All right, the sequel is up! At least the first chapter! Please let me know what you think, It helps tremendously. Enjoy!

BabeyRachey


Golden Haired God

By: BabeyRachey

Chapter 1

Legolas hummed softly to himself as he rode along the well-worn pathway that headed to Imladris. He was in no hurry; it was early in the morning and Rivendell was only a few more hours away. He was excited to finally be going back, as it had been about one hundred years since his last visit.

"Estel..." He murmured the name out loud as it popped into his head, trying to envision the boy the twins had told him so much about. The twins had visited Mirkwood a few years ago while on a hunting trip. It had only been a few days, but Legolas had heard a lot about the human boy Elrond had adopted in a short space of time.

He hadn't heard any news of him in the letters sent over the past year, which surprised him. All they had said was that they were looking forward to his visit, and they were sorry they hadn't been able to make the trip they had been planning on.

That had puzzled Legolas for a while. All the letter had said was that there had been 'an unfortunate incident'. But since neither of the twins or Elrond seemed panicked or hurt, he had simply brushed it off as the twins getting into more trouble.

Turning back to his humming, Legolas eagerly anticipated his arrival at Imladris.


"Estel!"

The small boy shifted at noise, but stayed asleep, happily curled under his blankets.

This time he was shook along with another "Estel!" Jolting awake, Estel glared blearily up at his brother. "G'way 'Dan." He muttered.

Elladan grinned, knowing precisely what to do. "Legolas is arriving today, Estel. Do you want to greet him in your pajamas?"

Estel immediately became more alert, sitting up as fast as he could. Even when his body protested at the movement, he couldn't help the excited smile.

"Today? When?!" He demanded, shaking his head to clear it. "Oh, I imagine sometime before lunch. He likes to show off." But the elf said it with a grin, clearly showing affection with the statement.

Estel's eyes widened slightly, and Elladan took over the conversation. "But now, tithen pen, we must get you ready for breakfast."

Leaving the boy to untangle his own sheets, Elladan walked to the chest of drawers and pulled out a pair of loose fitting breeches and a shirt. It was his turn to take care of Estel in the morning, which he didn't mind in the least. But it still made him want to wince every time the boy had to depend on him for the simplest tasks.

Ever since the wolf attack, Estel had to be helped almost all the time. His right arm was practically immobile from the elbow down, and he walked with a heavy limp. He easily tired, and had to go through two physical therapy sessions daily. There had been a little improvement, but not much.

Elrond had said it could take anywhere from months to years for Estel to get adequate use out of his limbs, and may always have a handicap. The words 'handicap' and 'permanent' made Elladan want to cringe, so he refused to even let himself think them.

Turning back to the boy, Elladan smiled fondly at the sight. Estel had turned eight only a month ago, and was still a small boy. He sat in some sleeping shorts, still on the bed, grinning sleepily.

"What?" Estel asked. Elladan, realizing he had been looking a bit too long, walked over to him. "Nothing, just thinking."

The two spent the next ten minutes getting the boy dressed, which was both awkward and frustrating to the boy. Elladan was gentle when putting his scarred arm through the sleeve, but he felt a spasm of pain as he pulled it through.

"I'm sorry." Elladan said softly, knowing it hurt him. His father said it would, and as long as it continued to hurt it meant he was still progressing and healing, which was a good thing.

Estel just shook his head, glaring at the now covered arm as his brother just as carefully helped him into his pants, as well as some soft boots.

"Ready?" Elladan asked, helping the boy stand. Leaning heavily on his brother, Estel waited to nod until he had gained his balance.

Progress was slow, Estel with his short legs and heavy limp, and they had to stop once in a while for Estel to get his bearings. When they came to the stairs, Estel resignedly let his brother lift him to cradle him in his arms.

Elrond had forbidden him from climbing or descending stairs ever since he had fallen down them, and he wasn't allowed to until his father said he was fit enough. Though it was embarrassing and an inconvenience to the one carrying him, he was relieved that he did not have to worry about getting up and down the steps.

Slowly but surely, the two made it to the dining hall. The effort had drained more of Estel's energy than he would admit, but he liked doing things with as little help as possible.

"Morning, Ion nin." Elrond greeted him with a smile as he got to his seat. "Morning, Ada." Estel grinned, before digging into his meal. His injuries had done nothing to his appetite, which was ferocious.

"How do you feel this morning, Estel?" Elrond queried. Their physical therapy session the evening before had been a little different, straining new muscles, and he wanted to make sure he wasn't in any pain.

"Fine." The boy responded automatically. He learned that the more they thought he was all right, the happier they were. In truth, he was a little sore and not as awake as he usually was. But he wasn't going to tell them that.

Elrond sent him a scrutinizing look, but restrained from any more questioning. Estel's disability had left him with a relatively short temper at times, and the three elves had all fallen victim to it at several occasions.

"Are you planning on doing anything with Legolas today, after he arrives?" The elf lord inquired, changing the topic. The twins grinned mischievously, making Elrond sigh. "Not much today." Elladan explained. "Maybe an archery competition or two…"

Estel, who had been listening in anticipation, wilted. The archery field wasn't too far away from the house, but it was far enough that Elrond wouldn't want him walking all the way without aid. And he didn't want Legolas of all people to see him needy and weak.

"Or we might just stay in and catch up. He might be tired." Elladan added hastily, noting his little brother's change in demeanor. The boy perked up a little at that, but they could still see the frustration and despair in his face.

"Until he arrives, we thought we could take Estel out to the gardens to have his lessons." Elrohir continued, relieved when all darkness vanished from the human's face and was exchanged with excitement.

"Oh, Ada, can I? Saes?!" Estel begged, giving his father puppy-dog eyes before he could say anything.

Elrond barely held back a grin, and let himself pretend to be persuaded. "All right," he acquiesced, after a moment. Estel happily finished his meal, looking forward to his lessons for the first time.

Estel sat on a small bench in the gardens, reading out loud from a thick book. Elladan and Elrohir listened carefully, correcting any mistakes in pronunciation or grammar.


"This is boring!" Estel complained, after being corrected for what felt like the hundredth time. "Can't we do something else? Anything else?" He almost begged.

"As in?" Elladan asked, not moving from his reclining position against a small tree. Estel furrowed his brow in thought.

His father would never allow him to go too far, as in the river or the waterfall. He wouldn't be allowed near the practice fields…

"Could I go to the stables?"

Both the twins looked at him in surprise. Estel had never been overly fond of horses, ever since he was bitten when he was smaller.

"What for?"

Estel shrugged, making him wince a little as the muscles pulled. "It's something different, isn't it?" He explained, "And it's not too far away that I can't walk on my own. Ada would allow it." He added quickly.

Elladan looked at Elrohir, who simply shrugged. "Why not? It certainly wouldn't hurt."

"Fine." Elladan said after a moment of contemplation. Estel grinned, shutting the book and placed it on the bench beside him. Elrohir helped him stand, and they started the slow trek to the stables.

Estel's face was set in concentration, as he tried not to trip. The last time he fell, his Ada made him go to bed immediately. He was both drained and relieved when the finally made it to the stables.

He felt a helping hand on his arm and shrugged it off. He could do this himself.

Elladan sighed as Estel shrugged him off. It was obvious the short walk had tired him, and the boy was still a little off balance. 'Stubborn human.' The elf thought with affection.

Elrohir let out a shrill whistle, and his horse, Mormamir, stuck his head out of the stall. "Want to help me brush him?" He asked Estel, making Estel grin and nod enthusiastically. Elladan was relieved.

Estel had no horse of his own yet, and his own horse was known for being temperamental and edgy, which would put Estel in too much danger. Elrohir's horse, however, was meek and gentle and good with Estel.

Elladan stood and watched carefully as Estel struggled to keep his balance and brush the horse. Elrohir joked with him, making the boy giggle. Coming out to the stables had been a good idea. Estel looked happier than he'd seen him in a while.

Elladan looked over as someone entered the stables, and was surprised to see his father walking toward them. The elf lord smiled when he heard Estel's giggles.

"Ada?" Elladan asked, grabbing the other two's attention.

"I have just received word from the border guard," He began, and the three others focused on him. "Prince Legolas should be arriving in a few minutes."

Estel's face lit up. "Will we be meeting him at the gates?" He asked eagerly, making the twins chuckle.

"Yes, tithen pen. I was on my way out there to wait. Are you three going to join me?"

Estel quickly put down his curry brush and exited the open stall. He was so excited, he didn't oppose when Elrond offered his arm to help him.

The four made their way to the gates, Estel asking questions excitedly along the way.

"What's Prince Legolas like? Will he like me? Does he do tricks on people like Dan and Ro? Is he truly the best archer in the all of Middle Earth?"

The others just laughed and chided him to be quiet, and he would find out himself in a little bit.

The family stood together, laughing, unaware the changes a simple visit could bring.


Well? What did you think? Live up to Two Left Feet? Better? Please Read and Review! I'm very willing tolook intoany suggestions!

Thanks you all to my lovely reviewers from all mt other work! Please keep reading and reviewing!

Hugs,

BabeyRachey