A Man Called Hope

by Sentimental Star

**COMPLETE** He was raised among the Elves of Imladris, and befriended the Elven Prince of Mirkwood. His name meant Hope in their language. But is that enough to allow him passage to Valinor?

2. Meeting Hope

Disclaimer: I own nothing in this marvelous universe; it all belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien.

A/N: Hey, all! Since I am able to take a rare breather at the moment, I decided to post again. Hopefully this will tide you over until I am able to get more up. Then again…it might just be enough to whet your appetite ::winks cheerfully::. Please enjoy and feel free to R&R!

Reviewers: To the four of you, many thanks!

'Sindarin (Elvish)'

"Westron (Common Speech)"

/Personal Thoughts/

.:A Man Called Hope:.

By Sentimental Star

Chapter I: Meeting Hope

(Flashback, Two Hundred Five Years—TA 2936)

'Mae govaennen, young prince,' Lord Elrond greeted his weary guest warmly when the Crown Prince of Mirkwood appeared in the threshold of his study, going to the Silvan Elf and catching the rather startled archer in a tight hug. ''Tis been far too long since last you visited these halls.'

At first tense, Legolas Thranduilion now allowed himself to relax gratefully into the Peredhil's firm hold. 'Hannon lle,' he uttered tiredly, and for more than just the welcome. 'Long have I wished to return, but my duties keep me in the South Wood.'

'So I heard,' Elrond remarked dryly. 'According to your adar, he nearly had to tie you to your steed in order to get you here.'

Legolas blushed softly, the tips of his ears turning red. 'Ada worries too much,' he muttered, embarrassed.

The Half-Elven Lord gently pulled away and gave the Wood-Elf a knowing look. 'And with good reason, I'd wager, penneth.'

Legolas blushed harder, but did not refute the older Firstborn as he straightened—with some effort.

At that precise moment, a whirling dark blur flew through the open study door behind him (nearly knocking the prince off-balance again) and latched onto Lord Elrond's robes.

'Ada! Ada!' the excited little one exclaimed. 'Did you hear? 'Dan and 'Ro are taking me into the forest!'

The prince blinked…and stared. Since when had a new Elfling been born? As far as he knew, he was one of the youngest Elves still left on Arda.

'Hush, Estel,' Elrond reprimanded gently, a fond smile on his lips and warmth in his eyes as he picked the child up in his arms. 'Yes, I heard. But you forgot to greet our guest first.'

'Guest?' large, curious silver eyes (shot through with streaks of cerulean) turned to regard the prince.

Legolas barely managed to restrain a gasp. He knew that face!

But whatever else he was thinking at that moment flew out of his head as the Human child—for he was Human—cried suddenly, 'You're pretty!'

Twin chokes sounded behind him (causing him to jump momentarily) and he turned to face two identical, dark-haired Noldor Elves who were trying desperately not to laugh. 'Oh, yes, you are simply enchanting, Legolas,' the older of the two—Elladan—snickered softly.

'Absolutely gorgeous,' the younger of the two—Elrohir—agreed brightly.

'Elladan. Elrohir,' Lord Elrond remarked patiently. 'There is no need to torment Legolas when he has only just arrived.'

Innocent smiles across both faces. 'Sorry, Ada,' the two chimed, not looking sorry at all. Elrohir winked at a gaping Legolas.

And that must have been a catalyst of some sort, for in the next moment, two very startled Peredhil twins were caught completely off-guard as, with a wordless cry of joy, Legolas suddenly launched himself into their arms, hugging them both for all they were worth.

'Legolas?' Elladan gasped, utterly bewildered. He and his twin automatically hugged the Silvan Elf tightly back.

The prince gave a thick laugh, pulling away from the two twins. 'I know not what has happened, nor do I need to know. 'Tis more than enough to see you like this!'

The twins gave him two very puzzled glances…before understanding dawned in their eyes and he received two very warm smiles in return. 'It seems,' Elladan remarked quietly, as Elrohir walked over to their father and gently lifted the Human child into his arms, 'that we have another Healer in these halls.' He smiled at the Human and his Elven brother as they joined he and the prince near the doorway. 'Estel,' he explained simply, gesturing at the Human.

"Hope," Legolas muttered thoughtfully in Westron, gazing at the child.

Estel cocked his head curiously, small grin on his face. 'So that's what my name means!' he exclaimed brightly.

This broke the stupor Legolas had fallen into and he raised a sardonic eyebrow at the twins. 'He is named "Hope" and yet he never knew that 'til now?'

Both twins flushed. 'He just learned it recently in his Westron lessons,' Elrohir protested mildly.

Legolas tilted his head back and laughed. A clear musical laugh that had the Human perking up even more in Elrohir's arms, and had the two twins grinning. 'I like your laugh,' Estel informed him happily.

'And I like you, tithen pen,' Legolas advised him warmly, midnight eyes full of mirth.

When Estel himself grinned, familiarity again sparked within the prince. Before he could say something to that effect, however, Elladan cleared his throat, smirking cheerfully at the Silvan Elf. As suspicion grew in Legolas's mind, the Peredhil winked at his twin and his father, before turning to the boy and asking, 'Say, Estel? You remember the bedtime story we tell you about the Prince of Mirkwood?'

Legolas started shaking his head frantically at Elladan. He did not want to be known as a prince to this child!

Estel nodded vigorously. 'Yes! He's very, very brave and fights spiders and bad things all the time!'

Said prince turned scarlet as he heard this, and kept shaking his head even more desperately at Elladan, appealing wordlessly to Lord Elrond and Elrohir. The two simply chuckled. Elladan kept smirking and went on, 'Well, did you know that Legolas here is from Mirkwood?'

At this, Estel turned eager eyes to the Wood-Elf. 'You are?'

Legolas leveled a death glare at the now laughing Elladan. 'Yes, I am.'

A still snickering Elrohir now spoke up. 'But what he won't tell you is that his father is King Thranduil.'

'Really?' Estel exclaimed. 'You're the prince?'

Legolas sighed. 'Elladan, Elrohir, I am going to kill you,' he muttered.

Estel giggled. 'Don't worry! Ada, 'Restor, and Glory have already.'

The looks on the twins' faces were priceless. 'Estel!' Elladan sputtered.

The child blinked innocently at his oldest brother. 'Yes?'

Elladan groaned, and gently taking the boy from his twin's arms, set him down on the floor of the study and knelt in front of him. 'There are certain things you should not say, like...' And off he went on a tangent.

Legolas was hard-pressed not to laugh. Estel was nodding along with his brother's speech obediently, but it was quite clear to anyone that he had no intention whatsoever of following the guidelines the Peredhil was laying out.

Catching the prince's eye, Lord Elrond pressed a finger to his lips. The Woodland Elf coughed to cover his laughter and nodded, a bright grin decorating his face as he listened to the "lecture" Elladan was giving with growing amusement.

'…So you see why, Estel?' Elladan finished.

'Yes, 'Dan, I understand,' Estel replied patiently. He suddenly grinned, looking shamelessly impish. 'But you were picking on the prince. It's only fair that he's now able to pick on you.'

This time, Legolas full-out laughed. 'I appreciate that, penneth. Truly, I do.'

Elrohir gave a wicked smile. 'We'll see how much you appreciate it when you come with El and I, and Estel.'

At this, Lord Elrond frowned slightly, finally speaking up, 'Oh, no. You do recall what happened the last time the prince went with the two of you, yes?'

'But, Ada, his leg healed right up,' Elladan protested.

Legolas winced at the memory. 'After two weeks it healed up,' he replied dryly.

'Besides,' Estel suddenly piped up, startling the Elves with him, 'he's tired. His shoulders are bowed.'

Legolas—startled and realizing he was right—quickly straightened, holding his neck and shoulders more erect.

Both Estel and Elrond frowned at him.

In spite of himself, a thoroughly shocked Legolas nearly laughed out loud again. They looked almost exactly alike, those two. Which made him wonder—

'Estel is quite correct, young prince,' Elrond spoke up. 'You are going nowhere for a few days until you have been well-rested. Your adar sent you here to relax, and you will do so, even if I have to have Elladan and Elrohir sit on you.'

The archer laughed again. 'So I shall, hîr nin,' he agreed warmly.

'Good,' the Peredhil answered briskly.

'May we go now?' Estel asked plaintively, starting to fidget slightly.

'Well, aren't you the impatient one?' the younger twin said mock-severely.

Estel bowed his head, staring at his hands. 'Sorry,' he whispered.

Legolas did not fail to catch the concerned glance the twins exchanged over Estel's head.

Kneeling beside his brother on the floor, Elrohir hugged the child briefly. 'Oh, Estel, tithen muindor, I was merely teasing. Do not apologize. You have been very good, and very patient. Go on,' he released the child and gave him a gentle push in the direction of the prince and the door, 'see if Averrún has our horses ready.'

Estel, eyes a bit lighter now that he understood his brother had only been teasing, nodded, before glancing shyly up at Legolas through his unruly dark bangs. 'Will you be up when we return?'

Legolas smiled, and slowly crouched down in front of the child. 'Aye, tithen pen, I will. Unless your brothers decide to return at some unearthly hour of the night.'

'Then I'll bring you something!' the boy cried excitedly.

'You need not--' Legolas began to protest mildly. Just because he was a prince! Just because he was visiting!

'Of course he does,' Elladan inserted smoothly, smiling warmly at the little boy and Silvan Elf as he and his twin stood.

'He likes you, Legolas,' Elrohir picked up.

'And he is very good at giving gifts,' Elladan finished, grinning at the young Human who was beaming at his older brothers' praise.

'Very well,' the Wood-Elf murmured, embarrassed.

If possible, Estel's grin grew brighter. 'Yay!' he cheered, giving a small laugh.

Startling Legolas immensely, he abruptly threw his small arms around the prince's neck and gave his cheek a warm—slightly wet—kiss, before turning and doing the same to his father. Elrond knelt, accepting the boy's exuberant affection with a hearty chuckle of his own.

'I will see you later, Estel nin,' the Peredhil remarked softly, lightly rubbing his nose against the child's.

Estel giggled. 'Bye, Ada!' His father released him to join his brothers.

'Estel, hen, come on!' Elrohir called warmly from the hall.

'I'm coming!' the younger being called back happily, scampering out ahead of Elladan. 'I'll bring you something, too, Ada!'

'I look forward to it, ion nin!' the Elven Lord laughed. He turned his smile to Elladan. 'Be careful, 'Dan. And no animals, all right?'

Elladan laughed. 'Of course, Ada.' He leaned over and kissed his father's cheek, pulling back serious. 'Everything will be fine.'

''Dan! Come on!' came Estel's call from the hallway.

The older twin gave an exaggerated sigh. 'Ah, the impatience of the young.' With a wink at his father and Legolas, Elladan left the study. The two still within could clearly hear the conversation in the corridor.

'I heard that, you know,' Elrohir was informing his twin dryly. 'And for your sake I hope you were not talking about me.'

'I have no idea what you mean,' Elladan returned, entirely too innocently. Legolas saw him swing Estel up onto his shoulders.

The child's giggles floated down the corridor. 'You two are so silly.'

'Why, thank you, Estel!' Elrohir answered brightly.

The sounds of their footfalls and voices gradually petered out, and Elrond was left with a still kneeling Legolas in his study.

'Young prince?' he prodded softly.

Slowly, the archer turned from the door, fingertips resting against the cheek Estel had kissed. He looked like he might cry.

Smiling tenderly, Elrond stood by an armchair near the fire. 'Come sit,' he invited gently, gesturing to it.

Legolas rose, and crossing the floor, sank down into it. He looked stunned.

The Half-Elven Lord took the other, seating himself comfortably. Quietly, he studied the prince a few moments before smiling again. 'Elrohir is right, you know,' he finally offered lightly. 'He gets you a gift not because you are a prince or a visitor, but because he likes you.'

'But he barely even knows me,' Legolas half moaned. The tiny child's unexpected display of affection had thrown him completely off balance.

Elrond shook his head firmly, still smiling. ''Tis enough. 'Tis simply his way. Even I cannot understand it at times.'

At this, Legolas turned to quietly regard the Half-Elven Lord. 'Estel changed Imladris,' it was not a question. 'Last I was here, there was no laughter in these halls.'

Another smile, rather more pained, flitted across Elrond's face. 'I did not mean for you to see that, when you were last here.'

'I understand why, Lord Elrond,' Legolas advised softly, hesitating…before shyly reaching out to grasp the Peredhil's hand. 'I meant not to bring back painful memories.'

Lord Elrond's smile widened slightly, and lost its pained edge, as he gave the prince's hand a grateful squeeze before releasing it. For the first time in Legolas's memory, he looked truly happy. 'He calls her Ammë, Legolas.'

The archer did not need to ask who either "he" or "she" were. The "he" was naturally Estel, and the "she" was, of course, Celebrían—Elrond's wife and the twins' mother. He, himself, had only heard of her from her family and Glorfindel. Shaking his head, he murmured, 'I can see why the twins love Estel so much.'

Elrond nodded, eyes fond. They were the same silver as Estel's. 'He has brought back life into these halls. As you observed, laughter. It did not take him long, and 'twill never cease to amaze me how a Human babe undid centuries' worth of pain in no more than half a moment.' He shook his head. 'There will always be that ache, that longing, until once again I am with her. But 'twill not haunt me as it once did.'

'The child…' Legolas hedged. Elrond nodded for him to go on. 'He is familiar…' He let the sentence hang between them.

The Peredhil sighed, turning a troubled gaze to the fire. 'He should be,' the Elven Lord finally murmured, resting his chin in his hand.

Slowly, Legolas moved out of his chair and knelt on the rug in front of Elrond's chair, slim hands folded neatly on the intricately carved wooden arm. He tilted his head to the side, 'I'm sorry, I don't understand...He looks very much like you.'

Elrond turned from the fire and smiled weakly. 'No, Legolas. He looks like Elros.'

Legolas shook his head. 'But the last of Elros's line is--' Abruptly, he cut himself off, eyes widening as he stifled an involuntary cry.

'Aragorn, son of Arathorn,' Elrond completed softly, voice even.

Word of Arathorn's death had reached Mirkwood—as these things often do—by ways and channels that delayed its arrival for several months. Its arrival was hard met, for Arathorn had often been seen in the company of the four young princes—of whom he was closest to Aries, Legolas's older cousin. The older Silvan Elf had taken the news much harder than either of his brothers (Celethoron and Gilaith) or his young cousin. Because it was still so terribly recent, Aries had yet to recover fully, nor did Legolas expect him to—not completely. He hoped, with time, it would be for Aries as it was for Lord Elrond. But unlike the Peredhil, Aries had very little hope of seeing Arathorn again—not until the ending of this world. And that seemed so very far away.

He could not say he understood it, this deep attachment to a mortal; for being young and the Crown Prince, he had not traveled quite so much with Arathorn—or the Dúnedain Rangers he led—as his cousins and the Peredhil twins had. He had felt the burn a little, he knew, but not enough to claim empathy with his eldest cousin.

He could not have known then that he, too, would one day taste the bittersweet draught of mortality.

(End Flashback)

-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-I-

(Present Time—1541, S.R.; Ship Bound for Valinor)

"Gilraen—Aragorn's mother—did not survive, either," Legolas advised Gimli numbly. The fire had burnt low. "Only long enough to see Estel safely into Lord Elrond's arms. She died just shy of dawn the next day."

For several long moments, Gimli had trouble finding his tongue. He stuttered and stammered a bit before finally managing, "Two hundred five years you knew him?"

He shook his head. Honored Aulë, he was frankly stunned that this Elf lived on, yet. Not that he wanted him to die of a broken heart, mind. But for the call of the sea and the cry of the gull, the Dwarf realized with a shiver, he might well have. It had been bad enough at Helm's Deep. And he could not believe that the grief would not take him yet. "And after that?" he pressed gently.

Legolas finally raised his head to gaze at Gimli, midnight eyes sorrowful. "What more is there to tell? Estel returned that evening with his brothers," he brushed his hand over the cheek Estel had kissed all those years ago. "That is all."

"That is not all," Gimli mock-huffed. Legolas graced him with a small smile. "What did he bring you? What gift did he give?"

/Himself,/ the prince thought, but only replied, "I will tell you, my friend." He looked away, eyes pained. "But I can speak no further tonight."

TBC

Elvish Translations:

Mae govaennen (Well met)

Hannon lle (Thank you)

Adar (Father)

Ada (Papa)

Penneth (Young one)

Estel (Hope; one of Aragorn's many names, given to him by Lord Elrond)

Tithen pen (Little one)

Peredhil (Half-Elf)

Hîr nin (My Lord)

Tithen muindor (Little brother)

Estel nin (My Estel)

Hen (Child)

Ion nin (My son)

Imladris (Rivendell)

Ammë (Mother)

Please let me know if any of these are incorrect! --SS