Author's note: Thanks to everyone who reviewed!

I hope you enjoy this chapter.

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Chapter 11 - To Make A Choice

The next morning, Elrond slept slightly longer than usual. He realised just how little he had rested in the last few nights, waiting for his sons and Legolas to return. After he got up and readied himself, he made his way towards the Great Hall to have some breakfast. On his way, he passed Elladan's room, and somewhat to his surprise he heard several voices and quiet laughter.

He knocked on the door, and, on hearing Elladan's 'Enter', he opened the door. He found an unexpected scene. There was Elrohir, fully dressed and ready for the day, sitting in a chair at the foot of his brother's bed. Elladan, dressed, but his hair still unbraided, stood in front of his open wardrobe, and it looked as if most of its content had made its way onto Elladan's bed. Legolas stood in front of Elladan, currently only dressed in a pair of ill-fitting leggings, his hair unbound.

Elrond was so surprised that he just stared at the scene. Seeing the expression on his face, the three younger elves started laughing.

"Legolas has not got any spare clothes, he needs something to wear" explained Elladan.

 "Estel is still sleeping, and anyway, his clothes will not fit Legolas. So he came to ask me for something to wear, but we are having difficulties finding something that fits and that suits him at least reasonably well."

"You are just too thin, Legolas," teased Elrohir.

"I am just normal," was the slightly indignant reply.

Elrond asked:" Is there anything left in your wardrobe, Elladan?"

"Not much."

Trying to hide his amusement, Elrond asked: "Have you found nothing that fits better than these leggings?"

"Not really."

Elrond looked at the slender Mirkwood elf. Superficially, the twins and Legolas appeared to be of similar body build, whereas Estel was broader, but seeing Legolas in Elladan's leggings showed clearly that young archer was even slimmer than the twins.

"Later today we will see that we can get you measured for some new clothes. Legolas, you will not be able to return home before the winter. The passes are closed, you will have to stay here for the winter, and we will enjoy having your company for this time."

Legolas looked at Elrond, not the least bit embarrassed by sitting in front of Elrond half undressed.

The thought that he might not be able to return home had already occurred to him. "Thank you for letting me stay. I will have to contact my father. He will not like this."

After a brief pause, he added with a brilliant smile that changed his dark eyes to a sparkling blue: "But I do. I like the idea of staying here with Estel and all of you very much. "

Elrond looked at the prince and asked himself yet again why they had disliked Legolas earlier. That question would probably never be answered fully.

But for the time being, the most urgent issue was to find some clothes for Legolas. He had only brought a small pack of summer clothes with him to Imladris, and had taken these clothes along onto the scouting mission, where they lost most of their equipment. Therefore, he had only the clothes he bought in Bree and the set of clothes he had worn to Bree. Both sets were badly travel stained and not fit for wearing before they had been cleaned.

"Before even more of the morning passes, Legolas, you will just have to make do with some of these clothes. Elladan, just give him one of these tunics, whether they fit or not. We will have you fitted for new clothes later."

Elrond fished a maroon tunic out of the pile of Elladan's clothing. Legolas slipped the garment on gratefully, even though this, too, was not a good fit.

Elladan and Legolas quickly braided each other's hair – this was always much easier when done by someone else - and then everyone was ready to go for breakfast.

Elrond looked at the young prince. He did have to admit that the borrowed clothes looked odd on the young archer, the normally tight fitting leggings were baggy and bunched up at the top, the tunic was too wide in the shoulders and the sleeves too long. Quite apart from the fact that the deep maroon suited Elladan's darker colouring, but made Legolas look very pale, almost ill.

Fortunately, Legolas was not very concerned about his appearance, something that Elrond appreciated. Not all nobility would show such an easy acceptance of the situation.

Breakfast was an enjoyable affair. The prior evening, Elrond had been told some of the most important findings of the mission and shad been give a brief report of what had happened during the journey. But most of the time had been spent simply relaxing and catching up, so there was plenty to tell at the breakfast table. Elrond listen for the most part quietly as the twins recounted many of the larger and smaller events and incidents of the journey. And it struck him forcefully that something would have to be done about Estel's obvious lack of knowledge about the human world.

Elrond knew, of course, how little Estel had been exposed to humans, but it was only now, listening to his sons and the prince's tales, that he realised how difficult the transition between the world of the elves and the world of men would be for someone as young and inexperienced as Estel.

At this moment, the object of his musings appeared, looking scrubbed and clean, but also still very tired. The three elves and the young man had set a hard pace to get back to Rivendell and had not stopped much. Estel's pride had not allowed him to admit how tiring he found the pace, and so he kept up. But he was exhausted by the time they made it to Rivendell, and the previous night had not been early.

"Estel! You have slept for half of the morning!" Elrohir smiled at his human brother. He knew that Estel was weary; it was obvious from the dark circles under his eyes.

Elrond only took one look at his foster son. "Estel, you are exhausted. Back to bed, and I do not wish to see you before midday. Legolas will bring you some food."

Legolas nodded, he, too, could see that Estel was far from rested.

"Ada! I will not be pampered like this. I will stay and spend my time together with everyone else this morning." With a stubborn expression, Estel made ready to get some food for him.

"Estel, do not be silly. We can all see how tired you are. Go to bed, you will feel much better in a few hours. In the mean time, we will fit Legolas with some new clothes. He will have to stay here for the winter since the passes are already closed."

Estel looked at Legolas. Their eyes locked, and then a huge grin lit up Estel's tired face. He stepped forward and embraced Legolas in a tight hug, one of the rare occasions he had done this with others present.

"That is great. But what will your father say?" Concern clouded Estel's bright smile. Legolas shrugged his shoulders. This was a bridge to be crossed when they got to it.

Legolas disentangled himself from Estel, took Estel's plate and went to get an assortment of food he knew Estel would like. Elrond firmly sent Estel to his room, and Legolas followed him.

Once he arrived at Estel's room, he found that Estel had only taken of his boots and had curled up on top of the duvet.

"Estel, you are exhausted. Why did you not tell us that the pace was too fast on the way home? We could have stopped more often and you could have slept."

"No, Legolas, I did not want to appear to be the weakest link in the chain. I did not want any special consideration because I am human."

"Oh Estel… Your brothers and I love you just the way you are. It would not have mattered to either your brothers or myself to arrive a day later. Do you really think it would have made a difference? And now you are utterly exhausted. Come, eat this."

Legolas pointed to the plate with food he held. Estel's face lit up. Apart from being tired, he was also very hungry. He took the plate and began to eat. Halfway through the plate his eyelids began to get very heavy. Legolas took the unfinished meal away, gently pushed Estel over, and spread a thin blanket over the young human. "Sleep, Estel. I will see you later." Estel did not protest, his tired body ached for more sleep, denying this would have been futile. Legolas kissed him chastely on the forehead, and quietly left.

Elrond decided to wait with talking to Legolas about his father's letter. It would come up soon enough.

Whilst Estel slept, Legolas was taken to the seamstresses and measured for new clothes. He chose simple fabrics and designs, in his customary greens and browns. Legolas had never liked elaborate clothing and still found the robes worn in Imladris impractical. He had noticed that neither Estel nor the twins tended to wear robes, bar on formal occasions. He was just wondering whether he should ask for at least one formal garment when Elladan joined him.

"What have you chosen so far, Legolas?"

"Well, just some leggings made from this …" he pointed to a pile of tan material, " and some tunics made from that…," indicating another type of fabric.

Elladan frowned. "You need something more formal for the Midwinter celebration. I have noticed you do not like formal clothing, but you are nobility, and on that occasion it will be expected."

Legolas sighed. He knew that, of course, but had delayed choosing anything more ceremonial. Elladan regarded the range of materials critically. Finally his eye was caught by a midnight blue material, which was delicately embroidered with deep green thread. He picked up the lengths of material and held it against Legolas, wrapping it around his friend.

There was a gasp. Both Elladan and Legolas turned, the latter still enfolded in the blue material. It was one of the seamstresses, a young elf maiden who now blushed furiously.

"This should make a nice robe for you, Legolas. It really suits you." Elladan unwrapped Legolas from the fabric, and decided that he would return later and give the seamstresses a few instructions concerning the garment to be made.

Legolas ran his hand over the material. "It is very nice. Thank you, Elladan."

After their visit to the seamstresses, Elladan suggested a ride before the noon meal. Legolas agreed, and soon they were enjoying a crisp ride in the clear autumn hair. They did not race but simply enjoyed each other's company and that of their horses. The air was still and the coloured leaves of the autumnal woods beautiful. Legolas felt a profound sense of peace, which he had not been able to enjoy in Mirkwood for many years.

After a while, by unspoken agreement, they stopped and dismounted. Leaving the horses to feed on whatever grasses, herbs and leaves they could find, the two young elves sat down next to each other at the bole of a mighty ancient beech tree, legs stretched out in front of them. Neither said anything, words were not needed. Legolas leaned back against the tree and became acutely aware of the life force of the tree against his back, and at the same time he was also conscious of Elladan's slight movements at his side. After a while, these stilled, and both elves' eyes glazed over as their minds began to wander. Finally, Elladan's head sagged to the side and came to rest against Legolas' shoulder and neck.

Legolas did not mind. With slight amusement he noted that Elladan's dark, silky hair smelled of the same herbal tincture that Estel used to wash his hair. Elladan was sound asleep, he obviously needed etra rest as well. Legolas realised that between the twins and himself a deep bond of friendship had grown over the summer, but, he admitted to himself, he liked Elladan the better of the two. He was less impulsive and prone to rash actions and words than his brother. Legolas could not imagine quiet moments like this with Elrohir, something would inevitably happen to disturb the peace.

Part of Legolas' mind still refused to believe that relationships with everyone in Imladris had really changed so much in one brief summer. And yet they had, and he was more than grateful for this. Legolas allowed his mind to wander home to his own woods and forest, and to his father. They did not always agree and yet he missed his father. Slowly his thoughts unfocused and he drifted way as well.

A while later, Elladan woke up and found himself leaning against Legolas' side, whose face was now resting against his own hair. The slight movement caused by Elladan's waking also woke Legolas, but neither moved out of their current position. Both felt a deep sense of contentment and comradeship, so they allowed themselves a few moments of closeness and near intimacy.

Finally Elladan stirred and shifted so that he could see Legolas' face. "Legolas, I want to ask your forgiveness and apologise for all these years of not giving you a chance. I bitterly regret this for your and Estel's sake, but my own as well. You have missed out on much happiness and Elrohir and I could have had a good friend all these years." Elladan's grey eyes locked with Legolas' dark ones.

Legolas smiled at the dark-haired elf." Apologies accepted. I am sure I have also contributed to the situation. I learned early not to show my feelings and for you, that must have looked like coldness. You love Estel and wanted to protect him. That is only natural."

Legolas sighed and continued. " Most people cannot know how difficult it is to grow up as the only heir to a kingdom and being perceived as exceptionally beautiful. I often do not feel it, but I know how others see me. From being very young, there were many who tried to court me, but none of them cared for me. I decided early that the only way not to get hurt would be not to let anyone close. So, by the time I met Estel, I was still … very inexperienced. And I would have never things go as far as they did on that evening if I had not had far too much wine. I have to admit that was very curious about Estel, and perhaps there was attraction as well, right on that first evening… until that evening I had never allowed myself to feel attraction to another, let alone to act on such feelings. But with Estel it was different … I don't really know why…" He trailed off.

Elladan looked at him." Estel told me about this first evening. He was attracted to you right from the beginning. He never said much about this, but I guess it must have been his first time as well. He was still very young when you met."

Legolas blushed, and yet he only felt mildly uncomfortable. Somehow it did not feel wrong to sit here in this beautiful forest and discuss some very private issues with Elladan.

"Elladan? Have you ever loved anyone?"

It was Elladan's turn to sigh. "No, not in the sense that you and Estel love each other. I do not think I have ever really been attracted to another, and I find I cannot share a maiden's bed just for physical pleasure. Elrohir does, and somehow he always manages to remain unhurt. But I also have not yet heard complaints about him, either. I do not know how he does it…"

Legolas squeezed Elladan's shoulder. "One day, there will be someone for you, too. You are beautiful in body and soul, surely you know that…"

"I do not know about that … And I have a brother who looks much the same and appears to be much more attractive to maidens than I am."

"You want something different from a relationship than Elrohir. Do not do yourself an injustice by comparing Elrohir and yourself too closely – you may look alike, but in personality you are very different. And as far as looks are concerned, well, to me you are very attractive…"

Legolas regarded the young elf sitting next to him for a long moment. He was telling the truth, Elladan was beautiful, in a quiet way. His beauty was not stunning, but subtle. Fair of face, with dark hair and grey eyes, and a slender and graceful body, his Noldor heritage was obvious. Elladan reminded the Mirkwood elf of a still lake at night under the stars.

"You will find someone, Elladan. I am sure of it. Are you only interested in maidens?"

Elladan shook his head. "Not really. For me the person is more important than their body, although I appreciate beauty when I see it, but beauty in body and soul can be found in both males and females." After a pause, he added:

"Legolas? I am glad you and Estel found each other."

They regarded each other in silence for a long moment. Many unspoken words passed in this moment. Appreciation of each other's physical appearance, and acknowledgement of that appreciation, but also the ready admission by both that there was no attraction, nor should there be. Both thought of Estel. There were also feelings of regret, and of growing friendship and trust. This summer had brought each of them another good friend. And both liked that. They smiled at each other.

With a slight nod of his head, Legolas broke the sombre mood between them. "Let's get the horses and return. The others must wonder where we are by now…"

He also wondered whether Estel would be up when they returned.

He was. After Elladan and Legolas had returned their mounts to the stables, they quickly washed and made their way to the Great Hall for their meal. They met Estel on the way. He looked much better for the few extra hours sleep, his eyes were sparkling and his face much less drawn than before. When he saw Legolas and Elladan approach, he waited for them and briefly embraced Legolas and then asked them what they had done.

Legolas and Elladan looked at each other. "We went for a ride through the woods and then we had a little rest under a lovely old beech tree. And we spent some time talking."

"You mean both of you fell asleep!" Estel laughed. "At least I was not the only one…"

"Let's go for the meal." He slipped his arm around Legolas' waist, and together with Elladan they made their way to the hall.

Estel was gloriously happy. He was at home, his brothers were at home, and Legolas would stay for several months. Best of all, his friend and partner was now truly welcome in Imladris. He could tell that Elladan and Legolas had enjoyed themselves on their ride, and he was glad for them. The autumnal world held the promise of coming frosts, but Estel was certain that there would be no darkness in Imladris this winter.

TBC. Please review!