Overcoming Prejudices

By washow

Rating: PG (rating went up for some mention of violence).

Summary: Things go badly for the elves of Mirkwood and their only salvation may come in the form of a ranger of the north. Will the woodland king swallow his pride and ask for help?

Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings nor am I making any profit from this story. Any similarities to other fan fiction are purely coincidental. Some may consider this AU as I believe Aragorn and Legolas were friends before the council of Elrond, if you don't like these stories turn back now. This is not slash but a tale of friendship and family love.

Chapter 2: Delays

A month had passed and still there had been so sign of the ranger, Legolas sighed as he watched the sun set, a sign that Aragorn would not be arriving this day. The prince was frustrated at the delay, he knew the later in the year it became the more scarce food would become and the more his father would distrust the ranger. At first the king had been understanding that perhaps the ranger was hard to locate but as time went on Thranduil had begun to think the ranger just didn't want to help them and again began shouting about the selfish nature of the second borne. Legolas let out another sigh – he knew that wasn't true of his friend. He also knew that something had to have occurred to cause Aragorn to be this late and that thought caused him to worry for his mortal friend. Just as his imagination was starting to create horrible images a gate guard called out to him, he knew it must mean an arrival and for a moment his heart soared at the thought it could be his friend but then he discredited that thought for surely the guards would have said something had it been the ranger. The prince shook his head to clear his thoughts and headed to the gate to release the enchantment and let the traveler in, as he walked he looked to the sky, "Oh, where are you mellon nín?"

"Right here, Legolas."

The elf stopped short, he had been paying no attention to his surroundings and had not noticed the approach of his father and the ranger. Legolas' face lit up at the site of his friend and he forewent protocol drawing the man in for a tight embrace. While the man was in his arms the prince whispered in his ear, "I was so worried! I thought something horrible had happened to you."

The ranger had returned the embrace just as enthusiastically," I am sorry mellon nín, I was delayed."

The small group had begun the short journey to the palace when Aragorn stumbled, while he managed to keep going Legolas was immediately at his side attempting to relieve the man of his pack, "Here, let me carry this for you. You have had a long journey and are probably tired." In the midst of getting the pack off the man the wood elf inadvertently jabbed him in his side. The result was instantaneous, the pain so great the man dropped to the ground and curled up in the fetal position. Legolas was immediately on his knees next to the prone man, "Mellon nín, what's wrong?" When the man didn't answer him the prince looked to his father with panicked eyes.

Thranduil was just as confused as his son but knew that they could not remain in the middle of the path. Instead he began to slide his arms under the man so he could pick him up, "Let us get him to the healers."

Just as the elf king was about to lift the man a soft voice stopped his actions, "I can walk, just give me a minute."

Both elves decided now was not the time to ask the man what was wrong and waited for him to gather his strength. As soon as Aragorn could move father and son reached down and lifted him to his feet. The first few moments of their trip were spent in silence until the prince asked the question which was on both eldar's minds, "What happened mellon nín? Is this why you were late?"

The ranger was obviously drained after his episode but attempted to dissuade his friend's fears, "It is minor Legolas." When the elf looked at him skeptically the ranger smiled, "All right, it wasn't minor when it happened but it is almost healed now."

The king efficiently interrupted the conversation, "For now let us concentrate on getting inside young ones, when this young human is resting in the healing wing we can talk about what has occurred."

The human immediately attempted to stop their forward motion, "I don't need to go to the healing wing, I just need to rest for a few hours."

The king would not by swayed by the man and resolutely kept going leading the trio directly into the healing wing. Upon reaching a healer Thranduil handed the man over, parting with, "If my healers agree with you, you will be free to go, so fear not young one."

With that Aragorn resigned himself to his fate and allowed himself to be lead away while the two royals claimed chairs in the entryway. A short time later a healer beckoned to father and son and they obediently walked down the hall to the place where the she elf was waiting. "His wound is nearly healed, only a jostle in exactly the right place will cause him pain. He is resting now but is free to go as soon as you have a guest room prepared for him."

The king was just about to enter the room when Legolas asked the question which was nagging at him, "What happened?"

The healer smiled, "I don't know exactly what took place but the wound was a severe one when it was delivered probably more than a fortnight ago. It seems like someone was trying to cleave him in half."

Legolas blanched, "orcs?"

The elf shook her head, "Not unless they were using swords instead of scimitars, I would say this wound was inflicted by men."

Father and son exchanged a quick look before heading into the room where the human waited. Legolas noticed the room was lit with a cheery fire which provided just enough light to make out the ranger resting on the bed. The young elf could see the rhythmic movement of his friend's chest and reassured himself that the man was fine. Moving stealthily Legolas made his way to sit on the bed next to his friend, he had just raked his hand through the man's hair when the most unexpected thing happened, Aragorn opened his eyes.

"I told you it was nearly healed."

The elf smiled, "So you did but you did not tell us how you got it in the first place."

The man shrugged slightly, "There were some road bandits preying on the hobbits. Luckily I was there to stop them but unfortunately I didn't get away unscathed. It was fortunate that you had messengers searching for me, else I think I might have died in that ditch. As it was a ranger looking for me with your message found me and got me help. And, yes, mellon nín." Aragorn added, "That was why I am late. I hope no harm befell your people due to my tardiness." Aragorn paused and gave the most formidable look he could from his prone position, "What is it the people of Mirkwood would ask of me?"

Legolas looked from his friend to his father, seeking aid in keeping his friend resting. Thranduil immediately came to his son's aid, "Not tonight young one. We have waited this long no harm will come to the elves if the matter waits until the morrow, but I fear great harm could befall you if you do not get some sleep." The man started to protest but Thranduil silenced him with a look, "You will sleep ranger, and we will talk in the morning. Now if you'll behave and ask no more questions my son and I will escort you to your quest room where you'll rest more comfortably than here." The man nodded and allowed himself to be raised to his feet and guided down the hall. The man was so tired that by the time the trio had reached his usual room, Aragorn was nearly asleep. Legolas relieved his father of the human and tucked him into bed, murmuring, "good night Aragorn" as he gently closed the door.

The next morning dawned beautifully in the forest kingdom and Aragorn woke feeling better than he had since he started the journey to Mirkwood. "Must be the bed" he mused before he dressed and headed out to find something to eat as well as the answer to the riddle of why he was needed here in the first place. When the young ranger pushed open the door to the family dining room he was greeted by the two royals. Legolas vaulted from his seat and walked to the man's side, took him by the elbow and guided him to a chair, "How do you feel this morning, mellon nín?"

Aragorn smiled at the thoughtfulness of the elf, "I am well" at a look from father and son the man continued, "Truly, the wound is old and usually gives me no trouble."

The prince sighed as he slid into his seat, "And it would not have yesterday if I had not hit you so hard."

Aragorn was in the process of reaching for a slice of bread but diverted his path just a little so he could grasp the elf's arm in comfort, "You did not know, I would have done the same thing." The man looked wistful for a moment then added, "In fact if memory serves correct I have done the same thing more than once. You forgave me then and I forgive you now." The man retrieved his desired food item and looked at his hosts expectantly, "So, what has occurred which caused you to bring me here?"

Father and son exchanged looks then Thranduil began his tale. When it was complete the king paused for a moment, took a deep breath, then looked into the ranger's eyes. "I was hoping you could travel to Lake-town and find out why the men suddenly want nothing to do with us."

Aragorn started momentarily, the king was asking for his help! However, the man knew that every moment of silence was a nugget of doubt in Thranduil's war chest so he quickly responded, "Of course your highness – I'll leave right away."

The king visibly relaxed and smiled gently at the man, "Thank you for your eagerness young one but tomorrow will be early enough. I would have you see the healers before you go." Aragorn's head snapped up but Thranduil held him at bay with a wave of his had, "And we need some time to gather the supplies for your trip."

Aragorn saw the logic in that plan and nodded, regretful of the delay nevertheless. He was broken from his thoughts when Legolas added, "Not your trip , our trip – I'm going with you."

Aragorn saw the king about to speak but beat him to the punch line, "Nay, mellon nín I'm going by myself." Legolas started to protest but Aragorn stopped him much as the king had stopped his own retort earlier, "Listen to me, as a man I can easily fit into the town and find out the needed information but you are an elf and will be discovered. This time I must insist on going alone." Aragorn climbed to his feet and stood in front of the elf, "You must trust me, I will be careful and I will come right back as soon as I find out what you need to know."

The elf stood unmoving in front of his friend, studying him in an attempt to find an untruth but finding none he smiled, "all right, you may go on your own but if you don't come back as healthy as you are now I will have to kill you."

Thranduil smiled at the banter between the two friends but decided it had went on long enough, "That's enough out of both of you, now eat your food before it gets cold."

The following morning three beings stood in the courtyard. "Now remember to be careful" a blond being called as the dark haired member of the party mounted his horse.

Aragorn smiled down into the anxious eyes of his friend, "It will be all right,

Legolas. Please don't worry, I'll be back soon." With that Aragorn turned his horse and

rode through the gate.

TBC

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