Chapter 48

Admirers


Arestel moaned in her sleep and absentmindedly rolled over too much on her bed. She fell on the ground, jolting her awake and she screamed, "I'm fine!" She looked around her room, realizing what kind of fool she was for no one was in her room. She let out a yawn and sat back on the edge of the bed, her sleepy eyes caught glimpse of the repaired bow on her bedside table.

She examined it; Glorfindel made a very good work with it. The bow looked new, as if never used: it was polished and the string also looked new. The new metal grip was cool and firmly fastened between the wooden limbs. Around the metal grip, a blue ribbon was tied and a note hung with it. Arestel unfastened the ribbon and read the little note.

"Good morning, Estel. Here's your bow; I hope it is good enough. By the way, you owe me one. I'll get your thank you's later. See you around."

It was signed by an elaborate script bearing his name. Arestel laughed quietly, placing the note back on the table and began fixing herself for the day. She braided her long silver hair and tied Glorfindel's blue ribbon at the end of it. Once she was ready, she grabbed the bow and sprinted out into the hallways.

Like yesterday, it chanced that she came across Erestor again. The counselor expected to be greeted, but the girl only sped past him.

"Estel!" he called out. "Where are your manners?"

She turned and shouted back, "Good morning, Erestor! You look stunning today!"

"I could do without the flattery!" He said and heard Arestel laugh. She turned around the corner, and Erestor lost sight of her.

She encountered more elves in the hallway, usually greeting her formally and the others expected to be greeted much like the counselor, and all she had to do was to greet them back. Arestel had hidden the bow in her mother's garden before proceeding to the dining halls. Finally, she arrived at the main house and immediately entered the dining hall. The occupants looked up, two familiar Sindar and her very own father. She cleared her throat and straightened herself as Legolas stood up to greet her.

"Good morning, Estel," he said and kissed the back of her hand. "I hope you had a good night's rest."

She forced an awkward smile, recounting how she woke up that morning. "Good morning, Legolas," she said and poked her head to get a glimpse on the Elvenking. "Morning, King Thranduil, yo," she said, and the King chuckled in amusement.

"Good morning to you as well, pen-vuil," Thranduil said and gestured for the seat beside him. "Come, come. Join us for breakfast."

"Before that…" She turned back to Legolas. "Can I borrow Legolas for a moment?"

Elrond and Thranduil exchanged glances. The Elvenking's blue eyes shimmered with interest. Before his Half-elven could disagree, he quickly dismissed the two, saying: "Of course. You may go."

Arestel smiled and pulled Legolas out again. When they had left and the two elf-lords were left to themselves, Elrond sighed and spoke up: "You shouldn't spoil her."

"Why not? She's technically my daughter now, too. She can do whatever she wants." The King dropped his silverware regally. He chuckled once more and continued picking his breakfast.

Elrond took a light sip on his goblet. "That is not how I raised her,"

"Maybe." The King shrugged and pointed his silverware towards Elrond's direction. "Sooner or later, she'll be living under my turf and no one can say otherwise." He smirked confidently.

"I cannot begin to imagine how you raised Legolas," Elrond muttered under his breath.

King Thranduil smiled earnestly. "That boy is a lot like her mother. You know how she was, quite sharp and gentle, with a little dash of strangeness."

"Oh, I remember." And Elrond left the conversation at that.


The gardens were a sight to behold, especially when the golden sunlight pierced through the heavy green leaves of the trees and dappled the grassy ground. Birds were singing their songs and the waters of the river nearby were rushing ever so loudly.

"Here we are!" Arestel chirped. She led him into her mother's garden where a fountain sounded nearby.

Legolas smiled. "And what are we doing here, Estel? You are yet to eat breakfast."

"Close your eyes!" she enthusiastically said. The elf prince raised his brow in suspicion. Nonetheless, he complied and closed his eyes. Arestel scooted closer to him until they were a few inches away. Her forehead only reached his chin and she almost laughed at the height difference. "Hold out your hands," she instructed again.

He complied again, stretching out both palms in front of him. Suddenly, he felt a light weight on top of his palms. The feeling was so painfully familiar that he itched of opening his eyes.

"Ready?" She asked, and he nodded. "Okay, open 'em up!"

He opened his eyes; a gasp escaped his lips as the new image of his beloved Galadhrim bow greeted him. It looked more beautiful than it was before, and the wood seemed stronger. He ran his fingers carefully above the metal grip. "How did you…?"

"Glorfindel," she quickly answered. "We owe him both, okay?" He laughed and nodded. "Do you like it?"

"I love it." He sighed and embraced her. She was taken aback, her eyes widening as she was pressed closer to him. Legolas kissed her hair and twirled the end of her braid, toying with the lace of her blue ribbon. "It's beautiful," he whispered against her ear. "Thank you, meleth." He leaned down for another kiss, this one on the lips, and Arestel received it gladly. They kissed under the glades, warm air brushing their hair, silver and golden. When they broke apart, he smiled at her and cupped her cheek. "You're the best."

She grimaced. "I know, and I'm sorry about your bow."

Legolas laughed and kissed her nose. "Apology accepted, Estel. You made up for it anyway."

"Well it wasn't easy."

"To repair the bow?" He looked amused.

She shook her head. "To persuade Glorfindel." They both laughed. "I still have to thank him for what he did, you know. I accidentally fell asleep when he was working. I bet he even carried me back to my room. And you should thank him, too! Considering the trouble he went through last night."

Legolas saluted. "Will do, ma'am." She rolled her eyes and playfully punched his shoulder. They laughed together. Next, a familiar horn sounded. "What could that be?"

Arestel grinned and exclaimed, "My brothers are home!"


Elladan and Elrohir had their eyebrows raised as they approached the entrance bridge. Many elves were gathered in the small courtyard, most of them maidens and some unfamiliar faces. Their horses reared and stopped. Lindir descended from the staircase, followed by two other male assistants.

"Welcome back to the valley," he greeted, and the brothers bowed politely.

Elrohir smiled and patted his horse's muzzle. "It was a long ride."

"What's going on?" Elladan interrupted, handling his horse's reins to one servant. He removed his silver gauntlets and unclasped his heavy dark blue cape and the second servant took it from him. He began to remove the sword from his waist. "Why so many visitors?"

Lindir chuckled and took Elladan's sword. "The Elvenking of Mirkwood is here."

"Oh, well that's a surprise," Elrohir hummed gleefully. The two other servants took his horse and cape away.

The brothers looked at the crowd before them. Silvan maidens circled around, only a few meters away, smiling and whispering among themselves. But as they talked and giggled, the brothers heard someone passing through the thick crowd, and out came their young sister, dragging the Elvenprince by the hand.

"Hello, little Estel," Elrohir fawned and embraced his sister. She laughed. "Missed us?"

She smiled. "So badly."

"It's good to see you too, Estel." Elladan ruffled her hair.

The brothers proceeded to greet Legolas until they were all ushered by Lindir inside the mansion. Elrond and Thranduil went out together; the father patted his sons' shoulders for a job well done. The Elvenking greeted them as regally as ever, but his voice was friendly and warm. They were one big family now; a family joined together by the union of their children that would happen soon. It was a shame Arwen and Aragorn were not around to celebrate such warm family events; the new King of Gondor was too occupied in rebuilding his kingdom.

Everyone continued to the banquet hall where a small feast was set up for Elladan and Elrohir. Arestel joined them, as a compensation for her skipped breakfast, and they talked about the news in Archet. For the past week, the Rangers of the North helped rebuild a village near Bree, after its destruction from the ruffians. These ruffians were the servants of Saruman, ordered to ransack the villages and loot the people's properties. Elladan and Elrohir rode out to defend Bree, along with the rest of the Rangers of the North.

"By the way," Elladan said, "The Rangers were sending their regards."

Arestel took a mouthful of bread. "Yeah? Well send my regards, too."

Laughter sounded in the halls. Thranduil chuckled and placed his cup of wine down, leaning back into his velvety chair. "Before I forget, Elladan and Elrohir, there are people who want to meet you."

Elrohir looked interested. "And who would that be, my lord?"

"Most of my Silvan friends," the King answered.

"You better see them," Arestel suggested, nudging on her brother's side. "I heard them talking about the two of you once."

"What?" Elladan flushed. "No way."

"Why not?" Elrohir grinned. "Come on. It could be fun."

"It will be fun," King Thranduil pressed. He glanced at Elrond who did not look really amused about him coaxing his sons to meet Silvan maidens. "They are quite the enthusiastic, curious bunch. Curious because this is their first time in Rivendell, I suppose. Even my captain would most likely want to meet you?"

"Captain?" Elrohir repeated, stressing himself to remember if the Elvenking had a captain.

"Oh, I remember," Elladan suddenly said, beating his brother out of it. "That unsmiling female captain? I remember the face… but the name? It's Tor… something…"

"Tauriel," Legolas pointed out.

The older brother shrugged. "Yeah, something like that."

"You should meet them after eating. They have been looking forward on meeting you for days now. Do not let their efforts of travelling go to waste." The Elvenking smiled slyly. "Don't you agree, Elladan?"

"I am quite exhausted of our travel, King Thranduil," Elladan lied, returning his eyes on the food laid in front of him. He was friendly, yes, but the thought of countless maidens flocking around him made him shudder. He was not very accustomed to female elves, as well, since there were few in Rivendell. Apart from his family members and Erestor's adopted sister, Elladan knew no one else. "Perhaps some other time."

Elrohir and Arestel exchanged glances, and then laughed quietly. King Thranduil nodded and said, "They'll be ready anytime you want."

Somehow, Elladan did not like how it sounded.


"Oh, they're here! They're here!" The Silvan maidens giggled as their returned to their chambers. "We have seen them! Lord Elrond's sons! We cannot tell them apart, but they should come and greet us!"

There was great chattering in the room. Those who were uninterested, particularly the Silvan guards and warriors, left the room with exasperated sighs and rolling of eyes. That topic had been going on for days and they have had enough hearing about these maiden's fantasies of meeting Elrond's sons. Apparently, they were too excited to meet someone else rather than their Silvan folk. The meeting with Glorfindel served as the appetizer, and now it was time for the main dish. And Tauriel thought who the dessert might be.

Just as the guards left, Tauriel entered the room, looking confused as the chatter went louder and louder. She asked around the place and was surprised that the Elven-horn from before announced the arrival of Elrond's sons. Or perhaps she should not be so surprised. Tauriel felt rolling her eyes again, shrugging off every maiden who would try to engross her about their initial impression of the brothers.

"Don't you think their eyes sparkle?" One sighed dreamily.

Tauriel sat on her usual place by the window sill. Her hazel eyes looked far ahead. I wonder how Mirkwood is doing.

"I don't know about you, but I think Lord Glorfindel is better," another added, her voice proud.

"Do you even hear yourself?!" a third maiden chimed in.

It would be autumn soon in the forest, Tauriel thought and sighed.

Suddenly, the constant murmurs and giggles stopped. The auburn-haired captain looked up from her seat and narrowed her eyes when all the Silvan maidens stood still. She got up from the window sill and thrust her way into the crowd. Some of the maidens pushed her, and she almost fell off her balance, only regaining it when she was out of the crowd and came face-to-face with their visitors.

Looking up, her eyes met the grey ones of the half-elf, whose warm smile added to his charm. "Are you alright?" he asked politely, noticing her struggle from the crowd.

Tauriel quickly cleared her throat and went into her usual composure, bowing as she spoke. "I am well, my lord." She hesitated, unsure whether this one was Elladan or Elrohir. But the fact that Arestel came with him supported that he was indeed one of Elrond's sons.

As soon as she heard the captain spoke, Arestel clung onto her brother's right arm and smiled. "Hi Tauriel!" Her voice was as enthusiastic as ever. The captain nodded and gave a small smile. Arestel continued to introduce her brother to the captain, ignoring the other Silvan maidens. "Have you met my brother? Can you guess who this one is? Or do you already know? Legolas didn't tell you, did he?"

Tauriel laughed quietly at the girl's streaming questions. Unfortunately, Legolas was not there to accompany them. Elladan had been so moody since their arrival that he refused any social meetings as of now, and he persuaded Legolas to stay and keep him company while his siblings did all the greetings.

"We have met before," the captain answered, choosing her next words carefully. "Back in the woods, some eighty years ago."

Elrohir chuckled and turned to his sister. "It has been eighty years since we've been in Mirkwood? What have been doing lately, anyway?"

"Oh, lots of stuff." Arestel laughed. She turned to everyone else. The Silvan looked at her and Elrohir expectantly. "Good afternoon, everyone. This is my brother and he has just arrived home."

Elrohir stepped forward, placed a hand above his chest and bowed slightly. "My name is Elrohir Elerondion. I am pleased to meet everyone here. I am hoping your stay in Imladris is going very well, and that you are most comfortable in the valley. Should you have any requests, please approach anyone in the household." Then, he gave them a warm smile, very friendly and welcoming.

Tauriel could swear she heard someone sigh dreamily behind her. All these unhealthy admiration and fawning and giggling should stop already. It was unlike for them Silvan maidens to act differently, especially when meeting someone for the first time. But they did not seem to mind though. They were more straightforward than Tauriel could think of. These Silvan were really enamored of the stories they heard, and Elrohir did not disappoint them.

She continued to observe them. One looked like fainting on the spot. When Tauriel glanced at Elrohir, he was back in talking with his younger sister, paying no more attention to their guests. Looking back at the maidens, they began whispering and smiling and giggling once more. Some of them looked unsatisfied. Perhaps it was because Elladan did not come? What's the point anyway? Tauriel thought. They basically look the same. Meeting Elrohir is like meeting Elladan, too.

The soft knocks at the doorway unlatched her attention away. There stood Glorfindel, in his silver-white robe and dark trousers, his boots were polished and on his waist was a slender sword. Upon his golden head was a silver circlet. When everyone's attention was turned to him, Glorfindel gave a little smile and let himself in. As expected, Arestel greeted him first, much to the confusion of the Silvan maidens. They poked their heads, listening carefully at the conversation.

"Where have you been?" asked Arestel, tiptoeing to embrace the warrior.

Glorfindel wrapped an arm around her in return and chuckled. "Out doing my chores, I guess. How are you, Elrohir?"

Elrohir smiled. "Never better, Lord Glorfindel."

The golden-haired elf glanced at the crowd behind Elrohir, whose eyes were darted into him and Arestel. "By the way," he interjected, clearing his throat. "Can I borrow Estel for a while? She still kind of owes me something." He grinned down at her.

She huffed and Elrohir laughed, saying: "Go on ahead. The day is still young."

"We'll be off then." Glorfindel tugged at Arestel's hand and whispered, "Let's go." She followed him out, but not before smiling at Tauriel and winking at her brother.

Elrohir chuckled at her mischievousness and turned back to Tauriel and the Silvan maidens. "Shall we continue on our introductions?"

The Silvan maidens smiled and nodded eagerly. "Yes, please!"

And Tauriel groaned again, already guessing the 'introductions' would be extremely long, with giggling, high-pitched voices, and dreamy sighs. She just hoped Elrohir's patience was better than anyone in the valley.