Elrond's Council
/*A.N: Oi! Second installment in "Of Elves and Men." I hope you enjoy. Thanks to all that reviewed it is much appreciated! ^^ I guess this chapter comes more from the movie then the book. ** shrugs ** Oh well, whatever makes it easier to grab fodder, right?! Anywho, here is the next chapter! Enjoy! ^-^ */
// Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, please don't kill me! You won't get much! ^^;
Estel sits at his place in the circle around the One Ring, vaguely hearing Elrond go on about what is to be done with Isildur's Bane. One of the men from the south jumps up suddenly, "It is a gift…" the rest being lost in Estel's reverie. "I should put a stop to that man's thoughts." Estel considers.
He sits up slowly, so as not to be noticed, "You cannot wield it…" He frowns, "That was plain wasn't it? I hope I didn't offend him…" Estel's thoughts are interrupted with the counter from the man.
"And what would a simple Ranger know of it?" He scowls down at Estel's seated, Elvin-clad form.
Legolas, whom Estel had taken particular pain in noticing, jumps to his defense, "This is no mere ranger. This is Estel, Aragorn, son of Arathorn and future king of Gondor. You owe him your allegiance."
"Sit down, Legolas." Estel, half glowers at the elf, wishing his titles not to be known unless necessary. And in this case it definitely was not.
"Gondor has no king… Gondor needs no king." The man, obviously from Gondor, sits and glares at the ring, with a pondering grin crossing his lips every few minutes.
"Well… That was interesting…" Estel's thoughts travel off to the elf sitting directly across from him. Why did he jump to his defense if he left him in such a hurry? Why does he sit so regally, and look down on everyone else here, when we are supposed to be equals here? Why would Elrond sit elves next to dwarfs? Why is he so attractive?… Estel shakes his head to clear his head at the last thought and pays attention to the sudden rabble between elves and dwarfs and men. He turns and notices the poor hobbit stand and claim that he will take the Ring to Mordor if someone will tell him the way.
"If by my life or death I can protect you, I will. You have my sword." Estel kneels in front of the small hobbit to meet him eye to eye. "I will surely get away from the elf prince in Mordor, of course Thranduil will not hear of his son traveling off with men and, especially, dwarfs on a folly mission that will surely fall apart before we even leave Imladris." Estel smiles to Frodo.
"… And you have my bow." Legolas' voice comes from over Estel's shoulder. Estel's eyes slide shut slowly and on the inside he frowns, grimaces, screams and shudders horribly. "Why does the elf insist on torturing me?" Estel asks himself as he stands aside to see the gathering.
Immediately after the gathering Estel retreats to his room, locking the door behind him rapidly, h hoping the sound of the bolt sliding home isn't too loud. "So, there are to be three men, four hobbits, a dwarf and that accursed Elf traveling with me… It should be easy enough to avoid him…" Estel groans and throws himself onto his bed.
"Why does folly of so many years ago still plague me?" he rolls onto his back and stares at the ceiling while he contemplates reasons to give the rest of the fellowship for avoiding the attractive elf.
A knock at the door, the door is tested to see if it is open.
"Who's there?" Estel reaches for the knife under his pillow.
"It is I… Legolas. I was wondering if we could talk." He calls through the door.
"I'm not feeling too well. I also need rest before we leave." He curses himself for such stupid excuses and lets go of the blade, simply wishing to Valar that the vexing elf would disappear.
"We do not leave for three days!" You can almost hear the frown in Legolas' voice, "Would you like me to fetch you a healer?"
Estel groans, "No, I think I'll just draw myself and bath and rest for the evening…" Estel's thoughts drift to bathing with the elf… Long, wet, sparkling, golden yellow hair floating down a well muscled back… He shakes the image from his head. "I will talk to you later." He gets up and goes to his bathroom to draw water, not wanting to hear whatever response the elf offers.
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After three days of excuses to hide in his room, it was finally time to leave. It came to be that the fellowship traveled far together, Estel taking what chance he could to keep away from the tempting elf. He stayed close to Gandalf and Frodo, and became very close friends with the little hobbit, and better friends then he already was with The Wise.
He soon began to feel comfortable in this company, and it was even possible to say that he was having fun… when they weren't running for their lives. That was, until Gandalf's leadership was suddenly shirked onto his shoulders and it was up him to guide and hold the fellowship together.