"Well, when that sadness and grief sit in your heart for too long without reprieve, any sign of hope can be overwhelming. Lainor lost his naneth and because of that he almost lost his adar. There is a reason it has been so long since I have seen my dear friend Thranduil. His kingdom is just now starting to heal of such sadness and grief. As you know, your name, Estel, means hope. I think Lainor simply found a great encouragement in this." Elrond said the last words slowly and clearly.
Elrond looked over at Estel, who had stopped walking, and saw a compassionate sadness in his Ion's face. "Then I am happy I was named as such and I am happy that I traveled here with you."
As they walked back to their camp, laughter could be heard coming from Elladan, Elrohir, and Lainor. *I'm happy too* thought Elrond.
Once everyone was settled and had eaten their fill, Lainor started updating everybody on what had happened in the over 100 years since Elrond had visited. He spoke of the worst of the years immediately following his naneth's death. He spoke of the joy he felt when his father started coming around. Whenever he spoke of Legolas he would look at Estel. Something about the half-elf made him think that his brother would know peace one day.
Estel took it all in, taking particular interest in stories about Lainor's brother, Legolas. Just the night before he had felt a great sadness for the young elf. He was really starting to look forward to meeting him, even though from what Lainor spoke of, he may not see Legolas at all.
Eventually everybody fell asleep, while Estel took watch. He climbed a nearby tree and thought over everything he had learned since they had left their home for Mirkwood.
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Legolas had slept a lot longer than he had anticipated. Anxiety and re-living his dream had made him more tired than he had felt in a long time. It was evening by the time he was up and walking through the woods. He sat by the river and played with the fallen leaves under the light of the moon.The rain had long since stopped, but the air was still full of the hearty smell of wet earth. This is where Legolas was most comfortable. Out in the woods, clean air, open sky, and a long standing solitude with nature.
Legolas leaned back into the damp earth and began to sing a song.
All slain to earth
All earth to new
All life is shared
All things renewed
All soul at peace
All spirit found
All love eternal
All light passed down
What is born
Will surely pass
What is gone
Will come at last
What is lost
Will be found
What is worthy
Will be crowned
The mark you leave
Will be a part
Not of your fate
But of your heart
Legolas had heard the song since he was but an elfling, so it flowed effortlessly and beautifully from his lips. As he got to the last phrase, he stumbled a bit. *Not my fate?* He thought. *My fate was to suffer at the hands of an evil sadistic mind. How could anything in my heart be more powerful than that?* And with that, he tossed the leaves he had been turning in his hands and walked back to the palace.
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Trees & Memories
RomanceLegolas/Aragorn(Estel) pairing. Slash. Multi-chapter This is a story about life and love and overcoming the obstacles in one's life. Sorry for the lack of dialogue in the first two chapters. Mentions of abuse in the beginning. Plenty of nature and a...