Epilogue

Nine months later

Legolas

Estel's hand on his leg brought Legolas back to reality. The human's eyes were soft and filled with compassion. "Mellon nin?"

"Give me a moment." Legolas forcibly swallowed the slice of meat pie. The nausea threatened to well up in him. I have to eat, he told himself firmly. I deserve to eat. I deserve to live. It's what Haldir would have wanted.

He'd repeated the words Elrond had taught him so many times that Legolas was surprised he didn't say them in his sleep. The unwanted sickness faded, and he took a grateful gulp of water. He hadn't had trouble eating for several months now, but today, it was to be expected.

Thranduil's people had recovered Haldir's body, which was sent back to Lothlorien to be buried. Today, on the anniversary of his death, Legolas had come to visit the grave. Of course, Estel came with him. Nothing Legolas said would have dissuaded the human, not that he would have wanted to. As always, he was glad for Estel's company.

"I'm ok," he said eventually as the spasm passed. Estel's eyes cleared. One of the things Legolas had been broken of quickly was lying about his state, mental or physical. It only made everyone suffer more, both him and everyone around him. Now, when he said he was fine, Estel believed him, because he wouldn't say it if he didn't truly mean it.

Estel appraised the prince's expression for a moment before quickly surmising what he needed, so adept had the human become at reading his moods. Right now, Legolas needed a distraction from his dismal thoughts, and Estel was quick to provide one.

"Once we're done here, I say we should head back to Greenwood. I know your Ada said we could stay as long as we need, but personally, I think that if we leave him alone with his new manservant for too long, someone is going to lose a head."

Legolas laughed at this. When Thranduil's old servant had retired, finding someone new who the king found suitable had been quite an ordeal. Of course, it hadn't been helped along by the twins' pranks. Thranduil still had no idea that it was in fact no fault of his third appointee that the king's hair had mysteriously turned bright blue after washing it with a soap that the hapless servant insisted he hadn't tampered with.

Of course, Elladan and Elohir had felt bad after that particular incident and the summary dismissal of the servant, who was now a grudging Elladan's squire. Elohir found this particularly hilarious, mercilessly teasing his brother that only the weaker of the two required a squire to help don his armor and sharpen his weapons.

He wasn't laughing so much when Elladan sat back happily at camp and relaxed as the other twin grudgingly tended to the chores with Gavir.

"So?" the human asked quietly. It had become his custom to ask Legolas about his troubles whenever he read the on the prince's face, or when they went through something that was sure to trigger memories.

"I still miss him," Legolas sighed. "I wish he was here… but Elrond is right. He'd want me to live my life. I want that, too. I want to live."

He could say no more before Estel pulled him into a bone crushing hug. "I know, gwador. I know you've told me that several times now, but it's always a relief to hear again."

Legolas relaxed into the embrace for a few moments before pulling away and giving the human a cheeky smile. "Speaking of, there's a certain servant who might not live should we delay much longer. Shall we?"

Estel offered him a hand up, and the two friends walked back to their horses, arm in arm, laughing as they headed off toward their next adventure.