Hello my friends, I would like to thank you all so much for your reviews to my previous chapter, as they truly made me so happy reading them, so this chapter is dedicated to you guys.
I would like to say I do not own lord of the rings or any of its characters I am simply borrowing them for this story.
Chapter 29
Meanwhile, unbeknownst of the hardship that Eluréd and Elurín were going through, Thranduil and his children were talking about the past times that they'd had in Rivendell, and what they would all be doing when they get there for this visit.
"I can't wait to see Rivendell again, for as soon as we all get reacquainted with each other, I'm going to ask Lord Elrond if I can go to his library," Nestaron exclaimed with a small amount of excitement to his voice.
"Why is that then Nestaron?", Valainistima asked him with a knowing smile.
"The reason why little sister, is because, Lord Elrond said that the next time I visit, he would have some new books for me to borrow," he replied to her.
"Only you would get excited over the prospect of reading new books," Rainion said with half-hearted roll of his eyes.
"And what's wrong with that Rainion?, It's something I enjoy doing, and I'm not hurting anyone, yet!", The head healer of Mirkwood exclaimed with a warning glare towards him.
"Just ignore him Nestaron, he's only trying to wind you up," Maetharanel pointed out with a roll of her own eyes at her older brother's antics.
"Well, that's all well and good Nestaron, but, I for one would personally just love to know how Uncle Tirithon and Uncle Idhrenohtar are getting along back at home," Calamaethor commentated with a smirk on his face.
"I'm sure they are getting along just fine Calamaethor," Maetharanel replied, as she ignored what her brother was getting at.
"I'm sure your right little sister, I mean, what's the worst that could happen?", The oldest of Thranduil's children asked out loud.
No one answered Calamaethor's question, even the Mirkwood warriors, who were with them kept silent, but, if one were to look at them, they could see amusement shining in their eyes at the royal family discussing Mirkwoods Captain of guards and Chief advisor. Even Daugon, who respected Tirithon and Idhrenohtar to no end, had to bite his tongue before he lost his composure at Calamaethor's teasing. However, the quiet moment was soon broken when everyone heard a wailing sounding not to far in the distance from them.
"What is that noise?", Thranduil asked in confusion, as he and everyone else pulled up the reins on their horses to a complete stop to listen.
"Adar, that sounds to me like a baby crying, and I think we should go and help the poor thing, for it sounds as though it is in pain," Nestaron pointed out worryingly.
"Nestaron is right Adar, we need to help, as the elfling and its parents could be in trouble," Legolas commented in concern.
"While you do have valid points, it could also be a trap set up by orcs," the King of Mirkwood said skeptically.
"All the more reason why we should go and help Adar!, For I for one will not let an innocent suffer by the hands of those disgusting creatures!", Legolas exclaimed with conviction, as he encouraged his horse forward into a run, whilst he ignored his name being called out to him by his Father.
"I swear Legolas listens more to his heart, than his head," Thranduil said in exasperation at his youngest son's boldness, as he, and the others quickly encouraged their horses to follow on after him.
"While I do agree with you their Adar, you've got to admit, it's one of the most admiring things about him," Valainistima expressed with a smile at her little brother's tenderness to put others first before himself.
Meanwhile, with Legolas, he was silently urging his horse to go faster, as he had a feeling that his Father was wrong about it being a trap set up by orcs, and even on the off chance that it was, he would slay them all, for as he said to his Father, he will not let an innocent suffer by the hands of those disgusting creatures. So as he got closer to the source of the sound, Legolas could see in front of him what looked like a hollowed out tree, so he stopped his horse, and seeing that there was no immediate danger for the time being, dismounted, and went over to the hollowed out tree, to where the crying elfling was. But, as soon as he did, he saw that to his horror, spatters of what remained of an orcs black blood staining a little bit of the outside and also from what he could see, the inside of it too. So he immediately reached in, and picked up the crying baby, but, as soon as he did, part of the soft brown blanket that was covering the little one's head fell away and revealed to him that he was human. Legolas quickly got over his shock at seeing it wasn't an elfling he held, as he adjusted his hold on him more securely in his arms, and when he did, the little one's crying was reduced to whimpers, with a few stray tears escaping his little eyes, and onto the soft brown blanket he was wrapped in.
"Hello little one, it looks as though you've been through quite an ordeal, but don't worry, I'll look after you now," Legolas said softly to the baby he held with a smile, as he adjusted the blanket to cover the little one's head once more, to protect him from the cold.
No sooner had Legolas done that, he could hear that his family and the Mirkwoods warriors were nearby, and he was right, for not even a minute went by before the Mirkwood elves caught up to him. So, as they urged their horses to stop nearby his own horse, Legolas made his way over to show them the little one he found inside the hollowed out tree.
"Legolas, as a Father I applaud that you put your own safety at risk for the sake of others, but, as a King, I must insist that next time when you hear me call you back, you come back, am I understood?!", Thranduil asked his son with pride and anger shining in his eyes towards him in equal measure.
"I understand Adar, but, you'll have to forgive me, for if you all look over to the hollowed out tree over there, you can plainly see spatter remains of an orcs blood staining it," Legolas told him poignantly, as his family and the Mirkwood warriors all looked at the stained tree.
"Well, it seems that fate was on the little one's side when we heard its cries, however, it also seems that we were too late, for I see no signs of the little elfling's parents, and as you, and everyone else knows, orcs don't leave anything or anyone alive, and as hard as that sounds, we can't dwell on it too much, for we now have a little elfling to think about. So, first things first, Legolas, hand over the baby to Nestaron, so he can check for any injuries the elfling may have," the King of Mirkwood ordered.
"Adar, the baby I hold in my arms is not an elfling, he's human," the youngest prince of Mirkwood stated with a look towards his Father, as he held the little one more securely to him.
"Is that so?, Give him to me Legolas," The King of Mirkwood ordered, as he dismounted from his horse, and then opened his arms to receive the baby.
"Adar, I know that as of late our relations with humans hasn't been great, but we can't leave this little one alone out here, for he is an innocent," Legolas told his Father with pleading eyes, as he gently, and with a bit of reluctance, handed over the human baby to his Adar.
"Legolas, you have no need to worry, for you are right, this little one is an innocent, and as much, we have to do what's right for him," Thranduil told his son, as he rearranged the baby to be more comfortable in his arms.
As soon as Thranduil had settled the baby in his arms, nobody moved, or said anything, because, as the Mirkwood elves watched Thranduil with the baby, they were trying to get over their surprise and digest the fact that instead of expecting to find a little elfling, they, or more pacifically Legolas, found a little lost human baby instead. The Mirkwood elves were brought out of their surprised state when they saw the little human baby poke out one of his hands, out of the blanket he was wrapped in, and reached out to pat Thranduil on the cheek, as he looked up at Thranduil with his big blue-silver eyes, while everyone just watched the tender moment between the King of Mirkwood and the human baby he held in awe.
"Nestaron, means that the little one seems content with me holding him at the moment, can you come over to us, and make sure he is alright?", Thranduil asked the head healer.
"At once Adar," he replied, as he dismounted from his horse to do so.
However, just as soon as Nestaron approached the two, and tried to peel back the blanket, so he could examine him, the little one burst out crying again, for it seemed to everyone watching the happenings going on, the little one seemed to be quite attached to Thranduil holding him, and didn't like it when he disturbed from doing so.
"Alright, little one, no one's going to hurt you, Adar, it seems he is quite attached to you at the moment, so could you unwrap from his blanket so I can see if he is well?, Although, judging by what I'm seeing so far, he seems to be in good health," Nestaron said with a smile, as his Adar slowly unwrapped the baby from the soft brown blanket.
So as quickly and as gently as he could, Nestaron examined the little human baby, and to his and his Adar's pleasant surprise, they could see that on the small dark green tunic, that the little one wore, they could see the little one's name stitched into it with light green thread. So after he was finished, Nestaron told everyone that the baby was fine, and what his name was, as he remounted his horse, while Thranduil quickly rewrapped the blanket around the now sleeping Estel, and after doing that, he handed the baby back over to Legolas, then followed Nestaron's example and remounted his own horse. With Legolas, he had walked over to where Valainistima was, and had gently handed over Estel for her to hold momentarily, as he too remounted his horse, then as gently as he could, he guided his horse to stand beside his sister's. Finally, Valainistima handed back Estel over to him, but not before Legolas said a quiet thank you towards her, for she had wrapped another blanket around Estel to protect him from the cold, while the rest of their siblings formed a protective circle around them,
"Estel, I wonder what the circumstances were given to you, for you to be named hope?", The King of Mirkwood asked out loud to no one in particular, as he watched what his children were doing to protect Estel, with a small smile on his face.
"Forgive me my King, but I think that for now, there is another time and place to ponder that question, as we should get moving, while we still have light. For if there are orcs still in this area, they would surely come back, and hunt for the little one," Daugon pointed out, as rode up to him on his horse.
"I thank you for your counsel Daugon, for you are right, so if everyone is ready, lets continue on in our journey to Rivendell," the King of Mirkwood ordered out, as he encouraged his horse forward, with everyone doing the same.
Unbeknownst to the Mirkwoood elves, Eluréd and Elurín watched with happy, but heavy hearts, Estel being taken away from them, all the way up until they could no longer see him.
"Do you think we did the right thing Réd?", Elurín asked him, as he and his brother climbed down from the tree they were in.
"Why do you ask Rín?, He is in the safety of the Mirkwood elves now, and from what you and I both saw, Estel seems quite taken with Thranduil, and his youngest son, good thinking by the way by stitching Estel's name into his tunic, as I think the Mirkwood elves would've gotten bored calling Estel, him all the time" Eluréd pointed out to him, once they reached the ground.
"Thank you, but Réd, it's not the Mirkwood elves that I'm concerned about, it's the fact that when Estel does arrive home, the traitor is still there, and is going to be angry when they find out Estel is still alive, maybe we should've just have carried on to Rivendell ourselves," Elurín said with longing towards the direction the Mirkwood elves were heading.
"Rín, while I do share your concerns over the traitor, and as much as I wanted to carry on to Rivendell with Estel, you and I promised each other that we would only look out for our little sister Elwing's family from afar, as we have always done, besides, I don't think Elrond is going to let Estel out of his sight for even one minute when he gets back home, but, I must admit, I would've loved to have seen our nephew's face when he is reunited with his son," the older twin replied with a wistful smile, as he too looked in the same direction as his brother.
"Your right Réd we did promise, and I too would've loved to have seen the reunion between Elrond and Estel, I just hope that, whatever fate has in store for you Estel, it won't be too hard on you, for at the end of the day, you maybe just be a baby for now, but you have a full life ahead of you to look forward too," Elurín said more to himself than Eluréd.
"Wise words to speak Rín, but, I think that we should follow Estel's example, and start making our way home now too," Eluréd told his brother, as he turned around to go, but not without one last look behind him.
"Farewell Estel, I just hope you know how happy you made me and my brother, with the little time we had with you," the younger twin whispered on the wind, as he too turned around to join Eluréd in their journey back home.
Time had soon moved day into night, and so like many other times the Mirkwood elves didn't mind it, for it gave them a chance to look up at the stars across the sky. However, this time they now had a fussy, and tired human baby on their hands, and no matter how many times Legolas had tried to calm him down, Estel continued to be fussy, much to his Father's, siblings and the warriors amusement. Although, enough was enough, so to give his son a break, Thranduil decided to call a stop for their journey for tonight, and ordered for their camp to be set up, and for the horses to be tended too, and in no time at all, with the exception of Legolas, who was looking after Estel, the encampment was set up. After that was accomplished, Daugon, and the rest of the warriors spread themselves out in a protective ring around the area they were staying in for the night.
Meanwhile, inside the tent the royal family were in, Thranduil, Calamaethor, Rainion, Maetharanel and Valainistima sighed in temporary relief, as Legolas had gotten Estel to calm down somewhat, while at the same time, Nestaron had figured out why Legolas was having trouble calming the little one down, for he was hungry. And although it has been awhile since he had to care for a human, he set it upon himself with getting some food ready for Estel to eat.
"I wonder who Estel belongs too?", Legolas asked more to himself than anyone else.
"Don't worry Legolas, for as soon as we reach Rivendell, we could ask Lord Elrond if he recognizes Estel, for as we all know, Lord Elrond has many races come to visit Rivendell, so maybe he will know who the little one's parents are," Valainistima reassured to her little brother.
"And if Lord Elrond can't find out who Estel belongs too, maybe Elladan and Elrohir might know who they are, as they might have seen them on the off chance they were away from Rivendell, when they were on one of their orc hunts," Rainion pointed out with small amount of awkwardness to his voice.
At the mention of his brothers names being said, Estel, started to cry out in Legolas's arms, for he recognized the sound of their names and wanted to be with them right now, as he missed them just as much as his Ada and the rest of his family.
"What's wrong Estel?", The youngest of Thranduil's children asked in concern.
"It looks like he wants to be put down on the floor Legolas," Maetharanel suggested, as she had taken notice of the little one's attempts to get out of Legolas's arms.
Maetharanel was right, for as soon as Legolas gently put Estel on the ground, he started to crawl towards the opening of the tent, however, being a Father six times over, Thranduil, quickly got up from his chair and gathered the now upset baby into his arms.
"Now, now, little one, as long as you are with us, we will have none of this silly behavior," the King of Mirkwood told a pouting Estel, as he made his way back over to his chair.
"Estel's food is done now Adar, and Legolas, means that Estel has taken quite a shine to you, I want to you to feed him, while Adar here holds him," Nestaron said in amusement, as he came over to his Father and Estel.
"That's fine with me, but, I just hope he doesn't get sick from what he is about to eat," Legolas replied, as he sat down beside his Father.
"Legolas, I highly doubt Estel is going to be sick by eating mashed carrots," Nestaron replied with a roll of his eyes, as he handed over the small bowl of mashed carrots, and then the spoon to go with it, to Legolas.
To Estel's credit, he ate all of the mashed carrots, without too much fuss, so, as Legolas took the empty bowl away to be cleaned, Nestaron, was making his way back over to his Adar, as he had also figured out that Estel might be thirsty after his meal. So earlier, when his Adar and Legolas were feeding Estel, he had mashed down some berries, and mixed them with some water, then put the soft drink in makeshift bottle he made for him to drink it with. So, as Thranduil rearranged Estel to be more comfortable in his arms, as he seemed to like being held by him too, much to his children's amusement, mainly Calamaethor and Rainion. Nestaron, handed over the bottle to his Adar to feed Estel with, to which he took too immediately.
"I don't know what you find so amusing my children, for it's not the first time I have ever done this," he told them all with a half-hearted roll of his eyes.
"While that may be true about us Adar, it is however though your first time feeding a human baby," Calamaethor quipped with a smirk.
"Calamaethor's right Adar, so tell us, how does it feel to hold a baby in your arms again?", Rainion asked him, as he and Calamaethor tried to hold in their laughter, at the look their Father and the rest of their siblings were giving them.
"Ignore them Adar, they're just jealous that Estel is getting your attention and not them," Valainistima said with humour in her eyes towards them.
"Calamaethor, Rainion, why don't you both give the smart remarks a rest for now, because if you look, Estel is starting to fall asleep, so unless you want to handle a crying baby all night long, I suggest you both be quiet!", The King of Mirkwood exclaimed quietly, as he took the now empty bottle away from the half asleep Estel.
With that exclamation from their Adar, Calamaethor and Rainion looked at each other, then back to their Adar, who, after having passed over the empty bottle to Nestaron to take away, was now gently rocking the sleeping baby in his arms. And, if they and the rest of their siblings were not mistaken, they could all see a look of tenderness in their Father's eyes directed towards Estel. So, as not to disturb the little one's sleep, the royal family just sat quietly, enjoying the peace and quiet that was given to them this night.
After a long night, Morning soon greeted the Mirkwood elves encampment, and with it, brought the brightness of the sun shining down upon them. All the Mirkwood elves were in a good mood, because, although they were expecting to hear Estel cry during the night, they were all pleasantly surprised that he had slept all the way through it. In which it was brought up in discussion, when the royal family were having their breakfast.
"Nestaron, you seem to be an expert on humans, so can you explain why Estel here, slept all through the night?, Because I thought all human babies cried all night long?", Rainion asked half joking, but also half meaning it.
"Rainion, to answer your questions, I will say that while it may be true for all babies, not just humans to cry during the night, it is mainly new-borns that tend to do that, as their body clocks haven't aligned yet. And, unlike new-borns, Estel's body has become used to a routine of knowing when to go to sleep, also, if I had to guess on his age, I would say he is about ten or eleven months old," Nestaron replied with a hint of pride in his knowledge about humans.
"Well little brother, it seems that your love of books has come in use for a change," Calamaethor teased him, for he couldn't resist not doing so.
"Yes, I agree, and I will put what else I have learned in books to good use on you, if you don't cut it out with your smart remarks!," The head healer exclaimed with fire shinning in his eyes.
"Calamaethor, Rainion, how many times do I have to tell you both, that you shouldn't make fun of Nestaron?", Thranduil asked in slight irritation, as he fed Estel his breakfast, whilst Legolas held him securely.
"Many times Adar," Rainion replied smirking.
"But it's so much more fun in winding our little brother up," commented Calamaethor, also smirking.
"Welcome to my family Estel," Legolas deadpanned to Estel in his arms, to which Estel just smiled back up at him.
After a couple of more days of journeying to Rivendell, the Mirkwood elves, especially the royal family, have all taken a liking to Estel, and had bonded with him quite well. For he was such a happy baby, and had made them laugh on more than one occasion with his babbling and his own laughter, even the most serious of Mirkwoods warriors who were with them on the journey to Rivendell, couldn't suppress their own smiles at the little one's antics. Back in the here and now, January had passed, and it was now the first of February, and on this day, the Mirkwood elves had finally reached Rivendell's boarders, but, before they entered, Thranduil, who was currently holding a sleeping Estel in his lap, with one arm wrapped around him, whilst the other held onto his horse's reins, had made sure to look that the robe he was wearing was around Estel more securely, to shelter him from the cold, and as soon as he'd done that, Thranduil and the others proceeded to enter Rivendell's boarders. However, they didn't get that far into Rivendell's boarders, before five elves dropped down from the trees that they were in before them, with weapons raised and pointing towards the Mirkwood elves.
"Oh, forgive me King Thranduil, for if I remember correctly, we were told that it was only Legolas who would be arriving in Rivendell," Authiel said with a hint of embarrassment to her voice, as she, her sons and sons-in-laws quickly lowered their weapons down.
"It's alright Authiel, no harm done, for you were only doing your duty," the King of Mirkwood replied, as the Mirkwood warriors, who had raised their weapons in automatic defense, lowered theirs too.
"While that may be true, it is no way for elves to greet each other, especially in these hard times," she told him solemnly.
"What do you mean?, Is Lord Elrond alright?, Did something bad happen to him?, Thranduil asked one after another in concern for his friend.
"You could say that, but it is not for me to say, for it is still too raw to speak of, but, if you will follow me, I will escort you all into Rivendell myself," Authiel replied professionally.
"Thank you Authiel, that is most welcome, for we are all tired from our journey here," the King of Mirkwood said, hiding his amusement on what he truly meant.
"Understandable, but first, Daermaethor, Saeldur and Balamaethor I want you three to continue to guard Rivendell's borders, and Bellmaethorion, I want you to run on ahead, and tell Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel, that King Thranduil and his company are on their way," Authiel ordered to the four elves.
With their orders given, the four Rivendell elves set to do just that, so as Daermaethor, Saeldur and Balamaethor went back up into the trees, to continue on in their duty to protect Rivendell, and Bellmaethorion turning around, and running back to inform the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien about Thranduil and the rest of his company's impending arrival, Authiel, began to lead the way in escorting the Mirkwood elves into Rivendell, not knowing however, that the King of Mirkwood held a sleeping Estel hidden behind his robe.
Hello my friends, I know that I've left it on another cliffhanger, however, in my defense, I did say in my last chapter, it was either going to be this, or the next one, but, think of it this way, in my next chapter, Elrond and Estel are going to be reunited at long last. Also, I hope you like Thranduil's and Estel's first meeting, as I know that was what you wanted to know the most, so I hope I haven't let you down on that. Although, if you have any ideas on how you would've liked it to happen, I am welcome to suggestions, so, on that note my friends, please enjoy this chapter, and thank you all once more for your reviews.
