Legolas pulled his hood from his head as he approached the palace at Minas Tirith. It had been a long two month's journey from his former home, as he had ridden the long routes. No doubt Aragorn would have received his letter…
The former Elven prince wore a dark green tunic, green shirt and black-green pants, clothing quite different from what he had worn before his exile. His hands seemed much stronger than they had before as well.
His horse, Randir, had died days after leaving Mirkwood for the last time. The steed had obviously understood what had happened, and was not able to cope with the pain of being separated from his home.
Now Legolas rode a strong, black, human-bred horse that had white markings on his face. The snow white mane and tail stood as reminders of his former steed…
The guards looked at him strangely as one ran to announce him. They did not imagine him to look like this, the elven prince who was legendary among archers. They expected him to be…more regal.
Aragorn was gone; they told him once the guard returned. He was attending to fragile business along the southern border. But Arwen was here.
He nodded, affirming that he would like to see her…
"Legolas!" Arwen, her beauty untarnished even though she was now mortal, approached him with a worried look, "Aragorn has not yet received your letter, for long has he been gone."
"When will he return?" Legolas asked shortly.
"In a day at most," She stepped forward and touched his shoulder, "You will stay here, in the palace, for your letter told me that you have been traveling for a long time."
"Thank you, my lady," Legolas still had to consciously remind himself to bow. He was a prince no longer…
"Legolas, you need not bow to me," She shook her head, "We are still equals, for you are still a prince, of royal blood and breeding."
Legolas shook his head, "The feuding between the elves and dwarves has cost me my family, my home, all because we cannot learn to forgive and forget!"
Arwen rested her hands on his arms, "Do not become angry, Legolas. I must admit, I do not know you as I wish I did, I do not know your father's mind, for we have met only through my husband. But I know that you are an honorable being."
Legolas sighed and looked away.
"And I know that you gave all that up for the sake of your friend, though he was a dwarf," She moved her hands to his shoulders, "And that is more noble and princely than any inherited title could ever be."
The former prince smiled slightly and met her eyes with his, "Thank you, Lady Arwen, your words have brought my spirit from deep within darkness."
She smiled and led him beyond the throne room, into the real palace, where people lived and worked. It was here that Legolas felt as if he had truly fallen from favor with his father.
"Here is a room for you," She opened to door into a room whose walls were covered with windows, allowing light to stream in, unhindered, "I hope you feel at home here."
Legolas looked around the room and a tear slid down his cheek.
Arwen approached his hand gently wiped the tear away. The Elven prince's face was emotionless, yet he cried.
"What troubles you?" She asked.
"I fear that I will never see my father again," He said, stoically, "I fear that I have been exiled for no reason. Arwen…I never thought this would happen…"
"No one expects their life to change in a moment's time," She shook her head, "Take rest, my friend. I will come for you when it is time to eat."
"I will wait here," Once she left, Legolas sat on the edge of the bed. His hands moved towards the strap that held his quiver, bow, and long knives and slowly slipped it off his shoulder.
His father had disowned him.
He was in exile now, cut off from his friends. Silinde, an old friend that had accompanied him to Rivendell before, had ridden with him for a full month, refusing to leave him. But Legolas had finally convinced him to return to Mirkwood, after promising to go to Gondor.
This was a nightmare come true. He had not told anyone but Aragorn about it, for, he fear that if Gimli learned of it, he would take the blame onto himself when it was Legolas' fault in the first place…
Glorfindel, Elven Lord who dwelled temporarily in Rivendell, had also ridden to speak with him as he passed beyond the valley of Imladris. He, too, was a dear friend. Others had met him on his journey. Haldir and his brothers, Orophin and Rúmil…
He was still thinking about those he had been forced to leave behind when a picture of Adunólae exploded in his mind. He buried his face in his hands.
"I am so sorry," He whispered, tears coming more readily now, "If only I had seen what was coming…"
Arwen opened the door to the room and stepped in quickly. He knelt by his side and wrapped her arms around his quaking shoulders. She held him tightly, whispering reassurances to him.
There was another presence in the room.
It was Aragorn.
Arwen looked at him, almost scolding, "He cries a dangerous tear, Aragorn. Please wait…"
Instead of leaving, Aragorn knelt before the softly weeping elven prince.
"Legolas, I know that this is not your fault," He whispered to his friend, "Do not cry for the faults of others. Your father is only that, a father. He could not see all ends in the fog of anger."
Legolas wiped his eyes and Arwen released him, "I dishonored him, and that is something I promised never to do."
"He dishonored himself," Arwen said, "By exiling and disowning you, he proves that he does not comprehend what he cannot see. Like the invisible binds of friendship. He cannot understand that."
Legolas nodded and blinked the tears from his eyes. Suddenly, he was all alone in the room.
A dream…? Or something else…
A knock on the door surprised him, and he jumped. He calmed his breathing just enough to say, 'Come' in a partially composed manner. Arwen stepped in, seemingly unruffled by his tear-stained face, as if she had expected it.
"Aragorn has returned, and it is time for dinner," She smiled at him, "If you would like to change, I made sure that you had some clothing ready for you once you arrived."
Legolas thanked her, still confused. But, after she left, he moved to the wardrobe and found a clean outfit, fit for a prince…
He felt guilty as he changed, as if he was imposing on them. But Arwen's face when he finally stepped into the dining room showed him that she wanted him to be there.
Aragorn walked in a second after Legolas had, and, without a word, embraced his friend, "I have just finished reading your letter. It tears me to hear of this news…"
"I only hope that it will not fall on Gimli's ears," Legolas returned the embrace, then they both pulled away from each other, "For he would take it to be his fault."
"Unfortunately, that is true," Aragorn turned to Arwen and kissed her lightly, "Let us speak of this while we eat, for there is not much time before I must be off again. Legolas, I go to the East, to Rohan. Would you accompany me?"
"Aye, I will," Legolas answered without hesitation.
"Now tell me of what has happened since leaving Mirkwood," Aragorn smoothly avoided the word 'exiled,' "I know that Glorfindel himself met you as you rode. He cares for you as one who knows your pain."
"Yes, Lord Glorfindel met me. As I rode past Lothlórien, Haldir and his brothers met me as well…"
"Lothlórien? Your path should not have taken you past there," Arwen interrupted.
"I—" Legolas was quite taken aback. True, he had hesitated to come to Gondor, but he had to honor his vow to Silinde, "It took Silinde almost a month to corner me into coming here…I—kept avoiding the border as much as I could…"
"But why? You are among friend, true friends, here," Aragorn led them all to the modestly set table that stood on a balcony. Legolas could see the whole of the gardens from the edge, "You seem ashamed!"
"Aragorn!" Arwen snapped.
"It is true," The dark haired king stepped towards the elf that leaned on the railing, "Tell me the truth, elf, though you cannot lie. Are you ashamed of us, of me, a human, taking you in and showing you friendship?"
"Yes…I was…"
Legolas' whisper was barely audible, but it seemed as if the birds ceased their singing for a moment to allow his murmur to be heard, "But no more…"
Aragorn and Arwen waited with baited breath for him to continue. Two serving girls that held trays approached the balcony's opening and stopped, then quickly disappeared back into the castle after seeing Legolas.
"I may be immortal, I may be an elf, but my spirit, I fear, is not completely elven any longer…" Legolas raised the heel of his palm to his face, "I—I ask your forgiveness, Aragorn, Arwen…"
"You have done us no wrong," Arwen rested her gentle hand on his back, "Tis you that has been hurt."
"I know not what to do…" The former elven prince sighed.
"Become my second, a position like a prince, and you shall have a rightful place nonetheless," Aragorn stood behind his wife, "Else you wish to be captain of my guard. Captain Néran is old…"
"And I am not?" Legolas' eyes twinkled with a long-forgotten gleam.
Aragorn chuckled, then began to laugh. He clapped the elf on the back, "Legolas, I would be honored if you would become my captain of the guard."
"I cannot say, for I could not stand being trapped inside stone walls…"
"Then roam! Scout the forests, the fields, the marshes!" The human king spread his arms grandly, "Go off and do not return for days! But do return! For you have a home now."
There was a silence.
Legolas thought long and hard about Aragorn's proposition. Could he ever possibly have a true home again? Was this freedom too much to hope for?
He began to chuckle.
Arwen looked at Aragorn.
"It honors me to accept, King Elessar," Legolas smiled, actually smiled, "On one condition…"
"Anything! Name it," Aragorn leaned forward.
"That you shall not allow your dinner to grow cold," He shook his head, "Such a waste you humans are…"
Arwen's jaw dropped a few centimeters until she realized that he was jesting. She patted him lightly on the back as Aragorn laughed heartily. With a glint of mischievousness in her eyes, she raised her hand and ruffled Legolas' hair.
He laughed and shied away, smoothing his hair down. Aragorn gestured to the table.
"Let us comply with the prince's demand, else I lose a captain!"
Only Arwen saw the sudden flash of pain at Aragorn's use of the word 'prince,' but it faded quickly and the three friends ate in peace.