Summary: Another 'How Aragorn and Legolas meet' story. Not Slash.
Disclaimer: The characters aren't mine… The story idea is not original… I just hope you like it
A/N 1) Hello again to those who read this story. Guess what? I'm back from my holiday and can now begin posting the final three chapters of my story. Thank you to all who reviewed my story and even those who wished me well for the holidays. Anyway seeing as it's been about 4 weeks since I updated… let's get on with the story
A/N 2) "…" is speech
'…' are thoughts
~*~
Chapter 10
Estel found his mind wandering again as he glanced out the window, his ears straining to pick up what might be going on in the courtyard below. His brothers had implied they would be present for lunch but they hadn't promised and he couldn't seem to silence the little voice that questioned if they really would. As he thought about some of the adventures the twins had told him about his fingers found and removed the blade and its sheath from his shoe.
At first he had been disappointed about receiving such an obvious hand down, but even with his limited knowledge of weapons he had swiftly realised its value- and not purely as an antique. His ada's face had also shown him something of its worth. He wondered what sort of adventures the blade had seen. 'Probably more than I will' he thought as he returned to thinking about the packs he had seen in the twin's room.
Glorfindel watched his charge as the boy's attention once again slipped from the tasks before him. He had a good idea about what was occupying the young edan's mind but failed to see anyway by which to prevent it. The twins had told their father, Legolas, and their father's advisors soon after the incident this morning though all had agreed to pretend nothing had happened.
He watched as Estel ran his fingers along the sheath apparently unaware in doing so he was replicating an action done by his forefathers. It seemed the gift had been well received as he had assured Elrond it would. There were advantages to being the Lord of Imladris's long time friend and advisor. Elrond had asked for his opinion whilst refusing to tell the twins what he had planned to give his mortal son.
He wondered briefly if it wouldn't be a better idea to let Estel out early seeing how little would be accomplished today but decided that the twins would not be readily inclined to forgive him if Estel's surprise was further spoiled. He began instead to have a conversation with himself about what Elladan and Elrohir had done as elflings- the steady stream of elvish making Estel not realise that the lesson had changed. It was with a mixture of relief and apprehension that the two left the room when Glorfindel announced he could hear the food being moved from the kitchens.
…
The twins were late to lunch and Estel wondered if they had left early after all. Yet their places had been set to the left and the right of his father's seat and he drew some comfort from that. Beside him the place for Legolas was also set yet the blonde elf was absent too. It made for a lonely meal thought Estel as he ate his favourite meal barely tasting it.
The meal was almost over before the twins made an appearance. Estel looked away quickly trying to hide the tears that had sprung to his eyes. There was no question of their leaving- both were now wearing the clothes they wore when going out on one of their adventures. What pained him most however was seeing his friend in similar garb and realising he was to be left alone.
He smiled at his brothers as they and Legolas sat down near him but did not join in their light hearted banter as he normally would. Elrond noticed and watched his youngest with concern evident in his eyes. The rational part of his mind told him the boy was growing up, though his paternal instincts and thoughts were still divided. He didn't wish to deny his son anything yet something, that might have been foresight, told him that after this it would be much harder to keep Estel at home.
"Estel," said Elrond drawing the table's attention to himself. "You have been very patient in not asking your brothers for your present yet- though I am sure they are eager to give it to you. Will you not ask them?"
Estel nodded but found no words forthcoming. How do you explain that you don't want to ask because you think that if you do your brothers will leave you sooner? Summoning up his courage he looked up from his plate. "Dan, Ro. Did you remember today is my birthday?" He didn't know how else to ask. Normally his brothers would be doing lots of little things for him all day and he hadn't seen one thing yet, but even so felt uncomfortable asking about it.
"We did Estel," said Elladan.
"And we, and Legolas, have come up with the best present ever. Even better than Ada's," said Elrohir completing his twin's sentence.
Estel raised an eyebrow at the two mimicking Elrond's face almost perfectly without recognising what he was doing. Elladan and Elrohir exchanged a look offering each other the chance to be the one to tell Estel they were going away. Legolas, seeing the look, rolled his eyes and taped his young friend on the shoulder.
"You can tell we are going away can't you?" Estel just nodded. Looking at the boy before him Legolas continued, "Well this isn't the normal type of journey that your brothers and I would go on. We were planning on staying within your ada's lands and visiting a place we used to go when we were much younger. About the equivalent of your current age." Estel felt his shoulders slump, hearing this didn't make it any better and he wondered when his ada would consider him old enough to go with his brothers. Legolas realising he had lost Estel's attention tapped him on the shoulder again. "We were hoping you would want to come with us. As a part of your birthday present."
Estel nearly jumped on Legolas when he realised what was being offered. Instead he settled for hugging his friend as he would one of his brothers. "Estel," Elrond was smiling as he watched the scene unfold before him- it was hard not to be effected by the display of his son's excitement.
Estel stopped and looked at his father- he couldn't say no could he? Elrond saw the doubt flicker across the boy's face and decided to keep speaking. "Estel, ion nin, your brothers and Legolas have already asked and received my permission for you to accompany them. It will not be a long journey but if you take care of yourself and they tell me you are well behaved I am willing to consider letting you got with them on some of their future journeys."
This time Estel did jump into his father's arms. "Hannon le Ada, hannon le."
Elrond embraced his mortal child trying to ignore the tears forming in his eyes. "Your brothers have packed everything you will need. Though I do not think the clothes that you are wearing are suitable for riding in so you may wish to change them." Elrond turn to the elder of the twins. "How long until you had planned to leave?"
Elladan shrugged. "If we leave within the hour we will reach our destination with enough time to set up camp whilst it is still light."
Elrond nodded agreeing with the calculations. He looked at the one he was still holding in his arms. "Go quickly Estel. Your adventure is waiting on you." Estel didn't need to be told again and ran as fast as he could to his room to change.
…
Not long after Elrond and most of the residents of Imladris were standing in the courtyard watching as the four mounted their horses. Elrond had already reminded the twins to take care of their brother and Legolas before he moved on to give his youngest one more hug. "Take care Estel. Listen to your brothers."
"I will," promised Estel.
The moment was broken as Elrohir let out a cry from his horse, "Last one there smells like a dwarf."
Estel laughed and turned his horse to follow calling out to any who cared that the rules were hardly fair. As he reached the far edge of the courtyard he turned briefly and looked back to those assembled. "Hannon le Ada," then with a laugh he urged his horse to give chase to his brothers and friend.
~*~
A/N 3) Elvish used in the chapter
Ada- daddy, dad
Edan- mortal
Ion nin- my son
Hannon le- thank you
Disclaimer: The characters aren't mine… The story idea is not original… I just hope you like it
A/N 1) Hello again to those who read this story. Guess what? I'm back from my holiday and can now begin posting the final three chapters of my story. Thank you to all who reviewed my story and even those who wished me well for the holidays. Anyway seeing as it's been about 4 weeks since I updated… let's get on with the story
A/N 2) "…" is speech
'…' are thoughts
~*~
Chapter 10
Estel found his mind wandering again as he glanced out the window, his ears straining to pick up what might be going on in the courtyard below. His brothers had implied they would be present for lunch but they hadn't promised and he couldn't seem to silence the little voice that questioned if they really would. As he thought about some of the adventures the twins had told him about his fingers found and removed the blade and its sheath from his shoe.
At first he had been disappointed about receiving such an obvious hand down, but even with his limited knowledge of weapons he had swiftly realised its value- and not purely as an antique. His ada's face had also shown him something of its worth. He wondered what sort of adventures the blade had seen. 'Probably more than I will' he thought as he returned to thinking about the packs he had seen in the twin's room.
Glorfindel watched his charge as the boy's attention once again slipped from the tasks before him. He had a good idea about what was occupying the young edan's mind but failed to see anyway by which to prevent it. The twins had told their father, Legolas, and their father's advisors soon after the incident this morning though all had agreed to pretend nothing had happened.
He watched as Estel ran his fingers along the sheath apparently unaware in doing so he was replicating an action done by his forefathers. It seemed the gift had been well received as he had assured Elrond it would. There were advantages to being the Lord of Imladris's long time friend and advisor. Elrond had asked for his opinion whilst refusing to tell the twins what he had planned to give his mortal son.
He wondered briefly if it wouldn't be a better idea to let Estel out early seeing how little would be accomplished today but decided that the twins would not be readily inclined to forgive him if Estel's surprise was further spoiled. He began instead to have a conversation with himself about what Elladan and Elrohir had done as elflings- the steady stream of elvish making Estel not realise that the lesson had changed. It was with a mixture of relief and apprehension that the two left the room when Glorfindel announced he could hear the food being moved from the kitchens.
…
The twins were late to lunch and Estel wondered if they had left early after all. Yet their places had been set to the left and the right of his father's seat and he drew some comfort from that. Beside him the place for Legolas was also set yet the blonde elf was absent too. It made for a lonely meal thought Estel as he ate his favourite meal barely tasting it.
The meal was almost over before the twins made an appearance. Estel looked away quickly trying to hide the tears that had sprung to his eyes. There was no question of their leaving- both were now wearing the clothes they wore when going out on one of their adventures. What pained him most however was seeing his friend in similar garb and realising he was to be left alone.
He smiled at his brothers as they and Legolas sat down near him but did not join in their light hearted banter as he normally would. Elrond noticed and watched his youngest with concern evident in his eyes. The rational part of his mind told him the boy was growing up, though his paternal instincts and thoughts were still divided. He didn't wish to deny his son anything yet something, that might have been foresight, told him that after this it would be much harder to keep Estel at home.
"Estel," said Elrond drawing the table's attention to himself. "You have been very patient in not asking your brothers for your present yet- though I am sure they are eager to give it to you. Will you not ask them?"
Estel nodded but found no words forthcoming. How do you explain that you don't want to ask because you think that if you do your brothers will leave you sooner? Summoning up his courage he looked up from his plate. "Dan, Ro. Did you remember today is my birthday?" He didn't know how else to ask. Normally his brothers would be doing lots of little things for him all day and he hadn't seen one thing yet, but even so felt uncomfortable asking about it.
"We did Estel," said Elladan.
"And we, and Legolas, have come up with the best present ever. Even better than Ada's," said Elrohir completing his twin's sentence.
Estel raised an eyebrow at the two mimicking Elrond's face almost perfectly without recognising what he was doing. Elladan and Elrohir exchanged a look offering each other the chance to be the one to tell Estel they were going away. Legolas, seeing the look, rolled his eyes and taped his young friend on the shoulder.
"You can tell we are going away can't you?" Estel just nodded. Looking at the boy before him Legolas continued, "Well this isn't the normal type of journey that your brothers and I would go on. We were planning on staying within your ada's lands and visiting a place we used to go when we were much younger. About the equivalent of your current age." Estel felt his shoulders slump, hearing this didn't make it any better and he wondered when his ada would consider him old enough to go with his brothers. Legolas realising he had lost Estel's attention tapped him on the shoulder again. "We were hoping you would want to come with us. As a part of your birthday present."
Estel nearly jumped on Legolas when he realised what was being offered. Instead he settled for hugging his friend as he would one of his brothers. "Estel," Elrond was smiling as he watched the scene unfold before him- it was hard not to be effected by the display of his son's excitement.
Estel stopped and looked at his father- he couldn't say no could he? Elrond saw the doubt flicker across the boy's face and decided to keep speaking. "Estel, ion nin, your brothers and Legolas have already asked and received my permission for you to accompany them. It will not be a long journey but if you take care of yourself and they tell me you are well behaved I am willing to consider letting you got with them on some of their future journeys."
This time Estel did jump into his father's arms. "Hannon le Ada, hannon le."
Elrond embraced his mortal child trying to ignore the tears forming in his eyes. "Your brothers have packed everything you will need. Though I do not think the clothes that you are wearing are suitable for riding in so you may wish to change them." Elrond turn to the elder of the twins. "How long until you had planned to leave?"
Elladan shrugged. "If we leave within the hour we will reach our destination with enough time to set up camp whilst it is still light."
Elrond nodded agreeing with the calculations. He looked at the one he was still holding in his arms. "Go quickly Estel. Your adventure is waiting on you." Estel didn't need to be told again and ran as fast as he could to his room to change.
…
Not long after Elrond and most of the residents of Imladris were standing in the courtyard watching as the four mounted their horses. Elrond had already reminded the twins to take care of their brother and Legolas before he moved on to give his youngest one more hug. "Take care Estel. Listen to your brothers."
"I will," promised Estel.
The moment was broken as Elrohir let out a cry from his horse, "Last one there smells like a dwarf."
Estel laughed and turned his horse to follow calling out to any who cared that the rules were hardly fair. As he reached the far edge of the courtyard he turned briefly and looked back to those assembled. "Hannon le Ada," then with a laugh he urged his horse to give chase to his brothers and friend.
~*~
A/N 3) Elvish used in the chapter
Ada- daddy, dad
Edan- mortal
Ion nin- my son
Hannon le- thank you