Title: Cold

Author: Rhonda

Rating: PG to PG-13

Summary: When an unsuspected illness spreads through a town close to Imaldris and The twins and a young Estel stop to help, will Estel be immune to it as well?

Disclaimer: *sigh* sadly STILL not mine! Darn!! And I SOOOOO want to own this! Oh well, can't have everything I suppose.

A/N- This came to me LATE one night it is just another one of my demented mind things. I hope you enjoy all reviews are welcome and all flames will be used to torture someone in the next fic. I also would like the thank my beta Sina who without her I could never have done this. She ROCKS!

Please Note: Much like Cassia and Sio, I 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) I feel that Aragorn's mother died along with Arathorn, and she has no place in this fic.

~*~

Estel and his brothers were returning home from a scouting trip. They were exhausted for they had been traveling for hours upon end, and had only rested overnight in a small village about 40 miles away. Some of their town's people were sick and they had stopped to aid them throughout the night in shifts doing what they could for the ill and well alike.

As they approached the gate to their home all they wanted was a hot meal and a good night's rest. Elrond met them at the door arms open to embrace them. "How fare you my sons?" the elf lord asked as he looked over each one carefully.

"We are all well Ada, we just need a good hot meal." Elrohir said.

"Then you have arrived just in time for dinner is being served as we speak." He answered warmly, leading his sons to the dinning room.

All sat down at the table and started eating. Estel had filled his plate quickly, but had only taken a couple of bites. "Estel do you feel well?" Elrond asked looking upon his youngest.

"Nay, father I am tired and drained, may I be excused?"

"Yes, ion nin go on to bed I will be up to check on you soon" Estel got up and stumbled up to his room. The very sight of his bed was a glorious one and he collapsed upon it falling into a deep sleep. This is how Elrond found him a couple of hours later and decided to let him sleep. He seemed so peaceful.

~*~

The next morning the twins bounded into the room. "Wake up sleepy head you have slumbered long enough." Elrohir chirped happily. This brought not even a stir from the figure on the bed.

"Watch this it will waken him." Elladan snickered as he poured the water from the bedside basin on Estel. This, however, brought not a peep from their brother. "Estel...Estel are you alright?" Elrohir asked as he moved to stand next to the bed.

Elladan reached out to touch Estel's face and drew back as his hand felt the cold of it. "Father!" he yelled and Elrohir looked at him in shock. "What is it?"he asked as he worriedly stared at his two brothers. Elladan's answer was cut off as Elrond came running through the door.

"Elladan what is it? You yelled as if the house were on fire. "

"Estel he is....cold" he choked as tears formed in the corner of his eyes. Elrond now laid his hand upon his youngest son's forehead. It was cold to the touch...deathly cold. He moved the covers aside and put his ear to Estel's chest. His worst fears came to light as he heard nothing.

"Estel? ESTEL! wake ion nin!" the elf lord said as he shook the boy roughly. No response came from the boy and the three elves collapsed into screaming fits on the floor. The noise brought Glorfindel and many others to the room.

Glorfindel came up to Elrond who sat on the floor cradling Estel in his arms. As he reached out and touched the boy he realized he was cold and it dawned on him Estel was dead. He moved closer and tried to comfort his friend. "Come brannon nin give Estel to me" he said soothingly. Elrond looked up at his long time friend and advisor, and the tears spilled from his eyes as he choked on the words "I can not leave him."

Glorfindel helped him up and laid the still child upon the bed. He now turned to the twins. Elrohir and Elladan were unconsolable heaps on the floor. Not registering the ones who picked them up until they tried to take them from the room. Their screams pierced the air as they wiggled free and ran to the bed where their brother laid. Glorfindel turned to the others and said,"Come they need some time alone." he then turned to Elrond and his family. "I will return in an hour mellon nin" he said to thee small family huddled over the child.

"Why? Why did the Valar take him?! Why?!?" Elladan cried.

"E lain o naeg, si" was the only response Elrond could think of.

TBC.......

Elvish translations:

Ada-Father/Daddy

ion nin- my son

brannon nin- my lord

mellon nin-my friend

E lain o naeg, si- he is free from pain now (at least I think that is correct, or close anyway)

Well that's it!!! Don't kill me, and please r/r!