Authors Note: Once again, sorry for the delay. I had quite a time this last week, getting my wisdom teeth out and did not feel like doing much. Once again, I hope your wait is rewarded. I am very happy with this chapter. It may be a bit serious at the beginning, but I love the end. I hope you all like it. Please review, that is what keeps me going! Legolas and Aragorn will be leaving Rivendell very shortly and I wonder what you would like to see after that? Should I tell of their trip or leave it shortly? Tell me what you think!

Sterenlicht – Thanks for reviewing! I am glad you enjoyed it. Truthfully, you're the reason I made myself keep writing. I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Fumble – I am not sure I made it clear, but Aragorn was joking when he was talking about the Hobbit being with him…as if it were preposterous that that would ever happen. Does that make sense?



Elrond watched out his window in the warmth of the day. Golden light filtered through the trees and danced lazily on the balcony. Elrond's gaze was drawn to it, but he could hardly tear his eyes from the scene below him. In the courtyard of the main stable, not to far from the main house, there were four figures engaged in what seemed to be a fierce battle. At least, one would have thought it was fierce if it were not for the use of dulled swords and laughter that echoed through the valley of Rivendell. In the midst of the foray were Elrond's twin sons, Elrohir and Elladan, who fought side by side as if they were born to dance. Their movements were subtle but well planned and any fighting against them had to be as much aware of one as they were aware of the other. Another elf did his own dance in the midst of the swordplay. He had long golden hair that streamed down his back in a tight braid. His laughter was light, delighted in his foes and their attacks. He was dressed mostly in green, labeling him easy as a wood elf, unlike the elves of Imladris, who dressed mostly in gray and brown. This elf was Legolas Greenleaf, Prince of Mirkwood. The last combatant in the chaos was no elf at all, though he was as light on his feet as any elf. He had brown hair that fell to his shoulders and a youthful grin that replaced lines of worry and hardship on a young face that should not have borne what it did. He was a man, and he was Aragorn, proud Ranger of the North, clever Estel, and future King of Gondor, the Elfstone. Each of the figures laughed and joked as they fought, filling the glen with a fairytale like atmosphere. They were like children, lost in their play, never stopping to see the outside world. They were involved in an intricate dance that was complimented by intricate word play. If Elrond had not known better, he would have placed this scene from Estel's childhood, when he was no more than ten.

But these were grown men now. The elves were hundreds of years old. Estel was nearing true manhood, having had much experience. They were no longer children lost in a dream world of simplicity. Elrond sighed heavily, turning his eyes from the swordplay. It was something of joy, but Elrond knew it would ultimately lead to Estel leaving Rivendell. The Ranger could hardly stay there for as long as Elrond wished in his heart, but he felt that Estel was far to eager to leave. The young man was too stubborn to realize the damage that had been done to his body. He felt stronger, but Elrond knew that even Estel realized he was hardly back to his full capacity. However, there would be no persuading Estel to stay. The man was as stubborn as Isildur had been on the steps of Mt. Doom.

"Are you all right Father?" Arwen's soft voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Arwen…I did not hear you come up. Yes, I'm fine."

"You are worrying about Estel. Do not father. As his kind say, he is a grown man."

"I know daughter. He is not yet healed, yet his pride wills him back to the wild."

"Not his pride father. No, not his pride. More like every part of what and who he is."

"Once again you are right. You have wisdom only you mother rivaled. Come let us not talk of Estel," Elrond said slowly, turning to face his beautiful daughter. He was in time to see something flash in her eyes and he knew he had said the wrong thing. She wished to speak of Estel and Elrond knew well fully. Despite all he had tried to do to prevent it, he could not tempt fate. Arwen loved Estel and dearly as he loved her. Elrond touched her cheek gently, as if asking for forgiveness. "You want to leave with him, I see it in your eyes."

"No father! I would not leave you!"

"Arwen," his voice was sad as he took her hand and led her off the balcony. "You may say that now, but we both know that in time you will leave me. You will go with Estel when he has done as I have required of him. You may think it cruel for me to place such a thing on his young shoulders, but I have not done it. I have only added to it, whether that be fair or not. I cannot give you over to someone who may die so young. If he can live to that time where he has passed the darkness you will be able to share many a wonderful day with Estel. However, if he is not the one…if he is not the Heir that overcomes all else, he would leave you bitter, alone, and worst of all mortal."

"Love you may understand Father, but not the love I have for Estel. Although I cry in my heart just at the thought of being separated from you, mother, Elladan and Elrohir for all of time, I would grieve in the Gray Havens for all I would do is be broken hearted for the loss of my one true love. It is worth dying to be with him for a few short years. It is murder to think of being separated from him for all of eternity. What kind of life is that? I know I must abide your decision as Estel has chosen to do…but I long to be by his side at every moment. I want to be called his lady. I want him to hold my hand as we walk side by side," she paused as Elrond turned away, pain welling up in his heart. "Father, please feel no guilt in this matter. I know you wish at moments that you never brought Estel to Imladris…but it was hardly a choice. Fate decided for you and the guilt would be worse than any other thing if you had let that poor baby die at the hands of those evil creatures."

"Shh Arwen. Worry not for me. cand I know he will care for you like no one else can when the time comes. Please, let us not speak of such sad things. It seems as though they have finished their playing. We should meet them…" Elrond offered Arwen his arm and though she hesitated for a moment, clearly wondering if the conversation should be over, she finally took it and they descended the stairs to meet the three elves and Estel.

Legolas laughed once more at one of Aragorn's many jests as they came through the doors into the main house together. Aragorn offered him a sly smile, wiping sweat from his brow. Elladan and Elrohir made more comment on Aragorn's terrible sense of humor and pushed their foster brother further into the room. They were all high in spirits and joyfully piled their dulled swords in the corner. Legolas sighed in a way of contentment, trying to remember the last time he had had so much fun. It had been some time and he was grateful for the release it had been. The elf twins were in fine form and it seemed as if Aragorn had hardly been away from their company the way the three of them bantered. Legolas had found it easy to join in and had thoroughly enjoyed the physically trying work out. He had learned much about the way Aragorn fought and came to the conclusion that many feared his skill with the sword for a good reason.

"Well, I would like a bath," Aragorn said with a laugh, noticing for the first time how dirty he had become.

"You take them rarely enough, I would beg you to!" Elladan remarked smartly.

"At least I do not smell," Aragorn's tart reply was laced with a light air and Elladan glared at him, opening his mouth to reply.

He was cut off by Elrohir, "Ahh, so that is where that stench is coming from. I was going to say something to the fair Prince of Mirkwood, but feared royal repercussions. I should have known the disgrace should come from my own flesh and blood."

"Fine brother you are. You are supposed to defend me."

"We spend so much time together that I can not help but thank my younger brother for pointing this out to you so I will not have to live with it much longer," Elrohir winked at Aragorn as he bounded out of range of Elladan's foot, which was poised to kick him.

"Now now, you are as children aren't you?" the question was posed from the spiral staircase coming from the chambers above and all four jokers looked up to find Elrond and Arwen standing on the stair. Elrond looked as if he wanted an answer, his eyebrows arched in expectancy. Arwen stood serenely at his side, looking more than slightly bemused. "No, do not answer me. I wish not to know the level of your maturity. Instead, I believe that Aragorn had a point earlier. He needs a bath. As do all of you. I expect you will all be cleaned up for the diner that has been prepared for tonight."

All four of them stood stock still, waiting for more. It was Aragorn who first realized that he was done.

"Of course Lord Elrond," he said, bowing low to the ground in a grand sweeping motion that spoke of the genteel behavior he would one day expect to see in his own court.

"Finally the boy learns manners. Ahh Estel, I see the company of Legolas has done you good," Elrond's well aimed barb caught Aragorn off guard and he looked up in surprise, ready to defend himself, but Elrond shook his head in amusement. "No, Estel, I am merely teasing you. I will see you all before the sun sets." Elrond turned with Arwen and they returned to where they had come from.

"Needs to learn manners is right," Elladan said, swatting Aragorn upside the head. Aragorn resisted the urge to stick his tongue out at the elf, and instead turned to Legolas and Elrohir.

"Come my friend, my brother, we should do as Lord Elrond asks and see who is ready first. Surely it will not be Elladan, for he will have to soak himself to rid himself of that terrible smell." With that final comment, Aragorn sprung for the stairs, avoiding Elladan. Legolas grinned. Yes, he did like it here. So much that he wondered how Aragorn could ever wish to leave.