Title: The Shade of Revenge

Author: Elladan

Rating: PG-13

Summary: It has been five years since Estel and Raydaion were taken by Kelvakanta. Over these years, he has grown more and more evil, his mind focused on the single thought of revenge. Elladan and Elrohir have tried to protect their brother, but when they fail will Estel be strong enough to survive?

Disclaimer: I am not making any money off this and I am only borrowing Tolkien's characters for a little fun.

A/N: Estel is about sixteen, so it's five years after Scuro. If you haven't read Chiraro Scuro, then I suggest you do before reading this, simply because it will make more sense. This time I have tried to write ahead so that I can post weekly. Please review. :)

Chapter 1

Estel held his breath and sat as still as possible. His hands were gripping the rough bark of the tree branch so tightly that he could feel it making indentations in his palms. Unruly dark hair stuck to his forehead with sweat and rain. The boy peered out cautiously between the bright green leaves that surrounded him and allowed the air he was holding in his lungs to trickle out slowly. After a few moments, he let out a sigh of relief and leaned back against the trunk of the tree, shutting his eyes as the adrenaline faded from his system.

He rested for awhile before once again opening his eyes and searching the ground below him. It was early evening, the sun just beginning to set behind the mountains and Estel knew that he was supposed to be home.

"Well, tis not my fault that wolf chased me," he grumbled to himself.

With one last glance to assure that he was alone, he swung down from the tree and landed softly on the ground. It was still raining, though he had had a brief respite from the water while he hid in the tree.

Careful to move as swiftly and silently as possible, he took off into the woods, heading in the direction his home. As he ran, a pair of golden eyes watched him from the trees above. They were hungry, but their hunger could not be satiated by any food or drink, only revenge and blood could calm it.

Elrond, Elladan, and Elrohir sat in the dining hall, finishing their evening meal. Estel was late, very late, and one could see that the lord of Imladris was swiftly loosing his patience. The twins were bickering about who had 'accidentally' knocked a bucket of paint off a balcony and onto Erestor. At the moment Elladan was winning the argument, if only for the reason that Elrohir had directed his attention to studying their father's mood.

A small amount of alarm built up in the younger twin and he sharply elbowed his brother in the ribs.

"Ow, Elrohir, there is no need to resort to physical violence, I shall continue to say twas you even on my death bed," Elladan protested, clearly not understanding the meaning behind the jab.

"Nay, brother, look! Here comes, Estel and I do believe that Ada is quite irritated. Now cease your wining and let us see how our little brother defends himself," Elrohir whispered.

At once, Elladan's eyebrow rose slightly in interest and he shut his mouth, forcing the comment he had prepared back into his mind.

Estel wandered into the dining hall with his best attempt at an innocent yet apologetic look plastered on his face. He was a mess from head to toe, and left small muddy footprints in his wake. His clothes were soaked, torn, and streaked with muck and bits of leaves. Walking with a slight limp from a twisted knee, he wiped some hair from his face so his eyes were visible once more.

"Mae govannen, Adar, Elladan, Elrohir," he offered as he approached the table.

The twins were doing their best to keep from laughing, but could not prevent identical smirks from their faces. Estel looked so pitiful but humorous at the same time that Elladan wished he could forever save this image of his human brother in his mind.

Elrond, on the other hand did not look nearly as amused, though he was trying very hard not to smile at his youngest son's appearance. He raised an eyebrow and glared at his son, asking silently for an explanation. Instead, Estel looked toward the ground at a suddenly interesting bit of mud on his boot and twiddled his thumbs in front of him.

Clearing his throat, Elrond rose from his chair and moved toward Estel, his robes swaying slightly as he walked.

"Estel, why are you late and more importantly what happened? I want the truth and I want it in the next five seconds," Elrond ordered more than asked, his voice demanding.

The twins snickered slightly as Estel shifted uncomfortably under Elrond's gaze. The boy allowed most of his weight to fall on his good leg and frowned in thought. He hesitated for a moment before looking his father in the eyes.

"Adar, I am sorry that I am late, for while I was out today I encountered an unexpected problem. I was chased by a wolf, and since I did not have my weapons with me I climbed a tree and waited him out. As soon as I was sure he had given up I headed directly here. Please forgive me, Adar, for I did not disobey you on purpose," Estel explained softly.

Lord Elrond could not help but smile at his son's story, but the amusement quickly vanished as he studied Estel's appearance. He was creating a growing mud puddle on the floor and looked miserable. He nodded sagely when Estel was through.

"Aye, I can see that it was not your fault, ninion, and thus I cannot be angry with you. Are you injured?" he asked eyeing Estel's leg.

"Nay, nothing worth mentioning," Estel said, trying to hide the fact that his leg still pained him.

"Is that so? Now you do not expect me to believe you do you, Estel?" Elrond said with a twinkle in his eyes, "Go up to your room and clean up. I shall bring your dinner to you in a few minutes when I come to verify your self assessment."

Estel nodded in agreement and did not argue, for he was grateful to have escaped another lecture. He waved briefly to his brothers and offered them a grin before heading up to his room, attempting to hide his slight limp.

The elven lord sat down heavily in his chair and glared at the twins for a moment before letting out a rare sigh.

"Adar, are you not glad that we keep your life interesting?" Elrohir asked mischievously. In reply he received another glare.

"You two may come up and see your brother in an hour, until then please at least try to stay out of trouble," Elrond said, though his voice betrayed his own disbelief that the twins could manage to stay out of trouble for even a full minute. Standing gracefully, he left the hall in search of a few medical supplies he was sure to need.

Estel finished scrubbing the dirt from his body and smiled at the feeling of the hot water and warm fire. He felt his eyes beginning to drift shut as he was finally able to relax. Jerking himself awake, Estel drug himself from the bath and dried off before pulling on a night shirt and loose pair of leggings. His knee was throbbing and all he wanted to do was curl up in bed and sleep.

'Maybe if I were to be asleep by the time Ada came, he would simply leave me alone,' he thought as he sat on the edge of the bed. Just as he finished the idea, he heard a soft knock at the door and groaned at the injustice.

"Come in," Estel called behind a yawn. Elrond entered the room with a tray in one hand and a small supply of herbs and bandages in the other.

"Honestly, Ada, I do not see why you assume that every time one of us comes home that we will be injured," Estel teased gently with a smirk.

"Come now, Estel, can you name a time when I was wrong? You will both eat this meal and let me look at you," Elrond replied, already answering his son's unspoken protests.

Placing the tray on the table, the healer moved over and sat down next to Estel. Elrond gently forced him to lie down and rolled the right leg of his pants up. Estel grimaced and winced as his father probed the swollen knee.

"Tis only a simple sprain, Estel, but you will stay off of it tomorrow. Now allow me to wrap it before you eat." The elf began to hum softly as he rubbed the knee with a soothing herb paste, bound it tightly, propped it up on a pillow, and retrieved Estel's dinner.

"Eat, ninion, your brothers will be here soon. I have work that I must do," Elrond said and kissed the boy on the forehead before heading to his study.

Fifteen minutes later, Estel shoved the empty tray to the foot of the bed and leaned back into his pillow. He was about to fall to sleep when he heard the noisy sound of two elves arguing in the hallway. A loud sigh of exasperation escaped through his lips at being drug from sleep for the second time that night. Peeling an eye opened, he glared at them, suggesting that they leave now if they valued their lives.

"Why does everyone seem to glare at us today, 'Dan?" Elrohir asked with a large grin as he walked purposefully to Estel's bed.

"I know not, 'Ro, but I do tire from it. Might we ask our brother why everyone seems against us this day?"

Elrohir did not reply, but stopped short, suddenly noticing Estel's leg. "Ai, titta mine, what have you done this time?"

"Do not worry, 'Ro, tis only sprained, though Ada has it in his head that I will stay in bed tomorrow," Estel replied with a large grin, "However, I fear that I do not agree."

"Nay, you will do as Ada says, even if we must sit on you to have you remain," Elladan said half serious and half teasing.

Estel yawned and blinked a few times, watching as his brothers cleaned up the tray and moved to sit with him. His body was calling for sleep and he felt so tired. He only partially listened to their bantering and nodded occasionally when he thought they might be asking him a question.

"So you kissed an orc, did you?" Elladan questioned as he studied his youngest brother, who was obviously not paying attention and looked more asleep than awake. That question drew Estel from his stupor and he looked at them in surprise.

"I did not!"

"Well then you should not have said so. We can see that you are tired, just sleep. We will stay here with you for awhile," Elrohir said gently. The two got up and ignored the look that the sixteen-year-old shot them. They settled in two chairs by the fire and began to softly whisper. Estel surrendered to his body and was asleep in moments.

All the while the eyes watched from the safety of the darkness. They watched and waited for they had been hungry too long.

Cautiously, Estel opened an eye and briefly glanced around the room. After finding his surroundings both peaceful and free from elves he allowed his other eye to open. Blinking at the late morning light he pushed himself up onto his elbows. His knee was stiff and sore but did not pain him much. Thinking he was alone and safe, Estel swung his legs around and began to slide off the bed.

"Stop right there, adan!"

Estel winced at the voice and stopped his movement, his feet brushing the floor but his weight still held in his arms. He turned his head to the side and flashed an innocent smile toward the two elves in his doorway.

"Mān andúnê, brothers. I was just about to come and see you." (Good sunrise)

Elrohir raised an eyebrow as the two made their way into the room and around the bed to face their brother.

"Where you really now, Estel? I thought that Ada had said something to the effect that you were to remain off your leg for the day," Elrohir said as he tossed an apple back and forth between his hands, his eyes resting on his younger brother.

"Truly? I do not recall such a statement being made..."Estel replied with a grin and continued to push himself from the edge of the bed. His eyes held the apple in a gaze somewhere between hate and fear.

"Sit down, you stubborn human. The only success you will have is in injuring yourself further," Elladan teased as he stepped closer to the teenager. The older twin grabbed the apple in mid air and tossed it out the window, hushing a protest from its former owner.

"I am /fine/ and I am going to the kitchens to get something to eat." With those words, Estel put his full weight on his legs and raised his hands in a gesture that clearly said 'See, I told you so.'

His swiftly gained cockiness disappeared suddenly as he attempted to take a step forward. He began to crumple to the ground as his knee buckled and gave way under the stress. Elladan rushed to his brother and caught him as he fell.

"Estel! You will get lay back down immediately and I shall go to the kitchens and get you something to eat," Elladan instructed as he scooped Estel up and placed him back into bed, propping his knee with a pillow.

"I shall stay here to insure you do not try such folly again and Adar will hear of this," Elrohir admonished. The elf sat on the edge of the bed, pressing down the struggling boy. Estel shot him an annoyed look but ceased his movement and sighed heavily while Elrohir began a lecture.

Elladan returned shortly with a tray of food and Elrond in close tow.

"Estel, did I not instruct you stay off your leg today?!" Elrond said sharply as he gave his human son the well-known 'look'. He examined Estel's knee and wrapped it once again in a snug bandage for support. The three elves sat and watched the future king eat, all looking as though they were holding back a secret.

Estel paused and let eggs drop off his fork as his glared suspiciously at his family. He thought for a moment and set his fork on his plate and calmly met Elrohir's eyes.

"Where are you going, when do you leave, and why can I not come?"

Simultaneously, three eye brows raised in surprise.

"How did you know?" Elladan asked.

"Scouting, two hours, you are hurt," Elrohir answered, giving into his brother's gaze.

Shoving his food away, Estel began to pout, crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned against the pillows.

"I am going."

"Nay, you are not," Elrond said, ending the argument in one phrase.

"We are sorry, little brother, but we must go and you could have come if you were not injured. Cheer up, Legolas is due to arrive soon. You two will keep each other busy until our return," Elladan comforted with a smile.

"Sorry, Estel, but we must say farewell and prepare to leave. If we hear that you got out of bed for even a second, we will hang you up-side-down from the balcony. Namarie," Elrohir said cheerfully as the twins left with waves.

"I have a meeting, but Glorfindel shall come and sit with you to ensure your cooperation," Elrond said pleasantly and followed his elven sons in their departure, taking the tray with him.

Estel sat on a stone wall, his feet swinging and bouncing off the rocks in boredom. His knee was healed and he was more jealous than ever of his brothers. They had only been gone two days and he had already run out of pranks and things to do. He had been temporally banished from the house in order to give the elves time to recover. So he sat and waited for Legolas to arrive, for he was already a day late and Estel was becoming extremely impatient. It was not like his friend to be late, but on second thought Legolas probably did it on purpose just to annoy him. The boy sighed in self pity and tried to think of a new way to irritate Erestor.

Legolas whistled softly as he rode, admiring the summer foliage. The wind played among the leaves and the sun caste molted shadows on the forest floor. He was only a day's journey from Imladris and was struggling to contain his excitement to see the twins and Estel.

The elven prince was so preoccupied by his thoughts and the beauty of his surroundings that he never saw it coming. Suddenly Legolas felt a flash of pain blossom from his chest and then a sensation of helplessness before he made contact with the ground and he knew no more.

A/N: Little cliffie. More Estel and lots of angst later, yes this all will actually have a point. Please review!