"I'll name my son after you."

Chapter 12

"Back to the future."

"LEGOLAS! NO!"

When the innocent pretend-spellcasting actually managed to zap Legolas out of existence, who dived in just in time to save his best friend, it was fair to say that Aragorn lost it.

"WHAT WERE YOU TWO THINKING?!" He rounded on the two hobbits once the dust cleared and everyone snapped out of shock.

The mischievous halflings shivered under his furious gaze.

"W-We didn't know it would actually work, Mr. Strider Sir." Marry whimpered, looking close to crying.

"I-It was just for fun." Pippin whispered, hiding behind his older cousin. "W-We didn't mean to send him away, we swear!"

Gritting his teeth the ranger turned his angry eyes towards the staff's owner.

"Why are you just standing there, Gandalf?" He practically snarled. "Bring him back!"

But the wizard just shook his head sadly, looking perplexed.

"I'm afraid, I cannot do that." He said quietly, walking up to Pippin and snatching his staff away from him.

"W-What?" The future king stuttered, before anger returned to his voice. "Why?!"

"I do not know where the halflings' pretend-spells sent him." Gandalf explained calmly. "And I doubt either of them remember which spell was the one that did this."

The meaning of those words hit Aragorn like a tidal wave.

"Are you saying…" His normally steady voice shaking. "That there is no way to bring him back?"

Gandalf could only lower his head, unable to look the future king in the eye.

Aragorn's hopes shattered the moment he realized the knowledgeable wizard could not bring his best friend back. Angry and terrified he lashed out on the nearest wall with a cry of rage, making the hobbits jump. The punch though powerful didn't leave a dent in the rocky contraption, angering him even more.

Frodo could only stare at the spot somewhere near the center of the room, only vaguely aware of Aragorn's outburst.

Mere seconds ago that spot was occupied by one of their comrades. A kind and lighthearted elf with a voice so melodic and beautiful it made you wish it never stopped singing, as well as a wit so sharp it never failed to make them all laugh.

But mistakes were made…

And now he was gone.

Boromir was still in shock that such an innocent looking game could end so tragically.

He may not have had the deep friendship with the elf that Aragorn had...

But he has lost friends that have been like brothers in the past.

The warrior from Rohan knew what it's like, to watch a loved one killed before your eyes and not being able to do anything about it.

He would not wish that kind of pain upon Sauron himself…

And yet it hit the supposed future king of Gondor.

Gimli… well… Gimli was nearly as angry and terrified as Aragorn was because…

While Legolas was a prissy, sassy and irritating elf that annoyed him more than anything ever did…

And sure, they've had their disagreements with Legolas's father locking up Gimli's in a dungeon, and their races generally disliking each-other since millennia before they were born…

That did not mean he wanted him to disappear…

Elrond's alarm bells went off the minute the blonde elf disappeared on their very eyes, his mind flashing to all the things that will happen once word of this reaches Thranduil.

For not only did he select his only child for a highly-suicidal mission without consulting with him first and foremost, but now said son was hit by a spell of unknown functionality that caused him to disappear, with Gandalf having no idea how to bring him back.

All this will certainly not help the already shaky alliance he had with the Woodland king, and will most likely end up with said ruler arriving with an angry army on his doorstep, declaring war to avenge his son.

Somehow facing a furious Thranduil Oropherion terrified him just as much, if not more, than facing destruction from Sauron's hands.

And while everyone was plagued with their own negative thoughts…

Only Samwise Gamgee was brave enough to voice what they all wanted to ask:

"Did that…" The blond hobbit asked, voice strained. "Did that kill him?"

The air stilled and the question hung in the air like a heavy storm cloud filled with unresolved tension.

Aragorn turned towards the elderly wizard, eyes wide and filled with barely controlled fear, ready to spring free the moment the demise of his best friend has been confirmed.

"Now, now, dear friends." Gandalf begun slowly. "Let us not be so negative, hm? I can assure you our elven comrade has not been expelled from this mortal plane, not to worry."

The remaining members of the Fellowship, and Elrond, let out a collective breath they didn't realize they were holding.

"Thank the Valar…" The future king of men said, the relief so powerful he needed to support himself with the very wall he abused mere seconds ago. "But… how can you be so sure?"

"While I might not know the exact spell used on our dear fellow, I am certain that was a teleportation spell and not one used to cause destruction." The wizard spoke, stroking his long silver beard. "Legolas was simply… placed somewhere else."

"Then we must find him!" Aragorn suddenly sprang into action. "He might be hurt or in danger!" He was already heading towards the stables, when Elrond grabbed him by the arm.

"As much as it pains me to say this, my son…" The elf lord took a deep breath and then let it out. "We must forget about Legolas and focus on what's important, and that's destroying the One Ring."

Appalled by his adoptive father's words, the future king of Gondor yanked himself out of Elrond's hold.

"Are you suggesting we just leave him alone?! With uruk-hai and orcs, things that have an enormous hatred towards elves, patrolling every inch in search for the ring?!" Aragorn couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Maybe you're different, Lord Elrond," He spat the title as if it was an insult. "But I never leave my friends when they need me the most."

Just as he was going to return to his newfound quest to find Legolas, Gandalf placed himself between the determinate ranger and the path towards the stables.

"Gandalf, what…" Aragorn whispered, shocked.

"I'm afraid Lord Elrond is right." The wizard said, voice serious bearing no room for argument. "We must trust that Legolas can find his way back to Rivendell from wherever the spell took him, on his own."

"Are you listening to yourself, Mithrandir?!" Aragorn demanded. "It's getting dark and he could be mortally wounded, and in desperate need of help!"

"I'm sure he wouldn't want you to postpone a mission that could save many more people from danger, just to save him." Elrond answered, placing a comforting hand on his son's shoulder.

The human turned away from both of them.

"He would never leave me behind."

"Yes." Gandalf agreed. "But he's not humanity's last chance, my dear boy."

Aragorn gave no verbal reply, only slumped his shoulders in a helpless surrender.

"Come now, Aragorn." Gandalf placed his hand on the ranger's other shoulder. "If it will put you more at ease, I will try to contact him during our travels."

The future King sighed, slightly consoled by the knowledge that the elderly wizard will be doing his best to get Legolas out of the mess he was unwillingly thrust into, then nodded.

"Then it is settled." Elrond spoke up, with a heavy heart.

"You leave for Mordor at the break of dawn."

AN: For those who wondered what the rest of the Fellowship were up to ;)