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A/N: Sorry this one took so long to get up. The next chapter should be up a lot sooner. Thanks so much for being patient with me. Thanks so much for all the reviews and nice comments. Here is the next chapter. I promise that it will start getting into more action in the next chapter. Enjoy and please review.

Chapter 12

So come whatever
I'll stick with You
I'll walk You'll lead me
Call me crazy or a fool
For forever I promise You that

I don't want to go - Avalon

Elrond sighed as the sun's rays came into his bedroom. The elf lord had not been sleeping well lately. Even now that his eldest twin was no longer in danger and was on the road to recovery, he was still worried. Elladan had still not awakened and that scared the elven healer. Plus thoughts of Legolas' home lay heavily on his heart. He knew the prince was becoming restless and would leave for home soon. He only hoped that Legolas had recovered enough of his strength physically and mentally before he traveled.

With a sigh, the elf lord walked into his healing room. He found Linriel already awake, laughing at something Elrohir had just said.

"Good morning, lord Elrond." Linriel called.

"Good morning, Ada."

Elrond nodded his good morning, looking around the room for Legolas. Usually the prince was in the room before daybreak, just to see if his sister was okay. Now, even after the sun had risen, he was not here.

"Have you seen Legolas this morning?" Linriel asked as if reading the elf lord's thoughts.

Elrond shook his head. "Nay. Perhaps he is still asleep."

Linriel looked at him with a puzzled expression. "Perhaps." She said, though her voice held doubt. Something nagged at her mind and she couldn't place it. "Can you please go find him for me. I'm worried. Something doesn't feel right."

Elrohir looked at her. "I'm sure everything is fine."

Linriel nodded. "It probably is, but please, Elrond. Would you please just check."

Elrond nodded and left the room. He walked silently down the hall to Legolas' room. He opened the door slightly and peaked inside. The bed was made neatly, so the elf lord knocked quietly.

"Legolas?" He got no response. So, he tried again a bit louder. When he still got no response, he opened the door and looked around. There was no trace of the elf in the room. He looked around and noticed a note on the bed. He quickly retrieved it and read.

Lord Elrond,

Sorry to leave so abruptly, but I need to get home to my father. I left in the night because I did not wish for any to follow me. I need to be alone for awhile to sort through my thoughts. Please do not worry. I will be fine. Tell Linriel that I love her and please only tell her what is necessary about Mirkwood. I want her to stay with you and rest. She has been through enough. She doesn't need all this to trouble her spirit more. Thank you, lord Elrond, for your kindness. Let everyone else know I am thinking about them as well. Bid Estel goodbye for me. I know he will be quite worried that I have left. And tell him to look out for my sister for me. Namarie and hannon le.

Legolas Thranduilion

Elrond sighed as he folded the note and placed it in his pocket. He walked back to the healing room, considering what he would tell Linriel.

"Where is Legolas?" Linriel asked immediately.

Elrond sat down on the bed near her. "Linriel, Legolas left a note saying that he has traveled home. Your father is very ill and Legolas needed to go to him."

Linriel gasped. "Is he okay?"

Elrond sighed. "I do not know. Legolas was going to leave two days ago, but he stayed because he was worried for you. He left last night to return home."

"Oh, dear. What has befallen my father?" Linriel asked worried.

"He has been very worried since you and Legolas disappeared. Once he learns of your safety, I'm sure he will be fine." Elrond comforted.

Linriel nodded. "I hope you are right."

"Do not worry for him or for Legolas. They will be fine." Elrond said.

Elrohir sighed. "I should have seen this coming."

Elrond nodded. "I should have known he would leave without anyone's consent. It's just like him." With a sigh, he looked at Elrohir. "Have you seen Estel? I must tell him where Legolas is. The boy has become quite found of the elf prince."

Elrohir was about to answer when another voice sounded behind them. "There is no need."

Everyone turned quickly to look at Elladan. His eyes were open and he was smiling slightly.

"El!" Elrohir gasped as he rushed to his brother's side.

"Ion nin, you are awake." Elrond exclaimed, rushing to Elladan's side as well.

Elladan nodded. "I awoke sometime last night." He drew in a deep breath and continued talking, though it was a little difficult to speak. "Estel was talking to me last night. He left with Legolas."

Elrohir's eyes widened. "Estel left? You let our little brother go?"

Elladan smiled. "He said Legolas needed a friend on this journey. He told me not to tell until he was gone."

Elrond shook his head. "My children are going to be the death of me one day. My children and my extended children." He said as he glanced at Linriel.

She smiled sheepishly.

"So how are you feeling, El?" Elrohir asked.

"Very tired and weak." He admitted, knowing he could not lie to his brother. "But I feel better than I have in days."

Linriel smiled. "You look better, too." She said with a laugh.

"Thanks, I think." Elladan said looking at her, trying to determine if it was a joke or a complement.

Elrond smiled. "I think I'm going to go get some breakfast for all of us. You must be hungry, Elladan."

"I'm starved, Ada. Food sounds really good."

Elrond nodded and left the room. As he did, he prayed a silent prayer, asking Iluvatar to watch over Legolas and Estel, his adoptive sons.

Aragorn yawned and rubbed his eyes as he began to wake up. He looked up in the sky and saw that it was still dark outside. He had probably slept for a few hours, but it only seemed like a few minutes.

Sighing, he sat up and looked around the small camp. Legolas was no where in sight, but Aragorn was not worried. He knew the prince was probably watching for danger from the trees nearby.

Quickly, he began to fix a small breakfast for the two of them. It was almost ready when the prince gracefully leapt down from one of the trees.

"Good morning, Estel."

Aragorn smiled. "Where have you been all morning?"

Legolas shrugged. "Just thinking."

"You have been troubled and silent while we have traveled. What is on your mind, Legolas?" Aragorn asked.

Legolas sighed and sat down. "I'm worried about my home. My friend Kalen told lord Elrond many things that do not make sense. The orc attacks are too well planned. Orcs do not usually work well together in teams. Usually they have one mindset and are easily provoked against one another. There is some greater evil besides the orcs that is attacking my home. I do not know what evil awaits us when we reach the woods of Mirkwood. We could be walking into a trap."

Aragorn set down the plate of food he was eating and walked close to his friend. He sat down near him. "Legolas, whatever evil awaits us will never be able to overcome us. You are strong, Legolas, and you will lead your people to victory."

Legolas looked down, sadness crossing over his fair features.

"What is it?"

"My father is the wise one, Estel. He is the one that should be leading the elves of Mirkwood, not some young foolhardy prince."

Aragorn placed a hand on Legolas' shoulder. "You give yourself too little credit, Legolas. You are not as foolish as you may think. You are strong and wise beyond your years. Just listen to your heart, you'll know what to do."

Legolas smiled slightly. "Hannon le, mellon nin."

Aragorn nodded. With a grin, he punched his friend lightly in the arm. "See, aren't you happy I came along?"

Legolas rubbed his arm as if the punch had actually hurt. "You arrogant human." He retorted. "No, of course I'm not happy you came along. Why would I want a stubborn human following me?"

Seeing the laughter in his friend's face, Aragorn chuckled. "I don't know. Perhaps the same reason why this stubborn human was willing to follow a bossy prince."

Legolas glared at him, trying to look offended, but failing miserably. Finally, he grinned. "Well, whatever the reason, I guess it's a good thing."

Aragorn smiled. "Indeed, my friend."

Legolas chuckled as he ate some of the food Aragorn had prepared. He looked up at Aragorn with a sorrowful look. "I'm really sorry you never had a chance to say goodbye to your family before you left."

Aragorn nodded. "It is all right. I left a note for Elrond and Elrohir, but I did get to talk to Elladan before I left."

Legolas raised an eyebrow. "You did? Well, I'm glad to hear he was awake."

Aragorn nodded, letting his thoughts drift back to his goodbye with his brother.

Flashback

Aragorn walked silently into the healing room. Elrohir was by his brother's side, holding tightly to his twin's hand.

"Ada wishes to speak with you. He is in his study." Aragorn informed Elrohir.

The twin nodded and wearily rose from his chair. Aragorn waited until the door was shut before sitting down near his brother. He picked up Elladan's hand, clutching it in both of his own.

"Elladan, I wish I didn't have to do this, but I'm going to be leaving. I don't know if you can hear me, but it would have killed me inside if I couldn't say goodbye to you. I know I promised you and Elrohir that I would stay in Rivendell for a while so we could catch up, but something has come up. Legolas' home is in danger. He's leaving soon to help his people and he will need a friend beside him. I hope you will understand." Aragorn sighed and then continued. "I hate leaving right now, when I don't even know if you will wake up. I would rather know you were safe before I left." Aragorn paused and let his head fall to his chest. He knew Legolas needed a friend to go with him and something in his heart told him that Legolas would need him, but how could he leave his brother at a time like this? He was quiet for a moment, but suddenly looked up as he felt Elladan's hand tighten around his own.

"Go with Legolas." Elladan's words were faint and weak, but his eyes were sincere.

"Elladan, you are awake!" Aragorn exclaimed.

Elladan smiled. "Legolas needs you, Estel. Go with him. I will be fine."

Aragorn nodded and clasped Elladan tightly on his shoulder. "I love you, brother. Thank you for everything."

Elladan nodded. "Take care of the prince. He needs someone to look after him."

Aragorn chuckled. "Don't tell anyone I have left until tomorrow morning."

Elladan nodded. "Good luck."

Aragorn squeezed his hand one more time. "Get well, brother. May we see each other soon."

"Very soon, my brother." With that, Elladan drifted off into sleep. Because of his weariness, he let his eyes close, instead of leaving them open in the normal form of elven rest.

Elrohir returned into the room a few minutes later and Aragorn left the room and headed towards the stables.

End Flashback

"ESTEL!"

Aragorn looked up at Legolas, realizing that his friend was near shouting his name. "I'm sorry, what did you say?"

Legolas rolled his eyes. "I asked how you knew I was leaving."

Aragorn shrugged. "I had a gut feeling. I had my bags already packed for when you did decide to leave and when you retired early that night, I just knew. I said goodbye to Elladan than I walked to the stables to wait for you."

Legolas smiled. "You're not suppose to be able to read my thoughts, Estel."

Aragorn chuckled. "It's what friends do."

Legolas smiled. He did not know what evil had befallen Mirkwood, but he felt sure that with Aragorn at his side, they would overcome it.