Hello again,

Well here is the final part of "Forgive me, my friend" Firstly a big thank you to Badger Lord. I probably wouldn't have finished it if it weren't for you. Thank You seems small so I will say that I look forward to working again with you soon.

To everyone who reviewed, Thank You!!! It really means a lot especially since this was my first ever fic. There are so many of you who reviewed but I appreciate every one.

Thanks for all the Support

Robin



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Aragorn got off his horse. At the gate the Crown Prince of Eryn Lasgalen met him. Aragorn had met him often and often thought of Legolas' resemblance to him, however this time it brought a poignant thought. He bowed before him.

"King Elessar, welcome to Eryn Lasgalen."

"Thank you, Prince Naoise, it has been too long."

Naoise looked at him in the same way as Legolas so many times, his head cocked to one side a half smile on his face.

"It has indeed, would you like to freshen up after your long journey?"

"No thank you, my lord. I would prefer to meet with the King as soon as possible."

Naoise did not look surprised at this and led Aragorn through the palace. It seemed different than the other times he had been here.

"I heard of the battle in this forest."

Naoise turned to him.

"Yes, as you can see as you rode in that much damage was inflicted, however we are recovering. The trees are growing again. Life continues on here, Estel"

Aragorn looked sharply at Naoise, who grinned in return.

"I tired of calling you "King" all the time. I am afraid that I still see you as the child who came here and demanded we teach him the ways of the bow."

Aragorn smiled in remembrance, however his expression changed to one of pain as he thought of Legolas. A shadow briefly passed over his face, which was noticed by Naoise.



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Aragorn entered the king's chambers. The room was warm with a cheery fire burning in the hearth. Two chairs sat on each side of the fireplace with a low table between them. Naoise put another log on the fire, and poured Aragorn a glass of wine. Stopping at the door he turned around.

"Estel, when you are finished with the business with my father, would you care to join me in some hunting?"

Aragorn looked sharply at Naoise.

"Thank you, my lord. I will consider it."

Naoise bowed and left the room.



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Aragorn sat by the fire. He remembered this room. It was here he had first met Legolas. A sound at the door interrupted his thoughts. He turned around to see King Thranduil. A soft smile was on his face. Aragorn knew that he had been watching him for a time. Aragorn knew who had trained Legolas to be so quiet.

Thranduil walked forward to Aragorn.

"Well King Elessar, you are looking well."

"King Thranduil, thank you for meeting me."

Thranduil sat formally down on his chair then motioned Aragorn for more wine, to which he nodded. Thranduil leaned back.

"Estel, let's drop the formalities. It has been 6 months since my son's death. I am of the opinion that he may be the reason you are here this day."

Aragorn looked a little shocked. The facade he had been holding had been dependent on them both keeping formalities. He gulped, swallowed, and then began.

"My King, ahh I am here to ahh speak of Legolas' death." He didn't notice the tears that were rolling gently down his nose. "My King, I do not know what it is you have heard, but it is my fault that your son is dead. I. . .made the wrong decision . . ."

Before he could go any farther Thranduil put up his hand.

"Estel, I have known you since you were a boy. I will not allow you torture yourself with this any more."

"My king, it was my decision that led to his death."

"Oh Estel, I know what happened. I could curse your decision for the rest of my life, even to the Grey Havens. You made a decision in war. I agree that the result was tragic but why do you torture yourself."

"He would be here, had I made the right decision. We could have held them off."

"Estel for 6 months you have haunted yourself with those thoughts. Tell me has he returned? What have you gotten from it? It will not bring him back. I agree with remembering my son, but to remember him with guilt is an insult to his memory as well as you."

"I cannot allow you to say that. It was I who did it. I can only ask your forgiveness." tears welling again in his eyes.

Thranduil got up and sat by Aragorn. In a moment he picked up the king as if he were a little elfling and put his head against his shoulder as he felt the sobs ripple through the boy thinking how often he had done it for his own children.

"Oh Estel, I do forgive you. You must let this pass my child. Yes you are a child compared to me, were Elrond here I'm sure he would agree. You must let him go, his soul can not find true peace until you do."

Aragorn opened his mouth to protest but the King silenced him with a look, so like Legolas that Aragorn cried more.

"I dream of his fear, his pain."

"No Aragorn, you will let it go. Go outside and scream and cry and do whatever you want, but let him go."



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Aragorn walked down the path. Around him were trees. Conversation in his head played over and over again.

Finally having enough he screamed out

"Enough!!!"

"Why are you dead? Why not me?"

"Why, are you a coward?"

Aragorn spun at the voice. No one was near but he knew that voice. Even if it was just his imagination for the first time since his death he remembered what Legolas sounded like.

"It should have been me?"

"So you can be the hero? I am sorry but I would not live out my days feeling sorry for myself."

"Sorry for myself! Do you know what it is to know that it was I who killed you? It was all my fault" "It was not your fault Aragorn, any more than it was Gimli's. It was meant to be."

"Nothing's meant to be."

"In this case I am right Aragorn. You are a strong man. But you did not want me dead. You did not set out to kill me. It was a war Aragorn. So many died. Let the grief pass. So many have said it to you but you will not listen. Please, listen to me."

"I am sorry for the argument."

"Had I not died, you would have thought nothing of the argument. I know of none who die thinking of bad times. I died remembering all the good times in my life. I was mostly remembering the fun rather than the sadness I have had in my life."

"Like shooting Haldir in the foot?"

"A minor incident. Forget the bad times, the horror and the grief Estel for you are the only one who remembers it. Let me go, Aragorn. I am at peace."





Aragorn could not remember how long he remained in that spot. However he felt better than he had in a long time previous. He looked about him with new eyes remembering all he loved about the forest. Not much later he heard Naoise walk along the path. As elves move silently he guessed it was out of respect for him.

"Estel, are you well?"

"I am well Naoise."

"Good, I need your hunting skills, Ranger of the North. I am tracking four little elflings who believe themselves to be warriors."

Recognition rained down on Aragorn.

"The hunting party"

Naoise grinned, "There are not many young in Eryn Lasgalen, but these four are determined to make up for the lack of their kin."

Then Aragorn heard the sound of giggles from a tree above their heads. Naoise looked at Aragorn and winked.

"Estel, will you help me find the future warriors of Eryn Lasgalen?"

"It would be an honor Naoise."

They walked to the nearest tree and began to climb, as high above the trees rippled with the sound of childish laughter.