Disclaimer: *Sigh* I wish they were mine. I really do. But they are not mine. But I have a mind to buy Legolas from Tolkien!!!
AN: This is in Rivendell, Aragorn (Estel) is about 22, but being raised by elves he has not yet ‘grown up’ so to say.
Rating: PG maybe? I have no clue. But I guess it is children appropriate.

The Trail

“Yes ada?” Estel asked entering Elrond’s study. Elrond looked up at his foster son. “Well there is something I wished to discuss with you.” He gestured towards the spare chair. “Legolas is coming to visit tomorrow.” Elrond explained. Estel’s head flew up at the announcement of his friend’s coming. “Really! Awesome!” Estel exclaimed. Elrond frowned at the young boy’s enthusiasm. If he stayed that way Legolas would have no better time here than in Mirkwood. “There is a problem,” Elrond revealed. “Legolas’s heart is heavy, for the darkness in Mirkwood has been weighing down on the poor prince. He is very depressed, and is coming here to heal. I am afraid there will be no playing with him this visit.” Elrond was sad for both Legolas who was suffering, and Estel who was very disappointed. “Oh. But we can make him feel better right!?” Estel asked eagerly. “For now, there is nothing we can do,” Elrond said knowing Legolas was a lot worse than Estel thought.

*-^-*

Legolas entered the room Elrond provided. His normally straight and proud posture was now slumped and weary. Legolas dropped his travel pack on a chair and fell on the bed. He sighed before closing his eyes and drifting into sleep.

*-^-*

Estel had been wandering aimlessly through Rivendell worrying about his friend. He found himself in the library where Lindir was sorting through a pile of books, all of them with a title related to medicine. “That Glorfindel! Can’t come here without leaving me a mess!” Estel just looked at the irritated elf. “What’s wrong with you?” Lindir asked confused at the youth’s depression. Usually Estel would’ve rushed at the opportunity to prank Glorfindel. “It’s Legolas. I’m worried. And there is nothing I can do.” Lindir nodded, suddenly understanding everything. “Legolas will be walking in the gardens tomorrow afternoon. We could do a little something that may raise his spirits.” Lindir smiled. Estel’s face lit up. “Yes! What can we do?” He asked eagerly. “Well follow me!” Lindir led Estel through several corridors and hallways before entering a room Estel didn’t know about. The room was poorly lit, but there was a large shelf. On it lay many beautiful, well-crafted weapons. Lindir smiled and lifted a pair of twin knives that were in a leather sheath. “Now we need to go to the gardens very early. You bring two quivers full of arrows and I will bring the rest,” Lindir explained. “Alright!” Estel cheered

*-^-*
Legolas vaguely heard his name being called softly. He slowly woke to Glorfindel gently sitting him up. After that Elrond strode to the bedside and placed a steaming mug in Legolas’s hands. “Drink this, it will help you.” Elrond did his best to speak softly and not sound stern. “Nay, I will manage.” Legolas’s voice was a broken whisper. “Legolas, if you do not drink this, I cannot let you go to the gardens tomorrow,” Elrond told Legolas. Legolas only nodded and began taking small sips of the tea. “We will leave you now,” Elrond said once Legolas had finished the tea. Elrond nodded and Glorfindel lowered Legolas back on the bed.

*-^-*

Estel rushed out to the gardens mentally kicking himself for being late. But thankfully it was still early. Mist hung lazily about and Estel’s boots were getting damp from running through dew covered grass. Finally he reached the great willow tree in the center of the garden. Its long branches drooped down creating a shady place to rest. Lindir waited patiently and smiled when the panting Estel arrived. “Ah, you humans, sleeping half your precious lives away!” Linder laughed. Estel glared at Lindir with a glint in his eyes. “You have the arrows?” Lindir immediately changed the subject realizing that he was in danger of being thrown to the ground and having mud smeared in his face and hair, which was what happened last time Estel had that look in his eyes. “Yes. What did you bring?” Estel replied losing the glare. Lindir pulled out the knives which were neatly wrapped in a cloth. Lindir also had two pieces of paper. “What’s the papers for?” Estel asked. “They are messages. Read them.” Lindir handed the paper to Estel who read it.

Legolas, follow the trail of arrows. This is not a prank.

Lindir handed him the second note which read:

You may not control all the events that happen to you,
But you can decide not to be reduced by them.

“So we’re going to make him a trail, and put the knives at the end?” Estel guessed. “Yes, but we will have to make it short,” Lindir explained as he attached the piece of paper to an arrow. He then stuck it in the ground, point down. “Now do the same with the arrows you have, and make a short trail,” Lindir instructed. Estel did and soon they had a trail that led behind a large bush. Together they left the gardens laughing about what Legolas would find.

*-^-*

Legolas wandered about among the trees feeling much better to be out in fresh untainted air for a while. The leaves in the trees rustled gently even though there was no wind. Finding himself at a large willow tree Legolas decided to rest for a moment. He was about to sit down when his foot struck something. Looking down Legolas saw to his confusion an arrow stuck straight in the ground point down. He picked up the arrow and found a piece of paper. Raising his eyebrows he un-wrapped it. After reading the note Legolas searched the ground and found a trail of arrows leading away. Shrugging, Legolas decided to try following it. After walking slowly for about ten minutes Legolas found the end of the trail behind a large mulberry bush. He looked around and saw nothing out of the ordinary. But this is the end of the trail. The end! There is nothing here! Legolas thought. Just then he noticed a piece of cloth wrapped neatly around something under the bush. On top of the bundle was another piece of paper. Legolas keeled down and lifted it onto his lap. Taking the paper he unfolded it to reveal another note. Legolas read it and it was true. Yes, Greenwood was in darkness, but why did he just sit and watch it destroy his land and people? Legolas suddenly straightened his posture and resolved right then to return to Greenwood and fight for everything he had. Unfolding the cloth, Legolas’s eyes widened as he held two perfectly crafted twin knifes in a perfect leather quiver that strapped onto the user’s back. The hilts were made of ivory with mithril engravings. The blades were made of the strongest silver. They also had mithril engravings, but in elvish. They read the same as the note:

You may not control all the events that happen to you,
But you can decide not to be reduced by them.

Legolas smiled as he strapped the knives on his back knowing that even as he fought, he would have a reminder that gave him strength in the dark times. It was the end of the trail, and the end of Legolas’s depression.
The End

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