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! Who make my day with their reviews!
grumpy: yes, a very unwise move to speak of Arwen in their presence
Catmint: Thanks, yes a bit of conflict to stir things up a bit
Eleven Kitten: yes they lived through that one
KerowynGreenleaf: Thanks!
Ymmas Sirron: Estel has a wee thing for Arwen I would say LOL
Riva van Dyk: thankies!
HarryEstel: hehehe yes he did!
Now on with the fic!
Chapter 4
The four of them had tracked the orcs for many miles by the time the sun started to sink back into the horizon. Estel wanted to sleep ... or just fall down where he stood. It had been a long day, and even though his body was weary, his face was a mask of strength.
"We shall stop here for the night. A stream is nearby and we will have fresh water to drink and for the horses." Elrohir said, dropping from his horse, the tiredness showing even in his elven features.
Estel followed his brothers and began to unroll the bedrolls by the fire Haldir had started. He had thought it unwise to start the fire knowing it would alert their presence to anyone nearby, but not wishing to question Haldir, he said nothing.
As he rubbed down his horse he heard the bickering between the twins and Haldir start.
"Elladan, you should go and find us something to eat," Haldir stated.
"You were responsible for packing the food, therefore you can go out and hunt the evening meal, and do be quick, I am starving."
"I would not have forgotten the food, if you had not kept me busy packing so many bandages!" Haldir ranted, his voice growing higher and higher.
Estel watched along with Elrohir as Elladan stalked over to the blond elf.
"You did see the necessity for those bandages, did you not, Haldir!"
Estel had seen enough. He watched Elrohir go and stand between the two enraged elves, and he quietly crept up behind them.
"I will go and fetch the evening meal," he said, so softly that he was not sure they had heard.
"Yes, Estel, that is a fine idea," Elladan claimed. "We shall wait for you here and do not stray too far away from the campsite.
Estel did not wait for anyone else to speak. Slinging his bow over his shoulder, he started walking off in the direction of the trees.
Haldir was furious. He was here alone, his brother had been shot, and now he had to hope the adan did not get killed, for he doubted he would even be able to find his way back in the dark.
"I may as well go to sleep, for we are all surely to starve tonight waiting on Estel."
Elladan once again stood to protest Haldir's harsh words, but Estel emerged from the thicket of trees holding three rabbits.
"You were saying something about starving," he said, pointing to Estel and smirking at the now scowling Haldir.
All sat down as Elrohir helped Estel to skin the rabbits, and then, as a surprise, Estel pulled the berries from his cloak.
"Are these poisonous?" Haldir asked, questioning the odd looking berries.
Estel grew angry, "My Ada taught me herblore himself. I would not poison you anymore than Lord Elrond would."
Haldir, knowing better than to say anything offensive, sat in silence for the rest of the meal. He had been observing; Estel showed the many signs of fatigue and yet he had not rested. Haldir did not want to admit it, but the adan was impressing him. He had not been lax in his duties, his honor for his family went without question, and his cooking was far better than Rumil's anyday.
Haldir was finishing off the last few bites of his stew when he noticed that his head was starting to become fuzzy. His movements seemed slower, and he shook his head trying to rid the cobwebs.
"I find myself weary. I am going down to the river to freshen up before I turn in," Haldir said, standing on unsteady feet.
As he made his way past the twins and Estel, Elladan motioned for his brother.
"Estel, go and watch out for him. Elrohir slipped him some of Ada's special tea so he would get some rest."
Estel nodded, and took off after the Silvan elf. He had tried to keep from being seen or heard, but when he reached the side of the river Haldir turned swiftly to face where he was hiding behind a tree.
"You may walk with the stealth of an elf, but I saw the glint of your sword reflected in the river, Estel. I need no nursemaid to follow me, even if your brothers say I do. Return to the campsite at once."
"Elladan told me to make sure you were well, and his orders I shall follow, not yours," Estel said in defiance.
"You silly adan! I have no need for your help; I am an elf!"
"Thank you for stating the obvious, Haldir o' Lorien, but I will be standing here until you wish to return to camp."
Estel backed up as Haldir started to advance on him, but at the sound of the breaking of the twigs behind him, he turned, his sword drawn.
"Yrch," he whispered, but neither of them expected the dozen or so that appeared from the shadows of the trees.
Haldir drew his bow and made quick work of the first two, but soon the orcs were too close for the use of a bow. Grabbing his dagger from his boot, he stood his ground, even as his head swirled in the darkness of encroaching sleep.
Estel had cleaved the head off the nearest orc to him, but soon his body was giving in to the many restless nights of sleep, and he had to duck under an orc blade as it swung close to his head. Knowing they would both die soon if his brothers did not come, he shouted for them, hoping they would arrive swiftly.
Haldir fought the feeling of sleep trying to claim him, but the pull of it was too strong. He knew now that he had been given something by the twins. Plunging his dagger into the orc's chest that had charged him, he failed to see the arrow poised at his throat. He didn't see it released, he didn't hear the whiz as it sailed to its mark, but he did hear the shout from Estel and the dull thud as it hit the adan in his stomach.
Haldir waited for the adan to fall from the grievous wound, but he watched in amazement as Estel grunted past the pain and sliced the arm from an orc nearing them both. Snapping from his reverie, Haldir was never more glad to see the two dark heads of the twins charging towards them.
The battle was not long lived after Elladan and Elrohir's arrival. Between the four of them, they made quick work of the remaining orcs. It was not until the last fell dead from Elladan's blade that Haldir remembered Estel.
"Elladan, he is harmed, you must see to him," Haldir said, even as he sank to his knees, the drugged tea working hard against him.
Elladan looked at Haldir wondering who he was talking about. Estel and Elrohir looked fine, but when Estel neared he saw the arrow sticking from his stomach. Forgetting everything else, Elladan ran to where Estel stood, and helped his brother to lie down. "Estel, why did you not tell me you were injured?"
"It was not of importance at the time, Elladan. Truly, I am fine, it is nothing life threatening."
"You should lie still. I need to stop the bleeding."
Estel shook his head and then stood. "I would rather not lie among the foulness of Mordor. Let us go back to camp."
Elladan stared speechless at his brother, who was hobbling back towards the camp. Rushing to his side he placed his arm around his waist and held him upright, as a very awestruck Haldir followed with Elrohir.
