Aww, I wasn't expecting a review on the first day! I was planning on posting the second chapter tonight, but thought it'd take at least a few days before someone even noticed the story. Thank you, vi Britannia, for the kind words!

CHAPTER TWO

The First Token

This winter had been a cold one, Legolas noted, throughout all of Middle Earth. The last time he had visited Rivendell, the first touches of autumn had barely fallen upon the land. Now, it was the midst of springtime. Galion had continued his training under King Thranduil, though it was a long and tedious process. In the past six months alone, they had traveled to many different realms throughout Middle Earth. Having visited the many kings and lords throughout the land, Legolas and Galion had become good friends—sharing Imladris as a personal favorite place to visit.

They were not alone this time, as Galion had taken on a higher role within the court. Now, they were accompanied by others appointed by Legolas's father. As they rode in through the gates of Rivendell, this time, they were greeted by elves that hadn't been there when they visited before—Rivendell had been all but empty that day, with many of the elves in the healing houses, as they'd later learned. Others had ridden out to aid Lord Elrond to the border, then travel to Lothlorien.

"Thank you," Legolas said to the stable hand that took his horse, Malkrith. As always, they were shown to their living quarters in the eastern half of Rivendell, where Legolas's room awaited him as always. So well kept was the space, that he often wondered whether it was ever offered to any other guests. Even the books were right where he'd left them, as was the blanket he'd left atop the divan on the balcony.

They'd arrived later in the day this time, and dinner would served within a few hours. Despite traveling with his father's emissaries, Legolas was famished beyond belief. By the time he was ready to ascend to Elrond's home, he'd nearly begun to feel faint. Clad in the long velvet robe characteristic of Mirkwood, he traversed the corridor to Galion's room at the appointed time. The emissary-in-training stepped out at that precise moment and smiled warily.

"Oh, good—you're here," Galion smiled. "I fear I would have lost my way if I tried to find the dining hall myself. Earlier, I tried to find someone to ask after dinnertime, and I nearly got lost on my way back."

"Worry not," Legolas said, patting him on the shoulder and leading him away. "You will come to learn these halls as though they were your own—Lord Elrond is fond of guests, and he invites them often."

"My room was much the same as I'd left it. Is that normal?"

Legolas smiled. "I've often wondered that myself."

A pause of silence. "Do you think we'll see Lady Arwen again, this time?" Galion asked with no small amount of enthusiasm.

The prince looked at the young emissary—young by relative standards, as they must have been close to the same age—and his expression was a mixture of humor and pity. In the past few months, he'd come to think of Galion as a younger brother—far too pure and innocent for this world. "I would not be too excited if I were you, Galion," Legolas said. "I've heard-tell that Her Lady's heart is quite committed."

Galion's eyes widened. "Committed to whom?"

"A man raised in Rivendell, though he has long since left its borders," Legolas said. "When last the lady saw him, it was in Lothlorien. I heard that they spent a great amount of time with one another, there."

"I see." The young elf's eyes dimmed a little. "Well, perhaps I might leave behind a friend in Rivendell, then, instead of—" The faintest brush of red touched his cheeks. "Never mind."

"In friendship, I would place greater hopes," Legolas said with a smile. They ascended into the golden dining hall, the archway entrance nestled between two waterfalls. Harps were playing around the space, with a beautiful view of Rivendell visible on the far side of the hall. A table had been prepared at the center beneath a tree, its leaves lit up in gold by the light of the setting sun. Varieties of food laden for the guests to choose from, but hardly any of them had arrived.

Among the few present guests was Glorfindel. Legolas strode to his side to offer greeting immediately. "Mae g'ovannen," he said, and had the sentiment returned. "You look well, my friend."

"I am well," Glorfindel answered, smiling at the two. "When did you arrive?"

"Just earlier," Legolas said. "We are not alone this time—my father's emissaries will be joining us shortly. We did not wait for them."

"I see." He looked toward Galion. "And how goes your training, Galion?"

"Also good, my lord." Galion bowed his head. "I am taken under the wing of King Thranduil's closest advisor—it is a most interesting enterprise, running a kingdom. I am learning so much."

"As you should. I wish you the best of luck with it."

"Will Lord Elrond be joining us today?" Legolas asked.

Glorfindel nodded. "Yes, though I believe he may be running a bit late. Here comes Lady Arwen, ahead of him."

Galion's face reddened again at the mention of her name, but Legolas pretended not to notice. The prince turned and saw the lady in question striding out from the hall. Candle sconces lined the hallway, flickering as she passed by, and Legolas quickly realized where the breeze had come from—not from Arwen, but from the child running about at her feet. Somehow, she managing to run quickly enough to create a current within the hallway.

In wisp of movement, the child soared into the dining hall ahead of Arwen, her eyes wide and sparkling as she saw the edge of the hall. It was something of a drop down to the lower levels of Imladris, with no walls or stoppers to keep her from running right off it—merely a ledge of greenery. Legolas nearly moved as she bolted in its direction unhindered, but Arwen seemed versed in the child's movements and soared to her side before it was too late, taking her by the shoulders and lifting her up.

"Must I tell you every time?" Arwen whispered to the little girl—but the three elves heard her from across the hall. "You must stay away from such high places. You will fall and hurt yourself."

They watched in silence as the little girl nodded briskly, but did not say a word. Arwen let her down slowly, but to no avail. The child was calm enough in Arwen's grasp, but was a hurricane of movement outside of it. All three of them watched as she ran off to tousle the tablecloths at the far end of the table.

"What a mischievous child," Galion laughed.

"She has certainly made life more interesting in Rivendell." Glorfindel nodded in agreement—albeit in good spirits. All three of them were smiling at her antics. "I'm confident it will worsen with age."

"So, too, will your entertainment," Legolas said, and the three of them chuckled. "Has named herself yet?"

"No," said Glorfindel. "She has yet to speak to anyone at all, but Arwen has taken to calling her Estel. So, have we all."

"Interesting. Was her name intended to be closer to 'estel' or 'estellio?'"

"Hope or trust—either is appropriate, wouldn't you agree?Though the Lady Arwen does often speak to her in Sindarin, and 'estellio' is most frequent in her speech."

"I see," Legolas said. "How old is she? Does Lord Elrond plan to let her stay in Rivendell?"

"We have estimated that she is three, perhaps four years old—all in all old enough to understand some words of the common tongue better than others." Glorfindel smirked. "But I would like to see him try and separate the two. Everywhere that Arwen goes, Estel follows—sometimes against her will."

Legolas smiled. At that precise moment, Estel burst out from beneath the table, the cloth falling back down behind her. She halted suddenly in the presence of the three elven lords, her eyes wide with surprise. They were still the same pale hue of silver, Legolas noted. She stepped back a little, balling her hands in her robes.

"Hello, Estel," Glorfindel said, and she looked slightly appeased that he was the one speaking to her. "Do you remember Lords Legolas and Galion?"

Estel's eyes tracked their faces, her cheeks turning red. She said nothing.

"Hello, Estel," Legolas said, offering a kindly smile. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Estel looked at him—long enough to call it staring. There was no discerning the thoughts running through her little mind, if there were any at all. She seemed to understand them all well enough, and Legolas wondered whether she was old enough to form words in her own mind. An elven child, at this age, would have been just old enough to do so.

"Who have we found?" Arwen said, stepping up beside the child. The instant Estel saw her, she darted behind her skirt—hiding just the way she had when first they met.

Legolas smiled. "It seems she's developed quite the attachment to you, Lady Arwen."

She smiled. "She is not the only one." Estel peaked out at that moment, peering up at Legolas. "My father will be here any moment—please, we must sit."

"No need to hasten, he is already here," a fourth voice entered the room—the lord himself, dressed in robes of gold that matched the diadem upon his head. They bowed their heads and greeted him. "Thank you all for coming. Please—may we all be seated, indeed."

It wasn't long before the remainder of the company joined the dinner—in fact, the whole lot of them seemed to file in after Lord Elrond, the table chairs quickly filling. Legolas situated himself before his plate and thanked the elf-maid who poured him a glass of miruvor—a heady wine that was often served in the Halls of Thranduil. There were many faces that Legolas recognized—others, not so much. Conversations on matters of state ensued, and the princeling kept a close eye on Galion throughout the dinner, listening carefully and noting his statements. Later on, he would compliment his progress and intelligent contributions.

In the corner of his eye, across the table, Legolas watched Arwen turning constantly to the child's attention—always with a smile, though he wondered whether it was truly getting tiresome as an hour went by. Estel had been seated beside the elf-maid, but was somehow constantly on Arwen's other side, standing.

The others had noticed as well, some casting endeared glances in their direction. Others were…less than amused. Estel seemed to notice at one point when there were many eyes on her. She hid her face immediately against Arwen's arm, peeking out at the table cautiously after a few moments. Everyone had continued on eating, and Legolas had returned to his conversation. Moments later, he noticed the child peering in his direction. He grinned, and she hid her face once more.

"More wine, my lord?" The serving elf passed by behind him.

"Yes, please," Legolas said, bringing his glass up to be filled.

"For me, as well," Galion said, sitting beside him, his eyes glittering as he looked at the elf. As soon as she finished pouring, she moved further down the table. "She's quite lovely, isn't she? I wonder what her name is."

"You're quite the hopeless romantic, aren't you?" The prince smirked. "But is she lovely in her own rights, or in her similar appearance to—someone we both know?"

Galion's face reddened ever so slightly. He glanced in Arwen's direction and shook his head. "Perhaps she—"

He was interrupted suddenly by a third presence between them, less than half their sizes and considerably more curious. Legolas glanced down at Estel, who pulled at the edges of her little dress and balled her hands around its skirt. She glanced between the two of them, then paused over Legolas.

After a few awkward seconds in silence, he acquiesced. "Hello," the prince said with a smile. "Have you come to greet us?" Estel's eyes moved to the glass in his hand, and it took a moment for him to realize why. "Oh, no—this isn't for you. You'll have to wait a few more years before you're old enough to drink this."

Legolas glanced pleadingly in Arwen's direction, but she was too busy to help him.

Instead, Estel's attention averted quickly. Her hands clamped onto the edge of the table, and she rolled onto the balls of her little feet just to see over the edge. Legolas exchanged a look with Galion as she scanned the contents of his plate. Neither of them knew what to do—nor could they predict what she would do next.

And with what speed.

In the blink of an eye, Estel's tiny hand out to grab a small tomato on the edge of his plate. Both Legolas and Galion lurched, but it was Arwen that gasped across the table. "Estel!" She cried, but Legolas waved a hand to indicate some measure of amusement.

"It's alright," he said. One of the serving maids came to take the child away. But before she could reach her, Estel glanced back at the maid and quickly replaced the stolen tomato with a strawberry.

Legolas blinked down at the plate and then at her. The child's eyes were wide, brimming with—blankness. Not a hint of emotion. All the table had fallen silent, as well. For a moment, he felt terribly awkward, knowing how the others were inwardly admonishing the child's unruly behavior. He wasn't yet certain how he felt about it himself. "Ah—thank you, Estel," he said, taking the strawberry. "This is a kind token."

She blinked and then ran off instantly, stuffing the tomato in her mouth before disappearing down one of the hallways. Arwen remained seated, looking worried, but it was one of the serving elf-maids that followed after Estel.

"That child will be nothing but trouble, mark my words," an old elven lord spoke to Legolas's right, addressing the gentleman on his other side.

"She is but a little adventurous," the prince stated, but with little conviction. "And also still a child—do not be so quick to judge."

The elven lord apologized instantly, which Legolas was not unaccustomed to—being the son of King Thranduil—and moved on to the next conversation immediately after. The apology was likely for the statement disturbing the prince, rather than a genuine one for the sentiment itself.

Galion leaned toward Legolas and muttered, "Strange that she is so bold, and yet she cannot speak to anyone. What do you make of that?"

The prince shrugged. "Do not ask me to explain the mind of a human—particularly a child. And one that has already endured so much at her age."

"Hm…" Galion nodded in agreement. "Perhaps a day will come when we understand that little girl." He paused. "Or not."

Thank you for reading! :)