Title: Maethor Ada

Disclaimer: I own nothing. It's all Tolkien's. I just get to play around with it for a while.

Summary: The prologue of the story is a brief summary of what happens, but Legolas is on his way back to Mirkwood, after the defeating of Sauron, reminiscing about when he first met Aragorn, but the rest is all before Bilbo gives up the ring. Aragorn is traveling to Rivendell when he finds what appears to be a tired, badly bruised and abandoned Legolas. When Aragorn finally finds out where his young companion came from, he suggests that Legolas should return to Mirkwood, but Legolas refuses and tells Aragorn why. Better than it sounds, trust me! Oh, most of the Elvish words used will be translated at the end of each chapter.

Chapter 1: Prologue

As Legolas left Gondor, he let his thoughts stray back to when he first met Aragorn. It seemed so long ago when Aragorn had taken him under his wing, so to speak. Legolas remembered one of their first talks when he had told Aragorn he was the Prince of Mirkwood. Aragorn had understood, after finding out what had happened. Legolas remembered that he had looked up to Aragorn, replacing his father with the tall, dark haired man. When Aragorn returned to Mirkwood with Legolas, his father had not understood that his son was begging for love only a father could give. Legolas left Mirkwood once again, that time having Aragorn by his side. Aragorn had protected him and helped him grow and become strong, wise, and brave.

Legolas still admired Aragorn, and now his father could finally accept him for who he was. After so many years of trying to prove he could be a prince, his father welcomed him home. After that, Legolas would not see Aragorn for six years. When they met again, they did not recognize one another. But once they learned of each other's names, their reunion was bittersweet. They knew that the journey to destroy the one ring would be long and hard, but they were glad to see each other again. When Frodo and Sam left them to continue, Aragorn quickly reprimanded Legolas, but not harshly. Legolas remembered that Aragorn was only protecting Frodo and Sam.

Protecting them. At that thought, Legolas smiled. Legolas knew that Aragorn had a protective spirit still, that same protectiveness had encouraged him to be brave. Legolas had always thought of him as a father to him; Legolas had grown up under Aragorn's principles. When he returned to Mirkwood a third time, his father had barely recognized him. But when Legolas had told his father what his name was, his father had gotten up and embraced his son, weeping with joy. When Aragorn was about to leave, Legolas turned and followed him outside. They shared one last conversation before Aragorn rode away from Mirkwood.

Legolas had whispered softly, "Mára mesta, maethor ada." Years later, they would see each other for a second time, yet they would fail to realize what a bond they shared until later on in the war against Sauron.

Elvish Words…

Maethor—Warrior (my-thore)

Ada—Father (ah-dah)

Mára mesta—Goodbye (Q, mah-rah meh-stah)