Growing Pains- Chapter 21

So this is the last full chapter, not including the epilogue, in this story. I hope it is a nice way to round everything off, and that you enjoy it.

I am rushing a bit here because I now have to go and do my physics homework- watch a 2 hour documentary on quantum mechanics to prepare for our next topic. At least I don't have to do the exam papers I've been set yet- I can save that for the holidays...

But on the plus side, I only have 2 more days left of school!

Disclaimer: see Chapter 1

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The mist was rolling off the foothills of the mountains when the small company awoke. It was only just dawn, just light enough to see by, but already the elves were ready to move out. The fire that had burnt through the night was cold ashes, and apart from that, the only sign that the elves had been there at all was the patches of ground where there was no dew where the elves had slept, wrapped in their cloaks.

The horses were standing quietly in the mist, the occasional snort the only thing heard from them. Elves, mere shadows in the rolling fog coming off the mountains moved around the horses, quietly preparing them for the travel over the mountain.

Three shadows stood a little way off, the indistinct shapes of three horses behind them. The mist was thick enough to obscure most features, but the blond hair of one elf stood out from the darker shapes.

Legolas smiled softly. "This is where we part," he said, his voice strangely quietened by the rolling mist. "My thanks, mellyn-nin."

Elladan chuckled softly. "For drawing you into yet more trouble?" he asked. He smiled. "But I am glad we saw you again, Legolas. It had been too long."

"Aye," agreed Elrohir. "Take care of yourself, will you? We aren't going to be around to spot when you are hurt. After all the orcs are dead and the battles fought, you do sometimes need someone to catch you when you collapse."

Legolas smiled. "I know," he said. "But Belhadron will be there when I return, and he has had plenty of practice. I will be alright. Take care, both of you. Don't take on too many orcs at once."

Elladan and Elrohir both chuckled. "We will try," said Elladan. "After all, we have a little brother to train, to teach him as much as we can. It won't be long before Estel is told of his heritage now, and then I doubt we will be able to keep him in Imladris." Elladan smiled. "He has always been stubborn."

"He learnt that from you," said Legolas with a chuckle. "But truthfully, I am glad I have met him, and not just because of who he was born to be. He is- will be a good man, and if I can, if I could, I would like to stand by him, as a friend, when the storm comes."

"Aye, it is coming," said Elrohir. "And there will be war before the end." He grinned. "Hopefully we will see each other on the other side."

Legolas chuckled. "I'm not holding out any hope," he said. "But at least an end is coming, even if we will not be there to see it. And who knows what will happen?" He shrugged, a small smile spreading across his face. "If anyone could do what it takes, I feel Estel might be able to." And Legolas actually believed it this time. There was something buried in Estel, something Legolas suspected the young man had no idea was there, but whatever it was, it gave him hope.

Legolas glanced back at where the rest of the company were waiting, already mounted. "I should go," he said. "I must return home."

"Tell Belhadron we send our greetings," said Elladan. "And take care, Legolas. Storm clouds are gathering, and it may be a while before we are free to come to Mirkwood again."

Legolas smiled, and first Elladan, and then Elrohir pulled him into a brief embrace. No promises were made, no swearing on their safety or seeing each other again, because they had been playing this game for far too long to promise anything like that again. But each made some sort of promise to themselves, to try and see this through to the other side, no matter how dark that other side might look at times.

"Until we meet again, then," said Elladan as Legolas stepped over to his horse, and they mounted theirs. Legolas smiled, and turned his horse back towards the other elves.

"Until we meet again," he echoed. The twins kept their horses still as Legolas rode off, reaching the head of the escort as they turned to ride into the mountains. The last they saw was Legolas' raised hand in farewell, before the mist swallowed them up.

Elladan and Elrohir both sighed slightly, and then as one they turned their horses around. Without looking back, they rode on into the gathering clouds of the day.

0-o-0-o-0

By the time Estel woke up in the morning Elladan, Elrohir, Legolas and the Mirkwood elves had been gone for a few hours, well on their way out of the valley and heading to the high pass. Estel woke, and padded out to the balcony in a tunic and leggings, his bare feet cold against the stone.

He jumped slightly upon seeing the arrow sticking out of the small wooden table to one side of the balcony, and recognised the fletching as one of Legolas' arrows. It was holding down a piece of paper, and Estel wrestled the arrow from the wood to read the quick, slanted writing.

To Estel,

Though I said you should visit if you are ever near our borders, you know that we are wary of strangers in Mirkwood. You are welcome inside our borders, but if you meet a patrol, they may not take kindly to you. If that is the case, tell them you know where my second Belhadron and I were on midsummer's eve in the middle of the Watchful Peace. I doubt that you will forget that story, and every warrior in Mirkwood knows it. That should convince them that you know me, and they will let you through. No matter what name you are using at that time, tell them the name of Estel. It will be known amongst some of the warriors by then.

I told you one time that war breeds wariness. Estel, I hope that you never have to see things like I have seen, but I know that these things will come to pass. You must be careful, but do not let what you see turn you away from doing what you think is right. Do not let whatever life you lead harden you and turn you bitter. I promise you, that no matter how bleak things may come to look, if you keep your heart, there is hope.

I hope to see you again, though I do not know when. It will probably not be for many years, and you will be a grown man when we next meet. The world will grow far darker before it reaches an end, but no matter what happens, try not to give in. And remember- you will be afraid, but it will never make you a coward unless you let it. And Estel, I know you will not.

Until we meet again, mellon-nin.

Legolas.

Estel smiled a little, a soft smile curving his lips, as he finished reading. He thought that he realised it now, what he had not seen before. There was no invisible line, no point that he would pass to suddenly become a man. And he doubted now whether he would ever stop growing up. After all, a remnant of our childish selves always seems to remain within us, no matter how deep it is buried.

He knew that what might come to pass in his future might well be terrifying, might well be dark and dangerous and possibly deadly. And it would scare him. He knew that he would come to feel fear many, many times in the life ahead of him. But it was alright. He would not let the fear crush his heart. He would try, though he made no promises, not to give in.

Estel shook his head slightly, dispelling the thoughts. Carefully he placed the letter down on his bed, and then his gaze drifted to his sword. His smile grew larger, and he stretched out a hand. The pommel fitted securely in his grasp.

To Be Continued...

And there it is. Just an epilogue to go now. As always, reviews are very welcome.