Hello, lovely readers! Someone pointed out in the last chapter that Estel is one of Aragorn's aliases—so, actually, that's kind of a funny story, lol. Basically, when I was researching some names for Estel, I could not for the LIFE of me figure out where I'd seen that name in the LOTR legendarium. Especially in relation to Aragorn and Arwen. I thought I might've seen from their lines in the movies, or maybe their daughters' names, but then I couldn't find any record of them anywhere. In the end, I literally physically shrugged and decided to go with it lol.

"The child" is Estel in my head now, so it's too late to change that, but I thought you guys might be amused to hear the story behind it! We can just pretend that naming her Estel was tooootally the greatest stroke of creative genius in the twenty-first century lol.

Fun fact: I actually hate naming characters for this reason (among many), it's my least favorite part of writing. Lol.

Cheers! :)

CHAPTER THREE

The First Misadventure

To Galion's great dismay, he and Legolas did not return to Rivendell for many months following their last visit. Legolas, being well-versed in all manner of diplomatic missions, tried to warn his companion that his ascension in his father's court may preclude him at times from visiting for large intervals.

Another nine months had gone by since their last visit to Rivendell, and the first touches of spring had rounded back into the valley. During their absence, the emissary had learned to draft and edit all manner of documents of state, as well as mediate negotiations. Their visit this time around was more of a leisurely one, but Lord Elrond had agreed to mentor him a bit throughout their stay.

This was where Galion was at the moment. Legolas, in turn, had been wiled away to yet another divan on one of the higher levels of Imladris. With a book in his hand and empty cup of tea on the neighboring coffee table, he laid back and closed his eyes to the sound of waterfalls throughout the valley. Was there a place in all of Middle Earth that was more peaceful than Rivendell? It was no wonder that Glorfindel had chosen to stay here permanently—the architectural work of the elves was masterful. Elrond's house was the absolute picture of tranquility and light.

A light breeze brushed over his hair and face, gently pushing him further into the state of absolute contentment. With the book in his hands and pot of tea at his side, Legolas knew that this was true happiness—the profound state of being at peace with everything in the world, rather than the wild and temporary sensations of joy and celebration that were often mistaken for happiness.

He must have slept for hours before Galion arrived to join him for tea, though it had gone cold at some point while he had dozed off.

Galion sat on one of the two chairs situated across the coffee table. In good humor, Legolas did not move from his spot on the divan. "How was the lesson?" he asked.

His friend looked tired but welcoming of conversation. "I find myself wondering whether Lord Elrond once sat and memorized all the laws of Middle Earth for fun," he said, and Legolas laughed. "How is it that he knows the laws of Gondor and Rohan in such excruciating detail? I doubt even their own people can match his knowledge."

"Perhaps not," Legolas said. "After all, there is a reason all the lands look to him so. There is no greater authority—not even my father, I daresay."

Galion's eyes widened with amusement. "He would be most displeased to hear you say that."

At that moment, a flash of movement caught both their attentions, drawing it up to one of the bridges hovering not far from where they were.

Galion pointed to it. "Did you see that?"

Foliage grew all over Rivendell, but whatever had darted across that bridge had now jumped into the bushes.

Legolas nodded."It's the child," he said in a hushed tone. "I hardly see her, but for the occasional movement in the corner of my eye."

"Did she not run across the bridge just now? Do you think Lady Arwen knows?" Galion muttered. "She was most worried about the child's behavior when last we were here. Is she not concerned about letting her run amok like this?"

"I don't know," Legolas said, then turned his attention back down onto his book. "But I should assume it means she is no longer inclined to jump from tall places."

There was no more rustling of bushes or darting across their vision for the remainder of the hour. Afterward, they joined Glorfindel and Arwen in one of the main social halls of Imladris, where their intended company had converged around some couches. Sconces had been lit throughout the room, as the sun was beginning to set, and there was a decanter of wine and several glasses on the table.

Arwen sat on one of the longer couches with the child at her side, a brush in her hand, while Glorfindel sat nearby and tried not to laugh at Estel's rough treatment of the lady's hair. Legolas and Galion greeted them warmly and took their own seats on another neighboring couch, joining the conversation overlaying the beauty treatment. It was on the celebratory festival of Springtime being held in Lothlorien.

Every now and again, Arwen twinged a little in pain as the child ran a brush through her hair. Throughout the duration of the talk, Legolas noted, the child had only stuck to one swath of dark hair flowing down the lady's side.

"Of course, the Lady Galadriel will be joining the festivities," Glorfindel said in response to Galion's question. "We have yet to determine how many of us will travel from Rivendell for it, however."

Arwen grinned at him. "Accommodations are set such that—" she winced at a particularly sharp tug on the side of her head. "One moment, my lord," she said with a sigh.

The others watched as she turned to the little girl with an admonishing look. "Estel," Arwen spoke sternly. "You must be gentle, or it will be painful. It is not your wish to cause me pain, is it?"Estel's eyes widened, her brows knitting together as she shook her head. "Then you must henceforth be gentle," Arwen said, taking the girl's hand and patting it with her own for good measure. "Very, very gentle."

"My Lady," Galion said, drawing her attention back. "If you attend the celebration, will you be bringing Estel with you?"

"Of course," she answered. "I would not leave her here alone."

The very air seemed to soften with meaning. Legolas wondered whether the others questioned whether it was for Estel's sake, or the sake of the servants she would stay with, that Arwen refused to delegate her care. Estel herself, meanwhile, had now begun 'brushing' so gently that the lady's tressed barely budged at all.

"Lady Galadriel will be most eager to meet the little one," said Glorfindel. "The same cannot be said for Estel."

"I would not have my grandmother meet her formal formally," Arwen said. "Estel does not manage well in such settings. She is too—"

"Unruly?" Glorfindel supplied, but there was no disdain in his voice—rather, it was amused. Even proud.

"But that will change when she is older, surely?" Galion said.

His words conveyed support, but Legolas knew his true intent in extending it—stretching past the point of friendship. Despite the time that passed and his full understanding that nothing would come of it, Galion's interest in Lady Arwen was slow to diminish. It was the mark of his true goodness that he continued on in kindness toward Arwen, despite relinquishing all expectations.

"I—do not know," the lady said after a long moment as she looked at Estel, who had leaped off the couch and was roaming around the table with her brush. "I can only hope she will fare well here until the time comes that we should learn the answer."

"She is to stay here, then? Lord Elrond will see her raised in Rivendell?"

"My father has made very little comment on the matter," Arwen said. "I would take that as a sign that he does not mind." She smiled. "Even more, I suspect he likes her character."

Glorfindel said, "There is something to be said for her being the chiefest source of entertainment in all of Rivendell."

"Is she really?" Galion laughed while Legolas continued listening in good spirits.

"It is a sign of intelligence, in its own way," the elf-lord said. "To have such a creative mind as to come up with many different ways to get into trouble."

A cough burst out from one of the bookshelves at that moment, and all four elves turned toward the sound. Estel turned back from the bookshelf slowly, one of the wine glasses accompanying the brush in her hands. All at once, the four of them looked back toward the table, noticing Arwen's missing glass. Legolas was the first to turn his attention back on the child and laugh at her expression—it was akin to someone looking down into their soup and finding an insect swimming around in it. When had she even managed to grab the glass?

"Apparently, Estel does not have a taste for miruvor," he said.

At that, they were all humored. Even Arwen, as she rose to retrieve the glass from the little girl. She took it from her hands and shook her head. "I did tell you that you would not enjoy it, little one," she said. "Perhaps one day, you and I will better understand one another."

Estel clutched the brush tightly in embarrassment as Arwen returned to her seat. The lady refused any more brushing of her hair—a punishment for Estel's disobedience. Though Legolas doubted they would have any further trouble with the wine.

The child went over to the table instead, leaning against it and playing with the bristles of the brush as they continued in conversation. One by one, Estel followed each elf as they spoke, almost as though she understood their discussion of arrangements being made in Lothlorien.

At one point, her eyes landed on Legolas and remained there in wonder. He grinned passingly before turning his attention back on the others.

"I am surprised to hear that you will not be joining us," said Glorfindel to Legolas and Galion. The emissary had just informed him that they had no plans to join the festivities.

Still, Legolas shrugged. "Galion is free to do as he pleases—I have other commitments to see to, I'm afraid."

"Such as?"

"We will have visitors from—" He paused suddenly as Estel pushed back from the table and darted in his direction. All the company turned their attention on the sudden movement.

"Estel?" Arwen said as the child climbed over the edge of the couch, seating herself on the arm rest about a foot away to the prince's left.

He shifted a bit and threw both Galion and the lady a pleading expression. They both, incidentally, looked no less confused—and it was Glorfindel that laughed as the child leaned forward and ran the brush over the edges of Legolas's hair, a stark look of intentness on her face. Legolas first flinched at the unexpected attention, then eased at the amusingly intense degree of concentration she wore. Estel's eyes were hyper-focused, and she held the head of the brush with both hands, barely grazing it over his hair.

Very, very gentle.

"Therein, she strikes again and again…" Glorfindel mused. "Our chiefest source of entertainment."

"How flattering to be chosen for such attention," Galion joked.

"Indeed—unless my hair is far less presentable today than I'd imagined," Legolas smirked.

"Estel," Arwen called her over, but the child didn't move. "Estel!" Finally the child pulled back to a ramrod position, seated like a little lady atop the armrest. The picture of mischief disguised by innocence. "You must stop this now—you must not bother Master Legolas."

Her eyes widened as she turned her attention to the prince—to which, his brows rose unconsciously in tandem. They stared at one another, and Legolas had nothing to offer but a kind grin—clearly, Lady Arwen was trying to discipline the child. Undermining her command would not have been respectful. Finally, Estel held the brush out to him, and he reluctantly took it as she leapt off the couch and returned to Arwen's side.

"That is enough of that," they all heard Arwen whisper with the utmost firmness.

"I'd say your presumption might have been correct," said Galion, nodding to the brush in his hand. "I believe she wants you to brush your hair."

Legolas turned to the child and smiled. "Perhaps later," he said kindly, setting the brush down on the table and retrieving his wine glass instead.

Estel gave him a blank look and then settled back into the couch, falling onto her side and grabbing one of the pillows. There she remained, finally calm, as the elves continued in conversation for the rest of the afternoon.

"Goodbyes are bitter, but they are not farewells," Legolas said, patting Galion on the shoulder as they stood in the stables, waiting on their horses being saddled. It was time for them to leave Rivendell, and it might be some time before they returned again.

"How long do you suppose, until our next visit?" Galion answered. His ensuing glance in Arwen's direction was short, but Legolas still admonished him for it inwardly. She was standing outside the stables with Lord Elrond and a number of other elves that were leaving today—as was customary for the hosts to bid the guests goodbye—and the prince almost felt sorry for his friend. The heart was truly bound to follow its own desires.

He sighed. "I suspect it might be good for you to spend some time away, my friend."

Galion exchanged a look with him that showed his understanding, followed by a hint of shame. "You must think me foolish."

"I think you are lovestruck," Legolas said. "I would not like to see you heartbroken, as well."

It would be terribly painful, he wanted to say.

Galion would never marry Arwen, but the loss of love was an intense pain for all elves. The loss of a mate was even worse, as many elves were known to fade following their deaths—it was the one avenue for death that immortality would not always protect them from.

Their horses were brought to them at that moment, and Legolas and Galion guided them outside. Lord Elrond and the others turned toward them as they exited the stables, and Arwen called out to Estel to return from where she was playing. Evidently, she had been climbing a tree and was now stuck in one of the branches. Legolas smirked at Arwen's wary expression as she went over to retrieve the child herself.

"Thank you for having us, my Lord," Galion bowed deep to Elrond. "Our stay has been most instructive—for me, leastways."

"King Thranduil will be most pleased with your progression, I am sure," Elrond said. "You are welcome to return whensoever you desire."

"I thank you," Galion said, and Legolas repeated the sentiment.

"Go on," he heard Arwen say. "We must say goodbye to Masters Legolas and Galion, for they are leaving."

Legolas noted, this time, how the child stood ramrod straight at once, as though they'd practiced this. There was a slight annoyance in her expression, but no shortage of affection as she looked to Arwen for approval. With a slight nudge, Estel went and stood before the two of them and bowed low.

"The best of luck to you, little one," said Galion."We may not see one another for some time. Be kind to your—" he stifled his final word. "To the house."

"The house will need it," Glorfindel said, and all the company chuckled in amusement.

Still, there was an odd look on Arwen's face, for they all knew what Galion had almost called her in relation to Estel—mother.

Estel turned to Legolas next, and he smiled down at her. "Goodbye, little one."

She stared at him a moment, a strange expression coming across her face. She looked between him and Galion, then turned to Arwen a final time. The lady grinned broadly, nodding with an encouraging look.

Estel turned, her cheeks bright red. She bowed deep to the prince and rose. "Goodbye, your highness!" she chirped.

Galion gasped beside him. Legolas's brows rose as he looked straight to Arwen, who was beaming. "She spoke for the first time yesterday," the lady said. "She asked for water before bed."

Only Lord Elrond and Glorfindel did not look surprised.

"This is wonderful news," Legolas said, looking back at Estel. "You chose a delightful time to speak, little one."

Estel turned and stared at him, wide-eyed, then abruptly ran back to Arwen's side. No longer hiding behind her skirt, he noted. "We look forward to more when we come visit again."

"Safe travels to you both," Elrond answered on behalf of them all.

And with that, they left.

So, in the movies, it's mentioned that Arwen would go on living her life in grief after Aragorn's death. By my research, some elves *can* die from intense grief—or, "fade." So, I'm going with that, for the purpose of this story!

Thank you so sooo much for all the support and for reading! Please do leave a review! :)