Healing Hope
By Gwenneth
Disclaimers: I do not own any of the characters in this story they are all the property of Tolkien.
Summary: Legolas is devastated by his mother's death. In hopes of healing him, Thranduil takes him to Rivendell where he befriends young Estel. Then, the three brothers and the prince embark on a hunting tripâ€and all that can go wrongâ€does.
A/N: This story can be considered AU because it has Estel meeting Legolas when he is only 10. I do not know who is really older and younger, Legolas, Arwen or the twinsâ€but whatever ways I break from cannon, I beg you not to flame me for them.
Rivendell...
"Adar? Who is that blonde Elf riding behind the King?"
Young Aragorn was standing beside his father and brothers, trying to remain
somewhat calm. The 10-year-old human had met King Thranduil, but he was
anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Mirkwood entourage anyway. When he saw
the younger Elf behind the King, he was curious as to his identity.
"That is Prince Legolas," Elladan said quietly, holding his brother still. "He
is Thranduil's son, he's younger than us, but he is very mature for his age."
Younger then the twins...that intrigued Aragorn. "Is he younger than Arwen?"
"Yes," Elrond interjected. "But I must warn you now; Legolas is not like other
Elves. He rarely speaks since the death of his mother, you may find that
befriending him as you undoubtedly intend will be a little difficult."
The young man frowned now. But he was always up for a challenge. Stilling his
movements as the Elves grew close he waited patiently for them to reach the
Rivendell party.
If the Prince is formal, then I shall show him that I am the picture of
manners, Aragorn thought to himself.
"Greeting, King Thranduil of Mirkwood. And his son, Legolas, Thranduilion,
welcome to Rivendell." Elrond bowed lightly, though his own status as Lord made
this unnecessary.
Thranduil smiled lightly. "It is good to see you old friend," he said
dismounting. The young Elf behind him mimicked his movements, eyes never
leaving the ground.
"Elladan, Elrohir, you have grown up in the time since I last saw you."
The twins bowed to the King as their father had. Elrond reached out toward
Aragorn. "King Thranduil, allow me to introduce my son, Estel."
Estel bowed to the king as his father and brothers had. "Mae govannen, hir
nin," he said with reverence. "Mae govannen, Thranduilion." He bowed to Legolas
next.
The Prince's eyes lifted for a moment, a faint glitter of amusement showing
through the listless gaze.
Elrond watched the exchange with growing fascination. In such short time he
has made a connection, I knew this visit would do wonders for the prince.
Thranduil smiled wanely, the communication not lost on him either. "We have
traveled long and hard," Thranduil said quietly. "Perhaps a short rest is in
order. Unless you are not tired, ion nin?"
Legolas hesitated, wanting to avoid contact with everyone, but also interested
in this human. The prince had little interaction with his kind and being
forever interested in learning, he was keen to take this opportunity.
Seeing the Prince's eyes on him, Estel piped up, "I could take Legolas to his
room, Adar. I know the way."
Smiling, Elrond looked to the Prince who nodded. "All right, Estel. But don't
pester him too much, the prince has traveled a long way from Mirkwood."
"Yes, Adar."
That said, he gestured for Legolas to follow. The prince cast one last look at
his father, than followed the young Human. The others watched their progress
with interest.
Elladan looked to his father. "Do you really think Estel can help him, Ada?"
Elrond sighed, looking to Thranduil who looked just as uncertain. "I'm not
sure, Elladan. I do hope that he can. I did not name him 'Estel' for no reason, mind
you. He may be Legolas' only hope."
Thranduil nodded. "The look in his eyes he had when Estel addressed him, I have
not seen in a long time. Not since before his mother was killed. Perhaps Estel
can draw him from this shell."
Legolas walked behind Estel down the corridors of Imladris. It had been long
since he was here last and he felt it was even more beautiful then he had
remembered it.
Estel, he was interesting, to say the least.
The boy turned into a room. "Here we are. If you want, I could come in with
you. Show you where everything is."
Legolas frowned. "There is another reason you wish to enter, Estel."
The boy frowned. "Aye, I would like to learn about you. I have never met an Elf
as young as you and I always feel so young around everyone here. I am only 10
years old you know."
Legolas frowned. So young. "Well, I am not that interesting."
Estel twitched his nose. "You carry a beautiful bow. Do you shoot well?"
"You might say that."
"Could you show me how you shoot? I can't hit anything with my bow, 'Dan says
I'm hopeless." Estel was gazing with wonder at the dark Mirkwood bow.
The prince pulled it from his shoulder and smiled a little. "Well, archery is
my specialty. But I have not done it much lately. Perhaps I could show you some
other time."
"Do you want me to go?"
"No." Legolas frowned. He had spoken so fast, he wasn't sure why he had said
no. He really had nothing to speak to this boy about. "You may stay if you wish. I
have little to speak of though."
Estel smiled. "That's all right. I'll just ask you questions, or you can ask me
questions."
He plopped on the bed and gestured for the Elf to take a seat beside him.
For some reason, Legolas was comfortable around this boy and he moved to the
bed and sat. The bed barely moved under his weight.
"How are you so graceful?" Estel asked.
The question took Legolas off guard. "I do not know, Estel. I have always been
thus. What an odd question."
Estel laughed. "I'm an odd boy, Adar says! I always make tons of noise when I
try to track animals. You could teach me a lot."
Legolas frowned. "Surely your brothers can do that, Estel."
"No," Estel said quietly. "They do not have the time. They are always hunting
Orcs, they never rest long. I have only Glorfindel to teach me and he is often
busy. I hope you stay a while."
Legolas had not offered to teach the boy anything, but he knew that he could
not tell this boy no. He was too innocent and he already seemed to idolize the Elf.
This was a new feeling for Legolas.
Being such a young Elf, he was unused to anyone looking up to him. He could
learn to like this feeling.
"You know what Estel. I think I would like very much to teach you during my
stay."
That said the two began to speak in earnest of bows and swords, tracking and
battles.
"But Ada! I'm not a little child anymore! I can do this! Legolas has taught me much since he arrived here, I'll be all right on a little hunting trip. Please, Ada!"
Estel had never sounded so desperate to go on a hunting trip before. It was true, the young Mirkwood prince had vastly improved Estel's aim with a bow and taught him many skills with a blade. But Elrond still hesitated to allow Estel to go on a hunting trip.
Especially with the twins and Legolas as company.
He knew the trouble those three Elves usually managed to get into and he didn't think Estel was up for it. Ever since Celebrian had been kidnapped and tortured by Orcs, Elladan and Elrohir had taken ever available opportunity to engage with the vile creatures and that was the main worry behind Elrond's hesitation.
"My Lord," Legolas said quietly. "I know you fear the nature of your sons to follow and destroy any and all Orc. But, I do not think Estel will be easily dissuaded, nor do I think he will be a hinderance. If there are Orcs about I, for one, would not let him fight, I'd send him up a tree and defend it to the last."
Elrond smiled. "I know you would protect Estel with your life, though I'm certain your father would not appreciate you so willingly giving yourself. Estel is not battle-hardened, he has never fought against real adversaries, I loathe to put him in jeopardy."
Legolas nodded, bowing his head lightly. "I see. Perhaps he and I can go on a camping trip then? Without the twins? Closer to Rivendellâ€for he so badly wishes to try his new tracking abilities."
This was a better idea, Elrond felt. But the twins did not agree. "But Legolas, we need you with us! Three is better then two any day!"
The prince was torn. He desperately wanted to go with the twins, but he could see the turmoil in Estel and he knew he couldn't abandon the young human now. Not when they had forged such a deep bond.
"I am at a loss, My Lord," Legolas said quietly. Elrond could see the confusion and the growing anxiety in the prince. Perhaps Legolas really did not want to go anywhere. After all, seeing Orcs would only remind him of the painful loss of his mother to their violence.
But Estel and the twins did not see that.
Sighing, Elrond turned to Estel. "Then you may go with your brothers and Legolas, as much as I loathe sending you. Promise you will do everything you are told, without arguing. A battle with Orcs or any other evil creature is no place for a 10-year-old boy."
Before Elrond even finished his sentence, Estel was bobbing up and down in place, excitement barely restrained. "Thank you, Ada! I promise I will do what I'm told! Legolas, did you hear that? I can go with you!"
The boy bounded toward the Elf, so excited that he didn't stop to think that perhaps the Mirkwood Elf wouldn't want a young boy to jump into his arms.
Legolas' eyes widened when Estel latched onto him. He froze, unsure whether he was comfortable with this or not. Elrond watched him carefully, waiting to see if the prince would calm down.
Breathing deeply, Legolas loosened his arms and gently extricated himself from Estel with a small smile. "Yes, I was here and I heard him say it, Estel. You better go pack your things; we are now waiting on you."
Nodding, Estel fairly flew from the room.
Legolas let out a shaky breath and ran his hands along his trousers, relieving them of their sweat. That had shaken him more then he liked to admit. But at least he hadn't jerked away as he used to do.
That was progress, however infinitely small.
Elladan and Elrohir scowled and took their leave. They were glad Legolas was coming with them, less so that Estel would also be tagging along. That meant they would not have the chance to strike off and follow Orcs for a long time.
"He always gets in the way," Elladan mumbled as he closed the door behind them.
Legolas looked to Elrond. "They seem to resent his coming."
Elrond sighed. "Since the incident with their mother, the twins seek to avenge her mistreatment by killing as many Orcs as they can. Estel will hinder that plan. You were right, he will not hinder the hunting, but that hunt he will get in the way of. The twins have been known to strike out for weeks."
Legolas frowned. "Killing Orcs will not bring back their mother," he said quietly, reflecting on the time he had wished to do the same to every Orc in Middle-Earth. "It is a lesson I learned well."
Elrond nodded. "I know, young Prince. I ask a favor of you." He drew the young Elf near. "Keep a close eye on Estel. He is impetuous and excited. He will think himself invisible in a fight, it there should be one. He is not ready to do battle."
The prince released a breath and then nodded. "I will watch him, Lord Elrond. As I said before, I will protect him with my own life. Something tells me he is infinitely more important then you let on."
The Elf Lord looked into the princes eyes and nodded. "Yes, but that is not something we speak of."
"I understand," Legolas said quietly.
Then he too left the room. Elrond looked silently at the closed door and sighed. "I do hope they all come back in some semblance of one piece."
A/N: Yeh, it's me...I'm back with a new story. I normally don't write young Estel/Legolas stories, but I just felt like giving it a try. SO, I have to try to write a child Estel...fun fun! Lemme know what you all think...go or no go...
-Gwenneth