Be careful of what you wish…
Disclaimer: I would never even dream of possessing them… I'm just thankful that they were created.
Summery: Legolas meets young Estel for the first time. And the boy is already deep in trouble. Can the prince and the twins save him in time? Will Legolas understand why the Imladris elves care so much for a child?
PROLOGE
Young stable boy of a nameless tavern shivered as the chilly night air bit down on his warm body and broke into near run to get to the main building as soon as possible. He already dreamed about a plate of hot stew that awaited him at the kitchen and so he nearly ran into the two cloaked hooded figures that stood at the back door of the tavern. Something about this two made the cold shiver run down his spine and the boy stopped, still protected by the small wooden shed and out of the strangers' vision.
The night was starless and the moon was hidden by a heavy dark cloud as if the nature itself decided on aiding the two men by creating the dramatic evil atmosphere for whatever plot they were planning.
"The goal?" – one of the voices whispered and the boy recognized one of the bounty hunters that were used to stop in the tavern all the time in this past few years.
"The boy's name is Estel. Age 11", - the other, unknown man said, anger obvious in his voice at the mare mentioning of the name.
"Where do I find him?"
"Rivendel. He's the only human child there".
"To get him from under the nose of the elves would be hard".
"The price is fair. Keep him alive and unharmed. Bring him to the cabin in the woods and wait for me".
"Fine. The order is taken", - came a formal phrase that had sealed the deal. No the hunter would not be stop by something less then death, unless he wanted his luck and reputation stained.
"The price is settled", - no less formal reply.
With that the men returned inside, one using the backdoor, the other going all the way around the house to get into the central one.
The boy shivered, his knees obviously shaken and his brow moist with perspiration. It wasn't the first time he had seen the bounty hunters getting a job, had even been used to deliver messages to them, but this time left him shaken and scared. It was special somehow. Oh, how he hoped that the elves would be able to protect this Estel! Surely a boy of 11, younger then he himself even, couldn't deserve whatever this nameless man planned to do to him.
How long had he stayed there in the chilly wind he didn't know, but when he had finally entered the tavern he was more or less his usual self. And the suspicious gaze that one of the hooded man gave him before retiring to his room found no answer as the boy finished his well deserved meal and retired to his sleeping place too.
…TBC
Note: So, is anyone intrigued?