I'm thinking now that Estel/Aragorn is older, I might go back and forth between their two points of view like I did in my other story, "His friend's touch."

Chapter Seven

Estel

Estel paced by the window as he watched for his friend. Legolas had sent word a week ago that he would be near Imladris and that he could stay for a while. While it had only been a few months since he had seen the elf, the fifteen-year-old was bursting with excitement.

"Really, Estel!" Elladan laughed from the doorway of the next room, "Pacing won't get him here any faster."

"But he was only here for a few days last time, and he said he could stay this time! And I want to show him some of the new sparring moves you've been teaching me. I think I can beat him this time." There was more to it. He desperately needed to talk with his friend. But he didn't need to tell his brothers that.

Elrohir had just entered the room as well, and both twins laughed. "Well, I don't know about that," Elladan said mischievously as he moved toward the human. "But maybe you can beat him wrestling. We should practice."

With that, he grabbed Estel's knees, tackling him to the floor. Elrohir dove for his upper body, attacking his armpits and neck while the other twin took care of his sides.

The youth struggled to hold in his laughter, trying not to give his brothers satisfaction. But it didn't work. Soon he was shaking with fits of laughter. "No fair!" he screamed. "It's always two against one. Stop!"

"Fight back, little brother!" Elrohir laughed. "You said you want to beat Legolas!"

Before the human could answer, a third pair of hands joined his brothers'. And he was hopelessly trapped. Squinting up, he saw a familiar pair of dark eyes just before light hair obscured his vision.

"Legolas!"

His friend laughed and continued to tickle him. But after a moment, he took pity on the human and shoved the twins away. "Maybe Estel is correct. Two against one isn't fair, and three against one certainly isn't."

Estel had already forgiven his brothers and best friend. Sitting up, he threw his arms around Legolas's neck and squeezed hard. "I missed you, Las!"

Legolas returned the embrace. "I missed you too, tithen pen!" A kiss was pressed to his dark curls before the elf pulled him up. "My, Estel, it may have not been long since I've, but you've grown again. I really shouldn't call you tithen pen anymore. You're nearly as tall as me!"

Elladan broke in, "How about we stop calling him that when he beats you at sparring?"

Estel turned to his oldest brother and tried to keep the whine out of his voice. "Now that REALLY isn't fair, Dan! You know he's one of the best fighters there is!"

Legolas

Legolas broke in before a fight could escalate. "Come on, Estel. Let's take my things to my room." Slinging an arm around the human's shoulders, now nearly on the same level as his, he tugged his friend down the hall.

Once they reached it, Estel flopped down on his stomach on the bed. His chin resting on his hands. Legolas shook his head. This human was in many ways a man, but in so many ways, still a child. As he unpacked, he waited for the youth to launch into his usual account of his adventures. But he was silent. "Something wrong, Estel?" He asked as he put the last of his things away. "You usually talk my ear off. Don't tell me you're that upset about your brothers and I beating you again?"

The human shook his head but still didn't speak. Sighing, Legolas closed the chest of drawers and held out his hand. "Come, Estel. Let's go for a walk." He was rewarded with a smile that lit up vivid blue eyes.

Slipping out the side door, they strolled toward the forest. Estel stopped when they reached a familiar tree. "Let's go up, Las! Please!"

"Alright! But watch your step!"

"Las, I was six when that happened! Stop worrying!"

Legolas playfully poked him before following him up the tree. Once they were seated in their favorite crook, Estel gave a sigh and leaned against the elf. Giving him another squeeze, Legolas touched his cheek, forcing him to look up. "What's wrong, Estel? You usually share what's bothering you. You know you can tell me anything!"

Estel's lip quivered, and a tear dripped onto his cheek. Legolas stroked his face gently as another tear followed the first. "Please, Estel! What is it!" He kept his voice pitched low, trying to soothe the human. He hadn't seen him this upset for a long time.

Finally, Estel spoke, his voice choked by a sob. "Oh, Las! A month ago, Dan and Ro were out on patrol, and they were attacked by orcs. They were really hurt. They gashed Dan's leg and stomach, and he bled a lot. And Ro hit his head. He was unconscious for two days. Ada tried to hide it, but he was really worried. And since I'm learning to be a healer, I helped stop the bleeding on Dan's, but it just wouldn't stop. The elves that were with them had done their best, but it still bled. I thought he was going to die! They're alright now! I mean, you saw them! But...it made me remember when I lost my first parents! I still remember all the blood!"

He finally flung himself against Legolas's chest and let the sobs shake his slim frame. The elf just held him, crooning comforting words, rubbing his back, and stroking his dark hair, which he dampened with his own tears. To see such pain in one he loved so much... it made his heart hurt.

After several minutes, the human spoke again. His voice muffled by Legolas's tunic. "I've...I've been having nightmares again! They'd gone away for a long time...But since...since the twins were hurt...I keep seeing everyone I love getting killed by orcs." His voice dropped even lower. "You too, Las!" His sobs started again

Legolas pressed the youth's ear over his heart. Letting him hear the steady beat. He didn't try to speak platitudes, just crooned soft elvish in his other ear.

Estel

Estel rested against Legolas's chest. Savoring the embrace. He hardly remembered a time when the elf hadn't been in his life. And he'd been so anxious to see his friend and tell him of his nightmares because it had been that friend's touch that had soothed him during his childhood night terrors. He still remembered the gentle hand rubbing his back, singing him back to sleep. He loved his ada and the twins. But he'd felt a different kind of connection with Legolas.

Legolas peered down into his face and pulled back slightly. "You have dark circles under your eyes, Mellon nin. You haven't been sleeping. It was a statement rather than a question.

With anyone else, he would have been ashamed. But not with Legolas. "I can't...Not much anyway. I know when I sleep that nightmares will come. And I don't want to wake up crying and have my family hear me. I should be old enough to not need a lullaby at night. And..." he did drop his gaze at this. "I needed to see you. I've been so worried about you! I know that sounds silly!" His voice trailed off.

"You shouldn't feel afraid to tell your family what you need, Estel. But if you can't, I'm glad you told me. I'll be here for you. Just like I've always been." The elf's following words surprised him. "Estel. You know I used to have nightmares about the day you fell from this tree. And whenever I had them...I would worry about you for days. That I somehow had sensed in my sleep that something had happened to you. So don't think for one minute that your worries are silly! I understand completely."

Estel just nodded.

Legolas

Legolas looked up, surprised to find that the sun was setting, and it was rapidly growing dark. "Come, tith... Estel. Are you ready to go home? We can talk more tonight. I'll make sure you sleep."

Estel nodded, and they started down the tree. Once they reached the ground, he once again tucked himself under the elf's arm and spoke softly. "It's alright, Legolas. You can still call me tithen pen!"

"Oh...I thought you were too old! Especially now that you're calling me Legolas."

"But I still call you Las sometimes. So don't worry about calling me what you've always called me!"

Legolas laughed and gave him a squeeze. "Alright, tithen pen!"

They walked back to the house. Elrond greeted Legolas with a brief apology for missing his arrival. No one commented on how long they'd been gone. It was expected, after all.

When it came time for bed, Estel looked shyly at Legolas, who smiled. "We still have so much to talk about, Estel. Come to my room. You can sleep with me if you want to!" The human nodded gratefully and followed the elf.

Later, Legolas looked at his friend's face, bathed in the moonlight. Though his eyes were closed, he could tell by the tension in his face and the heavier breathing that he wasn't asleep. Reaching out, he stroked the human's cheek and began to sing the lullaby he knew Estel loved. The youth's hand curled around his, and he whispered, "I love you, Las!"

"I love you too, Tithen pen! Now go to sleep. I won't leave you!"

The human finally fully relaxed. Dozing off into sleep.

Legolas kissed his temple before falling asleep himself.

Wow. The second chapter uploaded today. And I just realized that it's national siblings day. And while I don't have siblings, I have two best friends that are very much my family. And this sharing of hearts is very, really to me! So what better day to write a chapter about this pair of friends that are like brothers.

Anywho, please leave a review.