Estel and Fanuiriel spent some time together at least once a day while Estel was bed-bound. And once he could get about with a walking stick, Fanuiriel took long slow rambles with the teenager.

One afternoon, about a week after they had hurt themselves, the two were sitting under a cascade of deep red roses, which filled the air around them with heavy scent and the sound of bees dipping in and out.

Estel had helped Fanuiriel carry a basket and cut roses for both of their rooms. A little tired, the two found a stone bench half covered by a climbing rose and it's many blooms.

Estel was looking at Fanuiriel and his face softened. She was so beautiful! The sun caught sparkles of gold in her brown hair. The tips of her ears were rosy with sunlight and her eyes sparkled. Parting his lips slightly he looked deep into her eyes. Smiling, Fanuiriel leaned close and brought her mouth to his.

Estel froze, not sure what he was supposed to do, and he almost pulled away. He felt all tingly as the she elf began to feather his mouth with soft kisses and then, she did something amazing: her tongue slipped into his mouth and she pulled his head closer with one hand. Suddenly overwhelmed, Estel returned her kiss with ardor, pulling her close as well.

Fanuiriel, sighing mentally at his uncouth and rough embrace, allowed him this as she knew he had probably never been kissed. And his arms were strong.

She smiled beneath his onslaught.

He could be trained.

She pulled away carefully so as not to frighten him and looked at him with shining eyes. "That was lovely Estel!" He dipped his head again towards her face but she swiftly stood and with her good hand lifted him off the bench. "Come, let us go back to the House as these flowers will wilt if we do not get them in some water."

A bit frustrated and uncomfortable Estel nodded quickly and picking up his walking stick, he followed the she elf back to the House in a daze.

Ooh. An elf maid was more wonderful than he had expected! He could not wait to try kissing again! It made him feel so.so.hungry! And somewhat anxious too. Shaking his head at his confusion he watched as Fanuiriel walked before him swaying gracefully as she moved. Her movements were so..so.wonderful!

Estel almost hit himself on the forehead. Could he not think straight? How had his logical thought processes gotten so muddled?

But his eyes did not leave her form.

Weeks went by and the two found themselves in the others company more and more.

One afternoon, while the two dangled their feet in the pool by the waterfall where Estel had first met Fanuiriel, the she elf leaned over and kissed him again. Estel, more than ready, pulled her close and began to kiss her back, more gently as he had been instructed earlier. He loved kissing Fanuiriel. She was so soft and smelled so good. And she was such a good kisser!

Fanuiriel, enjoying his attention more now that she had helped refined it, decided to go a little further with his education. She drew back and looked into his shinning eyes. Looking down, she lifted one of his hands and placed it slowly on her right breast.

Estel went very still. This was different! He gently squeezed the very soft flesh beneath his hand and Fanuiriel's breath quickened.

"I like that Estel. I like that very much."

Estel, squirming as he felt heat rising in him, bent and kissed her again, his hand kneading the breast beneath his hand. Feeling bold, he brought his other hand to her other breast and did the same thing. Fanuiriel closed her eyes. This was not bad at all. He was learning quickly. She smiled beneath his mouth.

Soon, soon.

Not wanting Estel to get too frustrated, she pulled away from him completely and rubbed her hands down the front of her dress, which Estel followed with hot eyes. He wanted to do that again, but Fanuiriel stood and danced away from him. "That is all for now young Estel! Perhaps another time!"

And before he could get his boots on, Fanuiriel has stepped lightly through the brush and trees and disappeared. Estel groaned feeling uncomfortable, particularly between his legs. Adjusting his clothing, he dashed off still feeling hot and clumsy.

But he knew he wanted that closeness with Fanuiriel again!

Estel's days were an endless delight to him. And because it was late spring, Rivendell itself was full of flowers and perfume. The teenager could not remember a time when he had been happier.

Every day was an adventure and he was learning so much!

Especially with Fanuiriel! She was so much fun! She laughed at his sallies and listened avidly as he talked about what he had been doing. They went horseback riding and picnicking.

And her kisses were so, so..wonderful and made him feel so good.

And everyone around him noticed his happiness and smiles.

One afternoon, as he, Elladan and Elrohir were fletching arrows, Elladan remarked as he smoothed some feathers. "You certainly have been cheerful lately Estel. You must have a lady friend."

Blushing fiercely Estel muttered. "Why do you say that?" He looked at his brother quickly and then down. "No, not really."

Elladan looked down at his brother's flushed face and then threw a glance at Elrohir.

"Really? That is not what I have heard. I have heard you are seeing Fanuiriel."

Elrohir looked up with a quick smile at Estel. "Is this true Estel? Fanuiriel? My my, she is friendly."

"What does that mean?" Estel retorted hotly.

"Well, it means---" Elrohir was shut off by a swift kick from his twin. "it just means, she is being friendly. She is a beautiful elf-maid, is she not?"

"Oh, she is so beautiful---" Estel got ready to rhapsodize about her finer points when Elladan said matter-of-factly, "Well I suppose then you will not be able to tear yourself away from Rivendell to go on the hunt Elrohir and I are organizing."

"Yes, we thought perhaps you would like to try your archery skills in a hunt before Midsummer's as we will need lots of food for the festival."

"I will come! You know I have wanted to go hunting for you this Age! When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow morning before sunrise."

"I will meet you in the stables ready to go."

"All right little brother." Elladan leaned over and mussed his hair affectionately.

Estel finished his fletching and jumped up when he'd added them to the pile his brothers were working on.

"Where are you off to?" Elladan asked.

"I-I want to get packed."

"Of course. We will see you at supper."

Estel nodded and hurried off. He had to tell Fanuiriel!

"So, I leave tomorrow morning, but I do not know how long we will be gone." The stars filled the sky behind Estel and Fanuiriel as they sat after supper in a garden that overlooked a great portion of the valley. A waterfall rushed over rocks nearby.

Estel was holding Fanuiriel's hand, rubbing his thumb in the soft skin of her palm. He really wanted Fanuiriel to let him kiss her again. And, and touch her. It might be a long time before he returned. Maybe weeks, because they were taking others with who would ride back with the fresh kills.

"Fanuiriel," he said his voice husky, "Let me kiss you."

Fanuiriel not really happy Estel and his brothers were leaving, nodded abstractly. Hm. But perhaps absence would make him more fond---She suddenly found her mouth covered by Estel, his tongue seeking entrance. She put her arms around him and let him have his way. He needed to be reminded of what he was missing.

His hands began to roam and Fanuiriel, to make it easier for him, pulled away from his embrace and then slowly lay her head in his lap.

Estel looked down at her beautiful face, flushed from his kissing, her eyes sparkling with starlight. Oh he loved her! He knew it! Her expression was so soft and open. He bent and kissed her again, sliding a hand into her bodice seeking a soft breast. She pulled him closer and kissed him a little harder, allowing him his liberties.

This seduction was coming along so well! And his inexperienced romantic nature just made this all more fun. She knew, even at this juncture, if she went as far as to ask Estel to marry her, he would say yes, even though he might not exactly be aware of what elvish marriage entailed. She moved, her breath coming a little faster as he gently massaged her chest.

Oh but it would be fun to tell him! And then what would his brothers say?

Finding herself getting more aroused than she wished to, she was just about to raise her head, when she froze.

Someone had come out into the garden.

Pulling his hand out of her bodice, she sat up, disengaging from Estel's hungry lips. She adjusted her dress and smiled brightly and then her smile faltered.

It was the Lord of Imladris and Lord Glorfindel, both of whom held a goblet and thankfully, appeared to be in an engrossing conversation.

"Quick Estel! We cannot let your father see us like this! Over the railing!"

And without another thought, both slipped over the balcony railing and dropped the ten feet or so to the next terraced lawn. Estel winced as his knee twinged but laughed breathlessly with Fanuiriel as she grabbed his hand and they ran for the shadows cast by a group of weeping willows.

"Do you think he saw?"

"I do not know. I don't think so. Ada and Glorfindel seemed awfully caught up in their talk."

Fanuireil giggled in relief. It would not do to have the Lord of Imladris attention on her yet.

She glanced at the hot-eyed young man next to her. But if she was going to make the twins jealous, how could that happen without them seeing her with him? She had allowed Estel the liberties she had in hopes he would speak of it to his brothers, or they would see them together.

But nothing. The twins had remained oblivious and though she had to admit she was enjoying the physical aspects of Estel's attention, this was not getting her any closer to Elladan or Elrohir. Or marriage.

She found the starlight eclipsed by Estel who wrapped his arms around her and began kissing her again.

Letting him, her thoughts were still with his older brothers.

A sudden thought made her disengage herself. "Estel, have you told anybody about us?"

"I have mentioned you and I to my brothers. Do not worry. They are not disturbed. When I mentioned it, both seemed amused. I am pretty sure Ada does not know."

She pulled Estel's head to her and kissed him hungrily. Estel needed to be reminded again of just what he would be missing out hunting. She slid a hand inside his tunic and brushed it softly against his skin. His breath shuddered and Fanuiriel kissed him harder. Oh he was going to miss her!

Later that night, Estel lay in his bed completely unable to sleep. Fanuiriel had been on fire tonight! He had been on fire tonight! He moved with a groan and flopped over. She made him feel so, so tense!

Biting his lip, he desperately wished he could talk to his father again. He needed to know what was happening and where it was leading. He flopped over on his side again.

He had wanted Fanuiriel to do.something tonight but he hadn't been sure what, or how and that had made him even more frustrated and his body, his body had acted very strangely. Like it did some mornings when he awoke. He blushed in the dark and flopped over again.

But he could not tell Ada about that again.

Sunrise found him blurry-eyed and tired but he was out in the stables, his hunting supplies with him. There was a packhorse already arrayed with the elves camping gear.

As he adjusted his rolled cape on the back of his saddle his two brothers came in, cloaks flowing behind them, both putting on their gloves.

Smiling Elladan came up to the slender human and ruffled his hair. "You are up and ready! Good! I was afraid I would have to send Elrohir after you!"

Grinning Estel laughed, "No, no I am here! I cannot wait to go!"

Elrohir, already mounted trotted by his two brothers followed by three other elves and the pack horse. With a whoop, Estel mounted Angren quickly followed by Elladan on Thoron.

About to leave the courtyard, the elves quiet voices went still as Lord Elrond with a dark brown cape wrapped around him, entered and went up to his children. "My sons, may your hunt be fruitful! If you find any boar, that would be most welcome as would be some partridge or pheasant." Elrond turned his dark grey eyes on his youngest. "And Estel, mind your brothers and be careful. I want this first hunt to be free of injury." As he said those words, his eyes were on the twins who both nodded.

"Yes Ada," Estel said looking at his gloved hands. "I promise to mind and be careful!"

"Then away with you! I shall see you in a fortnight!"

The elves all bowed slightly and with a clatter of hooves the company left.

Estel missed the small shadow that was Fanuiriel watching near the rose garden gate.
A week had gone by and Estel caught up in the camaraderie of the other elves only thought occasionally about Fanuiriel. And that was mostly at night when everyone had gone quiet, especially when he was doing his share of the watch.

The hunt had been going well. It had been a mild winter and now, a fruitful spring making for a great deal of game.

Estel, ever curious, had enjoyed the dressing of the meat as it was one more way for him to learn about the inner workings of creatures. He was fascinated, asking questions and making notes in a journal he had brought with him. His father had always stressed the need to utilize a journal for not only writing down observations but for writing down thoughts as well.

Estel had tried a few times to write about Fanuiriel. Even going as far as to try and write her something lyrical in formal Quenya, which was so well suited to poetry.

But he felt his efforts were weak and he never showed them to her.

In Rivendell, Fanuiriel looked out across the terrace outside her rooms and sighing deeply, flung down the beadwork she was doing and strolled to the balustrade.

Looking out over the trees wearing their bright green coats of early spring and the swathes of flowers she could see, Fanuiriel felt restless. And if she was honest, a little frightened. No notes had been sent back from the hunt for her. And she knew another week or possibly two would go by before the twins and Estel returned. What if he lost interest in her in the meantime? He was a young human, and even she knew he did not have the long view elves did on life. He might have enjoyed her company but perhaps, on this trip, he will have grown up quickly and found something else to hold his attention.

She could not let his interest wane. She couldn't! About to stalk off into her room, a sudden thought assailed her and she half collapsed against the stone balustrade.

If Estel gave up on her, who then was left? The twins had remained distant and oblivious the whole time she had been entertaining Estel. Estel had even told her Elladan and Elrohir laughed. It was obvious they were not interested.

That left only Estel.

She brought a hand to her mouth in consternation. Her only option to join with the House of Elrond was the edain son. Could she do it? Could she align herself to Elrond through Estel? But he was so young, and-and human. He would live a long time no doubt as these things were reckoned among human and mortal kind. But she was immortal and would one day sail to the West.

Where would that leave Estel? She stared down at the flagstones beneath her slippers. And perhaps, if they had children, what then? What would happened to them?

She raised her head slowly. What was important here? The unknown future? Or marrying into the House of Elrond? Would not the future then resolve itself, if she did the later? Lord Elrond dearly loved Estel. He would not see him hurt. And he was reckoned mighty among the wise. Surely he would be able to do something, perhaps, even talk to the Valar themselves!

Yes! She would go forward. She would take the only option available..marry Estel!

And that, she realized as she went into her rooms, was the easiest part.
One afternoon, as Elladan and Elrohir accompanied by Estel trotted back into camp with several partridges and a buck, they halted in surprise all at once. For there, sitting at the fire, chatting with two of their company, was Fanuiriel!

Estel jumped off his horse and ran to the elf, who rose slowly and allowed him to hug her tightly before all the watching elves. Kissing her, he pulled back at her stillness and looked at her with a slight frown.

"What are you doing here? Is anything wrong, love? Say something.you are so quiet!"

She just buried her face in his dusty jerkin saying softly for his ears only, "I could not stay away, so I came with those coming to fetch the meat. I am overwhelmed by your affection, my love." Smiling into his chest she said coyly, "All the others are watching us."

"Let them! I missed you so much! And I love you Fanuiriel! I do, I do!" he whispered fiercely in her hair, swept away by emotion. He kissed her passionately and the two stood locked in a tight embrace heedless of their audience.

Elladan and Elrohir silently watched the two lovers with slight smiles on their faces. They took Estel's horse to the picket line and his kills were added to the pile to be gutted and dressed.

When they finished, Estel was still standing close to Fanuiriel in low conversation with her, his forehead leaning on the she-elf's.

Elladan could not resist. He came up and gave the young human a companionable slap on the back. "Estel, mellon nin, are you ready to do your share of the dressing?"

Looking up startled, he smiled sheepishly at his oldest brother and nodded. "Fanuiriel, I must help out here. I shall join you in a little while."

Fanuiriel, eyes shining, nodded and went back to the fire. She found herself alone while the others went to help with the dressing of the animals.

Estel's welcome could not have been better had she orchestrated it herself. She almost laughed out loud: Wait, she had!

And Estel had not disappointed.

She hugged her knees. If they were not married by the end of this hunt, perhaps even by the end of the day, well then she might as well go to the West!

She smiled to herself. Well, no, she was not ready to go to the West just yet. But it would still be a good argument to keep in reserve if Estel got nervous.

Ahh, but she would relax him and then, get him to such a fever hot pitch, there would be no way he would or could want to withdraw. Fanuiriel tingled at the thought of finally having her way with the young edain. He would be awkward, but as he had proven so well recently, he could be trained.

She flushed with warmth.

He became skilled very quickly.

The hunters were sitting around the fire, some talking and some singing. Elladan and Elrohir were of the latter, trying out a new song for the Midsummer's Festival. Estel sat listening for a while and then, a soft touch brought him out of his reverie and he looked into the shinning eyes of Fanuiriel.

"Come," she said softly, "let us walk."

Nodding, he rose and quietly followed the she-elf. Fanuiriel slowed down and took his hand and the two went off in the woods. Elladan noticed this and smiled. Estel was so young! Fanuiriel may be entertaining, but surely she knew when to stop.

The two went far from the camp until they found a glade full of starlight and whispering wind. Fanuriel lay her cloak down and pulled an eager Estel into her arms. He leaned on his elbows and looked into her dark eyes, sparkling with stars. He traced her thin expressive eyebrows and trailed a finger down to her mouth. Tracing her lips, he was delighted when she took his finger into her mouth and slowly sucked on it. This made Estel very uncomfortable and he shifted nervously. What she was able to do to him! This had to be love! It felt so wonderful.

Pulling his finger out he brought her mouth to his and they spent a long time just exploring the other's faces with soft kisses and little nips.

Fanuiriel shifted under the young human and sitting up quickly, bared her breasts for him. Estel's eyes went wide and he immediately brought his mouth to the right one and his hand to the left. Fanuiriel sighed and wrapped her hands in his hair. OOOH, this was going to be so easy. So easy and at last, she would irrevocably be a part of the House of Elrond. And perhaps, even bear his first grandchild.

She almost purred but Estel's attentions began to distract her from her thoughts. She slipped a hand into his tunic and began to rub his chest with light fingers. Estel groaned against her breast and began to suckle harder.

He found himself hot and anxious and there was such a tightening between his legs it was almost painful.and it was very hard.

What to do? Was this time to be a stallion? Would Fanuriel be disgusted?

"Fanuiriel," he said breathlessly, staring into his beloved's face. "I need.oh I need to do something! I cannot bear this!"

Fanuiriel smiled.

At last.

She smiled and pulled herself out from under the anxious human and slowly pulled her dress completely off. Before he could think, she had slipped his jerkin off and then undid the ties on his soft white shirt.

"Estel!! Estel!" Elladan's voice carried easily to the two lovers. "It is time for Fanuiriel to go back to Rivendell!"

Fanuririel slumped, clutching her dress. Not now!! Just as she almost had reached her goal!

"Estel! Do not answer, but remove your clothing and we can be as husband and wife."

Estel, hormones raging out of control, sat up and started to comply, but then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw the tall form of his brother.

"Fanuiriel! Elladan is here. I-I, we can't!"

Fanuiriel realizing this particular battle was lost, hastily put her dress on, dragged her cape out from under Estel and stalked past the slightly smirking Elladan.

Knowing what might have occurred, he went up to his young brother. Seeing the disheveled state of his clothing and more importantly, the expression of pain on his face, he scooped up the distressed human without a word.

Swiftly running, he found the nearby stream, waded out into it finding a spot deep enough and unceremoniously dropped the confused Estel into the icy mountain water.

That put out the young man's fire quickly and he sputtered and finally stood, weaving slightly. Elladan remained silent and seeing that Estel was thoroughly wet and quiescent, picked up his shivering form and bore him back to the fire, where he sat him on a log and wrapped his cloak about him.

Fanuiriel, now mounted, looked at her erstwhile lover with a big sigh. All right then, she would just have to wait until the hunters returned to Rivendell. There would be plenty of opportunities then.

And neither Elladan nor Elrohir could watch Estel ALL the time.

Pulling her horse's head around, Fanuiriel followed the returning elves.

"My brother," Elladan sat and peered into Estel's still slightly flushed face and rubbed a hand softly down his cool skin. "Are you all right now? Did you and Fanuiriel get intimate?"

Estel put his head on his knees and shivered. "No," he mumbled. "we- we just kissed a lot and-and stuff."

"Ahh. That is good." Elrohir came up silently with a cup of hot cider, which Elladan took and offered to the young human.

Estel took the cup, grateful for the heat. Lifting his head, he shivered again and then sipped the hot drink. Elrohir sat on the other side of Estel and put an arm around him. "Estel, both Elladan and I understand how attractive Fanuiriel is, especially in your eyes. But you must know, she has been a friend of our family a long time."

"She has even been very friendly to both Elrohir and I."

"I know. I am not blind you know." He drank his cider and stared out into the fire.

"I am glad of that, " Elladan said, pulling up the cloak, which was sagging around one wet shoulder.

The three were silent for a while and then, Elladan asked quietly. "Do you know how elves may marry Estel?"

Sipping the cider, he just shook his head. He did not want to hear another lecture.

"One of the ways elves can marry is to join their bodies together, flesh to flesh. It is how an elf may pass his seed along and make a baby. Do you understand?"

Blushing, he said thickly, "Yes, Ada told me it is like a stallion covering a mare."

"Indeed. Exactly. If you do this, in the eyes of the elves, you are married."

Estel looked up, his glance reflecting the heat of the fire. "But I may want to marry Fanuiriel! She is beautiful and she laughs at my stories and she loves me!"

Elrohir looked at Estel surprised. "She has said this?"

"Well, not in so many words, but certainly in her affections to me."

"Ahh, I see." Elrohir remarked, seeing all too clearly.

Elladan did too and just silently rubbed his brother's back. "We will talk more of this later Estel. Now you need to get out of those wet things and into your bedroll. We have lots of hunting to do tomorrow."

Nodding, Estel rose, handing the cup to Elrohir. As he walked towards their tent he said, "Night 'rohir. Night 'dan.," names he had not used for many years.

"Good night, little 'stel," they both said in reply.

Turning to look at each other, the two elves grinned slightly and shook their heads. Perhaps their father needed to know of this.