/I don't own anything you recognize in this story. /
Chapter Four
There was indeed a celebration that night. It seemed that every inhabitant of Rivendell was in the Great Hall celebrating Estel's safe return and the lone elf that had brought him home again. The number of people who came up to him, thanking him for bringing back their beloved friend, overwhelmed Legolas. It was as if the human had been gone for days instead of only a week.
After several hours of this, Legolas made his way to a door that led outside. He needed some time alone. As he went down the walkway, he found that he was not alone in a stroll under the stars. Coming closer to the voices, Legolas realized that it was Estel and one of the most beautiful women Legolas had ever laid eyes upon. Stepping into the shadows so he wouldn't be seen, Legolas started eavesdropping despite himself.
"Don't you think it's time to go to Gondor, Aragorn?" the woman was saying.
Aragorn? Was that his real name? Why then, didn't Estel say that instead of giving Legolas a false name? That was a question he would have to bring up later.
"No. I have turned from that path long ago, Arwen. They don't need a man like me to lead them. They are already set in their ways and they'll refuse to change just because a random man came up and said he is their lost heir to the throne," Estel exclaimed.
"But your people are scattered, divided, leaderless. You've heard my father say that many times. You must heed his advice," Arwen said.
"I cannot take that path right now, Arwen. It is not time for me to take up that road again. Please, let me go when I am ready and only then," Estel pleaded.
Arwen said something else, but Legolas was unable to hear it, even with his keen elf ears. Aragorn shook his head and turned away from her, heading back t the great hall. He gasped in surprise when he saw Legolas staring at him from the shadows.
"Legolas," he exclaimed, "I didn't see you there."
"The shadows hold many things," Legolas said simply. He turned to go, but stopped when Estel put a hand on his shoulder.
"You heard all of my conversation, didn't you?" Elessar asked.
"Enough of it to know that your name is not Estel. Why didn't you tell me your real name, Aragorn?" Legolas said, stressing the last word.
Estel sighed, clearly he wasn't prepared to have this conversation yet. "Estel is one of the names that have been given to me. I use it because I do not wish to have the world know who I am."
"And why's that?" Legolas asked bitterly.
Estel stood thinking for several moments, debating on whether he should tell this elf everything. If he did, Legolas would be like many of the other elves that he lived with, treating him like royalty, the one hope for the men of Middle Earth. If he didn't tell Legolas, then the elf would be able to treat him like he would any other. And that's what he truly wanted.
"I am Isildur's heir," Elessar finally said. "I am to unite the race of men, yet I do not have the heart to do what is asked of me."
"And why is that? Everybody must shoulder their burden of their fate someday."
Estel fell silent, thinking on Legolas' words. Legolas felt grim satisfaction in knowing that he cut into the heart of what Estel was struggling with, possibly his whole life.
"How can a man lead a nation when he cannot even lead himself?" Estel finally answered. "I cannot face thousands when I don't know myself, what I want for myself. A weak leader makes a weak nation."
Legolas said nothing. There was nothing that he could say when he knew exactly what Estel meant. Nobody would follow his or her leader if he were uncertain on what to do himself. He had felt and still felt the same way about his own situation.
"Who is the woman?" Legolas finally asked.
Estel finally managed a small smile. "She is the love of my life. Hopefully, one day, I will be married to her."
"And when will that be?" Legolas pursued.
Estel shook his head. "When I unite the human race and I'm crowned king."
"Well, there's your inspiration to continue on," Legolas exclaimed.
"Perhaps. We have waited this long, we can wait a while more," Aragorn paused, "and what of your life, Legolas? You don't speak much of it and you have whet my curiosity."
"I have no past," Legolas lied, not wishing to reveal his sins. "I only have the present, and the future."
Estel sighed. "How long must you keep yourself in guilt, Legolas, when it's probably not even your fault? Grief is natural, but someday you must let it go."
"I have no guilt, Estel, and I will be grateful if you quit asking about me," Legolas said coolly. "The past is better if it remains in the past. Nothing can bring back the dead."
Estel watched as Legolas made his way back inside, probably to go back to his rooms. He was such an idiot; he shouldn't have pressed the elf into anger. Though he only knew Legolas a short time, Estel wanted to help the elf, help bring back peace that once knew him. For he knew that Legolas was happy once, and something had happened to disrupt that happiness, making the elf what Estel saw in him today.
Estel ran a hand over his face thoughtfully. He would have to go and talk to his father. Elrond always had the best advice.
Walking slowly, Estel went back inside. He had many things to think about over the next few days and it wasn't going to be said and done all in one go.
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Author's Note: As some of you probably noticed, I changed "Elessar" to "Estel" as I know it was causing immense distress to a couple reviewers and I didn't want to be the cause of any kind of sickness or anything, J/K. However, I didn't change Legolas' horse from Arod as I always felt that the horse was somehow Legolas' even though it was with Eomer's company.
With that aside, I hope you enjoyed the chapter and I'll update when I can. Happy Fourth of July to those who celebrate it. Hope the fireworks are great. Don't forget to review, it'll make me happy.
