A few months later...

This visit has gone by much too quickly,' decided Legolas as he sat in Elrond's magnificent gardens. He took a deep breath as he enjoyed the beauty of living flowers, shrubbery, and trees while reflecting on the last few months. They had been fun. Elrond only insisted on a minimal number of schooling lessons for him, which was why Legolas was alone in the gardens rather than with the twins, learning about the history of Eriador. He had spent many happy days in the archery fields, horseback riding, taking walks, and making mischief with Elladan and Elrohir. He'd passed the nights away joyfully in Elrond's halls, listening to songs, poems, and tales that were not about his hair, eyes, etc.

Legolas glanced toward a bush that was moving ever so slightly and smiled. It was Estel. The human child had become Legolas' faithful shadow, watching him in the archery fields, venturing to follow when he and the twins rode or walked far, and - if unable to come along - waiting to greet him when he returned. Legolas was surprised at how well he tolerated Estel's unabashed admiration and unwavering attention. He chuckled slightly, recalling the one time he spoke to Elrond about his youngest son's vigilance.

Flashback:

"Lord Elrond?" said Legolas, standing in the doorway of the study.

"Come in, come in," said Elrond, waving his hands. Legolas entered and sat down across from the desk where Elrond was seated. "What can I do for you, child?"

Legolas hesitated. "It's about Estel," he finally said.

Elrond sighed. "I apologize for his, um, enthusiasm toward you. I will tell him that he must leave you be."

"No!" said Legolas, startled by his own objections about Estel leaving him alone. "I don't mean that. He's a nice boy, and his presence has become so frequent that I'm actually comforted by it. It's just that..."

"Yes?"

"Estel is very young."

"And?"

"And there are certain situations that may not be appropriate for him to witness."

"Are you courting someone or being courted?" asked Elrond.

"No," blushed Legolas. "Not that type of situation. I'm referring to the times I bathe."

Elrond raised an eyebrow in surprise. While elves weren't exhibitionists, they were not shy or embarrassed about their bodies. "He is not looking on purpose," Legolas continued, "but he does seem to have a crush on me. Perhaps a little more modesty than usual would be best right now."

Elrond chuckled. "I think you are right, Greenleaf. It is not wise to let Estel think it's appropriate to spy on someone he has romantic feelings for when they are nude." His face turned serious. "But, truthfully, you do not mind his attentions?"

"No, my lord. He is a very sweet boy."

End flashback

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Estel strained his eyes through the branches of his hiding place. What he saw took his breath away; by the Valar, Legolas was pretty when he smiled! He smiled to himself. Estel considered himself an expert on when Legolas looked prettiest. Months of diligent observation had allowed him to see the prince shooting targets, riding his horse, reading all sorts of stuff, walking, and swimming (although his father forbade him to follow Legolas down to the river for some reason). He knew that the elf looked prettiest when he was happy and doing something he loved.

Estel sighed happily. Legolas was so nice, too! When his brothers teased him for being a pest, Legolas defended him and let him tag along. He sat by him when Estel was allowed to attend the night's festivities. He'd let him ride with him on the pretty brown horse. Even better still was when Legolas had been so impressed by his riding skills that he let Estel ride the horse all by himself. His chest puffed with pride at the memory. He loved impressing Legolas. He could recall in perfect detail and incident on the archery field, when he impressed Legolas the most:

Flashback:

"Estel, put that bow down before you hurt someone!" scolded Elrohir.

Elladan sniggered. "Estel has never hit the target, let alone the bulls-eye," he fake-whispered to Legolas.

Estel's cheeks burned. It was bad enough his brothers teased him about his lack of skills and coordination when it came to archery. Did they have to it in front of Legolas?

"It must run in the family," joked Legolas. "Should I tell him some stories about a certain set of twins learning how to shoot? Don't you have lesson to be at, anyway?"

"We're late!" Elrohir and Elladan took off.

Legolas watched them go and then approached Estel. The boy's head hung down, so he knelt in front of him and took his chin in his hand, urging the child to look at him. When he did so, Legolas saw the tears of embarrassment in his eyes. "Come now, Estel," he said softly. "Don't be upset."

"My brothers think I'm not good enough to do this," Estel responded, his voice shaking with shame.

"Your brothers are not ones to be talking like that!" Estel was startled by the anger in Legolas' voice. The elf took a deep breath and his voice softened. "It took months of practice before Elrohir could hit the target consistently and a few more years after that before he could hit the bulls-eye more often than not. As for Elladan -" Legolas laughed.

Estel was intrigued. "What about Elladan?" he asked.

Legolas leaned in closer and fake-whispered, "After about two years of lessons his aim was still so terrible that he once missed the target entirely and hit Erestor in the hind end!"

Estel's eyes widened. "He didn't!"

Legolas nodded in the affirmative, laughter inhibiting his ability to speak. Estel joined in his laughter and it was several minutes before either of them could talk. When they had calmed down a little, Legolas patted Estel's arm. "Seriously, Estel," he said, "don't listen to your brothers when it comes to archery. You only need to practice hard and I know you'll master it."

"Could - could you teach me a little?" asked Estel, timid yet hopeful.

Legolas smiled.

#####################

A few hours later, the twins returned to the archery field to find Legolas and Estel still there. Their brother clutched a down in his hands. "Estel," Elrohir said warningly.

"Give it up, little brother," condescended Elladan.

"I won't!" said Estel defiantly. "I'm getting better. I bet I could do better than you right now."

Elladan rolled his eyes. "Oh, please," he scoffed. "Legolas, may I borrow your bow?" Legolas handed it over without saying a word. Elladan notched an arrow, took aim, and fired. The arrow hit the target just outside of the bulls-eye. He smirked. "Beat that."

Ignoring the smugness in his brother's voice, Estel readied his own weapon and took aim. Elladan reached out to tickle him, but Legolas caught his wrist. "Don't," he said. "Estel didn't hinder you, so please do the same for him."

Estel fired. The arrow flew through the air and hit the target. Three mouths - Elrohir's, Elladan's, and Estel's - fell open in shock and Legolas smirked. The arrow was embedded just inside the bulls-eye.

"Well," said Legolas as he stepped forward to stand by Estel, "that certainly beat you didn't it, Elladan?"

Elrohir snapped out of his shock. "He could not do that again!" he exclaimed.

"No, probably not right now," concurred Legolas. He squeezed Estel's shoulder. "But he did it when it counted. I'm most impressed."

Pride like he'd never known filled Estel. "It was a lot better than hitting one of Ada's advisors in the butt, wasn't it?" the boy smirked.

Elladan started. "Legolas!"

Legolas grabbed Estel's hand. "Come victorious one!" he said jovially. "We must flee from those who are jealous." Hand-in-hand, they led the twins on a merry chase all over Rivendell, telling everyone who would listen of Estel's triumph on the archery field. Estel loved the pride he saw in the prince's eyes whenever they repeated the tale. It was then that Estel knew with all of his ten-year-old heart and soul that he was in love with Legolas.

End flashback

And now Legolas was leaving in a few short days. Estel despaired; would he even remember him after he went home?

Should he tell Legolas that he was in love with him? Elrohir and Elladan would laugh at him if he did. Well, let them! Legolas wouldn't, even if he didn't feel the same way about him. Estel sighed, his mind made up. Now all he had to do was figure out a way that was special enough to say "I love you" properly to the most beautiful being in the world.

To be continued...