Alright well, this is the next chapter! I should be studying for my exam tomorrow but what fun is that?
It seems that Estel gets hurt way to much in my stories. I need to write a fluffy story to make myself feel better :D
Disclaimer: See chapter one
"They live in the trees!" Rilian exclaimed excitedly to the two others around him. "At first I was afraid but its not so bad once you get used to it." He confessed as they sat by the fountain.
"I wish to travel there sometime." Aearion said, hands running through the water.
"Me too!" Estel echoed, lying on his stomach next to Aearion as his hands splashed in the water.
"What did you both do while I was gone?" Rilian questioned the other two.
Estel and Aearion shared a look. "My gwadors went on a hunting trip to fight orcs." Estel told the elfling, whose eyes widened.
"Really?" Rilian asked. Estel nodded, proud that his brothers were brave enough to go out and fight to protect their home.
"We played in the gardens as well, and I got to eat mid-day meal with Estel in the grand dining hall!" Aearion said quickly, hoping to get Estel's mind off the topic of the twins absence.
"That sounds like a great time." Rilian exclaimed, thumping down next to Estel on his stomach and plunging his hands into the water along with the human.
"Shall we play hide and seek?" Aearion asked, getting two smiles in return.
"I will count first," Aearion volunteered, placing his arms on the edge of the fountain and burying his head into them as he began to count as the other two scrambled off the fountain.
Estel and Rilian giggled as they ran down the path. Finding a statue, Rilian hid behind it as he smiled to Estel. Estel nodded, heading a little further down the path and spotting a small garden shed set a few paces away from the path. Heading towards it, Estel was proud of himself that he had secured such a good spot. Opening the door and ducking inside, Estel closed the door almost all the way, leaving a crack of light to enter. Surely Aearion will have a hard time finding him here, the boy thought, smiling to himself.
A few minutes later, he heard voices outside his hiding spot. Estel giggled, then quickly covered his mouth. The voices stopped and the door was opened, revealing Sellion and his friend Eltaor. Estel's eyes widened in fear as Sellion smirked.
"Well, well, well, if it isn't the little edain." Sellion taunted as he grabbed Estel's arm and pulled him out.
"I…I am playing hide and seek with Rilian and Aearion!" Estel defended, trying to keep his voice strong.
"I don't think an edain can play that game, for he would be too loud!" Sellion grinned.
Estel shook his head. "I am not! My gwadors are teaching me to be as quiet as they are!" He declared, glaring at the elfling as he tried to free his arm.
Sellion's grin fell. He jerked the boy's arm, causing Estel to stumble closer. When Estel looked up at him, Sellion hit him in the jaw, causing the boy to cry out as he fell backwards.
Sellion smiled and motioned for Eltaor to hold Estel up. Seeing that the boy's lip had been split, Sellion grin grew wider.
"Why have your friends not come if they are to have been searching for you, Estel?" Sellion asked, grabbing Estel's hair roughly.
Estel raised his head to look at Sellion. "They will come, and then I will tell my gwadors wha…"
He couldn't finish before he was punched in the stomach, causing him to double over as he held his middle. Eltaor released him and he fell to his knees.
Getting down on his knees next to the boy, Sellion spoke into his ear. "You will not tell anyone!" He ground out angrily. "You are already such a great burden on everyone, do you wish to cause them even more trouble?"
Estel froze at the comment. Surely he didn't cause trouble like Sellion claimed he did, for he would of noticed before.
Seeing that what he said was getting to him, Sellion continued. "Your brothers cannot even go out in hunting parties for fun because they must stay in Imladris and constantly take care of an edain." He sneered, pushing Estel roughly onto his back on the ground. "And your ada does nothing but pity you, the poor edain who has no real family."
Just as Sellion was about to continue, shouts were heard coming towards them and calling Estel's name.
"It is Rilian and Aearion." Eltaor said, suddenly frightened.
Sellion scrambled to his feet. "You will tell no one what happened. You fell from a tree and never saw either of us." Sellion hissed to Estel, kicking him in the side. Estel groaned as the elflings took off into the forest heading back to the city.
"Estel!" Aearion called, jogging up the path followed closely by Rilian.
"Estel! Come out!" Rilian tried calling. As they neared the garden shed, they saw the boy's body on the ground.
"Aearion, go get help! Try and find Lord Elladan and Lord Elrohir!" Rilian shouted as he ran towards the boy. Aearion nodded, running back down the path towards the Last Homely House.
Rilian kneeled down next to Estel, trying to look for any obvious wounds.
"Estel, mellon nin, are you alright?" he spoke softly to the boy, who stirred and groaned.
"Rilian?" Estel croaked as he tried to sit up. A burning pain shot through his ribs.
"Daro, Estel, hold still. Aearion is fetching help." Rilian soothed, easing the boy onto his back.
"No, I do not wish to be a burden to anyone." Estel slurred, his vision getting blurry. Rilian gave Estel a strange look at his words.
"Peace, Estel, help will be here soon." He said as he pillowed the boy's head on his lap, hoping more than anything that Aearion had found help quickly.