The sound of someone entering the room shook Aragorn from his sleep. The person entering padded silently to the curtains, drawing them back and securing them. He watched as Legolas lit a candle and went about his morning chores. Aragorn sighed before speaking.

"Legolas?" He waited patiently to continue as his slave paused in his work and turned to him.

"My father has requested I travel as Rivendell's envoy to Mirkwood and finalize some matters. It goes without saying that you must accompany me." He cringed as he watched Legolas, dreading his response. The reaction he got shocked him. His slave perked up excitedly.

"That is no problem to me master. When do we depart?" For a few long moments, Aragorn just stood there, too stunned to form any coherent thoughts. He thought for sure Legolas would abhor travelling to his place of birth, being of the status he was now. Perhaps the collar that still shone brightly on his neck was cutting off air to his brain. Aragorn strode forward, hooking two fingers in the collar to check the fit. Legolas flinched away, dropping his eyes to the ground. He quickly decided to distract his slave from his shame.

"We leave before the first rays of the sun breach the sky. Everything should be prepared for us; we just need to head out. We will be accompanied by four others to aid us should we meet any unwelcome company. Come. Daylight is fast approaching." Legolas followed behind him dutifully as he exited his chambers.

Aragorn stretched out on the grass, sighing as his tired muscles met the soft ground. He watched as his slave wandered about, helping the guards to set up camp for the night. Legolas had been withdrawn during the day, not contributing to the conversation that everyone else had struck up to while away the long hours. Although he had not spoken, he hardly seemed upset. Instead, he was often found smiling slightly with his head tilted back, soaking in the rays of the sun. Feet stopped near his head, dragging him from his musings.

"Camp is set master. Do you require anything else?"

"Lay down with me." Legolas blinked in surprise, but complied regardless. He gracefully laid beside Aragorn, folding his pale hands upon his taut stomach.

"The trees are beautiful, are they not?" Legolas looked up, admiring the forest above his head and nodded.

"I used to sleep in the trees. There was this tree, a great oak, many centuries older than me that I would seek solace in during my time of need. It was comforting, to be held by something that time itself could not bend under its weight. Its branches did not ever fail me." Aragorn smiled at the image of a young Legolas clambering up a tree and sleeping in it.

"Do you fear seeing Mirkwood again?" He turned his head so he could watch his slave's reaction. Legolas was silent, trying to put his emotions into words.

"No. I do not fear going to my home. I fear the reactions my position will extract. But I know that my Adar will love me, no matter what. We may not have been the closest we could have been in recent decades, but I know that he did what he did for the love of me and his kingdom. Bartering me for the freedom of our land was his way of ensuring the continual of my future. If he had left Valar to decide, we may have withered away in time. Become a legend as we faded. The great kingdom of Mirkwood now just a shell of a castle that the orcs seek refuge in. I am relieved at my father's actions, and I am excited to see him again and tell him I understand. He will be pleased to see me too." Aragorn was glad his slave was not worried about the travel. He was afraid it would be too much for him to handle. The end of this journey would bring happiness to Legolas, hopefully.

The small band form Rivendell rode up to the gates of Mirkwood. A guard appeared, demanding to know who requested entrance into the kingdom. His face flickered with recognition as his eyes settled on Legolas. He bowed his head.

"Prince Legolas! You have returned. Open the gates!" He stepped back to allow them to continue. Legolas kept his head high, baring the collar to view. He would not be made to lower his head in front of his people. He ignored the whispers and gasps of exclamation. The horses were halted before the steps of the castle. Legolas drew a deep breath, dismounting and following Aragorn inside. He managed a smile when he saw his father at the top of the steps.

"Ada!" He raced up the stairs to him, fully expecting an embrace. King Thranduil turned from his son, ignoring his outstretched arms entirely.

"Prince Aragorn," he nodded coolly. Legolas frowned, moving to stand in front of his father. He looked into his eyes.

"Ada? Are you not happy to see me?" But Thranduil did not acknowledge he had spoken. Did not even look his way. Legolas grabbed his robes, demanding a reaction from him.

"Prince Aragorn, I think it would be wise for your slave to take his hands of me." Thranduil did look at his son then. Legolas gasped as eyes, so filled with rage and loathing, pierced him. He backed away, slowly shaking his head. Horror struck through him. His father saw him, not as his son, but as a slave.

"Legolas…" Aragorn started gently, hand reached toward his slave as he fell apart. Legolas turned abruptly and fled the castle. He ran as fast as he could from Thranduil's coldness, trying in vain to escape his fate.

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I'm glad to see people reading this story. It makes me excited to continue. It's nice to know that people, even one who seems is apt at disapproving the story but is obviously reading regardless, enjoying it. Review please. And while you're just surfing Fanfiction, feel free to check out my new story: The Mordor Prince. Might be worth your while.