Chapter Eleven
After he had spoken to Elladan and Elrohir, Legolas made his way to Estel's room. The man was resting, sitting up and leaning on the headboard of his bed. His eyes were closed, and in his hands lay a book that was open. The fire burned brightly on the hearth and Legolas could detect the faint aroma of athelas in the room.
Not wishing to wake his friend, Legolas sat in a chair beside the bed to wait. He thought of his father and his stubborn refusal to listen to reason when it came to Fin. Legolas had explained to Thranduil how Fin had saved both he and Estel from grave danger in the river just a short time ago. Surely her actions were enough of a reason to lift the condition of exile that was her sentence. It was not even her sentence, but that of her mothers. She was unfortunate enough to be included, as she was just a child, and it was the custom. Legolas had tried to understand the king's position, but the love for his friend and the gratitude he felt toward her clouded the issue. A king could not always make rulings based on what might be popular. He had to think of the good of all, and what would have ultimately been the fairest judgment based on the facts. While Fin's actions were certainly brave and noteworthy, the king still felt it was not enough to change what already was.
Angry words had been spoken, for Legolas fiercely defended his friend. In the end, Thranduil had not expressly forbidden Legolas contact with Fin, and for that Legolas was grateful. At least he no longer had to hide his relationship with her, and outside the realm of Mirkwood, he was free to associate with her. He was sure, however, that his father would not be pleased that Lord Elrond allowed Fin the sanctuary of his home. A ruling that was imposed by an elvin king should have been upheld by all. Unsure of what his father's feelings in this were, he thought it best to inform the Lord of Rivendell of what had transpired.
So lost in thought was he, that he failed to notice that Estel had awoken and was staring at him.
"What could you possible be thinking of to make you look so worried, my friend?"
Legolas looked up, started, but glad to see his friend awake.
"My father."
"Ahhh, well, that explains it!" Estel chuckled lightly.
"He refused to help Fin, even after I told him what she had done for the both of us at the river. Sometimes I do not understand him at all. He told me that he would consider lifting the exile if ever Fin did something that warranted it. I guess saving his own son and the future King of Gondor is not enough."
"I suppose she will simply have to single handedly rid Middle Earth of orcs, spiders, and wargs. That should do, don't you think?"
"Aye, my friend," Legolas replied with a smile, "That should."
Estel closed the book in his lap and placed it on the bedside table.
"Have you eaten breakfast yet?"
"Aye, I ate with your brothers earlier. We talked about scouting north by the river tomorrow. Your father stated that you would be well enough to travel by then."
"That is well. I wish to possibly meet up with the rangers. They may have some news for us. We have heard rumors for months about a mysterious object, an item that is being sought by fell creatures. I know not what this item is, or who expressly is searching for it, but I feel it is important to find out. I tried to find Gandalf, he is sure to have information, but his whereabouts are unknown."
"We may want to send out falcons for Gandalf if you think it is important enough to seek his counsel. I can take care of that while you eat and rest. I will also prepare packs for the both of us. You should concentrate on regaining your strength. Your wounds look much better, and I am relieved that you do not appear to be getting one of your colds!"
"Thank you, my friend. My head still pains me somewhat and I am weary. I would like to look in on Fin, but for now I will rest."
"I will have food brought to you, then. Your father can make you some tea for your head as well. I shall talk to him, too."
Legolas left to run his errands, and then he went to write messages for the falcons of Rivendell to carry to Gandalf. Estel spent the remainder of the day sleeping or resting, and toward evening, his father allowed him out of bed so that he could look in on Fin.
Earlier in the day, Elrond had helped Fin into a light tunic that laced up the back so that he could still treat her wound. He had allowed her to sit up and he was helping her to eat when Estel appeared. Fin's face lighted up and she smiled.
"Estel, I am so glad to see you. You look well, Lord Elrond is very skilled, is he not?"
"Aye, he is. I see you are well also, my friend. I guess you had everyone very worried for you. I am glad to see you are feeling better."
Fin was not entirely comfortable with the thought that everyone had been worried for her. She was so used to being on her own, accountable to no one, that to have others worry over her well-being was discerning. Her look of concern was enough for Elrond to follow her train of thought.
"We know how strong you are Fin, but we also want you to know that we care. We are here to support you, and expect the same in return. Relationships are all about give and take, sometimes it is equal, sometimes it is not, but in the end, it evens out. You must get used to this, I am afraid you are stuck with us!"
All three laughed at Elrond's comment. Fin had much thinking to do, but she was glad to be back here. She felt secure and each day she knew she would be more comfortable. Elrond was right about give and take. When she truly thought about it, she knew that she had given, her trust and friendship, as well as received the same. It gave her a warm feeling. "I am sorry I caused so much worry. It was not my intention to do so."
Estel sat next to the bed. "Thank you, once again, for saving me. You put my welfare ahead of your own, more so than the last time. I think that we now share a warrior bond. That is also give and take, for warriors save each other all the time without incurring debt to one another."
"I like that, Estel."
Elrond looked at the two young beings with gladness. He felt his heart lighten and he thanked the Valar for the wisdom of his youngest son.
After he had spoken to Elladan and Elrohir, Legolas made his way to Estel's room. The man was resting, sitting up and leaning on the headboard of his bed. His eyes were closed, and in his hands lay a book that was open. The fire burned brightly on the hearth and Legolas could detect the faint aroma of athelas in the room.
Not wishing to wake his friend, Legolas sat in a chair beside the bed to wait. He thought of his father and his stubborn refusal to listen to reason when it came to Fin. Legolas had explained to Thranduil how Fin had saved both he and Estel from grave danger in the river just a short time ago. Surely her actions were enough of a reason to lift the condition of exile that was her sentence. It was not even her sentence, but that of her mothers. She was unfortunate enough to be included, as she was just a child, and it was the custom. Legolas had tried to understand the king's position, but the love for his friend and the gratitude he felt toward her clouded the issue. A king could not always make rulings based on what might be popular. He had to think of the good of all, and what would have ultimately been the fairest judgment based on the facts. While Fin's actions were certainly brave and noteworthy, the king still felt it was not enough to change what already was.
Angry words had been spoken, for Legolas fiercely defended his friend. In the end, Thranduil had not expressly forbidden Legolas contact with Fin, and for that Legolas was grateful. At least he no longer had to hide his relationship with her, and outside the realm of Mirkwood, he was free to associate with her. He was sure, however, that his father would not be pleased that Lord Elrond allowed Fin the sanctuary of his home. A ruling that was imposed by an elvin king should have been upheld by all. Unsure of what his father's feelings in this were, he thought it best to inform the Lord of Rivendell of what had transpired.
So lost in thought was he, that he failed to notice that Estel had awoken and was staring at him.
"What could you possible be thinking of to make you look so worried, my friend?"
Legolas looked up, started, but glad to see his friend awake.
"My father."
"Ahhh, well, that explains it!" Estel chuckled lightly.
"He refused to help Fin, even after I told him what she had done for the both of us at the river. Sometimes I do not understand him at all. He told me that he would consider lifting the exile if ever Fin did something that warranted it. I guess saving his own son and the future King of Gondor is not enough."
"I suppose she will simply have to single handedly rid Middle Earth of orcs, spiders, and wargs. That should do, don't you think?"
"Aye, my friend," Legolas replied with a smile, "That should."
Estel closed the book in his lap and placed it on the bedside table.
"Have you eaten breakfast yet?"
"Aye, I ate with your brothers earlier. We talked about scouting north by the river tomorrow. Your father stated that you would be well enough to travel by then."
"That is well. I wish to possibly meet up with the rangers. They may have some news for us. We have heard rumors for months about a mysterious object, an item that is being sought by fell creatures. I know not what this item is, or who expressly is searching for it, but I feel it is important to find out. I tried to find Gandalf, he is sure to have information, but his whereabouts are unknown."
"We may want to send out falcons for Gandalf if you think it is important enough to seek his counsel. I can take care of that while you eat and rest. I will also prepare packs for the both of us. You should concentrate on regaining your strength. Your wounds look much better, and I am relieved that you do not appear to be getting one of your colds!"
"Thank you, my friend. My head still pains me somewhat and I am weary. I would like to look in on Fin, but for now I will rest."
"I will have food brought to you, then. Your father can make you some tea for your head as well. I shall talk to him, too."
Legolas left to run his errands, and then he went to write messages for the falcons of Rivendell to carry to Gandalf. Estel spent the remainder of the day sleeping or resting, and toward evening, his father allowed him out of bed so that he could look in on Fin.
Earlier in the day, Elrond had helped Fin into a light tunic that laced up the back so that he could still treat her wound. He had allowed her to sit up and he was helping her to eat when Estel appeared. Fin's face lighted up and she smiled.
"Estel, I am so glad to see you. You look well, Lord Elrond is very skilled, is he not?"
"Aye, he is. I see you are well also, my friend. I guess you had everyone very worried for you. I am glad to see you are feeling better."
Fin was not entirely comfortable with the thought that everyone had been worried for her. She was so used to being on her own, accountable to no one, that to have others worry over her well-being was discerning. Her look of concern was enough for Elrond to follow her train of thought.
"We know how strong you are Fin, but we also want you to know that we care. We are here to support you, and expect the same in return. Relationships are all about give and take, sometimes it is equal, sometimes it is not, but in the end, it evens out. You must get used to this, I am afraid you are stuck with us!"
All three laughed at Elrond's comment. Fin had much thinking to do, but she was glad to be back here. She felt secure and each day she knew she would be more comfortable. Elrond was right about give and take. When she truly thought about it, she knew that she had given, her trust and friendship, as well as received the same. It gave her a warm feeling. "I am sorry I caused so much worry. It was not my intention to do so."
Estel sat next to the bed. "Thank you, once again, for saving me. You put my welfare ahead of your own, more so than the last time. I think that we now share a warrior bond. That is also give and take, for warriors save each other all the time without incurring debt to one another."
"I like that, Estel."
Elrond looked at the two young beings with gladness. He felt his heart lighten and he thanked the Valar for the wisdom of his youngest son.
