A/N: Okay, here we go--now we get Aragorn's reaction to the Centaurs….I figured he would hide his reaction in front of them because he wouldn't want to seem rude….
Chapter 18
Legolas had just finished bathing and dressing when someone knocked on the door. He went over and opened it. "Come in, oh hello Aragorn. I thought it'd be Jaisia or Kai," he said.
Aragorn came in and closed the door. "They're what I wanted to discuss, where the hell did you find them? When I saw them I could barely keep my jaw from dropping! I've heard stories of them and so has Arwen, but I didn't think they ever actually existed!!!" he said.
"Funny, that's how I reacted when I first saw Jaisia. Jaisia said much the same about Elves. None of her tribe believed we existed, except her. She came to Mirkwood to prove it," Legolas mused.
"So they found you or at least Jaisia did. Tell me the whole story," Aragorn said and sat down.
Legolas sat down and told Aragorn everything from first meeting Jaisia until their arrival in Gondor. "They hope to find folk that will ally with them," he concluded.
Aragorn burst out laughing. "Well, that's some family you've found for yourself! What does your father think of this?" he asked.
"He doesn't know, I left without telling him," Legolas admitted.
Aragorn raised an eyebrow. "No wonder a messenger from Mirkwood was sent here a couple weeks ago looking for you. I was asked to send a message if you came here," he said.
"I'm not at all surprised. He probably has more eligible maidens to parade in front of me," Legolas sighed.
"Still trying to get you married, aye?" Aragorn asked. "Why the rush?"
"I'm not sure, but I suspect he figures if I marry I'll be bound to sail west with her. He wasn't pleased when I told him I wouldn't be sailing with them," Legolas said.
"Why not sail west? I thought you would," Aragorn said.
"I'm not ready, not yet," Legolas said quietly.
The door flew open before Aragorn could answer and Jaisia came in. "Look at what a servant did for me, sweet cheeks! Doesn't it---oh, I'm sorry," she said.
"That's all right, Jaisia," Legolas said. He looked at Aragorn and saw he was grinning.
"Sweet cheeks, Legolas?" Aragorn asked and burst out laughing. "Sweet cheeks, wait until Arwen hears about this!!"
"Oh shut up and don't you dare tell Arwen!" Legolas warned.
"Oh I have too, no secrets between husband and wife," Aragorn said. He got up and went to the door, still laughing. "See you at dinner--sweet cheeks." He left, closing the door.
Legolas groaned to himself. It's going to be a long night, he thought. I'll never hear the end of this.
A/N: hope I'm not being to long winded--I should have them out of Gondor in the next chapter. So bear with me a little longer!! R/R!!!