Breaking the Barriers

Chapter 11

The next few weeks were like a dream come true. Everyday Estel and Legolas had taken a blanket with some food and placed themselves under a tree beside the training field. There Estel would lean up against the tree and Legolas would lean up against him, sitting between his legs. They would sit like this every day, watching the soldiers spar with each other. Estel would watch how the men would use their swords, place their feet in a stance and move their bodies to avoid the swords of their opponents.

Legolas on the other hand would watch how to slice with a sword. There were times in his youth that he needed to use a sword and this made him more knowledgeable. But using a sword was different than the short knives that he carried in his scabbard. He knew that if he was to fight with Estel, then he was going to have to learn his partner's moves.

But lying beside this man was driving him crazy with his feelings all over the place. He looked up at this partner. It surprised him when Estel leaned over and planted a kiss on his lips. Legolas was beginning to appreciate the man's facial hair. It added to the sensitive skin the elf possessed by tickling it every time they kissed. He brought up his hand, traced the jaw line of his partner and looked into his eyes. The love that was there was enough to know that they didn't have to say it anymore. He turned his face back to the training field to stop the arousal he was getting in his leggings.

Then came the day that Glorfindel walked up to them with Haldir in tow. They both got up from their positions beside the tree.

"I think it's about time that we started to train both of you. I had a talk with Elrond and he said it is time to start. You two have had enough time together. You can't be lying about all day and watch us not knowing how to fight. Come, let us begin."

And so for the next week, Estel and Legolas trained, and trained hard. Glorfindel and Haldir did not give them special treatment for the people they were or who they had become. There were times that Estel's hatred for learning about who he really is came to the surface. It infuriated him and he used this strength against his opponent.

Then came the day that Estel and Legolas were put up against each other. Glorfindel and Haldir walked up to them.

"Morning, how do you both fare this morning? We have something different planned for both of you. You will be sparring against each other today. I want to see how each of you have trained with other warriors. This will be done so that when the time comes, both of you will be able to protect the other's back. Follow me." Glorfindel headed back to the field followed by the other three.

The looked between Estel and Legolas was not seen by the other two. It was about the pact they made to each other: If one of them fell in battle, the other one would take his own life. They both knew that this was against the laws of the Valar but they had no choice. Neither one of them wanted to go mad.

Training had gone great. Estel was using the techniques that he had both seen and been taught. Then something happened. Legolas swung his blade. Estel had ducked and rolled to the ground. He turned, swung out his sword and sliced the mid-section of his opponent. He did not know what he was doing but Estel thought he was fighting his enemy. When he realized what he had done, it was too late.

Legolas tried to move his stomach out of the way but it was not in time. He felt a blade engrave itself across it. His knees buckled out from him, dropping his sword and down he went to the ground clutching his abdomen. He brought up his fingers and seen saw the blood. Tears were streaming down his face.

"Estel," he gurgled. Blood had trickled out of his mouth onto the ground. His head went down.

His name registered in his mind and Estel shook his head. When he saw Legolas on the ground, he tried to comprehend what he had done. He dropped his sword and walked on all fours over to his love. Tears were streaming down his face. "My love," Estel cried, "what have I done?"

He looked up and spotted Glorfindel standing beside one of the March wardens. "Glorfindel!" It was a cry that was heard all over the field. A scream that had so much pain in it that everything on the field came to a standstill.

Glorfindel turned and came across the sight on the ground. He noticed Estel staring straight at him with Legolas' head in his lap. It didn't quite register what had happened until he reached the two of them. That was when he saw the blood. Glorfindel placed his hand on the wound and called one of the healers they kept on hand. Glorfindel took his hand away as the healer raised Legolas' tunic and winced at the sight. The healer wanted to see the depth of the cut. He tried to use special herbs to stop the bleeding. It had worked many times on the warriors of Rivendell but these herbs weren't doing the job. He used towels on him to try to stop the bleeding by applying pressure. That didn't work either. It had stopped somewhat but not completely.

"We need to get him to the Healing House. This is serious. I can't seem to stop this blood. I'm afraid it is deep."

Estel was barely listening to what was going on around. His eyes were filled with tears. They were blinding him. The sight before him was not real, he kept telling himself. He was taking the hair out of Legolas' eyes and bringing it out of his face. The look he saw was of horror when he looked into his love's eyes. A thin glaze had come over the elf's eyes. "Do something!" He cried. Estel had never cried like this. It pained his heart to see his love like this. His love was in his arms dying. All this time he was planting kisses on his love's forehead. He was so occupied on what he had done to his melethron, that he never felt himself being pulled from the ground.

*****

tbc