Lothlorien

/* Oi again! ^^ I hope you guys are enjoying the story so far, I'm really trying. ^^ Thanks again for reviews! Sorry I'm so late with this installment. ^^; First I was on my spring break from university so I just didn't have time between parties and sleeping… Then I had to bust my butt of to study for the midterms I was supposed to study for over the break -_-; Then, the week after that, my friend came to visit so once again I was too busy partying and sleeping. -_- I really should just worry about school… ANYWAY! Here's the next installment, let me know if there's any serious problems. ^^*/

// Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters…. As much as I'd like to…. -_-

Estel wades in a shallow stream among the glowing tress in Lothlorien, listening to the ethereal voices singing of sadness and loss. He smiles at the water lapping about his lower chest as he spreads his arms and lets his fingertips just brush the surface of the warm water and watching the ripples caused by this intrusion.

"That is something you don't seem to do often enough anymore." A smiling elf voice comes from behind him, belonging to none other then Legolas. Estel had been lucky in his avoidance, no one had asked him why he was distancing himself from the archer, and Legolas didn't seem to pry the situation either.

Estel turns slowly, very aware of his nakedness in the brook; a part of him wishing the elf was in here with him. He banishes the thought from his mind with a swift shake of his head, "What do you want?" He looks at the elf with a blatant scowl playing across his features.

Legolas walks towards the water smiling as he listens to everything about him, the things Estel can hear, the birds, the breeze; as well as the things he can't, like the pulse rushing through the elf's veins "I came simply to talk to an old friend. You see, it seems as though he's been avoiding me and that hurts considering the anxiousness of our first meeting." The elf shrugs slightly with an impish smile playing his features.

Estel swallows hard trying to regulate his heart rate as the elf removes his tunic and leggings. Legolas moves out into the water towards the king of men. Estel finds himself unconsciously moving towards the prince in return, feeling his heart hammering against his chest and the blood flowing through his veins.

The shock of first contact comes first on his chest as Legolas lays his palm there to feel what he can so easily hear. Estel finds his body reacting against his will; a sudden tightness in the pit of his stomach as well as heat in his ears, cheeks and loin. His breathing quickens as the elf presses his body against Estel's attempting to convey love, but the obviousness of the elf's arousal brings Estel's brain back to reality and he pushes the delicate, golden haired creature away.

"I'm not the boy I used to be. Fifty years traveling the wild, seeking answers that will not come. Knowing that in his youth he was left for his inexperience and imperfections." The scowl returns to Estel's face and he becomes more bitter with each passing second, "Why did you leave?"

Legolas lowers his eyes and steps back and away, "Our group was called off in the night… There had been an attack on our home in Mirkwood and we were needed, my father for his command and I for my abilities."

Estel shrugs and begins to walk to the shore again, to the place he had piled his clothing, "Even so, things have changed." He pulls his clothes on clumsily over his dripping body and moves off out of the clearing, "Please don't come to me like this again, it pains me."

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Estel walks through the shimmering mallorn trees his anger plain on his face not taking notice of his surroundings, not tree, rock or elf. "What troubles your mind, Estel?" That luminous voice rings clearly as the lady of the wood steps from between the trees."

Estel sighs, knowing there is no escape from this elf and sits under the nearest tree. It stands tall and shimmering, not casting a shadow in any direction, but making the man seem dark and ominous. "There is nothing truly troubling me. Simply memories burning me." He lowers his head to watch his fingers twine in the thick, soft grass.

She kneels next to him, making him seem a child next to her, "I know these memories do more then burn you child. Why do you deny what your heart so readily accepts?" She frowns at him as she raises his face with a finger to his chin.

Estel turns his eyes away, "I hide from it because I am no longer who I was. I realize the imperfections of my race, I know the weakness. I do not yet know what strength there is in me."

She turns his face to look at her again, this time her glowing, smiling face, "Do you not think that with love comes acceptance of all faults and weaknesses? He's offering you his heart, are you so harsh as to not let a little light into your struggle?"

Estel frowns and moves his face away, not in sorrow but contemplating new, old ideas. He notices the glowing being leave his side and go into the trees again. "I can't let these feelings get in the way of the quest. Anything more then comradry could be the death of us." He leans further back to the trunk of the tree and allows himself to rest with only thoughts for himself and not the best of the world.

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So the fellowship traveled further south to the falls of Rauros, Estel suddenly found himself not having to worry about the distruction of Isildur's Bane. He finds a new strength; in his ability to let the ring go, he found himself more free to fallow his attractions.

The elf had kept blessed distance since their encounter under the ancient trees of Lothlorien, Although Estel was unsure whether he had pained the elf, or Legolas had finally understood why Estel had been fighting his feelings.