This is just a random short fic I came up with when I was bored. It's the summer hols – it happens. Plus it's raining and my day at work wasn't exactly great. Pout.
Enjoy, and please review. There are only two chapters.
Faerlain
Sweet Forgetfulness – A 2-Shot
Part 1
He was lucky to have such a friend as he had in the Prince of Mirkwood. Legolas had stood by him throughout so much. He had always been there, and Aragorn could barely remember a time when he had not been around.
As they walked side by side now, Aragorn noted with faint amusement how Legolas kept his eyes and ears sharp. He was constantly glancing around, scanning their surroundings with the keenness all Elven eyes possessed. He was always on the alert, an unremitting watchman, or Elf in this matter.
He couldn't really remember their first meeting in great detail. All he knew was that he had been very young, and Legolas had been there when he had needed someone.
Maybe he should ask the Elf about it. They hadn't talked about it in the past, and Legolas had never mentioned the fact that he wanted to keep it quiet. So why wouldn't he like to tell Aragorn?
That night as they camped, Aragorn sidled up to the Prince and sat beside him. "You don't have to go on watch tonight mellonnen," he told him. "Get some rest. You deserve it."
Legolas shook his head. "I am fine Aragorn. You need the rest more than I do."
"But I want you to tell me a story."
Legolas laughed. "Just like when you were a child Aragorn."
"That's what I want to know about."
"What?"
"When I was a child."
"How do you mean?"
Aragorn shifted so he was sat cross-legged and facing Legolas. "How old was I when we met Legolas?"
He immediately noticed the tensing of the Elf's shoulders, the neutral expression that came over his face. "I would rather not talk about it."
"Why not?"
"You obviously do not remember and it is better that way."
"Why?"
Legolas' mood had changed dramatically. "Aragorn please, just do not talk about it. They are not the best of memories, and I do not wish to drag them up again after all these years."
"But I don't understand." He looked around at the rest of the Fellowship, sat off in their own little groups. The Hobbits huddled together nearest the small fire, Gandalf and Gimli puffing on their pipes a little way away, chuckling over some private joke, and Boromir sat beside the Hobbits, keening the edge of his sword. All was peaceful, but he was disturbed by Legolas' sudden resistance to tell him of their past. "Why are they bad memories?"
"They just are Aragorn. It is better that you do not know about them at all."
"But they pain you Legolas. This is going to irritate me now. I have to know. What happened in my early years that causes you so much sorrow?"
Legolas sighed, and Aragorn saw the tiredness lift slightly from his eyes. "Aragorn…"
"Legolas, please. I understand that it is painful to relive whatever happened back then, but surely I have the right to know? It's my life and if anyone should know what happened, I should."
Legolas lifted his hand and stroked it down Aragorn's cheek. "You still seem so young to me Aragorn. I can't seem to accept that you have grown up. You're an adult in your own right, but I never wanted you to be so. I wanted you to stay a child forever, and I think a part of me still does."
"Did it hurt you, to see me grow up?"
Legolas nodded. "And it all happened so quickly. One day you were a young boy, learning the ways of the world, and then the next you were out there on your own, exploring and doing whatever you wanted by yourself. You didn't need me or your brothers anymore. It felt…odd."
"Everyone has to grow up Legolas."
"I know that, but couldn't acknowledge it. I loved you for who you were back then."
Aragorn pouted. "So you don't love me anymore?"
"That's not what I meant silly!" He punched him playfully on the arm. "I just meant that when you were a child, I….understood you better, I suppose is the best way to put it. I could relate to your childish side better." He chuckled. "It sounds ridiculous now. But that was how I had always known you and seeing you as an adult…it scared me, to some extent."
"But we're getting off the subject. Why don't you want to talk about when we met? Surely it was one of the most important and exciting moments of your life." He winked.
"Oh it was Aragorn, never doubt it." He smiled. "But it wasthe circumstances in which I met you that haunt me."
"Circumstances?"
The Mirkwood Prince nodded. "You were only about eight years old. I am surprised that you cannot remember, but I expect it's almost natural to want to forget…"
"Legolas, you're drifting."
"Sorry mellonnen. Yes, anyway, you were about eight as I said and living of course in Rivendell with your mother and Lord Elrond as your foster father. You seemed happy and lively. But when I first arrived, you were nowhere to be found."
"I wasn't?"
"No. You had disappeared somewhere. Elrond wasn't overly worried; you were always running off to your little private caves and other hidden places. You were safe in the Valley, and I would be able to meet you later."
"What is so painful about that?"
Legolas shook his head. "My story has only just begun mellonnen. Settle down. It is going to be rather long…"
----
The day was quiet and calm. Perfect for Legolas' arrival. The Prince of Mirkwood had been looking forward to this trip for many moons, eager to leave the dangers and responsibilities of his father's kingdom behind him. He had missed the mischievousness of Elrond's twin sons, Elladan and Elrohir. He had missed the tranquil beauty of Rivendell, the peacefulness of the Hidden Valley. He had missed the delightful freedom that he was not granted in his own home most of the time. Indeed, he had missed Rivendell dearly.
As he came in sight of the gates, he felt his heart lift. It was good to be back, and he and the twins had much to catch up on. He was sure they would be there to greet him, as this trip had been known about by all three for months.
Sure enough, there they were, waiting just inside as he galloped through with his small escort. They grinned identically, and embraced him tightly as soon as he had dismounted. He held them back just as hard, laughing as the questions were quickly fired at him one after the other.
"Enough!" he said, stepping back slightly. "I will answer anything else later. For now, my escort and I are tired, and would like to be shown to our rooms." His fellow Mirkwood Elves did not see the sly wink he gave the brothers.
They smiled. "Of course Legolas," Elrohir replied politely. "Forgive us our enthusiasm. But it has been many years since we were last in your fine company."
Legolas raised an elegant eyebrow. "Thank you for the compliments Elrohir. Let us go inside. I wish to see your father, and then hear all the news you have to tell me."
The horses were stabled and the Mirkwood Elves led into the House. Elrond greeted them warmly at the top of the stairs, and then servants took them to their rooms. Legolas followed the twins down a corridor after a brief conversation with the raven-haired Lord of Imladris. His father had sent his blessings, and Elrond received them gratefully with his own in return.
"I am exhausted," Legolas sighed as he flopped down onto his huge bed. Elladan and Elrohir sat either side of him, still smiling. "I couldn't resist galloping most of the way."
"Eager to see us then Legolas?" Elladan asked with a grin.
All three laughed. "Eager to relax is more the answer," Legolas told them. He sat up on his elbows. "'Tis so chaotic back home. We are being constantly bombarded by Orc attacks on every border, and adar grows more restless every day. My brothers are trying their best, but our sister is no help whatsoever. She keeps complaining all day, every day. It takes an awful lot of energy to just get her to shut up for one minute. I can't seem to do anything right by her."
"Give her to the goblins then."
"Dan! I couldn't do that. Whatever she says, she's still my sister." But the blonde Prince couldn't hide his smile.
"Isn't she thankful for all the work you, your brothers and your father are doing?" Elrohir asked.
Legolas shrugged. "I don't understand the way her mind works. She's spoilt. Adar showered her in affection after naneth sailed. And she's the youngest of us all…"
They nodded. "We know exactly what you mean," Elrohir told him. "Even though Arwen was much older than Silaerwen when our mother crossed over the Sea, she was still the baby of the family and so adar turned all his attention and devotion to her. We meanwhile, went off and hunted Orc." He grinned.
"Any progress on that?"
"A little. The more Orcs we kill, the slightly better we feel. Slaughter of your enemy is good revenge."
Legolas laughed. "I know what you mean mellonnen."
Elladan nodded in agreement. "We were near Mirkwood a few months ago actually. We…"
But their conversation was interrupted by a knock on the door. Legolas sat up as Elrohir called for whoever it was to enter.
The door opened and a small boy sidled in. His face was lowered, and he shut the door quietly behind him. He kept his eyes averted from the three Princes. His clothes were scuffed and dirty as if he had been play fighting.
"Estel!" Elladan exclaimed. "Where have you been all afternoon? We told you Legolas was coming. We expected you to be at the gates with us."
"Sorry Elladan," the young boy muttered. "I got…distracted and lost track of time."
"Look up when you're talking to us Estel," Elladan told him. "It's rude not to have eye contact when speaking to somebody."
"Sorry Elladan," he repeated as he looked up.
There was an audible gasp from the three on the bed. "Estel, what on Middle-Earth has happened to you brother?" Elrohir asked, sliding onto the floor and taking the boy into his arms. "Where are these bruises from?" He traced a dark patch on his otherwise pale jaw line and another around his left eye. His lip was bleeding, and he had a small cut on his forehead.
"I fell," Estel explained. "From a tree."
"Let's get you cleaned up," Elrohir said, standing and leading him through to the bathroom. "What were you doing climbing trees anyway?"
Their conversation faded as they went through to the next room, and the other two looked at each other. "Estel?" Legolas asked. "Hope?"
"We haven't told you about our new little human foster brother have we?"
"No. So I think you had better start telling me now."
Elladan lowered his voice. "His father was Arathorn of the Dunédain," he explained. "He was killed when Estel was just two years old. His real name is Aragorn, but he does not know. His mother Gilraen sought refuge in our Valley, and adar took them in. He effectively adopted Estel as his own son, and he has grown up knowing Rivendell to be his home."
"There's more isn't there? There is more to this boy than you're telling me."
Elladan sighed and shifted closer to Legolas. "What I am about to tell you must never be told to anyone else whilst in Estel's presence," he said firmly. "Adar will tell Estel all the details when he is old enough to accept them and understand them." He lowered the volume of his voice even more. "Estel is the heir to the throne of Gondor."
Legolas' sapphire eyes widened. "Gondor?" he hissed.
Elladan nodded, glancing towards the bathroom. "There is so much more history to that little boy's life and destiny than we know," he continued. "Never, ever mention his father or the human City when with him. He must not know a thing."
Legolas nodded. "I understand."
They looked up as the pair came back in. Estel's face had been washed and he wore a clean set of clothes. A small smile now graced his innocent features, and Legolas saw the depth already in the bluey-grey eyes. He smiled back at the human, giving him a small wink.
"Much better," Elladan said. "Sit up here with me little brother." He lifted Estel up into his lap and folded his arms protectively around him as Elrohir seated himself back beside Legolas. "This, Legolas is Estel. Estel meet Legolas, Crown Prince of Mirkwood."
Estel inclined his head. "Nice to meet you Prince Legolas," he said softly.
"And it is an honour to meet you too Estel," Legolas replied.
"Estel has just turned eight this year," Elladan told him. "And grows more and more each day. You'll be catching us up soon."
"I don't think so," he replied. His voice was still hushed. "I don't think I'll ever be as grown up as you Dan."
"Oh you will," Elrohir told him, ruffling the damp curls. "Few more years and you'll be the same height I bet."
"But I will never have your wisdom."
"These two have wisdom?"
"Legolas!" they retorted in unison.
The blonde Elf just grinned, and that broadened when Estel gave a small laugh of his own. He already liked the young human, mortal though he was. But those bruises still concerned him. He himself had fallen out pf a tree many a time in his youth, but had never managed to give himself a black eye.
"So why exactly were you climbing trees?" Elrohir asked.
Estel shrugged. "I was bored."
"Estel, we have warned you about climbing tress…"
Legolas listened to the exchange with interest. He watched Estel's face carefully. Someone's expression could give away more than their words, as well as their eyes. Estel didn't really look at his brothers when he replied to their questions and he was fiddling with his hands, a clear sign of nervousness or distress. He shrugged a lot, not giving a full explanation every time.
/You're not telling the whole truth/ Legolas thought to himself. /What really happened to you Estel/
"You look tired Estel," he interjected. "Are you tired?"
Estel nodded. "A little, yes."
"Elrohir, why don't you take Estel to his room to let him have a bit of a rest before dinner?" Legolas suggested. "We'll wait here for you."
Elrohir looked puzzled at Legolas' sudden proposal, but led the boy away anyway. As he shut the door, Elladan turned to Legolas. "Why did you say that?"
"Estel is lying to you Dan," Legolas answered, facing him. "He never fell out of a tree."
"How can you tell? You've known him mere minutes, whereas we've known him seven years. How can you tell he is lying?"
"He does not look at you when he replies. He pauses before explaining, and even then the reasons are faint and half-told. Also when he came in, there were no traces of a tree on him. I.e. no leaves sticking out of his hair. No green smudges on his clothing. And you can't get a black eye from falling out a tree."
"I don't see why not."
"Dan, you know I have fallen out of trees myself, quite often in your presence. Did I ever get a black eye?"
"No…"
"Or did you or Elrohir ever get a black eye?"
"Legolas, what are you suggesting?"
"Estel did not fall out of a tree Dan. Something else gave him that black eye and he is afraid to tell you what it was."
"Afraid? Why would he ever have reason to be afraid of telling us something?"
Legolas sighed. "I know not. But you had better question him again later."
"You think someone hit him don't you?"
"It may have just been mindless play-fighting that got a bit out of hand."
"I hope you're right. If anyone is hurting Estel…" He left the sentence hanging.
Legolas nodded in agreement. "I know exactly how you feel mellonnen."
