Legolas met Aragorn in a graveyard, not the most auspicious of meetings, but it was the beginning of a marvelous and lasting relationship that would endure a century and a half and many trials besides. On the day of this momentous beginning Legolas had journeyed for many days to visit his cousins of Rivendell, and was well worn out from the journey. The path between the great elven enclaves was never easy, but at that time monsters and other enemies were unusually plentiful, so Legolas arrived at Rivendell in less than prime condition. Aragorn had not lived in the elven city for many years, but had, by much coincidence been visiting for the past week. Had either Legolas or Aragorn chosen even slightly different times to visit Rivendell their story and that of the destruction of the one ring would be exceedingly altered. This chance occurrence took place about thirty years prior to the start of the Fellowship and the one ring was still in the care of Bilbo. This tale begins very differently. The day was partially cloudy, hanging over Rivendell like ripped curtain, many think that the weather had nothing to do with the day's events, but the elves believe that sky has much to say about the day's course. At any rate the blurred light illuminated Aragorn's dark head as he passed through the for-mentioned graveyard. He was returning to his room to ready for diner. In this moment Legolas was also crossing the very same plot of death. His mind was full of worries concerning the many problems facing Middle Earth. This was why he abandoned his usual elven grace to crash clumsily into Aragon.
He was extremely embarrassed by the occurrence and apologized immediately:
"Many apologies, I had much on my mind-" He stopped short, as he had no idea to whom he spoke.
"Aragorn." The human supplied. Legolas was taken by surprise by this name, and took a closer look at the man before him. He studied his stance, the way it was casual and yet the elf did not doubt that if provoked he would attack with haste and precision. His garb was plain, but well kept. His beard was neatly trimmed. On his face sat an expression of mild amusement as if Aragorn was used to this assessment. For some reason Legolas did not have difficulty believing that this man was Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and heir to the throne of Gondor.
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance at last Aragorn," Legolas replied with a light smile. "My cousin Arwen has nothing but praise for you." The two stood in the graveyard appraising each other. "I am Legolas Greenleaf of Mirkwood, and would like to speak with you, though this time is not the best for me." For his turn Aragorn studied the elf. He was tall and lean, but well muscled. Even though he had just arrived from a journey of a few days at least his clothing was fine and long blond hair was in perfect order. He held himself in a manner befitting a prince, and his words were formal. Aragorn had heard much about prince Legolas of Mirkwood. Having grown up among elves he learned of the folk of Mirkwood than he would have otherwise. The elves spoke of his poise and nobility, his grace and control. Aragorn now saw that the stories were true. Legolas was a vision of poise and grace; he radiated an aura of elven power. Aragorn was quite taken aback by how much the sight of this elf moved him. The feeling was quite unsettling. There was nothing more for the two to discus. They had bumped into each other and introduced themselves, and yet both strangely wanted the conversation to continue. Aragorn nodded his agreement to continuing the conversation at a later time and then departed.
Legolas exited the graveyard feeling quite strange. For many years now the men he met seemed unimportant to him, their lives too fleeting to affect him, and yet this Aragorn had wedged himself into the elf's mind. He exchanged greetings with Elrond and dressed for diner, but all the while his thoughts strayed to Aragorn. The hot water felt good after days of hard riding and for a time Legolas was able to lose himself in the simple pleasure of being clean. He dressed in diner clothes he had previously set out and made his way to Elrond's chambers.
Aragorn was eating with Arwen, his closest friend and confidant. Throughout the meal he was withdrawn and distant from her, but she did not pry. Arwen knew that Aragorn would tell her what troubled him when he was ready. Aragorn had many puzzles that troubled him deeply; this was always his way in the long years she had known him and he always confided in her in the end. Arwen was not one to fill the air with meaningless chatter so they sat in silence. Arwen had troubles of her own. Unlike mortal girls, elves were not expected to marry as soon as they reached adulthood, but after two thousand years of remaining husbandless Arwen would soon have to find a partner. Soon for an elf could mean fifty year, but Arwen felt the expectations of her father and people in every action. It was more than simply marriage; Arwen had become disenchanted with her very immortality. She felt the burden of the years dragging her down. Some elves learned to rise above time and float through the currents of the universe like a autumn leaf, and Arwen was once like that, but for her time had soured and her immortal years had left behind their purpose.
Arwen considered her options as she dined with her human companion. She wondered what his troubles were. Aragorn for his part had many troubles. He sensed the darkness descending on middle earth, and worried for his people: the rangers of the north. At least this was at the surface of his mind, but underneath, thoughts of the elf prince swirled. Seeing Legolas had awakened something deep within Aragorn, but he did not perceive it at this point. He was so wrapped up in these worries that he did not notice Arwen's distraction, as he usually would have. So the two friends slowly ate in silence, consumed with problems that would take many years in the solving.
Legolas in the meantime was having an intense discussion with Elrond. He had come to Rivendell as an emissary for his father. The elf cities did not usually consult each other before acting, but both parties understood the need for solidarity against such an evil. This was thirty years prior to Frodo's journey and many peoples of middle earth were not yet aware of the approaching darkness, but the elves saw. Throughout this lengthy and intense conversation Legolas was much too preoccupied to think of Aragorn. The elf left Elrond's chambers after midnight, no conceivable course of action evident. Dissatisfied the elf retired to his room, utterly exhausted, and sank into a deep sleep.