A/N: I don't own LOTR and never will. Thanks for the reviews so far! Makes me feel all happy inside. Someone told me that is my most emotional fic yet. Is this true? – Naur

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-flashback & end flashback-

The Forfeit
Chapter 3
They Meet

2 months later…

Legolas rode into Imladris and slid off his horse with grace, before he turned he heard Lord Elrond, the twins and some new footsteps coming out from the palace to greet him. It had been over 20 years since his last visit to Imladris and he was happy to be back, if only this time was as happy as his first time here.

-fb-
"Welcome Legolas Thranduilion, Lord Elrond is awaiting you in his study," Glrofindel greeted them outside of Imladris.

"Thank you Lord Glorfindel. It is a beautiful day…you did not need to come out to greet us my lord," Legolas replied with a smile.

"A beautiful day indeed. Think nothing of it. I wanted to see the look on your face the first time you see Imladris," Glorfindel told him. Legolas smiled back at him and then stared ahead waiting to see the golden valley. Glorfindel made small talk about Mirkwood with the warriors that had escorted Legolas all the while watching the prince take in his new surroundings.

Suddenly Legolas reined his horse to a stop his eyes widening. Glorfindel smiled at his reaction.

"Welcome Legolas, to Imladris," He said.
-efb-

Now he returned but this time not out of pleasure, the footsteps were getting closer now. With a sigh Legolas turned from his horse.

Turning it seemed as if everything froze as his and this new person's eyes met…his breathing went shallow and his eyes slightly widened, he could see something in the other's eyes but couldn't tell what it was.

"Is this what love feels like?" He wondered.

Suddenly the spell broke and everything unfroze Elrond and the twins were smiling still walking to him but this other was just staring.

"Prince Legolas, it is so good to have you back in Imladris. Many things have changed since your last visit, my household has required a new member as I know you have heard," Elrond started and turned to the boy standing behind them watching the scene before him. "This is my foster son, Estel."

"Estel…it is my pleasure. I am Prince Legolas Thranduilion of Mirkwood," Legolas told him inclining his head.

"And I am Estel, also known as Aragorn son of Arathorn," Estel replied with a bow, but their eyes stayed connected. From that moment on, they were, had been and would be together…even if it was not in love.

Suddenly the twins grabbed his arms pulling him forward.

"Come Legolas! Tell us the happenings of Mirkwood. Are you still the best archer? How is your father?" They asked pulling him into the palace. He glanced back at Estel but then started answering the twin's questions.

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Estel jumped a little when Elrond put a hand on his shoulder. Elrond smiled at him.

"Well my son it seems that you two have at least some sort of connection. What do you think of him as to what you have seen?" He questioned.

"He seemed delicate looking. A spoiled prince I would say," Estel replied. Elrond chuckled and patted his shoulder.

"Maybe you should challenge him to a duel or archery contest and judge him for yourself," Elrond told him. Estel smiled.

"I may just do that," He said as he followed Elrond back into the palace.

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Legolas sat on his bed with his legs crossed; the twins straddled chairs as they talked. He laughed as Elrohir told him what prank they had last pulled.

"So tell us! Are you still the best archer? Old Glorfy sure was surprised when you beat him or last visit," Elladan questioned. Legolas blushed at the comment.

"Well no one has been able to beat me yet but the warriors that are in training are some of the best that I have ever seen. I just hope I do not have to watch them die as well," He answered sadly. They were all quiet for a moment thinking of how many had died for their kingdoms.

"And your father? I trust he is well?" Elrohir asked hoping to change the mood. Legolas nodded smiling slightly.

"He is as well as one can be. Worried for his only son as usual," Legolas replied. The others chuckled knowing what he meant. Elrond had four children to care for yet he still found time to worry about them all.

There was a light knock at the door causing them all to look. Aragorn stood leaning against the doorframe. Legolas caught himself staring at this human once again.

"Yes?" He questioned.

"Adar asked me to tell you that there is a banquet tonight in honor of your arrival. I'll come back for you in an hour," Aragorn told him and then was gone. Elladan's and Elrohir's chuckling brought him back to the present.

"Well Legolas we never knew this about you. Our little brother seems to have really caught your attention," Elrohir said. Legolas smiled as well.

"I do not know… there is something that makes me want… want to protect him," Legolas replied.

"Hey now that's our job," Elladan pouted but was still smiling.

"All I can say is we shall see," Legolas told them. "Now if you will excuse me I must get ready." The twins nodded standing, they started out the door but then turned looking back at him.

"We're glad to have you back," They both said and then were gone closing the door behind them.

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An hour later Aragorn stood in front of Legolas's door getting ready to knock. He was wearing a black tunic with a gray shirt underneath and leggings. With a sigh he knocked on the door.

"Come in Aragorn," Legolas called. Aragorn turned the knob and entered slowly.

"Are you…" His question trailed off as he saw Legolas. The golden haired prince was wearing a silver tunic with a light blue shirt underneath and light blue leggings inside his normal boots. At the moment his fingers were nimbly making tight braids that would line his head when he tied them back.

"Am I ready? Almost. My tunic had a tear from the journey here and I had to repair it," Legolas replied as he finished his braid. Turning he saw the shocked look on Aragorn's face. "You seemed surprised, why if I may be so bold."

"You… you know how to sew?" Aragorn questioned. Now it was Legolas's turn to be surprised.

"Of course, don't you?" Legolas replied confused. Aragorn laughed.

"Me? Sew? Of course not! That's women's work!" Aragorn exclaimed. Legolas shook his head, a frown gracing his face.

"Any solider should know how. You do not have a woman there to fix your tunic or leggings in battle," Legolas replied turning to look for something. Aragorn was quiet thinking of how that was true.

"What are you looking for?" He asked.

"The thing I hate the most," Legolas answered sorting through his pack.

"And that would be…" Aragorn started. Legolas sighed and pulled some fabric out of his pack.

"This," He said simply unwrapping the delicate looking crown. The crown was silver, intricate waving showed it's great craftsmanship, leaves were formed and in the center was Mirkwood's symbol.

"Why would you hate the symbol of who you are?" Aragorn asked watching as Legolas went to the mirror and fit the crown on his head between the braids.

"It is not a symbol of who I am but merely of a position I hold and was not given a choice of for that matter," Legolas replied. He cast one last glance over himself and then turned to Aragorn. "Shall we?"

Aragorn nodded and together they walked down to the greeting hall which was were the banquet was being held. He left Legolas to be introduced by Elrond and went to join his brothers. As he made his way to them Arwen slipped her arm through his and gave him a sweet smile when he looked at her.

Elladan and Elrohir shared a glance when they saw this but said nothing knowing it would only make their sister angry. They turned their attention to the steps as Elrond emerged.

"Ladies and gentlemen of Imladris I am pleased to introduce our guest and reason for this banquet, Prince Legolas Thranduilion of Mirkwood," He announced. There was some clapping as Legolas came out of the shadows greeting them all with a smile, he bowed in respect to Lord Elrond and then gave him a greeting of placing a hand on his shoulder, Elrond doing the same.

With that done Legolas and Elrond both descended the steps to the people, both walking with their backs straight and eyes ahead just as they had been brought up from birth to do. Aragorn watched him with amazed eyes. He had never seen a true royal at work, there was an aura around Legolas that held power and deemed respect.

Arwen stared up at his amazed expression jealously flashing in her eyes.

"Legolas is such a show off. You would think he would get used to this after this many years. I mean it's just doing the same things over and over again. And it's not like any of this actually matters," She said hoping to draw Aragorn's attention back to her.

"Arwen you speak falsely and you know it. Legolas hates the formalities that go along with his title. Unlike some Legolas must act as such to gain support from other kingdoms should Mirkwood ever need the help," Elladan replied. She glared at him.

"He never stops being a prince?" Aragorn questioned.

"Very rarely and even then that training is still there in the back of his mind," Elrohir replied. Aragorn nodded his eyes staying on Legolas until Arwen pulled him into a dance.

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Elrond stayed near Legolas as he did his duties until he could feel the annoyance coming from him.

"Let's go sit and maybe have something to eat. Maybe I can find Aragorn around here somewhere. I'm sure the twins wouldn't mind to find means of entertainment if you wish," Elrond offered.

"I'm fine my lord," Legolas replied smiling. Elrond nodded. As if on cue the twins came over and they started talking, it wasn't long after that Arwen and Aragorn joined them.

"Legolas," Arwen greeted coolly. Legolas gave her a bright smile ignoring the ice in her voice.

"Hello Arwen. You get more beautiful every time I see you. You are becoming quite a fine young woman," He told her. Her ice melted a bit at his comments.

"Well… that is awful nice of you Legolas. Hannon le," She answered. He nodded.

And so the night went on, Arwen watched Legolas closely just waiting for him to do something that would dare take Aragorn away from her. As far as she could tell he wasn't trying anything but that didn't convince her. She would watch him… and she would be ready in case he did.

Arwen smiled to herself, oh yes she would be ready.

Elvish Translation

Hannon le – Thank you

Review Thanks

spanishgoddess86 – Thanks! You found it funny to? Yay! That's what I was going for. And so they have met… what now?

Losing Grip – Yay! I'm glad you like it!

Sielge – I will try to!

sexy-as-ron – And so I shall. Enjoy!

Magda – So we do. Thank you! I am working on the chapters quickly!

LadyJanelly – Ummm… I'm not really sure either… I think I told how old they were in TPU. But this is fanfiction so yea…

tmelange – Thank you. I hope you continue to think that.