EstelEstelle

by Naja Melanoleuca

A/U What possible repercussions could there be from Estel and Legolas spending one night together? Massive angst all around. Not your normal A/L.

12. I want to be fat and happy

A/N Thanks to everyone who reviewed. It is always great to hear that you are enjoying my story. I have to say I think this is one of my favourite chapters. I based it, and large chunks of the story, on personal experience. For those of you who have questioned, Estel is suffering from a condition called hyperemesis gravidium. In other words excessive nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. It is very real and very unpleasant. No one who hasn't gone through it can understand how demoralizing it is to be that sick for months on end. I am 8 1/2 months pregnant and haven't been able to go near my kitchen in seven months. But like I said, torturing Estel makes me feel better. Making him go through the same thing in a vaguely homourous way helps me deal with insensitive people telling me "it is all in my head" or "eat some crackers."

Anyway, enough of my ranting, enjoy the story.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

ESTEL/ESTELLE

Two days later Estel was rudely awakened in the very early morning by a knock on his door. Estel covered his head with a pillow and tried to play dead, hoping whoever it was would go away. He was sleepy and felt sick. After a few more unanswered knocks, Glorfindel opened the door and spied a pillow covered lump on the bed. He prayed to the Valar that Estel was in a good mood, though he doubted it.

"Estel, you need to get up. There are some human ambassador's arriving shortly and your father will need you there to greet them."

"Why? He has been dealing with ambassadors for thousands of years before I was even born. Why does he need me now?"

"Your presence will make them feel more easy about being surrounded by elves. So get up." Glorfindel pulled the covers down and left with them so Estel would be forced to rise.

Estel got up and washed, braiding the two front pieces of his hair in a simple style. He knew he would never rival the elves for beauty, so he saw no reason to try. He dressed in baggy trousers, which were not quite so baggy around the waist anymore, and a baggy shirt and tunic that had the same problem. The tunic had become so tight that he had to leave the front of it opened or it put too much pressure on his churning tummy. He was really going to have to do something about finding more comfortable clothes soon. Over it all he pulled his worn overcoat to help ward off the morning chill. It annoyed him that he cuffs fell over his hands now.

After he was ready he staggered down to the courtyard to meet his father, feeling dizzy and nauseous. He greeted everyone with a grunt and sat down on the front steps, resting his spinning head against the cold stone railing. He wondered if Elrond would get angry if he lied down on the steps.

After a few minutes, the chill in the air made him start to shiver so he pulled his coat as tight around him as he could and huddled down into it. He tried not to look at the way the elves were all walking freely around as if it weren't thirty-five degrees. Estel again closed his eyes and tried to relax until he was needed. He was exhausted from being up sick most of the night. Thranduil had insisted on having some stupid Mirkwood dish made for dinner last night, the smell of which was so strong, the colour so repugnant, and the tastes so rich it guaranteed that Estel would not be able to tolerate it. Moreover, he was still depressed about his fight with Legolas. He was sure the prince hated him and that he was going to be alone for the rest of his life. However, somewhere in his subconscious he realized that Legolas felt just as badly as he did about what happened. Worries about the elf stole sleep away from him as surly as his upset stomach. All of which added together to make him one very tired, very cranky pregnant woman, which can be very dangerous.

Estel was eventually brought back to the here and now by a servant handing him a cup of steaming tea. The human took the tea in a shivering hand and mechanically drank it, expecting that it would be the usual ginger and peppermint tea he drank in the morning to help combat his nausea. Instead, it was strong black tea heavy with the bitter taste of chicory. Estel immediately spit the foul tasting brew out all over the stairs to his left side. Elrond looked up at the noise to see his foster child spraying tea into the air. He went to Estel to find out what on Middle Earth he was doing.

Off to the side, Thranduil pretended to drink from his teacup to cover his mouth so no one would see him smile. The ginger and peppermint tea had a very medicinal taste that he did not care for, but it worked to disguise his mirth. He had purposely ordered the disgusting chicory tea and had it sent to Estel in hopes of making the young human ill. From the looks of Estel this morning, Thranduil didn't think it would take much to send the young Ranger running for the nearest privy. Unfortunately, he watched as Lord Elrond expertly tried to sooth Estel until he felt better. And when that failed, comfort the human through his illness.

Thranduil cursed, irritated. He strongly disliked the fact he felt a twinge of guilt for what he had done. He thought perhaps it might be the fact that Estel looked so pathetic sitting on the steps hunched over a bowl, vomiting. But he figured it was probably guilt from betraying his promise to his own son.

Before Legolas had left two days ago, he had pulled his father, Thranduil, aside. Thranduil clearly remembered the conversation.

"Adar, please be kind to Estel while I am gone." Legolas had asked as they walked towards the stables.

"Why? He does not deserve my kindness." Thranduil had been haughty even for an elf.

Legolas had changed tactics. "Do you remember when Naneth (mother) was pregnant with my sister? How happy she was?"

"Yes. Her only complaint was that her face pained at the end of the day from smiling. She was the same way when she was pregnant with you. We both were." Thranduil remembered wistfully. He normally hated thinking about his late queen and her death in childbirth, but some memories were good. Even if those memories also brought the pain of loneliness.

"Estel cries a lot, Adar." Legolas had interrupted his memories. They had reached the stables and Legolas swung up onto his horse. "Please promise me you will try." Thranduil had reluctantly agreed and his son had ridden off to Bree.

Now he stood watching Elrond hug the human and listening to the human groan every so often. He hated feeling guilty.

When Estel had spit out the tea, Elrond had immediately gone to his side. Estel had thrust the offending liquid at him with a look of almost fear. Elrond sniffed the tea and realized the mistake the staff had made and felt sympathy rise for his child. Chicory was detestably foul tasting on the best of occasions, and now was not the best of occasions.

He crouched in front of but just off to the side of Estel, in case the human vomited while he was crouched, trying to get him to relax and breathe through his nausea. "Are you going to be ill, sweetheart?"

"I think so." Estel's voice sounded shaky.

Elrond motioned for one of the staff to get a bowl for him. He then turned to Estel. "Just breathe. Try and relax. Count backwards from ten." Elrond tried everything he could think of to distract Estel but in the end it was all for naught. Estel groaned and doubled over retching. Elrond held the bowl with one hand and rubbed Estel's shoulder with another. The elves all tried not to stare, but Estel was still going to be very embarrassed.

Luckily there was almost nothing in Estel's stomach so the bout didn't last long. Glorfindel kindly disposed of the bowl so Elrond could stay with Estel. The half elf sat down directly beside his child and pulled him over to lean against the Lord's shoulder. He then wrapped his warm cloak around the shivering human and cuddled him like a child.

After a few minutes, the shivering stilled and Estel seemed to relax. "Estel, maybe you should go back to bed." Elrond said softly. He knew many of the advisors would not be happy with loosing the human, but Elrond was not willing to risk his health.

Estel looked up at his father's face and saw that Elrond sincerely would allow him to go. However, he also saw that Elrond did need him to act like a buffer in case the humans were uncomfortable. He had done it many times before with great success, though he didn't know how successful he would be now. But he would not desert Elrond. The half elf was all he would have left soon.

"I will be fine, Ada. Sometimes the illness is very bad when I first wake up." Estel smiled.

Elrond knew that his child was lying, but he had no time to press the issue because the humans were arriving in the courtyard. Elrond rose and returned to the end of the steps to greet his guests. Estel finally rose and went to the end of the steps, but remained leaning on the railing for support.

The human contingent was made up of two men, quite obviously brothers, and two women, who Estel guessed were mother and daughter. Estel paid no attention to the men's names because his stomach gave a painful and nauseating clench. He was able to pay attention again when the women were introduced. The younger woman's name was Meglin and she was the husband of one of the men. Estel guessed she could not have been more than 17 or 18 years old. She was rotundly pregnant and quite chubby. She had curly red hair and freckles and smiled entirely too much. When the man introduced her he hugged her close and rested his hands lovingly on her swollen belly. Estel took an instant dislike to her.

The older woman did turn out to be Meglin's mother, Maylin. She was in her late fifties, and looked to be very old. However, her eyes still shined with humour and love towards her daughter. She had a thick bun of silver hair still mixed with red that was coiled tightly to her head and the strong build of one used to hard work. Unlike the others she did not seem nervous or intimidated by the elves. Estel decided he liked her best.

Estel listened to Elrond make the lengthy introduction of the elves that had assembled outside. He knew them by heart. "I am called Elrond Peredhel Lord of Imladris. I welcome you to Rivendell. This is Lord Glorfindel my chief advisor, head of the House of the Golden Flower and sacred protector of the Kings of Noldor." Estel sighed in dark humour as the clouds broke and a ray of sunshine fell upon the Golden Lord as if sun itself was paying homage to the Vanya's beauty. He could see the human's stare in awe. He personally was used to it.

"This is Erestor." Estel knew they would drone on and on. He loved the elves that he lived with but sometimes he wanted to bash their heads together when it came to formality. There was a tradition for everything and everything must follow tradition. They ignored the fact that there was five human's standing outside in the freezing cold morning with their teeth chattering.

Finally Lord Elrond turned to him and introduced him simply as "Estel." Estel made his greetings and welcomes, trying his best to still his shivering and stop his teeth from chattering. He could again see the human's stare with open-mouthed shock, only this time it was at him. But he guessed that they would. It would seem very strange to them to see a young, pregnant human being introduced as a member of an Elvin house. Estel self-consciously pulled his coat closed to try and hide his belly.

Sensing Estel's discomfort, Elrond ushered everyone inside. Once inside he told the human's that Erestor would show them to their rooms and then they could come to breakfast. This elicited a squeal of joy from the young Meglin because she stated she was quite hungry and could eat a horse. Then she turned to Estel and said. "I'm sure you know 'ow that is sweetie?" Estel gave a very fake smile and turned towards the private rooms with every intention of going back to bed. But then he remembered that he wanted to help Elrond, so he only hung his coat up in his room rather than collapsing on the bed like he wanted to.

Estel made his way down to the more formal dining room used for company and took his seat next to Elrond. The half elf smiled reassuringly at him. He had no desire to be there at all, and only hoped he didn't embarrass himself by tossing his cookies at the table. Estel noticed as the others started to come in, that Thranduil took a seat catty corner from him, rather than directly beside him like the king usually did. Estel breathed a sigh of relief until he realized that Thranduil had left the seat beside the human open for one of the women. Much to the Ranger's dismay, a mighty mound of Meglin plopped herself directly beside him, turning around to beam at him with her crooked tooth grin.

Meglin was pleased she had gotten the seat next to the pregnant woman. She and her mother had just been discussing Estel out in the hall. They had both assumed that he must be some sort of servant to the elves. He wore men's clothes like he had no others. The clothes that he did wear were not as fine as those of the elves. He looked tired and just plain worn out as if he worked constantly and had no time for rest. Meglin was quite shocked to see him sitting at the table, especially directly beside the lord himself. There was obviously more to this silver-eyed human woman than met the eye.

Meglin decided she would engage the other in conversation. That way she could find out more about Estel, like where his husband was. "We should just tell them to push all of the food over to this end, right there Ethel." She lightly elbowed the woman next to her.

Estel looked down his pointy nose and corrected her. "It's Estel." '* You ridiculous ninny, I was the only one not introduced with thirteen titles and you can't even remember my name.*' Estel thought to himself.

"Sorry, Estel." Meglin said still bubbling and smiley. Estel almost cringed at the way she pronounced his name. From her mouth it came out sounding more like Aystow. If she mangled his name that badly he could not imagine what she would do to the more complicated elvin names. "So, what kind of eats do they 'ave around 'ere?" Meglin rubbed her hands together in anticipation.

Estel just gave her a weak smile as the food was brought to the table. The servants brought him a cup of sweetened tea for his stomach and he sniffed it experimentally to make sure they had gotten it right this time. Satisfied he slowly sipped at it. Given his druthers he would have eaten nothing, but Elrond had different ideas. Before Estel could complain, Elrond served him two dry pieces of cinnamon raisin toast. Estel tried to stop himself from glaring at them as they sat cheerily brimming over with plump raisins and bands of butter and sugar-sweetened cinnamon, just begging to be eaten.

Elrond leaned over and spoke quietly to his child in Elfish. "The humans will think there is something wrong with the fare if you do not eat."

"They will most definitely think something is wrong if I throw up on the table after I have eaten it." Estel snapped back in the same language. But he relented and tore off a small piece of toast and nibbled on it.

In the amount of time it took for Estel to drink half of his cup of tea and eat the corner of a piece of toast, Meglin had eaten three pieces of toasts, two slices of ham, a scone, a glass of milk and one of juice, and a liberal helping of small fried potatoes. Estel was floored by the amount of food that the woman managed to pack away and she was still eating. '* No wonder you are the size of a house.*' Estel thought rather unkindly.

Meglin seemed to notice Estel's scrutiny because she turned around and smiled again at him. "Good food they 'ave 'ere." Estel smiled back. "Cripes, that can't be all you plan on eating, luv?" She pointed at the half eaten slice of toast sitting next to the untouched one on his plate.

"I am not very hungry right now." Estel answered trying not to notice the fact that her hand was so much shorter than his yet much thicker and less skeletal.

"What mean you that you aren't 'ungry? 'Ow could you not be 'ungry with all this fine fare around? Why, if I lived 'ere you'd be 'aving to roll me out of the room." Meglin scolded Estel.

"Aye, lass. You are skin and bones. 'Tis not good for your young one to be so thin." Maylin spoke in her quiet authoritative tone. She did not know the young woman's station, but she figured she could get away with calling her 'lass' because of the age difference.

'* Obnoxious intrusive people, you have known me for about half an hour. My size has nothing to do with you and is none of your business. Just because I do not resemble a bloated tick like your broodmare over here does not mean I am not taking good care of my daughter.*' Estel mentally ranted. But outwardly he simply dropped his head with a small smile. Every elf at the table could feel his anger; however, the humans were completely oblivious.

Thranduil could not really sense Estel's anger, but he didn't miss that the young human was holding his teacup hard enough for his knuckles to turn white. The king guessed Estel was angry rather than weepy today. He felt he should start a pool to bet on the human's moods.

The king decided to take advantage of the Valar given gift of the women's concern. Above all other things, Estel got spitting mad when people tried to get him to eat when he wasn't hungry. He had seen the Ranger nearly rip out Legolas's throat for bringing him a plate of apples when he had an upset stomach. This could prove to be rather fun.

"Yes, our young Estel here shuns food if at all possible. She only eats if someone forces her to. Some misbegotten notion of fashion I think. It is quite sad really for I think it makes her unhealthy. Perhaps you will be able to convince her that she needs more sustenance than a cup of tea and a crust of bread?" Thranduil made sure to add the proper amount of concern to his voice so that the old woman would believe him. He had nearly tripped up a few times trying to remember to refer to Estel as a 'she.' When he glanced over the look in Estel's eyes was a fair rendition of Sauron.

Both women clucked worriedly over the thin lady with nothing on her plate but bread. Maylin spoke first. "Try some of the eggs. They are rather good." She held a ladle full out to him.

Estel felt his stomach turn over at the sight of the sunny side up eggs. They looked like large yellow boils just waiting to be lanced so they could explode forth with jellied, yellow pus. He put one hand over his stomach and swallowed before answering. "No thank you, I assure you I have had quite enough to eat." '* I am going to throw up. I am going to projectilely vomit on you if you do not quit putting food in my face.*' Estel thought.

Elrond saw the rather dire situation of his youngest, so he intervened. "Meglin, when is your child due?"

"Oh, I am about five months along now, so in late January or so. It'll be our first." Meglin again beamed with pride and happiness.

Estel on the other hand almost spit out the water he was drinking to try and force his breakfast to stay where he put it. He did not understand how he could be two months further along than this woman, but so much smaller. He was sure some of it could go to the elvin blood of his daughter, but she was huge. Even now at seven months, his belly was more of an all around thickening of his middle rather than a round, forward facing bulge like hers. If he had to guess, compared to himself, he would have thought she was close to delivery. But, he was wrong.

Estel sank back in his chair morosely ignoring the pointless conversation between his father and the humans. He was so lost in thought that he docilely drank the rest of his tea when Elrond handed it to him. A short time later, Elrond said that the men would retire to the council chamber for business and Estel would show the women back to their rooms. As they all rose to leave Elrond summoned him over.

"After you have taken them back to their rooms, go lie down." The half elf smiled. "You look terrible. OK?" Elrond tugged on one of Estel's two front braids to emphasize his point.

"Ok." Estel smiled back at his father.

Estel then turned and quietly led the women back to their rooms in the guest quarters of the house. He said his goodbyes and left them. Elrond had been right. If he looked half as bad as he felt he was surprised that no one had buried him yet. He slowly trudged back through the house considering his options. He didn't really want to walk all the way back to his room. It was at the other end of the house and even worse it would be cold. His room faced almost due west, so it caught the afternoon warmth well and stayed warmer longer into the night. However, it also took longer to warm up than many of the other rooms. Moreover, if he returned to his room he may not leave it. He would curl up in bed and not get up again until thirst, hunger, or his bladder forced him to do so. And that wouldn't be much help to his father.

His favourite window seat in Elrond' study was no better. Though it caught the morning sun it was still at the other end of the house. Not to mention he ran the risk of Elrond bringing the guests in there. So he finally decided on a chase lounge facing one of the Eastern verandas. He found one in a delicious looking sunbeam and collapsed with every intention of dozing there until his father needed him again.

It took him some time to finally fall a sleep because he stomach kept doing flip-flops, his daughter seemed to think now was a good time to do calisthenics, and he was chilly. The sun seemed to be doing nothing to combat the October chill and Estel was already tired of being cold. He wished Legolas were here to keep him warm like Meglin's husband had been doing for her. He was sure he would have been able to fall asleep faster if the prince had been cuddled up behind him. However, he realized that after the argument they had had, Legolas might not ever want to cuddle with him again. Estel sighed trying to think positively. Maybe Legolas would forgive him and consent to hug him every now and again. He could take the crushing pain of having sex if it meant that the elf would hold him afterwards.

Back in the room with the woman, Meglin and Maylin discussed the young pregnant woman that had just left. Both women had made several observations about their possible hostess. First off, they noticed that she was tall, very tall for a human woman. She stood as tall as their men. Neither had noticed earlier because she had looked short next to all of the elves. She had a long limbed grace that both of the petite woman lacked entirely.

Next they had noticed Estel's eyes. Never before had either seen a person with truly silver eyes. Greys usually tended to be steely or lean more towards the blue, but this woman's eyes were as silver as a wedding band. Those eyes held an age and wisdom that the face and body did not show. If either were to guess, they would have placed Estel's age at around 17or 18 years old but the eyes showed a depth of spirit that was not generally seen in one so young.

Finally they had realized that Estel spoke with the same musical accent as the elves, even if it wasn't as thick. Her voice was deep and throaty for a woman, but she seemed rather soft spoken.

Meglin turned to her mother, Maylin. "So, what do you make of 'er?"

"She is certainly no servant. Not even the kindest lord would allow a mere servant girl to share the table like that. And they all spoke to her as if they knew her well."

"Too right. I ain't seen no other 'umans around. I wonder where 'er 'usband is?"

"Good question. I also wonder why she seems so unhealthy and unhappy." Maylin mused, her maternal instincts kicking in to try and protect the young woman.

"Mum, you don't suppose they keep 'er as some sort of sex-slave do you? And they just trotted 'er out to impress us." It was not unheard of for human lords to keep a harem of woman for their pleasure, why couldn't elvin lords to the same.

"I don't know. But I suggest we find out. If that is the case I want no business with these elves and I am taking that poor girl with us." The two women exited the room in search of the possible slave, Estel, with every intention of winkling her story from her.

After about an hour of tossing and turning, Estel finally managed to fall into a light sleep. He was enjoying the mindless relaxation of it when he heard footsteps approaching. Somewhere in his foggy brain he registered that elves didn't make noise when they walked, which meant only one thing. It must be the humans. Estel thought about diving off of the balcony to get away from them, but it was too late. He cursed his bad luck.

He had no idea how they had found him. He was partially hidden in a small alcove and the high back of the lounge hid him from causal observers. Then he heard the women and Thranduil and Estel cursed again. '* That bloody bastard. I think it is high time Legolas took the throne of Mirkwood, you insufferable sot.*'

Estel sat up just as they arrived. He smiled pleasantly all the while trying to come up with some excuse why he needed to leave.

"Hello there Estel. Would you care to join us?" Maylin said.

'*No thank you, I would rather rush a band of orcs than suffer you two for one minute longer." Estel thought, but he said. "Sure, that would be nice." '*But if you start talking about sewing or cooking don't be surprised if I chew my own arm off to get away.*'

There was not enough room for all of them to sit, so he rose and abandoned his warm sunbeam and led them over to a couch and two chairs. Estel moved to take one of the chairs, but Maylin pulled him down onto the sofa beside her. He barely managed to stop himself from yanking his arm out of her grasp.

"So, Estel, how long have you lived here with the elves?" Maylin decided to start small.

"Sixteen years almost seventeen years." Estel answered dully.

"Where were you from before you came here?"

"The North." Estel said, but thought. '*Why are you being so nosey, you old hag? Why don't you go bug one of the elves? Their lives are far more interesting than mine.*'

"Those are interesting clothes, you 'ave there. Is your 'usband a Ranger?" Meglin piped in with her high-pitched voice.

"No, I am a Ranger." Estel was vaguely insulted that this woman thought that he was not capable of being a Ranger just because he was now female. Some of the best trackers and fighters he knew among the Dunedain were women. Estel figured that she had probably never met a real Ranger in her life.

"Where is your 'usband?" Meglin asked.

Estel was saved from answering by the arrival of a servant with a fully loaded try of pastries and drinks. There was a large pot of hot coco and many strawberry and cream cheese pastries. Estel was about to wave them away when Meglin squealed in delight.

"Yum! Those look wonderful." The servant served two cups of coco and gave Estel the large glass of ice water the chef had sent for him. Estel smiled genuinely at the elf and he smiled back. Estel would have to remember to thank the chef personally. He was glad the chubby elf remembered that it had become easier for him to tolerate very cold drinks than hot ones. The water had several large chunks of ice in it that would keep it cool for hours.

"Aren't you going to eat anything?" Maylin asked as the servant left.

"No, I am not hungry."

"But they are so good." Meglin sang.

'*How can you still be hungry. I have heard of eating for two, but not twenty-two. You are going to explode soon.*' Estel tried to hide his thoughts from his face by sipping at his water.

"At least try some of the coco. It is very rich and wonderful. The best I have ever had." Maylin tried to tempt him with the sugary sweet hot chocolate and he couldn't stop himself from curling his lip up.

"Truly, ma'am. My water is all I want."

"That can't be all you want, luv. Surely you would at least like a biscuit?" Maylin held out a long piece of shortbread

"No thank you, really. I assure I am quite content with what I have." Estel tried to keep the edge from his voice.

Maylin tried another tactic and reached her old, wrinkled hand out and placed it on Estel's belly. She was trying to tell how far along he was in his pregnancy. When Estel saw the hand coming he moved backwards away from it, pressing himself into the corner of the couch. He was not about to suffer being manhandled by this woman.

'*If you move that grizzled meat hook one inch closer to me, woman, you are going to loose it.*' Estel thought as he moved away from the woman.

Maylin on the other hand, found Estel's reaction telling. She found it to be quite strange that the human shied away as if he were afraid she was going to be slapped. In the older woman's mind, she saw a life of abuse for the young lass and it broke her heart. "You needn't be worried, lass, I am a midwife. I have been birthing babies longer than you have been around. I just wanted to check to make sure everything is alright with you and your little one since I don't see any woman around here to take care of you." Maylin explained, hoping the Ranger would relax and allow herself to be examined.

'* I don't really think I need you to examine me, hag. I have the best healer in all of Middle Earth taking care of me. I doubt there is anything that you could do that he couldn't.*' Estel thought angrily. He was tired of these women and their intrusive ways. He just wanted to be left alone for a while so he could sleep. He didn't want them touching him, talking to him, or trying to make him sick by force feeding him. "That isn't necessary ma'am. I am fine." Estel tried to stop the ice from creeping into his voice, but he was not succeeding. Like his father, Estel did not usually rant and rave when angry; Elrond's bout with Legolas a few months ago was the exception. Estel tended to get very smiley and polite the angrier he became. He could not yet manage to put frost on the windows with his tone like Elrond could, but anyone who knew him would know that he was angry now.

Thranduil spied on them from the other side of the room. He chuckled to himself at the antics of the Ranger. Estel had grown up around elves to take on many of their mannerisms. Like most elves, Estel did not like being touched by people he didn't know. Elves, unlike humans, did not generally have casual contact, did not touch during greetings, and never touched those they were not well acquainted with. Estel seemed grotesquely uncomfortable with the idea of the old matron touching him.

Thranduil noticed that Estel was clearly becoming seriously annoyed with the women. He had to intervene and keep Estel in a forced politeness if he wanted his fun to continue. So he confidently strode over to the three of them and smiled sweetly at Estel. The Ranger was not fooled and he began to feel the hair rise on the back of his neck in warning. The king was up to something.

"Good morning ladies. How are you enjoying Rivendell and Lord Elrond's hospitality?" Thranduil nearly choked trying to call Elrond 'lord.' He noticed that Estel was eyeing him warily.

"Oi, it is a grand 'ome. I ain't never seen nothing like it before." Meglin said all smiles again.

"Rivendell is not just a home, madam, but also the surrounding valley. Elrond has some of the most magnificent gardens in Middle Earth. And the prospect from the waterfalls is breathtaking." It pained him so to compliment the half elf's home. Even if what he said was true.

'*You don't even like Imladris. Why are you saying this? You hate humans, go away. I would like to take you to the top of the waterfalls and throw you in, you obnoxious prickly pear.*' Estel hoped Thranduil could not read his thoughts.

"Perhaps, dear Estel, you should take these two women for a tour of the grounds. I think the fresh air would do you well. You are looking a little peaked. Perhaps you should eat." Thranduil held up a messy looking strawberry pastry.

Estel felt himself blanch at the sight of it, but he still answered. "If that is what you would like to do, than I would be more than happy to give you a tour." '* And take you to the borders and hope a warg eats you.*' "Let me go and get my coat and you can retrieve you cloaks and we shall meet by the front door in twenty minutes." Estel said, all the while damning Thranduil.

As he was leaving Estel shot Thranduil a truly angry glare and Thranduil thought it was the first time he had seen the Ranger really get angry at him. At least, the first time that he remembered. Perhaps the young one had a backbone after all. Only time would tell. But for right now, Estel was leading a pack of boring women around the woods in forty degree temperatures when it was clear he should be resting someplace warm. He didn't know much about medicine, but he figured that it wouldn't be good for Estel.

Estel made his way back to his chamber to retrieve his coat. He slammed his door shut when he reached his room and pounded his fist into the door a few times to help center himself. He was so mad he could barely think. '* How dare that man? How dare he volunteer my time to show them around the grounds? I hate him. I want him dead. I want to see him writhing in pain on the floor in front of me.*' An evil gleam came into the Ranger's eye as he turned to leave. '* Better yet, I want to see him pregnant.*'

Estel walked back to the front door by way of the kitchen. He had planned out the route he would take the humans on and it would take them by the stables. He wanted to get a treat for Orlean, his mare. He only hoped there was someone willing to go into the pantry and get it for him. On his way there he ran into Elrond. The Lord was discussing the dinner menu with the chef.

"Estel, what are you doing up and dressed to leave? You should be resting somewhere." Elrond eyed his child critically. Estel still looked tired and ill.

"Thranduil volunteered me to show the women around the grounds. I thought I would take them through the southern gardens past the stables. I wanted to get a carrot for Orlean." Estel sounded exhausted even to himself.

"Are you sure you are up to it?"

In truth, Estel wasn't sure. He felt weak and shaky, probably from not eating, and he still felt pretty queasy. "I guess. I just feel kind of sick and shaky." Estel held his hands out and they trembled slightly. "But I don't have much of a choice. It would cause offense to your guests if I backed out now." Estel looked depressed.

Elrond whispered something to the chef who disappeared into the kitchen as the lord led his child over to a bench. Elrond poured Estel some water and bid him to drink it. Estel didn't really want to because it was room temperature and he liked it almost freezing, but he did what his father told him. The water perked him up slightly. Soon the chef returned with a stack of crackers and two carrots with the green, leafy ends cut off. Estel smiled his thanks up at the chef. The portly elf was always very kind to him.

Elrond handed the crackers to Estel. They were small white salt covered squares that tasted much like parchment. Estel wasn't very fond of them, but they were bland and he could usually tolerate them. He figured that once he had his daughter he would never go near another cracker again as long as he lived.

"Eat these. They should help. My guess is, you feel shaky because you haven't eaten enough. Remember, sweetheart. If you are feeling shaky and weak, what must your daughter be feeling?" Elrond put his hand over Estel's tummy and Estel sighed in guilt. It wasn't like he wanted to starve himself. It wasn't his fault he couldn't stand to be around food. He was really tired of everyone making him feel bad about it.

"She has spent a lot of time moving around today for someone who is feeling weak." Estel tried to distract Elrond.

Elrond smiled and concentrated on his granddaughter. She seemed to sense his energy and shined a little bit brighter in greeting. The lord's face spit into an even bigger smile. Estel looked at him in confusion. "She is well and energetic today. But it is you I am concerned with. So eat your crackers and come back if you start to feel ill. I would rather give offense to them than risk you making yourself sick. Am I understood?"

"Yes, Ada." Estel bit into a cracker and determinedly munched at it. He tried to ignore the flat ashy taste.

"Enjoy your walk then. And do give the other carrot to my mount, would you?" Elrond rose and placed a fatherly kiss on the top of Estel's head.

Estel continued to eat his crackers as he walked towards the front door. He took one last drink of water, pocketed his carrots, and headed outside with the women. The Ranger finished the last bite of cracker and turned to the women. "I thought we should take the southern pass. The way is smoother and the sights very pleasing. I am afraid the climb to the top of the waterfall may be beyond all of us right now." Estel managed to find a smile.

As they headed out, Estel noticed that Meglin walked with a strange kind of waddling gate. She moved more like a duck than a normal person. He knew he was walking slower and stiffer than he usually did because he back was bothering him. However he did not waddle like a water fowl. He wondered again at how much larger she was than him. He self-consciously ran his hand over his belly.

Estel then turned his face up to the sun trying to warm up. The two women behind him took that moment to watch him. They were both stunned at the young Ranger's beauty at that point. His skin was flawless and his bone structure prominent. Meglin most of all admired Estel's thick mink coloured hair. It fell all the way down to Estel's hips and was shiny and silky in a way that her red curls could never match. She felt short, fat, and dumpy next to Estel. What she did not realize was that Estel felt like an impossibly tall and gangly adolescent next to her.

The young human in question turned to both of the women and spoke. "If you don't mind I would like to stop by the stables on our walk. Rivendell boasts some of the most magnificent horses outside of Rohan."

"That would be wonderful. I love 'orses." Meglin squealed again.

"This way then." Estel spoke. '* She is shrill enough to be a bird.*'

The three approached the stables. There were three large buildings which housed the horses surrounded by several lush fields. Since the days were getting cooler, the grooms let the horses out during the day rather than at night as they did in the summer. But most of them were still close to the buildings in one of several paddocks that surrounded them. Estel put his fingers to his lips and gave a serious of loud whistles. Soon a large buckskin mare came trotting over with her filly in tow.

The two foreign women found this to be the strangest thing they had seen yet. The paddocks had no fences around them to keep the horses from running away. Maylin pointed this out.

"If they want to leave they are allowed. We would not want to keep an animal here that did not want to be here. They stay because we love them and treat them well. Orlean and I have been in many tight scrapes and she alone is the reason I have survived." Estel pet his mare's felty nose with the backs of his fingers.

Estel heard a gasp behind him and followed the women's stares. Over the rise just east of them came Asfaloth, Glorfindel's horse. He was huge and pale grey, almost white. His mane and tail swept the grass and he posed for a moment against the sun. "Show off." Estel muttered as he broke one of the carrots in half and beckoned the mighty stallion over. Both women backed off. Not sure of the safety of being around a mare with a foal and a stallion with no fence to protect them.

But Maylin felt she had to speak. "That is the most beautiful horse I have ever seen. He is like something that stepped out of a ballad."

Estel actually chuckled. "Don't let Arlyss hear you say that, he will get jealous." As if on cue a huge coal black stallion came from the West. He surveyed his dominion from a distance before deigning to come and join the other two horses. When he arrived, both women backed off even further, now completely sure this was not safe. Two stallions and a mare in foal were clearly not a safe combination. They tried to get Estel's attention so that the Ranger could also retreat to safety, but he just held the other half a carrot out to the large black horse.

Estel beckoned the two women to come closer. "This," he said pointing to the black stallion with the intense eyes, "is Arlyss. He is Lord Elrond's mount. He is somewhat standoffish with strangers. But he is brave and true. Aren't you?" Estel cooed as he rubbed the horse under the chin. Once Arlyss had his carrot and realized that no harm was going to befall his friends, he turned and headed back to his harem over the western hill.

Estel then turned to the grey horse. "And this is Asfaloth. He belongs to Lord Glorfindel. He is a decedent of Shadowfax, the lord of horses. He is said to have a stamina that no horse but his sire could match, much like his rider." The grand words were lessened some by the fact that Asfaloth nosed around Estel's pockets looking for more food and grabbed onto one of Estel's braids and tugged on it trying to get the other carrot. "No, that is for Orlean." Estel said firmly. The horse released his braid and turned to the two women behind him. The stallion sauntered up and snuffled them to see if they had food. Since they clearly did not he turned with a last bow of his head towards Estel and returned to grazing.

Finally Estel returned his attention to his horse. He leaned into her and whispered to her in elvish. She whickered and accepted the carrot. Estel played with her ears and spoke quietly to her. She nosed him gently in the belly and he giggled and said something else to her. She tugged on his braid and he relented and gave her chest a good scratch. Next she put her large head over his slender shoulder and pulled him towards her so he could wrap his arms around her neck. She horsey hugged him and finally let him go.

The women were in awe watching the exchanged. The quiet, morose woman they had seen inside had come to life around the horses. But what was just as strange was that the horses seemed to respond to her has well. They watched as the Ranger spoke in the Grey tongue to the mare and it seemed to them the horse understood. Then they were even more shocked when the mare beckoned her foal over and nudged it into the Ranger. Estel spent some time scratching the young horse and just generally loving on it before he finally turned to the women to lead them away. The two could not understand how this woman looked and dressed like a human but acted, spoke, and moved like and elf. They had begun to abandon the idea that Estel was a slave, because who would gift a slave with such a beautiful animal?

As Estel led the women down the well worn path through a thicket of trees, he pointed out sights along the way. He had hoped that this would be a quiet walk, but the women seemed to have discarded the word quiet from their vocabularies. They walked loudly and talked even louder.

"So, where is your 'usband? Does 'e work in the stables?" Meglin asked.

"I'm not married." '* People can have children outside of wedlock, you stupid sow.*'

"Oh dear. Where is your mother sweetheart?" Maylin's first thought was that some dishonorable man had led the young beauty astray.

"She is dead. She died just after she brought me to Rivendell." '*My father is dead too. So is everyone else in my family that is human. If you want to meet them I shall be more than happy to send you to your death if you ask me one more question.*'

"That is just awful. You in this condition and no mother to 'elp take care of you." Meglin felt tears spring to her eyes.

Estel was almost pleased about having upset her because it meant that she finally stopped smiling. As he walked a bit further along, he started to feel a rather unpleasant sensation in his stomach. One he was quite familiar with. He felt like someone had stuck a straw in his stomach and was blowing bubbles in the contents. He took a deep breath trying to dispel the nausea. But before he could completely exhale he felt bile rise in the back of his throat. He turned to the women and spoke quickly. "Excuse me a moment. Just wait here. I will be right back." He rushed off towards the tree line.

He had intended to make it further away from the women, but he was not able. He braced one hand on the trunk of a tree and leaned over, emptying his stomach onto the forest floor. He had ceased being frightened of vomiting many months ago, but he was still unable to stop the surge of adrenaline he felt just before he retched. Nor could he stop the weak and shaky feeling that turned his knees to jelly and made his hands tremble afterwards.

He leaned heavily against the tree trying to stop himself from panting when he heard the other two women crashing through the brush. '* Oh please, not now. Can't they just leave me alone for a moment? The last thing I need is them mothering me.*'

"Oh dear, are you ok, sweetie?" Meglin crooned.

'* They did it, they asked the hated question. They asked me if I am ok. I hate that. Why do people ask me that when I am not ok?*' It took every ounce of self control Estel had, plus the lingering ill feeling, to not pounce on the younger woman and give her a thrashing. '* Yes, of course I am ok. I enjoy this. I thought that the forest lacked some colour, so I thought I would toss my cookies on to it. Only I wish I had had the presence of mind to eat something red to add to the colour palette.*' Estel mentally snarked. But he actually said. "I am fine. It is just, you know." He shrugged his shoulders.

Maylin crouched down in front of the human who had given up trying to hold himself up on quivery knees. She quickly grasped Estel by the chin and then rested her hand on his forehead. She used the hand on the Ranger's chin so that he couldn't get away. "You don't seem to have a fever. Are you still suffering from pregnancy illness?" It was very uncommon for a woman to still feel ill much past the third month and downright rare for her to still be ill once she started showing. She guessed the Ranger was about four months along, so she supposed the woman could still be ill.

"Yes. Sometimes." Estel was not comfortable having this conversation with this woman he barely knew. He was mortified that they had seen him ill. Of course he should be used to it by now. He figured by the time she was born he would have no pride left.

"How far along are you, lass?" Maylin was a midwife and had been for years so her every instinct told her to try and help Estel.

"Around seven months."

Both women stared wide eyed at him. They could not fathom how this lady could be seven months pregnant and still be so tiny. He was smaller than Meglin by quite a bit. Some of that could be contributed to Meglin's shorter waist and relative weights and muscle strength before pregnancy, but it was still shocking. Even worse, was that the Ranger was still ill after seven months. So ill in fact that he was apparently unable to eat a good breakfast.

Estel wanted to tell them to stop staring at him but he couldn't think of anyway to do it that would not be rude. So instead he stood to head back to the path. The movement spurred another wave of nausea and he leaned over vomiting again. '* This is so embarrassing.*' Estel thought. When he was finished he wiped his mouth on the cuff of his sleeve and turned back to the two concerned women.

"I am truly sorry about this. I am sure you understand." Estel tried to smile, but his stomach took a nauseating turn and he feared he was going to be ill again.

"Don't worry about it, luv. I remember in my early months I got sick maybe five or six times. It was awful." Meglin gave a mock shudder in remembrance.

'* Five or six times. I threw up that many times last night. I hate you, you fat , stupid broodmare. You are treating me like a child and you don't even realize that I should be your king.*' Estel couldn't fight off the resentment he felt. It wasn't fair. Why was she so fat, happy, and healthy and he looked like a wraith? He felt like he wanted to cry. But luckily he was interrupted by the practical voice of Maylin.

"Let's get you back to the house and onto a couch with your feet up. The best thing to do for pregnancy illness is to eat something. If you have food in you belly than you won't notice the sickness there." Maylin spoke the old wives' wisdom on how to treat it. However, Estel had tried that. He remembered one day lying on a chase lounge valiantly trying to choke down crackers Legolas was force feeding him that would come right back up as soon as he swallowed them. "You need something with a lot of protein, like some duck or quail. Pork would be even better. I know we have a nice slab of salt pork left I can fry you up for lunch."

"Please stop talking about that." Estel groaned as his stomach took another turn. Was this woman intentionally trying to make him sick? The three slowly made their way back up to the house and entered to meet the men during a break in their meeting with Elrond. Estel leaned against the door and watched how Meglin's husband pulled her into a hug and planted a soft kiss on her lips. He then took her hands in his to warm them after the chill of being outdoors. The man seemed to enjoy touching Meglin as much as she enjoyed being touched by him. Estel felt a great pang of jealously. Legolas would never act like that. He could never see the reserved elf standing in the middle of the entrance hall holding Estel from behind and rubbing his belly. He wanted to cry.

Estel pushed off from the door and tried to head back towards his room. He didn't really care if he gave offense anymore. He felt terrible and he wanted to curl up in bed in front of a warm fire and cry himself to sleep until he felt better. But luck was not on his side today. As he moved towards the hall leading towards the private chambers, Thranduil noticed him and called attention to his escape.

"Estel, where ever are you going? It is almost time for lunch." Thranduil called in concerned tones.

"To my room." Estel responded dully.

"But what about lunch? You hardly ate any breakfast. You must be starving. I understand that the chef has outdone himself for lunch. He has made game pie with pork, venison, duck, and every good thing. Maybe even rabbit." Thranduil stressed the last syllable well remembering the Ranger's aversion to rabbit.

"I'm not going to lunch. I am going to my room." Estel ground out through clenched teeth. '* Why did he have to mention rabbit?*"

"But Estel, dear, you look peaked. I think you should eat something." Thranduil turned to Maylin and spoke with a small pout on his lips. "Your daughter mentioned you were a midwife. Don't you agree, from a medical standpoint, that Estel should go to lunch?"

"Yes, I agree completely. Remember what I said Estel. A full stomach feels the illness less than an empty one." Maylin encouraged the pale Ranger.

"Thank you for the advice, but that isn't always so. I am not feeling up to attending lunch right now. But I will take your words under advisement." Estel spoke coolly, but he thought. '* You just watched me hunched over in the forest retching on to the floor. How could you possibly think that I would want to go to lunch? Are you as insane as your daughter is annoying?*' Estel turned again to head down the hall when Meglin spoke.

"Oh Estel, Mama really is right. You should eat something. I bet it will make you feel right as rain in no time." She smiled brightly at him from her position of being cuddled by her husband.

Estel felt his anger rise to a point where he wasn't sure he could control it. He took a deep breath to yell at the women and the king when Elrond showed up and beckoned him into another room. Estel stiffly walked to his father, his hackles still up. They moved into an alcove just out of sight of most of the party, except for Meglin, who had a clear view of them reflected off of a mirror in the entryway.

She watched as Estel walked to Elrond and the two began to talk. Estel seemed angry, but then relented. She watched in shock as Elrond reached out and tucked a piece of the human's hair behind his ear and Estel leaned forward resting his forehead on the elf lord. She was even more stunned when she watched the fearsome Lord Elrond wrap his arms around the human and rub her back soothingly and even kiss her on the forehead just before he led the Ranger away out of her sight.

Estel stalked into the next room where his father was waiting for him, expecting to get a lecture on politeness. Instead, Elrond simply watched him for a moment before he spoke in quiet Elvish. "What is bothering you, my child?"

"Those stupid people and that obnoxious king. He has that old woman following me around like a nursemaid trying to force me to eat." Estel pointed angrily back at the other room.

"It that all?" Elrond realized that Estel needed to vent.

The young Ranger dropped his gaze and then his head until his hair almost obscured his face and he mumbled. "I got sick on the walk." He didn't know why he was embarrassed to tell his father, he just was. He was tired of feeling weak, and didn't want to get another lecture about eating enough for two. He just wanted to lie down.

"And the women saw you?" Estel simply nodded his head "yes." Elrond put his finger under Estel's chin and forced his child to lift his head. "How are you feeling now?"

"Do you want the truth or what I am telling everyone?" Estel tried to joke.

"The truth."

"Awful." Estel took a step forward and rested his forehead on Elrond's chest. It always surprised him how much strength he felt there given the fact that he rarely saw his father pick up anything more strenuous than a quill.

Elrond wrapped his arms around Estel and rubbed his hands up and down on his child's back. He could tell that Estel was no longer angry, but was back to being depressed. He guessed that there was something more to Estel's dislike of the humans then their nosiness, but he wasn't sure what it was yet. He doubted it could really be their desire to see him eat; after all, every elf in Imladris did the same thing to him on an almost daily basis. He should be used to it by now.

"I am sorry, sweetheart. I will have the cooks prepare you some tea to drink and I think you should go to bed. We will work around your absence." Elrond kissed Estel's head where it rested against his chest. He would much rather have the human there to deal with the others, but he also did not want to make Estel feel bad unduly. The humans did not fully trust them, and he was no longer good at dealing with them. He had seen the weak and useless ways that the human's had destroyed his brother's kingdom and generally speaking didn't have a very good opinion of most of them. These two seemed just as greedy and treacherous as most humans he had met.

Estel rested against Elrond a moment longer. He really wanted to go upstairs to his room and rest, but he would not let his father down. He would keep the human's company and act as a buffer between them as long as he could stand. But right now he felt sick. "Ada, I think I am going to throw up." Estel choked out.

Elrond led him away to a nearby privy in the private part of the house. Estel crouched on the floor feeling the nausea ebb and flow over him. He hated this. He would rather just vomit and get it over with than sit for hours feeling like he needed to. Elrond knelt beside him speaking soothingly to him. After a few minutes past and Estel had still not gotten ill, Elrond handed the human a glass of water.

"Try and drink some of this. It should help." Elrond rested his hand between Estel's shoulder blades. He could feel his son trembling slightly every so often.

Estel accepted the water and sipped at it. Amazingly it stayed down and he drank some more. He needed a distraction and turned to his father. "How are the negotiations going?"

"Not well. The humans are covetous and wish to make an unfair deal with us. They wish for us to donate much, for them to do little for it. I would not mind so very much, except Erestor is up in arms about raising the wealth of Rivendell." Elrond went on to explain some of the sticking points. "Have the women mentioned anything to you?"

Estel thought back over the conversation that he had had with them before he answered. "Not really. I would guess, though, that they are not from a rich village. Their clothes are homemade and Meglin doesn't even have gloves. I'm guessing a farming or mining community. They seem well fed, but also well worked. I bet you could sway them by offering them some luxury item that they could never attain on their own. Both Meglin and Maylin were in awe of the horses. Perhaps you could convince Glor to part with one of his mares if it would sweeten the deal." Estel was now leaning against his father's shoulder as he talked with his eyes closed.

"That is an excellent idea. I will talk to Glor about it. I will tell him that he has to part with Asfaloth and see what he does." Elrond chuckled to himself. Glorfindel loved his horse like a child.

The two sat in silence for a few more minutes before Estel finally sat back up and spoke. "I feel better now. Sorry about the false alarm."

"That is fine with me, child, I could use the break. And your insight shall be helpful. Now, I think you should go to bed." Elrond helped Estel into a standing position. It was getting harder for the young Ranger to get up off the floor.

"No, that's ok. I will go to lunch. I can't promise I will eat anything, but I will go." He smiled at his father.

The two exited the bathroom and entered the dining hall just as everyone else had begun to arrive. Estel could already smell the food and regretted not taking Elrond up on his offer of going to bed. But his decision was made and he shrugged out of his coat and slid into his seat beside the lord. Maylin sat beside him this time and Estel was not pleased.

Lunch was served and Estel waived off everything except a cup of tea for his stomach and another stack of tasteless crackers, of which he ate few. He felt better than he had earlier, but his stomach still felt very queasy and he didn't want to chance eating anything to rich. He hated having to watch Meglin fill her face with tons of food. He was jealous because it had been months since he had really enjoyed eating. There were a few isolated instances were something tasted good to him and he enjoyed eating it, but more often than not he ate because he knew that he had to. Like most things in his life right now, he went through the motions because that was what he needed to do.

He let out a small sigh as he watched Meglin eat a butter and potato filled dumpling topped with sour cream. He loved those. He wished he could have one, but his rolling stomach reminded him not to even try. He was having a hard enough time with tea and crackers. Maylin heard him sigh and turned to him.

"Lass, why do you no try to eat of these?" She held a potato dumpling. "Or some of the game pie. It has a lot of protein and would help your stomach."

"My tea helps my stomach, ma'am." Estel motioned to his cup and tried not to look at the game pie. Luckily it didn't have rabbit in it.

"Try some soup, Estel. Surely if you can drink that foul tasting tea, you can drink some soup." Thranduil held up a bowl of split pea soup heavy with garlic and onions right to the Ranger's face. Estel blanched at the horrid green colour and the strong smell.

Estel smiled and spoke sweetly to the king in Elvish. "If you do not get that out of my face, I will vomit on you."

"You mean again?" Thranduil answered the same way.

"Enough." Elrond spoke to them. He was not about to let Estel and Thranduil get into a fight in front of his guests.

"By the way, how did you know that my tea tasted foul?" Estel questioned this time in Westron so the human's could understand.

"Guess. Though, I am sure it is not so bad as the chicory tea you had this morning." Thranduil's voice was sugary sweet.

Before Estel could answer the king, Maylin spoke up. "I think you need something more substantial than tea to help you. I know a good cure for pregnancy illness. I just need some pork fat and a few other things I am sure you have around here."

Estel was sure he wanted nothing to do with any cure that involved pork fat. "Ma'am, I am sure that Estel appreciates your advice. But I assure you that she is being well looked after. We have done everything we can to help and ease the discomfort of her pregnancy." Elrond piped in before the woman inadvertently made Estel ill with talk of her cure.

"Lord Elrond, with all due respect, I know that you are wise but what would an elf king know about pregnancy and healing?" All she wanted to do was help the too thin woman to her left.

Off at the other end of the table Estel heard Glorfindel choke trying not to laugh at the same time he had to drop his head to hide his smile. Even Thranduil seemed amused at the impertinence of the woman in thinking she knew more about healing than Elrond. For his part, Elrond simply gave an indulgent smile and said. "You would be surprised good woman, you would be surprised."

When lunch was over, the women immediately flocked to Estel and led him off somewhere. Elrond threw a quick prayer to the Valar that his child would not snap and kill them.

Estel and the women returned to the sitting room they had been in earlier and took back up the seats they had occupied. Maylin forced Estel down onto the couch and pulled his boots off and put his feet up on the arm and a pillow behind his head. He had to admit it was pretty comfortable. It took some of the pressure off of his aching back.

The young Ranger started to doze in the soft comfort of the couch as the women talked quietly to themselves. Just as he relaxed into a deeper sleep, Meglin called his name and woke him up. His brain felt fuzzy and he wondered if you could actually die from being woken up too often. "Hmm?" He mumbled, hoping the cow would realize he had been asleep.

"You said your mother was dead, what about the rest of your family?"

'* Great, her comes the questions again. People die everyday for no good reason, why can't this bloated windbag be struck down?*' Estel thought before he answered. "The elves are my only family left. My village, for lack of a better word, was attacked by orcs. My father was killed and my mother and adoptive brothers brought me here." Estel hoped that would satisfy her.

"Where are your brothers now?"

Estel sighed. He would get no peace and quiet this afternoon. "Bree. They are on an errand for Elrond." '* Along with Legolas. I wish you were here. You would scare these women away and then they wouldn't be bothering me.*'

"What about a grandmother or sisters?" Maylin spoke this time.

"I never knew my grandmothers they died before I was born. I didn't have any siblings until I was adopted. I have an adopted sister, but I have only met her once." He had heard of Arwen, but he had not seen her since he was so young he could not be sure if it was a dream or reality. He remembered her being breathtakingly beautiful though.

"Then who is acting as your midwife? Who is taking care of you? And where is the father?" Maylin was annoyed at what seemed to be the very nonchalant way they treated this rather ill woman.

"Lord Elrond, I guess. He has been taking care of me. I don't have a midwife. I assumed he would deliver her." Estel ignored the question about the father. They had been pestering him about the father for hours and each time he refused to answer.

"You can't 'ave a man deliver your child. It's unseemly." Meglin said in disgust.

Estel didn't really know what else to say. She had no idea that Estel had once been a man and was far more comfortable with a man seeing him from the angle of delivery than a woman. Not to mention, that Elrond was his father and the best healer in Middle Earth. He could not ask for someone better to take care of him.

Estel was just about to say something when he realized that he was about to be sick again. He sat up quickly and bolted for the nearest privy. The women stared after him trying to figure out what to make of the situation.

"Mama, I saw something strange earlier. When Elrond called Estel away, I saw 'im kiss 'er and 'ug 'er. 'E was very familiar with 'er. I think maybe 'e is the father. And Estel don't want to say because she thinks that it will affect our dealings with 'im." Meglin filled her mother in on what she had seen.

"That is plausible. The lord seems very protective of her. She could be the lady of Rivendell."

Before Maylin could say anymore, she heard a chuckle from behind her. Both women turned around to see Glorfindel smiling at them. They found his beauty almost painful to look at. All of the elves shined, but this one seemed to glow brighter than all of the others.

Glorfindel tried to tone down his naturally bright aura so the humans would not be so awestruck before he spoke. "You are trying to figure out the riddle of Estel's daughter?"

"Yes." Maylin managed to choke out. Gazing on this elf was almost like looking at the heart of a fire.

"What have you come up with?" Glorfindel smiled to try and relax them. He had forgotten the affect he had on people.

"We think the child might be Lord Elrond's. That Estel is 'is lady." Meglin finally managed to squeak.

The blonde again chuckled. "That is an interesting theory. I suppose it makes sense. Elrond is very protective of Estel and there is much love between them. However, not in the way that you think. There is only one lady who has ever turned Elrond's head that way and she long ago crossed the sea." Glorfindel pointed at a large portrait of Elrond's wife Celebrian.

"She is beautiful." Maylin gasped.

"Aye, she is. My lord misses her daily. But he does not use Estel as a replacement. He adopted Estel into his family when Estel was orphaned. He has raised her ever since. He loves her as dearly as any of the children of his body."

"Then who is the father?" Meglin asked. Starting to feel more relaxed around the friendly blonde elf. She was fascinated with his hair. It looked exactly like spun gold. She had never seen anything like it. Before she could stop herself, she asked him. "Could I touch your hair?" She then clapped her hand over her mouth, embarrassed.

Glorfindel just laughed. "Of course." He leaned over towards her. "It's where I get my name from. Glorfindel means 'golden-haired elf."

When Meglin had finished touching his hair Maylin again asked about the father. Glorfindel answered. "To find the father you need look little further than over there." He pointed to where Thranduil sat hanging one leg out of the window, reading a book. "King Thranduil's son, Prince Legolas, is the father."

Both women gasped. "Does that make Estel a princess?" Meglin asked.

"I suppose it sort of does. I know Legolas would want her to be his princess, but I think Estel has other ideas. But Estel is a princess in her own right. She is descent from royalty. Moreover she is considered through all circles as the daughter of Elrond, who is actually the High King of the Elves in Middle Earth. Though, Elrond will never use that title or claim the power for himself. Shirks responsibility terribly, that one does." Glorfindel joked. He figured Estel would be angry that he had told the women that he was royalty, but he also guessed that these rather simple people would be so over awed that they would leave the Ranger alone.

Shortly after Glorfindel finished talking, Estel emerged from the privy and shuffled back to the couch. When he arrived, both women turned and bowed to him. He looked at them in confusion before he noticed Glorfindel's smiling eyes. "What did you tell them, Glor?"

"Should we call you 'your highness' or 'your majesty'?" Meglin humbly asked.

"Just the truth, my little princess." Glorfindel smiled as he spoke. He managed to dance out of the way as Estel threw his boot directly at the elf's head. He turned and began to leave.

Maylin spoke softly to Estel. "He has the most wondrous smile I have ever seen."

"Yes. He has a beautiful countenance, too bad it hides a trickster's heart that is so evil even Morgoth fears it." Estel's voice rose at the end.

"I heard that." Glor yelled back.

"I know." Estel bellowed in return.

It wasn't long until dinner, and the women were generally leaving him alone. They still spoke with him, but they seemed uncomfortable and unsure of themselves. But if nothing else, they had quit asking him intrusive questions. He would have to thank Glorfindel later.

Estel took his leave of the women so that they could all prepare for the formal dinner that would soon be served. Estel really didn't need an hour and a half to get ready, but he wanted to rest before he was forced to sit through a long stuffy dinner. He hadn't had the best track record in attending them lately. He trudged up to his room and collapsed on the bed. His room was cold and would be almost freezing by tonight if he didn't light a fire soon. But he didn't really have the energy to get up and do it. He hated the absolute exhaustion and weakness he experienced after not being able to hold anything down for a while. He felt like he didn't have the strength to lift his head up off the pillow.

The Ranger relaxed into a light sleep for an hour before it was time for him to get ready. After he drank a glass of water he felt somewhat revived and slightly hungry. He slipped into his formal ware, and realized that the tunic and breeches, which had been cut for his male body, were far too tight for his now pregnant female one. He threw them aside angrily and went back to his wardrobe to find something else. After trying on three more outfits and having to also cast them aside, he despaired. '* Maybe I should just start wearing robes like the elves do.*' But he knew that robes too would be too tight since they were cut to be form fitting to the waist.

He finally decided on his baggiest pair of black pants, a dark grey shirt, and a black tunic opened in the front. Over this he looped his dress belt, but kept it slung under his belly around his hips. He went into his bathing room to rebrush and braid his hair and he stopped and looked at himself in the mirror. He barely recognized himself. His complexion was sallow with dark circles under red rimmed eyes. His dark coloured clothes only made him look worse. No wonder Maylin and Meglin were so worried about him. It just wasn't fair, why did he Meglin look so happy and healthy and he looked and felt like he had one foot in the grave.

Estel felt tears rise to eyes. He was so tired. He felt like he didn't have the strength to keep going. He just didn't think he was strong enough to do this. He felt alone and unhappy and he really missed Legolas. More than just about anything right now he wanted is best friend to hug him and kiss him and tell him that everything would be all right. But Legolas wasn't here. He wasn't even sure if the elf would want to make him feel better even if he were here. Estel was alone. He sat down on the chase lounge and covered his face with his hands. He started to shake with the effort of not sobbing. He couldn't handle this, not on his own. Then he felt his daughter wiggle around inside of him. Her touch, feather light, but he could still feel it. He also felt a wave of unbelievable love. Like nothing he had ever felt before.

He dried his eyes and finished braiding his hair. He may be tired, look awful, and feel even worse but he wasn't alone. He could do it, for her.

Estel walked into the main chamber in front of the formal dining room. The room was packed with elves waiting for the staff to allow them entrance to be seated. Almost the moment that the Ranger entered the room, he was mobbed by Meglin. She clapped her hands and squealed in delight at seeing him. Estel almost thought about running back upstairs.

"Lady Estel, do come over 'ere and join us." Meglin said. She had changed into her finest dress, which was still more poorly made than Estel's clothes. It was a rich burgundy that clashed with her carrot red hair.

Estel walked over trying not to drag his feet. "Good evening. And please, you do not need to call me 'lady.' Estel is just fine." Estel smiled trying to make his point. He was going to kill Glorfindel. He was beginning to understand Thranduil's nickname for the blonde, "imp of Morgoth." It fit.

""Good evening my lady." Maylin greeted. Estel sighed. "There was a tall blond elf looking for you.

"Was it Thranduil or Glorfindel?" It had to be one of them because they were the only two blondes residing in Imladris that would be looking for him. '* Hey, at least she isn't bugging me to eat. Maybe I will give Glorfindel a hug.*' Before Estel could say anything, the golden-haired elf in question sauntered up smiling. He dragged Thranduil along behind him.

"I am unsure which one though." She looked down apologetically.

"Do not worry yourself, madam. It is a common mistake among even elves. Even Thranduil's wife made the same mistake on many an occasion." He smiled wickedly, winking at the older woman.

Estel could tell there would be a fight soon if he didn't separate the two. "Well, which one was looking for me?" Glorfindel nodded and led the Ranger away to ask his forgiveness for telling the humans of is royalty. Estel told him that he was not angry because it shut them up just as Glorfindel had planned.

Soon the servants called for them to all be seated, and dinner began. Estel sipped weakly at his soup. Played with is salad, ignored his meat, nibbled at his mashed potatoes and bread, but enjoyed his ice cold milk. He made it right up to dessert before his stomach started to protest the food.

He quickly got Elrond's attention. "Ada," '* to hell with Thranduil and his problems with me calling my father dad.*' "May I be excused?"

Elrond looked over from is conversation. Dinner was nearly over and he was proud that his child had stuck it out so long, but he could also see that Estel was fading fast. "Are you feeling ill?" Estel shook his head 'yes' in answer, not trusting his voice. "Then yes, go." Elrond watched as Estel took two regal steps that quickly turned into a dash. He turned back to his conversation keeping on ear tuned on the Ranger.

Estel ran out of the room trying to decide if he was going to be sick or not. He certainly felt ill enough to, but he didn't really feel like he needed to. He stopped just outside of the room and rested his head against the cool stone of the wall. '*It's not fair. Meglin isn't sick. I was hungry when I went to dinner, and even then I can't eat. I hate this, I hate this. I hate this. I wanted to get to stay and hear the singing in the Hall of Fire tonight. But of course not, Estel is too ill to attend.*'

He felt a fresh wave of nausea wash over him and realized he was about to throw up. He moved towards the closest privy when he realized that it was occupied. Cursing his bad luck he looked around frantically as he felt his mouth start to water and the back of his throat burn. Finding nothing else suitable and not having time to head to another privy, Estel sprinted out to the terrace and leaned over the railing depositing his dinner in a flowerbed.

When he was finished, he leaned over the railing for a moment longer and waited for is stomach to calm down. He felt a warm hand on his forehead and suddenly noticed that it was freezing cold outside. He had been too preoccupied to notice before. He pulled his hair out of his face and looked up to see who it was. He could guess. Elrond would be the only one who would come to check on him.

"How are you feeling?" Elrond spoke quietly as he turned Estel around to face him.

"I puked on my hair." Estel sounded depressed. He hadn't had time to pull the mass of hair out of his face before he got sick.

Elrond tried not to laugh. For some reason the deadpan way his child as delivered the line struck him as very funny. "So I see." He removed a cloth from a pocket in his robe and handed it to Estel. He then led the shivering Ranger over to a bench that butted up to the outside of one of the fire pits. Warmth radiated off of the stone wall.

"Thanks." Estel tried to wipe off his hair with little success. He was so frustrated and depressed right now he was about to burst into tears. He needed a distraction. "I need to quit coming to these formal dinners. They are not good for my self confidence." Estel tried to joke.

"You might be right." Elrond turned to his child strongly reading the depression from him. "Why don't you go to your room? You have had a long unpleasant day. You should rest." He rose to leave.

"You really don't mind?"

"No. But please wash your hair." Elrond helped Estel stand. "I will come and check on you later." He gave the Ranger's hand an encouraging squeeze and headed back to the dining room.

Elrond left the Hall of Fire as soon as politeness dictated he could. He was worried about his child and wanted to check on him. He headed up the stone stairs that lead to the family's quarters. He quickly stopped by his room and shucked his heavy ceremonial robes. He then went to Estel's room and listened at the door to determine if the Ranger was sleeping. He didn't hear any rhythmic breathing, so he knocked quietly. Estel answered for him to come in.

When he entered the room he saw that his son had built a blazing fire in his hearth and had the window wide open to the very cold night. Estel sat in front of the open window on the window seat. He wore his loose comfy flannel pajamas and a bathrobe. He had his long hair wound up in a towel atop his head. He loosely held a brush in the one hand that rested across his bent knee, staring forlornly out of the window.

"Good evening. Are you feeling better?" The warm bath had returned some of the colour to Estel's pale cheeks, but the cold was quickly robbing it.

"Yes. Much." Estel finally turned around to look at Elrond as the elf moved over to sit beside him.

"Would you like something brought up from the kitchen?" Elrond hoped is child might feel well enough to eat.

"No. I don't think I can eat yet. I am just enjoying not feeling like I need to puke."

Elrond noticed Estel starting to shiver. He didn't like the idea of the Ranger sitting in front of an open window with wet hair when the night was near freezing. "Why do you sit star gazing in the cold again? What is troubling you?" One didn't need to have any gifts to read the melancholy written all over Estel.

"Nothing." Estel mumbled and rested his head back against the window frame.

"Estel. Don't lie to me. You know I can tell. If you wish to be left alone just say you do not want to talk about what is bothering you, but please do not lie to me." Elrond gently scolded.

"I'm sorry." Estel pulled his other leg up and hugged himself. '* Don't start crying Estel. He will think that you are mean and selfish if you tell him what is bothering you.*' Estel though to himself as warm tears started to run down his cold cheeks.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Elrond's voice was as gentle as the hand he rested on Estel's leg.

As the elf lord predicted, Estel cracked. "It isn't fair." He sobbed. "Why does she get to be so fat and happy and healthy and I am not. I want to be able to eat anything I want and not get sick. I want to be healthy. I want to be happy." Elrond gathered Estel into a relaxed embrace. "I don't want to have to worry if I ate enough to keep my daughter growing that day. I am so tired of worrying. I want to know that she will be safe and loved after she is born. And I am tired of feeling guilty because I can't be like her. I am not sick on purpose. I want what she has. I want to be fat and happy too." Estel cried even harder.

Elrond understood. His child was resentful because he was robbed of the joy of pregnancy. All he had experienced was the bad parts, the illness, the exhaustion, dizziness, mood swings, and back aches. He did not have a loving husband who took care of him. He did not have a mother for support. He did not have a stable life where he could welcome a child. Until a few months ago, he hadn't ever even thought about getting pregnant. Of course Estel would be jealous of the human. She was all that was good about having a child.

Elrond let Estel cry a while longer before he wiped the tears away with his handkerchief. "Estel, she may be happier now. But in the long run you will be happier. She is a human who is having a human child. There will be love there, but it will not compare to the bond that you will have with your daughter. Your daughter is over half elvin and you have elvin in you as well. You will always be bonded with her in a way that Meglin could never understand. That is a gift far beyond being fat and happy. Just like your daughter is a gift." Estel finally quieted to sniffles.

"I do love her, Ada. I would not give her up for anything. I just wish it weren't so hard. I'm so tired." Estel's eyelids drooped.

"I know. It is very hard for you, but the rewards will be all the greater." The two sat in silence for a few moments longer before Elrond spoke again. "Why do you sit in an open window on such a chilly night?"

"I wanted to hear the singing. I have missed it." Estel sighed. The looked down sheepishly. "I wanted her to get to hear it." Estel felt stupid. He didn't even know if she could hear or not, but he thought that if she could, she would like to hear the singing.

Elrond smiled at his child. "Come with me." He took Estel's hand and led him to the lord's private chamber. A large fire already burned in the hearth and the room was pleasantly warm. Elrond opened up the bay doors to the West and Estel heard the singing from below as clearly as if he were in the hall itself. Estel smiled a real smile that lit his whole face. Elrond led him to sit on the bed. "Would you like me to comb your hair for you?"

Only then did Estel notice he still carried his brush. "Oh yes, please. It drives me crazy." Estel loved having his hair brushed, but he hated having to do it himself. It seemed as soon as he had one section combed out it would tangle back up. It was infuriating.

Elrond gently unwrapped the towel and Estel felt several pounds of wet hair drag his head backwards. It amazed him how much this stuff weighed. Elrond began to run the comb through the ends and found many tangles.

"I see what part of the problem is." He rose and headed into his own bathing room. He looked through several vials of hair oil. He wanted one that did not have too strong a fragrance given Estel's sensitive nose. He decided on a mixture of lemon oil and lavender. The scents should both relax and invigorate him. But most of all, it should help with the tangles in his child's hair.

He returned warming the oil between his hands before he expertly ran it through Estel's hair root to tip. Estel was in shock at how much faster his hair combed out after Elrond applied the oil. "Thank you, Ada, for everything." Elrond gave him a quick hug from behind.

At the moment the singers down in the Hall of Fire were starting a new song, one with a catchy beat and fast tempo. Estel felt his daughter begin to wiggle and jiggle in time with the music. Estel put his hand over his belly with awe as he felt the tickling sensation. "I think she likes the song. She feels like she is dancing." He smiled.

"Is she now? Well, we cannot have such a lovely elfing dancing alone now can we?" Elrond swept Estel off the bed and danced around the room with him. Estel laughed at the absurdity of the whole thing but he enjoyed it none the less. His daughter too seemed to enjoy it because she seemed to twist and spin along with them.

Elrond felt a pang of old pain at dancing around his room with Estel. He used to dance this way with his Celebrian before she sailed. He also remembered fondly teaching these steps to his daughter Arwen. The lord had not realized how much he missed his daughter until Estel had turned into a woman. But soon he would also have a granddaughter to teach dances to and the thought helped to drive away the old pain, as did Estel's smiles and laughter.

The song ended and Estel collapsed on the bed still giggling. Maybe things weren't so bad after all? The next song started and it was a long slow ballad. Estel felt his eyelids grow heavy as the song went on and his daughter seemed to settle down to listen as well. Before he knew what was happening, the Ranger drifted off to sleep still lying in Elrond's huge bed.

Elrond gently maneuvered his child into a more comfortable position and pulled the covers over him. He then sent out some energy to his granddaughter to say good night. She beamed back at him with love and joy. He wished Estel could feel her emotions as strongly as Elrond could. He knew it would cheer up the oft melancholy Ranger.

Several hours later, just shy of dawn, Estel woke up suddenly to a very uncomfortable feeling in his stomach. He groaned as he sat up not realizing at first that he was not in his own room. He looked around confusedly trying to determine what had woken him. He was startled from is thoughts by Elrond's voice. The half elf had been dozing in a large chair pulled up to the side of the bed. Estel felt guilty for forcing his father out of his own bed.

"Are you well, my child?" Estel's movements immediately woke Elrond.

"I don't know. I can't tell if I am sick or hungry." Estel often had this problem. Sometimes it was difficult for him to differentiate between feeling very hungry and very queasy. Both were unpleasant. He leaned back for a moment as his stomach gave a lurch that turned into a growl. "I think its hunger." Estel was cold and did not feel like going to the kitchen to get food. But he sighed, knowing he needed to.

"Here, how about some cookies and orange juice?" Elrond reached behind him to the windowsill and picked up a covered plate of apple peanut butter cookies and a cold glass of orange juice. Estel's eyes lit up.

"Thank you, that would be great." Estel accepted the plate that held six cookies. The chefs and his father had learned finally that smaller portions were far less wasteful since he couldn't eat large meals. Plus smaller portions did not make him feel as daunted when he looked at them.

Estel bit into a cookie and nearly moaned in joy. He was so hungry that even the parchment tasting crackers would have been good, but this was wonderful. He ate four of the small cookies and drank his glass of juice. Elrond smiled at him in pride.

"Thank you, Ada." Estel looked down and now that his hunger was satisfied he again felt guilty for taking his father's bed. "And thank you for letting me sleep in here. I didn't mean to kick you out of your bed."

"Do not worry. I am just glad that you are getting a good night sleep. There are still a few hours left before dawn. Try and sleep for a while longer." Estel made to rise from the bed, but Elrond stopped him. "Stay here. There is no reason to have you running through the halls at this hour." Estel smiled and settled back into the warm blankets hugging a pillow to him. It may not have been Legolas that he was hugging, but for now he felt content.

Elrond entered the dining hall and was greeted by the full human contingent, Thranduil, and a guilty looking Glorfindel. He watched as Glorfindel led his dog out of the dining room when the lord arrived. Elrond would never understand what Glor saw in his pets. Their lives were so short, each one was like a little tragedy waiting to happen. He guess maybe it was because the Vanya couldn't have children of his own.

He was lured from his thoughts by the elder human woman speaking to him. "Is Lady Estel not coming to breakfast?"

"No. Estel is still abed. I believe she still feels a bit under the weather." In truth Elrond did not know. He had left Estel sound asleep this morning when he had gotten up. He had gone to wake him for breakfast, but he looked so peaceful and relaxed the lord didn't have the heart to do it. He would have food sent up for his child later. Estel could no doubt use the extra sleep.

"That's terrible. It really is awful, 'er being so sick and all." Meglin piped in. Elrond sensed that the woman was genuinely concerned. He supposed that maybe these humans weren't that bad and just because they weren't related to him didn't mean they were monsters. Elrond smiled at the girl and motioned for the food to be brought.

Estel was unhappily forced awake by the need to use the privy. He was warm and comfortable cocooned in extra blankets his father had put on his bed. He groaned as he was forced to abandon his toasty haven into the cool morning air. Elrond was gone, being an extremely early riser, and when he was finished Estel crawled back into bed. Only then did he realize how high in the sky the sun was.

Estel cursed and jumped back out of bed. It was almost breakfast time and he was not even close to ready. He flew into his room and washed quickly and dressed. He didn't even take the time to braid his loose hair. He sprinted down the hall, coming to a skidding stop just outside of the dining hall. He then slid into his chair just as the food was being laid out.

He wanted to make it to breakfast so he could talk to Maylin and Meglin. He felt terrible for the unfriendly way he had treated them yesterday. He had been rude and snobby to them and they had been kind, if somewhat nosey. He needed to explain to them how sorry his was. He hadn't meant to act that way. He was just cranky and sick yesterday. And, truth be told, jealous. He only hoped they would forgive him. He would even tell them who the father was if they still cared to know about it.

"Good morning, sorry I am late. I over slept." Estel smiled sheepishly. He didn't want to look at Thranduil. He figured that the king would be displeased at his tardiness. He always was.

"That is ok, Estel. I am glad you made it at all." Elrond smiled back.

Estel drank his tea and suddenly noticed he was starving. He mixed raisins and bananas into his oatmeal and managed to eat half of the bowl. He didn't even feel any worse than he did before he ate, so he was happy. Admittedly it was far less than anyone else at the table had eaten, but for him it was a triumph.

When breakfast was over he asked the women if they cared to try another walk. Shocked, they both readily accepted. Not taking any chances this time he took a mug of his tea with him to drink while he walked through the woods. He decided to take the women to the river and show them his favourtie spot.

As they walked, the women remained quiet. The silence made him nervous. They had been so open and chatty yesterday. It bothered Estel greatly that he had been so rude to them they felt they couldn't even talk around him.

He stopped when they reached the river's edge and turned to them. "I am sorry for my behaviour yesterday. I was very rude and you did not deserve it. Please for give me."

"You have nothing to apologize for, my lady." Maylin spoke quietly.

"Aye. We overstepped out bounds questioning you so much. You being a princess and all." Meglin seemed subdued.

"No. You did not. You don't need to call me 'lady' or 'princess.' I want nothing to do with that heritage. I am just Estel." He smiled encouragingly at them.

"But Lord Glorfindel said that you were a descendant of kings and that being Lord Elrond's daughter made you a princess too." Meglin questioned, some of her natural curiosity returning.

"That is true. Elrond technically is a king, but he will not ever let anyone refer to him as such. Glorfindel is the only one who ever gets away with it. And I think that is only because they have been best friends for about 6000 years.

"Really the only difference between us is that I was raised by elves. And I am the one you owes you the apology." Estel motioned for the women to sit down on one of the large boulders as he continued. "I didn't mean to be so well, mean, yesterday. My only excuse was that I was not feeling well and I was," '* go on Estel, say it. It won't kill you.*' "jealous."

Both women let out shocked gasps. "What do you 'ave to be jealous of us for?" Meglin asked.

"A lot of things." Estel angrily felt tears start to rise in his eyes again. He really didn't want to start crying in front of these women. But he sighed and continued. "Your family. Lord Elrond is the best healer in all of Middle Earth. No one knows more about medicine than he does, but it isn't the same as having a mother around you who has been through it. He can tell me technically what to expect and what is happening, but he has no idea from experience." Estel looked down feeling foolish.

"I understand, lass. You must be missing your mother badly around now?" Maylin spoke softly.

"Yes." And he was. Elrond had taken wonderful care of him and loved him as much as his natural parents would have, but he still missed her.

Maylin could tell there was more bothering the young Ranger so she tried to get Estel to talk. "What else troubles you?"

"I guess I am also jealous of your health. Don't take this the wrong way, but I wish I were fat and happy like you, Meglin."

"Why? I wish I were as tiny and pretty as you. I feel so big I can barely fit through the door."

"No, you don't wish you were as tiny as me. I am this small because I am sick all of the time. Yesterday was a pretty normal day for me. Most of the time I can't eat more than a few bites at a time if at all. I wish I were hungry all the time like you. And happy." That did it. Estel started to cry.

"Why aren't you 'appy? You live in this beautiful place with these beautiful people who obviously care about you."

"I know. It's just that I miss the father. And the grandfather hates me and I pretty much hate him. He doesn't think I am good enough for his son and maybe I'm not. But he doesn't have to take it out on my daughter." Estel hiccupped trying to hide his sobs.

"I'm sure it isn't that bad." Maylin soothed.

"Yes it is. He said he wished I had lost her. And that getting pregnant was my fault, but I don't even remember."

"You don't remember if he wanted you to loose your child?" Maylin was having a bit of trouble following the story.

"No, I don't remember getting pregnant. The father and I got drunk and I blacked out. A few weeks later I started getting sick and Elrond said I was pregnant." Estel sniffled. "The father was really scared to tell his father because he knew that his father would be furious and he is."

"Who is the father?" Maylin already knew, but she thought names would make the whole story clearer.

"His name is Legolas. He is Thranduil's son. He is in Bree right now. But he hates me now too." Estel felt fresh tears rise to his eyes.

"Why do you think he hates you?" Maylin questioned.

"We had a fight before he left. He didn't even say good bye when he left." Estel pouted.

The three talked for a while longer about Estel's woes before Meglin finally asked. "What is Legolas like?" Estel smiled as he answered her and told her all of the wonderful things about his best friend.

By the end of the day Estel felt much better than he had in weeks. It encouraged him to know that all parents doubt their abilities and just because he was sometimes resentful of the discomfort his daughter was putting him in did not mean that he didn't love her. However, they failed to convince him that Thranduil did actually care about him and his daughter.

It worried Maylin that Estel thought his father-in-law, for lack of a better phrase, didn't care about them. She decided she would talk to the elf herself to straighten things out. Just after dinner she managed to corner the king away from the others. Estel was on the other side of the room with Elrond and the beautiful blonde elf.

She walked straight up the Thranduil. Unlike the other humans, she had no fear of the elves. She had seen her parents killed by wargs, her husband and sons take by war, and her other daughter taken by disease. She was too old to be frightened of good people. There were plenty of bad ones out there for her to fear.

"Sir? I would ask to speak with you for a moment." Maylin spoke clearly to the king.

"What is it?" Thranduil was annoyed that Estel seemed happier today. He had hoped the women would continue to annoy the Ranger through out their visit and they were leaving tomorrow.

"I would talk to you about Estel and your grandchild." Thranduil glared at her. "Estel believes that you hate her. She thinks that you hate the child she carries too. It saddens her greatly."

"Good. I do hate her and her bastard daughter. I wish my son would have nothing to do with them, but since he is determined to stay with her I will assure he doesn't get hurt."

Maylin was a bit shocked. She has assumed that Estel was just exaggerating Thranduil's dislike of her. It appeared that she wasn't. "So you may hate the mother, but do you really want to be alienated from your grandchild's life? To have them grow up and never know you? To have neither of you ever know that love?"

"You have overstepped you bounds, foolish human. Be gone from my sight." Thranduil hissed.

"My apologies, sir." Maylin turned and left. Satisfied she had hit a nerve.

Thranduil turned and looked at Estel. He could see his granddaughter's glow shining faintly from the human's belly. He watched as the glow grew brighter at the sound of Elrond's voice, and even more so when Estel rubbed the side of his tummy. She always dimmed and hid when he showed up and that bothered him.

Not liking the implications of what the old woman said, Thranduil turned on his heels and left the room. He did not want to watch his granddaughter shimmer and shine for Elrond but not for him. It hurt more than he ever thought it would.

TBC