Author's Note: I had been planning on taking this in a completely different direction, but of course once I started the plot ran away from me, I ran into a brick wall called writers block, and became obsessed with the Chronicles of Narnia before finally remembering that this story was still in my computer, begging me to finish it. *sigh* No one will probably read the author's note (I never do—sorry!) but I hope that my little spots of 'humor' (in the story and out of it) actually make people laugh..
Characters: Your favorite elves and human of course!
Plot: "But when Estel was only twenty years of age, it chanced that he returned to Rivendell after great deeds in the company of the sons of Elrond…" (Appendix A) A simple hunting trip with Legolas and his brothers results in more than Estel thought was possible…
THE BEGINNINGS OF HOPE
Rivendell was quiet. Far too quiet for a place usually overflowing with elven songs and laughter. It had snowed earlier that morn, and many of the elves were enjoying the first day of the long winter months in peace and quiet, in the coziness of their rooms. Yule was within the fortnight, and the place would soon resound with the sounds of celebration, but for now, the snow simply muffled the elves' already noiseless movements.
The young man the elves called Estel smiled, remembering his first snow in Rivendell, and how eerie the quiet had first seemed. As he had grown older, he had used the snow to his full advantage, finally able to sneak up on his elvish brothers. At any other time, his heavy human footsteps would have given him away, but on the first snow… Of course, he was far too old for such silly tricks now. He was nearly twenty years old, a man in the world of men, though he would always be a child in the eyes of elves. His brothers, Elladan and Elrohir, would tell him that man or not, one was never too old to pull a prank, but then, they were both young for elves, despite the fact that they were renowned warriors.
Estel continued to wander about in the snowy solitude. He frowned. To be completely truthful, he had not seen his adopted brothers in quite some time, himself just coming back from visiting his mother. Their presence was soon made known, however, in the form of a large icy snowball that slammed precisely into his ear, followed by the bell-like sound of laughter. Turning as quickly as possible, Estel scooped up a fistful of the wet snow and threw it in the direction of the laughter. He hit nothing but a tree, standing innocently in the garden. Estel eyed the branches suspiciously. His brothers were very good at climbing.
"I know you are up there," he called sternly to the brothers who had raised him. Two lithe elven forms quickly fell from the branches, their laughter echoing in the quiet garden. "Just because you are a warrior now does not mean you must be stern and noble all the time!" called the taller twin, Elladan. "It is almost Yuletide!" cried the other. Estel frowned, crossing his arms across his broad chest as he glared at the two grinning dark-haired brothers. "What-" he began, before something heavy and warm slammed into his back, causing him to fall face forward into the snow. He gave a muffled cry and turned over to see a blonde-haired elf perched on top of him. "Legolas!" he said happily. The prince gave a mischievous smile and proceeded to shove a fistful of snow into Estel's face. Growling good-naturedly, Estel began to squirm, trying to push the stubborn elf off of him.
Legolas smiled mockingly. "This is no way to greet one of your best friends," he admonished. "Especially a friend who has traveled far to bring you such good news." Estel gave a yelp of delight, all his efforts forgotten. "Your ada agreed?" he asked, excitement in his voice. Elladan and Elrohir walked into his viewpoint. "Of course he agreed," said Elladan, puffing out his chest pompously. "We are two of the best warriors in the land, and even the king has to admit that Legolas is his best archer."
"Big head," Estel muttered, before finally pushing the blond prince off of his chest and into Elladan. "Hey!" Elladan cried as he fell into the snow. Elrohir let out another peal of laughter. "Mighty warrior indeed!" Within moments, the entire situation had dissolved into and all out snowball fight, with Estel losing the entire time. He did not begrudge the elves the fact that they were lighter and faster, sometimes walking upon the snow, but used his every sense to hurl snow at the approaching form of his friends.
This is just the prologue/ set up—more action and 'brotherly love' later! Please read and review! (Although you probably already read it if you are looking at this…)