Legolas looked around, as he rode into the courtyard; a small smile making its way onto his lips, when he drew his mount to a halt. It had been many a year since he had last seen the realm of the half-elven lord, yet its beauty had not diminished in the slightest; the valley as breathtaking as it had always been. Since not returning to Mirkwood after the Battle of the Five Armies, the only son of the Elvenking had spent most of his time with the Rangers of the north, and Aragorn in particular. His life away from his father's kingdom helping him come to appreciate the world, and the others who also called Middle-earth home, so much more. And over those years, whenever he and Aragorn were together, the Ranger would tell him about the little elfling that he had found; more and more stories of the beautiful little creature that Aragorn saw as his daughter, being told, every time that he had been able to return to Imladris. And with each story, Legolas had become increasingly more intrigued by the young elleth; about where she could have come from, and who her people were. Whether her beauty was as great as Aragorn claimed, or if it was just a father's pride. Though he hoped that now he had finally been able to journey back to the First Homely House west of the wild lands of Rhovanion over the Misty Mountains, himself; at least one of those questions would be answered.

"Prince Legolas........." The paled haired ellon smiling as Lord Elrond appeared. Legolas climbing down from his horse, before returning the elder elves greeting.

"My Lord Elrond........"

"You are welcome. And your early arrival means that you will be able to join us for tonight's celebrations......."

"Celebrations.........?"

"Yes. Aragorn's daughter (Y/n) is celebrating her 50th birthday today. My children and Lindir have made sure that it is going to be quite the evening........."

"Of course, I remember him speaking of the day last time that we were together. And speaking of Aragorn, is he............"

"Yes, mellon nîn, I am already here........" A new voice came. Legolas smiling again, as he saw his old friend. The two men embracing as the Ranger came to join the two elves.

"It is good to see you again........."

"And it is good to see you too, Legolas........" Aragorn agreed. Both men discussing where the prince had journeyed from, before a soft cough, caught the Ranger's attention. Aragorn looking over his shoulder and smiling.

"Of course, how could I forget.......Legolas, do you recall my daughter (Y/n) that I would speak to you about.........?"

"How could I forget.....she was always your favourite subject........."

"Well..........." Aragorn turning around and holding out his hand for someone to take.

"I would like you two to finally meet.........." The Ranger continued. Legolas feeling his heart begin to race as his old friend brought forward the most beautiful elleth that he had ever laid eyes on. The prince now knowing that whatever glowing terms Aragorn had used to describe his daughter, were nothing when compared to the exquisite creature before him.

He couldn't help but think of so many things, as she smiled at him; she reminded him of the first rays of sunlight, after the darkest of nights. The first flowering blooms, after a long barren winter. Spring showers as he would stand atop the trees of Mirkwood and look out over the leafy canopy toward the Lonely Mountain. The moon and stars, as he would celebrate Mereth Nuin Giliath, but most of all, new possibilities........

"(Y/n)......I would like to present to you Legolas, prince of Mirkwood, son of the Elvenking Thranduil; and my friend......." Aragorn said, bringing his daughter forward. (Y/n) placing her hand over her heart and bowing respectfully.

"Prince Legolas......it is a pleasure to finally meet you. My father has spoken so much of your adventures together, that I feel as though I already know you....." (Y/n) said, before she slowly looked up. The prince sure that he could hear his blood rushing through his veins, as his heart beat wildly. There something in the air between he and the younger elleth, as he dared to reach out and take her hand; the feel of her skin sending an exquisite shiver down his spine.

"The pleasure is all mine, my lady. And I could say the same. Your father would speak of little else but you when he would return after coming to see you......." Legolas replied, before bringing her hand up to his lips, so that he could kiss her knuckles.

"I hope that you will be able to attend the celebrations for my birthday, this evening..........?"

"Indeed, Lord Elrond has already been gracious enough to ask me........" Legolas told her, as he reluctantly let go of her hand.

"I am so glad.....and perhaps while you are here, you would do me the honour of allowing me to try my skills against yours. Ada has always told me that you are the best archer in the whole of Middle-earth, and my brothers Elladan and Elrohir claim that I am. So, I would so love to see which of them is right; though I suspect it will be Ada, for he is not one to give undo praise, while Elladan and Elrohir are always far to kind to me.........." (Y/n) continued with a soft chuckle, the sound like music to Legolas' ears.

"I would be delighted, my lady. Though if both Elladan and Elrohir both admire your skills, then perhaps I may find I have met my match......." The prince told her. His words bringing the most subtle of pink hues to the tops of her ears.

"But for now........." Aragorn finally interrupted, as he moved to his daughter's side.

"We should allow Legolas to rest after his long journey........" The Ranger continued, as he placed (Y/n)'s hand in the crook of his arm.

"Of course, how rude of me. My apologies, Prince Legolas.......I look forward to seeing you this evening..........." (Y/n) bowing once again, before her father led her away. The prince watching as they made their way from the courtyard. Legolas for once so caught up in his thoughts that he neither saw the soft smile on Lord Elrond's face, nor the four hobbits that suddenly appeared from the bushes and followed after the father and daughter.