An Arrow of Friendship
Chapter 3
Wow what a response to the other chapters. I ain't use to getting that many reviews for only a couple of chapters. Lets see how many we can get for this one and all the others.
I don't normally dedicate these things to anyone but I feel that this needs to be dedicated to my cat that has been a constant companion for 15 years and is now unfortunately dead.
Right that done I would like to say thanks to Gevaudan for helping me out and also thanks to whoever gave me the Elfish for 'little one'
Right enough babble on with the story.
***
Legolas was in a healing sleep for the rest of the day and it was well into the night before he arose. He had awoken to find Estel curled up on the floor by the side of his bed in a deep sleep. Legolas smiled at the look of innocence and calm the youngster wore in his slumber. Unable to move the man without disturbing him the Prince took one of the fur blankets from the bed and placed it over the sleeping form. With Elven stealth he changed and slipped from the room in search of his father. Although Ithil was high in the sky Legolas found his father in the study looking over maps of the wood, marking out the areas of the Orc attacks and looking through the patrol schedules. Legolas stood for a moment in the doorway watching his father unnoticed. He studied the unguarded look upon the king's face of worry and frustration. After a while the prince shifted, deliberately scuffing his bare foot against the tiles to announce his presence.
" Legolas my son. Come." Thranduil said gesturing for the young Elf to enter and be seated. Legolas complied, folding himself into the cushioned chair near his father's desk with care for his injury.
" How is the wound?" The King asked pouring himself some of the wine from a silver jug.
" Almost healed Ada. By dawn it will be nothing but a memory." Legolas answered running a hand over where the arrow had pierced his upper arm.
" I am glad to hear that. Tindómerel told me what occurred on the patrol."
" Indeed. My guard was down."
"No need to explain nin tithin min (My little one). I know well enough that this would not have happened because of idle work."
" You do. However I am uncertain as to how my young pupil will take this mishap." Legolas said gravely.
"Worry not about the boy."
"But I do worry about the boy Ada." Legolas said sighing. He pulled himself up out of the chair and lent against the wall by the balcony doors.
" There is something unusual about him that worries me." Legolas continued.
"Legolas." Thranduil started.
" Nay Ada. Let me speak even if you will not help me untangle this riddle."
" Very well tithin min."
"According to Elladan and Elrohir he is but an orphan taken in by Elrond yet his arrogance is not that of an orphan but that of an heir to something. I do not know quite what it is though!"
"Legolas as I said worry not about the boy. If he is too arrogant then take him out on patrol with you next time."
" Ada, Elrond would kill both you and me if he knew we let him go out against the Orcs unprepared."
" Well prepare the babe then." The King replied slightly disgruntled at not been able to annoy the Lord of Imladris. Legolas smiled at his father.
" I will try. Until that time I believe I shall go practice my bow and then bathe."
Thranduil nodded at his youngest. "Do not work your arm to hard (my son). I do not wish for you to re open any wound."
" I shall be careful. Good night Ada."
" Good Night my greenleaf."
*** Estel awoke to the soft light shining through the great glass doors. Every part of his body ached. As he turned and stretched the fur blanket shifted to only cover half of him. The young man frowned at the blanket not recalling when it made an appearance. Pushing it aside he pulled himself to a sitting position and then to his feet. He glanced at the bed where he expected to see the Elven Prince who had been injured the night before but found an empty neatly made bed. Frowning to himself he moved over to the balcony and looked across the lands. In the courtyard just beyond the one below him he spotted the Elf practising his bow.
Rolling his eyes and shaking his head he turned heading out of the Princes rooms and towards the courtyard. He wanted some explanations.
Using the stealth his brothers had taught him he moved into the courtyard closer to the unsuspecting Elf.
*** Legolas shot the target hung upon the tree once again. He had been doing so since before the early hours of dawn and now it was not even the slight challenge it was once. Just as he was heading to retrieve his arrows he heard the slight scuff of feet.
*** Before Estel had known what had hit him four arrows pierced the loose material of his tunic and pinned him to a tree behind him. Estel had not even seen the Elf moving for the arrows in his quiver let alone having time to dodge the arrows.
"Estel." came the slightly surprised voice of Legolas. "I did not realise it was you!" The young man looked at the Elf and saw the trace of amusement etched on the archer's face.
" Will you let me free?" Estel asked through gritted teeth, trying to conceal both his irritation and also his admiration for the Elf's skill.
" Why?" Legolas asked as he moved to pull the arrows free from the target he had been using as practice.
" So I can move and speak with you." came the curt reply.
"Can you not speak to me from there?" Legolas asked an innocent expression upon his face. " Or is your speech impaired without the movement of your body?"
" Nay but been able to move does help my thought now let me free!"
"So demanding neth min (young one). Have you forgotten as to whom you make demands of or do you presume yourself above my status?"
" I am above your status!" Estel bit off his irritation turning to anger. Legolas raised his eyebrows.
"Are you indeed? How so?" He asked his eyes cold and face blank.
" You are but a mere prince of Elves."
" And you are what?" Legolas asked prying from the young man what he wanted.
" I am a king of men." Estel hissed anger running through his veins. It was not until he saw the triumphant look upon Legolas' face that he realised what he had said. He closed his eyes and silently started berating himself.
"Well now that is out in the open maybe we can begin again." Legolas said as he swiftly pulled the arrows from the shoulders and sides of Estel's tunic.
"What do you mean?" Estel asked, fear in his eyes although his voice was steady.
"What I mean young Estel is that ever since you arrived here you have been sat upon some high horse believing yourself already to be King." Legolas explained as he replaced the arrows in his quiver.
"You are not King yet Estel. You may never be King but let me tell you this. An arrogant king is never a good king." Legolas continued thinking of the stories of his Grandfather.
"You believe me arrogant?" Estel asked slightly insulted.
"You have shown me naught to believe otherwise."
"Well you have not given me reason to show you anything else."
"And what would you have me show you Estel? You have done naught but insult me since you rode into Mirkwood."
"Well I have heard stories about the Elves of Mirkwood."
"And I of the Elves of Imladris but I am still friend to your brothers."
"Well." Estel started but was cut off by the Elven Prince.
"Do not let others judge for you 'tis a sign of weakness."
"I am not weak!" Estel stated harshly. Legolas laughed shaking his head in disbelief.
"Nay but you are young and stubborn."
"Well at least I can ride and not get injured."
"Really?" The Elven Prince asked cocking an eyebrow. "And can you ride whilst being attacked by Orcs and still not get injured?" The question made Estel look at the Elf and pause.
"Can you rescue a companion from the arms of the fell beasts of Sauron and ride and still not be injured?"
Estel stayed mute.
"Nay I did not think so. I believe if that was all that I had to accomplish then I wound not have been wounded but I was also horseless for the best part of the battle."
Estel looked at the Elf mildly surprised that all he had escaped with was a wound to the arm that had now healed completely. After a few moments of silence Estel spoke.
" Amin hiraetha Legolas. (I am sorry.) " Estel finally croaked out feeling all of a sudden defeated and very alone. Legolas registered the change in the young man's eyes. Patting him on the shoulder he spoke softly,
"Worry not." After a moments more silence Legolas spoke again.
"Maybe we should begin our aqanintance again." Estel looked at the Elf slightly confused at what he meant.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Legolas Greenleaf of Mirkwood." Estel smiled at the joyful introduction and the flourished bow that accompanied it.
"A pleasure good Elf. I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn but you may call me Estel." The both smiled then and laughing they headed in to the central house. Legolas continued the jest as they went by giving a mock tour of the grounds.
Chapter 3
Wow what a response to the other chapters. I ain't use to getting that many reviews for only a couple of chapters. Lets see how many we can get for this one and all the others.
I don't normally dedicate these things to anyone but I feel that this needs to be dedicated to my cat that has been a constant companion for 15 years and is now unfortunately dead.
Right that done I would like to say thanks to Gevaudan for helping me out and also thanks to whoever gave me the Elfish for 'little one'
Right enough babble on with the story.
***
Legolas was in a healing sleep for the rest of the day and it was well into the night before he arose. He had awoken to find Estel curled up on the floor by the side of his bed in a deep sleep. Legolas smiled at the look of innocence and calm the youngster wore in his slumber. Unable to move the man without disturbing him the Prince took one of the fur blankets from the bed and placed it over the sleeping form. With Elven stealth he changed and slipped from the room in search of his father. Although Ithil was high in the sky Legolas found his father in the study looking over maps of the wood, marking out the areas of the Orc attacks and looking through the patrol schedules. Legolas stood for a moment in the doorway watching his father unnoticed. He studied the unguarded look upon the king's face of worry and frustration. After a while the prince shifted, deliberately scuffing his bare foot against the tiles to announce his presence.
" Legolas my son. Come." Thranduil said gesturing for the young Elf to enter and be seated. Legolas complied, folding himself into the cushioned chair near his father's desk with care for his injury.
" How is the wound?" The King asked pouring himself some of the wine from a silver jug.
" Almost healed Ada. By dawn it will be nothing but a memory." Legolas answered running a hand over where the arrow had pierced his upper arm.
" I am glad to hear that. Tindómerel told me what occurred on the patrol."
" Indeed. My guard was down."
"No need to explain nin tithin min (My little one). I know well enough that this would not have happened because of idle work."
" You do. However I am uncertain as to how my young pupil will take this mishap." Legolas said gravely.
"Worry not about the boy."
"But I do worry about the boy Ada." Legolas said sighing. He pulled himself up out of the chair and lent against the wall by the balcony doors.
" There is something unusual about him that worries me." Legolas continued.
"Legolas." Thranduil started.
" Nay Ada. Let me speak even if you will not help me untangle this riddle."
" Very well tithin min."
"According to Elladan and Elrohir he is but an orphan taken in by Elrond yet his arrogance is not that of an orphan but that of an heir to something. I do not know quite what it is though!"
"Legolas as I said worry not about the boy. If he is too arrogant then take him out on patrol with you next time."
" Ada, Elrond would kill both you and me if he knew we let him go out against the Orcs unprepared."
" Well prepare the babe then." The King replied slightly disgruntled at not been able to annoy the Lord of Imladris. Legolas smiled at his father.
" I will try. Until that time I believe I shall go practice my bow and then bathe."
Thranduil nodded at his youngest. "Do not work your arm to hard (my son). I do not wish for you to re open any wound."
" I shall be careful. Good night Ada."
" Good Night my greenleaf."
*** Estel awoke to the soft light shining through the great glass doors. Every part of his body ached. As he turned and stretched the fur blanket shifted to only cover half of him. The young man frowned at the blanket not recalling when it made an appearance. Pushing it aside he pulled himself to a sitting position and then to his feet. He glanced at the bed where he expected to see the Elven Prince who had been injured the night before but found an empty neatly made bed. Frowning to himself he moved over to the balcony and looked across the lands. In the courtyard just beyond the one below him he spotted the Elf practising his bow.
Rolling his eyes and shaking his head he turned heading out of the Princes rooms and towards the courtyard. He wanted some explanations.
Using the stealth his brothers had taught him he moved into the courtyard closer to the unsuspecting Elf.
*** Legolas shot the target hung upon the tree once again. He had been doing so since before the early hours of dawn and now it was not even the slight challenge it was once. Just as he was heading to retrieve his arrows he heard the slight scuff of feet.
*** Before Estel had known what had hit him four arrows pierced the loose material of his tunic and pinned him to a tree behind him. Estel had not even seen the Elf moving for the arrows in his quiver let alone having time to dodge the arrows.
"Estel." came the slightly surprised voice of Legolas. "I did not realise it was you!" The young man looked at the Elf and saw the trace of amusement etched on the archer's face.
" Will you let me free?" Estel asked through gritted teeth, trying to conceal both his irritation and also his admiration for the Elf's skill.
" Why?" Legolas asked as he moved to pull the arrows free from the target he had been using as practice.
" So I can move and speak with you." came the curt reply.
"Can you not speak to me from there?" Legolas asked an innocent expression upon his face. " Or is your speech impaired without the movement of your body?"
" Nay but been able to move does help my thought now let me free!"
"So demanding neth min (young one). Have you forgotten as to whom you make demands of or do you presume yourself above my status?"
" I am above your status!" Estel bit off his irritation turning to anger. Legolas raised his eyebrows.
"Are you indeed? How so?" He asked his eyes cold and face blank.
" You are but a mere prince of Elves."
" And you are what?" Legolas asked prying from the young man what he wanted.
" I am a king of men." Estel hissed anger running through his veins. It was not until he saw the triumphant look upon Legolas' face that he realised what he had said. He closed his eyes and silently started berating himself.
"Well now that is out in the open maybe we can begin again." Legolas said as he swiftly pulled the arrows from the shoulders and sides of Estel's tunic.
"What do you mean?" Estel asked, fear in his eyes although his voice was steady.
"What I mean young Estel is that ever since you arrived here you have been sat upon some high horse believing yourself already to be King." Legolas explained as he replaced the arrows in his quiver.
"You are not King yet Estel. You may never be King but let me tell you this. An arrogant king is never a good king." Legolas continued thinking of the stories of his Grandfather.
"You believe me arrogant?" Estel asked slightly insulted.
"You have shown me naught to believe otherwise."
"Well you have not given me reason to show you anything else."
"And what would you have me show you Estel? You have done naught but insult me since you rode into Mirkwood."
"Well I have heard stories about the Elves of Mirkwood."
"And I of the Elves of Imladris but I am still friend to your brothers."
"Well." Estel started but was cut off by the Elven Prince.
"Do not let others judge for you 'tis a sign of weakness."
"I am not weak!" Estel stated harshly. Legolas laughed shaking his head in disbelief.
"Nay but you are young and stubborn."
"Well at least I can ride and not get injured."
"Really?" The Elven Prince asked cocking an eyebrow. "And can you ride whilst being attacked by Orcs and still not get injured?" The question made Estel look at the Elf and pause.
"Can you rescue a companion from the arms of the fell beasts of Sauron and ride and still not be injured?"
Estel stayed mute.
"Nay I did not think so. I believe if that was all that I had to accomplish then I wound not have been wounded but I was also horseless for the best part of the battle."
Estel looked at the Elf mildly surprised that all he had escaped with was a wound to the arm that had now healed completely. After a few moments of silence Estel spoke.
" Amin hiraetha Legolas. (I am sorry.) " Estel finally croaked out feeling all of a sudden defeated and very alone. Legolas registered the change in the young man's eyes. Patting him on the shoulder he spoke softly,
"Worry not." After a moments more silence Legolas spoke again.
"Maybe we should begin our aqanintance again." Estel looked at the Elf slightly confused at what he meant.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Legolas Greenleaf of Mirkwood." Estel smiled at the joyful introduction and the flourished bow that accompanied it.
"A pleasure good Elf. I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn but you may call me Estel." The both smiled then and laughing they headed in to the central house. Legolas continued the jest as they went by giving a mock tour of the grounds.
