Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings. I do not make any money from this story.

Mirkwood:

To: Prince Legolas of the Greenwood, Heir Apparent

From: Elrond, Lord of Rivendell

Dear Legolas,

Your letter is most concerning. I agree it is symptomatic of fading, however, I would hesitate to stamp the label so hastily. To better discern the cause of your father's sudden sickness, I am sending one of my assistant healers to gather the information I need as I, regrettably, cannot be spared. I will send what diagnosis I am able to upon his return.

Elrond

Legolas sighed. There was that done, now it was a matter of waiting. Just then he heard hurried footsteps. He turned, just as Aethelred rushed into his rooms, pale as a ghost.

Legolas straightened, hand already reaching for his sword, "Aethelred, what is it?"

Aethelred shook his head and Legolas relaxed minutely. No immediate danger, then. "Are you alright?"

"Do you remember that night we looked into the Lady Galadriel's mirror?" asked Aethelred, slowly.

Understanding dawned on Legolas' face.

"Your parents! You saw them walking the halls, didn't you?" he asked, excitedly.

Aethelred laughed, shakily, "Ran him down, more like. My father, it was my father, I am sure of it."

"This is wonderful news, my friend! Wonderful indeed!" said Legolas.

Aethelred shook his head, slowly.

Legolas paused, uncertain, "But… Do you not want to meet them?"

Aethelred shook his head again, slowly.

"50 years ago, no, I did not. And since then, I have never once thought of it, but now, seeing him, it's like this-this desire I never saw before has awakened in me. Like I was starving and never realized it. But I still don't know. I gave up wanting to meet them years ago, I thought. I thought I'd moved past that. Surely they have."

"Do you want to know what I think?" asked Legolas. Aethelred nodded. "I think you should track them down. I'll help. You should meet them, at least. You both deserve that much. I've heard that one cannot suffer a greater loss than that of their child. They deserve to know you still live. And for you, they've been these larger than life figures for most of the time I've known you, don't deny it. You deserve to see who and what they really are. And if you don't meet them and something should happen to them, if you should somehow be separated from them and are never able to meet them, you will regret it for the rest of your life. I know it and I think you do, too. Even if you decide it's best not to try to rekindle whatever is left of your relationship, you deserve that much."

Aethelred nodded, "I know, I know. You are right, my friend, it's just, well, you should have seen his face, had he been brought before Morgoth himself, he would not have looked more terrified."

"Perhaps he recognized you, somehow, Aethelred. You had a not so different response yourself."

Aethelred nodded again, " You are right. I will go look for them."