Chapter One

(Set two millennia after Prologue, Aragorn is in his early twenties, Legolas and the twins still quite young for elves, aprox late teens/early twenties in human years)

The journey had been long and hard on all those who had been chosen to make the trip to Rivendell. Their ride had been constantly interrupted by battles with Orc's and other creatures of the dark, which had plagued them since they had left the relative safety of Mirkwoods boarders.

They were scheduled to arrive before the walls of Imladris by dusk of that day, but as the sun began to disappear behind the trees it was beginning to look unlikely that they would reach it in time.

King Thranduil himself had coordinated the trip so that his youngest son may once again visit the beauty of Rivendell, and even though Legolas had protested the king demanded that twelve of his finest warriors escort his son through out the entire journey to ensure his safety where possible.

Legolas glanced up when the horses in front of his stopped.

"I think it would be best if we stopped soon for the night." The Elf upon the mare leading the group said, turning to look back at the rest of the group. "We will not reach the safety of Rivendell before night fall this day, and we will be open targets if we travel in the dark."

"I agree." Said another. "What do you think My Prince?" All eyes turn to rest on him, and he could feel every one of them boring into him. He knew it did not matter what he said they would rest here tonight. If he said no and that they should ride on, they would argue his safety.

"It seems I have little choice in the matter." He whispered, sighing softly he descended from his mount, his feet finding themselves on the hard surface of the ground for the first time in almost a day.

It wasn't that the other elves did not respect his wishes, he was well known through out his father's kingdom as a fine warrior and diplomat, but these elves, as well as Legolas himself were more that feed up with discomforts this journey had caused them, and to them, he was the cause of this journey.

Once the horses had been securely tethered, the elves ascended into the treetops. Spreading themselves through out branches, they began to relax, a few of them finding sleep while others kept watch.

For Legolas sleep did not come, although he desperately wished for it, yearning for the morning to arrive as swiftly as possible. He wanted to reach Rivendell and soon, his body was craving to be properly fed, and then immersed in a bathing pool before greeting his brothers in all but blood. Just thinking about the twins brought a grin to his face remembering the absolute mayhem they had caused on their last visit to Mirkwood just over a millennia ago. He had not seen them since.

~*~

The sound of voices woke him. They were distant but getting closer. He turned and saw the elves around him reaching for their weapons urging him to do the same. The voices did not sound like orcs though; they were too soft, to quiet.

"Rivendell elves" someone whispered. "What are they doing so far from their boarders?"

"Why not ask them." Legolas said jumping from his branch to the forest floor, before moving towards the voices. He was eager for a change in company, hoping that these elves were better conversationalists than those he was travelling with.

"My Prince!" He heard growled behind him, he ignored it, continuing to creep forward..

It was by a stream, quite a distance away from their camp that he found the source of the voices. Two very tall identical dark haired elves sat on the opposite bank to him, their bare feet dangling in the water; he recognised them immediately even though they had been only children when he had last seen them.

They were laughing at a slightly shorter human man who was attempting to cross the stream via the rocks that protruded the waters surface. He had seen and met many men through out his life but never one that purposely chose the company of elves, he was intriguing. Stepping closer his eyes never left the stumbling human; he was fascinated by the way he moved, smiling slightly as the man cursed when his foot slipped a little and water flowed over the top of his boot soaking his foot.

"For growing up with elves Estel," one laughed. "You seem to have a distinct late of grace."

"I seem to remember that you Elladan were just as clumsy." Legolas spoke, stepping out of the shadows, enjoying the stunned expressions on each of their faces.

The man looked up at the intruder, the blond elf that had appeared seemingly out of nowhere. Legolas watched as the sudden movement caused him to slip from the rock he was standing on. He landed moments later, sitting in the middle of the stream. The water was only ankle deep but that didn't make it any less cold.

"Sorry I did not mean to startle you." Legolas smiled apologetically although from the mans point of view the new elf looked faintly amused as he continued to watch as he pulled himself out of the water.

"Legolas!" Elrohir cried out crossing the water by the same method Estel had been trying to us moments earlier but with far greater success. Upon reaching the other side, he pulled the blond elf into a tight hug. "It is good to see you again brother."

"It has been to long Elrohir, far to long."

They almost fell over as Elladan joined them, ploughing into them both.

"You are to witness Arwens bonding are you not?" The blond elf nodded.

"Yes I have been sent as Mirkwoods witness," He hugged both twins again before pulling away. "May I ask why you are so far from your boarders, especially so close to your sisters bonding ceremony?"

"The preparations have been driving us mad!" Elrohir burst out, letting himself slump to the ground nearly dragging poor Legolas with him, as the blond attempt to catch him.

"And as young Estel here," Elladan smirking, turned tossing his hand in the direction of the man, who had made it to the side of the stream and was now sitting on the bank attempting to dry himself off. "Believes that he wants to be a ranger, we thought that we would test out his skills in the wild, and use it as an excuse to get away from the insanity that seems to have settled upon our household."

"A ranger," Legolas glanced over at the man, whose damp shoulder length hair clung to his face and neck. "Not many of those about anymore. I used to see them all the time wandering around the Greenwood before the darkness settled in."

He stepped towards the man holding out his hand in a typical human greeting that he had learnt from his first meeting with his kind. Estel pulled himself up and stood in front of the blond elf before taking the out stretched hand in his. The man, Estel, Legolas reminded himself was enchanting, and so unlike any other human he had previously met. It was all Legolas could do to keep from reaching out to push the wet curls away from this mans face.

"I have many names," He said staring into the pair of captivating blue eyes. "But most call me Estel; I am the foster son of Lord Elrond."

"Yes, I have heard of you," The elf smiled gently "I am Legolas son of Thranduil."

Yes Estel had heard of him too, Mirkwoods youngest was renowned for his both his beauty and strength, and now he could see why. His dark green travelling attire hugged his frame well, revealing both this notorious strength and obvious beauty, and leaving every little to his usually over worked mind to imagine.

"Well met Prince of Mirkwood." He grinned, "I have heard much about you."

He watched as the blond elf glanced towards the twins and heard Legolas sigh.

"I dread to think what they have told you," He smiled bashfully and then laughed quietly. "I would prefer it that you forgot all they have said to you and hear my side of the tales they have told."

"I look forward to your accounts of their many stories." Estel smiled in return.

"That can wait till later." Elladan interrupted pulling the man from his stupor.

"Where are your guards Leg's," Elrohir said glancing around. "Surely your father would not have allowed you to travel alone?"

"They are around some where," He smiled glancing around, "Probably keeping a close eye on the two of you, afraid of the harm you may cause to me."

"Do not worry brave warriors of Mirkwood; we will not have our evil way with your precious prince." Elladan called out into the darkness.

Legolas sighed, trying to conceal his amusement.

"Come Elladan do not tease them we are all weary."

"Then come and sit with us, rest." Estel said looking once again straight into the elf's captivating blue eyes, they were almost addictive, but his brothers did not seem to notice. "They must know that you will be safe with us."

"They are acting under my fathers orders Estel; I must not leave their sights until we reach the safety of Rivendell." He paused for a second. "Although I return the invitation, accompany me back to my camp we can talk there and allow these poor warriors the rest they need, instead of the pain of having to listen to our witless chatter."

Both twins grinned, while Estel nodded.

"As if we could ever refuse you our prince."

"I am not your prince Elrohir." He smiled, "and I do not wish to be treated as such."

"Certainly my prince."

"Elladan!" Legolas growled aiming his hand towards the said elf's head, in a playful slap.

"Guards did you not see that, it is not Legolas who needs protecting but us from him."

~*~