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Summary: Estel is about to become an adult but will his birthday be ruined by betrayal?
Author's Note: Since Elrond has not had his talk with Estel about his heritage he is still called Estel in this story. This is my first Estel/Legolas fic (not counting drabbles) so I apologize for any shortcomings on it. Perhaps with more practice I will get better with these two. *grins*
~~~
Four more days, he thought happily as he practically bounded out of his bed! Four more days and he would be an adult in the eyes of everyone. Four more days and he would no longer have to keep his heart�s desire a secret!
Hurriedly, he washed his face, dressed then rushed to the dining hall.
�Good morning, Estel!�
�Good morning, Ada,� the young man greeted his foster father and took his seat at the table, his grey eyes quickly scanning the room.
Elrond smiled as he poured himself some tea. He watched as Estel absently placed food on his plate then proceeded to ignore it as he watched the doorway.
�Erestor says that Legolas arrived late last night. Looks like he made it in time for your party.�
Estel bowed his head, letting his hair hide the blush that heated his face. He tried to keep his heart from racing away from him at the mention of the Mirkwood Prince.
�Yes, I was hoping he would be able to come,� he managed to answer, knowing Elrond was watching his reaction.
�You have been friends for a very long time, Legolas would not miss your majority party.�
Friends? Estel thought to himself. Yes, it began as friendship�at least on his part. Although he fancied he had fallen in love with the elf the very first time he met him. He had kept that a secret, he did not want anyone to know for fear of being laughed at. After all, he was only a child�but only for four more days.
�Since Legolas arrived so late he most likely will skip breakfast to rest,� Elrond said as an afterthought when he noticed how much Estel watched the doorway.
�Of course. There will be plenty of time to catch up later,� the young man stated, desperately hoping his disappointment was not obvious.
~*~
An entire day had passed and Estel had never known such frustration! It all started the first day when he went to Legolas� room only to find out the Prince had left earlier with the twins. The servant thought the three had mentioned the stables so that was where Estel began his search. They were not in the stables, or the armory, or the library!
Estel was furious! He thought Legolas was his friend. He had always sought him out upon his arrival in Imladris! He thought he *wanted* to come to his party. Then where was he?!
Just as he was about to scream in anger, he turned the corner in the gardens and froze. Looking at the scene before him he felt his stomach clench sickeningly. Elladan had an arm around Legolas and Elrohir was leaned in so close it was hard to tell where one elf ended and the other began. Their voices were kept low but an occasional chuckle could be heard.
Torn between wanting to run away or demanding to know why Legolas kept avoiding him, Estel found himself clearing his throat and walking closer. He tried to hide his surprise when the three elves immediately ceased their whispering and stepped away from each other guiltily.
�Estel, what can we do for you?� asked Elladan.
The young human glared at his foster brother, his instincts telling him there was trouble brewing.
�I came to ask Legolas if he would join me for dinner,� Estel answered but his gaze never left Legolas.
It had been a few years since the Mirkwood elf�s last visit and he appeared even more beautiful to the young man.
Legolas smiled at him and Estel thought he might faint.
�I would love to spend more time with you, Estel,� Legolas said, his voice apologetic as he tucked back a strand of unruly hair behind Estel�s ear. He bit back another smile when he felt him tremble so slightly at the touch. �However, there are still some things I need to discuss with Elladan and Elrohir.�
�Oh, Estel, tell me you are still not following poor Legolas around like a puppy,� Elrohir rolled his eyes upon seeing the adoration on his little brother�s face. �I thought you had outgrown that stage.�
Before Elladan could stop him, Estel spun on his heel and fled silently into the house. Legolas was about to follow when Elladan grabbed him by the shoulder.
�Leave him for now,� he said. �He is upset and will not listen to anyone until he calms.�
�What?� Elrohir asked, his dark brows knit together in confusion. �Why did Estel run off like that?�
�It might be because you just accused him of still having a crush on Legolas in front of him!� Elladan explained impatiently.
�Why would that bother him so much then? He *has* outgrown that phase�has he not?�
Elrohir began to feel a knot in his gut at his brother�s doubtful look. Oh no, what had he done?
Legolas was still staring in the direction Estel had went, his heart begging him to go and seek out the young man; comfort him, let him know his feelings are indeed returned.
�Let us finish this. I want to make sure his birthday is perfect,� Legolas said sadly.
~ *~
Stupid, foolish human!
Estel cursed himself. Of course, he is with them! They are elves, perfect and beautiful! You are nothing more than a coarse, weak, human!
Choking back the threat of tears, Estel looked at his reflection in the little fountain and cringed. He was even growing hair on his face!! No wonder Legolas did not want to be around him! He had come to Imladris expecting a fair youth but instead found a hairy troll!
Spinning away from the fountain, Estel stomped to his room and began throwing items into his pack. He refused to stay here for this farce of a party! He just knew everyone would stare and feel pity that he still loved Legolas and the Mirkwood Prince did not return that love! He needed to stop living in a fantasy world! He was human�he should spend more time with his own kind!!
As he marched through the deserted hallways, he saw Melpomaen rush out of the study.
�Forgive me, Estel. I did not mean to run into you,� the scribe apologized. �I only wanted to make sure there was a courier available this evening.�
Immediately, the young man�s interest was piqued. �Courier?�
�Oh yes, Lord Elrond wanted to make sure this contract reached the farmers on the Hoarwell.�
�I will take it,� Estel said tucking the scroll into his pack.
�Will not Lord Elrond be upset if you miss the feast?�
Taking a deep breath, Estel did something he had not done since an elfling�he lied. �I will be back in time for it. Do not worry.�
Not giving Melpomaen any more time to question him, he hurried to the stables.
~*~
�Where is he?�
Legolas and the twins looked up to see Lord Elrond standing before them.
�Where is Estel?� Elrond repeated the question. �No one has seen him.�
Legolas was immediately on his feet and heading out the door. He *knew* he should have gone after him that evening!
�When was the last time anyone saw him?� Elladan asked; panic beginning to seep into his voice.
�I had breakfast with him two mornings ago.�
Elrohir looked to his brother; the day he had teased Estel about his crush on Legolas. This did not bode well!
~*~
Legolas readied his horse and took but a moment to calm himself and concentrate. There! He felt him�.toward Bree. With grim determination he rode swiftly out of the valley.
~*~
Estel made camp even though the sun was still high in the sky. Once he delivered the contract to the farmers he did not know where to go after that. He found himself subconsciously headed back to Imladris then stopped when he realized where he was going.
He sat with his back to a tree, his knees pulled up under his chin. Everytime he tried to think of his beloved Legolas all he could see were the twins embracing him, whispering, plotting. He did not want to think what they were doing now that he was out of the way.
How could his heart deceive him so?! How could he feel so complete with Legolas just to find out it was all a lie?
Laying his head on his knees, Estel closed his eyes against the sting of tears. Suddenly, he was on his feet as the crunching of leaves reached him. He listened and heard the growls and grunts of wargs.
~*~
A forbidding feeling all day had driven Legolas hard and he covered quite some distance! The smell of a campfire barely reached him when he heard the sounds of battle with the accompanying cries of wargs.
Estel! He thought his heart threatening to stop with fear.
The horse raced faster and Legolas drew his bow and fired several arrows as his targets came into view. He saw the young human hacking away at the beasts and was relieved to see him in one piece. After several more arrows and a few more slashes of a sword, the wargs were all dead.
Estel turned to look at Legolas, shocked to see the elf. Why had he come? In the next moment, those vivid blue eyes turned dark with some unknown emotion and the elf stalked toward him. The human was stunned to find himself buried in the elf�s embrace. He relished the contact for but a moment before remembering why he was out here instead of readying for his party.
�Why are you here?!� Estel demanded, missing the hurt look on his friend�s face as he pushed the elf away from him. �Will not the twins miss you?�
Legolas froze at the venom in the second question.
�I came to find you. I was worried.�
�You did not need to come after me�I am no longer a child! I do not need a minder!�
�What have I done to upset you?� Legolas asked, grabbing the young man by the arm to stop his retreat. �I came to Imladris to see you and to celebrate with you. Why did you leave?�
�You came to see me?� Estel chuckled cynically. �I could not tell with the way you spent all your time with Elladan and Elrohir.�
Estel wanted to be angry but found he could not. All he could manage was to feel foolish and inadequate in the golden elf�s presence.
Legolas closed his eyes briefly and sighed. He should have explained to Estel, he should not have tried keeping it a secret as the twins suggested.
�I should apologize, this is all my fault�this misunderstanding,� Legolas said, gently pulling Estel closer.
�Your fault?� came the confused question.
�I was spending so much time with your brothers to find out what you would like for your birthday. They were helping me to get a new sword forged for you. I am so sorry you thought otherwise,� Legolas explained, the backs of his fingers gently caressing Estel�s cheek.
�Y-you still wanted to see me? Even if ---�
�Shhh, Meleth.� (love)
Legolas smiled at the look on his beloved�s face. �Yes, Estel. I have cared for you since you first flung that toasted marshmallow in my hair when you were an elfling. Over the years that has grown to love and now that you will be an adult soon, I realize there is one other gift that has already been yours.�
�But, I do not understand. I am human�you could not possibly ---�
�The heart loves whom the heart loves, Estel.�
The human thought he would melt at the way his name rolled off Legolas� tongue.
�Do you love me?� asked the elf, the love he felt for the human shining as beacons in his eyes.
�From the moment I saw you,� Estel whispered, feeling his throat tighten.
�Then I know my heart is in safe keeping,� Legolas smiled once more before pulling the stunned human into his arms.
Estel held his breath as the elf he had loved all his life gently claimed his lips. He felt his blood come afire and pressed closer as his mouth parted, tasting his love for the first time. When they parted, Estel was breathing heavily, his body flushed with desire.
�Please, return with me to Imladris so we may celebrate your coming of age,� Legolas requested, his forehead resting against Estel�s. �I want everyone to see that this is no crush, no childhood infatuation and that I indeed love you in return.�
Estel could not help the single tear that escaped as he kissed Legolas once more, his fingers entwined in golden blonde locks. His heart thundered with joy, finally understanding that his dream had come true. Legolas returned his love!!
�B-but we missed my party��
�I am sure your Ada has postponed it until your return. After all, you *are* the guest of honor, Meleth!�
Quickly, they broke camp and mounted their horses. Legolas sidled closer and gave Estel a cheeky grin.
�I have another reason to get you back to Imladris besides your party.�
�What is that?� Estel thought he could not smile any wider but did at the elf�s mirth.
Legolas smiled cheekily and leaned over to whisper hotly in the human�s ear, �The other gift I want to give you would be most uncomfortable on the forest floor! And we have no marshmallows here.�
�M-marshmallows?� Estel swallowed hard, his body shivering as the warm, moist air caressed his ear.
�Yes. Gooey, melted�clinging to your bottom lip.�
With a delighted shout of laughter, Estel urged his horse into a full gallop, Legolas close behind, his own laughter ringing clearly through the forest.
The End