Title: Maethor Ada

Chapter 5: A Dangerous Bet

Aragorn left the sleeping Legolas and walked down to the barn, where he found his horse looking over the stall door. Arwen noticed that Aragorn was furiously brushing his horse down, and after that, he slung the saddle up onto the chestnut back. "Where are you going so late, Aragorn?"

"I'm going back to Mirkwood."

"But what if…" Aragorn looked at Arwen, and replied, "Arwen, you know I'll be extremely careful. Mirkwood is not all that far from here."

"But what of the orcs…"

"If they find me I will tell them of my mission." Arwen was silent long enough for Aragorn to add, "And if they insist upon killing me I should end it quickly." Arwen nodded and left, while Aragorn finished by putting the bridle on the chestnut horse. He mounted up and rode out of Rivendell, taking the pace fast and hard. Once at Mirkwood, he left his weapons with his horse, and silently entered the King's Hall. The floor that had once had Legolas' blood on it was wiped clean. Aragorn briskly walked past, desperate to talk to the King. "King of Mirkwood."

"Aragorn, son of Arathorn." Aragorn began unsteadily, "It is my wish to discuss this problem…"

"Of Legolas," the King finished for him. "Yes, I know. It angers me, though."

"How is that?" The King turned to look at Aragorn, before saying, "He seems to be too free spirited, too mischievous, he's always playing with the other children." Aragorn responded softly, "He wants a father's love. And if he can't get it from you then he will go to all means to get it from someone." The King looked up and replied, "But he is too young to understand."

"If he is too young than why does he feel like he needs your love?" The King looked Aragorn up and down and said, "He is past the age. He should be learning to hunt, to handle swords, not learning to get love from his father." Aragorn battled back with a counter statement. "He is learning, but not from you, as he should be. I am a father to him, and he calls me his father. If you—"

"Ada!" Aragorn turned towards the sound and saw Arwen standing in the doorway as Legolas ran to him. Legolas hugged him and said, "Arwen told me where you were going." Aragorn had knelt down and held his arms out to Legolas, who had run into them. "Legolas, I need to talk with you and your father." Legolas nodded and Arwen turned to leave. Aragorn looked up at the King, who now had tears in his eyes. "No, I cannot take my son back just yet."

Legolas hid behind Aragorn as he stood. "Then I will come back in some time. Maybe then you can receive your son." Legolas felt Aragorn gently place a hand on his shoulder and the young elf looked up at him. "Legolas, I had no need to be afraid. I only fear for your safety." The chestnut stallion was brought out and the two mounted up and rode off.