Forest Flame

tenshiamanda: The Swan What-now? Never heard of it. Though nice to see the Alice in Wonderland quote. The Mad Hatter's 'Curiouser and curiouser.'

Thanks reviewers. Questions will eventually be answered.
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'That's what the minstrel sings
Join in the horrible screams
Take part in murderous deeds
Renowned be the lion-hearted
Join in the minstrelsy
Wailing in endless grief
It eagerly longs for more
Broken bodies lay down on the ground.'
-"Battlefield"-Blind Guardian

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Legolas watched as the three 'guests' were led into the dining hall. He cocked his head to the side as he saw the twins, curiosity being put on hold as the mortal was placed next to him. He looked down, casting a small smile in greeting to the Man before returning his gaze to the elaborate tablecloth, not wishing to anger his sire.

Thranduil said little, starting the feast quickly. The other three Princes engaged others in conversation, intent on learning who the twins were. Legolas was content to just watch and pick at his plate.

"I am called Estel."

Legolas looked over to the mortal and smiled. "I egolegolas."

The Man smiled in return and looked over the Elves at the table. The twins were talking with Thranduil and a sullen looking Elf.

"My father," Legolas said, indicating the King with a slight nod; "and my brothers, Rhiernil, Feinereg, and Nimelen."

"So you are a Prince as well..." The Man mused. Legolas nodded. "Then it is a pleasure to have your company, Prince Legolas."

At this, the Elf shook his head, "Please, no formailties. I would rather not have them between us."

The Man nodded, "The you should call me Aragorn, for that is my given name."

Legolas smiled, "A pleasure, Aragorn."

"The same, Legolas."

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The twins had stayed with Thranduil and two of the elder Princes after the meal. Aragorn had talked with Legolas, mostly about Mirkwood, and the way of life there. The Man had frowned when he caught sight of the marks burned into the Elf's back, but Legolas had just smiled and promised to talk to him when dinner was done.

So tangeanger found himself walking the heated corridors of the palace with the Elf in silence now. No one payed any attention to them as they seemed to make their way deeper and deeper into the caverns. Aragorn thought it strange that no one was paying attention to their own Prince. Even in Rivendell, he couldn't go anywhere without someone greeting him as the foster son of Elrond. He barely noticed that Legolas had stopped in front of a door.

The Elf hesitated slightly, seeming to cder der something before opening it and inviting Aragorn in. The room was little bigger than the guest rooms where the twins and Aragorn had been placed. The bed rested against one wall, a desk against another. There was a wardrobe next to a door which, Aragorn assumed, led to a bathing room. Aragorn stopped his examination of the room when he heard a little chirp. The Man looked around for the source of the sound when another one reached his ears, this time it was the light chuckle of the Elf.

Legolas had moved to sit on the bed, watching Aragorn until Filig demanded his attention with a jealous little chirp and a hop out of his bed/box. The Elf held out his hand and the little bird happily took his place. Legolas held the creature up to show Aragorn.

"He is Filig, I found him a while ago."

Aragorn came over, "Oh?"

"His leg was broken, so I healed him."

"And he hasn't left?" Aragorn thought back to all the young birds he had found growing up in Rivendell, all of which left as soon as they could after being healed.

Legolas shook his head, "He doesn't want to."

The bird hopped off of Legolas hand and fluttered back to its box, puffing out in displeasure as Aragorn came over. Legolas tapped the bird's head lightly in reprimand before moving over to allow the Man a place to sit.

"So...Those marks..."

"A tradition, sort of."

At Aragorn's raised eyebrow, Legolas smiled. "My father started this. The youngest in the families recieve certain marks. I am the fourth, so I have these wings. My brother, Nimelen, has a symbol of the st ost on his back. Though it is allowed to fade now that I am the youngest."

"Allowed?"

Legolas nodded, "My marks must be renewed every so often, so they are visible."

Aragorn shook his head, trying to absorb this information. "But why?"

The blonde shrugged, "My father wanted it."

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Yep. I'm cutting it off here, I'm tired.