First Meetings by Akiko
"It is good to see our northern cousin," Elrond welcomed.
"It is always good to be here, Lord Elrond," Legolas replied, sliding down
from his horse. "Would that I came with tidings less ill."
Elrond frowned. "That seems to be the only reason of late that we receive
visitors from Mirkwood." He turned toward the halls. "Come. Supper is
at nightfall. You have travelled long, and you are probably weary."
"A bath and a room in which I may change my clothes are all I require
before joining your household at the table." Legolas smiled. "I will
stable my horse and, if the rooms I used on my last visit are still
available, I will go there." He nudged his horse and turned it to the
stable. "Elrond? Should I bring you my news before supper?"
"If you have time. I will be in my chamber."
As he walked back to the guest rooms, Legolas saw a young man whom he did
not recognize. 'Who is that?' he thought. He stopped and watched him as
he practiced swordfighting with Elladan and Elrohir. 'He will make a fine
warrior someday.' He watched as the young man attacked and defended,
sweat dampening his dark hair. 'And a fine lover as well, no doubt.'
The young man blocked Elladan's parry and chanced to see Legolas watching.
Their eyes met for an instant before the young man had to block another
attack. His eyes held an air of distant nobility - and perhaps Elven
kinship. 'I shall ask Elrond about him. I am quite curious.'
Clean and dressed in clothes free from the stain of travel, Legolas left
his room and went to see Elrond. He knocked on the door.
"Enter," came Elrond's voice from within.
He opened the door to find Elrond sitting at a desk. "The news I bring is
this, Lord. The Necromancer has left Dol Guldur - as you know - and has
revealed himself as Sauron, who returned to Mordor. We thought the evil
would be gone from our forest, but it has been replaced with another:
three Nazgul have entered their master's former halls. We have also
heard rumor of Orcs roaming in that area."
Elrond scowled. "Those are ill tidings indeed. The strength of Gondor
wanes, and the realm of Arnor is reduced to a few men. Sauron rebuilds
his Dark Tower, and his servants are abroad. His Ring has passed out of
our knowledge, and we can only hope he does not know its whereabouts
either."
Legolas looked surprised. "Arnor? I thought they were all dead."
"No, they still inhabit the wilds of the north. They are very few in
number, but strong: the blood of Numenor is still true in many of them."
"Strange tidings indeed." Legolas frowned. "What should we do about the
renewed evil in Dol Guldur?"
Elrond sighed. "We cannot assault them. Our strength is not great
enough. I shall ask Mithrandir for counsel. While very little, it is all
I can do."
"And the Orcs?"
"We have little strength to spare, but my sons would surely aid you in
reducing their numbers."
"Then I shall tell my father, and we shall redouble our guard on our
home." He paused. "Elrond, today I saw a young man practicing at
swordplay with your sons. He is not someone I have seen here before.
When I saw his grace and skill, I had to stop and watch. For an instant I
held his eyes, and I thought I discerned an air of nobility and perhaps
kinship with the Elves, or with the Elf-friends of old. Who is he?"
"His name is Estel, and he is one of the remaining few men of Arnor. I
have kept his true lineage secret from him, though I feel that the time
when I must reveal it to him draws near. His true name is Aragorn, and he
is descended from Elendil."
"Then he is indeed a mortal, though your kin from afar."
"Yes, and I fear that a great Doom lies on his shoulders, though I know
not what." As Elrond spoke those words, the bells began to ring calling
them to supper.
Legolas searched the supper hall, hoping to see Estel again. His breath
caught in his throat when he found him, sitting at a long table with
Elladan and Elrohir. He had bathed, and the sweat and dirt of swordplay
were gone, revealing smooth skin, and his dirty clothes were replaced with
a fine emerald-colored tunic. Seeing an empty chair, he walked over to
the table. "May I sit here?" he asked.
Elrohir answered, "We would be honored. Have you met Estel?"
"I saw the three of you practicing with swords earlier." He turned to
Estel. "You have incredible talent, Estel. Your skill will make you a
fine warrior someday." He held out his right hand. "I apologize. My
name is Legolas, and I am Thranduil of Mirkwood's son."
Estel took his hand, saying, "I am pleased to meet you."
"Visits from our cousins in Mirkwood usually indicate ill tidings,"
Elladan said. "Am I wrong?"
Legolas smiled. "You are correct. I have already told your father my
news, and he will try to find Mithrandir."
Estel frowned slightly. "So you will be leaving soon?"
"Perhaps, though Elrond may bid me to wait until he has word from
Mithrandir. It has been a while since I visited Rivendell, so I may
choose to remain here for a short time. My father does not expect me to
return immediately." He looked at the twins. "I have a feeling that you
two would like to help us. There are some Orcs roaming in southern
Mirkwood." As he said this, the eyes of the sons of Elrond glittered with
a fell light.
"We will join you," Elrohir said grimly.
As they ate, Legolas cast furtive glances at Estel. 'He's so young, so
fresh.'
When supper ended, Legolas rose and said, "I will go to the Hall of Fire.
Would any of you care to accompany me?"
Elladan said, "I will go, for a short while."
"I will, also," Estel said.
Elladan and Legolas walked together. "Be careful, Legolas," he said
quietly.
"What do you mean?"
"I saw how you were looking at him. He is mortal, friend."
"Yes, I am aware. When I talked to Elrond, I asked about him," Legolas
replied calmly.
Elladan stopped and put his hand on Legolas' shoulder. "I only want you
to be happy. His doom is bound with yours, that I can see, but not how."
He kissed him on the forehead. "I fear that you may find yourself
involved in something beyond your control."
"Do not worry, dearest of friends. I shall not go about this lightly."
Elladan replied, "And it is that which worries me."
They entered into the hall, where they heard songs and tales of old.
Estel sat next to Legolas.
"Do you know any songs?" Estel asked.
"None that those who dwell here do not. Do you have a favorite song?"
"I like the story of Beren and Luthien. It is very beautiful, and very
sad," he replied.
"Yes, very sad. She is the only elf who has been wholly lost to us."
"Did you know her?" Estel asked, intrigued.
"No, no. I am not that old." Legolas laughed. "There are very few, if
any, who remain in Middle Earth who are. The Lady of Lorien, perhaps,
knew her. Luthien is Elrond's foremother, you know."
"Yes, I knew. I heard the song, and the songs about Earendil, and I asked
Elrond once about them. He was loath to discuss them, it seemed, and when
I learned of his lineage, I understood why."
'Young, yet wise.' Legolas stood. "I am weary from my journey, and I
would like to rest. Would you care to break your fast with me in the
morning?"
Estel smiled broadly. "I would like that. Could you tell me about
Mirkwood? I have not been there."
"Gladly. Until the morning, then." Legolas turned and left.
Estel watched him leave, and he felt an urge to follow him. 'Why do I
feel this strange desire to be with him? I do not feel that way around
Elladan or Elrohir.' Abruptly he stood up and followed Legolas.
Elladan watched them and shook his head sadly. 'Legolas, old friend,
do not allow yourself to become deeply involved with him. I fear you
would not like his fate.'
Estel hurried out the door, and he saw Legolas' figure ahead in the
dimly-lit corridor. He called out, "Legolas!" and rushed to meet him.
Legolas stopped and turned. "Estel? What is it?"
"Nothing," he replied. "I wanted to see you again."
"I only left a moment ago, and we agreed to break fast together tomorrow."
Estel studied the elf's face. "I apologize. I shall not trouble you
further this evening." He turned toward his room.
"Estel, wait." Legolas placed his hand on his shoulder. "Your presence
does not trouble me. It is refreshing to meet someone who is new to this
world, and to hear a new perspective. Unfortunately, my weariness was not
feigned, despite the restful atmosphere in the Hall. If it would please
you, you may walk with me to my room."
"It would please me greatly," Estel said. They walked together, and when
they reached Legolas' room, Estel seemed loath to part ways. "Do you mind
if I come in for a moment?"
"Come in." He sat down to remove his boots. "I need to change my
clothes. Will that bother you?" Legolas picked up a loose tunic and
turned his back to Estel.
"Not at all," Estel replied. He watched Legolas pull his tunic over his
head, revealing a finely-muscled torso, then cover it up with the
loosely-fitting one. He felt disappointed, though he could not explain
why. Then Legolas slid his leggings off, folding them and the tunic and
placing them on a low table.
Legolas sat on the bed. He gazed at Estel in his emerald tunic and black
leggings. He let his mind wander, resting in Elf fashion, unaware that
Estel was watching him.
"Legolas?" Estel touched his shoulder. "Legolas?"
He blinked and turned his head. "What is it?" he asked calmly.
"Do you want me to leave? I did not know you were that weary. You fell
asleep as soon as you sat down, and I do not want to keep you awake,"
Estel said earnestly.
"You are not keeping me awake, Estel. Do not worry. If you were truly
disturbing me, I would ask you to leave." Legolas smiled. "Please, sit.
Here, or in the chair." Estel sat next to him. "For what reason did you
follow me out of the Hall? You seemed happy there, listening to songs."
Estel looked serious. "I do not know. I do not understand it, either.
But when you left, I had to follow you. I needed to be near you. I did
not feel that I could wait until morning to see you again." He looked
into Legolas' eyes. "I felt it this afternoon, when you were watching me
practice. I was glad when you sat with us at supper."
"I will not be here for very long, Estel. You should not become too
enamoured of me." Legolas stroked his cheek. "Though I must admit that
when I first saw you - streaked with dirt and sweat - I was intrigued. I
looked for you at supper, and when I saw you, clean and in clean clothes,
I was glad." His fingers moved to the back of Estel's head, twining in
the dark hair.
Estel moved a hand to the small of Legolas' back, whispering, "It is
already too late. I have grown very fond of you."
Legolas leaned over to kiss Estel, gently, on the mouth. Estel drew back.
"I am sorry," Legolas said. "I thought you wanted that." He withdrew his
hand from Estel's hair.
Estel blushed. "No, I do, I think. I was not expecting it that soon."
He turned his body to face Legolas' side, placing one hand on Legolas'
knee. "I have never done this before," he admitted.
Legolas smiled. "I did not expect that you had." He twined his fingers
in Estel's hair again, and kissed him, gently, on the mouth. Estel was
hesitant, but he gained confidence as the kiss deepened.
Legolas pressed against him, guiding Estel's head to the pillow on his
bed. He knelt over Estel, exploring his body with gentle kisses,
caressing smooth, young skin. Estel's face reddened under the gentle
ministrations, and a fine sheen gilded his brow. Soft satisfied sounds
slipped from Estel's parted lips.
Legolas quickly forgot his weariness.
