Brothers under the Sun

From fantasy to fantasy, every emotion is connected. Here are thirteen tales of brotherhood and family, and stories in the lives of unlikely brothers under the sun.

Chapter 1: Greenleaf and Hope

Estel was having a bad day. First of all, his Father and older brothers were too busy to play with him. He wanted to go see his pony! But ada told him that he couldn't go unless Danny or Ro were with him.

Estel sighed. He was very excited, as a new Elf was coming to visit Rivendell! And this Elf was a Prince, too!

It was then that Estel made up his big, three-year-old mind. He had seen the Elf children go off on their own. He could do it too, he knew he could!

Estel slipped out of his room and ran down to the stables. He hid every time he passed an Elf. His sister, Myraneth was visiting Lothlorien, so he had a lot more freedom. But that was when a cold and wet noes pressed against him.

The wolf puppy, Riku, had been a gift from his two sisters. She followed him wherever he went. And Estel loved her for it.

Riku and Estel hid as they made their way down to the stables.

Estel never did reach his pony. Just as Riku tried to cause a disturbance, the head groom noticed her.

"Come out, Estel. You have been caught."

But the little boy wasn't finished yet. He took off in the opposite direction of the groom. Surprising every fair being he ran by, nobody caught him. That is, until he ran into a pair of long legs.

Estel landed hard on his backside. He looked up at the Elf he had run into. Never before had he seen an Elf such as this one. This Elf was blond—the only other he knew to have another colour of hair was Myraneth—and looked like he had been riding through the forest. His fair face was scratched and his clothing torn.

Estel overcame his shock to an unannounced pain in his backside. It hurt a lot! Estel began to cry.

Suddenly, he was lifted into the air, "And who are you, little one?" The blond Elf asked.

The little boy sniffed again, "E-estel."

"And so I've heard. My name is Legolas, Estel. I am looking for your brothers."

"Danny and Ro are busy. Too busy to play with me!"

The Elf gasped, "I don't believe it! We'll have to go have a talk with them, won't we?"

Estel nodded his head vigorously. He liked this new Elf, "Leg-less? Can we go find them now?"

Legolas smiled at the toddler. "Yes, we will, Estel."

Estel smiled and rubbed his eyes. He yawned, and for a moment, his grey eyes were hidden.

Legolas softly sang a lullaby from his childhood, one Myraneth had sung to him.

Sleep, little one

Let nothing trouble you

For day always dawns

And troubles always heal

If nothing else

Trust in thyself

And let the land of dreams

Take you away

There will always be a new day

Legolas shifted the now-sleeping boy in his arms and carried him towards the main house, a red and black wolf puppy trotting along at his heels. Legolas did not yet know that he carried the hope of middle earth. Estel would be equally as shocked when he found out the 'nice Elf' was the Prince he had been waiting to meet.

But he did know one thing. He carried another brother in his arms. One who he would learn how to die for. And just like that, his family had expanded to include the small, brown-haired toddler named Estel.