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: Finally, here is the final chapter. I am going to write a sequel but I will not start to post it until the entire thing is done. WIP are just too tough and I never seem to do a good job of updating. However, since it is going to be awhile till the next full story I will post some short vignettes in the mean time. Well, I hoped you enjoyed the story and please do not forget to let me know what you think.

Chapter 9

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He woke up and was immediately surprised by two things. The first being that the pain that had been plaguing him was greatly diminished. The second was that no one forced a foul liquid into his mouth. His head still felt fuzzy, but his vision was clear. Sitting next to him in a chair with the unfocused eyes of a sleeping elf was Elladan. Estel looked around the room searching for his other brother, whom he saw asleep in another armchair. For the moment, Estel was content to just lie in his warm bed and watch his brothers sleep. He sighed heavily in contentment and then smiled as Elladan woke.

"Estel, you are awake! How long have you been watching me?" Elladan said, stating the obvious.

Estel shrugged his shoulders indifferently and yawned.

"How long since the cave?" he asked with a sudden curiosity. Elladan stood, stretched, and sat on the edge of the bed.

"Tis been nearly five days since we brought you home. Adar kept you drugged for the first three and you have slept since. How are you feeling?" the raven-haired elf answered.

Estel slowly pushed himself up into a sitting position and rested against his pillows.

"Dizzy, sleepy, a little sore, but much better." he said with a grin.

Elladan smiled and handed him a mug from the nightstand. He tapped the bottom once with his index finger indicating he wanted Estel to drink it. The boy grimaced and shook his head. 'I will not drink another of Ada's yucky medicines.' he said to himself while he pursed his lips tightly together.

"Tis only fruit juice, Estel." Elladan said once he realized his brother's fear. With that knowledge, Estel eagerly drank the entire mug and the elder elf began to chuckle. Whether it was from amusement or relief, Estel did not know but he was simply happy for the sound.

The noise of laugher caused Elrohir to awake. He was preparing to voice his annoyance at his twin when he saw Estel. All of a sudden he found energy and hurried to join his brothers.

"I am so glad to see you awake, titta mine! How do you fare?" Elrohir exclaimed.

"Much improved, thank you." Estel replied properly behind another yawn. The elven prince smiled with a sudden idea.

"Estel?"

"Yes, 'Ro."

"Remember that day we took you to the waterfall?"

"And you walked off the cliff?" Estel asked with fake innocence.

"I DID NOT WALK OFF THE CLIFF!" Elrohir yelled in frustration. Elladan began to laugh hysterically as Elrohir grew even more irate. He laughed so hard that he rolled off the bed, sending the other two into a fit of giggles.

"Ai, I give up. I walked off the cliff." Elrohir muttered causing Elladan to give an undignified squeak of triumph from the floor. This only succeeded in redoubling the laugher. Estel moaned and wrapped his arms around his bandaged ribs, trying to ease the pain the laugher was causing in his chest. The twins immediately stopped, noticing his discomfort.

"Does it hurt much?" Elrohir asked as he switched from brother to healer. Elladan picked himself off the floor to get a better look at the eight-year- old.

"Nay, it only feels as though a dwarf is sitting on my chest when you make me laugh like that." he answered with a smirk. Elladan was about to make a snide reply when Estel yawned loudly. Instead he just smiled at his little brother.

"Move over, Estel." He said as he helped Estel move to the center of the bed. Both twins were exhausted for they had slept little since they had first gotten home. Elladan laid on the right and Elrohir on the left. Estel snuggled between the two and all three fell quickly asleep. It was how they were when lord Elrond found them an hour later.

* * * * *

Elrond smiled at the sight of his three sons sleeping. He had come to check on his youngest and force the twins to get some sleep, but he found both tasks had already taken care of themselves. Softly, he moved to the side of the bed and watched the slow, calm breathing of the boy. He nodded in satisfaction that both Elladan and Elrohir had a hand resting on Estel's chest. If there were even the slightest change in the boy the twins would wake. Comforted by his observations, Elrond took two spare blankets from the end of the bed and covered the two elves.

"Este, ninioni, balë ar anann an i tindomerel nallye. [Sleep, my sons, deep and long for the nightingale calls]." He whispered as he quietly blew out the lamps and pulled the door shut.

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A week later Estel sat in bed with a pile of carved soldiers. His brothers had made then for him as a Yule gift two years ago. They were very intricate and had unique faces, bows, swords, and armor. Ever since the day he received them, they had become his favorite playthings. He was feeling much better and only retained the splint and a think bandage around his chest, so he was allowed to play in bed.

At the moment, he was bored and very annoyed with his family. Ada had ordered him to remain in bed until he could bare weight on his ankle and his brothers had abandoned him to go hunting. He was studying the current warrior for about the fifth time and contemplating another battle. Just as he was about to move on to the next wooden figure there was a knock on the door. Estel quickly scooped up the toys and dumped them into their box.

"Minnlye. [Thou may enter]" he called out, eager for company. He placed the box on the nightstand as the door tentatively moved. A small elven face appeared around it when it was halfway open and the door paused.

"Raydaion!" Estel exclaimed happily.

A relieved smile spread across the elf's face and he suddenly came running through the doorway. With a jump the boy landed on the bed, causing Estel to bounce up and down. He laughed with glee while clutching his still tender ribs.

"M?nré, Estel. How are you? [Good Day]"

"Fine, mellonnin, and you?"

"I have been well for a while. I have been very worried about you for I kept asking Lord Elrond if I could see you, but he always said no. He told me you were too sick until today." Raydaion explained. Then the joy and excitement left him.

"I am so sorry Estel. We should have never treated you the way we did. You are not stupid or dirty or anything like that. There is no excuse for my actions and I do not expect you to forgive me." With the elf's words, Estel's smile melted from his face.

"Nay, Ray, tis I who should apologize. I.well.I tricked you into being caught." Estel finished quickly.

Raydaion blinked and Estel hurried to explain what his plan had been. When he had finished the room remained silent for a few long moments. The entire time Estel watched his friend's face for a clue to what the elf was feeling. He was just about to ask for forgiveness again when Raydaion began to laugh. Estel was shocked; he did not understand the source of the laugher.

"It figures an adan would come up with a plan like that." Raydaion managed through his laugher.

"I thought it was quite good." Estel said quietly.

"Tis just it, Estel. It was a brilliant plan."

"Then what is so funny?" the boy questioned with growing agitation.

"It is just that *giggle* only you would *giggle* manage to get himself captured *laugher* and chained inside a cave." Raydaion forced between fits.

Estel sat stunned for a second before the irony hit him and soon he too was giggling.

* * * * *

A month later the two friends were sitting in a tree with three large baskets. The biggest of which was full of rotten fruit. The other elven children did not seem to regret their actions, so Estel and Raydaion decided it was time to teach them a lesson. They had watched the group for days and knew that they would take this route to the river to go swimming.

The two smiled as they saw the elves run along the path. Just before they reached the base of the tree they began to pelt them with the sticky melons. The elflings stopped abruptly and began to shout and scream as they were hit with the offending fruit. They began to run away only to get tangled in a trip line that caused them to fall into a heap. Snickering, Raydaion took a bucket of pinesap and poured it onto the pile. Next, Estel tossed a bucket of feathers, which quickly stuck to the gooey elves. As soon as they were done, the two took off through the treetops before they were spotted and identified.

The boys did not care if they got into trouble or what their punishment would be. They did not care about anything but how sweet their revenge tasted. When they made it back to the palace the two collapsed on Estel's bed, still laughing in triumph. When they eventually stopped they lay still until Estel spoke up.

"Why do we not go and find Glorfindel or my brothers to annoy?" he offered.

"Ok." Raydaion agreed.

The two jumped off the bed and ran out the bedroom door. They were quickly gaining a reputation of being inseparable troublemakers.

* * * * *

Kelvakanta sat in a dank cave scowling at the jagged scar on his arm. 'That stupid elf will pay for this. I shall return and make him sorry.' he thought to himself. Kelvakanta hated failure. It was for the weak. He had never failed before and a deep burning hatred had rooted itself inside of him. Yes, he would foster that hate, make it grow, and then use it to make his stronger.

He would never fail again.

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THE END

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A/N: Ok, that's it for this story, but like I said there will be more later. Let me know what you think. Go ahead, press that little button.

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xsilicax- Yah! Estel is finally well again. Everything turned out ok except for the minor issue of the bad guy escaping and plotting revenge. Oh well, thanks for the reviews!

LadySiri- What did you do to your arm? I hope it heals soon. I am very glad that you like it and thanks for reviewing.

Sabercrazy- So did I have your interest? Yes, little Estel is safe and all worries are gone. The evil man is just plotting revenge and really pissed, but no worries. *evil grin* You never know what might happen. Thanks for all the reviews.

arwen-evenstar- You poked me again, Argh! Anyway, thank you very much for your compliment! It always means a lot when coming from such a talented author like you. Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the reviews.

Carrie- Thank you so much for such a kind review and for being so understanding. I also agree that Kelvakanta deserves to die, but we must all be patient. *gives hugs* I hope you enjoyed the final chapter also. I absolutely love getting reviews from you and I appreciate you taking the time to tell me what you think.

Rhonda- Thanks for the constant poking, if it were not for you I would probably never get these chapters out. I am so happy that you like my story and I anticipate more of yours.

Bookworm2000- I don't care if it takes months for you to review, I just love it when you do. May I ask where you got a squirrel army? Oh well, I agree with you that everyone will just have to be in it for the long-haul. Kelvakanta does not seem willing to give up easily at all.