A/N: In this chapter I take the liberty of making Estel a novice horseback rider...I know by the age of 20 he was likely very good, being raised in the house of Elrond, but for the sake of this story we are going to forget that...THANKS. -Gwenneth

Chapter Four: Fast Forward

"Legolas, I swear one of these days I am going to knock you off that pedestal you seem to always stand on! You are an impossibly cheeky...ELF!" Estel, knowing his words would garner the wrath of the Elf Prince, scooted out of his range and high-tailed it toward the Last Homely House.

Legolas, hot on his tail, but deliberately slowing his pace to give the young man a chance of escape, laughed. "Being immortal I shall live to that day, if it should ever come, which I highly doubt, Human!"

They skidded around a corner, not paying any mind to who might be coming around it, and slammed right into Elladan and Elrohir, who had been carrying papers to their father's study.

Cries of dismay mingled with cries of surprise erupted as papers flew in every direction. Legolas, picking himself up from the ground and tugging his tunic back down, reddened slightly at the situation he found himself in.

"Beg parden, Elladan...Elrohir. We did not see nor hear your approach."

"Obviously," Elrohir snorted as he stooped to pick up papers. Legolas immediately bent to help him, fighting back the smile that was threatening to grace his face. He met Elrohir's eyes and knew that the twin was not angry, merely amused.

Estel had picked himself up in the meantime and was now facing a fuming Elladan. "How many times does Adar have to tell you not to run in the halls, Estel? One of these days you are going to seriously injure yourself or someone else." The exasperated twin turned on Legolas, who had just stood up again with a pile of papers in his hands. "And you, Legolas...just how old are you?"

Legolas, suppressing a laugh, answered politely. "Younger then you, Elladan. Now, where were you taking these? I think Estel and I should help you with them, it is the least we can do."

Elladan frowned. "Ada's study."

He turned on his heel, leaving Estel to gather his own dropped papers. As he walked away, Legolas, whose ears were the best of the four, heard a snigger. He smiled and glanced at Elrohir.

Estel, oblivious to the laugh of his quickly vanishing brother, sighed. "Well, guess I've pissed 'Dan off again. It was only a matter of time, but it is earlier then usual today."

Elrohir and Legolas couldn't hold it anymore and burst out laughing. "Come, we must get these to the study," Elrohir said, pushing Estel down the hall.

Elrond Peredhil, Lord of Imladris, was standing with his arms across his chest, glaring, as the three Elves entered. Elladan, apparently, had already told him what had happened in the hallway.

"I see Estel, that yourself and the Prince managed to make quite a mess of my papers. What have you to say for that?"

Estel, gulping, placed his messy pile of gathered papers in his father's arms. He grimaced when Legolas handed the Elf Lord a neatly arranged pile. "Well, Legolas was going to kill me, Ada, so I was running away from him and we ran into the twins."

Elrond eyed Legolas who shrugged. "I highly doubt the Prince would kill you, Estel. There is no reason to run in the house. If I had my way I would ground you and give you extra chores to do."

Estel's head popped up at that. "You're not going to punish me?"

"Don't interrupt me, Estel," the Elf chided. "If I had my way, I would have. However, it appears you were saved by the wizard, so to speak. Mithrandir has asked that I send you and Legolas to Lorien with a message for the Lady Galadriel."

"Oh boy, Ada! I've never been to Lothlorien! I'll be able to see Arwen there, and I've never met the Lady and Lord!" Estel was beyond excited at the prospect of this journey. "Have you been to Lorien, Legolas?" he asked.

The blonde Elf's eyes clouded and Estel immediately quieted. "Is something wrong? Is it something I said?"

Elrond, seeing the Prince's distress, took the man by the shoulder. "Legolas has been to Lorien, Estel, and I'd wager he does not wish to speak of it at present. Go prepare for the journey, you leave in an hour."

Legolas was about to follow Estel and the twins from the room when Elrond stopped him. "A word, your Highness?"

Nodding, the Elf stayed. "You needn't call me that, Lord Elrond."

Smiling, the Elder nodded. "I know your last visit to Lothlorien was not under good conditions. I must warn you, there are Orcs about, a good many. I would have sent the twins with you, but I need them to go to the Beorlings. Please use extra caution."

He moved to the window, troubled.

"My Lord? There is more." It was a statement, not a question.

"I have had troubling dreams of late, Legolas. Of pain and suffering. Watch Estel. He is reckless and young. I had thought to send you alone, but it is too dangerous. If you should be injured you would be vulnerable."

Legolas breathed deeply. "You foresaw Estel being injured then?"

"Aye," Elrond said, looking back at him. "He will need you if it comes to pass, though the future I saw may not be certain. He will need your guidance and strength."

The Prince sensed there was more to the vision then Elrond was letting on. "What else did you see?"

Elrond smiled lightly. "A repetition of the distant past; nothing more."

His words were cryptic and Legolas could not make heads or tails of them. So he bowed and promised to keep an eye on Estel. "I will do all I can to avoid harm coming to him."

Elrond nodded. "It is all I can ask of you, young Prince."

"There we go again, why does everyone call me young!" Legolas muttered under his breath.

"Because you are young, Legolas."

The Prince had not expected an answer, but then again, he was not with Estel, Elrond was an Elf Lord of formidable skill...obviously he had heard the whispered words.

"Yes, Lord Elrond. I'm sorry."

Bouncing. All he could think of was the infernal bouncing. A small bounce, a big bounce, a series of quick bounces. "I used to enjoy riding, but I can't stand the bouncing!" Estel grumbled, shifting in his saddle for the hundredth time.

Legolas laughed. "Then learn to ride as the Elves, Estel. Without that saddle I assure you it would be much less painful!"

Grumbling under his breath, something about know-it-all Elves, Estel finally cried out. "It's no use! I'll never be comfortable. This dratted saddle should be fed to Orcs."

At the mention of Orcs, Legolas sobered. His reaction was not missed by Estel. "Why do you always act so odd when Orcs are mentioned, Legolas? I know you do not fear them, but something bothers you nonetheless."

Legolas, realizing his human companion had noticed his distress, sighed. "Long years ago I had a bad encounter with the Orcs, Estel."

"Were you kidnapped? Like the Lady Celebrian?"

"No."

"What then?"

Legolas frowned. "I really do not wish to speak of it, Estel. Let us ride in silence until we find a camp. I should not like to draw any unnecessary attention to ourselves with talk of the past."

Estel frowned. "You will tell me, if it's the last thing I do," he whispered.

Legolas chuckled. "Perhaps, Estel. But I'm not sure you want to hear it."

"And why not?"

"Because, it might lower your perceptions of me. You might not idolize me as you do now if you heard the story," Legolas answered, knowing full-well that he was egging the man on.

"I do NOT idolize you!"

Laughing, Legolas conceded. "All right, I was jesting."

Estel, however, was undeterred. "So, what could possibly make me lower my perceptions of the infalliable warrior prince."

Legolas faltered, nearly allowing a low hanging branch to hit his head. "What did you call me?"

"Warrior prince...I thought it was funny. After all, you are ALWAYS getting into battles and such on your way between our homes," Estel answered, uncertain why the little name would affect his friend so much. "What is it?"

"Nothing," Legolas regained his rigid composure and shook his head. "Just something the warriors called me a long time ago."

"Really? That makes me want to hear this story of yours all the more, Legolas."

The Elf Prince glared at the 20-year-old man. "Fine. But not until we camp."

"Deal."

"Good. Now shut up." Not waiting for a response, Legolas urged his mount to run.

WELL then...See, I put Estel in the story, just like I promised. Let's see if people caught my very blatant and rather obvious foreshadow! PLEASE r/r as I LOVE to hear from my readers!!

-Gwenneth