Legolas doubled checked his pack to make sure that everything he would need for his and Estel's travels.

Both had decided not to linger in Rivendell any longer. Tensions were running high between Estel and Elrond, and even Legolas was feeling resentment towards the elf lord.

He glanced over at the unopened letter that he cast aside on the top of a small desk.

Elrond had expected him to read it the moment he received it, but what Legolas didn't understand was why the need for him to read the letter was so urgent.

He hadn't heard anything from his father in years. Why should he concern himself with what he had to say now?

Legolas turned away from the sealed letter and continued packing. He had everything he needed, all he had to do now was meet Estel at the front gate.

Legolas swung his pack over his shoulder and began to make a swift exit out of the room. He paused with his hand on the door handle.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw the letter. Guilt had finally set in and Legolas knew that he couldn't leave without at least taking it with him.

Legolas walked over to the table and retrieved the letter, he placed it in his pack and once again headed for the door.

I will read it later.

He decided as he strode down the hallway and out of the house of Elrond.

Estel was already waiting for him with two horses, one was saddled and the other wasn't.

Legolas greeted Estel with a smile and gently stroked his horse, speaking to it quietly in elvish.

The twins and Elrond were there to see them off. All three had their doubts and concerns about the pair leaving so soon.

"Where do you plan on traveling to?"
Elrond asked.
"We are going east over the Misty Mountains."
Estel informed him as he mounted his horse.

"How far?"
Elrond asked narrowing his eyes. He did not like the idea of his son traveling through those mountains.
"Just to the north of the Gladden Fields. I want to make sure that nothing foul is lurking in that area."

Elrond nodded, satisfied with his answer.
"Then I will not keep you waiting any longer. Both of you go and may the Valar watch over you."

Estel and Legolas nodded. They said their goodbyes to the twins and rode out of Rivendell. Once they were out of sight they sent their horses into a run.

The trees flew past them in a blur. The horses neighed in delight as they once again had the freedom to run once again.

Legolas closed his eyes, trusting that his horse would not let him fall or run into anything. He relished the feeling of the wind on his face. This was one of those times where he felt truly free.

It hadn't been that way for him when he had traveled alone. Instead he had always felt cold and suspicious of everything and everyone that he met.

But after meeting Estel and joining the other Rangers Legolas had never felt more alive. Of course after their "incident" with Brion the Dunedain had been reluctant to allow Legolas to remain living among them.

Many had distrusted him and other had blamed him for Forlin's death and the entire situation in general.

During those first years living among them Legolas had remained quiet and stayed in the background. The only Dunedain that he felt comfortable being around were Estel and Halbarad.

Yet Legolas had soon found himself trusting Estel more and more as the days went by.
Estel was not like any other man he had encountered before. He was kind, honest, loyal, and brave.

The Dunedain respected him as a leader and soon Legolas found himself doing the same. Estel was the only one who knew that Legolas was a prince, and he had kept that secret from the other Rangers for which Legolas was greatful.

Legolas had always quietly supported Estel from the background, watched his back when they went fought against orcs or wicked men, and eventually Estel began confiding in Legolas more than he confided in Halbarad.

It wasn't long before Legolas began to do the same. He told Estel things that he would have never bothered to tell anyone else, and he trusted Estel to keep certain things between them and no one else.

Their friendship soon began to grow into something deeper and more stronger than anything anyone had ever known before.

Estel and Legolas began to travel alone together through the north, usually getting into trouble wherever they went.

Sometimes their misadventures would leave one of them gravely injured and the other one fighting to save their life.

Other times they were both fortunately left unscathed, but would be haunted by very unpleasant memories.

Such as their time spent in that one village....
Legolas' eyes opened and shuddered as he forced the memory away.

That was by far the worst thing he had ever experienced. He was without a doubt that the people of the village had been,and probably still were, absolutely crazy.

They rode on in silence for several hours, not bothering to stop until they reached the pass in the mountains that they always took when traveling east.

They made camp for that night and decided to wait until dawn to go through the pass. Estel started a fire while Legolas went out to hunt for some dinner.

He came back with two freshly caught rabbits and worked beside Estel as they each skinned and cleaned one of the rabbits.

Estel did the cooking while Legolas tended the horses. Stroking each of their manes and giving them each a small apple to munch on.

He had removed the saddle and bridal from Estel's horse so it could have some liberty before morning.

Once the rabbits were finsihed cooking Legolas joined Estel by the fire as they enjoyed their meal.

Somehow they got on the topic of all the mishaps they have had and Estel brought up the one Legolas hated to be reminded of.

"Do we have to talk about this Estel?"
Legolas could feel his face turning red and the last thing he needed was to be embarassed.

"I wasn't going to."
Estel assured him.
"I know how uncomfortable it makes you."

Legolas smiled in relief as he returned to his meal.
"Although I will say that being called your "servant" was not very fun for me either."

Legolas didn't even look up at him as he continued eating.
"Not now Estel."
"I mean it must have been flattering for you, being called one of the Valar. Even though you tried to convince them that you were not and then they believed you to be a Maiar."

"That is enough Estel."
"Remember the feast they held in your honor? Or how the chiefman's daughter smiled at you, and batted her eyes at you."

Estel paused and smiled while tilting his head to the side and batting his eyes at Legolas.

Legolas drilled him with a death glare as he clenched his hands tightly into fists.

"I am warning you Estel, this is your last chance to drop the subject."
"Oh but remember when the chiefman announced that you had agreed to take his daughter as your bride? Everyone was so excited! Except for you of
course."

Legolas was standing now, and was preparing to launch himself at his so called "friend."

"She must have been so disappointed when the day of the wedding arrived and you were no where to be found. She seemed like a nice girl though, shame you had to cancel the wedding."

Legolas took a menacing step forward, Estel knew that he should stop but he couldn't resist saying the final part.

"And remember how the only way we were able to escape was because her younger sister helped us? Not to mention that the only reason she helped was because she believed that you would fall in love with her instead of her sister if you could only see how kind, brave, and beautiful she-"

Estel gasped as Legolas rammed into him, knocking him flat on his back and sending his dinner flying onto the ground.

"I said that was enough Estel!"
Legolas shouted picking himself off up of the ground.
Legolas had hoped that he would get the message but instead Estel began laughing uncontrollably.

He had his arms wrapped around his middle and tears were streaking down the sides of his face.

Legolas could only stare at him through narrowed eyes. Between laughs the elf could make out the man saying, "Who- who would have thought- that- that you- could cause women- to fall in love with you- after only- seeing you once?! They don't even know you!"

Estel continued laughing while Legolas shook his head.
"It is not love they are feeling. And until they learn to love someone for who his is on the inside instead of focusing on outward appearances I doubt that they will ever feel true love."

Estel's laughter ceased at his friend's sudden change of tone. There was a deep sadness in his eyes that Estel had never seen before.

"Legolas-"
"Forgive me Estel, but I need to be alone for a moment."
Legolas' voice shook and for a moment Estel thought that his friend was about to cry.

Before he could ask Legolas what was wrong or ask him to stay the elf had disappeared out of sight.
Estel wished he had listened to his friend's wish and hadn't continued talking.

You must learn when it is a time to jest, and when it is a time to be serious.

Even though Estel didn't know what had caused Legolas to vanish he had faith that his friend would explain everything later.

Estel's eyes wandered over to Legolas' pack, he noticed something sticking out of it.

The letter from Legolas' father. I wonder if he has read it yet?

Estel walked over to the pack and lifted the letter out.
It had been opened which probably meant that Legolas had read it already.

Perhaps he read it before he left, although I wonder why he would bring it with him. Or maybe he read it while I was fixing dinner.

Estel knew that what was in the letter was none of his business and that he should probably put it away before Legolas came back; but his curiosity got the best of him.

What kind of friend am I? First I make him mad, then I drive him away, and now I am about to read something I probably shouldn't!

Despite these thoughts Estel carefully unfolded the piece of paper and read the elvish writing.

Legolas,
    I journeyed to Imladris at the beginning of spring, hoping that you would be there, but I was informed by Elrond that you were traveling in the north with the Dunedain. I asked him where he thought that you may be but he had no information to give me, all he could tell me was that you were safe and in good hands.
     Although I doubt that his words were true. I have heard pleanty of your "adventures" with Elrond's foster son Estel and I have to question whether or not he is a good companion for you to have. This will probably make you angry but I want you to realize that I only want what is best for you. If Estel continues to lead you both into danger I would suggest seeking other company.
     I doubt that you are even bothering to continue reading this, but if you are please do not feel any anger towards me. I do not know how close your bond is with this human and I cannot force you to end your friendship with him. I can only ask you to understand that even though I have not seen you for thirty years, that I am still your father.
    The day you ran away nearly broke me, I thought that I would never be able to overcome my grief, and the thought that I had almost let you be captured by that orc, it was all almost too much for me to bear.
      What I am trying to say Legolas is that I miss you. I want you to come home, I need you to come home. You are all I have left, your mother and brother are both dead and I almost lost you as well.
     I love you Legolas, more than you will ever understand, and I am sorry that I was never there whenever you needed me. I should have been at your side at Ravenhill, in fact I never should have let you go at all. I regret everything I did, pushing you away and too blind to see that I was hurting you instead of protecting you as I thought I was.
    You do not have to Legolas but please. I beg you, please consider coming home. Even if it was for less than a day my heart would at least be put at ease seeing that you were alive and well.
    This is all I ask of you Legolas, but whether you choose to come or not is your decision. I cannot make it for you, no one can choose your path except you. Remember that no matter what choice you make I will still always be your father, and I will never stop loving you.
     May the Valar watch over you Legolas, wherever your path leads.

Estel stared silently at the letter for several minutes before folding it up again and placing it back into Legolas' pack.

He wished that he hadn't read it, now he had even more questions about Legolas that he knew would never be answered.

The question that burned the most in his mind was why Legolas was dead set against returning home to his father.

Legolas had told him about the battle at Ravenhill, how a close friend of his was killed, and how he was almost carried off by an orc.

Elrond had told him that Legolas had been delusional from blood loss and weariness, but Legolas had assured him that his reason for running away had been his decision.

He had been determined to get as far away from his father as possible, it was the only way he could think of to keep him safe.

Estel sighed as his gaze drifted towards the dying fire. Worry for his friend consumed his heart as he searched the area for more firewood.

He was so distracted with his thoughts that he didn't notice the worried sounds coming from the horses, or thr ominous feeling that had crept into the air.

It wasn't until Estel noticed the horses stamping their hooves that he finally turned around.

He could tell that horses were frightened by something, and that alerted Esel that he should be too.

He rested his hand on the hilt of his sword and gazed around the clearing. Estel had no idea where Legolas was, and he could only hope that wherever he was he was safe from whatever approached.

The horses suddenly reared on their hind legs, pawing at the air in terror. Estel drew his sword and felt his heart pounding as orcs, dozens upon dozens of orcs, entered the clearing and charged straight at him.

Estel knew that it was a hopeless fight the moment that the orcs came into view. He was outnumbered but he refused to go down without a fight.

Estel swung his sword at any orc who came near. Several orcs roared or shrieked in agony as they were wounded by Estel's sword.

If the pack of orcs had been smaller Estel would have been fine, but the orcs kept coming and Estel knew it was only a matter of time before they killed him.

Just when he thought that the end had come something had been cast over him, a net.

The orcs had no trouble bringing Estel to the ground and wrestling his weapon away from him.

Estel twisted and struggled to get out from under the net that he had veen ensnared in but it was use.

The orcs surrounding him backed away and Estel struggled to see why they had done so.

Estel nearly gasped as an orc, the biggest and most monsterous orc he had ever seen before in his life, came and stood over him.

The orc smirked at the man lying helpless below him.
"Enjoy your rest human."
The beast snarled.
"You're going to need it."

The orc struck Estel on the head with his foot and sent the Ranger plummeting into darkness.

"Get him moving!"
The orc demanded.
Several orcs came and grabbed the limp form who was still tangled in the net.

Without bothering to hide their excitement and contempt over their easy catch the orcs stomped and growled in victory as they carried away their prisoner.

Unbeknownst to the orcs someone was watching them leave and waiting for them to nearly vanish beyond his sight.

Legolas ran soundlessly over to the now abandoned camp and retrieved Etel's sword and whatever supplies he would need.

The horses had either bolted or had been killed but Legolas' mind was not on the horses. His only concern was for his friend, who had just been carried off by orcs before his eyes.

I'm coming Estel.

Legolas took off running, carefuly to avoid being detected by the orcs.

Please hold on Estel, I promise that I will not let anything happen to you.

I will not let you die too.