Chapter Two
Disclaimer: Anything you recognize from the Lord of the Rings belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien and anyone who was involved in the making of it. Disrespect was not intended while writing this story.
Author's Note: Hope you enjoy, and thanks to everyone who reviewed! I didn't think I would get that many ... Please read the author's note at the end of the chapter! thanks!
"Estel!"
Estel jerked, eyes wide. The young eight-year-old boy had been staring out the window as his tutor, Erestor, spoke to him. They were in the middle of lessons, which Estel found extremely unfair, for it was hot sunny day and he did not think that he should be inside.
Erestor glowered at him. "Estel, last and only warning," he warned. "Listen."
"Yes, Erestor," Estel said in a small voice. He listened carefully for about thirty seconds, then his mind began to drift once more.
FLASHBACK
"Our poor little brother," Elrohir said with utter sympathy in his voice as he patted Estel's head.
"It won't be too bad, little brother, as long as you listen to Erestor," Elladan joined in.
"Oh, yes! Remember, little Estel, make sure you listen to Erestor at all times, or else you'll have to go and have a 'discussion' with ada," Elrohir added.
"Or wash the dishes!" Elladan added.
"Or clean out the stables."
"Oh, the memories, Ro!" Elladan exclaimed.
"Indeed, Laden. Some of them not as good as others."
"It'll be hard, but you can do it, can't you, little brother?" Elladan said, bending down and picking Estel, who had been four years old at the time.
"Yes!" Estel squealed with laughter as Elladan tickled his belly. Then he frowned. "Will it be boring?"
"Very," Elrohir said.
Estel looked at Elrohir with an adorable pout on his face. "Then I don't wanna do it!" he exclaimed, making a face. "What do I do, Erro?"
Elrohir grinned and ruffled Estel's curly locks. "You'll study," Elladan told Estel, taking pity on the little boy. "And it'll be very boring, unless you like to sit there and listen to Erestor drone on and on."
Estel frowned, seeming to be thinking. "Laden?"
"Yes, little Estel?"
"I dunno what 'drone' means."
FLASHBACK END
"Estel!"
Estel started. Erestor seemed extremely cross, frowning deeply at him. "Do I have to go and speak with your ada for the fourth time this week?" he asked sternly, raising an eyebrow.
Estel seemed to droop, glancing at Erestor. "No, Erestor," he said softly. "Goheno nin."
Erestor's eyes softened a bit at the young boy's soft apology. The reason why he was so strict was because he could see all the potential for the knowledge and wisdom the little boy was apt to possess. He was, after all, a very intelligent child for his age.
"Forgiven, little Estel," Erestor replied quietly.
Estel sighed and leaned back on his chair. "Erestor?" he mumbled, interrupting the elf's lecture.
"Yes?"
"I feel sick, Erestor," Estel sighed. He sent Erestor a pitiful look.
Erestor frowned and placed a hand on Estel's forehead, half suspicious, half worried. A few times, the child had lied and escaped by saying that he was 'sick', and had received a long scolding from Erestor and a bottom-warming from Elrond after being caught.
But, this time? Estel's forehead was hot, hotter than it should usually be. Erestor sighed and set down the parchment he had been holding. "Very well, little one," he said. "Off to ada we go."
"Ai! No!" Estel exclaimed.
Erestor's eyebrows rose in surprise. "And why not, little Estel? Ada will be able to tuck you into bed and give you a hot cup of tea-"
"No tea!" Estel shrieked. He stopped and looked up at Erestor pitifully. "Ada's tea tastes weird."
In other occasions, Erestor would have laughed at the young boy's adorable antics, but this time he merely said, "Come, Estel. Perhaps Ada will give you a cookie after your tea to help wash down the taste."
Estel hesitated, then raised his arms. "Carry?" he asked softly.
Erestor felt a bit surprised. Ever since he had turned five, Estel had never asked to be carried. But Erestor merely bent down and picked up the young boy. Estel leaned on him, curling his arms around Erestor's neck as they strode toward Elrond's study.
"Erestor?" Estel asked quietly.
"Yes, little one?"
"Thank you."
Estel shifted nervously as he glanced out of his bed covers. Erestor was gone after handing him a cookie, and ada had been sitting and watching him until there had been a loud commotion and he had been called outside. He had said, "Estel, I trust you to remain in bed, and do not go outside until I come for you."
"Can't any of the nurses watch me?" Estel had asked.
"There are none today," ada had replied. "Some have gone outside, and most have left with the group I sent out yesterday. Remain in bed, understood?" Estel had nodded, and ada had smiled and given him a pat on the head before striding out.
Which had made Estel feel even more guiltier. He bit his lip, then wiped the sweat off his back. As Erestor had spoke during the lesson and Estel had drifted into his thoughts, he had leaned back and the sunlight had caught his forehead. He had jerked at first at the blinding light, then remained still as a mischievous plan formed in his head.
He was surely going to be caught. Of course he would. He never escaped from his consequences, especially not if ada was doing his discipline. A few times Glorfindel had disciplined him, but never harshly, only five or six swats, and ten at the most. Erestor had given 'love pats' to him, and had never disciplined him officially. Neither did his two elven brothers. In fact, Estel, Elrohir and Elladan usually got into trouble together.
But ada? Estel gave an involuntary shudder. Ada never hesitated to spank him, he never hesitated to scold him. And there had been times when Estel resented ada for that, for giving him a burning bottom to sleep with. But he loved ada, and ada loved him.
Estel glanced around once more, and then slipped on his shoes, and slid out of bed. He quickly climbed out of the window and clambered stealthily down. Elladan and Elrohir had shown him how to move quietly (though not as quietly as elves, for he was human), and Estel stepped lightly as he walked.
Not wanting to be caught, he broke into a run as he scrambled toward the forest. Once deep amongst the trees, Estel paused and hummed cheerfully. Here he was, outside and delighted. Not inside doing boring lessons with Erestor, not inside in a bed with ada watching over him, pretending to be sick.
Grinning, Estel grasped a tree branch and swung himself up. It was his favourite tree, and he had named it 'Oaky' when he had been three years old, much to the amusement of the older elves. Climbing high enough, he stopped and sat down, swinging his legs.
He liked sitting up high in trees, and he done so ever since Elrohir and Elladan had taught him. Now he did it without even thinking, and never fell. Of course, when he had been two and half, he had fallen out of 'Oaky', and broke his arm. He had made a huge fuss and Elrond had healed him, soothed him, as did his brothers.
A soothing gust of breeze swirled his curly locks around, and he giggled and swiped his hair out of his face. The wind felt good on his face after being trapped inside for so long. Being inside on a sunny day should be illegal, he thought.
"What are you doing up there, little one?"
Estel looked down, slightly alarmed, and below him, looking up at him as he craned his neck, was the most glorious and beautiful elf he had ever seen up until now.
Elrond rushed outside. He knew that he would have a visitor coming, an old friend of his, but he hadn't expected them to visit now.
And it was strange how Estel was suddenly sick, but he had felt his forehead and his little boy's forehead had been warmer than usual. Worried, as humans tended to get sick more than elves, he had fed Estel a cup of tea (which he had had a long argument with his adopted son of whether Estel had to drink the tea or not), and had sat down to watch the boy when the commotion had started.
Trusting Estel to remain in bed, as there were no other elves available, he had hurried outside.
"Ah! Lord Elrond!"
Elrond smiled at the visitor. "It is good to see you again, too, Mellon nîn!"
End of Chapter Two
Author's Note: Sorry, a bit short, wasn't it? Didn't turn out quite as good as I wanted it, but whatever. Ideas and feedback is welcome, but please, no flames! Please, please, please review for me! READ BELOW! IMPORTANT!
1. Who do you think were the visitors, and who do you think was the elf that spoke to Estel when he was up the tree? Try and guess!
