Author's note: Hey guys, newbie here when in comes to LOTR fics, and a slash fic at that. Anyway, please be kind to me, I beg you, have mercy. Story is totally based on Margaret Moore's A Warrior's Passion. I love this authoress. ^_^ Hope you will enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own characters from LOTR; they belong to Tolkien, I SWEAR!!!

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Chapter 1

Legolas Greenleaf fidgeted with his fingers as he stands, his back leaning against the wall opposite to the door of the throne room. He slowly dragged his gaze on the door, studying its intricate designs – for the hundredth time that day. After 'studying' the door, he then turned his head on the left, then on the right, scanning the empty corridor with all his might. The hallway was dimly lit by the torches on the wall. So much for an eleven kingdom!

Unfortunately, it is the least that he can do as he waited for his father, King Thranduil, to summon him in the throne room, granted that the king remembered his supposedly meeting with him.

He took a deep breath, the he pushed himself off the wall, straightened his back, smoothened out his royal blue tunic, and swept his hands throughhis long blonde hair – again, for the hundredth time that day.

A creaking sound made him look up at the door, and then a raven haired elf came out from the not-fully opened door, bowed low to him, and looked at him with a stoic face.

"The king requires your presence, my prince," the elf said

Legolas followed the elf inside the room. As soon as his presence was announced to the king, he slowly made his way towards the throne, stopping a few feet from the dais, and made his obeisance to the king.

The king sat there in his throne, high, mighty, and proud as usual. Several elves clad in dark green tunic and brown leggings, with light brown cloak draped around their shoulders stood in either side of the aisle, giving him a smug look. It didn't matter to them that he is the king's son, for it didn't also matter to the king that he is his son. Of all the male elves in Mirkwood, he is the only different one: pale skin, pale blonde hair, piercing blue eyes, full lips, delicate-looking face, and thin body, too much thin for their liking. In short, he looks like an elleth rather than an ellon, and by the standards of his people, his look is nothing more than ugly. For a male to not have a muscular and fierce look, it is just so disgusting and a disgrace.

"Legolas," his father's bellowing voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

"You wanted me father?" He asked as he bowed his head.

"I never wanted you," his father growled.

Legolas fought back the urge to roll his eyes. What's new?

His father leaned forward with a grunt. "You are a disgrace to the wood elves, as well as to me."

Legolas meet his father's gaze. "I know. You never failed to remind it, my liege." He answered evenly, becoming tired of this preliminary criticism that would always be a start of their real conversation.

"And yet, you still have some use to me."

"What task would you require me?" Legolas inquired, thinking of what else his father didn't have him do.

King Thranduil scowled and set his piercing green eyes on him. "We're going to have a very important visitor here: he crown prince of Gondor. He is coming here to conclude a trade agreement.

Legolas nodded , understanding dawned upon him. "I will see to it that everything is prepared for him and his men.""

"He is to come here alone, as a sign of the king's trust to me. I've already sent my best warriors to escort him from Rivendell to here. All of his entourage will stay back at Rivendell."

Then that's good. Legolas smiled inwardly. The few the better.

"Very well father," Legolas said, bowing his head again. "I will insure that all is ready for the prince."

"There's one more thing," his father said before he could turn to leave.

"What is that father?"

"You are to see that the prince is kept…happy…and satisfied…while his in our care."

Legolas s lightly tilted his head on the side as his eyes narrowed. It did not ease his suspicions when his father did not meet his gaze. "I'm afraid that I wasn't able to catch the meaning of that, father. Can you be so kind to tell me what does that supposed to mean?"

When his father didn't answer, his suspicions grew and anger began to build up in his chest.

"Your Highness?" He asked again, still, there is no answer. He let out a heavy sigh.

"Are you suggesting that I sleep with this man? For what? To satisfy this man's lust so that the trade agreement will somehow be secured? Father, I know that I am not a beauty compared to everyone, but it does not make me so desperate as to offer myself to anyone like a whore!"

"Did I tell you to sleep with the man?" Her father retorted. "All I have asked of you is that you make sure that my guest is happy and satisfied."

Legolas squared his shoulders and said firmly, "I will see that his quarters are prepared as befits his rank, as well as all of his necessities. Anything that goes beyond that is no longer my concern."

His father leaned back at his chair and gave him a scrutinizing look. "You're way past your majority, Legolas," he remarked. "You could do a lot worse than Prince Elessar. His father is the king of Gondor. Maybe if –"

"I went to his bed, he would marry me?" He didn't even attempt to hide his disgust. "Tell me father, why would he do that if you're suggesting that he could have me for free?"

King Thranduil regarded his youngest son coldly. "May I remind you, that all your miserable life, I've fed and clothed you, letting you live like a leech on my skin. I think it is time now for someone else to take you."

"And you will offer me like some kind of trade goods?"

"If I must."

"I am your son!"

"So what? I have other sons that are surely better than you. Other sons that can fight and make me proud. But you? What can you do? Do household chores that are meant for women to do? Why did you even came into my life anyway?"

"I did not ask to be born!"

"No, and as a matter of fact, I did not ask for you either!"

"I will not shame myself –"

His father suddenly rose and quickly strode towards him, grabbing his shoulders tightly, so tight that he winced in pain. "Shame?! Tell me, have I not shamed myself for thousands of years, since the day you were born? Shame to have a son that is weak and skinny and resembles an elleth in all ways! Shame that a son of mine is ugly! Shame that no elf, neither male nor female would have her, no matter how much I offer!"

He had heard it all before, still, it did not stop the pain in his chest, but he was surprised when he heard the last part, for it was a new addition to his father's speech.

"How much?" He asked as soon as he took hold of his emotions and schooled a stoic face.

Now, it was the king's turned to be surprised. "What?"

"How much were you willing to pay for someone to have me?"

King Thranduil gathered his self again, then slowly walked back to his chair. "It matters not."

"It does to me. I want to know my worth."

King Thranduil sat on his chair and stared at him steadily, his face is blank.

"Five hundred pieces of gold."

And still no one wanted him! He felt like crumbling on the floor and cry his heart out. What a joke. He is such a joke. He wanted to scream, he wanted to run, and he wanted to unleash all his hurt, his dismay, his sadness… But no, he would not, he could not. He mastered himself again.

"It's a pity then, no one wants to take me from your side." He said coldly. "But I've had enough. I'll continue to do my duty – but no more, not for you or any man."

"Son -!"

"Servant," Legolas interjected. "I've never been your son, I'm just your servant. Perhaps father, you should have just ended my life ere it became miserable. But it's too late for that now. If you'll excuse me, my liege, I still need to see the preparations for our guest."

With that, Legolas turned on his heel and marched out.

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Holding the reigns of his horse to secure himself atop of the animal, Aragorn traveled his gaze at his surroundings. Big, tall trees surround them, one is the perfect imitation of the other. The trees' heavy boughs obscure any light from the sun, giving the forest a dark and ominous environment. Its as if the trees have eyes and they are now staring at the party of elves and a man. Actually, Aragorn felt like the trees are looking just only at him.

Thank Eru that he didn't have to live in a place like this. Rather, all he had to do is to stay in Mirkwood for a couple of days to reach an agreement with King Thranduil.

Aragorn's father, King Arathorn, believed that through this agreement, not only an alliance will be forged between Gondor and Mirkwood, but it would also help to make Gondor more prosperous than it already was.

His father also warned him about the Elven King. It is said that King Thranduil is a tricky elf, he would rant and rave and try to wear him down with his dramatics, if the King has not yet intimidated him. Well, that's the reason why he was the one his father sent for this mission. Having grown up with the elves of Rivendell, as well as in the wilds, he has the patience to wear the Elven King instead, and would not be intimidated easily.

Oh yes, he do have patience, as well as the ability to overlook emotional outbursts, which in his opinion, is a child thing. He doesn't only have patience with things such as business and negotiations, but also in the matters of the heart. Aragorn was no virgin, but unlike his best friend Boromir, he made no declarations of passionate and everlasting love to any woman…or man. Why would he, when he felt nothing but pleasure of physical union? Never had he felt the desire, the longing, and the true love for anyone, not even with Arwen, the most beautiful lady he had ever set his eyes upon on. What he felt for Arwen was just admiration and childish love, but true love, nay.

The company halted in front of a stone wall looming over them. The captain of the elves gave out an order, and several elves slid off their horse then disappear into the surrounding trees. Aragorn look at the captain and gave him a questioning look.

"'Tis for security purposes, my lord. We must be sure that no enemies have followed our trail, or is watching as in the moment. We are about to enter the kingdom as soon as the scouts returned." The captain explained, and Aragorn nodded in understanding.

Though he was quiet confused as to where the kingdom is, and how are they going to enter it from their location, he still felt relieved that their journey is about to end, and he could finally refresh himself. Instead of just sitting idly on his horse, Aragorn slid off his stead and ready himself with his meeting with the King. He put on his mithril coat, top it with a black leather jerkin with the insignia of Gondor, then he draped his best cloak on his shoulders and clasped it with a star-shaped jewel brooch, he then strapped his sword, Anduril, on his waist.

As he did so, Aragorn felt that he will definitely succeed in this mission. He believed that he would conclude this business in no time.

Such is the folly of young me.

Tbc…..

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Sorry for my bad fashion sense…. Anyway, please read and review,. Please be kind to me, HAVE MERCY!!!! ^_^;