A/N: My first multi-chapter story! I hope I can update soon, probably in a few days. Let me know what you think so far!
Disclaimer: Middle Earth and everyone and everything in it belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien
An eerie calm had settled over Imladris, making the night seem even more ominous and dark than it already was. With news of passing orcs near the border, Lord Elrond had decided to send out a hunting party to take care of the impending threat. As most inhabitants slept peacefully oblivious to the news, the twin sons of Elrond prepared themselves for the hunt.
Once outfitted for the oncoming battle, they crept silently into their little brother's room. Each gave the boy a kiss on his brow, silently promising a swift return. Elladan brushed the boy's unruly hair out of his face, tucking it behind rounded ears. Elrohir smiled at the action, giving the boys hand a gentle squeeze. With one last smile at the boy, the left the room and headed down to the entryway where their father stood, waiting to send them off with hopes of a safe return. Elrond gave them his best stern look.
"Do not recklessly head into battle. I have no wish to nurse either of you back to health upon your return." He said solemnly.
"Yes Ada." Elladan assured, looking more excited by the minute.
"Do not forget the reaction your brother will suffer if he sees you two injured upon your return. He is but four years old" Elrond reminded them.
"We will remain unharmed, Ada." Elrohir promised, nodding his head in conviction.
Elrond allowed himself to smile, nodding to both sons and putting a hand on each of their shoulders.
"Ride swiftly and make haste, your brother already awaits your return." He said. The twins nodded, turning to leave.
Elrond watched from the balcony as they mounted their horses and joined the rest of the party heading out. Seeing as the sun would rise soon, he headed to his study, stopping by Estel's room to make sure the boy was asleep. Sure enough, the boy was fast asleep wrapped in blankets. Making his way to his study, Glorfindel approached him.
"The twins have joined the hunt?" He asked the elf lord.
"Yes, they are to dispel the threat and be back in a few days time." Elrond relayed, heading into his study and taking a seat by the fireplace.
Glorfindel nodded, taking the chair across from Elrond. He turned questioning eyes to the other elf.
"Does Estel know of their departure?" He asked softly.
"No, they left in the early morning to avoid the guilty feeling of seeing him so upset at their departure." Elrond explained, turning his gaze to the fire. "I hope they return soon though, for Estel's sake."
Glorfindel sighed. "I fear he will be lonely," he confessed. "Those rotten twins are the center of his entire world."
Elrond chuckled at that. "Yes, but he needs to learn to interact with those of his own age." He pointed out.
"Ah, I see. You are using this separation to your advantage as a way of teaching the boy a lesson." Glorfindel grinned. "You truly are becoming more like those twins of yours with every passing day, mellon nin.
Elrond smiled. "I only hope he takes it well." Elrond confessed, "For I have a feeling all will not go as well as I hope."
"Let us hope for the best, for Estel has surprised us before and I'm sure he is capable of doing it again." Glorfindel supplied, gazing into the fire again.
Both became silent, relishing in the calm of early morning. It would only be a few more hours now before Estel awoke, Elrond mused. Try as he might, Elrond just couldn't shake the feeling that the twins disappearance would hurt Estel more than he would learn from it.
The sun shone brightly into the window, illuminating the child's face as he fought into consciousness. Opening his eyes, Estel yawned, turning his back on the sun that had woken him up so unjustly. Reaching up to rub at his eyes, Estel sat up. Yawning one last time, he pushed his covers back, fumbling to untangle himself. Gathering his blankets into a pile and heaving them onto the floor, Estel giggled, tumbling down on top of them.
Happy at his success of leaving his 'prison,' Estel hurried to the door, prying it open and running headlong into a pair of legs.
"Oof!" The little boy grunted, falling onto his bottom.
"Well well, look who decided to wake up." Glorfindel exclaimed, reaching down to pick the boy up, tossing him into the air.
Estel squealed happily, hugging the blonde warrior tightly around the neck. "Glorfy!" he smiled, sitting back in the elf's arms to look up into his face.
"Hello tithen pen," Glorfindel smiled lovingly at the child. "And just where are you headed this morning?" He questioned the boy.
"Ada!" Estel replied grinning.
Glorfindel smiled, placing the boy on his hip and heading towards the dining hall.
"I do believe your ada is in the dining hall, eating his breakfast without you!" He exclaimed.
Estel giggled, bouncing happily on the Balrog slayer's hip. As they made their way down the stairs, Estel waved happily to the elves they passed.
"You sure are lively today, tithen pen." Glorfindel noticed, causing the boy to grin broadly.
Entering the dining hall, Glorfindel stopped an elf to request a plate be brought for Estel. The elf nodded, returning the smile Estel gave him, and headed into the kitchen. Moving towards the table, Estel caught sight of Elrond, squirming to get down from Glorfindel's arms.
Glorfindel chuckled at the boys attempts. "Alright, alright, down you go." He said, letting the boy down softly.
As soon as his feet hit the floor, Estel took off running. Noticing his momentum, Elrond pushed his chair back to face the boy as he ran headlong into the elf lord's legs, giggling.
"Hello there, ion nin. I see you have finally decided to join me for breakfast!" Elrond laughed lightly, pulling the boy into in lap. Estel hugged him, pulling back to examine the elf lord's choice of breakfast.
Comfortable with where he was sitting, Estel waited patiently for his food. A minute later, the elf from earlier appeared from the kitchen with the boy's plate. Estel bounced in Elrond's lap, excited to have his breakfast.
"Hannon le!" The boy thanked the elf excitedly, receiving a smile as the elf headed back into the kitchens. Estel smiled, scooping eggs from his plate.
Both elves smiled at the boy, who was eating his meal with gusto. They talked softly as the boy ate and soon enough, his plate was clean.
"My Estel, you eat as much as a warg!" Glorfindel gasped, feigning surprise.
"But I am a boy, Glorfy!" Estel laughed, leaning back into Elrond contently.
"Aye Glorfindel, Estel is a boy! Or do you need me to check those eyes for you?" Elrond asked, eyes sparkling.
"Oh no, my eyes are just fine!" Glorfindel exclaimed with mock fear in his voice. "I see that his is indeed a boy, a very sticky little boy." He laughed, kneeling down in front of Estel and wiping his hands with a cloth.
"You have more honey on your hands than in your belly, ion nin." Elrond confirmed.
Estel giggled, looking around the table for the first time that morning. Suddenly he became silent.
"Ada, where are Dan and Ro?" He questioned, looking up.
Elrond stiffened slightly, looking down at the boy. He sighed, placing Estel on his feet in front of him.
"Your brothers left early this morning, Estel. They are needed elsewhere right now and will be back when they have finished their business." Elrond admitted, rubbing the boy's back in soothing circles when he noticed tears were on their way.
Estel's eyes were watering. His brothers had left him? Certainly they would be back soon! Estel sniffed, burying his head into his ada's robes. Elrond leaned down to pick the boy up and placed him back on his lap.
"No more tears, Estel, they will be back before you know it." Elrond soothed. "Why don't you go outside and play with the other children?" He asked his youngest son softly.
Estel hesitated. The elflings were not always pleased to have him tag along. Although they tolerated his presence sometimes, usually they went to climb a tree or practice with their bows, things Estel was not allowed to do yet. Maybe his friend Rilian would be there today. Rilian was always patient, making sure they had fun doing things Estel was able to do.
Estel nodded after Elrond placed him back on the ground. "Yes Ada." He murmured, leaving the dining hall.
As he headed back to his room to change, he peered into Elladan's room, confirming that the elf was not there. Estel sighed, changing into his play clothes and hoping the elflings would accept his presence today.