Title: Maethor Ada
Chapter 6: Show Me A Way
Legolas was growing up. Even those who didn't know him very well could see that the young elf had took on the grace of nobility, yet he was still the "little warrior" that Aragorn had called him for a month now. Aragorn was not looking forward to the day when Legolas would have to go home. Legolas had grown on him, it was quite obvious to those who had seen the two out riding their horses bareback. But through the months, Aragorn still had to accept the harsh reality that the day Legolas went home for the last and final time, and they would probably never see each other again during the years. When Aragorn and Legolas went out for a ride on their horses, Aragorn finally decided to break the news to him. "Legolas, I have to talk to you about something."
"What is it, Ada?" Aragorn swallowed the growing discomfort and continued, "You'll have to return to Mirkwood sometime soon." Legolas straightened and replied, "You know I can't."
"I promised your father. He said that you would have to go back."
"He didn't say that he wouldn't hurt me again." Aragorn replied softly, "Legolas, he told me that the reason he couldn't accept you is because you weren't ready to grow up." He had said that much harsher than he intended to, for Legolas' eyes quickly filled with tears. "Legolas, I'm sorry, but it's the truth. I couldn't tell you unless I was positive that you could show me that you were more mature. I didn't want to hurt you at all, you know that." Legolas nodded but still replied, "I'm not sure...I...I...if I want to...return." Aragorn ignored Legolas' stuttering, but he knew that if he was to stand up before his father and be reclaimed, he would have to overcome it.
"A...a...ada, I'm scared. What if I go back and all he does is call me different things? He sometimes uses the black tongue of Minas Morgul to curse things." Aragorn saw genuine fear in Legolas' eyes, but Legolas continued, pausing to get over a stutter every few seconds, but still, a few slipped through his trembling lips. "But I...I...don't understand...
w...why he would...take me...b...back." Aragorn drew out his next sentence fiercely, yet each word fell upon the rain laden air. "Because he loves you. I can't be your father forever, Legolas."
"I know, Aragorn." Aragorn felt hurt when Legolas called him by his real name. During the night, Legolas stayed back in the barn, gently grooming his horse. Aragorn lay awake in bed, the pain of Legolas not calling him "ada" still razor sharp. When Legolas came into the room after taking care of his horse, he saw a lone tear trickle down Aragorn's face when he whispered, "Goodnight, Aragorn." The next morning, the two set out for Mirkwood. Legolas was obviously in his own world, as his distant expression told all. Aragorn was quiet all the way there and he followed Legolas, letting the elf walk a little farther ahead of him.
"King of Mirkwood." The King turned to face Legolas. "Who has let you in?" Legolas bit his lip. "Ad-Aragorn, son of Arathorn, heir of Isildur." The pain Aragorn's heart was pushed deeper when he heard Legolas' slip. "And you are?" Legolas bit his lip again before answering.
"Legolas...Greenleaf." The King got up from the place at the table and walked over to Legolas, holding his arms out for his son. "Legolas, I didn't think you would come back. I am sorry for the pain you felt." Legolas embraced his father, all the while whispering, "I came back, ada. I came back." Father and son embraced for the longest time before the King ran a hand over Legolas' hair, saying, "You have grown up, my son." Aragorn left, leaving the two in silence.
Two minutes had passed before Legolas noticed Aragorn's absence. "Ada, I have to go say goodbye to Aragorn." The King nodded and Legolas ran after Aragorn. "Aragorn! Wait!" Aragorn stopped and turned around. Legolas noticed the hurt look in Aragorn's eyes, but that didn't matter. Legolas hugged him tightly, softly crying and saying, "I don't want you to leave." Aragorn held Legolas close to him, it was as if, if he let go, he wouldn't see Legolas again.
"We'll meet again someday, you know that." Legolas nodded and finally he stopped crying, but he still let a few small tears escape from his eyes. "I know." Legolas laid a hand on the horse's muscular neck and when Aragorn rode out of Mirkwood, Legolas watched, his heart torn in two.
(A/N: I know that's an akward place to leave off at a chapter then to pick up with an interlude, but heck. It'll make sense in the eighth chapter!)
