Well here it is ch 1!! This is a co-authored thing between Rhonda and myself, all reviews are welcome!

Title: Hope and Despair

Rating: ummm about PG-13 for violence and angst.

Disclaimer: Do we really have to say this? Ok, these characters do not belong to us, we just borrow them to torture for pleasure, not money and them give them back in (basically) the same condition we got them! *G*

A/N: Well this a first. Rhonda's first fic and my first co-authored fic. Hope everyone enjoys, feedback is always welcome!

Please Note: Much like Cassia and Sio, we feel that when Tolkien said that Aragorn was "raised in the house of Lord Elrond" he meant that Estel grew up in Rivendell with Elrond as his father and the twins as his brothers. Also in this fic (again like Cassia and Sio) we feel that Aragorn's mother died along with Arathorn, and she has no place in this fic.

Ok enough with the head's up!! On with the fic!

Chapter 1

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Estel awoke to the sounds of laughter. When he opened his eyes he saw Elrohir and Elladan engaged in a pillow fight. Elrohir, noticing Estel had awakened, quickly came to his side. "How are you feeling little one?" He asked.

Estel smiled and said "much better thank you."

Elladan approached, "Good news now we can go hunting and replenish the kitchens."

Estel sighed knowing his Ada would not let him go. He was trying to get over a virus.

As he was thinking Elrond entered the room.

"Estel you're awake."

"Yes Ada I am" Aragorn smiled.

"How are you feeling my son?" Elrond asked.

"I'm fine, can I go on the hunt?"

Elrond laughed at his over excited son and said, "Not this time you still are not well."

Estel pouted and told himself he would go anyway.

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After lunch the twins were preparing to leave they came and bid Estel goodbye and said that they would be back in a fortnight.

Estel smiled and muttered," Yes I will see you soon."

Elrond stared at the 7 year old boy.

"What are you up to?"

"Nothing Ada." Aragorn said, already knowing exactly how he would sneak out.

"Ada I am sleepy now."

"Alright, sleep well my son I will try to get some work done while you rest."

Little did he know that Estel had no plan on sleeping.

As soon as Elrond left, Estel jumped up to pack. A wave of dizziness caught him off guard and he had to steady himself. He needed to lay back down but his desire to follow his brothers was greater.

He finished packing and snuck down the tree next to his window careful not to be caught.

As Elrond sat in his study his thoughts wandered to his mortal son and hoped he would fully recover soon from his fever. If he stayed in bed it should be gone in a day or two.

Aragorn laughed out loud as he made it past the gate. He realized he had not brought his bow in his hurry to leave.

"No matter." he said to himself. "I will still find Ro and Dan and be back before father finds out I am gone."

Aragorn quickly made it to the boundary of Imaldris. He was quite tired because he was not well yet. He shivered in spite of the warm day.

His body was telling him to return home but the thrill of the hunt was greater. As he made his way over to the river he saw his brothers on the other shore. There was no way to catch them if he went around so he dove in to swim across.

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Elrond was tired of work and went to find Estel. He could see the disappointment in his eyes this morning because he couldn't go with his brothers. Elrond thought maybe a picnic indoors would take his mind off it.

He went to the kitchens to get the food. Now happy with his picnic basket in hand he went into Estel's room to surprise him.

"ESTEL!" he called thinking the boy was hiding.

After an hour of searching he realized Estel was gone. He heard the door slam in the foyer and jumped up calling to his son as he ran downstairs only to see Elohir and Elladan.

"What not happy we came back early?" Elohir said.

"Your brother, have you seen him?" Elrond's voice was tinged with worry.

"No." Elladan replied. "Is he not here?"

Once again the three searched all of Imaldris. Elrond and Elladan met back in the foyer. Erlohir walked up with tears in his eyes clutching a piece of paper.

"What is it?!" Elrond snapped.

He snatched the paper from him and read it.

Gone to hunt with Ro and Dan.

Be back soon.

Don't worry Ada.

Estel.

Elrond looked out it was already dark and his son had not returned.

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Estel lay shivering on the opposite bank. It had taken a long time to swim across and all his energy was spent.

"I'll just lay here for a moment and rest." he thought as his head began to throb. The fever was back with a vengence and he fell into a fitful sleep. He did not see an elf approach him.

It was one of the older elflings in Elladan's archery class. Aragorn cringed at the sight of him.

"So now you are all alone!" the elfling sneered. "Where are your brothers and Ada now, you filthy Edain?"

Estel tried to stand, fury blazing in his silver eyes, but the fever quickly brought him down again.

"I will show you that your precious family will not miss you if you were gone!"

With that he hit Aragorn in the head and the boy went down. Thaynes carried him off to the supply shed in Imaldris and bound and gagged the human.

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Elrond was frantic.

"We will leave in an hour to find your brother!"

How could he have not known Estel would sneak off? Why had he not checked on him earlier? Unshed tears filled his eyes. He wiped them away.

'No time for tears now.' he thought. ' I must find my little one first.'

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Thaynes laughed as Estel struggled to catch his breath after each kick Thaynes delivered to his ribs. He had heard several crack and with the last one it had become difficult for the young man to breathe.

"ADA!" he cried.

"Your Ada is not here." laughed Thaynes. "He will never be burdened with you again. I will see to that."

Thaynes hated that Lord Elrond could love a human.

Humans were weak and fragile things which should be wiped off Middle Earth he thought. However, he would get rid of this one personally.

TBC.......