Chapter 21
The next morning, the four friends left early. It was a sunny, clear day, and they set a brisk pace up to the first higher ridge behind Rivendell. They reached the top by midday, and had a light meal.
After that, by unspoken agreement, both couples looked for a secluded spot with some privacy. They met again for the evening meal, and as dusk fell, they lit a fire. For a long time, they sat together, chatting and sometimes simply in comfortable silence, until one after the other, they dropped off to sleep. They were well within Rivendell's border; there was no need for a guard.
The first day set the pattern for the remainder of the week. Between walking, resting and simply enjoying the friendship of Lindwen and Calanthir, Legolas and Estel rediscovered each other, both physically and emotionally. After a year apart, they had to explore each other anew, and also, to a certain extent, get to know each other again. At first, both felt a certain awkwardness and uncertainty – what if the other one had changed his mind? Or attraction had waned?
But they soon noticed that their relationship had deepened. The initial attraction was a strong as in the previous summer, but the emotional support they had given each other throughout the year had strengthened their relationship.
Calanthir and Lindwen were occupied with each other. They, too, felt that they had to make up for lost time. But both couples also enjoyed time together as friends. Especially in the evenings, they sat together and talked.
Estel and Legolas found out much more about Calanthir. The Imladris warrior was quiet and in any group situation would not say much. But now, with only Lindwen, Legolas and Estel around, he relaxed and opened up. On the evening of the third day – it had been a hot day that they had spent near a waterfall – the conversation turned towards the topic of attraction. Estel asked Calanthir how he had noticed Lindwen first.
Calanthir was quiet for a moment, and then smiled. "It was a mid-summer celebration about two decades ago. I had only just come of age and several of my friends teased me that I did not have a lover yet. They decided that I needed some company, and so they pushed anyone they could think of into my direction. It was extremely embarrassing. I simply did not know what to say to all these people."
Calanthir paused, and both Estel and Legolas smiled. It was only too easy to imagine a younger, shyer Calanthir in this situation.
The dark haired warrior laughed quietly, and then continued. "I decided that my best option was to escape outside into the garden. I had no doubt that no one would find me interesting. I have always known I am not very good-looking, and I have never been good with words. So on that evening I decided I would rather stay by myself than force myself on someone else…"
Estel interrupted. "But Calanthir, you are good looking! Perhaps not in the same way as most elves, but surely Lindwen has told you that you are an attractive elf…"
Much to the young man's surprise, Calanthir blushed. "Not really. I have always felt that I am too tall and I have never liked my face."
For a brief moment, both Legolas and Estel regarded Calanthir. In body built, the warrior was tall and lean, although the defined muscles on his bare arms testified to great strength. Calanthir's long hair was the typical dark brown of the Rivendell elves, but his eyes, framed by dark lashes and eye brows, were more blue than grey. His face was regular, with a rather long, narrow nose.
Legolas thought, 'Estel is right. I would not have called Calanthir good-looking at first glance, but he is attractive in his own way. '
"But anyway, I went outside into the garden and sat on a bench. Somehow time passed, and it got late, when suddenly a group of maids came outside. They were all laughing and singing and obviously had a good time. I just hoped they would not notice me. One of them was Lindwen. I noticed her immediately, she wore a red dress and she looked stunning."
Calanthir stopped for a moment, remembering the scene. Lindwen cut in, smiling. "And I really did not want to wear that dress. My mother had it made for me; she said I never dressed to my advantage, and that for once she wanted to see me look my best. Earlier that evening I had felt very uncomfortable. I had never worn a dress that colour, or, for that matter, that … revealing." She looked at Calanthir, and their eyes locked.
"To me, you looked amazingly beautiful. Unfortunately, I felt at the time, the group of maidens did notice me, and some of them began to tease me, asking why I was sulking alone in the garden and so on. But Lindwen told them to leave me in peace, and after a while most of the girls left. But Lindwen remained, and we started talking and well, things went from there …"
Lindwen was now leaning against Calanthir. "I have been lucky to find you." She laughed, a soft, musical sound full of affection.
"Legolas, Estel, just make sure that you do not let go of each other. You are well matched, do not let others tell you what is right and what is not. We had a lot of that, I was underage when I met Calanthir, and also my parents have always been ambitious for me, and Calanthir is 'only' a warrior. And now, of course, they think that you, Legolas, and I, are going to be betrothed."
Estel shifted uncomfortably at the notion. Lindwen noticed his reaction and smiled. "Do not worry, Estel, I have no intention towards Legolas, and have never had. We are just friends and I hope we can remain friends for a long time. But otherwise, sorry, Legolas, you are just not … mh uh …" Suddenly Lindwen blushed and run out of words. She realised that what she had intended to say could sound quite impolite.
"Not your type?" Legolas helped out with a grin. "I have known that for quite some time …"
The young elf pulled Estel up against himself. "I am afraid, my intentions lay elsewhere, as well, Lindwen." And with a mischievous grin, he leant forward and kissed Estel full on the mouth.
Estel was so surprised by that action that he almost bolted upright. "Legolas!"
Legolas sat back and laughed. So did Calanthir and Lindwen. "Legolas, I never thought to see you do something like that … you are always so serious and well mannered," Lindwen almost spluttered with amusement.
"Shall I do it again?"
And without waiting for an answer, Estel found that he had another kiss planted on his mouth.
"Legolas! Stop it! That is embarrassing!" But the other three were laughing so much that no one took any notice of Estel's objections.
Turning slightly more serious, Calanthir turned to Legolas. "You really care for Estel, don't you?"
Legolas hesitated, but then gave an honest answer. "Yes, I do." With a sigh, he added, "I know it will be difficult. I dread to think how my father will react when he finds out. Estel is mortal and from Rivendell, for my father there could hardly be a worse combination. He is also male, which will not please my father. He wants me to bond to a female and have heirs."
"Have you tested well?"
Legolas nodded. All four knew that this referred to the standard fertility tests of all young elves. As it was increasingly rare for elves to be able to have children, all young elves were tested on reaching maturity. Many were told that they would not have children, at least not before they went to Valinor. For some young elves (and their parents) this was a cause of regret, for others, just an accepted fact of life.
"Unfortunately, yes. It would have been much easier for me not to have that pressure. How about you, Calanthir?"
With a slightly lop-sided grin, Calanthir replied. " That is another of my many short comings for Lindwen's parents. I am unlikely to provide them with grandchildren."
Lindwen cut in. "As if it matter to me … I am looking for a partner I can spend the rest of my life with, and our lives are long. If there are children, it would be a bonus, but if there are not, I do not mind, either. But my parents do not want to see that."
"Estel, how about you?"
"I have tested well, too. I do not know why I was tested; I always thought that … reproduction is not … difficult for mortals. But father insisted on it, he said it was important to make sure. But I do not know why." He shrugged his shoulders.
"I just wish I was not mortal."
Legolas gently put his arms around Estel's shoulders. "I do not. You would not be you if you were an elf."
Lindwen looked at the young man. "Yes, one day you will die. But you are young, and somehow I feel that you must have elven blood. You will live for a long time yet, Estel. Enjoy what you can have, and do not worry about you cannot have. You and Legolas can have many years together, if you are willing to stand up for your relationship."
Estel and Legolas looked at each other for a long moment.
Calanthir said with a gentle smile, "May be it is time for all of us to get some rest. We have talked well into the night."
o-o-o-
That night, Legolas and Estel slept facing each other. During the nights, both couples had been discrete; neither had slept sharing their blankets. But this evening, both Legolas and Estel felt the need to be close.
Estel woke up early the next morning, very early, even before dawn had broken. Legolas was still sleeping with his face turned towards him; his dark eyes wide open and glazed over with sleep. He looked so young and vulnerable that Estel felt an almost painful stab of protectiveness towards the young elf, although he knew fully well that Legolas was old and experienced enough to look after himself. And yet, the feeling was there and could not be denied. Without thinking, Estel reached out and gently pushed away some of the light hair that was falling into Legolas' face. The elf stirred and his eyes focused. As he saw Estel looking at him, a gentle smile lit his face. "Estel?"
"I am sorry I woke you, Legolas. I just could not resist touching you." Estel closed the gap between them and kissed the elf gently on the mouth. Legolas returned the gesture, and it did not take long for the kissed to become passionate. Estel slipped underneath Legolas' blanket.
"Estel! We should not be doing this! If Lindwen and Calanthir wake up…" But that moment, Estel found and untied the laces of his leggings. "Oh, Estel, please don't …" But Legolas did not resist in earnest as Estel found a very pleasurable way to wake him up properly.
A little while later, they moved apart again. "Legolas? I love you; you know that, don't you?
Estel could more hear than see the smile in Legolas' voice. "Yes, I know. I love you too."
The young man was stunned. He had not expected Legolas to be so forthcoming about his feelings.
Dawn had just broken, and Calanthir was beginning to stir. The new day began.
o-o-o-
Later the same day, the three elves and the young man reached a small, clear lake. It was comparatively high up in the hills beyond Rivendell, and the water had that crystalline quality that is only found in fresh mountain water. Without any questions asked, all four stripped and stepped into the water. It was cold, very cold, even for elves, and after some splashing and a short swim, no one was inclined to stay in for long. When they went ashore, Legolas looked at Estel. They all stretched out in the warm sunshine on the shore.
"Estel, your lips have changed colour. Does this happen to mortals when they get cold?"
Estel had not wanted to admit that he had found the water uncomfortably cold. Now, even out of the water he was so cold that he could not stop shivering. "I …I… don….don't …kn…know…" he managed to say between shattering teeth."
Even though he was lying in the full sun, Estel did not feel its warmth. He was cold – cold to the core. He had never felt like this before. Legolas looked at him with concern.
"Perhaps we should wrap you in blankets to get you warm," he said, getting up to get their packs.
"No! Do not pamper me! I do not want to be treated differently!" But even Estel himself realised how immature this sounded. Legolas just shook his head, retrieved all their blankets and arranged them around the young man.
"Better?"
Estel could not help but nodding. "Much. But I am still so cold!"
Calanthir had watched the exchange with concern. He knew that low temperatures could affect a human much more than elves. "I think we should make some hot tea for Estel. It would warm him from the inside."
"Good idea."
Legolas got up and went to collect some wood for a fire. He then prepared some tea. As soon as it was a drinkable temperature, he gave it to Estel. The young man smiled gratefully.
"I feel ridiculous being pampered like this on a hot day."
"Don't. Just make sure you do not get ill. I would not know what to do with a sick human!"
Estel pulled a face. But he knew that Legolas had a point. The young man had, in fact, been ill only once that he could remember. A human hunting party had visited, and after their departure, Estel had suffered his first, and so far only, cold. He had no desire to repeat the experience.
The young man drank the hot tea, and after a while he began to feel better. His teeth stopped shattering, and warmth returned to his limps. Fortunately, the incident had no consequences.
o-o-o-
The remainder of the journey was uneventful. Legolas and Estel enjoyed the time with each other, but also the warm friendship of Lindwen and Calanthir. As the week drew to a close, and they were almost back in Imladris, they talked about their future. Lindwen and Calanthir were now certain that they wanted to bond, but Lindwen's parents still needed to be convinced.
Legolas and Estel, too, were much more secure in their relationship and certain of each other's feelings. They wanted to make sure that they would see each other at least once a year for a few weeks, even if this would be difficult.
As they approached Imladris, Legolas let go of Estel's hand which he had been holding as they walked. "It is back to being discrete now, Estel."
"I know." There was sadness in the young man's voice. He stopped and turned, and very gently touched Legolas' cheek. "Whatever happens, Legolas, I want you to know that I love you."
Legolas looked at the young man for a long moment, dark blue and silvery grey eyes locking. "Estel, you told me a few days ago and I believed you then. I still do. I have not changed my mind either. But it will be difficult, and we may face long separations. Are you willing to endure that? Can you?
"Yes, I can, and I will."
o-o-o-
A few hours later, all four found themselves in Elrond's study, telling him of their trip. Elrond listened attentively, and at the same time watched the interaction between the four young people.
It was evident that the relationships of both couples had deepened, even if Estel and Legolas were careful not to show it too openly. But their body language and eyes spoke volumes. It was equally obvious that all four had become good friends, and that pleased Elrond.
A few ties of friendship between Lasgalen and Imladris would not do any harm, although the elf-lord was still wary of Legolas. Somehow he simply could not get himself to like this young elf, the young prince hardly ever seemed to smile or to show any emotion at all. Elrond still found it puzzling what attracted Estel to Legolas, beyond the obvious fact of Legolas unusual beauty.
In the evening, Legolas went to see the other warriors from Lasgalen. Instead of withdrawing to his room or going outside, Estel joined his father in the family's common room.
Elrond used the opportunity to ask the boy in more detail about the past week. Finally, after a pause in the conversation, he stepped onto the balcony facing the setting sun.
"Come here, Estel, I need to tell you something."
Somewhat anxious, Estel complied. Elrond put his arm around the boy's shoulders and pulled him close. Now very surprised at this rare gesture, Estel waited for Elrond to speak.
Elrond sighed. How to start? How do you tell a sixteen year old boy that he is not who he thinks he is?
Looking out over the valley, the elf-lord began. "I know that you have often wondered who you parents were and why you were told so little about them. You know they were rangers, and that is true. You know that the rangers are the last of the men of Numenor, of the elf-friends."
Estel nodded against Elrond's shoulder. He had studied sufficient history to know that.
"Your father, and his fathers before him, was special. They were the descendants of Isildur. You are Isildur's heir, the last of this line."
Estel moved so that he could see Elrond's face. "You mean … the one with the ring? The man who took the ring? I … am related to him?" There was both shock and horror in Estel's voice.
"Yes, Estel. Your birth name is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You are the rightful king of Arnor and Gondor. Your mother, Gilraen, brought you here after your family's camp was attacked. She knew that that you would be hunted, and brought you here for protection."
Estel was so confused that he could not think clearly. "Why … who would want to kill me, and why? I am just a boy, a threat to no one."
"You come from a powerful line. Dark forces are stirring, and these forces, to put a name to them, Sauron's forces, fear your bloodline and your heritage."
"But … but … Isildur was weak! He had the change to destroy the ring, and he did not! I do not want to be related to him! I do not want to have his blood!"
And after a brief pause, "Father, why was I not told?" The question burned in the boy's eyes.
Elrond sighed again, and pulled Estel close again. "Your mother, Gilraen, wanted you to have a few years just as Estel. She knew that once you grew up, you would not be able to escape from this heritage."
"Does this mean I have to leave here and become the king of Gondor?" There was such incredulity in Estel's voice, that despite the seriousness of the conversation, Elrond had to smile.
"That is your right, and your heritage. Perhaps it is even your duty and responsibility. But there are many paths open to you, and in years to come it will be your choice which route you take. But remember, whichever route you choose, you will always be my foster son Estel for me. That will not change, even if your birth name is different."
For a long while, Estel stood leaning against his father, too stunned and overwhelmed to say anything else.
But after a while, he stirred. "Why did you tell me know?"
Elrond remained silent for a long moment. "Because I can see that you and Legolas have grown close, and I know that you do not understand my objections. Thranduil knows who you are, and you also know the history between Lasgalen and Rivendell, and what he blames me for. Can you imagine what his reaction would be if he found out that you and Legolas, his only son, have a relationship?
Estel could guess. Or rather, he could not. He shook his head.
Elrond sighed again. "It would seriously harm relationships between Lasgalen and Imladris, and at a point in time when all elves can ill afford strive. It would probably also damage the relationship between Thranduil and Legolas, although that is less of my concern."
He continued. "There are other concerns as well, Estel. You are the only rightful heir to the throne of Arnor and Gondor. You need to marry and have children, otherwise your bloodline ends."
"That is why you had me tested."
"Yes. It would have been unusual for a young man not to be fertile, but it was important to know. You need heirs."
"But what if I do not wish to marry a women and have children?"
"You are too young to make that decision yet. But you should not close any doors, or put yourself in a situation that is likely to cause you, and others, pain."
"Father, I think I need some time by myself." With those words, Estel turned, and left.
o-o-o-
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