Days had passed, and Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas were near Minas Tirith in a small tavern, wich also offered rooms where one could stay overnight. They have just settled in their beds, but neither of them could sleep.
„What do you think waits for us when we'll arrive in the white city? I do not think that the king will just give away his throne.."
Said Gimli.
„Maybe your father will really have
to send his army"
He added jokingly. Yet, Aragorn and Legolas thought about it. It was true; no king would give away the throne without a fight, and with it, his title and status.
The ranger sighed and played with the soft covers of the bed.
It slightly reminded him of Legolas' hair.
Aragorn smiled. He liked Legolas' hair.

„You are right, Gimli. We most certainly will have to use at least a little force. But I pray to the Valar that none of us get hurt because of it. I really wish for a peaceful and understanding conversation"
„I think that the peaceful and understanding conversation will be forgotten when they notice that an elf wanders amongst them"
Aragorn replied to him.
„Maybe we should cover you up"
Gimli said.
„You know, tape your ears back, cut your hair, change your style"
„Cut my hair?! I will never do that!"
„But you'd tape your ears back?"
„No!"
Aragorn grinned at the thought.
„It would look funny though"
He pointed out.
„It would look ridiculously hideously horrible"
Legolas shot back.

Gimli and Aragorn grinned from ear to ear, Legolas rolled his eyes.
„I think the whole cover-up story is a pretty good idea, but I think we shall not tape his ears back" Aragorn finally said.
They all agreed, trying to find a way to make Legolas look mostly un-elvenlike but also not so feminine to think of a woman with rather broad shoulders if one saw him from behind,
even though Aragorn looked on something else than Legolas' shoulders when he was turned away.
A good half an hour later, Legolas was perfectly covered up.
His hair was bound behind but also in front of his face, wich made him look like he had a beard, his eyebrows where thicker and darker,
wich personally reminded the elf of his father, but he dared not to say anything.
He had lend a few clothes from Aragorn and could even wear a small beanie wich belonged to the dwarf.
At first, Legolas hesitated to put them on, accusing Gimli of having lice, but after a few very inspecting looks in his red hair, Legolas agreed to put it on.
"Okay, that will do it, you are putting that on tomorrow, but now we shall rest and
get some sleep"
Aragorn said, immediately getting agreement.

It was the next and last day of their travel to the white city, Gimli had to do his business behind a tree and Legolas already longed to go back.
But he realised, if everything went like it was planned, Aragorn would stay, as he would be king. Legolas' eyes widened.
No, that couldn't be.
He didn't want to return without Aragorn,
He couldn't return without Aragorn.

Legolas looked at him.
„When you will be king, I can not leave."
He said.
„But I have to"
Aragorn had to take a moment to understand what Legolas meant.
But when he realised, his face dropped.
„Stay with me, at least for the rest of my life"
Aragorn said.
„Do not say that.."
Legolas mumbled.
His heart sunk even more at that thought.
„I do not think I can manage it when you leave this world and me with it"
„If I could change that, I would Legolas, but unfortunately it is not in my hand.."
Aragorn had a soft, comforting voice.
Legolas averted his eyes to the ground, away from the two moons wich pierced their gaze through his skin.
He knew that Aragorn was right. But he could not admit it to himself.
Then, Gimli came back, yawning.
„Let's get moving"
He said, not noticing the sad looks.

The walked for a bit and finally arrived in the white city. Legolas was covered and they could safely pass the guards.
As they walked between the walls of Minas Tirith, an unsettling feeling dwelled over the elf.
Something was obviously and clearly wrong.

Suddenly, Gandalf came across a corner and pulled the three of them into an alley.
„There you are! I had to wait really long."
He said.
„How long?"
Gimli asked.
„5 hours"
„But that is not really long"
Legolas pointed out.
„Even for a normal human"
Aragorn added.
„I think it depends on the situation"
Gimli said.
„Be quiet now, fools! We have to discuss way more important things than time"
Gandalf hushed.
For Legolas, time had a whole different meaning, now that he had so little of it with Aragorn.
But Gandalf was right, if they did not discuss it now, maybe he would have even
less time with Aragorn.

"I already tried and talked to the current ruler, but he already threatened me when
I even took a step in his halls.
He is a fool, but not a dumb one."
Gandalf said.
The ranger, the elf and the dwarf
thought about it.
"Maybe Aragorn should try, I am sure that he is respected by the guards"
Legolas proposed.
Aragorn nodded and Gandalf hummed in agreement.
„But what if the ruler sees Aragorn as a threat?"
Gimli asked.
„You are right, we do not want Aragorn to get hurt or something"
Said Legolas.
Aragorn sighed, Gandalf nodded.
„Maybe you can go in there, you know, you are the representation of the elves, and maybe you can announce that you do not wish for a war, but another king"
Gimli said.
„I think that that would be taken as an insult"
Aragorn mumbled.
„What if it is?"
The prince said with rolling eyes.
Gimli snorted and Aragorn had to
keep back a chuckle.

„Now is not the time for jokes. Let us all go in the halls and try to change the ruler's mind."
Gandalf mumbled.
They all agreed and made their way to the great halls, where the king sat in his throne.

„You old hag again, huh?
Oh, and I see, you have brought company!"