Well here it is, finally, 'tis a bit late, but it's here! Hope you all enjoy and feedback is always 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.

Songbird: Well, yeah we had to make it bad again, I mean if everything went back to daisies and sunshine it wouldn't be much of story now would it! And ummmm *runs and hides from sb* don't hurt us!

SecretScribe: Thank you for all the wonderful comments!! We are very glad that you are enjoying reading this story! Heaven knows we are having fun writing it! Hope you like this chapter too!

Ymmas Sirron: More is here!! Thank you for the compliment, and for your continual support!

Iawen Londea: Hannon le! That means a great deal coming from a wonderful writer such as yourself! I am glad you are enjoying this story!

Firniswin: Happy belated birthday! *hands cyber b-day cake w/pic of Aragorn and Leggie on it* There ya go! I will definatly go and check it out, what is the URL for your site? Hmm no I am afraid we do not have a pic at this time, but I may come up with one from somewhere before this is over with! Thanks once again!

Aemilia Rose: LoL Yes, I am afraid that is the last happy chapter, for a few chapters anyway! It made you shudder? Wow never thought it would have that effect! Thank you for all the comments, and for reviewing!

To all reviewers, THANK YOU! We broke 50 reviews!!!!!!!!!! *HUGE HUGGLE* You all are the BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is for every single one of you!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!

Chapter 11

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Dawn once again graced the elegant forests of Imaldris with it's presence. As the sun slowly worked it's way up behind the tall trees of the graceful forests surrounding the Last Homely House the three elves that had been dozing lightly in their charges' room slowly began to awaken.

Elrond smiled at the picture that his three sons made. They were all sleeping for the moment, with Elrohir slumped over Estel's bed from his chair beside it, and Elladan dozing on a stool on the other side of the bed, and Estel lay in the middle of the bed between the twins sleeping soundly for the moment.

Elrond's smile quickly turned to a frown as he thought of Estel. He remembered Estel's attitude toward them all the night before. He remembered the fear and confusion he had seen in his youngest's gaze. The confusion he could understand, but what tore at his heart was the fear. It pained him that in some way, even if subconscious, Estel was afraid of him.

Before Elrond could take these thoughts any further, Elladan stirred from where he dozed. His eyes came into focus, and he quickly looked toward his father. Seeing the elf lord just standing there staring at them, he quickly got up and put a hand on his father's shoulder.

"Ada? What is troubling you?" he asked softly.

His brother's voice and swift movements woke Elrohir as well. He too saw the situation and stood up and approached the two who were standing there staring at Estel's slumbering form.

"Ada?" Elrohir repeated his brother's question just as soft.

"It is nothing ions nin, I was merely pondering." Elrond answered their questions without really answering them, as usual.

Elladan shared a look with his twin and fought the urge to roll his eyes, Elrond was as bad as Mithrandir sometimes with his vague answers.

Elrohir was thinking the same thing his twin was "What were you pondering ada?" he pushed the elder elf for information.

Elrond laughed softly at his sons "Do not trouble yourselves with it, 'tis of little importance. However, I do have something of importance I need to discuss with the both of you." he finished on a more serious note.

Both noticed the change in their father's voice and knew that he would pursue the conversation of his thoughts no further. However, they stored the information away for later use, and vowed to find out, eventually, what was troubling him.

"Very well ada, what do you wish to speak with us about?" Elladan questioned his father, conceding to his change of subject.

"Thaynes' trial is today." Elrond stated simply "Our presence is required not only as the rulers of this kingdom, but as the sole witnesses to this crime, for Estel is still too unwell to attend such a trying ordeal." Elrond finished gazing softly at his youngest.

Both twins agreed that their little brother should not be subjected to Thaynes' trial.

Before any of them could discuss it further, however, Estel began to stir. He suddenly shot strait up in bed and looked around the room, he froze when his eyes lighted upon the elves.

"Maer aur tithen gwador" Elrohir said softly, breaking the uncomfortable silence that had fallen over the small group.

"Morning" Estel muttered half-heartedly.

All the elves exchanged another worried glance. This just was not like their Estel, and it worried all of them.

"How are you feeling this morning ion nin? Was your sleep disturbed by any more night terrors?"Elrond questioned softly, trying to get the boy to open up to them.

"Better, and no, I slept well" Estel lied, his eyes cast down.

Elrond studied his son very closely, something was not right. Elrond sighed, but he could not put his finger on what, and they really did not have time to try and pry it out of Estel at the moment.

"Very well, that is good ion nin, I will send for some tea for you since you are feeling better, and I have some news for you." Elrond told him gently.

Then Elrond began to look over Estel's many injuries and the incision that he had made to the young man's chest, to see how it was healing.

Estel winced when Elrond touched his many injuries. Estel did not understand why Elrond sought to make him hurt worse, was it for lying to him?

Before these thoughts could continue Elrond spoke up "These are all healing nicely. They will pain you for awhile yet, but the worst of the danger is over, you are on the mend." he announced. "Now, Estel your brothers and I have something very important to take care of today, do you think you will be okay on your own?"

"Yes" Estel said simply. Elrond studied his youngest for a few moments more while the twins exchanged worried glances. What was wrong with their little brother?

"Very well, I will go and make your tea. Elladan and Elrohir will stay with you while I am gone, and then we will all be back to visit after our business is finished."

Elrond quickly went and made the tea and brought it back to his youngest.

The twins had made no head way into what was bothering Estel while Elrond was gone. He was answering them in one word sentences.

Even though they were all very worried about Estel, all they could do was watch him drink his tea as he was instructed, and then leave to prepare for the trial.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Shortly after Elrond and the twins left Estel found that he was having trouble keeping his eyes open. However, he did not want to fall asleep, he did not wish for the nightmares to return, but he was so tired.

It seemed the more often he had the dreams, the more they seemed to come true.

'Why am I so sleepy? I just woke up' Estel wondered. 'What was in that tea? Surely ada would not try to poison me?"

Just then Estel let out a huge yawn that chased all those thoughts away. Then he snuggled down in the bed with the thought that the nightmares wouldn't come back because it was day not night. On that logic Estel fell into the world of dreams.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Elrond and his sons entered the chamber where the trial was to be held in their best. They all looked like the royalty that they were. Elrond sat in a seat at the front with one son on each side of him. There was a fairly large crowd of elves gathered for this trial, for it was a rare occurrence for elves to be so vicious, and Estel was dearly loved by many in Imaldris, and many wished to witness the trial of his tormenter.

Then Thaynes was brought before Elrond and his sons, his hands were tied, but he was otherwise unharmed.

"Thaynes son of Eärithramir you are charged with attacking and attempting to kill a human child, and a member of my house within these borders, do you deny it?" Elrond addressed Thaynes and began the trial.

"I admit attacking the adan" Thaynes spit the word out like it tasted foul in his mouth. "However I argue that he is a member of your house! Such a filthy creature does not deserve to have an elf, much less an elf lord, claim him!" Thaynes spat at Elrond. At this the hall erupted into conversation, gasps, and other noises.

"ENOUGH!" Elrond roared bring order back to the hall immediately.

"You will cease with your insults to my son and to my house. As for your fate, you have admitted attacking a defenseless child, and attempting to kill him, there for it is the decision of this court to have you banished. You will hence forth be denied elven refuge anywhere. You may not return here or to Lorien or Mirkwood, upon penalty of death. May you learn wisdom in your time of wandering. You must leave Rivendell by weeks end. This trial is concluded." Elrond finished.

As Thaynes started to exit, Elladan and Elrohir were glaring at his retreating form. Almost as if he sensed their eyes upon them, Thaynes turned around and glared back at them. Then he stated in a loud clear voice "It was a sad day indeed when the house of Elrond tainted itself with the stain of a filthy, worthless, adan! Mark my words, he will be the downfall of your house Lord Elrond Peredhel!" With that final insult and warning Thaynes disappeared from view out the door.

~*~*~*~*~

"How DARE he!?" vented Elladan once he and his father and brother were back in their halls heading for their chambers.

"What I do not understand is what caused him to hate men, and Estel in particular, so much" Elrohir commented, fury still burning in his grey eyes.

"I know not my sons, but let us just be thankful that Estel is alright, and that we shall have no more trouble from Thaynes" Elrond stated.

With that all three went to change out of their formal attire before they went to visit Estel.

TBC.....

Adan-human

Ada-Father/daddy

Maer aur tithen gwador- good morning little brother

ion nin- my son *bites nails*

Well, don't kill us, but do let us know what you think, little nervous about the court scene, I have NO idea how court was supposed to be held in Middle Earth, and I am no expert on how it is held now, so let me know what you think, I think it sucked, but Couldn't think of anything else, so let me know! Will file it away for future reference!!!!

Well thanks everyone!

Namaarie everyone!