Disclaimer: Don't own nothing, 'cept for Middle-Earth, Legolas, Aragorn, Gandalf… heehee… well duh! Obviously I don't own anything! )

Pairing: Legolas/Aragorn

Rating PG. But the rating might increase as the story goes on.

Summary: An AU fic, hope you guys don't mind! The concept is basically a Cinderella story. Arathorn comes back to life. Legolas plays the role of Cinderella with Saruman as his stepfather. Has one Uruk-Hai and one Orc for step-brothers. The Hobbits are Legolas' friends, hidden in Hobbit holes in the house, instead of mouse holes. 'Nuff said, or I might tell the whole story in here. Enjoy!

A/N: This would be my first ever slash! Hope you like it. Barriotic barrio (author of Elf at Hogwarts) helped me in this story (they are mainly responsible for turning me into a slasher, no complaints though)… Kudos to Angelica and Aisha! Especially to Angelica who is the mastermind behind the whole enchilada. Thoughts are italicised, same with the invitation. You'll understand it anyway.

Feedback: Much appreciated, so please r & r! And no nasty flames please! )

Chapter One: The Invitation

Once upon a time in a far away land, quite specifically Middle-Earth, lived a beautiful Elven Archer named Legolas Greenleaf. When his father died, his mother married again. His stepfather was a proud and cruel wizard named Saruman, who had always hated this elven prince because he was much more beautiful than his two sons, Pistachio, an Uruk-Hai and Maraschino, an Orc.

After Legolas' 2,932nd birthday, his mother died. Since then, he was always neglected during family occasions and was forced to slave night and day to serve Saruman and his monstrous children.

'Legolas, you will be our new slave. Your place is in the kitchen, for you will do the work of a servant,' Saruman once said and gave him a pink maid's outfit for him to wear daily.

One day, Legolas was washing a tall pile of dirty dishes, working as hard as a house-elf. He actually admired Dobby, a house-elf outside Middle-Earth; he even has an autographed mop by Dobby himself. Anyway, he was at the sink when he heard an insistent rapping sound on the door.

He left the kitchen to answer the door. When he opened the door, he saw Faramir, the steward of Gondor standing in front of him. And at Faramir's left side stood an overblown, young servant.

'May I help you?' Legolas politely asked the steward.

Faramir loudly cleared his throat, stood up straight in a dignified fashion and yelled full blast, causing Legolas' long hair to fly backwards. 'You have been cordially invited to the Grand Masquerade Ball by order of King Arathorn of Gondor.'

The elf blinked. Faramir's speech was short and simple, but windy enough to dry up his eyes.

'Here sir,' said the servant, bowing courteously and handed him four letters with the seal of Gondor.

'Er, thank you,' Legolas said, accepting the letters from the servant. When they left, he looked down at the letters. It was addressed to each of the four royal gentlemen of Mirkwood. 'Saruman,' he read out softly, flipping through the invitations. 'Pistachio, Maraschino, Legolas… ah, here's mine.' He ripped open his letter and read it. It said:

I, the Royal Highness, King Arathorn of Gondor, cordially invite you, yes you Legolas to a Masquerade Ball. Wherein my son, Prince Aragorn shall choose his future bride… or groom.

Proud Ruler of Gondor,

King Arathorn Henry Arthur William Lancelot Bassanio Gratiano…

Must I really write down my whole name?!

(Bet you don't have a name as long and awesome as mine!)

XOXOXOXO

PS sorry for the lousy handwriting, my official letter writer is out on leave and the substitute just sprained her wrist when she was tweezing her eyebrows… and computers haven't been invented yet. So you better be flattered 'cos I'm the king!

'Uh, cool?' Legolas said, unsure of how to reply with the King's arrogance. He tucked in the letters in his apron pocket and went up the stairs to Saruman's lounging room. He knocked quietly until he was asked to get in.

'What is it?' Saruman snarled. They were in the middle of flute lessons, and Saruman was trying hard to teach the two children to get the notes right, but they were sloppy with their fingers and annoying screeches escaped the flute.

Legolas nervously reached for the letters and tremblingly handed them to Saruman. 'This came a while ago, Father.'

'Hmm, the seal of Gondor. I wonder what Arathorn wants this time. Hope he won't try to rekindle the flame we had centuries ago.'

Yeah right, Legolas rolled his eyes. The man really needed to snap back to reality. He then handed the other two letters to its rightful owners.

The two monsters ripped open their letters ecstatically, bright eyed with excitement. 'Letters from royalty, wow!' Maraschino breathed out.

Pistachio hit his brother hard on the head. 'We're royalty too, you dolt.'

'Uh, Father… I was wondering, if I… uh, if I could possibly, uh…' Legolas started.

'If you could come to the ball?' Saruman finished for him. He smiled mischievously. 'Well sure, my dear child…'

Legolas started to smile. 'I did receive a letter from the king as well,' he said.

But the evil stepfather continued his speech. 'That is, if you have finished all your chores.'

The smile on Legolas' face quickly vanished. 'I… I'll finish it on time Father.'

'If you say so lad. And if you do so, then you may join us,' Saruman said with faux kindness in his voice, which Legolas failed to see.