*sixty years later*

Legolas lay on his back on the crook of an overhanging tree, one leg lazily, dangling, in mid-air, as he casually threw a leather pouch above his head and then caught it, repeatedly. His mouth twisted into a crooked smile, as he listened to the incessant pacing of the human man, on the ground below him. He turned to regard the figure of his ranger, friend, who stomped backwards and forwards, making a terrible amount of noise. His face all drawn in deep concentration, creating soft lines of age that etched his brow, and corners of his grey, eyes. The elf stared sadly for a moment, realising his young friend was not so young anymore, even with the gift of the long life of the Dunedain, the years to Legolas just seemed to go by so quick! Shaking the notion from his mind, he paused his entertaining, solitary, game of catch to complain;

"Aragorn, the cogs of your mind are working so hard they are disturbing my peace, Do quiet down!"

The ranger slowed his stride for a fraction of a second to roll his eyes at his less than concerned friend. Nothing seemed to disturb that elf, he was always infuriatingly positive, even when he was now responsible for the vile, creature Gollum! Even with the emergence of the disturbing issue regarding the ring of power; was he really that relaxed?

"I cannot be a peace Legolas, there is just so much to consider, so many things to be worked out, and are you not the least bit concerned?" Aragorn asked, and watched his friend visibly sigh, like he was going to try and explain something for the hundredth time, to a small, irritating, child.

"When you live as long as I have, Aragorn, you learn that some things are out of your control and you just have to react to events as they happen, no need to make yourself ill with worry" Legolas replied propping himself up on one elbow to get a better view of Aragorn, "Furthermore, it is my rest day, one day I can relax, do you realise I rarely get one of those? I am practically hiding from my sister, if she catches me, only the Valar know what she will put me to work on next!"

"Well at least one of Thranduil's children show the right amount of concern when I bring ill tiding," Aragorn huffed and began to stride off, giving his friend his desired peace, "try sleeping rough for a few weeks in the wilderness Prince and you will soon see what work is!" Aragorn grumbled under his breath.

"I heard that Ranger!" Legolas called, and before Aragorn could stifle his chuckle at the elf's annoyed tone, there was a dim whistle through the air, and then a dull thud, as the leather pouch Legolas had been absently playing with, collided with the ranger's head, unfortunately the pouch in question contained a small quantity of coins, not a pleasant material to collide with one's skull.

The force sent Aragorn stumbling forward, as he gripped the back of his head in shock, spewing out a tirade of elvish curses. Once he had gained his balance, the ranger straightened up to find the smug look of his elf friend, just a few inches from his face;

"Really Aragorn? Do you honestly want to argue about who has it worst of all? I would take a year in the wild happily, over the constant attacks here!" Legolas exclaimed.

Aragorn rubbed the back of his head, the elf had a strong arm; "You know well I was only jesting," he frowned as he felt the throb set in; "Legolas, stop using me as target practice, I did not enjoy it as a youth, and I certainly do not enjoy it now!"

The elf started to laugh heartily, and gripped his side to control the spasms, as he regarded his friend's pitiful look; "You are so fragile my friend, come I will treat you to some of your manish drinks, as an apology, we are not far from a trading settlement" the elf patted Aragorn's shoulder, and sauntered off, beckoning the ranger to follow, the thought of the comfort of a pipe and a strong drink, eased the man's troubled mind, and he quickly accepted the offer.

xXx

The elf was true to his word, after a few hours of walking at an enjoyable pace, the two companions came upon a small trading village, come, outpost, on the fringes of Mirkwood, not too far from the the Elven King's realm. The dilapidated village was busy, the people there, appeared to have endured some waves of orc attacks in recent days, as the men worked on fortifying their defences. There was an elvish presence, as Legolas noted a few members of the guard were engaged in bringing aid to the survivors. It was at this point that Aragorn felt a sudden drop in the elf's light mood, Legolas was a compassionate soul, and the hurt of others troubled him visibly

"Times have been hard indeed for your people and the men of the wood?" Aragorn ventured, as they entered into the small community.

Legolas frowned, "It has not been easy to contain the dark, hatred that spreads from Dol Guldor, not now that Sauron feeds it from the south, but where there is hope, there is courage," Legolas replied and gave the ranger a resolute nod.

"Ever the optimist!" Aragorn reasoned with a cheerful grin.

"One of us has to be optimistic," Legolas stated, "You have a terrible habit of thinking the worst Aragorn."

The two companions continued to banter, as they made their way through the village, Aragorn heading directly for a roughly, built, shack that served as an inn, and shelter from the ever changing elements of Mirkwood. They had not got far when a familiar figure walked straight into him, he rolled back from the steely gaze of the elleth, sighing loudly, this elf was never going to greet him civilly.

"I believe it is thanks to you that my people are now cumbered with that, dreadful, creature you call Gollum?" Ellenya spat angrily at the ranger.

Aragorn tried his best to muster an apologetic look, the Princess, was fully armed and clearly seething, dressed in her light armour, of dark browns, and aiming her intensely focused gaze at him, Aragorn was, as usual, completely intimated.

"Ellenya," Legolas warned, pushing his shoulder between Aragorn and his sister, "Mind you tongue, you do not know who listens!"

Ellenya shot her brother an impatient look, she was well aware of her surroundings, but she was not at all impressed with the decision made to hold Gollum in the Woodland Realm. To her, It set the woodland elves up as a target by the enemy, Sauron would find use for such a twisted creature, it was only a matter of time before he would seek him out. She felt the essence of the woodland, stir with anxiety, the trees murmured warnings, she heard them, and she echoed them within her own spirit. Ellenya had not been as gifted as her Naneth, she could not heal the woods, she had no celestial talents. However she had inherited Lairiel's gift of hearing the trees voices, not as clearly, but she could feel their sorrow.

"Very well," she muttered and eyed the Ranger, whom she had known as Estel with a disdainful look; "Your elven alias may mean hope, but Aragorn you do not bring hope to my kin and I, you bring us great peril."

"The decision to hold the creature Gollum was not one taken lightly sister," Legolas defended, "Adar and I agreed upon it, it is the wisest conclusion we could make. The knowledge he holds is too great for him to be let loose, we have a chance to safeguard the secrets, we may very well learn more if he is under our care."

Legolas saw the flash of doubt in Ellenya's eyes and knew no argument he could form would pacify her, but it was a well informed decision, the elves knew the risks they were taking, It made sense to keep the creature as a prisoner in their home, at least there Gollum would be treated justly, maybe some kindness would kindle something human in the creature, maybe he would show some remorse? Either way his Adar's power would keep the creature hidden, the enemy still feared elves, Legolas was almost certain they would not come looking for Gollum, not while he remained with them.

"Lady Ellenya, my apologies I did not intend to bring more burdens to you and your people, but who else can men turn to?" Aragorn pleaded, softening his eyes, he knew the elleth's history, she had reason to be distrustful, to be bitter and uncaring to all those of evil tendencies. She had been touched deeply by the hand of evil, and as much as she denied it, or tried to cover it, she would always be marred and haunted. It was truly tragic that so much of her innocence had been stolen, Aragorn simply reminded himself that her cold words, and unfriendly gestures were just her way of maintaining composure, to ensure no-one would affect her, and to keep everyone at a safe, cool, distance.

Ellenya saw the sad smile in the man's eyes and she hated him for it, she loathed the pitful glances of outsiders who knew her history. They all had their theories of the bitter woodland princess, she had heard them all before, the tragic tale of the little elfling; who suffered at the hands of her tormentors, baring witness to her Mother's murder and growing up in a broken Kingdom, no wonder she could not show love or affection to others. It was nonscence to her, they did not have to live with the scars, Ellenya kept her distance because it was wise to do so, she would not be bearer of any more tragedy to her family or her people. With this in mind she stared coolly at the ranger and lifted her chin haughtily;

"Men are weak!" she spat, "we aid you because it grieves our hearts to see the evil your race brings to the world!"

Aragorn eyes widened, hurt evident in his features, he of all men felt the weight of the errors of his fore fathers, and he strove to correct them, but it still saddened him to hear the elleth's judgment on his own kind. Before Aragorn could articulate an answer, Legolas had already stepped in;

"Peace Ellenya, keep your judgments to yourself, not all of our kind feel that way," Legolas' voice was soft, with no harshness, but it held authority and Ellenya dropped her icy exterior, she eyed Aragorn and reluctantly murmured;

"That was unfair of me Estel, but I still do not like the creature being with us, however I see my attempts to persuade my kin otherwise is futile," Ellenya sighed softly and turned her gaze away to side refusing to look at the ranger; "What is done is done, the creature Gollum will remain with us, as our service to the free people of middle earth."

Aragorn and Legolas exchanged knowing glances; they knew well this was as close to an apology as they would get from Ellenya. Breaking the uneasy tension, Aragorn announced he was parched and made for the inn to retrieve some ale, and have a draw of his pipe. Settling down on some makeshift benches on the outside of the stone building, the ranger and his elven companion decided on a more lighter discussion, but out of the corner of his eye Legolas watched his sister.

Ellenya was hovering nearby, speaking with members of the elven guard, but from behind her a small human child, a little girl, smeared in grime and bedraggled clothing, had pulled away from an elder, female, child to actively seek out the elleth. Legolas watched with great interest, wondering how his sister would react to the curiosity of the little girl.

"Murieann, look it is a lady elf," the little child squeaked, her voice raspy with a hurstle in her chest.

The elder child, obviously the little ones sister, with their familiar dark curls, and fine features, looked alarmed and tried to call the child back;

"Yesult!" Murieann cried and made to fetch the little child, no more than four or five years, away from Ellenya.

However Yesult was determined, and with wide, wonder filled, eyes, she outstretched her pudgy hand and tugged Ellenya's sleeve. The woodland princess frowned and turned around, with a puzzled look, she dropped her eyes to the infant, and both females stared quizzically at one another.

"Hello," Yesult said shyly, as she peeked up at the elleth through her thick eyelashes.

"Hello," Ellenya replied uncertainly.

"I have never seen a girl elf before, you are beautiful!" The child exclaimed and smiled brightly at the elleth, which elicited a fond look from the usually cool elf.

"Yseult, I told you not to speak to the elves, they are very busy, you must not disturb them," the elder child, Murieann, scolded, as she gripped the infants hand, and attempted to tug her away. "I am so sorry ma'am, please she is very little, and she does not understand, I will not let her disturb you again," Murieann rattled on.

"It is ok," Ellenya chuckled and knelt down to children's level, Murieann herself not being much older than eight, and very petite for her age, "I am Ellenya, and I presume you are Yseult, that is a very pretty name."

Yseult delighted with her newly acquired friend, pulled away from her sisters grasp and brazenly outstretched her hand again, this time she gently touched the pointed, tip of Ellenya's ear, and back to her own, ascertaining the physical difference between them. Murieann watched on in horror, but Ellenya just giggled, the little one was adorable, it was a curious thing to see a human child's reaction to her. The child put her hand back again, but this time traced the silver circlet on the elleth's brow, and thoughtfully considered the head-dress.

"Are you a Princess?" she asked, to which Ellenya nodded, Yseult turned to Murieann with awe; "Murieann she is a Princess, I have never met a Princess!" The older child bit her lip and anxiously gazed at the elf, turning pink with the embarrassment of her sister's crassness. But before Yesult could ask anymore questions, she broke into spasms, of hacking coughs, that shook her whole body, Murieann gave the elleth a worried glance, but began patting and soothing the child.

Ellenya watched in concern and asked, "What is wrong with her?"

"She inhaled too much smoke fumes My Lady, and the tar settled in her chest, it makes her ill, I do not know how to fix it," Murieann sighed sadly.

"Where is your Mother? Ellenya questioned, searching the small crowd of people for one that looked to be related to these two children, "she will know what to do for her."

Murieann dropped her gaze sadly, "We do not have a mother ma'am, she died from the fire, the one that gave Yseult the bad chest, because she went back in to rescue us."

Ellenya felt her breath catch, as she watched the tears glisten in the elder child's eyes, old emotions threatening to spill out. Pictures of her own Mother, the loss still cut like a knife, and the Princess struggled to find her voice and offer the children in front of her some comfort. Taking a settling breath, she cupped Murieann's face in her hand, and gave a deeply understanding look, with the same pain echoed in the elleth's eyes she whispered;

"I too lost my Mother when I was your age, I miss her every day, but your Mother must be very proud of you being so strong for your baby sister,"Ellenya said soothingly and then smiled at Yseult who's hacking cough still troubled her.

Moved by the infants struggle, Ellenya placed on hand on the little ones brow and the other on her chest, and in a liquid burst of, ethereal sound, that was discernible as elvish, spoke to the illness in the child's lungs, and almost instantaneously the cough left Yseult. The older child gasped in wonder;

"Did you heal her?"

Ellenya shook her head, "No I am not that skilled young one, but I settled her inflamed lungs, she will need a vapor and a salve to clear her chest, come I can make you some." With that Ellenya, picked up Yseult, and took Murieann's hand, the two children instinctively trusting the kind elf lady, they had a new bond with the Princess, she understood their pain, and they trusted her to help them.

Legolas and Aragorn, who had long since abandoned their discussion, watched in awe at the emotional exchange Ellenya had shared with the human children. Moments ago she had hated men, now she was off aiding their children? Aragorn shook his head, and gawped at Legolas;

"Your sister is a puzzle, maybe she does actually feel for others?"

Legolas chuckled; "Ellenya is a puzzle I give you that, but she has a heart Aragorn, it just does not often show itself. Patience and an open-mind will eventually draw out the softer side of my sister, she will eventually warm to you Aragorn, just give her time, she will see what I see."

"And what is that?" Aragorn asked with a perplexed expression.

"That men are not so weak, that there is courage to be found, enough even to change the fate of our world, all they need is a King to unite them, some hope Estel," Legolas replied and gave his friend a meaningful look.

Aragorn sighed gruffly, and chewed on his pipe, brows stitched together broodingly;

"You put too much faith in me my friend, that destiny is still hidden from me," the ranger eventually replied.

Legolas shook his head, "Tis not hidden from you, it is just hard to see through the mists of uncertainty, but soon it will clear and you will know what to do."

Aragorn laughed and eyed his optimistic friend, "Nothing worries you Legolas, how I should like to see the world through your eyes, maybe it would give me a different perspective?"

"Maybe so," Legolas mused, "It would certainly make you much more imaginative, you humans are so dull!"

The two companions chuckled, and entered into another great debate of men and elves, enjoying each other's company, and the momentary peace of their lives, unsure of how long it would last.