A/N: I do not own LOTR and never will. Thanks for the support with the first chapter it will only get better one can hope! Love you all! – Naur

------ scene changes

The Forfeit
Chapter 2

Terms of Agreement

Legolas awoke in the healing rooms under his father's watchful gaze. Thranduil smiled when he saw his son awake.

"Ada? How long was I out?" He asked.

"Not long…about four hours. Legolas we need to talk. Do you feel up to it?" Thranduil questioned.

"Of course," Legolas answered sitting up slowly.

"When you came into my office earlier you said that you would do anything for Mirkwood…" Thranduil started.

"Yes and to that I hold my word," Legolas assured.

"I had no doubt of that but…are you sure?" Thranduil inquired.

"Yes adar…why do you ask?" Legolas replied.

"Well…at the moment the thing Mirkwood needs the most is a strong alliance. An alliance with Imladris. This sort of alliance requires more than just promises…you would have to wed one of the royal family," Thranduil told him. Legolas was quiet for a moment, he had never really wanted to get married but if it was what Mirkwood needed…

"So you are saying that I would have to wed…Elladan or Elrohir? Ada no offense intended but I do not think they will agree to it," Legolas said shaking his head.

"I agree but there is also Elrond's youngest son…you have heard of him yes? This Estel…" Thranduil wondered.

"Estel…the human? How could I wed a human? Ada I…" He started but then saw his father's smirk. With a sigh he looked down and thought. An alliance with Imladris would certainly help them…not so many of their people would die…it all rested on his shoulders. And is what was said was true that this boy was the true heir of Gondor… they would get two strong alliances in one, that was if the boy decided to take his rightful place.

"Ai…I will do this…for Mirkwood and it's future."

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1 month later…

"Two hundred lives have been lost in the last four months…" Elrond whispered to himself. Those figures troubled him as well as saddened him, elves were not meant to die and yet so many had.

"Lord Elrond?" Glorfindel questioned seeing his worried look.

"Would you please go find my sons and ask them to come here?" Elrond asked. His advisor nodded and left the room to find Elrond's three sons. He waited for what might have been fifteen minutes for his sons to arrive. They then filed into the room each sending looks at the other worried if the reason they had been called to their ada's office was because of some of their latest deeds. Elrond smirked seeing their looks, this only put them more on guard.

"Worry not my sons. You are not in trouble. I have received a letter from Mirkwood…" He started.

"Legolas?" Both twins asked. It had been many years since they had last seen the prince who had gained their trust and friendship through his selfless deeds and quiet nature. They often worried for his safety in the dark woods of Mirkwood.

"Is just fine although he was injured not long ago. Worry not he is alive and well so Thranduil says. This letter however brings some disturbing news…the darkness in Mirkwood grows and Thranduil realizes that he cannot hold it back any longer with just his people. He needs help and we are the closest allies. This is a very big step to take…this form of alliance requires for one member of each royal family to wed," Elrond explained. All was quiet in the room as each looked at the other.

"One of us has to marry Thranduil?" Elladan asked.

"No…my sons. One of you has to marry Legolas," Elrond replied trying to hold in his laughter at the thought of one of his sons marrying Thranduil. Once again there was silence and then the twins turned to each other pointing.

"You…ME?! No you!" They both exclaimed at the same time. Elrond was once again forced to hold a small smile on his face instead of laughing as his sons fought over who it would be.

"My sons…" He started.

"Legolas is great and all but you do it!" Elladan exclaimed.

"Oh no! You're the older one, you should do it!" Elrohir replied.

"You!"

"You!"

"No you!"

"No way! You!"

"El…Ro…" Elrond's voice made no difference.

"YOU!" They both yelled at the same time.

"ELLADAN! ELROHIR!" Elrond yelled finally catching their attention. They stopped fighting and looked at him.

"What is it ada?" They questioned.

"Neither of you have to wed Legolas," He said. Both twins sighed but then looked back at him confused.

"Then who?" They asked.

"Thranduil wishes for Estel to be the one," Elrond replied looking at his adopted son.

"WHAT?!?!" All three of them exclaimed. Estel had been watching the whole thing with again on his face but now his mouth was hanging open in shock.

"Me?! Why me?" Estel asked.

"That I do not know but it is you he asked for. Legolas will be arriving in two months for you to meet. Ion nin remember, you do not have to go through with this but I ask that you give him a chance. Legolas is a good elf and will make a good husband. Mirkwood would also make a strong ally should you ever take your place in Gondor," Elrond told him. Estel only nodded before leaving to go to find some solitude and think.

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Arwen went in search of Estel. Ever since he had come of age at 20 she had been trying to capture his heart. So far nothing had worked but she was not about to give up. She found him deep in one of the gardens.

"Estel…" She started but stopped when she saw his melancholy expression. "What is it my love?" He ignored that, Arwen was his sister and only that.

"I am to be wed," He said. Her eyes lit up.

"You mean adar finally agreed to our union?" She smiled. Elrond so far had denied her pleas to let them wed but she still hoped. Estel scowled.

"No. I am to be wed to Legolas of Mirkwood," He replied. Arwen gasped.

"But we…" She started.

"We are nothing! We never will be Arwen! You are my sister!" He shouted.

"Not by blood!" She cried back. Estel shook his head looking her in the eyes and walked away. Arwen watched him leave and her eyes narrowed. "I will get you for this Legolas."

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Estel returned to Elrond's study knowing he would be waiting for him. The door opened before he knocked. Elrond was staring out the window his hand over his mouth in a thoughtful pose.

"Make the right choice," Glorfindel whispered before leaving.

"The right choice? What is the right choice?" He thought. Elrond turned to him.

"Ion nin know that you do not have to do this. I will still send warriors whether you agree or not but Thranduil is looking out for his people future. He wants a secure alliance should the darkness invade more or Mirkwood than what it already has. Have you come to a decision?" He asked. Estel took a deep breath.

"Ai… I will do this… for the future…" He answered.

A/N: Well… longer than the first chapter but really only from a different perspective. And we first see Arwen. She will play one of the villains in this fic so if you don't like that then stop reading because it is only going to get worse and I don't care how great you think she is. Other villains will be introduced in due time. Ummm… I think that is all. - Naur

Elvish Translation
Ion nin – My son

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