What Used To Be

Disclaimer: I own nothing except Linnod which sucks but I'll live.

Hey, I got so stuck on the last chapter. I went through at least 3 drafts before I got to that one and I wasn't sure about it at all. So everyone who said they liked it, wow, thanks! I didn't think I'd done it right at all. Was it really sad? You all seem to think so!! Thanks for reviewing everyone.

Lozrii - Thanks for the con-crit. "Aragorn was starting to get some nerves." When I said that I meant nerves, I meant like you get before an exam in school or something. You usually get nervous? I can't believe you've never heard the expression before! And my excuse for ,I think it was Linnod, not knowing the story of the War of the Ring is that he does...but he is one of those elves who don't like men, or dwarves for that matter, so he never worried about knowing Gimli. Plus since Aragorn and Legolas stopped speaking he never needed to know about Aragorn, and never bothered to find out before hand. To be honest I thought it was unlikely too but for the sake of the story he kind of had to not know...I was just using artistic licence! Also, as I don't have a Beta Reader I usually overlook stuff like that as I am terrible at spelling and stuff like that as you have probably noticed. So basically I have no idea if it is 'of' or 'have'!

Nosterineth - Wow, a sad chapter. I didn't think it would be (but I'm glad it was because everyone seems to think this is a good thing!). Glad you liked it, and your still reading too :)

Martiny the one and only still - Hope you get some storys up soon then! No worries I'm totally lazy too. However I don't have a dog, which I presume you have.

Swanfeather - Yay a new reviewer! With a wicked pen name too. Pleased you liked it, and they won't be strangers at the end! Although even I don't know where I'm going next with this story. Much, anyway.

Okay, let's get on with it!

Chapter 4

Aragorn wandered out of the tent. Despite everything, he had still managed to sleep well. Breakfast had been delivered about an hour ago, but Legolas hadn't made an appearance that morning. He was planning to go and see if he could do anything to help, as all the Elves seemed to be in a rush. Many things were being loaded onto one of the ships that were docked, and it was organised chaos.

"Adar!" Dari, followed by Hal, hurried out of the tent after their father. "Adar, let us come with you!"

"You don't know where I'm going." Aragorn pointed out.

"You're going to find Legolas and see if there's anything you can do to help!" Hal replied triumphantly.

"I want to come too!" Shrieked Lauri, rushing out of the tent. After her came Arwen, who shot Aragorn an apologetic look. Finally Gimli came out, but didn't stop to talk to them, except to mumble that he was going to find some more food.

"Ten hands will be a better help to him than two." Arwen pointed out to Aragorn who just nodded. He would never admit to it but he was actually looking forward to introducing Legolas and his three children.

With that, the family set off in search of a certain elf. They found him about halfway between the camp and the ship, talking to Linnod, who kept popping up, and another elf they didn't recognise.

"Legolas!" Arwen called out with a smile.

Legolas glanced at her, said something to the elves he was with, and looking only slightly reluctant, walked over to the group. The elves he had been with walked off towards the ship.

"Legolas! It's so good to see you again!" Arwen said happily, quickly embracing a slightly surprised Legolas. He relaxed, though, and managed to return the hug.

"It's good to see you too." He said quietly.

"Legolas," Aragorn said once they had drawn apart. "Let me introduce you - this is Eldarion. He's 16. That's Halbarad - he's 14 - and that's Laurina."

"I'm 12." Lauri informed Legolas, who smiled. He stopped smiling when Lauri asked him, "How old are you?"

"I...don't really know. Nearly...three-thousand, I suppose."

The children's eyes widened in surprise. "But Nana, that would make you...more than three-thousand!" Halbarad managed to say.

"This is why I've never told you how old I am." Arwen said bemusedly.

"Adar said you would teach me and Hal how to shoot!" Dari continued eagerly.

"He did?" Legolas frowned a little. "Surely you already know how to shoot?"

Dari made a face. "Yes, Adar taught us, but you're supposed to be a much better archer than Adar anyway. Gimli said so."

"He did?" Legolas looked very surprised at this. "Where is Gimli, anyway?"

"He went off to find food." Aragorn announced.

"Oh, yes, of course he has." Legolas murmured. At that point, a harassed looking Elf came hurrying up to the group and addressed Legolas.

"My lord, the first ship is ready. The first group are boarding now."

"Already? That was fast. Thank you, I'll be there in a moment." Legolas replied, as the other Elf hurried back to the ships.

"What does that mean?" Arwen asked before anyone else could speak.

"Well, it means that the provisions have been loaded onto the first ship. We are too larger group to fit onto one ship, so we will take several journeys. One is ready to leave now."

"Are- are you leaving now?" Aragorn said worriedly.

"No. I'll be on the last ship, obviously. That won't be for several days yet."

"Why don't you just stay here?" Hal suggested.

"And you can teach us how to shoot." Dari added pointedly.

Legolas smiled. "I have to go, Dari. The moment I left Eryn Lasgalen it was too late to turn back, and besides, I want to go. There is someone over there waiting for me."

"Who?" All three children asked at the same time.

"Lots of people." Legolas said. "My mother. My grandparents. Several of my friends, too. It has been too long since I have seen them all, especially Nana."

"If your Naneth is over there, I can see why you go." Lauri said.

"So, are you not going to teach us how to shoot?" Dari asked in a depressed voice.

Aragorn and Arwen glared at their eldest child. Legolas, however, laughed. "Probably not. Why don't you go to Mirkwood and ask my father, and elf called Tanthalas. I'm sure they would consent, and as they are the ones who taught me, they would more than live up to your expectations."

"Can we, Ada?" Hal asked immediately. "Please?"

Aragorn rolled his eyes. "Maybe."

Legolas caught his eye and smiled. "They are very like you."

"I know." Aragorn said, smiling back.

It was at that convenient moment that Gimli turned up. "Ah, Elf, I suppose it has all worked out? Stubborn being. I always knew that would get you in trouble someday." Gimli announced loudly.

Legolas looked like he was choking. "Me? Me, stubborn? That's very rich, coming from you, dwarf."

"It's also very true." Aragorn laughed.

"Good to see you have sorted things out, then." Gimli barrelled on. "I suppose you have sorted it out?"

Aragorn looked at Legolas. Had they sorted things out?

"Yes. We've sorted things out." Legolas said softly. Then he glanced at Aragorn. "Filthy human or not."

"Prissy elf." Aragorn replied automatically.

"At least I don't have greasy hair."

"At least I don't have perfect hair."

"So you admit that your hair is greasy, and mine is perfect?" Legolas asked triumphantly.

"No! At least I can walk into caves!"

"Well, at least my son doesn't want a complete stranger to teach him to shoot because his father isn't good enough!"

"Yes, because you don't have a son!"

"Nana?" Dari asked worriedly.

"Believe me, this is a good thing ion-nin, it means they really are friends again." Arwen assured her son.

Legolas had now looked back towards the docks. "I really have to go and sort the ship out now. In the meantime I suggest you start packing up your camp."

"Why?" Aragorn asked.

"Well, to go back to Minas Tirith."

"But..."

"I will be leaving in a few days. There...really isn't much point in you all waiting until then." Legolas looked more than uncomfortable now.

Aragorn could hardly believe that after all this his friend was going to leave anyway. He had come with the intention of just getting back on speaking terms with the elf, at least. Now they were here, he didn't think he could do it. Over time he had forgotten how good it felt to have his best friend there. Now he could remember...it was too soon to say goodbye again. He didn't know what to say.

"This won't take long." Legolas promised, and ran off to the dock were many other elves were waiting for him.
Aragorn turned to Arwen, who seemed to read his mind.

"Come on, we should do as he says." Arwen said. When the others wondered ahead, she spoke quietly to Aragorn. "You knew this would happen, Estel. But can't you see this is best for him? It hurts me to see him go, and Gimli too, but we have to let him go."

"He promised, Arwen."

"I know. I know he did, but that promise was broken a long time before. Estel, please." Arwen turned and looked at her husband pleadingly. "Promise you won't try and stay, or get him to return with us...you can see it's hard for him already."

"I...promise." Aragorn sighed. How had Legolas promised to stay with him? Making promises that would tear you apart were truly a form of torture. But then Legolas had broken his...

"I came here to make things easier, and yet they are only getting harder." Aragorn sighed dejectedly as they all walked back to their camp.

Thanks for reading guys...:)) don't forget to review! (hint hint.)