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

Chapter Three

Rivendell was a magnificent place, full of light and the gentle swaying of the tree branches and the rushing sound of the river not far off. Legolas had been there only a couple of times before, but still it caught him off guard whenever he came. It was a far cry from what he was used to, though he wasn't saying Mirkwood was any less than Rivendell.

Slowing Arod down under the arched bridge just on the edge of Rivendell, Legolas slid down from the horse's back and helped Estel down. Letting Arod fall a pace behind him, Legolas helped Estel.

"Where do you go from here, Estel?" Legolas asked.

Estel was about to answer when a shout rose above, cutting him off. In the distance, Legolas noticed a couple of people running towards them, smiles stretched across their faces. The human's adoptive family, no doubt and they were probably expecting him; waiting for the first sign of his return.

"You've finally made it back, Estel!" the first one shouted in Elvish, coming to a stop in front of Estel and giving him a huge hug.

Legolas could tell that Estel weakened slightly under the elf's hold, but managed to stay standing until he had let go. Estel motioned to his leg and the other elf looked at it carefully.

"I believe that it has gotten worse upon the travel here, but I think it will get better if I have plenty of rest and ada's medicine," Estel explained.

The elf stood and nodded. "So be it then." He turned to Legolas quickly, as if he had just noticed the outsider's presence. The two of them looked each other up warily, but neither said anything to each other.

"Who is this one? I have never seen him before in these parts the elf," said to Estel in Elvish.

Estel laughed and shook his head. "This is Legolas. He was the one who helped get me here. I wouldn't have survived if not for him."

The elf turned back to Legolas and stepped foreword. "Welcome to Rivendell, Master Legolas. I am Elrohir, Estel's foster brother. The other is my twin brother, Elladan. It is a pleasure meeting the rescuer of my brother."

Legolas nodded ever so slightly. "You have no need to speak in the common tongue if you do not wish. As an elf myself, I would be much surprised that others think I am incapable of speaking the tongue since I've grown up in an Elven city all my life."

Elrohir frowned slightly. Clearly he was not used to being admonished, and from a stranger at that. But he chose not to pursue it and for that Legolas was grateful. He did not wish to have further trouble in Rivendell.

Elrohir bowed slightly. As you wish, Master Legolas. Will you be staying long here in Rivendell?

Legolas shook his head. "I plan on leaving now as we speak. I have other things to do that cannot wait."

Estel laughed. "Don't be ridiculous, Legolas. You must stay for a while. My father would be delighted to see you."

Legolas sighed. This was going to be much more difficult than he thought. With insistence from both Estel and the twins, Legolas finally complied. It was easier to follow along than make a scene, which would have been embarrassing on his part.

Allow me to show you to the room that you will be staying in, Elrohir exclaimed, a small smile on his face as if he were amused.

"No, allow me to do that, brother, as he was my companion for the past two days," Estel interjected.

"You need to go to the infirmary, Estel. You're leg cannot go much longer without medicine," Elrohir argued.

Estel nodded in defeat. "Of course." Turning to Legolas he added, I'll come up to see you when I'm able. It shouldn't take me more than a couple of hours.

"Don't come to me on your part, Estel. You need your rest—I can manage on my own right now," Legolas stated.

Estel just shrugged and allowed Elladan to lead him away. When they were finally alone, Elrohir turned back to Legolas and studied him intensely. Legolas wondered what the elf was looking for in him. Not too much, he'd wager.

"You are a long way from home, Legolas. And it amazes me that you, one of our kind, can willingly leave home without the company of others. You must admit, Legolas, that we don't do that often except in dire circumstances," Elrohir exclaimed, switching back to the common tongue.

"It is not your business to decide what is best, master," Legolas said simply. "I have my reasons of why I'm alone and I wish to keep them to myself."

"Indeed." Elrohir studied his fingernails intensely as the two of them walked. Facing Legolas, he added, "Your name seems so familiar, yet I cannot place why I should know your name."

"I wouldn't have the slightest idea, sir," Legolas said, tensing ever so slightly. "Perhaps there is another with my name and my looks, but he has died long ago."

Elrohir looked at Legolas suspiciously but didn't pursue the matter. As was common for their race, one mustn't go the Elves for council, for they spoke both no and yes. That even applied for elves go among elves for their questions. He would have to do a little research for himself and find out who this mysterious elf was and why he seemed so sad, yet determined.

Finally reaching a door, Elrohir turned to Legolas.

"This will be your room for as long as you stay here, Legolas. If you need anything else, ask for me. I'll be around somewhere," Elrohir stated.

"You cannot know how much I appreciate all this, Elrohir. I haven't been in a room for many years nor had the rest I should have just as long. How can I ever repay you?" Legolas asked.

"Just your friendship," Elrohir smiled, "and a promise that you won't be as hard-headed the rest of your time here as you showed me out in the gardens."

Legolas couldn't help but smile back. So the elf really wasn't thinking only of himself after all, which was good. How he hated snobby hosts. Legolas gave a curt nod.

"You have my word on that, sir," Legolas exclaimed.

"Please, just call me Elrohir. Friends don't keep up formalities in private," Elrohir said. I expect tonight or tomorrow they'll celebrate Elessar's return and honor you for bringing him back.

Legolas shook his head. "I did nothing special. I only saw a friend in need and so I stopped to help."

"But it means so much to us," Elrohir said quietly.

Saying goodbye, Legolas watched the elf disappear down the hallway. Legolas could feel that there was more to this Estel than met the eye. He would have to figure it out later. Right now, all he wanted was some rest.

Going into the room, Legolas gently closed the door behind him. He immediately fell in love with it; an open-air room with a balcony and a huge bed that stretched to nearly half the wall with a desk sitting near the doorway to the balcony. It almost reminded him of his old room in Mirkwood, only his old room wasn't open-aired as for the threat of outside enemies.

Stretching out onto his bed, Legolas' last thought before succumbing to his dreams was that he was lucky to be alive and in Rivendell through it all. He would be safe for one more night.

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Author's Note: A long chapter for you all. I hope it's satisfied everybody enough until I can get chapter five out. Thanks to everybody who's reviewed, I really appreciate it and if you've made some suggestions, I'm considering them as we speak, though nothing is definite for me to change anything.

I hope you like it so far and I hope you keep reading and I'll keep on writing. Don't forget to review; it'll make me really happy!