Author's Note: ( ) means some ones thoughts. Also I would like to make it clear that nothing belongs to me. The only thing that's mine is the plot and any characters you don't recognize. I would also like to apologize for the wait. My aunt died recently, and I haven't felt much like writing. Now on to the story!!

Aragorn now stood with Legolas at the edge of Mirkwood. He was still a bit nervous, but he was no longer afraid. Legolas's assurances that he would not lose his friendship helped a great deal. Aragorn smiled at the memory of that night, the night that his friend held him in his arms and showed him just how important he was to him. Now three days later he stood with his friend ready to face a greater challenge than anything he had ever before had the displeasure of facing, getting Thandriul to like him.

Legolas looked over at his friend and noticed that his friend was once again lost deep in his thoughts. Legolas crept silently across the distance, not even a blade of grass stirring to mark his passage. When he was right behind the man, he reached out and rested his hand on the man's shoulder. His friend jumped, startled out revere. Legolas laughed as the man turned to glare at him.

"What was that for," he asked?

Legolas smiled at him and said, "You Worry to much mellon. Everything is going to be fine."

Aragorn sighed and said, "You're right, let's go."

As they traveled through the forest, Legolas told Legolas about his home, and Estel listened with fascination as his friend told tales about growing up in Mirkwood. They had decided that it would be best to hide his true identity. As long as he was here, he would be known only as Estel, the adopted son of Lord Elrond.

They had not traveled far before they were stopped by two guards, who upon seeing their prince rushed forward.

"My prince are you alright, Lord Haldir has been looking for you…"

They stopped talking when they saw Estel, who had remained on horseback. They stared at the human unsure of what to say.

Finally one asked, "My lord who is this?"

Legolas smiled and beckoned for Estel to dismount and join them.

"This," he said as he drew Estel to his side, "is Estel, the adopted son of Lord Elrond. He is my friend, and he will be treated with the same respect you would treat me. Is that clear?"

The two elves looked at Estel with obvious mistrust, but in the end decided to give this human a chance. After all, if their prince, who usually did not have much to humans thought that this human was alright, then they should at least give him a chance.

They nodded and said, "Of course my prince, he will be treated with the utmost respect," they said.

Legolas nodded shortly, and then guided Estel to the palace.

"Come mellon, ada will be expecting us, and it's best not to make him wait too long."

Estel nodded and hurried after his friend. They stopped outside the throne room and waited to be announced. Once they were announced, they hurried inside. When they entered Thranduil rose to greet them. He took Legolas into his arms.

"It is good to see again nin ion? Where have you been, and who is this?"

Legolas sighed, "It is good to see you as well adar. This is Estel, the adopted son of Lord Elrond."

Estel came forward and bowed to the king, his hand over his heart.

"It is an honor to meet you my lord."

Estel's voice was soft but firm and unwavering. Thranduil looked the young man up and down. He looked to be about nineteen or twenty. (Well at least he has manners.) Looking at Estel he noticed that the man was becoming even more nervous the longer he remained silent. Finally just as Legolas was about to intervene, the king said,

"It is an honor to meet you as well Estel. I hope that you will enjoy your stay here in Mirkwood. If you need anything, please let me know."

Thranduil watched the affect his words had on the human. The tension just seemed to flow out of Estel's body. His tense posture slowly began to ease. He looked at his son and noticed that he too had on a relieved expression.

Estel smiled and said, "Thank you my lord, you are most kind."

Thranduil nodded and watched as his son led the edain out of the room. He sat in silence for a while longer, until Haldir came in.

"My lord, I heard that the prince has returned. Is this true?"

Thranduil smiled and nodded his head, "Yes it's true. My son is back, and he's brought a friend as well, a very special friend indeed."

Haldir was confused, "Special, my lord what is so special about this mysterious companion?"

Thranduil smiled, "Well for the first, he is the adopted son of Lord Elrond, and for the second, he is human."

Haldir froze and his eyes turned cold, "human my lord?"

"Thranduil nodded, "Yes human, a very young one even by their standards. He couldn't have been more than nineteen or twenty."

"What on all of arda would Legolas be doing with a human? I thought he hated all humans after what happened at Rickana all those years ago," said Haldir.

Thranduil sighed and said, "I thought so too. I don't know what my son is doing with a human. I have yet to find out why he was missing for a month. I will have Legolas and his friend explain that to me after dinner tonight. Would you like to join us? I have to say that the boy is surprisingly polite for one of the edain. It must come from being raised among the elves."

Haldir thought for a moment and nodded, "Yes, I would like to meet this man."

Thranduil nodded, "I thought you might. Meet us here after dinner."

Haldir nodded and turned to leave, but Thranduil stopped him.

"Haldir," he called, "I know you do not care for the race of man, but I would like you to give this edain a chance. There is something different about him."

Haldir thought for a moment and nodded, "Alright my lord, I will give him a chance, but I have to wonder why you would give this one a chance when you yourself do not like humans."

Thranduil thought for a moment and said, "I am willing to give this one a chance, because my son seems to like him, and if he who has more of a reason than anyone to dislike the edains, then there must be something special about him. Therefore I will give him a chance to prove himself to me."

Haldir nodded and turned to leave once more, but then he stopped and asked, "My lord, before I forget, what is the edain's name?"

Thranduil smiled and said, "His name is Estel."

Haldir nodded and left the room. (Very well Estel, I will give you a chance, but if you hurt Legolas, I will kill you, adopted son of Lord Elrond or not.)

AN: So what do you think? Please review. I am very happy to accept any kind of reviews. I don't mind being criticized, but please make it constructive criticism.