Notes: Only the unknown characters are mine! Elvish speech is in ''. The next chapter will be a while in coming; sorry, but it's going to be really long.

Reintroductions

Part 15

'Legolas?' Elrond gasped. The Elven lord had never been in the habit of doubting his eyes, but he found himself absolutely incredulous here. It simply could not be. Legolas was dead. He had to be. The prince had been missing for three, long, terrible years. His companions had been brutally slaughtered. But yet, that sunlit amber hair seemed so very real, if a bit long. And those cornflower blue eyes sparkled with life. Life! Could——could it be? Elrond was afraid to hope. He was afraid that if he let himself believe in the phantom that stood before him, the Elven prince, his innocent friend, would disappear. Still...He walked over and embraced the young Elf. The form did not vanish into thin air as he had feared. Legolas was real! There were hard, solid muscles under his fingers, and, under that, there was the fine, delicate bone structure of the elf. There was long, flaxen hair brushing softly against his hand. O Elbereth, Legolas was alive!

A thought occurred to Elrond. Why did the Elven prince not respond to his Elvish name?

As if answering Elrond's unspoken thought, Aragorn spoke. 'He does not understand Elvish. Legolas has partial amnesia.'

Elrond nodded slowly and released the Elf in his arms. "Tis good to see you alive and well, Legolas," he said  in Western.

"Thank you," Legolas replied, his fears of rejection assuaged somewhat. "I'm sorry. Who are you?"

"I am Elrond, lord of Rivendell and foster father to Aragorn," Elrond answered.

Meiyuu blinked, startled. Aragorn had been raised by Elves? He was Elf-fostered? The man was definitely more than he seemed to be, Meiyuu thought. And the Elf who raised Aragorn was Legolas' friend...Meiyuu peered out from behind Aragorn and Legolas, curious about this Lord Elrond.

His movement caught Gimli's attention. He turned to regard the boy, amused to see the normally ferocious youth gawking at the Elven lord. He smiled secretly. He'd had suspicions about that one for some time. With the apple escapade, with the innocence on the youth's face as he slept, with the uncertainty that was revealed when Meiyuu thought no one was looking...the fearsome youth was only a child. A boy looking for a little bit of love, but too afraid to trust anyone except Legolas and too stubborn to even admit that craving. The dwarf shook his head. If the child ever wanted to find what he desired, he had to let down his shields and reach for it. He would never truly feel loved or wanted if he kept himself encased in fear. Gimli knew. It had been the same way with Legolas and himself. His distrust of elves had kept him aloft from the Elf, scowling at the latter's mere presence before he'd seen the Elf in battle. Then, and only then, had he seen the fierce, loyal Elf fighting at his side and, sometimes, saving his life. He'd been forced to see the kind, strong, loyal side of the Elf.

And he'd let down his barriers of prejudice and hate to clasp Legolas' hand in mutual friendship. How was he to know Legolas would become one of his closest friends? That they'd share laughter and jest about the number of orcs slain? That he'd be crushed to discover Legolas' disappearance? But even so, Gimli did not regret his choice of friendship. And he knew Meiyuu needed to let down his own shields to gain the same

thing.

Gimli shrugged inwardly. Meiyuu would let himself trust them in his own time. The child would find what he was looking for. And during that time, they would all do well to change out of their ragged dirty clothes and get something to eat, Gimli decided. Dirty rags was not fit clothing for the son of Gloin to wear in the presence of darned Elves! The Lord Elrond and his sons, Gimli did not mind. But, despite having had an Elf for a close friend for many years, there were still some Elves he could not abide.

He asked if he could refresh himself and eat something. Frodo added his own request, and Elrond readily agreed.

Meiyuu tensed, seeing Gimli and Frodo leave. Now he really felt like a nuisance. What was he to do? Legolas' reunion with his friend should be private, but Meiyuu had nowhere to go. And even if he did have somewhere to go, it would be impolite to leave without asking the Elf lord for permission first. However, that would require revealing his presence...

Ironically, his apprehension in a room of two relaxed Elves and one relaxed human did exactly that.

"Who is your little friend?" Elrond asked, having caught another glimpse of the small, hooded figure hiding behind Legolas and Aragorn. All eyes in the room turned to regard the boy.

Meiyuu cringed. Just what he wanted. Three pairs of eyes boring into his small frame...he sighed. It was just his luck, of course. Now he'd have to suffer the questions Lord Elrond would most certainly ask. Well, he thought, at least it can't get any worse. He hastily revised his belief the moment Aragorn and Legolas pushed him in front of the lord. Things *definitely* became worse.

And even worse, Meiyuu thought, flinching away before Elrond could remove the hood obscuring half his face. The Elven lord raised a dark eyebrow at his evident scowl.

Aragorn sighed. He had been expecting it. Meiyuu usually didn't suffer anyone to remove his hood, especially not a complete stranger. And, of course, the Lord of Imladris would prefer to see an unobstructed view of his guest's face...So why did he feel this disappointment in the child? As if all the work he'd put into making Meiyuu feel at ease amounted to nothing? Aragorn shied away from that thought irritably. Well, the child wasn't going to have a choice. Elrond deserved to see the face of the child he was sheltering. Meiyuu was just going to have to deal with it. With that thought in mind, Aragorn took the hood in one hand and deftly pulled it down, ignoring Meiyuu's glare.

Seeing the lack of reaction on Aragorn's face, Meiyuu sighed and ceased his glaring. He was probably making a fool of himself, anyways. He braced himself and turned back toward the Elven lord.

Elrond silently appraised the youth, frowning at his apparent thinness and the pitiful condition of his clothes. Scratches——no, they were something else——were healing on his face, and bloodstained bandages swathed his hands. The boy was not very tall, especially in comparison to Legolas or Aragorn, though he looked taller than he was, an illusion created by the slightness of his figure. What disturbed Elrond, however, was the haunted, bitter look of his blue eyes. They looked as if all the sorrows of the world were hidden in their depths.

"What is your name, child?" he asked gently.

"Meiyuu," the child murmured, biting back the scathing retort on the tip of his tongue. What right did the Elven lord have to call him a child? He was *not* a child!

Out of the corner of his eyes, Meiyuu noticed the relieved expression on Legolas' face. The expression that was so clearly thanking the gods Meiyuu did *not* make a scene as he so often did. It was an expression that immediately caused a twinge of guilt to contract Meiyuu's heart. Was his friend, then, so disappointed in him? That Legolas would feel relieved to find that he did not make a fool of himself? Meiyuu found he could not bear the thought.

He turned his attention to the Elf lord addressing him.

"Welcome to Rivendell, Meiyuu. Feel free to wander around at your leisure," Elrond began cordially, halting when Aragorn shook his head.

"We are being pursued," Aragorn informed the Elf. "We came here to rest and relax for a day or two, while messages are sent out to Legolas' brothers, as well as our old friends. I know that at least Legolas and Meiyuu are coming to Gondor after that for the ones who pursue us will try to take them both. Wandering around alone is not wise at this particular point in time."

Meiyuu started. Him? In a castle?

Legolas was similarly surprised. He had been unaware Aragorn planned to take them to Gondor so soon...though it made sense. It would be far better than placing the inhabitants of this fair place in danger. However wise the move may be, Legolas still felt rather annoyed that Aragorn kept it to himself and shot the Man an irritated look. He would have liked to learn that they were leaving for Gondor after being here for a few days.

Meanwhile, Meiyuu's gaze strayed to the ring on Elrond's finger. Something about it attracted his attention. It was as if the ornament was more than just a fancy ring...but what else could it be? A ring was just a ring. Right? There was nothing special about a mere ring. He was more tired than he thought, to think there was something special about that ring.

Elrond shrewdly caught the fatigue in the boy's air...and the way the boy had been staring intently at his ring for the past few moments. The boy was more than he seemed, to detect the magic in Vilya. No question of that. Who *was* he? Why was he being pursued? Elrond hoped he could divine a few answers from Meiyuu's gaze, but the child had turned away and was now distractedly looking about the room.

Elrond turned to his foster son. "I see. Try to get some rest, then. And I shall have fresh clothes brought to all of you when you bathe," he said, glancing at Meiyuu.

Legolas moaned inwardly, seeing an instant scowl appear on Meiyuu's face. Gods, he pleaded, not now. He looked at his friend and, finally catching the latter's eyes, tried to put his plea into his gaze. He must have succeeded. Meiyuu nodded sullenly.

The silent exchange did not go unnoticed by Elrond. The Elven lord smiled. The child's stubbornness reminded him of Aragorn, when the latter had been Meiyuu's age. Back then, Aragorn had been particularly obstinate and difficult to manage. He nearly went mad raising the human. No elf was *that* difficult.

He looked at Legolas and hastily revised his opinion. Well...perhaps some elves were.

Elladan and Elrohir entered the room then, and Meiyuu's scowl instantly transferred from Elrond to Elladan. He hadn't forgotten the latter's idiotic remark. Stupid or not, that Elf had hurt Legolas. Although perhaps the Elf didn't do it intentionally... No, Meiyuu reasoned. If the Elf was a friend of Legolas', he should have known saying what he did would hurt the gentle, blond Elf. And he wasn't about to forgive someone who would intentionally hurt other people.

Aragorn tightened his grip on Meiyuu's shoulder and drew the boy's attention to him. He shook his head, a warning on his face.

Meiyuu rolled his eyes and muttered, "All right, damn it." The boy hated being told what he could and could not do. Fortunately, Aragorn did not catch his muttered phrase, though four pairs of Elven ears did.

Elrond, his sons, and Legolas frowned at the boy. Meiyuu innocently met their gazes.

'Aragorn?' Elrond questioned, slipping into Elvish.

Aragorn glanced over at his father. 'Hmm?'

Elladan bluntly asked, 'Why does that...child glare at me so?'

Elrohir laughed. 'My question is: where did he learn to speak like that?'

A sinking feeling came over Aragorn. 'He cursed, didn't he?'

Four nods answered that question.

"Meiyuu..." Aragorn growled, turning to wide-eyed boy.

"What?" Meiyuu piped, distracted from puzzling out the strange, musical Elvish words Aragorn had exchanged with his family. He found the language enthralling.

"I believe I told you to cease cursing," Aragorn said firmly.

Meiyuu smirked. "I never said I would," he slyly countered. Though he was just a tiny bit worried.

Legolas frowned. "Meiyuu, you should not curse like that," he told his young friend. "You know that." His tone was reproachful, disappointed, as if he had expected Meiyuu to behave better than the boy had.

Meiyuu felt his heart clench at the disappointment in Legolas' voice. He had let his friend down. Again. He had embarrassed the Elf. Again. Could he do nothing right? Even when it meant so much his friend? And it wasn't as if he had tons of friends... Oh, no. He could count the number of friends he had on one finger. "Sorry, Legolas. Just a habit…" he murmured, downcast.

Elrond cleared his throat. "Why don't the three of you split up and bathe, before you join Frodo and Gimli?"

Meiyuu narrowed his blue eyes but said nothing. He had embarrassed Legolas enough for one day. And he really hadn't meant to curse again. It had just sort of——happened. He was trying to change. Really trying. He sighed. He must not be trying hard enough.

Finally, seeing Aragorn and Legolas nod, Meiyuu nodded as well.

"Aragorn, you will lead them to the bathing rooms?" Elrond asked.

Aragorn nodded and led both Meiyuu and Legolas out of the room. To his surprise, Elladan and Elrohir followed shortly. Their father had asked them to get fresh clothes for all of the visitors to wear.

Meiyuu was left at the entrance of a bathing room. He looked at the small bundle of clothes in his hands skeptically. He didn't *want* the Elves' hospitality. It felt too much like pity, and that he could never bear. For a moment, he wished things had been the way they were before Aragorn, Gimli, and Frodo had come to retrieve Legolas. He missed the closeness he shared with the Elf, now seemingly usurped by so many friends from the Elf's past. But they were all Legolas' friends, not his. They didn't truly feel anything but pity for him...well, except Aragorn. The man had genuinely seemed to accept Meiyuu... He snapped himself out of his contemplation. Stop being so selfish, he told himself. If Aragorn and the others hadn't come, Legolas would be *dead*! Do you want that? Just for a few moments of friendship? And Aragorn was nice to him…

But would it be so wrong, he asked himself, to want some friends? Real friends. Like Legolas. Would it be so wrong to want——a family? A home? To not be chased around by an evil magician set on using his powers? Would it be so wrong to wish things the way they were before everything? Before his father died? When Meiyuu still lived in a sheltered cocoon of love?

He felt a sob wrench itself from his throat. He only wanted friends, family, a normal life. He wanted his sister back. He wanted Mira back. He wanted——

But what use was mere wanting? He knew he could never have those things...so why waste time and energy wishing for them? He had other things to do——like cleaning himself. He would *not* embarrass Legolas with his dirty appearance. Not in front of the lord of this place and the lord's sons.

Thinking of Elrond brought Aragorn to mind. And that brought a frown to his face. Before Aragorn had left him, the man had extracted a promise from Meiyuu not use his ability unless it was an emergency. It was...humiliating. But he owed the man that much.

Now if only Aragorn appreciated his efforts...

The said man scrubbed at his body furiously. He wanted to get rid of all the dust and grime built up on him. Not that a little dirt was any problem for him...it was just, well. Legolas... He blushed and felt the warm blood suffuse his cheeks. Legolas, Legolas, Legolas. He wanted too much to shelter the fair Elf in his arms and never, ever let him go. He wanted to stay with him for all eternity...but he couldn't. Not while he was mortal, and blessed Legolas was an immortal Elf. Not while there was still a world out there. Not while Shira still breathed.

Aragorn sighed, quickly toweling himself dry. He didn't dare leave his lover for too long for an irrational, childish part of him was still afraid the Elf might vanish again. He hurriedly pulled on fresh black leggings, a matching tunic, and a green shirt before snatching a brush and running it through his hair a couple of times. He buckled his sword belt on, and, with Anduril at his side, ran off to look for Frodo, Gimli, and, if he was finished bathing, Legolas.

As it turned out, Legolas had not finished bathing. In fact, the Elf was sitting in a luxurious tub filled with warm fragrant rose water, glaring at the long gossamer hair floating around him. Aragorn was right, Legolas thought. Although long hair was nice, it was a nuisance taking care of it. He hadn't even finished washing a *third* of the blond stuff. Perhaps he should cut his hair...but only up to his waist. After all, he did prefer it long.

Legolas smiled. Aragorn was certainly going to be pleased...but he wondered what Meiyuu would think. The boy loved his long mane, often batting the silken strands back and forth when he had been younger. Would Meiyuu be unhappy with him? Legolas could not be sure, but he felt something twist in him at the thought of Meiyuu being unhappy. What was this heavy weight in his heart? This weary sadness that came when he imagined Meiyuu suffering more pain, more sorrow and disappointment. Was it because the child should not suffer any more than he had? Or was it because Legolas feared choosing between his lover...and the only friend he had known for three years? Because he must choose. Legolas had not missed the fights that sparked up so easily between the two. Their spirits were so similar, so alike, that it was nearly impossible for one of them to stay in the same room without severely irritating the other. And if they could not get along, there was no possible way he could stay with both of them...Legolas shook his head. He was going to come up with a solution. Somehow, he couldn't let them be parted.

This decided, he stood up carefully and dried himself. He slipped on the white shirt, dark green leggings, and the tan tunic left for him and began combing his hair with his fingers, having seen no brush around when he first entered the bathing room.

Someone cleared their throat.

Legolas turned and saw one of the identical Elves from earlier standing by the door. "Come in… I'm sorry, I never caught your name," Legolas murmured.

"Elrohir is my name, Legolas," the other Elf said, smiling. "I thought you might appreciate a trim." Elrohir held out a dagger and a comb.

"Yes, please," Legolas laughed. "It is most unwise fighting with such long, cumbersome hair as this."

"Would you like me to cut it for you?" Elrohir asked.

Legolas nodded. "Thank you."

The son of Elrond complied, neatly trimming the golden strands to the Legolas' waist, combing the mass, and finally evening the uneven ends. Legolas repeated his thanks, and Elrohir smiled.

"You're welcome. Now I have to go see that young friend of yours," Elrohir groaned.

"Good luck," Legolas grinned. He placed his sword belt around his waist and left to find Aragorn, Frodo, and Gimli.

He found them only a short distance away, eating  sweet rolls in a comfortable, well-furnished room.

At his entrance, Aragorn stood, surprised (and pleased) by the fresh beauty of the Elf, increased tenfold by the altered length of the latter's hair. His grey eyes roamed appreciatively over the long legs, the slender hips, the delicate frame, the sweet face, the beaten-gold hair. Gods, he was beautiful! And this was his lover... Aragorn still found himself unable to believe it.

Noticing the intense scrutiny, Legolas flushed. He hastily reached for an Elven roll, endeavoring to hide his embarrassment with the pretense of eating. However, that would mean sitting beside the handsome human... He blushed even harder.

Frodo, also reaching for a roll, smiled secretly. He wasn't fooled by the act, even if Legolas and Aragorn thought he was. Really, he thought in amusement, I'm not a child. I have eyes. And I use them.

And that was certainly true. The small hobbit, dressed in a fresh pair of trousers and a white shirt, was neither stupid nor oblivious. Despite his small stature, Frodo Baggins was an astute hobbit.

Nor was he the only one to notice the preoccupation of the Elf and Man. The dwarf Gimli chuckled to himself, silently laughing at the antics of the 'lovebirds.' If he had not known the Elven twins chose their clothes for them, he would have sworn they picked out the most flattering outfits for the other's benefit. At least compared to the simple spare clothes he was wearing. He wondered when they'd deem it fit to 'reveal' their oh-so-secretive relationship to Frodo and him. In their own good time, he supposed. Just as he supposed that, in his own good time, Legolas would finally remember *him* and *their* close friendship. The Elf had remembered Aragorn's rather well, but not Gimli's. Never Gimli's.

He snorted. He was Gimli, son of Gloin! He should not let such matters trouble him. Undoubtedly, Legolas would remember him in his own time.

He firmly pushed the subject from his mind. There was no use worrying himself. Still, a nagging doubt stayed lodged within him...

And the group talked quietly as they waited for Meiyuu to arrive.

Meanwhile, Meiyuu tipped the dirty water out the window and slumped, relieved that he would not have to refill the tub again. He had been so very, very dirty. More dirty than Legolas, Aragorn, Frodo, and Gimli combined. Part of it was from sleeping on the ground. Part of it was from the time his attacker had knocked him unconscious. The last part was from the dried blood crusting his hands.

Which reminded him...he grabbed the bandages that had been wrapped around his hands and cleaned them. If he didn't want an infection to set in, he'd better make sure they were clean. Using a bit of power, he dried them and began wrapping the long pieces of gauze around his hands.

He abruptly stopped, staring at the scars on his hands.

Or, rather, at the thin lines that *should* have been ugly, large scars.

Did he gain a new ability in Rivendell? Or was he merely imagining things?

He shut his eyes and counted to ten, before opening his eyes again.

Nope. The thin lines were still there. He was not hallucinating.

What the hell was going on?

His scars had only opened a short while ago. At most, a few days ago. And they had been deep and painful. Serious.

He stared harder at the thin cuts on his hands. They weren't serious. They weren't deep. And they didn't even hurt. Well, not very much.

If he had always had this ability, he reasoned, why didn't his face-wounds and hands heal long ago?

His eyes narrowed. And why did they heal at *that* particular moment? Was it because he was in Rivendell? Or...he tried to think to when he had last treated them.

And he realized——he hadn't. Aragorn had. Right before they had that tickle fight. When Legolas and Aragorn had found him with his face in an icy stream.

The older man had...what was it he did? Meiyuu couldn't quite remember. He hadn't been paying attention to Aragorn's ministrations to his wounds. No… he had been too preoccupied with his memories and self-pity to notice much of anything.

He groaned.

Had he been so self-centered to wallow in self-pity at a moment like that? He didn't want to think that but...but hadn't he ran off? When Aragorn had picked him up like Tsuku had, hadn't he darted away without so much as a care for his companions? *Hadn't* he?

Did he even properly thank Aragorn after Aragorn took care of his wounds? No...he had merely murmured a distant 'thank you.'

He glanced at the clothes the twins had left him. They were too good for him. Much too good for a selfish, uncaring, stubborn...

It'd do no good thinking about it, he thought.

He quickly brushed away the few tears on his cheeks and glanced around for his old clothes. They were gone.

Meiyuu sighed. It looked like he didn't have a choice. He reluctantly began pulling on the loose  light brown breeches, the soft blue shirt, and, finally, the dark-green tunic. Unfortunately, none of his attire had a hood on it.

Someone knocked on the door.

Meiyuu whirled around, seeing the twins and Elrond calmly stride in. He raised a brow when they suddenly stopped and did a double-take. They looked positively aghast.

'Look at his hair, Father,' Elrohir said in strangled Elvish. 'Just looked at it! It's… different lengths and matted and tangled. Some of it reaches his shoulders. But that big chunk there is only up to his chin. It's horrible!'

Elrond looked dubiously at the awful haircut and nodded. He wasn't certain he would comb out all the snarls. He might even end up pulling out many strands of hair if he tried.

He looked down at the wooden combs, carved delicately into the shape of a leaf, and revised his opinion. He might break the comb if he persisted. But… he looked back at the veritable nest of hair on Meiyuu's head. Well, he guessed it was worth a try.

'Be careful not to hurt him. He's just a boy," he warned, brandishing the comb in his left hand and the dagger in his right. His sons advanced on the surprised boy.

Meiyuu backed away, seeing the identical Elves approach him. For some reason, they looked very determined and...uh-oh. Well, if they tried anything, he would——shit. He had promised Aragorn not to use his powers. Oh Gods...Well, maybe they didn't *really* want to do anything with him...

Sure, Meiyuu, he thought glumly. What are the chances of that?

Slim chance or not, it couldn't hurt to ask…

"What do you want?"

"You are getting a haircut," Elladan answered. "Stand still."

He knew it.

"You are not cutting my hair!" Meiyuu shouted as he dove between the two Elves and ran towards the door.

Only to find Elrond in his way, shaking his head gravely.

Suddenly four hands grabbed a hold of his arms, two latching onto each arm. He struggled between the  tight grips, accidentally knocking over (and breaking) several glass vases in the process.

Strangely, the loud commotion did not seem to disturb anyone except, incidentally, the four former members of the fellowship eating bread and pastries.

Aragorn tore into the soft pastry in his hand, trying very hard *not* to stare at the blushing Elf beside him when a familiar, stubborn voice broke into the calm silence of their room.

"You are not cutting my hair!"

Across from Aragorn, Frodo suddenly started coughing, having accidentally inhaled a mouthful of orange-jasmine tea in an attempt to check the laugher bubbling inside his body. Gimli immediately began pounding on the Hobbit's back, shaking his head and muttering something about "foolish Hobbits."

The sound of shattering glass joined the furious shrieks and suddenly...nothing.

Legolas and Aragorn exchanged a glance. Meiyuu actually stopping his screaming meant he was…

"I'll be back," Aragorn murmured. He quickly stood and left the room, running to where the sounds of struggle had come from and yanking open the door to...to see a vase flying directly at him.

This would happen to me, he thought glumly, barely managing to dodge the missile.

Aragorn stared at the sight before him.

Elrohir and Elladan held Meiyuu as their father combed and trimmed the brown hair to the boy's chin, molding it into a silky mahogany cap. And Meiyuu did not look happy at all. He kicked and let out a defiant, ear-shattering shout.

Aragorn grimaced and slipped out of the room, carefully closing the door behind him. It seemed Meiyuu could be *very* loud when he pleased. Aragorn had not intention of destroying *his* ears. Besides which, his foster father and brothers seemed to have the situation under control. Aragorn returned to his friends.

"They haven't killed each other," he said.

Legolas looked relieved. "What are they doing?"

"Cutting his hair," Aragorn chuckled. Who knew the boy would object so much to having his hair cut?

I should have realized, Aragorn thought. *I* was much, much worse. Especially when it came to haircuts.

Legolas laughed. "Meiyuu usually cuts his hair by himself, Aragorn."

Which would explain why he looked terrible...

The entrance of the object of their discussion, hiding behind Elrond and caught between the capable hands of Elladan and Elrohir, interrupted Aragorn's thoughts. However much he strained to see the child's new haircut, though, Aragorn found his father's form adequate enough to conceal the site of the slight child.

Then his father stepped aside.

Aragorn gasped. Nor was he the only one as Legolas, Frodo, and Gimli followed suit.

Now that all the dirty, grime, and blood had been washed off, they could see that Meiyuu's skin was pale, even lighter than that of Legolas. His soft, full mahogany hair hung down to his chin. He looked young in his new, slightly-too-large clothes, even younger than he actually was. But where had the fierce, scowling, dirty youth gone? This lovely, young boy standing in front of them was not he. Certainly the fierce eyes of the fearsome youth had not seemed such a hurt, tender blue? Surely those cannot be tears welling in his eyes? However, at least one thing had not changed. Meiyuu was still dreadfully thin, and he was still retained his old stubbornness.

Elladan winced, Meiyuu's elbow having inadvertently jabbed him in the stomach in the child's struggles to be free.

"What're you staring at? Do I look that strange?" Meiyuu muttered, his voice quavering. He ceased his struggles momentarily.

Aragorn shook his head. "You don't look strange," he smiled.

"I feel strange." Meiyuu scowled at the two Elves who did not seem to have any intention of releasing him. "Strangers are holding onto me and treating me like a doll."

Gimli snorted. "You don't look too bad," he said gruffly.

Legolas stood and crossed over to his young friend. "You look good, Meiyuu," the Elf said quietly, smiling. He tousled the boy's hair fondly.

Finally, the twins released him! Meiyuu rubbed his sore arms. Dam—By the Gods, he thought. Did they have to grip him *that* hard?

His irritation soon doubled. Why was everyone trying to feed him? He knew he looked a bit thin for his age, but still… He didn't need to be spoon-fed. Did they think him a child? He didn't think he liked the answer. Quickly, he retreated to safer ground and concentrated on his annoyance at their insisting that he eat. He felt his cheeks growing warm. It was so embarrassing, the way they kept shoving the large variety of breads, pastries, and, now, fruits (the twins had left and returned with several large trays of food). He was not used to it. He wasn't used to people noticing him, trying to get him to eat. He wasn't even used to eating so much. Having lived on inconsistent and, oftentimes, very little nourishment for several years, it would make him sick if he were to suddenly eat more. But that was exactly what his companions were pressing him to do. He felt like screaming. Well, he felt like sleeping.

It had been a long trip. Even he, as stubborn as he was, could not deny that. He was tired and cranky and miserable. And, dam- by the Gods, he was *not* hungry.

So why not sleep? his mind whispered to him.

He found he really didn't have a choice at that point, swaying slightly in his seat. Perhaps if he just leaned a little towards that strong figure at his left…

Aragorn looked at the figure slumbering against his side in amusement and surprise. The light weight lay against him, the sharp, blue eyes hidden in sleep. He looked up and caught his foster father grinning at him. Aragorn gestured towards the sleeping youth.

"He should be in bed," Elrond said. "But where to put him… How about your old room, Aragorn?"

Aragorn nodded and carefully stood, lifting the small form in his arms. Legolas started to stand as well, but Elrond placed a hand on his arm.

"I can fill in some of the gaps in your memory, Legolas. I have known you for most of your life, so feel free to ask me anything you want to know," the Elven lord said gently.

Aragorn carried Meiyuu through the darkened hallways to his old room. He shifted the light youth onto one arm, opening the door with his other hand. He then took Meiyuu over to his old bed and, pulling the satin covers back, placed the child in it. He pulled the covers over the slumbering form and gently ruffled Meiyuu's hair before silently leaving to return to his friends.

His efforts at the boy's comfort, however, were wasted as Meiyuu instinctively tumbled to the floor, seeking the familiar feel of a hard, stern, cold bed.

Back in the dining room, Frodo and Gimli excused themselves, to retire to their own rooms and beds.

The Dwarf and Hobbit walked together silently, until Frodo finally looked at Gimli.

"What's wrong, Gimli?" he questioned, concern in his voice.

Gimli started for a few moments, before he sighed. The Dwarf muttered, 'He doesn't remember us, Frodo. He remembers Aragorn well enough, but not us. Not me.'

Frodo nodded slowly. 'It's not his fault. He would remember us, if he could choose to. Legolas can't help the fact that his memory was stolen. At least he is remembering some things, which means that he should remember us soon.'

'He is my best friend, as well as Aragorn's,' Gimli grumbled. 'Why does he remember Aragorn and not me?'

Frodo laughed quietly. 'I think you know why Legolas remembers Aragorn more. We always knew how they felt about each other.'

Gimli sighed again. 'Yes, but does it mean that he has to spend all of his time with Aragorn? I missed him, and I know you did, as well. Aragorn wasn't the only one devastated by Legolas' disappearance.'

'I know,' Frodo said quietly. 'Things will be back to normal eventually, Gimli. Legolas will remember us soon. And it did do one thing, which neither of them would have done if Legolas had not been taken and lost his memory. It finally brought them together.'

Gimli felt guilty at those words. He was being a little selfish, he reasoned. Legolas just needed time, and then everything would be all right again. Maybe even better than ever, now that Aragorn had met his match in a young boy who was more stubborn than almost anyone Gimli had ever met. 'You're right,' Gimli told Frodo, his voice not as brooding as before. 'They do belong together.'

The Hobbit and dwarf reached the hallway where their rooms were, so they split up and each went to his room.

Frodo fell asleep easily, not troubled by anything. He was certain that everything would be all right, and that Legolas would, indeed, remember them soon.

Down the hall, however, Gimli brooded more, before he, too, climbed into his bed to sleep. Yet, his gnawing doubt still remained, even as he drifted into sleep.

Aragorn was left alone with his foster father and Legolas.

The three spoke quietly of their tentative future for hours; of what Legolas and Meiyuu would do in Gondor and the precautions they needed to take against  Shira and Tsuku. Under no circumstances would Legolas or Meiyuu go anywhere alone, they decided, though they were somewhat more concerned for the latter than the former. After all, Meiyuu was just a child. At least this was what Elrond believed. His foster son had not told him of the child's powers, judging it would be best to wait until Gandalf arrived. If the Istari did not know anything about them, it was doubtful Elrond would.

"Will Shira ever give up?" Legolas asked finally. "He is used to getting what he wants."

Aragorn was quick to reassure his lover. "Not this time. He will not take you- or the boy. I will not allow it."

Elrond frowned and regarded Aragorn thoughtfully. "Why would this…Shira want a child so badly?"

Aragorn tensed inwardly. Should he… but Meiyuu didn't want other people to know about his abilities… He turned to Legolas, raising a quizzical eyebrow. The Elf nodded.

"To exploit him," Aragorn replied.

Elrond looked at him blankly.

Legolas sighed. "Meiyuu has a special gift, Lord Elrond, which Shira would do anything to possess."

"I see…" Elrond said slowly. "I would like a chance to see just what this gift of his is."

Legolas yawned and nodded, as tired as Meiyuu had been moments before. He grinned to see Aragorn doing likewise. It seemed that they were both tired. Not a surprising thing, considering the distance they walked and the lateness of the night.

"I think you both should get some sleep now. We have tomorrow to finish this conversation," Elrond said firmly.

The two nodded, bid Elrond good night, and left for their room.

They stopped by Meiyuu's quarters on the way, quietly checking in on the boy.

Aragorn opened the door a crack, careful not to disturb the slumbering child. He stared at the curled Meiyuu on the floor. He could have sworn he put the child in the bed… He looked at the Elf beside him and then turned back to Meiyuu.

The child shivered, rolling into an even tighter ball as he unconsciously endeavored to keep himself warm. His mouth, as always, was parted vulnerably, and he had turned onto his right side. He looked, for all the world, like an innocent, small child. And to some extent, Aragorn thought, that was what he was.

The Elf beside him moved to pick the child up and place him on the bed, pulling the blankets back around the slim shoulders and watching the lightly-marked hands rest on the pillow beside Meiyuu's face.

Turning to look once more at his little friend, Legolas left the room and rejoined Aragorn.

"Why was he sleeping on the floor?" Legolas wondered aloud.

Aragorn grinned tiredly. "He must not be used to a bed after his sleeping on the ground for that long trip. Though," he chuckled, "I bet he could sleep on anything." He yawned quietly, his eyelids drooping with fatigue. Why was Legolas' room so far away?

Legolas echoed the yawn as they finally reached his room and opened the door. They hurriedly stripped themselves of their clothes, save for their pants, and collapsed on the bed. Thankfully, Aragorn still had enough strength to pull the blanket over them.

Legolas snuggled against his lover's chest. Strong, firm arms wrapped themselves around his waist and held him close. He was grateful for that additional warmth, for that comfort in his life. He knew that when his problems ended, he would still have Aragorn.

But...what of Meiyuu? Soft weariness lulled his senses. What of the child? The Elf fell asleep still trying to figure out an answer.

Seeing his love asleep, Aragorn gently kissed Legolas on the forehead. But like the Elf, his thoughts were also troubled. Eventually, the human managed to drift to sleep as well. But before he was completely dragged under the soothing waves of sleep, he turned to Legolas and kissed the full, red lips. Looking at the perfect oval face, he knew himself to be the most fortunate man to exist on Middle Earth.

To be continued