Note-Tolkien...ah, why did you make the story so complex...Still everything belongs to you, professor. (I am currently trying to read Silmarilion....does it show?)

I have 60 reviews, wow, guys it's really impressive. I am sorry about the delay, weird I can remember when I posted every 3 days, back in the old days! I want to thank all of you who posted and keeps reviewing and checking up with the chapters. I do the same and I know how it feel when you saw a new chapter and you sink a bit in your seat and prepare to embark further on in a great story. I am not sure if my story is great but I know you guys are. So Psychotic Squirel (btw I adore your nick) Elfgirlsjf (thank you for your review, did you intend on posting it 3 times though ?) Dragonsdaughter1(you will get your wish), Bah (please, it's not in vain!) Starrdancerr (I'm priviledged to be on your list) Grumpy (hey you're back) Penpunk (nope won't leave you there) & Elvira379 (Below is what comes next) thank you for your messages for Chapter 10 & 11.

Of course, can't forget my Legolas, my mellon-nin: Araanaz for patience and support, always.

Chapter 12

To Take You Out Of This Place

The walk had been quiet for much had been said. Many important things were left unspoken and futile details repeated had drained their energy. Legolas looked at his friend or at the moment the shadow of the friend he had. Ir seemed that the time apart had changed the mortal, understandingly of course but for a being like Legolas where balance was the essential of the soul, it was challenging. Legolas had barely ever felt the passing of time for such characteristic among the Elves was unheard of, it was not in their nature to change elvolve. But it was for the Edain whose days were counted the moment he or she was born. Even among the Dunedan, men filed with blood still rich from the legacy given by Luthien and Idril to the heir of Elendil himself descendant of Elros, twin brother of the Lord Elrond, who were given a long life compared to the people of the South had to leave this world to the Hall of Mandos.

The thought always had been too heavy to bear for Legolas to immagine one day the body of Aragorn lifeless, but now he could conceive it even through the pain of that image.

-"Do you wish to sleep now? I know that I am tired." Came the restrained comment from his muse. Legolas nodded and simply watched the movements of the nightly ritual that once were familiar felt like they were a half forgotten distant memories. He sat on the ground and watched the man lie down, hesitate to say something but closing his mouth and turning on his side. His chest rose uneven for a good period of time, stressing the fact to Legolas that his friend wasn't even that tired; he simply had nothing to say to the Elf.

Legolas stood guard watching the night unfold in front of him, his gaze dancing between Estel's form and the stars in the sky. The hours passed slowly before Estel woke again a few hours before dawn, he sat up straight and blinked at the Elf, his mouth gaping to express what his alseep mind couldn't grasp on.

-"Go back to sleep." Legolas told firmly, holding the confused eyes in a duel, Aragorn admitted defeat and fell back in his bed asleep the moment his body was horizontal again.

Usually the stars and the night was a great comfort for Legolas in his youth and more and more he started to rely on this very old nightly meditation. But tonight, with the excitement, the anxiety of his reunion with Estel brought a damper in his thoughts and found no solace praying to Elbereth.

Dawn and morning came alive with the radiance of the sun and brought Estel along with it, the mortal analysed Legolas acting as if it was the first time they had met each others. One could say they were in an another point of view, so the Eldar bore it with dignity and patience. The silence was heavy between them especially on Estel's side who knew he was the one who should speak, unfortunatly the only sentence he could think of was "Did you sleep well?" a stupid question considering he knew his compagnion had stayed awake all night.

-"Do you want to talk?" Legolas asked as he watched Estel drink water as to delay his intervention.

-"I believe I have to." Estel conceeded feeling gracious toward the Elf who took the first step relieving part of the tension between them.

-"How do you feel?" Asked Legolas when he saw Estel loosing himself in his thoughts, he was starting to be a bit impatience, after all he had waited all night to have this conversation.

-"Strange, I feel like I do not know where I belong. I have this idea of who I should be then I have this idea who you want me to be. I wish I could be that person, I don't want to let you down. But just know I can't." Estel's right hand went up his hair playing with the short strand, Legolas could remember when those locks were mid-back long, they were easier to play with nervously.

-"I want you to be my friend, I ask nothing more Estel. I will accept you no matter what." Legolas said seeing Estel's wince as he pronounced that name, Legolas remebered too late he should not have said it.

-"I know. I just fear I will not be strong enough. But I have to do what I must." The mortal sighed deeply and put on his boots while Legolas simply looked at him, when Estel raised his head back again.

-"Do not fear Aragorn, you will always be welcome to Imladris." Legolas said gently and as he watched the raw emotion in Aragorn's eyes he knew he found the problem that had been plaguing most of the Ranger's mind: fearing his lost his home.

Instead of answering Estel's hand reached out his hair that were now above the shoulder floating on his neck giving him a younger look than his two decades, wearing the ranger style of clothing he looked nothing like Estel Elrondion who Legolas had first met. Now he was a ranger, Aragorn son of Arathorn and heir to the Dunedain ask to carry the torch as their chief. Even if he was still young he proved himself true over the last years with his kindred and was announced shortly their desires to see him their leader. It came as a shock to the young man who ever since learning his true existence wished nothing else then forgetting it. There was a spark of pride in his blood to be one of the Westernese to be the descendent of Elros, twin brother of Lord Elrond. But it paled with the atrocities of Isildur and the fact he could not call the Lord of Imladris ada again. Elrond had send his foster-son with his sons Elladan and Elrohir to the rangers in hope to cement the new found identity. Estel Elrondion had liked his hunts with the rangers but Aragorn only felt the weight of 38th generations before him.

-"I think we should get going. Or the twins will be be hunting us down and dragging us by our ears." Aragorn said in jest acting more like the person he was.

Legolas nodded and he prepared his gear to leave.

***

The walk had been quiet for much had been said. Many important things were left unspoken and futile details repeated had drained their energy. Legolas looked at his friend or at the moment the shadow of the friend he had. It seemed that the time apart had changed the mortal, understandingly of course but for a being like Legolas where balance used to be the essential of the soul, it was challenging. Legolas had barely ever felt the passing of time for such characteristic among the Elves was unheard of, it was not in their nature to change elvolve. But now every second of his quest showed on his soul, he felt angered by it throught the years for it was the Edain whose days were counted the moment he or she was born. Elves were not meant to carry such sorrow and toils. Even among the Dunedain Legolas had met throughout the years had to leave this world to the Hall of Mandos.

All except one.

Of course, Estel Elessar Telcontar and so on and so forth was not an ordinary man, he was a king and elf-friend much like his ancestor to whom he carried a great likeness Elendil. He had captured the heart of Arwen which only a man of Beren's stature could accomplish. His blood was a mixture of Elvish that was brought out in him like no other before. Elrond had told once that Estel carried a part of Elros in him, so much it wounded and exalted the Elven Lord to have his brother again even in the form of a mortal. No one realised at that point that Elros himself had something to do with the gift blessed upon Estel.

-"So, I'm kinda beat, which bed do you want?" Asked Strider looking at the Elf warily. It was obvious that the man wanted to sleep, but wasn't sure if he could trust Legolas.

-"It does not matter, the one you won't be using." Legolas added a little smirk, he barely pronounced the word "won't" making Strider stop in his tracks and doubt what he heard or didn't. He found it even more funny when Strider only took off his boots and jacket and snuck under the cover fully clothed. Legolas prepared himself to sleep taking time to brush his hair as if willing them to grow longer, cleaned his face and arms before lying on the bed barefoot. He had also kept his clothes on but it was more of a matter of habbit, when one spend his life on the road going from places to places there was no time for absolute comfort.

-"Legolas?" Called Strider after the light were closed.

-"Yes?"

-"In your story, who was my parents ?"

-"It depends." Legolas smiled at the intervention, he believe if he could give as much information to Strider something might spark, a memory of some sort.

-"Of what?" Came the irritated reply.

-"Your father was Arathorn and Gilraen. Arathorn was heir of the throne and a ranger. The two died when you were still a child. You were adopted by Lord Elrond Half-Elven."

-"Why didn't Arathorn came to rule Endor ? Why did he let another guy rule his kingdom and put it to ruins. The guy wasn't nice, you told me he used to be abusive of Farasomething." Interrupted Aragorn who for a man with an immense collection of names wasn't doing a good job remembering the few Legolas told him about.

-"When Arathorn was alive, Faramir's father wasn't the ruler, it was someone else. And I guess he could not claim his kingdom by arriving unannounced declaring things that were long forgotten." -"Because that's an elf-thing, right?" Strider said, Legolas smiled at the cheek and knew the man was doing the same.

-"Perhaps, but you considered Elrond as your ada. And his house was your home."

-"Did I consider his wife as my mom ? And didn't you say my wife was like my sister?"

-"Elrond's wife Celebrian left Middle-Earth before you were born to Valinor, an island. And yes Arwen is Elrond's daughter but you met her when you were about 20 years old in human years." Answered Legolas deep in his thoughts, it had been a while he had not thought about history in that manner.

-"Why did she leave? What is something she did or he did?" The question was innocent and a reflection of the modern age where the list of reasons for a divorce was a mile long, but it made Legolas go back to when his own parents had left him for Valinor. He quickly pushed the hurt away and tried to explain the situation as calmly as he could to Strider.

-"Celebrian was hurt and the only place she could be healed at was Valinor." Legolas replied, there was nothing more he could say for it would be too confusing to talk about Orcs or the sheer agony Celebrian's passing caused.

-"And that's where Elrond is right now. I guess he must be happy to find his wife, I hope she is healed. She must be glad, he is a doctor."

-"Do you have more question?" Asked Legolas with a smile at the very Estel comment he just heard.

-"How come it's just you that searched for me?"

For a very long time Legolas did not know how to respond to that, he didn't want to scare Strider with melodrama but trying to find the words that gave his quest justice.

-"Because I am very stubborn, I could not leave my best friend behind. Your family is waiting and I know if they could they would have hunted with me to seek you. But only I and Arwen could. We couldn't leave you."

Strider didn't answer anything, Legolas felt he needed to be with his thoughts right now and decided to go down the corridor to get some ice. A nice cold drink was appealing and would help buldge that something in his throat that made him uneasy. He jumped out of the bed and locked the door behind him knowing that being on the 6th floor of the hotel, Strider couldn't escape or jump out.

He was at the ice station when he felt something brush him by, but when he looked around there was no one near him. The hair on his neck and arms were raised and it gave him shiver down his spine.

-"Hello Legolas" He heard behind him, he whirled around at the overly familiar voice.

-"No you can't ! I found you !" Cried out Legolas at the apparition of Elessar in front of him.

-"Peace my friend." Elessar said raising his hands as a symbol he was unarmed but his mere presence was destroying all the hopes left in Legolas' body.

-"You are an illusion, a trickery to decieve me ! I found who I was looking for ! Go back ! Leave !" Legolas shouted feeling dwardvish curses raising his throat.

-"Yes you did found me, mellon. But actually Master Elf, you only found my body." Elessar said looking as pained as Legolas was feeling.

-"Explain." Came the short order in a low voice.

-"You found my body but my soul, my memory are not within. You see to be able to enter to Valinor, he will need my soul. But right now all of me, my essence is still floating and I can't go back to my body Legolas. You found half of what you were looking for. I know who are weary, so I am. But the end is close." Elessar explained.

-"How ?" Voice Legolas unable to say anything more.

-"Where is the Elessar ?" The namesake asked.

-"In the next room, or in front of me. Aren't both answer correct?" Legolas replied sarcastically.

-"The jewel, the necklace. We have no time for games." Elessar said hurt by the comment.

-"In my suitcase, why do you ask?"

-"Remember Helm's Deep, when I came back you returned it to me. You gave me a lot more than that but, you must remember how it felt to have it in your hands." Elessat pressed as Legolas closed his eyes in melancoly at the thoughts of grim but happier times.

-"Why do you ask, I always have it on me. I know how it feels." Legolas was curious now to what Elessar was trying to explain, did he have to give back the jewel to Strider?

-"You've been carrying a fake for many years Legolas, that's why. Remember what you saw in the palentir, I need to carry that pendant to enter Valinor. I do not exactly know when or where you lost it, I only know it is still intact. Go to Arwen and the three of you can find it together. Be careful mellon-nin, not all dangers are vanished on your quest." Legolas was greatly reminded of Elrond in Elessar's speech and how the two were alike in giving riddles, Aragorn had done well by picking up an elvish name as a king, he talked like one. Legolas had not been much of one lately.

-"Can you tell me where is it ?" Legolas asked even if he knew the answer.

-"No, good luck my friend, my dear brother. You will need it." Elessar said before walking and vanishing from sight. Legolas unglued and ran like a madman to his room, flumbling with the keys to see his strider was still there.

***

-"Good luck my friend, my dear brother. You will need it."

Estel and Legolas had not even taken one step in the Protected Realm that already they were in trouble. Estel had droped his belonging next to a tree and slumped so hard on the ground he destroyed a bit of vegetation. Correction he destroyed bit of healing plants that Elrond collected in the wild for many years. Estel winced as he remembered that his foster-father had told him the plants under his bum were the most effective he found during his centuries of search. Though in his heart Estel knew all his father wanted was his well being, and that he came home unscattered, with Legolas, without a single wound, his ears were going to sting for that stupid act.

The two enterered the realms without being stopped, for the figure of the Prince of Mirkwood was well known and welcomed here, and guards after a second glance reconized the youngest of their Lord. Estel stopped dead in his tracks at the sight of his awaiting father near the gate chatting happily with Glorfindel before Legolas "encouraged" him to go forth.

-"Suilad Lord Elrond, Glorfindel." Bowed Estel as the distance was now a few feet apart.

-"It pleases us to see you arriving safe, *both* of you." Elrond said with a smile as his advisor snickered in the background.

-"Thank you my Lord." Legolas said as he stood by his edan's side. -"Welcome back to Imladris Prince Legolas, it always warm our heart to have a representative of Mirkwood among us." Said Elrond taking his official voice to Legolas who simply bowed in the Elvish manner.

-"We awaited news from the Dunedain and we are happy of your presence Aragorn. Please come in and enjoy a meal, it will be served soon." Elrond said gently, but Legolas knew a cloud passed over his friend's face as he heard his birth name on the lips of his foster-father.

-"Little Estel, back with us! It was about time, even if ill chosen." Said Glorfindel hugging the mortal to him, the former teach and Balrog slayer was a great influence on every children of Elrond's, despite having some trouble with the only girl in that group.

-"Why my Lord ?" Asked Estel anxious, looing back and forth with his father and Glorfindel.

-"Because, there will be you, Prince Legolas, Ellandan and Elrohir in this house, and though we love you all, the four of you bring great destruction if you are in same area." The blonde Elf replied winking at the prince.

-"Now Glorfindel, you will make the children feel unwelcome, I know the twins have been anxious over your arrival. This house is always brighter when all its children are here. Come Estel, your brothers are waiting." Elrond said taking his son by the shoulders, his eyes flickering to the clothes and short hair but he said naught of it.

-"Of course the house is always brighter, there is always some kind of fire involved, that's why. I like the new hair Estel, but I would like your new style better if you were clean." Glorfindel jested to his charge.

-"Oh, but I can't. It's in the Dunedain's code. But I will for Ada's sake." Estel said looking at the meaningful glance from Elrond.

-"The house will be merry tonight, for the sons of Elrond and the Prince of Mirkwood are with us!" Declared Glorfindel to a passing Erestor, the mild mannered advisor who looked a bit schock at the appearance of the ranger.

-"Yes my dear Erestor, *all* of them." Mock whispered Glorfindel as Legolas rolled his eyes before locking eyes with Estel's. It was good to be home but he knew much still bothered his young friend. Legolas thought that perhaps it would be good for Estel to go on a hunt with the twins and himself during his stay in Rivendell.

Just to go on a quest to pass the time.