a/n: after struggling with the formatting and spacing and QuickEdit 2.01 (tm?).. aherm, here's the actual post. There was no one more devastated than I when my OS crashed and I had to have my hard drive formatted, hence losing practically everything I have written and I have been working on. Only two fics were saved, and I thought this fic, and its original ending would forever be lost, and I have to settle for a rewrite. But by some valar-sent luck, I found a backup, an unedited rough draft, of these last two chapters. Thank god. So here it is... er, no, not the unedited rough draft. I worked through it already, and will be reading through it again.

Title: Kindled Flame
Author: Keithan
Disclaimers: Lord of the Rings and its characters belongs to their respective owners.
Rating: PG
Series: 6/7
Warnings: None other than implied love between same gender. mild/implied slash ; legolas/(estel)aragorn; (estel)aragorn/legolas
Summary: Having no tale to tell of its story would not mean that the light from the love of hope and its green leaves did not exist. But of the time when Hope was young, unburdened still of the cares and troubles of the world, only this tale was told.
Notes: Aragorn and Legolas, a sort of backstory. When it was said in the appendices that Elrond receives Aragorn as a foster-son, I take that to mean exactly that.
This takes place in Imladris and all dialogues may be assumed to have been spoken in Elvish.

Kindled Flame
part 6

Legolas indeed had thought no more of it. Estel seemed to do the same. Yet it did not stop their love from growing. They continued on their friendship, now even closer still, having a more intimate link that bound them both. The tension was there, the strain on their relationship ever present, but as days passed, acceptance was inevitable. And with such wordless acceptance, the tension drained away like water through a flowing stream.

Legolas halted.

There was something wrong.

In his crouched position, he listened intently to the whispers of the forest around him. The wind blew slightly causing the trees to rustle and sway its branches.

Danger.

He was just outside the borders of Imladris, a little past the Fords of Bruinen, and was currently fulfilling a challenge.

He and Elrond's three sons were out camping and they were on their second day. They had agreed to a hunting contest for their evening meal. The afternoon sun was already sinking yonder in the west and so far, half an hour had passed and one of them was yet to give the signal of triumph.

Deer were not in abundance in their part of the forest. It was too mountainous for them to tread and most preferred the safer grounds of the valley. Legolas had only started to hunt a possible quarry when unease settled in his heart.

Something was terribly amiss, at least to his instincts. He could sense no evil, but he could sense some danger. He was wary and alert. Only weeks ago, they had come upon their hunted band of orcs, finding it merged with another, creating a much larger force to deal with than what only three Elves and one human could handle safely. It was a good thing the Dúnedain rangers heard their call for aid. He wished not to repeat such carelessness on their part.

He laid his palm to the ground, trying to strengthen his link with nature.

The trees were whispering, unintelligible and incoherent messages he was yet to pick up. "Pedo na nin," Legolas urged. "Speak to your child."

The leaves rustled, urgently, demandingly.

Danger.

He frowned and after a moment, he hastily stood up, alarm and fear on his features. One whispered word escaped his lips, before he broke into a fast sprint. Estel.

A lone deer raised its head, looking around. Feeling something out of place, it surveyed its surroundings. When everything seemed normal, and after making sure it was safe, it ducked its head back to the grass and began nibbling again.

Estel had been quiet and undetectable. He had his whole attention to his quarry and was intent on not letting it go. He shall win this round of challenge. Slowly and silently, not making any noise or disturbance in the environment, he fitted an arrow to his hunting bow and sighted in on his target for a quick kill, not wishing to cause it unnecessary pain.

"Give them the mercy and respect they deserve," was what he remembered being told.

"But why do we kill them in the first place?" he had asked then, blinking his innocent gray eyes to the Elf beside him.

Legolas had only looked down on him, smiling softly. "It is in nature's way, that some die in order for most to live."

He smiled. "Ada had said something similar. But I reckon that we were not talking about deer and other preys."

And he clearly remembered when, not losing his smile, although it had turned solemn, Legolas had said, "I wasn't either."

Indeed, Estel thought, as the seemingly distant memory of Legolas surfaced in his mind. And to the deer, he thought, I'm sorry.

Yet the deer heard not his apology and continued undisturbed.

Quiet, quiet, he reminded himself as he slowly drew the bow.

He was so intent on his prey that he had narrowed his concentration to his prey alone, unconsciously and foolishly neglecting his surroundings.

He didn't notice the danger that approached him, but what he did notice was how the ears of his prey stood suddenly alert as its head immediately rose. It was his only warning.

"Estel!"

In a span of mere moments, the same moments it took for him to whirl around to turn to the call of his name, arrows were released in rapid succession. He barely registered their singing in flight and the distinct twang! twang! twang! of a bow. He hadn't even finished turning around, when he felt himself forcefully pushed to the ground, feeling a rush of air above him. His eyes widened as they briefly caught sight of a flying… – boar? – above him before the world turned black as air was knocked out from him.

Estel's vision was darkened for a moment as the impact of his fall dulled his senses.

When consciousness and awareness returned to him after a few moments, the first thing he was aware of was the protective embrace he was enclosed in and that he wasn't on the ground. He was lying on something, or someone for that matter.

"Legolas?" he asked tentatively, looking down at the being beneath him.

The Elf prince hissed in pain before gritting his teeth. "You fool!"

Estel winced at the anger in the tone. The words stung. He didn't yet understand what happened and to hear Legolas address him in such a way frightened him.

Legolas released Estel from his hold, feeling pain in his shoulder and back as he did so. He tried to move, but he felt numb, painfully numbed.

The mortal didn't move away immediately, he looked around first and saw a wild boar just beside them, several arrows protruding from his body. It moved still, but it was as good as dead. He looked down immediately at the Elf, realization dawning on him. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

"You could have been killed! You're supposed to be the predator and not the prey!" Legolas managed to say without sounding too injured, but his breath hitched slightly as pain overwhelmed his senses.

Estel, still a bit shaken from surprise and his fall to really notice anything, just shook his head and lifted himself a little from the other to ease his weight from Legolas, but not entirely moving away. "I'm sorry," he said again, words having left him. Then, he frowned as he looked down on the Elf. He brought a hand to Legolas' cheek, guiding his face so that they were looking at each other. "You are hurt?" The Elf was getting pale.

Elladan and Elrohir arrived soundlessly to where they were, and both had arched a brow when they found Estel lying atop of Legolas, a dead boar beside them. It was almost comical and such sight was reserved for a funny tale around a campfire. But any comments or laughter was forgotten as they noticed the blood slowly seeping on the ground underneath their prone forms.

Legolas didn't answer, but closed his eyes tight and bit his lip. "You weren't careful enough," he merely said. Pain washed through him in great waves and he could feel a jagged tip of rock pushed deeper into his back at the slightest movements.

Estel moved away to check him for injuries and noticed the little blood showing on the ground beneath them. He didn't notice his brothers were already on his side.

And he was unable to move, numbed as he was with fear and dread with the realization that it was his entire fault and Legolas was hurt, until he felt himself being helped to his feet by his brothers.

It wasn't quite night yet but the sun was almost hidden in the heavens, leaving the sky in the dark purple and orange hue of twilight.

After the initial explanations and a recount of what happened, they had been moving around the camp quietly, not feeling the need to speak at all. Estel and Legolas hadn't spoken since the twins had found them and they clearly felt the tension between their human brother and friend.

Elladan was preparing the wild boar for their dinner, after first admiring and taking note of the fine shooting of Legolas. The Mirkwood archer had shot his arrows all in the right places. Each arrow, all five of them, were meant to immobilize and kill and not one arrow missed its mark to do so. Elladan was beyond impressed.

Elrohir had started the fire, and when he walked back to his twin and the dead animal, he gave a low whistle of admiration, observing each arrow's mark. He crouched down beside his brother. "If this was a double-arrowed shot," he mouthed to his brother, still keeping the silence, as he motioned to two arrows situated in two far different locations. "I'd shoot myself."

"Better do so now, because I think it is," Elladan mouthed back. "I can't tell which arrow was shot first."

Elrohir glanced back at their other Elven companion, whose face was withdrawn and thoughtful. "If we were to ask, I suggest we do it later."

Elladan easily read his brother's lips and he, too, discretely glanced back. Seeing his human brother's guilt-ridden and worried features and the prince of Mirkwood's hardened expression, he completely agreed with his twin.

Legolas sat a little away from them. His tunic was laid beside him on the log. He was bare from chest up. Estel hovered around him as the young human carefully tended to his injuries – a few scratches and one grave wound.

The young human pursed his lips. The silence was killing him. He frowned at the red and long welt that ran diagonally on Legolas' back, ending in a puncture wound on his lower back. A sharp rock, deeply embedded in the soil, scratched the Elf prince from his shoulder to the middle of his back from their hard slide and impact. Legolas had landed on it, burying the tip for more than an inch or so.

It was not a severe or life threatening wound, being too shallow to pierce through vitals, but it bled profusely – and if Legolas' reactions were any indication, it had also hurt much. It was not something to be dismissed as a mere scratch. With the twins' help, Estel had managed to staunch the bleeding, and with an unspoken agreement, both left him to finish tending to the Mirkwood Elf.

"I'm sorry," Estel said, and to him, his voice sounded too little. His guilt was great. If it wasn't for him, Legolas would not be even hurt.

"It was nothing," Legolas replied, voice in a terse whisper. He knew the twins heard them, but it was polite to at least try to keep the conversation to themselves.

Estel almost winced at the Elf's tone.

Legolas ignored the way the human's hands slightly faltered with his reply as the mortal wrapped the bandages across his chest. Estel had been careless. He had seen the wild boar seemingly mere inches from biting off the boy's head! What if he hadn't been there? He had barely enough time to release his arrows, making him use one triple-arrowed shot and two double-arrowed shots before he pushed Estel out of the way of jagged teeth that was still heading to him, dead boar or not.

He felt Estel move behind him, and he focused his attention to the kindled campfire instead.

Estel finished his work in silence. He neatly tucked the loose bandage to finish. Finishing his task, he paused for a moment before walking in front of Legolas. He kneeled down in front of the Mirkwood prince.

Legolas was startled for a moment.

"Please, Legolas, I'm sorry," he said softly. With the fingers of his one hand, he guided the Elf's face by his chin that the Elf might look directly at him to plead with his eyes as well. He then laid his hands to the Elf's knees and tightened his grip on them momentarily. "I was careless."

Legolas gazed back at those pleading eyes, and somewhere in his memory, he was reminded of his young charge, a child with unquenchable thirst for knowledge and, to their deep regret, mischief, but who was otherwise mortal. And mortals simply did not live forever. There was supposed to be no room for recklessness, no room for mistakes. Those could only make their already short lives shorter.

Finally, he sighed. He moved his hand and reached it up to Estel's face. The young human tensed under the unexpected intimacy for just a moment, before relaxing again, completely at ease as if it were the most normal thing.

And maybe it was.

"You are careless, adan."

Estel smiled, recognizing the affection for what it was. "Forgive me then?"

Legolas shook his head, his features finally softened. "There is nothing to forgive," he said, but his face was thoughtful yet, and solemn.

"Legolas?"

Legolas felt his chest constrict when he looked at Estel. He held his face firmly, albeit gently, and looking into his eyes, he merely said, "You are mortal, Estel."

With deep regret, Estel understood all that was left unsaid in that statement, and with a sigh, he closed his eyes. Slightly leaning into Legolas' touch, he just said, "I know. I'm sorry."

"Don't do it again," Legolas said as he ran a thumb across a still smooth cheek before letting go. He then stood up, reaching for his tunic and walked towards the fire, leaving Estel kneeling there for a moment before the human stood up as well and fixed his things.

They continued on their camping, and the twins had to wonder at the fact that it seemed as if the events prior and any misunderstandings didn't happen at all.

It was in moments such as the one just mentioned that Elladan and Elrohir, twin sons of Elrond, realized the innocence in the affection and love that bound their friend, the Prince of Mirkwood and their human brother.

And such love the sons of Elrond deemed pure and untainted for it carried no malice and sought not to possess and restrain. It was something that was freely given and returned.

But although all was well, no words were exchanged and no promises were made. Content they were to share such nameless affection and bond that bordered on friendship, care and love that was like no other.

The scarce moments the two shared affection and intimacy came as natural as smiling and shaking hands. They seemed not to notice it themselves. It wasn't mentioned, nor was it given special notice. It was just there, part of their already wordless companionship and friendship.

Estel couldn't believe it. "What?"

"I said, you are not going anywhere, so there is no bother packing," Elrond said, shaking his head.

Elladan chuckled but when Estel threw him a sharp look, he coughed deliberately and otherwise remained quiet."

"But you heard the news. Some of the rangers travel south to Rohan. To Rohan, ada. I have never been to Rohan," Estel argued his second point, his first being which to give aid and help. News from the Dúnedain had arrived and informed them that some of the rangers would be traveling south to the realm of Rohan to gather news and information. Orcs in the south had been steadily increasing.

Usually, such news would send the twin sons of Elrond and Estel packing. But right now, his father had just forbidden him to go. Forbidden! When was the last time that he was forbidden to travel? He couldn't remember.

"Yes, son. I am aware of that. But you are needed here yet."

"But Father!"

Legolas, who was just on his way to the private dining room where they would break their fast, frowned and stopped, hearing Estel's voice; it seemed thoroughly displeased. He then continued walking, hastening his pace.

When he reached the threshold of the room, he saw Elrond and his three sons seated around the table already. Lady Gilraen was not yet there.

"That is too far south, Estel. Time has not yet come for you to travel beyond the borders of the north. The rangers had come here to bear news and not ask for aid," Elrond said in a calm yet firm tone that told Legolas that there was no changing his mind.

Estel frowned. He didn't understand. His father had not restrained him from traveling since... he was thirteen years, maybe even younger. He had traveled widely for someone his age and was always abroad with the sons of Elrond and occasionally with the rangers.

Legolas made his way to his seat that was beside Estel. He each greeted the twins silently while Estel and Lord Elrond didn't seem to notice his entrance.

"But I…" Estel had started but Legolas laid a hand on his arm.

Estel looked to his side and met Legolas' eyes as the Elf took his seat beside him. He saw Legolas minutely raise a brow in a silent inquiry. He frowned for a moment, before his face took on a pleading look, his eyes darting to the direction of his father before instantly returning to Legolas.

Legolas took note of Elrond's features, as the Elf lord conversed with one of the Elves serving breakfast, and merely sighed. There was no changing Elrond's mind, from what he could see. He just shrugged slightly, barely noticeable, and looked down at his set of silverware.

After a moment, Estel shook his head and sighed as well.

"Very well," he said, and to the twins, who had been watching them, didn't know if that acknowledgement of resignation was for Legolas or for their father.

Elrond broke off what he was saying to the Elf servant to look at his son in surprise. He hadn't expected Estel to just suddenly drop the discussion. He had already prepared to make himself deaf to his son's pleas, which he knew could last for days.

Movement caught his eye and he saw Legolas' hand drop from Estel's arm. He almost smiled, understanding what had suddenly made Estel change his mind. If only his simple touch could do so much, he would have been a pleasantly happy and content father. But alas, he was not given such gift. That, or he was just gifted with three stubborn, hard-headed sons.

Celebrian, however, had that same calming effect on him. With a touch and a look, she could manage to calm him, or make him change his mind and… Elrond frowned in thought as a thought occurred to him.

Legolas and Estel…

He inwardly shook his head. What they shared had long since passed the borders of spoken words, he thought. Gilraen had been right, and it grieved him to see that what they could have had was not meant to be.

The Mirkwood prince had been staying in Imladris for a period of three months now. The tension that Elrond initially felt between his foster-son and the prince was long gone, replaced by mutual companionship and friendship. Maybe, he thought, perhaps love as well.

He feared greatly for them both still, but he reveled on the innocence of their love and did nothing to hinder it. It was not his place to do so.

"Time would have you in the southern realms, my son, but that time is not yet now," he said. "You've things yet to do and accomplish before you will be faced with the Lords of the south."

Elrond's tone brought an unfamiliar feeling to Legolas' heart. He remained silent as they conversed, but he wondered at the meaning behind the Elf lord's words. They had an ominous ring to it, as though Elrond was speaking from his visions and not his thoughts. And, not for the first time, Legolas wondered about Estel's identity. He wanted ask then, if only to clear the sense of foreboding that suddenly resided in him. He hadn't asked before, because it was not proper of him to do so. He merely accepted what Lord Elrond had said to him of Estel.

"He is not the first human to dwell here. I'm sure you know." He didn't, but he nodded anyway. Looking at Elrond then, he realized that the Elf lord knew that he didn't.

He knew something about the Dúnedain rangers and their Chieftains. They were Elf friends and they came and went into and out of Imladris. Even the sons of Elrond traveled with them.

He frowned as he noticed that his thoughts were unordered and unclear. He shook his head slightly as his first thought of Estel's identity slipped away from him. Before he could gain any order in his thoughts, Gilraen arrived, and the thought of the human's identity was pushed further back in his mind as they all rose in proper greeting to a lady before seating down as she sat to begin their day with a meal.

This way of wordless exchange didn't last long. However, as time would prove, it wouldn't be forever lost. As fate brought them back together, time came when it would take their paths into two separate directions. One was to live as a King in exile and the other, as a Prince in duty, and it would be many more decades before they were to walk the same path again, reach for the same goal, fight for the same cause because that time, the summons from Mirkwood came sooner than what Legolas, its prince, had hoped.

Elrond watched as Legolas fingers tightened its hold on the parchment that he was reading. The prince's face was in a thoughtful frown as he went over the letter that had just arrived from Mirkwood.

"Is something wrong?" he asked when Legolas didn't move yet but just stared at the seemingly offending letter.

His question brought Legolas' eyes to him.

"I am being recalled," was his soft answer.

At this, Elrond placed the quill that he was holding on the table, lest he drop it. "So soon?"

The young Elf nodded. His face was in a thoughtful frown. He suddenly felt torn inside. He would have to leave Imladris. But it was too soon. He had been barely there for five months!

Elrond knew that Legolas was not exactly fond of the idea of leaving right now. The last time he was here, he had been attached to the young Estel that it saddened him much to leave his young charge behind. But now that their bond was deeper, the Elf lord could only imagine what it was that the prince was feeling.

"You would go?" he asked hesitantly.

Legolas face changed into a firm resolve. "I have to. There had been incidents that need my immediate attention. No matter how much I would wish to remain longer here in your fair valley, my lord, I have to go."

"Surely your father might understand?" Elrond asked further. Thranduil was not there. The Mirkwood king was not given a chance to see the growing bond between his son and the young human that dwelt under Elrond's house.

Legolas didn't notice Elrond's words. If he did, then he would have wondered what it was he was referring to that his father might understand. "I must go. I am summoned," Legolas just said, determined, but underneath his tone, one could hear that he still wished to remain, if only for a while. "It is my duty to obey my king and father."

And your heart, young prince? Is it not your duty to obey your heart? Elrond asked quietly with his eyes as he looked at the prince.

"I am needed by my people," he continued as he met the Elf lord's gaze evenly.

It seemed to Elrond that the Mirkwood prince was convincing him as much as he was also convincing himself.

"Very well then. When do you plan to depart?" Elrond asked.

Legolas was about to answer when the slightly opened door to the study was pushed fully open, bringing both Elf to look at the disturbance.

The golden haired prince tensed when he was met with the smiling face of Estel.

"There you are, Legolas. Are you planning on getting left behind? Come! We plan to pass Bruinen before the sun sets," he said hurriedly. His smile faded somewhat when he noticed that the two occupants of the room didn't share his cheerful disposition.

"Ada? Legolas?" he asked. "Is something wrong?"

Elrond then turned his gaze to Legolas and when Estel turned his eyes as well to the Mirkwood prince, Legolas looked away.

He didn't plan on telling Estel this way and this soon, but he had to before the human heard it from someone else.

"I am to leave in a few days, a week at the most," he said, tone even.

It took a while for his words to make sense to Estel. "What?"

Oh, Valar, don't make me repeat it, Legolas thought. Instead of answering, he looked up at Estel, his eyes telling the other that he hadn't heard wrong. But looking into Estel's eyes nearly brought his resolve to crumble. It shone with emotions that he was not yet ready to face. It had been easier when there were no complications, when Estel was still young and still the student.

Why? Estel's eyes seemed to ask. Why now?

Yes, why now when they shared a friendship that was unlike no other, an understanding that needed no words.

I'm sorry, was all that Legolas seemed to convey.

Elrond felt the need to leave, but he couldn't without bringing both of Legolas' and Estel's attention to him. The wordless conversation wasn't lost on him.

Not long after, Estel spoke. "I'll inform my brothers then," was all he said before leaving the study without so much as a glance.

Legolas sighed before sinking heavily into a cushioned chair just beside him, not trusting himself to stand upright.

And with sadness in his eyes that was full of wisdom acquired through long years of existence, Elrond looked at him. He felt sympathy for the prince for though he knew that young Legolas was of strong mind, spirit and heart, Thranduil's son could still feel the clutches of pain and grief.

And the moon traveled high that night as the sun sailed the skies by day, but the changing of days and nights didn't change the fate unfolding before their path. They were bound to be separated, just as they were fated to meet.

But fate and destiny were two abstract concepts that could never be explained, never be understood, and never be fathomed.

What were they really? Were there such things as fate and destiny? Or were they just created as names for the things unexplainable and events that seemed to just simply be

No matter, fate and destiny were already two constants in the lives of the children of Eru as each had a part to play, a song to sing, a tale to tell in the Great Music.

What love and friendship Estel Peredhil and Legolas Thranduilion shared was just simply meant to happen. It was the part they played together, a song they sang in unison, and a tale they wove as one.

But just as some things were simply were there were also some things that just simply were not, no matter how much one would wish otherwise.

t b c . . .

Author's Notes:

And thus this tale would soon come to a close. Within a month's time, more or less, I would hopefully be able to post the final chapter of this story, which I thought would never be finished the way it was supposed to be. So reminder to all of you out there, have a backup to your files. You never know when technology will decide to backfire on you.

Drop me a note and let me know what you think before the final part. Thank you. The final chapter's gonna be out soon, I hope. Til then!