Disclaimer: I don't own anything of the Lord of the Rings.
Note: Thanks for the reviews. If anybody has any ideas, please let me know. Estel will be sick in this chapter, I know I have done it a lot but it kind of fits in and it gives Elladan a change to make up to Estel. Let's begin.
Estel woke up feeling shivers run down his arms and torso. His throat was raw and his voice was hoarse, sighing he hoped he could hide it from Elrond. Getting dressed and pulling on another undershirt, he slowly traced his steps down to the dining room.
His body ached and he knew by the warmth in his face and the cobwebs in his head that he was having a slight fever. He pulled back his chair, sitting down. Looking at the food on the table, he sighed heavily, not really hungry.
Reaching out he grabbed a bread roll, taking a small bite before draining his glass of juice. It helped the ache in his throat but he swallowed thickly. Elrohir was not sitting at the table and Estel had to think carefully as to where the younger twin was.
Elrond was having a soft conversation with Erestor, both having papers lying in front of them. Elrond was so distracted that he barely paid attention to what he was eating. Estel eyed his father, wondering if he could ask his father to make some tea.
He left his bread roll lying there; half finished and pushed back his chair, approaching his father. Without looking up from the scroll, Elrond softly said. "You need to report to Glorfindel for training and then help Elrohir with aiding Elladan. He is allowed out of bed for the first time but he cannot leave his room. Elladan will likely try to overwork himself and…"
Trying to suppress a coughing fit, Estel finally released the air in short hiccups. He closed his tearing eyes as a gentle hand touched his own, the other arm going around his back and he could hear the scraping of a chair being pushed back as he was drawn to a warm side. "Easy, Estel, breathe, little one, just relax."
Finally working to get his breathing back under control, Estel wearily leaned against Elrond's shoulder. He opened his eyes when a soft hand brushed his hair back from his face. Concerned grey eyes were peering into his own and Elrond softly asked. "What are you feeling, ion nin?"
"I am aching all over and I think I have a fever. I was going to ask you if you would make some of that special tea and perhaps excuse me from my duties for today." The raspy voice softly came as Estel wheezed. He could feel his father's large hand settle on his forehead and after a moment Elrond smiled calmly. "It seems like a wise idea, little one. Perhaps you can allow Elladan to tend to you, I am sure he would like that."
His father's smile had a touch of mischief to it and Estel merely responded by leaning forward and taking the glass of water from his father and drowning it in one big gulp. Finally he realized Elrond was waiting for an answer, still brushing his hair back from his face as his father softly murmured. "It is getting long again. Perhaps we should cut it."
Estel relaxed against his father, putting the empty glass back on the table as he answered. "Perhaps it would keep Dan busy. But I hope that he will not make all too much noise for I feel like a thousand orcs are tramping around in my head." Elrond softly laughed, rising elegantly and smoothly as Erestor gathered all the papers, smiling at Estel fondly as the councillor ruffled the dark locks before being on his way again.
His arm still around his youngest son, Elrond gently took Estel with him to Elladan's chambers. Laughter could be heard far away from the room and Elrond could see Estel cringing together each time. He tightened his grip around the boy's shoulders but then Estel stopped suddenly, jaw clenched.
Elrond barely had a moment to look at his youngest as Estel bolted, running immediately into Elladan's room, slamming the bathroom door shut in the process. Elrond continued into the room at a slower pace, seeing both his twin sons' wide eyes as they tried to overcome their amazement. "Adar, Estel just flew in here and…."
Elrond waved his hand dismissingly and Elrohir fell silent as the elven lord approached the bed. Both brothers were sitting on the bed, Elladan lying comfortably in Elrohir's embrace as the wounded elf was enjoying annoying his younger twin. Elrohir however was now halfway of getting off the bed to look for Estel.
"Ro, go check upon your younger brother for me. Dan, move over please so your old father can sit down." Elrond watched as Elladan moved over slightly. His eyes checked the bandages of his son to find no source of bleeding, smiling he sat down.
"I have a special task for you today, Dan." He softly said, watching as his son's dark grey eyes lit up with excitement.
"Yes, Atar?"
"I need for you to watch over Estel today. He is ill and since you are not allowed out of your room…"
"But Ada, I am sure Estel would gladly remain in bed without me tending to him…"
This time Elladan was interrupted as Elrond answered sternly. "I am sure Estel would also like for you to make up to him from what you said to him, Elladan. I can also order you to take care of Estel…"
Under the steady pressure of his sire's gaze, Elladan swallowed thickly. Then the younger elf nodded, just as Elrohir came back with a pale faced Estel. The younger twin had one arm wrapped strongly around his younger sibling. Estel was shivering, pale and Elrond rose immediately.
He could hear Elladan shuffling over as well as he made room on the bed for Estel. Trained eyes could see the sweat on the pale looking skin. Estel was growing iller with each passing moment. The sharp grey eyes then darted to his oldest son's face to see the concern as Elladan pulled back the blanket, before gently pulling Estel into an embrace as the younger male sat down on the bed while Elrohir tugged on his boots, trying to get them off.
Head laying on Elladan's shoulder, the boy allowed himself to be comforted by his brothers. Fever clouded eyes locked with Elrond's own and the elven lord walked closer to his child. He gently touched Estel upon the forehead, feeling the unnatural heat coming from the boy. "I will make some tea for you to drink. Allow your brothers to tend to you for today."
Estel only gave a tired nod, eyes closing as he rested comfortably in his brother's embrace. Elladan held him lightly as Estel shook with the next coughing fit. The boy was dozing lightly, feeling secure and safe in his brothers' presence. Elrohir sat on the bed behind Estel, looking at Elladan.
"Estel?" The younger twin asked softly and Estel turned, making a small noise in the back of his throat. Elrohir smiled, moving away so Estel could see the bed. The younger male nodded, staring longily at the blankets which were pulled away to reveal the soft bed.
Estel slid underneath it, head coming to rest upon his arms as the blankets were pulled up all the way. Elladan stared down at the dark hair and the pale face before he whispered into Estel's ear. "I am sorry, little brother. I will make it up to you today, I swear."
The clouded grey eyes opened, locking with his own as Estel gave a tired nod. The boy closed his eyes again as Elladan laid down as well. The elf still had a long road of recovery ahead and even now, barely 2 weeks since the incident, he could not even sit upright without getting tired and achy.
He looked sideways at his brother. Estel was lying on his stomach, stretched out pleasantly underneath the covers. Estel was a child of the race of men and therefore prone to illness, yet the boy had not been ill in years but it seemed that the stress of the last few weeks had finally gotten through the boy's immune system with a well aimed flu.
Reaching out with hand to gently brush back the hair of the sleeping child, Elladan watched with satisfaction as Estel murmured something inaudible and snuggling in closer to the offered warmth. It amazed Elladan that Estel had, without any female influence, became so attached to the family.
The child was gentle, which might have been different if Elrond had not had a hand in his upbringing. Estel wiggling in closer, bringing Elladan's arm around himself and drifting off into a deeper sleep. Elrohir returned, bringing with him a book and a cup of tea.
"I think we need to wake him." The younger twin softly said, throwing the book down on the bed and staring down at the sleeping form of his younger brother.
"Nay let him sleep. He can always drink the tea when he is awake again." Elladan yawned himself, his mind going blanker as Elrohir smiled down at him. The older elf fell in reverie shortly after as Elrohir settled in an empty chair with the book, watching over both his brothers. He could only smile and hoped that he would not be wounded, for truly, he did not wish to join them in the bed.
Hope you liked it. It is kind of short but I could not think f anything else. Please review and send some ideas please.