Aragorn was walking alone through a forest. A few years ago, he found out his true name and lineage, Aragorn, son of Arathorn, heir of Isildur. He had left Elrond’s house not long after. Walking along a dirt path, he heard a rustle of leaves behind him. He spun around. He pulled his hood over his head. A shadow was following him. Aragorn drew his sword. Was it an Orc? A person? An animal? He had no idea. A second later, something hit Aragorn in the back. He lost his grip on his sword, which flung about five feet from his right hand. A cloaked figure stood over him, with a bow drawn and an arrow a few inches from Aragorn’s neck.
“Show yourself,” said the cloaked figure.
“Show yourself and I will show myself,” replied Aragorn. The arrow jabbed closer to his neck.
“Show yourself now!” the figure said angrily.
Slowly, Aragorn pulled back his hood. The arrow was moved away from his neck, and the bow relaxed.
“It can’t be. Estel?” That voice, it sounded so familiar to Aragorn. The figure pulled back it’s own hood. Before Aragorn saw the long blonde hair, the Mirkwood clothing, and the two knives, he knew who it was.
“Legolas!”
“Estel!” Legolas clasped Aragorn’s arm in the greeting of the elves, but smiling Aragorn embraced his friend.
“Legolas, it is so good to see you!”
“It is good to see you too Estel.”
“How long has it been, mellon nin?” asked Aragorn.
“Eleven years, at the least,” said Legolas. “Do you remember the last time we saw each other?”
“It was the day we met,” said Aragorn. “I remember it like it was yesterday.”

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Estel was sitting at the table with his brothers Elrohir and Elladan. They were bored about to death. It had been raining without a break for over two days now, and the rain was getting harder.
“I hope it stops soon,” said Elrohir.
“Me too,” replied Elladan.
“I only wish it wasn’t raining so hard. Then we could go outside,” said Estel.
“Will you boys stop complaining!” said Elrond. The boys complained even louder.
“I am not of the Valar! I cannot make it stop raining, so just be quiet!” They were immediately silent.
“I am going to go to my room. I have much to work on. Do not disturb me. I’ll be back in a hour or two.” Elrond got up and left the boys.
Estel turned his attention to the window. He thought he saw something. He did. A strange shadow was moving about through a forest nearby.
“Elrohir, take a look at this!” Estel called to his brother. Elrohir peered out the window.
“Do you see the shadow?” asked Estel.
“Yes, but it is probably nothing more than that,” said Elrohir.
“Someone is out there, Elrohir. That someone might need our help.”
“I doubt it,” replied Elrohir, “but even if it was someone, you would never be permitted out. You know how father is about storms.”
“I do, but something troubles me. I do not have the gift of foresight, yet I have the feeling someone needs help,” said Estel.
“Then don’t trouble your mind,” said Elladan. “Leave it. Whoever is out there can probably take care of himself.”
Estel turned from the window. He walked into his room. Moments later, he emerged, with a cloak.
“I am going out there,” he said.
“You’re what?!” said Elrohir, surprised.
“I am going out to see exactly who is out there.”
“And we will cover for him,” said Elladan.
“We will?!” said Elrohir.
“Yes. Estel, just don’t take all night. When father comes out of his study mode, we will tell him you are in bed early. Knowing father, he’ll believe it,” said Elladan.
“Oh, wait,” said Elrohir. Estel turned to him. “When you come back, tell us everything.”
Estel nodded with a smile and quietly slid out into the rainstorm.

Estel stumbled into the forest. There was no moon to shed any light. The rain stung his face. He thought of going back, but if he did, his brothers would never let it go. He jumped over a log, and skidded into a mud puddle. Estel stood up and brushed himself off. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a moving shadow. He turned around quickly and followed it. The shadow was fast, moving in and out of the trees with agility. He followed the shadow deep into the woods. Estel came to a clearing. The shadow was gone. ‘It was probably made by a light in the trees’ Estel thought to himself. He spun around. He could not recognize anything. ‘Great. Now I am lost.’ He wandered blindly for a little while, and then he saw the shadow. It stopped behind a thick oak. He tiptoed over to the tree, and jumped to the other side. He saw a silhouette of a person. The person was fidgeting around, ready to flee.
“No, don’t go. I mean no harm.” The person stopped fidgeting.
“How do I know you aren’t lying?” came the reply. The person was human, a boy. His voice sounded very clear.
“Now why would I lie? I am lost, too,” said Estel.
“How do you know I am lost?” said the person. Estel could faintly see a smile on his lips.
“You sound different than most. Where am I?” he said.
“Somewhere in the woods by Rivendell.”
“Rivendell. I have come that far.” Estel looked confused.
“Who are you and where are you from?” From above, a streak of lightning hit nearby, followed by another flash, letting Estel look upon the face of the person he was talking to. He was a boy, but not just a boy. He was an elf, but not one like Elrond. His eyes were a bright blue, and he had long blonde hair. He only looked a year or two older than Estel, though he was probably much older. He was wearing green, and he had a bow and quiver with him.
“Will you now give me your name?” said Estel. The elf didn’t answer. “My name is Estel.” he said.
“I am Legolas,” said the elf.
“Pleased to meet you.”
“Likewise.” Lightning flashed again, and they both jumped.
“I think we need to find some shelter,” said Estel, “before we become charred.” Legolas laughed.
“There is a cave not far from here,” said Legolas.
“Let’s go then,” said Estel, and they took off running. Before long they were at an entrance to a cave. They cave was small, but big enough for two boys. They went to the very back of the cave and sat down.
“We might be here a while,” said Estel. “Why don’t you tell me about yourself. You said you came far.”
“I did,” said Legolas, and he began his story with Estel listening.
“You see, I am from Mirkwood. I was traveling with my father, my elven lord. There were a few other people with us as well. We were traveling over some mountains when we were attacked by Orcs. I fought a little, though I am not very experienced. My elven lord told me to run. I didn’t want to, but he insisted. So I ran, and I got myself completely lost. I have been wandering for about two days now. It is my luck that I get caught in a storm. What about you, Estel? Why are you here?”
“I was at home with my family,” said Estel. “I saw a shadow moving through the trees, so I decided to investigate. That’s where I ran into you.”
“Interesting,” said Legolas. “That fate brought us here.” Estel laughed.
“Fate should have brought us when it was sunny.” Their laughter was overshadowed only by the thunder.

————————————————————–

Meanwhile at Rivendell, the two boys were staring out the window.
“Where is Estel?” said Elrohir. “He should have been back a while ago.”
“I am beginning to worry about him,” said Elladan.
“What are you boys staring at?” The boys jumped and turned around to see Elrond standing over them.
“The storm,” said Elladan. “It is very powerful, and magnificent.”
“Where is Estel?” said Elrond.
“He went to bed early,” said Elrohir.
“Really,” said Elrond. “I didn’t think he was tired, but if he is then, that is alright.”Elrond walked away.
“Phew! That was a close one!” said Elrohir, relieved.
“Too close for my liking,” said Elladan. Elrond walked back into the room.
“Estel turned into pillows?” said Elrond.
“What do you mean, Adar?” said Elrohir.
“You said Estel was in bed. The only thing in his bed were pillows. How did Estel turn into pillows?” Elrond folded his arms. “Is there something you two aren’t telling me?”
“All right I admit it!” said Elladan. “He saw a shadow outside. He thought it was a person, and he went out to look.”
“How long ago?” asked Elrond.
“About two hours,” said Elrohir. Elrond had a worried look on his face.
“Come on boys,” he said. “We have to find your brother.”

————————————————————–

Back at the cave, the two boys were chatting.
“Your father is the King of Mirkwood?!” said Estel in a shocked tone. “That means you are royalty!”
“I guess I am then,” said Legolas. He acted like he didn’t want to speak of it. Estel sneezed.
“You caught a cold,” said Legolas.
“I must have,” said Estel.
“You aren’t of the elven kind are you?” said Legolas.
“No,” said Estel. “Mortal all the way.” Legolas smiled. Thunder boomed again.
“When is this storm going to end?” Estel asked. “We have been sitting here for am hour and still nothing!”
“Maybe one of the Valar is mad, so he is sending rain on us,” replied Legolas.
“What did you do?” said Estel. They boys laughed again, and stopped suddenly. The beating of hooves was heard outside.
“What the..” said Estel, but Legolas covered his mouth.
“Shhh..”
The hoof beats grew closer.
“Search every tree, every bush, every hole until you find him!” demanded the voice. “I want him found!” Estel knew that voice.”
“Eh oh!” said Estel. “Eh oh, I oh oo ih ihheh!” That meant ‘Let go, I know who it is,’ but Estel could only make out vowel sounds with Legolas’s hand clamped firmly over his mouth. Legolas let go. Estel ran out of the cave.
“Adar! Adar, over here!” called Estel. A rider on horse came to meet him.
“You’re in trouble,” said the rider. Estel smiled. Elrohir.
“Father, I found him!” called Elrohir. Elrond came to him.
“Estel, are you alright?” he said. Elrond still sounded very worried.
“I am alright, but..” Estel was cut short by Elladan’s voice.
“Adar! Over here! There is another one!”
“Another one?” said Elrond puzzled. He and Elrohir rode to the cave. Estel poked his head inside.
“It’s just my brothers and my father,” he said. “We are finally getting out of the rainstorm!” Legolas walked out of the cave. His eyes went straight to Elrond. “Lord Elrond,” he said, and bowed his head.
“No time for that,” said Elladan. “We have to get you two something dry.”

————————————————————–

Legolas and Estel were sitting at the table wrapped in blankets. Estel was still sneezing a little.
“Our mortal brother has caught a cold,” said Elrohir. Elladan elbowed Elrohir.
“Sorry,” said Elladan. “But my brother does not how to talk around a prince.” Legolas shifted in his chair uneasily. Estel hit Elladan on the back of the head.
“Keep your mouth shut. He doesn’t like that,” said Estel.
Elrohir stepped in.
“Our apologies,” he said, and pushed his brother away.
“Don’t mind them,” said Estel to Legolas. “That’s just the way they are.”
Legolas gazed around the room.
“It is beautiful here. It is almost nicer than home.”
Elladan popped his head in from a doorway.
“Is it colder in Mirkwood?” he asked. Elrohir’s hand appeared in the doorway, and pulled Elladan back by the ear.
“Actually,” said Legolas, “it is colder.” Estel laughed. Estel looked at the window, and got a shocked look on his face.
“I don’t believe it..” Legolas turned to the window. It had stopped raining and the sun was out.
“All that time we were out there, and it stops raining when we come inside.”
“Maybe the Valar wanted you home, Estel.”
“Maybe.” Elrond walked up to them.
“Legolas, your father is here.” Then Thrainduil, King of Mirkwood, entered. Estel could see the nobility on the elf lord.
“Legolas,” he said. “I am glad that you were found by Estel.” Estel gave a little smile.
“It is time for us to leave.” Legolas got up.
“I have to take leave Estel,” he said. “I hope we meet again.”
“Don’t worry,” said Estel. “We will.” And Legolas and Thrainduil departed.

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“We journeyed home that day,” said Legolas. “The Orcs had pushed my elven lord almost back to Mirkwood’s borders. That is where they found help. When the all Orcs were slain, he then went looking for me.”
“Legolas, remember when I told you we would meet again?”asked Aragorn. Legolas nodded.
“Well we did. It was great seeing you again, mellon nin. I have to journey.”
“Well then,” said Legolas. “Let us see that you don’t journey alone.” Aragorn smiled, and the two journeyed together for some time. Before they parted, Aragorn and Legolas promised they would go on an adventure together the next time they met. When they had been parted only a few years, the promise was fulfilled; they met again at the Council of Elrond, and journeyed together in the Fellowship of the Ring.