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, I have decided to make a sequel to this because if it continues to go as I have planned there will be some major unresolved issues. It might even end up being a trilogy, but at this point I'm not sure. Anyway, there will be one or two more chapters after this one. So the end is in sight. Thank you to all for being so patient and for reviewing. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 8

* * * * *

"Ada?" Estel tried, not sure if his voice would work. The single word took so much effort that he did not even attempt to open his eyes. He felt arms around him and thought he heard voices echoing and floating in his cloudy mind. He was sure of only two things. One was pain and the other was the arms. The darkness was pulling at his fragile grip on consciousness but he fought to stay awake until his question was answered.

"Aye, titta mine, I am here. Now everything will be alright."

There might have been more, but the darkness had won and Estel no longer fought back. Now he knew four things and no longer feared the pain as much for his ada was there.

* * * * *

"Ada?!" Elrond looked at the bundle in Elladan's arms. The only change from moments before was that the boy was breathing harsher. Elrond could not even be sure if Estel was truly awake, but he answered anyway.

"Aye, titta mine, I am here. Now everything will be alright. We will home soon and you shall never see the dark man again."

He was both relieved and worried as Estel once again lost consciousness. Elrond placed a long cool hand on his son's forehead, checking the rising fever. He pushed back the few stray locks that hung in the boy's eyes.

"Adar! Look at the wall." Elladan suddenly exclaimed. Spinning around, the elder elf paled at the message scrawled in blood.

'Watch for me in your nightmares. There is no escape.'

The elven lord sat down heavily next to his sons. 'Where is Elrohir? I pray he returns soon. I now fear our enemy is more than he has appeared and we are no longer safe.'

* * * * *

Elrohir was angry. No, he was more then angry he was furious, enraged, livid. 'Howa dare he do that to my brother! He will pay. As soon as I find him, he shall wish he never live.' The circle of thoughts flew through his mind as he walked deeper and deeper into the darkness. The prince heard the dripping of water, the shuffling or his warriors' boots, and the beating of his own heart, but nothing of his target. They had been wandering for a few minutes when Elrohir saw a pair of eyes watching him from a ledge. His instincts and centuries of experience kicked in as he grabbed and strung his bow. The arrow flew straight but by the time it reached the ledge, the eyes were gone.

Elrohir cursed in aggravation and moved closer to retrieve his arrow. He easily jumped onto the outcropping after handing torch to another elf. Just as he landed, a boulder finished sliding across an opening in the wall. There was no way for him to follow, for it was sealed from the inside. A feeling of deep anger and frustration coursed through him as he muttered a long series of dwarfish curses. He leapt down and signaled to turn back; his only satisfaction lay in that the arrow was not to be found. * * * * *

Elrond heard the pounding of the horses' hooves long before he saw them. As they entered his field of view, he called into the cave for his sons to some out. Elrohir had returned only seconds before the horses were heard and Elrond had immediately ran to meet them. The younger twin came back with news of escape, but still refused to accept defeat.

The horses had almost reached the entrance when both Elladan and Elrohir emerged, each carrying a sleeping bundle. The warriors followed closely behind. Elrond took Raydaion from Elrohir and instructed him to lead the party back after breaking their false camp by the clearing. By the time he finished with his orders, the horses had arrived. Elrond noticed with gratitude that they were the mounts he himself would have chosen. The two warriors dismounted and quickly moved to assist their lords onto the animals.

"Hanta, nin linte macari, nai I súl asca khil I met. Namárië.*"

Elrond and Elladan both spoke urgently to their steeds and then galloped off through the dark forest. When they gone, the other elves once again took to the trees.

(*Thank you, my swift swordsmen, may it be that the wind rushes to follow the both of us. Farewell.)

* * * * *

Elladan held Estel as tightly as he dared while encouraging his horse to run faster then ever before. He could feel his brother's unnatural heat and was grateful that the boy slept for even though the horse's gate was smooth, he knew it would only cause more pain. It bothered him greatly that the kidnapper had escaped for the bloody message kept replying in his mind. 'There is always escape from nightmares.' he told himself 'All you have to do is wake up.'

For the rest of the journey, Elladan concentrated only on the bundle in front of him and the speed of his mount. After what seemed to him to be an eternity, the two horses reached the palace.

* * * * *

Servants and healers were waiting in the courtyard under the moonlight for the riders. Elrond barely waited for the horse to stop before handing Raydaion to a healer and dismounting. Elladan quickly copied his father and two servants stepped forward to take care of the heavily lathered rokko (horses). He turned to the healer holding Estel and took his younger brother back into his arms.

"Lord, we have prepared Estel's and one other room for your arrival. Just say your words and they shall be done." Voronwë, on of the chief healers, spoke respectfully.

"Take Raydaion to the guest room and see to him. His wounds are not grievous and I shall come to you when I am finished with Estel. Also, send someone to get his parents." Elrond ordered.

"Elladan, take your brother to his room and clean him up the best you can. I shall join after I gather some supplies." he continued.

"You and you, come with me." he finished pointing at the two remaining healers before hurrying off into the house.

Elladan looked down at his little brother's still, pale face surrounded by the cloaks. Whispering a silent prayer to the gods, he carried Estel to his room. A warm fire was roaring, so Elladan placed his charge in a few linen sheets in front of it and unwrapped the two cloaks. Once they had arrived he asked a young servant to fetch hot water and knelt to remove the dirty, blood-soaked rags from Estel's body. As he pealed the tattered layers away, Elladan uncovered more bruises and cuts. He then took a clean cloth and did all he could to gently remove the worst of the grime. When he had finished he dressed his brother in underclothes and wrapped him in a warm soft blanket before placing him on his bed. There was no use to dress him fully until Ada had seen to him

The timing seemed perfect, for as Elladan placed the child among the pillows, Elrond entered with the healers, who were weighed down with herbs and bandages. The elder elf nodded his approval and gratitude to his eldest as he walked to the side of the bed. Sighing, Elrond began once again to put his youngest back together.

For the next few five hours, the great healer cleaned, bandaged, stitched, and splinted until Estel seemed more mummy than human. The ankle had been a hideous mess that would take a long time to heal and the young boy still had to fight both fever and infection. He now sported a splinted ankle, bandages on his arms, legs, head, chest, and side. Sometime during the night Elrohir had returned and also joined in the process. Thankfully Estel remained unconscious and Elrond hoped to keep him so for a couple of days. The lord dressed him in a soft sleep shirt and buried him under mounds of blankets to help fight the fever.

Turning to the twins, he named a variety of elixirs and teas he wished for them to make before leaving to check on Raydaion, confident that Estel was stable. Words had remained sparse throughout the night as tension had made the air heavy, but as soon as Elrond left the twins could no longer hold the silence.

"Truly, toro, I do wonder how he gets into all these messes." Elladan began.

"I have always assumed that he simply takes after you." came the reply as the two worked on the list of concoctions.

"Nay, tis you who always gets us in trouble, 'Ro."

"I resent that! I am the responsible one."

"Responsible? You? Wait until Legolas hears that." Elladan laughed so hard he almost dropped the flask he was holding.

"He shall only agree with me, 'Dan."

"I beg to differ. He will." Elrohir stopped in mid sentence and swung around to face the bed. It was far too early fro Estel to be waking up.

* * * * *

Something was yanking him from the darkness and he did not want to go. He wanted to stay wrapped in the comfort and certainty, but his body was working against him. As he was pulled further from the dark, he became more and more aware of the pain and heat that wracked his body. Estel let out a weak groan and cracked his eyes open. Like before, his vision was blurry, but he could tell he was no longer in the cave. Opening his dry mouth, he attempted to speak and was only mildly surprised when he failed miserably.

Suddenly, a hazy face appeared over him, seemingly dancing back and forth. Again he let out a groan as a wave of pain passed over him. The disembodied head was speaking now, but the words echoed without meaning. He felt a hand resting on his forehead. The voice seemed worried but Estel really wasn't sure. He closed his eyes for a moment in an attempt to ease the pain and when he opened them the head had multiplied, now there were two of them dancing. A continuing stream of gibberish flowed from their mouths. Estel felt something prop him up and force a foul liquid into his mouth. It was so persistent that he swallowed and that was the last he knew.

* * * * *

The groan caused Elrohir to put down the elixir in his hand and rush to Estel's bed. The boy was awake long before he should have been and this caused new worry to flow through him. He watched as Estel tried to speak and moved to hush him.

"Díne, titta mine, nalye engwa maure este. Kele le murme.*" he coaxed gently.

When Estel showed no signs of comprehension, he placed his hand on his forehead and felt that the fever had spiked. Elrohir frowned deeply and turned to his twin.

"Elladan, quickly bring that fever draught over here. I am afraid that his fever had risen and that should also put him back to sleep." he requested.

Elladan grabbed the dark green mixture and poured some into a cup before going to his brother's side. The two conversed for a moment quietly before Elrohir propped Estel up and forced him to drink the medicine. They shared a moment of relief as he fell into a deep sleep. Elrohir reached for a cloth and bowl of herbed water and began to wipe Estel's face, careful to avoid the bandages. Elladan returned to the table to finish the medicines.

Half an hour later, Elrohir checked Estel's temperature and was relieved to feel that it had lowered some. The draughts were done and both elves were exhausted. They each stared at the bed in a daze until Elrond returned with Glorfindel in tow. They both chuckled at the sight of the twins, who were practically asleep standing up.

"Boys, why do you not go to your rooms and rest, you have had a very long day. Glorfindel and I will see to Estel and Raydaion has returned home with his family." Elrond said with a smirk.

Two pairs of startled eyes flicked toward him. Then they switched into the speech they had used as children, finishing each other's thoughts and sentences.

"But, Ada, we are not tired."

"and you have also been up long."

"we are worried for Estel."

"while you were gone."

"his fever spiked and."

"it is down again but."

"Stop it you two! Go and get rest, I will also retire shortly, for Glorfindel has convinced me that he can watch Estel." Elrond ordered with just a hint of annoyance. Glorfindel had done more than just convinced, it was more like 'Elrond if you do not go to bed I will knock you out and.'.

"Yes, Adar." The two replied at the same time. Each took turns saying goodnight to their little brother before heading to their respected rooms.

As soon as they were gone, the great ruler of Imladris checked Estel's fever before slumping into an armchair. He wiped his face with his hand and turned to his friend.

"Will you please give him that fever draught every hour. The rest can wait till tomorrow and it should keep him asleep. You must wake me if anything changes." Elrond said tiredly. He really did need to sleep, but he was still hesitant to leave Estel.

"Go, Peredhil, I shall do as you say and watch over him. Fear not, all will be well." Glorfindel assured him as he shepherded the younger elf out of the room. He then pulled the armchair to the side of the bed and settled down to wait out the night.

*Be silent, little one, you are sick and need rest. Go away to slumber.

* * * * * A/N: Sorry this one was a little short, but at least it is a post.

* * * * * daw the minstrel- Yes, well about the good and evil sorting itself out, you may just have to wait a little while on that one. Thanks for the review!

Saera- I'm happy that you are enjoying it. At least the update didn't take me a month like last time. Oh well, I try. Thanks for the review.

Telegramsam- I suppose I should have mentioned that it was AU. I guess I'll take that review as a compliment. Do you have any suggestions on how I can make the story better? Thanks for the honest review.

Orodruin- I wonder who it was that put that sign on his back. I bet it was Legolas or maybe even one of the twins. Actually come to think of it, I bet Glorfindel is getting back at him for all his pranks. Oh well, I am very happy that you enjoyed the chapter and I hoped you liked this one too. Thanks for the review.

QTpie-pippinsgurl- Thanks for being so patient! Sorry that the cave wasn't all that exciting but well it will be important in the next story. Oh, I shouldn't have said that. Glad you are enjoying it and I appreciate the review very very much.

arwen-evenstar- What is all this poking? It drove me so crazy that I actually am updating sooner this time. Glad you liked that last chapter and I was nice and did not even end this on a cliffie for you.

Bookworm2000- Ewww, lawyers, now they are scary. I mean if we had orc lawyers, I think that even Sauron would tremble. Oh well, I am glad you enjoyed that chapter. There is now a pedestrian stalking me I think. He says if I don't update then he will hit me with his umbrella, so I'm updating. Thanks for the review.

Rhonda- Again, I thank you for your review and I loved getting the e-mail. Let me know what you think of this chapter too. I am so happy that you like it!

Orion- Glad you liked 'mad Elrohir'. I agree that he is usually quieter, but I guess he just got really really mad. Hope you enjoyed this chapter also. Thanks for the review.

ThE iNsAnE oNe- I am so glad and thankful that you took the time to review. I love getting reviews, especially from great authors like you that I don't care if I get them a year later. I'm sorry about letting him get away, but I have big plans for him in the future. Although letting the twins beat him to death is very tempting.