Disclaimer: The characters belong to J.R.R. Tolkien, so my apologies to the Professor for what I have done with this one.

Thanks to my uncle for his suggestion for the ending! Also partially inspired by Thorongirl's fanfic "Resolutions".

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"I know what you are doing, Estel."

The king's lashes blinked in innocent surprise. "Me, doing what?"

"That look may have convinced Elladan and Elrohir, even Glorfindel, but it will work not on me," the elf replied, fixing a stern gaze on his friend.

"You insult me, mellon nin. Do you truly think the king of Gondor and Arnor would-"

"Yes," Legolas interrupted honestly.

"You know me well, Legolas. Then again, after all these years, how could you not? Remember that time when-"

"Trying to distract me will not work."

Aragorn looked slightly more subdued, but the stubborn former Ranger clearly wasn't ready to give up. "You are a good friend to stay by my side for all these years."

"Flattery won't work either," Legolas inserted. "And I am going to tell Arwen."

Aragorn's shoulders sagged. "You wouldn't, not after everything we have been through together."

"I most certainly would."

In defeat, Aragorn turned to his last resort. He held out the evidence of his misdeed: a plate of honey cakes that had been stolen from the royal kitchen. "Will you take a bribe?"

Legolas grinned and reached for one of the golden cakes. "Yes."

The king's relieved smile faded when he heard a rustle at the door and saw Eldarion eyeing the cakes, his ada, and the elf incredulously. Aragorn's eyes widened in response, and in a few strides, he had crossed the room. "Eldarion-" he began pleadingly, but the boy grinned mischievously and fled. "Naneth!"

Aragorn paused to glare at Legolas. "I will tell Arwen you were in on this if you do not help me!"

"What?" Legolas's smirk disappeared, leaving his jaw hanging open. "But-"

"You were not planning on telling her, were you?" Aragorn said pointedly. "You kept my secret, so you are just as guilty as I. Why, you have even benefited from the spoils. Now, unless you want to face Arwen's wrath, help me!"

By the Valar, how did I become involved in this? Legolas wondered as he reluctantly abandoned his honey cake and sprinted down the hall after the young prince. Perhaps I am not as immune to Estel's tactics as I had thought.

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"My lord!" a servant hurried down the hall toward Aragorn. "I am sorry if I am disturbing you, but the Lady Arwen wishes me to give you a message."

"A message?" Aragorn cast a worried look at Legolas, wondering how Arwen could have possibly heard about his misdeed already. Eldarion had been easy enough to bribe with a cake: surely he would not have told!

"We have been caught, mellon nin," Aragorn murmured in a low tone intended only for elvish ears, but the words did not escape the servant's hearing. She gave him a puzzled look.

"In trouble, my liege? Lady Arwen just wanted to ask you if you would like some honey cakes."