An Arrow of Friendship
Chapter 4
Sorry this has taken so long to post what with Exams and everything including the fact that I have had to pay more attention to my maths lessons. This has been semi written for some time now and I have just had to get round to finishing it. I wouldn't expect much more after this chapter for a while which is why I've tried to make it a long chapter. Well onwards.
"Bring your elbow up so it's straight." Legolas commanded as Estel struggled to keep the arrow on the bowstring and aim as well as follow the instructions the Elven Prince gave.
"Pull it back to your ear Estel or it will not reach the target." Estel complied but lost his grip on the string and the arrow flew towards the target and over.
Estel let out a growl of frustration whilst Legolas let out a sigh. If he had thought the mental exercises were difficult the practical was proving impossible. After a week of trying Estel could not co-ordinate his hands and his eyes. How the boy fought with a sword was what Legolas wanted to know.
"Worry not Estel. Let us rest a while and then start again."
"Very well but I do not think that resting will help me improve any." Estel replied glumly as he took a seat on the ground next to the Prince.
"Do not lose hope young one. 'Tis only been a week since we began the practical."
"Aye and I still fail to hit the target." Legolas smiled sympathetically at the boy.
"I believe that it is your stance that is causing your aim to be off." Estel was about to make a reply when Thranduil interrupted the two and a few guards along with a few others Estel did not recognise.
"Father." Legolas said rising to his feet and bowing cautiously. Estel also rose and bowed respectfully.
"Legolas, Estel. I am sorry to interrupt your training session however some guests have arrived unexpectedly and I have a meeting to attend soon."
"We shall see to the guests father. Whom are they may I ask?" Legolas said guessing his father's intent.
"Haldir of Lorien and some other Elves from both Lorien and Imladris." Thranduil replied smiling slightly as he saw Estel's eyes light up at the mention of his homeland.
"We shall attend to them immediately." Legolas said.
"Hannon lle Legolas. Estel." Thranduil said moving off towards the meeting chamber.
Both Estel and Legolas gathered the archery equipment and moved towards the entrance hall of the Central house. Giving the equipment to a servant they attempted to make themselves more presentable.
"Hail Haldir. How fair you?" Legolas asked looking both regal and casual at the same time.
"Well Prince Legolas." Haildir replied bowing his respect.
"What brings the captain of the Galadhrim to Mirkwood?" Legolas asked diplomatically with Estel stood next to him scanning the guards from Imladris.
"We were passing by your wood and had heard young Estel was staying amongst yours. We decided to visit with him." Haldir replied as if he were reading from an already scripted speech. The Elven prince looked across at the young man beside him. He noted the slight frown that creased the man's normally smooth features.
"Very well," Legolas acknowledged before beckoning to the guards to follow him as he showed them to some rooms in which they could rest comfortably until they had finished whatever they had come for.
***
Estel sat upon the couch in the rooms which Haldir and his company was occupying. Stood across from him was the captain.
"Is everything well Haldir for not idly do you wander?" Estel asked the Elven guard who was close to his brothers. The elf wore a shadow of a smile as he looked at the Twins younger brother knowing that he would no longer be able to conceal the true meaning for their arrival in Mirkwood.
"We were on a hunt." Haldir replied simply as if it explained all.
"Did you catch and slay your prey?" Estel asked knowing the games Haldir would play with words.
"Nay!" The Elven guard said his features returning to the blank neutrality which all of the Elves practice.
"You tracked the beasts to Mirkwood did you not?" Estel asked knowing he would receive no reply from the elder. "You should tell Legolas and King Thranduil of this." He continued standing and moving towards the blonde guard.
"There is no need to tell them." Haldir replied in his cold voice.
"'Tis their territory. They can help track the fell beasts and destroy them." The youth argued back.
"We need not their help!" The other stated firmly beginning to lose his calm façade.
"Lives could be lost if they do not understand the increased threat."
"Do not argue on their behalf Estel. We shall take care of the threat and then leave. It is simple."
"And whilst you do so I shall warn the Elves of Mirkwood of this threat you hunt." Estel stated firmly heading for the door intent on finding his Elven trainer.
"These Elves have poisoned your mind just as they did to the twins." Haldir spat losing all control he had held over his temper.
"'Tis best not to let old grudges rule the future especially when the grudge is not ours to hold." Estel said softly remembering what Legolas had told him, before he left the irate Elf behind in search of the golden prince.
***
"Do we know why they have come?" Thranduil asked his youngest.
"They claim to be just passing through. I have a theory they are checking in on Estel but there could be more than that." Legolas replied from his place on the couch in the King's study.
"What is Galadrial up too?" The King of Mirkwood asked rubbing a hand in front of his weary eyes.
"I know not Ada?" Legolas said but before he could continue another voice spoke.
"Maybe the Lady of the golden wood is up to nothing and it is her captain that is causing the mischief."
Both of the Elves turned towards the door where Estel stood with a look of grave worry etched on his handsome features.
"You move like an Elf!" Thranduil stated gesturing for the youth to enter. Estel moved in and sat besides his friend looking down at his hands.
"What ails you neth nin?" The King asked his son's student.
"Haldir he. They were on an orc hunt. They tracked a band of orcs into the wood."
"Nothing unusual tithin nin, there are often orcs in our wood."
"Haldir was not planning on warning you of these though." Estel said with an innocence that made both King and Prince smile.
"There is naught unusual there either Estel," Legolas said softly. The confused look upon Estel's face encouraged him to explain further.
"The Elves of Mirkwood are not known to be friends with those of Lothlorien and even those of Imladris. We are too busy trying to defend our lands to make friends."
"You see Estel although we show open hospitality we are often suspicious when the do arrive in our wood." Thranduil continued placing a hand upon Elrond's foster son's shoulder.
"Why?" Estel asked not understanding why the Elves should be suspicious of their own.
"Because they are suspicious of us, Estel. We have fought amongst ourselves long ago and now find it hard to trust the other." Thranduil said in a soft voice willing the youth to understand.
"But the Elves of Lorien and Imladris do not treat each other with suspicion why should it be any different with Mirkwood?" Estel was still trying to puzzle out this idea of hatred.
"Because the lands of Lorien and Imladris are not over run with the fell beasts of the Dark Lord." Legolas said getting to his feet and helping Estel onto his own.
"Let it be for now. We know why Haldir is here and so no longer have to worry. Come let us practice more."
***
Haldir and his company only stayed a few days during which Estel avoided them. When they finally left Haldir had left a message for Estel, which read:
Estel, I shall see to it that Elrond of Imladris knows what has taken place here
and how your training is fairing.
Haldir.
Legolas had laughed at the note when Estel had shown it to him.
"Worry not about Haldir, Estel. He is not a threat and I doubt he can say anything to your Father that will make him angry with you." Legolas had said when the two were on their way to the baths after another of their long training sessions. Estel was making some progress but not enough so Legolas could take him out hunting.
One evening a couple of weeks after Haldir had left both Legolas and Estel were sitting on the balcony adjacent to the Prince's rooms. They had a plate of fruit, particularly grapes that were their favourite fruit, and a couple of flasks of wine.
"Legolas?" Estel asked staring up at Ithil.
"Yes Estel!" Legolas replied with a slight smirk. His back was against the smooth wood that made up the doorway that led to his rooms.
"You are laughing at me are you not?" Estel said in a slightly hurt tone. Legolas' smile grew.
"Only a little Aragorn. Now come what is it that you wish to ask?"
" Aragorn now. Huh! How did you meet Elladan and Elrohir? You seem to be good friends despite the fact that your father and mine are not."
Legolas stared curiously at the youth who lent against the intricate railing staring up into the night sky. Legolas had often been amazed during the few short months Estel had been in Mirkwood at the amount of perception he had.
"That is true mellon min. Very well I shall tell you of how we met and became the friends we are." Legolas replied shifting to a more comfortable position.
Estel was now looking at the golden haired archer eyes ablaze with curiosity and wonderment. He had always liked stories. He remembered when he was a babe how his mother, Elrond and even his foster brothers had told him a tale to stop him from fussing and disrupting events at the Last Homely House.
"You are aware how Elladan and Elrohir are always hunting Orcs in the lands of Middle Earth?" Legolas asked his face cautiously neutral as he spoke to the youth.
"Yes. They have hunted Orcs since their mother left these shores." Estel replied thinking of how many times he had seen his brothers ride out and of how Elrond would worry, even though he never showed it, until the twins were safely home.
"Yes." Legolas said pulling Estel out of his own thoughts.
"The two of them had set out another of their hunts just as the summer was coming to an end about half a century after their mother had left these shores. To set out at the end of summer was folly on their part or perhaps the Valar had preordained it. I know not." Legolas shook his head to help regain his thought stream.
"I had been sent by my Father with my elder brothers to Lothlorien on a mission to try and establish a patrol between both of our borders. Needless to say we failed in our mission and saw no need to prolong our stay in a land where we were not altogether welcome." Legolas drew breath before continuing.
" We had just crossed the path leading from a small village only a league or so from Dol Guldur up to the borders of Mirkwood when we were caught unawares by a raging blizzard. If it were just us elves amongst our party we would have continued unhindered but as our luck would have it our supplies of food were been carried by the horses. We made camp and that is where your brothers found us." Legolas wore a slight smile as he remembered what was to come next.
"Your brothers had managed to lose their steeds in the storm and had hope to make their way to the village near Dol Guldur to re supplement their supplies before they continued on to their mothers lands of Lothlorien. They stumbled upon our camp before they where close to the human town. We were warily of them and they of us yet still they asked to speak with the leader of our company. The elder of my brothers stepped forwards and asked them to identify themselves. We had not known who they were before and when they announced that they were Elladan and Elrohir sons of Elrond Peredhil. I know not how to say this so we do not appear foolish so do forgive the bluntness. We attacked them." Legolas would have continued but was interrupted by Estel.
"You attacked them? By the Valar that was nice of you!" Legolas visibly winced at the retort from the young man who was lent opposite him.
"What you must understand Estel is that we had been raised hearing how the Elves of Rivendell were unfit to be called Elves especially the Lords of Rivendell."
" But you told me do not let others judge for you as it is a sign of weakness." Estel commented remembering how Legolas had been so adamant about it.
"Indeed but I did not learn that lesson until later when things were turned around. After we had met them first we did not see them again. I, years later was sent out alone during the summer to track a particular Orc that had been causing most trouble. I tracked this beast from Mirkwood into the pass of the mountains. The beast was cleverer than most and had set a trap for me. If it had not been for your brothers I would not have survived."
"So you beat them then they save you and you are in their debt. It is a nice way to start a friendship."
"That it is but the friendship building did not begin until I admitted that the Elves of Rivendell were not all the things my father had told me about." Legolas smiled at the youth who stood a while in silence pondering on all he had heard. Finally Legolas stood and interrupted the man's thoughts.
"Come we must to bed as tomorrow we shall finish your training."
Well then seven pages and I believe I have enough thoughts stashed away in my head so there can be another chapter soon. And as I only have the one exam left. though by the time I post this I will have finished it hopefully. I will have time to write more. Please review.
LINIS
Chapter 4
Sorry this has taken so long to post what with Exams and everything including the fact that I have had to pay more attention to my maths lessons. This has been semi written for some time now and I have just had to get round to finishing it. I wouldn't expect much more after this chapter for a while which is why I've tried to make it a long chapter. Well onwards.
"Bring your elbow up so it's straight." Legolas commanded as Estel struggled to keep the arrow on the bowstring and aim as well as follow the instructions the Elven Prince gave.
"Pull it back to your ear Estel or it will not reach the target." Estel complied but lost his grip on the string and the arrow flew towards the target and over.
Estel let out a growl of frustration whilst Legolas let out a sigh. If he had thought the mental exercises were difficult the practical was proving impossible. After a week of trying Estel could not co-ordinate his hands and his eyes. How the boy fought with a sword was what Legolas wanted to know.
"Worry not Estel. Let us rest a while and then start again."
"Very well but I do not think that resting will help me improve any." Estel replied glumly as he took a seat on the ground next to the Prince.
"Do not lose hope young one. 'Tis only been a week since we began the practical."
"Aye and I still fail to hit the target." Legolas smiled sympathetically at the boy.
"I believe that it is your stance that is causing your aim to be off." Estel was about to make a reply when Thranduil interrupted the two and a few guards along with a few others Estel did not recognise.
"Father." Legolas said rising to his feet and bowing cautiously. Estel also rose and bowed respectfully.
"Legolas, Estel. I am sorry to interrupt your training session however some guests have arrived unexpectedly and I have a meeting to attend soon."
"We shall see to the guests father. Whom are they may I ask?" Legolas said guessing his father's intent.
"Haldir of Lorien and some other Elves from both Lorien and Imladris." Thranduil replied smiling slightly as he saw Estel's eyes light up at the mention of his homeland.
"We shall attend to them immediately." Legolas said.
"Hannon lle Legolas. Estel." Thranduil said moving off towards the meeting chamber.
Both Estel and Legolas gathered the archery equipment and moved towards the entrance hall of the Central house. Giving the equipment to a servant they attempted to make themselves more presentable.
"Hail Haldir. How fair you?" Legolas asked looking both regal and casual at the same time.
"Well Prince Legolas." Haildir replied bowing his respect.
"What brings the captain of the Galadhrim to Mirkwood?" Legolas asked diplomatically with Estel stood next to him scanning the guards from Imladris.
"We were passing by your wood and had heard young Estel was staying amongst yours. We decided to visit with him." Haldir replied as if he were reading from an already scripted speech. The Elven prince looked across at the young man beside him. He noted the slight frown that creased the man's normally smooth features.
"Very well," Legolas acknowledged before beckoning to the guards to follow him as he showed them to some rooms in which they could rest comfortably until they had finished whatever they had come for.
***
Estel sat upon the couch in the rooms which Haldir and his company was occupying. Stood across from him was the captain.
"Is everything well Haldir for not idly do you wander?" Estel asked the Elven guard who was close to his brothers. The elf wore a shadow of a smile as he looked at the Twins younger brother knowing that he would no longer be able to conceal the true meaning for their arrival in Mirkwood.
"We were on a hunt." Haldir replied simply as if it explained all.
"Did you catch and slay your prey?" Estel asked knowing the games Haldir would play with words.
"Nay!" The Elven guard said his features returning to the blank neutrality which all of the Elves practice.
"You tracked the beasts to Mirkwood did you not?" Estel asked knowing he would receive no reply from the elder. "You should tell Legolas and King Thranduil of this." He continued standing and moving towards the blonde guard.
"There is no need to tell them." Haldir replied in his cold voice.
"'Tis their territory. They can help track the fell beasts and destroy them." The youth argued back.
"We need not their help!" The other stated firmly beginning to lose his calm façade.
"Lives could be lost if they do not understand the increased threat."
"Do not argue on their behalf Estel. We shall take care of the threat and then leave. It is simple."
"And whilst you do so I shall warn the Elves of Mirkwood of this threat you hunt." Estel stated firmly heading for the door intent on finding his Elven trainer.
"These Elves have poisoned your mind just as they did to the twins." Haldir spat losing all control he had held over his temper.
"'Tis best not to let old grudges rule the future especially when the grudge is not ours to hold." Estel said softly remembering what Legolas had told him, before he left the irate Elf behind in search of the golden prince.
***
"Do we know why they have come?" Thranduil asked his youngest.
"They claim to be just passing through. I have a theory they are checking in on Estel but there could be more than that." Legolas replied from his place on the couch in the King's study.
"What is Galadrial up too?" The King of Mirkwood asked rubbing a hand in front of his weary eyes.
"I know not Ada?" Legolas said but before he could continue another voice spoke.
"Maybe the Lady of the golden wood is up to nothing and it is her captain that is causing the mischief."
Both of the Elves turned towards the door where Estel stood with a look of grave worry etched on his handsome features.
"You move like an Elf!" Thranduil stated gesturing for the youth to enter. Estel moved in and sat besides his friend looking down at his hands.
"What ails you neth nin?" The King asked his son's student.
"Haldir he. They were on an orc hunt. They tracked a band of orcs into the wood."
"Nothing unusual tithin nin, there are often orcs in our wood."
"Haldir was not planning on warning you of these though." Estel said with an innocence that made both King and Prince smile.
"There is naught unusual there either Estel," Legolas said softly. The confused look upon Estel's face encouraged him to explain further.
"The Elves of Mirkwood are not known to be friends with those of Lothlorien and even those of Imladris. We are too busy trying to defend our lands to make friends."
"You see Estel although we show open hospitality we are often suspicious when the do arrive in our wood." Thranduil continued placing a hand upon Elrond's foster son's shoulder.
"Why?" Estel asked not understanding why the Elves should be suspicious of their own.
"Because they are suspicious of us, Estel. We have fought amongst ourselves long ago and now find it hard to trust the other." Thranduil said in a soft voice willing the youth to understand.
"But the Elves of Lorien and Imladris do not treat each other with suspicion why should it be any different with Mirkwood?" Estel was still trying to puzzle out this idea of hatred.
"Because the lands of Lorien and Imladris are not over run with the fell beasts of the Dark Lord." Legolas said getting to his feet and helping Estel onto his own.
"Let it be for now. We know why Haldir is here and so no longer have to worry. Come let us practice more."
***
Haldir and his company only stayed a few days during which Estel avoided them. When they finally left Haldir had left a message for Estel, which read:
Estel, I shall see to it that Elrond of Imladris knows what has taken place here
and how your training is fairing.
Haldir.
Legolas had laughed at the note when Estel had shown it to him.
"Worry not about Haldir, Estel. He is not a threat and I doubt he can say anything to your Father that will make him angry with you." Legolas had said when the two were on their way to the baths after another of their long training sessions. Estel was making some progress but not enough so Legolas could take him out hunting.
One evening a couple of weeks after Haldir had left both Legolas and Estel were sitting on the balcony adjacent to the Prince's rooms. They had a plate of fruit, particularly grapes that were their favourite fruit, and a couple of flasks of wine.
"Legolas?" Estel asked staring up at Ithil.
"Yes Estel!" Legolas replied with a slight smirk. His back was against the smooth wood that made up the doorway that led to his rooms.
"You are laughing at me are you not?" Estel said in a slightly hurt tone. Legolas' smile grew.
"Only a little Aragorn. Now come what is it that you wish to ask?"
" Aragorn now. Huh! How did you meet Elladan and Elrohir? You seem to be good friends despite the fact that your father and mine are not."
Legolas stared curiously at the youth who lent against the intricate railing staring up into the night sky. Legolas had often been amazed during the few short months Estel had been in Mirkwood at the amount of perception he had.
"That is true mellon min. Very well I shall tell you of how we met and became the friends we are." Legolas replied shifting to a more comfortable position.
Estel was now looking at the golden haired archer eyes ablaze with curiosity and wonderment. He had always liked stories. He remembered when he was a babe how his mother, Elrond and even his foster brothers had told him a tale to stop him from fussing and disrupting events at the Last Homely House.
"You are aware how Elladan and Elrohir are always hunting Orcs in the lands of Middle Earth?" Legolas asked his face cautiously neutral as he spoke to the youth.
"Yes. They have hunted Orcs since their mother left these shores." Estel replied thinking of how many times he had seen his brothers ride out and of how Elrond would worry, even though he never showed it, until the twins were safely home.
"Yes." Legolas said pulling Estel out of his own thoughts.
"The two of them had set out another of their hunts just as the summer was coming to an end about half a century after their mother had left these shores. To set out at the end of summer was folly on their part or perhaps the Valar had preordained it. I know not." Legolas shook his head to help regain his thought stream.
"I had been sent by my Father with my elder brothers to Lothlorien on a mission to try and establish a patrol between both of our borders. Needless to say we failed in our mission and saw no need to prolong our stay in a land where we were not altogether welcome." Legolas drew breath before continuing.
" We had just crossed the path leading from a small village only a league or so from Dol Guldur up to the borders of Mirkwood when we were caught unawares by a raging blizzard. If it were just us elves amongst our party we would have continued unhindered but as our luck would have it our supplies of food were been carried by the horses. We made camp and that is where your brothers found us." Legolas wore a slight smile as he remembered what was to come next.
"Your brothers had managed to lose their steeds in the storm and had hope to make their way to the village near Dol Guldur to re supplement their supplies before they continued on to their mothers lands of Lothlorien. They stumbled upon our camp before they where close to the human town. We were warily of them and they of us yet still they asked to speak with the leader of our company. The elder of my brothers stepped forwards and asked them to identify themselves. We had not known who they were before and when they announced that they were Elladan and Elrohir sons of Elrond Peredhil. I know not how to say this so we do not appear foolish so do forgive the bluntness. We attacked them." Legolas would have continued but was interrupted by Estel.
"You attacked them? By the Valar that was nice of you!" Legolas visibly winced at the retort from the young man who was lent opposite him.
"What you must understand Estel is that we had been raised hearing how the Elves of Rivendell were unfit to be called Elves especially the Lords of Rivendell."
" But you told me do not let others judge for you as it is a sign of weakness." Estel commented remembering how Legolas had been so adamant about it.
"Indeed but I did not learn that lesson until later when things were turned around. After we had met them first we did not see them again. I, years later was sent out alone during the summer to track a particular Orc that had been causing most trouble. I tracked this beast from Mirkwood into the pass of the mountains. The beast was cleverer than most and had set a trap for me. If it had not been for your brothers I would not have survived."
"So you beat them then they save you and you are in their debt. It is a nice way to start a friendship."
"That it is but the friendship building did not begin until I admitted that the Elves of Rivendell were not all the things my father had told me about." Legolas smiled at the youth who stood a while in silence pondering on all he had heard. Finally Legolas stood and interrupted the man's thoughts.
"Come we must to bed as tomorrow we shall finish your training."
Well then seven pages and I believe I have enough thoughts stashed away in my head so there can be another chapter soon. And as I only have the one exam left. though by the time I post this I will have finished it hopefully. I will have time to write more. Please review.
LINIS
