Elrond, Lord of Imladris, entered the private family sitting room and rekindled the fire. Dark clouds were approaching, and the air was growing chilly. After placing a log on the blaze, he glanced over toward the sofa and smiled sadly at the little boy curled up against the silk armrest.
In the two weeks since the tiny Dunadain had come to live with them, he'd hardly spoken more than a few dozen words, and even those were mainly to Elladan. While both the twins had found him after the battle that had taken his parents' lives, it was the older twin who had approached him and somehow convinced him he could trust them. And because of that, Aragorn, or Estel as they had renamed him, hadn't wanted to let anyone else touch him. The three elves had agreed together to refer to themselves as the child's family. But the word ada had yet to be heard from his lips.
But unfortunately, the twins had been forced to leave early this morning to disband a nearby band of orcs. And ever since then, Estel had been huddled silently on the sofa, his large blue eyes filled with fear.
Elrond sighed. It was nearly Estel's bedtime, and since the twins had yet to return, he would have to convince him to let the elf lord put him to bed. He shook his head at his own worry. Despite his thousands of years of life and dealing with countless crises, the problem of caring for this precious child had him stumped.
His sharp elven ears caught the sound of thunder rumbling in the distance. "That will make things easier!" He said dryly to himself. Getting to his feet, he approached the sofa and sat down next to the little boy. "Estel." He spoke tenderly. "Come, it's time for you to go to bed. Your brothers aren't back yet, so would it be alright if I gave you a bath and told you a story?"
The dark head shrugged. Elrond reached out to touch the boy's knee, only to have him cringe away. The elf fought tears. "Estel! You don't need to be afraid of any of us! You are safe here." He sat back against the other armrest, trying to put the child at ease. "We want to help, ion nin. But only if you want to let us."
The thunder rumbled closer. Elrond glanced out the window before turning back to the little boy. Tears were flowing from the wide blue eyes. The first words he'd uttered all day broke through his sobs. "Nana and Da go 'way! Dan and Ro go 'way too! Can you make them come back?"
Elrond felt his heart clench. "Oh, Estel! I...I can't bring your parents back. But your brothers only went for a short journey. They'll be back soon. You don't need to worry."
Estel buried his head further against the cushion and cried harder. The elf lord reached out and gently rubbed his back. Grateful that he didn't cringe away. Suddenly, a loud crack of thunder sounded outside, and the boy bolted upright. A moment later, Elrond's arms were filled with the precious bundle. "Ada! Storm! Don't like storms!"
Elrond nearly sobbed aloud. The boy had called him father. Pulling him onto his lap, he stroked back the dark hair. "Shhh, ion nin! I'll keep you safe!" Then he started rocking back and forth, and after a few moments, began to sing an ancient elvish lullaby. His wife had sung it to their children when they were young, and he'd heard the twins singing it to Estel often since his arrival.
Thankfully, the storm blew itself out a short time later, and Elrond peered down at the child in his arms. "Estel, would you like your bath and story now?"
Estel considered for a moment. "Don't like baths!"
Elrond laughed softly. "I know you don't tithen pen!" But you need one. I know your brothers were in the dirt with you before they left this morning!"
The human gave a long-suffering sigh and nodded. Elrond got to his feet and adjusted the bundle in his arms. As he started down the hall toward Estel's room, he slipped back into his gentle lullaby. His heart filled with warmth as the pudgy arms curled around his neck and the tiny boy cuddled into his chest.
Half an hour later, he shifted the freshly washed child onto the bed after he'd finally fallen asleep. He lingered for a few moments, marveling at the perfection of the little one. Of HIS little one. He'd so quickly fallen in love with the boy and had longed for it to be returned. And tonight, as he'd held him close and felt a sloppy kiss pressed against his cheek, his wish had been granted.
Leaning back down, he brushed a gentle kiss across Estel's forehead and turned to go. Something told him that he'd be marveling at his little one for a long time yet.
As he stepped back into the sitting room, the door on the other side opened, and the twins entered, predictably soaked to the skin.
"Ada!" Elladan hurried toward him. "Is everything alright?"
Elrond smiled at his older sons. "Yes, ion nin! Everything is just fine."
The End.
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