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
A/N 1) This is the final chapter. It's probably also the longest chapter. Thank you for reading this story so far… I hope you enjoy this chapter.
A/N 2) *…* is to show emphasis
'…' is to show thoughts
"…" is to show speech
~*~
Chapter 12
The cool morning's peace was broken by Estel sneezing several times in quick succession. Legolas, who had taken the last watch of the night, came running to see what the matter was and the loud outbursts also woke the twins who were slightly less panicked by the noise. After carefully examining their younger brother Elladan and Elrohir informed their two companions that they would be returning before nightfall to the house where they would set a date for a longer stay. Estel looked like he might have protested their leaving but was interrupted by another series of sneezes.
"Estel," said Elladan when it appeared Estel had managed to stop sneezing, "this was meant to be your birthday present. You have a chill and need to be home before dinner tonight. However I am willing for us to stay out until we finish lunch *if* you are feeling well enough. Are you well?"
Estel nodded and spoke clearly, "Yes Dan." It was a lie, but he wanted to stay at this place for as long as he could and learn as much as possible from his brothers and friend. He dreaded to think how long he would be confined to bed when his ada saw him.
…
After breakfast the four spent their time teaching Estel how to track. They began with some of the animals in the nearby area though they did not attempt to capture any as there was no need to do so. Well pleased with their little brother the twins decided they might attempt to teach him to track an elf as a more challenging task.
It was late in the morning when the rested from their activities. Estel had just found the tree in which Legolas was hiding for the third tie with minimal help from his brothers. A look had past between the twins as they decided together that much more of this activity would be forcing the young boy to grow up to quickly. Legolas was impressed with his young friends progress- it was a feat indeed to find a wood elf in a tree normally and whilst he hadn't really tried to hide himself he hadn't expected to be found so fast either. Watching the twins looking at their younger brother he wondered at the family life of Lord Elrond and his kin as they watched loved cousins and nephews, many times removed, succumb to a mortal fate.
Deciding to delay their clean up and departure Elrohir proposed a game of hide and seek. The others agreed and gave him the role of seeker first. After counting to a hundred Elrohir began to search. It would be easiest to find Estel by his footprints left in the turf but tradition said he would first find his twin instead. Smiling to himself Elrohir turned around in circles observing carefully Elladan's favourite hiding places. As he did so he also found Estel and Legolas- the blonde sitting up a tree with his eyes closed. 'Probably talking to it' thought Elrohir with a smile before moving to where Elladan had hidden.
Elladan was good-natured about being found first and waited patiently as his twin made a fuss about searching for Estel. When Estel was found Elrohir stopped searching and pointed out Legolas to his brothers. "How are we going to get him down from there?" asked Elladan also taking note of the closed eyes of his friend.
"Can't you climb up and get him?" asked Estel. When the two shook their heads he looked at them in disbelief. "It's a simple enough climb," he said then set off to prove his point.
The twins looked at each other in horror. "Estel," cried Elladan but the boy ignored him and began to climb the tree. Elladan and Elrohir watched with mounting concern. Neither dared to call out as they watched their little brother's climb.
Estel was pleased with himself. His brothers had thought he couldn't do this and here he was only a few branches from his friend. However as he reached towards the next branch to bring himself along side the elf the branch he was standing on seemed to slope downwards and Estel found himself falling. "Help!"
Legolas' eyes opened at the cry of distress but even his elvish reactions weren't fast enough to prevent Estel from landing in the river for a second time. As Estel climbed out he was greeted by three elves who on their faces wore a mixture of concern and amusement.
"Are you alright Estel?" asked Elladan.
"Yes" replied Estel, "what happened?"
"I take it you've never tried to sneak up on a wood elf in a tree before?" asked Legolas. Estel shook his head. "The tree knew you were climbing it and deduced you were climbing towards me. It decided that I didn't want to be disturbed and helped you to fall out." Estel looked at his friend in puzzlement for a little while until Elladan said it was time to dismantle the camp.
All to soon Estel found himself looking around the camp wondering when he would next come to visit the place and use the skills he had been taught. He had seen that his skills had impressed his brothers and the thought pleased him. Maybe is they told Ada how good he was he wouldn't get in so much trouble for staying out while he was sick. He could feel himself getting worse but had managed to hide it from the others.
It was as they mounted their horses to ride home that Estel found himself the subject of three elves concern once again. He had attempted to mount his horse but getting into a saddle always meant taking a little longer than an elf, and to his embarrassment as soon as he got up he almost fell straight off as a sudden headache blurred his vision.
With his cover now blown his brothers decided they would ride back in all haste only that Estel should ride with each of them for a time to prevent him from injuring himself if he should happen to fall. Legolas was volunteered to take Estel for the last part of his journey. He looked at the twins whose innocent smiles revealed nothing except that they were glad it wasn't them.
…
It was arranged just prior to the entrance of Imladris' courtyard that Legolas would carry Estel to his bedroom and wait with him until Elrond came. One of the twins would be responsible for stabling the horses and the other would search out their father. Estel tried to argue against being carried but the words failed as he realised there was no one who agreed with him. The gaze of three elves upon him made him feel uncomfortably small.
Once in the courtyard Legolas jumped lightly from his horse's back before turning and offering Estel a ride on his own back as he had done a few months ago when he had sprained his ankle. It had fallen to Elladan to go search for his father and he swiftly left his brother and friend to make their own way to Estel's room.
The private rooms of Elrond, his family and special guests were located in their own wing so that they passed only a few others as the blonde elf and the edan child. Legolas who was trying to distract Estel, and prevent others from interrupting with difficult questions, was telling the boy about his eldest brother's own adventures with the riverbank where they had camped the night before.
Though laughing hurt his throat Estel couldn't help himself as he imagined Elladan with his arms waving trying to stop himself from falling into the river that was especially muddy because of a landslip further upstream. Legolas too, was laughing. The memory was one of the few he had where the twins (or at least one of them) had been bested by one of his tricks though he kept the bit about the trip wire to himself. If Estel ever mentioned that to his brothers Legolas would be forced to flee middle earth or suffer pranks anytime he was near the twins.
At the sound of Elrond's voice from a nearby room the two stopped their laughter. Estel hadn't caught his father's words but Legolas had and decided it would be better o announce their prescene to the elf lord that have him come to investigate. With Estel still on his back he made his way to the door and cleared his throat.
"Lord Elrond," he began then caught sight of a blonde elf with their back to himself and Estel. There weren't many elves in Imladris' court with blonde hair and Legolas was unsure who this unidentified elf might be- especially if they had be granted permission to enter the elven lords private library. Estel realising his friend had stopped part way through his greeting squeezed his legs slightly altering Legolas to what had happened. Recognising his mistake and determined not to blush he continue "Lord Elrond and my lord. As you can see we have returned early from Estel's birthday adventure. I'm afraid Estel fell into the river and has caught a… a…"
Estel sneezed. Then finished for his friend "a chill." Having not known many mortals Legolas was having a hard time understanding what his friend was going through. Holding back another sneeze Estel continued. "And whilst I did fall, it was not without some help from a certain blonde elf's mount."
Legolas felt a blush creep up his neck as Elrond raised an eyebrow at the pair before him. "Interesting, wouldn't you say my lord," he said pausing for effect "Thranduil."
At this the other blonde elf in Elrond's library turned around and Legolas realised his mistake. "Adar?" he managed eventually. From behind him came the sound of identical laughter- the twins. Soon Estel then Elrond and Thranduil all joined in and at last Legolas too though his face was still flushed with embarrassment.
Estel carefully got off his friend's back and made his way to his father. Elrond reached out and drew the boy in a close kissing his forehead and whispering a welcome into his ear. When Estel made no attempt to move away Elrond looked at his son again. The laughter had left Estel with little breath and his checks were flushed as he struggled to draw air in. Noticing all these things interrupted the reunion and banter between the twins.
"Estel has a chill and I think it would be wise if he spent the rest of they day in bed- though if he seems better I will allow him to join us for the nightly meal. Then tomorrow, or whenever you plan to, you may leave Thranduil. Until such time as then however please enjoy your stay here."
"Tomorrow?" asked Estel upset that his best friend might leave without saying goodbye.
"A kingdom may go without its prince for a time, it's king too. But both being away is not a good thing for any extended time," said Thranduil, though he saw his son's disappointment with such an arrangement.
Elrond nodded and guided Estel to his room checking his symptoms before tucking his son in. Normally Elrond would have prepared some form of sleeping draught but he had decided already that Estel could come to dinner.
Soon satisfied that his son was asleep Elrond left and made his way back to the other elves to find the four elves discussing the talent that Estel had shown over the last two days. Like their sons Elrond and Thranduil were impressed with what they heard of the natural ability he seemed to have, though knowing Estel's true heritage Elrond was a little less surprised.
…
Just before dinner Estel was woken and made ready to join his family, Legolas and Thranduil . Estel happily shared over dinner how Dan had taught him how to tell which horse had pushed him in as well as how to track an elf- though he omitted the part about falling into the river a second time from when he was attempting to capture Legolas. A little later Elrond noticed that Estel was almost asleep and excused him from the table. Slow because of his tiredness Estel made his way to bed forgetting for the moment that his best friend would be leaving the next day.
…
It was Legolas who came to wake Estel in time for breakfast the next morning. He was dressed in traveling clothes although Estel could see how they were slightly more ornate than what his friend had worn the two days previously. Something about it made Estel realise once more that his friend was an elven prince. Even so breakfast passed happily with time seeming to stand still and pass swiftly in the same moment.
To Estel it seemed that time had moved faster than he could comprehend as he watched Legolas mount his horse in preparation of his leaving. Legolas suddenly remembered something he had been meaning to say and turned his horse towards his friend. "Estel," he called "Will you try and get your Adar to let you come visit Mirkwood, with your brothers perhaps, at the end of summer to stay until the winter months are over?" The smile on the boy's face brought a matching one to his own and neither needed verbal confirmation that they would both be there. "I will do the formal invitation as soon as I get home," Legolas promised.
Then Thranduil called that it was time to leave and Legolas rode to join his father and the group of warriors who were a token of protection around the royal family. Amid the cheers and calls of farewell however Legolas heard Estel's voice "Good speed mellon nin."
Turning on his horse's back he looked at the young edan he has so recently met and befriended. "Hannon le Estel," he called, "Gwador nin." The boys smile grew even bigger at the words and Legolas laughed in delight before turning round again and riding out with his father.
~*~
A/N 3) Elvish used in this chapter
Ada- dad, daddy
Edan- mortal
Adar- formal version of father
Mellon nin- my friend
Hannon le- thank you
Gwador nin- my brother (in the sense of sworn brothers – not simply by blood)
==THE END==
Wow I can't believe I finally just got to type "the end".
I'd honestly only ever expected this story to be a one chapter piece that would be written and then ignored by the world at large- even the fan fiction world.
Thank you to all of you who have reviewed- be it once or for every chapter. At this time before I submit chapter 12 I have 105 reviews submitted to my story. Which is about 105 more than I dared to hope for… and not one of them has been nasty either.
I'm so happy that so many of you have enjoyed it… and I thank many of you for also writing such wonderful stories that I have enjoyed reading myself.
I suppose it's possible that one day in the not to distant future I will write about Estel visiting Legolas in Mirkwood. If you want me to… and if a story line decides to wander into my head too.
One final thing before I go. Happy New Year- may it be full of joy and love and happiness.
Disclaimer: The characters aren't mine… The story idea is not original… I just hope you like
A/N 1) This is the final chapter. It's probably also the longest chapter. Thank you for reading this story so far… I hope you enjoy this chapter.
A/N 2) *…* is to show emphasis
'…' is to show thoughts
"…" is to show speech
~*~
Chapter 12
The cool morning's peace was broken by Estel sneezing several times in quick succession. Legolas, who had taken the last watch of the night, came running to see what the matter was and the loud outbursts also woke the twins who were slightly less panicked by the noise. After carefully examining their younger brother Elladan and Elrohir informed their two companions that they would be returning before nightfall to the house where they would set a date for a longer stay. Estel looked like he might have protested their leaving but was interrupted by another series of sneezes.
"Estel," said Elladan when it appeared Estel had managed to stop sneezing, "this was meant to be your birthday present. You have a chill and need to be home before dinner tonight. However I am willing for us to stay out until we finish lunch *if* you are feeling well enough. Are you well?"
Estel nodded and spoke clearly, "Yes Dan." It was a lie, but he wanted to stay at this place for as long as he could and learn as much as possible from his brothers and friend. He dreaded to think how long he would be confined to bed when his ada saw him.
…
After breakfast the four spent their time teaching Estel how to track. They began with some of the animals in the nearby area though they did not attempt to capture any as there was no need to do so. Well pleased with their little brother the twins decided they might attempt to teach him to track an elf as a more challenging task.
It was late in the morning when the rested from their activities. Estel had just found the tree in which Legolas was hiding for the third tie with minimal help from his brothers. A look had past between the twins as they decided together that much more of this activity would be forcing the young boy to grow up to quickly. Legolas was impressed with his young friends progress- it was a feat indeed to find a wood elf in a tree normally and whilst he hadn't really tried to hide himself he hadn't expected to be found so fast either. Watching the twins looking at their younger brother he wondered at the family life of Lord Elrond and his kin as they watched loved cousins and nephews, many times removed, succumb to a mortal fate.
Deciding to delay their clean up and departure Elrohir proposed a game of hide and seek. The others agreed and gave him the role of seeker first. After counting to a hundred Elrohir began to search. It would be easiest to find Estel by his footprints left in the turf but tradition said he would first find his twin instead. Smiling to himself Elrohir turned around in circles observing carefully Elladan's favourite hiding places. As he did so he also found Estel and Legolas- the blonde sitting up a tree with his eyes closed. 'Probably talking to it' thought Elrohir with a smile before moving to where Elladan had hidden.
Elladan was good-natured about being found first and waited patiently as his twin made a fuss about searching for Estel. When Estel was found Elrohir stopped searching and pointed out Legolas to his brothers. "How are we going to get him down from there?" asked Elladan also taking note of the closed eyes of his friend.
"Can't you climb up and get him?" asked Estel. When the two shook their heads he looked at them in disbelief. "It's a simple enough climb," he said then set off to prove his point.
The twins looked at each other in horror. "Estel," cried Elladan but the boy ignored him and began to climb the tree. Elladan and Elrohir watched with mounting concern. Neither dared to call out as they watched their little brother's climb.
Estel was pleased with himself. His brothers had thought he couldn't do this and here he was only a few branches from his friend. However as he reached towards the next branch to bring himself along side the elf the branch he was standing on seemed to slope downwards and Estel found himself falling. "Help!"
Legolas' eyes opened at the cry of distress but even his elvish reactions weren't fast enough to prevent Estel from landing in the river for a second time. As Estel climbed out he was greeted by three elves who on their faces wore a mixture of concern and amusement.
"Are you alright Estel?" asked Elladan.
"Yes" replied Estel, "what happened?"
"I take it you've never tried to sneak up on a wood elf in a tree before?" asked Legolas. Estel shook his head. "The tree knew you were climbing it and deduced you were climbing towards me. It decided that I didn't want to be disturbed and helped you to fall out." Estel looked at his friend in puzzlement for a little while until Elladan said it was time to dismantle the camp.
All to soon Estel found himself looking around the camp wondering when he would next come to visit the place and use the skills he had been taught. He had seen that his skills had impressed his brothers and the thought pleased him. Maybe is they told Ada how good he was he wouldn't get in so much trouble for staying out while he was sick. He could feel himself getting worse but had managed to hide it from the others.
It was as they mounted their horses to ride home that Estel found himself the subject of three elves concern once again. He had attempted to mount his horse but getting into a saddle always meant taking a little longer than an elf, and to his embarrassment as soon as he got up he almost fell straight off as a sudden headache blurred his vision.
With his cover now blown his brothers decided they would ride back in all haste only that Estel should ride with each of them for a time to prevent him from injuring himself if he should happen to fall. Legolas was volunteered to take Estel for the last part of his journey. He looked at the twins whose innocent smiles revealed nothing except that they were glad it wasn't them.
…
It was arranged just prior to the entrance of Imladris' courtyard that Legolas would carry Estel to his bedroom and wait with him until Elrond came. One of the twins would be responsible for stabling the horses and the other would search out their father. Estel tried to argue against being carried but the words failed as he realised there was no one who agreed with him. The gaze of three elves upon him made him feel uncomfortably small.
Once in the courtyard Legolas jumped lightly from his horse's back before turning and offering Estel a ride on his own back as he had done a few months ago when he had sprained his ankle. It had fallen to Elladan to go search for his father and he swiftly left his brother and friend to make their own way to Estel's room.
The private rooms of Elrond, his family and special guests were located in their own wing so that they passed only a few others as the blonde elf and the edan child. Legolas who was trying to distract Estel, and prevent others from interrupting with difficult questions, was telling the boy about his eldest brother's own adventures with the riverbank where they had camped the night before.
Though laughing hurt his throat Estel couldn't help himself as he imagined Elladan with his arms waving trying to stop himself from falling into the river that was especially muddy because of a landslip further upstream. Legolas too, was laughing. The memory was one of the few he had where the twins (or at least one of them) had been bested by one of his tricks though he kept the bit about the trip wire to himself. If Estel ever mentioned that to his brothers Legolas would be forced to flee middle earth or suffer pranks anytime he was near the twins.
At the sound of Elrond's voice from a nearby room the two stopped their laughter. Estel hadn't caught his father's words but Legolas had and decided it would be better o announce their prescene to the elf lord that have him come to investigate. With Estel still on his back he made his way to the door and cleared his throat.
"Lord Elrond," he began then caught sight of a blonde elf with their back to himself and Estel. There weren't many elves in Imladris' court with blonde hair and Legolas was unsure who this unidentified elf might be- especially if they had be granted permission to enter the elven lords private library. Estel realising his friend had stopped part way through his greeting squeezed his legs slightly altering Legolas to what had happened. Recognising his mistake and determined not to blush he continue "Lord Elrond and my lord. As you can see we have returned early from Estel's birthday adventure. I'm afraid Estel fell into the river and has caught a… a…"
Estel sneezed. Then finished for his friend "a chill." Having not known many mortals Legolas was having a hard time understanding what his friend was going through. Holding back another sneeze Estel continued. "And whilst I did fall, it was not without some help from a certain blonde elf's mount."
Legolas felt a blush creep up his neck as Elrond raised an eyebrow at the pair before him. "Interesting, wouldn't you say my lord," he said pausing for effect "Thranduil."
At this the other blonde elf in Elrond's library turned around and Legolas realised his mistake. "Adar?" he managed eventually. From behind him came the sound of identical laughter- the twins. Soon Estel then Elrond and Thranduil all joined in and at last Legolas too though his face was still flushed with embarrassment.
Estel carefully got off his friend's back and made his way to his father. Elrond reached out and drew the boy in a close kissing his forehead and whispering a welcome into his ear. When Estel made no attempt to move away Elrond looked at his son again. The laughter had left Estel with little breath and his checks were flushed as he struggled to draw air in. Noticing all these things interrupted the reunion and banter between the twins.
"Estel has a chill and I think it would be wise if he spent the rest of they day in bed- though if he seems better I will allow him to join us for the nightly meal. Then tomorrow, or whenever you plan to, you may leave Thranduil. Until such time as then however please enjoy your stay here."
"Tomorrow?" asked Estel upset that his best friend might leave without saying goodbye.
"A kingdom may go without its prince for a time, it's king too. But both being away is not a good thing for any extended time," said Thranduil, though he saw his son's disappointment with such an arrangement.
Elrond nodded and guided Estel to his room checking his symptoms before tucking his son in. Normally Elrond would have prepared some form of sleeping draught but he had decided already that Estel could come to dinner.
Soon satisfied that his son was asleep Elrond left and made his way back to the other elves to find the four elves discussing the talent that Estel had shown over the last two days. Like their sons Elrond and Thranduil were impressed with what they heard of the natural ability he seemed to have, though knowing Estel's true heritage Elrond was a little less surprised.
…
Just before dinner Estel was woken and made ready to join his family, Legolas and Thranduil . Estel happily shared over dinner how Dan had taught him how to tell which horse had pushed him in as well as how to track an elf- though he omitted the part about falling into the river a second time from when he was attempting to capture Legolas. A little later Elrond noticed that Estel was almost asleep and excused him from the table. Slow because of his tiredness Estel made his way to bed forgetting for the moment that his best friend would be leaving the next day.
…
It was Legolas who came to wake Estel in time for breakfast the next morning. He was dressed in traveling clothes although Estel could see how they were slightly more ornate than what his friend had worn the two days previously. Something about it made Estel realise once more that his friend was an elven prince. Even so breakfast passed happily with time seeming to stand still and pass swiftly in the same moment.
To Estel it seemed that time had moved faster than he could comprehend as he watched Legolas mount his horse in preparation of his leaving. Legolas suddenly remembered something he had been meaning to say and turned his horse towards his friend. "Estel," he called "Will you try and get your Adar to let you come visit Mirkwood, with your brothers perhaps, at the end of summer to stay until the winter months are over?" The smile on the boy's face brought a matching one to his own and neither needed verbal confirmation that they would both be there. "I will do the formal invitation as soon as I get home," Legolas promised.
Then Thranduil called that it was time to leave and Legolas rode to join his father and the group of warriors who were a token of protection around the royal family. Amid the cheers and calls of farewell however Legolas heard Estel's voice "Good speed mellon nin."
Turning on his horse's back he looked at the young edan he has so recently met and befriended. "Hannon le Estel," he called, "Gwador nin." The boys smile grew even bigger at the words and Legolas laughed in delight before turning round again and riding out with his father.
~*~
A/N 3) Elvish used in this chapter
Ada- dad, daddy
Edan- mortal
Adar- formal version of father
Mellon nin- my friend
Hannon le- thank you
Gwador nin- my brother (in the sense of sworn brothers – not simply by blood)
==THE END==
Wow I can't believe I finally just got to type "the end".
I'd honestly only ever expected this story to be a one chapter piece that would be written and then ignored by the world at large- even the fan fiction world.
Thank you to all of you who have reviewed- be it once or for every chapter. At this time before I submit chapter 12 I have 105 reviews submitted to my story. Which is about 105 more than I dared to hope for… and not one of them has been nasty either.
I'm so happy that so many of you have enjoyed it… and I thank many of you for also writing such wonderful stories that I have enjoyed reading myself.
I suppose it's possible that one day in the not to distant future I will write about Estel visiting Legolas in Mirkwood. If you want me to… and if a story line decides to wander into my head too.
One final thing before I go. Happy New Year- may it be full of joy and love and happiness.