(Author's Note: In this chapter we get more interaction with Legolas and Meliriel, as well as between Legolas and Aragorn. The books hinted many times they had been friends for awhile, so I decided to give them a quite moment to joke and converse as all good friends do. Enjoy! - Rilwen)

-=~**The Prodigal's Son**~=-

Chapter 4

When he arrived with Aragorn and Gollum, the Prince of Mirkwood was met by his angry father and his guards, Mandil and Tirinvo. The guards had stood by with frowns on their faces as Thranduil scolded Legolas for sending them away and disobeying his commands. Aragorn was a few paces back from the father and son, and felt sorry the unnecessary scolding his friend was taking; had Aragorn been in the same situation, he too would have sent his guards away with the travelers.

Legolas took the further embarrassment with a face of stone and a bowed head, then left the King's Hall to his room without a word. Gollum had been taken away, sack and all, and Aragorn was lead to his guestroom by one of the King's servants. Legolas found the Elf Maidens had woven him new garments when he came to his own room. As he held them up to inspect them, he was relieved he would not have to don the blood stained clothing he had worn the past two days.

After changing and failing an attempt to rest, he decided to go see Aragorn and catch up on old times. As he walked he greeted those he met along the way. The corridor where he walked was very long and lit only by lanterns, for Thranduil's realm was hidden away under the wooded hills. The glow of the candlelight made the Elves appear more beautiful and luminous than they already were, and Legolas' golden hair shined like a halo around his face. Many female servants had been smitten with the Prince, and sheepish stares and giggles was something Legolas had become accustomed to. He rounded a corner of the hall and came upon scattered groups of Elves engaged in conversation.

It seemed the guests from the Grey Havens had been given rooms close to Aragorn's, because, further down the hall, he saw Failon's daughter Meliriel conversing with one of Mirkwood's noblewomen. He paused to take in the sight of her and he allowed himself a smile. The noblewoman smiled and bowed to Legolas, as did Meliriel, but her attention was drawn elsewhere and she left. Legolas, who was grateful for the noblewoman's departure, took Meliriel's hand and kissed it.

"Lady Meliriel, we meet again."

"I am glad, your highness. The guard's words had made me fear for your safety. I hope all is well?"

Their eyes met and he smiled slightly. He had been far too busy for Lady Elves and romance, but the sight of such fair beauty was welcomed against the tormenting visions of Orcs and Mirkwood Spiders in his dreams. Neither had noticed their hands still touched.

"Yes, milady, we all returned unharmed. Has your family been told of the feast?"

"Feast? No we haven't, we've been quite busy with your father and his ship orders. My father is a friend of Círdan the Shipwright. King Thranduil had sent word to the Grey Havens that some of his kin were planning to sail west and needed ships. That is our reason for being here."

Their hands parted and Meliriel looked down, her hands disappearing beneath the folds of her long-sleeved gown. She was blushing.

"Well then I will gladly inform you. You are not the only guests in these halls, and my father has decided to welcome them all with a great feast. I hope you and your family will attend."

"Of course your highness, I would not dare turn down a formal invitation."

Legolas smiled and nodded to her. The maiden seemed to take a liking to him, and he would not ignore her beauty. Perhaps, if this relationship furthered, Thranduil would be proud of the son he often called "wayward".

"Wonderful. I would be honored to have you seated at my side at the King's table, Lady Meliriel."

The Elf maiden smiled shyly, but their flirtations were interrupted by a man clearing his throat. Legolas looked up to see Aragorn standing nearby, his hands folded behind his back and a mischievous glint in his eyes, he bowed to them both.

"I apologize for interrupting, Prince Legolas," the Ranger said with a teasing smile, " but we do have important matters to discuss."

"Absolutely, dear Ranger." Legolas shot his friend a look then turned to Meliriel. "Excuse me my lady, I must go now."

Aragorn bowed his head to Meliriel, bringing his palm to his heart before departing for his room with his Elf friend. Once inside the privacy of the Ranger's guest room, a little laugh escaped his lips.

"I have not seen you this way in a while, Legolas."

"I'm glad you find my courtship attempts so humorous. "

"I've said nothing, it seems you've assumed I meant something else?"

The Ranger went over to a small nightstand by his bed and opened a silver box containing some pipeweed. He produced an old pipe from his sack of belongings and sat to smoke. Legolas just shook his head and laughed, a glowing man in a dimly lit room. He took the liberty of sitting as well and folded his hands.

"The guards say Gollum won't stop screaming and complaining; but they pity him, and have asked your father if anything else could be done. Unfortunately Thranduil seems too preoccupied with other matters."

"As he is always, Aragorn. What did the guards propose?"

"To let him stay in a tree, guarded at the bottom by Elves. I'm not sure that would be very wise."

Legolas sighed in frustration. His father did not have a reputation for being nice and attentive. He had a love of jewels, almost as strong a love as the Dwarfs, and to Legolas, his son, it sometimes appeared that is all he loved. Aragorn sat back in his chair, swirls of smoke dancing around his strong face as he awaited Legolas' reply.

"I guess I will tell them to go ahead. My father couldn't be bothered with this now that he has guests to impress."

The Elf Prince's tone was quite sarcastic, and he stood to pace around the room, lost in thought. Aragorn, although much younger than the Elf, but in some ways more experienced, leaned up.

"Keep your patience my friend, don't take on more responsibilities as Prince than need be."

"I won't deny I sometimes long for the life you lead, Aragorn. You answer to no one but yourself, and despite all my years it seems you've still traveled farther and lived a life of fulfillment."

"Be careful what you wish for, as they say. Leave these thoughts for another time Legolas, tomorrow we will help the guards take Gollum to one of the nearby trees. "

"Incredible how you keep your emotions so calm despite the situation."

Aragorn stood and set the pipe aside, coming over and clasping Legolas' shoulder.

"We've known eachother for a long time Legolas. You already walked this Earth as a man while I was still a boy, yet our paths crossed and together we have seen many things. Who knows what may lie ahead, but what more could we do than be patient? Only the Valar can alter our paths, and despite what Meliriel may think of your charms, you are no Vala."

Aragorn accented his teasing comment with a wink and a laugh. The Prince was a bit surprised by the antics, but he let himself relax, and laughed at Aragorn's jest. Aragorn returned to his seat and picked up his pipe, and just as quickly as the gleam in his eyes had come it faded into weariness and old age. The son of Arathorn rarely displayed his sense of humor anymore, and Legolas could not blame him.

"A brother you are to me, Legolas. It feels good to act as I once did in my youth, but times have changed now, and they have darkened. "

"Indeed they have, Aragorn. But as you said, let's leave this for another time. Tomorrow we'll deal with Gollum and when the moon wanes we will feast with our guests…the Valar willing Mithrandir will be one of those guests."

"Valar willing, Legolas."

The friends exchanged nods and parted, Legolas heading back to his room and Aragorn finishing off his pipe before heading for bed. That night the Ranger's sleep was troubled with many nightmares.