First of all I'd like to thank all the people who have been so kind to help me with the title of my story *hands out Elrohir and Elladan plushies to all her reviewers*
Thank you very much! I don't know what I would do without you guys *runs away, overcome by emotions*
This chapter is dedicated to Puck, because she is such a good friend and because she helped me out with the title (she was the one who gave me the idea of making a subtitle telling me people had probably gotten used to the name 'An Estel Story'): Puck, this chapter is for you, thank you so much for always helping me, always being there for me. I hope you'll like the fact that I gave Estel one of your traits of character, he too thinks of all sorts of disaster scenario's *g*
Disclaimer: I can only wish I owned them, but unfortunately they're Tolkien's, except for some minor characters and a cuddly toy……
Author's Note: this certainly is Alternate Universe (the longer I write, the more alternate it becomes…).
Preface: This is just a story about Estel, I expect my readers to have some background information. If you don't understand the story, please feel free to mail me. But don't bother asking me questions like 'Who is Estel?'; my only answer would be: go read the books!!! (yes, that includes the appendices)
This is also my chance to tell everybody to read the Mellon Chronicles written by Cassia & Sio.
More talented authors can be found listed in my Favourite Authors List
So what are you waiting for? Go read those stories (after you read & reviewed mine that is ;)
A/N: I'm not very good at writing action and/or battle scenes, so please forgive me if they are rather bad written. Also I'd like to ask you not to pay too much attention to the whole 'time and place' stuff for I'm afraid that also doesn't exactly fit
R2R's:
Anonymous (2) – Thank you very much for reviewing and I hope you'll enjoy this chapter too, but would you please be kind enough to fill in a name, I simply like to have a name going with a review
Morgoth – Thank you for reviewing, I completely agree: Sio and Cassia certainly hold the record! 'Trials and Tribulations' has a nice sound, but to me 'Yesterday's Fears' is a bit more appropriate to this story. But maybe I'll use it in future stories
Arlessiar – I'm glad you like my story, I do the best I can *g*. It took me quite some time before I dared to post my first story, but (most of) the people on FF.net are great and really give you good advice. If you're still not entirely sure about posting it, you could send it to me and look it through, if you like… Don't worry, I've never been one to kill my favourite characters (certainly not Estel!), any story written by Elanor will contain a hurt, tortured and teased Estel, but not a dead one! Your idea to connect the flashbacks with the present was really great, and as you can see I chose your 'Yesterday's Fears'; thank you so much for all your suggestions *melts for the Arlessiar's puppy look* I feel so sorry for not updating sooner!
Kaeera – Thanx for reviewing, I'm addicted to Estel-hurt, Estel-angst, Estel-mush, Estel-whatever!, I'm simply addicted to everything concerning Estel. Thank you so much for all your titles, they really help me choose the best one; I haven't reviewed your story yet, but I've already read it on the Mellon Chronicles and I think it's one heck of a story! Maybe that has something to do with the fact that Estel is the main character, I don't know *g*. Oh, and before I forget: I think your title 'Fever Dreams' is brilliant! I promise to write a proper review one day, but I'm afraid right now I haven't much time, next week I've got all kinds of horrible finals coming up *sigh* Anyway, I hope you'll like this chapter! (my, do I like your story? Nah……….I love it!)
Puck – erm *looks ashamed* ah, the preface thing, well, uh, *suddenly looks up defensively* no such thing as 'short story' can be found there………*puck looks at her*……not any more, that is! Hey, I dedicated this chapter to you!
Anita – Ben blij dat je de verwijzing door had, ik hoopte al dat de meesten het wel zouden zien! Wat betreft Elrohir's reactie op de naam 'Estel', moet ik eerlijk bekennen dat ik ook wel beïnvloed was door (lees: heb ik gewoon overgenomen van) Sio en Cassia's Mellon Chronicles………en nee, het is niet vreemd dat je dat nog kunt herinneren, ik kan ook sommige stukjes uit The Mellon Chronicles citeren, en ik denk niet dat wij de enigen zijn *g*
Belothien – Cliffies maken het volgende hoofdstuk altijd beter! Heel erg bedankt voor het reviewen (ik vind het nog steeds een bijzonder idee dat 'één der grote schrijvers' mijn verhaal reviewt :)) en de suggesties voor een titel! Uiteindelijk heb ik toch maar gekozen voor 'Yesterday's Fears', maar de titel 'The Hope of Imladris' was super goed, en misschien gebruik ik die nog wel eens voor een ander verhaal (als je het goed vindt tenminste *g*)
Kawaii BlueBear – The titles you suggested certainly aren't horrible; they're great! Maybe I'll use them in another story, you never know. An Academic Decathlon?! Sounds great, never heard of it before, but it certainly sounds interesting!
da Twickstar – Thanks for helping me, I'm afraid I'm not much of a regular updater of my stories…… please forgive me? All I can say: sit back and enjoy the next chapter!
LostAngel – Thank you very much for reviewing and for your suggestion for a title! I hope you'll like the next part!
Emmithar – You would protect me? *hugs Emmithar* You're sweet! I don't understand why you have that feeling that Estel is not killed by wolves, really, I don't know where you got that idea from *innocent smile*
I read in you review of 'Him, Her and Another' (thanx for the title btw; it's really cool) you are ill, I hope you will soon be well again (and write lots of chapters of both 'A Fateful Journey' and 'LotR' stories *g*)
Supernovacide - *comforts supernovacide* I'm sorry, don't blame me too much, it are Sio and Cassia, they influenced me. Please don't cry at the end of this chapter…
Serenicty C – Thank you so much for your mail and the suggestions were great! They really helped me decide which one fits the story best! I hope you'll like this chapter too!
Dujoran – Thank _you_ for taking the time to review! *g*
* * * * * * * * indicates the passing of time
Onodrim is Elvish for Ents
Chapter five
Estel waited for the storm to cease its angry howls, sitting with his back to the hard rocky wall of the cave. All he could do was wait until it was safe to continue his way home. The fire provided some warmth but because he had taken off most of his clothes to dry them, he was shivering with cold. Tears had left dirty streaks on his cheeks, and his dark hair was tousled. He had stopped crying long ago, having realized it didn't help. He sat waiting for the time to continue his journey back home. Now and then he let out a sniffle, or a prayer escaped his lips, but on the whole he simply sat trying to ward off the dark thoughts that threatened to enter his mind. 'Keep calm, everything's going to be fine. Ada will come for me, and Elladan and Elrohir too, they will save me,' Estel kept repeating to himself, but somehow the reassuring words Elrond had often spoken, didn't sound half as reassuring now.
No matter how hard he tried, Estel's mind sometimes wandered off to thoughts about the scary things that could happen. Like a bear that would crawl into the cave and tear him apart or wolves that would smell his fear and kill him slowly. But every time such thoughts plagued his mind, he banished them. 'Don't think about all those dangers, they do not exist,' he ordered himself. 'Yet!' his mind countered. 'They do not exist!' he said aloud. 'There are no bears, and no wolves, no wild animals at all, so stop scaring yourself with such thoughts.' 'I have to think of happy things, like my first archery lesson,' he added silently.
The night went by slowly, halfway he put on his dried clothes and was grateful for what little warmth they offered. After long hours of waiting the rain finally ceased and not long thereafter the first sunrays touched the land. Estel peeked out of the cave, relieved that the dark of the night was gone. As he stood just outside the cave, he beheld the beauty of the woods surrounding Rivendell. It was as if the fresh rain had cleansed the world, there were dew drops hanging from the reddish brown leaves and shining as diamonds wrought by the most skilful Dwarves. The golden sun shone brightly and together with the world the rain had washed away much of the Estel's sorrow and fear of last night. The memory of his dream didn't seem so frightening any more and in good heart he went back inside the cave to get his bow and quiver. Inside he felt cold again and he hurried out of the cave, eager to feel the sunrays on his face and the gentle breeze that accompanied him on his journey back to the place he belonged: Rivendell.
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Estel felt like he had walked for hours, his feet hurt and he was really hungry; moreover he was getting thirsty too. Preoccupied by thoughts of food and drink he didn't pay much attention to where he was walking and he tripped over a tree stump.
'Ow!' he puffed as the air was knocked out of his lungs. He checked himself over for injuries, but all he could find were a few more cuts and scratches.
As he was sitting on the forest's floor he suddenly noticed a lot of wolf tracks, it looked that a pack of wolves had went in the direction he was heading not long ago.
Estel's eyes grew big at the thought the ferocious creatures would look back and catch his scent.
'The wolves haven't found me yet, otherwise I wouldn't be alive anymore, and they won't find me if I go into a different direction,' he said to himself, trying to calm his nerves. A sudden thought whether he should stay at this place to wait for someone to rescue him entered his mind, but he dismissed the idea quickly. 'I'm too close to the wolves, I need to move.'
But as he looked around, he became desperate. 'In what direction? Not the way I'm coming from and not straight on, where should I go?'
He moved his head to the right: the trees looked even bigger than usually and their dry leaves rustled in the wind. Estel knew the trees talked to each other in their own language and that Elves could 'feel' their conversation, they could listen to the nature. Elrohir had told him to listen to the trees, that they warned good people of looming danger. He remembered the day he first had tried to listen to the trees: he had done everything Elrohir had instructed and had concentrated very hard on his surroundings, but it had all been in vain. Estel had not been able to hear the trees' conversations and though he had never told anyone it greatly bothered him, because it stressed the fact he was Edain and not Elven.
As he was thinking back to that time, he also remembered a tale Gandalf had told him, it was about Ents. Ents were trees that everybody, even Dwarves, could understand; they lived in a land far away, near Isengard, the dwelling place of Saruman, the white Istar. Gandalf had tried to explain the young Edain what Ents were. 'Onodrim are more like Elves: less interested in themselves then Men are, and better at getting inside other things. And yet again Onodrim are more like Men, more changeable than Elves are, and quicker at taking the colour of the outside, you might say.'
Gandalf had hesitated, then added thoughtfully to himself. 'Or maybe better than both: for they are steadier and keep their minds on things longer.'
Estel hadn't really understood what Gandalf had meant, but had nodded gravely nevertheless. The Istar had looked at him sceptically, raising an eyebrow, but had not become angry. As Estel's face had gone red, he had laughed suddenly. 'Don't worry, you are far too young to understand reflections of old men! It is enough for you to know they are tree-herds and that they will not harm you unless you provoke them.'
However, as clouds began to drift in front of the sun, darkening the world, he became a bit scared as he thought about walking and talking trees. The idea of the gigantic trees moving around was frightening and as he looked to the trees around him he imagined they uprooted themselves and advanced on him. They would hurt him, they would crush him, they would kill him. 'Stop thinking like that!' he yelled to his mind. 'There are no Onodrim here, Elladan and Elrohir would have told me.'
Firmly Estel turned his head to the left, but the trees looked the same and Estel started losing hope. 'Where should I go? Left or right?'
He got up from the ground and closed his eyes, trying very hard to listen to the trees, but he couldn't hear or feel anything. Tears of frustration started to form in his eyes, but he kept them back. Once again he looked to his right. 'Trees.'
And to the left. 'Trees.'
He then randomly chose a side and decided to go to the right. 'I can only pray to the Valar that I won't walk straight into the wolves' lair.'
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On his way Estel saw all kinds of bushes and shrubs; some of them bore berries, but Estel wasn't sure whether they were poisonous or not. He remembered the warnings from his father well. 'Always be careful with what nature offers you, Estel, for sometimes there are little outward differences, the gift can be true but sometimes it is deadly. Black currants are perfectly safe to eat, but don't confuse them with St. Ignatius's beans or Belladonnas.'
He passed a rowan bush with tasty looking red berries, but he knew there were some deadly variants of the mountain-ash berries. Sighing he went on, hoping to find some berries he knew were safe to eat. It seemed the Valar pitied the young Edain, for not long after he had passed the rowan bush he found some wild strawberries near a rivulet. He drunk eagerly of the water, enjoying the sensation of the cool liquid sliding down his throat. He ate all the strawberries he could find and for a while his worst hunger was stilled.
But he knew he could not linger long and soon he trudged forth, tired beyond words, hoping against hope that he would somehow find his way home.
'I wonder whether this forest ever stops, it seems there is no end to it! What if they trees go on forever, what if I walk for days but there simply is no end to this forest.' He thought, his eyes looking at the ground. It had become a trick to divert his attention between his feet and his thoughts. 'This whole walking home idea would be nonsense then. Maybe I should just give up and stay here, it's no use if the trees never end.'
Estel jerked his head up. 'Stop! My name means hope, so I will _not_ despair!' He walked a little while further, rehearsing all the healing qualities of Elrond's herbs. But it didn't take long before his mind once again started to produce morbid thoughts and he decided a short rest might be wise.
He sat down wearily, his back to a large oak tree. He rubbed his legs which ached from walking for so long. His stomach rumbled, 'Really, I think that even if it was a Dwarf who would offer me some real food or drink I would accept it!'
After a while he pulled himself together and continued his search for Rivendell. For a while he was able to keep the gloomy thoughts at bay, but the little Edain was tired and couldn't hold his wandering thoughts within control. 'Somehow I didn't think I would end like this,' Estel thought miserably. 'I can't die yet, Elrohir always tells me I'm important and that I have to do a lot of brave things when I get older. Besides, I know Ada and gwanûn will be devastated! They will be reminded of Celebrian, I can't leave them like that! And Mithrandir and all the others in Imladris care for me too, I have to go on! It is my duty to go on!'
Once again, he forced himself to take a grip on himself.
Suddenly Estel heard something in the woods and there was a foul scent in the air. 'The wolves! They have found me,' was his first thought. He almost panicked, but recalled Elladan's words. 'Remember, a well balanced mind wins the price, always keep your cool; no matter what situation you're in, don't panic!'
He listened very attentively to his surroundings. 'It does not sound like wolves, though,' he concluded, letting out a relieved sigh. 'It sounds more like Men, I guess. The noises are too loud to be Elven, and what other creatures would venture into the woods of Imladris?'
As the noise of running feet came closer, Estel's fear once again grew. 'These sounds are not caused by Men ,they are more savage and more cruel. The steps sound wrong, somehow. Dark.'
Unconsciously his feet had stopped moving and as all Estel's concentration was focused on finding out what dark creatures dwelt in the fair forest of Rivendell, he suddenly heard them or, to be more specific, he 'felt' them. He actually felt the trees whispering in the breeze that there was danger coming his way. He could hear them speaking softly in their own language!
However delighted he was with the fact the forest had spoken to him, this also caused his concern to grow; the danger had to be either very perilous or very close, otherwise he wouldn't have heard the trees' warning.
He began running lightly in the opposite direction of the sounds. He only focused on his running and didn't let his mind conjure all kinds of disaster scenario's. His whole concentration on moving as fast as he could and simultaneously trying to be as silent as possible.
However, no matter how hard he tried, Estel couldn't outrun his pursuers and the advancing feet were gaining on him rapidly. Spurred only by fear he continued, not heading caution anymore to how much noise he caused. He knew he was being hunted and did no longer care whether his pursuers could hear him or not, they had already caught his track. The feet were hunting and he realized he was the unfortunate prey.
As he heard animal like growls, he dared a glance backwards, but he couldn't see anything but for a dark mass moving through the trees. Trying to see more, he did not pay attention to the ground beneath him and he almost tripped over a log; he stumbled, but did not fall.
'Don't look back,' he told himself sternly. 'Focus on the running, focus on the running.'
He could soon hear the breath of the predators and his fear steadily grew, his urge to look behind almost overwhelming. Suddenly something grabbed his shoulder and he jerked away, causing him to fall on the ground. He tried to scramble to his feet again, but a cold hand closed itself around his ankle. He kicked but couldn't free himself, finally he turned around. As he looked into the face of his captor Estel screamed…
TBCgwanûn = the twins
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Please R&R, though it may not seem so, they really make me post faster
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One more thing: the first chapter of the sequel to 'She' is up. So please check it out. Never heard of 'She' before? Well, it's a story Puck and me posted about a month ago, it's not LotR, but a real good romance story; you can find it by clicking the link below:
http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=1019390
To give you an impression of the story, I'll post a short 'preview':
…… She moved closer. Somehow she felt a strange attraction to this stranger.
"Let me see your face," she said, more a demand than a question.
He stepped slowly into the small circle of streetlight. She felt her body shake and her breath was drawn away from her. He had a strong face, his unyielding will written in every curve of his features. His black hair made his face complete, but his eyes, those eyes; they were the darkest green mixed with the deepest blue. She felt herself sucked into his gaze, she drowned in those oceans of colour. She fell in love with his eyes. ……