Destiny

By: Cheryl W.

Disclaimer: I don't own The Lord of the Rings or anything in conjunction with The Lord of the Rings nor am I making a profit from this story. No copyright infringement is intended.

Author's Notes: Some of you wanted another chapter to this story and here it is. And well, you'll be getting yet another chapter after this one. I always teeter between making stories too long or too short...I never seem to achieve that happy medium. Hope you like this addition and as always, I would love to hear what you think of it.

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Chapter 2

Estel had found no comfort in the night and many a time his heart urged him to depart amid the darkness... like the coward he was. But Estel had denied his heart it's desire and instead spent the long night sitting on the balcony of his room, listening to the waterfalls and watching the stars illuminate Rivendell...for the last time. This parting was a bitter task, a task he felt almost as unequalled for as he did the crown of Gondor. But in the end, as the dark of the night gave way to the light of dawn, his resolve was forged. He would abandon one destined path for a journey upon an untried path to an unforeseen future, a future of his making.

Having carefully chosen what possessions he would keep, Estel now looked about his room and swallowed down his emotions. This room had been his refuge for so long, held so many fond memories, it was part of him...but it would never be again. Clenching his jaw with determination, Estel crossed to the table that held a small wooden box. Reverently he opened the box and took in a steadying breath as he beheld the finely crafted bracelet, his mother's bracelet.

For all his travels, he had never taken it with him. It was too sacred to him to chance the loss of it. But now Rivendell could no longer be the precious heirloom's refuge ...just as it could no longer be Estel's. His hand reached for the bracelet but the light from the sunrise streamed into his room and glinted off the green gem of the ring he bore. Halting his movement, Estel stared hard into the depths of the gem of the ring and memorized the intricate design of the snakes that wound about his finger. He had no rights to this ring, to his lineage now that he had turned his back on the destiny of his blood. Quelling the pain of his heart, Estel slid the ring from his finger and laid it upon the smooth wood of the table. "Aragorn has chosen exile," he breathed, letting his fingers caress the ring one more time before he pulled his hand back.

Reaching to his side, Estel withdrew his elven knife from it's sheath. He held the weapon before him and ran his fingers over the elvish engraving in the blade. The word it bore was "Estel". Closing his eyes in anguish, Estel felt this was an heirloom he could not bare to part with, a gift that none could request him to relinquish save the giver of the gift: Elrond, his father. But a small part of Estel thought Elrond would ask the gift to be returned...for it was a gift given in love and honor...emotions that Estel doubted his father now felt toward his cowardice son. "I am no longer Estel..." he whispered with bitterness and pain and laid the knife upon the table beside the ring. It was a moment before he could force himself to slide his fingers from the blade and hilt. "Estel is dead."

With tenderness, he picked up his mother's bracelet and let the sunlight catch on the delicate silver strands draped across his hand. His mother alone would understand his choice. She would love him still as Strider.

Suddenly his two brothers's boisterous voices carried from the hallway into his room a second before they burst into the room. "Let's go fishing before break.." but Elrohir's words faded as he saw the bracelet in his brother's hand. Immediately he crossed to Estel, took his brother's wrist in his grasp and with haunted pain he asked in astonishment, "You are leaving?!" His eyes searching his younger brother's for the answer before he could voice it.

Estel nodded sadly, and softly answered, "It is time."

"To take the crown?" Elrohir asked in surprise.

But Estel abruptly replied, "No," as he broke from his brother's hold and strode back to the bed. Carefully he wrapped the bracelet in cloth and placed it securely at the bottom of his travel bag. Not meeting either of his brother's gazes he stated as he packed his clothing, "I am joining the northern rangers."

Crossing to Estel's side, Elladan seized Aragorn's hands, stilling their motion. With hesitation, Estel raised his eyes to meet that of his eldest brother. "And what of your destiny?" Elladan quietly questioned, not with condemnation but wonder. "How long will you delay it?"

A coldness swept over Aragorn's silver eyes. Unwaveringly he stated, "I have chosen exile rather than destiny."

Shock ripped through the elf twins. Elladan framed Estel's face tenderly with his hands and met his brother's tormented eyes with his own love filled gaze. "Your destiny is within your reach, Estel. It is a burden you can bear with the strength and honor that your forefather could not."

But Estel tightened his jaw and stepped back from Elladan's touch. "My mind is decided, Elladan. It is a burden I dare not bear. Can not bear." Then a pause fell before he said the words that seemed so final, "I will be leaving today." In his heart he said 'Forever" but had not the strength to utter it aloud ...especially not to his brothers whom he loved dearly.

Sensing that Estel meant this parting to be permanent, Elrohir turned his younger brother to face him. Desperately he pleaded, "No, do not leave, Estel. Live your days here in Rivendell..with us."

His brother's pleads pierced Estel with greater pain. Again he escaped from the touch of his brothers and strode to the balcony, his back to Elladan and Elrohir. With desperation he tried to make them understand, his voice thick with emotions he barely kept reigned, "I can not stay. I must discover a new destiny for myself. I can not live under the shadow of the destiny I can not bear."

Estel's words, the desperation that seeped from the man could not be swept aside by his brothers. Estel's earnestness in his decision was now etched into both elf's hearts. Their brother would leave them...there were no words that they could utter to hold him fast to them..to their home. Sorrow consumed Elladan and Elrohir but, looking to one another, they resolved to not make Estel's decision harder on the man...they would spare their little brother that at least.

Together Elladan and Elrohir walked to Estel and flanked him on the balcony, their eyes fixed on their brother. With a deep breath, Estel opened his eyes that he had clenched shut at his brothers' approach, fearful that he would break if they uttered another plea. Elrohir stepped close and Estel turned to meet his brother's eyes.

"Your home shall always be here, Estel. No matter how long or far you travel and no matter what destiny you follow," Elrohir assured, a tear silently slipping down his cheek. Relief swept through Estel and a hitched breath escaped before he was tightly engulfed in Elrohir's hug. He leaned heavily against his brother, glad to have his brother's strength there to hold him steady. It was long moments before the brothers pulled away and then Estel turned to face Elladan, terrified that his eldest brother would condemn his decision.

But instead of uttering a word, Elladan pulled Estel against his chest and tightly hugged him, his hand tenderly resting at the base of Estel's neck. "We are forever brothers, never to be parted in our hearts," he fervently pledged.

"Never," Estel vowed, his voice strained with sorrow and tears and love.

TBC

Love to hear what you think!

Replies to Reviews:

Empress of Alvarra: Thanks for your review! And I'm glad you liked my version of Estel and Elrond's conversation for this situation.

Sparky Cola: Thanks for your review! And I appreciate that you wanted another chapter..hope you like this one.

Leggylover03: Thanks for the review! Love to hear what you think of this second chapter.

Jadelyn Rashwe: Thanks for your review! And loved your enthusiasm! Hope this chapter is not a disappointment.

Lina Skye: Thanks for your review! You got a blush outta me with your compliment.

Am: Thanks for your review! And I'm glad you like my "Estel is dead and Aragorn has chosen exile. Only Strider remains" line. Sometimes I feel like a really drama queen with lines like that but ...well, I guess I am a drama queen.

Catmint: Thanks for your review! . And I'm glad you like my "Estel is dead and Aragorn has chosen exile. Only Strider remains" line. I was kinda proud of myself for coming up with it. Hope this second chapter doesn't spoil the story for you.

And thank you to everyone else who takes the time to read this story!

Cheryl W.