A disclaimer: I own nothing that pertains to the Lord of the Rings it is all property of J.R.R. Tolkien other than the o/c.
It is another day at a House of Elrond. The Mirkwood party already stay there for almost 2 weeks. This is the longest vacation time planned by Thranduil after so many years for both him and his sons and it is also made possible after all the arrangement he prepared beforehand.
Kind Thranduil of Mirkwood sits by himself in the garden which is located near the forest border where he could see the surrounded forest. While looking there, Thranduil muses about how similar was his kingdom with Imladris where there is peace and solace, when the dark forces still not infecting the kingdom. He also thinks back about his wife Eregail before she was killed by the orcs.
"Uncwle Thwanduil, awe you okay?" suddenly there is a small voice from his back startled him out of his musing.
"Uncwle?" ask Estel again when Thranduil failed to answer him.
"Yes penneth, sorry I just seem to lost in my memories,"
Estel just looks at him and give a questioning stare which remind him of Elrond.
"It is nothing penneth, do not worry yourself. " Trying to divert Estel attention Thranduil continued "Why are you here by yourself Estel? Where are your brothers and my sons?" when he failed to locate those four.
"We pwayed hide and seek and I couldn't find anyone," mumble Estel.
'Why they left Estel alone,when they are so protective of him before?' Thought Thranduil.
When he looks around, trying to find if the younger elves actually really left the child alone, he suddenly saw a shadow like figure peeking from the gap of the tree just outside of the garden.
Alert, Thranduil stand from the bench, he has previously sat and take Estel hand while he push Estel gently behind him. But when he looks again, he saw the figure already disappear.
"Penneth can you go back inside, I think your brothers and my sons probably do not expect you to venture far from the inner garden especially with your hand still injured ." Explain Thranduil while his eyes, trying to find the figure he saw earlier.
When he didn't hear any response from Estel, Thranduil reverts his eyes from his search and look at Estel.
He saw Estel look a little ashamed while fidgeting with his arm case. "Estel, what's wrong?" asks him.
"I'm sowwy Uncwle Twanduil, but when I saw you, you look sad, that's why I …" Estel didn't finish his word and opt to stare down his feet.
As he heard what Estel said, Thranduil immediately forgets about the shadow he saw and pay his attention to the child who are now standing beside him. Thranduil feels a little surprise by the child concerns, a child that he only met a little while ago saw through his sadness and trying to comfort him regardless his own condition.
He looks at Estel and kneel down in front of the child. He put his finger below the child chin's and gently lift up Estel face.
" I thank you for your concern penneth. But do not worry, sometimes my mind just takes me back to the memory of the past ." Explain Thranduil. Estel who heard this just nodding his head despite not fully understanding what Thranduil actually mean.
"Estel, I think it's better for us to go back into the house. From what you said, it seems my sons and your brother didn't know that you are here. I'm afraid if we don't head in now there will be a search party looking for you based from how protective your…."
"Estel where are you?!" Thranduil didn't manage yet to finish his sentences when there is a shout coming closer towards the garden.
Estel who heard the shout immediately sought out Thranduil eyes where there is an amusement in his eyes. Thranduil, who saw this gave the child a small smile and said " I told you so".
One day before…..
Elladan and Elrohir have decided to entertain their baby brother as it almost 2 weeks Estel are not allowed to do any strenuous activities.
They already asked their father's permission the day before, to indulge their baby brother with the game. Elrond gave his permission, but with the condition that Estel will not strain his body, especially his hand and whatever game that they are planning should not be taken far from the house.
Elland and Elrohir readily agreed and promised their father that they will watch their little brother and they will only play the game within the house and the garden only.
After receiving the raised eyebrow from their father, which usually mean that their father not trust them fully 'to not take things too far', Elladan and Elrohir quickly seek their friends, i.e, Legolas, Fenron and Dillothon and their little brother Estel to discuss their plan.
"Dan, did you see Estel?" Asked Elrohir to his brother as they still couldn't find Estel after some times of searching.
After having a breakfast, Elladan and Elrohir along with Legolas, Feron and Dillothon played a game with Estel. First, they tried to entertain the child by bringing him to the practice field where they held an archery duel, and of course Legolas is the winner. After looking at this demonstration, Estel hurrying beg Legolas to teach him about how to be a brilliant archer like him.
Legolas promised to teach Estel after his hand healed and this makes the human child feel very happy and feel determined to heal quickly.
After that they played a few more games before stopping for lunch, which Elladan and Elrohir already prepared the picnic near the waterfall which is also Estel favorite place.
After having their lunch, Dillothon suggested for them to play hide and seek and Feron readily agreed to be 'it'.
After getting the signal, all of them quickly searching a place to hide and Elladan and Elrohir suggest for Estel to hide with them. Legolas, who heard this quickly volunteer himself to be with Estel with the argument they who are the youngest should be hiding together. Elladan, Elrohir and Dillothon just watching with the amused smile when Estel quickly agreed with Legolas.
But that was half and hour ago. Feron managed to find all of them except for Estel and Legolas which not a surprised as Legolas are famous for his hide and seek skills since his young.
After a few more minutes searching, Feron yield and asked them to get out from their hiding places.
Upon hearing this, after a few moments Legolas appeared in front of them, but there is something missing.
"Legolas, where is Estel?" asked Elladan when he couldn't see his youngest brother.
Legolas, who looks stunned to see that Estel is not with the rest quickly start to panic and answer. "Estel said to me that he wanted to surprise you and insist that I let him hide alone and promised me that he will not hide far from me. I saw him hiding around and after a while I assume that you have already found him when I saw you go to this hiding place," explain Legolas.
"No, Legolas, the only person that we couldn't find is you and Estel and we assume the reason why because both of you are hiding together and you are very skillful at hiding." Said Elladan.
Elrohir, who saw the look of guilt and self contempt on Legolas face quickly add, "Legolas do not worry, I'm sure that Estel is not far from here and also please don't feel guilty as I know that Estel can be very persuasive when he needs to," said Elrohir while remembering about all the times he falls to Estel puppy eyes.
"Let's find him as I don't think that Estel will come out by himself, for a young child he is very competitive. Lets us spread out and look at each side of the garden."
After Elladan and Elrohir separated from Legolas and his brother, they continued calling for their missing brother.
After wandering almost to the outer garden they saw their brother with the Mirkwood King. Elladan and Elrohir rush towards their brother while calling his name.
"Estel, thanks Valar that we found you here, if not I'm not sure what will Ada do to us!, said Elladan while hugging his little brother.
Elrohir, who saw Thranduil expression greet him "Hanon le her mine for finding our missing brother".
Estel who heard this quickly correct his brother, "Uncwle Thwanduil not found me, I found him Ro". "What?" asked Elrohir while looking between Thranduil and Estel.
"It is correct penneth, it is Estel who found me," said Thranduil while looking at the child with amusement.
Both Elladan and Elrohir look amused at Thranduil, both thinking either Thranduil wants to cover for their brother or if it's true how can it come to that.
Elladan and Elrohir look at each other and decide to just let it go for now
"But Estel, you know right that you are not supposed to come here," add Elladan, "We have already informed you that today we only can play within the inner garden."
"I'm sowwy Dan, it's just that I want to find a better place for hiding cause you always find me," said Estel.
"But still…." Before Elladan finish his sentences, Thrandui quickly said "I think it is alright as there is no harm done," add Thranduil again when he saw the crestfallen face of the child.
"Yes, Dan, I think we can talk more about this later, now lets find Legolas, Feron and Dillothon and informed them that we already found Estel." Advise Elrohir.
Elladan looks back towards both Thranduil amused face and Estel crestfallen face, letting out a sigh he agreed with Elrohir.
"Alright, but we will talk about this later Estel, now hir nin I think that we need to find your sons before they alert all of Imladris about this." Said Elladan with a mixed feelings, first a fear of what will their Ada do if they hear about this from the frantic Legolas and his brothers and second what will be their reaction if they knew who is with Estel while they frantically looking for the missing child.
"If like that, let's go before my sons and Elrond send a search party for Estel," said Thranduil with amusement.
Estel feel relieved as it looks like that his Uncle Thwanduil have saved him from his brother. He quickly grabbed Thranduil when they started walking towards the direction of the house and smiling brightly to Thranduil.
After they are gone, one figure can be seen appeared from behind the tree not far from a place where Thranduil look earlier. Their eyes look with malice and there is a sadistic smile on their face while looking into the House of Elrond direction before disappearing again into the shadow.
A/N : Really sorry for the late update. Will try to update next chapter but I really can't promise when will it be.
For who that still reading this story thank you. R & R and enjoy guys :)