/I don't own anything you recognize in this story. /

Chapter Two

Night fell quickly that night. Legolas slowed Arod down before coming completely to a stop. Sliding down from the horse, the elf looked up at his companion. Though he hadn't said much, Estel's wound had been giving him worse pain as the time went on.

Legolas helped the man slide off the horse. "We will rest here tonight. We'll be able to reach Rivendell before the morning's out tomorrow."

Estel just groaned in pain and sunk to the ground, his back leaning against the tree for support. Legolas' brow furrowed with worry. It was indeed worse than he had expected. The jolting ride of the horse had probably reopened the wound, causing it to bleed afresh. Legolas would have to be more careful tomorrow, Estel might not make it if he went on as they did today.

Gathering wood for a fire, Legolas sighed with relief when the fire gave off enough light and heat to quickly make a meal. An hour later the two of them were enjoying the frugal meal that Legolas had managed to conjure up from the woods around them.

"You're a good cook, Master Legolas," Estel said after several moments of eating silence.

Legolas shook his head. "Not I. I only got enough lessons from my mother to get by if I was ever alone and in need of a cook. The best cook is oneself, she said."

Estel smiled softly. "Your mother was a wise woman. I'm sure she misses your company, Legolas."

Legolas frowned. "She's been dead for several years now. Died in sickness, as it were."

"Oh, I'm so sorry. I had no idea, truly." Estel felt sudden compassion for the elf in front of him. It was difficult for an elf to lose someone so close to them, as he was ignorant of Death, which hung over the heads of all others.

Legolas shook his head. "Please, save no pity for me. I don't need it at a time like this. There's too much evil in the world at hand to be swallowing grief that's years old."

"And does that apply to the grief that to the grief that I see in you in the short time that I've known you, Master Elf?" Estel asked.

"I have no grief, only memories," Legolas answered.

Estel nodded and gave a small smile. "Good enough." Though he knew that the elf was withholding more than Estel could imagine.

Legolas nodded towards Estel's leg. "You should get some rest. We have a long morning ahead and it would do you know good for your leg if you're worn out."

Estel laughed. "Yes, my lord," he said jokingly.

My lord. How long had it been since Legolas had been called that? Legolas couldn't remember—he had been in the wild for too long.

"Did I say something wrong, Legolas?" Estel asked fretfully, bringing Legolas back to the present.

Legolas shook his head. "No, just go to sleep. I'll keep watch; I need little rest."

Walking several feet away, Legolas stood there until his keen ears could hear the soft snoring of his companion. Even then, he stood staring off into the distance, thinking about the past.

--

300 years earlier

Steel clanged against steel, echoing throughout the courtyard. Brushing sweat out of his eyes, Legolas switched sword arms and took a swipe at his opponent's feet, only to be defended by his opponent's sword. Feeling his arm weakening, Legolas dropped his sword in defeat and gasped heavily, trying to regain his breath.

Sadron withdrew his sword and cleaned it off expertly, grinning at defeating his opponent. Legolas just glared at him, but only a smug smile was returned.

"I'm afraid you are losing your grip," Sadron exclaimed as he put his sword back into his sheath. "Has my little brother stopped practicing every day like he used to?"

Legolas glared and shook his head. "No, of course not, brother. I've just been trying to strengthen my other arm. "You never know when your sword arm will be out of service."

Sadron laughed. "Well, said, brother, but I think you take this warrior thing too serious. You're not to be the next king."

Legolas rolled his eyes. "As you keep reminding me, Sadron."

Sadron looked at Legolas in mock surprise. "What, is my little brother saying he wants to be king of the Woodland Realm? Why didn't you just say the word and the throne is yours?"

"Oh, come off it," Legolas lightly punched his brother in the shoulder. "I could never become king. You're more suited for it."

"You're just as suited for the throne as I am, Legolas. Ada considers you his favorite," Sadron exclaimed.

"You're his favorite, also, Sadron. You're the firstborn son," Legolas reprimanded.

The two brothers walked back to their rooms in silence, both deep in their own thoughts. Reaching the eldest one's first, Sadron turned to his younger brother and regarded him with crystal blue eyes. The two of them had inherited those eyes from their father, whose eyes showed intelligence and wisdom that came with age.

"You better get back to your room, Legolas. Ada is hosting a formal dinner tonight, don't forget," Sadron remind him.

Legolas' eyes widened in surprise. "I completely forgot about that. I'm glad you reminded me, brother, or I would have retreated into a good book."

Sadron laughed. "Knowing you, that's exactly what would have happened."

Legolas hurried down the hallway towards his own room. As he approached, he noticed a servant was waiting anxiously at his door.

"Will my lord be needing service tonight?" the servant asked. "Tonight's the formal dinner, as you know."

"Of course. My brother just reminded me of it," Legolas said, "Else I would be late and face my father's wrath."

The servant laughed. "Of course, my lord. Will you be needing help with anything?"

Legolas shook his head. "No, I believe I can manage tonight, thank you."

"As you wish." The servant bowed and the two of them said goodbye before the servant hurried away. Legolas watched him go before going inside his room. It was time to get ready.

--

Legolas closed his eyes and opened them again more slowly, a single tear running down his cheek. His beloved brother, dead now and nothing more than a name and a memory, now, as if he never really existed. Turning as the sun crept up over the edge of the world, Legolas headed back to camp to make preparations to leave. He couldn't waste another moment with this human while a murderer was on the run.

"It's time to go, Estel," Legolas said when he saw that the human was awake. "We cannot linger if we want to get to Rivendell today."

Estel smiled and nodded. "Of course. And anyways, I'm afraid I've taken up too much of your time to ask you to stay any longer. You're the best judge."

Legolas said nothing, just quickly packed everything back into the packs, securing them tightly on Arod. He only left enough food that could be eaten on horseback. Helping Estel up, Legolas only took a moment to look around to see if he missed anything before urging Arod on. It was time to go to Rivendell.

--

Author's Note: Finally I'm getting somewhere and I'm getting really excited for this story. If you're wondering how to pronounce the brother's name, it's pronounced "Sahd-ronn". It kind of sounds like Sauron, but I assure you it has nothing to do with the Dark Lord. It means "loyal" or "faithful". Anyways, enough lecturing. Thanks to Irish Anor for reviewing, I much appreciate it. For anyone else who's read but not reviewed, I thank you also, though I don't know who you are.

I'll try to update when I can, and I hope everyone keeps reading and reviewing.