New story!!! ^_^ Yeah, I know I really ought to be finishing the ones I'm already doing, but I love writing this series and I'm desperate for everyone here to see what I'm gonna have poor Legolas & Aragorn go through this time... =)

To anyone who is new to the series, this is a bunch of stories I have written/am in the process of writing about the friendship of Aragorn and Legolas before FOTR. Previous titles in the series are (in order):

~*~Hope and Greenleaf~*~

~*~An Inseparable Duo~*~

~*~Fight Your Fears~*~

It isn't essential to have read those previous instalments, but it would probably help you get a better understanding of how I portray the characters and also shows all the originals I've made who live in Mirkwood and Rivendell, plus anyone in between (including baddies!). Most of them are pretty important!!! So, actually, I would recommend reading them first...

To anyone who has read/reviewed (whatever!) before, WELCOME BACK!!! Lovely to see... well not see but you know what I mean... you again!!! ^_^

We have a pretty short (even for me!) chapter 1 to start us off... enjoy!

.: Chapter One :.

Estel grinned. He had been fourteen for seven days now; seven days of being a man. He checked his reflection in the mirror in his room. A stray piece of dark hair flopped untidily between his eyes, drooping down the bridge of his nose.

He scowled. Blowing harshly, the strands of hair flew upwards for a moment before floating back down. In the end, he pulled it back with his hand and tucked it between his ears.

"Stupid hair..." he groaned. The teenager then resumed his task of scrutinising his appearance. His tunic was in order, his cloak was fastened properly this time with his brooch, and his pride and joy, his new sword, lay in its sheath at his hip.

Estel grinned again, and the boy in the looking glass grinned back. "Looking good..."

Picking up his pack, he turned to see a blonde Elf in the doorway. The newcomer leaned casually against the doorpost, shaking his head in mock disappointment.

"And you say you're not vain..." he chastised playfully, before laughing.

Estel scowled sarcastically. "That's good coming from you Legolas."

Legolas raised his eyebrows. "Now Estel. Don't be rude to your elders... especially someone with as big of an age gap as we have. It's so immature..."

The human burst out laughing. Legolas frowned. "And what, pray tell me, is so funny?!"

"You!" spluttered Estel. "You still act like an Elfling of 200! Don't you dare reprimand me about being immature!"

Noises were heard echoing down the hallway. Estel's face lit up with recognition.

"If you'll excuse me..." he said lightly, side-stepping Legolas on his way out. "I have to be somewhere."

Legolas stared, with a confused frown on his face, after the gradually shrinking form of his friend as he disappeared down the passageway...

~*~*~*~

"Dan, have you got everything we need?" asked Elrohir, putting some more blankets in his pack. Although Elves were not directly affected by the cold, the winter had been quite vicious, and though it was now the Eighth of March, the spring was still bitterly cold, and they had even had a quite a heavy fall of snow a few days ago... and with their rotten luck on these types of excursions, they were better safe than sorry.

"Yes," replied Elladan, already sitting atop Windshadow. He shook his head. "You know Ro, sometimes I think you worry too much. We're going hunting, for one day only, not some long trip off to Gondor or Rohan or wherever for weeks on end. We'll be back by late afternoon!"

"All the same," said Elrohir, climbing on his own horse, Swiftfoot. "The way the way the weather has been lately, I wouldn't be surprised if we were back in a few hours. We'd better not ride too far; the roads and paths might still be icy."

Elladan sighed. "I hope not. The larder needs filling again; the food is getting a bit low for my liking."

Elrohir snorted as he stroked his steed's long black mane. "For your liking! Ada said himself this morning that there's enough to last us until spring! Don't try to cover it up Dan; you are a pig."

The older twin couldn't think of a witty reply, so settled for simply grumbling noisily under his breath. "I am not."  

"Here I am!" cried a voice from up the stairs. The twins looked round to see their young human brother hurrying down the flights of steps. "Don't go yet! Hang on!"

"What's he talking about?" whispered Elrohir.

"I'm not sure," replied Elladan. "I've got a nasty suspicion though..." He glanced at his twin with the 'you-know-what-I'm-thinking' look.

Elrohir paused for a moment. "Oh!" he cried suddenly, the fact dawning on him. Then the possible outcomes came into his head. "Oh..." he repeated, this time much graver. "Oh dear..."

Estel approached them, a wide beam on his face. They spotted the new shiny sword at his belt and their fears were confirmed.

"Are we leaving this early?" asked the boy. He looked expectantly at his older brothers, and caught their apprehensive glanced to each other and the expression faded. "What? What's wrong?"

"Well, Estel... I'm afraid that, you... well, you're not actually coming. You can't," said Elrohir gently, trying not to bring him down with a bump. The attempt failed miserably.

"What do you mean I can't come?!" cried Estel indignantly. Elladan merely laughed, seeing the look of utter outrage on his little brother's face.

"Estel, come on! You're fourteen!" he said, mounting his horse.

"And?!" spluttered the youngster, beginning to get annoyed. "I think I'm capable of coming-"

"You only started your training five days ago!" interrupted Elrohir. "What if we run into trouble? We can't stand around protecting you while there's possible danger about."

"But-"

"No buts Estel," warned Elladan. "Now stop it, you're acting like a child. You're too young, that's that!"

With that, the pair trotted off up the paths westward, heading for the forest, leaving a seething and highly embarrassed Estel behind them...

Please R&R!!! You know the drill by now... oh yeah, go visit my website! Find it in my bio!!! ^_^ And yes, it can actually snow in March! I know some of you are probably like "Yeah right!" but trust me. I live in England for goodness sakes- I KNOW THESE THINGS!!! ^_^