This story is inspired by the MELLON CHRONICLES, if you have not read these stories then the character relations may not make sense.

Simply put Aragorn is the adopted son of Elrond. He thinks of Elladan and Elrohir as brothers. Legolas is like a brother to him.

During the story Aragorn may be refered to as: Estel, the/a ranger

I sometimes use Elvish words in my writing. Translations will be at the end of the chapters is needed.

Thunder rumbled loudly over head, followed swiftly by the sharp chrack of lightning which illuminated the scene below. A ranger was kneeling in the middle of the battle field, the ground beneath him churned to mud and soaked with the blood of the fallen. The heavens opened on the scene and as the rain poured down the ranger bent his head lower his hair falling to obscure his face as the rain washed away his tears. His sword lay forgotten beside him his attention fixed on the figure which lay on the ground before him. The long golden hair made the figure stand out clearly from the dead which surrounded them and was horrendously matted with blood. Though he still gripped his bow the arm was broken, stood on as he lay prone on the ground, anything else Aragorn could only guess though he knew there was no point, the damage had already been done. He lay as though sleeping but as Aragorn awkwardly scooped him up into his arms, as best as the manacles which bound his wrists would allow, he knew that he would not awake. The heavy footsteps of the orc which had captured him came close and seeing the ranger cradling the elf, laughed. Aragorn shuddered and thought desperately of how it had all gone wrong.

Earlier that day

The sun dawned brightly filling the forest through which the two friends walked. The birds and animals around them sung and called as they began their morning. Legolas laughed loudly his musical tone light and carefree as he listened to his friend. Aragorn best known to him as Estel was regaling to him the latest tale of what he and his two adopted brothers Elladan and Elrohir had been up to. Estel smiled and shook his head 'but that's not all Adar never guessed! How my brothers managed that I don't think I will ever know'

'I am going ask them when we arrive' Legolas gasped as he laughed

'You had better not let on to Elrond' Estel replied looking sharply across as his friend 'we have only just managed to fix it'

'Peace Mellon-nin I will do no such thing as you well know' he chided softly

'Except that time with the horses' Estel retorted playfully 'and when we...'

'Enough!' Legolas interrupted 'how was I to know he was just around the corner...'

'No no you did it on purpose' Estel said giving his friend a playful shove away.

Legolas put on an affronted look but promptly shoved his friend back harder with a laugh. Estel who was not paying attention to the path promptly tripped down a rabbit hole and went sprawling on the ground. Legolas doubled up in laughter as Estel lay on the floor.

'Oh I'll get you for that' Estel called clambering to his feet and running at his friend who dodged away still laughing helplessly. 'Got to catch me first' he called running off down the path.

'Oy! Get back here!' Aragorn called as he took off after his still laughing friend.

Aragorn blinked hearing the harsh laugh of the orc instead of his friend. He blinked and fresh tears fell landing on the long golden hair. They had run straight into the trap, their laughter had drowned out the silence in the forest around them and they had paid no attention to their surroundings. The first Aragorn knew something was wrong was when Legolas skidded to a stop in front of him causing him to nearly run into the back of his friend. There was not even time to ask what was wrong before the orc's burst from the trees around them, completely surrounding them both. Battle honed skills awoke instantly as they drew blade and bow to fight. Instinctively turning back to back against the onslaught, they knew that they could not win but had no choice but to fight.

Aragorn gasped sharply as the orc dragged him cruelly to his feet, hauling on his hair causing him to lose his grip on Legolas who slid back to the ground.

'Time to go' the orc growled in his ear and dragged Aragorn away. Twisting round as best he could Aragorn could only watch with growing grief as they left, leaving behind a path covered with the dead and Legolas lying in the middle of it all. Aragorn closed his eyes and turned away feeling his heart growing heavier with every step he took.

In Rivendell

Elrond stepped to the window and closed the shutters with a sigh as the storm raged on outside. Turning he stepped across to a small bedside table and lit the small night light kept there. He had hoped his adopted son Estel returning with Legolas would have been home tonight. He knew though that with the storm lasting most of the day they would have sought shelter rather than travel through it. Stepping out the bedroom he met his two sons Elladan and Elrohir waiting in the corridor.

'Have they arrived yet Ada?' Elrohir asked'

'No the weather will have stopped them travelling today' Elrond replied 'they will be here once the storm eases'

Elladan smiled 'I can't wait to see Legolas again it has been to long since he graced our halls with his presence' he paused slightly 'Estel is always going to see Legolas maybe he does not like us any more' he laughed at the jest

Elrond shook his head 'Nay you know its because every time Estel brings Legolas here you two end up getting them both caught up in trouble' he reproved gently 'now off to bed with you there hunting still to be done if you want a feast for when they arrive'

Smiling the twins turned and headed for their respective rooms 'Ok night ada'

Elrond cast one last glance into the room and wondered where Estel and Legolas had found to sleep tonight before gently closing the door and heading for his own room.

Elvish translations:

Ada: dad

Adar: father

Mellon nin: friend/ my friend

Nay: No

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