Finally the hunt was finished and the tired elves made their way slowly
back to Rivendell, satisfied they had filled the larders sufficiently for
the upcoming festival.
After Estel's unceremonious dunking in the stream he had remained quiet around his brothers.
He was not angry, he just had a lot to think about and the twins respected his silence. But by time they reached the stables, the three were bantering with each other again and Estel felt his heart lift from his boots some. It appeared his brothers did not see him as the idiot he felt he was.
As he settled Angren down in his stall, Elladan poked his head over the door. "After you wash up, Ada wants to see us."
"All right. I shall be quick."
Elladan nodded and left.
Estel was glad to be back in his room. Sighing, he dropped his rucksack in his favorite chair and flopped back on his bed.
Oh that felt so good. Laying here was so much better than the cold ground. Especially since these days he felt all angles and knobs every time he turned. Except with Fanuiriel. He smiled at the picture of her looking deep into his eyes, flushed with passion. If he and she could just get.closer!
Oh, he must get up and take a bath and clean up for supper. Ada would be expecting him along with his brothers.
Yawning, he settled down on the quilt---maybe just a quick nap. Supper wasn't for hours yet.
He rolled over into a ball and went to sleep.
Stretching, the young man awoke and looked at the familiar ceiling above his head with a tired smile.
All right, NOW it was time for him to take a bath.
Ada would be waiting---
His Ada indeed was waiting, patiently at his bedside. He had just removed his hand from his foster son's forehead to make sure he wasn't sickening, and to call him from sleep. The twins were not as adept as he in discovering human sickness and may have missed signs of illness in Estel.
"Ada! What are you doing here?" Estel sat up, rubbing his face.
"Are you well my son? Your brothers and I worried when you did not come to supper especially since you had mentioned to them several times how hungry you were."
Estel smiled up at his father's concern. "I-I am fine Ada. I was just tired, I guess." He stretched again, from fingers to toes. "Is there any food left?
"Of course. I will have a tray sent." Elrond smiled. "I believe a good long bath is in order now."
"Yes Ada, of course." Estel swung off the bed. About to go into the bathing room, he turned and hugged his father fiercely. "It's good to be home!"
Elrond hugged his human son back and smiled into his hair.
"It is good to have you back in one piece Estel and with no tales of woe to recount."
Estel winced inwardly at this, thinking of Fanuiriel and said a bit shakily, "Ye-yes, no tales of woe! All went well! I am going to bathe now father," and he rushed into the bathing room, pulling off clothes quickly, leaving a trail of dirty laundry behind him.
Elrond, watching the human plunge into the steaming water, smiled and shook his head as he left.
The next morning Estel arose and hastily dressed. Not going into the dining hall, he ran to the kitchens and cadged a roll and some meat from the indulgent head cook Resaldil.
He had to find Fanuiriel!
Rushing through the corridors, he had almost made it to the main doors, when Elladan and Elrohir dressed for riding crossed his path.
"Estel! Come riding with us! Elrohir is going to try out the new stallion Salanar."
Oh, he had wanted to see this particular stallion go through his paces, but he really wanted to see Fanuiriel too.
Elrohir pulling on his gloves smiled. "Come Estel, I shall let you ride him."
Grinning, the human nodded and ran back for his room, barely missing his father and Erestor in conversation. His father called out as he passed, "Estel! No running in the House!"
Nodding the young man slowed down. One of these days he would remember he was not suppose to do it!
Quickly getting his gloves and cape, he walked very fast to rejoin his brothers. And with a minimum of delay, he was mounted up and went out into the stable courtyard.
There was Fanuiriel chatting to Elrohir and stroking the neck of Salanar.
Delight lit up his face and he was about to swing down and grab the she-elf in a big hug, but Elladan's horse shifted in front of Angren, making him nervous and the human had his hands full trying to settle his mount.
And before he could say more than "Good morning Fanuiriel," his brother had cantered off and he had no choice but to follow.
"Later my beloved!" He called out boldly.
Fanuiriel nodded and waved. She had not missed Elladan's maneuver.
Fuming, she stalked out of the courtyard and back to her rooms in the House. Oh if Elladan and Elrohir thought they could out maneuver her, they were sadly mistaken.
Deciding she would meet up with Estel later that evening, she was determined to corner the human and get him to promise her the moon and the stars before she would let him have his way with her.
And before three days had gone by she would be wed to Estel Elrondion!
The stallion, a blood red bay with black mane and tail, was a handful even for Elrohir. He was big and strong willed and though responsive enough to commands, he was sensitive to a rider's attention and would take his head at any sign of disinterest.
Estel thought him magnificent.
"Oh please Elrohir! Let me try him! He is such a beauty and look at the way he curvets and prances. And his coat is so beautiful in the sun! He is fit for a king!"
"Yes little one. He needs the hands of an older and wiser man upon the reins. Even though I have had the training of him, he does not want to settle to my hand much."
"Oh but I have ridden Rhean and he is a big stallion."
"But Ada has had him for sometime Estel and he is much better behaved than this feisty lad."
Estel drooped in his saddle and eyed the stallion longingly.
Well, maybe later.
Later turned to be sooner than he expected.
As the three were trotting through an unoccupied sheep meadow, high above the House, the stallion took exception to a rabbit across his feet and plunged and snorted and rearing high, dropped Elrohir and ran head out ears flattened.
As Estel was between Elrohir and Elladan, he took off in pursuit with a whoop, thrilled by the unexpected situation.
Elrohir, only bruised, got up from the ground slowly, brushing himself off and frowning as he watched his younger brother tear off after the fleeing horse. Elladan, settling his horse came up to his brother and pulled him up by one arm behind him.
"We best go after him quickly, no knowing what kind of trouble he'll get into."
Elrohir put his arms around his brother's waist and they took off.
Estel raced after the stallion, heart pounding with excitement. Oh, what his brothers would think of him capturing and calming down this big brute of a horse!
Racing until Angren was along side the stallion, Estel stood in his stirrups and with a leap kicked free of his saddle and leapt onto the back of Salanar. Grabbing the bobbing reins, Estel steadily pulled back on the animal's mouth. Watching their route, he saw they were about to cross the bridge into the main courtyard. Continuing to pull on the horse's mouth to slow him, he finally succeeded as they came up to the main steps of the House.
And there with two other she-elves, stood Fanuiriel with a basket of roses.
Smiling, Estel leapt nimbly off the panting stallion, ran up to Fanuiriel, grabbed her and gave her a deep passionate kiss and then ran off with a salute to follow the stallion to the stables.
Shortly, the twins tore into the courtyard and Fanuiriel, hand to mouth just pointed to the stables. The twins kept going.
Fanuiriel stared after the trio with a smile, he friends giggling behind their hands. Well, well, well. Wasn't Estel something though! She was very, very pleased with his unexpected display of public passion.
This bode well for the evening.
Estel was just pulling the stallion's head down to remove his bridle, when the twins rushed into the stables. Both leaped off Elladan's horse and joined Estel in calming the jittery stallion down.
"Estel!" Elladan practically shouted, "You almost gave Elrohir and I a heart attack when we saw you leap off Angren!"
Elrohir added as he pulled the saddle off the tired stallion. "But I mist admit, pretty impressive riding little brother."
Grinning, Estel said as he started to brush Salanar's main, "Thanks. I wasn't sure I could do it the horses were going so fast! And Fanuiriel saw me too!"
Estel was floating the rest of the day and did not even care when his father read him a mild lecture about the danger of doing such a dangerous stunt.
Fanuiriel had seen him!
That evening, Estel had planned to go to the Hall of Fire to seek out Faniuriel, but got pulled into a chess match with Elrohir that had been long overdue.
Estel cheerfully joined him in the study that both twins shared and the three spent a long evening playing or watching chess.
Fanuiriel, expecting an eager Estel in the Hall of Fire was sorely disappointed when he didn't arrive. And with a narrowing of her gaze, she realized the twins were not there either.
Feeling bold, she went up to Lord Elrond who was sitting in his customary chair, dressed in deep maroon velvet, and asked politely of his sons whereabouts and got a vague polite answer in reply.
Curtsying quickly Fanuiriel left in a rush.
Elrond smiled indulgently after her. Perhaps she was interested in Elladan after all. And this did not displease the elder elf.
Fanuiriel stalked down the corridors in search of the sons of Elrond, to no avail. An hour looking into rooms and studies and some of the gardens, with no results caused Fanuriel to give up. If they were in their private quarters she knew she could not intrude there as that would be the height of impertinence even from her.
Fuming, she went to her rooms and flung herself into embroidery.
She had to start the same branch of ivy over three times.
The next day was much the same for the frustrated she-elf. Every time she was able to approach Estel, one or both of his brothers would good- naturedly carry him off to employ him in some task, usually at the request of their father. And though she suspected that Lord Elrond had nothing to do with these requests she was in no position to question them.
But that night, events loosened their watchful hold over Estel.
The evening meal was just concluding and most of the diners had risen and were helping clear the remains, when a scout rushed into the dinning hall and immediately went up to Lord Elrond.
Looking up startled form the conversation he was having, he took the twins and left the hall quickly.
Estel, just returning form the kitchen was confused by their absence and looked around. Glorfindel, entering the hall, located him and went to his side, just as he was about to leave. "Your father and brothers were needed. Some of the Dunedain have showed up seeking shelter and aid. They have encountered orcs and have come to warn us of a large troop moving south close to the foothills. Two of the Dunedain are injured. Can you see to the clearing of the hall and make sure everything is fine in the Hall of Fire?"
Proud to help out Estel nodded. Grinning, the elf lord clapped him on the back companionably and hurried off. The clean up was almost finished here and it took little to make sure there was enough refreshments and wood for the grates in the Hall of Fire.
Surely it would only take a little while to do these things and then he could join his father and brothers and help with the Dunedain.
Orcs! Estel shivered. He had never seen one of the fell beasts, but he knew he couldn't wait to hear tales of them from the Rangers.
He never tired of their stories as they were always full of battles and stalking and last-minute escapes and rescues. They lived such exciting lives! If he was not so certain he wanted to be a healer and a warrior like his father, it was certain he would love to be a Ranger!
Just as Estel finished stacking the last of the wood in the Hall of Fire, a soft touch on his shoulder made him turn around.
Fanuriel!!
Quickly brushing his hands off, he put them around the compliant she- elf and kissed her long and deeply. It seemed an age since he had seen her, and kissed her. His mouth began to trail down to her throat, and one hand came up to gently squeeze a breast.
Fanuireil could not have been more pleased and gasped hotly in the young man's ear.
"Not here my stallion. Let us go find somewhere more private!"
Stallion! She called him a stallion! Perhaps tonight they could be close and perhaps be as man and wife!
A thrill went though Estel and he put an arm around her waist and the two left the Hall of Fire.
After Estel's unceremonious dunking in the stream he had remained quiet around his brothers.
He was not angry, he just had a lot to think about and the twins respected his silence. But by time they reached the stables, the three were bantering with each other again and Estel felt his heart lift from his boots some. It appeared his brothers did not see him as the idiot he felt he was.
As he settled Angren down in his stall, Elladan poked his head over the door. "After you wash up, Ada wants to see us."
"All right. I shall be quick."
Elladan nodded and left.
Estel was glad to be back in his room. Sighing, he dropped his rucksack in his favorite chair and flopped back on his bed.
Oh that felt so good. Laying here was so much better than the cold ground. Especially since these days he felt all angles and knobs every time he turned. Except with Fanuiriel. He smiled at the picture of her looking deep into his eyes, flushed with passion. If he and she could just get.closer!
Oh, he must get up and take a bath and clean up for supper. Ada would be expecting him along with his brothers.
Yawning, he settled down on the quilt---maybe just a quick nap. Supper wasn't for hours yet.
He rolled over into a ball and went to sleep.
Stretching, the young man awoke and looked at the familiar ceiling above his head with a tired smile.
All right, NOW it was time for him to take a bath.
Ada would be waiting---
His Ada indeed was waiting, patiently at his bedside. He had just removed his hand from his foster son's forehead to make sure he wasn't sickening, and to call him from sleep. The twins were not as adept as he in discovering human sickness and may have missed signs of illness in Estel.
"Ada! What are you doing here?" Estel sat up, rubbing his face.
"Are you well my son? Your brothers and I worried when you did not come to supper especially since you had mentioned to them several times how hungry you were."
Estel smiled up at his father's concern. "I-I am fine Ada. I was just tired, I guess." He stretched again, from fingers to toes. "Is there any food left?
"Of course. I will have a tray sent." Elrond smiled. "I believe a good long bath is in order now."
"Yes Ada, of course." Estel swung off the bed. About to go into the bathing room, he turned and hugged his father fiercely. "It's good to be home!"
Elrond hugged his human son back and smiled into his hair.
"It is good to have you back in one piece Estel and with no tales of woe to recount."
Estel winced inwardly at this, thinking of Fanuiriel and said a bit shakily, "Ye-yes, no tales of woe! All went well! I am going to bathe now father," and he rushed into the bathing room, pulling off clothes quickly, leaving a trail of dirty laundry behind him.
Elrond, watching the human plunge into the steaming water, smiled and shook his head as he left.
The next morning Estel arose and hastily dressed. Not going into the dining hall, he ran to the kitchens and cadged a roll and some meat from the indulgent head cook Resaldil.
He had to find Fanuiriel!
Rushing through the corridors, he had almost made it to the main doors, when Elladan and Elrohir dressed for riding crossed his path.
"Estel! Come riding with us! Elrohir is going to try out the new stallion Salanar."
Oh, he had wanted to see this particular stallion go through his paces, but he really wanted to see Fanuiriel too.
Elrohir pulling on his gloves smiled. "Come Estel, I shall let you ride him."
Grinning, the human nodded and ran back for his room, barely missing his father and Erestor in conversation. His father called out as he passed, "Estel! No running in the House!"
Nodding the young man slowed down. One of these days he would remember he was not suppose to do it!
Quickly getting his gloves and cape, he walked very fast to rejoin his brothers. And with a minimum of delay, he was mounted up and went out into the stable courtyard.
There was Fanuiriel chatting to Elrohir and stroking the neck of Salanar.
Delight lit up his face and he was about to swing down and grab the she-elf in a big hug, but Elladan's horse shifted in front of Angren, making him nervous and the human had his hands full trying to settle his mount.
And before he could say more than "Good morning Fanuiriel," his brother had cantered off and he had no choice but to follow.
"Later my beloved!" He called out boldly.
Fanuiriel nodded and waved. She had not missed Elladan's maneuver.
Fuming, she stalked out of the courtyard and back to her rooms in the House. Oh if Elladan and Elrohir thought they could out maneuver her, they were sadly mistaken.
Deciding she would meet up with Estel later that evening, she was determined to corner the human and get him to promise her the moon and the stars before she would let him have his way with her.
And before three days had gone by she would be wed to Estel Elrondion!
The stallion, a blood red bay with black mane and tail, was a handful even for Elrohir. He was big and strong willed and though responsive enough to commands, he was sensitive to a rider's attention and would take his head at any sign of disinterest.
Estel thought him magnificent.
"Oh please Elrohir! Let me try him! He is such a beauty and look at the way he curvets and prances. And his coat is so beautiful in the sun! He is fit for a king!"
"Yes little one. He needs the hands of an older and wiser man upon the reins. Even though I have had the training of him, he does not want to settle to my hand much."
"Oh but I have ridden Rhean and he is a big stallion."
"But Ada has had him for sometime Estel and he is much better behaved than this feisty lad."
Estel drooped in his saddle and eyed the stallion longingly.
Well, maybe later.
Later turned to be sooner than he expected.
As the three were trotting through an unoccupied sheep meadow, high above the House, the stallion took exception to a rabbit across his feet and plunged and snorted and rearing high, dropped Elrohir and ran head out ears flattened.
As Estel was between Elrohir and Elladan, he took off in pursuit with a whoop, thrilled by the unexpected situation.
Elrohir, only bruised, got up from the ground slowly, brushing himself off and frowning as he watched his younger brother tear off after the fleeing horse. Elladan, settling his horse came up to his brother and pulled him up by one arm behind him.
"We best go after him quickly, no knowing what kind of trouble he'll get into."
Elrohir put his arms around his brother's waist and they took off.
Estel raced after the stallion, heart pounding with excitement. Oh, what his brothers would think of him capturing and calming down this big brute of a horse!
Racing until Angren was along side the stallion, Estel stood in his stirrups and with a leap kicked free of his saddle and leapt onto the back of Salanar. Grabbing the bobbing reins, Estel steadily pulled back on the animal's mouth. Watching their route, he saw they were about to cross the bridge into the main courtyard. Continuing to pull on the horse's mouth to slow him, he finally succeeded as they came up to the main steps of the House.
And there with two other she-elves, stood Fanuiriel with a basket of roses.
Smiling, Estel leapt nimbly off the panting stallion, ran up to Fanuiriel, grabbed her and gave her a deep passionate kiss and then ran off with a salute to follow the stallion to the stables.
Shortly, the twins tore into the courtyard and Fanuiriel, hand to mouth just pointed to the stables. The twins kept going.
Fanuiriel stared after the trio with a smile, he friends giggling behind their hands. Well, well, well. Wasn't Estel something though! She was very, very pleased with his unexpected display of public passion.
This bode well for the evening.
Estel was just pulling the stallion's head down to remove his bridle, when the twins rushed into the stables. Both leaped off Elladan's horse and joined Estel in calming the jittery stallion down.
"Estel!" Elladan practically shouted, "You almost gave Elrohir and I a heart attack when we saw you leap off Angren!"
Elrohir added as he pulled the saddle off the tired stallion. "But I mist admit, pretty impressive riding little brother."
Grinning, Estel said as he started to brush Salanar's main, "Thanks. I wasn't sure I could do it the horses were going so fast! And Fanuiriel saw me too!"
Estel was floating the rest of the day and did not even care when his father read him a mild lecture about the danger of doing such a dangerous stunt.
Fanuiriel had seen him!
That evening, Estel had planned to go to the Hall of Fire to seek out Faniuriel, but got pulled into a chess match with Elrohir that had been long overdue.
Estel cheerfully joined him in the study that both twins shared and the three spent a long evening playing or watching chess.
Fanuiriel, expecting an eager Estel in the Hall of Fire was sorely disappointed when he didn't arrive. And with a narrowing of her gaze, she realized the twins were not there either.
Feeling bold, she went up to Lord Elrond who was sitting in his customary chair, dressed in deep maroon velvet, and asked politely of his sons whereabouts and got a vague polite answer in reply.
Curtsying quickly Fanuiriel left in a rush.
Elrond smiled indulgently after her. Perhaps she was interested in Elladan after all. And this did not displease the elder elf.
Fanuiriel stalked down the corridors in search of the sons of Elrond, to no avail. An hour looking into rooms and studies and some of the gardens, with no results caused Fanuriel to give up. If they were in their private quarters she knew she could not intrude there as that would be the height of impertinence even from her.
Fuming, she went to her rooms and flung herself into embroidery.
She had to start the same branch of ivy over three times.
The next day was much the same for the frustrated she-elf. Every time she was able to approach Estel, one or both of his brothers would good- naturedly carry him off to employ him in some task, usually at the request of their father. And though she suspected that Lord Elrond had nothing to do with these requests she was in no position to question them.
But that night, events loosened their watchful hold over Estel.
The evening meal was just concluding and most of the diners had risen and were helping clear the remains, when a scout rushed into the dinning hall and immediately went up to Lord Elrond.
Looking up startled form the conversation he was having, he took the twins and left the hall quickly.
Estel, just returning form the kitchen was confused by their absence and looked around. Glorfindel, entering the hall, located him and went to his side, just as he was about to leave. "Your father and brothers were needed. Some of the Dunedain have showed up seeking shelter and aid. They have encountered orcs and have come to warn us of a large troop moving south close to the foothills. Two of the Dunedain are injured. Can you see to the clearing of the hall and make sure everything is fine in the Hall of Fire?"
Proud to help out Estel nodded. Grinning, the elf lord clapped him on the back companionably and hurried off. The clean up was almost finished here and it took little to make sure there was enough refreshments and wood for the grates in the Hall of Fire.
Surely it would only take a little while to do these things and then he could join his father and brothers and help with the Dunedain.
Orcs! Estel shivered. He had never seen one of the fell beasts, but he knew he couldn't wait to hear tales of them from the Rangers.
He never tired of their stories as they were always full of battles and stalking and last-minute escapes and rescues. They lived such exciting lives! If he was not so certain he wanted to be a healer and a warrior like his father, it was certain he would love to be a Ranger!
Just as Estel finished stacking the last of the wood in the Hall of Fire, a soft touch on his shoulder made him turn around.
Fanuriel!!
Quickly brushing his hands off, he put them around the compliant she- elf and kissed her long and deeply. It seemed an age since he had seen her, and kissed her. His mouth began to trail down to her throat, and one hand came up to gently squeeze a breast.
Fanuireil could not have been more pleased and gasped hotly in the young man's ear.
"Not here my stallion. Let us go find somewhere more private!"
Stallion! She called him a stallion! Perhaps tonight they could be close and perhaps be as man and wife!
A thrill went though Estel and he put an arm around her waist and the two left the Hall of Fire.
