Chapter 4

The next morning Legolas, Arwen, and Estelbain sat in the Lady Celebrian's chambers. Legolas whittled a small carving; Arwen sat listening to Estelbain, who sat reading aloud while Lady Celebrian worked on her needlepoint.

Suddenly they all heard a loud "Ahem!" Everyone looked up to see Lord Elrond standing in the doorway. 

"Daddy!" Arwen squealed with delight and ran to him, hugging him tightly. 

"Father." Estelbain breathed, and walked gracefully to him, giving him a hug. 

Legolas jumped up and stammered, "Lord Elrond." 

Lord Elrond released his daughters with a kiss on the forehead each and quickly walked to his wife side. "How are you, dearest one?" He asked, gently taking her hand. 

"I think I'll be fine," Lady Celebrian answered. 

Yet, as Lord Elrond heard this, he knew in the depths of his heart that she was not fine, and it pained every inch of him, mind, body, and soul. He looked around the room and smiled, seeing Estelbain had remembered the healing qualities of the athelas plant, and that there were bowls of it around Lady Celebrian, as well as poultice with it on the lady's shoulder. Lord Elrond prayed that his skill, and what had been done already, would be enough to keep his beloved wife on Middle Earth. 

Sensing that they should leave, Legolas, Estelbain, and Arwen quietly backed out of the room. 

"What should we do now?" asked Legolas.

"I know, could you teach me how to shoot an arrow like Estely?" Arwen asked.

"That sounds wonderful. It has been too long since I have practiced under the trees of Greenwood. Estelbain added 

"It's settled then." Legolas finalized. "I'll go prepare the fields, while you, two change. 

Estelbain walked Arwen to her chambers and instructed her nursemaid, "Find the princess something suitable to wear while she is learning the fine art of archery. Then please bind her hair so it will not get in the way." 

"As you wish milady," The nursemaid replied. 

Then Estelbain went to her own apartments. When she arrived, she asked one of the guards to fetch her quiver and bow form the armory, then she asked the chambermaid to lay her riding/archery garments out for her. The clothes consisted of long greenish-brown riding breeches; a dark green tunic fastened with a simple gold belt, a lighter green cloak, and sturdy elf shoes. When she was dressed, she sat down and Oivorondaer began brush her hair. When Oivorondaer finished, she started to make small braids in her hair at regular intervals, binding each with twine. Then, when she had enough braids so that there was one every 2cm, she bound up the shimmering golden mass in neat half-ponytail. Just as she was finishing, Arwen and her nurse arrived. Arwen was wearing an old play dress that was faded and getting a bit small her. Her hair was bound up in a single French braid. Estelbain took one look and said, "That dress will not do at all." 

A look of disappointment was on Arwen's little face.

"Don't look so down, sister, go and look on the bed and see what you might find." Estelbain said, a look of mirth on her face. 

Arwen scampered over to the bed, "Oh Estely!" she breathed. For there on the bed, in a neat pile, was a light green cloak, a darker green tunic with a simple belt, dark green breeches, and a pair of good elf shoes. To top it all off, a small bow, beautifully crafted, and a quiver of arrows, all the perfect size for little Arwen. 

"Well, do try it on dear sister, Legolas is waiting for us." Estelbain said, enjoying the fact that her sister loved the gift so much. 

"Thank you so much Estely," Arwen said, throwing her arms around Estelbain's neck.

When Estelbain and Arwen reached the field, they found Legolas waiting for them, a big grin on his face. Three targets had been set up; two were set higher, for Legolas and Estelbain, and one was lower, for Arwen. 

"Ready?" he asked. 

"Of course!" Arwen answered, she could barely contain herself. 

"Well then, let's start. First, line up with your target. Then take out your bow and I'll show you how to hold it. Take your left hand and place it in the middle of the bow like this." Legolas said, showing little Arwen what to do. Seeing she was having problems, he placed her little hand in the right place. 

"Next you take an arrow, you hold it like this. Be careful you don't cut your other hand!" Then Legolas showed Arwen how aim at the target. Arwen's first shot went wide, and skimmed the outside of the target.

"Nuts!" Arwen said, a look of frustration on her face.

Legolas smiled, "You'll get it yet. Here, line yourself up again and I'll help you aim this time." When Arwen was lined up, Legolas bent down and gently took her arm. He then pulled her arm back and told her to release it. 

This time the arrow hit the right spot and Arwen dropped her bow, jumped for joy, and threw her arms around Legolas " Yea! I did it. Did you see that Estely?"

Estelbain clapped and smiled, "Yes. We will make a fine archer of you yet." All this reminded her of when she had first learned to shoot an arrow. She was around six, and Legolas was there. Her first arrow had hit the bull's-eye. Everyone had cheered for her. She had thought it was just beginner's luck. But she had just continued to hit the target. Then they had moved her up to moving targets. (A moving target is were a servant throws something like a dish, a piece of wood or some other plat object in the air and the archer has to hit it.) She had struggled with that. But her father had patiently taken her arm and had shown her how to wait for just the right moment, when the target was just right, to release the arrow. . Then he told her to watch, and learn to anticipate where the target would go, so that the shot would hit it smack on. He also told her when she was fast enough; she would be able to hit much faster targets. 

She took his advice and she had hit her targets just like he said she would. It didn't take long till she was fast enough, and then she was right out with all the he-elves, including Legolas, having a grand time. She was always at least as good as her brothers and, of course, Legolas was always the best, and he still was. 

"Estelbain are you going to use that bow or just hold it?" Araukapilin asked curtly. 

"Hum?" Estelbain said, startled out of dreamland. There was something odd about him, and it didn't sit well with Estelbain. Legolas watched as Estelbain answered Araukapilin by hitting the bull's-eye without even looking up. 

"I'm sorry Araukapilin, what were you saying?" She finished. Araukapilin stood there not knowing what to say. 

"Wow, Estely, how'd you do that?" Arwen asked, her eyes as big as saucers. 

"Watch, and pretty soon you will be able to do that." Estelbain said, smiling. 

Araukapilin just stood there, not knowing what to say. Legolas chuckled. I It always surprised him how Estelbain was so mild-mannered and even-tempered, yet her tongue and wit were at least as sharp and deadly as the bow she wielded.

Just then, Lord Elrond walked on to the field. Arwen ran to him, "Did you see what Estely did?" She asked. 

"Yes, she is a fine archer, and it seems that you have the makings of one as well," Lord Elrond said kindly, smiling at his youngest child. "Legolas, my good boy, what would you say to a friendly competition, you too Araukapilin?" 

"If my lord wishes it so," Legolas said solemnly.

"As you wish," Araukapilin agreed.

Araukapilin shot first, his arrow just missing the bull's-eye. The next shot was Legolas' and his arrow was closer than Aarukapilin's, but Estelbain knew he was holding back.

"Legolas, by the way, please do not hold back, for I do not intend to and nor should you." Lord Elrond said as he shot his first arrow. "Estelbain, would you care to join us?"

"Uh... I don't know father…" She said, not wanting to upset Araukapilin if she should happen to beat him.

"Do not fear, my daughter, we shall be gracious in defeat, as I am sure you will be if we emerge victorious," Lord Elrond said, chuckling. 

"Yeah Estely, show them how it's done." Arwen said. 

"Oh, all right." Estelbain loosed an arrow and the shot was true, striking the bull's-eye with a resounding 'twap'.

Araukapilin took the next shot coming closer to the bull's-eye than before, but still failing to hit it. His anger over missing the shot was clear to all. 

Legolas shot once more, and hit the target perfectly, as did Lord Elrond and Lady Estelbain. Then Lord Elrond called for moving targets. In the end, Legolas won the day, with Lord Elrond placing second, Estelbain third, and finally, Araukapilin sorely in fourth. 

Just as they were finishing up, a servant appeared to announce lunch and they all went inside. As they were about to be seated, Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn appeared. 

They had arrived during the archery contest and they had gone straight to their daughter. Their arrival brought much hugging and kissing. Then they all sat down to their meal. Queen Galadriel and King Celeborn thanked Legolas profusely for rescuing their granddaughter, and they thanked King Thranduil for his hospitality as well. 

Queen Galadriel was much pleased, and she smiled when she realized how close Legolas and Estelbain were. King Celeborn was also happy for the prospects it brought. And Arwen was happy to be, once again, in the company of her loving grandparents. After they were finished eating, King Celeborn and Queen Galadriel retired to their chambers, as did Lord Elrond, while Estelbain and Arwen went to visit their mother. Legolas excused himself and went off on his own. 

In Lady Celebrian's chambers, Estelbain and her mother sat and talked for a while. It seemed there was to be another feast, to celebrate the arrival of Lord Elrond, King Celeborn and Queen Galadriel, and also to rejoice in the fact that Lady Celebrian had regained her strength and was well enough to attend. 

At last, it was time to get ready for the feast. Arwen and Estelbain returned to their rooms. Estelbain but on a silky gray gown, in the fashion of the wood elves. The dress had a neck in the shape of a rounded 'V', and the sleeves came tightly down her arm and to a point just below her wrist. The skirt was thin, and fit tightly to the contour of her torso and hips. Estelbain was tall and graceful, as were most Elves, yet she had a slightly curvy, voluptuous figure that sited her well. Her brow was bound in gems; her hair fell loosely onto her shoulders in waves of curls, and was tucked nicely behind her perfectly pointed ears. Her face had only a little lip rouge on it, and she wore a light, breezy perfume. Her face was as pale as the new moon, and her cheeks were as rosy as if she had just come in form a cold day. Adorning her neck was the necklace Legolas had given to her. On her wrist was a bracelet made of little silver shells that had tiny diamonds and pearls encrusted upon it. 

When she was ready, she went and got Arwen, then went to her parents' chambers where Legolas was waiting for her. Together they all walked into the banquet hall.

"Mighty King Thranduil, Prince Legolas, and their esteemed guests," The announcers heralded. "King Celeborn and Queen Galadriel, Lord Elrond, and Lady Celebrian. Their daughters, Princess Estelbain, and Princess Arwen." The announcer finished. Then they all took their rightful places at the table. King Thranduil sat at the head with King Celeborn and Queen Galadriel to his right and Lord Elrond and Lady Celebrain to his left. Estelbain and Arwen sat beside their mother and Legolas sat across from Estelbain. At the lower table sat the rest of King Thrandiul's court. The food was excellent, the conversation was lively, and the Great Hall sang pleasantly with the voices of the many Elves.

After the meal was finished, all went out to garden for dancing. Estelbain gave Legolas the first dance, and the second as well. Then her father claimed her for the next dance, and Legolas asked little Arwen if she would like to learn some new steps. Estelbain then danced with her grandfather, King Celeborn, and then King Thranduil. After that, she and Legolas danced to a slow tune. The two young Elves then opted to sit out the next one. They laughed and talked and watched as Estelbain's grandparents danced, and her father and mother danced also. Lord Elrond kept a close eye on his wife to make sure she did not overexert herself. 

Then Araukapilin approached Estelbain for a turn, and the two danced to a lively jig. She tried her best but, for an Elf, Araukapilin seemed incredibly clumsy. Estelbain stifled both a chuckle and a yelp as Araukapilin stepped repeatedly upon her poor toes. 

Legolas was far enough away to emit a small laugh, and he made a mental note to congratulate Estelbain for the way she was handling this. When the music ended, he went over and claimed his rightful dance partner and together they danced the final dance. They then made their way to a large room lit by a warm fire, where a storyteller waited for them. After the story, the guests began to make their way to their rooms. 

When almost all of the guests had gone, Legolas bade goodbye to Estelbain, a little unnerved by her father's presence, and not sure what to do. 

Estelbain took notice and was worried that she had done something wrong. Legolas saw this and quickly went to her. 

"Estelbain what is wrong?"

"Oh, it's nothing," she answered, not knowing how to say it. 

But Legolas was a smart Elf, plus Estelbain's eyes spoke volumes. "I'm sorry if I seemed cold, I meant nothing by it," he reassured her. Legolas drew her into a warm embrace that ended with a passionate kiss. He then walked Estelbain to her chambers, where they bade each other good night. Estelbain lay in bed, reliving the wonderful evening she had shared with Legolas, finally drifting into a dream-warmed sleep.