Thank you so much, reviewers. Your kind comments make me want to write
more.
Legolas woke to the sounds of song birds singing and frogs chirping. The sounds and scents of Imladris drifted through his window and he smiled blissfully. He had forgotten how much he missed Imladris and its tranquil characteristics.
Sun beams shone down directly at Legolas' eyes, and he groaned softly. He wanted nothing more than to relax and be lazy for the day, a luxury he hardly ever had. However, Lord Elrond was expecting him at breakfast, which was in a half hour.
After taking a quick bath and dressing, Legolas left his guest chambers and walked down the corridor. The corridors were mostly empty, which surprised the prince. Mirkwood's halls were always busy and full of energy, while Imladris exuded relaxation and comfort.
When Legolas walked into the Hall of Fire, Elrond and his sons were already seated. Arwen was in Lothlorien visiting her grandparents, and would not return for another few weeks. Erestor and Glorfindel sat side by side, engaged in a lively conversation. Estel was seated next to Elrohir, talking to him about their plans for the day and eating some fruit.
Elrond greeted Legolas and invited him to sit by Estel. Legolas noted that Estel looked slightly apprehensive about this arrangement, but then looked to his foster brother again.
Sensing that Estel had no interest in conversation, the golden haired elf began to talk with Glorfindel about Imladris' defenses, and then stole a glance at the young man again, who had shifted to the side to speak with Elladan. Legolas once again frowned and narrowed his eyes. Estel's high collar on his embroidered tunic had fallen down a bit, just enough for anyone to see the creamy flesh beneath. But, Legolas was shocked to see, the skin was not a light tan color. Dark purple bruises suspiciously shaped like fingerprints stained Estel's elegant neck.
Legolas gently tapped Estel's shoulder, and watched sadly as Estel tensed. He turned around, and whispered in a slightly hoarse voice, "Oh, good morning, Legolas."
Legolas now smiled warmly. "Good morning to you too, Estel. I trust you slept well?"
Estel hesitated slightly, but then nodded. "Aye, just fine," he murmured, and then coughed quietly.
"Are you alright, Estel?" Legolas inquired, wondering about the boy. Estel had dark circles under his eyes, and even though the bruise on his cheek had faded, it was still present.
The boy nodded his head apologetically. "Just a dry throat this morning. Nothing to really worry about." With that, Estel excused himself politely. Legolas watched him walk to Elrond, share a few words with him, and then left the hall.
Legolas bowed his head and looked at his plate of light pastries and fresh melon. Something was terribly wrong with Estel, and he wanted to find out.
After breakfast, Legolas had taken his bow to the archery ring to practice shooting for awhile. His meeting with Elrond followed after that to speak of Mirkwood's border defenses and other things. Legolas held back the questions he had about Estel, seeing that Elrond was pressed for time. The Lord of Imladris had apologized for hurrying, as he didn't want to seem rude. Elrond was like a second father to Legolas, and cared for him like a son.
So after the rushed meeting, Legolas was about to head to the Hall of Fire, when he accidentally bumped into a tall figure.
"Forgive me, I was not looking where I should've been," Legolas said, and then studied the person who he had bumped. He was stunned to see a very handsome elf with long, flowing auburn hair. Intricate braids and twists adorned the red-gold strands. The elf had very fair, creamy skin and large teal eyes.
But, besides the great beauty of the creature, Legolas felt no warmth coming from him. In fact, those turquoise eyes seemed a bit cold and predatory.
The elf smiled, but it was not a friendly one. "No, it was my fault. And your name would be...?" he questioned in an overly sweet voice.
"Legolas of Mirkwood," Legolas muttered, being rather cautious with this elf. He did not give off an air of being pleasant.
"I am called Lenwe. I am one of the tutors here at Imladris," the elf said silkily, and boldly looked Legolas up and down.
Legolas noticed that Lenwe was staring and he quickly ended the conversation. "I hope to see more of you then, Lenwe, "Legolas lied, but he didn't want to be rude, even though Lenwe was.
Lenwe nodded smoothly, and then glided off down the corridor. Legolas watched him, eyes alert. But soon, the elf floated out of site.
Legolas resumed his walk toward the hall. He arrived a few minutes late, and took his seat next to Estel. The young man was quiet once more, and was eating silently. Legolas would have tried to engage him in a conversation, but Elladan asked him about archery, so he didn't get a chance to talk to him.
While Legolas spoke with Elrohir, his thoughts drifted to Estel. He really did like the young man even though he barely spoke with him. Legolas would have loved to spend more time with him, but he hadn't had a chance, and he was sure Estel wouldn't want to be near him.
After an uneventful lunch, Estel again excused himself. Legolas strained his ears to hear what he was telling Elrond, but only caught 'lessons'. This bewildered the young elf even more, but knew that he shouldn't dwell on it. It really wasn't any of his business, anyway, and Legolas didn't want to seem too inquisitive.
So, Legolas left after finishing, and intended to visit Erestor.
An hour later after an enjoyable visit with Erestor, Legolas strode down a smaller deserted corridor that he had never seen before, not knowing where he was headed. The House of Elrond was large and extensive, and this small hallway was quiet and away from anybody.
As he walked meandered down the corridor, he stopped and narrowed his eyes. The soft sound of someone crying and pleading floated to his ears. A harsher, louder voice sounded, and a thud. A groan followed.
Legolas immediately ran to the door where the sound was coming from. He pressed his ear against the wood to hear more clearly.
He distinctly heard skin upon skin, and a soft wail. He heard the louder voice hiss, "You're worthless. You aren't good for anything!" He then heard a desperate plea of 'Stop, no, please stop....'
Legolas instinctively tried to open the door, but was dismayed to find it locked. Acting quickly as he heard the cries grow louder, Legolas threw himself as the oaken door with his entire body strength, and successfully knocked it to the ground. The room seemed to be a study.
The scene that met his eyes was shocking and disgusting. Estel was lying on the floor, bent into a fetal position. His tunic was open and one of his shoulders was bare, and black bruises colored the skin. His leggings were ripped up the side on one leg, and his feet were bare. He was shielding his face with his hands, and tears ran down his flushed face.
Legolas whirled around and saw Lenwe, his hair frazzled and out of its many delicate braids, eyes enraged and full of hate. Legolas whipped one of his white daggers out of his waistband and pressed it to Lenwe's white throat.
"Move and I will end your life right here, Lenwe, "Legolas hissed, and threateningly pressed the blade into the flesh slightly. A trickle of blood flowed from the scratch.
Lenwe looked stunned and angry. He opened his mouth a few times, but said nothing.
"You will not lay a hand on him again, you bit of filth," Legolas whispered, hate and rage boiling inside of him. He roughly shoved Lenwe back into the wall, and turned to Estel.
Legolas stifled a cry, and swept down and with great care picked Estel up. He grabbed a tablecloth that was lying on a small table and threw it over the shaking form. He sent a death glare at Lenwe, and then left the room, protectively holding Estel to his chest.
Sorry so very short. I hope you like this. Please review, or we shall not see what happened to our dear Estel. eg
Legolas woke to the sounds of song birds singing and frogs chirping. The sounds and scents of Imladris drifted through his window and he smiled blissfully. He had forgotten how much he missed Imladris and its tranquil characteristics.
Sun beams shone down directly at Legolas' eyes, and he groaned softly. He wanted nothing more than to relax and be lazy for the day, a luxury he hardly ever had. However, Lord Elrond was expecting him at breakfast, which was in a half hour.
After taking a quick bath and dressing, Legolas left his guest chambers and walked down the corridor. The corridors were mostly empty, which surprised the prince. Mirkwood's halls were always busy and full of energy, while Imladris exuded relaxation and comfort.
When Legolas walked into the Hall of Fire, Elrond and his sons were already seated. Arwen was in Lothlorien visiting her grandparents, and would not return for another few weeks. Erestor and Glorfindel sat side by side, engaged in a lively conversation. Estel was seated next to Elrohir, talking to him about their plans for the day and eating some fruit.
Elrond greeted Legolas and invited him to sit by Estel. Legolas noted that Estel looked slightly apprehensive about this arrangement, but then looked to his foster brother again.
Sensing that Estel had no interest in conversation, the golden haired elf began to talk with Glorfindel about Imladris' defenses, and then stole a glance at the young man again, who had shifted to the side to speak with Elladan. Legolas once again frowned and narrowed his eyes. Estel's high collar on his embroidered tunic had fallen down a bit, just enough for anyone to see the creamy flesh beneath. But, Legolas was shocked to see, the skin was not a light tan color. Dark purple bruises suspiciously shaped like fingerprints stained Estel's elegant neck.
Legolas gently tapped Estel's shoulder, and watched sadly as Estel tensed. He turned around, and whispered in a slightly hoarse voice, "Oh, good morning, Legolas."
Legolas now smiled warmly. "Good morning to you too, Estel. I trust you slept well?"
Estel hesitated slightly, but then nodded. "Aye, just fine," he murmured, and then coughed quietly.
"Are you alright, Estel?" Legolas inquired, wondering about the boy. Estel had dark circles under his eyes, and even though the bruise on his cheek had faded, it was still present.
The boy nodded his head apologetically. "Just a dry throat this morning. Nothing to really worry about." With that, Estel excused himself politely. Legolas watched him walk to Elrond, share a few words with him, and then left the hall.
Legolas bowed his head and looked at his plate of light pastries and fresh melon. Something was terribly wrong with Estel, and he wanted to find out.
After breakfast, Legolas had taken his bow to the archery ring to practice shooting for awhile. His meeting with Elrond followed after that to speak of Mirkwood's border defenses and other things. Legolas held back the questions he had about Estel, seeing that Elrond was pressed for time. The Lord of Imladris had apologized for hurrying, as he didn't want to seem rude. Elrond was like a second father to Legolas, and cared for him like a son.
So after the rushed meeting, Legolas was about to head to the Hall of Fire, when he accidentally bumped into a tall figure.
"Forgive me, I was not looking where I should've been," Legolas said, and then studied the person who he had bumped. He was stunned to see a very handsome elf with long, flowing auburn hair. Intricate braids and twists adorned the red-gold strands. The elf had very fair, creamy skin and large teal eyes.
But, besides the great beauty of the creature, Legolas felt no warmth coming from him. In fact, those turquoise eyes seemed a bit cold and predatory.
The elf smiled, but it was not a friendly one. "No, it was my fault. And your name would be...?" he questioned in an overly sweet voice.
"Legolas of Mirkwood," Legolas muttered, being rather cautious with this elf. He did not give off an air of being pleasant.
"I am called Lenwe. I am one of the tutors here at Imladris," the elf said silkily, and boldly looked Legolas up and down.
Legolas noticed that Lenwe was staring and he quickly ended the conversation. "I hope to see more of you then, Lenwe, "Legolas lied, but he didn't want to be rude, even though Lenwe was.
Lenwe nodded smoothly, and then glided off down the corridor. Legolas watched him, eyes alert. But soon, the elf floated out of site.
Legolas resumed his walk toward the hall. He arrived a few minutes late, and took his seat next to Estel. The young man was quiet once more, and was eating silently. Legolas would have tried to engage him in a conversation, but Elladan asked him about archery, so he didn't get a chance to talk to him.
While Legolas spoke with Elrohir, his thoughts drifted to Estel. He really did like the young man even though he barely spoke with him. Legolas would have loved to spend more time with him, but he hadn't had a chance, and he was sure Estel wouldn't want to be near him.
After an uneventful lunch, Estel again excused himself. Legolas strained his ears to hear what he was telling Elrond, but only caught 'lessons'. This bewildered the young elf even more, but knew that he shouldn't dwell on it. It really wasn't any of his business, anyway, and Legolas didn't want to seem too inquisitive.
So, Legolas left after finishing, and intended to visit Erestor.
An hour later after an enjoyable visit with Erestor, Legolas strode down a smaller deserted corridor that he had never seen before, not knowing where he was headed. The House of Elrond was large and extensive, and this small hallway was quiet and away from anybody.
As he walked meandered down the corridor, he stopped and narrowed his eyes. The soft sound of someone crying and pleading floated to his ears. A harsher, louder voice sounded, and a thud. A groan followed.
Legolas immediately ran to the door where the sound was coming from. He pressed his ear against the wood to hear more clearly.
He distinctly heard skin upon skin, and a soft wail. He heard the louder voice hiss, "You're worthless. You aren't good for anything!" He then heard a desperate plea of 'Stop, no, please stop....'
Legolas instinctively tried to open the door, but was dismayed to find it locked. Acting quickly as he heard the cries grow louder, Legolas threw himself as the oaken door with his entire body strength, and successfully knocked it to the ground. The room seemed to be a study.
The scene that met his eyes was shocking and disgusting. Estel was lying on the floor, bent into a fetal position. His tunic was open and one of his shoulders was bare, and black bruises colored the skin. His leggings were ripped up the side on one leg, and his feet were bare. He was shielding his face with his hands, and tears ran down his flushed face.
Legolas whirled around and saw Lenwe, his hair frazzled and out of its many delicate braids, eyes enraged and full of hate. Legolas whipped one of his white daggers out of his waistband and pressed it to Lenwe's white throat.
"Move and I will end your life right here, Lenwe, "Legolas hissed, and threateningly pressed the blade into the flesh slightly. A trickle of blood flowed from the scratch.
Lenwe looked stunned and angry. He opened his mouth a few times, but said nothing.
"You will not lay a hand on him again, you bit of filth," Legolas whispered, hate and rage boiling inside of him. He roughly shoved Lenwe back into the wall, and turned to Estel.
Legolas stifled a cry, and swept down and with great care picked Estel up. He grabbed a tablecloth that was lying on a small table and threw it over the shaking form. He sent a death glare at Lenwe, and then left the room, protectively holding Estel to his chest.
Sorry so very short. I hope you like this. Please review, or we shall not see what happened to our dear Estel. eg
