A/N: Wow. Thank you so much for all the wonderful reviews! So, as I stated before, this is the last chapter. Perhaps I will eventually do a sequel, I'm not sure...Well, thanks for reading this fic! Hope you enjoy CHAPTER SEVEN! Please REVIEW! Hugs and bunnies!
Prejudices
The night wore on and Elrond sat by his youngest's bedside, constantly checking the young man's status. Elladan and Elrohir as well as Legolas also took shifts sitting with Elrond at Aragorn's side. Finally, around midnight, Elladan had convinced his father that there was no need to stay up, for it truly looked like Estel was on the mend and last time the man had not needed any additional treatment so everyone went to bed.
When morning dawned again, Elrond, the twins, and Legolas sat down to an awkward breakfast with Thranduil. Legolas had not quite forgiven the monarch for sending his friend away in the first place, which led to his being injured. Elrond, also was not terribly happy that Thranduil had not accepted the man, but was more inclined to forgive him as he had shown remorse and even helped to save the man the night before. As for the twins, they shared their father's sentiment, forgiving the Elf-king only because he had helped in tending the man the night before. They ate in almost awkward, tense silence. Thranduil looked very different. He did not seem to have the same near arrogance that had characterized his manner before.
Near the end of the meal, Legolas sighed and looked to the door, thinking of getting back to his friend. He gasped when he saw someone in the doorway, "Estel!" The man smiled slightly as he held onto the doorframe for support. Elrond turned, scowling, "You should still be resting!"
The man walked unsteadily into the room and chuckled, "I'm fine,ada..." Elladan and Elrohir finally spoke, saying in unison, "You are NOT fine, Estel!" Legolas stood and sat the man down in a chair, "Your father and brothers are right mellon nin, you are not yet well."
Aragorn was about to comment when Thranduil spoke softly, "You should listen to them, young human. They care about you." Aragorn locked his eyes to the floor and said quietly, "Your Highness. Forgive my intrusion once again into your home. Had it been my choice, I would not have returned and broken the ban you placed upon me."
Thranduil sighed, "You need not apologize," the king glanced at his son, "I should never have placed that ban upon you. Nor should I have turned you away without allowing you and my son to explain everything...I have been told before that my views on Men are incorrect, but I have never thought to change my mind. I've been living in the past, where many of my people, including my own father, died because of the actions of one man. I have judged an entire race on one wrong decision of one man...Many have tried to tell me this and I never believed them," he looked at Estel, "I am simply grateful my son learned better than I did and found you." The king stood and went over to the man's side, placing a hand on his shoulder, "You are a good friend, Estel, son of Elrond. I am pleased my son has a friend as loyal and faithful as you."
The man looked up at Thranduil, shock and hopeful disbelief on his face. The king went on, this time speaking to everyone in the hall, "Let it be known, the man known as Strider, Aragorn, and Estel and all of his descendants are forever welcome within the boundaries of this realm and that he is to be considered a part of this household."
Estel sat there shocked and the twins let out a whoop of laughter. Legolas smiled at the man then turned to his father, "Thank you, ada..." Thranduil shook his head. "Do not thank me. I only did what I should have done long ago or at least when you both first arrived..."
Thranduil turned back to Estel, "I hope you can accept my apology, young Estel." The man nodded, "O-of course, your Majesty! I-I, uh, thank you, sir..." Thranduil chuckled, "No, thank you. You have done something for me that I shall never forget. You have shown to me that not all Men are as I believed. For that I am grateful."
Aragorn smiled, "I am glad to have helped. Legolas is the greatest friend I could ever have, you should be proud of him." Thranduil nodded, "I am." A moment of silence passed, infinitely more comfortable than any other that morning. It was broken by Elladan clearing his throat, "Well, now that everything else is settled, Estel, today you will rest and you will not tax yourself! Oh, and here's a mug of ada's tea. Which you will drink."
Aragorn sighed and rolled his eyes, "As you wish, mother." Legolas and Elrohir laughed as Elladan made a face at the man. "Children," warned Elrond with affectionate exasperation. Aragorn stuck his tongue out at Elladan then quickly drank a mouthful of tea, making a face, "Why, oh, why can you not make this taste better, ada?!" Aragorn mourned. Everyone laughed, glad that everything was back to normal.
After the meal was finished, Legolas, Elladan, and Elrohir accompanied Aragorn back to his rooms to keep him in bed, as the man complained good-naturedly. Thranduil looked at Elrond steadily for a moment the spoke, "You are very lucky, Elrond. As am I...The Valar were watching out for all of us when they brought that young one to you and to my son..." he chuckled wryly, "It took him all of a week to dissolve prejudices I have held on to for centuries...And perhaps it would have happened sooner, were I not so stubborn...He has a gift."
Elrond nodded, "He has always been that way. Able to change the hearts of others, open them to him. So it was with the twins and me. He has brought much joy to us, seems to give it to everyone he comes in contact with."
"I worried for Legolas, after his mother sailed. I feared, up until several years ago that he would follow her. Until he took a journey to Rivendell. When he came back, it was as if his grief was gone..." Thranduil murmured.
Elrond nodded, "I remember. He came to Rivendell so full of grief, so overshadowed by it that I feared for his life. Estel was only a young child then. At first, Legolas would not have much to do with him. But Estel followed him around like a duckling follows its mother. And Legolas changed his mind about the young human I had adopted that followed him around like a shadow. When he returned years later, Estel was quite a bit older and they found much in common, despite the vast difference in their ages. They have been through much together. I think you are right, the Valar were watching over us all, when Estel came to us."
Thranduil nodded, "Shall we join in the effort to keep the young one in bed until he heals? I do believe that restless spirit of his may pose a formidable challenge." Elrond chuckled, "Indeed. In that case, I believe the twins and Legolas shall need a little help."
Smiling, the two Elves went to watch over the man who had changed so many hearts and was destined to change even more.
FinA/N: So that's the end of this story. I may or may not post a sequel/other story that has to do with this one. It all depends on the plot bunnies and my schedule. I hope you enjoyed this little fic! Thank you to all who read and reviewed!
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Whew! I'm sorry if I forgot anyone! Anyway, thank you so, so, so, much for reading and reviewing my fic!
Hugs and bunnies!
LalaithoftheBruinen