Title: Regret

Summery: When you lose a friend to death, it is tragic, but what if you lost them a long time before that, and you never got the chance to say "I'm sorry." Could you live with that?

Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own anything in this story, but if I did, I would make Frodo sing, and Aragorn take a bath. Just kidding.

Rating: PG

Note: This story is Au, because I'm sure that things will not line up with Lord of the Rings. Oh, and this story takes place about sixty years before the Fellowship of the Ring, which would make everybody's favourite ranger about twenty years old.

Chapter one

"Listen to me Aragorn, I swear to you, I had nothing to do with it."

The elf's plea echoed inside the young ranger's head, but he refused to listen to him. He knew that Legolas must have been the one who told Lord Elrond, because nobody else could have. Nobody else knew. He had trusted the golden heir of Mirkwood with the dearest and truest secret in his heart, and now, his once trusted friend had betrayed that confidence, and because of that, his life would never be the same.

"I confided in you Legolas, How could you betray me like this?"

Legolas let out a sigh, for he knew exactly what the human was talking about. For it was a little under a month ago, that he and the small party of elves that his father, Lord Thranduil, King of Mirkwood, had sent with him, arrived in the elven city of Imladris. The young prince had journeyed far to see the twin sons of Lord Elrond, and had then met Aragorn, the adopted son of the elven ruler, and secret heir to Gondor's throne.

The two had become instant friends, and had not parted since the day of the elf prince's arrival. And with that friendship, came an immediate trust. One so true, that Aragorn had willingly told the elf about his secret love for the only daughter of Elrond.

Arwen, the Evenstar of her people, and the virtue of Rivendell. Sought by many, and desired by more, she had chosen to give her love to the one person that no one had ever expected. The young ranger, in return gave his full devotion, and love back to her.

The two knew that their love would be frowned upon, and that Arwen's father would not be pleased, and so, the two of them had decided to keep it a secret. The young man journeyed back to Rivendell, and said not a word to anyone, that is until he had met Legolas, and felt so inclined to entrust the fair being with the knowledge of his bond with the Evenstar.

Legolas had sworn to keep the secret just that, a secret, however, apparently, he had not. Elrond knew, and now wanted to speak with his adopted son in private. No doubt, to scold him, and banish him from all of the beautiful elven realms, not to mention keeping him from Arwen herself.

"I swear to you mellon nin, I said nothing to your father," Legolas repeated, hoping that his friend would believe him, for he knew, deep inside, that the friendship that he had formed with the human was one that he wished not to be broken.

Aragorn rolled his eyes at the blonde elf in front of him, "do not lie to me Prince Legolas, for one of your stature should not sink so low. I spoke to you words I should not have, For some strange reason, I thought I could trust you. But I was wrong indeed. You are not unlike the others" he began, with a dark stare, almost breaking the elf's heart. Never before had Legolas ever been spoken to like this, and never before had his loyalty ever been doubted. It hurt him beyond anything he could have imagined, and his blue-grey eyes fell to the grassy floor beneath his feet as the man continued.

"Leave my sight, and never speak to me again. Prince or no prince, your deceit may have cost me my entire life, not to mention the love of it. For that, you shall never receive my forgiveness."

Aragorn knew that his anger was harsh, and probably unnecessary. However, he could not hold the words in, and all the emotions he was feeling right now, all came out, and all upon the elf he had considered a dear friend.

Legolas slowly rose his misty eyes, and met them with the cold ones of the man. He knew that Aragorn was angry, and rightly so, for someone had told his secret. But not he. Legolas had kept his promise, and yet here he was, taking the heat for something he did not do. The elf knew that it was useless to argue with the ranger, for he was too enraged to listen, and so, gracefully, Legolas replied to the cruel words.

"Then leave I shall, and if you wish to never see my face again, then I will respect your desire, and keep my distance."

And with that, the prince turned, and made haste away from the human, and towards the small group of Mirkwood riders, that were preparing to journey back to their home. They had spent many weeks in Lord Elrond's kingdom, and were growing homesick. Their horses were readied, and silently Legolas joined them and mounted his own grey steed.

"Farewell prince Legolas," Elrond began with a smile, as he patted the elf on the shoulder. He was surprised that Aragorn was nowhere to be seen, especially now, that his closest friend was leaving. However, there was no time for such thoughts, the riders were leaving, and it was his job to see them off, not to search after his sons.

"Farewell Milord" the prince responded, a look of shadow covering his usually glowing features, just before he whispered quietly to his horse, and made off, accompanying the others in their trip back to the woods of his father.

Elrond knew that something must have transpired between his youngest, and the son of Thranduil, however he had no clue as to what. All he hoped for, was that the feud would be mended between them in time, but as for right now, he had other matters to attend to. Matters that involved Aragorn, and his exquisite daughter, Arwen.

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To Be Continued…..

So, how did you like chapter one? I know that Aragorn seemed a bit harsh in this chapter, and a lot different than how he is described in the book, but remember, he is a lot younger, and this story is AU. I needed the part between the two princes to be heart wrenching, and sad for both of them. So anyways, look for the next instalment soon. It should be up within a few days. So until them, let me know what you think, by giving me a review. Thanks.