A/N Well, I guess you guys really didn't want to see why this story was so different, in spite of the fact that I think it's really good and that you should all give me more reviews so I won't have to remove it from the site.

Okay, I know you all want me to update POW and trust me, I'm working on it, but I already had the second chapter of this story written so I decided to post it and see if it got your attention again.

But don't you reviewers think I'm letting you off easy. If I don't get ten votes for the last chapter of FOHL than I'm going to take my sweet time with the next chapter of my most popular story and it'll be all of you that don't review that will be ruining the fun of those that do.

Of course, there is another option. If I get five or more reviews for this story within the next three days, I will type dawn till dusk to get the next chapter of POW ready as soon as I am physically able.

Okay, sound good? Good.

Tauron

Chapter two:

New Family

The trip had been uneventful and the pair had arrived in Rivendel in only a few days.

Aragorn had been unusually quiet for one his age the entire way and Legolas had grown increasingly concerned for the well being of his young charge.

As they rode trough the gates of Rivendel, Elrond himself met them.

"Legolas Greenleaf, Thranduilion, it's an honor to have you in Rivendel again," Elrond greeted formally, smiling at the young prince. When his gaze fell upon Aragorn, however, his features darkened. "Though I fear your news may be less than pleasant."

Legolas simply nodded with an unspoken agreement to speak of it later. Brightening up, Elrond smiled down at the boy.

"And who might this be?"

Aragorn hid himself behind Legolas when he was addressed, afraid of this strange new person.

"This little one behind me is Aragorn. Aragorn, this is Lord Elrond. He's in charge of this whole city." Legolas pushed Aragorn in front of him so that he could see Elrond.

"Hi," the child said, a little shy.

Elrond smiled at the boy's tepidity and decided to try and make him more comfortable. "Hello there little one. It is a pleasure to meet you. Anything you want in this house is available, just say the word, okay?"

The boy smiled before replying. "Okay, Lord Elrond."

"Good, now let's get you two something to eat and then I'll show you to your chambers." Elrond led them into the house and to the dining hall, telling a servant to prepare a quick meal before leaving with the promise he'd return soon.

When the food was brought out, Aragorn took a full minuet to gawk at the magnificent spread before starting to devour every thing in sight. Legolas laughed at his eagerness before starting to eat his fill, albeit much slower than his companion.

"Slow down before you choke, Aragorn," came the amused voice of Elrond who stood in the doorway. Turning to the voice, Aragorn smiled up at Lord Elrond before going back to eating his meal, although slower than before.

"Sorry, Lord Elrond. It's just that all I've had to eat the last few days were lembas and Legolas's cooking," the boy said, sticking his tongue out and pointing at it to demonstrate his feeling on Legolas's culinary attempts.

"Oh? The Prince of Mirkwood decided to try his hand at cooking?" Elrond asked, laughter in his eyes as Legolas made a show of hiving an exasperated sigh and rolling his eyes.

"No, the Prince of Mirkwood didn't, Legolas did!" Aragorn corrected the Lord's obvious mistake.

"I am the Prince of Mirkwood, Aragorn," Legolas explained to the lad.

"But you can't be a prince!" Aragorn insisted.

"Oh, and why now?" asked Legolas with a raised eyebrow.

"You're to weird to be a prince," Aragorn explained to the silly elves. His comment made the elves explode with laughter, greatly confusing the young human.

"Odd he may be," Elrond said after regaining his breath and some of his composure. "But he is a prince, I assure you."

"But why would a prince be traveling all alone in the wild just to deliver a message?" Aragorn asked, still not believing that his guide and protector on his way to Rivendel could possibly be royalty.

"Well you see, Aragorn, Legolas used to have an escort travel with him on his journeys, but it soon became evident that when trouble was aroused, he'd protect them more than they him, putting him in even greater danger than when he'd travel alone. As to being a messenger, Legolas is the most skilled warrior in his realm, and maybe even Middle Earth not to mention a very skilled rider, making him the best choice for a messenger over such a long distance. He is also one of the few of his kin in Imladris's good graces." Elrond smiled at the young elf when he finished.

Aragorn silently assessed this new information before smiling and nodding his acceptance of it. "Okay, but I still say he's weird."

The elves' laughter could be heard throughout Rivendel.

The mood was much more serious later that evening after Aragorn had gone to bed as Legolas and Elrond discussed how the boy came to be in the prince's keeping.

"It is indeed sad news that such a fine man has been lost. His and Gilraen's deaths leave Aragorn as the only remaining member of that blood line," Elrond said thoughtfully as he mulled over the situation.

"Aye, 'tis true, My Lord. That is why I brought him here to Rivendel, for I know he may be protected within these borders," Legolas said, watching Elrond carefully.

"That," said Elrond, "he shall certainly be. It will be good to have a child within these walls again." When he saw Legolas relax, Elrond could barely hide his amusement. "I'll raise him as one of my own. You have nothing to fear."

Legolas nodded, letting out a sigh of relief and, thinking the conversation over, started to get up.

"I would ask something of you, Prince Legolas." Elrond's voice called him back.

"Yes, My Lord?"

Elrond studied the elf before him for a bit before continuing. "The child needs a mentor and guardian, and though I'm sure the twins would do a fine job, I believe it would be a good idea if you stayed a few years until the boy comes of age."

"It would be an honor, Lord Elrond," Legolas said without hesitation, being one used to staying on in Rivendel for extended periods of time. Suddenly a thought hit him. "Where are Elladan and Elrohir?" he asked, the lord's previous statement making him realize he had yet to see either half of the terrible duo.

"They shall be home soon," said Elrond before adding, "If they haven't run into trouble. I sent them out to look for herbs as our stores are running low in spite of your absence."

Legolas nodded, choosing to ignore the last comment. "And Arwen?"

"She is with them," Elrond said apparently offhandedly, though for one who knew the lord as well as Legolas, it was with disguised concern.

"Oh," said Legolas, trying not to sound too put out by her absence. "Then I'll see her tomorrow. He then bowed, once more heading for the door.

"I'm sending her to Lorien," said Elrond, drawing Legolas back once more. "After the Festival. These times have grown dark and I wish her to be near the Lady where her power will protect her. I thought you'd like to know, seeing how close you two are."

Legolas just stood, taking a moment to digest what the Lord had just told him. "Thank you for telling me, Lord Elrond," he said at last. "Though I am grieved to hear it, for, as you know, we in Mirkwood do not often travel to the Golden Wood. It is a shame to lose such a good friend." With that, Legolas turned, finally succeeding in exiting the room, thoughts whirling about in his head.

Alright, then. That was a pretty good chapter in my book and very worthy of REVIEWS. So please, remember my offer and click on that little box in the lower left hand corner of your screen and type away.

Does anyone have info on the extended edition of ROTK? I've been trying to find some but I can't and I would really like to.

Anywho,

Peace,

Hobbit Killer