Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings or any characters and/or places thereof.

Author's note: In this chapter, there is a tender kiss between two males. That does not make it slash, and it is not intended in that manner. Two people can kiss without any sexual implications. If it really bothers you that two males should kiss or embrace, I highly suggest skipping over this chapter.

BlackRose1356: Most of them are still a bit shaken up from the attack, so they are not thinking much, but you will see what they do. As for no longer hurting him, well, that's a question you will have to wait till the end to know the answer to.

StriderGrrl: You'll see what happens. It's--would be a spoiler to say. Ha, read on and find out. Oh, dear, please no more swearing, if you do not mind terribly, I really don't like it. Be not so quick to judge. The Elflings have not yet been fully revealed in character, and will not be for some time more.

And thanks to all of you who reviewed! As always, I loved hearing from you!

Author's Second Note: I am eager to post this chapter, and so have not sent it to my beta-reader first. If you catch any errors, please point them out so I might fix them. Thanks a lot, it is much appreciated! Oh, and a warning: this chapter was written by an author under the influence of Enya music.

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The fire burned low, and Estel did not bother to add more wood to it. He turned his face instead to the east, gazing into the rising grey light that unfailingly comes forth to hail the dawn. Already a glimmer of pinkness was appearing against the horizon. With a heavy sigh, Estel turned to his Elven companion and shook him, grasping his shoulder firmly. Legolas sputtered into wakefulness. "So early..." he began to ask, but trailed off as he recalled the reason for the young hours.

"Help me get the others up," Estel said to him. "With any luck we will cover enough ground today…" They no longer had their horses and so were proceeding on foot, and were no longer sure of the distance they had yet to cover. Luckily, Legolas knew the path at least vaguely, and it had been cut more clearly for them by the Men they now followed after.

Without word Legolas obeyed, moving about the young Elves as Estel did the same, shaking them awake and moving on. In silence the camp was cleaned up, and in moments not a trace of it was left save the ashes of a smoldering fire. Each Elf rolled up his own bedroll save Legolas, who had fallen asleep upright, sitting on a log beside Estel, and of course Estel, who had found no sleep that night. They shouldered their packs and turned to Legolas for orders, but, as had been predicted, looked a bit uneasy with his rule. "Follow me," Estel commanded, and before any one had time to question he began to move. They followed him.

All day Estel led them. He seemed tireless, indeed not once slowing his pace or showing signs of stopping. Three or perhaps four times he stopped to look at broken twigs and leaves, checking for footprints and nodding his approval. There was no time for any to question him then, as Legolas told him. "You push them too hard, Estel. They are so exhausted even their minds do not think to question."

"Prince Legolas," Estel replied almost bitingly, "as you have no brothers, how do you think to understand the nature of this chase? As for question, think you that I need to quell a rebellion? Nay, I need that not." When no further explanation seemed forthcoming, Legolas ventured another inquiry.

"Do you plan to let them eat at all before one of them drops?"

Estel looked over his shoulder. "Halt!" he called out, and the Elflings willingly did. Most of them took off their packs and fell against trees, taking glad drinks of water and catching their breath. "We are stopping for the midday meal. Eat, and there is a nearby stream unless my senses deceive me. I suggest you spend this time wisely, for there will be not over-much of it!" He looked to Legolas. "If this pleases you?"

"Aye," replied Legolas, and sat himself. Estel remained standing for a moment, casting a critical eye over his companions. They were a wearied bunch now, smiling in relief that they were once again sitting and relaxing, gathering food from their packs and eating gladly with some chatter. Only one, Karnil, headed for the stream.

"Luinil!" Estel yelled. Luinil looked up, his mouth full of bread. "Go with Karnil. No one is to go anywhere alone, is that understood?" It was clear that this applied to all of them. Karnil looked at him, about to protest, and Estel added, "You did not know and are not at fault, Karnil. Have a care in the future, though."

"Yes," replied Karnil with a nod, and he and Luinil went off to the stream as a pair.

Estel nodded to their backs and ate his own meal quickly. He had not the stomach for anything more than bread, missing too much his brothers to care much for food. Standing, Estel brushed off his hands and brushed the crumbs from his tunic. Once again he cast an eye over the Elflings. "Have you all been to the stream?" he asked them.

"I have not," replied Muriel.

"Right then. Who will go with Muriel to the stream?" There were no volunteers. "Very well," Estel said with a disapproving nod. "Legolas," he said quietly, "keep an eye on them. Come on, Muriel." He moved with a sure step towards the stream. Muriel faltered, then followed after him. He had been so nice to her, and she did not understand. She had treated him so badly, and here he looked out for her. Why?

Legolas watched Estel retreat into the trees and a smile spread over his face. When he had elevated Estel to the position of leader, he had been uncertain of the boy's ability, and untrusting of mortals, but willing to take a risk on this edain youth. Not only did Estel need the boost of confidence, if he failed Legolas was always there to fill in for him. With a slight feeling of disapproval with himself, Legolas realized that he had not believed in Estel at all, in fact had expected him to fall. Here, now that he had more than proved himself, Legolas could not help smile and feel somehow proud of the young one.

He remembered himself, and looked back to the others. "All right then, you lot, pair off; no one is to be left behind!"

Estel and Muriel returned shortly, and they moved onwards. For the rest of the day Estel went without stopping, nearly running at some times, truly running the rest of the time. Legolas found himself checking back more and more often that all were keeping up, and finally moved back to the end of the line just to be certain. When the sun set in the west, final blazes of light casting themselves upwards, then fading, purple colouring and leaving the clouds, darkness fell. Then Legolas sprinted back to the front of the line. "Estel, we need to stop," he said.

"Not yet," Estel replied.

"It is dark and the others are tired," Legolas told him. "Stop, or I shall force you to." At this Estel shot him a challenging look, as if to say that any offense Legolas presented Estel would destroy with ease. The Man did not slow his pace. Legolas's face turned angry, and he kicked out, looping his foot around Estel's ankles and toppling the boy. "Stop!" he called to the others. "Here we make camp for the night. Shifts will be taken for watch, two hours each. Luinil and Karnil will be on watch first, followed by Lysander and Naarie, Elemiire and Muriel, and finally Wilwarindi and myself."

"Wait a moment, what of Estel?" Luinil asked loudly. Not so tired then, thought Legolas.

"Yes, what of Estel?" asked Estel, getting to his feet and rubbing various sore places.

"Estel will not be taking watch tonight, as he did for all of last night after the attack. Luinil, Karnil, it is your job to get a fire going. The rest of you, get to sleep!" At his order they did. Knowing he would have something to say, Legolas stayed near Estel.

"Why did you do that?" Estel demanded in a hiss as he set out his bedroll to sleep.

"Because I had to, Estel," Legolas replied. He would not admit that he saw Estel as too young and also inferior in abilities, as he was a mortal. "You were pushing yourself far too hard. Be reasonable, or I shall do so for you. If you do not sleep now, I shall have to knock you over the head with a blunt object." Legolas meant this as a joke, but he saw Estel quiver at the memory of the previous night. "I did not mean it that way, Estel," Legolas replied apologetically. All around the site, the other Elflings were setting out bedrolls and chattering tiredly, clambering into their blankets to sleep still talking, or lighting a fire. As Legolas watched, Luinil failed to strike up a fire, and Karnil took the flint stone and gently showed him how it was done properly. Tears sprang to his eyes, and Legolas wrapped his arms around Estel once more. "They will be all right, Estel. We will all make it through this." He felt the boy nod. "Get some rest," he added, and as much to his surprise as to the edan's, Legolas kissed Estel's brow lovingly before leaving him in peace.