A/N short chapter

Chapter 6: Meetings

You brought this on yourself
and it's high time you left it there
Lie here and rest your head
and dream of something else instead

-Dido

When the sun was much lower in the sky the village children and Estel all decided that they should go to their homes.

"Would you like to stay for dinner?" Fernia asked.

Estel shook his head. "No, thank you. I had better head home. My father will not be happy if I return home after dark."

The three of them shrugged.

"Suit yourself," Fialoh said before the three of them ran off towards their home.

Estel made sure that the three of them were out of sight before he headed home. He knew it would be a long walk home, but he didn't care and took his time. He missed his brothers and wished they could be with him.

"Wishing isn't going to get them here," he chided himself.

He looked up at the sky and decided that he had a good three hours before the sun was completely gone and night fell.

He took his time getting home and managed to get lost once when he strayed from the path. It had taken him ages to find it again, and he had nearly panicked.

When he looked up at the sky, he cringed. He was late and would have missed dinner. His father would not be pleased, but Estel knew Lord Elrond wouldn't hold it against him. After all, he missed his brothers.

He walked into the courtyard just as the first few stars were evident in the sky. "Ada's going to be irritated," he muttered as he hauled himself up the steps.

Ainol took one look at the boy and whistled. "What happened to you?" the servant asked. "You look as though you were pulled through a thorn bush and then rolled in the mud! Take your shoes off, Estel!" he commanded kindly but forcefully.

Estel did as he was told and went directly up the stairs, not bothering to go to the dining room. He knew it would be empty by that time.

"Where have you been?" Lord Elrond demanded when he heard Estel trying to sneak in.

Estel grimaced and turned face his father. "I'm sorry, Ada."

Elrond sighed and walked closer to inspect Estel's face. "What happened to you?" he asked, concerned.

Estel had no idea how badly he looked. He couldn't see the cuts and bruises on his face from wrestling with Fialoh, or the dirt that was smudged all over him from when they had played Hide and Go Seek, nor could he see the twigs and other things that had gotten matted in his hair. He hadn't noticed the holes in his clothing or the long cut from his temple to his lip that he had gotten when he had walked right into a tree with his eyes closed. He no longer felt the little pricks from the thorn bush he had fallen into when he had strayed from the path. He was just happy that he'd had a fun day.

"Valar, Estel!" Elrond exclaimed, as he looked his son over.

Estel frowned and waited for his father to explain himself. "What did I do?"

Elrond picked at Estel's tunic that had a large hole in it along with splatters of blood from the thorn bush. "Where is your coat?"

Estel closed his eyes. He knew he had forgotten something. "I left it in the meadow…" he said slowly.

Elrond sighed and steered his youngest son into his bedroom. "You need to be cleaned up. Go wash yourself and come to me when you're finished. I need to take a look at some of your cuts." He walked from the room and left Estel to bathe.

When Estel looked in the mirror his eyes widened and he understood what his father and Ainol had been talking about. He quickly stripped down and washed himself with warm water that had been in the bathing tub. When he finished he changed and went to find his father.

He walked down the hall and bumped into an elf that was exiting his brother Elrohir's room. "Oops, sorry," Estel muttered before he continued on his way. He was grabbed from behind by a pair of strong hands and immediately elbowed the person that had grabbed him.

"Estel!" Elrohir yelled. "That hurt!"

Estel turned to see his brother and a grin spread across his face but it was soon turned into a frown of confusion. "Why are you here? Did something happen?"

"Peace, tithen-pen, peace," Elladan said, coming out the door behind Elrohir. He took one look at Estel and frowned. "What happened to you? Were you attacked?"

Estel shook his head. "No. Where's Ada?"

"Downstairs, I assume. What happened to you?" Elladan asked again. He was concerned about his little brother and wanted to know what had happened to Estel.

"Nothing bad," he replied, before walking away only to be grabbed again by Elrohir. "What, Elrohir?" he demanded. He was tired of the twins' games and only wanted to go see his father.

"Say hello to Prince Legolas, Estel, and do be kind," Elrohir chided. He too was worried, but nothing too serious seemed to be wrong with Estel.

Estel looked at the blond elf that was hiding a smile. He cringed at the knowledge that he had just walked right into him and not even looked at his face. "Nice to meet you," he mumbled. He really didn't want to get into formalities – he was too tired.

Legolas hid his amused smile, but his eyes twinkled. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Estel."

Estel nodded and tried once again to excuse himself, but once again his brothers pulled him back. "Please, I will visit later. It isn't as though you were gone for more than half the day."

Elrohir released his little brother and nodded. "It is very true, but you must come visit later."

Estel nodded before walking off.

Estel walked to his father's study and found Lord Elrond staring out the window. "Ada?"

Elrond turned and smiled at his son. "Did your brothers find you?"

Estel nodded. "Yes, that is why I took longer than I meant to. They introduced me to the prince."

"Were you polite?" Elrond asked. When he saw the apprehensive look on Estel's face he sighed. "Estel," he scolded.

"I'm sorry, Ada," he mumbled. "I was tired and irritated because Elladan and Elrohir wouldn't leave me alone."

Elrond chuckled. "Yes, they do enjoy antagonizing you."

Estel made a face. "I promised to visit with them later."

Elrond nodded and moved closer to inspect his son's face. "What happened to you?"

"Nothing. I was playing with the other children in a meadow and I guess we played too roughly. I also managed to stray from the path and fall into a thorn bush," Estel finished.

Elrond smiled at his son and nodded. "Sounds as though you had a rough day. Did you clean the wounds?"

Estel nodded. "Yes. They weren't too bad."

"Did you have fun today?" Elrond asked. He hoped that Estel'd had a good time.

"Yes," he replied.

"Good. Go visit with your brothers and become acquainted with Legolas. He is one of your brother's closest friends," Elrond told him.

"I know," Estel replied. "They have told me about him many times." He turned a serious look on his father. "Is he as bad as the twins when it comes to mischief?"

Elrond shook his head and chuckled. "Like most elves, he enjoys laughter, but he is not as bad as your brothers. He's quite reserved. It was surprising when the three of them became friends all those years ago."

Estel nodded and walked out of the room. "Good night, Ada."

"Be good, Estel," Elrond said.

Reviewer Responses:

Mornflower: Aw! Thank you for the compliments! I am glad you liked the chapter!

Trustingfriendship: Yay for Estel! He finally gets to meet Legolas. I am sure that will make him happy. Thanks for the advice on the SATs I will check it out. I think I still might pay for the course, because I know they are changing the ACTs and SATs.

Seeing-spots: I love Glorfindel! He is so wonderful. Heehee! What kind of trouble won't Estel find himself in?

DreaminofLorien: LOL! I know how much you love Elladan! All parts with him are for you! Of course…if you would like for him to be in the next chapter I need him returned!

Isil: Mellon-nin you must review more often. Yup, you're right about the Isil Doll! I have one sitting on my desk and I am poking pins in it at the moment….Ooops sorry, that's my Rachel Doll. :-P

The magik dragen: Heehee! Lurkdom! Please continue reviewing! I love hearing from my reviewers!

Mysterious Jedi: Yay!! I am happy you are looking forward to more!

Leggylover03: What chaos? ::grins wickedly:: You'll see!!!

BabeyRachey: Heehee! I am so happy I am holding you in suspense! You'll just have to read to find out. I can't tell you!

Vampy2k: I am so happy you love my story!!! It makes me feel good to know that. Here is the post! I didn't wait too long! I hope you like it. Thanks for the review!

Grease Girl: I am happy you like it!

Grumpy: Yeah. I agree with you. It must not be fun to be left alone.

Wolf Jade: LOL! I loved your review!! You're not stupid for not reading! You must have been busy! ::smile::

Someone Reading: He is much more mature than the town kids. The town kids are little babies compared to Estel. It is rather sad that the girls weren't taught but the boys were. It is true and that doesn't make me feel any better. Oh yes! Elrond must have been like, "Oh no! Must find my herbs!" Thank you for your lovely review! I look forward to them every time I post!

Shadowfaxgal7: Thank you for the compliments! Yeah, most people in those times weren't educated. Who said they were going to find out where Estel came from? ::grin:: You're going to have to read and find out what happens!!!

Shaman-queen89: Thank you for the wonderful review and compliments!!! I love Legolas too. Estel is my favorite though. Heehee I love him. I don't know how long he will stay. I guess for a little while. I haven't decided yet! Thank you for the review! I hope you review again!

Linuvial Greenleaf: Mellon-nin, I am sorry about the freaky girl who does weird things to you in reviews…Hm…maybe that wasn't the best way to put things. Any way…I hope you like this chapter!!

A/N I am sorry to those of you I missed! I hope you like this chapter! Please review!!