Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings or any characters and/or places thereof
Author's note: I am quite eager to finish this story and begin the next one in the series, so expect a lot of updates in rapid procession. I'm sure that does not bother any one? And to add to that, I've got a new CD that has completely inspired me to write this one scene that comes up in about two, maybe three chapters. So you can expect those to come quite quick. This chapter is short and un-beta'd, sorry, I only just wrote it and I've got to go to class but wanted to post. Hope you all enjoy!
And, as usual, thank you to everyone who reviewed!
*****
Estel awoke just before dawn. He gazed about. The others slept deeply, almost peacefully. Wilwarindi and Legolas sat by the fire, Wilwarindi stooping just slightly with fatigue. Shaking his head, Estel rose and walked to the fire. "Well, I never really--" Wilwarindi was beginning to say.
Estel rested a hand on Wilwarindi's shoulder, and Wilwarindi went quiet at once. "Go and sleep," Estel told Wilwarindi gently. "I will find no more rest here; take what little you can." With an uncertain nod Wilwarindi left, and Estel occupied the space he had vacated. Legolas raised an eyebrow at the mortal. "I will not be able to sleep again, Legolas."
"All right," Legolas consented. "You know, Estel…"
"Hm?" Estel had been gazing off at the horizon again, but at the sound of Legolas's voice he turned. "What is it?"
"Oh, nothing, it was not important. Look, the sun rises. Poor Wilwarindi, we shall wake him just as he falls asleep," Legolas observed. His intentions were clear, and had struck true: a look of uncertainty crossed Estel's face. He realized then that for his brothers, he had pushed the others far harder than he had intended. He was willing to risk them for his brothers' safety. Estel was about to reply that such was simply Wilwarindi's sorrow, but stopped himself, and thought for a moment.
"Perhaps…perhaps until the sun is fully visible. But then we must go, Legolas," Estel acquiesced, with this term. Together the two watched the sun creep slowly over the horizon, an eternal reminder of constant renewal. "This one our constant renewal," Estel whispered.
"What?" asked Legolas, bemused.
"I read it in a book once," Estel answered, and turned back to the rising sun, distortedly beautiful. When the orb hung fully over the horizon, Estel stood up and yawned. He stretched his muscles a bit, then said, "Come, Legolas. We have no more time to waste in idle."
The day passed much similarly to the first, but Estel behaved far better. He kept to a slow run steadily throughout the entire day, stopping at midday and allowing the others time to rest, even talk a bit, before moving on again. At the end of the day, as the sun was setting, Estel stopped them all and assigned watches, giving himself first watch and Legolas the last.
After a quite uneventful watch with Naarie, Estel fell asleep easily. He had not even time to look at the stars or to think about tomorrow. He simply closed his eyes and slept, and the next morning he woke with an odd sensation of being quite pleased with himself. Though he would never admit it out loud, Estel believed he was at last doing the right thing. Though worry for his brothers overshadowed all other emotions, he balanced the importance of their safety with the safety of those he led. They moved out at dawn.
At noon, just as Estel was beginning to think about stopping for the midday meal, he stumbled--and noticed there were no longer any trees around him. He looked back and saw a solid line of trees behind him, through which the others were clambering, and ahead of him a city surrounded by a crude wall of wood, painted with tar. In the distance was another, similar city, and perhaps distance improved the workmanship of the wall around the far city. For a moment Estel could not move. The others, too, stopped beside him in wonder and awe. They had made it. Under Estel's leadership, they had found the cities in Eregion. They were going to rescue Elladan and Elrohir. Everything was going to be all right.
A great cheer rose from the group, a wordless shout of happiness, of triumph. After just a moment of uncertainty, Estel lent his voice.
