Chapter 2: Dale

They got to Dale within two weeks. Halbarad just about tipped over when Aragorn led him right to it. Aragorn had never been to the town, so he let Halbarad lead him through the streets. They came to a large wooden building and the guards didn't give them a second glance as they passed through the archway that led to the main hall.

"Halbarad, my friend! What brings you here and who is your companion?"

Halbarad embraced the Master of Dale and then stood smiling at him, "We just came to see how all is faring here, it looks well, these halls are fairer than before, though filled with less history."

Bard nodded his agreement. Aragorn drifted into a shadow and let the two friends reacquaint themselves.

Finally Bard said, "Where is that young man who was with you?"

Aragorn immerged from his "hiding place" and stood blinking at the man.

"May I present Estel, son of Elrond of Rivendell," said Halbarad and Aragorn gave a little bow.

"My, my a son of Elrond, but he is not an elf is he?"

"No," said Halbarad, "But he might as well be, he acts enough like one."

A shadow passed over Bard's face, "Speaking of elves we have heard tell that Thranduil's youngest son is missing. Nice little guy too, though little isn't how I would describe him exactly, he does seem more fragile than his father. Quite a fighter though, he was with my group at the Battle of Five Armies, deadly with a bow and arrow, but a kinder soul you could not hope to meet."

Something kindled in Aragorn's eye, "What does he look like?"

"Well, let's see now…about your height, maybe a little taller, but as I said, fragile looking and thin. His hair is a rather remarkable shade of gold, rimmed with white. He has long hands, nimble fingers and paler-than-a-wight skin. Also keen grey eyes the like of which I have never seen, but he always seemed to me to be sad, as if some weariness of age was upon him that none could lift, though he was always a rather jolly spirit and always one for a good laugh. If you could talk to the trees in Mirkwood I would bet they would tell you a great deal more, rumor has it that the trees love him deeply for he walks among them often and sings to them."

"When did he go missing?" asked Halbarad.

"About two weeks ago more or less. He was out for a day trip with only his two knives and said to his father that he would return within the week, he has not and now the Wood-Elves fear some evil fate has come upon him."

"They may be right," said Aragorn.

"I hope not," said Bard. "And you would hope against it too if you met him."

"I do not need to meet him to hope against it," he replied mildly, "I have never hoped for pain for any of the Eldar."

Bard laughed, "An elder he is not. He his a good warrior, but rather sheltered, he IS a prince."

Aragorn arched and eyebrow at him as his elfin brethren flashed through his head and what they would have to say to Bard's comment ran vividly across his mind; he smiled and said nothing.

Bard's keen gaze settled on Aragorn, "If you are going to look for him, I would advise against you going to see Tharnduil first. He has a hot temper and loves his children greatly and is very overprotective of them."

Aragorn's eyes flared, "And yet he permits, at least his youngest go to war."

Bard smiled, "Legolas is nearly 3,000 years old, I dare say Thranduil had little say in the matter."

"Oh I would daresay he had something to say," said Halbarad with a bitter smile.

Bard turned to him, "You speak as if you know him."

"I met him once, but I have only had the honor of meeting one of his sons," there was no sarcasm in his tone and Aragorn marveled at him for a moment, Halbarad rarely spoke highly of anyone, unless they were worthy of the praise.

"Who did you meet?"

"Brethil once saved me from...well that's not important..." he shot Aragorn an amused glance.

Aragorn sighed and then said grimly, "It seems to me that there is something amiss about the whole situation," said Aragorn grimly.

"What do you mean?"

Aragorn's sigh was exasperated this time, "What enemy would dare enter Mirkwood, even for such a prize as a prince?"

"It may be that he was captured by something that already dwelt in the forest," said Bard.

"Like spiders?" said Halbarad.

Aragorn rolled his eyes, obviously impatient with the older men. They looked at him expectantly.

"Legolas has lived in Mirkwood all his life and surely if he is as great a warrior as you say Master Bard, he would not be caught unawares by spiders."

Bard regarded Aragorn for a long moment and then began to laugh, "Halbarad is right, you are akin to an elf."

Aragorn arched and eyebrow and frowned at him.

Halbarad tried miserably not to laugh at this.

Bard smiled, "You are always welcome here Master Estel of Rivendell."

Aragorn bowed, "Thank you Master, I will do my best to find Legolas."

"That would be wonderful, last I heard he had been going south."

"Toward Dol Guldur?" said Halbarad alarmed.

Bard nodded, "That's what the scouts from Thranduil's kingdom said."

"So, you are in contact with the scouts?" said Aragorn.

Bard nodded, "At my request. Legolas is a good friend and I hope you find him."