Disclaimer: Ownership? The only think I own is a car and a uniform. New Line, Peter Jackson, and the Tolkin Estate own these characters. But if they want to trade…..

HobbitsRFun: Thanks for the review. * Blushs* I can't wait for the reunion either, but it won't be what they expect….

DxInsider: Here is more of the story, the rest will be on the site soon. Sorry it took as long as it did, my cat chewed through the internet cord so…. But here is the next chapter. Thanks for your great review!

LalaithoftheBruinen: Here is your more as well. I am glad that you like it so much!!!

trustingfriendship: More friendship, thanks so much for your review. It meant a lot!

Magpie Poet: Sorry about the typos, my computer does not always catch them when I spell check *glares at the spell checker.* But I hope it is better and that you like this chapter.

Joshua Nenya: Thanks… *blush and smiles sheepishly * Here is more for you.

Leggylover03: I love them too! Here you go!

ArwenGranger: Thanks so much!!!

HeartofGreenwood: *ducks her head* Thanks so much….Your wish is my command!

Avon: Sorry about the typo, I corrected it. I tried to get the others, I think I got them. Sorry about the American Expressions, but I do not even realize it being American * looks to the sky and murmurs about her stupid expressions. The story was already prewritten, so it is hard to find them all, but I laid off them when my prereader (early on before the thing was totally written.) said the same thing. I guess I just did not catch the early ones. Thanks for your help * smiles *

Cammy: Thank you, here is more of that mixture.

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'Strangers, from distant lands, friends of old.' Elrond stated from his position in the middle of the council chambers. He looked over at his sons and then to Legolas who were all sitting attentively while they were together for once in their lives. Then he looked around at the other members of the council as he spoke. 'You have been summoned here to answer the threat of Mordor.' At that Elrond could feel his children tense up.

'Middle Earth stands upon the brink of destruction. None can escape it. You will unite or you will fall. Each race is bound to this fate- this one doom.' Elrond watched his youngest look up to sky as if praying possible to Eru to get through this council.

Although he knew his son doubted himself, Elrond knew that his son had hope that he would not fall like his human brethren to the power of the one ring. Elrond believed that Estel would be strong enough, even if his youngest did not. Some said it was because he was Estel's father that he said this, but one would only have to meet his son to see it was true.

Then he turned to the hobbit standing close by to where he was standing. 'Bring forth the ring Frodo.' The little hobbit got up and placed the cursed ring on the table in the middle of the circle.

'It is a gift. A gift to the foes of Mordor! Why not use this ring? Long has my father, the Steward of Gondor, kept the forces of Mordor at bay, by the blood of our people--all your lands kept safe! Give Gondor the weapon of enemy. Let us use it against him!' The Steward's son said passionately. Elrond wanted to throttle the young human for not understanding what the ring would truly do.

'You can not wield it! None of use can. The one ring answers to Sauron alone. It has no other master.' Estel answered softly but with knowledge and wisdom in his manner of speaking as he rose from his seat. Elrond had to suppress a smile at his youngest; he had truly grown up to be a good man.

'And what would a mere ranger know of this matter?' The Steward's son asked. The arrogance in his tone annoyed Elrond a great deal. No one gets away with calling his son a mere anything. His elder sons didn't look too happy about the low blow to their brother. Just when Elrond was going to speak up for his child, Legolas beat him to it.

'This is no mere ranger. He is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You owe him your allegiance.' What do you make of that you little.. Elrond's thoughts trailed off so as not to complete that sentence. That's my son you're talking about! You have no right speaking to him in such a way.

'Aragorn? This... is Isidur's heir?' Disbelief came through in Boromir's voice. Yes you little weasel, if that is all you can comprehend.

'And heir to the throne of Gondor.' Legolas said definitely, glaring the Steward's son down.

'Havo dad (Sit down), Legolas.' Estel said softly, gesturing for Legolas to sit down. Even after all of these years, Aragorn hated the title and using it. In Estel's mind he was still just Elrond's son, and only that. In many ways he was just that, at least in Elrond's, the twins, Legolas and the majority of elves' minds.

'Gondor has no king, Gondor needs no king.' Boromir said icily as he stalked to his seat. Elrond had to fight the strong temptation to pulverize the child that dared to say that to his son. And they said humans were the only ones that were weak enough to feel temptation around the one ring.

'Aragorn is right. We can not use it.' Elrond almost had to smile as his oldest friend backed up his son's comment.

'You have only one choice. The ring must be destroyed.' Elrond said as he glanced around the council. So many different races gathered all of them were the hope of Middle Earth.

'What are we waiting for?' Gimli raised his ax and brought it down upon the ring, only to have his ax shatter into a million pieces on the ground. He looked shocked, as the ring was unharmed.

'The ring can not be destroyed Gimli, son of Glorin, by any craft that we here possess. The ring was made in the fire of Mount Doom. Only there can it be unmade. It must be taken deep into Mordor and cast back into the fiery chasm from whence it came. One must do this.'

Estel looked up at his father for the briefest moment; a frightened look was in his eyes. He remembered the stories of Isidur very well; he was scared of the weakness that the ring exploited. Elrond glanced at all three of his sons; he caught Elladan's eye and conveyed the need for him to comfort his younger brother. Elladan nodded, and grasped his younger brother's hand. The frightened look, only evident to the people who Estel had known since his youth, faded from the man's eyes. Even if it was just temporary, it was good enough for the time being.

'One does not simply walk into Mordor. Its black gates are guarded by more then orcs. There is evil there that doesn't sleep. The great eye is ever watchful. It is a barren wasteland. Ridden with fire and ash and dust. The very air you breathe is a poisonous fume. Not with ten thousand man could you do this, it is folly.' Boromir said vehemently

Estel glanced towards his brothers by his sides, he could tell they were barely concealing their discontentment with this man. Estel could guess it was partly to due with the man's ill will towards him. His brothers were very overprotective. Legolas had already expressed his discontent with the man and was busy glaring daggers at the man.

Looking towards his Ada, he knew his father was just as angry as his brothers were, if not more. No one had ever dared to call Elrond's youngest son a mere anything. Estel was the baby of the family, and all the rest of the family would do anything to protect him. Although for the last forty years they had pretty much let him handle things on his own, they did get involved when it dealt with their youngest's honor. Elrond was just barely masking his anger with the millennia of practice that he had attained in his years on middle earth. No one messed with his sons' and lived to tell the tale.

Somehow the situation almost made Estel smile though, these were the days he could truly tell that his elven family loved him. But he felt the temptation to drop the act his father and brothers and himself had made, in order to go comfort his beloved Ada. He had to grip the arms of the chair to stay in it, which was how great the temptation was.

So when the elder peredhil caught the youngest's glance and saw the turmoil that was going through his youngest's eye, he immediately reassured him with his eyes. It was the least he could do to reassure his son's worried mind, for although all the elves at the council knew Estel was his son, the dwarves, halflings and humans did not. And Estel was two minutes from destroying the elaborate facade they had created. Only Mithrandir was able to see through it.

'Have you not heard what Lord Elrond has said? The ring must be destroyed.' Legolas said to the man angrily, causing the father's and son's silent conversation to end.

'And I suppose you think you're the one to do it?'

'And if we fail, what then? What happens when Sauron take what is his?' Boromir said rising from his seat.

'I'll be dead before I see the ring in the hands of an Elf! Never trust an Elf!'

That sent every one of the Mirkwood representatives standing and arguing Legolas was barely holding them back from attacking the dwarf. The Rivendell elves joined in quickly, shortly followed by second eldest peredhils, while the youngest just calmly sat in his seat staring at the fight happening in front of him. He glanced at Elrond once Mirthrandir joined in the argument trying to calm everyone down. Needless to say this was making both father and son nervous, for they both knew the ring was causing this anger.

'Do you not understand that while we bicker among ourselves Sauron's power grows? No one can escape it!' Was Gandalf's question to the group, but they would not stop fighting. Elrond placed his head in his hands, how was anything going to happen...

'I will take it! I will take it.' The hobbit said in order to stop the fighting. Elrond looked up at the hobbit

'I will take the ring to Mordor. Though I do not know the way.' Elrond could see the looks of panic and regret on the Istari's face as his charge took up the cause that he had so wanted him to avoid.

'I will help you bear this burden Frodo Baggins, so long as it is yours to bear.' Gandalf said turning around and walking towards the hobbit. He placed his hand on the hobbit's shoulder.

'I swear by my life or death, I can protect you.' Estel said softly moving forwards and kneeling, 'I will. You have my sword.' Though Elrond didn't hear the first part, the worry and panic that had entered his heart made him deaf for a moment as it burrowed its way into his chest. And looking towards the twins he knew they felt the same way as him. As Gandalf give him a nod, Elrond managed to maintain his cool and return it, while he had a heart attack. Other then his worry for his child, he felt guilty for having that moment of doubt this morn. For not having more faith in Estel.

'And you have my bow.' Legolas said stepping forward. Thank Elbereth that Legolas is going along with Estel. Elrond thought to himself. After seeing though that the dwarf and the Steward's son elected to go with them, Elrond saw the wisdom in having his son go along with this group. They were going to need a trained healer once they got going. Instead of having to worry more about threat from the outside of the group, they were going to have to deal with fights within the group. Elrond made a note to himself to help Estel pack as many herbs as he could. They were going to need them...

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"Ada I'm so scared." Estel whispered to his father in front of the memorial to the parents he never knew. For the entire only parent that Estel knew was the half-elf standing in front of him, although he had always felt close to Amme (Lady Celebrain), of whom he had heard so much about. And that was enough for him. He had no need for memorials to people he hadn't know. Elrond was his father, no one else. But the woman, Gilrean, did desire his respect and love for giving up her life to insure his safety, and she had that. If it weren't for her, Estel would have never known his family or at least not the way he knew them now.

"I know the fear you speak of ninion. For I fear it as well." Elrond said truthfully "I do not want to lose you so soon nin Estel." A tear slid down Elrond cheek as he stood next to his son.

Estel put on his brave face for his father, "I will come back in one piece Ada. I'll find a way to get home safely." Elrond had to smile at his son's optimism.

'I do not doubt that Estel.' Elrond's eyes were filled with love and sincerity.

Estel smiled slightly, 'I don't know how I ever doubted your love Ada or the twin's. For it was always apparent in everything all of you ever did.'

'Everyone had doubts my young one. Even elven lords, so do not trouble yourself about them.' Then trying to lighten the moment, Elrond said jokingly, 'At least Legolas will be going along to keep you out of trouble and doubt free ninion.'

'Ada, Legolas is the reason I get into trouble, I will have to keep him in line.' Estel said lightly as he spotted his friend walking around the court yard, 'It is sad when someone as old as he is needs to be keep in line by the likes of me...'

'I resent that comment Estel, you're the one that always gets us in trouble. And it is only the wisdom I've gained..' Legolas said trying to keep from laughing.

'Uh-huh, whatever you say my dear friend.' Estel said softly interrupting, ' But you are the one who gets us into all the trouble.'

'No you are.'

'You are.'

'You!'

Elrond laughed, 'Enough both of you! You both get one another in trouble.'

'Yes Ada.'

'Whatever you say Lord Elrond.' This caused Elrond to roll his eyes. The two had their arms wrapped around the others shoulders, showing off their friendship.

A small voice came from behind them, 'Strider what does Ada mean.' Said a hobbit hiding in the bushes of the garden. Estel, Elrond, Legolas, and the twins who had joined the meeting all groaned. This was going to be one long night.

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'How many names do you have Strider.' Pippin asked. They had finally got off the topic of what Ada meant without telling the hobbits, and now they were discussing Estel's multiple names.

'He has too many.' Elrohir and Elladan answered for their brother.

"Is that not the truth." Legolas commented in elvish so the hobbits wouldn't know what he was saying. Everyone that knew elvish had to hold back laughter.

'Not like I asked for them, I was content with just being Estel.' Estel said softly in common tongue, answering his brothers, then muttering in elvish to Legolas, "If I remember correctly it was you that named me Strider, Thranduilion."

Legolas stuck out his tongue when the hobbits weren't looking, while Elladan, Elrohir, Mithrandir (who had just joined them.) and Elrond all tried hard not to laugh.

'Your name is Estel as well?'

'Oh Elbereth, why did you have to say that ninion?' Elrond said under his breath as he foresaw that this conversation would never end now.

"I did not know it would get them questioning again Ada." Estel said slipping back into his first language.

Elrond laughed as the hobbits looked puzzled, "Ninion you cause so much trouble sometimes." Then seeing a way to end the conversation, 'But now it is time for bed. '

The hobbits moaned and complained but Elrond held up a hand, 'You have to get an early start tomorrow for Mordor. You all need your rest for I do not know when the next good night's rest will come for you.'

Gandalf then sent his hobbits to their rooms. As soon as they were out of sight and out of hearing range, he said quietly. "The perien are persistent, are they not my old friend?"

"Aye" Lord Elrond said with a nod, looking over his exhausted children and their equally exhausted friend. "I feared they would never stop asking questions. I never knew a being so small could ask so many questions."

"I did." Elrohir said with a groan. "Remember when Estel was little, he used to drive us to the brink of insanity with questions."

"Aye, he would be asking about everything." Elladan added, turning to his father he could not help but to smile. "He made you blush a few times Ada."

Estel's reply to the teasing just had him place his hands over his face, a groan. "You two have to bring this up, do you not?" Elrond could not help but laugh a little. His son's face was beet red.

"Of course little brother. It's our job to torture you."

"And pay back for all those pranks you pulled on us." Elladan finished for his twin. "You're just lucky you grew out of that phase."

"What are you talking about, he still asks those kind of questions all the time." Elrond couldn't believe his youngest's face could get any redder as Legolas spoke.

"You too Legolas?" Estel said with a moan, "Everyone is turning against me!" Gandalf snorted at that and started laughing when Estel started muttering about evil elves.

Elrond, who actually loved it when his son's joked and played around, knew it was time for them to sleep. "Enough all of you. Tomorrow is a big day, and all of us need our rest."

"Yes Ada." and "Yes Lord Elrond" Came the chorus of voices.

"I mean it all of you, no schemes."

"Of course Ada." His sons stood looking innocent as they could. Elrond had a very bad feeling that something was going to happen before tomorrow. It did not help that Legolas was trying to appear innocent as well. Could they be planning a prank war?

"Elladan, Elrohir I don't want either of you to play tricks on Legolas or Estel. Even one as innocent as your last one on the eve of the council." Estel and Legolas nodded in agreement to that statement.

"Oh but Ada..." Elladan and Elrohir looked disappointed, as they did a very unelvish thing and scuffed their boots on the stone tile of the garden.

"No buts and that's final." Lord Elrond said sternly, "That goes the same for you Estel, Legolas. No tricks, no games, no playing pranks on Elladan or Elrohir."

Both younglings looked downtrodden, "Yes Ada if you insist."

"So be it Lord Elrond." Legolas said crushed. Estel gave his friend a comforting arm around Legolas' shoulder. Legolas' leaned his head on his friend's arm and brought up his own arm wrapping it around Estel's shoulders in return.

"I want you in bed now." Elrond said with authority. But no one moved, as if they were expecting something. Elrond was beginning to feel a sense of foreboding. "I mean it."

Everyone nodded, and Elrond turned and left the area. Everyone just stood in place for a few moments until a yell came from Lord Elrond's chambers. Then Elrond shouted his children and Legolas's names.

Estel, Elladan, Elrohir, and Legolas all looked at the puzzled Mithrandir, "He never said we could not play any tricks on him."

Mithrandir later told Elrond that they all raced away to hid in their rooms... locking every single door and window in them, you don't want to meet up with angry elf lord and when its your father you head for the hills. It is nice to be respected like that...

TBC