And so we have the next instalment, finally. This one has a little bit of light entertainment after the heavy emotions of the first two chapters. But only a little. R and R please!
One Friend To Another
Chapter 3: Feet and Food
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Elrond strode through the corridors of his house as an elf on a mission. He strode with purpose, and any who passed him had no doubt that whoever was to be on the receiving end of the Lord of Imladris' mission was in for a telling-off. Or worse…a lecture. The truth was, however, that his mind did not reflect the strength and determination of his stride. Though no frown marred his features, inside he was in turmoil.
He had talked with Gandalf all of the previous morning and afternoon on the problem of the suffering Mirkwood prince. When the wizard had to leave on one of his mysterious quests later that day, Elrond has sequested himself in his study to think on the words he and the wizard had exchanged. The two wise beings had talked themselves around in circles, then alone in his study Elrond had thought himself around in the same circles. Now it was the next morning, the occupants of the Last Homely House were rousing out of slumber and he had slept on the problem, but was still no nearer to having any clue how to get through to Legolas. The only conclusion he had come to was that it was time to talk to the prince. And that is where he now found himself heading, for the bed chamber of his illustrious guest on the third level of his house.
Turning the last corner into the corridor that held the family rooms, Elrond ran smack dab into the flying form of Estel. Skidding his bare feet on the cold floor in a vain attempt to stop, the boy tripped over his long night gown and grabbed for Elrond's robe in an effort to keep himself upright. Only Elrond's natural grace kept the two of them from landing on the floor in a heap.
"Estel!" he mumbled, righting the boy to his feet. "What on all of Middle Earth is the hurry, boy?"
"Ada, save me from them!" exclaimed the boy, ducking in behind Elrond's knees and bunching his adar's robe over his face.
"Save you from who, you little tyrant?" The lord asked sternly, but vainly trying to keep a smile from his face as he swivelled around to face the boy. His answer came in two forms at the same time.
"Them!" came the reply just as two furious and identical male elves came flying out of their respective rooms to lunge at Estel, but they stopped on seeing their father and froze.
"Ah" Elrond stood with arms folded and eyebrow raised as Estel once more ducked behind him, and waited for the explanation of the early morning chaos. "This aught to be good"
"Ada, do not protect him!" began Elladan, the eldest twin starting forward again, and Elrond noticed for first time that the twins were only half-dressed.
Elladan's tunic was unbuttoned and he carried his boots in his hands.
"Just wait to you hear what he has done" continued Elrohir, in much the same state of undress as his brother, except he was hopping on one booted foot and carried the other boot in his hand, his hair in total disarray.
"I am waiting" Elrond replied. "Very patiently, I might add" The one sardonic eyebrow rose again. "But I shall not be patient for much longer, so if one of you would care to….."
"He put mice in our boots!" blurted Elladan.
"..and spiders!" added Elrohir, shaking the offending boot wildly as if to loosen whatever foreign body might still reside in it.
"Mice and spiders" repeated Elrond calmly, trying very hard not to laugh and so far succeeding. He could feel the small boy trying to bury himself further into the back of his knees. Estel mumbled something behind him, but as he had his face buried in crimson velvet, Elrond could not be sure he heard him right but it sounded like "…only little ones".
At this moment the door at the farthest end of the corridor opened and Legolas stepped out into the hall, gently closing the door behind him. The elf was fully dressed to perfection, his hair immaculate and not a mark or wrinkle on his soft suede leggings or brown leather tunic, his shirt a crisp white. He stopped on seeing the gathering he found before him, his face impassive as he studied the half-dressed twins and the Lord of Imladris with his robe slipping from one shoulder thanks to the cowering human child behind him.
"Do not ask" was all Elrond said. Disengaging the child he turned on his heel to leave.
"Get dressed Elladan, Elrohir" he called back over his shoulder as he walked away. "And do not kill your little brother just yet" he added, his voice growing more distant as he turned the corner. "He cannot clean your rooms every day for the next week if you do!"
"Oh no" groaned Estel "Ada!". Not cleaning. He hated cleaning. He was so small it was hard to reach the high places or stretch to the awkward recesses.
The twins chuckled at the childish sulk appearing on the face of the boy.
"You can start by scraping squashed spider from inside my boot!" Elrohir told him, ruffling the mop of dark brown hair on the boy's ever-untidy head and pushing the offending footwear into the boy's arms.
"..and mice droppings from mine!" Elladan added, swatting the back of Estel's head playfully as he headed back to his room to find another pair of boots and finish dressing. Still laughing at the sulking face of his tiny adopted brother, Elrohir glanced up to where Legolas still stood.
"Legolas. Perhaps you would see fit to lend me a pair of your spare boots, mellon nin?" he asked. "I seem to remember my other pair getting torn to shreds by bramble bushes last month and I know your feet are about the same…."
"I have no spare boots with me" Legolas replied softly as he stepped past the little group. "If you will excuse me, I think breakfast should be served about now"
Elladan and Elrohir stood staring after the retreating back of the Mirkwood elf as if they were statues.
"That was odd" Elladan stated bluntly.
"Extremely odd" his brother agreed.
"The vainest elf in all of Middle Earth has no spare boots with him" Elladan sounded incredulous.
"He usually brings at least two pairs" the younger twin verified.
"Yes……in case one pair get dirty or torn" said the other. Elladan met his brother's eyes. "I am getting really worried about our princely friend" he added with sincerity, suddenly serious.
"As am I, 'Dan" Elrohir replied heading into his room. "As am I"
The two adult elves walked off bootless to their own rooms to dress and finish preparing for breakfast, leaving the young human boy in the now empty corridor.
Estel remained standing and staring in the direction the Mirkwood elf had disappeared in, the elven boots in his arms all but forgotten, a frown on his cherubic face.
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When the twins finally reached the dining room breakfast was already well under way. Elrohir had Estel perched high on his shoulders as he entered. He deposited him in an empty chair next to Elrond and joined his twin at the serving table to get two plates of food, one for him and one for his little brother. Deep in conversation with Erestor, Elrond automatically poured a glass of grape juice for the boy.
All those gathered tucked in to a hearty breakfast of fruit juice, pancakes, fruit salads and various breads and cheeses while they talked. All except one. The prince of Mirkwood sat next to Glorfindel, deep in conversation about the defences of the Woodland Realm and the increase in spider nests.
"The spiders grow in size, Glorfindel" Legolas was saying quietly. "They get larger, bolder and certainly just last month we…"
"Are you going to eat that?" a young voice chimed in at Legolas' elbow. Estel had greedily cleaned up all of his own food and had been perusing the table for any leftovers he could polish off, bored with all the "grown up" talk going on around him. The plate of food in front of Legolas looked too tasty to ignore.
"Excuse me?" Legolas looked down his nose at the small boy, only just now realising that he was there, and Estel had the feeling that he should have kept his mouth shut.
Suddenly finding himself under the cold glare of two deep cerulean eyes Estel felt like he did two days ago when he had to go to Elrond and explain just how the elf lord's favourite vase had fallen and smashed to a million pieces. So he did what he always did when nervous. He ranted.
"Um…it's just that I am still hungry and you are not eating and I hate to see food not eaten and are you going to eat yours………."
"Breathe, little one!" Elladan implored with a laugh, ending the boy's panicked rant. He had seen the arrogant glare in Legolas' eyes and hastened to intervene. Estel immediately stopped, lowering his head to stare at his empty plate.
"Legolas" Elrond took this moment to also intervene "Do you have any plans for today?"
Legolas started, then his face relaxed as he regarded his elder. "Plans?" the prince twisted to face the elf lord, barely concealing a slight wince as the action pulled on his old injuries. He caught himself and hid the wince in a frown as if he was deep in thought.
"I had only thought to practise some archery in the woods, Elrond" he replied finally. "If you wish for me to assist in something more important, then of course I will agree to whatever you require of me"
"No, that is fine. Your time is your own here, Legolas. You may do as you wish" Elrond smiled in a manner that he hoped would put the formal young elf at ease. "The twins both have classes to give to the novices today, and Erestor, Glorfindel and I have a trade meeting with the local village leaders today, so we are all going to be busy for rest of the day. But perhaps you could do me one favour and take Estel?" he added suddenly, just when Legolas was beginning to relax. "he has no classes today, and with the rest of us busy……." He trailed off, letting the rest speak for itself.
Immediately Elrond had named Estel, the stoic prince-mask slammed down onto Legolas' face. He glanced once at the boy, then favoured Elrond with a smile that did not reach his eyes.
"Of course the boy may accompany me" was the reply. Legolas had the feeling he had just been cornered. "If you will excuse me, I will go prepare my bow"
With that Legolas pushed his chair back and stood. He bowed once to each of the elder elves and walked stiffly from the room.
"He still didn't eat his breakfast" Estel piped up, once more regarding the elf's abandoned plate of food.
"No he hasn't, has he" Elrond agreed quietly, more to himself than anyone else. He regretted not having his chance earlier to speak to the troubled young elf, thanks to the intervention of his sons. Sighing, Elrond exchanged meaningful glances with Glorfindel, Erestor and the twins and the silent understanding was clear. Keep an eye on the prince.
Unaware of the silent communication around him, Estel slid the plate of food towards himself and tucked in, still hating to see good food go to waste.
Besides, he was going to need his strength if he was going to learn some archery from a certain sullen Mirkwood prince.