I'm so late, I know and I'm truly sorry! One of the reasons is a writer's block (as you will notice?)

Disclaimer: I do not own LotR, if I did I'd be rich and (surprise, surprise!) I'm not; so, don't sue me!

My first story in 2006 (Lol, it's February!) Yay!

Promise

Chapter one: Trust

"We are ready to leave, adar," Legolas said as he waited patiently for his father's response.

Thranduil carefully eyed his oldest son and commander Arandur, who was also standing in his study.

"That's good, you can go then."

Before they could reach the door the king added: "Be careful."

"Of course, adar, as always," Legolas answered knowing the opposite was true.

Thranduil knew he didn't have to say anything else; he waited for his oldest son and commander to leave his study and then continued working. He hoped that for once they would come back unharmed.

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Legolas was about to leave the stables when he saw his little brother.

"Go ahead, I'll catch up," he told Arandur as he jumped off of his mare.

"What are you up to?" Legolas asked with a sigh.

"I'm coming with you."

'Not again,' Legolas thought more than a little frustrated.
"You're too young, Eleiden, it's too dangerous," he reasoned.

"You were younger than me."

"I was reckless. Do you want to hear another one of adar's long and boring lectures?" Legolas wanted to turn around and leave, he didn't want to have this conversation for a fourth time.

"Yes, if that's what it takes to prove I'm old enough."

"You're not old enough and neither was I, how many times do I have to tell you it's too dangerous?"

"Fine, I won't join you."

Legolas frowned. "Just like that? And you won't follow us on your own either?"

"Trust me, I won't."

"How come I have a hard time believing that?"

Eleiden rolled his eyes.

"At least give me the benefit of the doubt."

"Alright, but I hope I can trust you."

"You still are," Eleiden suddenly said with a smile after a short silence.

"What?"

"Reckless. Legolas, don't tell adar I asked again."

Legolas didn't immediately know how to react, "I won't. I have to leave now, do not follow me," he repeated his previous words.

"I promise."

Legolas was worried. He thought about warning his father but the fact that he had told his brother he wouldn't made him decide against it. He knew his brother was at least as stubborn as he was and that scared him terribly. Eleiden was still too young to fight orcs, spiders or any other creatures that could possibly attack them on their patrol. Legolas wouldn't be able to look after his brother if he joined them.

It didn't take Legolas long to catch up with the other warriors.

"Your highness," Arandur greeted him, "is everything alright with your brother?"

"I hope so, but I fear he might do something…"

"Reckless," Arandur ended his sentence.

Legolas offered a small smile.

"Exactly."

"He's smart enough to know the dangers that come with patrolling these parts of the forest."

"I knew the dangers too and still..."

"Let us hope then he's smarter than you were at his age."

Legolas didn't bother to reply, he just dared another smile despite the situation.

"Impossible!" Arandur broke the silence after a while. Most of the Mirkwood elves had been fairly quiet.

"I sense it too, orcs, close by." Legolas replied.

"My prince?" One of the other warriors addressed him.

"Yes, I know, prepare for battle!"

"That's not what I meant, your highness, isn't that your brother?"

Legolas dared not to turn around and see for himself, but he knew he had to. He gave the command to his mare and hoped it not to be Eleiden.

'Be wrong, be wrong, be wrong.'

Unfortunately the warrior had been right.

Because of the orcs getting dangerously close, he didn't have much time to get angry.

"Eleiden," he said on a tone that made his brother flinch, "What in the Valar's name are you doing here, I told you not to follow us!"

Eleiden couldn't find the right words to come out of his mouth so he kept silent and waited patiently for his older brother's lecture to end.

"I don't have time for this; I will leave the yelling to adar when we get home."

'If we get home,' he added in thoughts.

Eleiden frowned when the expected lecture didn't come, he had a feeling his brother was planning something.

Legolas quickly took in his current surroundings and sighed in relief when his eyes came across a tall tree.

"Climb that tree, you'll be safe up there while we fight these creatures," he said as he reached for his bow.

"No."

"Fine, stay and get yourself killed," he replied coldly.

Before Eleiden could react the orcs came in sight and arrows started flying.

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Yay, cliffie! Once again I'm so sorry it took me so long to post this, I have lots of excuses but I won't bother you with that! R&R! I'll try to post chapter two as soon as possible.