A/N: paraphrased from The Silmarillion and The Fellowship of the Ring

Chapter 45

Over the next few months, he became more used to the idea of Sammy and Elewen joining them at practice. Both were refined in the acts of war and healing and both chided Estel when he dared to call them ladies. He quickly learned to not do that.

All around Imladris, the elves were terrified for now there were five holy terrors in their midst. They all enjoyed the times they spent together immensely. On many days, they could all be seen working or playing together. Not only was the sound of their laughter the best sound in the house, but also they were also responsible for many of Elrond's headaches.

One day the five went for a picnic near the river and to just enjoy the cool fall day. They had been given a day off from training so they had every intention of using it wisely.

While Sammy and Elewen were off picking flowers, Estel cornered his brother about Sammy. "Elrohir, can I ask you a question?"

"Of course you can nenth min."

Estel drew a big breath and asked, "Do you love her, Elrohir?"

Elrohir looked at his brother with a big question in his eyes. The elf had never heard his brother ask anything about love or even girls.

Estel saw his brother's questioning look and explained, "I have seen the way you treat Sammy. I have seen you around other elves, but they never affected you the way she does. You seem to be a completely different elf when she's around."

Elladan had been chewing on a blade of grass thoughtfully listening to their conversation. "You know he is right, brother. It is a simple yes or no question, right?"

"I guess it is a simple question, but I don't have a simple answer I'm afraid. Yes, I do love her, but I don't think I could ever ask for her to marry me."

Even Elladan was shocked at his brother's answer. He had never heard him talk like this. But he could tell where his brother was going by the way his voice was faltering.

"I think I know where Elrohir is headed with this conversation. Now sit back Estel, while we tell you the tale of Luthien the Fair and her mortal lover, Beren."

"The tale of Lùthien Tinùviel is long and the end is only known by a few that still walk this land. Like all tales of this land, it is fair, yet sad."

"Yes, Ada told me bits of it a few years ago."

"Well, maybe we can fill in some of the finer points. Melkor had stolen the Silmarils that Fëanor had wrought. They were the most precious of elven jewels for they were made of light from The Two Trees of Valinor. Some of the elves of the West had returned to Middle Earth to make war on Melkor and his servants to retrieve the stolen Silmarils. Some of the men who were of close kindred to the elves joined them. Among these were Barahir and his son Beren. The campaign was unsuccessful and many were lost including Barahir."

"After a long and tiresome journey, Beren ended up in the forest of the hidden kingdom of Doriath. There he beheld the fair daughter of Thingol, but he was unable to catch her. Her hair was as dark as the night, yet her face was as light as the day."

"Beren named her Tinùviel as she danced on the hilltops when winter had passed. Her father decreed her bride price should be nothing less than the lost silmaril of Fëanor. Through many trials Beren passed until his fair love rescued him silmaril and all. Upon leaving the overthrown castle of Morgoth, they were attacked by wolves of Angband. Beren died in the arms of the one he called Tinùviel. The damage to her heart had been done and she chose the way of the mortal so she might follow her beloved and stay by his side for all eternity."

Estel had tears in his eyes by the time Elladan finished his story. He had never heard of anything so beautiful and wondered if he would ever be willing to die for love.

Elrohir added, "There are very few who recall the whole story for it is long and troublesome on many accounts. But Ada knows some of it for we are descended from the line of Lùthien and Beren. Have you ever heard Glorfindel call Ada Peredhil?"

Estel nodded. He had heard it used a few times in jest but could never figure out its meaning. Elladan explained, "It means 'half-elf'. He and his brother Elros were given the choice of immortality or to live the way of man and his brother chose the former while Ada chose to remain with the people of his grandmother."

About that time, Sammy and Elewen returned with wreathes of flowers in hand. After they finished their meal they returned to the city. The tale had left Estel with a lot to think about and his brothers as well. They too shared the same unspoken fear as Elrond for their sister that one day the tale of Lùthien would be repeated; only it would be this little human, their brother, who would steal her heart.