A/N: I do not own LOTR or any characters except for the ones you don't know. Seems everyone has been waiting for this chapter…but I have a feeling it's not gonna be what you think. Enjoy! - Naur

The Princess Unknown

Chapter 5

A Chance…

Aragorn reached the edge of the forest of Mirkwood in a week and a half of riding. The very sight of the trees was breathtaking, if anything they were even more beautiful than he remembered. Elveldir, his horse snorted and pawed at the ground restlessly.

"Alright mellon nin, let's go, now's the time…I hope…" He whispered and nudged the horse on. They entered the trees and went for about five miles when Aragorn heard a bird call. "Blasted Mirkwood elves! Or blasted birds! I can never tell the deference between the two!" He thought searching the tress. Another call and some faint yells reached his ears.

"A rider has entered the woods!" A voice called, but from the faintness of it he wasn't anywhere close. Aragorn smirked and started to pray that Legolas would see him. Suddenly Elveldir stopped and looked around, Aragorn stared at his mount and then concentrated on his surroundings, there was a faint crying. He slid down and walked towards the sound, after a few moments of looking he came across a hole in the ground that held an elf maiden…maybe no more than 20 years of age, in human years.

"Hey there…are you alright?" He asked. The maiden gasped and looked up her wide gray eyes met his. Aragorn could only stare, he felt as if he was looking at a female version of Legolas…only those eyes…

"Who…who are you?" She whispered fright clear in her voice.

"I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn. I have come to pay Legolas Thranduilion a visit, I am the king of Gondor, now just who are you?" He asked.

"King…Aragorn? My ada has told me great stories of you. I am Sírien, crown princess of Mirkwood. King Legolas Thranduilion is my father, can you help me find him?" She questioned wonder in her voice. Once again Aragorn stared, his heart was pounding…Legolas's daughter?! He…he had a queen then…maybe this was not a good idea.

"I'm sorry I don't understand…" Aragorn said in nothing more than a whisper.

"I came out here to pick some flowers with ada…but I ran off and fell in this hole. Can you please help me?" She asked. Aragorn wanted to say no, he didn't want to see Legolas now and even more doubted that Legolas wanted to see him, but then fatherly instinct took over him. What was he thinking? He couldn't just leave her out here all alone! He knew first hand how dangerous Mirkwood could be. With a smile he took some rope from his pack and threw it down to her. He didn't have to wait long before she took it and he had her pulled up.

"Come we will find your ada together," He told her. She gave him a smile and took his hand, Aragorn put her onto Elveldir's back and then climbed up himself. "I have found Princess Sírien of Mirkwood! We will wait for your arrival!" Aragorn called into the forest. They both listened as many yells went up that she had been found, it was only a moment later that Sírien looked up with a small smile.

"They're here," She said. Aragorn didn't need to ask who as five figures dropped down from the trees around them their bows out and arrows drawn.

"State your name. Princess? Are you unharmed?" Nordithen asked.

"I am fine captain. I was trapped after falling in that hole, luckily the King of Gondor was coming to pay my ada a visit and found me before anything else could," She replied. Nordithen looked up to Aragorn and once he realized that it was true he tipped his head downward in a greeting but there was a hard look in his eyes.

"King Elessar, it has been a long time since your last visit. We do not welcome those that have hurt our king into our forest," Nordithen hissed. Sírien turned her eyes upon him shocked, anger flashed in her eyes at the very thought of someone hurting her father. He had been so nice to her…how could he? She was about to speak when another voice came from the trees to their left.

"Now, now Nordithen, we always welcome weary travelers into Mirkwood, no matter what they're past deeds have been. Sírien it is good to see you safe my daughter," Legolas said from behind them. Sírien smiled and slid down from the horse running into her father's open arms.

"I'm sorry ada! I didn't mean to run off and then get trapped. I only wanted to have some fun. We so rarely get to have fun together anymore! Please forgive me!" She exclaimed.

"I know, you are forgiven," He whispered soothing her hair, he then looked over her head at Aragorn who was watching them with a hurt expression in his eyes. Sírien turned and looked back at the King of Gondor before turning back to her father. She had only seen that look the few times she had caught her father off guard, and the same look was on Aragorn's face only there was a pained expression to his eyes, it was longing.

"So it is true…" She thought.

"Aragorn…I…" Legolas thought.

"Legolas…I…" Aragorn wanted to say.

"Ada? Don't you think that we should take our guest back to the castle and give him a royal welcome?" She suggested. Legolas blinked and came out of his trance; he smiled down at her.

"My, my…aren't we so diplomatic now. But yes you are correct. King Elessar, please follow us back to the palace where you shall be welcomed properly," Legolas informed him and then let out a shrill whistle. A moment later a black stallion came through the trees and stopped beside Legolas. Sírien lifted herself up into the saddle with only a little boast from her father and then he vaulted up behind her. Rilya didn't need to be told to go as he started for the palace, he carried his riders with ease and grace, ever watchful for danger. The warriors took to the trees following their royals back, Nordithen kept glancing at Aragorn. He had seen the pain caused to his King by that man and was weary to trust him. Nordithen had also seen the longing in the gazes given by both. Only recently had he gotten Legolas to be his and he was not going to give that up without a fight.

TBC…

Elvish Translation

Ada - Dad

A/N: You hate me don't you? ^_^ - Naur

Review Replies

Spellcastre – Ok so they have seen each other…what now? And what do you think of this other elf, Nordithen? I'm glad you like her so much, I think she is gonna play a little part of match maker…but things don't work out…but who knows? ^_^ I'm glad you liked what I did to Arwen and am perhaps the first to do that. *smiles really big* Did you twich much as you waited this time?

8alite_chizeta@comcast.net

Starlit Hope - ^_^ Thanks for the review!

Amy – Hehe a harpy…I love her being called that.

Ivory Novelist – I think I agree with you, Prince Leggy is better but it works for now. I don't think I could ever send Thranduil to Valinor, I would cry too much.

Namarie an Lalaith – Sorry but I will stick with COE. There won't be much more elvish in this story so it doesn't matter, thanks anyway.

Triptych – Well you have seen it…what now?

Piratey Elf – Will Nordithen keep Aragorn and Legolas apart? Will Sírien be able to play matchmaker? Will Legolas ever call Aragorn, Aragorn again? These are the days of our lives…

ElvenRanger13 – Check it about every three days. That is what I am working towards. Thanks for the review!