Oooh, here it is, admittedly a day late, sorry! I'm tired and my neck hurts because I've been desperately trying to fix this chapter for the past three days. I went to see The Two Towers in the cinema the other day! It was with loads of pensioners, but that's not the point, although the old dear behind me nearly ruptured a kidney laughing at Gollum every time he appeared on screen. Ah, don't you love old people? Hmm… Oh well, I'm not going to make a speech, because I'm so tired that it'll just come out like some kind of crappy Oscar style speech. 'I'd like to thank my mom and pop and all the random people that I don't give a shit about for this honourable award, oh and I'd like to thank God, because it makes my image a little better…' Sorry, I'm a bit grumpy and I'm making no sense.
With Special Thanks to Siobhan (Hwoarang Girl) for helping me with Glorfindel!
~*~The Tale of the Narcoleptic Bucket~*~
The day was quite different from the last few days; the habitual mid March showers had come with a vengeance. The wind had remained strong and blown heavy thunderclouds that hung stubbornly over the valley. It was late in the morning before either of them woke, although the dark clouds made the light so dim that it could have been mistaken for dusk. Legolas stirred a little, his black eye - darker than the storm-ridden sky, smarted painfully, not to mention the numerous cuts and bruises marking his skin sorely, sustained from their attempted, but miserably failed, escape, a few ivy leaves still nestled in his long hair. However, the deep frown and simmering temper from the night before had faded away, and there was now a distinct smugness about his presence. The first spots of rain began to tap against the windowpane and quickly intensified, battering against the glass with force, thunder boomed through Rivendell and the young human woke with a start.
Estel screwed up his eyes and blinked, his bare torso prickled with goose bumps in the crisp air. Something was not right. He couldn't see through his right eye, and Legolas was sitting on the edge of his bed looking suspiciously smug. He couldn't move either. Struggling to move his arms, he pulled desperately with all his strength and felt them loosen a little. Another tug. With one last wrench, his arms finally sprung free, sheets still, exasperatingly, attached to his skin. His hands immediately swung to his head, where he desperately grappled and pulled, eventually giving up and slammed his hands back down by his sides, sending the cotton sheets flapping beneath him.
"Unless I am very much mistaken, you appear to have glued a bucket to my head." He said flatly.
"And you to your bed sheets." Legolas replied between his very ungraceful giggling.
Estel sighed loudly, and closed his eyes when the offending pail amplified it. The room fell silent for a moment as Legolas waited for Estel's reaction. He sat up, pulling his sheets with him, sending his over-stuffed pillows toppling off the bed. The elf desperately tried not to laugh, unwilling to ruin the moment. The young boy glared at him with his left eye for a good thirty seconds, before breaking into a beaming smile.
"Bravo, Master Elf." He laughed, offering his working hand out to congratulate him.
Legolas cocked an eyebrow with suspicion and shook it apprehensively. "I would have expected a little more annoyance and a lot less esteem for my actions." He replied slowly, not taking his eyes of Estel for a second. "What are you up to?"
"Has anyone ever told you that you are too suspicious?" Estel laughed, bucket still echoing his words.
"Only one, which was you and that leads me to believe that perhaps I am right in my suspicions."
"Nay! You can trust me, sweet maiden! Look at this face, how could you not trust it?" He grinned wickedly.
Legolas couldn't help but smile. "That does not fill me with confidence."
"Nor I, but that is not the point."
He laughed heartily. "That-"
A loud crack and a peculiar cry cut him off. The door swung open with a loud creak and Elrond staggered in, clutching his chest.
Estel tipped his head in an attempt to get a better view. "Ada? Are you feeling well? You look like you have seen a ghost."
He found one of the remaining chairs and sat down in it, breathing deeply. "Not a ghost, just another firework- good gracious, why is there a bucket on your head?"
"Ask the elf." His human son said flatly. "Another firework? What on earth do you mean another firework?"
"The whole of Rivendell is littered with the things. Cupboards, doors, curtains, books - they are everywhere. That is why I am here… Is this your doing, Estel?" He asked sternly.
"My doing?" The young boy answered innocently.
"Your doing. Is this another one of your jokes?"
"I have been locked inside these halls all night, and I do not think it is in my capacity to sneak around Imladris planting fireworks." Estel replied, feigning hurt.
His father fell silent, tapping his slender fingers against the rich leather chair. "Of course, I am sorry, Estel. My nerves are a little frayed… Will you please take that pail off your head?"
"I cannot, he has stuck it to my head." He said matter-of-factly.
Elrond stared at them for a moment, unblinking and emotionless. The younger elf avoided his gaze, unsure of what his reaction would be, whether he would laugh, or finally snap. He looked dishevelled, his hair unkempt, as if he had run his fingers through it too often. Legolas looked to Estel, barely containing his laughter as he continued peer at them through one eye, he was smiling uneasily at his father. He turned from Estel and noticed that the dark haired elf was now staring at him alone.
"Do you not think you are a little… old for this?" His voice was firm but the sparkle in his eyes spoke volumes.
"Perhaps, but it is his fault. He dragged me down to this juvenile level, I am simply teaching him a lesson." He smiled a little.
Elrond greeted Legolas' smile with one of his own. "I would not be so sure of that, he is very cunning and has many allies. I would not underestimate him." He warned. "Speaking of your allies, Estel, where is that wizard? I wish to enquire about those infernal fireworks of his…"
"I have not seen him since you locked us in yesterday." He replied innocently, before looking toward the figure in the doorway. "Oh, good morning Glorfindel, how do you fare?"
Glorfindel stood in the doorway, an eyebrow cocked as he looked between the elf and human, his stunning blonde locks plaited smartly behind his ears. There was a faint smile on his face, and a look of confused uncertainty.
"Better than you, it seems. I would have returned earlier if I had known of your accident. How do you feel, little one?"
"I am feeling healthier with each day, thank you. I will be up in no time and you can regale me with your tales from the wilds and I will regale you with mine!" He grinned. "I have missed your company."
"And I yours… I hope you do not mind me asking, but why do have a pail on your head?"
Estel sighed. "The elf thought it would be amusing if I had a bucket glued to my head and my bed sheets attached to my body. I cannot imagine why." He smiled.
"And was that before or after you both nearly assassinated me with crutches, bed robes and a chair?" A wry grin lit up his face as he crossed his arms.
Elrond raised an eyebrow and looked over at them and both suddenly became fascinated with something on the ceiling. Estel slowly lowered his head and met both of the elves' gazes.
"Oh, that was you who screamed? Forgive us, it was an unfortunate accident." He apologised sincerely, but his cheeky smile would not fade.
"It was a shock, but I did not scream." He defended himself.
"You did."
"Well how many times have you had to jump out of the way from a chair falling from the sky?"
"That is not the point." He said flatly, crossing his arms, the sheet tangling in his arms. He glared down the offending material for a moment and muttered something under his breath. "This is rapidly growing thin, I feel like some kind of deformed bird, can you not remove this, Ada?"
"I will, little one, but first I must attend to our unexpected patients."
"Unexpected patients? Who is hurt?" Estel asked curiously.
"Two Rangers, they are not badly injured, but need to recuperate." Glorfindel explained. "I encountered them near the border. It looks as if you have fresh victims, Estel."
Legolas smiled. "Fresh victims?"
"Nay, they are not victims, I simply have a bit of fun with them! You make me sound like such a fiend, Glorfindel."
"Well you can be, you cannot deny that." The older elf sat beside him, gently tapping against polished wooden pail, he turned to Legolas, who sat at the end of the bed. "He is fascinated by them, always asking questions."
"And they never answer them. They are no fun, so I have to amuse myself with them in other ways." He pouted, but his eyes twinkled mischievously.
"Then you will not want to join us all for dinner?" Elrond asked casually, getting up.
The dark haired youth snapped around, almost knocking out Glorfindel with his wooden-clad head. "Do you mean that?" He asked excitedly.
His father nodded, smiling warmly. "I think you are well enough for that, besides, I do not think you can be cooped up in here much longer by yourself. Look at the mischief it has caused already. I will send for some breakfast and then we will try and remove your new additions, will you take breakfast in here, Legolas?"
"Yes, I would like to enjoy the view before you rob me of it so unceremoniously!" He laughed, running a finger through the bottom of Estel's curls.
"I would frown, but the glue prevents me, so instead I shall beat you to death with my own head, elf!" The young boy growled, swinging his head wildly at the laughing elf.
His father rolled his eyes and left with Glorfindel following behind, chuckling quietly.
* * *
He peeped down at the two glasses of apple juice, biting his lip and remaining alert, he poured a small amount of milky white liquid into one of them and smiled wickedly. He paused, hearing the faintest of footsteps and knew Legolas was returning. Estel straightened up immediately and slipped the tiny vial under his sheets.
"Greetings again, my dear elf! Would you care for a drink?" He welcomed cheerfully.
"Thank you." He smiled, looking down at the glasses and then up to Estel, who grinned sweetly, but suspiciously.
Legolas approached the table, glancing out of the corner of his eye at Estel, watching for his reaction at what glass he chose. He knew Estel was up to something; his smile was too broad when he returned and he was watching far too carefully for it not to be one of his schemes. Legolas wavered between the two drinks before drifting to the left one.
"NO!" Estel cried out suddenly. "That is mine, my dear elf." He continued, trying to smile lightly but couldn't fool Legolas.
"They are both the same. I will take this one." The fair being smirked, feeling smug at the look of badly concealed despair on the young child's face.
He took a long sip, looking away from Estel. "You cannot fool me, little one, I know you put something in the other drink, it was a nice try-" He paused, noticing the massive grin on his counterpart's face. "What?"
"You are so easy, Legolas. You are telling me you have been on this earth for over two thousand years and yet you fell for that?" He giggled.
He looked down at his drink and closed his eyes in anguish. "What is in it?"
"I was debating with myself whether to tell you what it was or not, trying to decide which would be more amusing; your face when I told you, or just the shock of it when it started to work. I am still trying to decide…"
Legolas grimaced. "Just tell me what devilry you have inflicted on me now."
"It is just a little project of mine, a sleeping potion-" Estel began, grinning widely.
"I could do with catching up on some rest, I thought you would do worse than this." He replied nonchalantly. "I do not feel sleepy yet, I think I may have time to eat my breakfast and go to my chambers first!"
"Indeed. I could not tell you, when it will kick in."
"What?"
"It has a little twist. You will have to wait and see. We all will have to wait and see, that is the beauty of it!"
"Fine, I shall just shut myself in my room." Legolas snapped.
"I do not think you could bear to sit in your room for a whole week."
"A week?" The elf groaned miserably. "You are an evil thing."
An hour or so passed after his father had spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon trying to remove the offending bucket without ripping out most of his hair. The sheet had been relatively easy to detach, but the pail had proved to be far more challenging. The grainy, brown substance that liquefied the glue made Estel sneeze almost as hard as Legolas had the night before, which had resulted in Estel head-butting his father, his brothers and Legolas several times by accident. In fact, he had head-butted Legolas so hard that he nearly knocked out the poor elf, which admittedly gave him an ounce of grim satisfaction. The young boy had made his way into the next room and sat on a low stool, gazing at the sleeping ranger with fascination. He smiled and reached over to touch the messy brown locks, wicked ideas running through his mind; it was Fraener, one of the few rangers who spoke to him when they rested in the valley of Rivendell. He wasn't sure if could get away with it; it was a ranger after all and they were always alert. But so were elves, and he had done it to his foster brothers with ease. He pursed his lip and pulled a scarlet bottle out of his robes.
"Estel!" A stern whisper hissed, startling him.
He tried desperately to conceal the bottle once more, but to no avail and the blonde elf seized it. He sighed dejectedly and looked up.
"What were you about to do?" Glorfindel asked quietly, sitting beside him.
"Nothing." He tried not to smile.
He narrowed his eyes and opened the bottle, sniffing in tentatively. "That is vile." He grimaced. "Is this the hair dye you used on the twins?"
"Yes, but there is little point if you are thinking of using it on me, Glor. I could remove it in minutes." Estel grinned.
"I know, I would not dare use it on you, you are far too small and dangerous." He smiled. "But I will keep it in reserve."
"What happened to him?" The small boy asked, his voice barely a whisper.
"Nothing serious, he is just weary and need to recuperate."
Estel frowned. "Why does no one tell me anything?"
The blonde elf looked down and wrapped his strong arm around the boy's small form. "There are some things that are not your business, little one. When you are older-"
"It is not fair, I have seen more grave things than most." He muttered.
"I know." He picked Estel up and they left the sleeping ranger alone. "But enjoy your childhood while it is yours to enjoy, do not try to grow up too quickly."
* * *
He limped along the brightly lit corridor, hoping to make a grand entrance. He wasn't sure how, but it hoped to anyway. Estel wore a light blue loose-fitting shirt and a pair of grey trousers that matched the gloom of the day's weather, cropped just below the knee, so neither garment would aggravate his wounds. His hair remained sticky from the glue and so was plaited back simply; his feet remained bare, aside from the bandages on each.
He was caught from behind before he even realised anyone was there.
"Urgh! My dear Arte, I am overjoyed to see you again, but you must understand… I cannot breathe!" Estel gasped as one of the maids hugged him tightly.
"Oh, forgive me, young Estel. I am just relieved to see you looking so well!" She smiled warmly, kissing him on the forehead.
"I would not say I am looking well but I am feeling well again." He grinned, glancing at his broken leg and hand that were wrapped tightly in bandages. "I am glad to be back with you all again."
Elladan appeared behind him, and lifted him into his arms, careful not to escalate any of his injuries. "Come, brother, let us get you to the dinner table before you are ambushed by any more maids!" He smiled.
"You do not need to keep carrying me everywhere, I have two good legs, well one good leg, and I can walk-"
Crack.
His brother cried out as a flash of white light and a loud bang frightened the life out of them both. Estel clung on tightly as Elladan's grip disappeared.
"They are everywhere!" He roared, before taking a deep breath. "The wizard denies it, but I know this is his doing and I know you were a part of it." He growled, glaring at his struggling brother.
"Me? I have had no influence on him whatsoever! He has a mind of mischief that puts me to shame, why on earth would he need my help?" Estel defended himself.
His eyes narrowed. "Because I have seen all your pranks and I have seen most of his, and this smells distinctly of Estel."
"I do not smell!" He joked, desperately trying to move off the subject. "Please, Elladan, I cannot hold on much longer!"
"Oh, sorry." He muttered, and held onto his legs again. "Estel… where are the rest of those wicked things?" He asked quietly. "If you tell me, then I will not smother you in the night."
"Oh, that is such a fair deal. But honestly, brother, I do not know! This has nothing to do with me."
Crack.
They both turned to see Glorfindel looking rather pale staggering from the corridor, followed by the two rather confused looking rangers. Estel watched him apologise and couldn't help but laugh, Rivendell was supposed to be a refuge of peace and tranquillity and there were fireworks exploding whenever they opened a door or picked up a book, doing little damage, except making everyone a nervous wreck. They were both dressed in black, Fraener still looked exhausted, as did the other, whom Estel had just heard being addressed as Hovan. They were scarred and deeply tanned, with dark eyes that glimmered in the candlelight. Glorfindel was right; he did have a strange fascination with them. Wandering the wilds together with little other contact with anyone. It was a strange path to choose, he thought as he watched them approach. They were so mysterious and secretive.
"Let us go, Estel, I think we may be safer if we get to the table." He muttered, holding him tightly, crushing Estel's head into his body.
"Brother, you are squashing me! I am beginning to wish I still had that bucket on my head."
They all sat down to dinner together; there was a soothing wave of music and much jolly talk at the table. Dishes of wild fowl and roasted vegetables filled the table. Wine was poured and toasts were made in the young boy's honour. Estel sat near the head of the table, opposite Fraener, who shot daggers at him, much to his amusement.
"Fraener, why do you watch me with such contempt? Surely you do not still hold a grudge from so long ago?" He giggled.
"Why would he hold a grudge?" Legolas asked curiously, which was greeted by Elrond's, Elladan's, Elrohir's and Glorfindel's stifled chuckles.
"I terrified him on the outskirts of Rivendell for three days." The young boy replied casually, causing a few more quiet titters.
"You did not." Fraener growled, pushing back his light brown hair. "I knew it was one of you."
"Come now, if you believed that, then you would not have camped in the same place all that time, holding your sword so tightly it made your hand numb!"
The table laughed warmly and even the rangers could not help but smile.
"Elladan and I found him as we were camping nearby with this terror, he kept telling us there was something watching him, but he could not work out who or where it was… Estel chose that moment to leap out of a tree a couple of yards away, he had been sneaking around the camp, rustling and making strange noises to scare the poor man for days!" Elrohir grinned. "Speaking of terrifying people, what happened last night with the chair, you scared Glorfindel half to death."
They both glanced at each other and coughed uncomfortably. "It was his fault." Estel muttered.
"It was not!" Legolas cried.
"It was your idea."
"It was your execution of my plan that made us fail." He shot back.
"My execution? I am sorry, I was not expecting an elf as esteemed as you, to loose your footing and grab hold of me."
"I did not loose my footing."
"Then why did you rob me of my clothes and my crutches?" He asked, cocking an eyebrow.
Legolas glared darkly at him but remained silent.
"So how did my favourite chair fall from the balcony?" Elrond questioned.
They stared at one another with blank expressions. "I have not a clue, father. It just… fell."
"What really happened, Legolas?"
No reply.
"Legolas?"
They turned to see Legolas fast asleep at the table, his head bowed low and fork still in his hand. Estel grinned triumphantly, cackling wildly. Hovan and Fraener watched the fair elf in disbelief as he snored gently and the twins collapsed in a fit of laughter, clutching on to one another for support.
"Wake up!" Estel giggled prodding the elf, but it was no use.
Crack.
The crash of pots and pans followed and Legolas woke with a start. Many hadn't noticed his sudden awakening, too busy glaring at Gandalf, who did his best to look as innocent as possible about the newly exploded firework in the kitchen. Elladan turned, and grinned at his old friend, who was now looking a tad perplexed.
"You are awake then?" Elrohir smiled.
"Excuse me?" Legolas frowned with confusion.
"It seems as if those fireworks have a use after all, we were not sure if we would be able to wake you." He explained, which seemed to puzzle him further.
"Wake me when? Forgive me, I do not understand." The blonde elf asked.
"When you were asleep at the table just now." Elladan answered.
"You must be mistaken, friend. I have been fully awake the entire time." Legolas replied firmly.
Estel stared at him for a moment with a bemused smile. "This is indeed an unexpected bonus." He laughed, turning to his brothers, who continued to watch the baffled elf with curiosity, then suddenly burst into beaming grins.
"He is asleep again!" Elladan laughed, looking over at the elf, who had his mouth open a little and held his fork close to his mouth as if he had fallen into slumber just as was about to eat.
Elrond sunk his head into his hands. "Imladris has finally collapsed into a sanctuary for madmen and menaces." He mumbled.
* * *
Nearly a week passed, and was a little quieter than the last. The stormy weather had moved away, leaving them basking in the gentle Spring sunshine, and the fireworks became more sporadic. Estel moved around more freely and was now allowed to leave his room more often, but still struggled with his crutches. The sleeping potion that Legolas had unwittingly fallen foul of was now wearing off, although much to his bewilderment, many of the maids were avoiding him, after having fallen asleep in the bath for several hours, he had told off two of the servants for invading his privacy when they had tried to help him out, not to mention dozing off halfway through conversations and waking a few minutes later to find that for some odd reason, the conversation had moved onto different things. He had also drifted off while practising archery, then awaking with a bow in his hand and continued as if nothing had happened. Much to everyone's enjoyment, he continued to gloat to Estel that his sleeping concoction had not worked on him.
He was limping past the Hall of Fire, when his brothers stopped him. "Estel, have you seen Legolas?"
"I think he is on the training field, practising his archery, hopefully still fully awake." He smiled. "If you are going to him, may I come with you? He is an amazing archer and I would love to watch him."
"Sorry, Estel, but we must talk to him alone, before we all leave tomorrow."
Estel eyes widened. "You are leaving? Why did no one tell me?"
"Forgive us, we thought you knew, dear brother. We are accompanying Glorfindel, Hovan and Fraener on a scouting mission tomorrow. Do not worry, we will not be gone more than a month."
"A month?" He exclaimed miserably.
"I am sorry." Elladan knelt down to his height. "But, look at it this way; it will give you time to heal properly and so when we return, we will be back to normal again and you can go back to your rather alarmingly high rate of mischief making again. I have no doubt that you and Gandalf will scheme together again."
Estel pouted at his brothers unhappily. "Alright, but I will miss you both so much." He mumbled sadly.
The End.
Sorry, I had to put Legolas the narcoleptic elf in! The ending was a little crap, I know, but I don't care anymore.
Well, that's it I suppose, it is open to a sequel, so remember to tell me if you want one in your review. It's been a long haul, but you lot have made it worthwhile, your reviews have been wonderful and always put a smile on my face, thank you. If I could ask everyone to review this last chapter without sounding sad, I would, but I can't, so if it isn't too much trouble…
Ele – Did I sound offended? I wasn't offended, I was messing wiv ya. Ooh, don't I sound all cockney?! Marvellous. Oh, and what the hell is 'ROTFL'? It sounds like you're coughing up a hairball!
Legolas stalker – I'm impressed, you caught him. So err, what's your address…? I want to join the fun! Oi, back off Estel, how was he to know Legless was a bloody drama queen?!
Maranwe – I'm ashamed of you! Tut. Oh well, you've reviewed now, what's this about Gandalf? Surely you aren't saying my Gandalf is better than Tolkein's? Bollocks, ego-boosting bollocks, but bollocks nonetheless!
TigerLily713 – Beat that? What the hell is it?! At least I had the common courtesy to say 'I have a large brown dog' in a remotely guessable language! You win.
Leggylover03 – On the edge of your seat eh? I fell of my seat trying to watch Tim Henman on Wimbledon yesterday. That bloody hurt. What an obscure reply…
Dragonfly – Yeah, I did feel a little bad about his head, but it had to happen. It's hard to imagine Legless with a black eye, hmm…
Tithen Min – Oi, why aren't you updating your story? Anyway, why would Becks be worried? Two beautiful ladies like us shouldn't worry him. It could turn out be quite a pleasant experience. ;-) You carry on scheming - I'll just daydream about our Dave. Mmmm…
