The Mirkwood King's halls were unlike any other Aragorn had seen before. Built into the roots of the trees-light came from torches and reflective pools of water rather than sunlight. The effect was both enchanting and disconcerting. The walls were made of packed dirt and smooth stones of varying sizes shot through with blue, grey, green, and gold veins of color were set into them. The walls curved up to form archways overhead-there was no defined ceiling. All the floors looked to be made of polished granite. A large underground river burbled beneath the walkways, filling the air with the soothing sound of running water.

Aragorn bowed in the elvish way with his fingers to his forehead before the impressive wood and ivory throne of Thranduil.

"Well met, Aragorn messenger of Mithrandir." The elven king's voice was deep and calm-it held all the melody and power of the river rushing below them.

Aragorn raised his head to look at the king reclining casually upon his throne, resplendent in the cream-colored cotton and blue silk of his robes-a simple crown of leaves woven into his luminous blonde hair.

As Aragorn opened his mouth to speak, Thranduil turned his head and pinned him with his bright quicksilver eyes.

"I believe I know what it is that you want of me. Know this now-I will not suffer having that disgusting and quite obviously evil thing within my borders."

Darn elves and their mind-reading abilities! Aragorn hid his surprise with practiced ease and quickly rallied.

"The creature's name is Gollum. He possesses knowledge which would be deadly in the hands of our enemy-the same enemy which Gandalf aided you so greatly in driving out of your kingdom. He must be guarded very carefully for he is crafty and cunning and will most likely stop at nothing to escape your watch to wander the wilderness in search of the ring-that absolutely must not happen."

"If the creature is so dangerous, then why not simply kill it?"

"Because he has not committed any crime that we know of and Gandalf believes that he may yet play an important role in the future."

The elf king tilted his head to the side as he looked at Gollum currently sprawled out unconscious on the floor. The head movement sharply reminded Aragorn of Legolas.

"Nonetheless, I stand by my decision. I will not permit this creature to stay within my borders."

"My king." A soft tenor voice filled the air just as Thranduil's deep bass had a second before.

"Speak, Legolas Marchwarden." Thranduil acknowledged the elf to Aragorn's right.

"There is an area on the northernmost edge of the forest- it is a small clearing in the midst of high, dense brambles with incredibly sharp thorns. To my mind that would be the perfect place to trammel the creature. It is on the very edge of your realm and would only require two guards to enforce the natural barrier."

Aragorn felt a happy warmth fill his chest at the elf's unlooked for aid.

Thranduil and Legolas looked each other in the eyes. Both were silent and still for long moment-Aragorn pushed down the urge to shift restlessly.

Finally, Thranduil spoke.

"Very well. Keep the creature unconscious until you have confined him and set a watch on him. The details I leave to you, Legolas."

Legolas bowed and left the throne room, stopping to scoop Gollum up and throw him over his shoulder. Aragorn tried and failed to make eye contact with the elf as he left.

"As for you, Isildur's heir." Aragorn turned to look the king in his starlight eyes.

"You are welcome to stay for the night in my halls. Meagalda will take you to a spare room."

"Thank you for your hospitality." Aragorn bowed and followed the rather short, dark-haired she-elf.

As he followed her swaying coffee-colored curls, he wondered about Legolas. Marchwarden Thranduil had called him, an impressive title indeed for one so young-yet the elf seemed well-able to carry it with dignity. Why did Legolas intercede on his behalf? Aragorn resolved to find the elf later to at least thank him for his aid.