To Find A King (Legolas and Aragorn Friendship Fanfiction)

Chapter 3

Morning dawned cold and clear, the wind bitter, but the snowstorms past. Rivendell was still blanketed in white as Legolas pulled on his robe and boots. He had heard Lord Elrond and the other riders return during the night, but had decided that he was too comfortable in his warm bed to go and confront the Lord at once. But now, dressed and breakfasted, the Woodland Prince had questions, and he would not be ignored.

Legolas found the Lord of Imladris tucked away in one of Rivendell's smaller libraries, a room that was more of an alcove with bookshelf lined walls than a true library, searching through an old and dusty dome.

"My Lord Elrond," Legolas said, alerting his host to his presence.

"Ah, Legolas," Lord Elrond replied, "You must forgive my sudden departure yesterday morning. Matters were brought to my attention which could not be ignored. Take a seat, if you wish," he said, gesturing for Legolas to sit.

Legolas sat down on the chair beside the desk where Lord Elrond leaned over the book. Lord Elrond shook his head, unable to find what it was he was after and closed the ancient tome, returning it to the shelf.

"You have questions," Lord Elrond said, taking a seat opposite the Prince.

"My father told me to find one of the Dúnedain Rangers," Legolas said, wondering if Lord Elrond and his father had indeed engaged in correspondence. Lord Elrond's expression did naught to make it clear either way.

"What would King Thranduil want with a Ranger?" Lord Elrond asked, raising his eyebrows ever so slightly.

To make him King, Legolas thought. "That I know not," he lied.

Lord Elrond sighed knowingly. "If neither of us are truthful, then neither deserves the answers he seeks."

"I seek the son of Arathorn, and I know him to be the rightful Heir to the Throne of Gondor," Legolas confessed, leaning forward slightly. Lord Elrond was right; there was little point in lying if either wished to know the truth.

"You know not his name?" Lord Elrond asked, ever so slightly bemused.

"If my father knows it, he did not share. I know this Ranger goes by the name of Strider."

Lord Elrond gave a slight nod. "That is the name oft used for him by the men of the north and the west. In Rivendell, most still refer to him as Estel."

"The boy Estel?" Legolas asked. He recalled hearing of Lord Elrond fostering a human child, and of giving him that most peculiar name.

"Yes," Lord Elrond replied.

"And what was the name his father gave to him?" Legolas enquired.

"Ada, have you seen - oh," Elrohir said, bursting into the study, Elladan close on his heels. "Legolas. Found him."

"Be gone, ionnath-nin," Lord Elrond said, waving his hand, dismissing his sons.

"So serious on such a beautiful winter's morn, Ada? After you were out all yesterday?" Elladan smiled.

"And unless my ears deceive me, did I not hear mention of our brother Estel?" Elrohir asked.

"What was his birth-name?" Legolas asked again, turning toward the twins.

"Who, Aragorn?" Elrohir asked.

"Aragorn," Legolas said slowly, testing the name. He turned back to Lord Elrond who Legolas could not help but think looked annoyed.

"Have you had word from Estel, Ada?" Elladan asked, encouragingly. "It has been a long while in the life of men since we have had word from him," he said as an aside to Legolas.