Chapter Three: Breakfast, a Fight, and an Answer

"You think one set of twins are bad enough, Aragorn," said Legolas once they were in the dining hall. "I have two!"

"Yeah, well, you belong to one of them!" said Aragorn, snorting.

"So? Belonging to one is not the best either. And my twin's a girl!" protested Legolas.

"But Amarquil and Amarquil behave a lot better that Elladan and Elrohir." said Aragorn.

"That's only because my father will beat them if they don't and your father doesn't have the heart." hissed Legolas.

"Do not insult my father! He was in the Last Alliance while your father was merely a child!" retorted Aragorn, angrily.

"Now you do not insult my father! My grandfather Oropher was there and he died for Middle-earth, for our freedom!" Legolas cried.

"Yes, but so did another 400,000 Elves and Men. It did not put the icing on the cake, Legolas!"

"Well, it did for my father! He was crowned king at age 14! A year younger that yourself! He had no chance to be a teenager! He jumped straight from child to adult!" said Legolas, almost yelling.

"Alright, alright, it was a stupid argument. I am sorry." said Aragorn in a quieter voice.

"It is fine, Estel. I am sorry too." Legolas said in the same tone of voice.

Legolas turned; almost every servant in the hall was staring at them.

"Yes?" he asked. They all hurriedly turned around to do whatever it was he or she was doing.

"That was odd," commented Aragorn.

"And rude," replied Legolas, "No matter, here, sit."

Aragorn obeyed and sat in the empty chair that was nearest to him. Legolas slowly seated himself next to his friend.

"Legolas," Aragorn whispered out of the side of his mouth, "do not make it so obvious that a blind man could see."

"I was trying not to but the herbs still sting like I have just been whipped." the Elf answered.

"You should have told the healer when he asked you. You are going to hurt something worse than just your pride someday, mellon nin."

"Yes, yes. Now you don't make a scene! Be quiet!" whispered Legolas.

"Why?" Aragorn asked a little louder.

"Because, look," Legolas pointed to his father who had just come in the door.

"Oh, sorry, I had not seen him." said Aragorn.

"Whatever." said Legolas. "Act normal. Not too polite, not too otherwise. Just be yourself."

Aragorn nodded in silent agreement.

The two sat there silenced, until food was served.

Legolas spooned a small amount of oatmeal into his bowl and ate it plain. Aragorn had to add sugar too his.

It was about 15 minutes into the meal before Legolas's father asked, "So what is on your agendas today?"

Legolas answered before Aragorn could swallow his spoonful of oatmeal and speak for himself, "Um, we were going to ask you if we could go hunting today, Adar."

"Ah, yes, very well... But stay on grounds, please." Thuranduil said.

"We shall father, do not worry." said Legolas.

"I mean it, Greenleaf." Thuranduil stared at the two, making Aragorn feel very uncomfortable.

"We shan't!" Legolas cried before snarfing the rest of his oatmeal and standing.

"Aragorn, are you ready?" he asked, eager to go.

"Wait until Estel is done... be patient with his slow eating." Thuranduil sneered quietly. Like many of the Elves in Mirkwood he had little faith in the race of Men and caught Aragorn on simple differences and made them a big deal. That was one of the things he didn't like about staying at Legolas's.

Legolas ignored his father's nasty comment and obeyed the 'waiting patiently' part.

"I'm done, let us go." Aragorn said, his mouth still full of oatmeal.

The two friends left the hall to go back to Legolas's room. They needed to pack supplies for hunting.

Legolas went through his closet, glancing hurriedly at the few blood-stained blankets left from the night before. He found two bags, throwing one to Aragorn.

"Legolas, I already have a bag. I do not need this one." said Aragorn.

"Yes you will. It is for game... rabbits and stuff." Legolas replied.

"Oh,"

Legolas strapped on his quiver, grabbed his bow and bag, and then headed out the door of his room.

"Wait up, mellon nin!" yelped Aragorn, running after. He met Legolas in the hall.

"Long-shanks," Aragorn muttered.

"Hey! You have long legs! Do not make fun of me for something you have too!" said Legolas, smiling. He had obviously heard Aragorn's remark.

"I was not I was just-"

Aragorn was cut short by Legolas who raised his hand. Thuranduil was heading down the hall toward them with Tel-Miana-Lequl following him closely, like a dog.