Chapter Text
A/N: I'll try to be as faithful as possible to Tolkien's universe, but since I am slashing the shit out of his elves, I'll eventually take some liberties for the sake of the plot. 😉
Chapter 1
Legolas used the root in his hand to mark a small but visible red circle on the tree trunk before him, then he moved back a little to admire his work and smiled appreciatively at it. He tossed the root aside and climbed down the tree, letting his feet land softly on the ground covered with leaves. That was the thirtieth red circle Legolas had drawn, and now he was ready to begin.
The fair Mirkwood elf made his way back to his father's halls, but did not go in. Instead, he pulled the first arrow from his quiver and his blue eyes seemed to narrow a little as he focused. He spotted the first red circle on the high branch of a tree, positioned the arrow, drew and released.
Legolas smiled, pleased, when the arrow hit the circle right in the middle. The prince then moved gracefully and swiftly, jumping over rocks and tree branches in order to shoot arrows at each of the targets he had painted before in order to practice. Some were in extremely high, hidden places, but the arrows didn't miss one target, and the lithe young prince did not even break a sweat.
A triumphant smile rested on his lips when Legolas drew the string and released his last arrow, hitting the last red circle, but not exactly in the middle. He frowned when he went closer, a little disappointed in himself, but a quick noise of leaves rustling behind him made him turn around and use the arrow that had just been on the tree to aim in the direction of the sound.
"Put it down, Legolas. It's me."
The blond haired elf smiled immediately and put the arrow back in his quiver.
"Estel!" he took a step forward and embraced his friend. Aragorn held him tight and smiled, too. "Only you could sneak up on an elf."
Aragorn chuckled.
"A dangerous elf, it seems," the Strider looked appreciatively around at all the targets Legolas had hit. "That's some great practice, Legolas."
"Thank you. I sometimes grow tired of nothing happening here. I've got to keep my skills sharp."
"Unfortunately there's plenty happening out of Mirkwood," Aragorn said in a somber tone.
"I can help," Legolas said readily.
"Your father wouldn't be very pleased with you leaving, you know that."
That seemed to inflame Legolas. His delicate features hardened and his will grew stronger.
"Ada can't keep me here."
"Relax, Legolas…" Aragorn softened his voice. "I am on my way to Imladris now. I'm not hunting orcs or anything, although the occasional pack of orcs crosses my way every now and then. I stopped by to see if you would like to join me." Aragorn studied Legolas closely and tried not to smile at the glint in Legolas' eyes. "Last time I checked, you seemed to be extremely fond of a certain dark-haired Lord who lives there…" he teased.
Legolas felt his cheeks grow warm and his blue eyes glowed. He would have looked displeased if his rosy cheeks didn't give him away.
"I do not know what you imply," he said quickly. "Lord Elrond is a wise, noble elf, respected and admired by everyone."
Aragorn stared at Legolas until he cracked a little and chuckled, too. "Especially by you, isn't that so?"
"Shut your mouth, Strider," Legolas shoved Aragorn's shoulder playfully. "I admire him, of course I do. That's all." Legolas felt his chest warm. It wasn't a bad feeling at all. "I might think of one or two reasons why you to want to visit Imladris, too," he teased back. "How is she?"
Aragorn laughed.
"Fair enough," he bowed lightly. "I wish to see Arwen, it's true."
"And I could use the adventure. That's the only reason why I'll go."
Legolas was serious once again, and Aragorn didn't tease him further.
"I'm leaving tomorrow."
"Good. I will be ready. I just need to speak to Ada."
"Should I go with you?"
"Nay," Legolas said. "I'll do this." He wasn't looking forward to it, but the prospect of visiting Imladris was a strong motivation to do this.
Legolas left Aragorn and went inside the great halls of Mirkwood, where he found his father sitting on the throne.
"Hi, dear son. Were you practicing?" Thranduil studied Legolas from head to toe, and his eyes focused on the empty quiver on his back.
"Aye, Ada. Estel is here. He found me in the woods."
Thranduil arched his eyebrows.
"The Strider. I see."
"He will leave for Imladris tomorrow. I am going with him."
Thranduil adjusted himself on the throne and his expression hardened a little.
"Why would you do that? You know we need great archers in here."
"Ada, nothing happens in here, whereas outside there are orcs roaming the earth."
"And I suppose you believe it's your job to fight them."
"I believe I could help."
Thranduil looked deeply into his son's eyes. His features softened a little. He didn't want to have an argument. Legolas was old enough, and stubborn enough, to do as he pleased regardless of what he told him.
"I just want you to be safe," he caved.
"I will be careful. Rivendell is a safe land."
"It's what happens out of Rivendell that concerns me," Thranduil said.
"I will be careful," Legolas repeated.
"Very well, then. Send Elrond my regards."
"I will, Ada."
Legolas turned around and left before his father could see the cheerful little grin on his face. He knew the king did not want him to go, so the least Legolas could do was not show him how much pleasure the thought of leaving brought him.
~ * ~
Legolas rode beside Aragorn for days, and they arrived in Rivendell after no incidents. They had seen a group of orcs, but their paths hadn't crossed. The evil creatures had been way too far, heading in a different direction, so even though the two of them grew watchful, they weren't troubled.
The moment they arrived and dismounted, Legolas looked around, his eyes taking in the beauty of the place. He was ecstatic to be there, and Aragorn could tell.
"Let's take our horses to be fed and to rest. We'll see Elrond later."
Legolas nodded quickly. He pretended not to be excited with that. Legolas had seen Elrond a few times before, his father had sometimes left him in Rivendell under the care of the Lord, and Legolas had often played with Elrohir and Elladan, as well as with Arwen. At some point in time, though, Legolas realized that the father of his friends was extremely knowledgeable and interesting. The prince could not say when he had first thought of Elrond as so mighty, but the truth was that Legolas was drawn to the Lord's amazing wisdom and experience in battle.
When Aragon walked with him into the halls of Rivendell, Elrond was already expecting them. The tall Lord was wearing a silver gown and a dark red tunic when he greeted them.
"Estel, Legolas. Well met."
Legolas felt his heart skip a beat, the unexpectedness of the feeling causing him to feel warm and a little shy.
"My Lord," they both said and bowed reverently.
Elrond placed a hand on both Aragorn and Legolas' shoulder in greeting.
"Tell me about your trip," he then asked, and started to walk around Rivendell. Legolas and Aragorn followed right behind him, and told him about the rather uneventful ride and the group of orcs they had seen in the distance. Elrond frowned. "My sons have been spotting orcs in the surroundings of Rivendell. They are certainly getting bolder."
"They are, my Lord," Aragorn said.
"And what say you, Legolas Greenleaf? What of Mirkwood and my friend Thranduil?"
The moment Elrond's grey eyes were focused on him, Legolas felt the same tickling warmth dance in his chest. Lord Elrond was, without a doubt, the greatest intellect of all of Middle-earth. How could one not admire him?
"He is well, my Lord. He sends you his regards."
"I am glad to hear that. Mirkwood is fine, I suppose?"
"It is, my Lord…"
"Elrond," Glorfindel walked up to them and put a hand on Elrond's shoulder. "Estel, Legolas," he greeted when he looked at them. "You are expected for the meeting."
"Right." Elrond turned to look at his foster son and the blond prince from Mirkwood. "Please excuse me, I must go," he apologized.
Legolas wanted to say something like there was no need for the great Elrond to apologize, for sure he was busy and they understood it. Yet, all these thoughts and words got lost somewhere between his brain and his mouth, and before Legolas said anything, Elrond spoke again.
"Estel will show you around. My sons are somewhere, too. They will be pleased to hear of your visit," there was a pause. "So will Arwen." Elrond looked into Aragorn's eyes and turned around to leave.
When he was gone, Legolas stood beside Aragorn and sighed.
"You can breathe now," Aragorn teased.
"I swear I'll make you shut your mouth, Estel…" Legolas' blue eyes looked amused, even though he sounded annoyed. "There's nothing but sincere admiration from my part."
"I know," Aragorn chuckled. "But you should see how pink your fair cheeks looked when he approached us."
"They did not, did they?" Legolas sounded worried, and Aragorn laughed.
Legolas was about to say or do something in retaliation when Elladan and Elrohir found them.
"Estel! Legolas!"
The Prince was glad for the interruption and the opportunity to get reacquainted with old friends. Later, as Aragorn went looking for Arwen and he was left with the twins, Legolas was shown around the land, a place that even though was familiar to him never ceased to amaze him with its beauty. Legolas talked to the twins and listened to their hunting stories. Apparently, Elrond's sons went hunting orcs quite frequently, and knowing what had happened to their mother, one could understand how much passion they put behind this activity. As they talked, Legolas felt the same desire for adventure and to do good grow in him, and he couldn't wait to join them in their next quest.
~ * ~
As the days unfolded lazily in Rivendell, it seemed difficult to imagine that anything evil might be growing stronger in Mordor. With its trees and waterfalls, Rivendell was a safe haven for the elves living in there. It was so peaceful, in fact, that Legolas had to find something to do as he waited for Elladan and Elrohir to get ready for their next trip.
The prince prepared his arrows and quiver, and he found a purple root to start marking tree trunks. Legolas smiled at his unusual choices for targets. It would be interesting to do the same in a different place, with different challenges, even though it was all just practice.
As the blond prince from Mirkwood went about marking trees and shooting arrows, Elrond watched him from a tall window in the main house. At first he had been just curious to see what the young elf was going to do with his arrows and the roots he had collected, but as he realized Legolas was practicing, Elrond found himself captivated by the view.
It wasn't long before Arwen joined him and looked out of the window, too.
"What has caught your attention, Ada?" she asked softly, trying to see what her father was seeing. It didn't take her long to spot Legolas jumping from tree branch to tree branch, and shooting one arrow after another at the core of purple marks he seemed to have set on the trees.
Father and daughter watched the archer for a moment with silent contemplation, but then Elrond sighed and looked at Arwen.
"Legolas Greenleaf is certainly one of the most beautiful elves I have ever seen. He's also a promising warrior, wouldn't you say so?"
Arwen smiled a knowing, amused smile. She could tell where that conversation was going.
"Yes, Ada. He's so beautiful the sun itself might feel jealous," she said.
Elrond smiled. "Others have said you are as beautiful as the full moon in a dark night, my dear. Perhaps such a match is written in the stars," he tried.
Arwen chuckled softly. Elrond knew how she felt about Estel, for sure. She looked into her father's eyes, a smile on her beautiful lips.
"You know there's a different name in the stars when I look up to the sky," she said softly. Arwen could feel the slight shadow of sorrow in her father's eyes. "Legolas is a great friend."
"He could be something more," Elrond tried again, and he smiled. He knew how his daughter felt about Aragorn, but it didn't mean he couldn't still try to change her mind.
"Well," Arwen began. "I'm not the one who makes him nervous, you know," she looked deeply into her father's eyes and smiled in a teasing way.
That caused an unexpected reaction in the Lord. Elrond frowned, and felt as if an autumn breeze had just blown inside his chest.
Still smiling enigmatically, Arwen went away and left him to his own conclusions.
Alone, Elrond looked out of the window once again and at the lithe elf moving gracefully in the woods of Rivendell. 'Do I make you nervous, Prince?' he wondered, smiled and brushed it off.
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tbc....
I have big plans for this, so feedback would be extremely appreciated <3