@Gwyn : You want more chapter? Arggh!…… Sorry. Nervous breakdown again.

@Hp-Azn : You'll see more angst, o my loyal subject.

@Alkvingiel : You used my fic to teach your business class? OMG! I hope it was a good education. He! He!

@Fire Breathing Ferret : May I join your party? Sounds cool!

@LegolasLover2003 : Sorry, mellon, for making you cry. Here's some tissues.

@LOTRFaith : Yes, mellon. You are late! LOL! Yes, burnt wound is terrible! I accidentally touched a hot iron once and my hand blistered for days!

@Lucy : So, you're kind of woosie, aren't you? Well guess what? So am I! LOL! (This might help. Take your cat to a cat shrink for several therapy sessions so she will know she is not supposed to eat people.)

@Queen of Shadows : You are absolutely right!

@Aranel of Mirkwood : He will, and again, he will not. They will, or maybe they won't! Sorry. Not telling.

@LegolasLover2004: Don't worry. He is not being a wimp, but is under effect of whatever it is he's suffering from. In the next chapters you will see the transformation.

@Mellaithwen-ElvenMaiden : Thank you, thank you!

@Helen J Crumpholt : Thank you for being addicted. FFnet can be incredibly annoying sometimes. After I posted the chapters, I check the board 2 hours later and it would say the chapters do not exist. So I had to download once more. I hope the board will look into this little problem, don't you think?

@Twinlakesghrl : I'm not leaving, girl.

@manders1953 : Freakin' awesome, indeed! Legolas is totally, completely a prince. OMG! I need to see ROTK 5 more times!!!

@Young Storyteller : Betul tu! Legolas dah buang tebiat! Ha! Ha! See? Haven't I said it before? He wears a circlet!

@Heebo-the-clown : I will write more, dude!

Sorry for no update yesterday. I was too high with ROTK!!

****************************

Aragorn was stunned. "M…Mirkwood?"

Legolas had trouble looking at the man in the eye. "Yes. Mirkwood. My home."

Speechless, Aragorn could only stared at the prince with dawning dismay, feeling as if his best friend had already left him for good, leaving him totally defenseless. While Arwen had become his soul, Legolas had become his strength.

Then the king received another blow. I did this to him! I've kept him prisoner here in Gondor without either one of us knowing it!

With tears already forming in his eyes, Aragorn drew Legolas into his embrace. "Forgive me, Legolas. I have been so selfish! I've kept you here far away from your home, from your father and…and your Nara. I'm so sorry…"

Legolas was also crying. He didn't reply for fear of breaking into uncontrollable sobs all over again. Ignoring the discomfort it was causing to his wounds, the prince tightened his arms around his friend, giving and relishing solace at the same time.

The two friends stayed that way for a long moment. Neither was eager to let the other go. Only when someone knocked at the door did they break apart.

At Aragorn's call, a servant entered, bearing a tray of breakfast—undoubtedly, at Arwen's orders. The king smiled at her thoughtfulness. "I believe Arwen wishes for you to eat something as soon as you have awakened."

Legolas grimaced. "I'm not really hungry. But knowing her, she will definitely come in here and make sure I finish all this," he said, gesturing at the pieces of bread coated with marmalade lying on the plate.

"Don't worry. I'll help you. I'm famished myself!" Aragorn replied, causing them both to laugh, their previous melancholy slowly receding.

They talked as they ate, discussing anything that came to their mind. The subject of Legolas' going back home to Mirkwood also resurfaced. Aragorn was still not ready to let the prince go, but he knew he couldn't possibly force his friend to stay. It would only cause Legolas to suffer more than he already was.

"So," Aragorn said, grinning. "It's about time you wed Nara, don't you think? That might stop you from kissing other people's wives."

Legolas burst up laughing. "I was right! You were jealous!"

"All right. I was jealous. Stupid, I know." Aragorn shrugged apologetically. "Sorry about what I said yesterday about you and Arwen. That was uncalled for."

"Don't bother apologizing. I completely understand," Legolas replied, waving the matter off. "And if you ever had any intention of kissing my Nara, I might deck you myself!"

"Oh, really? I think you should deck Elrohir instead. I've seen him kiss Nara once while you were away," Aragorn said in a hushed voice, as if sharing a big secret. Elrohir and Elladan, his two foster brothers, were still residing in Rivendell. After Elrond's departure to Valinor, the twins had taken over their father's task of looking after the realm that was now known as The Last Homely House.

"What?!" Legolas cried out in surprise. "He didn't!"

"Oh, yes he did!" Aragorn exclaimed. "It had something to do with a bet, if I remember correctly."

Legolas ruefully shook his head. "The twins and their betting sickness. Will they ever learn?"

"Anyway, Nara was not very happy about it. She thought their behavior was a betrayal of their friendship with you." Aragorn smiled wider. "She had grabbed Ro's hair and yanked, before kicking him where it hurt the most!"

Legolas' eyes widened in shock. "You are kidding! Nara did that?"

"And then, she had made them both sit and listen as she gave them a very serious tongue lashing," Aragorn continued. "I've never seen the twins so meek before! Even her uncle dared not intervene. Boy, was she mad that day!"

They broke into another round of loud laughter, nearly bringing down the roof. When Arwen walked in several minutes later, the two friends were still enveloped in mirth, giggling like little children.

"Well, Legolas, I guess you are feeling a little better now," Arwen said, smiling benignly as she reached up and touched the prince's forehead. "Good. The fever's gone."

"Of course, it's gone! I've toiled for many hours bringing it down," Aragorn blurted, trying to sound offended as though his wife was questioning his healing skills.

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Then why are you trying to make it rise again by causing him to laugh like that? He could have succumbed to apoplexy, you know."

Legolas grinned. "No harm done, Arwen. Really."

The queen turned back to the prince. "Hush. Have you finished your breakfast? Good. Now, lay back down and get some sleep."

"But I just woke up!"

"Just do as I say, your highness, or I'll drug your next meal," she threatened with a sweet smile.

Legolas scowled but did as she instructed. She bent to rearrange the coverlet over him. Aragorn immediately reached forward. "Let me, Arwen. You know he's…uh…well, you know," the king stuttered sheepishly.

Arwen raised her eyebrows. "What? Undressed? As you mean, naked?"

Both males turned a bright shade of pink hearing that. The queen chuckled. "Believe me, Estel. There's nothing of him that I have not seen before. Why, we had once shared the same bath tub when we were little children."

Aragorn's eyes bulged while Legolas's face grew even redder.

"Shut up, 'plumpkin'," the prince muttered.

"Same to you, 'goldilocks'," she retorted.

Aragorn looked between them, back and forth. Then he broke into laughter. "The same bath tub? Now that's a story I want to hear!"

"Not on your life!" Legolas mumbled, glaring at them. He was still blushing. "Go away! Let me sleep in peace."

Chuckling, Arwen nudged her husband out the door. Once outside, she asked him, "Truly, Estel, how is he?"

Aragorn's smile slowly vanished. Glancing at the closed door, he placed an arm around her slim waist and walked her further away so that Legolas' keen ears would not hear them. "I think I'm losing him," he said softly.

Arwen gazed inquiringly at her husband. "Why do you say that?"

He looked down at her. "Legolas wants to go home."

"To Mirkwood?" Arwen guessed correctly.

"How do you know?" he asked in return, quite surprise.

"I've known him longer than you do, my love. This is the longest he has ever been parted from his father, from Mirkwood. He is homesick."

Aragorn lowered his gaze. "And that left me the only ignorant in this situation." He sighed. "I wish he could always be beside me, but I also want him to be happy and well. If going back to Mirkwood would cease his longing and affliction, then I have no other choice but to let him go."

Arwen paused and faced her husband. "Letting him go doesn't mean you are going to lose him forever, Estel."

Playing with his wife's hair, Aragorn smiled ruefully. "I know. That was silly of me to think such. You know what? I think it's better if Legolas stays in Mirkwood. Those Haradrim won't stand a chance getting through the fierce Mirkwood warriors to get to their precious prince. Thranduil would do anything to assure his son's safety."

"You are right at that," Arwen nodded. "I won't be surprised if Thranduil declares war against us if we let the Haradrim manage to abduct Legolas again."

Aragorn winced. "That's exactly what I am trying to avoid." He then grinned devilishly, raising his eyebrows. "So! What's the story about you two and the bathtub? Care to tell?"

She smiled, linking her arms around her husband's neck. "I thought you'd never ask. It goes like this…"

**************************

Aragorn still could not stop smiling with amusement two days later after his wife had told him about the incident with the bathtub. Legolas started to get annoyed. "What's the matter with you? Smiling for no reason when you look at me! Are you losing your senses?"

"Oh, no! My senses are still intact! I was just thinking about you and Arwen…and the bathtub…"

Legolas glared. "Look, nothing happened, all right!"

"That's not what she told me," Aragorn said, his tongue against his cheek.

The prince's eyes bulged. "What did she tell you?"

"Oh, absolutely…" Aragorn grinned. "Everything."

Legolas grabbed a pillow and flung it at the man. "Get out, human! You are beginning to bug me!"

Aragorn deftly caught the pillow. "Actually, I come here to do more than bug you."

Legolas' eyes narrowed at the serious note in his friend's voice. "All right. Out with it."

The man gently propped the pillow against his friend's battered back and sat on the bed. "The night you stumbled back here, Imrahil had gone out to give chase to the Haradrim that did this to you. I told him to bring me back their heads," Aragorn said, a little chagrin.

The elf raised his eyebrows but didn't comment.

"Imrahil just returned this morning and gave me his report," Aragorn continued. "He and his men had come upon the site where you were ambushed and started looking from there. They had followed the tracks of the Haradrim, covering over fifty leagues. Unfortunately, the tracks suddenly dissolved into several different directions, confusing Imrahil and his men."

"The Haradrim seemed to know they would be followed," Legolas said.

"Precisely." Aragorn nodded. "And remember when you told me that they also managed to elude your patrol rounds? I know how thorough you elves are in doing your job that nothing escapes your notice, so I began to suspect that something else is amiss."

"You are thinking that someone inside Gondor is giving out information to the enemy," Legolas calmly stated.

The king's eyes widened, then he relaxed. "Why am I not surprised? You've known this all along, haven't you?"

The elf shrugged. "I've had my suspicions but I was not too sure." He glanced down at the burnt scripts still painfully evident on his body. "But I definitely am now. It took more than the Haradrim to know of my close bond with you."

Aragorn placed one hand over his friend's. "Legolas, they will pay for doing this to you. I swear."

Legolas smiled, squeezing the man's hand in return. "Good. While you are at it, can you do me a favor?"

"Anything, Legolas. Just say it."

"I've lost my bow…and the daggers that Kel gave me." Legolas' smile turned whimsical. "Can you find them for me, please? I think the Haradrim have taken them as souvenirs. I feel naked without them." He instinctively looked down. His chest was bare and the coverlet discreetly covered him from the waist down. He chuckled. "Uh…no pun intended."

Aragorn laughed, shaking his head. "You and your silly jokes!" He then grew intense and serious, clasping Legolas' shoulder. "You will get your precious weapons back, Legolas. I'll see to it."

Legolas smiled. "Thank you, Estel. I appreciate it."

The man leaned down and cupped both Legolas' cheeks within his palms, bringing their foreheads together. "I appreciate you more, dear brother. I appreciate you more."

*************************

A week after the attack, Legolas was ready to head back to Mirkwood. The burnt marks on him were still visible but they were slowly healing, enabling him to put on clothes without cringing in pain, thanks to the salve that Aragorn had applied on them every night. His strength had also returned, thanks to the food and healing potion that Arwen had kept feeding him with at least thrice a day. The royal pair had gone over their heads treating the prince, giving him their best attention and all.

Legolas was standing at the top stairs of the citadel. His mount was waiting below, along with a large troop of Gondor warriors to escort him through the long trip. Knowing how uncomfortable Legolas was to be the only elf among men, Aragorn had also called for a battalion of elves from Ithilien to join the procession. It was not going to be a simple ride. The king of Gondor was making sure that his friend received the great honor—and complete safety—on his journey home.

"I know it's an unfortunate time, what with his newborn baby and all, but I've sent a missive to Faramir, asking him to return. And I've appointed Berégund to look after Ithilien for the time being," said Aragorn, gazing directly at Legolas. "I may sound too hopeful, but I have a feeling that you'll return to govern over it once more."

Legolas' smile was quite rueful. "I hope so too. I'm always proud to be your vassal, lending you aid and strength. But right now…" He sighed, sadly shaking his head.

Aragorn clasped the elf's shoulder. "I completely understand." He then pulled Legolas into his arms, and the two friends spent a full minute relishing each other's warmth and love.

"Safe journey, Legolas," Aragorn said when they finally broke apart. "And send my regards to your father."

Legolas nodded. "I will." The prince then turned to Arwen. "He is overly stressed, like a tightly wound string. Take care of him."

The queen nodded, her eyes tearing. "Always," she softly replied and reached up to kiss Legolas on his cheek. "Take care of yourself too. Send my love to Nara when you see her."

Legolas swallowed a huge lump in his throat as he took one last look at Aragorn and his wife. "Until next time, my brother and sister, by Elbereth's will."

"Until next time, your highness," they both replied in kind.

The husband and wife were still standing at the top stairs of the citadel, arms wrapped around each other, as Legolas Thranduilion, the crown prince of Mirkwood, disappeared through the closing gates of Minas Tirith.

Up above their heads, the seagulls flew past as they gave chase towards the steadily moving procession.

TBC…