Author's note: Thank you, everyone, who reviewed the last chapter. Not quite so many reviews for that chapter... mhm... (Frowns pensively)
Well, here is the next one. At this point I should mention that I will not be able to update for about a month. I am away on a business trip, and do not think I will be able to update during this time.
It would be fantastic to return to lots of reviews, both about this chapter and the story as a whole.
- - - - -
Chapter 22 – To Make A Choice
Halbarad gently but firmly shook Estel's shoulder. "Estel, get up! Quickly!" There are orcs on the way!"
The younger man quietly groaned and got up. He still felt extremely weary, although he was no longer hurting. The two rangers very quickly packed their few belongings, and quietly made their way into the trees, keeping their general direction. This meant that at some stage, they would have to pass the orcs, since they came from the east, and this was the direction the two rangers were heading. Soon both men could hear the orcs clearly. The creatures made no attempt of being quiet. The two rangers were able to see the orcs through the trees and quietly count them – there were at least forty of them, any attempt of fighting them was likely to fail.
All of a sudden, the column of orcs stopped.
"Manflesh!" one of the creatures growled. "They must be nearby! Search for them!"
The rangers moved away, as quietly as they could. But there was nothing they could do to hide their scent, and quickly they had to abandon any notion of escaping unnoticed. The orcs were soon in full pursuit, crashing through the trees.
"Estel, to the river! We must hide our scent!" Estel, too much out of breath to answer, just nodded and changed direction to the riverbank. Tall reeds covered the banks on both sides. Estel plunged headlong into them, and forward into the water. He heard Halbarad follow, but then to his horror realised that their charge through the reeds had left an unmistakable trail. Unless the orcs were blind, they would see where the rangers had entered the water.
At that moment, the orcs appeared on the shore. With fierce growls and screeches they descended to the obvious trail through the reeds, their momentum carrying them forward into the water. But their prey seemed to have disappeared. There was no sign of the rangers.
Hissing, muttering and growling, the orcs milled around the area for some considerable time. Finally their leader gave a command, and under much swearing and muttering, the beasts moved back to the riverbank and into the trees.
After a while, two rangers' heads head appeared between the reeds at the water's edge. The two men had hidden underneath the water and used stalks as air pipes for breathing. Everything they wore was wet, and all their belongings sodden, since everything had been hidden under the water. They quickly swam to the other shore and mounted the bank.
Halbarad noticed that Estel was shivering almost uncontrollably in his wet clothing. The older ranger was quite concerned. Estel had not been fully recovered from his illness, and then to stay for considerable time in cold water and now to be exposed to the cool autumn air in wet clothes was asking for trouble. They could not even light a fire, the orcs were too near, and they had nothing dry left. So they only option was to keep moving.
They marched through the night. Towards dawn Estel felt so tired that he thought he would not be able to set one foot in front of the other. Quietly, Halbarad put his arm around Estel's waist, first simply as a gesture of support and perhaps to provide some warmth, but as the night wore on, the younger ranger more and more leaned into the older ranger until Halbarad half dragged, half carried his exhausted companion.
They stopped early in the morning. Halbarad felt that they were far enough from the orcs to light a fire to dry their clothes and belongings.
"Estel, sit as near the fire so that you get warm again." The older man's voice was coloured with concern.
Estel was so weary that he simply complied, without answering. He curled up next to the fire, still shivering, covering himself with a damp blanket. He fell asleep almost instantly.
Halbarad sat watching him. He was worried about Estel. The time with the rangers had been a drain on the young man's physical and mental resources, constant low-level illness and loneliness were an unfortunate combination, this latest bout of illness not helping at all.
All was quiet. Time passed. Halbarad was tired as well, but not sufficiently to wake Estel. After a few hours, the younger man's sleep became fitful. He moved and muttered softly Elvish words. Halbarad went over and knelt beside his companion, laying his hand on the other's forehead. It was hot. Very hot, with small beads of sweat appearing. Although the hiding place in the reeds had saved them from the orcs, it had led to a relapse. In the early hours of the morning, Estel started coughing, a dry hacking noise that sounded painful. He did not wake up.
Halbarad took a decision. Estel needed to get to Rivendell as fast as possible. They had intended to go via Bree but there was a more direct route that would save about two days travelling. Even taking the shortcut, they were a week's travel from Rivendell. Halbarad remembered that he had promised Estel that they would send a message to Elrond so that he could inform Legolas. This might have to wait, they needed to get to Rivendell as quickly as possible. The young man needed time at home with his foster family and friends. Halbarad promised himself he would make that possible since he had come to like Estel greatly.
Some time after dawn Halbarad woke Estel up. With much effort, the younger man got himself ready. Their provisions had been soaked along side everything else, so that the only edible food left were some apples and dried meat that was simply redried after its bath. Estel just took one look at the meat and shook his head.
"Estel, you must eat. You know that. Eat at least an apple."
"I know I should eat. But I just cannot get myself to do it at the moment."
Once they got going, they just kept moving. After midday Estel had to concentrate hard to keep up with Halbarad, who was increasingly concerned about Estel. The young man did not complain, but he coughed more and it was clear that he found it difficult to go on. Halbarad knew that if they stopped, he would not be able to get his companion moving again. So they kept going, fortunately not encountering anything worse than a downpour. Which did not help.
The two rangers kept going. Estel never complained, but his cough got worse and Halbarad could see that it hurt his chest. The young man also had a fever of varying intensity and was getting progressively more tired. Halbarad was getting seriously worried, Estel was not in good shape, and the road to Rivendell was still long. Halbarad regretted having to return Estel in such a poor state to his foster father.
On the third day after their involuntary extended bath, they had a stroke of good fortune. They meet a group of hunters who knew Halbarad and were on good terms with him. They agreed to the rangers buying their pack horse, a quiet old mare but perfectly healthy and well kept, and they also offered to take a message for Elrond to Bree and to send it on.
After that encounter, Estel could ride on the horse, and they made much faster progress. Halbarad was astonished at the resilience and stamina of his young companion, most men would have given up on this journey a long time ago and would have made to Bree to recover there. Not so Estel. The mere thought of going home gave him the extra strength that he needed to hang on.
- - - - -
A few days later.
Legolas Thandruilion held a message in his hands. It had just arrived from Rivendell by messenger bird. It was brief.
Dear Legolas,
I have had word that Estel is on the way here. He is not well. I believe it would be good for him if you could come (and probably for you, too.) If you can be spared at home, please come and stay for the winter. You are always welcome here.
Greetings
Elrond
Legolas briefly debated with himself what to do and then decided that there was only one way forward. He took Elrond's letter and took it to his father, who was working in his study.
"Father? I have had a message from Rivendell. Estel is on his way home and I would like to go to Imladris as well." Legolas handed Elrond's message to Thandruil.
The king frowned. He still resented very much Legolas' association with the human, and yet ... he recalled some of the phrases in Legolas' letter. "...I cannot express how much I miss you. It is like a great hole inside that only you can fill."
"I have no doubt my father loves me, but he does not see me, he sees an image of what I should be."
Thandruil looked a this son, and saw the uncertainty and pain in the dark blue eyes that were so much like those of his mother. But there was also determination and defiance, and all of a sudden Thandruil knew that they had reached a crossroad. Legolas was no child any longer, he was young, yes, but he was entitled to his own decisions.
The king sighed. It was hard to accept his son's choices, which went against everything Thandruil had hoped for. But Thandruil knew with absolute clarity that if he said 'no' at this point, Legolas would go to Imladris anyway, and bar sending armed warriors after him, there was no holding him here after this message. He loved the human deeply, even Thandruil could not deny that. And if he went in this manner, he would not return.
The king regarded his son for a long moment. The younger elf endured the gaze without flinching. "Legolas?" the king paused. "...If you go, will you come back?" There was so much genuine anguish in his tone that Legolas was startled.
"I know that life has not always been easy here for you and that living elsewhere has attractions. Even though I do not approve of this relationship, I know how much you care for your human friend. I respect your commitment, even if I think it is misplaced."
Thandruil still looked intensely at his son, and the younger elf had, for the first time in a very long period, the feeling that his father focused on him.
All of a sudden, something changed between the two elves. Legolas approached his father, hesitantly at first, then more quickly. Thandruil opened his arms, a gesture he had not used for a very long time and for the first time in several centuries, father and son embraced. When Thandruil's arms closed around his son's back and he could feel Legolas' breathing against his neck and his arms around his shoulders, the older elf thought with regret: 'What have I done that we have become so estranged? I love my son.'
Legolas was not quite certain what had just happened but he knew that some healing of the rift between his father and himself had occurred. He knew that there was still much they did not agree on, but he also felt that he father loved him. He leaned into the embrace, savouring the moment as rare and special.
"Ada?" Legolas had not used that endearment for many years. Unseen by Legolas, Thandruil smiled at hearing it. "Of course I will come back. But I want to see Estel, I think he needs me."
Slowly the two elves moved apart, and looked at each other. Neither was quite sure what had just happened, but both knew that something between them that had been broken, was on the mend. Not healed yet, but healing.
"My son, go if you must. But take Rinirion and Anuvial with you, the journey is not safe. They can stay for a few days if they wish, and then return."
Legolas nodded, he knew that his father was right. The road was not safe for a lone traveller, however skilled this person was.
"Father... thank you." Their eyes locked again. "I will leave in the morning."
- - - - -
Estel and Halbarad were nearing Rivendell. By sheer force of will, the younger ranger had made it so far. His temperature had been very high for the last few days and his cough was getting worse. He needed rest badly, and both rangers knew it. Most of the time he was only half conscious, but he was sufficiently aware of his surroundings to know that they were now close to Rivendell. When they met the border guards, Halbarad sighed with relief.
The patrol units had been waiting for the arrival of Halbarad and Estel. Elrond had told them to expect the two rangers. A few hours later, the two rangers arrived in the courtyard in Rivendell. Elrond was already waiting, and so were Elladan and Elrohir.
The twins rushed towards the two rangers. "Estel! You are back!" shouted Elrohir, as he pulled his foster brother of the mare and into an embrace. But as soon as he touched his brother, the younger twin shouted: "Father, he is burning up!"
Quickly, the young man was brought into the houses of healing. On the way, Halbarad told Elrond about the illness that Estel had contracted, their flight from the orcs and their involuntary bath and its consequences. Elrond listened without interrupting, and then said: "I know the illness you are talking about. It is very common amongst human children, but more serious for adults."
Then the elf-lord turned to the ranger. "Thank you for bringing him here. I think perhaps one of the reasons why he has been so unwell with this might also have to do with not being very happy. I can imagine that the last few months have not been easy for him."
Halbarad sighed. "I have tried to help him as much as I can, but you are right, it has not been easy for him. He has never lived amongst humans, and finds getting used to it hard. And he missed Legolas. Badly. He has hardly talked about this, but I think the separation from Legolas has hit him hard."
"I have sent a message to Legolas, as you suggested. Knowing these two, I guess that he would even risk a fall-out with his father to come here, but we will see."
The twins had laid their brother on one of the beds, and Estel, only half- conscious to begin with, had taken a deep breath of the familiar scents and had passed out.
Elrond asked Elrohir to get some water and fresh clothes, whilst he and Elladan quickly undressed the young man. Elrond was shocked when he saw Estel without clothes, his foster son seemed to consist only of sinews and bones, ribs and hips showing up sharply.
"Halbarad, he cannot have lost this much weight in a few weeks. What happened?"
The older ranger sighed. "He had constantly minor illnesses, and he does not like our food. The combination has drained his reserves."
"When he is better, I must talk to him about eating more. No wonder this illness has hit him so hard, he has nothing to spare. For now, we will wash him with cool water to get the temperature down, and I will give him some fever-reducing herbs."
The elf-lord quickly checked his human son all over. He listened to his heartbeat and breathing, but to his relief he could find no indication that the lungs were damaged. Full of phlegm, but not damaged. There was still slight swelling of the glands around the face, but this had almost disappeared of its own accord. Elrond also used the opportunity to quickly check the rest of Estel's body, and to his and Halbarad's relief, there was no indication that any permanent damage had been done. Once Estel had recovered, he should be healthy with no lasting effects of his illness.
Elrond then quickly dressed Estel in a thin robe, and covered him with a light blanket.
"He is sleeping now, and he needs it. You look exhausted yourself, Halbarad, go and get some rest." The older ranger had no objections. The strain of getting Estel here had lifted, and suddenly he felt utterly exhausted.
- - - - -
The next three days passed quietly. Estel revelled in the feeling of being at home, speaking Sindarin and spending time with his father and brothers. Under the constant care of Elrond and the twins, he slowly recovered. He slept and ate, slept again, and quite often was simply happy for one of his family to sit with him when he dozed.
On the afternoon of the third day, three riders clad in the colours of Mirkwood arrived. Legolas and his two travel companions. It was Elladan who spotted them first.
"Father, Legolas has arrived!" Together the elf-lord and his son went outside to greet Legolas.
"Legolas, you have come! I knew father had written, but I did not know whether you would be able to come. It is so good to see you!" Elladan grinned a huge grin, and grasped Legolas' forearms in greeting.
"It is good to be back. Thank you for inviting me."
"You are very welome, Legolas. It is nice to see you again. I am sure you cannot wait to see Estel, he is resting. Legolas, I need to warn you, he has been quite ill and seems to take a long time to recover. So do not be surprised that he does not look well."
Legolas wondered at these words how bad Estel really looked. "Yes, I would very much like to see him." Together they went to Estel's room in the halls of Healing.
The young man was indeed resting. Legolas approached the bed and looked at Estel. An involuntary gasp escaped his lips. Was this really Estel? The young man's hair had been cut to shoulder length. Freed from its own weight, it was much curlier than Legolas had ever seen it and framed Estel's face in ringlets. But this was not what had caused Legolas' surprise. Estel was thin, very thin, and pale, every bone in his face standing out in sharp relief.
Legolas knelt down next to the bed and gently ran a hand across Estel's face. The touch was feather light and should not have woken the young man, but somehow it did.
Estel opened his eyes and looked at familiar face with dark blue eyes, framed by light hair. He felt soft lips touching his own.
"Legolas? You have come!"
"I am here." Legolas' eyes were now a sparkling blue.
Man and elf looked at each other with a huge smile on their face, and then Legolas leaned forward again. They hugged each other, and laughed, and kissed.
And that very moment both knew that nothing had changed between them.
TBC. Please review
Well, here is the next one. At this point I should mention that I will not be able to update for about a month. I am away on a business trip, and do not think I will be able to update during this time.
It would be fantastic to return to lots of reviews, both about this chapter and the story as a whole.
- - - - -
Chapter 22 – To Make A Choice
Halbarad gently but firmly shook Estel's shoulder. "Estel, get up! Quickly!" There are orcs on the way!"
The younger man quietly groaned and got up. He still felt extremely weary, although he was no longer hurting. The two rangers very quickly packed their few belongings, and quietly made their way into the trees, keeping their general direction. This meant that at some stage, they would have to pass the orcs, since they came from the east, and this was the direction the two rangers were heading. Soon both men could hear the orcs clearly. The creatures made no attempt of being quiet. The two rangers were able to see the orcs through the trees and quietly count them – there were at least forty of them, any attempt of fighting them was likely to fail.
All of a sudden, the column of orcs stopped.
"Manflesh!" one of the creatures growled. "They must be nearby! Search for them!"
The rangers moved away, as quietly as they could. But there was nothing they could do to hide their scent, and quickly they had to abandon any notion of escaping unnoticed. The orcs were soon in full pursuit, crashing through the trees.
"Estel, to the river! We must hide our scent!" Estel, too much out of breath to answer, just nodded and changed direction to the riverbank. Tall reeds covered the banks on both sides. Estel plunged headlong into them, and forward into the water. He heard Halbarad follow, but then to his horror realised that their charge through the reeds had left an unmistakable trail. Unless the orcs were blind, they would see where the rangers had entered the water.
At that moment, the orcs appeared on the shore. With fierce growls and screeches they descended to the obvious trail through the reeds, their momentum carrying them forward into the water. But their prey seemed to have disappeared. There was no sign of the rangers.
Hissing, muttering and growling, the orcs milled around the area for some considerable time. Finally their leader gave a command, and under much swearing and muttering, the beasts moved back to the riverbank and into the trees.
After a while, two rangers' heads head appeared between the reeds at the water's edge. The two men had hidden underneath the water and used stalks as air pipes for breathing. Everything they wore was wet, and all their belongings sodden, since everything had been hidden under the water. They quickly swam to the other shore and mounted the bank.
Halbarad noticed that Estel was shivering almost uncontrollably in his wet clothing. The older ranger was quite concerned. Estel had not been fully recovered from his illness, and then to stay for considerable time in cold water and now to be exposed to the cool autumn air in wet clothes was asking for trouble. They could not even light a fire, the orcs were too near, and they had nothing dry left. So they only option was to keep moving.
They marched through the night. Towards dawn Estel felt so tired that he thought he would not be able to set one foot in front of the other. Quietly, Halbarad put his arm around Estel's waist, first simply as a gesture of support and perhaps to provide some warmth, but as the night wore on, the younger ranger more and more leaned into the older ranger until Halbarad half dragged, half carried his exhausted companion.
They stopped early in the morning. Halbarad felt that they were far enough from the orcs to light a fire to dry their clothes and belongings.
"Estel, sit as near the fire so that you get warm again." The older man's voice was coloured with concern.
Estel was so weary that he simply complied, without answering. He curled up next to the fire, still shivering, covering himself with a damp blanket. He fell asleep almost instantly.
Halbarad sat watching him. He was worried about Estel. The time with the rangers had been a drain on the young man's physical and mental resources, constant low-level illness and loneliness were an unfortunate combination, this latest bout of illness not helping at all.
All was quiet. Time passed. Halbarad was tired as well, but not sufficiently to wake Estel. After a few hours, the younger man's sleep became fitful. He moved and muttered softly Elvish words. Halbarad went over and knelt beside his companion, laying his hand on the other's forehead. It was hot. Very hot, with small beads of sweat appearing. Although the hiding place in the reeds had saved them from the orcs, it had led to a relapse. In the early hours of the morning, Estel started coughing, a dry hacking noise that sounded painful. He did not wake up.
Halbarad took a decision. Estel needed to get to Rivendell as fast as possible. They had intended to go via Bree but there was a more direct route that would save about two days travelling. Even taking the shortcut, they were a week's travel from Rivendell. Halbarad remembered that he had promised Estel that they would send a message to Elrond so that he could inform Legolas. This might have to wait, they needed to get to Rivendell as quickly as possible. The young man needed time at home with his foster family and friends. Halbarad promised himself he would make that possible since he had come to like Estel greatly.
Some time after dawn Halbarad woke Estel up. With much effort, the younger man got himself ready. Their provisions had been soaked along side everything else, so that the only edible food left were some apples and dried meat that was simply redried after its bath. Estel just took one look at the meat and shook his head.
"Estel, you must eat. You know that. Eat at least an apple."
"I know I should eat. But I just cannot get myself to do it at the moment."
Once they got going, they just kept moving. After midday Estel had to concentrate hard to keep up with Halbarad, who was increasingly concerned about Estel. The young man did not complain, but he coughed more and it was clear that he found it difficult to go on. Halbarad knew that if they stopped, he would not be able to get his companion moving again. So they kept going, fortunately not encountering anything worse than a downpour. Which did not help.
The two rangers kept going. Estel never complained, but his cough got worse and Halbarad could see that it hurt his chest. The young man also had a fever of varying intensity and was getting progressively more tired. Halbarad was getting seriously worried, Estel was not in good shape, and the road to Rivendell was still long. Halbarad regretted having to return Estel in such a poor state to his foster father.
On the third day after their involuntary extended bath, they had a stroke of good fortune. They meet a group of hunters who knew Halbarad and were on good terms with him. They agreed to the rangers buying their pack horse, a quiet old mare but perfectly healthy and well kept, and they also offered to take a message for Elrond to Bree and to send it on.
After that encounter, Estel could ride on the horse, and they made much faster progress. Halbarad was astonished at the resilience and stamina of his young companion, most men would have given up on this journey a long time ago and would have made to Bree to recover there. Not so Estel. The mere thought of going home gave him the extra strength that he needed to hang on.
- - - - -
A few days later.
Legolas Thandruilion held a message in his hands. It had just arrived from Rivendell by messenger bird. It was brief.
Dear Legolas,
I have had word that Estel is on the way here. He is not well. I believe it would be good for him if you could come (and probably for you, too.) If you can be spared at home, please come and stay for the winter. You are always welcome here.
Greetings
Elrond
Legolas briefly debated with himself what to do and then decided that there was only one way forward. He took Elrond's letter and took it to his father, who was working in his study.
"Father? I have had a message from Rivendell. Estel is on his way home and I would like to go to Imladris as well." Legolas handed Elrond's message to Thandruil.
The king frowned. He still resented very much Legolas' association with the human, and yet ... he recalled some of the phrases in Legolas' letter. "...I cannot express how much I miss you. It is like a great hole inside that only you can fill."
"I have no doubt my father loves me, but he does not see me, he sees an image of what I should be."
Thandruil looked a this son, and saw the uncertainty and pain in the dark blue eyes that were so much like those of his mother. But there was also determination and defiance, and all of a sudden Thandruil knew that they had reached a crossroad. Legolas was no child any longer, he was young, yes, but he was entitled to his own decisions.
The king sighed. It was hard to accept his son's choices, which went against everything Thandruil had hoped for. But Thandruil knew with absolute clarity that if he said 'no' at this point, Legolas would go to Imladris anyway, and bar sending armed warriors after him, there was no holding him here after this message. He loved the human deeply, even Thandruil could not deny that. And if he went in this manner, he would not return.
The king regarded his son for a long moment. The younger elf endured the gaze without flinching. "Legolas?" the king paused. "...If you go, will you come back?" There was so much genuine anguish in his tone that Legolas was startled.
"I know that life has not always been easy here for you and that living elsewhere has attractions. Even though I do not approve of this relationship, I know how much you care for your human friend. I respect your commitment, even if I think it is misplaced."
Thandruil still looked intensely at his son, and the younger elf had, for the first time in a very long period, the feeling that his father focused on him.
All of a sudden, something changed between the two elves. Legolas approached his father, hesitantly at first, then more quickly. Thandruil opened his arms, a gesture he had not used for a very long time and for the first time in several centuries, father and son embraced. When Thandruil's arms closed around his son's back and he could feel Legolas' breathing against his neck and his arms around his shoulders, the older elf thought with regret: 'What have I done that we have become so estranged? I love my son.'
Legolas was not quite certain what had just happened but he knew that some healing of the rift between his father and himself had occurred. He knew that there was still much they did not agree on, but he also felt that he father loved him. He leaned into the embrace, savouring the moment as rare and special.
"Ada?" Legolas had not used that endearment for many years. Unseen by Legolas, Thandruil smiled at hearing it. "Of course I will come back. But I want to see Estel, I think he needs me."
Slowly the two elves moved apart, and looked at each other. Neither was quite sure what had just happened, but both knew that something between them that had been broken, was on the mend. Not healed yet, but healing.
"My son, go if you must. But take Rinirion and Anuvial with you, the journey is not safe. They can stay for a few days if they wish, and then return."
Legolas nodded, he knew that his father was right. The road was not safe for a lone traveller, however skilled this person was.
"Father... thank you." Their eyes locked again. "I will leave in the morning."
- - - - -
Estel and Halbarad were nearing Rivendell. By sheer force of will, the younger ranger had made it so far. His temperature had been very high for the last few days and his cough was getting worse. He needed rest badly, and both rangers knew it. Most of the time he was only half conscious, but he was sufficiently aware of his surroundings to know that they were now close to Rivendell. When they met the border guards, Halbarad sighed with relief.
The patrol units had been waiting for the arrival of Halbarad and Estel. Elrond had told them to expect the two rangers. A few hours later, the two rangers arrived in the courtyard in Rivendell. Elrond was already waiting, and so were Elladan and Elrohir.
The twins rushed towards the two rangers. "Estel! You are back!" shouted Elrohir, as he pulled his foster brother of the mare and into an embrace. But as soon as he touched his brother, the younger twin shouted: "Father, he is burning up!"
Quickly, the young man was brought into the houses of healing. On the way, Halbarad told Elrond about the illness that Estel had contracted, their flight from the orcs and their involuntary bath and its consequences. Elrond listened without interrupting, and then said: "I know the illness you are talking about. It is very common amongst human children, but more serious for adults."
Then the elf-lord turned to the ranger. "Thank you for bringing him here. I think perhaps one of the reasons why he has been so unwell with this might also have to do with not being very happy. I can imagine that the last few months have not been easy for him."
Halbarad sighed. "I have tried to help him as much as I can, but you are right, it has not been easy for him. He has never lived amongst humans, and finds getting used to it hard. And he missed Legolas. Badly. He has hardly talked about this, but I think the separation from Legolas has hit him hard."
"I have sent a message to Legolas, as you suggested. Knowing these two, I guess that he would even risk a fall-out with his father to come here, but we will see."
The twins had laid their brother on one of the beds, and Estel, only half- conscious to begin with, had taken a deep breath of the familiar scents and had passed out.
Elrond asked Elrohir to get some water and fresh clothes, whilst he and Elladan quickly undressed the young man. Elrond was shocked when he saw Estel without clothes, his foster son seemed to consist only of sinews and bones, ribs and hips showing up sharply.
"Halbarad, he cannot have lost this much weight in a few weeks. What happened?"
The older ranger sighed. "He had constantly minor illnesses, and he does not like our food. The combination has drained his reserves."
"When he is better, I must talk to him about eating more. No wonder this illness has hit him so hard, he has nothing to spare. For now, we will wash him with cool water to get the temperature down, and I will give him some fever-reducing herbs."
The elf-lord quickly checked his human son all over. He listened to his heartbeat and breathing, but to his relief he could find no indication that the lungs were damaged. Full of phlegm, but not damaged. There was still slight swelling of the glands around the face, but this had almost disappeared of its own accord. Elrond also used the opportunity to quickly check the rest of Estel's body, and to his and Halbarad's relief, there was no indication that any permanent damage had been done. Once Estel had recovered, he should be healthy with no lasting effects of his illness.
Elrond then quickly dressed Estel in a thin robe, and covered him with a light blanket.
"He is sleeping now, and he needs it. You look exhausted yourself, Halbarad, go and get some rest." The older ranger had no objections. The strain of getting Estel here had lifted, and suddenly he felt utterly exhausted.
- - - - -
The next three days passed quietly. Estel revelled in the feeling of being at home, speaking Sindarin and spending time with his father and brothers. Under the constant care of Elrond and the twins, he slowly recovered. He slept and ate, slept again, and quite often was simply happy for one of his family to sit with him when he dozed.
On the afternoon of the third day, three riders clad in the colours of Mirkwood arrived. Legolas and his two travel companions. It was Elladan who spotted them first.
"Father, Legolas has arrived!" Together the elf-lord and his son went outside to greet Legolas.
"Legolas, you have come! I knew father had written, but I did not know whether you would be able to come. It is so good to see you!" Elladan grinned a huge grin, and grasped Legolas' forearms in greeting.
"It is good to be back. Thank you for inviting me."
"You are very welome, Legolas. It is nice to see you again. I am sure you cannot wait to see Estel, he is resting. Legolas, I need to warn you, he has been quite ill and seems to take a long time to recover. So do not be surprised that he does not look well."
Legolas wondered at these words how bad Estel really looked. "Yes, I would very much like to see him." Together they went to Estel's room in the halls of Healing.
The young man was indeed resting. Legolas approached the bed and looked at Estel. An involuntary gasp escaped his lips. Was this really Estel? The young man's hair had been cut to shoulder length. Freed from its own weight, it was much curlier than Legolas had ever seen it and framed Estel's face in ringlets. But this was not what had caused Legolas' surprise. Estel was thin, very thin, and pale, every bone in his face standing out in sharp relief.
Legolas knelt down next to the bed and gently ran a hand across Estel's face. The touch was feather light and should not have woken the young man, but somehow it did.
Estel opened his eyes and looked at familiar face with dark blue eyes, framed by light hair. He felt soft lips touching his own.
"Legolas? You have come!"
"I am here." Legolas' eyes were now a sparkling blue.
Man and elf looked at each other with a huge smile on their face, and then Legolas leaned forward again. They hugged each other, and laughed, and kissed.
And that very moment both knew that nothing had changed between them.
TBC. Please review