Disclaimer: I do not own Tolkien's Legendarium or anything else you may recognize
Again, this is movie-only stuff, since Aragorn would be 10 in the books at the time, but based on movies, he'd be 27.
Weird, I know, but thought I'd have some fun.
Legolas Greenleaf made his way through the forested area. These lands were all wild and untamed. He had lived in the wild his whole life, but it was not untamed where he lived.
However, since it was a forest, he was in his element.
Some Orcs had been seen on the road, attacking travelers, especially merchants, killing them, and then feasting on their flesh.
The Elf-Prince hadn't encountered any of those so far on his journey, but he would, he knew it. However, he hadn't come here to find any Orc bands, he had come here because he had heard the Man his father wanted him to find was in these lands.
A Dúnedain he was, leading the other Rangers, and they all respected him as their leader. But so far, he had nothing substantial, Legolas was not even sure if this Man was a myth, or the truth.
Now he wound find out what was what soon enough.
His keen Elven senses then picked up the unmistakable sound of a bow drawing behind him, and in a split second, he was facing the other way, his own bow drawn, and the hooded Man seemed surprised, based on how his body reacted.
Legolas was the finest archer in Middle-earth, and he knew it.
"Who are you?" The Man asked him.
"An Elf, as you can see, my friend", Legolas said, deciding not to give up his identity unless he was sure.
"Why have you come here?" The Man asked.
"I look for someone", Legolas replied.
"Is he friend or foe?"
"So far, he is neither", Legolas said. "Once I meet him, I shall determine that."
"Does he have a name, this person?"
"You are a Ranger of the North, are you not?" Legolas asked. "Your garb tells me you are."
"Keen eyes", the Man said, now deciding he was not a threat, and lowered his bow as Legolas did the same. "I am a Ranger of the North."
"Well, then you must know Strider then", Legolas said with a smirk.
"No, I do not know Strider", the Man said, confusing the Elf-Prince a little, before removing his hood to reveal a young, shaven face, with long hair. "Because I am Strider, my friend."
Legolas now had a smile as he said. "I am Prince Legolas of the Woodland Realm."
"The Woodland Realm, I have not been there", Strider said as he and Legolas walked closer to each other, grasping hands. "Why do you want to find me?"
"I have heard of you, and there is an Orc band waylaying visitors from what I have heard", Legolas told him. "Tell me, do you know of those in the land?"
"I have heard of those, but we have not been able to find them yet", Strider said regretfully.
"Where are the rest of your people?" Legolas then inquired.
"They are in the land, but right now, all of us have varying tasks to accomplish", Strider said as they looked around.
"Together, you and I can find this Orc band", Legolas offered. "What say you?"
Strider thought for a moment and said. "I say let us find it."
The Man and Elf were on the road now, looking around.
"Do you see anything?" Legolas asked, while also trying to hear.
"So far, I do not", Strider told him before finding a small drop of blood on the ground. "Legolas."
Legolas rushed to Strider as they kneeled down to examine the blood drop.
"It is of a Man", Legolas said grimly.
"And it is not too old", Strider added. "If this was the work of the Orc band, we are not far from them."
"They must have captured a traveler and taken him to their dwelling", Legolas realized as he ran further. "Come, before it is too late."
And with that, Strider rushed after him, the two trying to follow the trail, as thin as it was, to find out where the Orcs had taken their captive.
In less than an hour, they found themselves in a cave, and snuck in, hiding behind a boulder. A Man was tied up, being kicked by Orcs as he bled and wept, begging for mercy from creatures who had never known it.
"Let us eat him now!" One said.
"Yes, he screams too much", another agreed. "We shall silence it!"
"No, let me-"
He was silenced by another kick.
"Quick as shadows we must be", Legolas warned as he and Strider prepared their arrows.
One Orc raised its blade above the Man to kill him, when Legolas released his arrow, and the Orc was felled, while the leader of the band was felled by one arrow from Strider.
The Orcs now turned to them as they stood up, Strider unsheathing his blade.
"Elf-filth!" One Orc spat in disgust, only amusing Legolas as it turned to Strider. "And more Man-flesh."
They were about ten in number now, and all charged the two.
Strider blocked the swing of the first and kicked him away before slicing the abdomen of another, and then sliced off its neck, as two of them were felled swiftly by arrows.
Strider side-stepped to avoid another's swing and stabbed it through the side of the throat, then ripping out his sword, turned and parried the next one's blow before managing to slice its leg, making it fall as Strider stabbed it through the throat.
Legolas unsheathed his daggers and spinning them, disarmed one Orc while slicing its throat and then spinning himself, stabbed the next one before swiftly sheathing the daggers and shooting the next.
Strider chopped off the next one's head and ducked to avoid the last one's blow, then stabbed it right in the gut as it choked while Strider ripped his sword out, letting it die.
"Come on", Strider said as he knelt behind the frightened man, cutting his bonds, and the two helped him up.
After the Man had been sent on his way again, the Orc band no longer threatening the travelers, Strider and Legolas walked back together to where the other Rangers would gather.
"You are the finest swordsman I have seen", Legolas said honestly, since even his father was not this good with a sword.
"You are the finest archer I have seen", Strider responded in kind. "I thank you for your help against the Orc band."
"It was my pleasure, Orc filth should never be allowed to walk free in any lands lest they endanger the other Races", Legolas told him as they reached the forests again. "So, I imagine there would be more."
"Yes, but not immediate threats, and they might number more", Strider pointed out. "Not even the two of us together can take them all, we must spread word, and spread out to find and kill the others."
"I like how you think", Legolas smirked, his tactical thinking was as fine as his skill with a blade, and he knew just who to talk to about the dangers of the land. He may become a great Man just yet.
"Let us meet the others and you can tell them what you know", Strider said, the two grasping arms respectfully before continuing.
This was the start of a legendary friendship.
And done, hope it was fun for all.
Hope all enjoyed and see you all next time with some other update.