Chapter three

'Legolas?'

'Yes?' Legolas asked, not bothering to look up from his spot under a tree where he was lying in the sun.

'I have to tell you something.'

The Prince immediately turned his attention to his friend, 'What is it, Aragorn?'

The young man had to turn away to hide his grin. 'I'm afraid it will come as a revelation, and I want you to be prepared for a shock.'

'Aragorn, what is it?!' Legolas asked, gripping his friend's shoulder and forced the Human to look into the concerned eyes of the Prince.

'I am bored.'

Unable to hide a smile Legolas pushed Aragorn away from him. 'Don't you have anything better to do than scare me half to the Halls of Mandos? Sometimes I really wonder why your father kept you at all! He must be really naïve if he expects you to grow up!'

'Hey,' objected Aragorn to the teasing slander to his father. 'I wouldn't be talking if I were you! King Thranduil still expects his son to come home unscathed!'

'How do you know?'

It was remarkable how quick the Human's demeanour suddenly changed. 'I,' he stammered looking away, 'I overheard him.'

Legolas raised his eyebrow again but as Aragorn was not looking at him anymore it had little effect. 'When?' he asked icily.

'A little while ago, when we were staying in Mirkwood recovering from the last spider incident.'

Quickly letting all events from that stay pass his mind's eye Legolas' eyes suddenly widened. 'You said you were thirsty!'

Looking up apologetically Aragorn replied, 'I did. And I was indeed a little thirsty.'

'Estel, my father had explicitly sent us away to keep us from hearing what he had to say!'

'Well, you see…'

'No, I don't see it, Aragorn.'

'I can explain everything. One of the first things my brothers taught me was to gather information any way possible. It isn't really my fault; from my childhood up it has been hammered into my head to get my hands on any information I can get.'

'So you think that gives you the right to eavesdrop on my father, I presume?'

During the entire conversation it would seem to a bystander Aragorn had somehow become smaller with each utterance while the Prince grew in posture and was currently towering over the terrified Human.

Aragorn cringed slightly, 'I prefer to use different terms but basically, yes.'

Legolas then did something totally unforeseen by the young man: he started laughing, softly at first but soon the Elf's full melodious laughter was heard throughout the forest.

'Oh, Estel, you should have seen your face! Priceless, I wish the twins had been here! I swear, I've never seen you so terrified before. Did you really think you and your brothers were the only ones spying on secret meetings and councils?'

Aragorn glared at his joyous friend and growled, 'I wasn't afraid at all, and of course I knew you were only joking! I was just playing along!'

Legolas response was merely to laugh even harder.

When Legolas did not show any signs of ceasing in the near future, Aragorn realised harsh measures had to be taken.

The blonde Elf did not stand a chance as the Man picked him up in one fluent movement and threw him right into the pond.

'That should stop you from laughing at my expense!' he yelled when the Prince emerged, a huge grin on his face.

'You want war, my friend? You will have it then!' the Elf responded while he pushed his dripping hair out of his face. 'Wait till I get my hands on you, Human!'

However, Aragorn did wait for Legolas to wade from the water but started running in the direction of his home.

When Elrond looked down from his balcony he was met with a familiar sight: his youngest son running as fast as he could and shouting for his brothers' aid; the Prince of Mirkwood hot on his trail threatening him with the worst punishments the Elf could come up with.

Turning his back to the scene the Lord of Rivendell decided he was better of not knowing what his adopted son had said that had triggered Legolas' anger this time, leaving the matter to the twins' most capable hands.

The End

ada – father (daddy)

mellonamin – my friend

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