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Chapter 10 – To Make A Choice.
The bar room of the Prancing Pony was very crowded. Liselle was busy trying to fulfil everyone's wishes but had a hard time keeping up with all the customers. Therefore many people went to the bar themselves to collect their drinks rather than waiting for the drinks to be brought to a table.
Legolas, who was sitting at the end of the table between Elrohir and Elladan, offered to get new drinks for everyone. Estel went with him to help him carry the drinks. As they approached the bar, they realised that they would have to push through a crowd of men to get to the bar, something that neither of them enjoyed. During the last two days they had found that the men frequenting the Prancing Pony tended to be on the rough side, and many of them did not care much for washing themselves or their clothing. This resulted in a distinct odour that neither Legolas nor Estel enjoyed, and especially not concentrated in a crowd. But if they wanted the drinks, they had to squeeze through. Finally they were able to order for the drinks they wanted, and Legolas got out his belt pouch to pay for the beverages. The movements of his hands caught the attention of one of the men they were squeezed up against.
"That is a surprise! This is the ring that I sold to the other young elf earlier today. It is one of my finest pieces. I never thought I would see it again!" The man was the silversmith who had sold Estel the ring earlier in the day.
"Has your friend given this to you?" Legolas simply nodded and hoped that the man would leave it at that.
But he did not. "I always thought this ring would go to a lady, although I can see why your friend has given this to you. It suits your colouring. I hope you like it." The man smiled at Legolas, clearly proud of his work and craftsmanship.
"It is a beautiful ring. Thank you for making it."
Several bystanders had overheard their conversation. One of them muttered: "He is pretty enough for a lady, everyone knows that elves do unnatural things with each other."
Another man, with a swarthy complexion and greasy hair, looked Legolas up and down, and then said with a leering grin: "I wouldn't mind doing unnatural things with someone like him…" and tried to put his arm around Legolas' waist.
Faster than he ever thought possible, the man's arm had been twisted back. "No one touches me without my consent!" Legolas' eyes flashed with fury. He hated to be touched by strangers, particularly in this way. He had more than enough of this when he was younger, and would not tolerate it now.
Estel had moved next to Legolas, and in a supportive gesture, had put his hand on the elf's shoulder. Neither he nor Legolas were even aware of the gesture, it was so natural for both of them that neither had noticed.
But the greasy-looking man had noticed. "You do not seem to mind to be touched by your friend there! Stuck-up elf!" Estel quickly dropped his hand from Legolas shoulder, he did not want to make a bad situation worse. They could do without getting into a fight, although he had no doubt that these people were no match for Legolas and himself.
By now Halbarad, Tharamir and the twins had noticed the commotion. Halbarad got up, trying to defuse the situation. "Legolas, Estel, do not rise to this. He is not worth a fight."
"What do you mean, he is not worth a fight?" demanded another man angrily.
At this point Barliman Butterbur decided to intervene. He did not trust the rangers or the elves but they were good customers, and he definitely did not want a fight that threatened to turn ugly in his bar.
"Mike, just leave it alone. You asked for what you got, either leave these gentlemen alone or take your leave. I will not have a fight in bar."
Barliman placed the drinks that Legolas had bought on a tray, and motioned Legolas, Estel and Halbarad to follow him to their table.
" It is not the first time that Mike Ferny has caused trouble. And I daresay he will do it again." With a sigh, Barliman left their table to return to his duties behind the bar. In the meantime, normal conversations around the room had resumed, but an underlying tension remained.
"I do not wish to stay here any longer than necessary. Elladan, Elrohir – would you mind leaving tomorrow?" Legolas knew he did not have to ask Estel how he felt about staying here.
Halbarad sighed inwardly. This incident would have done nothing to encourage Estel to take up his heritage, if indeed he knew about it in the first place. A talk with Elrond was rapidly becoming an urgent issue for the ranger.
The decision was quickly taken. The twins, Estel and Legolas would forego the extra day of rest and return to Rivendell. Halbarad and Tharamir would follow as soon as Tharmir's foot allowed the journey.
The party had their drinks and then, to Barliman Butterbur's relief, they left to retire to their rooms.
Estel was quiet until he and Legolas reached their room. When the door had closed behind them, he turned and enclosed Legolas in a tight embrace.
"If this is what we would have to face amongst men, I do not wish to life among them."
Legolas had feared such a reaction. Although he had been angered by the incident, it had not surprised him. He had seen enough of humans in his life to not trust them easily – for him, Estel did not count as an ordinary human, and the rangers were different again.
"You have not seen enough of humans to take this decision, Estel. But come now, if we want to leave early tomorrow, we need to get some rest."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
They got up early next morning. When they went downstairs for breakfast, Liselle, the barmaid, was serving their food again. She smiled at them. " I am sorry you had such a bad experience here yesterday, Master Legolas." She sighed. "Mike Ferny is trouble. I cannot remember into how many fights he got over the years. Barliman Butterbur told me that you and the other two elves will be leaving today. Can I make you some food for the day?"
"Thank you for your concern, Liselle. I am unharmed," Legolas smiled at the girl, "except perhaps my pride. But I will live. Yes, if you could pack some food, we would be grateful."
Shortly afterwards, the twins and the two rangers joined them at the table. After they had eaten, the girl returned with a bag full of food. "There should be sufficient for four for a couple of days."
"Thank you very much." Estel and Legolas spoke at the same time, and all three laughed.
After their meal, they all quickly packed, settled the bill and made ready to depart. Liselle saw them to the door. Estel was the last to leave, and when he walked past her, Liselle lightly touched his arm.
"Master Estel? Please forgive me for being so bold but … I just wanted to … I really do not know how to say this… I have seen how you and Legolas look at each other. I do not mind, and it is none of my business. But for the likes of Mike Ferny, and many others, it does matter… If you come here again, you should try not to … well,… not to be quite so obviously in love with him." By this time, Liselle was blushing furiously, and so was Estel. And yet, he appreciated her concern. It was kind and courageous of her to give him this warning.
"Thank you, Liselle. I will try to remember. Fare well. " And despite his obvious embarrassment, Estel smiled at the girl, and in turning, he leaned in and gave her a brief, innocent kiss on the cheek. If possible, both blushed even more.
Estel turned, and quickly caught up with the others who were waiting for him. They had seen the brief exchange. "What was all that about?" asked Elrohir.
"I'll tell you on the way."
Liselle never forgot the day when she was kissed by an elf.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A few days later.
In Rivendell, Lord Elrond of Imladris stood mixing tinctures and poultices for the winter. Whilst his hands were busy with the herbs, part of his mind wondered to his loved ones. On more than one occasion, Elrond had admitted to himself that he felt lonely. His marriage to Celebrian had not been a love match, it had been a political arrangement between different elven realms. They had respected each other, and there had been companionship and trust, and initially some physical affection. But after she had fallen in captive to the orcs, she had never been untroubled again, and finally left for the Undying Lands. Elrond still missed her company, before her encounter with the orcs, she had been a delightful, carefree companion with whom he had spent many enjoyable hours, even if they had never experienced the depth of feeling which he had hoped for in his marriage.
Depth of feeling … Elrond had only once in his long life truly loved another, bar his children. But this affection was not returned, could not be returned. In Elrond's mind the image of Gilraen was now as vivid as it had been on the day of her arrival in Imladris. She had been a tall, slender women with the dark hair and grey eyes of the Numenoreans, and a flawless, pale complexion. Her movements were fluid and graceful. But her heart had been given to her husband, and she had not been able to overcome the grief when he fell. She tried, for the sake of her small son, who had so much inherited her looks. Elrond doubted that she ever knew how much she meant to him.
Whilst his hands continued to pour and mix, try, pour and mix again, Elrond's thoughts turned to his children. Estel, Gilraen's son. He had grown into a handsome young man who thought and acted much like an elf. He had found a partner whom he loved and who returned his affection, but they both would have decisions to make. Difficult ones. But these were for the future. Elrond smiled. He had promised himself that he would do everything possible to allow Estel and Legolas happiness, he still felt very guilty about all the years that he had shunned Legolas and thus taken the joy out of what could have been happy times for the two of them. He hoped they would return soon, he was getting more than a little bit concerned about their late return from the scouting mission.
Elrond's thoughts moved to Elladan. Always aware of his role as the eldest. Often too serious and yet, if Elrohir managed to get pass his reserves, able to show a wicked sense of humour. Elladan had not yet found a partner, in fact, Elrond was not even sure whether Elladan preferred males or females, or whether he had no preference. Elrond wished for Elladan to find a partner who would appreciate his thoughtful nature and who could and would respect the deep bond that he shared with his twin brother.
Elrohir. Light-hearted and spontaneous, definitely not ready to settle down but ever ready for new adventures – and that included adventures with lovers. Elrond knew that his son had brief relationships with a number of elf maidens and some human girls as well. But strangely enough, he had always managed to dissolve these alliances without leaving any visible hurt. Elrond did not believe that Elrohir would settle down with a partner in the near future.
And then Arwen, his only daughter. Beautiful and wilful, she left to live in Lothlorien with her mother's people years ago. Elrond admitted to himself that he missed Arwen greatly, they had clashed many times and yet he missed her cheerful laughter and great beauty. She had not been in Imladris much in the last thirty years. She, too, had not yet found a partner.
Elrond sighed. He did not know how this had come about, but Arwen's greatest wish had always been a family. This was unusual for an elf, perhaps her human heritage contributed to this desire. Most elves did not plan or even particularly desire children, when a union resulted in young ones, they were welcomed and cherished, but it was rare for elves to feel a true desire for procreation. Perhaps this was one of the reasons why elves were fading, a race without a true desire to recreate itself, even an immortal one, was doomed to disappear from history.
Elrond remembered how Arwen had reacted to Estel when she saw him first. He was less than two years old, and could just about walk, but not very steadily. For some reason he had taken a fancy to the tall elf-maiden who was his adopted sister, and had tried to follow her wherever she went on this visit. And Arwen had adored the small dark-haired human child who clung to her robes. When he fell, she would pick him up, she would sing for him when it was time for him to sleep, and help him feed himself at meal times. She played with him and even helped to clean him up when he had 'accidents'.
Arwen and Estel had only met one other time when Estel was about thirteen years old. At that age he was almost painfully thin, tall, and seemed to consist mainly of uncoordinated arms and legs. Acutely aware of his shortcomings in front of his beautiful foster sister, he had stayed out of her way as much as he could. Elrond had always regretted this, it meant that his daughter and foster son hardly knew each other. Fortunately for Estel this stage had only lasted for a few months until he had got used to his new height and body shape. Elrond knew that for some human youngsters this awkward stage lasted much longer before their bodies found their more or less adult shape. Estel had been fortunate in this regard.
All of a sudden, Elrond's musings were interrupted by some commotion outside. He quickly stepped on his balcony and saw that Elladan, Elrohir, Estel and Legolas had returned. All looking healthy and not much worse for the wear. Smiling, he quickly went downstairs into the yard to welcome them.
"Ada!" Estel stepped forward and embraced his foster father. Elrond returned the gesture and then also hugged his other two sons. He finally turned to Legolas, hesitated for a moment and then embraced him as well.
"I hope you don't mind, Legolas, but it is good to see all of you back safe and sound." Legolas smiled at Elrond. He did not mind at all, although part of his mind could still not believe the change in Elrond's attitude.
Elladan said: "We hope you are well and not too concerned about us. We know we are much later than planned – but a lot of things have happened. We have a lot to tell you."
"Where are Halbarad and Tharamir?" asked Elrond.
"They will return a few days later. Tharamir has broken his ankle – believe it or not, he fell out of a tree! – but he is almost mended."
Listening to their talk and news, Elrond followed his sons and their friend into the house.
In honour of their return he asked the cooks to prepare a feast, tonight they would celebrate. Tomorrow he would have to speak with Legolas about his father's letter, or perhaps he would wait just a couple of days with this. He wanted Estel and Legolas to have some carefree days here in Imladris before showing them Thandruil's letter. The delay would not make any difference since it was too late in the year for Legolas to return to Mirkwood anyway.
Elrond felt strongly that he wanted Estel and Legolas to have some happy time together, he was acutely aware of the fact that he had contributed to making both their lives much more difficult than they could or should have been for several years. This could not be undone, but he could do everything in his might to help them to be happy at least for the moment.
The weary travellers unpacked and cleaned themselves up, and then everyone and most of Elrond's household congregated in the Hall of Fire. And so this evening became one of those rare occasions that are like moments frozen in time, almost to perfect to be true. There was plenty of food, music to dance to and most importantly, friendship and love. And as Elrond watched his sons enjoying themselves, he reflected that even though he sometimes felt lonely, there were other times when he counted himself blessed by the Valar. And tonight was one of them.
TBC. Please review!