Sorry, I don't really have time to reply to reviews at the moment, but I am posting a short story probably later on today (tonight or this afternoone) and will reply to all of your lovely reviews on that one. 

 DISCLAIMER: Don't own, don't sue.  Don't get it? That's your problem, not mine.  I've said my disclaimer, that doesn't mean ppl have to understand.

NOTE : This is the prequel to Piercing the Veil, Beneath the Surface, and Bridge of Remembrance.

You don't have to read those to understand this, obviously, because this is a prequel.....it happens before all of that.....so, I hope you enjoy!

ALSO, you guys know this........Estel is Aragorn.  Just so you know.....but you already know, I"m guessing, but still, ya know...lol

OH, BTW.....my translations are off.  Forgive me. 

Ch. 10

 Goodbye my friend

I know you're gone, you said you're gone although I can still feel ya here

Its not the end

Gotta keep it strong before the pain turns into fear."

‑ Spice Girls (ehehe......sorry, I won't laugh anymore)

            Estel looked out at the sunset in the distance.  The young Edan stood at the edge of the waterfall where he had originally leapt from; where the whole adventure had started.  His silver eyes were slightly misted over with grief, but it was not the gut wrenching sorrow he had been feeling since Halen died. 

            It was the kind of grief one would say at the goodbye that signified a new beginning.  It was the kind of bittersweet sorrow that was tinged with the faint flavor of hope.

"Halen.....I've come to say.......goodbye,"Estel whispered, his voice catching on the word 'goodbye.'  "I now realize what you've told me all along........that I can't worry my life away.  That friends are to be treasured and not taken for granted as life goes by.  I can't believe it took me so long to figure out what you had been telling me all along."

            Estel let out a low, wry chuckle.  "But now I can't tell you that to your face......I guess I'll have to wait awhile.  Maybe Mandos will one day become as sick of you as I did and send you back....but until that day, know that I'm being taken care of.  I miss you and you will forever be my best, truest friend.  And I know you want me to continue with life.  And until we are reunited, just know that I will not be alone.....I have people who care for me......and maybe I'm not so thickheaded as you thought after all.  I did figure out what you meant after all that time—"

At that, a tree branch flew from a tree, carried on the wind to smack the young Edan in the face. 

            Estel allowed himself a slightly mournful laugh. "Okay, I'll take that as a sign!  Maybe I am still thickheaded, but that too shall pass with time.........and with time all wounds will heal.  Therefore, namarie for now, my dear, dear friend.....until we meet again." 

            Ceremoniously, Estel drew back the arrow he had held poised on his bowstring.  He then shot it down over the falls as if in remembrance of his departed friend's favorite pasttime of leaping over into open air. 

After a long, hesitant moment, Estel turned from the waterfall to stride at a halting gate over to where Legolas stood at the edge of the clearing, waiting for him. 

            Wordlessly, Legolas clapped a hand to Estel's shoulder.  With a slight nod, the Elven Prince walked side by side the young Edan back to the palace of Eryn Lasgalen. 

* * * * * * * * *

"The Edan is staying here,"the King of Mirkwood stated heavily, running a hand over his ageless face. 

            Elrond stiffened slightly.  "Yes, my old friend.  My son has been invited by Prince Legolas to stay." 

            Thranduil took note of the emphasis placed on the words spoken by the Lord of Imladris.  "You love him as your own son, do you not?"

"Indeed."

"And yet.....he is mortal."

"That is very true.  It was hesitantly at first that I took him in, for I was afraid that he, too would pass from the circles of this world and leave me with a wounded heart—"

"Which he will—"

"But I soon came to the realization that I should not worry for that right now.  Your son knows of Estel's eventual fate, yet he still chooses to befriend him.  Allow Legolas to make his own decisions, especially when it comes to his friends,"Elrond advised steadily, keeping a neutral gaze on the King. 

            The King of Eryn Lasgalen nodded hesitantly.  "Very well then. He may stay under the protection of my word.  He will be welcome in the Elven forest of Mirkwood."

Elrond smiled faintly.  "There, mellonnin, was that so hard?"

            Thranduil sighed heavily.  He muttered something beneath his breath. 

"What was that?  I did not catch that last phrase.  Was it something to the affect of 'no, Elrond, it as not?'" Elrond prodded, his age not subtracting from his mischief (which showed at the worst times). 

Thranduil pinned his old friend with an icy blue glare.  "Fine,"he snapped, but his eyes glistened with barely disguised humor, "You are right!"

"And that is all I can ask from you, Thranduil.  But now, we must depart.  If anything should happen....."Elrond let the statement hang. 

"Then I will notify you,"Thranduil finished.  "Yes, yes.......do not worry.  My son is a skilled warrior and will not let any harm come to your youngest!  Now, ride without care!!"

            Elrond rolled his eyes, biting back a retort to the affect of 'your son did not protect Estel last time' and cast a farewell to his old friend over his shoulder as he exited the room. 

* * * * * * * * *

            The Lord of Imladris loaded his steed with the few belongings, numerous medical supplies, and weapons he had brought with him.  Adjacent him were his twin sons, who were doing the same thing. 

"Ada, are you sure it is safe to leave Estel here?  He is still haunted by Halen's death.  Is it wise to leave him here without support?"Elladan questioned uncertainly. 

"He has support, my son.  Estel has yet again captured the heart of another Elf.  Prince Legolas will serve as a loyal friend,"Elrond stated, not looking up from his work. 

            Elrohir smiled faintly.  Finally, things were looking up. 

As if on cue, Estel and Legolas entered the stables, slightly out of breath (well, Estel was out of breath, Legolas was fine seeing as he was an Elf). 

"Ada?  You are leaving so soon?"Estel inquired, taking in the scene with slightly confused eyes. 

"Yes, dear son....we are.  You are well for the time being—"

"Ada!  I am not accident prone!"

"And all seems to be in order here.  Lest you wish for me to stay here and worry over you, I would say that it is time for us to depart,"Elrond explained matter-of-factly.

            Estel nodded understandingly, then looked over at his two brothers.  "And you too?"

Elrohir shrugged, "Yes, little brother.  Elladan and I are leaving as well.  The scare of not knowing where you were for so long nearly put our Elven hearts to Mandos.......so, we need some time to recuperate."

"That is very true.  I nearly had to carry Elrohir—"Elladan began. 

"Liar!!"

"When he collapsed with worry,"finished the elder twin, ignoring his younger other half. 

            Estel glared shortly, but smiled nevertheless.  "Fine.  I can take a hint.  You can be rid of me for now, but eventually I will return to Imladris.  And then, your little retirement home period will end!"

"Retirement?" Elrohir's eyes widened. 

"Baby brother, are you saying that we are too old?"Elladan questioned, annoyance in his tone.

"Maybe,"Estel muttered. 

            Before another round of bickering could begin, Elrond strode forward. "Enough!"he shouted, then dropped his voice to a low murmur as he stood before his youngest.  "Estel, please try not to do anything......"

"Stupid?"Estel supplied, smirking wickedly. 

"Yes, stupid.  I was actually thinking brash, but stupid is a good word for it as well.  I expect you to return before winter,"Elrond warned. 

"Yes, Ada.  And I will return in one piece, too,"Estel promised, a boyish grin tugging at his features. 

"I will make sure of that, Lord Elrond,"Legolas assured before he was tugged off to the side by the twins. 

            As Elrond said his goodbyes to his youngest son, the twins spoke to the Prince. 

"Legolas, please, take care of him,"Elladan requested quietly. 

"Yes, for a while we feared the worst—"Elrohir began. 

"But now you have no reason to worry.  He is safe here.  Besides, he is not a bad warrior himself,"Legolas pointed out.  "No harm will befall him.  He will return to you before winter's chill touches the air."

"And you with him?"Questioned both twins simultaneously.

            Legolas paused.  He nodded slowly, "If that is an invitation, then perhaps I will."

"Good.  We look forward to it, mellonnin,"Elrohir stated as he and Elladan backed away to embrace their younger, human brother. 

            Legolas watched as the sons of Elrond mussed Estel's hair, embracing him and roughhousing.  When the brotherly exchange was over, Estel looked thoroughly disheveled, but completely content. 

            The three lord of Rivendell mounted their horses. 

Elrond looked down at the two friends.  "Remember to—"

"Be careful,"the twins concluded for their father, smirks upon their features. 

            Elrond cast a glare in the twins direction.  "Yes.  Be careful.  Namarie for now, my son, Prince Legolas." 

With that, the three Elves departed from the palace of Mirkwood, leaving the pair alone. 

            Estel slowly turned to his new friend.  "So, what now?"

"Well, I could beat you in sparring, or defeat you easily in a race—"Legolas began counting things off on his fingers. 

"You wish, you prissy Silvan Elf!  Need I remind you, it was I, the mighty Estel, who saved you from that Orc—"

"Liar!  I knew that Orc was behind me!"

"You did not!"

"Well, we shall prove who is the most worthy opponent with a horse race!"

"Fine by me!  The first to the waterfall wins!"

            Thus, the adventures and mayhem began..............

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It goes on."~Robert Frost

*************

THE END.............or better yet, THE BEGINNING.........

Well, yall………this is it.  The End of the Beginning.  The last story of my series, Ten' Oira [For Eternity] ((yet again, I don't think my translations are correct, but who cares)) will be posted very soon.  And with that one, I end my series.  I LOVE YOU ALL!!  READ THAT OTHER STORY FOR REPLIES TO REVIEWS, AS WELL AS SOME BITTERSWEET SADNESS! 

Ten' Oir [For Eternity]:  Before the quest for the Ring, Legolas and Aragorn return to the place where their friendship was forever carved into stone:  RinIauren', the Bridge of Remembrance.  There, they speak on their hopes, fears, and, of all things, their friendship, which has pulled them through everything.