Chapter Five - ESTEL
As an arrow whistled extremely close to Nadrwynna's ear, the Elven princess lost her balance, just as the Orcs came into the clearing in which she had fallen.
*
Legolas could hear the sounds of a fierce battle echoing in his head. And judging by the gasps, the victim wasn't doing too well. He picked up his bow and as quickly as he could, rushed through the trees, ignoring the pain.
*
Nadrwynna swished, thrusted and jumped. There were only six remaining Orcs. She felt it was an easy task until the largest yanked her sword from her. Gasping, she tried to pull out the twin blades, but realised the Orc was too close to her for her to even breathe properly. She thought she would be dead when an arrow flew out to greet the Orc's back.
When the Orc fell, she pulled out her twin blades, and sliced the nearest Orc in half. Two more arrows felled the other Orcs. Seconds later, all her attackers lay dead.
"Diole lle, Legolas," Nadrwynna said to the trees.
"You are most welcome," the Elf replied from his perch on the branch. "How did you know it was me?"
Nadrwynna pretended not to hear him and whistled for Aire just as Legolas fell from the branch.
"It hurts," he muttered.
The princess nodded, and hoisted him onto the horse.
"We must make for Gondor. Mirkwood is too far."
Legolas lifted his head once, to show he agreed, then, succumbed to the pain once again.
*
"Why you had to present my hair brush to me in front of Lord Elrond, I do not know," Legolas grumbled, as he followed Nadrwynna to her room to retrieve his blades.
"Why you had to kiss me in front of Elladan and Elrohir I do not know," shot back the Princess.
"Well, at least we are going for a ride today," Legolas said half-heartedly.
"Wonderful, I wonder why," Nadrwynna said sarcastically. "I'd rather go hunting."
"Good, then we can both sneak off together and………"
"And have Elrohir and Elladan tease us till kingdom come? No thank you."
Legolas sighed. Before Nadrwynna entered her room, he stopped her.
"Did you really hide in the tree because you were angry with me yesterday?"
The Princess turned and looked at him, as though trying to see if she could trust him.
She turned to walk away, then decided on answering. "Partly. I climbed the tree because my father passed into Shadow shortly after I stormed away, and I did not want anyone to see me cry."
Legolas looked down. No more words were said, but a deep understanding had passed through the two, and it was there to stay.
*
"I wonder why Ada was so desperate to rid us from Rivendell for the next few days," mused Elrohir as the party of five cantered through the peaceful forests of Imladris.
"And why he checked Elladan's hairbrush this morning," added Arwen.
"He felt I had not washed my hair well enough," said the owner of that name.
Legolas snorted. "At least he did not have to see the filth there was on my hairbrush."
"I didn't mean to toss it onto the salad. It was a mistake. I was merely using it to attract Osilithe's attention," protested Elladan.
"Onto?" asked Nadrwynna. "I seem to recall it falling into the salad, then making its laborious way into the gravy, and then landing in Glorfindel's plate."
"Why the sudden change of heart Wynna? You are supposed to be on our side, not Legolas'," teased Elrohir.
He found himself staring at two arrows.
"Stop fighting," said Arwen irritably. "It is too beautiful a day to be arguing like fishmongers in the market."
"I," said Elrohir with as much dignity as he could muster," happen to like being a fishmonger when the ones I bargain with are Elladan, Legolas and Wynna!"
Arwen shook her beautiful head and rode slightly ahead.
"I believe we have angered Undomiel," said Legolas, in a stage whisper.
"Speak to us, oh great one! Do not let us fall under your wrath!" pleaded Elladan, grinning as he passed the Lady of Rivendell.
"Even Erestor can act better," she snorted disdainfully.
"She noticed?" began Elrohir. "I think romance is budding!"
"I think Elrohir is missing Filande, Arwen. Maybe we should send for her. She is obviously the only Elf who can handle one as annoying as him," said his twin.
Arwen smiled. "Or maybe, he's getting jealous of the looks Legolas is shooting at
Wynna."
"That is enough," growled Nadrwynna pulling the reins. "Anyone who teases me with either Green Ears or Little Balrog will get all their hairbrushes thrown into quicksand."
Laughing heartily, they made their way down the path.
*
"You have visitors, Estel," said Arwen, when she entered the throne room, Eldarion in her hands.
"Hmm," murmured Aragorn, pouring over the document in his hands.
"It is Gimli, son of Gloin and his men."
"Hmm."
"Estel!" snapped the Queen, instantly arousing the King. "Do go and clean yourself up! You remind me of Elladan when he used to roll in the soils of Imladris."
"That is where you are wrong, Arwen, for it is was you who used to content yourself by rolling in Lord Elrond's gardens."
Arwen snorted and placed Eldarion in his arms. "It is your turn to mind him," she said imperiously before disappearing into the gardens of Minas Tirith. "I am an Elf. I am always clean, unlike the Ranger I married," her voice floated back.
*
"Silence Legolas, I'm trying to listen!" shushed Nadrwynna when Legolas began humming.
"What to?" demanded Legolas, annoyed he had to stop his introduction to a lament for the fair woods of Lothlorien.
"That cry. Can you not hear it?" the girl squinted into the trees. "Something bad is happening. I can feel it in the air."
Elladan and Elrohir both stood up and listened to the wind, then drew their bows. "We will go and investigate."
"And I as well," said Nadrwynna.
"We will all go," announced Arwen, putting back the lembas.
"So be it," sighed Legolas, who had just settled into a comfortable tree.
*
"Gimli!" called Aragorn. "It is a great pleasure to see you after all these years!"
T
he Dwarf smiled and embraced his friend.
"They have indeed been long, my friend."
"What brings you here?" continued Aragorn, pouring themselves some wine, while his attendants looked after the rest in Gimli's party.
"A particularly stubborn Elf."
"Legolas?"
"No. Nadrwynna. She rode into my keep a week ago, hunting for Legolas. She said she was coming here. Is there any news?" the concern on Gimli's face was obvious.
Aragorn looked surprised. "The last time Nadrwynna visited the White City was two years ago, Gimli."
"But she came riding into the mines as though there were a hundred Orcs after her," he said. "Though it would take maybe a thousand to dampen her spirits," he added as an afterthought.
"Nadrwynna has not passed Minas Tirith at all, Gimli."
Both the comrades sat quietly, and sipped their wine.
"And this must be Eldarion, your son," said Gimli, finally breaking the silence.
"Arwen's too," said Aragorn slightly smiling.
Gimli nodded, but Aragorn could sense the Dwarf's worry.
"Be not afraid, son of Gloin, for it shall pass," said a quiet voice behind them. It was Arwen. "For a lone rider was seen by Elihad naught but several hours ago."
"Elihad?" questioned Gimli.
Aragorn nodded. "He is my Captain of Arms – a half Elf, actually."
"If you trust him, you stubborn man, then I shall as well."
"It is not I who is stubborn, but Legolas!" replied the Ranger with spirit.
Gimli's face lit up.
"Which reminds me. I would like to take a bath before Legolas arrives. That is if he arrives."
Aragorn laughed, all thoughts of Legolas disappearing.
*
Legolas and Elladan silently approached the cottage. It was burning, and they feared all forms of life would be gone, but still, on Arwen's urging, they proceeded.
*
"'Tis a baby," said Nadrwynna as she listened from the trees. "I can hear it." She fidgeted again.
"Pray do be still," said Arwen delicately. "The way you behave it is as though it is a sin to be a girl."
"It is," scowled Nadrwynna.
Arwen shook her head and continued peering intently at the cottage.
*
"Nothing inside," announced Elrohir, when he emerged the cottage. "Except this." He held a bundle wrapped in blankets. "A child."
Legolas looked at the bundle with absolute distaste, and wanted to shout loudly when the child inside did exactly what Nadrwynna had done almost two thousand years ago – it yanked his hair – not Elladan's or Elrohir's, but HIS.
*
"It's an Orc," Legolas' voice floated into the clearing in which the female Elves were.
"Don't be ridiculous, Legolas. It is a baby, and besides, even Ada is yet to see an Orcling," snapped Elladan exasperatedly.
"It's an Orc," insisted the Prince.
Sick and tired of arguing, Elladan questioned him. "Alright, as you are so fixed upon the point the baby is an Orc, why?"
"Because it did exactly what Wynna did to me years ago – it pulled my hair."
It was Elladan's turn to scream inwardly, while Elrohir snickered.
*
"I believe your children are returning, my Lord," smiled Glorfindel when he spotted the familiar troupe cross the bridge of Rivendell.
Elrond peered at the Elf beside him. "Do not jest when I am translating. It annoys me," he said testily.
"I do not lie, Elrond. For I see Legolas and Elladan now."
Elrond sighed and stood up. From his window, he could see the five figures walking towards his home. His fears were confirmed when Legolas', Elladan's and Nadrwynna's voices could be heard. But what confused him was why they were arguing over a name.
*
"He shall be called Fion," said Elrohir.
"Fion?" asked Nadrwynna. "Do you know what that means Little Balrog?"
"Yes," said Elrohir defiantly (he hated the use of that name especially when one wanted to prove their superiority). "It means 'wine' and… … … oh pipe down," he added irritably when his brother hooted with laughter.
"Just because we found him by the barrel of wine, it doesn't mean we have to call him wine, Elrohir," said Legolas pacifyingly, a smile on his face as well.
"How about 'Coa', as he was also discovered in a house?" suggested Nadrwynna sarcastically.
"He shall be called Estel," said Elladan with authority. "For he was the last hope of the cottage."
For some reason, this suited the others. But of course, Elrohir had to start another argument by saying the child was a Man, not an Elf.
*
*Translations –
Diole lle – Thank you
Fion – Wine
Coa – House
Estel - Hope