Chapter Five

Legolas awoke to the sun shining on his face. A comfortable weight on his chest had him glancing down at the child sleeping beside him, his dark head resting on the elf's chest. Planting a gentle kiss on the little forehead, he was rewarded with the boy's eyelashes fluttering and a dazzling smile as he woke up.

"Good morning, tithen pen!" Legolas greeted him, "What adventure would you like to go on today?"

The boy's blue eyes lit up. It had become an understanding between them that whenever Legolas visited Imladris, the two of them would spend most days exploring and enjoying each other's company. Estel only hesitated for a moment before he exclaimed, "CLIMBING!"

"Climbing?"

"Yes! The biggest trees in the woods!"

Legolas chuckled and gave the human a squeeze. "Well, before we do that, we'll have to climb out of bed."

So saying, he pushed aside the covers and got to his feet. Estel jumped out the other side and bolted for the door. Obviously planning to get ready as fast as he could. Legolas laughed again as he also hurriedly dressed.

Later that morning, Legolas chased the little Dunadan through the trees. Surprised at how much speed the human had gained since they'd last been together. Feigning exhaustion, he collapsed on the ground and gasped out, "Alright, tithen Mellon, where are you taking me? You are getting too fast for me to keep up with you!"

The boy came back and peered at him curiously, "But I didn't think you could ever get tired, Las!"

"Well, actually, I can." He smirked, "but maybe I'm not as tired as I thought." Then he grabbed Estel and pulled him down beside him. Then he began to tickle his sides and neck, which the twins had informed him years ago were sensitive. Predictably, the boy started to squeal and giggle.

After they had both caught their breath, Estel pointed up to the tree above them. "This tree looks big enough!"

Following his gaze, Legolas saw a towering oak tree filled with nooks and crannies. An adventurous boy's dream. By the time he'd gotten to his feet, the human was already pulling himself up onto the lowest branch. Legolas swung himself up after him, resisting the urge to help him. He knew Estel would insist that he didn't need it. Several minutes later, they finally reached the tree's biggest crook. Two branches came together to make a natural seat, and it was sheltered by a canopy of leaves. The human appeared to finally be tired because he flopped down on the branch. Legolas sat next to him, glad for a chance to catch his breath. Estel leaned against him, cuddling under his arm. The elf planted a kiss on the top of his head.

A few minutes later, Legolas realized that this was the second time in the past two days that the human had been quiet for an unusually long time.

"Is something bothering you, Tithen Pen?" he asked softly.

The human looked down shyly, which worried the elf. "Tithen Pen?" he repeated.

Estel looked up at him through long dark lashes and whispered mischievously, "I really like to climb trees. But...All the elf children can walk around in the tops of the trees. And I want to too!"

Legolas hid a smirk. That was why the human had been so excited to do something that he could most likely do anytime he wanted. "Oh really! And you thought I could teach you?"

Estel nodded emphatically. Getting carefully to his feet, Legolas flashed another smile at the little boy. "Well, we'll have to get a bit higher then. And you'll have to stay close to me."

A quick nod was his answer. Once they reached the top of the tree, he held his hand out to the boy. They walked together along the branches, Legolas pointing out which ones were sturdy. Explaining how Estel could tell where it was safe to set his feet.

All at once, Estel stepped onto a branch, and it cracked underneath him. Before there was time to react, he had lost his balance and started to fall to the ground. Just before he dropped out of reach, Legolas managed to get on his stomach and grab the boy's wrist. His heart clenched as he struggled to hold onto him. For a few terrible seconds, his mind whirled, trying to figure out what to do. "Las!" the boy whimpered.

"It's alright, Estel!" He forced his voice to stay calm.

"I can't hold on, Las! My arm really hurts!"

"I'll hold you, Tithen pen! I won't let go!"

Finally, inspiration came to him. Holding down his other hand, he spoke firmly, "Estel, give me your other hand. And grab onto my wrist."

The human whimpered but did as he was told. He hissed in pain again as Legolas crossed their wrists, trying to get some leverage. Then he dug his toes into the crook of the branch behind him, bracing himself to pull the precious bundle up. "Just hold on, Estel! Don't let go!"

The human nodded. Taking a deep breath, Legolas gave a quick, steady pull. Praying to the Valar for strength. After agonizing moments that felt like hours, the tiny head appeared above the branch and, a moment later, the rest of his body. Tugging them back into the first safe crook, Legolas crushed him in an embrace. Tears dampened that dark hair as he crooned comforting words. "Oh, tithen pen! I'm sorry! I should have been more careful! Shhh! You're safe now! I'm so sorry!"

The human squirmed in his arms, wincing as he did so, "I was always safe, Las! I knew you would save me! I was crying because my arm hurt, not because I thought I'd fall!"

Legolas felt his eyes widen. This tiny human trusted him that much? Unable to speak, he just crushed the human to his chest again. Stroking back his hair and kissing his forehead. Only one of the little arms curled around his neck, reminding the elf of his previous words. "Let's get you home, tithen pen so your ada can care for your arm. He'll probably never let us go exploring again."

Estel shook his head, "NO! I'll tell him how you took care of me! He won't be mad!"

Legolas gave a choked laugh and, picking up the human, carefully walked back to the trunk of the closest tree. Grateful it was close. Somehow he managed to get both of them down the tree. Estel kept his good arm curled around his neck, cuddling to his chest as they walked back toward the house.

When they entered the courtyard, the twins were practicing with their swords. Their eyes widened when they saw the way Legolas carried their little brother. "Ada!" Elrohir called as he hurried into the house. Elladan stepped toward the two of them, "What happened, Legolas?"

Before he could answer, Estel broke in, "I asked Las to teach me how to walk around in the trees. He told me to be careful, but I stepped on a branch that cracked. I almost fell, but Las saved me! He was really strong and pulled me up! He thought I was scared because I was crying, but I wasn't, 'cause I knew he'd take care of me!"

Legolas saw Elladan tense. But he simply reached out and stroked the boy's cheek. "Well, I'm glad that you're alright. And, you're right, Legolas was very brave. Now, let's get you to Ada. He'll want to look at your arm."

Legolas tried to pass Estel to him, but the human clung, and Elladan gently shook his head. His soft smile communicating his deep feelings. Elrond had just stepped into the sitting room when they entered.

"Well, ion nin," his tone was filled with affection and concern as he addressed his youngest son. "Something tells me that you have an interesting story to tell."

Once again, Estel emphatically communicated the story. Both Elrond and Elrohir relaxed when they realized the injures were minor. But it had been a close call.

To Legolas's surprise, Elrond didn't even attempt to take Estel from his arms. He just simply led the way to the boy's room. Once there, Legolas set him down on his bed, planning to step back, but the human clung to his hand. Elrond didn't comment. He simply stepped around to the other side of the bed. "Let's take your tunic off Estel, it might hurt, but then I can make your arm better." The little boy nodded and let his ada pull off his shirt. He yelped slightly but stayed still. Elrond carefully looked at the tiny arm. Suddenly, he gave a quick jerk that made Estel cry out and dig into Legolas's hand.

Elrond sat next to him, gently massaged his shoulder, and spoke gently, "There now ion nin! Your shoulder was in the wrong place, and I had to put it back. You are very fortunate that you weren't hurt badly."

Estel nodded again. He had yet to release his grip on Legolas.

Later

That night Legolas sat staring out the window near Estel's room, soaking in the calming beauty of the stars. His mind raced. Now that the tiny human was asleep, would Elrond's anger come? He jumped when a hand touched his shoulder, turning, he looked into the expressive eyes of the Lord of Imladris. He looked down at his feet and murmured, "I'm sorry! I shouldn't have let him convince me to walk in the trees! He was hurt, and it was my fault. I know you must be angry with me."

The elder clasped the younger's shoulders. "Oh, Legolas! I'm not angry with you at all. Whether or not you did the right thing matters not. You saved his life, Legolas! And for that, I am overwhelmingly grateful. And also, if I know Estel, he would have done it with or without you. And then he most certainly would have died."

"But..."

"No buts! He loves you! And you have done him so much good! And now you have saved his life! How could I be anything but thankful?"

Legolas felt tears dripping onto his cheeks, and he simply nodded.

The older elf spoke again. "Now, I suggest you get some rest because he will be out of bed by tomorrow and wanting to play with you again. Perhaps stay away from heights temporarily, but I'm sure he will still have things he wants to do."

"Yes, hir nin." Legolas gave Elrond a grateful smile and stepped away and entered his own room. Now that the tension had melted away, exhaustion hit him, and he succumbed almost immediately to sleep.

TBC

OK, someone had requested I do some mischievous adventures of these two. And I set out to do that, but somehow it turned into this. But it was a lot of fun to write.

Anywho, I'd love it if you'd leave a review.