Chapter 2: A Friend is Coming

Estel raised his bow and drew back the arrow, shaft parallel to his eye. He only hesitated for a moment before letting it go. The arrow whistled through the air and landed, only a little to the left of the target.

He lowered his bow, fully expecting Glorfindel's reprimand. But it wasn't Glorfindel's voice that greeted him.

"It seems, mellon nîn, that experience only makes you worse." Estel turned around to see Lord Elrond not far behind him. Estel had not heard him arrive, which was hardly unusual. The elf-lord smiled at Estel, before turning his attention back to Glorfindel. "What do they call you? The Balrog slayer?"

"They do,Lord Elrond," said Glorfindel, feigning annoyance. Estel knew exactly how this conversation would play out. He had seen similar ones between the two ancient elf-lords for as long as he could remember, and yet, he never got tired of them.

"But then, Glorfindel," said Elrond, walking forward, "Why is it that your archery is so substandard?"

"Elrond, if you are going to start comparing me to those thrice-damned wood elves again-"

"I shall be sure to inform King Thranduil of your high opinion of his people, mellon nîn," said Elrond calmly.

"And I shall be sure to inform him of your unfair treatment to me with regards to my archery. Mayhap he will decide to offer me a place in Mirkwood's council!"

"His son, a mere elfling, can shoot better than you," Elrond pointed out, "And you may as well start practising, both of you." He looked at Estel, a smile playing on his lips. "Legolas Thranduilion arrives soon. If we are in luck, Estel, he may rescue you from Glorfindel's hopeless archery training."

Estel found it hard not to laugh aloud as Glorfindel shot back, "If I am in luck, Elrond, then I will be delivered to a place where my skills are appreciated!" But the bite of the remark was completely lost, as Glorfindel himself was struggling not to smile.

Elrond chuckled. "We'll see, mellon nîn. In any case, may I have my son back? We need to discuss matters."

"Of course," said Glorfindel. Estel was slightly surprised when he gently touched him on the shoulder and said, "Well done, Estel." His performance had not been as good as he had hoped today, but he accepted the compliment.

"Le hannon," he replied, smiling back.

"Come, Estel," his Ada said, holding out his hand.

Laying down his bow alongside Glorfindel's, Estel followed Lord Elrond out of the courtyard.

There was silence between them as they walked out to one of the many gardens that surrounded their home. Estel joined his father as he sat down on a bench, watching the sinking sun. After a few moments, he had to ask, "Ada, is Prince Legolas really arriving?"

Elrond turned to him with a smile. "Did I not teach you patience, Estel?"

Estel sighed. "You did, Ada."

Elrond chuckled, but did not reply. Estel watched the sun and tried not to dwell on the Prince's arrival, but his curiosity got the better of him once more. Just as he was going to repeat his question, Elrond spoke. "Legolas arrives tomorrow, Estel." He reached out and took Estel's hand, and Estel could feel the cold of his father's ring and the warmth of his skin. "He has not seen you in a while."

"He's seen me?" Estel certainly couldn't remember seeing him.

"When you were very young," Elrond explained, "He had come here shortly. Years ago, your brothers would not pass six months without either asking to go to Eryn Galen or asking that Legolas came here." Elrond chuckled. "It was quite a dilemma for Thranduil and myself, because while neither of us wanted to be parted from our sons for long, well," He glanced at Estel, and grinned, "It is generally considered unwise to have three young elves like Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir in your care at the same time."

Estel laughed. He could just imagine 'Dan and 'Ro as elflings, wreaking havoc on Imladris, though he certainly couldn't imagine Prince Legolas–the same Prince Legolas he had been hearing about, the one whose reputation with spiders was like Glorfindel's reputation with Balrogs–causing the same sort of trouble.

"I just thought I should warn you," Elrond continued, "That when Legolas arrives, do not be surprised if you find the three of them paying each other back for pranks pulled a century or so ago."

"I won't be, Ada," Estel reassured him, though he was still struggling to imagine Prince Legolas as his father described him. "Is Prince Legolas really to teach me archery?"

Elrond chuckled again, sounding even more amused. "Firstly, Estel, he will probably forbid you from calling him that, so try not to get used to it."

Calling him what? Estel wanted to ask, but instead he listened.

"And he would be delighted to teach you archery," Elrond finished. "Eru knows you'll need it," he said, in a lower, slightly less humorous voice.

"Ada?" Estel watched as Elrond kept his eyes on the sun. "Was there something else you wanted to say?"

Elrond sighed. "No, ion nîn." He squeezed Estel's hand gently once more. "There was nothing more at all." He turned to Estel and kissed him on the brow, as he often did. "Go. Your mother wishes to speak with you."

But even as Estel left, he did not miss the sorrowful look on his Adar's face, or the way his hand clenched tightly and painfully over the ring.