Chapter 8: Market Day
Estel was quiet for most of the ride. He had been looking forward to the ride, but now he just couldn't help but be bored. His brothers and Legolas were boring him! Sighing, he looked through the trees and noticed they had ridden past Rivendell's borders. Looking at his brothers, he knew they hadn't noticed, and if they had, it was strange of them not to have turned back.
Legolas noticed Estel was quiet and wondered if it was his presence. He nodded his head subtly towards Estel and raised an eyebrow in silent question at the twins. He had always thought teenagers were lively, not quiet and brooding.
"He's bored," Elrohir mouthed.
"No I'm not!" Estel snapped, seeing Elrohir mouth the words to Legolas. "I'm just…" he tried to protest, but couldn't think of a reason. Deciding it would be best if he changed the subject he asked Elladan, "Why have we ridden past the borders? Did you mean to come this far?"
Elladan looked around and cursed. They were too far outside of the borders and he didn't know how they had gotten there. They were on the land of the human town and Elladan knew it wasn't safe to be there with all of the people around. Though Rivendell was close to Poln, the elves and humans had nothing to do with each other if they could help it. It was the reason Estel rarely met human children his age.
"We need to go home," Elrohir said. "It is not safe to be here."
Legolas looked at the twins; he was confused about what was happening. They hadn't communicated their reasons for being nervous. "What is it?" he asked. "What is wrong?"
"It is Market Day for the humans of this village. They will be flooding into this clearing soon," Elladan replied. "You can see the tents and stalls being set up over there."
"Oh," Legolas said thoughtfully. "Could we go see? Not close," he added quickly, not wanting to get too near the humans. "We could watch through the trees," he suggested.
Elladan looked at Legolas and then his twin, asking silently what Elrohir thought. When Elrohir nodded, Elladan nodded to Legolas. "Of course; it would be rude to say no," he replied formally, making everyone laugh.
Estel cracked a small smile, but he wondered why his brothers had wanted to turn around. He decided it would be something to ask when they returned home. He wondered if he would see Fernia and Fialoh among the people in the crowd. There were no people near them, but that was because the trees hid them and the humans were farther away; trying to sell their goods.
"It is a small crowd," Elrohir commented. "It must officially start at noon if so few have turned out." He watched from the trees with a look of disinterest on his face. To the elves, Market Day was nothing special, they didn't need a time to get together and be assaulted by merchants. They could buy their goods, or have them made, without having merchants bother them.
Estel was undaunted by the big crowd. Rivendell had many inhabitants and he was used to big groups, especially at important functions for his father. It was the fact that the whole crowd was human that made him wish to join in. He wanted to see what it was like to live with humans, just for a day. He loved his life, but he wanted to try living with someone else, just once.
"You can go closer," Elrohir told Estel. "You are safe. We will wait for you here." When Estel started to ride closer Elrohir called him back. "No, leave her," he said, meaning the mare. Elladan shot Elrohir a venomous look for allowing their brother to leave by himself, but Elrohir ignored it.
Estel did as Elrohir had said, and quickly walked towards the crowd of people.
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"Why did you let him go?" Elladan asked, rounding on his twin. "What if he gets lost?"
Elrohir rolled his eyes and looked apologetically at Legolas. "Elladan is worrying about Estel."
It was Legolas' turn to roll his eyes. "I noticed. Still overprotective, I see, Elladan," he teased.
Elladan grumbled something but eventually just sighed and watched his little brother stand in the crowd of humans. It was where Estel would belong one day, Elladan reminded himself, but it wasn't where Estel had to be at the moment.
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Estel stood on the fringe of people before he edged closer. He had no money and wanted nothing he saw in the stalls; he was just curious.
"Estel!"
Estel spun when he heard his name called and grinned when he saw the two human children. "Greetings, Fernia and Fialoh!" he called, his face lighting up with happiness at seeing his friends.
The children laughed.
"You're so funny," Fialoh said. "What are you doing here? We didn't expect to see you here."
"I'm riding with my brothers and their friend," he replied, turning to motion towards his brothers and Legolas, but saw that they had disappeared. He turned back to them, confusion on his face.
"Maybe they rode farther along," Fernia suggested. "Come with us! We will show you around the market."
"Alright!" Estel said brightly. "That would be fun. I am sure my brothers would not mind if I only go with you for a moment."
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The three elves watched from the trees as Estel left with the human children. The twins were not pleased, but Legolas just seemed curious.
"Why is he going with those two children?" Legolas asked. "Should you not go and get him?"
"He'll be alright for a time. We should be heading back home; Ada wishes to speak with you, Legolas. I think he would like a report from Mirkwood." Elrohir watched Estel disappear with the two children.
"Why is he leaving?" Elladan asked angrily. They knew their brother wouldn't be gone too long, but their father did want the report and the ride back home would be at least two hours.
Elrohir looked apologetically at his twin. "He was curious, you saw his face." He smiled when Elladan sighed and turned to Legolas. "You and I will return to Rivendell. Elladan can stay here and wait for Estel."
Elladan glowered but nodded. "Very well, I'll stay here and wait for Estel." He dismounted and gave his reins to Elrohir. He didn't think it would be fair to keep his horse in one place and he wanted to talk with Estel on a long walk as it was. "Go; Ada will need to see Legolas."
Legolas knew it would not be wise to keep Lord Elrond waiting. The twins had told him their father wished to speak with him earlier, but he had thought that he could put it off. He knew the twins were worried about their little brother being alone and didn't want to make him stay in one place while they waited and that was the reason they brought up the meeting with their father. "Yes, your father and I do need to exchange information, but I can go back by myself."
"No," Elrohir said. "I will return with you."
Legolas grinned and nodded. "Alright, let us return."
Elladan watched as his twin and friend turned their horses and rode back to Rivendell at a slow trot.
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Fernia and Fialoh had finished showing Estel the market and he still thought that the things he could find in Rivendell were better. Fernia had given him some of the food that their mother had made and he had enjoyed it.
"Would you like to come back to our house?" Fialoh asked. "We have shown you the whole market and you must be hungry. The bread won't keep your tummy full."
"Yeah," Fernia said. "Come visit for a little while."
"No," Estel said. "I am very sorry, but I must go back to my brothers and their friend. I will be in trouble if I do not return soon."
Fialoh raised an eyebrow at his sister. He thought it strange that Estel spoke like an educated adult. "Come over tomorrow. We'll play another game."
Estel nodded. "Yes, I will try. Goodbye." He ran back to where he had left his brothers and wondered where they had gone. "Elrohir? Elladan?" he called, afraid they may have left him behind.
Elladan walked over to his brother and sighed. "What were you doing?" he asked. "Elrohir told you to look, not converse." He hugged Estel tightly.
Estel gently pushed his brother away. "I was gone no more than a few minutes." He smiled at the twin, trying to apologize.
"Nay, little brother, you were gone more than a few minutes. It was nearly three hours that you were with the human children," Elladan said, looking at Estel to see his reaction.
Estel gasped; it hadn't felt like hours. "I'm sorry, 'Dan!" he apologized, dismayed by how late it was. "I did not realize I had taken such a long time."
Elladan sighed. "It is not a problem, Estel. We do need to return home, however. Elrohir and Legolas took our horses and I am afraid it is quite late and we may miss dinner."
Estel nodded silently. "I am sorry," he repeated, not wanting Elladan to think he had just left and not returned because he was having so much fun. He knew the twins knew that he had been bored on the ride.
Elladan chuckled and ruffled Estel's hair. "Do not worry. Come; let's return home. You and I need to talk on the way."
Estel's stomach flip-flopped when he heard Elladan say that they needed to talk. "Why?" he asked shakily, afraid he was in trouble after all.
"You are not in trouble," he assured Estel, laughing. "I just wanted to explain some things to you."
"Alright," Estel said carefully as they walked home. "What sort of things?"
Elladan smiled at his little brother, not knowing how to begin the conversation he wished to have. "You looked confused earlier; I know you wished to ask something." He decided it would be easier to start the conversation if Estel started it.
Estel thought about what Elladan was saying. He had thought of something earlier, but he wasn't sure if it was something he could ask. Deciding he might as well try, he asked his oldest brother, "Why didn't you go with me to the Market? Why didn't you three want to get too close?"
Elladan nodded; this was what he had thought his little brother wanted to know. "We are elves, Estel, you know that. Humans do not always accept us when we are with them."
"You are with me and I trust you," Estel pointed out. He knew what his brother was telling him, but he still didn't want to accept it. He had always known he was different from the elves, and had faced that a few years before, but he had never seen humans treat elves the way elves had treated him.
Elladan looked fondly at his little brother. "I know that, but most humans do not feel the same way you do. Besides, you have lived with us for most of your life." He knew that Estel had been told these things when he was younger, but if he was going to make friends with human children, he needed to understand what might happen.
"Why did Elrohir say it was not safe to get closer?" Estel asked, remembering his brother had said to Legolas.
"Ah," Elladan said, trying to think of a good way to explain things. "Do you remember when the human girl was lost and 'Ro offered to take her and her brother home?" he asked, deciding telling the whole truth would be best.
"Yes," Estel replied, not understanding what Elladan was trying to explain.
"The children did naught but talk of the wickedness of elves and how they hoped they did not come across any," Elladan said quietly. He watched Estel for his reaction but Estel's face was blank.
Estel thought over what Elladan had said and was confused. "They are nice," he commented quietly. Fernia and Fialoh were nice to him; they had said anything mean about elves to him before.
"Perhaps," Elladan said carefully.
"Are you telling me not to visit with them anymore?" Estel asked plainly. He liked them, but he understood that it might put his family in danger, or himself in danger, if he continued to play with the children.
"No," Elladan replied. "I am telling you to be careful what you talk about. Race is one thing you do not discuss among other races. When around humans, do not discuss us; discuss…I do not know, what ever you like."
Estel smiled wickedly. "Is that why I do not discuss dwarves?"
Elladan snorted. "Ada likes them fine, you know that, but they are not a favorite of Legolas."
Estel giggled. "Alright, 'Dan."
"You are a good young man, Estel," Elladan complimented.
Estel beamed at the praise his brother gave him for it was a rare thing. "Thank you."
"We had better hurry," Elladan commented. "Ada will not be happy if we return too late."
Estel agreed and they quickened their pace to get home on time.
Reviewer Responses:
Catmint: Thank you so much for the lovely review and for beta reading my fic.
Wolf Jade: LOL! I am so happy I managed to update before you could complain. ::sticks tongue out:: How did you like the chapter? I hope you enjoyed the ride (well, it wasn't really a ride… I'm glad you didn't notice the mistake, but I did and I wasn't happy with myself about it. At least no one complained about the mistake! I can't wait for you to see what happens later in chapters with the humans and everything. I think you'll like it after the review you gave me. Thank you so much!!
Isil: I don't care if you're banned from the computer during the week, you could still have the common courtesy to give me a ring or something, don't you think? ::glares:: I'm not THAT grumpy in the morning! ::mutters angrily:: You'll like what's coming up. I can't post incredibly fast! I have school and everything to do. At least this was a faster update than the last one!
LalaithoftheBruinen: Aww!! Thank you for the hugs and bunnies, they were greatly appreciated. I hope you like this chapter! Please review again!
Seeing-spots: I hope you like this chapter. I am glad you liked the previous one. They will continue to come, I promise!!
Jacquelinestel and wackoranger: ::watches you dance with Estel:: I am sooooo happy you liked this chapter. ::waves at wackoranger:: it's nice to meet you, I hope you enjoy my stories too if Jacquelinestel introduces you to them!
Elitenschwein: Hi!! It is so nice to have you review. I love getting reviews from lurkers and it is wonderful to meet you. Don't worry about your English, it is fine! What language is your first? I am so happy you have liked my previous stories. If you liked Friendship is a Light of Hope, then I hope you enjoy Darkness' Cold Embrace as well. Thank you so much for the compliments. ::blushes:: I am thrilled that you think this is one of the younger Estel fics on the site. I look forward to your review for Darkness' Cold Embrace! Thank you once again for the lovely review!
MusicDreamer: Yay!! You didn't forget my story! I am sooooo thrilled to see you again. I hope you like this chapter as much as the previous one. Don't worry about Estel and Legolas, they will definitely get some time to bond and they will like each other too. Heehee, I hope you liked this chapter.
HP-snaga: I am glad you liked it. Please review again.
