Chapter 6 (5 months since Estelbain's time in Greenwood/Mirkwood) Dear Legolas, It has only been only a few months since I have seen you, yet it seems as if ages have passed. I miss you so. I don't know when you will get this, for there is little travel between our kingdoms. I wish you had been here today; Father had the dance master come and give Arwen her first dance lesson. By the way, he was very impressed with what you taught her, and a little grateful. I'm sorry to say that it was quite a comical sight. The dance maser is quite a tall elf and Arwen is still so small. Anyway, by the end of it we were all laughing and couldn't dance. Father seems so absorbed lately I worry something is amiss. But maybe I'm just imagining things. How do you fare? I'm fine but I long to see you again. I fear mother is calling so I must go now. Lovingly yours, Estelbain, Princess of Lothlorien and Rivendell Dearest Estelbain, Your last letter warmed my heart. You're right, it seems as though all the ages that have passed, and then some, have gone by since I have seen your face. I hate to think that it has only been 7 months. But maybe fate will smile upon us and we will see each other again soon. I have been very busy helping father and learning how to rule the kingdom. Truth be told, sometimes I fear I will never be ready to rule alone. But then I don’t think I'll have to. I'm sorry I can't write more but I only just found out that travelers are going your way. Give my love to Arwen and the rest of your family. I miss you so and long to see you Love from the depths of my heart, Legolas, Prince of Greenwood ***** Then, in about a month, Legolas received a letter that caused him to travel to Imladris at great pace. He arrived late at night and was greeted at the door by Lord Elrond and Lady Celebrian. When he saw them, he let out a sigh of relief. He had come in time. "Legolas, we are so glad you received my letter and made it in time, for I fear I leave at first light." Lady Celebrian said, sounding very distant. Legolas looked up at the sky, it would be dark for few more hours yet. "I'll have one of the servants show you to your rooms," Lord Elrond said, attempting to be kind. Though he didn't like that his wife had wanted Legolas there to comfort his daughter, he knew it would ease her troubled mind. When Legolas had changed, Lady Celebrian sent a maid to fetch him. Then she led him to Estelbain's chambers. Legolas, not really knowing what to do, stood in the back of the room watching as Lady Celebrian kissed her daughter's forehead and bid her a silent goodbye. Estelbain slept on, unknowing, stirring only a little. Then Lady Celebrian floated back to where Legolas stood and turned to face him, "Be here when she wakes, for I fear she will not understand at first, "she said to him, all feeling long having left her voice and eyes. Legolas nodded and walked up to where Estelbain lay. Seeing her so peaceful, the thought of waking her wrenched his heart. He kissed her silently and lightly on the lips and was about let her sleep, when her eyes suddenly fluttered open. "Legolas?" she asked sleepily. "You're dreaming, go back to sleep," Legolas said as he stroked her cheek and moved to walk away. "No, please don't leave me," Estelbain said weakly. Legolas smiled. "As you wish," he said, and then he lifted the blankets and crawled in next to Estelbain. He wrapped his arms around her and held her as she fell asleep. Legolas tried to follow, but found he had too many things on his mind. He contented himself with simply being at peace and watching Estelbain sleep, oblivious of what was happening. At first light, Legolas rose to watch the sunrise. He went to one of his favorite places in Imladris. It was in the forest, just far enough from the city to feel secluded. It had a pool that had a little waterfall and was surrounded by wildflowers and soft grass. Legolas climbed to the top of the waterfall and waited for the sun to come up. "She's gone, isn't she? Mother left middle earth?" Estelbain said, coming up behind Legolas and sitting down beside him. "Yes." Legolas said taking the now sobbing Estelbain his arms. "I knew this day would come after mother was hit. But still I hoped and I prayed that it would not happen. That somehow her light would return and she would be the way I remember her, happy and still in love with middle earth." Estelbain sobbed. "I know, we all did," Legolas said, doing his best to comfort her. Estelbain lifted her head and they both watched as the sun rose. Estelbain sighed at the sight, and how it always comforted her even in her darkest of hours. "Arwen will be waking soon. I must go and be there when she finds out." Estelbain said with tears in her eyes. The young couple made their way down to Rivendell. When they reached little Arwen's chambers, they saw her father enter and soon heard the scream of little Arwen. She came flying out and into her sister's waiting arms. "No, Estely he's wrong, mommy didn't leave us, and she wouldn't leave us!" Arwen wailed. "Hush, hush, mommy is happy now. She is no longer sad and in pain." Estelbain said. The sight of her sister wrenched her heart. Then it dawned on her. She would now have to be both mother and big sister to Arwen. Estelbain sighed and began to stroke her sister's long brown hair in an attempt to comfort her. She knew it would take many more sunrises to heal them both. The next two days were tough. Legolas spent them comforting Estelbain, who in turn comforted Arwen and the rest of the household. Estelbain had put on a brave face, and her beauty and smile warmed the hearts of all who saw her. Yet when she was alone with Legolas, or by herself, her brave mask came off. Estelbain often felt betrayed by her mother, who had taken the easy way out, leaving her to clean up. On one such occasion, Estelbain sat on a fountain in the courtyard wrapped in the warmth of Legolas's embrace. She told him of her feeling of betrayal. "The past can not be changed, but the future is still within our grasp," Legolas had said kindly. He knew it was hard for her to think of the future when she could barely get through the day. Estelbain looked at him, she knew he was right. She simply must go on there was no way around it. She would have to pick up the pieces and move on with Legolas and Arwen, and… her father. The thought of her father pained her heart. She knew it was hard for him to look upon her or her sister. They reminded him of their mother, especially Estelbain. She could not help her father for he was grown and set in his ways. She knew she must let him find a way to healing on his own. "Legolas, I must go to Lothlorien," Estelbain said tearfully, "For I know the mere sight of me brings such pain to my father, that he can not bear it. I have seen it in his eyes. I will take Arwen with me and I will go and live with my grandparents. My father will have no objection, for his grief is still to near." Estelbain continued. Legolas nodded, he had known it might come to this. "I will go with you and protect you and your sister with my life." The couple shared a tender kiss then headed inside to begin packing. As Estelbain had predicted, Lord Elrond had no objection, and they left five days later. Estelbain knew in her heart that it would be a long time before she laid eyes on her beloved Imladris again. She didn't know when she would be back so she had the maids pack everything for her and her sister. All the while her father stayed locked in his office, staying busy with matters of the kingdom. On the morning they were to leave, Estelbain slept little, but then she had not had much sleep in many days, even before her mother had left. It had caused bags to start forming under her eyes. This was quite odd for an elf. She awoke just before dawn, bathed, and then dressed in her traveling clothes. Then she went and woke Arwen and saw that her maids cared for her. Together, she and Legolas and made sure everything went smoothly. When the time came, Legolas and Estelbain rode out side by side with Arwen sharing a horse with Estelbain. Estelbain stopped and took one last, longing look at Imladris. Legolas turned around and stopped Estelbain, "You have to go on, and there is simply nothing else to do. Fate has dealt her cards and this is the path she has set out for us." Estelbain nodded and lifted her chin, and then she continued on, her back straight and head high. The first day of traveling was long and hard with few opportunities to rest. As it grew dark, the party stopped and the servants gathered wood while Legolas and some of the other archers went on a hunt. They returned with a deer, which was cooked on a spit and enjoyed by all. Then they all lay down and slept. Arwen next to Estelbain, and Estelbain in the arms of Legolas; of course Oivorondaer was close by, watching to make sure nothing happened. They all rose before dawn and had a breakfast of lembas, then quickly started on their way, pressing onward, for with luck they would be in Lothlorien by nightfall. That night they reached the borders of the wood. The King and Queen welcomed them there. "Come my dear, you must be exhausted after your trip," Queen Galadriel said, lifting Arwen from her horse and carrying her in her arms. "And you too my dear," she said to Estelbain, whose head was leaning forward in effort to conceal her yawn. The queen turned to Legolas and whispered something to him that made Arwen giggle. Estelbain looked up blankly and tried to smile but yawned again instead. Then the queen turned to a servant and said something inaudible to him. He took both Legolas' horse and Estelbain's and set off. When they reached the talan where Estelbain was to stay, Legolas got off his horse and went to her. Estelbain made a move to get down but slipped. "Ah," Estelbain cried softly. "Easy, I've got you," Legolas said to a hopelessly sleepily Estelbain. "I can walk…" Estelbain started, but Legolas silenced her by saying, "Nonsense," And with that he carried her up the stairs and gently laid her on her bed. He removed her shoes and covered her with a blanket, and then he planted a kiss on forehead, and waited for her to close her eyes. But, as if controlled by some spell, she didn't close her eyes, she couldn't. Estelbain just simply stared in to space; it was as if she was afraid to sleep. Legolas knew that fear well, for before Estelbain had rescued him from that terrible dream; they had haunted him also. Many nights he had lain like that. Not knowing what else to do Legolas sat on the bed next to her and began to stroke her hair. Then the weight of the past few days hit him like a wave that washed over him and swept him under. Before he knew it, he was snuggling next to Estelbain fast asleep. And that’s how Queen Galadriel found them when she came in after dinner. They looked so peaceful that she simply placed a blanket on Legolas and told Oivorondaer to leave them be. "Poor thing, she has been through so much, they have both had quite an ordeal. Let them be at peace for now. For not even I can tell how long it will hold." A solemn look crossed over the queen's golden face, but looking at the young couple, she could not help but smile. That night, sometime just after midnight, Arwen crept into the room of her big sister. Estelbain immediately awoke and Legolas stirred. "Estely are you up?" Arwen asked meekly. "I am now," Estelbain said smiling, then she pulled back the blanket carefully, so as not to disturb Legolas, and motioned for Arwen to come lay down and go to sleep. "Estely, will you sing to me please?" Arwen asked. "Of course." Estelbain said, then began her lullaby all the while gently stroking her sister's dark hair. An Elven-maid there was of old, A shining star by day: Her mantle white was trimmed with gold, Her shoes of silver-grey. A star was bound upon her brow, A light was on her hair As sun upon the golden boughs In Lorien the fair. Her hair was long, her limbs were white, And fair she was and free; And in the wind, she went as light As leaf of linden-tree. Beside the falls of Nimrodel, By water clear and cool, Her voice as falling silver fell Into the shining pool. Where now she wanders none can tell, In sunlight or in shade; For lost of yore was Nimrodel And in the mountains strayed. The elven-ship in haven grey Beneath the mountain-lee Awaited her for many a day Beside the roaring sea. A wind by night in Northern lands Arose and loud it cried, And drove the ship from elven-strands Across the streaming tide. When dawn came dim, the land was lost, The mountains sinking grey Beyond the heaving waves that tossed Their plumes of blinding spray. Amroth beheld the fading shore Now low below the swell, And cursed the faithless ship that bore Him far from Nimrodel. Of old he was an Elven-king, A lord of tree and glen, When golden were the boughs in spring In fair Lothlorien. From helm to sea they saw him leap, An arrow from the string, And dive into the water deep, As mew upon the wing. The wind was in his flowing hair, The foam about him shone; Afar they saw him strong and fair Go riding like a swan. But from the West has come no word, And on the Hither Shore No tidings Elven-folk have heard Of Amroth evermore.