Chapter 44 Secrets

A/N: The characters of Sammy and Elewen are the creation of a dear friend. She allowed me to use them in my story. Their adventures are in the scrapbook at . 

Over the next few years, the elves taught Estel a lot about warfare, life and love. The elves saw he ate up everything he was taught with a supernatural greed. He quickly became an ever-learning master of not only the sword, but the bow and arrow as well. Based on the elves' experiences, he received more training with the bow and arrow, but loved the sword more because he felt it gave him more power.

Everyday he would go to training then continue with his other studies or chores after eating a small meal. His mother relented a great deal more when she saw how much he was growing and learning. He was even able to go on patrol or hunts with the elves at least once a month. Some of these trips had a specific purpose such as finding more herbs for the healers or cooks. Estel loved to find the sprigs of peppermint that his brothers had showed him what seemed like a million years ago.

One day after returning from a riding excursion with Melian, Estel saw Elrohir with an elf maiden he had never seen before. Estel giggled when he saw his brother take the she-elf's hand and give her a kiss on the cheek. He was at the age when he really didn't care much for girls, but even he had to admit this blonde-haired elf was beautiful.

Her hair was braided back in several plaits as if she had been training. Estel's mind was reeling. He had never heard of a shield maiden in Imladris. There had been a few in Lórien, so it wasn't completely unheard of. Estel had to duck down in the stall quick as there was another she-elf coming his way.

This one looked like no elf Estel had ever seen. Her hair was a light brown color and her skin was very fair. He managed to see her eyes just as he ducked down and became mesmerized by them. They were the color of the sea if Estel had known it, for she was a Noldorian elf.

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Elrohir grinned. He was so happy now that the love of his life was back. Samrendiel and Elewen had just returned. Elrohir could see Sammy's best friend coming towards them. "Mae Govannen, Elewen. It's wonderful to see you both back."

Estel was shocked. He had never seen such a joyous light in his brother's eyes. He had snuck closer so he could hear what was being said. He gasped when he got a closer look at Sammy. Her eyes were a merry shade of blue and her face looked exactly like Haldir's. Elrohir held up his hand to silence the two when he heard the noise in the stall next door. When Estel heard the straw cracking, he knew he was in trouble.

"Oh, we have a spy, I see," Elrohir said as he grabbed Estel's ear and pulled him out of the stall. Estel looked down at the ground after Elrohir let him go. He was going to be trouble later, he just knew it.

"Elewen, Sammy, I would like you to meet my foster brother, Estel." He looked up at the two she-elves and bowed, "Mae Govannen. It is nice to meet you. I will see you later. I have to go finish rubbing Melian down," and he quickly ran off.

Sammy and Elewen laughed. "You are so mean Elrohir," Sammy grinned.

"I will leave you two alone so I can go talk to him. I will see you later." And with that, he ran off.

Later up in the house, Estel avoided his brother all day, he didn't want to tell anyone what he had seen. Though, he had to admit, his brother had good taste.

Dinner that night was an interesting affair. Estel found out that the two she-elves were indeed shield maidens of both Imladris and Lothlorien. This intrigued him. He noticed Sammy stayed close to Elrohir while Elewen sat next to Glorfindel. He did not know what to say, as the thoughts that were running through his mind were scattered and conflicting.