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To Make A Choice – Chapter 8

It rained. Incessantly. It had rained for the last six days. The group of elves and men drudged through the Northern Downs direction Bree. They were wet, their clothes were wet and their remaining blankets were wet. It was far more difficult to find food than it should be this time of the year, since berries and mushrooms suffered from the rain, nuts and acorns were rained off the trees and buried under a layer of falling leaves. The trees were loosing their leaves much earlier than usual. The only food source unaffected by the rain was hunting, but they had trouble finding sufficiently dry kindling to light a fire. And even when they succeeded, this created another problem, the damp wood resulted in much more smoke than dry wood would have done and this increased the chance to be found. So, an altogether miserable group of elves and men walked, slipped and slid towards Bree. The thick layer of wet leaves on the forest floor was turning into mulch and mud, treacherous ground even for the sure-footed elves. All of them slipped and fell repeatedly, and Tharamir on his makeshift stretcher suffered more than one involuntary bump.

Their situation was not helped by having to avoid orcs as well. They still saw the occasional band of orcs, but they tried hard to avoid any entanglements with them. Attempting to escape notice whilst carrying a stretcher was a challenge. They no longer had the option to escape into the trees. On several occasions they had to make large detours to avoid detection. And time wore on.

A week after they had left the small cave where they had stayed after the night of the two battles, Elladan removed the stitches from Estel's arm and declared the arm as good as new. Tharamir's foot was also healing, all rangers have some Numenorean blood and heal faster than other humans, but a clean fracture like Tharamir's ankle would still take about three weeks to heal completely. Tharamir hoped that in another week's time he would be able to walk again, even if it was with the use of a stick. Everyone else's bruises and scratches had healed, and the effects of Legolas' head injury had completely worn off.

But men and elves alike were cold and wet, and Halbarad was particularly concerned about Tharamir. In contrast to Estel and himself, the younger ranger was confined to the stretcher and did not more, and even though during the day he had the use of their remaining two blankets, it was obvious that the damp and cold conditions affected him most. The elves did not enjoy the conditions but were not as much bothered by them as the three humans.

Halbarad was surprised at Estel's hardiness in these conditions. The young man had not complained once and, once his arm had fully healed, had shown himself almost as unaffected by the damp and cold as the elves. The older ranger's respect for Elrond's foster son grew, he had obviously been out in the woods much and knew what to expect. Halbarad was also surprised to find that despite his youth, Estel was a very competent tracker, being able to find even very faint tracks and traces.

Twelve days after their battle with orcs and wolves they arrived in Bree, exhausted, muddy, and very much in need of some rest and warm food.

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Lord Elrond of Rivendell faced a dilemma. Rare for the Elven-Lord, he did not know what to do. His letter to King Thrandruil had been answered swiftly.

To Elrond, Lord of Rivendell

Thank you for informing me about the reasons for the delay of my son. I am very unhappy that he has gone on a mission from Imladris and has not returned in time.

I also need to write to you about the relationship between my son and your foster son. Legolas is very young yet, I have no objection if he takes a lover. I would prefer an elf to a human, but I will not interfere with Legolas' choice of lovers unless there is a good reason to do so. However, he is my son and the heir of my kingdom. When he is older, he must marry a female elf of suitable station and produce an heir of his own to carry on our blood line.

You are well aware of the consequences of a true bonding between an elf and a mortal. Legolas must not bind himself to Estel, I will not allow it. I will not lose my only son to some childish affectation when he has barely reached  majority.

I have tolerated this affair for a number of years because I felt that it was not of great consequence. However, recently I have got the impression that Legolas takes this more seriously than he should, Estel is mortal and even with his Numenorean heritage he will die in the next two hundred years, a short period for our kindred. I do not wish to see Legolas succumb to grief or give up his immortality.

I am very concerned that in this winter this dalliance may get out of hand. So far distance has tempered what reason could not. You must speak to Legolas and remind him of his duty, both to me as his father and as his king. I wish that Legolas returns home as soon as the passes are clear.

Yours truly,

Thandruil, King of the Woodland Realm

Elrond's first reaction to this letter had been anger. Thandruil was so openly disdainful of Estel that Elrond wondered what Estel's visits in Mirkwood had been like. If this was Thandruil's attitude, it was surprising indeed that Estel had gone back to Mirkwood at all. Elrond yet again realised how close his foster son and the young prince of Mirkwood had grown.  How did Thrandruil dare to speak with such disregard of his foster son? Elrond felt an uncharacteristic flash of anger towards the Woodland King.

He also wondered how carefully Thrandruil had looked at his son and his human partner. Even before Elrond reassessed his opinion of Legolas, he had known very well that the young elf and Estel were close emotionally, and that this was not simply a convenience arrangement for mutual pleasure. Estel was not someone who trusted easily. Legolas' reserved nature made it even less likely that he would let someone close to him, both emotionally and physically, unless he knew that person very well.

And yet, after Elrond's initial annoyance with Thandruil's tone had passed, he also read between the lines the anguish of a worried father. Legolas was Thandruil's only child, the mere thought of losing someone so precious through a bonding to a mortal must be an unbearable prospect. And, as Thandruil had indicted, Elrond knew very well that a binding would doom Legolas to mortality.

What could be done? Legolas and Estel were close, they had been for years. The not inconsiderable pressure from both fathers and families had not succeeded in breaking their relationship. Elrond had the suspicion that it had been exactly this pressure that had contributed to Estel and Legolas being as close as they were at such a young age – for if the world is against you, stand united against the world.

His mind wandered back to the night when he had played the harp for the two young lovers. He had not been able to see much of Estel's face, since it had been hidden on Legolas' shoulder. But Elrond knew that until the end of his days he would not forget the expression of utter bliss and happiness on Legolas' face, and the way the pair moved together. No, this was not merely a youthful infatuation – it may well have started as such – in all but name the binding had already taken place.

Elrond decided to keep this knowledge to himself. He would talk to Legolas and perhaps show him his father's letter. But in his heart he knew, that, should something ever happen to either Legolas or Estel, the other would not survive long for grief. He prayed to the Valar that this day might be a long way into the future.

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It was late afternoon and getting dark when six weary travellers knocked at the gates of Bree. The guard opened a small window and peeked out suspiciously. Bree was located on the old east-west road and had always seen many travellers of different backgrounds, but times had changed, not all travellers were welcome. The guard saw a very bedraggled looking group of two rangers and four elves, one of the rangers being carried on a makeshift stretcher. Neither rangers nor elves were frequent guests in Bree, and he briefly wondered where they had come from. Rivendell was not far enough to account for the state of this group. But their business was their own. The older ranger stated that they wanted to stay at the Prancing Pony, and the guard opened the gates.

Estel had been to Bree before. On several occasions Elladan and Elrohir had taken the their foster brother to the human town. They had traded on the market, and Estel was familiar both with bartering and the use of money. But they had never stayed in the town and Estel had never been to the Prancing Pony.

Halbarad lead the group straight to the inn. The bar room was crowded with men, and, to Estel and Legolas' surprise a few halflings from the Shire. It was noisy, and the smoke of pipeweed filled the air. Some of the men were rough looking, travellers through the wilderness, hunters, but also some less savoury locals. When Halbarad opened the door and the group of elves and rangers entered, a hush fell over the crowded room. Rangers were not often seen in the Prancing Pony, and elves even less frequently.

Barliman Butterbur, the owner of the inn, was trying hard to keep up with the demands of his many guests when he realised that the room had gone quiet. He looked up from the glasses he was filling.

"Halbarad, ranger of the North. It has been a long time since I have seen you last. What can I do for you and your friends?

"We need food and shelter, probably for a few days. Have you got room for us?"

Barliman Butterbur looked at the Halbarad and his companions. One ranger being supported by one of the elves, whom he now recognised as one of Lord Elrond's sons. They had been here before, but he had never been able to tell them apart. There was the other twin, and another elf from Rivendell with the same grey eyes and dark hair as the twins, and a blonde young elf whom he could not place.

"I have a room for two and a room for four. Perhaps you and the other ranger could use one, and Masters Elrohir and Elladan and their friends could use the other."

Estel groaned inwardly. He had hoped that Legolas and he would have a chance for a bit of privacy after travelling as a group for all these weeks, but after Butterbur's suggestion it would look odd to suggest different arrangements.

Halbarad caught the fleeting expression on Estel's face. He had a pretty good idea what the young man was thinking; the ranger had noticed the increasing tension between Estel and the prince. They needed time alone together, and Halbarad had intended to suggest that they took the double room, but Barliman had pre-empted him. Well, there might be an opportunity later to do something about this.

"That is fine. We will decide on sleeping arrangements later, but we will take those rooms. We also need food, please bring us what you have got."

Turning to his companions, he asked: "What would you like to drink?"

All three elves chose wine, Tharamir and Halbarad the house ale and Estel was undecided. He had never had ale and wanted to try, knowing that it was a common human beverage. Barliman looked at him in surprise when he said that he wanted to try the ale.

"I have never seen an elf drinking ale," he muttered, looking at the young elf sharply. There was something about him that bothered Barliman, but he could not say what it was.

Halbarad sighed. It would be difficult to introduce Estel to human customs as long as he looked and behaved like an elf.

The group found a table in a comparatively quiet corner. They settled down, and everyone admitted that they were glad for the break. They sat silently for a few moments, everyone being grateful for the respite from the rain, the mud and the cold. Tonight at least they would sleep in comfort.

It did not take long for the barmaid to bring the food. She was still young, auburn haired with a full bosom, clad in a dress that showed more than it hid. Without realising, Estel stared at her. He had never seen a female dress in this way, the elf maidens and the few human women he had encountered had all been dressed much more modestly. He was also fascinated by the small pale brown marks on her face. Elrond had told him that some humans had these marks, freckles, but he had never seen anyone with them.

The girl noticed his glance. As a barmaid in the Prancing Pony, she was not shy and used to dealing with a wide range of different people. She was also not opposed to find a bit of pleasure on the side, particularly with a good-looking young man. Or rather, in this case, a young elf. She had never seen an elf before, so this could be interesting. Those grey eyes…, and she would love to run her hands through that long dark hair. She briefly wondered whether elves and human males were built differently from one another. Perhaps she could find out…

Looking directly at Estel, she said: "I am free tonight and I have no plans. I sleep under the roof. "

With interest, the girl noted the reaction of the group. The young dark-haired elf who had stared at her, gasped when the meaning of what she had said hit him. He really had the most beautiful grey eyes…

"Oh no, no… I am sorry I stared … I just haven't seen many human women before… Why are you dressed in this way?" Estel blurted, blushing deeply.

Everyone else at the table had noted the exchange. The twins, Halbarad and Tharamir were trying desperately not to snicker aloud, Legolas frowned slightly.

The girl looked at her dress. "What is wrong with my dress?"

If it was possible, Estel blushed even deeper. He could hardly say to her that he felt this dress did not do much to preserve her dignity.

"Nothing…I…just have never seen a dress like this before. It is very… becoming." The girl was more and more intrigued by the young elf. She had heard tales about elves and she wondered if they were true. She had overheard Barliman's conversation with the ranger, this group would stay for a while, plenty of time to get to know this young elf who had evidently not been around humans much. Well, she had not met any elves before, so perhaps they could find some time for mutual exploration.

With this pleasant thought, she turned, other customers were shouting for her. Estel was immensely relieved when she left the table. Elrohir could not hold back his laughter any longer.

"That was an achievement, little brother. Within a few minutes you made a conquest!"

Estel cringed. He did not know where to put himself. The 'conquest' of a barmaid had been the last thing on his mind. He glanced at Legolas, whose expression was unreadable. Estel felt so confused and uncomfortable that he missed the sparkle of suppressed laughter in his partner's eyes.

Halbarad decided to rescue the young man. "I think it is time we ate our food before it gets cold."

Barliman Butterbur had not been stingy on the food. With rangers and elves he knew he would be paid well, both tended to pay with gold coins. So the travelling companions were able to tuck into meat stew, roasted vegetables and freshly baked bread.

Elrohir, Elladan and Legolas enjoyed a surprisingly good Dorwinion wine, it had travelled a long way to reach Bree. The rangers took deep sips of their ale, Estel eyed his mug suspiciously. He now wished he had not been so daring and had stuck to wine. Slowly he lifted his drink and tried a small quantity.

Having never tried anything remotely similar, Estel was surprised that the ale was bitter, but he did not find the taste entirely unpleasant. He decided that he could finish this mug before getting some wine as well.

Tharamir looked at him expectantly. "And? Do you like it?"

"It is not unpleasant, but I think I prefer wine."

"Estel, do not mix ale and wine. It will give you a headache in the morning." Estel listened to the warning. He had only once been drunk and was not certain he wanted to repeat the experience. Although, he thought, that one instance had had a very good outcome. He turned and gave Legolas a small smile, which was returned with a discrete squeeze of his hand.

After they had finished their meal, Halbarad and Tharamir took out their pipes and asked for some pipewwod. They then began to contribute to the thick smoke in the inn, looking very contented and satisfied. Halbarad said to Legolas, who was sitting opposite to him:

"Why don't you and Estel get an early night. Take the smaller room." Legolas smiled at the ranger, grateful for the consideration. He had no objections, and neither had Estel.

Getting up, he said:

"Thank you. We will see you at breakfast." With those words, Estel and Legolas made their way to the smaller of their two bedrooms, happy to be able to have some private time together after all the weeks of travel.

TBC.  I hope you enjoyed - please review !