Disclaimer: I own nothing, but you can't stop a girl from dreamin' can ya??

Anyways, first I would like to thank all my reviewers for taking the time out of their day to review my fiction. It means a lot to me and pushes me to continue! Second, I want to say I'm soooo sorry for how long this took me to update. It's been the week from hell and in the future I won't take so long. Enjoy!

The trees around him began to lessen and Legolas knew it would not be long before he reached the gates of Gondor. His horse must have sensed this as well for she quickened her pace, almost matching his own eagerness to reach their destination. Legolas couldn't help but smile as he thought of finally seeing his friend after such long silence. He hadn't realized how much he missed the comfortable friendship that had grown between them and during the war, it had only become deeper. Legolas realized now, that Aragorn was perhaps the only one who truly understood him.

Or at least he used to understand him. But would he understand the changes that Legolas could feel inside of him even now? Doubt began to creep into his mind once again. His heart hammered in fear as he questioned his very friendship with the new king. That's right, Aragorn was a king now with the large responsibility of caring for an entire kingdom. What good could his friendship be now? Before, it was easy to understand. Protect his life. But now, Aragorn ruled and his guards could easily give any protection that he would need. In fact, why had Aragorn even invited him along on this hunting trip? Surely there was some one else more qualified to accompany him.

"No! Aragorn is my friend and he desires nothing more than my companionship on this trip," he told himself forcibly. Yet, his mind continued to swell with doubts and they only intensified as he neared the kingdom.

***

Arwen smiled as her husband rose and walked to the window for the seventh time that afternoon. "Aragorn, you know that he will be arriving shortly. Why do you persist in disturbing my peace with your incessant pacing?" Arwen asked in a playful voice. Aragorn merely continued to stare out the window in silence. "Perhaps you should check and make sure all the preparations have been made? Arwen suggested.

"I have already done so three times. There is nothing more to do now but wait," Aragorn replied, distress obvious in his voice.

Arwen was visibly startled by his response. She had expected him to be excited and even anxious to finally meet with Legolas and be free of his responsibilities for a time. "What bothers you so my love, surely this gloom can not be attributed to impatience?" she asked with concern.

"I am worried," he replied softly, as if he was afraid to voice this fear out loud.

Arwen relaxed, believing she finally understood her husband's odd behavior. "Do you doubt the capabilities of both your advisor and myself for if you do I assure you we are more than capable of handling things while you are away. I want you to enjoy yourself. You deserve this holiday," Arwen whispered into his ear as she approached him from behind and wrapped her arms around his chest.

Aragorn was silent a long time before he finally answered. "No, my love, unfortunately that is not what troubles my mind. I wish it were, for then I might know what do to, but this, this worries me."

Arwen waited silently and patiently for her husband to continue. Obviously whatever was troubling Aragorn registered deep within himself and opening up to such emotions is never easy. Yet, his continued silence made her worry.

Aragorn closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He hadn't planned on burdening Arwen with such news before he had seen Legolas himself, but the heartfelt words written to him by Thranduil kept running through his mind. He pointed to a letter lying on a table beside his chair. Arwen had noticed it there before, but had simply dismissed it as some message from boarding lands. Now, she slowly walked over the table and reached for the parchment, fearful of the troubles that lied among the words.

Aragorn,

I apologize for the crudity of this letter, but there was no time for formalities. I am writing to you on behalf of my son, Legolas, as he is not well. For months now, a change has occurred in him, one that I fear will ultimately be his demise. I know not what has transpired to cause my son such pain, nor do I know how to ease it. I am asking you now for your help. I fear if he does not receive some soon we will lose him forever, and that I could not bear. Please, do all that you can.

Thranduil

The hastily scribbled letter was so difficult to read that Arwen read through it twice before placing it back upon the table. She stared at nothing for a moment, trying to process the information contained in the brief and cryptic message. She looked up to Aragorn to find him still gazing out the window.

"I received the letter yesterday evening," Aragorn said. "The messenger rode through the nights with disregard to his own safety in order to present this to me before Legolas' arrival."

"I had no idea."

"Neither did I until yesterday. I didn't want to mention anything. I didn't want to worry you for I know not how serious Legolas' troubles are. But I fear the words from Thranduil and the actions of his messenger give testament to them being deep. I doubt that one trip hunting in the woods will heal his wounds and I doubt even more that I will be the one to heal them," Aragorn confessed rather quickly. " I suppose, mostly I am worried," he said, ending with the same sentence that had started this whole conservation.

"Aragorn, I think this trip is exactly what Legolas needs. You are his closest friend my love, and simply by being so you will heal his wounds." Arwen smiled reassuringly to her husband, but inside she was paralyzed with worry. Both knew that it was possible, rare, yet, still possible, for an elf to die of grief. Yet, if this is what was causing Legolas' downfall, what was causing the grief?

"I just don't know what to do," Aragorn sighed softly. "But perhaps we will know soon," he added in a slightly happier tone as he spotted his friend being escorted up the palace walk.

***

Legolas had been able to distinguish the forms of Aragorn and Arwen in the window long before he reached the palace and from the looks on their faces they were distressed over something. The logical, otherwise known as hopeful, part of his mind told him it could be anything that worried his friend such as a trade agreement gone bad, but Legolas sensed it was about him. He was right then. His friendship had become a burden to the new king. How could he face Aragorn knowing what troubles his mere presence caused him? But he had no time to retreat or even think of doing so as a guard approached him to escort him to Aragorn, whom was awaiting his arrival.

Legolas followed his escort through the beautiful palace, but his mind lingered not upon the ornate tapestries and painting that adorned the walls. Instead, his mind raced in a last attempt to prepare himself before approaching Aragorn. Perhaps, he had become useless to his friends and family. But he would sooner enter the Halls of Mandos willingly before he became a burden to those he loved. This trip was Legolas' final chance to prove his worthless to Aragorn, his father, and to everyone. He would not fail.

***

Aragorn quickly snatched up Thranduil's letter. "We must not let Legolas know that we are aware he is troubled. He must seek help of his own accord or he will never heal," Aragorn said as he snapped shut the book he had just hidden the letter in.

"Of course," Arwen agreed while setting down in her chair. She wanted to appear peaceful when Legolas arrived, but given the shock she had just received it would not prove to be an easy task. She was at least able to appear calm and the happiness and excitement she felt at finally embracing her old friend was something she didn't have to fake.

Aragorn sat down beside Arwen and placed his hand on top of hers. He smiled reassuringly at her even as his insides churned with fear. Thranduil had never been overly fond of his son's close relationship with Aragorn and therefore usually acted as if he didn't exist at all. So, the fact that Thranduil had written him at all worried and the fact that Thranduil had asked him for help terrified him. What could possibly be bothering his friend so much? What had happened since they had parted ways? A loud knocking on the door interrupted his thoughts and he gripped Awren's hand tighter as he called for them to enter.

The door opened slowly and in walked one of his men followed by the blonde-haired elf. "Prince Legolas Greenleaf of Mirkwood, my Lord," announced the nervous man before bowing slightly and exiting the room, closing the door behind him.

The three of them remained in silence, simply staring at one another until suddenly Aragorn leapt up and pulled his friend into a tight embrace, genuinely happy to finally be together again. "My dear friend," Aragorn whispered in his ear. "It has been far too long."

"Yes, it has," Legolas agreed as he returned his friends embrace.

Arwen smiled as she watched the two men. "Perhaps everything would turn out okay. She knew Legolas had confided in Aragorn before and given the right chance, he will do so again," she thought to herself. "I just hope that the right opportunity presents itself soon."

"We have both been eagerly awaiting your arrival Legolas," Arwen said gently in an attempt to move things along.

Legolas smiled and his face brightened significantly. "I must say that I was surprised by your invitation, but delighted nonetheless. Are you sure that you will be able to escape your duties for the trip?" Legolas asked mockingly. Even though he desired a more meaningful purpose it did not mean he envied the responsibilities of being king.

"Yes, do not bother yourself over such matters. As my beautiful wife keeps reminding me, the kingdom is more than fine in her capable hands."

"Times are peaceful," Arwen added. "With the aid of your advisor, time will pass by smoothly here. Besides, you need this trip to relax before you drive us all insane," chided Arwen. "Come Legolas, let me show you to your room so you may rest and clean up before dinner," Arwen said in a tone that Legolas knew better than to argue. "We have much to talk about and I'm sure you will feel much more refreshed after you rest some," Arwen added, but much lighter this time.

Arwen walked through the halls gracefully with Legolas trailing behind her. Now that his mind was more at ease, his doubts having exhausted themselves earlier, he finally noticed the beauty contained in the man-made palace surrounding him. "I see your delicate touch has warmed these walls," Legolas said. He could not see Arwen's face, but he knew she was smiling.

"Yes, I admit I changed a few things around," she replied modestly. By now, they had arrived at the door to Legolas' room. "I believe that you will find everything to your liking, but should you desire anything, anything at all, simply ask," Arwen said. Then she looked deep into his eyes and kissed him gently on the cheek, taking his hands into hers. "It is truly wonderful to see you, my friend," she whispered so softly only the ears of an elf would be able to hear it. She placed her hand on his cheek, smiled, and then turned, walking back in the direction they had just come from.

Legolas stood, leaning against the door and watched Arwen walk away until she rounded the corner and disappeared from his sight. The way she had looked into his eyes, into his soul, he knew she had spoken the truth. He could feel it. But then why had he sensed such distress toward his being upon his arrival? Obviously, during one of these encounters his senses must have been wrong, but which one was it? Both had been so strongly directed. He jumped, as a door down the hall slammed shut. It was then that he realized he was still standing on the outside of his room.

As he opened the door and walked into his room, his jaw dropped in amazement. Arwen had truly outdone herself. The room was rectangular in shape and directly opposite the door, on the far wall, were two large windows. They were separated by a wide doorway, which led to a balcony overlooking a beautiful green garden. As you opened the door you were instantly bathed in the orange glow of the setting sun. The sweet scent of flowers in bloom intoxicated him and he felt for the first time in a long while at peace.

Legolas found the furnishings of the room to his liking as well. Everything was done simply. There was a large dresser on one wall with a glass pitcher and two glasses. Also on this wall, in the corner, was a small table and well-cushioned chair. On the table there was some parchment, ink, and a tall candle never before lit. Opposite of all this was the bed. It was huge and took up a good part of the room. Blue, green, and gold draperies hung from its canopy and if pulled, could shield the sleeper from any distraction. Arwen must have spent many hours deciding on the right placement for everything. It was truly a room to his liking and he greatly appreciated them both for troubling themselves to see to his comfort. He would have to thank them at dinner, which reminded him, he had better start to wash up.

Hi all! Yep another chapter down! I know, I know, still no action yet, but it's coming very, very soon! I promise! Please R&R and constructive criticism is encouraged!