Summary: Estel and Legolas go off in search of the simple things.
Disclaimer: I do not own them, lest they be covered in drool
A/N: This fic would take place in 2991 of the third age, other than the ages in the fic, it is AU. Any reviews are welcome, flames shall keep me warm
Now to the reviewers!
Aranna Undomiel: thanks, yes naughty boys
Catmint: WHo Estel be sick? LOL when is he not?
caryAZN kid: You shall see, they haven't arrived at their destination yet.
CKlovesme2040: update for you, hope you enjoy it
A NuEvil: Elrond's teas are legendary LOL
Estelle1: Hmmm could be
Elven Kitten: thanks, I hope you enjoy this chapter
HarryEstel: LOL they never do have a normal day
Deana: Hopefully not. One of them need to be of sound mind
theo darkstar: You shall see!
Slayer3: evil Hmmm snicker
Ceyxa: yes, it is good to get away
Ithil-valon: Peace for those two, well it could happen ...
Thank you, the reviews make me smile. Now to the fic! It is short but I will update sooner
Chapter 9
When morning came so did Estel's sniffles.
"Have you caught a cold, Estel?"
"Whether I have or not is of no importance. We should depart and head out. The sun is glorious today, is it not, my dear friend?"
"Do you forget my eyesight is elven? I see you trembling as if cold, even though the sun is up. You truly are as stubborn as your brothers tell me."
Estel really did not feel unwell at all. His throat burned and his nose was running, but he had no chills yet. "I am fine, and if you will hurry so that we can continue on, I will drink one of Ada's teas for you tonight."
Legolas' mouth fell open in shock. Estel never willingly drank Lord Elrond's tea. It was usually a fight to get any in him. A fight with himself and Elrohir sitting on him, while Elladan poured it down his throat and pinched his nose. "Estel, what is it that you would drink your father's tea willingly to see?"
Estel finished rolling up his bed roll and put out the fire. Afterwards, he walked his horse over to Legolas. "Gandalf speaks of a strange, but friendly people we should soon come across."
"What else did Gandalf tell you of these people?" Legolas asked, his interest peaked.
"I know nothing more than stories he has told. He told me of people who sing and dance and carry no burdens such as war and hatred."
Legolas could see the hurt flash across Estel's face, and he wished nothing more than for this paradise to exist, but being around for many centuries, he had to ask. "Could these be stories only to appease your interests when you were a child, Estel?"
"I think not, as Gandalf says I have met one named Bilbo, but I recall knowing no man who has come to Imladris by that name."
Legolas mounted his horse. "Let us hurry, Estel, a storm is brewing, the trees speak of it." As a faint glimpse of a smile faded from Estel's face, Legolas spoke again over the roar of the wind. "Perhaps we shall find this Bilbo today, and he will give us shelter from the storm."
Both Estel and Legolas pulled their hoods over their heads and started towards the west once more.
Within an hour, the ground beneath the horses' hooves was turning to slush. Five inches of rain had already fallen and more seemed to be coming. All the strength Estel had was being used to keep from coughing. He knew if Legolas heard him the elf would be hovering over him in a matter of seconds. This was one of the downfalls of living with elves, but thank goodness the rain was tapering off.
About noon they came upon what at one time was probably a river, but now it was a fast moving current. Jumping lightly from his horse, Legolas placed a long branch in to measure the depth. "This water is at least four feet deep. I think once we mount back up, we should traverse this as swiftly as possible. Linger too long unmoving and the current will sweep you away."
Both of them heeled their horses and entered the ice cold water. Instantly almost, Estel's legs were frozen, the water numbing them. Wanting to get out, he urged his horse faster, until Estel almost galloped full speed out of the freezing river. Reining his horse in, he turned and trotted back to where Legolas was laughing at his antics.
"I think we can stop here and rest the horses," he said between chuckles. "Why don't you try to find something we can make a fishing pole with, while I climb those rocks and see if I can spot these people you speak of." Legolas was worried about Estel being wet from the river crossing and thought while he looked for a limb to use as a pole, maybe his clothes would dry in the sun.
Estel was grumbling under his breath about elves and their odd sense of humor. When he returned back to the embankment branch in hand, he was even more annoyed with his human weakness. Legolas he could see standing atop the highest rock, and he wondered what, if anything he saw. "Legolas, what does that keen eyesight of yours spot on the horizon?"
"I see smoke as if from a chimney not more than a days ride ahead of us, but I do not know if it is where these people dwell."
"Wait right there. I wish to have a look myself," Estel said, leaving the branch and starting to climb the rocks.
"Estel, be leery of the green one for it is slippery," but his words were too late. Estel's feet had only taken one step across the rock when he went down hard and fast. Now he laid face first on the moss-covered boulder, his feet dangling over the edge.