AUTHOR'S NOTE This chapter includes slash and mpreg. If you don't like reading this kind of material, please stop right here. The other chapters won't include this, but this one is. Deal. (smiles sweetly) Now on to the story. Also, "Manendil" really does mean "good friends" in Quenya.

DISCLAIMER I don't own Legolas or Aragorn or Ithilien. Manendil, however, is my own creation.

…

Manendil – "Good Friends" Quenya

The King's escort rode quietly through the green forests of Ithilien. Aragorn Elessar, King of the Reunited Kingdom, had never been comfortable riding with so many others. His people in the North, known to the rest of Middle Earth as Rangers, had always found it curious that he chose to ride alone. The nine of the Fellowship were the most that he had traveled with up to that point.

But now, as the beloved monarch of Gondor, Aragorn found that he was hardly alone when he traveled. He understood the concern that his subjects felt for him and found it rather touching actually, but there were times that he longed for the old days.

Especially for journeys such as this one. Every year on the tenth of August, Aragorn journeyed to the small Elvish colony in southern Ithilien. Legolas Thranduilion, once Crown Prince of the faded colony of Mirkwood and Aragorn's friend since before the days of the Fellowship, was ruler of the colony.

Aragorn was welcomed warmly into the colony, as he always was. Many of the Elves now living under Legolas's rule had watched Aragorn grow up in Rivendell and had resisted the call of the Sea when Lord Elrond had departed. The Royal Escort was left behind and Aragorn was led to Legolas's private chambers.

The Elf gave him a warm hug of welcome. "Mae govannen, my friend!" Legolas said happily. The two sat down in the sitting room. "How was your journey?"

Aragorn shrugged. "The same as usual. You know how I feel about being escorted everywhere and led around by the hand."

Legolas laughed, his elven voice sounding like silver bells. Then, looking Aragorn in the eye, he said, "Shall I call him?" Smiling, Aragorn nodded. Legolas rose from his chair and went to a side door. "Manendil!" he called softly.

A small voice replied, "Yes Ada?"

"Will you come here please? We have a visitor."

Aragorn heard a squeal of delight, followed by "Estel!"

A young boy of about eight years old came flying out of the bedroom and ran to Aragorn's side. His dark, curly hair just barely hid the delicate points of his ears. Aragorn dropped down to hug him. The boy held onto him gleefully. "Has it been a whole year already?"

Over Manendil's shoulder, Aragorn met Legolas's gaze. "Yes, Manendil. And you've gotten so big! How old are you now?"

The Elfling pulled away. Proudly, he said, "I'm 40!"

Aragorn raised an eyebrow. "Why, you're almost grown up now!"

Manendil laughed. "Not yet Estel!"

Legolas put a hand on the boy's shoulder. "Manendil, go outside and play. I have to talk to Estel for a minute and then we'll come out and join you."

The Elfling ran out of the room and the man and Elf sat in silence. "He's aging as an Elf does," Aragorn said finally.

"He is my son," Legolas said calmly. Aragorn sat uncomfortably. Legolas continued softly, "He is your son, too, Aragorn."

The King dropped his head into his hands. His elven friend watched him. "What would you have me do? I am the King of the Reunited Kingdom, Legolas!"

Legolas leapt swiftly to his feet, anger flashing in his eyes. "You are also Manendil's father!" His voice was raised in a rare exhibition of fury. "He was your first child! He was born long before Eldarion or any of your daughters! If only you would see him more than once a year!" The usually composed Elf was seething as he paced around the room. "Aragorn, why must you hide him?"

Aragorn waited until Legolas had finished his tirade. "We've talked about this before. Arwen, as my queen, has given me an heir for my throne. Can you imagine the reaction if the peoples of Middle Earth found out that I had an illegitimate child by the Lord of Southern Ithilien? I have to think of more than just you, me, and Manendil. I have to think of my kingdom."

Legolas said nothing, only walked to the window to watch his son outside. "Manendil is the last heir of the last true Royal Elven House in Middle Earth, as well as the true heir to your throne. We are denying him all of that."

He felt a warm hand on his shoulder and turned to meet Aragorn's deep brown eyes. "We have this argument every year, mellon nîn. Manendil is happy growing up with you in Ithilien."

"He loves you, Estel. He misses you." Legolas's voice dropped. "I miss you."

"Oh Legolas." Aragorn wrapped the slender Elf in his arms. They held each other like that until a small voice broke into the room.

"Ada! Estel! How long do you have to talk?"

Aragorn laughed. "Come Legolas. Our son calls us." Together they left the chambers.

"About time!" the Elfling said. "I didn't think you were ever coming out!"

Aragorn picked the child up. "Well we're here now." He Legolas's eyes over Manendil's shoulder and this time, the Elf smiled.