A/N: Wow!! Lots of reviews--feel free to keep feeding my ego everyone!! Next chapter!!

Chapter 21

Legolas' blue eyes narrowed and turned icy. "I am not going to be trapped into an arranged marriage. It's my choice, not yours. "I'll leave Mirkwood first," he said coldly.

"She has good bloodlines! She is perfect," Thranduil said.

"Oh, yes, bloodlines are important," Legolas snapped. "If you're breeding horses!!!"

Aragorn could see how angry they both were getting. He decided to try to stop it before it got to heated. "King Thranduil, Legolas, let us return to the castle so you may speak in private," he suggested. Much to his relief they agreed.

They returned to the castle and Legolas and his father were shown to a chamber where they could talk without interruption and no one could overhear them. The king's escort was given rooms so they could rest after their journey.

Jaisia and Kai followed Aragorn dejectedly down to the throne room. They were both upset. "Is Legolas going to be all right?" Jaisia asked, near tears.

Aragorn gave her a brief hug. "He'll be fine. They just need to talk. The problem is that they're both stubborn, but they do truly care deeply for each other," he said.

Meanwhile….The ride to the castle had done its job. Both Legolas and his father had calmed down enough to talk. They stood looking at each other. "Why are you so determined to see me married, even to the point of forcing a betrothal on me, father?" Legolas asked.

Thranduil took a deep breath. "I thought if you had a bride you would come west with us. I don't want you to stay here," he said.

"But why? You know that I am not yet ready to go," Legolas said.

"You will be alone and what if Humans stop seeing Elves as one time allies and see them as prey instead? I have two sons and I wish not to lose either of them. I haven't arranged the betrothal yet," Thranduil admitted. "I had intended too, but your brother convinced me to speak to you first."

"As long as Aragorn, Arwen and Gimli are alive I will not be alone, father. When they are gone I will then come to the west. I have my new family as well," Legolas said.

Thranduil sighed. "Stubborn, just like your father, but with your mother's strength. Very well, there will be no betrothal. I should have encouraged you less about following your heart and more about duty, but you still should have told me you were leaving," he said.

"I still would have been stubborn, but I am sorry for leaving like I did," Legolas pointed out.

Thranduil laughed, ending the tension. "How did you find Centaurs? They aren't supposed to exist," he asked. He shook his head in disbelief after he heard the story. "We will give what help we may while we are still here."

"Thank you for understanding, father," Legolas said.

They shared a brief embrace then went down to the throne room. Thranduil bowed to Arwen and Aragorn. "My son will be traveling with you," he said. He turned to Jaisia and Kai. "And I am honored to meet you, Jaisia and Kai, isn't it? I am King Thranduil."

The twins nodded in response. Legolas came over to them. "Father will help your tribe as long as he can," he said.

Jaisia and Kai bowed. "Thank you, sire and we are pleased to meet you," Kai said.

"My escort and I will leave tomorrow. If you will excuse me I am weary from the trip," Thranduil said and left.

"HURRAY!!!!" Jaisia shouted. "Tomorrow we start a new adventure!!" she shouted. "And we're still a group of four!!!"

A/N: Whew, okay---they leave Gondor tomorrow!! Add Hobbits…..Hmmmmm…..R/R peoples!!!