Legolas's POV

It had been three days since the event in the palace yards between Estella and me. Even though Estella finally opened up to me, I knew she was far from healed. Estella still had a long journey ahead of her before being emotionally recovered.

On that beautiful summer's day, I happened to come across her at the training yards, once again watching intensely the group of archers showing off their skills to one another. Haerelion came to my father, telling him he noticed watching the warriors during drilling hours seemed to have a calming effect on her, so with his permission, Estella was allowed to visit the training grounds anytime she wished.

Estella heard me approaching and slightly tensed up, still embarrassed from her outburst days ago.

"Hello, Legolas."

I knew she did not like it when I always checked on her, but I could not help it as I was still highly concerned for her.

"I told you I would be all right. You do not need to keep checking up on me," Estella snapped. I knew she did not mean for it to come across so harsh. Realizing the curtness of her voice, Estella blushed. "Forgive me; I did not mean to sound that way."

"There is no need to apologize. However, I do feel I need to keep watch on you until you are further along in your healing. I am glad you enjoy coming out here, I too find a sense of peace when I am amongst the others as they train."

I eyed her carefully as she shifted in her seat uncomfortably. "What is the matter?"

Estella sighed heavily before she could find her voice. "I know I am far from being whole. I want nothing more than to be free from my depression and to fit in with the others here, and one way for me to get closer to completeness is if I found a way to blend in with the other Elves of Taur-nu-Fuin."

I took her hand and squeezed it gently. "Estella, you do belong. I am not sure why you feel you do not. The others here accept you completely."

Estella shook her head as she removed her hand from mine. "No, Legolas, I do not. Not yet. I might be an Elf, but I was raised among 'my kind.' I still do not know our ways, and whenever I am around others, I still feel like an oddity amongst them."

Taking a breath, she gazed at me intently. "Legolas, I wish to ask a favor of you."

I knew what she was going to ask for; for I saw that same look of longing to fit in as I had when I was growing up. I might be an Elf and had been raised amongst my kind, but as the son of the king, I often felt like an outcast among the regular Elves. For some reason, they thought since I was royal I had special treatment and did not need to feel the need to fit in. "What is it you wish to ask me?" I asked slowly.

Estella lowered her eyes for only a second before mustering the courage to speak. "I wish to learn how to fit in with the rest of the Elves here in Mirkwood. I want to learn how to fight and to survive in the wild if I ever need to. Please, will you teach me?"

Even though I knew what it was she was going to ask; it still caught me off guard. True she would want to learn; it was in her blood. However, I still did not think it wise for her to learn just yet. Not while she was still healing, besides, I did not feel it wise for her to be handling a weapon in her present state of mind.

"Estella," I started trying very hard to think of the proper words to use as to not upset or offend her. "I would love to teach you how to fight, but right now, in your present state of mind, I do not feel it is a good idea. You are still healing." As soon as I said those words, I knew I made a grave mistake, for I saw her clench her jaw, which I learned long ago was a sign she was angry.

Before I could try and remedy my mistake, Estella stood angrily to her feet and stormed off. I did not want to upset her, but I was doing this for her safety and the safety of others. An emotionally distressed person handling a weapon is never a good idea. I wanted to go after her and explain to her why and tell her once she was better I would teach her, but I thought it would be better if I let her cool down a bit first.

Kicking a loose stone, I strolled back to the palace. Why could she not understand I was only doing what I felt was in her best interest. Why did she have to get so upset all the time? I did not understand females, and the more he tried to the more I wondered if I wanted to. As I was thinking to myself, I bumped into Haerelion.

"Prince Legolas, is everything well? You seem upset."

"As a matter of fact, Haerelion I am not all right. Once again, I upset Estella. She asked me to teach her how to fight, and I told her I did not think it a good idea right now as she is still too emotionally upset. Am I wrong in thinking that?"

Haerelion smiled softly and sat on a nearby bench and motioned for me to sit next to him. "Ah Legolas, I understand your desire to want to protect Lady Estella, but perhaps you are causing more damage than good."

I was confused, but before I could ask why, Haerelion continued. "Perhaps the best way to help her is to let her learn how to handle a weapon. I seem to remember a certain prince who years ago was very distraught at his mother's death and the only way he seemed to heal was when he was shooting his bow or practicing with his blades. The point is, you cannot keep coddling her or she will never heal. You must let her grow, and perhaps by teaching her to fight, she will do just that. However, if you are concerned for her safety or the safety of others, then teach her where no one is around until you feel it is safe to do so otherwise."

I took a deep breath. Maybe Haerelion was right. Perhaps I had been overprotecting Estella, and that was why she was not healing correctly. "Thank you Haerelion; I think perchance you are correct. You have been most helpful."

"You are welcome, my lord. If you need any more advice, my doors are always open. And if you should need me to help in her training, I would be more than willing to teach her."

I smiled, bowed respectfully, and walked back to my room. Upon walking in, I went to my trunk and opened it; there I found what I was looking for—a beautiful hand-carved bow which once belonged to my mother. It was a light brown with her name etched into it in elegant script. My father had given it to me when she died, and I kept it in my trunk along with other memorabilia of her and my childhood. The bow was the perfect size for Estella to learn with. Once I taught her how to shoot I would move onto teaching her how to use a blade. "One step at a time. Now to find her." Rising to my feet, I went to search for her.

After asking around for her, I found her in her room. Knocking on her door, I waited until she answered. I could tell by the aggravated tone in her voice she did not wish to speak with me and honestly, who could blame her. Slowly I opened the door and carrying a carefully wrapped parcel; I walked over to her bed.

I handed it to Estella who eyed me with considerable uncertainty. Laughing, I nodded for her to open the cloth. Slowly, Estella began to unwrap it. When she saw what it was, she gasped. "Legolas, this is beautiful!" She stroked the smooth, well-loved curve of the bow in awe then looked up at me confused. "But I thought you were not going to teach me."

"Well, I was thinking perhaps I have been cosseting you too much. I care about you and do not want to see you get hurt anymore, but now I see I might have been hurting you more than helping you. Haerelion helped me to understand that, so if you want to learn still, then I will teach you."

Scarcely able to contain herself, she beamed. "Of course, I want to, but where did you get this bow? It is so beautiful," Estella asked while running her hand over the smooth wood.

"It used to belong to my mother. Father gave it to me after she died and I want you to have it."

Estella was shocked, and I could tell a part of her did not want to accept it. "It is okay. I know my mother would have wanted you to have it.

"I am honored, and I hope I will make you proud."

"I know you will. So, when did you wish to start training?"

A grin formed on her face. "What about right now?"

"Very well my lady, then shall we?" I asked holding out my arm for her.

Estella laughed and hooked her arm through mine, and I escorted her to the training yards to practice before the other warriors arrived for training. When we arrived, Haerelion just finished setting up targets, and I led her to the closest. "Okay, so now the fun begins," I smirked, helping Estella to get into the right position.

When I was sure she was in the correct position to shoot, I let her arm go slightly but was still close enough to grab her if I needed to. "All right, now breathe in and focus on the center, and when you are confident you can hit it, let the string go."

I watched her close her eyes for a second, took a deep breath and a second later she let the arrow fly. With a THUD, it hit the area right outside the center. I was impressed. "Not bad for a first try. Try again on your own this time, just like I showed you."

Estella again straightened up, pulled back the string after notching another arrow, took a deep breath and let the arrow go, this time hitting the center. For at least a good hour we practiced, with several of her arrows hitting the center and many others missing. Even so, as I watched her, I could see a change come over her. She seemed much more peaceful and happy. Perhaps I had been wrong after all in thinking she was not yet ready to learn.

For several weeks we trained, each time Estella getting better and better. During this time, I also taught her how to forage and hunt, which she caught on very quickly at. It was during this period I started showing her how to handle a blade. Estella was not as comfortable with it as she was with the bow, but she was determined to learn all she could. During one of her training sessions with the blade, she became very frustrated and stamped her foot in anger.

"Oh, I am never going to be as good as you! You are perfect at everything!"

I snorted. "I wish you would tell that to my father—trust me, Estella, I am far from perfect. I have had to learn how to fit in like you. It is not all fun and games being the son of Thranduil. Being prince, I have to learn how to be diplomatic and to run the kingdom while my father is away and trust me when I say pleasing him is not as easy as it sounds. On top of that, I have had to fight to show people they do not have to treat me differently just because I am a prince. My life has not been easy."

"I am sorry. I did not know."

"No need to apologize, I know I make it look like I have it easy but that came from hundreds of years of practice. Something which you could learn as well. I can teach you if you want."

Estella smiled. "I would love that Legolas, thank you."

I smiled back and picked up the blades. "I think we have had enough practice for one day. How about we go for a horseback ride? I know the perfect place to go when I need to relax and unwind."

"I think that is an excellent idea."

We both hurriedly changed into our riding clothes. I could sense life was indeed beginning to look better for Estella and I knew she was now well on her way to being healed.