Disclaimer: Why do I keep repeating this disclaimer for every chapter?? Go view previous chapters.
Author's Note: Thanks to all those that reviewed!! And I must admit that I am truly terrified out of my mind now that I brought Legolas into it. I have never written Legolas into any of my stories before so now the pressure is really on for those hard-core Legolas lovers out there….sweat drops, gulp "Please don't turn me into anything…unnatural…" –Sam Gamgee
So, I apologize in advance if I totally screw up writing Legolas's character. Please don't flame me? Pretty please with a cherry on top??!
Chapter 10
After Estel's physical therapy session had ended, he escaped with his new rescuer and friend Prince Legolas of Mirkwood.
Although he had never met the prince he felt a connection immediately when in his presence. He told Legolas about it and he had smiled warmly and said it was probably just a feeling you get when a long friendship is ahead of you.
Whatever THAT meant…
Over the next few days that Legolas stayed in Imladris, Estel would diligently, albeit hastily, finish his studies so that he could spend more time with his newfound friend. He learned much about him, more so than what news his brothers had given him in the past years growing up.
"I learned today in geography where Mirkwood is!"
Estel ecstatically greeted Legolas outside in the garden where the Elf Prince was admiring the beauty the view had to offer him of the valley.
"Really"
The boy nodded his head in his familiar child-like exuberance.
"The only thing I don't know is what it really looks like," Estel's shoulders slumped and his excitement drained dejectedly away.
"Well then, someday you will have to come and visit," Legolas tried to cheer the boy back up.
"I won't be allowed to leave Rivendell for another 30 years."
"30 years? Why so long?"
One word said it all.
"ADA."
Legolas chuckled and shook his head as he crossed his arms in thought.
"I really don't think your father would keep you prisoner here for THAT long!"
"He is the ruler here, anything he says goes," Estel replied flatly.
"Fathers usually tell you that just to prove they love you."
Estel snorted in reply and rolled his eyes as the two began walking side by side to one of the numerous clusters of woods that made up the valley the haven was nestled in.
"My father, King Thranduil, told me that he would not allow me to leave his sight until I was 5,000 years old because I snuck outside of the castle gates and into the forest by myself when I was still an elfling."
"Did you get in trouble?"
"Of course, I got caught not long after by a sentry and was hauled back to my father."
"Wow."
"After my punishment ended was when my father threatened to never let me out of his sight. Now all these years later, I realize that was just over-protectiveness."
"I guess so. I am turning nine in 3 weeks!"
"That is good!"
"You are welcome to my party if you stay."
"Thank you, I shall keep that in mind. Unfortunately, I do not know when I will have to return home. We are still waiting for Elrond to send a reply back to my father."
"Is everything okay?"
Legolas's light expression fell and then an unreadable mask fell into place as he considered the gravity of the question. His father's Kingdom was struggling to survive the darkness that threatened to consume his homeland by nightmarish terrors this child would be plagued with in future years to come. Legolas decided it would be best to keep his mouth shut and allow the innocent boy to live in blissful ignorance until the day Estel learned of them himself.
"Everything will be okay once we return back home."
Estel looked up, curiosity bubbling but squelched the rising question when he saw the Prince's sad expression. He was usually gracious enough to answer almost any question Estel had but the boy's heart melted at the sight of his friend looking so burdened.
Estel decided to change the subject.
"One day, I'm going to be a strong warrior like Elladan and Elrohir! I'll get to go on patrols with them and fight bad guys and see the world!"
"I'm sure you will," Legolas laughed lightly as he ruffled Estel's hair.
The duo climbed into one of their favorite trees, an oak that stretched towards the sky. Legolas and Estel climbed and sat on a branch halfway up the tree above ground since the Prince refused to put the boy in danger by going too high.
They then proceeded to talk as they usually did at this hour which was something that Legolas found refreshing. Estel, although only a child, was always so easy to talk to. His innocent and child-like nature made him forget about all the evils that plagued the world if only for a moment.
He felt a strong connection forming between them and feared it. The boy was human after all and would one day die. He tried to push Estel away, telling himself that not even Eru could change his mind.
Legolas was well aware of Estel's true heritage. Elrond had informed all elven kingdoms of the latest concerning the heir of Isildor. Of course, it had been the twins who had informed him personally of the news.
The more he tried to distance himself from Estel, the stronger the connection became. The boy's bubbly, bright inner spirit blazed too brightly and the goodness and love the child possessed drew Legolas like a moth to the flame.
Legolas was loath to admit it, but for once the twins had been right and the Prince knew he had lost the bet. The twins made a bet that Legolas would fall in love with their human brother the first week he was with him. Legolas had scoffed saying it was impossible to befriend anyone so soon, especially a HUMAN child!
How wrong he had been.
As each day passed their friendship grew and so did their bond—a strong bond that neither had ever truly felt before—a friendship that would hold them eternally in the bonds of fellowship.
After a few minutes spent in silence, Estel's legs swinging freely from his perch on the smooth branch, Legolas asked him the question he had been dreading.
"Why do you need to keep it a secret? Do you not have faith in your adar?"
Estel visibly tensed, his breath catching in his throat. He figured that Legolas had known he had been lying ever since they left the healing wing a few days back but didn't think he'd press the issue any further. After all, the lie he spun for the prince was ten times better than all the others combined.
"He would get them into trouble and then I would be in danger."
"If they had any brains or any sense, they would be smart enough to leave you alone after being punished the first time," Legolas had to restrain an indignant snort of contempt.
"You don't understand…it's not that simple," Estel sighed.
Legolas turned to look at the boy, curiosity clear on his flawless features.
Estel released a puff of air that blew stray strands of hair out of his face. He fidgeted and twiddled his thumbs in his lap before slouching in defeat.
"Legolas… can you promise me you won't tell?"
The Prince glanced away for a moment, his eyes dimming as a flashback flooded his mind. An event that occurred hundreds of years before Estel was born…
He bit his lip, frowning as he thought about what to tell his best friend.
"Please, Elladan…promise me you won't tell?"
"Legolas, I…"
"PROMISE ME!"
Elladan looked torn between keeping the secret and doing what his father would do which would have been to tell King Thranduil right away about what was going on.
"Elladan…please. I can't do this alone and my father just can't know, it will…complicate things," Legolas pleaded, on the verge of hysterics.
"Alright…I promise," Elladan vowed in a soft voice.
Legolas shook his head coming back into the present. He looked back at Estel and could see unshed tears glistening in his eyes. He thought about it another moment, before silently nodding his consent.
"You promise you won't tell anyone?"
"Yes Estel, I promise. You have my word as a Prince of Mirkwood, and as a friend," Legolas smiled warmly, his blue eyes twinkling as he clasped the boy's hand in his own, sealing his oath.
"Well, I don't know how it started…but Findor and Lindon hate me. For a while they used to be my friends but after I beat Findor at sparring practice in front of the older class, he began to hate me again…"
Estel's voice died off and he took a breath about to continue, when Legolas placed a hand on his shoulder stopping him. The young Edain turned to look at the Elf Prince and was startled to see him looking so grave. He saw the Eldar place a slender finger to his lips in a silencing motion and then before Estel had the chance to acknowledge, the Prince disappeared above him into the trees.
Estel wasn't sure what to do. He opted to follow him but after realizing that they were still within the borders of Imladris, decided it couldn't be dangerous. He brought his feet up and wrapped his arms around his legs, stilling his breath when the crunching of leaves could be heard below.
No elf is ever that loud…
Estel's heart began to race as his imagination began to paint all sorts of horrible pictures. He hoped it wasn't an orc…the demon creatures that killed his father when he was younger. No, that didn't scare him since he had been too young at the time to remember what they looked like, but sometimes a nightmare or two would jog the fleeting memory.
He could, however, imagine a wolf or a bear or some other wild beast that would be delighted to feast upon little boys.
Just as he was about to cry for Legolas to come back, the Prince himself leapt soundlessly back on the branch next to him. Before Estel could scream after turning around to see the Elf sitting calmly beside him, a firm but gentle hand had covered his mouth and grabbed his tunic to keep him from flailing out of the tree.
After his ragged breathing evened out, he turned fearful, wondering eyes upon his friend. The elf released him after Estel began prying his hand off of his face.
"What was it," he whispered softly.
"I'm not sure. Either it was just an animal or someone was eavesdropping on us," Legolas frowned, slightly troubled.
"Didn't you follow them?!"
"No, I could not see who or what it was. Whatever or whoever it was, fled."
"Maybe I should tell you some other time then…"
"You have no need to fear Estel, we are the only two here now."
Estel shuddered at the possibility that the eavesdropper was Findor himself…
He felt a strong hand clasp his small shoulder, lending him comfort and support. Glancing up into the smiling face of his friend, most of his worry and fear melted away.
"Before you saved me that day…"
Estel swallowed nervously, his mouth suddenly going dry.
He locked eyes with the wood elf, drawing strength from the elder's presence.
"…he threatened to kill Elladan and Elrohir if I told…"
Legolas would have laughed, boasting of the twins skills and high intellect if not for the small, icy tendril of fear that wrapped around his own heart.
"Can you remember their exact words?"
"Something about it being a shame if I were to wake up one morning to find that they had been poisoned," Estel brushed a stray tear from the corner of his eye trying to be strong and brave for the Prince.
Legolas felt deeply troubled at this new revelation.
So that's why he refused to tell Elrond or Glorfindel…and why he lied to me.
Legolas began to regret his decision to keep Estel's promise but also thankful at the same time that the child had confided in him. Legolas would not back down on his word but considered the option if the situation veered out of control. But for now, he would keep his promise with the hopes that all would work out in due time.
"Alright Estel…we will get to the bottom of this, I swear to you."
The duo then climbed carefully back down out of the trees. One of them had a heart that felt lighter and at peace…while the other felt heavy and burdened…
But whatever may come…they would face it together.
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The twins were not due to arrive for another couple of weeks. This gave Legolas and Estel the time they needed to figure out what to do about Findor and Lindon. Legolas decided it would be best to keep a careful eye on his young charge as he carried on his daily duties.
"I promise you I will be nearby and they can do nothing to harm you while Glorfindel is there," Legolas assured as he slung his bow over his shoulder and strapped on his quiver.
The plan was simple enough. Estel would attend his regularly scheduled training session with Glorfindel, Findor, and Lindon while Legolas and some of his escort practiced archery half a field away on the archery grounds. This would not raise any suspicion from the two bullies, since Mirkwood Elves were known for their archery skills. While Legolas 'practiced' he would also be watching for any foul play on the other end.
Elrond and Glorfindel allowed Estel to return to practices as long as he didn't overexert his already taxed arm.
At first all seemed to be going well until Findor ignored all warning and grabbed Estel by his weak arm during a sparring round and flipped him to the ground. Glorfindel whirled around as a pained cry reached his ears.
After ordering the others to stay put, Legolas ran, all the while thinking of very slow and painful ways to teach the elf brat a lesson after purposely hurting Estel behind Glorfindel's back. There was no way that Estel was going to lie to protect the fiend this time. Oh, justice would be dealt alright...he would see to that personally if he had to.
Glorfindel admonished the elfling for being too rough with Estel, not falling for the innocent 'I'm so sorry, it was an accident' routine. The Balrog Slayer forced Findor to go off to the side and begin doing a rigorous drill 50 times after that offense.
Legolas joined them as Findor began his punishment, smirking as the elfling walked past him, sneering up at Legolas in contempt. The Prince darted a foot out just in time to make the elfling trip and fall face first into the grass after Glorfindel turned away to examine Estel's arm.
He snickered knowing it had been a very childish thing to do. After all, he was an elf Prince, born of royal blood and two to three times the elfling's senior…but Legolas just couldn't resist.
When Glorfindel noticed him he turned and inclined his head respectfully and then told him of what happened. Legolas kept an unreadable mask in place as Glorfindel recounted what the Prince already knew after witnessing it himself.
"Glorfindel…that elfling is trouble. I suggest you keep a careful eye on him."
"Aye, I have and certainly shall. His attitude has changed drastically…he has been acting anti-social…not talking unless called upon which was not normal for him in the past. Though faint, there have been times when I could feel a dark aura about the boy. I have talked to the guardians…"
"Guardians? You mean the child has no parents?"
"No, his parents were killed years ago…" Glorfindel trailed off not sure how much he should divulge.
Legolas crossed his arms over his chest, a clear sign that he wasn't leaving until he got the full story. Glorfindel sighed after recognizing the stubborn streak the Prince displayed and knew there was no avoiding it. He had seen how fond the Prince of Mirkwood had grown of little Estel and realized that if anyone could certainly get to the bottom of it…it was his newfound friend.
After sending Estel to his father and dismissing Lindon, he took Legolas aside and told him the story…
TO BE CONTINUED!!
A/N. Sorry this chapter was a little shorter than the others. I am apparently being attacked by allergies and clearly ran out of muse…Please don't' flame me if I wrote Legolas wrong. Reviews and constructive criticism are accepted!! I will also try to update more frequently since this year in school should hopefully be a little less hectic...
I want to give a thank you and a big shout out to all my readers and reviewers out there!! You make this story possible!!