Chapter Eight

Legolas

The next day, Legolas was relieved to see Estel looking much more rested. After breakfast, he put an arm around his shoulders and asked, "Where shall we explore today, Mellon nin?" It didn't matter how old the human was. He loved their times exploring together.

Estel thought about it for a few moments before answering, "There's a cave deeper in the forest that I've seen but never gone into. Ada still doesn't like me to go there alone. Could we go there today?"

"Of course!"

They set out, strolling leisurely with Estel leading the way. When they reached the cave, Legolas quickly lit a torch, and they started inside. The only sound was their feet crunching on gravel and echoing on the smooth stones for several minutes. After a while, they came into a beautiful cavern. A few cracks in the ceiling let in a bit of sunlight. There was a little waterfall that cascaded into a pool on the floor. And the sun shining in turned it rainbow colors. Estel's eyes were shining with delight, and Legolas knew his eyes were doing the same.

The human sank down, leaning against a pillar near the pool. Legolas joined him, squeezing his knee as he did so. Finally, Estel spoke, "Las, you haven't told me about what you've been doing yet. We've only talked about me."

When the elf hesitated, he spoke insistently, "We promised to help each other, Legolas! That's what friends do. Please! Tell me!"

Legolas sighed. Estel was getting more persistent the older he got. He studied his friend for a moment and saw another glimpse of the man he was becoming—a man who was destined to become a king and lead Middle Earth. It was time to be more open with him.

With another squeeze of the youth's knee, he finally spoke. "You're right, Estel. I'm sorry. I just keep forgetting that you aren't a little boy anymore."

"I don't blame you. I did cry in your arms yesterday. Maybe that wasn't very grown-up."

"NO, Estel!" Legolas was emphatic. "It is never wrong to cry! Especially when you're hurting!"

The human just nodded and looked at the elf expectantly. So Legolas began to tell him of his travels since they had last seen each other. And from before that too. Since he had held a great deal back. He didn't try to hold back his tears at some of the more painful memories. Finally, he told his friend of that day many years ago, when he'd seen his elven best friend tortured and slain by humans. Of the milder but still painful torture, he'd endured. Of his mistrust of humans and the precious blue-eyed and dark-haired bundle that had helped him give them a second chance.

Those vivid blue eyes widened at that revelation, "Really, Las? You were afraid of humans? Why didn't you ever tell me?"

"Because, Tithen pen, I didn't want to frighten you. But I was wrong. I don't think I've ever told you just why you mean so much to me! The first time I saw you launching at your brothers, even in your sweetness, I was afraid. All I could think of was that humans were monsters. But seeing how innocent you were. And the way you somehow trusted me... after all that had happened to you...it changed something in my heart. And that night, when I heard you crying in your sleep and tossing in your bed like I so often did, I felt something that I'd never felt for a human before."

"What was that?" The blue eyes were round.

"Love, Estel! Overwhelming love!"

By now, he could hardly talk through his tears, and he finally gave up trying to say anymore. He just reached out and pulled the human to his chest, holding him like he had so often. The way Estel's shoulders shook told him that he, too, was weeping.

Neither of them spoke. There wasn't any need for words. As was often the case with them, touch said more than many words could.

Estel

Estel rested against his friend's chest. Awed at all he'd told him. He barely remembered the day he'd me Legolas. He remembered launching himself at his brother. Being tossed between them before noticing that they weren't alone. He'd shyly whispered in Elladan's ear, asking who the sad elf with sunny hair was. He'd only seen elves with dark hair and never one with such sad, dark eyes. At that, his brother had given him a squeeze and a kiss before introducing him. He remembered shyly playing peek-a-boo over Elladan's shoulder as he was carried to the house. Somehow he had known he could trust the elf.

He remembered having yet another nightmare that night and being comforted by the soft touch on his head, the gentle massage on his back. From that moment on, he'd felt a connection with Legolas that he hadn't felt with anyone else. That was one thing he knew he would never forget. The love he'd felt for Legolas. And the safety he'd felt in Legolas's love for him.

How could he express that to the elf? Not knowing what else to do, he gave his friend a tighter squeeze and whispered, "I love you, Las! More than anyone else in the world!"

"And I love YOU, Tithen pen! More than anyone else!"

They lapsed into quiet again. Estel wasn't sure how much time had passed when the silence was broken by a distant rumble. Estel looked at Legolas, a puzzled expression on his face. Legolas glanced around as the sound came again. "Cave in!" He gasped. Then he lept to his feet, grabbed Estel's hand, and yanked him back down the tunnel. As they ran, rocks started falling around them, some coming extremely close. About halfway out of the cave, an enormous stone fell down, blocking their way. Before either of them could react, another shower of rocks came down on top of them. One struck Estel's shoulder, he cried out as he hit the ground. Another one hit him in the leg, sharp enough to leave a deep gash. He cried out again. A third hit his hip, and he screamed as blackness overwhelmed him.

He came to with his head throbbing, blood seeping from a gash on his forehead. His stomach felt sick. He shifted, looking for Legolas. There, he caught a glimpse of blond hair. As he looked closer at his friend, he felt a fresh wave of nausea overwhelm him. Legolas's leg was pinned underneath a boulder. And several smaller ones rested on his chest. Estel couldn't tell if he was breathing. Ignoring the pain it sent through his own body, he shifted himself so that he could reach his friend's neck. Relief filled him when he felt a weak but steady beat of life there. His friend was alive. But he was in danger.

Sobs shook his body as he managed to maneuver himself so he could pull the rocks off of the elf's chest. He didn't care how much it hurt his own body. Then he shifted so he could hold Legolas's head in his lap. He ran his fingers through the blood matted hair. He didn't care what happened to him. If his friend died, he wouldn't survive. The one he loved more than life was injured, they were trapped, and no one knew where they were. For one of the first times in his life, Estel felt no hope.