In the few days that they had been there, they had already replaced the heavy drapes with lighter curtains - which were also a rich, red colour - and had replaced the heavy blankets with lighter sheets - also the same red as before. One of the tables was already covered with papers - mostly letters of congratulations from the townspeople.

As Aragorn thought about it, his desks in both his room and study were piling up with papers that he needed to see to. But they were the least of his concerns right now. How would Legolas take the news? Whether Aragorn loved Legolas as a lover or not, he had promised that he would treat Legolas just the same as he would treat Arwen. Once he'd known that Legolas wanted children, he'd wanted to give the Elf a child. But now, such action would get Legolas killed, and Aragorn couldn't have that.

Aragorn was startled out of his thoughts when he heard the bedchamber door open. Legolas stepped out and sat next to Aragorn on the sofa. Aragorn put his arm around the Elf and Legolas laid his head on the Man's shoulder. Aragorn noticed that Legolas' brow creased, and he felt suspicion through the bond.

"What's wrong, Aragorn?" Legolas asked.

"Nothing."

Legolas lightly slapped Aragorn's chest, "No, something is wrong. I can feel it through our bond. What is troubling you?"

"I had a meeting this morning and I did not like one of the conversations."

"What was it about?"

"It's not important."

Legolas swiftly pinned Aragorn on the sofa and straddled his hips, saying, "Aragorn Elessar Telcontar, you tell me what went on this morning that has gotten you so upset, or Valar help me I will…"

"Okay! Okay," Aragorn relented, not wanting his best friend and husband to threaten him. "I was told this morning that only the one I am married to can give me heirs. I told them that I was married to both you and Arwen, but they insisted that I only have children with my wife, on pain of death to any other who gives me a child."

Legolas released Aragorn, who sat up, and looked away. He could not hide his disappointment, though, from his bondmate, "Wh-why does this bother you?"

"Legolas, I… I know you wanted children."

Tears fell down Legolas' pale cheeks. Aragorn held the Elf as he shook with silent sobs. Aragorn wanted to tell the other that it would be alright, and that there was a way around it. But there wasn't, was there? That's when he heard the door open again, and Arwen entered the commons room. She was immediately at her husbands' sides, stroking Legolas' head and back. Aragorn quickly explained the dilemma to Arwen, which made Legolas cry harder. They sat there for a while, trying to calm the blonde. But he couldn't calm himself. Legolas eventually cried himself into a restless sleep.

Aragorn laid Legolas in their bed and rejoined Arwen in the commons room. They sat there a while in silence before there was a knock at the door. A servant entered.

"My King, the council asks that I deliver a message," the servant explained.

"Continue."

"They ask that you move the Prince Consort into another bedchamber. They said you would know the reason."

The servant bowed and left the room.

Aragorn was nearly fuming. They weren't asking, they were demanding. And they wanted it so that Legolas would not be impregnated by the King. Aragorn stood and paced few moments. Arwen watched, sending love and comfort through the bond. But it didn't work. Aragorn lost his temper and struck the wall. Arwen, in that moment, was rushed with anger and was barely able to suppress a shriek of surprise. But they both heard Legolas' cry. Arwen rushed into the bedchamber to see Legolas sitting up in bed, clutching the sheet with a frightened look on his face. Aragorn was close behind her. But he had not calmed, and his anger scared Legolas even more. The blonde backed up against the headboard.

"Legolas, there is no need to be frightened," Arwen soothed.

"What's wrong?" Legolas asked, calming.

"It seems that the council sees it fit for you to move into a separate room," Aragorn said through clenched teeth.

Legolas lowered his eyes, "I knew this would happen."

He stood up from the bed and went to the second bedchamber through the washroom. Arwen felt tears well up in her eyes. It broke her heart to see her life-long friend this way. She wanted to do something for him. But what?