The sounds of the forest were alive this morning. Birds calling their songs to the barely lit sky and the trees responding with their bliss filled sounds. Besides these however, the clearing that surrounded the small band upon the path was filled with only silence and the sounds of the horses' hooves beneath their riders.
The occasional sound of one or more of the company's leather straps that held their quivers. For the most part however they were silent. No one speaking. A fact that had left the blonde who travelled in the center of the company rather irritable.
It was bad enough that the blonde's had to travel all this way at the request of his father's friend. To have to endure the long journey in such silence was almost too much for the usually collected temperament in which he conducted his life.
The seven that traveled with him had tested his patience through refusing to do anything other than their ordered protection. The one time Lesile, the head of the guards with him, did speak. It had only been to inform him that it was inappropriate for ones of their station to address the prince of Mirkwood.
After this the older blonde had once again lapsed into silence. Leaving the frustrated prince to scowl out into the forest that was all that they had seen for days now. As he was doing now in fact.
"We should be arriving this evening your highness." The voice was so sudden that the blonde prince jumped in his saddle. Practically twisting in his seat to look to the source of the voice. His yes falling upon Lesile as the other kept his eyes trained upon the path ahead of them.
Though disappointed that the other had already lapsed back into his unyielding quiet so quickly, the blonde prince could feel a faint joy at the news. They would be arriving by night fall. Which meant that he would at last be given some leeway from his guards. The last homely house of Elrond, Imaldris. Was one of the most secure places left in Middle earth after all.
The pleasure at the knowledge that in few short hours he would at last have others that would speak with him brought a lightness to the blonde's mind. Allowing for him to think upon the reason for why he was making this venture from his home to begin with. He had been asked by his father to make the journey to Rivendell. With the task of lending his skills with a bow by teaching them to a young who resided here in these lands.
At first the blonde had been insulted and a bit frustrated at his fathers request. He had other duties he felt were more important. However at his father's insistence and admittance that he who had requested was in fact Lord Elrond himself he had been unable to refuse. How could he refuse the summon of a lord? The other deemed his skills and ability to pass on his abilities with a bow worthy enough to teach to his own sons.
The sight of other elves as they arrived was like a joy that burst from his heart. Jumping from his horse the blonde prince allowed his limbs the time they needed to adjust to being off his horse for the first time since they had begun riding before dawn that morning. Glancing around the blonde took stalk of who was there to greet them.
The darker complexion of the Rivendell elves had always been a fascination to the blonde prince as he had been growing up. Living in Mirkwood he had so rarely seen the dark haired kinsmen save for trips such as this. Or when the children of Elrond were visiting Lothlorien at the same time as him.
"Greetings my young friend" The greeting came from the blonde prince's left. Turning instantly to greet the elder elf the prince let his eyes take in the face of the other. The same wise gaze stared back at him that he could remember since he was a young elfling.
"Many greetings and joys my Lord Elrond." The blonde greeted as he bowed his head respectfully. Gratitude at speaking with another after so long was evident in his voice despite his best attempts at stifling it.
The smile that met him was blinding as the elder lord waved him fall into step alongside him as he led him into the halls of Imaldris. The familiar sights being pleasing to the blonde as he couldn't help but glance around marvelling at how the walls and halls had not changed in the near century since he had last visited.
The journey was surprisingly short. The blonde was not sure what he had expected. He had been hoping that he would be led the dining hall and allowed to partake in some banter over the dining table. He kept this to himself however. Knowing that wherever he was being led was of importance.
He vaguely caught lord Elrond's words as he realized that the elder had been speaking to him for an undetermined amount of moments. Pulling his attention to the dark haired elf the blonde mentally chastised himself for his foolishness.
"...and capable. He'll make a fine student. Of that I'm sure. I can promise you that you have not made the long journey in vain." These words from the lord seemed to be the conclusion of whatever the other had been saying. From them he could judge that the lord of Rivendell worried that he had felt put out by the request.
Smiling as he nodded the blonde let the elder lead him into the grand library that Rivendell was so well know for having. Stepping at a slightly slower pace as he let his eyes wander the many shelves of this grand library, the blonde caught up with Elrond as he had stopped a few steps near the back.
Stepping to his side the blonde let his eyes trail over the one before them. The form of the male leaning over his books was not the one he had been expecting. The blonde prince was unsure exactly what he'd expected, but the form of a male that was small and obviously in those awkward stages of development where his limbs seemed out of proportion to one another. Whatever he had been expecting, the blonde had not expected to be staring at the form of an adolescent human.
"Estel." Said lord Elrond. The word obviously a name as the boy's head snapped up from his studies to meet the gaze of the dark haired ruler.
The smile that spread over the boy's face was a startling contrast to the roguishly human features that had taken the blonde by surprise. He had such overwhelming warmth in that simple action. His grey eyes sparkling with light and happiness as he looked upon the ruler of Rivendell.
"Ada" Estel called gently as he rose from his seat to hug the dark haired elf. Who responded in turn with a doting smile and an amused chuckle.
"Now Estel I would for you to meet your new archery teacher," Elrond began as the two pulled appart. Reaching forward to place his hand upon the blonde prince's shoulder before continuing. " This is Prince Legolas of Mirkwood. He has travelled a long way to stay here with us in Imaldris in order to begin your teachings."
The smile that spread over the boy's face then made the previous smile dim in comparison as his whole body radiated with pleasure Legolas realized as he stared at the boy. Watching as he looked him over and seemed quite interested in the differences he could see between his Ada and Legolas himself.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Prince Legolas." Estel called gently reaching his hand out towards him. Which Legolas of course felt include to accept as he repaid the gesture and clasped hands with the adolescent boy.
"Aye. 'Tis also my great pleasure to meet you Estel. Son of Elrond." Legolas responded. Feeling the boy's pure joy pull a smile upon his face without his consent. However it was not a bad thing in the blonde's opinion. He could feel himself drawn to this boy's excitement and obvious good nature.
"It is going to be an interesting adventure to teach you all i know of the bow. Let us take it together?" Legolas quirked his head waiting for the boy's answer. Greatly pleased by the enthusiastic cheer he received in response.
Legolas watched as Estel returned to clean up the books he had been reading. The blonde prince being vaguely aware as Elrond had turned and left the library all together. Instead watching young Estel as he came towards him and then turned to lead him off towards the courtyards used for training. They could begin for a few hours before dinner.
A/N: Hey everyone, so this story is going to be a two part story about Legolas and Aragorn's journey. I hope you enjoy. Please r&r so my muse will keep behaving. Oh and constructive criticismssss are more than welcome. However flames will be fed to my muse.