We meet again
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of anything, just the story idea.
Author's note: This story is mostly based on the movie (with inputs from my imagination) and is not really that canon related. It is my first story featuring Legolas and I hope you would enjoy it! Reviews and comments are, as usual, welcomed J
Here's the story:
We meet again
An elf, travelling solitarily, could be seen riding hastily on horseback, his golden tresses flowing gently in the wind. He stopped suddenly, as if trying to remember something, and looked around, as if trying to look for certain signs of inhabitants. Then his eyes caught sight of a few footprints here and there and finally some interesting stones with signs that are most certainly familiar to him, for he beamed when he saw them, and headed towards the direction indicated by the stones.
Not long after, the elf could be seen passing through the gates of Rivendell, admiring the perfect scenery of Rivendell, unchanged throughout the years, well-protected by her Lord, Lord Elrond. As he dismounted, a well clad elf, clearly one of Elrond's household, came towards him.
"Welcome to Rivendell. You must be the young prince Legolas," greeted the elf.
"Yes," the visiting elf smiled, "I am Legolas. And I come with tidings from Mirkwood."
Legolas wandered along the familiar corridors, smiling as memories flooded into him. He remembered the days when he was still young, when he first came here and met the twins. He remembered how much fun they had, and how much trouble they caused here in Imladris and then in Greenwood, when the twins came visiting. And when the world started to change, he remembered coming here on a mission by the orders of his father, for he was now old enough to discuss about matters pertaining to Greenwood's survival. And it was then when he first met the little boy.
Estel.
He wondered if the child still remembered him. They last met many years ago, when the child was still young, though in standards of Men he would be considered to be almost of maturity. He wondered if, though the child had the blood of the Numenoreans, he would still remember him, or would his memory fail like most men's…
He wandered into the gardens, taking in every sight and every sign of life which radiated in the gardens. He could see the butterflies dancing merrily, and he knew the trees had some sort of secret which they were keeping from the elven prince.
Legolas was curious, and as the trees beckoned him to the middle of the garden, he followed.
On a little swing which young Estel always played on sat a man, reading a book quietly by himself. He was dressed in the colours of Elrond's household, and though all signs of childishness were gone from his features, there was still an unmistakeable twinkle in his eye that spoke of mischief.
Just then, the man turned from his book and saw the elven prince.
There was silence for a while as the two looked at each other, both not saying a word. Suddenly, at the same time, they walked stately towards each other, met in the middle of the pavement and embraced, just as they did many years ago when they last saw each other, and just as they did many years ago when they first saw each other.
"Estel…you have grown…" started the prince as they parted their embrace.
"I have grown older, but you, Legolas, you remain young," said the man.
"It is hard to see you as a grown man, Estel, when I have seen you as a child and have experienced your immaturity…"
The man laughed at his words, a short laugh that reverberated through the gardens. The elf took the opportunity to take a better look at the man in front of him.
The once young immature features of the child Estel he once knew of were completely gone and were instead replaced by maturity and experience of the world outside. Dressed in the colours of Elrond's household, the man looked also fit to be a prince himself, kingly, stately, very presentable. His eyes, though still having that mischievous twinkle, were also soft, and yet can be piercing at times. He saw resilience, patience and leadership in the man, and he also saw love.
"How is Arwen?"
And then he saw many emotions fluttering through the man's eyes as he remembered many memories that were yet unknown to the prince. He saw the deep love he had for Arwen, and yet, the eyes suddenly spoke of separation, and then to confusion and finally resting on tranquillity.
"She is fine," he answered, lips quivering slightly, "but…I will have her sail to Valinor…"
"You know she would not, Estel…"
At that, the man suddenly became silent and reserved, and Legolas knew he had not yet sorted out his thoughts on this matter and will still take a long time to sort out the matters of the heart. At this, Legolas gave a sigh and changed the topic.
"Have you thought of returning to Gondor?"
"No…" the man turned and looked at the stately and beautiful building behind him that still spoke of life, and then to the swing behind him that spoke of many memories in Rivendell, "I feel like I will always belong to Rivendell. Gondor… I feel yet not much attachment to Gondor."
"Aragorn," called Legolas, saying the man's true name for the first time, "Gondor needs her king."
At this, the man heaved a sigh and walked towards the swing, with Legolas by his side.
"Why is it so hard to grow up, Legolas? Sometimes I really wish that I was a child again, when I had no worries past handling tomorrow's homework."
The elven prince snickered as he remembered how young Estel was always asking him to help him with his homework and answered,"Estel, we all grow up. No one can remain a child forever. You are still young, Estel, and you have the time and energy to sort things out."
"I know, Legolas. It's just…so hard sometimes. All the expectations…"
Legolas understood immediately what the man was saying. It had, after all, been the same with him, and though he was not the first heir to the Mirkwood throne, he, as a prince, was looked upon by his citizens and he had once felt the sudden increase in expectations so much to bear that he had wanted to just hide from the world for a while. It would take time adjusting to all this, but he knew Estel would succeed, just as he did.
And when he does, thought Legolas, he will be Aragorn, son of Arathorn, Isildur's heir and heir to the throne of Gondor.
But now…thought Legolas, the man needs some fun. He has been too serious for far too long.
At that thought, Legolas headed for the pool in the garden with Aragorn by his side.
"Well Estel, sometimes it is good to take a break for a while and do what you want…" With that, he pushed the man into the water, and as the man emerged out of the pool, spluttering, soaked and looking all clumsy and messy, Legolas laughed.
"I finally got you again! After so many years! I thought you would never walk near the pond again ever since I pushed you in when you were a child."
The man stared wide eyed at the elf in front of him who was laughing so hard that his princely aura was all gone, leaving only Legolas, the Legolas he once knew of. At this, the man's mood lightened up tremendously and he tugged at the end of the prince's clothes, which caused the elf to also fall into the pool.
As Legolas emerged, his hair also all out of place, Estel laughed merrily and splashed more water into Legolas' face before climbing out of the pool to sun himself dry. Legolas followed immediately, but not forgetting to take a handful of water to splash onto the man's face when he got onto land and lay himself next to the man, taking in the sun's rays and breathing in the cool air.
"Thank you, Legolas. That was fun," said the man, as he stared at the pool which had once more reclaimed its peace.
"My pleasure, Estel. My pleasure," smiled the prince, and they both knew that the Estel and Legolas of old were back again.
-The End-
I'm considering whether or not to write another chapter, this time maybe after the brief disappearance of Aragorn? Or maybe at the crowning ceremony...comments, anyone?