Note: this takes place about ten years after LOTR. Aragorn is married to Arwen and they have a daughter named Aradia. Legolas is now King of Mirkwood. The rest of the Fellowship are still alive, as well. None of these are my own creation, except for the dark elves and Aradia. Dark Elves: elves that sided with Mordor and Saruman against the other races. The rest are J.R.R. Tolkien's creation. Love triangle between Arwen, Aragorn, and Legolas! Eventual Aragorn/Legolas slash. Elvish words are in ' '.

Return of the Fellowship

Prologue

Present Day

Legolas, the elven King of Mirkwood, looked at Lord Elrond. 'You must be joking,' was all he could say.

'I am not, Legolas,' Elrond told him quietly. 'King Elessar Telcontar and his wife wish to speak with you.'

Legolas let out a bitter laugh. 'I haven't seen him since that night ten years ago, when he announced he was going to marry Arwen.'

'Do you begrudge my daughter or the King?' Elrond asked, a hint of anger flashing in his eyes.

'I have no words to say to him,' Legolas said flatly. 'And I do not blame your daughter for falling in love with him. I can and will blame him, however.'

'Legolas, he still cares for you,' Elrond said, his eyes looking sorrowful.

'No, he doesn't.' Legolas spoke flatly, sighing. 'He loves Arwen. She is a kind, beautiful, and gentle person, as is their little daughter, Aradia. I am fond of the two of them. They are welcome any time.'

Elrond shook his head. "Legolas, it's been ten years. Can you not let go of your anger towards Elessar and at least listen to what he has to say?' He was almost pleading, which surprised Legolas.

'Very well,' Legolas consented. 'I will see him in one week's time. But I want Aradia and Arwen to come with him.' He stood gracefully. 'I have a present for the child.'

Elrond nodded. 'I will inform them, Legolas.' He left the room, leaving Legolas to his thoughts.

Once Lord Elrond had left, Legolas sank back down in his chair.

I haven't seen Aragorn since he announced he was marrying Arwen, he thought to himself. I can understand her falling in love with him; he was- no, is- a noble man in all ways but one.

**************

Flashback

**************

Ten years ago

'I have an announcement to make,' King Elessar said. He looked at Arwen, smiled gently, and then looked out at the multitude watching him. 'Lady Arwen has consented to be my bride.'

It was if a knife had pierced Legolas's heart. As the others toasted to the King and cheered, he quietly pulled his hood over his face.

Only one person saw him departing. Dark eyes followed the elven figure as he silently made his way out of the feast. Pain, regret, and sorrow reflected in those dark eyes. Legolas, I'm sorry, Aragorn thought to himself, feeling a few tears running down his face. The needs of his people had to come before his own heart. He cared for Arwen, but he loved Legolas more. And he needed an heir.

Seconds later, the sounds of a galloping horse reached him. Without a doubt, he knew it was Legolas, fleeing before Aragorn could tell him anything.

**************

Present Day

**************

Aragorn had never told Arwen why Legolas had run off that night or refused to admit him to Mirkwood. Arwen and Aradia were welcome any time, but not him. I wish I'd known then how much it would hurt you, Legolas, Aragorn thought. Perhaps there was another way for me to have an heir. The thought hurt him deeply. No, then I wouldn't have Aradia. And she is a delight, even without Legolas's love.

He smiled at his wife, as she rode beside him, with Aradia sitting before her. The snow crunched beneath their horses' hooves.

At least Legolas had consented to meet with him, Aragorn thought. Maybe that was a good sign. It had been five years since he'd last tried to talk to Legolas. Arwen and Aradia frequently visited Legolas, whenever he was away during battles. Even if Legolas now hated him, he'd always protected Arwen and Aradia when asked to.

Elrond must have convinced him to listen. But Aragorn was certain that Legolas would refuse.

As the small group, the king, queen, and princess, as well as their five guards, reached the borders of Mirkwood, they saw Legolas sitting there on his horse. Snow billowed around him.

He was alone, as always. Legolas dismounted and approached them, leading his horse by the reins.

Aragorn tensed when he saw the impassive look on Legolas's face.

"Legolas!" Aradia's joyful cry echoed. Before her mother could stop her, she slipped to the ground and ran over.

Legolas swept her up in a hug and spun her around. He couldn't help loving this child, who reminded him so much of Aragorn. Her dark hair, reminiscent of her mother and father, hung down below her neck. Her dark eyes looked just like her father's, but she had her mother's skin color and ears.

Aradia hugged him back.

"How are you doing, little one?" Legolas asked. "I swear, you have grown since your visit six weeks ago."

She laughed merrily, touching Legolas's silky, golden hair. "Your hair is still pretty, Legolas."

He laughed. "And so is yours, Aradia."

Arwen and Aragorn dismounted as well and walked over.

Aradia shivered slightly. "Snow is cold," she decided aloud.

Legolas set her on the ground, and took off his own green robe, wrapping it around the child. "Better?"

"Thank you, Legolas." She beamed up at him.

"It's good to see you again, Legolas," Arwen said. She walked over and kissed Legolas on the cheek. He smiled and embraced her.

"It's nice to see you as well, Arwen. Your daughter looks just as pretty as you." Arwen blushed.

Aragorn scooped his daughter up. "It's been a while, Legolas. I trust things are well?" he asked carefully.

"Indeed," Legolas said neutrally. "We should ride on to the castle. I wouldn't like any of you to get sick. This winter is particularly harsh."

Aragorn nodded silently. He headed towards his horse, carrying Aradia.

"Daddy, I wanna ride with Legolas," she said.

Aragorn froze. He looked at Legolas. "Do you mind?" he asked quietly.

Legolas smiled at her gently. "It's fine with me, King Elessar."

Aragorn handed his daughter to Legolas, who took her quietly.

Legolas tensed slightly, looking around. Aragorn and Aradia mounted their horses.

"What's wrong?" Aradia asked Legolas, who had gritted his teeth.

He didn't answer. He ran forward and leapt on his horse, careful not to hurt the child.

Aragorn looked at Legolas. He could tell something was troubling him. "What is it, Legolas?" he asked.

"Eyes are upon us. Ride hard, Aragorn," Legolas said, as he dug his heels in and galloped away.

Arwen and Aragorn galloped after him. Legolas checked his steed's speed, to make sure the king and queen didn't get left behind.

He held Aradia tightly. "Faster," he yelled. He circled around them. "Take her, Arwen," Legolas said, as he pulled his horse next to hers. She took Aradia.

Black, thick arrows began flying at them.

Aragorn was horrified to see Legolas ride towards where the arrows were coming from. "Legolas, what are you doing?" he cried.

"Defending my borders," Legolas yelled. He drew his bow and arrows in a flash, aiming towards the trees. He fired a few arrows. "Ride on. I'll catch up later."

They all heard shrieks of pain.

Aragorn was torn between his wife and child, and Legolas. He shook his head and rode with his wife. They reached the center of Mirkwood, Legolas's home. The Elven Kingdom still shone in glory, even though most of the elves had followed their former King over the sea.

Arwen dismounted, holding Aradia.

Aragorn climbed off his horse as well. "Where is he?"

As if in response, they saw a figure riding towards them hard. Legolas rode into the town, his horse panting hard. Most of the arrows were no longer in his quiver. A cut on his face dripped blood.

He leapt off his horse gracefully. The elves gathered around him.

'What is happening?' a young elf asked.

'From now on, no one leaves the Kingdom to ride alone,' Legolas announced. 'Most of the dark ones have fled, but they will return.'

'Your highness, you're hurt,' one of the elves said.

'Just a scratch,' Legolas said. 'Continue your tasks.' He walked towards Aragorn, Arwen, and Aradia.

"Are you all right, Legolas?" Arwen asked. She stepped forward hesitantly.

"Fine, thank you. Follow me if you would," Legolas said. He led the way to an empty chamber, where plates of food and pitchers of water and wine had been placed. "Arwen, did Lord Elrond tell you I have a birthday present for young Aradia?" he asked.

She nodded. Aradia shouted in joy.

'Ullin,' Legolas said.

The red-haired elf entered the room. 'Yes, your highness?' he asked respectfully.

'Show Queen Arwen and Princess Aradia the birthday present I had made for her." The command was spoken quietly, yet with authority.

He bowed. "Follow me, please," he requested.

Arwen and Aradia followed the elf silently. Arwen looked after her worriedly and whispered to Aradia, who nodded. Arwen then walked to a small balcony above the room where her husband and Legolas stood. She hoped to find out today why Aragorn and Legolas seemed to hate each other so much.

Legolas sighed and sank into a chair. He touched the scratch and saw blood on his hand. He quietly took out a small cloth and dipped it into a glass of water.

Aragorn watched Legolas wipe the blood off his face with the cloth. "Must we be at odds so much, Legolas?" he asked quietly.

"I wasn't aware that we were." Legolas's voice was neutral, almost cold.

"Legolas!" Aragorn spoke sharply.

Legolas stood and looked up at Aragorn. Legolas's own physical features had not changed in ten years, though Aragorn's had slightly. Aragorn was still taller than he was. Anger blazed in Legolas's green eyes.

"Do not dishonor me by speaking like that to me in my own land," Legolas said coldly.

"You are the one who dishonors me," Aragorn snapped in anger.

A strange look went into Legolas's eyes. "I dishonor you?" He let out a bitter laugh. "You dishonor me by saying that. It was not I who betrayed you. Rather, it was the other way around."

Aragorn flinched. "I'm sorry, Legolas. You don't know just how sorry I am." He took Legolas's hand in his own. "Legolas, I never stopped loving you."

"You made your decision. Now live with it," Legolas said, as he jerked his hand away.

Arwen gasped softly. She had never seen it before; the way they had acted. Now, it was all so clear to her. Aragorn loved Legolas. And Legolas had once loved him. And then Aragorn had married her. God, that must have hurt Legolas so bad.

"Legolas," Aragorn said softly. "Haven't we hurt each other enough already?" His voice was bleak.

Legolas looked at him silently. "Why did you want to see me?" he asked finally.

"I missed you terribly, Legolas. I care for Arwen and adore Aradia- but I still love you. I always have," Aragorn admitted.

"I once believed that, Aragorn. And those were the best months of my life. I can't afford to be involved with anyone, anymore," Legolas said quietly. Pain was in his voice. "The needs of my people must come first." He looked directly at Aragorn. "I learned that from you."

Aragorn flinched again. "I had to have an heir, Legolas. And I cared for Arwen."

"And you chose her, because the needs of your people overruled our love," Legolas said. He sighed. "I'm weary of this discussion."

"Hardly a discussion," Aragorn snapped. "Why are you so afraid to talk to me now, Legolas. Did I hurt you so badly when I chose Arwen?" he asked softly.

Legolas turned his back to Aragorn, as tears dripped down his face. "I loved you once with my entire heart. And I believed you felt the same until the day you announced you were marrying Arwen." Legolas's voice was full of despair and anguish.

"Legolas, I-" Aragorn was cut off as Legolas continued.

"I'm not sure I can love you anymore." Legolas flinched. "No. That's not true. I could love you again. But you broke my heart terribly. It took five years for me to come to terms with it, Aragorn. I don't want to be hurt like that again."

Aragorn put his hands on Legolas's shoulders and turned him around. Tears ran down the usually calm, stoic Elven King's face. "I'm sorry, Legolas." He gently wiped the tears away. Regret shone in his dark eyes.

Aragorn stepped back. "I ride to battle on the morrow, Legolas. Will you take care of Arwen and Aradia, as you always have?"

Legolas regained his composure. "I shall."

Arwen had tears running down her face. She wiped them away and quickly left the balcony before someone saw her.

To be continued