Summary: Estel feels he must prove himself worthy to many, one in particular
Disclaimer: I do not own any of them, lest they be covered in drool
A/N: Of course it is AU!
Chapter 1
It was not a typical day in Lothlorien. The Golden Wood, that was normally filled with nothing but peace and tranquility, was now preparing some of their finest warriors to leave with the sons of Elrond on a mission.
"Grandmother, we cannot leave Lothlorien unprotected."
At a look from Galadriel, Elladan said no more. He knew she would not waver in her decision, so he knew they would have to use something else -- their keen sense of getting into trouble.
Elladan did not miss the looks the elves here gave his human brother. They did not understand humans, nor did they wish to, preferring to keep to themselves and protect their own. What Elladan also knew was that they would accept Estel simply because he was the son of Elrond, but acceptance was all they would give him. Estel had already seen the stares, the whispered words they shared amongst themselves, only to smile at him when he glanced their way or seemed to hear their words. Estel, however, was not one to hold a grudge, and he tried to join their conversations, only to be politely left out of them.
"Estel!" Elladan called, seeing him by the flet. "Come, it is time for the evening meal and Grandmother does not like to be kept waiting."
Estel acknowledged his brother's call, but he was reluctant to join them. Already Elrohir had gone off to join Rumil in fletching the arrows they would need, but when he had asked if he could help, the Silvan elf had politely told him in no uncertain terms they did not need his help. Estel felt torn inside. He was a man now, according to the age of men, and yet his brothers did not yet accept him as one. They coddled him and often still referred to him as "little one".
Deciding he would accomplish nothing by sitting there brooding all day, Estel stood up and followed Elladan to the evening meal, but before he could take his seat Galadriel and Celeborn entered. Not wanting to be disrespectful, Estel kept standing until they were seated, but he glanced around and saw everyone else giving him cold hard stares.
Glancing up at his Grandmother he saw nothing but love in her eyes and, if he were not mistaken, a tad bit of approval. Estel did not think anything of it, as his Ada had long drilled proper etiquette into him, but at the looks from the others, he sat down quickly.
Dinner was eaten without so much as a word from Estel, but he listened to the others speak of the nearing orcs and their brutal methods of killing elves. He heard the outrage as Haldir spoke and knew the elf hated the monstrous creatures as much as he did. Little did they know of Estel's nightly dreams -- of how he saw his parents die night after night. His Ada knew, as he called out to him as a child seeking the comfort of his arms, but it had continued even until now. Estel stopped telling anyone, sure that the burden was his alone and that only he could face it in time.
Dinner was soon over, and Estel followed his brothers out to the gardens. It was here that Haldir and Orophin let their feelings be known.
"Estel, why would you make us seem disrespectful in front of the Lady?"
Estel was so shocked at the sudden outburst he began to stutter, "I saw her enter and thought it proper to stand. Was I incorrect?"
Elrohir glared at Haldir, "You were correct, Estel. Haldir is just upset that he was too preoccupied to notice when Grandmother entered."
Estel did not want to further put a wedge in between he and the elves of Lothlorien, but everything he did was wrong. He shoved the hurt away for now; they had planning to do.
"We should wait and leave when the others do!" Orophin shouted.
"You are wrong! That will leave Lothlorien's borders unprotected," Elladan said, standing to his full height. He might have been younger than Haldir and his brothers, but the wrath of Elladan was a force to be reckoned with. Estel also knew that his brothers had long ago earned their respect.
"Would you willingly send some of the less skillful out to protect your land?" Elrohir said, trying to appeal to their vanity. "Do you know of any other three more skillful with a bow?"
After many more arguments, it was decided that they would sneak out after everyone else had gone to bed. Estel had not spoken a word the entire time, hoping to make himself smaller somehow, but as he lay there in his bed, his courage once again flared to life. He would show these elves he was an Elrondion.
"Haldir," Elladan said, walking with the silvan elf. "Estel may be adan, but he has proven himself in many hunts. He will not falter or lag behind. You must trust me when I tell you this and show him the same respect you would show me."
"I cannot say I yet respect him, but I shall honor your words and say nothing more of his heritage. He has the Lady of the Wood's respect, therefore I shall show him the same courtesy I would to you or those of your house, but I see him as no equal in battle."
"This is all I can ask of you, mellon nin. In time you will see Estel has much to offer, both in kinship and in battle."