Title: Worthy

Summary: Estel feels he must prove himself worthy to many, one in particular

Disclaimer: I do not own any of them, lest they be covered in drool

A/N: Of course it is AU!

Now to the reviewers!

Ithil-valon: Yes me either so I made one!

Ilaaris: thanks! glad you liked it

Catmint: let us hope this chapter does ot disappoint

greeneyedelf001: Thanks!

Dee69: yes Estel should find some comfort

A. NuEvil: why yes they will!

KAT15: I also love fics with Estel, and thanks!

Ymmas Sirron: You have come back YAY!

The Lady of Light: Thank you for the wonderful compliment!

KerowynGreenleaf: heheeh thanks!

sielge: here is your update

HarryEstel: yes Estel will show them!

Elven Kitten: thankies!

You have all made me smile, now on with the fic!

Chapter 2

The air seemed as still as the bated breath Estel was holding. He was to wait for the signal from Elladan and then climb down to join them. When he heard the call from below, he grabbed his bow and sword and climbed down to meet the others.

"We shall travel through the trees until we pass out of the realm," Rumil said, leaning down to place the dagger in his boot.

Soon all the elves had climbed up and waited for Estel to follow.

"Will he be able to follow?"

With a smile Elladan pointed down to Estel, who had swung up onto the first branch and was now making his way skillfully up the tree. Through tree after tree they went, until at last they could barely see the outline of Caras Galadhon. Estel had been able to keep up with the others, but the fast pace they had set had turned his arms and legs into quivering masses. He was tired and his muscles were screaming at him for rest, but he ignored the twinges of pain. If they could do it, then so would he.

"Come let us descend here, but be mindful of anything that moves."

All six of them came out from the cover of the trees, but none heard the arrow whiz past them until it was too late. The thud of it as it hit Rumil sent Elladan and Elrohir into a frenzy trying to figure out where the arrow had come from, but even they stopped dead in their tracks as the soul ripping sob came from Orophin.

Falling to his knees beside his twin brother, Orophin pulled Rumil's head into his lap and stared down at the arrow sticking out from his stomach. Blood spilled from the wound at an alarming rate and the hue of Rumil's normally pale face had no turned a ghostly white. Haldir ran to his brothers, fear etching his face -- fear of what he would see.

"Rumil, speak to me!" But his brother did not answer.

"You must get him back to the Golden Wood at once," Elladan said as he took control of the situation, breaking the arrow point in half and wrapping the wound as best as he could with athelas around it.

"Time is of the essence, hurry, go now!"

"What of you?"

"We will be fine. Hurry now and get Rumil back. We shall slay that who has done this," Elrohir assured him, and they stood, bows drawn, as Orophin took off, Rumil slung over his shoulder.

Estel was glad it was dark, for he did not wish for anyone to know his hands were shaking as he held his bow. To know that one of them had been harmed so close to the protection of his Grandmother's realm was unsettling. The others resumed their walk, Elladan taking the point and Estel, having lagged, bringing up the rear.

They walked until dawn was approaching, as they knew orcs had fear of the yellow sun. Finding shelter under a mighty oak tree, they laid their weapons down and sat back staring at each other, none of them wanting to be the first to bring up Rumil.

Estel was weary, his body tired from the all night excursion through the trees. Leaning his head back, he was almost asleep when he heard his name. Mentally he laughed, for elves must think men totally deaf if Haldir thought he could not hear him, so Estel lay there feigning sleep as they talked about him.

"Tell me, how did Estel come to live in the house of Lord Elrond?"

Elladan proceeded to tell Haldir of the slaying of Estel's parents, how they had been unable to stop it and how Estel had witnessed their deaths as a small child. He did not speak of Estel's true lineage, as no one knew such secrets but the house of Elrond.

"Lord Elrond has always welcomed those into his home that have no other family, but why take this certain child as his son? Why is he so special, when the others have not been?"

"That is simple Haldir ... because he is Estel."

Haldir threw his hands up in resignation, knowing he would not get the answer out of Elladan, and he watched as Elrohir covered the now sleeping Estel with his cloak. He did not understand the choice, but he understood a brother's love was without reason. The adan named Estel had endured much in his short life on Arda, and he would give him the chance to prove his worth. Letting his own eyes glaze over in sleep, Haldir prayed to the Valar to let his brother make it back in time.