A/N: This story takes place after Rotk, about 5 years Frodo leaves for the Valinor. This is my first fanfiction so it might not be that good. Also I take to heart the idea that Aragorn was raised as a son of Elrond and considers Elrond his father and Elladan and Elrohir his brothers. Also I think that just because Arwen choose to be mortal it does not mean she feels the same longings for the ocean as other elves do.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in Lord of the Rings please don’t sue me

“stuff” – talking

:stuff: – thoughts

Chapter One: The Longing
A beautiful maiden sat beneath a tree reading, she seemed so young, yet her eyes reflected the wisdom of an age. She was none other then the beloved queen of men and elves Arwen Undomiel. Arwen had left the white city for it was some what listless and the dead stone of the white city did not let her reach out to nature. She had not left till her husband had noticed her skulking on the walls of the glorious city looking in the direction of Valinor.

/////Flash back\\

“Arwen meleth nin, what is wrong?” Aragorn asked touching Arwen’s shoulder.

Arwen jumped surprised that she had not heard her husband sneak up on her. Her husband, having grown up with the elves, had learned to walk almost silently as an elf, but she had always known when he approached.

“I am fine Estel,” Arwen said brushing away the comment.
“Come Arwen when I touched your shoulder you jumped, you did not even seem too have noticed my approach, and you gaze to the west, to the Valinor. You should not stay here for, I am a mere mortal. You should go to the Valinor, with your own kind. I feel that you are drifting away from me slowly, slowly becoming colder. I wish that you could find happiness here with me, I wish that you did not choose to live a mortal life because of me.” Aragorn shifted his gaze to the ground in a self condemning way.

“Oh Estel, it is not your fault I choose to stay here of my own will, and the choice is no longer mine, for I have decided already and I am no longer immortal. To your other question, my answer is nothing is wrong, I have just been… preoccupied of late. The shores of the Valinor are calling to me and I naught of how to deal with it never before have they called to me.” Arwen answered quietly.

“Oh meleth nin, I did not that you staying here would cause you such pain, I am so sorry Arwen.” Aragorn said, on the verge of breaking down.

“Estel, it is ok, I do not blame you for anything, I just need some time alone,” Arwen said as she tilted her husbands to look into his eyes, seeing much grieve and anguish “It is ok Estel, do not make me call your brothers to come and teach you that it is not your fault.”

“Oh Arwen I wish I could help stop your pain, I think that…,” he stumbled over his words, “I think that you should leave the white city, it would give you peace, for I know how elves do not like to be enclosed by stone walls, if you go it will put my heart at ease.”

“Estel, I will go, in the morning.” Arwen said.

The next morning Arwen Undomiel rode out of the gates of Minas Tirith.

/////End Flashback\\

Arwen leaned back against the tree, finding comfort in the trees whisperings, yet something was not right, the tree it was nervous something was approaching. She looked up to see an orc looming, it was too late to stop it and the club came down and the Evenstar was released into a peaceful darkness.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Aragorn paced his study, he had just been informed to come down to the kitchens, where there was a messenger, an elvish messenger, waiting to tell him something important. He had been at meeting with his advisors, before a servant had so rudely interrupted him, telling him that an elf from Lothlorien had arrived with urgent news. This new better be urgent I do not want to have to explain to those advisors that I had to leave an important meeting because of some elf.

When Aragorn arrived at the kitchen he found it bustling with people who probably should not have even been here, but they were just trying to get a glimpse of an elf other than their Queen or their king’s dear friend Legolas. Legolas had not visited in a while and when he did visit he did not make it very public. Aragorn shook his head to rid himself of those useless thoughts. Aragorn walked over to the table where the elf sat eating a light broth. The elf looked up despairingly at the king and said “King Elessar I bring news from Lothlorien, I did not stop riding till I got here. I bring news of Arwen.”

Aragorn’s heart clenched at the name of his wife, but he urged the elf on.
“Arwen Undomiel has gone missing,” Aragorn was very surprised but he was not as surprised as he was worried. For a split second Aragorn let his tight grip on his emotions go, and the elf saw despair cross the mans eyes then guilt but it was only a split second before Aragorn had his grip again so the elf continued “She has been missing now for five days, and a small search party of elves has been search for her since than. The only thing we know is that the last place where Arwen was known to be is the same place where we found orc tracks.”

“That is all than master elf?” questioned Aragorn.

“Yes milord and I ask if you will come to Lothlorien to help search for Arwen?” asked the elf.

“I will,” Aragorn said fervently.

As Aragorn left the room he took on an imposing air, and the servants and messengers that ran through the hallways shied away from him. They scurried past him as fast as they could, but Aragorn was far to preoccupied to notice. After the initiate worry Aragorn was now furious at the elves of Lothlorien, :How could they let Arwen go missing and most probably carried off by orcs! HOW!?: But he knew his anger was misplaced that it was not the elves fault, if it was anyone’s fault it was his, he was the one who had urged Arwen to leave, he was the one who had forced Arwen to stay in Minas Tirith even though he knew elves hated stone but most of all he had forced Arwen to give up her family, her immortality for him. If anything ever happened to her he could never forgive himself, he didn’t think he could keep living if Arwen died, but he forced that thought away, it was useless to dwell on what might happen.

As soon as he entered his room Aragorn collapsed on his bed sobbing in despair and self hatred. Slowly he gathered his emotions and wrote a note to Legolas, he was sure he would need his dear friends help on this journey if Arwen indeed had been captured by orcs.

To my dear friend Legolas

I have just gotten word that Arwen has gone missing
I know I will need your help to find her, please come quickly,
I beg you.

Thank you
Strider

Quickly he a messenger to his room “Quickly Elanga take this message to Legolas Greenleaf.”

“Not to be rude milord, but from what I have heard the elves of Mirkwood aren’t to friendly with humans, and how am I supposed to find Legolas he is the Crown Prince of Mirkwood after all,” Elanga, suddenly realized that he had questioned his king, “I am sorry milord I did not mean to question you I meant no disrespect.”

“It is ok Elanga, I know your just nervous about having to deliver a message to the elves,” Aragorn paused as Elanga bowed, “and if you have any trouble with the elves tell them that you have been sent by Estel, ok?”

Elanga looked at him puzzled, then nodded his head ran out the door. As soon as the door closed he laid down on his bed and thought about what he was going to do.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Two elves stood facing a target that leaned against a tree four hundred yards away. One of the elves had long blonde hair tied back in warrior braids; he had piercing azure eyes that seemed to reflect the sky, his body was lithe yet strongly muscled as a well trained warrior would be. The other elf had brilliant emerald eyes that seemed softer than the others; his hair was blonde just like the other elf’s hair and he was just as fit as the other elf. They looked almost identical except the one with blue eyes looked as though he had seen many a battle.

“It looks like I have won again gwador nin, it seems Elryn that you are getting worse,” the elf with the azure eyes said.

“That was no fair Legolas my brother, I have not had as much practice as you have had in your many battles and all,” complained Elryn.

“Brother you are just not as good-” Legolas could not finish his sentence because a horse just rode up to him with a weary looking rider on its back. The rider jumped down and Legolas immediately realized who it was, Elanga. He had known Elange since he and Aragorn had rescued the boy from the haradrim. When they had found him he did not remember anything not even his name so they had decided to name him star steal, his name suited him well. Legolas checked the boy over he looked like a fit healthy youth, Legolas smiled “What is it that brings you here Elanga?”

“Prince Legolas I bear a message to you from Estel, he said it was urgent,” Elanga said as he handed the message over to Legolas.

Legolas quickly read the note, and his eyes widened in surprise :Arwen has gone missing, how can this be? More importantly how is Aragorn taking it, by he is probably wallowing in self-hatred, Legolas sighed as he thought about the not he had gotten, I had better go make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid, if he’s in one of those its all my fault moods he’ll blame anything and everything on himself, Aragorn had even begged him to come to Minis Tirith, and Aragorn never begged.:

“Elryn I’m sorry but I must go now.” Legolas said before breaking off into towards the stables.

“Come Elanga, I can see that your tired after your long journey, come have a rest,” offer Elryn.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Legolas rode his great steed Aglir through Mirkwood, trees blurred together as he rode, he kept thinking about the note, he dearly hoped that they would find Arwen alive, Legolas did not think Aragorn could live if Arwen died, and with that thought he urged his horse on faster.

An arrow that had come without warning ruffled Legolas’ hair. The arrow startled Legolas out of his reverie; he was startled that he had not noticed anyone approaching. Behind him a group of orcs jumped out of bushes lining the path. The orcs were surprisingly organized; they were set up in three lines with ten orcs in each line the ones in the back had bows. Legolas stopped his horse, he sensed something darker about these orcs something crueler, something malicious. A man stepped out from behind one of the archers and the orcs parted for him as they bowed down. The man had pale skin, his hair was black as a starless night and reflected no light. He was clad in black with a gray tunic and gray boots. The man wore a dark cloak that shimmered black, purple and a deep blue. Legolas felt a wrongness coming from the man.

“Suliad Legolas Greenleaf, let me introduce myself I am Ralan,” the man said.

A confused look crossed over Legolas face :How can this human know elvish, not since the days of Elendil have humans readily learned elvish:, Legolas thought to himself.

“Do not look so surprised Greenleaf, I know a great many more things than you could ever imagine, for example I know that you are riding to visit your friend King Elessar,” Ralan continued.

“Why human,” Legolas spat the last word, “would I take a message from you to Elessar? I am not some messenger boy to some young human who thinks he is a lord.”

“I think it would be in your best interest, or should I say Arwen’s best interest,” three orcs carried an elvish maiden to Ralan, who took a knife and brought it to Arwens throat, “You will either take this message to Elessar or I will kill his wife.”

“Ok I will take the message only for Elessar and Arwens sake.” Legolas replied with the slightest look of horror on his face.

The man smiled at Legoals’ reply and pushed Arwen away, but not before leaving a red gash across Arwen’s pale neck. As the knife crossed her neck a pained look crossed her face which was quickly replaced with a defiant look. Legolas stepped forward as if to free the elvish maiden, but the man held up his hand and something seemed to choke he gasped for air.

“Do not be so hasty elf you would not want me to be forced to injure her further,” Ralan saw Legolas struggle for breath, “Do not worry elf I could not kill you just yet, I still need you to deliver my message.”

Black invaded the edges of the elf’s vision, he looked up on last time and saw Arwen looking at him with worry lacing the beautiful features of her face then darkness took him and he knew no more.

To be Continued….

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in Lord of the Rings please don’t sue me

“stuff” – talking

:stuff: – thoughts

Chapter One: The Longing
A beautiful maiden sat beneath a tree reading, she seemed so young, yet her eyes reflected the wisdom of an age. She was none other then the beloved queen of men and elves Arwen Undomiel. Arwen had left the white city for it was some what listless and the dead stone of the white city did not let her reach out to nature. She had not left till her husband had noticed her skulking on the walls of the glorious city looking in the direction of Valinor.

/////Flash back\\

“Arwen meleth nin, what is wrong?” Aragorn asked touching Arwen’s shoulder.

Arwen jumped surprised that she had not heard her husband sneak up on her. Her husband, having grown up with the elves, had learned to walk almost silently as an elf, but she had always known when he approached.

“I am fine Estel,” Arwen said brushing away the comment.
“Come Arwen when I touched your shoulder you jumped, you did not even seem too have noticed my approach, and you gaze to the west, to the Valinor. You should not stay here for, I am a mere mortal. You should go to the Valinor, with your own kind. I feel that you are drifting away from me slowly, slowly becoming colder. I wish that you could find happiness here with me, I wish that you did not choose to live a mortal life because of me.” Aragorn shifted his gaze to the ground in a self condemning way.

“Oh Estel, it is not your fault I choose to stay here of my own will, and the choice is no longer mine, for I have decided already and I am no longer immortal. To your other question, my answer is nothing is wrong, I have just been… preoccupied of late. The shores of the Valinor are calling to me and I naught of how to deal with it never before have they called to me.” Arwen answered quietly.

“Oh meleth nin, I did not that you staying here would cause you such pain, I am so sorry Arwen.” Aragorn said, on the verge of breaking down.

“Estel, it is ok, I do not blame you for anything, I just need some time alone,” Arwen said as she tilted her husbands to look into his eyes, seeing much grieve and anguish “It is ok Estel, do not make me call your brothers to come and teach you that it is not your fault.”

“Oh Arwen I wish I could help stop your pain, I think that…,” he stumbled over his words, “I think that you should leave the white city, it would give you peace, for I know how elves do not like to be enclosed by stone walls, if you go it will put my heart at ease.”

“Estel, I will go, in the morning.” Arwen said.

The next morning Arwen Undomiel rode out of the gates of Minas Tirith.

/////End Flashback\\

Arwen leaned back against the tree, finding comfort in the trees whisperings, yet something was not right, the tree it was nervous something was approaching. She looked up to see an orc looming, it was too late to stop it and the club came down and the Evenstar was released into a peaceful darkness.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Aragorn paced his study, he had just been informed to come down to the kitchens, where there was a messenger, an elvish messenger, waiting to tell him something important. He had been at meeting with his advisors, before a servant had so rudely interrupted him, telling him that an elf from Lothlorien had arrived with urgent news. This new better be urgent I do not want to have to explain to those advisors that I had to leave an important meeting because of some elf.

When Aragorn arrived at the kitchen he found it bustling with people who probably should not have even been here, but they were just trying to get a glimpse of an elf other than their Queen or their king’s dear friend Legolas. Legolas had not visited in a while and when he did visit he did not make it very public. Aragorn shook his head to rid himself of those useless thoughts. Aragorn walked over to the table where the elf sat eating a light broth. The elf looked up despairingly at the king and said “King Elessar I bring news from Lothlorien, I did not stop riding till I got here. I bring news of Arwen.”

Aragorn’s heart clenched at the name of his wife, but he urged the elf on.
“Arwen Undomiel has gone missing,” Aragorn was very surprised but he was not as surprised as he was worried. For a split second Aragorn let his tight grip on his emotions go, and the elf saw despair cross the mans eyes then guilt but it was only a split second before Aragorn had his grip again so the elf continued “She has been missing now for five days, and a small search party of elves has been search for her since than. The only thing we know is that the last place where Arwen was known to be is the same place where we found orc tracks.”

“That is all than master elf?” questioned Aragorn.

“Yes milord and I ask if you will come to Lothlorien to help search for Arwen?” asked the elf.

“I will,” Aragorn said fervently.

As Aragorn left the room he took on an imposing air, and the servants and messengers that ran through the hallways shied away from him. They scurried past him as fast as they could, but Aragorn was far to preoccupied to notice. After the initiate worry Aragorn was now furious at the elves of Lothlorien, :How could they let Arwen go missing and most probably carried off by orcs! HOW!?: But he knew his anger was misplaced that it was not the elves fault, if it was anyone’s fault it was his, he was the one who had urged Arwen to leave, he was the one who had forced Arwen to stay in Minas Tirith even though he knew elves hated stone but most of all he had forced Arwen to give up her family, her immortality for him. If anything ever happened to her he could never forgive himself, he didn’t think he could keep living if Arwen died, but he forced that thought away, it was useless to dwell on what might happen.

As soon as he entered his room Aragorn collapsed on his bed sobbing in despair and self hatred. Slowly he gathered his emotions and wrote a note to Legolas, he was sure he would need his dear friends help on this journey if Arwen indeed had been captured by orcs.

To my dear friend Legolas

I have just gotten word that Arwen has gone missing
I know I will need your help to find her, please come quickly,
I beg you.

Thank you
Strider

Quickly he a messenger to his room “Quickly Elanga take this message to Legolas Greenleaf.”

“Not to be rude milord, but from what I have heard the elves of Mirkwood aren’t to friendly with humans, and how am I supposed to find Legolas he is the Crown Prince of Mirkwood after all,” Elanga, suddenly realized that he had questioned his king, “I am sorry milord I did not mean to question you I meant no disrespect.”

“It is ok Elanga, I know your just nervous about having to deliver a message to the elves,” Aragorn paused as Elanga bowed, “and if you have any trouble with the elves tell them that you have been sent by Estel, ok?”

Elanga looked at him puzzled, then nodded his head ran out the door. As soon as the door closed he laid down on his bed and thought about what he was going to do.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Two elves stood facing a target that leaned against a tree four hundred yards away. One of the elves had long blonde hair tied back in warrior braids; he had piercing azure eyes that seemed to reflect the sky, his body was lithe yet strongly muscled as a well trained warrior would be. The other elf had brilliant emerald eyes that seemed softer than the others; his hair was blonde just like the other elf’s hair and he was just as fit as the other elf. They looked almost identical except the one with blue eyes looked as though he had seen many a battle.

“It looks like I have won again gwador nin, it seems Elryn that you are getting worse,” the elf with the azure eyes said.

“That was no fair Legolas my brother, I have not had as much practice as you have had in your many battles and all,” complained Elryn.

“Brother you are just not as good-” Legolas could not finish his sentence because a horse just rode up to him with a weary looking rider on its back. The rider jumped down and Legolas immediately realized who it was, Elanga. He had known Elange since he and Aragorn had rescued the boy from the haradrim. When they had found him he did not remember anything not even his name so they had decided to name him star steal, his name suited him well. Legolas checked the boy over he looked like a fit healthy youth, Legolas smiled “What is it that brings you here Elanga?”

“Prince Legolas I bear a message to you from Estel, he said it was urgent,” Elanga said as he handed the message over to Legolas.

Legolas quickly read the note, and his eyes widened in surprise :Arwen has gone missing, how can this be? More importantly how is Aragorn taking it, by he is probably wallowing in self-hatred, Legolas sighed as he thought about the not he had gotten, I had better go make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid, if he’s in one of those its all my fault moods he’ll blame anything and everything on himself, Aragorn had even begged him to come to Minis Tirith, and Aragorn never begged.:

“Elryn I’m sorry but I must go now.” Legolas said before breaking off into towards the stables.

“Come Elanga, I can see that your tired after your long journey, come have a rest,” offer Elryn.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Legolas rode his great steed Aglir through Mirkwood, trees blurred together as he rode, he kept thinking about the note, he dearly hoped that they would find Arwen alive, Legolas did not think Aragorn could live if Arwen died, and with that thought he urged his horse on faster.

An arrow that had come without warning ruffled Legolas’ hair. The arrow startled Legolas out of his reverie; he was startled that he had not noticed anyone approaching. Behind him a group of orcs jumped out of bushes lining the path. The orcs were surprisingly organized; they were set up in three lines with ten orcs in each line the ones in the back had bows. Legolas stopped his horse, he sensed something darker about these orcs something crueler, something malicious. A man stepped out from behind one of the archers and the orcs parted for him as they bowed down. The man had pale skin, his hair was black as a starless night and reflected no light. He was clad in black with a gray tunic and gray boots. The man wore a dark cloak that shimmered black, purple and a deep blue. Legolas felt a wrongness coming from the man.

“Suliad Legolas Greenleaf, let me introduce myself I am Ralan,” the man said.

A confused look crossed over Legolas face :How can this human know elvish, not since the days of Elendil have humans readily learned elvish:, Legolas thought to himself.

“Do not look so surprised Greenleaf, I know a great many more things than you could ever imagine, for example I know that you are riding to visit your friend King Elessar,” Ralan continued.

“Why human,” Legolas spat the last word, “would I take a message from you to Elessar? I am not some messenger boy to some young human who thinks he is a lord.”

“I think it would be in your best interest, or should I say Arwen’s best interest,” three orcs carried an elvish maiden to Ralan, who took a knife and brought it to Arwens throat, “You will either take this message to Elessar or I will kill his wife.”

“Ok I will take the message only for Elessar and Arwens sake.” Legolas replied with the slightest look of horror on his face.

The man smiled at Legoals’ reply and pushed Arwen away, but not before leaving a red gash across Arwen’s pale neck. As the knife crossed her neck a pained look crossed her face which was quickly replaced with a defiant look. Legolas stepped forward as if to free the elvish maiden, but the man held up his hand and something seemed to choke he gasped for air.

“Do not be so hasty elf you would not want me to be forced to injure her further,” Ralan saw Legolas struggle for breath, “Do not worry elf I could not kill you just yet, I still need you to deliver my message.”

Black invaded the edges of the elf’s vision, he looked up on last time and saw Arwen looking at him with worry lacing the beautiful features of her face then darkness took him and he knew no more.

To be Continued….

Chapter 2: Broken

The air was thick, dense, and still, as if waiting for something to happen. The trees seemed tense as if waiting for something to happen, nature was still. Yet to a mortal all seemed peaceful till a pain filled scream broke the thick silence of evening. Arwen Undomiel could no longer take the pain, she had been beaten and tossed aside like an old rag doll. She had fought hard against her captors, but she could not fight her weariness, there were many more of them and only one of her. Ralan their leader had told his minions the orcs to put a necklace on her and if she resisted beat her.

The necklace was no ordinary necklace, it was a necklace of darkness. It was as if darkness radiated from it, the necklace almost seemed to suck in the light around it. Arwen being of the eldar sensed this and it frightened her, never before had she seen an item that seemed this dark except for the One Ring itself; but that had been destroyed during the war of the ring. As soon as the necklace was placed on her the pale skin it seemed to burn her. Arwens whole body seemed to burn with pure agony, which slowly seemed to increase. A black haze passed over her vision. All Arwen could think of was that she was going to die and leave behind her beloved husband. Just when that thought went through her mind, Ralan walked over to her and the pain stopped and the haze was gone.

“I see, my little trinket, has been doing its job,” the man paused for a second as if thinking, “You should be proud to wear such a beautiful piece of jewelry. It was forged long ago in the first age; it was forged by a dark elf. I must admit I never before thought that an elf could create something so dark.”

Arwen cringed at the thought of a dark elf, and at that moment she so badly wanted to strike out at the man that had forced such a dark object upon her. Suddenly the sky clouded over and a thunder bolt streaked out of the sky and hit the ground of the clearing only a few feet away from where the man was standing and as quick as the storm had come it was gone. Arwen gasped.

“Ahh… I see my trinket has done its job,” he emphasized has.

Arwen started at him blankly. “You see this necklace that you have on amplifies ones natural abilities,” he paused and Arwen looked up at him curiously. “as well as ones natural darkness, and as you know everyone has at least a little darkness for who has not been tempted by riches or glory. This necklace will slowly turn you to darkness like it has down to others. You shall become powerful too for your natural abilities as an elf are already strong. You will be able to control the trees around you, bend their wills to your, make flowers bloom in spring and many other things and there will be nothing to fight against your awesome power, Nothing will stand in your way!”

Arwen spat at him “I will not use these ‘natural abilities’ as you call them, and never would I dream of forcing the will of what the Valar created to my own. I would as soon kill my husband as control and contort what has been free since the beginning of time. And I will fight the darkness of this necklace to my last breath!”

Ralan smirked, “You will see darling, darkness will take over your life there is no use fighting it, just embrace it will make it much faster ad less painful for the both of us. I wish I could help you but I must take my leave now, I will leave you unbound is this forest unable to leave, until your husband finds you.”

Arwen’s bonds were cut but she only stood there as Ralan mounted his horse and rode deeper into the old forest.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Hours later Legolas awoke to find him self lying on the forest floor. For a moment he was confused, till his memory hit him. Legolas was surprised that the orcs had not taken him with them, but then again, they were not normal orcs. Legolas looked down at his hand and saw that he was holding a note. He quickly figured that this was the note that he was to deliver to Aragorn. Strangely enough his horse Aglir was still in the clearing. Legolas quickly mounted his horse and in a cloud of dust rode off.

Only three days later Legolas was at the gates of Minas Tirith. Legolas was still awed by its beauty every time he looked at the great walls; it was quite beautiful for a human city. At the seventh gate Legolas got off his horse and put Aglir in the stables, no one questioned him for everyone knew that he was a good friend of the king.

“Esta eithel mellon nin,” he whispered to his horse. The horse neighed happily in response. Once inside Legolas rushed off to his friend’s chambers, no one stopped because most thought that he might be the only one to be able to the king out of his depression.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Arwen had now been missing for over a week and the king had not left his chambers, everyone was worried for him. Aragorn had barely slept or eaten since the Lothlorien elf had brought the message that Arwen was missing. He was too wrapped up in his worry to notice that someone had entered his room. Legolas tapped his friend on the shoulder “Estel are you growing soft lazing around in this palace all day?”

Aragorn looked up to his friend with tired silver orbs and gave Legolas a weak smile, “Maybe I am Legolas, but it is good to see you again mellon nin.”

Legolas could tell that his friend had not slept or eaten in the last few days, but he did not get a really good look at his friend for Aragorn had hung his head and his hair veiled his face.

“Aragorn I have brought you a letter from Arwen’s captors,” Legolas stated quickly and handed over the letter.

Elessar,

I have your wife, do not worry I shall not harm her
in fact I am letting her go with a little gift, a necklace
actually. I hope you find her before any of the wild
things do, but I do not think they would pose a threat
to her and her new found powers. Well don’t let that
worry you, I think it would be best that you go find
her. Oh you might like to know that I have left her at
Parth Galen.

-Ralan

The look of grieve left Aragorn’s eyes and was replaced of one of raw hatred, he passed the letter to Legolas. “We must leave at once Legolas, this… this… man who has taken my wife, he must be punished….” Aragorn trailed off.

“Aragorn the man who took Arwen was no ordinary man he spoke elvish and I sensed a great evil around him, and you my dear friend are not going to fight anyone or anything when you look like you have not slept in a week, you must rest before we leave,” Legolas pointed out.

Aragorn seeing no way out of this argument conceded “I see…” with that Aragorn lay down albeit some what reluctantly, and slowly fell into deep sleep.

Legolas was finally able to get a good look at Aragorn once he had fallen asleep.

::He looks as though he has done nothing except sit and done nothing but lay around grieving for someone who is not yet gone, I am quite surprised he has not left yet to go save her. Maybe he was just waiting for me to come, maybe…::

Legolas pulled out of thoughts when someone tapped on his shoulder, he turned around to find Aragorn dressed in his ranger garb. Legolas gave him a questioning look.

“I just woke up a few minutes ago, and got changed; I did not disturb you for you looked deep in thought.” Aragorn answered the unasked question.

“I did not realize what time it was, I guess I was just worried for Arwen,”
::and you:: Legolas added mentally, “I guess we should be leaving now than.”

“Yes, I packed my bags earlier, before you came. I packed a few herbs and bandages, but I pray that we shall not need them.” Aragorn said as he pointed to a few saddle bags in the corner.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
A few minutes later in the stables, Aragorn had saddled his faithful horse Roheryn and Legolas had already mounted his horse Aglir. It was early in the morn yet the city gates were open and they quickly rode out of the city unaware of the danger that awaited them.

To Be Continued