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Four weeks had gone by and Legolas was beginning to show signs of getting better.
Aragorn remained constantly at his side, helping his friend along the road to recovery.

When Legolas was finally deemed fit to leave the confines of the healing wing Aragorn suggested that he should go see his father.

At first Legolas refused. Thranduil hadn't returned to Legolas' room since the day he almost died. Which meant that neither Legolas or Thranduil had spoken a word to one another in over thirty years.

But Aragorn was insistent, so was Feren but mainly towards Thranduil. Both had relentlessly pushed both king and prince until finally they conceded.

Legolas was standing next to Aragorn outside the closed door that led to his father's throne room.

The elf was looking far better than he had been a month ago, the color had returned to his face and all of his scars had faded.

Yet he could not hide the shaking of his hands or the fear that was in his eyes at the prospect of facing his father after all these years.

"I cannot do this Aragorn."
Legolas took a step back.
"It has been too long! And the way I left him, how I vanished-"

"Listen to me Legolas."
Aragorn grabbed his friend's shoulders and drilled him with a hard stare.
"It doesn't matter what you did or why you did it, all that matters is what you do now. Your father loves you Legolas, he wants to see you again."

When Legolas still seemed uncertain Aragorn rolled his eyes and released him, but did not break his gaze.

"You told me a long time ago that you were done running. Yet you never stopped hiding. It's time for you to stop Legolas, it's time for you to go home."

Aragorn searched his friend's face and saw a battle being waged inside the elf's mind.

"No matter what you choose to do Legolas, I will always be your brother."

Legolas looked up at his friend in surprise but couldn't say anything as Aragorn walked away.

The choice was completely up to Legolas. Aragorn could nothing to make up his mind for him.

Whether you like it or not there are some problems you cannot solve.
Aragorn mused.
Whether Legolas chooses to remain here or go with me is his choice.

Still, whenever Aragorn thought about his friend leaving him, he began to feel emptiness creeping into his heart.

There had been a time where he had wanted nothing to do with the elf, he would have loved it if he had left and never came back.

Now here he was, mourning because there was a possibilty that he would have to say goodbye to a friend, who was not even dying!

Aragorn nearly laughed out loud at the irony.

Whatever you choose mellon nin. I hope that it brings you hapiness, and gives you the peace that you have long sought for.

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Legolas watched Aragorn disappear down the hall then turned his head back towards the closed doors.

Once again he was being forced to make a choice: Enter this door and make amends with his father, or turn his back and return to exile.

You told me a long time ago that you were done running, yet you never stopped hiding. It's time to stop hiding Legolas. It's time for you to go home.