Disclaimers: See the Author's Notes. Takes place +- 1250 years later.

Reason To Fight, Reason To Wed

Part 1. First Impressions

Rivendell was splendid in the spring, when all of the animals were awake and the flowers were blooming once more. The hemlock, rowan, and elderberry trees were shining with fresh leaves and buds, which were opening to reveal beautiful flowers. The grass was soft and green, perfect for walking on with or without shoes.

Estel, Elladan, and Elrohir were out hunting, to bring back some food for the celebration that was going to be held very soon. Added to that was that two unknown guests were said to be coming, guests that no-one in Rivendell had seen for a millennia.

The three were laughing and joking, as they staked out an area, silently waiting for a target to appear. Their bows and arrows were drawn, and they were well trained to draw an arrow and notch it instantly.

So the sons of Elrond- two by blood and one of the heart, waited, though Estel was by far the most impatient. He wanted to know who the mysterious guests were going to be. Elrohir and Elladan had been told not to tell him, so they teased him for his impatience.

When Aragorn heard the sound of something moving towards them, though it was very faint, he instantly notched an arrow and let it fly.

Legolas walked along slowly, as he waited for Mithrandir to rejoin him. The Istari had decided to venture off alone for a short while, but had promised to return swiftly.

So the Elven Prince walked along, wearing a white shirt, green tunic, and brown leggings. Soft, light-brown Elven shoes were on his feet, and he also wore a cloak. The grey cloak's hood was currently pulled over his soft, blond hair, because the sun beat down hot this day. Brilliant blue eyes were wise and thoughtful, and his skin was the color of ivory. Wisps of blond hair curled around the smooth, flawless face, which still looked young and beautiful. It was because of his looks that the Elf was referred to as 'beautiful' instead of handsome, for his was a masculine beauty. Though some Men mistook him for a female at times.

The sounds of an arrow whistling through the air drew Legolas' attention from his thoughts. He'd been thinking of Aragorn once more, and hope, along with nervous anticipation soared through him. Aragorn was old enough, now, and he knew that they were betrothed to one another. It was time for them to wed and have two heirs; one for Gondor, and one for Mirkwood, which was why Mithrandir had come. He had knowledge that Aragorn and Legolas would need, in order for them to have at least two children together.

But Legolas' hand flew up and swiftly caught the arrow, as it grazed his right cheek slightly. He instantly notched it and sent it flying back from whence it had come, as a warning. He heard startled exclamations coming from where he had shot the arrow, so the Elf silently made his way over there, with a trickle of blood flowing from the wound. It was only a minor inconvenience, Legolas knew, and would heal shortly.

Estel froze at the graceful and slender figure who appeared suddenly before them. A pale hand came up to touch his right cheek, and when it was brought away, the three Elves could see blood on the hand.

A reproachful look was in Legolas' blue eyes, as he gazed at each of the three who stood there, casting his eyes from one to the other. He easily recognized the handsome twin Elves as his old friends, but something made him look at the third person who stood with them.

A tingle went through Legolas, as he appraised the last one. A sense of recognition, of longing, of hope, as he gazed at the handsome brown-haired Elf or Man who stood with Elrohir and Elladan. All three wore the traditional colors of Rivendell, but there was something about this one… This figure that returned the look, with puzzlement in his brown eyes.

Estel was puzzled when he heard the stranger before him whisper a name, which sounded like Aragorn. He shrugged, though, because he didn't know that name. Instead, he gazed back at the hooded figure who intensely stared at him hard, before turning to speak to his brothers.

'It's been a while, Elladan, Elrohir,' Legolas murmured, as he brought his hands up and removed his hood.

'Legolas!' Elladan cried. He instantly raced forward and hugged his friend hard. 'We've missed you!'

Estel watched as Elrohir did the same. His brothers were in the way, so he couldn't get a good look at the stranger that his brothers seemed to know. He listened silently as they spoke, enjoying the smooth, lilting voice that belonged to the apparent Elf that he did not know.

Elrohir teased, 'You are even more gorgeous now than you were the last time you were here, my friend.'

Elladan laughed. 'Especially because you do not have an arrow sticking out of you this time.'

Legolas shook his head and muttered, 'Twas not my fault that I was shot. Your father did a good job of healing me then, as always.'  He peered at the one he was certain was Aragorn. But he decided to make certain. 'What might your name be?' he inquired.

'Estel,' the dark-haired half Elf answered. He was still straining to get a look at this stranger.

'Indeed,' Legolas said, though a small frown was on his face now. He had been so certain that this was his betrothed, but now he was unsure. The Elven Prince stepped forward, to take Estel's hand in greeting.

'Whoa…' Estel breathed, as he basked in the beauty of the figure before him. Perfect features were on his face, and golden strands hung down over his shoulders. Beautiful blue eyes shone like stars at him, and the sun that was shining down seemed to make this stranger look ethereal. He was slender and pale, but was obviously male. Though, to untrained eyes, Estel knew that this flawless Elf would be mistaken for female.

Legolas was used to the response that he got from strangers for his looks. 'I am Legolas, son of Thranduil, King of Mirkwood. Tis a pleasure to meet you, Estel,' he said, wondering if his name would be known to the younger one.

Estel was nudged by Elladan, so he said, 'Tis a pleasure to meet you as well, Prince Legolas.'

A gentle laugh sounded from Legolas. 'You needn't be so formal, Estel. Legolas is fine with me.'

Elladan and Elrohir exchanged a tense look. None had expected for Legolas to arrive so early, to claim Aragorn who was unaware as of yet that he was betrothed to the one he had been caught openly staring at. Not to mention that he knew nothing of being the heir to Gondor, for Estel was still young, in Elrond's opinion, and the Elven lord did not want to burden him with the truth until he was certain that Estel was ready. So they watched silently.

Estel reached out a hand, and Legolas took it, clasping it firmly within his grip. They shook hands for a few moments, neither aware of the other's reaction.

Estel instantly felt a spark of belonging, need, sorrow…and loss.

Legolas felt the same stirrings as before, and suspicion was in his blue eyes, as he silently met Elladan and Elrohir's guilty gazes. The blond beauty narrowed his eyes, before he turned back to Estel.

Estel was in shock from the strange feelings that he had just felt, so he did not hear what Elrohir said. Estel asked him to repeat what he had said. He never acted this way in front of anyone else, and he was the main troublemaker in Rivendell. How could he be so affected by one Elf, when he had lived in Rivendell all of his life?

'We should finish our hunt, Estel,' Elrohir murmured. 'But someone should escort Legolas to the castle, as befits an Elven Prince.'

'I am perfectly capable of walking there myself,' Legolas cut in. 'Mithrandir is around here somewhere and told me that he would catch up later. I suspect he is replenishing his herb supplies, for they grew thin on our journey from Mirkwood.'

Estel frowned. 'You traveled with only one person from Mirkwood?' A disapproving note was in his voice, for such a journey would be far too dangerous, in his opinion, for such a beautiful Elf.

Legolas calmly stated, 'I am a skilled warrior, Estel, and judging from your reaction, I would wager a guess that you do not know Mithrandir, if you think I was in peril. I am quite capable of defending myself.'

'But still…' Estel persisted, frowning, until he saw a stern look on his older brothers' faces.

All turned when a grey-robed figure emerged from behind some trees. Legolas smiled in greeting to Mithrandir. Elladan and Elrohir bid him welcome, and Estel stood there silently, still staring at Legolas.

'Ah! There you are, my young friend,' Mithrandir said, though he frowned slightly, before he touched the shallow cut on Legolas' face. 'What happened here?' he inquired sternly, knowing the Elven Prince's penchant for keeping injuries secret.

Legolas had completely forgotten about the scrape. 'Tis nothing but a wound from a stray arrow,' he answered, a slightly disapproving note in his voice.

Estel narrowed his brown eyes, now realizing that Legolas must have been the who had shot the arrow back at him. 'You were the one who shot my arrow at me,' he stated, in a knowing tone of voice.

Legolas turned, and looked up at Estel, meeting his eyes. 'If I had not been paying attention, your arrow might have killed me.' His voice was equally knowing, and an unreadable expression was in his eyes.

'I thought you were…' Estel began.

'Prey? Dinner?' Legolas questioned, a neutral look on his face. His right hand came up and touched the drying blood on his face.

Estel said nothing, for he did not have to defend his actions, not even to such a lovely Elf. This was his home, after all. He was the son of Lord Elrond, and had nothing to fear in his home. His father always protected him from getting in trouble or in danger.

Legolas narrowed his blue eyes slightly, and turned to Mithrandir. 'We should go on to the castle, my old friend, and let them continue their hunt. I pray it be a better target than I.'

Estel scowled instantly at those words, for he felt like Legolas was implying that it was entirely his fault. 'And I pray that as well, for what would the challenge be then?'

Elladan flinched when he saw the first hint of anger in Legolas' eyes. 'Estel…' he sternly hissed.

Legolas was not going to let this young upstart taunt him like that. He grimly looked up and met the challenging brown eyes with his own flashing blue eyes. 'Son of Elrond or not, do not give insult to me without being prepared to face the consequences.'

'I'm so scared,' Estel taunted, smirking.

In one fluid movement, Estel was grabbed hard by the arm and yanked over to the blond Elf. Before he had time to react, a swiftly drawn dagger was pressing at his bare throat, as Estel was held against Legolas. The Elven Prince nicked his throat with the dagger, just enough to draw blood, and to remind Estel of something.

Mithrandir frowned at Legolas and Estel both. 'Why do you insist on behaving like children?' he scolded. 'Release him, Legolas.'

Legolas did so, a satisfied look in his eyes as he saw Estel preparing to strike him across the face. He easily blocked it with one of his hands and would have struck back, had Elladan and Elrohir not interposed themselves between their younger brother and Legolas.

'Cease this, Estel. Legolas is a guest here, and you gave him insult. Father will not be happy with you,' Elrohir said warningly.

Legolas murmured, 'I believe that a lesson has been learned here.' He met the angry brown eyes calmly. 'Enjoy the cut I gave you; should it leave a scar, perhaps it will remind you that there is always a choice, and choices have consequences.'

The beautiful, graceful Elf then turned and walked away silently, followed closely by Mithrandir.

'I don't like him,' Estel muttered. 'Even if he is attractive.' He touched his throat, and was irritated to see blood. He missed the wince on his older brothers' faces again.

'What now?' Elladan hissed in a low voice. 'If Legolas tells Father who shot at him with an arrow…'

'…the results would be disastrous, especially since Estel does not know…' Elrohir continued, whispering.

'…who he truly is,' Elladan finished.

They were lucky that Estel was so busy brooding over the sense of belonging that he had felt when he shook Legolas' hand. Estel hadn't heard a word they had just said.

Legolas walked silently to Rivendell, and Mithrandir scolded him most of the way, for letting his emotions overrule his mind.

Legolas finally said, 'Please, Mithrandir… This is hard enough without you scolding me like a child. Yes, I should not have let my temper show. But I am anxious and eager to meet Aragorn again, after so long. Tis hard to control my emotions when I am so distracted.'

'I know, young friend,' Mithrandir answered. Though he had a hidden smile on his face, for he was certain that the figure that had brought out Legolas' anger was Aragorn.

Legolas thought that Estel was too arrogant for his own good, and was surprised that any son of Elrond would act so. Then again, if his father had been there, Legolas knew that Thranduil would have been disappointed in him as well. He had not behaved with the calm and stoic propriety of an Elven Prince.

Though Legolas still had a nagging sense of recognition when he thought of Estel.

To be continued