Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings! No matter how much I wish I do, it's not going to happen… *starts to sob in a corner*. Anyways, it's all Tolkien's. *Sniffles*
A/N: This is my first story. It is just a bit of hurt/comfort. If you see any mistakes please tell me. Also, tell me if you like it! I really appreciate reviews! I accept criticism, but if you are just going to be mean, or insult me, bug off. Don't bother. One more thing, Estel is around 5 or 6 years old, and, for the sake of the story, Gilraen died with Arathorn. Alrighty then! Please review and on to the story!
A/N 2: This is me again. Like, a long time later. I just read over this and I've decided to revise it, cause ugh. Well, here it goes.
A Child's Hurt Chapter 1: Departure
It had been an exhausting day and all Elrond, lord of Rivendell, wanted to do was rest. He had spent the afternoon hours trying to negotiate a reasonable trading plan with the neighboring dwarves. Key word: trying. The dwarvish diplomats were as stubborn as the rocks they were so very obsessed with 'And I get to do it all over again tomorrow' Elrond mused to himself wryly. 'Why do I even bother with the dwarves? I should really just stick to edan. They are much easier to manipulate. Especially with the look.' He grinned at that.
As he passed his foster son's room, he noticed that the door was slightly ajar. That normally wouldn't have been unusual, as his youngest preferred to have his door slightly open. He was still coping with the nightmares that had accompanied his arrival to Rivendell after his parent's death. The dreams deeply frightened him, and he often sought refuge in his elven brothers' room.
As he approached the door, he heard two soft, anxious voices coming from the room.
"Where would he have gone?" Lord Elrond recognized the voice as his oldest son, Elladan.
"I know no more than you do," Elrohir replied irritably.
"We should find Ada. He needs to know." Elladan reasoned.
"Needs to know what?" Elrond asked as he entered the room, taking in his surroundings. The large bed was empty, and his twin sons were standing in the middle of the room, looking at him with slight surprise at his silent entrance. They both looked slightly paler than normal, their faces tense with worry. In his hand, Elladan clutched a piece of paper. "Where's Estel?" Elrond asked.
Neither twin responded. Instead, Elladan handed his father the paper, avioding his eyes. Before even reading the note, Elrond immediately recognized the careful (yet still sloppy writing) as that of Estel. Elrond scanned it quickly, paling visibly as he did. He read it three more times, more slowly, confirming what he had just read.
Dear Ada Hir-nin,
I wish to thank you for all you have given me during my stay at Rivendell. I do not deserve it. All I ever do is get in the way. I never seem to be able to do anything right and I realize that now. And that is why I must leave now. Please forgive me, and give my love to Dan and Ro and Glorfy and 'Restor.
~Estel
Elrond just stood there, staring at the paper blankly, not willing to believe that this might be true. He had known that Estel felt out of place, but he had just assumed it was him adjusting to a completely new place. A single tear rolled down his cheek. The tear fell on the paper leaving a single wet mark on the note. Lord Elrond wasn't sure what hurt most. The fact that his youngest son had run away, that he had not accepted him as a father, or maybe it was that Estel felt that he wasn't loved. The feeling of despair numbed him.
"Ada?" Elrohir pleaded softly. "Please, Ada. We have to find him. He could be hurt."
Elrohir's words snapped Elrond out of his trance, and into action. He carefully folded the letter and placed it safely into his robe. "Elladan, go inform Glorfindel of Estel's disappearance. Also, tell Erestor that I cannot make it to the meetings tomorrow. Elrohir, go get the horses saddled. I am going to go pack whatever else we may need. Don't forget to fetch your weapons, and we will meet in the stables in fifteen minutes. Understood?"
"Yes Ada." Elladan and Elrohir responded in unison.
"Good. Quickly now." Elrond encouraged. Elladan and Elrohir both sprinted off to complete their assigned tasks. Elrond stayed in the room a while longer, looking out the window. It had started to rain, and it showed no signs of lessening.
Elrond looked defiantly at the sky. 'And by Elbereth, I will find my son!'
Translations:
edan- human
Ada- father
hir-nin- my lord
A/N: I am not sure whether I should keep writing, so please review and tell me what you think. And as I said before, this is my first story, so don't be too harsh. Once again, I apologize for the interruption in the middle of the chapter. Wont happen again... probably.