Disclaimer: I own none of Tolkien's creations, I can only lay claim to my plot, people, and things which I invent.

Chapter Quote: "Lightfoot? Where did you think of that one Estel?"

Chapter Six

Finding a Voice

"I had hoped that we would not lose the foal...Valanna was dear to me." Elrond said softly as Estel told him of the events of our day. His elegant brow was pursed in thought. I was slightly shy of Elrond, he was wise, though kind and gentle. But there was an unexplainable feeling that kept me from embracing him as a father...as Estel, Elrohir, and Elladan did. One that I could not and did not understand. My thin, small body felt safe ad comforted next to Estel's, I clutched his hand tightly as he spoke with his adoptive father.

"Do you have a name for the colt then?" Asked Elrond, looking down from Estel to me.

Lightfoot, I thought.

Elrond was looking at Estel now, a bemused smile on his face. "Lightfoot? Where did you think of that one Estel?"

I stared as Estel with wide eyes, sure, he had read my thoughts similarly before. But not like this, not in such a clear, concise manner. For Estel had spoken the name I had chosen. A name spoken in that of the common tongue, not Sindarin. A name which seemed as much a part of me as I of it. I had not told him...how could I? Estel glanced quickly at me, his silver eyes wide as well.

"Dininiel wanted it." He laughed nervously. "Clever isn't it? Well...we should be going."

Elrond glanced at his youngest son curiously, turning his gaze swiftly to me before smiling and nodding. "Be on your way then, and stay out of trouble."

Elrond was constantly saying that to us...I wondered what had made it a habit. I would have smiled if I had thought of all the ways I could imagine Elladan and Elrohir making mischief, but right now I was slightly pre-occupied.

He stopped under an willow tree in one of the most remote gardens. "How did you do that?" He asked me.

Do what? I thought in bewilderment. His eyes widened once more and I realized something that was rather alarming, Estel was reading my thoughts.

"That!" he exclaimed. He paused, looking at me closely. "Are you...thinking thoughts to me?"

Am I?

"You are!" He exclaimed as soon as I had said this.

I do not understand. I thought to him hesitantly. Am I thinking thoughts to you or are you reading my mind?

Estel's eyes did not return right away to their normal size. "I'm not sure." He paused, thinking. "I felt a soft humming in my ears, and I realized that I could understand you. Can you read my thoughts?"

My face blanched, how was I suppose to do that? I do not think so.

"Then...then I think that you are thinking thoughts to me." He said, the sentence awkward. He thought for a moment, then asked, "Can you talk to everyone like this?"

I do not think so. I could not speak to Elrond or to you either at first...I think...I think I had talk to Lightfoot.

"The colt?"

Yes, his name is Lightfoot.

Estel looked around. "Can you talk to her?" He said, nodding to an elf maiden who was walking through a gardens some ways from us. I thought very hard, inching my way to her mind, I greeted her after a few minutes of tiring work. But she did not even glance in my direction.

Nothing. I thought to him.

"Then I believe you can speak to people that you know and trust. And that it is a gift that takes time to develop." He paused. "Do you not trust my father?"

NO! I yelled, I am just...shy of him.

Estel's smile returned. "You are shy of my father?"

I could feel my face flush a deep red. Yes.

He chuckled, leaning up against the tree behind him and folding his arms across his chest. "Well, I cannot say I blame you." He paused. "Shall we tell him of this?"

No. I said hesitantly, pushing a stray lock of my brown hair behind my ears. I'd rather not just yet...could we keep it a secret? Just between us?

The jumble of words came again, resulting in an ache in my head which made me wince. I once again shoved them away as the ache grew more painful.

"You mean...like a secret?"

I nodded.

"Sure, I suppose so..." He smiled mischievously. "Does this mean you trust me?"

I smiled, Well, trust is something you have to earn.

He laughed and I laughed silently along with him. For even in my flippant reply, I couldn't help but feel that I would always trust and like Estel...for as long as I lived.

A/N: Yes. That is why Estel could respond to Dininiel's questions without her actually speaking. But why exactly and how can she do this? That is something that I shall not and will not tell you. Te he.Thanks a million to my beta, Kiann!

TO BE CONTINUED...