Note: In the last chapter Estel had a very interesting encounter with Arwen in the gardens. I warn you that this chapter is not all humorous and you may find at times that I am trying to make it serious and if you dislike that I apologize. I just like stories more when they have a more serious tone. Enjoy!

Hope We Meet Again

Supper was a horrible experience. Once again sentenced to sitting next to one another, Estel and Arwen ate silently, throwing dirty looks at each other occasionally. Though Arwen had originally meant to make up with him once they'd began she quite changed her mind upon finding mashed potatoes all over her dress back after she had sat on them. If Elrond noticed anything different he showed no sign of it; Of course, that might have had to do with the fact that Galadriel was a very hard guest to appease. He had pained himself with fetching everything she called for, from white wine to crab salad with sweet-and-sour sauce, vinegar oil dressing, and lightly browned chips as a side. It was not really necessary, but it is usually a good idea to make sure that you are keeping your mother-in-law very happy (especially if she has mysterious, supernatural powers that she could use against you). Arwen and Estel finally rose, almost at the same time, and departed swiftly to their chambers.

Even as they sat in their beds, anger brewing within them, a storm was brewing over Imladris, something that happened rarely in Rivendell. Within minutes a steady rain was pitter-pattering against the roof. By nine o'clock it had evolved into a full-fledged deluge, complete with flashes of lightening accompanied by blasts of thunder. Arwen pulled her curtains and went to sleep, untroubled by the outside noises. But in the room underneath her, a little boy sat shivering, a pillow squashed to his face as though to keep out the storm. Estel, like most little boys would, found the inclement weather positively dreadful and frightening. After singing the Gil-Galad theme song twenty times over with no success in comforting himself, he rose and tiptoed up the stairs to Arwen's bedroom. Opening the door carefully, Estel crossed the space between it and the bed in one leap. He laid out one of his deep green sheets on the floor and snuggled into it, falling asleep immediately.

Arwen was awoken later by Estel's soft sleep talking. She turned and looked down at the little boy on her floor. He was muttering something about saving the world from evil jewelry and she couldn't help but smile. Perhaps he wasn't as bad as she'd thought. He was, after all, only a young boy and he couldn't be blamed for his obnoxious clumsiness, which was a trait that came with being of the race of Man. Sighing, she burrowed back into her covers and slept.

There were frantic footsteps along the hall and the door to Arwen's room was flung open with a thud.

"Arwen…..Arwen, wake up!" The urgent whispering over Arwen's bed awaked Estel. He kept his eyes shut, wishing to hear everything but not wanting to be caught eavesdropping.

"What is it, Elrohir?" Arwen asked groggily.

"It's Celebrian. It's Mother." There was a rustling of sheets and Estel suspected that Arwen had thrown them off.

"What happened, Elrohir? What's wrong?"

"On the way to Lorien their party was attacked by orcs."

Arwen gasped. "Then she's-"

"She is not harmed. But the orcs have taken her captive. All the others have been slain."

"Oh, god! Those dirty children of Mordor shall pay if she is harmed! May Elbereth protect her! Elrohir we must save her!"

"Elladan and I are leaving at the break of day. We'll track down that filth and punish them properly, you needn't worry about that!

"I shall come with you."

"That you will not. You will remain here, where it is safe.

"That I will not! You underestimate me, brother. I'm not a child, nor am I helpless in the dark. I am learned in sword and bow. You will remember that I have outfought you in many play battles. I wish to help find mother! I am coming with you and you cannot convince me otherwise."

"You are right Arwen. I beg your pardon. You needn't remind me of your victories against me for I remember them well and grudge every one of them. But I still worry. Orcs may prove a tougher match."

"I will prevail."

Estel was overcome with excitement. An adventure! A real-life adventure like what Gil-Galad had done all those years ago! He jumped up, no longer caring what they thought of him eavesdropping.

"I am coming too!" he shouted, making the two elves jump. "I will save her! Those evil orcs will pay! And I'll have a real sword and I'll go stab! And he'll be dead. And then I'll go stab, stab, stab! Look! More dead! And then stab in the air and whoosh with a bow! And an arrow is in his heart and ha! He's dead! And then you'll be in danger and then stab! Wham! He's dead too! And then-,"

"Slow down, Estel. You're not coming."

"WHAT?"

"You heard me. It is far too dangerous for a little boy to be-,"

"Little boy! I am no little boy, my dear sir! I'm a man!" He beat his chest and howled in what he thought was a magnificent war call. Arwen wished she could laugh but the tears streaming down her face drowned out any humor that she might have felt. She placed her hands on his shoulders and he stopped.

"This is very serious, Estel, and you are too young to understand. This is not for you. When you are older, perhaps. But you must grow up before you have an opportunity to fight with orcs, and by then you will perceive that it is not at all enjoyable. You cannot go yet. Do you understand?"

Estel stared at his feet. "I thought we were going to make breakfast together," he whispered.

"We will find time to do that someday later. Now, do you understand?"

Estel sighed. "Yes, Lady," he said quietly. The truth was, he did not understand. He was tough and he had practice with his plastic swords numerous times. He was ready to take on those stupid orcs! But he still liked the Lady and wanted to please her. So for her sake, he gave up the idea of curling up in her saddlebag and stowing away. But it was a shame, he thought. He would never have an adventure now.

True to his word, Elrohir had horses and packs for he, Elladan, and Arwen ready by dawn. As he watched Arwen mount her white stallion, Estel wondered how long she would be gone. He was going to miss her, if only for someone to bug during supper. As he thought, Arwen turned and waved a hand at him. He did not move.

"Elen sila lumenn omentielvo," Arwen said quietly. Then she turned and, speaking a command to her horse, started along the road behind her brothers. Estel stared after her, then suddenly cried out.

"Lady!" Arwen stopped and turned. Estel put his hands behind his back sheepishly. Looking her directly in the eye he whispered, "Hope we meet again."

Arwen smiled. "Yes," she whispered, "Hope we meet again."

Well, that's it! My work is done. I know that when Celebrian is really taken by orcs it is a long time after when Aragorn was seven, and Arwen doesn't really go with her brothers. But I felt it was a good ending and as many people do not know that Arwen's mother was ever taken by orcs at all, I figured no one would really care that I was not being absolutely accurate. Thanks for reading it!