What do you say to a man who had died and come back? In all the years they have lived, none of the elves who stood in the healing chamber have ever had lessons for that. They have all rushed into the room after Legolas, but once the inertia died down, they just stood not knowing what to say or do. That is all except Legolas and Erestor.

"Well, don't just stand there, Open the drapes and let some light in. Elrohir, pour some water and you Elrond, I thought you know what to do being a healer and all, but if you want, take a few minutes to remember. Legolas, Glorfindel, let's go get some soup for the sick."

Erstor didn't pause for an answer, he just swept the said elves out. Glorfindel gave him an amused look and said, "All three of us?"

"Of course, after all it has to be the right temperature with the right consistency…"

Elrond looked at the man before him. His sickness ravaged body trembled with the effort to contain its life force. Lips that were eternally smiling and laughing have been reduced a jagged line. That wild mop of brown wavy hair that used to have a life of their own was completely absent as they were shaved off in the interest of cleanliness. Almost all that made Estel their Estel were gone. But the eyes were the same, raw hazel eyes that zeroed in on Elrond's soul asking him what he would do now.

It was strangely Elladan who answered for them all. He sat beside Estel and gently lifted him easing the prone man to half sit, leaning on himself. Elrohir sat on the other side and as if hand painting the wings of a butterfly, gently fed Estel the sweet water of home.

The sigh with which Estel relaxed brought tears to their eyes.

Something cleared in Elrond at that moment. All those nights when he used to wonder where Estel was and what he was doing, he would concoct images of a rugged but grown man sitting around a camp fire with a group of men drinking wine while pretty women bustled around preparing dinner and flirting with the rangers. He would picture them relaxed, safe and happy in their own way of life. But that was only a dream. This fragile unsure ghost of a man is the real Estel and if he so choose to, he can touch him and be sure that he is real here and now.

As he sat and gently touched the caved in chest, he felt Estel's heart beating strong and sure, with a wail, Elrond shook with mad emotions. He cried in relief that the heart still bet, he cried in fear that he could feel the heart through the body that has dissolved so much. He cried in guilt and he cried in fear. But most of all, he cried in surrender that he can finally ask to be forgiven. A trembling skeletal hand rose to his cheeks in comfort. Elrond couldn't help but capture it in his own, wishing that he could infuse some of his own energy by mere touch.

"Ad…aaa…I am so….rry." the whisper couldn't have been heard if not for the elven hearing

"Oh Estel, I am the…"

"I tried ada… for you I tried…"

Nothing was said after that. Estel fell asleep before Legolas came back with the soup.

"He has not spoken a word."

"Is something wrong with his voice? But we heard him that day he woke…"

"For elves this old, you Elrondion's are truly dumb sometimes."

"Erestor! We are warriors, not mind readers. We are just wondering why he has not spoken or even smiled in the past 1 week since he woke up."

"What do you expect? That he would tell you a riveting tale of his adventures? He sold his soul to die and for all we know had planned to see his beloved's face one last time before he died. But unfortunately we didn't let him die but brought him back to life after a drama that would put The Lay of Leithian to shame."

Glorfindel graoned, "Ah, wise and tactless as always, our Erestor! But I agree, for Estel, it should be awkward after what happened. Besides, what would he say to the elves that drove him away? He may still be wondering why we saved him in the first place."

Elrond sighed and turned around. He was tired, but there were more pressing matters than mere speculation.

"We need to examine him thoroughly first. What if he doesn't even remember anything in the first place?"

"But he did forgive you Elrond."

"He has always done that. It doesn't prove anything."

"Well, then what are you waiting for?"

"Elladen…"

"Oh no you don't, Elrond, stop hiding and do what needs to be done. You need to talk to him and put some things in perspective."

Elrond glared at Erestor and for good measure at Glorfindel too, who raised his brows as if to ask what he has done.

"Actually, I think all three of us should talk to him, but ada you go first." Elrohir supplied helpfully.

"Estel…"

Estel did not turn, all emotions were dull and distant in his mind now. As if his heart has fallen into a deep well and every emotion it wanted to show travelled a thousand miles through a tunnel to finally get to the surface diluted and delayed. But even so, a vague fear gripped his heart. What if he was saved only to be abandoned? He had forgiven and had asked to be forgiven hasn't he?

"Aragorn…"

That hurt. So he was going to be thrown out again. What would he do next? Where would he go? His head hurt and tears leaked out of his sunken eyes, but he stayed on his side refusing to turn until strong arms pulled him against a warm chest and held him there.

"Estel"

A soft whisper brushed against his ears and he could never not listen to that voice. So he surrendered and waited for that voice that was his own personal oracle to continue.

"I made a mistake the day I forced you to become Aragorn. I was arrogant and an old fool who thought he had the power to control Arda's destiny. I thought I was sacrificing for the good of Arda, but I didn't realize I was abandoning you. I have turned the hope of men into a hopeless orphan for fear of something I didn't understand. I am…"

A bonny hand fumbled around his lip to seal the torrent of a confession.

"I am sorry ada, you wanted to see me as Aragorn, but I couldn't grow out of Estel. You abandoned me so that I will find a better home, but all I could manage was a lonely castle in my head that buried me alive. You wanted me to be the hope of men, but I chose you without your permission as my hope. No father can be accused of wanting the best for their child"

Elrond shook his head in dismay, "Some things never change do they? Why is it that you can never allow me to apologise?"

"I… I don't like it when you do."

What can anyone say to that? Besides, Elrond had a feeling that there was nothing he can say to change Estel's regard for him.

"Ada, are you going to send me away again?"

Elrond looked startled

"No, I shouldn't have sent you away the first time around and I regret that now."

"So I can stay by your side?"

As a child, Estel used to have an earnestness that amused the elves. After all, no elven child would plead to be allowed to do stable duty just to play with the farm animals. Yet, no one could say no, because there was a force of will that shone in his eyes. The same force shone in his eyes now, as if by his will alone, he can convince Elrond. Elrond smiled at that. This was the same Estel; ravaged by diseased and almost dead, but he was still Estel.

"Yes, I am not letting you out of my sight ion until you yourself ask me to release you from my bonds. So be prepared for endless days of rest and tea."

"I love your tea ada!"

A voice from the door exclaimed, "what a suck up! I love your tea ada he says. Now we all have to drink that bitter muck just because someone is going to make more and more of it."

"Shut up Dan, you say a word more, our tea is going to get even more bitter."

Elrond pretended to be offended and for the first time in years, they all heard Estel laughing. It was a tired and broken rasping sound, but Estel's eyes shone in mirth and four souls that that wandered homeless and lost found their place in the world and fit in their right places back again.

"We are so happy that you are back, Estel. We have all been foolish and made grave mistakes, but this is the time to heal and forge ahead."

"I agree with Dan Estel, as your brothers, we will never ever abandon you again."

Estel's eyes shone in gratitude. "I am happy to be finally home too. All these years, I just wanted my life to end, but then just one look at you all again, I am greedy for life again. I want to get stronger so that even if the God's stand in my way, I can defeat them to stay with my family."

"That's the spirit Estel. Together we Elordions will be a force to reckon with."

Elrond was heartened by the spirit his sons were showing. He smiled and said, "enough my sons, we are not going to war anytime soon."

They all laughed and then peace descended, each savouring the respite from heartache.

Estel soaked everything and basked in the warmth, but there was something he has to say. Until he made it clear, he was afraid the past might repeat itself in the future. He pushed himself slowly and sat up.

"Estel?"

"I have to say something ada."

The elves looked with unease for they suspected what it would be.

"About the reason why you sent me away, my feelings have not changed ada. My heart left me for another even before I was old enough to know the ways of the world. That was no one's fault but my own. To you elves, a man's love such as mine will be repulsive and inappropriate but though the offering is just a pile of autumn leaves that will blow with my passing; I am giving you all I have with my whole heart. I only request that you take what you see fit and leave the rest. But more than this love, the one thing that I give you of greater value with no regret is my respect. And because of that, I will never cross your line and with pride and honour I will bear the pain of that line between us. Please do not take that away from me ada. Even if I conquer this world, I will do so only under your banner. If you cannot embrace me the way I desire, pet my hair like the child you love and that will give me enough joy to live my life in contentment. Dan and Ro, I know I have terribly offended you both and perhaps I am filthy like the orcs that you despise so much, but I spoke the truth and I only request that you both try to understand that I will never in my actions dishonour your trust."

There was silence as each mind pondered Estel's words.

"Estel, we are elves who have lived over centuries, but we see our parents the same way as we did when we were young babes. We only saw you as someone meddling with the sacred bond between our parents. But now we know that the bond was broken long before you came along. You have already made ada happier than even our own mother could."

Ellandan smiled and took his brothers hand. They both had discussed how they will handle this problem quite often, but only after Estel's return had the answer come to them. Elrohir continued, "we both know now that it is not our place to decide what happens between you two. It is for ada to decide and as far as we are concerned, you will always be our brother."

"Thank you both so much, I never once these past 10 years hoped that one day I will be you brother again."

"First we are family Estel. Ada, I think you should say your piece too." Elladan urged.

"I was not comfortable with your adoration Estel. Somewhere within me, I have told myself that those I love left me because I was undeserving. You have proved me wrong by gifting me the purest love of all. Perhaps this is the love for which I had to spend millennia waiting. All I know is that it was an unbearable ache in my heart when you were not beside me. When you died, I truly found the depths of despair and yes, I would have followed you. But I do not know the name of this love I have for you yet. For now, you are my joy in life and my son. But I do not know where we are going and I am content to let time take us where it goes. However our relationship changes, I am ready to accept it now."

Estel gaped at Elrond, lost for words and overwhelmed by emotions. With a gentle smile, Elrond pulled him into a warm hug and kissed Estel's forehead. Estel fell asleep soon after and slept for the first time without nightmares.

"Dan, give me a mirror, I think I look aweful."

"You don't know brother, you are now an orc actually, we didn't want to shock you. Ada cut your pointy ears to normal size before you woke up, but he couldn't do much about the rest."

Estel's face was still thin, but he no longer looked like he had one foot at death's door. It has been about 6 weeks and as the effects of the spell wore the treatment Elrond gave took effect and Estel recovered slowly but steadily.

Seeing Estel's look of horror, Legolas pitied the recovering human. "Estel, you know your brother, don't believe what he says."

"Legolas! You are no fun!"

Elrohir though was rolling in laugher at the face Estel had made.

"Elladen and Elrohir, why don't you both go and help Glorfindel with the survey." Elrond suggested laughing.

"Did you hear something Dan?"

"No Ro, why? Did you?"

Estel laughed at his brother's antics but his laughter was accompanied by a deep wheeze, and a gurgling sound from deep within. Both Legolas and Elrond looked troubled. Once the spell left, a host of minor ailments took hold of Estel's weakened body. Although most of them were under control, there was a kind of hollowness in Estel that scared Elrond no end. Gandalf had returned last week and had proposed a strengthening ritual with all three elven rings in succession.

With Elrond being the wielder of Vilya and Gandalf Narya, they only needed Nenya. But unfortunately, there has not been much connection between the Lorien elves and Imladris of late. He had nevertheless sent a message requesting Galadriel's support a few days before.

"Estel…"

Estel looked up from where he had reclined on the bed.

"How are you feeling now?"

"I am fine ada, I am tired but I am…" He never finished as he was overtaken by a bout of coughing.

"Estel, it's important you don't lie to me."

"I… I can't tell much. I feel like I am not aware of my own body. I feel tired and there is kind of numbing pain in my head all the time."

Elrond realized that it could only be the effects of the spell. And there is only one way to know what the spell was.

"Estel… I hate to ask but you need to tell us about the spell you were under all these years."

"It's not a spell ada, at least it didn't begin as one. It was more of a wish…"

And so as Estel began his story, six elves sat around to listen.