Disclaimer: Me? Own this? Ha. You need some serious help if you believe that.

A/N: Hey! Not much to say...Thanks for your reviews! They keep me going. Now, CHAPTER THREE.

Prejudices

Aragorn sighed and lifted his pack. It hadn't taken long to gather everything as he hadn't had a chance to unpack much. He had so hoped Thranduil would listen to Legolas. He did not like the idea of his friend left alone to deal with the skeletons the report to the king was going to unearth. Both of the friends had been badly hurt by the orcs and it was difficult to speak of, especially when one was alone. But, to avoid further conflict, for he had no doubt that the Elf-king would carry out his threats to charge and punish him for something, Aragorn was leaving without a fight. He hoped Legolas would be careful of his still-healing shoulder and other injuries. The man snorted softly to himself, Not likely, he thought.

Glancing around one last time, Aragorn took his things and slipped out of the room, closing the door behind him. He made his way to the front gate and found Legolas waiting for him. The Prince barely met Aragorn's gaze, "I am truly sorry, mellon nin...I-I knew he would not take kindly to your presence, but I did not think he would not allow you to stay..."

Aragorn shook his head, "Legolas, it is not your fault. You tried to warn me, persuade me not to come, it was my own folly...Now, I want you to let your shoulder heal..." the man pressed a bundle into Legolas' hands. Legolas' eyes widened when he saw what the bundle contained, "Strider, you can't! What if some ill befalls you before you reach your home? You will need this far more than I!"

Aragorn shook his head, "Nay, I divided what my father sent in half. I still have enough; worry not. These medicines will do you good...Perhaps you will be able to journey to Imladris again before long..." Legolas met his friend's wistful gaze and smiled sadly for they both knew it was unlikely that Legolas would return to Rivendell for several human years. Legolas looked down at the bundle and clasped Aragorn's shoulder warmly, "Thank you, mellon nin. I will write as often as I can."

"I will look forward to it. We will meet again. Thank you for everything, Legolas..." Aragorn replied softly. The man reached out and embraced the Prince like a brother, then turned and slowly made his way through the gate and down the path that led out of Mirkwood, toward his home. Legolas stood and watched the man until he was lost in the gloom of the forest. Valar, keep him safe, Legolas pleaded silently.

Unbeknownst to the two friends, Thranduil watched the scene from a window overlooking the courtyard and gate. As he observed his son embraced the man, then watched as he walked out into the forest, a tiny touch of regret stole into his heart which was quickly overwhelmed by the king's residual anger over the man's presence and his association with the Prince. Frowning, Thranduil turned away from the window. If he had watched a moment longer, he would have seen Legolas' shoulders droop as the young Elf made his way back inside once his friend had been swallowed by the forest.

Meeting his son as he came in, though he knew the answer, Thranduil asked, "He is gone?"

Legolas fixed an icy gaze on his father, "Yes, Strider is on his way." Thranduil nodded as Legolas began to walk away, "Good, I want him well away from here before the delegation from Imladris arrives."

Legolas spun around to face his father, "What?" Thranduil met his son's startled gaze, "Lord Elrond, his twin sons, and some others are to arrive here within the next few days."

"Lord Elrond? He is coming here? He is not in Imladris?" Legolas asked urgently.

Thranduil nodded, "Indeed. I am simply glad that human will be well on his way before they arrive in the next five days. And you will welcome them," Thranduil said sternly, "You will not continue with this sulking." Legolas bowed stiffly, "As you wish, my lord." Not fully able to erase the unease that had settled upon him, Legolas left his father standing in the hall as he went on his way.

The next morning, Legolas woke, the feeling of unease growing. He shook it off. If a delegation including Lord Elrond was to arrive soon, it was likely that Aragorn would meet them on the road and the Elf-lord would have him accompany them to Thranduil's halls. If Aragorn came as a part of the Imladris delegation, Thranduil would be forced to accept the man's presence, or risk offending the ruler of the neighboring region. Legolas nodded to himself, satisfied with this logic and went to dine with his father.

While the king and prince took their meal, an agitated messenger burst in, "Forgive me, my liege, but I bring urgent news." Thranduil nodded, "Speak."

"There is a section of the road that is quite infested with spiders...A patrol lost two of their number just this morning. I've come to request more aide, sire," the messenger said. Thranduil nodded and looked at Legolas, "You will lead a contingent, Legolas. If you should happen to meet the delegation from Imladris, escort them here."

Legolas stood and bowed, "As you wish, my lord." Thranduil stopped his son and murmured, "Be careful, ninion..." Legolas' expression softened, "I will, ada..."

With that, Legolas left the hall. It took him all of that day to reach the site where the spiders had taken the Elves from the patrol. Examined the area, finding many new webs and nests, but it seemed, for the moment at least, that the spiders were not there. He and the contingent that had accompanied him began ripping the webs apart and burning what they tore down.

Legolas kept a wary eye on the trees surrounding them. He leapt out of the way as a spider sprang from the trees. Within moments, he and the other warriors were severely outnumbered by the spiders who had realized that their nests were being destroyed and had come to defend themselves. Legolas drew his knives—the range was too close for him to use his bow and there were too many Elves about to risk shooting one of them. Legolas hardly noticed as he became separated from the main group, fully occupied by the spiders that had chosen him as a target.

As he dispatched the last spider, he looked around, realizing for the first time, just how far the fight had taken him from his companions. He was caught off guard when a particularly large spider leapt from the trees, knocking him to the ground, his weapons flying from his grip. Struggling with all the strength he possessed, Legolas fought to avoid the spider's fangs, a battle he knew he would lose should help not arrive and soon.

Legolas wrenched around, hearing someone enter the clearing with a yell. The spider sprang at this new opponent and Legolas was surprised to see it was Aragorn. The man needed help, however, for he had no experience with the creatures and was not at his best as he was healing. Legolas watched as the man's sword was wrenched from his grip, caught in a thread of sticky web the spider had shot at him. Without warning, the creature sprang toward him and the Ranger jumped back, tripping over an exposed root.

Legolas finally broke from his stunned stupor and ran to aid his friend, burying the blade of one of his knives deep into the creature, killing it. Legolas rolled the dead spider off of his friend, who looked rather shaken.

"Strider?" the Prince asked. The man smiled up at him, "Thanks..." Legolas frowned, "I thought you would be well away from here..." Aragorn shrugged, "I'm going slow. No sense in rushing. Ada does not expect me back for weeks yet."

Legolas sighed, "And you just happened to be here at the right moment?" Aragorn shrugged, grinning. Legolas rolled his eyes, "Well, I want you to stay in our camp for the night...More spiders will come to this area and it will not be safe for a lone traveler tonight." Aragorn made no comment but followed Legolas to where the contingent was cleaning up. To his relief, none of the Elves were seriously hurt. The Prince turned to his second in command, "Strider is staying in our camp this night. Please show him where he can set up his gear." Legolas turned to the man and frowned. Strider's skin was pale and shiny with sweat. Legolas also noted his friend was breathing in short, shallow gasps.

"Strider, are you well?" Legolas asked. Strider closed his eyes, "Legolas?" asked the man, as if not realizing his friend had been there the whole time. Legolas grasped his friend's shoulder. Feeling the contact, Aragorn opened his eyes and Legolas was distressed to see the man's pupils were mere pinpricks. Suddenly the man swayed and he would have fallen over, had Legolas not been holding onto him. With increasing distress, Legolas helped the man to sit, asking urgently, "Strider, were you bitten?" Aragorn squinted at the Elf then nodded weakly, "Y-yes..."

"Valar! Ellindon! Bring the anti-venom! Quickly!" the Prince shouted as Aragorn started to lapse into unconsciousness. "Strider! Do not go to sleep! Stay with me, mellon nin! Why didn't you say you had been bitten?" An Elf appeared at Legolas' side, bearing a small vial of amber liquid. Legolas uncorked it with his teeth and used a hand to slap Aragorn, "Strider! Where? Where were you bitten?"

"A-arm..." the man murmured softly. Legolas looked and found two punctures to the man's right forearm. Pushing the sleeve up, Legolas poured the liquid into the exposed punctures and was handed a bandage. First, however, Legolas opened his friend's pack and extracted a small jar of poultice, smearing the concoction across the wound then wrapping it. Aragorn began to stir not long later and found Legolas watching him with a piercing glare, "Stupid human! You nearly died! How many times have I told you of those who were lost because they hid a spider's bite? If the anti-venom is not administered within twenty minutes, it is too late!"

Aragorn smiled tentatively, "Sorry?" Legolas rolled his eyes and gave an exasperated sigh, "What am I going to do with you?" Aragorn chuckled, "You know you love me!"

"Stubborn human," replied Legolas.

"Prissy Elf," retorted Aragorn. Legolas smiled, "I am glad you will be alright...Rest now..." Obediently, Aragorn closed his eyes and was soon asleep, still smiling.

A/N: DON'T HATE ME! PLEASE! I'M SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG! My job has been quite hectic the last little while and that has made writing hard. On a happier note, I'M GETTING A LAPTOP! Whoohoo! That will make updates easier. This chapter was going to be longer, but I figured you would rather have an update than waiting however long it took to write more. I know what I want to write, it's finding the time to do it that's bothersome. I'll update as soon as I can...No promises as to how soon that will be...

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