Celebrating in a Different Manner

by Arodiel

This story was written for the "Spiders" competition for Estel Angst Central. I hope you enjoy reading it!

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, creatures, holidays, or places. I only own the plot for this story.

A/N: Faradome is an elven holiday that is celebrated at the beginning of the summer. It is a night of orc hunting. I did not make it up. Oh, and Estel is approximately twenty years old in this story. And one more thing: a character's thoughts are in italics.

Dedication: This chapter is dedicated to anyone who reviews on it. You will make my day!

Translations: Adar- Father; mellon nin- my friend.

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Chapter 1

Estel awoke to the sound of birds chirping nearby. It was a beautiful spring day, and the sunlight that was pouring into the young man's room had slowly crept its way onto his bed.

Estel rolled over, turning his back to the sun's rays, and pulled the bed sheets over his head. Estel obviously was not a morning person. He was about to fall back to sleep when there came a knock and the door.

"Enter," Estel said lazily, not moving a muscle from his comfortable position.

Lord Elrond came through the doorway, carrying a sealed piece of parchment. "Rise out of bed Estel, I have something for you."

"What is it?" asked Estel, pulling himself up into a sitting position on the bed and rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

"The messenger brought it to me this morning," answered Elrond. "A letter from Legolas."

Estel was wide awake immediately. He arose from bed and came to stand next to his foster-father, who was holding the message. Estel looked at the front of the paper, and sure enough, in elvish writing, was Estel's name. Although all Elves had very similar handwriting, Estel could tell the letter was written by Legolas' hand.

Lord Elrond smiled as he handed his foster-son the parchment. "Well, what does Legolas say?"

Estel took the letter and opened it. He read aloud what the message said:

'Estel, my friend, it has been too long!

As you may have noticed, spring is coming to an end, and the celebration of Faradome is approaching soon. I was hoping that if you were able to, that you could accompany me in hunting along the borders of Mirkwood that night. If you wish to, and your father says you may, then send word back to me. I would offer to ride out to Rivendell and visit for a while, and then we both could ride back to Mirkwood together, but I am afraid I will not have the time. My father would like a group of elves, including myself, to scout the southern parts of Mirkwood. There have been reports of spiders nests there, and we have orders to rid the place of them.

You know of the place where we first went hunting together, just south of the Old Forest Road? If you can recall, there was a large stream that flowed southwards. Follow this stream for about half a league, and there you will find a small clearing. I will meet you there if you are able to come.

Send word of your response to me soon, mellon nin!

Your friend,

Legolas.'

Estel looked up from the paper. "May I please go, adar?"

Lord Elrond thought for a moment while Estel watched him with hopeful eyes. "You may, as long as you promise to be careful."

"Oh I will be, adar, I promise!"

"And I do not want to hear that you have been injured by orcs, or anything for that matter."

"Oh no adar, you will hear of no such thing!"

Elrond looked his son in the eye. "You do not mean a word you are saying to me." Estel grinned guiltily. Elrond sighed and playfully swatted Estel on the head. "You will never change." And with that, Lord Elrond left the room.

Estel made his way to his desk and sat down. He grabbed a nearby quill and dipped it into a vial of black ink. Estel eagerly wrote a responding letter back to Legolas, sealed it, and gave it to one of the elven messengers.

The young man came back inside and had breakfast. As he munched on some toasted bread, Estel began thinking about when he should leave Rivendell so that he would reach Mirkwood in time for the celebration.

Faradome is in thirty-six days... it is slightly over a month's ride to Mirkwood... Estel blinked. "I have to leave today if I am going to meet Legolas in time!" Leaving his breakfast plate on the table, but taking his toast with him, Estel scurried to his room to pack.

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"Adar, I will be careful," Estel said for what seemed to him to be the umpteenth time.

Elrond sighed. "You are telling me this now, Estel, but in about a month or two I will more than likely hear that you have been gravely injured and only my healing skills will be able to save you from a grim fate."

Estel rolled his eyes at his father's words as he mounted his mare, Gilroch.

"I will see you next month, adar," Estel called over his shoulder to Lord Elrond.

"Farewell adar," Estel murmured, "Legolas, here I come!" Gilroch quickened her pace, feeling her rider's excitement.

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Well, did you like it so far? This is just the first chapter, so the part with the spiders is yet to come. I'll probably get to the spiders in either the next chapter or the third. I hope you will continue reading this story, and if you can, please review! It really encourages an author when people comment on their story. Tell me whether you liked it or not; favorite parts and recommendations. Thanks for reading!