Summary: Aragorn and Legolas meet for the first time, strikinga tentative friendship. Together they must battle the forces of evil to save Mirkwood from a terrible fate.

Disclaimer: Lets just cut to the cheese; I don't own any of these characters except the ones you do not recognize and J.R.R. Tolkien gets all of the credit, not me.

I would just like to say that I didn't follow the books completely so don't nag on me. (but I know fine people like you would never do that) :)

"First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do."

-Epictetus

Crunch. Aragorn's first steps out of the gates of Rivendell crackled the golden and auburn leaves on the ground. He pulled back on the reins and stared unconfortably at the path ahead of him. It looked different now, almost threatening. For a moment he wondered which path he ought to take. But healready knew in his heart where he was going andhe reined towards the left and trotted down the path at a brisk pace. Aragorn found himself imprinting every detail of his surroundings that he could press because the ominous voice inside of him reminded him that he may never be able to come back.

>

"Where will you go?" Elrond had asked him as he slid his sword into its sheath and packed the last of his traveling provisions.

"I don't know." He had admitted. "Far away though." He had then given his elf brothers quick hugs and then the elven family that had taken him in watched him ride away.

>

The sun sliced the pale blue sky and the birds sang in the trees above him as dew glistened like gems on the blades of grass but Aragorn was to lost in thought to appreciate this beautiful morning.

His heart squeezed painfully in his chest as he recalled the last hunting trip between the twins and him which had taken place the day before. "It is not the last time we will go hunting," Elrohir had said bemusedly at his owndejected state as they headed back to Imladris in the evening. Right now he wanted to believe those words so badly.

Nobody in Imladris had wanted to see him leave but in his heart he knew it was time. It was time to hide the promise that lay within him because he chose the life of exile. Aragorn wanted to become a ranger and see the forests of Mirkwood to the plains of Rohan. Maybe then could he escape his destiny of becoming King.

He had learned so much from his foster elf family and would always eternally owe them his gratitude. In Rivendell, his home Aragorn had learned skills of healing and fighting. Knowing that he could put his new skills to use and someone else's aid he had decided to leave. Aragorn was going to make his way to Mirkwood for he had often heard Lord Elrond speak fondly of King Thranduil and his son.

As Aragorn rode his mind wandered to Arwen Undomiel. He had only set eyes upon the fair lady once and yearned for the pleasure to see her again. She had been so beautiful he had mistaken her for Luthien Tinuviel. He was still unsure whether or not he had just strayed into a dream. Aragorn had been breathless with wonder and Arwen Evenstar had been polite as if she were talking to an excited child showing a frog or bug he had caught. The piercing look that Arwen had given him had haunted as she told him that she was gifted with the life of the eldar. He had been foolish enough in front of her to believe that she could fall for him as he had fallen for her. He hadn't seen her since. It lightened Aragorn's heart at even the thought of her. Maybe, just maybe the pleasure would be bestowed upon him to rest eyes on her someday.

"Patrol the western borders of our realm and eliminate anyone who isn't an elf or friend."

"Yes ada," Legolas said as he stood in front of his father's throne with his golden head bowed.

"We can spare only three warriors to take on this patrol."

Legolas swallowed and looked up into the face of his adar, searching for guidance, comfort or anything fatherly but all he saw was the cold hard, emotionless stare of King Thranduil. "Butadathe woods aren't what they used to be! You cannot just send three warriors on patrol when their are spiders, orcs and Iluvatar knows what else out there-"

"Legolas don't argue with your King."

"Yes, my lord," Legolas said through gritted teeth, turned on his heel and stalked out of his father's presence, seeping with anger.

Walking through the stone corridor, his head swimming with emotions, Legolas let out a shaky sigh.

Mirkwood had been incredibly dangerous lately. The spiders were becoming much more agressive and several elves had been killed. Darkness had exstinguished all the grandness and splendor of how it had been. Greenwood the Great was gone and he had accepted it rather slowly but his Thranduil had not accepted it at all. The forest was still beautiful in its dark mysterious way and it was his home but still he could not help seeing how it would be more reasonable to have a larger party of elves.

He and his father had never been on good terms. It just seemed like sometimes they could feel like father and son and then something would slip or pull this way or that and Legolas would feel like a stranger. Sure Legolas loved his father as all family members have a somewhat bond of love even if they can't express it. What hurt Legolas though was that King Thranduil seemed to love his beloved kingdom and wealth even more than his one and only son.

Legolas stopped by the kitchens and saidfarewell to the chef, Faelwen. Faelwen had always been the mother that Legolas had never had. She had cared for Legolas since he was an elfling; slipping him snacks when he was hungry and comforting him when he was sad. As he told her what his father had said he couldn't help noticing the odd look she gave when

She handed him Lembas and other elf food to take and he thanked her and bid her farewell; not after a warm hug from her though.

He had once asked her what his father had been like when he was young, for she had been serving the king since he was an elfling.

'Your father was just like you when he was young; full of happiness and very mischievous but he also felt the weight of his title and duties. He loved his kingdom and his subjects and just about everyone. When he came back from the war though, after the defeat of Sauron he had been changed. A coldness and seemed to devour him and he would no longer laugh or smile. The simple pleasures in life were gone and I could see inside he was in pain.It was what happened to all of the elves returning from that horrible battle. Seeing their kin fall beside them would always haunt them. The ice had seemed to melt when Thranduil met your naneth. But when thelady died it left Thranduil as cold and hurt as ever. If you were to ever leave him, my child, it would be the end of our King.'

Legolas replayed those words over and over in his head constantly, trying to make himself believe it. All he saw in his father's eyes now was greed. Thranduil loved his kingdom but he certainly didn't love his subjects. There were times when Legolas could see thatThranduil thought of them as mere chess pieces to do his bidding.

He deeply wished he had known his mother. She had died of an arrow wound from an orc when he was very young. He could still make out her musical laughter and her flowing golden hair and he would never let go. Never...

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Faelwen sighed as she watched his retreating figure. He seems so alone and distant now... Just like his father, a voice whispered in her head.

Faelwen was a very ancient and wise elf and she could see the young prince's heart harden slowly but surely. Shaking her head in sadness she turned and began back to her duties.

The journey to Mirkwood took about four days in good time. Rain splattered down on him as Aragorn traveled on the open meadows. It grew heavier until the air was filled with the roar of rain. Up ahead was a forest that would shelter him and he urged his horse Avari into a swift canter.

Aragorn dismounted and peered out into the pouring rain. Thunder rolled above him and darkness began to fall like a curtain. Deciding to spend the night in the forest, he made a fire and sat warming his hands. In the lonely quietness Aragorn found himself wishing that Elladan and Elrohir were with him to lighten this lonely evening.

He reached in his saddle pack and instantly drew back his hand. Groaning he plunged his hand into the bag and pulled out a little, harmless, hissing snake. That would be one of the twins's pranks. What was the other? Chuckling to himself he reflected on just before he left he had placed anumber ofinsects and slugs in each of the twins beds under their sheets. Right about now the twins would climb into their beds and thebugs would be spaced out all over the inside of their sheets. They weren't going to forget him in a hurry.

Aragorn grabbed a piece of lembas out of his pack and took a small bite out of it, chewing it slowly and thoughtfully; retracing all of the paths of Imladris in his head.

"Prince Legolas."

'Oh no,' Legolas thought miserably.

"Prince Legolas," the sing song voice continued annoyingly.

Legolas wheeled around. "WHAT!"

The two elves he was glaring at didn't seem taken back at all but smiled evily.

Sellion and Morcion; the two most bullying,malicious elves in Mirkwood. For some reason they hated Legolas and their life's sole purpose was to make his life miserable.

"The most noble King," Sellion said ina nasally voice, "commands us to accompany you on the patrol. I'm placing my bet though, thatThranduil just thinks youcan't get the jobdone by yourself, of course we think so too." The brothers snickered.

Ever since Legolas had been an elfling these two brothers had made his life terrible. He had always just ignored them but now he wastrapped with them for a week and he was in such a bad mood already. They were both poor with weapons and would be little help if they met something dangerous which Legolas was sure they would.

Sellion's and Morcion's favorite past times were most likely insulting him childishly.Even thoughthey would continually jeer Legolas had never taken it seriously andhe was not going to sinkdown totheir level. Dozens of times when they had beensmall, Sellion had beaten him when nobody was looking and had asked if he was such a coward he would run and tell. Legolas he always refused to be a weak, had always tried to be strong. Now the much older version of Sellion with occasional help from his brother would take any opportunity to show Legolas up and hurt himso it had become imperative for him to keep on his toes when they were around although he wasa muchmore skilled warrior than both ofthem together. It was his defense nonetheless.Staying alert for danger was what he as good at, for survival in a forest like this demanded those skills all the time.

He could hear them talking behind him as he walked and he tried not to listen but it was impossible at the volume their voices had reached.

"Say brother, do you remember Legolas's naneth. I know why Legolas is always trying to prove himself. He feels like he has to be strong because weakness runs in his blood. Alas his naneth was incredibly weak since she couldn't even live through an arrow wound-"

For the first time with this childish game Legolas's patience finally snapped. He had been sent over the edge. He whipped around and had drawn his dagger concealed in his tunic in a flash. Pointing it at them and shaking in frustration as hundreds of years of anger poured out.

"Don't you ever insult my family again, or you will regret it," he hissed.

Morcion eyed the dagger warily.

"As if you would have the courage to use that on us," Sellion pushed himself in front of Morcion.

Legolasopened his mouth then shut it again, not wanting to waste his time on the brothersand hurried away to pack.

Aragorn softly sang the song Luthien Tinuviel. It had always been a favorite of his. Giving him hope somewhere in a region of his heart that a mortal and a beautiful being of far more supremacy could both fall in love.

He eyed the dying embers in his fire and was just about to get up for some more wood when suddenly he heard his horse whinny in fear.

Glowing eerily in the fire light was the eyes of a huge animal. Aragorn leapt up and stared into the yellow eyes. The creature growled and stepped out of the shadows revealing a massive body of brown fur and long yellow teeth. A Warg.

Aragorn silently groaned; his sword was carelessly strewn on the ground over by his horse which was rearing and snorting nervously. He would have tomove towards the beast to reach his sword. He walked slowly and cautiously towards his horse and towards the Warg. It only crouched there, growling threateningly and drooling. Aragorn breathed a small side of relief when he came to a stop beside his sword. He bent over and reached out his arm to pick it up slowly...

Suddenly the Warg leapt from the brush with ferocious howl. It pounced on him right as he turned and flashed his sword upwards. The sword grazed the wargs shoulder and it leapt back snarling. Aragorn scrambled to his feet and it leaped again. This time he was ready for it and he jumped to the side and brought his sword down on its other shoulder. The Warg howled and slashed out with its claws. Aragorn felt the razor sharp claws rake his leg but he brought his sword down again this time on the top of the beast's neck. The Warg screamed and threw itself on Aragorn, knocking him over. Aragorn felt hot breath on his neck and with strength he didn't know he possessed he raised the Warg up with his legs as its jaws snapped inches away from his neck. He could feel the Warg's claws scratching his arm and legs and he punched it hard in the nose. Using the few valuable seconds he had from stunning the Warg he whipped out a small dagger from its sheath on his waist and stuck it into the Wargs throat. Blood spurted out all over him as it screamed and howled. Aragorn pushed into the dagger with all the strength he could muster. The Warg fell limp and was dead.

Aragorn pushed the dead Warg off of him and ran over to soothe his frightened horse. He murmured softly in elvish to Avari and the horse quieted.

Once his horse had settled down completely Aragorn walked over to the carcass. It was obviously a wild or it would have bore the sign of orcs. The smell would probably attract other beasts.

Aragorn picked up his sword and stomped out the smoldering fire. He swung back on his horse and they stood still listening for a moment. The dark empty silence was only to be pierced by wild howls in the night...

Well, hope you guys liked it. Sorry it was kind of dull in the beginning of this chapter. I was having serious writer's block which is never good at the beginning of a story. This chapter was 5 pages so I think that in the future the chapter's will be a bit shorter. Please tell me what you thought but be kind. No flames please. This is my first fanfic and I really want to improve my writing.