The guard looked impatient. "My prince," he insisted. "The others are waiting outside the valley. We must join them soon so we can get in a good day's travel before nightfall."
Legolas adamantly shook his head. "I will not farewell the Lord's family when his youngest son is not present."
The guard sighed, exasperated by Legolas' stubbornness. It didn't help matters that until an hour ago he hadn't even known Elrond had another son. He would have thought his prince had invented the child as a way to delay his departure if Elrond and his sons hadn't been present to confirm the tale.
Elrond cleared his throat. "Perhaps Prince Legolas can farewell the twins and myself" he suggested diplomatically. "I'm sure Estel will be here any moment."
Legolas and Elrond faced each other and bowed slightly, each moving one hand out from their chests in a sweeping motion. "Farewell, Lord Elrond," said Legolas. "I thank you for your hospitality."
"I thank you, young prince, for your kindness, patience, and wonderful manners," he replied. "You are a credit to your father and to Mirkwood."
Legolas moved on to the twins, grasping Elrohir's shoulder first, and then Elladan's. "Farewell, dear friends," he said. "May we meet again soon."
"Rivendell always feels empty after you leave," Elrohir responded.
"We are grieved to see you leave," said Elladan. He lowered his voice to a whisper so the guard couldn't hear: "We didn't even get the chance to put that red dye in Erestor's shampoo." The three smiled, repressing their giggles for a more appropriate time.
The guard mounted his horse. "I am sorry, my prince -"
"WAIT!"
The guard watched, amazed, as a young boy who was clearly of the race of Men rush forward. The boy glanced at him ever so briefly before resting his gaze on Legolas, who smiled with relief and delight. "Thank the Valar, Estel," he said. "I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye to you."
"I'm sorry I'm so late," responded Estel, "but I -" He glanced at the guard momentarily and blushed - "I wrote you a poem," he concluded with a whisper. Telling Legolas he loved him in front of his family was awkward enough; expressing it in front of a stranger would be downright embarrassing.
Legolas sensed his hesitation and turned to the guard. "Will you wait for me by the beginning of the road east?" he requested. "I will meet you there shortly."
"Yes, Prince Legolas," said the guard, who eyed Estel with amazement and suspicion before leaving.
Legolas knelt down in front of Estel so he could look him in the eye. "I will hear your poem now, Estel," he declared.
"Legolas," said Elrond, who knew how much the prince hated hearing the sort of poem that he was sure Estel had written, "if you do not have the time -"
"No, no, Lord Elrond," Legolas dismissed the statement with a wave of his hand. "My father taught me that if someone cares enough to write a poem about me, then I should listen to it. Please proceed."
Estel lifted the paper that he'd neatly written the poem on, cleared his throat, and read:
You like to ride your horse,
You are happy when you swim,
You listen to the talking trees,
You smile when we win.
You read for fun and school,
You're really good at archery,
I love you and I know,
You are prettiest when you're happy.
Estel blushed and ducked his head. It had sounded fine when he wrote it, but now that he'd read it to Legolas, the poem seemed stupid. Behind him, Elrohir was trying to hold back a grimace. Elladan didn't even bother trying not to roll his eyes.
Legolas struggled to regain the power of speech. "Estel," he finally said hoarsely. Estel looked at him and saw tears in his eyes. "I have heard and read many poems, but I like yours more than any other."
Estel grinned. "Really?!"
"Yes."
"I want you to take it," declared Estel, pressing the paper in the elf's hand. "So you can have something to remember me by."
"I gladly accept," said Legolas, carefully rolling the paper. "However, I need nothing to remember you." He leaned forward and kissed the boy on the cheek. Estel covered his cheek with his hand, his face alight with awe.
Legolas placed the rolled paper in one of his packs and mounted his horse. "Goodbye, everyone," he called out. "I hope to see you all again very soon." With that he turned his horse and rode away, before leaving became any more difficult. Heading towards the eastern road, he stuggled to master the feeling in the pit of his stomach. He certainly didn't want to explain to his guards why he was so upset about leaving the company of a ten-year-old mortal; Legolas barely understood himself.
Estel stayed firmly in place, watching after Legolas until he was completely out of sight. "Will he visit again?" he asked.
"Eventually, yes," answered Elrond.
"When?"
Elrohir put his hand on his little brother's shoulder. "His previous visit was over 100 years ago," he said gently. "And the roads are much more dangerous now."
"You mean," the boy choked out, "that I might never see him again?" The sympathetic looks were all the answer he needed. Sobbing, Estel ran to the Last Homely House and to his room, oblivious to his family's calls, the servants' questions, and anything but his own pain.
############# A few days later...
"Greetings, Mithrandir," said Elrond.
"Greetings, good Lord Elrond," replied the wizard. He scanned the faces in front of him and frowned. "I see Elladan and Elrohir, but no Estel. Tell me, where is he?"
Elladan rolled his eyes. "He's in his room, moping." Elrond shot his son a sharp look and Elrohir punched his shoulder.
Mithrandir raised his eyebrows, silently asking for more information. "He is grieved by the departure of the Sun Star," explained Elrohir.
"Estel has met Prince Legolas?" Mithrandir asked, speaking almost to himself.
"Yes, he has," sighed Elrond. "And now he suffers the pain of first love, unrequited and impossible. I wish he'd fallen for someone a little more, well, within his reach. Right now I fear all we can do is give him time for his heart to mend."
"Too right, too right," agreed Mithrandir, a little too hastily, "but I'm still going to check on him before we discuss the business at hand.
#########################
Mithrandir knocked on Estel's door. Receiving no reply, he let himself in. The curtains were drawn and no lamps were lit, making the room very dark, but he could still see the tear stains on the boy's cheeks. It appeared that Estel had cried himself to sleep.
Mithrandir stroked Estel's hair, but the sleeping form didn't stir. "Do not despair," the wizard murmured. "You do not yet know on what paths your life will take you. You will see him again, for what is meant to be will always find a way to be."
To be continued...
A/N to reviewer Destiny Lot: Don't worry; I haven't forgotten about Troy. I just like to have a few chapters written before I start posting so I can update on a fairly regular basis. This story's been occupying my mind, but hopefully I'll be able to start posting a Paris/Achilles story in about a week or so.
