Disclaimer: The Lord of the Rings is property of Tolkien and there are many references throughout to Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. I only own what you do not recognize. The character Chinky is not meant to cause offence and is named after a real horse whose name has been shortened from a Fiat Cinquecento (Chinky – Chento).

Part 2: The story thickens

Chapter 13: Forging of the Fellowship

Rivendell lay in the Shadow of the Misty Mountains, much like it had done this past age. Neither moving nor changing. Elves often stopped here on their way to the Grey Havens, as they departed Middle Earth. A more frequent occurrence nowadays though.

It was the year 3018 of the third age (by the Shire reckoning) when a young prince galloped into Rivendell. Legolas leaped off his mount as they thundered through the gates. Looking around, the beauty of the place still caught in his throat. It had been thirty years since Legolas had last stepped foot in this haven, and he longed for it all the time. Mirkwood was a magnificent place, except there was the constant threat of Dol Guldur in the south, but here in Rivendell nothing disturbed the peace elves sought after.

After handing his horse to a stable hand he walked to Elrond's study in search of Elrond himself and Aragorn.

Legolas knocked on the door quietly and walked in.

"Ah Legolas, I see you have made it. Your father finally agreed to let you come back then?" Elrond said getting up and walking over to the prince with a smile.

"Yes, I am glad to be back, though I do have pressing news to deliver." The prince said.

"Do not fear, we are having a council tomorrow, speak of it then. And now I would think it fitting that you go to your old room and relax. Estel has refused to let anyone touch your old things so they may be a bit dusty!" Elrond said laughing and placing a hand on the younger elf's shoulder.

"Tell me Lord Elrond, where is Aragorn? I much wish to speak to him, it has been a long time since I saw him last." Legolas said returning the gesture.

"He is in his room. He arrived back from his ranger duties a month or so ago. He also wishes to see you."

Legolas smiled as he walked out the study and shut the door behind him. Once out of earshot he ran all the way to his old room and Aragorn's.

As Elrond had said his room hadn't been touched in the thirty years he had been away. His fine clothes were still in the wardrobe, his boots still under his table and his spare arrows still in the box under the window, just like he had left it. Walking round the room silently he was lost in his own world, he subconsciously played with the ring around his neck, running his fingers over the dragon symbol.

He turned round as he heard someone quietly walk up behind him. If he had not had the sharp hearing of his kind he would not have heard the soft boots on the floor behind him. Smiling he looked at his brother in arms. Unlike him, Aragorn had changed. His hair was longer and he had more muscles, but none the less he was still Aragorn.

Aragorn walked though the door and stared at the elf before him. Legolas had returned. He walked up behind him, there was no point in trying to surprise him, he would have heard him all ready.

Laughing they embraced, two friends who had been apart for three decades. The immortal elf that did not look a day over eighteen, and the man who was nearing his eightieth birthday. Though despite his age he was still as youthfully as he was before, the blood of the Dúnedain ran strong in him.

"Alas my friend, it has been too long since we departed." Aragorn said pulling away from the elf.

"I know, but we are together now. Tell me how is Arwen." Legolas said remembering the last time he had seen her; he had scared her by losing his temper over Haldir.

"She is fine, but tell me about you. What have you been up to these long years?" Aragorn said sitting on the bed motioning for his friend to do the same.

"Well I have been in Mirkwood these many years; my father has not let me out of his sight. He is also curious to where my ring went, I had to tell him I lost it, and keep the one Amy gave me out of sight. You know how he is." Legolas said smiling.

"I know, tell me have you found yourself an elf friend yet?" Aragorn asked with a hint of laughter.

"Nope!" Came the too quick reply.

Aragorn frowned slightly as he noticed his friend's hand go, once again, to the ring on the chain around his neck.

BREAK

"Come Legolas, we must get to the council, hurry." Aragorn said with a hint of pleading.

He carried on walking and then stopped a few paces ahead when he noticed the blonde was not following him. Turning round he saw Legolas standing stock still, like he had been carved out of stone. His hands were rubbing the area just below his waist yet just above his hips, as if he was in pain. Aragorn turned properly and saw the look in his friends' eyes. Pain, anger and torment. Carefully he started to walk back to Legolas. It was then he saw what the elf was looking at. A blonde elf maiden was standing on the other side of the courtyard. She was quite beautiful if he was not mistaken. She smiled and started walking over to Legolas. Aragorn quickly hid behind a pillar, so he could see what was going to happen.

The blonde elf maiden walked straight up to Legolas, and with every step the pain on his face increased.

"Ahh, Legolas miss me?" She asked a bit too sweetly.

Aragorn seeing the torture on his friends face walked out from his hiding place and dragged his friend away by the shoulder. He did not notice the elf maidens scowl, which was quickly followed by a very evil smile, which contorted her beautiful features.

Once they were away a distance away from the elf, he saw Legolas relax and move his hands away from his lower belly.

"Who was that my friend?" Aragorn asked still leading Legolas.

"I do not wish to tell you at this time, for me the pain is still too near. Though I promise my friend I have kept it to myself far to long, and you will be told before this year is through. Please do not question me further." Legolas said almost begging.

Frowning at the elf, Aragorn dragged him to the council.

BREAK

Legolas surveyed the scene in front of him, the pain of earlier had nearly faded from his mind, but he could still remember the pain she had inflicted in years previous. In front of him stood a hobbit. He had never seen a hobbit before and he was curious. He had of course heard the tale of Bilbo and the dwarves, but at that time he had been on patrol. He had been sorely upset when he found out he had missed the little creature.

This hobbit happened to be called Frodo Baggins, the ring bearer, and Bilbo's cousin. The One Ring had come to him, and now he must travel to Mordor to destroy it. Looking up he saw Aragorn stand up and walk towards the young hobbit.

"By my life or death, if I can protect you I will. You have my sword." Aragorn said.

Flickers of a memory came into Legolas head. 'Follow the Halflings. Go with them. Promise me that. Please.'

Without realising what he was doing, he stood up.

"And you have my bow." He said with a great amount of feeling.

"And my axe!" Legolas looked to the side of him and saw a dwarf. His expression changed instantly. The distaste on his face was unmistakable. He was going to have to travel with a dwarf. Great.

"You bare the fate of us all little one, but if this is your path, then Gondor will see it done." A tall man to Legolas's right had said. Instantly Legolas identified him as the one who had insulted Aragorn earlier.

Thus the Fellowship had been formed. One elf, one dwarf, one istari, two men and four hobbits.

BREAK

The group had left Rivendell at the end of the year, full of anticipation about their journey and where it would take them.

Legolas was fascinated by the hobbits. They were such sturdy, funny little people, with a great amount of courage in their small bodies. They had never left the Shire before now, and now they were on a quest, which would take them to every corner of the world. Many a day Legolas found himself in the company of young Frodo Baggins. The chirpy hobbit, talked a bit of elvish and was very eager to learn more, and Legolas was more than welcome to teach him.

Soon the great mountain of Caradhras started to show her face. The night before they started their climb Gandalf had suggested that they rested, building up their strength for the march ahead of them. The hobbits as usual threw themselves down on the floor, Merry and Pippin falling asleep before they hit the earth. Sam was a bit more nervous and would not sleep until he was sure Frodo was safe. Legolas assured him many a time he would not let anything happen to the hobbit.

It was on this night that Legolas was forced to re tell his heartbreak.