Lego By Manwathiel
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, except Ellie and Mellon.
Summery: Aragorn has called Legolas by his nickname, Lego, something the elf hates. Now Ellie is trying to help Legolas.
A/N: Mellon is Aragorn's stuffed horse.

"Legolas, is something wrong?" a calm voice asked from behind. The blond elf turned around, surprised to see Ellie.

"No," he said slowly. "Why do you ask?"

"Because you were muttering in Silvan," Ellie said with a smile. "If you wanted anyone else besides me to understand you, you would be best speaking Sindarin or Common."

Legolas grinned and blushed slightly, knowing she was right. He loved the way her eyes sparkled when she smiled. "Yes, I supposed you're right. As usual."

"As usual? I would not say that…" Ellie muttered.

"Silvan, Ellie?" Legolas asked, a smile still on his young face. Ellie nodded, still distracted. Legolas grabbed her by the hand, dragging her off.

"Where are we going, Legolas?" Ellie asked, confused.

"Our special place," Legolas replied.

Again, Aragorn went looking for Arwen, but she was still nowhere to be found. He walked to his room, the one he had stayed in as a child. He was pleased to find everything in its proper place, the desk, his bed, the few books that were in his room. And more importantly, Mellon.

Mellon was Aragorn's white stuffed horse, which had always been there for the human. Aragorn was fond of the horse, given to him by Elrond for his third birthday. As a young child, he had clung to Mellon, and Mellon brought comfort to him when he was afraid. Now the horse sat on Aragorn's bed, waiting for his return from his many journeys. Aragorn had named the horse Mellon, meaning 'friend,' because of something Lord Elrond had told him when he gave him the stuffed animal.

"He will be your friend forever, and he will be there for you, Estel, my son," Elrond had told him on his birthday. "He will protect you against all the bad things in your dreams and in your life." And Lord Elrond was right. The white horse was always there for the Ranger whenever he needed him, helping him when he was sad or giving him comfort when he needed it most.

"Mellon, what happened out there? I didn't mean to upset Legolas. I had no idea he would get that mad. It was an accident," Aragorn told the horse. "Do you think he'll forgive me?"

Aragorn paused for a minute, wishing he were again a little boy in Elrond's arms. He could pretend that was the case. When he was younger, he used to pretend Mellon could talk to him. They would hold conversations about whatever was bothering Aragorn, and especially the things he couldn't tell Ada Elrond.

"Mellon, what's wrong with Legolas? Do you think he will forgive me?" Aragorn repeated the question, certain Mellon would answer.

"I think he will," Aragorn heard the horse say. "It will take time, Estel."

"Will Lord Elrond ever forgive me? I love her, but I hate the strife it's caused between me and the only father I've ever known. Will he ever love me the way he used to?" Aragorn asked.

"I don't know, Estel. He might," Mellon said. Aragorn's heart was pained at this, and he wished Elrond would forgive him. He knew the Elven Lord needed time, just as Legolas needed time to heal.

Legolas knew one of the ways to ease his pain was talking to Ellie. He knew she would listen and understand.

"Okay, Legolas. I know that there is something bothering you, and I would like to know what so that I can help if that is possible," Ellie said gently to her friend once they had reached their special place.

Legolas looked around, making sure they were alone. He knew he could tell Ellie anything, especially here, by the river. This was where their friendship had really started, where they had turned into something more than just friends. He knew she would never tell anyone else what he told her, since they were in their spot. This was where she told him much about her life, and now he would do the same.

"Ellie," he started slowly. "Do you remember when you visited Mirkwood for the first time, and it was right after…" Ellie nodded here, making it clear she knew.

"Is that what is bothering you, Legolas?" she asked calmly. He nodded.

"Partly. But there is more that you don't know."

"Legolas, you know you can tell me anything, and I will listen, just as you did for me all those years ago," Ellie whispered. "This is our special spot, and nothing you say here will go beyond me. You know that, mellon-nin."

"Alright. Well, you remember your trip to Mirkwood, right? And now you want to know why I'm… sad today, right?" Legolas asked. Ellie nodded. "Naneth," he whispered softly. "The… anniversary of…"

"It is okay, Legolas. Do not say it; I understand." Ellie scooted closer to him, wrapping her arms around him. She reached up and wiped the tears that were on his cheeks away. "Do not cry, Legolas."

"I'm sorry, Ellie," he said.

"Do not be. It is not your fault. But that is not all that is bothering you, is it?" Ellie asked. "Earlier you were muttering something about Aragorn."

"Yeah. Aragorn." Legolas looked into Ellie's hazel eyes, displaying a deep sense of trust in him.

"What is wrong with him? I thought you two were friends," Ellie said. Legolas winced slightly. "You do not have to tell me if you do not want to, but I think it would help you."

"Alright." Legolas was silent for a while before replying. "This goes back to around the time Naneth… died. Um… I really don't know how to put this…"

"Just tell me what happened with Aragorn. The rest will come in its own time," Ellie said gently. Tears came to Legolas's eyes; she sounded Naneth. He took a deep breath before continuing.

"You know how I hate the nickname Lego, right? Well, Aragorn called me that."

"I am sorry, Legolas. If you do not mind my asking, why do you hate it so much?"

"Well, when I was younger, my brothers called me Lego, and I hated it. Then, shortly before Naneth's…" He paused, unable to go on. Ellie waited silently. He took a deep, shaky breath before continuing. "Ada made them stop. After that, the only one who called me Lego was Turin, but only when he was teasing me. Then, when you came to visit, Elladan started calling me by that name. It was only a few times, and I asked him to stop. He did. But then, the last time I visited Rivendell, he called me Lego again. I asked him again to stop, and he did.

"But Aragorn was not around, and I have no idea how he even knew about the name. Normally, I wouldn't have yelled like I did, but this has been a bad day from the start. It always has been.

"And only Turin ever called me that, besides Elladan. But he is gone," Legolas said sadly. "Gone forever."