Hello, hello! I'm back with another chapter! Quick recap of the last chapter: Thranduil summoned everyone to tell them he wants to send them on an expedition to retrieve the gems of Lasgalen from Erebor. Supposedly there's a darkness encroaching on the kingdom that the light of these gems would chase away.

Enjoy! :)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Her Greatest Failing

It was a peaceful day in Eryn Lasgalen, and Legolas sat with Gallion at the library much as they did in mid-week. No one had mentioned the meeting with his father in the fortnight that passed, so the Prince comfortably allowed himself to sink into a state of tranquility.

For jewels to be taken from Erebor…. Such absurdity. Thranduil's lack of consideration of the fact that Legolas would someday inherit such a conflict was enough to send Legolas into a throbbing headache.

With a lofty sigh, he turned his attention from the book in his lap to the window, letting the breeze wash away the thoughts.

"Problem?" Gallion murmured without looking up from the table across the room. He licked a finger and turned the page of the tome he was reading.

"Not at all," said Legolas. "As long as my father does not take down the kingdom before I inherit it."

"Mm." His friend smirked without looking at him. "I see we're feeling dramatic today."

Legolas grinned the slightest bit, acknowledging the truth of that inwardly. "I do take after my father, don't I?"

It was at that moment that Gallion looked up from his book. But instead of looking at Legolas, he looked out the door. "Someone's coming up the stairs." Moments later, Estel appeared in the ornate archway, looking between Legolas and Gallion. The Prince sat motionless in his chair as a deliberate silence passed between them. "Hello, Estel."

"Hello," she said.

"Hello…" Legolas contributed ominously.

"I heard the two of you were here, I wanted to come and talk to you both," she said, walking to the chair opposite Legolas and sitting down. He watched her with suspicion as Gallion rose from his chair and avoided hiding a similar expression. Then, dragging a chair behind him, the elf sat to Legolas's left, the three of them forming a triangle. "Your father's expedition—do you think it'll really happen?"

The Prince snapped the book in his lap closed and lowered it demonstrably to the ground. Then he entwined his fingers and crossed one leg over the other. "Why do you ask?"

Estel blinked. "Because…" A pause. "I'm curious about it."

"I thought you might be. And I have presumptions about your reasoning, but I would like to hear from you."

"I'm curious if I could be of some value."

"What value do you imagine you'd offer on an expedition like that, as opposed to the value you add here or at home in Imladris?"

"An elf cannot venture into Erebor, but I'm not an elf," she said. "I'm a human raised by the eldar, and that comes with its advantages. I have found happiness despite everything I couldn't control in life. But there are certain things I can control that will bring me happiness, paths I can choose, choices I can make."

Legolas blinked. Slowly. He'd covered his mouth with his fingers, leaning against the side of the chair and staring at Estel. "Allow me to illuminate you to the reality of what you're considering," he said. "The things my father says are seldom what he really means. He may have asked for this expedition with no intention of it ever being fulfilled."

"That's why I asked you initially whether this expedition would actually happen." Estel looked confused. "But then, why would he ask for it?"

"I'd say your guess is as good as mine, but it isn't." Legolas uncrossed his leg and sat straight. "Because I know my father. And he wouldn't risk sending anyone into Erebor and awakening the dragon for the reasons he stated. He loved my mother, and those jewels mean a great deal to him—but his kingdom matters to him more. Everything he does is to its benefit, so an expedition like this is senseless, given the risks. My father spoke of a darkness to be purged with the light of those jewels. But we have had no rumors or reports of trouble at our borders. None that I've seen, anyhow."

Estel listened carefully as Legolas continued, "There are numerous missing pieces to this puzzle, more than you realize. Perhaps there are relations with Gondor somehow staked in the captain's mere attempt of this mission." Legolas paused. "We cannot know for certain what my father truly desires or what he's afraid of. Or what his intentions are. As I said, he may have called for this mission without any intention of it being carried out. And so, I would ask you not to pretend to understand him better than I do—or Gallion, even." Gallion gave Estel a confirming nod. "You must let this go and give it no more thought."

Estel's expression had softened somewhat with understanding. "But… if it does happen?"

"You must still let it go."

"But why?" There was the slightest bit of pleading in her voice. "If I know I can contribute, add value—"

"I have a deep appreciation for your spirit, Estel. Since you were a child, it has been your crowning quality and your most amusing one," said Legolas. "But you have one failing: you refuse to acknowledge your limits or admit that you have them."

"I know my limits," she said firmly.

"You acknowledge what you are—mortal," he said. "That is not the same as knowing your limits as one."

Gallion interjected, "Regardless of your feelings, what Legolas said holds true. We have no idea what calculations have gone into this, Estel. But, unfortunately, whim and desire are not good enough reasons to plunge headfirst into it."

"I wasn't planning on plunging headfirst."

"No matter." Legolas sighed. "If it's adventure you seek, the Greenwood is vast. There are many places to be explored."

"I know," she answered, then rose from her chair. "Thank you. You've given me much to consider."

"Wait," Gallion interrupted her leaving, "You don't have to leave—join us if you will. Read, write, do whatever you will."

Legolas fingered the armrest of his chair and nodded. "Yes, you're welcome to stay if you'd like."

Estel seemed to consider it a moment, then smiled. "Sure."

The following morning, the sun shone through the leaves overhead as Legolas and Gallion awaited Estel well past the edge of the Halls of Thranduil. Accompanied by the same friends who had joined them for the Archer's Hunt, they awaited her in pleasant conversation, enjoying the soft breeze billowing through the treetops overhead. Finally, dressed in the same style of garbs the wood elves wore, Estel arrived ready for the trek in the woods that awaited them all.

What they had not expected, however, was her accompanying guest—the young captain Heimir of Gondor.

"I hope you don't mind," she had said upon arriving. "We came across one another earlier today and I thought to invite him."

There was a general agreement that the captain was welcome, but Legolas felt apathetic—he didn't care for the captain's company and would not have missed him if she had not brought him.

And so, one after another, they filed onto the path, walking until it broadened enough for them to be side by side.

Gallion walked between Legolas and Estel and made conversation with the captain ahead, the hours passing slowly. Finally, when they arrived at their destination, a profound and narrow valley with waterfalls, the conversation went on with ease. Some other elves had brought instruments to play, and they all perched atop the edge of the valley where they had descended from the woodland tree line. It was a fabulous little nook for them to sit and look out at nature—just high enough to admire all the fallen trees bridging the valley and feel the vapors of the waterfalls on their faces.

They had brought food: cheese and grapes and apples and bread. So they sat and ate and talked.

"This conversation is starting to make me feel eerily more and more like a child," Estel said laughingly. They had been reminiscing on the days when Estel was but a child, and they met for the first time. She was sipping wine now—very much an adult. "Or are you all starting to look eerily like old men?"

Gallion smirked. "It's neither one nor the other," he said. "You are no longer that mischievous child, and we are not old men." Gallion gestured to his own face. "You'll find no 'old man' with such a flawless complexion as mine." Across the patch of grass, Legolas couldn't help but smirk, drawing his friend's attention. "An apple for your thoughts, friend?"

Gallion threw his apple core at the Prince. Legolas caught it and answered, "I have thoughts on everything you just said—best they remain unspoken."

Estel also threw a grape at him from where she sat. Legolas met her eyes briefly and threw it back.

"Lady Estel," asked one of the other elves—Ruminor—drawing her attention. "You lived in the realm of Lady Galadriel for so many months. How did it compare with Eryn Lasgalen?"

She turned her attention on the dark-haired elf. "You've never been there?"

"Not for a long time."

There was a moment of deliberation, and Legolas wondered whether she would be truthful about her experience with the elves there. Had there even been a moment, just once, when Estel found herself in company like this? Surrounded by faces that did not look upon her with reproach?

"Well, Caras Galadhon is beautiful. I'm sure you all know this. The elves of Lorien are visions of light and refinement and civility…." Estel paused in her ostensibly formal depiction of Lothlorien. "But just as there are men who revile elves and dwarves, dwarves that revile elves, and elves that revile dwarves… I wasn't always welcome in the company of everyone I met."

"And you met Prince Legolas there?" It was Captain Heimir that asked.

"Yes, and she was afraid of me when we first met," Legolas remarked. "She hurt herself climbing the paths of Caras Galadhon and refused my help when I found her. Then, one week later, she fell out of a tree—demonstrating her lack of self-preservation and the futility of my concerns for her safety."

Estel pinned him with a look. "I fell out of that tree because you startled me."

"You shouldn't have been in it in the first place."

Estel flicked another grape at him. At that, Legolas noticed the wonderment in their companions' expressions—while they were friends, none of them had ever allowed such liberties with the prince. Except Gallion, maybe. But he and Gallion had been friends for much longer than Estel, and the others knew little of Legolas's friendship with her.

"Did you ever consider leaving the eldar kingdoms and coming to Gondor?" Heimir inquired, biting into a slice of cheese. "Or… somewhere else?"

Even Legolas was curious to hear the answer. He knew it already, but he was interest to see how she would present it to the others.

Estel shook her head. "Have you seen Imladris? Why would I ever leave that place for good?"

"You describe a lonely life when you speak of it," said Heimir.

Something in her expression shifted as though some feeling was draining. Legolas recalled her sentiments many times—how Estel disdained mortal men who pretended to understand her. A human raised by elves. He wondered if that sentiment was responsible for the look on her face.

"How do you suppose my life would be different in Gondor or Rohan?" She finally asked. "What do you suppose would appeal to me otherwise?"

Heimir shrugged. "I daresay I don't know you well enough to answer that. However, while I cannot speak for elves or dwarves, all humans need companionship—it is in our nature."

"I have companionship," Estel answered calmly. "Not the twining bonds forged in battle or war… but ones to aspire to."

The captain seemed amused by that. "Is that so?"

"Yes."

The captain smiled and said nothing more.

Estel watched him keenly, no doubt wondering what on earth he was alluding to. Legolas was wondering it himself. "Well," she finally said with a sigh, "gentlemen, where are we heading next?"

Gallion answered, "We're going to circle through the northern woods—there's something of a canyon with even lovelier waterfalls and a river. Then we'll head back by nightfall."

"A canyon?"

Gallion smiled, "I've heard you have no aversion to heights, Estel, but I recommend caution in the area. The canyon is small, but you could suffer great harm if you slipped and fell."

"I'm always careful," she said. "Just ask his Highness."

Legolas looked up from the piece of bread he'd been chewing, realizing the company was now staring in his direction. "I'd hardly bet my life on that statement," he said, gesturing to Estel with his piece of bread. "I watched this one climb the mallorn trees of Caras Galadhon and cross Anduin without the slightest concern for her own safety."

Gallion shrugged. "No more adventurous than you, Legolas."

Legolas had donned a grin that shrank a little, for the thought that followed was a grim one: what Legolas possessed in strength, speed, and immortality is what truly counted against Estel. Not a sense of adventure.

They left soon after. And the valley in the north was as much a sight to behold as the rest of the Greenwood. The rays of sunlight illuminated the last of autumn's golden leaves. There had been rain here and there, marking the passing of winter, but it never really snowed in Legolas's country. It only turned greener as the climate warmed. The company trekked long and hard through the woods, led by the Prince, until they abruptly stopped.

Legolas peered ahead at the canyon and frowned.

"Why did we stop?" Heimir came to the front beside him, peered out at the canyon and sighed. "Ah…"

"What?" said Estel, following shortly behind him. "What is it?"

A great tree had once laid fallen across the canyon, but some earth-slides had driven it deeper into the canyon. Other trees had also fallen—precisely three, each smaller than the last. They created a twisting sprawl of branches and rock that Legolas scanned with keen sight, debating whether it was worth crossing. The elves would manage independently, but there were two humans to consider among the company…

"What's wrong with it?" Estel spoke again, and the captain gave her an odd look.

Legolas answered, "I don't find this amiable. We should turn back the way we came."

"I agree," said Gallion. "It'll be the middle of the night when we get home… but it's the safer route." No doubt he'd come to the same conclusions as Legolas.

Estel gaped. "Middle of the night? That's hardly necessary," she said, pointing to a corner of the tree-sprawl. "The points of tension between the second and third trees and rocks there and there look stable enough to cross. There's a good starting point just over here."

"No—we're turning back," said Legolas.

"But why? Are you worried about us?" Estel said, nodding to Heimir. "If so, I really think we will manage. What do you think?" The question was directed to Heimir.

The captain looked surprised, then shrugged. "I can manage the climb."

"See? I don't even think we need to 'climb' it, exactly," Estel began, looking back at the terrain and pointing to several spots. "I've crossed spots like this before, we can just—"

"We're not doing it," Legolas cut her off firmly. "We will go back the way we came."

Estel looked at him. "We may not need to, that's why we're discussing—"

"The discussion is over," he said and then paused. Even Legolas, in that moment, realized how much he sounded like his father…

"But this would save us hours, and we'll be back well before sunset instead of the middle of the night," Estel answered, then gestured to the other elves. "Heimir and I aren't the only ones to consider—I'm sure the rest of you want to be home in a timely manner, do you not?" None of the elves said anything or made any sign of agreement—or disagreement. "If it's me you're worried about, I'm happy to climb across and then have you follow. You know I can do it and be fine. And I'll draw out a safe path for Heimir to follow."

"No, I do not wish you to do that," said Legolas.

"Please, your Highness," she said. "If nothing else, I'm tired and going back is a longer road home. I'd prefer to go this way. I wouldn't push for it if I didn't think we'd be fine."

"Estel, I know this realm better than you do. I know its dangers. And I am far less concerned with the captain knowing his limits than I am with you knowing yours."

Estel looked taken aback by that, her eyes widening a bit.

The company fell into a noteworthy silence, like Legolas's scolding was inappropriate in some way. It annoyed him slightly.

"Fine," she finally answered. "I won't beg. Go on, then. You know the way."

"Thank you," Legolas said, then cut through the company and began leading them in the direction they came from. A few steps toward the tree line, and he paused as a sudden familiar feeling came over him—Estel had given in too easily.

Go on, then. The memory struck him abruptly. You know the way.

That was what Estel had said to him some time ago, when he tried to stop her crossing Anduin. The moment he had turned his back on her, she—

"Estel!" Legolas cried out as he whipped back in her direction, but it was too late.

Estel had taken three great strides before reaching the point where she had suggested they enter the canyon. Legolas broke out to the front of the company, recalling the horror with which he watched her cross Anduin. The same horror flooded him now, despite Estel's signature precision as she navigated the branches of the largest tree towering above the river, the canyon rocks that cut through them. Once more, she moved nimbly to the second tree, as though she knew precisely where to aim her feet, as though she'd done this a million times before. No hesitation, save for the calculation in her eyes that Legolas witnessed briefly when she was at an angle for him to see her face.

With a swift jump, Estel kicked off the second tree in a way that allowed her to spiral. A knife appeared in her hands, which she embedded in its side as she slid down, heading toward the third and final small tree. The friction slowed her down enough to carefully pick her jumping point. Her voice echoed as she grunted with a kick-off from the second tree, landing on the third down on one knee, stabilizing herself with her knife. Deciding she was close enough to the other side take a rest, Estel turned and looked at them.

She did not smile.

Despite her earlier sentiments about the stability of the trees, they did not take well to her intrusion on their rest. The largest tree remained unfazed, but the second and third shifted as though they'd been waiting for that slight push. Finally, the third tree, upon which Estel kneeled, made its discontent known, sliding down from the canyon's edge. The realization flashed quickly in her eyes, her fear jolting Legolas into movement. The river below was cascading and treacherous, and there were just enough rocks that Estel was likely to hit her head if she fell.

Legolas practically flew across the first tree while Estel took off toward the edge.

She was too slow… but Legolas was not.

Estel leaped off the end of the tree as its descent quickened, the wood groaning as parts of it bent and unbent and snapped with the movement. Unfortunately, her jump wasn't strong enough to get her to safety.

Legolas did not need the third tree to reach the cliff's edge. He ran faster across the second tree, faster than it was falling, and jumped with strength and swiftness Estel did not possess. He landed and practically slid along the ground to catch Estel before she fell—a second later, and Legolas would have missed his chance. Estel would have missed the edge of the cliff by a small length. But he clasped her hand and rose to pull her from the canyon's clutches.

He rose so quickly that Estel fell against him from the momentum. She gasped and trembled and fell to her knees despite him holding her, the pair of them panting as they listened to the snapping and booming of the second and third trees landing at the bottom of the canyon. Estel's knees weakened at the sound, and Legolas sank with her to one knee.

It took a moment for the area to fall into silence once more, but he could still feel her heart racing, her body shaking.

"Are you two alright!?" Gallion called out across the canyon, his voice tense with the fear that gripped all the company's faces. Legolas nodded, knowing they could see him, but he felt neither fear nor relief as the seconds passed—it was anger. Pure, white-hot fury.

Estel was still shaking a bit as he pushed her away. Not hard enough to throw her to the ground, but she fell to it in her disorientation. Seething with rage, Legolas marched into the trees toward home. It took some time before he heard her footsteps behind him, her voice echoing between the trees.

"Legolas, stop!" Estel gasped for air, her voice still shaking a bit. Legolas halted abruptly and turned to face her, his expression cold and stony. He said nothing. She must have struggled to register the extent of his anger—Legolas had never presented such a cold front to her. "I'm…" She stuttered for words, struggling to keep eye contact. "I'm so sorry."

This only angered him more. Legolas turned and continued walking in deathly silence, and Estel took off faster after him, calling for him. Only when she grabbed his arm to stop him did Legolas finally face her, pulling his arm from her grasp.

"Of all the reckless—" he began, stopping mid-sentence to curb the aggression in his tone. "Are you satisfied now? Did you prove what you wanted to prove? Or did this incident acquaint you with the point I've suffered to make since we first met?"

Her mouth fell open. "I thought I knew, I thought I read the landscape correctly and—"

"You did read it correctly! What followed was your failure! Your disregard for the nature of the world and its dangers that you can neither predict nor evade," Legolas struggled and failed to keep his voice level. "Do you think so lightly of the grief you would have caused if you had fallen to your death? To your family? To me? What do you imagine I would have said to Lord Elrond if you had died? To your mother? Does her love mean so little to you? Does mine!?"

"No, of course not—"

Estel reached for him, but Legolas stepped back. "Leave me be," he said, turning back into the woods.

They did not speak again.

Estel's failure was a long time coming. And Legolas's frustration. Even love has its limits, after all.

Thanks for reading! :) See you all again soon!