"Until we meet again Ada, remember amine mela lle." Estel whispered to his father as they stood in the hall by the gate playing the game that they always played before Estel left on a mission, so as not to be seen by the rest of the fellowship. In public their attitudes towards each other were cooler, so as to not draw too much unneeded attention. But neither them would really care any more if any one found out the bond between the father and son.

"I will see you soon ninion." Elrond said softly, tears were in his eyes as he looked down at his youngest. There was a possibility that his son would not come back. But he refused to say good bye, for his little Estel had to come back alive. He just had to! "Amine mela lle tithen pen nin."

Estel smiled a big smile, though the tears in his eyes told Elrond that he knew what he was thinking. "I will come back home Ada, I will." Was Estel's whispered reply.

Quickly Estel gave Elrond a big huge and kissed his father on the cheek. Then he turned to leave only to run into his brothers. There was an unspoken communication between the three beings, a good bye and best wishes. Then Estel surprised his brothers by hugging the tightly. For a moment Elladan and Elrohir were stiff then they hugged Estel back just as fiercely.

"I love you Elladan, I love you Elrohir." Estel murmured into their combined hair.

"As we love you." The twins replied releasing their brother.

"Now move it, you got a job to do. The quicker this is done, the quicker you can come home." Elladan said quietly.

"Yes mother." Estel said with a nod, turned and left before Elladan could cuff him in the back of his head.

As the three half-elves watched through their tears the fellowship leave, Elrohir muttered something under his breath.

"What is it Elrohir?" Elrond asked his second oldest when he noticed the mutters and was not able to distinguish what was being said.

"I just realized the real reason Estel went on this quest." Elrohir replied, "He wanted to get out of his grounding. He is going to be surprised when he gets home." This answer caused the whole lot to start laughing, as the need to drive fear away from their hearts grew stronger. Arwen glanced at them for a moment, she had come back from the gate where she had said good bye to Estel.

"What are you crazy elves doing?" Arwen asked with a small smile at the laughter that had her family in hysterics.

"Lightening a situation sister, just lightening a situation." Elladan replied through his laughter.

Arwen nodded, "He will come back. He will." She said firmly as she turned and watched the fellowship leave. Estel and Legolas stayed behind for a moment, they looked back at the elves gathered, at the loved ones they might never see again.

Elrond nodded as his laughter ended, "Yes he will come back. He will." Thinking back to his son's promise, he couldn't help but to wonder if his son would truly be able to keep it as the unbidden tears ran down his cheeks...

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Elrond Peredhil

Lord of Imladris

Dear Ada,

I did not think it was possible for me to get homesick any more after all my years in the wild. Yet here I am, homesick, sad, and tired. We have reached Grandmother's land, but it has come at a terrible price: Mithrandir. We went through Moria, for the southern pass came to close to Isenguard and the mountain of Caradhras defeated us. (On a light note, I did manage not to hurt my best friend when I was freezing walking through four feet of snow and he was walking on top of it. Remind me to never allow Elrohir and Elladan to help me pack again for they told me that I would not need my snowshoes.) There was an avalanche due to a fight between the Istari that had even Legolas buried underneath the snow.

Even though it was sad that Mithrandir had fallen, someone that both Estel and Elrond had called friend, Elrond could not help but to laugh as he read the last part. Oh Estel, how you use humor to deflect your sadness. Shaking his head he read on.

It was decided by the ring bearer to go through Moria, much to Legolas', Gandalf's and my dismay. First we could not find the door and when we did find the doors, we were unable to enter immediately since it was necessary to know the password. Finally one of the hobbits figured out that the message on the door was a riddle and solved it. (The password was mellon, is that not ironic?) It went down hill from there. First the watcher, found the dwarfs of Moria had been slaughtered by orcs, then we were the ones that got attacked by orcs attacked us. But what was the most terrible was the balrog. When we first were told what had scared away the orcs, Legolas' eyes got so big, Ada, and I thought I was going to have a heart attack.

Elrond could picture the scenes, as they had to have happened. Maybe Elladan and Elrohir were right when they said that Legolas and Estel attracted trouble. Or maybe it was just the ring. Yes it had to be that, or a disturbing combination of the two.

Mithrandir challenged the creature and fell… those words are so hard to say, let alone believe. It was hard to keep going after he fell, but we did somehow and we are here in the sanctuary of Lorien. But I can not truly relax for Boromir worries me, for I fear the ring will take him. Your letter from home cheers me slightly, although I feel horrible for it after Mithrandir loss; but I think Mithrandir would not wish us to give up our laughter for him, for he always enjoyed it. It has been bad, but I have hope Ada that it will get better. On another light note, Gimli and Legolas have become friends. He is even doting over Grandmother. I have to go Ada, since Legolas says something about a bath. Amine mela lle Ada.,

Estel

Estel, always hopeful, I named you to well, Elrond thought as he finished the letter Estel had written to him. Elrond sighed as he read the letter he had received from Lorien from Galadriel. The good news was that his son was alive and well. However the same couldn't be said for Gandalf.

"My dear friend, you will be missed Gandalf." Elrond said looking to the heavens, then he closed his eyes as sadness descended on him. So much depended on the small halfling to end this evil once and for all. And his youngest was caught up in it.

But he pushed those thoughts aside as he looked down at the letter once more, re-reading it.

Elrond Peredhil

Lord of Imadris

Greetings Elrond,

I write bearing you the news of my grandson's arrival here in Lorien. He appears to be in good health physically but is suffering due to loss of Mithrandir, who fell to flame and shadow in Moria. Estel is now leading the fellowship as they travel towards Mordor from the north. I have given him the Elessar brooch, for he is the elf stone. In dark tidings I fear that Gandalf will not be the last to fall on this quest, the ring is weakening the steward's son will immensely. I pray that my fears will not come to be or what it is that I see in my mirror is just illusions. But if they are true I fear for my grandson, for the danger he will face will be great and terrible.

Galadriel

Lady of Lothlorien.

Elrond closed his eyes as he thought of his poor child, praying to the Valar that his youngest would come back safe and alive. That the disaster that he foresaw would never come true. All he could do though was hope and pray for Hope itself.

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Elrond Peredhil

Lord of Imladris

Hail Elrond,

My mirror has told me that two of the halflings were captured and the fellowship is broken, Frodo and Sam travel to Mordor, Boromir is dead from redeeming himself after his attempt at stealing the ring from Frodo by trying to save the two halflings. Estel, Legolas and Gimli hunted the orcs that took Pippin and Meriadoc. But Hope still remains and Mithrandir has returned. The halfling taken are now in the care of the Ent, Fangorn. The three hunters went to Edoras to help out there as Mithrandir as instructed them. The eye of Sauron has turned its evil upon Edoras and for its people I fear the worse. The humans there have fled to Helms Deep, and they lack warriors. We face a great decision Elrond, do we stay and help them or do we leave them to stand-alone.

Galadriel

Lady of the Woods.

Elrond walked to the library and stood in front of the painting that depicted Isidur cutting the ring off Sauron's finger, and behind him stood the sword that had done it. His son was safe thus far, or at least he was when Galadriel wrote this letter. But how much more danger will befall his child before the end comes? He was at Helms Deep with his friends, and would probably be horribly outnumbered when it came to battle with Saruman's troops. One had already fallen; one of Estel's own race, two others had been captured. How much suffering would there be before it was all over? Only Eru knew, but Elrond was going to aid his child as much as he could. For Frodo and Sam were beyond his ability or anyone else's to help.

The elves would stay and fight. Elrond grabbed the sword's pedestal and made for the forgery. It was time for this sword to be used again, it was the only guarantee in his mind that his son would come back alive. Giving instructions to the metal workers, he then left and made for his advisors' quarters.

"Erestor, Glorifidal. Prepare the troops, Rohan is in need of aid"...

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'Are you Lord Elrond of Rivendell?' The human messenger from Rohan asked politely.

'Aye, I am.' Elrond replied wondering as to how Rohan had received and sent a message back so quickly, for it had only been a week before that he had sent the troops.

The messenger handed him a letter. Elrond took it with a deep sense of foreboding and opened it. While he was reading it his face paled. One sentence stood out, I am so sorry Lord Elrond. I have failed both Estel and you. Noticing their father's reaction, the twins rushed over to where their father was standing.

'Ada what is it?' The twins asked simultaneously.

'Estel...Estel is dead... He ... he got dragged over a cliff by... a..a warg during an attack.' His voice broke with all the emotions running through him. The tears ran steadily down his cheeks now as Elrohir and Elladan just stood there shocked. Then the tears and denials began.

'No, it...it is not possible. He is still young.' Elrohir whispered so low that the messenger could barely hear his comment. Then slipping into his native language. "He..he has not even begun to live yet!"

Elladan was taking it the hardest of the twins, for he had appointed himself Estel's protector. "Nay, ...it cannot be true, it is not true. There is no possible way..." He whispered in their own language. "No, no, no, no!"

Elrond hugged his sons, as he felt his heartbreaking. So this is how they would die, of heartbreak over Estel's death. Estel dead. It didn't seem possible the boy had been so full of life and love....

'I'm sorry for your loss.' The messenger whispered confused as to why these elves were mourning a human.

The elf lord nodded holding his crying sons. They stood there for Valar knows how long, it seemed like an eternity. Maybe it was, but the silence was broken by the sound of hoofbeats, followed by the shouts of elven guards. Then a horse came into view, followed by the guards, who had raised the alarm. The horse stopped suddenly and the rider jumped off before it came to a complete stop.

'Are you Lord Elrond?' At Elrond's nod the very tired looking girl, for surprisingly that was what the messenger was, handed him a letter.

What other bad news can we possibly receive this day. Elrond thought to himself, as he took the letter, signaled the guards no to bind the girl, and opened the said letter slowly. Extremely slow, as if he could starve off more bad news if he could just open it slowly enough.

He read it over quickly, then had to read it for a second time. He looked up at the messenger, eyebrow raised and eyes questioning. 'Are you sure of this messenger of Rohan'"

The girl swallowed almost in fear, 'Yes Lord Elrond.' The girl whispered in a small scared voice, then continued. 'He told me to give you these after you read the first letter.' She handed Elrond a second letter and the Elessar brooch.

"Father what is it?" Elladan asked softly in Sindarin. Elrohir tried to read the letter over his father's shoulder.

Elrond looked up as the great weight lifted off his shoulders, his face lost it sadness and was filled with shock and surprise. 'Estel is alive.' Came Elrond's soft whisper.

'Are you sure?' Elladan asked the second messenger carefully, he didn't want to hope and then find it only to be false hope.

'Did you see him?' Elrohir asked frantically, to scared to dream...no hope that his little brother could be alive.

'Yes to both of your questions, my lords.' The girl replied respectively bowing her head slightly.

'Then why was the previous letter sent?' Elladan continued to question the girl in a calm and collected manner. This was his little brother's life that they were speaking of.

The first messenger was the one that replied, 'Master Legolas thought you would want to know that Lord Aragorn died in the battle.' Then turning to the other messenger, 'He couldn't have survived that fall.'

The other messenger looked toward the other, 'But he did.' Came her quiet reply. 'He walked into Helms Deep twenty minutes after you left. And Lord Legolas did not want to write that letter. King Theoden suggested that he write and tell whatever family he had that he had been killed in a warg attack. ' She said to the other messenger

Turning to Elrond and his family, 'By that time it was to late to stop the previous message and the Urik-hui were coming quickly, there was no time for Lord Estel to write a letter. We were happy when the army you sent arrived, right before we fell siege, for we lacked men. ' She said calmly as she could, then she paused debating whether or not to say more. 'I rode here as soon as Lord Estel and the prince handed me the letters after the battle. He said you would worry if the first letter came before I did. I hope this eases any heartache you may have suffered.'

The other messenger glared at the second messenger. "Foolish child." Were the words the messenger muttered under her breath.

'When did the battle end?' Elladan asked, as he released the breath that he had not known that he had been holding.

The girl bowed her head, 'The morning after the first message was sent.' She watched through her eyelashes the elven family.

The family of Elves stood paralyzed as they absorbed the messengers words, then Elladan let out a whoop of delight, "He's alive!" He cried in Sindarin, "Elrohir, he's alive."

He grabbed his brother and danced him around. 'He's alive, Estel is alive!" Elrohir cried with excitement, as he too whooped and danced around the yard with his twin.

Elrond smiled at the scene and then at the two messengers, the first looked very unsure of what was going on. This one was obviously older but was a young girl as well who was better trained in the arts of diplomacy. She had a prime and proper way about her, were as the younger girl had a warm exuberance and joy to her that even seriousness could not deteriorate. Her eyes told of understanding and kindness. Although she was possibly untrained, she did understand the basics and in her own way she had performed her duty better then the former messenger. He had a feeling this girl had ridden without sleep in order to put their minds at ease. This girl returned his smile with a small one of her own, only to get a punishing elbow in her ribs for the first messenger. The girl flinched slightly, but didn't stop her smile.

'Is there any message we can carry back for you milord?' The girl asked politely as she could.

'Yes, please tell my brother to get home, he is grounded for the rest of his life for scaring us like that.' Elladan said seriously and Elrohir nodded.

'And that he should not have left in the first place, destiny or no destiny. He was grounded in the first place.' Elrohir said continuing his brother's tirade.

The second messenger was having a hard time not laughing, while the first one just stared in disbelief. How is this possible seemed to be the question written on her face.

Elrond rolled his eyes at his son's antics before directing his attention to the two messengers, 'Ignore my other sons, they are overprotective of their younger sibling.'

'I can understand that, my older sibling is the same.' The younger messenger replied with another smile, but steeled herself against a blow from the older messenger. It never came.

Elrond looked at the older girl before she was going to strike, raising an eyebrow. 'I will give you a message in the morning. You both are need of rest. ' Both girls were going to protest, but Elrond held up a hand against the protest.

'Elladan will show you to your quarters for the night. Rest and then you will to message to my son tomorrow.' The girls nodded, bowed, and then followed Elladan.

Children...they are all the same. He smiled at the backs of the girls and his sons. Then he looked up at the stars. Thanks Ada for watching over my youngest. You're a gift from the Valar.

The next day...

The girls stood by their horses as Elrond gave then their message. 'Please tell my son to be more careful, that he has a promise to fulfill. And please give him this.' He handed the youngest a small package. 'Give this only to my son or Legolas.'

"Yes milord.' The second messenger said, 'We will stop for no one until the message is received by Lord Estel at Isenguard.' The elder messenger nodded, glad the younger girl was finally acting properly. They bowed together and then mounted their horses. The youngest seemed to be in a hurry to deliver the message for the lord.

Elrond looked at the girl for a moment and smiled again, she seemed so eager to please those around her. 'Excuse me,' The girls looked down at the elf lord.

'Yes Lord Elrond?' The first messenger asked looking angrily at the second one, thinking the girl had gotten them in trouble.

'Do you know where they will go after Isenguard?'

The older girl looked down at the younger, who looked thoughtful for a few moments.

'Minas Tirith, your lordship.' The girl in question replied softly.

Elrond nodded, that made sense. "Then addition to the previous message inform Estel that his brothers and I will meet him at Rohan. Tell him he must wait for us there, for there is a faster way to Minas Tirith.'

'Yes Lord Elrond.' Although both confused, both girls bowed their heads as they turned their horses and walked them out of Rivendell.

'Why do these elves care about Lord Aragorn.' The first asked the younger since she had been with the man longer then she had.

'Because Lord Estel is their son and brother.' The younger girl replied softly.

'But they are elves.. Why do you call him Estel?' The elder started to say and asked the question that had bugged her for so long.

'I call him Estel, because that's what he told me was his true name in his heart. His elven name, I mean' The younger replied patiently and kindly, although she was beginning to get irritated it appeared. 'And they are his family, blood and race doesn't seem to matter to Lord Aragorn, as you call him, or his elven family. Those don't seem to matter when love enters the equation. Love conquers all sister, you of all people should know that.'

'Perhaps I should, with you for a sibling. For I have not been driven to kill you yet.' The elder girl laughed slightly, 'Come on little sister, I'll race you to Isenguard.'

Elrond could not help over hearing the girls' words, how true the young one's words. How true they were indeed.

"They're sisters?" Elladan asked surprised and Elrond and Elrohir just laughed...