Chapter 5: Poln

Estel and Lauwen finally reached Poln.

"This is where I leave you, Estel," Lauwen said to the boy. "I do not want to go any farther. I will tell your father you will be home for dinner."

Estel nodded. "Thank you so much, Lauwen."

Lauwen nodded and walked back down the path they had come.

Estel walked down the path and through the gates that opened to the large town. He saw many people walking down the street and was beginning to rethink entering the village. He felt awkward in his elven clothing and a coat that was too big for him.

Just as he was about to turn and head home he heard someone shout his name. He turned and saw Fialoh and Fernia walking towards him. They had a little boy with them and carried a bag in each of their arms.

"We just finished the shoppin'," Fialoh informed Estel.

Fernia nodded. "Yes." She noticed Estel looking at the little boy and introduced him. "This is our little sister Fenke."

"I'm eight," Fenke said. She looked at Estel with innocent brown eyes and a big grin on her face. Estel thought she looked like a very happy child.

Estel nodded. "It's nice to meet you Fenke."

"Would you like to come over?" Fialoh asked. He was thrilled to see Estel again. Neither he nor his sister had thought that they would see the teenager again.

"Will your parents mind?" Estel asked. He didn't want to intrude.

Fernia shook her head. "Naw. Dad's workin' and Mom's home with the baby."

Estel nodded. "Alright, then. I can only stay for a little, though." He decided he could stay no more than two hours. If he was late or came home after dark, his father would not be pleased.

"That's fine. We'll play outside. I'm sure Mom'll want a break from us," Fernia said.

Estel beamed and followed the three to their house.

"You can visit us whenever you like, Estel," Fialoh said. "We'll introduce you to some of our friends."

Estel nodded. "That'd be great!" He had never had any human friends. Whenever he found elven friends he eventually outgrew them mentally and physically, or they were much older and were friends of his brothers.

Fernia smiled at him and they walked through a small gate and entered a house.

"This is our house," Fenke said proudly.

Estel looked at it and nodded. It was a normal sized house with two floors and a few windows on the front. It looked like most of the houses on the road. "It is very nice," Estel assured the eight-year-old.

Fenke grinned. She walked to the kitchen and helped her older siblings put the food away.

"Is that you, children?" asked a woman's voice from another room.

"Yes, Mom," Fernia replied. "We brought a friend with us."

A woman with light blonde hair and brown eyes entered the room with a baby on her hip. She smiled warmly at Estel before giving each of her children a kiss on the cheek. "You need to tell me when you're taking Fenke with you. I was worried sick about her when I saw she wasn't outside," she scolded.

"Sorry, Mom," Fialoh replied.

Estel decided he liked their mother. She sounded much like his father when she scolded Fernia and Fialoh.

"This is Estel, Mom," Fenke said, oblivious to their mother's disapproval.

She turned and smiled at Estel. "Nice to meet you, hon."

Estel nodded and smiled at her as well. "Nice to meet you as well…" he paused, fishing for something to call her.

"Call me Mrs. Tanner, Estel," she said quickly, realizing why Estel had paused.

Estel nodded. "Mrs. Tanner."

"Can we go out and play, Mom?" Fenke asked.

Mrs. Tanner nodded and the four children quickly went outside.

"Let's head to the meadow!" Fenke decided.

"Alright," Fialoh agreed. He liked the meadow. It was a good place to play games.

"I'll follow you," Estel said to them.

They nodded and began walking.

"Why didn't you come visit us sooner?" Fernia wanted to know.

"I've been busy. My father wanted me home," Estel replied.

Fialoh nodded. "Where'd ya live?" he asked. He was curious as to where Estel was from. He had never seen him in the village aside from that day.

"Outside of the town," Estel told them. He didn't want to lie, but he didn't exactly want to say the truth either. He didn't know if the children would believe him.

"That explains why we never see you in the town. You probably grow and hunt your own food instead of comin' into town," Fernia said thoughtfully.

Estel nodded and quickly bombarded them with questions about their home. Having never been to Poln before, he was curious. "Do you go to school?" he asked.

"Used to," Fialoh replied.

"You don't go anymore?" Estel asked.

"No, it only goes until you're ten," Fernia informed him. "Fialoh's too old."

"What about you and Fenke?" Estel asked Fernia.

Fernia laughed. "Girls don't go to school!" she laughed. "My mother taught me what she knows and my father taught me some too."

Estel thought it was weird not to let a girl go to school. "So you can't read?"

"You can?" Fialoh asked incredulously. He knew enough to buy food, but that was it. He didn't really need to read for that anyway - just being able to count money was enough.

Estel nodded. "Yes." He didn't add that he could read and write several languages.

"Your parents must be smart!" Fernia exclaimed, amazed.

Estel shrugged. "Yes, I guess." He was scared he would say too much and that they would shun him. He decided to change the subject. "Is that the meadow up ahead?"

The others looked up ahead of them and nodded.

"Race you, Estel," Fialoh challenged.

Estel nodded. "Alright." He was pretty fast. He decided he might be able to beat Fialoh.

On the count of three the four took off and raced to the meadow. Fialoh and Estel tied and the others came after them.

- - - -

Elladan, Elrohir, and Legolas rode into the courtyard and dismounted from the horses.

"Where is Estel? I thought he would be outside," Elladan commented.

"Estel went to the human village with Lauwen," Lendol informed Elladan, from his position under a tree.

Elladan raised an eyebrow. "Oh?" He was slightly disappointed that their little brother wasn't there to meet them.

"Yes. He said that you two had gone to Mirkwood to visit Prince Legolas, not bring him here in less than six hours," he teased.

Elladan and Elrohir smiled at their friend.

"Yes, they met me by the stream," Legolas added. "It's been a long time, Lendol."

Lendol smiled at the prince and dipped a polite bow. "It is good to see you, Prince Legolas."

Legolas nodded. He didn't know Lendol very well, but he knew him as a good friend of the twins. "I think it best if I greet Lord Elrond."

Elladan nodded. "Yes, that would be a good idea. We will see you at training tomorrow, Lendol."

Lendol nodded and returned to his comfortable spot beneath the trees.

The twins and Legolas walked through the halls. Legolas carried a small pack while the twins had their items that they thought they would need.

Lord Elrond met them in the hall. "I heard the sound of hoof beats and feared the worst."

Elladan and Elrohir grinned.

Legolas chuckled.

Elrond shifted his weight anxiously. "Do I have anything to worry about?" he asked suspiciuosly.

The twins shook their heads.

Legolas greeted Elrond formally and exchanged quick questions and answers.

"I will have a room prepared for you, Legolas," Elrond informed him.

"Thank you, Lord Elrond," Legolas replied graciously.

"I allowed Estel to visit the human town for the day. He ought to be home for dinner," Elrond said before they walked away.

"Thanks, Ada," the twins echoed as the three younger elves headed towards Elrohir's room.

Just like I said in Darkness' Cold Embrace, I can't get into my reviews. I am really sorry. I will respond next chapter (If I can get in!)