AUTHOR'S NOTE Sorry for the delay! I've been unimaginably busy. Hope you enjoy this next chapter!

According to Wikipedia, a crown prince is the heir apparent to the throne of a kingdom. Since Legolas is an only child (that we know of), he would therefore be the crown prince of the Mirkwood kingdom, assuming that an immortal King would name a successor.

DISCLAIMER Don't own anyone.

…

Gandalf followed Obi-Wan down the dark path and into the forest. "Obi-Wan, we are outside of Rivendell's borders," he pointed out. "These forests are not safe."

Obi-Wan, who had changed out of the twins' clothing and back into his plain robes, patted his hip where his lightsaber was concealed. "We'll be safe." Gandalf merely raised an eyebrow and asked no more questions.

"Artoo!" Obi-Wan called softly.

At first there was silence, but soon a rhythmic beeping sound echoed from somewhere in the darkness. Then red and blue blinking lights appeared and started moving toward them. Obi-Wan stepped forward to where a small metal object suddenly stood glinting in the moonlight and patted what Gandalf assumed was its head. "How are you, Artoo?" Obi-Wan asked.

Artoo beeped. Gandalf realized that the strange sounds were its way of communicating. Curiosity overwhelmed him. "What is that?" he asked.

"Gandalf, I would like you to meet Artoo-Detoo," Obi-Wan said. "Artoo, this is Gandalf the Grey. He's going to help us get home."

The thing whistled and beeped again. "Is he talking?" Gandalf asked. Obi-Wan nodded. "And you understand what he says?"

"Not a direct translation," Obi-Wan said. "But I usually get the general idea. Artoo is an astromech droid. He was built to help pilots in combat situations." Obi-Wan sighed. "You see Gandalf, there are hundreds of thousands of worlds beyond Arda. Worlds built with technology and machines like this little droid."

He started further down the path, Artoo rolling faithfully behind him. Gandalf hurried to follow him. Gandalf hurried to follow him. What he saw in the moonlight when Obi-Wan finally stopped made him gasp and mutter, "By the grace of the Valar."

Obi-Wan looked sadly at the twisted ruins of his spaceship. Not even the best mechanics on Coruscant could have fixed it. His only hope was that someday, Artoo could fix the comm unit enough to let someone know where he was.

Gandalf was running his hand over the hull. "Astonishing," he said. "This flies in the sky?" he asked.

"Beyond the sky," Obi-Wan said. "Up into the stars."

"Like the Mariner."

Obi-Wan cocked his head. "What?"

"There is a legend," Gandalf said. "Of Eärendil the Mariner. He was the father of Lord Elrond. It is said that he built himself a great ship and sailed west to Aman, the hidden land of the Valar and the Firstborn. There the Valar lifted his ship into the Heavens, where he sails still today, the Silmaril visible on his brow."

Obi-Wan blinked. "You lost me on a great many things, Gandalf, but what you're telling me is that Lord Elrond's father left this planet and now sails among the stars?"

"That is the legend."

"So it is possible," Obi-Wan murmured to himself. Then to Gandalf he said, "I must speak with these Valar! Perhaps they can help me too to sail into the stars."

Gandalf laughed heartily. "My boy, no mortal man has ever looked upon the Valar. They dwell in Valinor, in the land of Aman, a land that is unreachable to all but the Eldar."

"The Elves?" Obi-Wan asked. Gandalf nodded. Obi-Wan frowned and was silent. Finally, he said, "Gandalf, I have trusted you with the knowledge that there is life and an entire galaxy past Arda. But now I must ask you something and I must know the truth."

Gandalf nodded. "If I can tell you, you have my word."

Obi-Wan laughed. "You speak like the Jedi, my friend. What I must know is what is the origin of the Power of the Elves?"

Gandalf was quiet for a long time. Artoo swiveled his domed head, looking between the old wizard and Obi-Wan. Finally, Gandalf said, "The Elves were the Firstborn. They awoke in the land of Cuiviénen and were discovered by the Valar in the First Age of the world."

"Awoke from where?" Obi-Wan asked.

Smiling, Gandalf said, "Forgive me. So easily I forget that you know not our history. Elves and Men are known as the Children of Illúvatar. After Illúvatar created Arda, he created Elves and Men, but they were to sleep until the day that it was time for them to be brought into the world. The Elves were awakened first."

"So the Valar didn't create them," Obi-Wan said. "Illúvatar did."

"Illúvatar created all things," Gandalf said. "As for the Power of the Elves, it is not known for certain of its origin, but some of the old Elves speak of the Valar having the same but greater power." He paused and looked warily at the deep shadows of the forest. "I believe it has come time to return to Elrond's home, Hyarion. We can talk more on the way."

Obi-Wan nodded and called for Artoo. When the little droid trundled up to him, he said, "I'll be back soon to check on you. Forget about the navicomputer for now. Just try to get the comm online."

The machine beeped what Gandalf guessed was an affirmative and rolled back into the darkness. Obi-Wan and Gandalf turned back toward Rivendell. "So I cannot speak with these Valar," Obi-Wan said.

Gandalf shook his head. "I am sorry."

Obi-Wan was quiet until they were nearly back to the Last Homely House. "What about these old Elves you speak of?" he asked.

"What about them?"

"They remember the Valar, yes?" Obi-Wan asked.

"Some," Gandalf replied.

"It I could speak with one," Obi-Wan continued, "I could learn enough to know whether or not their Power is the same as the Force."

Gandalf stopped and eyed Obi-Wan critically. "Lord Elrond and Glorfindel have both spoken of a strange aura about you, Hyarion. That you have no Elvish blood yet you wield their Power."

Obi-Wan resisted the urge to squirm under Gandalf's intense stare. "I must know more before I can explain."

Abruptly, Gandalf turned and headed for the gallery. Obi-Wan followed silently. The murals that adorned the walls gazed down on them. Gandalf stopped before a beautiful woman with long, flowing blonde hair. "You must speak with her."

Obi-Wan simply gazed at the painting, transfixed by her ethereal beauty. "Who is she?"

"She is the Lady of Light," came Aragorn's voice behind them. "Called Galadriel."

Obi-Wan and Gandalf turned to see Aragorn and a tall blonde Elf standing behind them. "Legolas!" Gandalf said. "When did you arrive?"

Legolas smiled. "Only recently. Unfortunately, I was temporarily waylaid in my efforts to arrive in time for the feast." He looked to Obi-Wan and bowed his head. "Forgive me for being late."

Aragorn stepped up. "Hyarion, this is Legolas Thranduilion, Crown Prince of the Woodland Realm."

Obi-Wan bowed. "Your visit is an honor."

Legolas smirked. "Aragorn makes far too much of my title. When the king is immortal, the Crown Prince has little to look forward to."

Aragorn laughed. "A fair point, mellon nîn. I would like you to meet our guest. This is Hyarion, a traveler from far away."

But Legolas frowned. "I believe your visitor is deceiving you, Aragorn. His name is not Hyarion."

Flustered, Aragorn replied, "I do not know what you mean."

Obi-Wan put a hand on Aragorn's arm, quieting him. "I am Obi-Wan Kenobi," he said, bowing to Legolas again. "Hyarion is but an alias to protect me from my enemies."

Aragorn and Gandalf shared a surprised look. "Hyarion," Aragorn said, emphasizing the name. "As much as I know Legolas to be trustworthy, it rather defeats the purpose of a disguise if you tell your real name to everyone you meet."

Obi-Wan smiled, but the smile was sad. "It is important for Legolas to know my real name."

"Why?" Aragorn asked.

"I do not know." Obi-Wan sighed and looked back up at Galadriel. He would speak to Lord Elrond in the morning.