The Shame of Mirkwood
by Elfish Arrow

Chapter III

Legolas paced softly around his small room, pondering on the actions of Estel. The man had defended him in front of King Thranduil, and even chased after him... but why? Did the man want something? Probably to ask him how he dared to ruin the meal. Yes, that must be it, there was no other explanation. So it was best to have hidden, the last thing Legolas wanted was to be yelled at and belittled again tonight.

The elf had stripped down to a simple pair of light tan sleep-pants, his other clothes were wet, and it was late anyway. He had tried to sleep, but it did him no good, he would awake each time with the image of Estel in his mind, and that voice that plagued him desperately.

He was tired; so tired of the stares, the voices of nameless elves, all mocking him. Especially because he didn't know why, didn't understand why they hated him. He had never done anything to cross a single elf, yet they all regarded him as the enemy. It didn't make sense, so he was going to make it stop, the only way he knew how, for even elves could not survive without their life force.

Legolas made his way into his even smaller bathroom, and sat on the edge of the tub. Letting the hot water run from the tap and over his delicate hand. There was no need for a cold bath; he wouldn't feel it anyway. He got up and rummaged through a drawer under the sink - before he lived on his own, this room had been guest quarters, and there had apparently been a man here before, for Legolas had once found a razor blade in the drawer. Closing his fist about it lightly, he walked back over the tub and stopped the water; the blade was placed on the edge.

The tortured elf was about to slip into the warm, enveloping water, when he heard the knock at his door. Sighing, Legolas tore himself away from the water, and emerged from the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

By Elbereth, he thought, what could anyone want with me now? He had a nagging feeling that King Thranduil would not be too pleased about how he ran off earlier.

But as Legolas opened the door, expecting another frustrated elf, he found himself face to face with the dark figure of a man - Estel. He stood within the doorway, his cloak drenched and clinging to his head and shoulders, yet he did not appear threatening.

"May I come in, Legolas? I've been searching for you." Estel's voice was true to form, letting only his concern and curiosity show through.

Collecting himself, Legolas nodded quickly, and stepped aside, holding the door open for Estel. "I- I'm sorry, M'lord, I was unaware." He cursed himself inwardly for lying.

Estel strode into the room, and took off his cloak, hanging it neatly on the back of the chair beside the elf's bed. He turned to face Legolas, "I was worried for you, how you ran off during the banquet."

Legolas winced, painfully aware of his semi-nakedness, and still quite nervous. Realizing his rudeness, he quickly stammered, "I'm sorry to have worried you... can- can I get you anything?"

Estel smiled and sat upon the chair, "Nay, Legolas, you are not serving tonight. I just came to talk to you... you intrigue me."

The elf managed a shy smile, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, unsure of what to do. Eventually, he walked over and sat cross-legged on the edge of his bed, beside Estel's chair. He was trying to appear casual.

A few moments of silence passed before Legolas spoke again, "You realize how... how, strange this is, don't you, m'lord? Messengers don't often visit Mirkwood, and they never socialize with.. my kind."

The man laughed softly and sat back in the chair, relaxing Legolas somewhat, "Please, call me Estel; all elves do. And yes, I realize this, but if you care not, then neither do I... You don't, do you? For I have not had decent conversation in weeks."

Legolas grinned and nodded toward the other, "Aye, of course I do not mind..."

"Then tell me, Legolas, what do you know of the Gathering? For I have never attended..."

Their conversation wound long into the night, and Legolas's nervousness had ebbed away. He was truly attracted to this stunning man, and he was starting to believe that this foreigner didn't find him disgusting - despite what Lomion had done.

It was three hours before the first streaks of sunlight stained the night sky, and the two were now sitting on Legolas's bed, speaking animatedly about anything that crossed their minds, and drinking sweet-juice.

"Legolas, where is your washroom?" inquired Estel.

"Oh, just there," the elf pointed to the only other room in his quarters.

By the time Legolas remembered the scene he had left in the washroom, it was already too late.

"Legolas... what's this?" Estel's voice wavered slightly, his perfect control slipping.

Shaking slightly, Legolas went over to the doorway, keeping his eyes on the floor as Estel picked up the razor that sat on the edge of the tub. He cast a sideways glance at the elf, closing his hand around it.

"You were going... I mean, you would have...?"

Legolas nodded, keeping his head down so Estel wouldn't see the tears forming in his eyes.

Estel went over to him and hugged him tightly, not knowing what to say, but terrified that had he never found the servant elf, he would have died.

Legolas stood frozen for a moment shocked that someone - Estel - was hugging him. This man was upset... upset that Legolas might have died... why? He didn't understand, no one had ever cared before, but... Estel did.

The elf hugged the man back, now crying silently into his shoulder, letting out all the pain and anger he had stored within himself for years. Legolas himself was not aware of how much emotion he held, and could not stop the flow of tears, and the shuddering sobs that wracked his lithe body. He wondered slightly why he trusted this man, he had known him only a few hours, and yet he felt closer to him than anyone else.

Estel was also surprised, he knew Legolas must have had a hard time in Mirkwood - he saw a demonstration himself - but he didn't think it could have been this bad. Holding him tightly, he lifted Legolas from the floor, and set him back on the bed, sitting beside him, against the wall.

The elf curled against his side while Estel spoke softly, stroking a hand through the long elfish hair, letting Legolas rest against him. He spoke of better things, spoke of Imladris, what he had heard of the Gathering, anything to distract Legolas from his pain. He frowned, holding the elf close to him, yet making no promises, and tried to think of a solution - Legolas could not go on like this.

Legolas had calmed down, and Estel was still gently playing his fingers across the elf's cheek, wiping at his tears, and murmuring quietly to him.

"I'm sorry, Legolas... you do not deserve such treatment. I wish I could help.."

Legolas closed his eyes to Estel's touch and sighed silently, "Stay with me.. please?"

The man smiled softly, and pulled Legolas down beside him, securing an arm about the other's chest, "Of course."

And Estel did stay with him that night, holding Legolas securely until the other awoke in the morn.

The sun was up, peaking through the tall trees, and bringing the smallest of light into the otherwise dark and early morning. The forest stood foreboding as always, but the faint glow of elves as they went along their business gave an eerie feeling to the Kingdom.

Estel was due back in Thranduil's audience chambers, as the king was to announce his chosen archers. He was tugging on his boots when Legolas fully awoke.

"Estel...?" The elf's hand reached out and grabbed the tail of Estel's cloak, "Will you be back?"

Estel grinned at Legolas, he was lying on his back, atop the sheets, peering up at him from upside down, "I must soon leave... back to Rivendell. I will you see at noon, though, I can promise that. If... you can promise me something."

Legolas rolled onto his stomach and took on a more serious look, "Anything."

The man knelt down beside the bed, "Promise me that you won't leave... stay here, in this world."

He nodded and cast his gaze aside, "Aye.. I promise, Estel."

"You never know, my friend, perhaps King Thranduil will choose you to accompany me!" Estel grinned again, and left the servant's quarters, headed toward the king's audience chambers. It was a strange sight for any that saw.

Legolas sighed. Right, like he would be chosen, he hadn't even been permitted to learn the art of archery! But still... he couldn't explain why he felt better around the former stranger. Legolas didn't want him to leave, to go back from whence he came. He had been beginning to think that he may have made a friend, and now the man was being torn from him. And he was a friend, Estel had said so himself; the mere thought of it made him feel better.

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King Thranduil had chosen ten elves to accompany Estel back to Rivendell. All were extremely skilled, and the king trusted them to uphold the honour of his realm; among the ten was Lomion. Estel had also taken part in choosing, after watching them practice, and although he disliked Lomion, he had to attest to the elf's skill with a bow.

The horses waited for them by the gates, but Estel, who had insisted on staying for a mid-day meal, halted the departure. Probably, King Thranduil reasoned, because he rarely gets such food as this in Imladris.

While the archers ate, Estel slipped away, and went to find Legolas. He went first to his quarters, but did not find him there. After asking several servants, Estel learned that the elf was not on duty, which meant, Legolas was hiding. From someone, or something. He'd have to search the forest.

Estel sighed, if he thought the rain made it hard to see last night, he was wrong - Mirkwood was just as difficult to navigate during the day, and the heat was not helping any. He shrugged off his cloak, leaving it on the forest floor as he continued on, calling Legolas's name.

It was cooler up here, Legolas decided as he sat on a sturdy branch, high above the ground. Here, the wind could reach him, and the sun could play across his skin unhindered. He smiled. Perhaps, perhaps with Estel's friendship he could break free of this place, these people.

"Legolas?"

It was Estel. Legolas gasped and looked up at the sun; it was nearly noon! He hadn't been paying attention to the time.

"Estel, I'm up here!" he called down to the human, and begun to climb down to him.

The two embraced briefly, before sitting against the trunk of the tree Legolas had been in. Though Legolas knew what Estel would tell him, he didn't want to believe it. He could not be leaving already! For the first time in his life, he had a real friend, and he was going to be taken away for some stupid Gathering.

"Estel? Will you come back, when the Gathering is over?"

Estel smiled and turned to face the elf, "Of course, now that I've a friend in Mirkwood, I shall have to come and visit him! Though, how come you did not attempt to join the Mirkwood archers?"

Legolas sighed and leaned back against the trunk, "I- I would not be allowed... and, I've never learned," he was aware of how pathetic it seemed that an elf could not use a bow, but Estel did not seem to mind.

The man rested a hand on Legolas's shoulder, making his breath catch in his throat, "Would you like me to teach you?"

Legolas struggled within himself; of course he wanted to learn, but it would mean letting this man see him fail and struggle. He frowned thoughtfully before nodding, "If you would, and if you promise not to laugh..."

"I promise fair elf," responded Estel in a light voice, "Wait here, I will return, for we've a few hours before I'll leave yet!" He ran off to get the weapons, joyed that Legolas agreed.

The elf watched him leave, smiling, in spite of himself.

Did he just call me fair?

TBC…

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