2-Legolas and Estel met when Legolas was still just an elfling and Estel was but a child. They became fast friends.
-
"Father, I see Rivendell!"
The elf lord glanced in the direction his excited son was waving in, a slight smile on his noble face.
"Legolas, you act as if you've never seen another elf's land before. Calm yourself or you will exhaust yourself."
The young prince cast his father a dubious look.
"An elf doesn't exhaust themselves simply because they get excited, father. You didn't have every tutor in Mirkwood teach me so I would believe such a statement."
Letting out a small laugh, Thranduil pulled his son close in what could have been considered a quick embrace.
"Around this next bend, we will step onto a stone path that will lead right into Rivendell and eventually up to Elrond's door itself," the lord explained just as they approached the turn.
"Ada, they're here!" a shout called from ahead.
Thranduil looked to where the shout came from, a curious eye brow raised.
"What on earth is a human boy doing here?" he asked aloud. Turning to his son, he was startled to find he was talking to himself.
Legolas, who at the shout had taken off running, threw himself at Elrond.
"Young Prince Legolas, how good it is to have you in my lands!" he exclaimed, hoisting the elfling up. "Now, if only your father weren't such an old elf, we could show you your rooms."
"As soon as you answer about this man-child," Thranduil replied, pulling a small, scoling brunette along by the back of his tunic.
With a smile that lit up his face, Elrond traded Legolas for the boy in question, holding the ten year old as if he were still a toddler.
"This," he said with as much pride as a new father, "is Estel, my adopted son. Estel, this is Lord Thranduil of Mirkwood, and his son, Prince Legolas."
The boy, once set back down, bowed deeply to the elfen lord. Thranduil, not sure of the situation, gave him a clipped nod before leveling Elrond with a heavy stare. As Elrond met his gaze, his smile thinned.
"Estel, can I trust you to show Legolas our home all by yourself?" he asked, kneeling in front of the boy.
Estel, face determined, put his hands on the elf lord's shoulders.
"Of course I can!" he exclaimed, ruining the air of seriousness he had tried to create.
Laughing, Elrond excused himself and led Thranduil towards his den.
"Can I trust my son and heir to your . . . human foster child?" the king asked with distaste.
Elrond sent him a scowl before answering.
"Thranduil, I would worry more about entrusting your son to my own more than my adopted."