"We should get back if you want to see your family at all today." Legolas spoke.
"Can we just make camp here?" Estel asked. "If you don't mind, I think I'd like to live in this moment for a while longer."
"Me too." Legolas responded.
When a small bed of leaves was gathered and Legolas was curled safely into Estel's side, Estel laid a single chaste kiss on his cheek and hummed the prince to sleep.
After sitting down with Elrond, Thranduil, and the twins for dinner, Lainor found himself having to lie once more.
"Have any of you seen Estel? We have been here for days and our dear host has only seen him twice!" Elrond laughed.
Elrohir and Elladan looked at each other and shook their heads "no."
Lainor sighed and spoke up. "I did. After I left the twins to rest after our hunt, I went and sought out Estel. He had already grabbed provisions from the kitchen and planned on making camp down by the river." He tried to make it as believable as possible. When Elrond had signs of doubt on his face, Lainor upped his game a bit. "Lord Elrond, Estel is a most talented artist. Did you teach him?"
"He learned a bit from me and a bit from his sister." Elrond responded with a genuine smile on his face. "It is something he excels at even farther than anything we taught him."
Lainor smiled back at Elrond. "Well I am thinking of asking him to create something to hang above my workspace. I always dread walking into that room and staring upon mounds of parchment and tasks. It would be wonderful to have something beautiful to look at."
Thranduil joked, "Maybe you'd get some of your work done on time if you weren't so reluctant to enter your workspace." and he laughed.
The subject was dropped and forgotten for another time.
This routine that they had forged continued on for about three weeks. Lainor would catch moments here and there with Estel to make sure that they had their story straight and Estel would join the group for a breakfast or a lunch every few days to ensure that his adar didn't think he had died or run away.
Lumorniel continued to pack supplies for both of them and had recently figured out that Lainor also knew that was going on. Estel had made sure that Legolas was the one that most often picked up their supplies. He had seen the sorrow in Lumorniel's face when she thought she wouldn't be seeing Legolas anymore.
For three weeks the excitement and joy of seeing each other again kept Thranduil and Elrond distracted enough not to think about their youngest iƓns too much. Elrohir and Elladan became quite curious, however, when one of the cover stories Lainor told Elrond didn't add up. They decided between the two of them to keep their mouths shut for a while seeing as Estel always looked happy when he would actually come around.
Thranduil decided to call a large celebration to be planned. A week out they would have more old friends come visit the kingdom. There would be food and singing and dancing. It had been so long since there had been true celebration in the halls of the palace, so Thranduil and Elrond set out to make this one count.
A few days into the planning, Estel had joined in the morning meal and was told that others would be arriving shortly. many names were shared but few were recognized. Estel was excited to hear that a guard would be bringing Arwen to join in the festivities. He was hoping that Legolas would be willing to meet her. Estel and Arwen were well matched in their ability to love and their capacity for compassion. He knew that Legolas would love her if he would only trust him enough to meet her.
"Legolas" Estel called out once he reached their galadh. "Legolas I have food and news."
Legolas dropped down from the branches and onto Estel's back. Wrapping his legs around his waist and his arms around his shoulders, he nuzzled his face into Estel's neck. Legolas said something, but it came out muffled causing estel to laugh.
"What is that?" He asked Legolas.
Legolas pulled his face out of Estel's neck and hair and repeated his words. "You were gone for a long time."
"Well, I got stuck at a meeting when I thought I was simply attending breakfast." Estel replied, placing his hands under the legs that were wrapped around his torso. He started rubbing small soothing circles on Legolas legs when he broke the news. "There will be many more people visiting the palace, mellon nin. There is to be a feast and dancing..."
Legolas tightened his arms around Estel's shoulders and nuzzled his face back into his neck. "stay with me" was all that Estel could understand of the muffled flow of words being spoken directly into his hair.
"Always, Legolas. I do have a bit of good news...I mean...I hope you think it's good news too." he replied.
"Yes?" Legolas muffled out.
"My sister is coming." Estel replied.
When Legolas didn't respond, Estel pulled him around to his front. He wrapped his arms around him. "Don't worry Legolas. You don't have to meet her if you don't want to. I just know that you would love her and she would adore you. My ada says that I get my heart from her."
Legolas let himself drop from Estel's embrace and looked him in the eyes. "I will meet her if she doesn't mind coming away from the palace" Legolas said with a small smile.
Estel laughed, "I also get my love of nature and being outside from her. She would love the waterfall you showed me."
"I like her already." Legolas replied.
The week was almost out and a few final guests were rolling in.
Arwen had arrived earlier in the day and was just making it out of her room after resting and cleaning up.
"Arwen!" She heard someone call her name. She turned around to see the very bright smile of her youngest brother.
"Estel! You look great. How have you been enjoying your time here in Mirkwood?" She asked.
"More than you know. I am so glad you are finally here, though!" He responded before pulling her into a big hug. "There is someone I wish for you to meet, but you need to change into more durable clothing."
"Might we be going on an adventure, dear brother?" She asked with a smile.
"One you won't regret, but you must hurry before ada realizes you are up." said Estel.
Arwen dashed back into her room and had changed and grabbed a bag and cloak faster than Estel thought possible.
"Come, follow me." He said.
The two quietly hurried down the hall and to the bottom floor. Once they got to the back doors, Estel looked about for anyone watching and grabbed Arwen's hand and made a run for the tree line.
It took them a bit to make it out to the secret place. On the journey, Arwen kept asking why Estel had such a big grin on his face.
"This place is just so beautiful, sister. I promise you'll see why I love it so much."
When they reached the tree, Estel called out for Legolas. "Mellon nin, we are here. Legolas?"
Arwen's mind caught on the name. *Leave it to Estel to befriend the mysterious and elusive young prince* she thought with a grin on her face.
Legolas popped out of the hollowed tree and took a few steps back.
*She really is as beautiful as the rumors say* Legolas thought.
Estel walked up to Legolas and grasped his shoulders. Very quietly he said "I swear on my life you can trust her. I haven't told her anything but your name" and with that he gave his shoulders a little squeeze and smiled at the prince.
"Arwen, this is Legolas, Thranduil's youngest son. Legolas, this is my sister Arwen." Estel spoke.
Without approaching him Arwen greeted the prince. "It is very nice to meet you, Legolas. What I have seen of your kingdom is exquisite."
"Thank you, my lady. It is nice to meet someone that Estel thinks so highly of." Legolas slowly approached her and offered her his hand. Arwen shook his hand as they both bowed.
*This is actually going well.* Estel thought, with some relief.
"Well, shall we go?" Legolas asked.
"Where are we going?" Arwen responded.
"Patience, sister. You'll see." Estel said with a smile.
And with that they were on their way to the waterfall.
The conversation kept up thanks to Estel and Arwen both being endless vats of questions. Legolas slowly gained comfort with Arwen and surprised himself by thinking that he could get used to this kind of company. For so long he had lived in what essentially was solitude, but Estel and now Arwen were proving that he could genuinely enjoy the company of others. Hope had literally walked back into his life.
Arwen was studying her brother's new friend and found that she liked what she saw between them. Legolas looked at Estel with utter adoration and trust. Not surprising that she saw the same on the face of her brother. *I wonder if each other knows...* she mischievously thought to herself.
"Arwen!" Estel laughed. "Where have you gone?"
"Ha ha, I'm right here. I was just lost in thought." She retorted as she smiled at Legolas.
"We're here." Legolas called.
As they stepped through the thick brush and onto the landing, Arwen grabbed Legolas hand as to steady herself when she finally took in the whole scene in front of her. It was made more beautiful for the fact that it was sunset on a slightly cloudy day. The colors swirled trough the sky with the clouds and it was reflected on the water at the bottom.
Still holding Legolas' hand, Arwen said "Oh...my...dear...this is incredible, Legolas."
When Arwen grabbed Legolas' hand, he didn't pull away, but he did start to slightly panic. Estel saw the anxiety on his face and grabbed his other hand. As he rubbed circles on the back of his hand, Legolas' anxiety faded and he actually enjoyed holding hands with both brother and sister.
"I told you your patience would pay off, sister." Estel smirked.
When Arwen realized she had grabbed Legolas' hand she apologized, but enough time had passed for his anxiety to turn into comfort and he kissed her hand before letting go.
"Shall I prepare our dinner?" Estel asked.
"Surely you want to catch up with your sister. I can prepare the food." Legolas responded.
"Nonsense. You two sit and talk and I'll see to our dinner." Estel replied, smiled, and walked away.
"Stubborn, isn't he?" Arwen asked laughing.
"I'm learning that more each day." he laughed as well.
A silence fell between the two elves sitting on the ledge. Not an awkward silence, by any means, but silence none the less.
"I can already tell that you two have much in common" Legolas spoke.
"Are you saying I'm stubborn?" Arwen teased.
"Oh no!" Legolas quickly tried to back track, having entirely forgotten that was the last thing said about Estel. "What I mean to say is... well..."
"I was just kidding, mellon nin." She gave him a warm smile and grabbed his hand. "It is obvious how much you care about my brother. I am flattered by your statement."
Legolas turned very red and tried to cover his face, but Arwen wouldn't let go of his hand. "Obvious?" He asked quietly.
"Do not hide your face, Legolas. He looks at you the same way you look at him." She replied holding his hand in both of hers. "You are the first person he had me meet here and ada says he's been outside of the palace the entire time he's been here. I assume you have had something to do with that?"
"I did not mean to steal his time away from everyone else." Legolas said with a frown.
"Legolas, you should know by now that no one can make Estel do anything he doesn't want to." She replied.
"Thank you." Legolas spoke. "You two really are very similar."
Arwen laughed. "Our ada teases me about corrupting Estel with thoughts of adventure and art and beauty, but he loves Estel. Sometimes I think he is ada's favorite."
"Well I am glad you corrupted him. He is the kindest most beautiful person I have ever known." Legolas responded.
"He is, isn't he?" Arwen heard Estel humming off in the distance.
Once everyone had eaten and the sun had been down for a few hours, everybody gathered their supplies. A big pillow of leaves was made and everybody set to rest for the night.
Estel laid down. After a short bit of hesitation and a reassuring smile from Arwen, Legolas curled up in his usual spot against Estel's side. Arwen laid at her brother's other side with her head on his shoulder.
After everyone was settled for the night, Estel started singing.
Memories
Are fickle things
Some so strong
And others weak
Some made alone
Some gained with peers
Some set in stone
Some fade with years
Lessons learned
And mistakes made
Battles won
And faith reclaimed
Days blessed with joys
Or filled with tears
Dreams spun with love
Some fueled by fear
From start to end
Slowly you see
A tapestry
Begin to weave
You may not like
Some spots you find
But love can make
Them change with time
From dull and gray
To red and gold
Re-weave your thoughts
So bright and bold
So blessed are we
To share such things
As simple little
Memories
Estel was surrounded by two of his favorite people in the world. *So blessed are we, indeed.* he thought as he settled into slumber.
