AN: Yay new story! Okay so this is gonna be more drama than adventure. It is technically the sequel to my story On the Road to Imladris, but it can be easily understood without it. It's Aragorn's first trip to Mirkwood. Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I am not Tolkien (obviously)

Aragorn took in a sharp breath as he stood and stretched his back. His nearly healed dagger wound tugged at his stomach. He and Legolas had left Rivendell as soon as they could convince Elrond that he was able to travel. It had been sooner than Elrond would normally have allowed, but due to the urgency of their errand back to Mirkwood, he had consented to let them travel on the assurance that Aragorn would not overexert himself. Legolas had clearly taken these instructions far too seriously because despite Aragorn's own assurances, Legolas had insisted on his resting while he scouted ahead.

Aragorn paced slowly as he waited for the elf to return. He did not appreciate being left behind. He had expressed that to the elf, but Legolas insisted and then leapt into a tree and sprinted off through the neighboring trees faster than Aragorn could follow.

For the time being, the man took the time to look around at the trees that made up the edge of Mirkwood's forest. He was analyzing one tree to see if he could climb it when something dropped to the ground behind him.

Aragorn spun on his heel, a jolt of adrenaline rushing through him. "You've got to stop doing that!"

Legolas laughed aloud, "I will stop doing 'that', human, when you manage to catch me before I do."

Aragorn glared at him for a few more seconds before rolling his eyes, "Can we continue now? I'm tired of sitting here." He made a mental note to listen more closely for the elf next time. He had very good hearing for a human due to his Numenorean descent and experience with the Rangers, but elves were difficult to hear especially a wood elf in his home forest.

Legolas grinned and seemed to stand a little taller as he led him farther into the forest, "Welcome to Mirkwood!"

As few minutes after their entry, a patrol of elves surrounded them.

"Legolas!" The voice came from high in the tree, but there was a flash of motion, and a dark-haired elf appeared in the lower branches. He leapt lightly to the ground and greeted the prince with a bow.

"Therion! It is good to see you mellon-nin." He greeted his friend with a smile and a hand on his shoulder and turned towards his companion. "Therion, this is E—"

"Strider, a Ranger of the north." Aragorn interrupted him quickly, but not harshly.

Their eyes met for a moment, but Legolas recovered from his confusion quickly. "He has come to help teach us new medicines sent by Lord Elrond."

Therion nodded a greeting to Aragorn before turning back toward the forest. "Let us escort you to the city."

The group made their way through the forest and Aragorn hung back slightly to allow Legolas time with his friend. He was the last in the group as most of the other woodland elves took to the trees. Aragorn was used to not being completely welcomed in new places. The rangers were often not quite accepted, but reputation as wanderers allowed them to appear wherever they wanted without questioning. Still, after growing up amongst elves in Rivendell, he had hoped for a warmer welcome in Mirkwood.

Once they arrived at the palace, Legolas addressed Galion, the butler, "Will you prepare the guest room next to my own. And please send someone to tell my father I have returned with the help he requested?"

Therion dismissed the rest of the patrol, but walked with the pair of friends until they reached their rooms talking to Legolas the entire time. An elf was already there to open the room for Aragorn. With a nod to the two elves the man quietly said, "Excuse me," entered his room and closed the door.

Legolas turned to the other elf once the ranger had vanished. "Therion, why are you being so rude to our guest?"

"I was not being rude, I simply had nothing to say to the human."

Legolas stared hard at his friend, "You were being rude, you followed us all the way up here even though it was unnecessary and purposefully excluded him from the conversation. Simply because he is human, you think him unimportant. He is my friend and guest. You should act accordingly."

Therion hung his head slightly, "I am sorry to disappoint you. If it is as you say, I will try to be more polite."

Legolas gave him a small smile, "Hannon le, while I appreciate your concern, you can start by leaving us and going on with your duties. There is no danger here."

Therion nodded and started down the hallway. "I am glad you are back, Legolas."

"As am I."

Legolas quickly changed and knocked on the Ranger's door. When he was admitted, Aragorn had cleaned up, and while he was not an elf, he did look presentable.

"You no longer smell like a Ranger, would you care to tell me why you want to be known only as one?" He understood why he did not tell his true name, but Legolas wanted to know why he was still hiding other parts of his identity.

Aragorn smiled at the jibe about the Rangers then shrugged. "I wish to be known for the person I am. I do not wish to be treated with forced respect simply because I am the adopted son of Lord Elrond. Though I am not sure it is going very well so far." The last part was spoken in a low voice, but Legolas' elven hearing easily picked it up.

"If you are referring to Therion, I have spoken to him. My people are not used to outsiders, even other elves. Your actions will speak for themselves, mellon-nin, you just have to give them a chance to."

Aragorn blushed slightly knowing Legolas had already had to defend him, but he trusted Legolas so he pushed those feelings aside and focused on making a good impression on the other elves.

"One such action will be your teaching of the medicines! Come, I'm sure my father is ready for us!" Legolas crossed the room to the door in three steps. He was so eager to go that Aragorn found himself excited to meet the king as well. He grinned and followed his friend out the door.

Let me know what you thought of Chapter 1!