Chapter Four

Legolas had barely stepped into Elrond's courthouse when he heard an excited cry just before a pair of arms wrapped around his waist. Looking down, he peered into the vivid blue eyes of his human friend. "Estel!" He smiled at the human and gave him a squeeze. "It's been too long, Tithen Pen!"

The six-year-old human beamed up at him. "I missed you, Las!"

Legolas' smile grew wider as he rubbed the boy's dark hair. From the time they had met a few years earlier, he had been shown the level of affection typically only demonstrated to the twins and Elrond. To have been allowed so close to the usually reserved child amazed the elf.

Hoisting the human up onto his shoulders, he started toward the house. Little hands grabbed onto his cheeks as the boy giggled. Then he began recounting to Legolas all the adventures he'd had in the months since they'd seen each other. Legolas listened with wrapt attention. When they entered the house's family wing, Estel's babel was interrupted when Elladan stepped forward. "Really, Estel! Give Legolas a chance to breathe before you attack him!" His smile revealed that he was teasing. He knew that the elf and his little brother were inseparable when the former was visiting. Legolas squeezed a small ankle before reaching out and embracing his friend. "It's good to see you, 'Dan! And I assure you, Estel could never be a burden to me!"

The understanding smiles of Elladan and Elrohir, who had just stepped into the room, spoke volumes.

The rest of the day passed uneventfully unless Estel latching on to Legolas every chance counted as eventful.

That night Legolas managed to detach himself from the human after tucking him into bed. Settling into his own room, he smiled to himself as he drifted off to sleep. As much as he loved his own home, being in Imladris, and with a particular human, was a special joy. The nightmare caught him by surprise that night. While they still occasionally plagued him, it never happened here. Memories played in front of his eyes of that horrible day when his best friend and fellow elven warrior had been tortured and slaughtered by humans. His face hurt as if the punches had just been landed. Jerking away, he heard a cry that he realized was his own.

As he panted, struggling to slow his breathing, a little hand touched his cheek, making him jump. Looking down, his dark eyes locked onto blue ones. "It's alright!" The sweet voice murmured in elvish. "You don't have to be afraid! You were just dreaming!"

Legolas couldn't for a moment speak. Reaching down, he tugged the boy onto the bed and crushed him to his chest. "Oh, Tithen Pen! I do not believe you can begin to understand how much I love you!"

The boy squirmed loose slightly, "Yes, I can!" He contradicted. "Because I love YOU just as much!"

Legolas gave a half-laugh, half sob, and kissed the dimpled cheek.

Snuggling against the elf's chest, Estel whispered, "Do you see scary things when you're sleeping, Las? I do! Ada said they're called nightmares."

Legolas shook his head. This tiny human never stopped amazing him. How could such a small body contain such a big heart? Realizing Estel was waiting expectantly for his answer, he finally spoke. "Yes, Tithen pen!" I had a lot of things happen to me before I met you. And sometimes the memories come back!"

The human didn't say anything for several moments, and Legolas realized that he'd rarely seen him quiet for this long. "Estel?" He inquired, giving him a tighter squeeze.

The blue eyes were tear-filled when they looked up at him again. "Las...It hurts! Seeing all the scary things! I hate monsters! They took my Nana and Da! I thought they were going to hurt me too! I just want to forget it! And just when I think they've gone away, they come back!" He began to cry

Legolas's heart broke. Cuddling him even closer, he rocked him and crooned gently. "I know it hurts, Tithen pen! I know! Don't be afraid! Your ada, your brothers, and I will always help you. I know we can't take it away. But we'll always hold you."

Estel's next words completely shocked him. Looking up at Legolas again, he touched his cheek and whispered, "And I'll always hold you, Las! I love you!"

Burying his face in Estel's dark hair, Legolas finally let his tears flow. After several moments, the human asked, "May I stay with you?"

The elf smiled through his tears. "Of course, Tithen pen! I would love to have you with me." Shifting the two of them down onto the mattress, he cuddled the human close and let a few more tears drip onto the dark hair as they both drifted off into sleep.

TBC

Ok. I wasn't expecting to be as fluffy as it's turning out to be. Or is it angst? I don't know these genres!

Anywho, please leave a review!