Title: Chiaro Scuro

Author: Elladan

Rating: PG-13

Summary: Estel is constantly being teased and bullied for being adan. One day the teasing goes too far, but Estel is convinced that he can find a solution for the treatment without the help of his family. The only problem is that his solution does everything but make his life simpler.

Disclaimer: I am not making any money off this and I am only borrowing Tolkien's characters for a little fun.

A/N: Well, here is the next part. As I said before, after this chapter I am not really sure where to go so if anyone has suggestions just let me know, otherwise please be patient. One last thing, it will be a while before Estel gets revenge, but it will be sweet. Thanks for all the great reviews, keep it up because it really helps.

Espionage- From what I know the title is Italian and literally means 'light shadows'. My teacher uses it to describe what he calls light playing in the shadows.

Saera- Thank you so much. I hope you enjoy the next part.

LOTR Sparkling Pippin- Yes, I realize that the first chapter was kinda short, ok.it was just really short. I will try to write longer chapters in the future.

ThE iNsAnE oNe- Please don't slap yourself, I had only just posted it and it won't disappear as far as I know. I will try to make the chapters longer. Thanks for all your great reviews and stories.

Arabella Thorne- I just wanted to thank you very much for your reviews both on this story and my last one. Don't worry Estel's story will stay secret for a while longer.

Cathy- Yes, when revenge comes it will be sweet and who knows what will happen.

Estelle- Glad you like it. I will try to write more as soon as I can.

Kawaii BlueBear- *peeks up from hiding* you won't feather me now will you? Well, I hope you caught them and don't worry, like I've been saying there will be revenge.

Emmithar- Thank you very much for the correction, I am afraid I am not as well versed in the elven language as I would like to be. Also, I much appreciate the review and I hope you enjoy this next part.

Dark Angel- Do I detect a slight obsession with a certain future king?

Chapter 2

***** Elrohir misunderstood Estel's reaction and sat on the edge of his bed as he tried to comfort the boy.

"Tis alright, titta mine. I had not intended to wake you. Where do you hurt?" he questioned with concern.

"I am fine." Estel replied, hoping to avoid treatment and questioning. He tried to roll away from his brother, but the movement aggravated his injuries and a hiss of pain escaped before he could prevent it.

"If you are fine, Estel, then why are you in pain? Please, lie not to me, tell me what hurts you." Elrohir pressed as he stood. Estel sighed in defeat and frustration.

"Everywhere." He specified.

"Tis not very helpful, ninion." Elrond said as he and Elladan came into the room, "Why is it that I always seem to be patching you up?" Elrond set down the herbs and bandages he was carrying and moved over to Estel's bed.

"Now," he continued, "you shall tell me where you are injured."

"My ankle and head pain me most." Estel said quietly.

Elrond merely nodded and bent down to see the extent of the damage. He pulled back the blankets and immediately caught sight of the swollen, purple ankle.

"Ai, Why did you not come to me when this happened, Estel?" he question as he examined the injury.

"I did not want to trouble you, Ada." Estel murmured and averted his eyes from his father.

"You are no trouble, titta mine, and I really need to know when things like this happen." Elrond said as he gently probed Estel's ankle with his fingers to determine if there were broken bones. Estel cried out as he touched a particularly sensitive spot, causing Elrond to immediately stop and turn toward Elladan who stood over by the table.

"Elladan, would you go to the supply room and see if there is a suitable sized splint for Estel." he ordered.

"Aye, Ada. Is it broken?" Elladan questioned.

"No, but it seems badly sprained and it must be immobilized if it is to heal." came the reply.

While Elladan was gone, Elrond continued his exam and Elrohir assisted him in cleansing and bandaging Estel's face and cracked ribs. The room was quickly filled with the sweet scents of healing herbs. Estel quickly became lost in his own thoughts as the two elves busied themselves with the bandaging.

"How did you manage all of this, Estel?" Elrohir asked lightly breaking through his thoughts.

"I too would like to know the answer to that also, onooro." Elladan added as he returned from the supply room with what he determined to be a suitable splint. He handed it to Elrond before joining them on the large bed. Estel gulped. 'I can not tell them the truth, but I have never yet lied to Ada!' He closed his eyes in concentration as a battle raged in his mind. A sharp pain blossomed in his ankle as he felt Elrond fit the splint around it and fasten it tightly. More from fear then pain, Estel let out a small whimper.

"Estel?" Elrond's voice asked in concern. When he was satisfied with the splint, he pulled the comforter back up and tucked it securely around his youngest. Estel slowly opened his eyes and saw three elves looking down at him with gazes of mixed concern and question. Unexpectedly, he yawned and the concern began to dissipate. Elrond smiled.

"Of course, child, you must be tired. We shall hold our discussion till the morning. Would you like it if one of us stayed with you tonight?"

Estel sleepily nodded and Elladan spoke up.

"I shall be glad to stay. Move to the side, Estel, make some room for me." he said helping his youngest brother get settled. Elladan plopped down on the bed and allowed Estel to snuggle into his arms.

"Moar loome (Goodnight {I think})" Elrohir and Elrond said as they headed for their rooms.

A "Moar loome" and a very slurred " 'loome" came back in reply.

*****

Estel awoke in Elladan's arms in the morning. His eyes would not fully open for his face had swelled even more during the night. Blinking a few times, he attempted to clear his vision as much as possible. He yawned and tried to stretch his stiff, sore body without waking his brother. The elf woke at once and smiled down at him.

"How are you feeling?" he asked and shifted Estel out of his arms. Elladan gently examined his puffed-up face with a slight frown. Estel shrugged away from his brother's gentle touch.

"I am fine, just a little sore." He answered from behind another yawn.

"Shall I go find us some breakfast then?" Elladan said as he got off the bed.

"Yes, please, but." Estel began.

"Nay, you will remain here, titta onooro." Elladan interrupted with a smile.

Estel grumbled something incomprehensible about reading people's minds and unfairness as he watched the elf's retreating form.

*****

After breakfast, Estel sat in his bed flipping through a book without even looking at the pages. He was desperately trying to come up with a plan to hide the source of his injuries. Thankfully his father and brothers were holding an emergency meeting concerning a report of wargs that had been spotted in the forest. Sure, this was not the first time the elven children had beaten him, but never this severely. In the past he had always been able to hide the physical reminders of their hate. Estel sighed loudly and looked at the remnants of his new bow. 'How will I explain my bow?.I shall not lie, only keep some of the more minor details to myself.' he decided. This would be a problem he would deal with himself. Maybe later he would tell his family how he had overcome his enemies like a proper elf. It was a good thing that he had made up his mind, for at that moment three elves entered his room.

"Now Estel, we were hoping you would enlighten us as to how you managed to yet again injure yourself." Elrond said with a hint of amusement.

"Aye, and broke your new bow." added Elrohir.

"Most importantly, why did you not come to us?" Elladan finished.

Estel gulped and tried to slow his racing heart. The three elves casually settled themselves in various positions on his bed and gazed expectantly at the silent eleven-year-old.

"Iwasattackedandfellonmybowanddidn'twanttobotheryou." Estel said as quickly as he could in one breath. Three eyebrows rose in unison and skeptical, confused expressions surfaced on the elves' faces. Elrond hesitated for a second before attempting translation.

"If I am to understand you correctly, you are telling us that you were attacked, fell on your bow causing it to break, and were afraid to bother us. First of all, as I told you last night you are no bother and we need to know when things like this happen. Secondly, who, may I ask, attacked you?" Elrond probed cautiously.

Estel clamed up. This was one of those minor facts that he thought he would not bother his family with.

"Estel?" Elrond prodded.

"I'd rather not say." he responded in a quiet voice, unable to meet his father's eyes.

"Titta onooro, how can we protect you if we know not who the enemy is?" Elrohir asked with a voice between annoyance and concern.

"Please, I believe I can handle it myself. I need not be protected." Estel attempted.

Surprisingly, Elrond agreed, "Then is shall be so, only if you make us a single promise."

"But Ada." the twins began in unison. All Elrond had to do was glare at them to show he wanted silence now. The look on both of the younger elves' faces showed that they would be discussing this later. Estel's eyes lit up.

"If this happens again, no matter in what degree, you will let us intervene." Elrond concluded.

"That is fair, Ada." He responded as the tension and fear left his body.

"HA! I am glad to find that you agree, ninion," the elven lord laughed.

*****

After leaving Estel to rest, Elrond lead his elven sons to his study. As soon as the door was closed, Elrohir opened his mouth to protest his father's deal with Estel. Elrond held up a hand to again silence him and began to explain.

"Before you begin to argue allow me to give an explanation. Glorfindel and I had a talk last evening and I believe I know who Estel's attackers are. Apparently, the other children do not accept him as much as he has attempted to make us believe." One twin nodded in understanding while the other shook his in disgust.

"Do you mean to say that the other children did that to him?" Elrohir asked in disbelief.

"I do believe so. Before you ask, I do not know how long this has been going on or what else they have chosen to do to him." Elrond replied grimly.

"Why has he not told us?" Elladan questioned.

"Shame and fear are the only reasons I can imagine. He wants to make us proud of him. That is why I have allowed him to attempt and handle the situation on his own. If he can not then we shall step in." Elrond finished.

"Now I understand what you did, Ada, but I still feel that either way we need to have a talk with him." Elladan said.

"Aye, but that must wait till after this affair is dealt with. Now why do you tow not go and bother Glorfindel for a while and allow your father to rest from his sons' antics." Elrond teased as he shooed the younger elves from his study.

*****

A few days later, Estel was limping through the woods. His ankle was sore, but healing well. Elrond had told him that the splint would remain for a few weeks so that it could mend without further agitation. His main focus was to be careful and avoid his so-called friends until a solution to the beatings presented itself. He had not wandered far from the palace and was enjoying the brightly colored leaves of the fall trees. The sun smiled warmly and its rays danced between the branches creating playful shadows on the forest floor. Estel was not really paying attention to his surroundings, but was lost deep in thought. Suddenly, he felt something grab him from behind. One arm wrapped around his chest and shoulders while a hand clamped over his mouth before he could make a sound. Fear laced through his body and he tried to squirm away, but the move he moved the tighter the thing gripped him.

*****

A/N: See that was a little bit longer wasn't it? Well, at least I tried. (