Chapter One:

"Estel…saes…I can take it…no more.. I have not..the …strength."

Those were absolutely not the words Aragorn wanted to hear, words that would have never left his elven friend´s mouth if he wasn´t in his actual condition. A cold and chilled sensation run from Aragorn´s toes up to the back of his head, and an unpleasant urge to vomit hit the entrance of his empty stomach.

"You have to… Legolas look at me!, mellon-in, You have to resist this! ", Aragorn panicked as the unfocused blue eyes rolled and white orbs took their place. The fair elf has lost consciousness one more time, beaten by the intense pain.

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The day was perfect. It was one of those days in which the breeze turns warm and embraces you, producing an intense desire of closing your eyes to feel it smoother if possible. The rays of the sun filtered through a long line of tall trees dressed with leaves that, abandoning their usual green features, were becoming ocher and gold.

Big and amazed blue eyes couldn´t let such a scenario pass unnoticed. They absorbed every little detail, and stored them in their owner´s sensible and hungry heart.

A few feet behind in the row, an elegant sorrel horse made his way sailing in a sea of golden leaves. Its master, wearing a relaxed expression, couldn´t suppress a yawn. As soon as he closed his mouth, a sudden small bump hit the back of his head, followed by giggles and whispered words.

"Stop that!" Turning in his mount for at least the tenth time in the day, Aragorn addressed the angriest face he could think of to his twin elven brothers.

Riding side by side, Elladan and Elrohir mocked his human brother, while with his hands extended to the sides collected the nuts they were using as snack and projectiles.

"Get used to it or ride faster" Elrohir threateningly said, while his twin was very busy trying to peel a nut, but not enough to be able to conclude his brother´s joke with a loud laugh.

Its loudness made the birds fly away, and the silence left behind was absolute. Only the hoof beats of the four horses was left to hear. One in particular was going faster, and soon joined the white mare and his rider.

"Why do they have to ride always behind me?" The human words removed his friend from his magic and pleasant state.

"They like it" Legolas answered, being totally oblivious to the particular situation, but knowing very well that his friend has been victim of the terrible jokers sons of Elrond, once again.

"They like it? They live for it!" With this last sentence, he finally let out the smile he though he didn´t have a moment before. Looking at his elven lifelong friend, he saw the same smile reflected in his fair face.

They were returning after successfully concluding a not very enthusiastic duty Lord Elrond had entrusted his sons. They have had to go and find out what a group of men was doing camping near the base of the Misty Mountains. A patrol guarding the edges of Rivendell had spotted them and immediately informed the situation. As Legolas was spending a few weeks with the royal family after having delivered a message from his father, there was no need to invite him to join the brothers, it was implied that his always welcome presence would be part of the team.

It had been a three days journey until they spotted the group. At first sight, it was kind of obvious that they weren´t planning on staying there too long. Improvised tents tried to protect kids from the sun, while they played with wooden made toys. Women of different ages where gathered together forming a circle, laughing and preparing an exquisite meal, judging by Elladan´s extraordinary sense of smell.

"They look nothing dangerous, Estel. Couldn´t the guarding patrol have questioned them by themselves? We could have avoided this long trip and go fishing or hunting instead".

"They have orders Legolas, they just follow the procedure", Aragorn had answered knowing what the elf would say next.

"In Mirkwood, the guards and warriors are allowed to question anyone that threatens to…". The blond couldn't finish his statement.

"I know that, Legolas". The ranger cut his friend off, exploiting the fact that three men were moving towards them to welcome.

The rest of the day has been very pleasant. They were invited to share a succulent meal, to which the twins specially made a great compliance. After eating and learning that those families where just passing by while heading to a northern population where they expected to find a more tempting future, the four friends prepared to depart.

It was obvious that those human kids had never seen an elf before in their short existence. Aragorn have found a little boy´s statement to be particularly very amusing: "Look mommy! That man has long blond hair just like aunty Marie!." Those words spoken whit a shrill voice of child were indeed funny, but nothing as amusing as the look Legolas gave the ranger, first expecting the ranger haven´t heard it, and when he realized he certainly had, silently pleading him not to tell Ellladan and Elrohir. It would be his end. Aragorn couldn´t help turning his mouth into a huge smile, at the same time he saw Legolas turn away heading for his mare, demonstrating he had had enough.

That is the reason Legolas was first in the row while heading back to Rivendell. Aragorn sympathetically hold his distance, giving his friend time to calm down. By the time the ranger reached him after being attacked by two high level spirited elves, Legolas had already filled his heart with the nature wonders, and forgotten about the distressful moment.

"We can still go fishing and hunting. You have a few days with us after we arrive, don´t you?" The human said after realizing the ice has been broken.

"Yes, if we arrive to Rivendell in three days, I will have four left until having to head home. We could go near the stream of the north. I love that place. Besides, it´s perfect for hunting too."

Aragorn nodded his head. The Mirkwood prince favorite place was one of the most beautiful places in the region. Having made that arrange, the four friends urged the pace of their horses, while their eyes searched for a nice place to make camp for the night.

This region was very secure. Almost none orc or evil creature hang around nearby. The only men left behind were already travelling north, away from them, and having proved to be good people. So if everything went as expected, they will be arriving home in three days.

The only thing the man or elves didn´t consider was that trouble doesn´t necessary have to be related to orcs or people. Just knowing who they are and the magnetism they have to find problems, would have been enough to make them consider a wider range of possibilities.

TBC….