(Author's note: The feast arrives, and so does word from Gandalf. The contents of the message causes some friction between Aragorn and Legolas, when Aragorn cannot tell him all that was written.)

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

Chapter 5

Gollum's fate had not yet been decided when the feast was held in the Upper Halls. The pity of the Elves had not overrun their common sense, and after threats of violence to the slimy Gollum he calmed and remained imprisoned in his underground cell. All the servants of Thranduil were thankful for the workload the feast required of them, for it allowed them to take their minds off the threat of orcs in their Forests, and of the Dark Lord.

No news of Gandalf had come to Mirkwood, and this weighed heavily on Legolas. To the Elven Prince, Mithrandir's whereabouts were unknown, and it pained Aragorn to see his friend so worrisome. The Ranger was ridden with guilt for he knew the true reason for Gandalf's long absence, yet he could not tell Legolas one word. Gandalf had gone to Minas Tirith, the White City of Gondor, to read the scroll of Isildur. The One Ring had been found, and Gandalf had shared this news with the Ranger, with specific instruction, more of a warning, not to speak of it to anyone else.

The soothing sound of Elvish song and music brought Aragorn back to reality. He wondered how long he had let his mind wander since the feast was now in full swing. The King and his court, including Legolas, had not yet arrived, but dinner was being served. Heaps of food were brought to the long dining table wrought of an intricately carved dark wood, while Elvish maidens brought drink in jeweled silver pitchers. The Dining Hall itself was lit with lanterns whose warm lights glowed through the sheer fabrics and tapestries hung from the walls. Despite his noble blood, the Ranger felt a bit out of place being one of the only members of the room without pointed ears and an inner light.

A warm fire was also lit, and it's light glittered off the gowns of the many Elvish maidens in the room. From their appearance Aragorn tried to guess their origins. He recognized the Grey Haven Elves, for he had seen Meliriel earlier in his stay. Some fair haired Elves glided about the room as well, and the Ranger guessed they were guests because most of the Mirkwood Elves save for Legolas and Thranduil were dark haired. At that point, as he watched one of the dark-haired maidens, his heart put visions into his eyes, and for a moment he thought he saw someone else; his heart stirred. The maiden caught his handsome gaze and blushed, but Aragorn only returned her gesture with a sad smile and a courteous nod.

With a bit of creaking the large double doors to the room were opened, and all the guests stood. A highly decorated Mirkwood warrior stood before the doors and called out to the guests in their tongue to announce the arrival of the King. All turned and bowed to Thranduil as he entered the room and made his way to the lavish seat set for him at the head of the table. Legolas was then announced and the Prince followed in his father's footsteps. The tilted chin and strong gaze of the Elf seemed forced, but he did as he was told and appeared very much the Prince he was. Other members of the King's court were announced before they all took their seats. The Grey Haven Elves, friends of Círdan the Shipwright, were seated near the King, and it was obvious Failon was overjoyed to have his daughter, Meliriel, seated at Legolas' side.

Aragorn watched them talk ,laugh and eat and again his thoughts wandered. He imagined how things would be if his foretold future came to be. He imagined himself seated in the White Tower of Ecthelion as King of Gondor. The Evenstar would be seated at his side as his lovely Queen, and all the maidens would pale in comparison to her beauty. Legolas would be his royal guest, perhaps with Meliriel at one side and his own heir at the other, or on the way. The Ranger smiled to Legolas, but the Prince cocked his head unsure of why the smile was sent his way.

Aragorn did not get a chance to converse with Legolas until the King was through with toasts and other formalities. Lively music began for the Elves to dance, and Legolas and Meliriel had attracted an audience as the fair-haired Elves waltzed about the room. As he sipped at a goblet of míruvor, the famed Elvish cordial, Aragorn thought Legolas and the maiden would make a lovely couple. An Elf he had met earlier then approached him and bowed, presenting a letter to Aragorn. It was Berdir, Legolas' friend, and he spoke to him in the Elven tongue. Word had spread quickly of the strange guest in Thranduil's halls who knew the Elven language, and that knowledge had helped Aragorn greatly in his welcome to Mirkwood.

"Lord Aragorn, this arrived for you today. It was found at the doors to the King's hall. We know nothing of its carrier, it's almost as if it fell from the sky."

" Thank you Lord Berdir, excuse me a moment."

Legolas' hearing had picked up the conversation, and he excused himself from the Lady Meliriel, rushing over to Aragorn. His blue eyes stared at the letter with such intensity Aragorn thought he tried to see through the parchment. Looking around to make sure no one was watching them or eavesdropping, Legolas pulled Aragorn aside behind a wall.

"Open it! Is it from Gandalf?"

Aragorn did his best to open the letter with a speed to Legolas' liking.

"Yes!" Aragorn sighed in relief. " As we both had hoped he is alive, and in the Shire, land of the Halfings."

Legolas looked at Aragorn then the letter curiously. He observed the Ranger feeling every corner of the parchment carefully with his fingers, and he knew what his friend was doing…searching for a clue of the bearer.

"It seems your friend Berdir was right."

"Right about what?"

"Well, this letter appeared on your father's doorstep, 'as if it had fallen from the sky' he said. He was right, the letter was brought to Mirkwood by a hawk, for these are the markings of its beak and claws."

The Elf Prince took the letter into his own hands and inspected it, then shook his head with the slightest of a smile.

"Your skills are finely tuned. Even without the eyes of the Elves you saw something we did not."

"I guess my friendship with Gandalf has given me knowledge of his ways. It is like him to send the message with a hawk instead of a rider."

"Now that we know he is safe, we can enjoy the feast, and perhaps hunt Orc together later on."

Aragorn tucked the letter away into the pocket of the Elven garment he was given to wear. He did not respond to Legolas' suggested orc hunt, and the contents of the rest of the letter he had not revealed to his Elven friend. Aragorn would have to leave Mirkwood right away. Legolas looked at Aragorn suspiciously, his blue eyes narrowing slightly.

"Unfortunately, I will have to leave as soon as possible."

"You hide something from me, don't you Aragorn? Why would a message of Mithrandir's well being cause such hurry to leave my home?"

The Ranger felt intimdation wash over him at the look in Legolas' eyes. So friendly they had always been that arguments were rare. For a moment he had forgotten just how dangerous the Prince of Mirkwood could be.

"Please understand me Legolas. If you are meant to know my reason for haste, one day you will. Speaking of it now would endanger you and all the Elves of Mirkwood. Mithrandir will not forget his Elf friend, believe me. And once you discover the nature of the message, you will have wished you hadn't." Aragorn frowned but searched for any acknowledgement his words had reassured his friend. " Namárië, Legolas."

Legolas shook his head, frustrated and angry his friend would not trust him in this matter. He sighed, then bowed his head.

"Namárië, Aragorn."

§…ˆ¤ˆ…§

The Lady Meliriel had watched from a seat by her mother as she sipped some míruvor from a chalice. Legolas and Lord Aragorn had been in an argument, and their expressions were both mixed with hurt and concern. Hands waved and pointed, and heads shook in disappointment. At last the friends embraced, and Aragorn departed leaving a sullen Legolas behind. She rose from her chair and approached him carefully, a slender hand touching his arm.

"What troubles you, your highness?"

Legolas turned to face her, appreciating the seclusion of their corner and taking the time to stare into her eyes and smile sadly.

"My great friend, Aragorn, is leaving for reasons he cannot share. Even with a friend of so many years as I. It worries me, saddens me and angers me all the same, Lady Meliriel. I apologize for leaving you earlier."

"Say nothing more of that my lord, there was nothing to apologize for."

"Thank you my lady. Care to join me for a walk? I cannot stay here for another moment."

Meliriel smiled softly as the Prince of Mirkwood linked arms with hers and led her out into the night. Legolas breathed the night air deeply and exhaled. Aragorn's words awoke new fears in his mind. What was so secret, so terrible that Gandalf had only trusted one being with the bit of news, and specifically warned the being not to speak of it? What knowledge could be more dangerous than knowing Sauron had awoken once more? Legolas did not speak to Meliriel for awhile.