Summary: Children follow their own rules, the ones created through the innocence of youth. Will it help or harm Estel and Legolas?
Disclaimer: I do not own them for they would be covered in drool.
A/N: This fic is AU, not canon. It is also not betaed
Chapter 37
As the morning sun shone down on the elves sitting at the docks, it also shone down on Elrond Peredhil as he watched his youngest sleep. He did not know how Estel had managed the trip, even with Legolas' help, but he was happy for it. His heart had not been whole while in Valinor, though he tried his best for it to be.
His thoughts were interrupted when Celebrian laid her hand upon his. "He is a fine boy. One I would be proud to call my son."
Elrond smiled down at the still sleeping Estel who laid in his arms. "He has been a fine son, one who has traveled many miles to be here. Do you think he will be allowed to stay?"
"I fear that is something only Manwe can explain," his wife answered.
Elrond pulled his arm free from Estel, thus waking the boy. "Good morning Estel."
Estel stretched, and then began to panic, thinking he was merely dreaming. After grabbing ahold of Elrond's hand and shaking his head vigoursly he was finally sated. "I was afraid I was dreaming again," he explained.
Both Celebrian and Elrond laughed. "Tis not a dream little one. We are here and so are you. Come, you must be hungry." Celebrian led Estel to a small table and placed a plate of eggs and fresh fruit on it. "I am afraid that we may receive a calling from Manwe today," she explained to Elrond. "Surely he must know that Estel is here."
Elrond's heart beat wildly in his chest, but he did not have to wander long as there was a knock upon the door. He looked first to Celebrian and then walked slowly to open it. Outside the door stood an elf, adorned in robes of silver. "Manwe wishes your council at noon today."'
Elrond nodded that he understood, and closed the door behind him. He carefully schooled his face before he went back to the table and sat down. He watched as Estel ate his breakfast, and felt sorrow wash over him. "Estel, at lunch today we must go and meet with someone."
Estel waited till he swallowed the mouthful of fruit before he answered. "Is it someone you know Ada, a friend?"
Elrond ran his hand over Estel's face, wiping the bits of egg from it. "Aye, it is someone I know. Someone who is I am sure is anxious to meet you. We need not worry about it yet though. Hurry and finish your meal and I shall take you down to the lake."
Estel finished his meal and then with his Ada's hand in his, they all three walked down to the lake near the house. Estel immediately begged to go in the crystal clear water, telling his Ada that Erestor had taught him to swim.
"Erestor?" Do you mean Elrond's advisor?"
"Aye, he taught me to swim just before the wolves attacked us that day. He is nice Ada, even though he doesn't want anyone to know it. Sometimes he lets me brush his hair, and I even once made him a circle of flowers to wear in his hair like Arwen."
Celebrian burst out laughing at the thought of Erestor in flowers. Enjoy yourselves in the water you two. I will sit here and watch."
Estel quickly stripped down to his leggings, pulling Elrond's hand as he went, and soon both were playing in the water, dunking each other, and splashing. Elrond was enjoying the warm waters of the lake, and laid on his back, floating in the small ripples, but Estel was heading for the embankment.
Estel left the waters and went to sit down beside Celebrian, staring at her golden hair that blew in the wind. "Aren't you going to come in the water with us?" he asked.
"I am watching you have fun. Aren't you enjoying yourself Estel?"
Estel smiled then, "I will help you if you want. I promise not to splash you."
"That is very sweet of you Estel, but wouldn't you enjoy going back in the water to play?"
Estel took Celebrian's hand, pulling her to stand. "I would enjoy it much more if you would come in with us."
Celebrian looked down at the silver orbs of Estel. Those pleading eyes could not be resisted, and she stripped down to her undergarments and joined him in the waters of the lake. After over an hour of playing she and Elrond came out again to rest on the embankment.
"I see now Elrond, why you have come to love him as you do. He is truly a precious child."
Elrond's eyes never left Estel. "I do not think I can be whole without him. I have come to love him as if he were born to us. What do you think Manwe will say?"
Celebrian grew silent. "Fetch him from the water and we will go and see his fate."
Elrond and Celebrian both held a hand as they walked down the pathway to the main hall. Once there they were ushered into a room to wait for Manwe, and already Elrond's heart began to pound. Estel sat on his lap unaware of what was about to happen. Celebrian too was apprehensive, and to be truthful a little scared of what may happen. Just as she couldn't stand another moment of sitting there the door opened and in walked Manwe.
Manwe was adorned in robes of the most brilliant silver, his hair golden like the first rays of sunlight. His face was one of youth, but one that held much wisdom within its features. "Elrond Peredhil, I have been informed that one of your children has come to Valinor, and yet I do not see the twins nor Arwen in this room."
Elrond stood, grabbing Estel's hand so that he would stand as well. "You are correct. My son Estel has come to join me here in Valinor. He traveled a long way to be with me, and I am happy to see him again."
Celebrian and Elrond waited while Manwe paced the floor in front of them, his arms behind his back, muttering to himself as he did. He stopped just in front of Estel, staring down at him and spoke. "Though he is your son, it is not by blood. This child is mortal, and therefore not allowed in Valinor."
Elrond grew furious. "He is my son and should be allowed to stay with his family. I call him son and he calls me Ada. He is my blood though a distant relation."
"Be that as it may he is not elven, and cannot stay. I would love to allow him, but he has things to finish in Arda, a destiny to fulfill. He cannot do these things if he is here. I shall make arrangements for a ship to bear him back to the land of mortals."
"I cannot be separated from him. My heart will not withstand it. Thinking he was dead is what sent me to sail in the first place."
Estel had waited while the adults talked, but tears were now streaming down his face. He didn't want to be sent away, he wanted to stay with his father. Letting go of Elrond's hand he tugged on the robes of Manwe. The Vala looked down upon the wee child, and knelt down in front of him.
"Please Manwe. I don't want to go back to Arda. I want to stay with my Ada," he sobbed, burying his face in Manwe's robes. Manwe tried to hush the child, but Estel was now distraught, his tears soaking his regal robes.
"It is the way it must be child of man. You have many things to do in Arda still, and I feel Arda will perish without you."
"You said I can't stay here because I am mortal, so I can't come back even after I do all these things!" Estel wailed. He ran from Manwe and into Elrond's open arms. The Vala stared at the family, so full of love, so happy when he had walked in and now so sad.
"Your life shall be lived in Arda, but your death is another issue. You have many years yet to live, more than the normal man, and then your fate will be decided. The Halls of Mandos is where mortals dwell, but a select few may again one day venture here, only time will tell."
Elrond stood then, knowing there was nothing he could say to change Manwe's mind. "I am leaving to spend time with my son before the ship comes. If you will excuse me," he bowed, and left the room, Celebrian on his heels.
They walked all the way back to their abode and went inside. It wasn't until Estel had cried himself to sleep that Elrond chose to speak to Celebrian. "I love you deeply," he started. "I have loved you from the moment my eyes first saw you, but I cannot leave Estel to grow up in Arda alone. He needs me, more than I can express, and a part of me needs him."
Celebrian walked over to stand by his side, both peering down at Estel. "I understand my love, and I will understand if you must leave."
Elrond's own tears began to flow then. He was torn between the woman he loved and the child he loved with all his heart. "I cannot bear to leave you, now that I have seen you again, and yet I cannot bear to know I have sent him away. Celebrian what should I do?"
Celebrian pulled his face to hers, and laid a small kiss on his lips. "You shall do as you have always done Elrond. You will go and protect your son, as you would protect the twins or Arwen. This little boy is special, one that has started to slowly creep into my own heart. Go with him to Arda, and return to Valinor one day where then your heart shall be mended."
Elrond wrapped his arms around Celebrian, and let the tears he had been holding back flow. He didn't want to leave her, and his heart was breaking even thinking about seeing her face fade away as the ship sailed. "How can I go? How can I leave you here my love?"
Celebrian let him cry, running her fingers through his raven hair. "Do not fret over things we cannot change. I am healed now, my heart complete since I have seen you again. It shall not be long before we are reunited again." Elrond continued to sob, all his guilt releasing with the torrent of tears, until at last he also had cried himself to sleep. Celebrian covered them both up and went to pack his things for the trip. She would be very busy preparing, lots to do, lots of people to inform.
Two hours later ...
Estel held his Ada's hand and walked toward the waiting ship. Several elves had come to see them off, amazed that anyone would leave the tranquility of Valinor to return to the land of Arda. Estel was so scared he began to shake, and Celebrian leaned down and grabbed his other hand in hers. "Fear not little one, you are safe here." Estel smiled up at her, his smile as always melted her heart, and she griped his hand even tighter.
The ship was waiting at the dock and good byes were said between Elrond and his kin. They all wished him a safe journey, and a speedy return. His face was marred with tears over leaving those he cared about, but he was resolved to return with Estel and so he turned to say goodbye to the one he would miss most of all, Celebrian.
He looked to his left where she had been standing and she was no longer there. He looked to his right, and then behind him, and yet he still did not see her. A bit of panic was setting in that she was too upset with his leaving and had returned to the house, unable to watch him sail away. This is when Estel tugged on his hand and pointed to the waiting ship, and on its steps stood Celebrian.
Elrond walked over to her. "I do not understand," he said confusion setting in.
Celebrian was adorned in her dress of silver, "What is not to understand? I love you and shall not be parted from you again. I came here to be healed, and I am. I have come to understand why you love this little one so, and I would be proud to call him my son. Come Elrond, let us return to our family, for we will again return to Valinor and its peaceful shores."
Elrond and Estel both hugged Celebrian, and Estel's face beamed as he asked. "Are you my Amme' now?"
Celebrian laughed, a sound like the most beautiful melody he had ever heard before picking Estel up. "That I am Estel. Come now the ship is waiting and we shall surprise your brothers together."
The small ship sailed from the shores of Valinor, two who would return, and one whose fate was not yet decided. They were going back to Arda, back to their family, where they would be together again.
A/N: See you next week with the last chapter!