Hi all!

Now isn´t it great, I finally get around to posting again and then goes "on vacation" - lol! Well, I´m glad it´s working again so I can post my next chapter.

Thanks to all who read chapter 1 and especially those who managed to sneak a review in before went down - responses below. A big hug goes to San for editing this :-)

Now enjoy chapter two and as always - please leave a review, they are greatly appreciated!

Alina

Rating: PG 13

Disclaimer: Still not mine, wished they were...

Dream Horse

"Mellon-nin?"

Elrond turned towards the door and gestured to Glorfindel to remain quiet, for even the elven warrior's silent remark had caused Estel to stir uneasily in his sleep. Elrond watched the boy with furrowed brows, relaxing only slightly when child settled down again.

How tiny the boy looked. How vulnerable. He rested in the middle of his bed, pillows surrounding him. One he had clutched to his chest, curling around it and resting his tear-streaked cheek against its soft covers. Instead of looking like a place of safety, the bed seemed ready to swallow the slim frame, built as it had been for a grown elf. But Estel had always wanted to keep it, reclining any offers to have a bed made for him. He had wanted a bed just like those of his elven brothers.

Elrond sighed as he rose in one fluent movement. He felt regret to leave the boy alone now, but there were urgent matters to see to, even though so far none of the warriors had returned. It had taken the elven Lord all his persuasive skills and even the help of some light sleeping herbs to render the child calm enough to fall asleep. Estel had been confused and afraid to the point of panic, and Elrond was only too aware that soon he would have no attention left to spare for the boy.

Leaving silently, the elf allowed the door to remain open. He knew that there was no need for him to ask one specific elf to watch over the child. All elves that would pass through this corridor would look in on Estel, ensuring his well-being. Even the most distanced of the Rivendell elves had taken part of the responsibility for the child; from the moment Elrond had accepted him into the Last Homely House he had gained all of their protection. He had also gained many an elf's heart.

Once they were safely out of Estel´s hearing distance, Elrond halted and grasped Glorfindel´s shoulder. The Balrog slayer had fallen into step beside him without a word, but now he delivered the message he had set out to bring. It had not been urgent enough to disturb the human child's sleep.

"There is no word of them yet." The blond elf saw the flicker of frustration cross his friend's face and reached up, returning Elrond´s gesture of friendship. A slight smile turned the corners of his mouth as he continued: "Your sons will do well, my friend. It was wise to stay behind and prepare for the wounded. Let the young ones fight their battles. You will have noticed that Elladan never asked my assistance, either."

Elrond did not return the smile, but his tone was warm when he replied: "Aye, but I can see how your students might not want their teacher to outshine them on the field." His eyes clouded over once more and he stepped away, turning to the window that lead from the corridor to the yard. Outside, white flakes danced through the darkness.

"I do not doubt my sons´ ability to fight. I just fear what the battle might do to them. They have seen too much bloodshed already."

Glorfindel did not reply. He knew what his friend was referring to, and he had harboured the same fears when he had seen the eagerness in the twins' eyes as they had followed Legolas into the night. Their hearts had no doubt been fuelled by the wish to aid their friend and save as many lives as possible, but none could say whether this fight would pass beyond their hearts and unleash the merciless ravens within them.

"They do not fight orcs this time", Elrond mused, clearly trying to convince himself that his sons might not be reminded of their mother's fate from the dark creatures´ hands, and thus of the hatred it had spawned within them.

"Aye", Glorfindel replied, "but they are with Legolas, and their shared memories will not guide their hands to be any gentler. Even so, they have grown much since they have saved the young prince from the orcs. They will not turn from the light again."

There were no more words shared between them, for all had been said. Together, the two elves strode on towards the Houses of Healing, preparing for what fate would bring upon them soon.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

There was a horse. It stood beneath the last trees that loomed behind the meadow beneath his window. The beast was dark and thus showed clearly against the white sheet of snow. Its black eyes seemed to gleam, and it shook its head as if beckoning for help, then it turned and melted away into the shadows. Above, the skies bristled with icy clarity.

Estel wondered sleepily whether he was the horse. The animal had been running across the snow, and his feet were so cold. He wiggled his toes experimentally, seeking contact with the fluffy substance, but there was only stone. Cold, flat stone. The boy looked down and saw the familiar tiles that covered the floor of his room.

"Estel! What are you doing out of bed, tithen tew /little letter/?" Before he could even answer, the boy found himself swept into a strong pair of arms as he was carried back to his bed. He felt like he should reply to what had been said to him, but he had to think for a moment before he said: "I am a boy, no letter."

Erestor smiled while he tugged the child safely beneath his blankets again and then sat down beside him. Lord Elrond´s chief advisor studied the sleepy face before him as if seeking something. "It took you a long time to protest against my title for you", the elf observed, "far longer than usual. I take it that you are not as opposed to it as you often let on."

In truth, Estel felt quite honored that the keeper of Imladris´ many books would call him by the name of the smallest entity that formed the tales and secrets that rested between the heavy covers. He was just beginning to learn the art of reading and had grown quite fond of letters. They seemed small and insignificant by themselves, and still they could transform into powerful and mysterious words.

Even so, the child enjoyed his played arguments with Erestor almost as much as showering the advisor with questions. Quite often, his enquiries managed to cause an amused frown on the wise face, something that the twins could hardly ever achieve. The frowns they got were usually less amused, a fact that had not escaped the child.

Now, however, Estel felt too tired to play games. He was uneasy, too, as if he had forgotten something bad that had happened to him, and he felt no urge to be reminded. Instead, he decided to share his latest discovery with Erestor.

"I saw a horse", he said, "and it looked at me."

"Indeed." The elf peered at the child. "You have not strayed into the corridor, have you, thithen tew? You have not watched the warriors´ horses as they arrived?"

Estel yawned. "No", he replied, "it was right on the meadow. And I didn´t know it." He closed his eyes briefly, missing the look of relief that passed over Erestor´s face.

"In that case, Estel, it might well have been a dream horse." The elf smiled when the tired eyes opened again to look at him. The boy had a thirst for stories that was ever present. "Sometimes, when you dream, there is a horse that guides you through the vague lands beyond the waking world", the advisor continued, "and it wants to take you on a journey."

"I may not journey without ada saying I can go", Estel objected, "not beyond the meadow."

"And he wisely keeps you within grounds", Erestor agreed, "yet in dreams no such rules apply. You may follow the dream horse, for it will guide you to adventures. No harm can befall you when you dream, just wisdom. Do you wish to see the horse again?"

Estel nodded eagerly. He was not too keen on wisdom, but he yearned for adventures such as those his elven brothers had so often told him about.

"In that case, you should close your eyes", the elf instructed, "and wait patiently. I am sure the horse will come again and take you with it."

The child obediently obliged and lay still, awaiting the journey's beginning.

Erestor stayed for a while, then rose, confident to have guided the boy safely back into sleep. Outside, he could hear the frantic bustle that had broken loose when the twins had returned with the injured Mirkwood elves. Many were on the brink of leaving this world, and the healers were fighting for them to stay. This renewed battle filled the air with a tension that could be felt even here, where the love for the mortal child usually created a blanket of calm.

Leaving quietly, the elf closed the door behind him to guard the boy's rest against the harsh realities that awaited him beyond.

- -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Estel stared at the darkness behind his closed eyelids. He wondered whether he had fallen asleep already. His mind felt alert, more so than it had when he had first glimpsed the horse, and he feared that he might thus scare the elusive beast away. He had never seen it before and was eager to do so again, this time not wasting the possibilities it promised.

He tried to be patient. His elven ada had told him that patience was a good thing to have, even though he could not understand what was so wonderful about waiting. And besides, a horse would not walk into his room, would it? Horses were not allowed inside, a rule Estel had been told quite sternly not too long ago when he had brought his pony in to share the evening meal.

No, the horse had been outside before and it would be there again. To clearly mark that he was really asleep, Estel kept his eyes closed as he rose from his bed. The cold that crept up his legs as soon as his naked feet touched the tiles made him shiver and seemed a clear sign that he was awake, but he would not give up so easily. Pulling himself along the furniture, the boy guided himself to the window. He sensed the cold increase as he stopped and slowly opened his eyes.

Before him, the meadow seemed to glow with snow. Dim light colored the horizon as dawn approached. No horse could be seen anywhere, and disappointment rose in Estel, when suddenly a movement caught his eyes. "I am asleep", he vowed to the yet unseen horse, "and I truly want my adventure this time."

And thus summoned, the horse appeared again.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Estel had already understood that this was a cold dream, and despite his hurry, he had chosen to dress in his warm clothes, all the while mumbling his assurance to the horse that he meant to come and take a ride. In all haste, he slipped into his warm boots and slung his coat over his shoulders, carefully closing the buttons. After a moment's consideration, he also grabbed his dagger. Most of the twin's adventure stories had involved swords, and there was no use in going for his own adventure ill-prepared.

The boy gazed out again and was relieved to see that the horse had remained, waiting for him. Quietly, he opened the big doors that led out onto the balcony in front of his room. From here, it was easy to climb down to the meadow below.

Estel hesitated, aware that Lord Elrond did not approve of this method of leaving his room. But then again, had Erestor not explained to him that rules did not apply in dreams? With a smile spreading on his face, the child scrambled over the railing, his feet finding sure support where Elrohir had shown him. He landed on the meadow with a small thud that was muted by the snow and then hurried towards the forest, his heart galloping in his chest with excitement.

The horse approached him when he ran towards it, and the closer he got, the more the impression grew that he had seen it before, even though it looked nothing like any of the horses in Imladris´ stables. The beast wore no bridle, as was custom for elven horses, yet there were bags and a blanket strapped to its back. It was clearly prepared for a journey.

Its fur was dark, almost black, as was its mane, but a small mark like a star shone on its forehead. It nickered at the child and lowered its head when they met, nosing his face with gentle urgency.

The boy beamed at the warm welcome. His hands travelled over the beast's forehead, gently rubbing it. He was amazed at how real it felt. There was even the slightly sticky dust that seemed to cover all horses and crept under your fingernails, blackening them quickly. Horse smell tickled his nose and Estel giggled.

"You are the best dream I ever had", he whispered, "and the most real one, too! I shall call you Tinw /Little Star/, how would you like that?"

The horse grumbled in what sounded like happy agreement before nudging Estel into the chest, almost sending him flying into the snow.

The child was not disturbed. "I know, I know, I am late!" He looked up at the horse, trying to figure out how to get up. "You are much bigger than my pony", he explained, eager not to seem hesitant, "so you shall have to walk to the trees with me. I will be able to climb on there."

He turned towards the forest and the horse trotted ahead, urging him into a run to keep up with it. "You know", Estel panted as they finally reached the woods, "it was really not my fault that I did not come the first time. Lord Erestor came in and brought me back to bed." The horse seemed to accept his apology, for it stopped and eyed the boy, who quickly scrambled into the lower branches of a nearby tree, easily slipping onto the horse from there.

"See", he said, "now we are all set. Take me to my adventure!"

Tinw did not hesitate but strode away, ears forward as he seemed to follow a clear path that Estel could not see in the snow. Behind the child, the last glimpse of Imladris was soon lost beyond the trees.

TBC

Review responses:

Slea: Hehe, no, nothing bad kept me away from writing, unless work counts :-) Yes, there is hope, even though some more dangers still wait for Estel and Legolas...

Red Tigress: I´m gald I could interest you in this story - there ís a bunch more angst ahead, never fear!

Deana: Glad you liked it so much! I would have updated earlier but I couldn´t :-(

Harry Estel: Yeps, poor Estel, and he´s not even really started yet - Legolas will be back soon, don´t worry! And yeps, the trip was a lot of fun :-)

Thank you all so much!!