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

Chapter Five

300 years earlier

Thranduil always managed to make the formal dinners seem magnificent. Legolas walked into the dining hall, looking about him. Every candle that ever existed seemed to be in that room tonight, lining up the walls and down the middle of the table. The food was already on the table, all the plates decorated with an assortment of plants and flowers, making it look beautiful as well as to make it taste better.

Finding his place at the table, Legolas stood behind his chair. It was rude to sit down before the king himself did. Turning his head when he saw someone come in, Legolas smiled when he saw his older brother striding into the room followed by Elrond's twin sons, Elrohir and Elladan. Standing behind the chair across from Legolas, Sadron smiled at his younger brother.

"You look magnificent as usual, little brother," Sadron exclaimed, his eyes twinkling.

Indeed he looked magnificent. Legolas' attire was silver tinged with a gray-blue, woven elvish design circling around the middle and up towards his chest. His golden hair shone brightly, extra flyaway hair in braids and tied to circle the top of his head and the remaining braid falling down the center of the remaining hair. The look had made every vicinity swoon at the sight of him, wishing they could be closer to the magnificent and well-loved second son.

Legolas shook his head and laughed. "Don't try to flatter yourself, big brother, but you're only saying that because you're jealous that the girls are looking at me for once."

Elrohir, who had the seat next to him, laughed. "You cannot deny that one, Sadron. The ladies are having a particular interest in your brother tonight."

"That's alright, then. You have to give in order to receive as they say," Sadron laughed jokingly.

"You have a shrewd sense of humor, my lord," a voice said from the doorway.

Legolas' gaze went towards the voice and nearly gasped in surprise. The person was a she-elf but she seemed so beautiful that Legolas couldn't tear his eyes away from her. The woman walked over to where Sadron stood and held out her hand.

"My name is Anira," the woman said. "I am cousin of Elrohir, Elladan, and the lady Arwen."

Sadron took Anira's hand gently and kissed it, bowing slightly over it. "It is my pleasure to meet you, my lady Anira. I hope you enjoy your time here in Mirkwood."

Anira smiled softly. "Indeed I shall, my lord. And who is this fine looking young man over here?" Sweeping around the table, she stood beside Legolas, studying him with her intense blue eyes. "What a charming young man you are, sir, and might I ask your name?"

Legolas smiled and bowed his head slightly. "Legolas at your service, my lady."

Anira smiled at Elrohir. "Such a charming friend you have, Elrohir, why didn't you introduce me to him sooner?"

Elrohir shook his head. "I have only just met him today myself, Anira, down by the lake. I couldn't have introduced him to you yet as I was preoccupied with the tasks at hand."

Anira laughed. "You are always preoccupied my dear cousin."

Elrohir didn't reply as the lords Elrond and Thranduil entered the room. Gliding gracefully back to the other side of the table, Anira smiled shyly at Legolas. The elf couldn't help but smile back at the beautiful she-elf.

The table was silent for several moments as the elves dug in, enjoying the food, slowly, allowing the taste to absorb on their tongues. Finally, after taking some of the edge of his hunger, Thranduil looked down the table at Elrond.

"Now that we've made our introductions, I would like to cut into business, if you don't mind, Elrond," Thranduil exclaimed.

Elrond wiped the corners of his mouth daintily with his napkin. "As you wish, Thranduil. It is your table and you conduct it as you will have it."

There was humor in the corners of Thranduil's eyes, but he didn't dwell on it for long. "Orcs have been multiplying around the edges of my borders. I don't have enough scouts to send out, as they are elsewhere. I need to ask to you for help."

"I know you mean well, Thranduil, but you know that my own are busy with our own borders. I cannot risk opening my own borders to cover yours," Elrond said sharply.

"I'm not asking for the whole army, mellon, but only a few. I have my eldest son here, Sadron, and a few others, but they alone are not enough if they are attacked from both sides. I'm only asking for your disposition," Thranduil insisted.

Elrond said nothing at first. He ate a few bites of food and a sip of wine, looking at Thranduil thoughtfully.

"And what will do for me if I give you what you ask of me?" Elrond finally asked.

Thranduil stared into Elrond's eyes for several moments, as if what he already knew what he wanted, but didn't know quite how to say it. Everyone was now looking at Thranduil expectantly.

"I will offer you my son Legolas' hand in marriage for your niece, Anira," Thranduil answered quietly, not looking at his youngest son's face as if ashamed at his decision.

Legolas stared at his father in shock. His own dear, beloved father, whom he loved with all his heart, was sending him away in marriage? Was that all he was to his father? He thought he was an invaluable warrior for Mirkwood? Though he was at a marriageable age, Legolas wasn't ready to be married yet. He had his own tasks to finish before marrying. Legolas glanced at his brother. Sadron's face seemed to mirror what Legolas felt.

Elrond leaned foreword, resting his arms on the table. "You make me a bold offer, Thranduil. I know you mean well, but is your son ready for this, to leave everything behind? Are you ready to leave him and watch him make his own way? Legolas is a skilled warrior and you have too few with the same skill already. Why not send him out to fight instead of making him have other responsibilities?"

Thranduil nodded. "You have wise words, mellon, but that's all I have to offer you if you insist on a favor."

Elrond sighed. "Consider this the repayment then. I give you the few soldiers I have and you allow Legolas to help protect your borders. You'll still have a favor to repay to me, but I'll be satisfied with this for now. And if your really interested in your son's and my niece's prospects, I will consider it if there's no other way."

Thranduil smiled grimly. "It is done then."

Later that night, as they were leaving, Thranduil seemed to look deep into his youngest son's eyes as if to say, I'm sorry for what I have done. Legolas said nothing, just turned away and left with the others. He already had too much to think about.

--

Legolas woke up with a gasp. Feeling that his nightclothes and sheets were dressed in sweat, he got up and using the nightstand beside his bed, began washing the sweat from his face and arms before dressing into his worn scout's clothes. He couldn't stay here any longer, in case Elrond decided to marry him off before he knew what hit him.

Outside, Legolas found Arod and was about to make a run for it when he heard footsteps behind him. Turning around, Legolas found that it was Estel. Legolas rolled his eyes with impatience. He couldn't have this human interfering this time.

"Why are you leaving so soon, Legolas, you've just arrived," Estel exclaimed.

"I've stayed here too long," Legolas said. "I need to go now, before it's too late."

"My father has told me about your betrothal to Anira," Estel said quietly. "I'm afraid that that was a decision that my father has regretted most profoundly. But now my cousin has married another, she has for 100 years now. She thought you dead, like many other people. That's why you weren't recognized by my brothers."

That was nice to know Legolas thought. But even at this unexpected news, Legolas felt a stinging sensation in his heart for Anira. Though they were never betrothed or married, Legolas still felt a sense of love for her and felt cheated that she had no faith in him and married while thinking he was still dead.

Legolas sighed. "I still must go, Estel. Nothing you have said or done has made that decision for me. I have a duty and I can't forsake it."

"I wouldn't have expected less from you," Estel said, "allow me to go with you."

Legolas' eyes widened in surprise. "But you cannot. You have a duty here, and your leg—"

"My leg's healed now, by the quickness of the elves," Estel smiled. "And I have no duty here, I am allowed to move about and protect the people at will."

Legolas stood thunder struck. This human indeed has held more secrets and surprises than he could have ever counted on. Estel could prove to be a good friend and a strong ally.

Legolas bowed his head slightly. "If it is indeed how you wish, then I will accept you as my companion willingly."

Estel broke into a wide smile. "As you wish, my friend. Allow me a few moments."

Several minutes later, both Estel and Legolas were riding their horses towards the rising sun. After an hour of hard riding, Estel looked over at Legolas.

"If you wish, you may call me Aragorn," he said.

Legolas grinned and shook his head. "No, not yet. You haven't grown into such a fine name yet. I will still call you Estel until when the time comes."

Estel smiled back. "That suits me just fine." And with that, the two of them rode into the sunset.

--

Author's Note: Whew, I think that was the longest one I've written so far. I promised you all a long chapter and a long chapter I've given you. I hope you liked it (though it probably contradicts every single thing Tolkien's ever written). I'll write when I can, though it probably won't be until later tomorrow or the next day as I wrote a lot for this one (and wrote chapter four today before this one, obviously). Thanks to those who've reviewed and I hope you keep reading and reviewing and I'll write when I can.