Summary: Continuing on from Mistaking Ada, 6 months later the time has come for Estel to visit Legolas in Mirkwood. Reading Mistaking Ada first might be of some help.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or places. All I own is my copy of some lord of the rings merchandise.
A/N 1) How long has it been since I last updated? I'm so sorry to all of you who read my stories… I shall endeavour not to leave it so long again… unfortunately real-life happened, and then my brain ran away and a few things like that so this story was put on hold again. I can't promise it won't happen again but I'll do my best to prevent it. Hope you all like it despite the wait.
A/N 2) "…" is speech '…' is thoughts. Translations are at the end.
~*~
Chapter 2.
The twins had woken with Legolas' voice, and though their hands had instinctively reached for their swords that did not draw them as they recognised the additional companion. "Mae Govannen Legolas," greeted Elrohir as he and his twin moved to join Estel by the fire which had been brought back to a larger flame though only Estel truly needed its light and warmth.
Elladan seemed distracted, as he sat down between Estel and Elrohir, with only his elven reflexes stopping him from tripping over a spare bag that held some of their food. His eyes were scanning the eaves of Mirkwood, looking intently for something apparently hidden in its shadows. The others waited and said nothing until Elrohir grew weary and nudged his twin asking what the matter was. "Where are you guards Legolas?" asked Elladan, "surely your adar would not have allowed you to travel here on your own."
There was the flash of a smirk on Legolas' face before it returned to a more neutral expression and his shoulders slumping a little as the four sat in silence watching the flames. "Adar did not want me to come tonight; I got back from a patrol only this morning. He said I could come tomorrow with some guards but I couldn't wait."
He looked up and caught Elladan and Elrohir looking at him. "No you can't tell me off," he said smiling, "you might still be my elders by a decade but here I outrank you." There was a brief silence before the twins, then Legolas started laughing. Estel too ended up laughing- though more because Elrohir had tickled him than from an understanding of what had just past.
Afterwards the silence did not seem so heavy and time was spent swapping stories about various events that had taken place over the months since they had last seen each other though not much mention was made of the patrols that Legolas or the twins had taken part in. as Estel attempted to hide his fifth yawn he felt Elladan's arm come to rest on his shoulder. "I think it is time for you to sleep Estel. You've stayed awake for long enough." Estel tried to protest about this but the effect was ruined as he yawned again. Legolas moved and collected a blanket then offered it to Estel, singing quietly an old elven ballad that lulled the edan to sleep.
~*~
Elladan woke the three others a little after dawn the next morning. He sent Estel and Legolas to collect the horses as he and his twin dismantled what had passed as their camp and began preparing breakfast. Legolas had confirmed, before he had fallen asleep earlier that morning, that he intended for them to reach his father's court in time for the midday meal. So it was that Elrohir was happily preparing a large meal using most of the extra food supplies they had brought.
The return of the three horses, and two wet and laughing individuals, caused Elladan and Elrohir to look at one another in puzzlement. Legolas stopped laughing when he saw it but Elladan was pleased to see that the smile didn't seem to leave his face, and the weariness that had been there earlier had seemingly dissipated. "Legolas told me I needed a bath," said Estel as he walked over towards the fire and his breakfast.
Elrohir looked up and laughed as he looked up and saw his little brother's stomach which let out an undignified gurgle at that same moment. Blushing Estel looked away to the edge of the forest. "Hungry Estel?" to which the boy just nodded. "It's almost ready" he said standing up, "but before we eat you should get changed. If we ride into Thranduil's court with you wearing those clothes on Ada will never be able to send you here on a diplomatic errand again. So it was that when the morning meal began Estel found himself in one of his formal tunics with his hair pulled back into some simple braids.
~*~
After breakfast Legolas mounted Estel's horse behind the boy taking control of the animal as they reached the wood's entrance. Suppressing a shiver Estel smiled and tried to pretend nothing was wrong. Behind him the three elves also sat straighter and began to focus in intently both on the path in front of them as well as what was happening on either side. It had been a long time since Mirkwood had been called Greenwood the Great and all three elves were aware of how much of a target the might make for various enemies.
~*~
It was close to midmorning when they stopped again. The three elves has caught the sound of others coming towards them, though they were reluctant to leave the path, which might expose them to further dangers- not least becoming separated from each other. However fears were set aside when a group of five other wood elves joined them. "My prince," began the one who stood slightly in front of the others.
Legolas dismounted with a sigh. "Not now please," he asked "I am sure Adar will require a full explanation when we return and I don't feel in the mood to repeat myself. I am perfectly well." The other elf nodded, glancing briefly at Legolas to confirm the truth of the last statement.
From his sear Estel looked around. No one was paying him much attention, so he carefully climbed down from his horse. He didn't mean to go very far away only that he needed to relieve himself and had been about to ask to be excused when the other elves had arrived. He looked and chose a tree that although beside the path was a little way behind the party. If anyone noticed they didn't comment and it seemed that the twins were greeting most of the wood elves warmly like old friends.
It was one of the guards who made the suggestion soon after that they return with a pointed look towards Mirkwood's prince which was seen and returned. But all agreed and Legolas returned to Estel's horse only to find it now riderless. His question "Where's Estel?" caused both the twins to pause and turn towards him a look of horror showing clearly one their faces. The other elves were fearful, only now remembering the fourth who had arrived with the trio of elves and their king's commands to take extra special care as this was the youngest son of Elrond.
Estel heard his name being called and cringed. He'd promised he wouldn't wander off and he doubted his brothers would give him much of a chance to explain where he had been. Coming round from behind the tree he saw the path and stepped onto it. Almost immediately as he did so an arrow sped past his face just nicking his cheek. He let out a cry of alarm, though training brought both his hands to his sword's hilt.
"Pusta!" called Legolas loudly before anything more could happen. Swiftly making his way to his friend, he guided Estel back to the group noticing that most of the fear had left his features although a slight tremble still ran across his tense shoulders. "Estel," he said turning to his young friend, "my apologises that you have been shot at. Please accept my apologises, and those of the ones who have been assigned to protect me." 'And you' he thought though he didn't mention it aloud. The boy nodded unsure of the correct words with which to express his forgiveness.
Satisfied Legolas turned to archers before him. "This is Estel Elrondion, brother to Elladan and Elrohir Elrondion, guest in this land of myself and my father, our king. Please watch over him and protect him, he is gwador nin." If the other elves were surprised at such a title they did not show it.
With the introductions and apologises made Legolas helped Estel onto his horse before also mounting to ride behind as he had done so before. No comment was made about Estel's disappearance, though watching his brothers Estel was sure that it would come later. So it was that they made their way without further interruptions to the court of Mirkwood, arriving with just enough time for a formal welcome before the next meal was to be served.
~*~
A/N 3) Elvish used in this chapter.
Mae Govannen – Well met
Adar – formal version of father
Edan – mortal
Ada – dad, less formal version of father
Pusta – stop
Elrondion – son of Elrond (kind of a title)
Gwador nin – brother (in the sense of sworn brothers, not by blood)
Once again my apologises that this took so long to get out… it would have been up a day earlier if my internet connection hadn't decided to not allow me to view ff.net. Please leave a review even if it's only telling me to update faster.
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or places. All I own is my copy of some lord of the rings merchandise.
A/N 1) How long has it been since I last updated? I'm so sorry to all of you who read my stories… I shall endeavour not to leave it so long again… unfortunately real-life happened, and then my brain ran away and a few things like that so this story was put on hold again. I can't promise it won't happen again but I'll do my best to prevent it. Hope you all like it despite the wait.
A/N 2) "…" is speech '…' is thoughts. Translations are at the end.
~*~
Chapter 2.
The twins had woken with Legolas' voice, and though their hands had instinctively reached for their swords that did not draw them as they recognised the additional companion. "Mae Govannen Legolas," greeted Elrohir as he and his twin moved to join Estel by the fire which had been brought back to a larger flame though only Estel truly needed its light and warmth.
Elladan seemed distracted, as he sat down between Estel and Elrohir, with only his elven reflexes stopping him from tripping over a spare bag that held some of their food. His eyes were scanning the eaves of Mirkwood, looking intently for something apparently hidden in its shadows. The others waited and said nothing until Elrohir grew weary and nudged his twin asking what the matter was. "Where are you guards Legolas?" asked Elladan, "surely your adar would not have allowed you to travel here on your own."
There was the flash of a smirk on Legolas' face before it returned to a more neutral expression and his shoulders slumping a little as the four sat in silence watching the flames. "Adar did not want me to come tonight; I got back from a patrol only this morning. He said I could come tomorrow with some guards but I couldn't wait."
He looked up and caught Elladan and Elrohir looking at him. "No you can't tell me off," he said smiling, "you might still be my elders by a decade but here I outrank you." There was a brief silence before the twins, then Legolas started laughing. Estel too ended up laughing- though more because Elrohir had tickled him than from an understanding of what had just past.
Afterwards the silence did not seem so heavy and time was spent swapping stories about various events that had taken place over the months since they had last seen each other though not much mention was made of the patrols that Legolas or the twins had taken part in. as Estel attempted to hide his fifth yawn he felt Elladan's arm come to rest on his shoulder. "I think it is time for you to sleep Estel. You've stayed awake for long enough." Estel tried to protest about this but the effect was ruined as he yawned again. Legolas moved and collected a blanket then offered it to Estel, singing quietly an old elven ballad that lulled the edan to sleep.
~*~
Elladan woke the three others a little after dawn the next morning. He sent Estel and Legolas to collect the horses as he and his twin dismantled what had passed as their camp and began preparing breakfast. Legolas had confirmed, before he had fallen asleep earlier that morning, that he intended for them to reach his father's court in time for the midday meal. So it was that Elrohir was happily preparing a large meal using most of the extra food supplies they had brought.
The return of the three horses, and two wet and laughing individuals, caused Elladan and Elrohir to look at one another in puzzlement. Legolas stopped laughing when he saw it but Elladan was pleased to see that the smile didn't seem to leave his face, and the weariness that had been there earlier had seemingly dissipated. "Legolas told me I needed a bath," said Estel as he walked over towards the fire and his breakfast.
Elrohir looked up and laughed as he looked up and saw his little brother's stomach which let out an undignified gurgle at that same moment. Blushing Estel looked away to the edge of the forest. "Hungry Estel?" to which the boy just nodded. "It's almost ready" he said standing up, "but before we eat you should get changed. If we ride into Thranduil's court with you wearing those clothes on Ada will never be able to send you here on a diplomatic errand again. So it was that when the morning meal began Estel found himself in one of his formal tunics with his hair pulled back into some simple braids.
~*~
After breakfast Legolas mounted Estel's horse behind the boy taking control of the animal as they reached the wood's entrance. Suppressing a shiver Estel smiled and tried to pretend nothing was wrong. Behind him the three elves also sat straighter and began to focus in intently both on the path in front of them as well as what was happening on either side. It had been a long time since Mirkwood had been called Greenwood the Great and all three elves were aware of how much of a target the might make for various enemies.
~*~
It was close to midmorning when they stopped again. The three elves has caught the sound of others coming towards them, though they were reluctant to leave the path, which might expose them to further dangers- not least becoming separated from each other. However fears were set aside when a group of five other wood elves joined them. "My prince," began the one who stood slightly in front of the others.
Legolas dismounted with a sigh. "Not now please," he asked "I am sure Adar will require a full explanation when we return and I don't feel in the mood to repeat myself. I am perfectly well." The other elf nodded, glancing briefly at Legolas to confirm the truth of the last statement.
From his sear Estel looked around. No one was paying him much attention, so he carefully climbed down from his horse. He didn't mean to go very far away only that he needed to relieve himself and had been about to ask to be excused when the other elves had arrived. He looked and chose a tree that although beside the path was a little way behind the party. If anyone noticed they didn't comment and it seemed that the twins were greeting most of the wood elves warmly like old friends.
It was one of the guards who made the suggestion soon after that they return with a pointed look towards Mirkwood's prince which was seen and returned. But all agreed and Legolas returned to Estel's horse only to find it now riderless. His question "Where's Estel?" caused both the twins to pause and turn towards him a look of horror showing clearly one their faces. The other elves were fearful, only now remembering the fourth who had arrived with the trio of elves and their king's commands to take extra special care as this was the youngest son of Elrond.
Estel heard his name being called and cringed. He'd promised he wouldn't wander off and he doubted his brothers would give him much of a chance to explain where he had been. Coming round from behind the tree he saw the path and stepped onto it. Almost immediately as he did so an arrow sped past his face just nicking his cheek. He let out a cry of alarm, though training brought both his hands to his sword's hilt.
"Pusta!" called Legolas loudly before anything more could happen. Swiftly making his way to his friend, he guided Estel back to the group noticing that most of the fear had left his features although a slight tremble still ran across his tense shoulders. "Estel," he said turning to his young friend, "my apologises that you have been shot at. Please accept my apologises, and those of the ones who have been assigned to protect me." 'And you' he thought though he didn't mention it aloud. The boy nodded unsure of the correct words with which to express his forgiveness.
Satisfied Legolas turned to archers before him. "This is Estel Elrondion, brother to Elladan and Elrohir Elrondion, guest in this land of myself and my father, our king. Please watch over him and protect him, he is gwador nin." If the other elves were surprised at such a title they did not show it.
With the introductions and apologises made Legolas helped Estel onto his horse before also mounting to ride behind as he had done so before. No comment was made about Estel's disappearance, though watching his brothers Estel was sure that it would come later. So it was that they made their way without further interruptions to the court of Mirkwood, arriving with just enough time for a formal welcome before the next meal was to be served.
~*~
A/N 3) Elvish used in this chapter.
Mae Govannen – Well met
Adar – formal version of father
Edan – mortal
Ada – dad, less formal version of father
Pusta – stop
Elrondion – son of Elrond (kind of a title)
Gwador nin – brother (in the sense of sworn brothers, not by blood)
Once again my apologises that this took so long to get out… it would have been up a day earlier if my internet connection hadn't decided to not allow me to view ff.net. Please leave a review even if it's only telling me to update faster.
