A.U. – Thanks for the reviews! And for pointing out my mistakes! I fixed 'em though! This one is a more sentimental one because I missed the fourth of July this year and my parents made it up to me.
Belated
It was a peaceful night in Imladris. As most nights were when the sons of Elrond and their close friend Legolas couldn't do anything to their human brother who was tired enough to actually fall asleep. They, along with their mentors and father, had decided, since Aragorn had just returned from a rather harrowing and taxing journey that took him all the way to Harad that winter, they would welcome him home completely and give him his belated gifts for Yule. They had already forgiven him for not returning on the time he had promised which was before the Yule celebration.
This, though normally a human celebration, they had all grown accustomed to celebrating in the years that Estel lived with them, and did so with gusto. Glorfindel and the twins had forged a new sword for him and slid it next to the headboard of his bed, Erestor had made the sheath with strong dark leather and Elrond had etched elvish patterns all throughout it. Legolas had made a new bow for the brother of his heart and let it rest on the other side of the bed. Such gifts had taken time but they were more proof that the young human who had come to Imladris years ago now had a firm grip on each of their hearts.
Estel was stunned by the gifts and thanked them endlessly until his brothers had to threaten him to stop. Now, however, he had gone to take his shower, after many hints from the younger elves. Before doing so, he left Legolas with his packs to 'entertain the elf until he returned' as Estel had said himself. Immediately, Legolas knew something was amiss: his friend normally tried to limit himself to only one pack for all he needed; anything else he usually considered extra weight.
'What does he think? That I am an elfling?' Legolas thought while carefully undoing the strips of leather that held the bag closed, and just as carefully removing the bags of herbs and laying them gently on the bed. The twins were bickering while standing on either side of the fireplace; Glorfindel, Erestor, and Elrond were discussing the affairs of Imladris while he was sitting on the middle of Aragorn's bed slowly removing the various items from the smaller pack and laying them down gently and in an organized fashion. The largest bag of herbs was filled with athelas and Legolas smiled softly at that; ever since he was told his real heritage and healing abilities Estel had always carried plenty of it.
He then removed the few maps his friend carried and remembered how quickly the number of maps the man needed continually decreased. 'Strider, what on earth was I supposed to find in here?' and with that one thought in mind he moved on to the other pack. It was much heavier and then the former and held no scent of herbs at all, it was long and slender and was approximately the same size as Legolas' quiver. Two strange brown shapes were poking out of the top and the elf was almost afraid to touch them…knowing Estel.
Cautiously, Legolas undid the strong tie that held this pack and peered in; many packages of different sizes and shapes lay within, each with a colored string wrapped about the strong brown paper. It only took a moment to realize what they were as he slid on with a deep green string tied about it.
"Estel…this is unnecessary." The others fell silent at his soft exclamation and came closer to see what the prince had found. They saw him twirling a long and slender box in his hands, unmistakably his with the colors of Mirkwood used in the string and on one of the sides was his name.
"What did you find there mellon nin?" the twins were placed themselves on either side of the sylvan prince while their father, Erestor, and Glorfindel stood to the front. Legolas set down the one with his name and carefully removed the rest; the two that had been sticking out held the colors of Rivendell and were marked with 'Elladan' and 'Elrohir'.
In fact, most of the packages were marked with the blue string of Imladris, the other three were wrapped with the deep green of Mirkwood and bore Legolas' name were not very large but deep. Glorfindel's box was the same, while the twins' each had one long and with thick wrapping. Erestor had two heavy packages that were tied together and Elrond had numerous small packages along with one larger, slim package.
"What is all this?" Erestor studied the two packages carefully,
"I was sure that elves would be able to figure out what a present was when they saw one; especially since they love to receive gifts." They turned to see Estel standing in the doorway, a towel in his hand and a small smile on his face. "Well," he gestured his chin in their direction, "you're supposed to open them." The elves turned their gazes from the man and Glorfindel shrugged before snapping the string and tearing the brown paper; very carefully removing one of the throwing knives, he held it up to the light.
"It is incredible…" he studied the work of the Haradrim before sliding the small blade back into the paper. "Hannon le, penneth (thank you, young one.)" Erestor opened his two next and within were two large books with details of the language, culture, and traditions of Harad,
"Now your collection is almost complete." The normally stoic elf embraced the man gently before he timidly stroked the cover of his gifts,
"I cannot wait to start them, thank you for my hana (gift)."
"Glassen Erestor (My pleasure Erestor)!" the sound of snapping strings turned their attention to the twins who were eagerly removing layer upon layer of brown paper.
"Seriously Estel?" Elladan caste him a quick glance,
"How much paper did you use gwanor* (brother)?"Elrohir didn't even glance over but continued to rip through another layer.
"You're hands will thank me when you get there." They both looked over to study his expression but he only wore a small smile; suddenly the paper changed and they both hesitated as they felt the soft, thick fabric. Removing the scraps of brown paper from the red and gold fabric they carefully undid the tasseled strings and the fabric fell away,
"Estel! Where on earth did you find these?!" they held in their hands new swords of Haradrim make, the metal gleamed in the candle light and the hilt was engraved elaborately. They tested the weight and feel of the blade before looking incrediously at their youngest brother who still wore a small smile, "Well gwanor?"
"I have helpful…connections in Harad now." His eyes took on a devious glint, "That and they were happy to make swords like this again."
"What do you mean?" Glorfindel asked as he twirled a new knife in his fingers,
"This style of sword…isn't….exactly…um," he scratched the back of his head, "allowed to be made anymore." The eyes of the elves widened and he quickly raised his hands to placate them, "I was the only exception! I had special permission!" his father sighed heavily in relief. Elrohir studied one of the inscriptions near the hilt; it was separated from the rest,
"What does this mean Estel?" the man walked over to look at what his brother was questioning and smiled,
"That would be the equivalent of your name in their language." The twin elves gently lay their new blades down and entrapped their younger brother in a tight hug like they always did when he was small.
"My turn!" Legolas happily snapped the strings that held each box closed and tore the paper much like the twins did; ignoring the muttered 'elfling' from a snickering Glorfindel, he reached into the sack and removed one of the beautifully etched arrow heads, before moving to the other two packages and pulling out an arrow and some fletching. He studied the feathers that were within, they were like no other he had seen before, and they were strangely colored with pale hues and patterns. The wooden shafts were etched with the same script that Estel had said was the language of Harad.
Estel watched carefully how the pale blue eyes of his friend light up and then study each detail of the new arrows carefully. Turning it slowly in his hands and testing the weight,
"I have received and made many arrows in my lifetime," he watched Estel's expression out of the corner of his eye before abruptly embracing the man, "But these I will cherish for as long as they will last!" Estel laughed,
"Knowing you two, it won't be very long." Elladan said with a smirk while Elrohir stifled a laugh behind his hand.
"Enough elflings; your father needs to open his gifts!" Glorfindel declared with arms crossed,
"Why are we elflings and Estel isn't included in this?"
"Yah, he's younger than everyone here!" the twins stepped in front of their mentor with looks of indignation,
"He got us all gifts." Glorfindel shrugged and when the looks didn't change he added, "They're from Harad!" Elrond rolled his eyes and popped the blue strings and carefully removed brown paper to reveal small sacks of seeds and a book about the foreign herbs that would be grown from said seeds. There were antidotes, healing, and cleaning, and also some foreign flowering plants that could be placed in the gardens just outside of his study. Flipping through the book he saw that it was very new and included thorough descriptions of each herb, from smell to effect, even some combinations between different herbs that could create something new. Detailed drawings were also included; Elrond furrowed his brow before turning to the inside of the front cover and looking for the name, his eyes skimmed down the blank page in confusion.
At the very bottom of the page, in fairly small writing, was written "Aragorn 'Estel'". He snapped his gaze to his youngest son who was watching him with one eyebrow raised in, what his sons had always said, looked like him.
"You…you made this?" he held the book up, which caused the others to look between the two of them; in response Estel opened his arms with a smile,
"You're welcome Ada (Dad)." Elrond was quick to embrace his son and hold him tight to his chest, "I'm sorry I wasn't on time for Yule." He burrowed his head into his father's shoulder like he did when he was younger, the scent of his father was the same and the comfort his embrace offered was exactly the way he remembered.
Estel felt all the fatigue of his journey fall on his shoulders then and relaxed in his father's arms.
"Are you ready to go to sleep ion nin (my son)?" he chuckled as his son nodded without removing himself, "When you were little you would deny being tired."
"Because I wasn't tired then." All the elves laughed,
"Alright Estel, we will see you tomorrow." The twins and Legolas shared a look, if only the human knew what was in store for him tomorrow.
A.U. – Yah! Family love! Squeeeee! Please review! *I know that Aragorn was not really related to the twins or Elrond but I agree with the MC where his mother passed away also with Arathorn and he was raised as something closer.