Disclaimer: I am only a senior in high school, the books were written originally in 1917 (at least the Silmarillon was…) and the Lord of the Rings began to be printed during WWII. Somehow I don't think it is possible for me to own these lovely characters.

A/N: The beginning of this chapter starts in the future, but soon returns to the past. Also Elrond cusses at one point, nothing big just d***, so if that offends you, don't read that part or replace it with darn. Just warning you…

Again thanks to the reviewers, especially to Cammy because I completely forgot about the Palantiri until she reminded me. That scene is for you, thanks for reminding me! Thank you to all of you, and with that said lets get this party started. (Before the east and mid west of America has another blackout….)

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…Elrond remembered how it pained him to see Legolas in such pain from sea longing. Estel was willing to release his friend from his vow, in order to cease his best friend's pain after the war. But Legolas had held to his vow, for he refused to leave his brother alone on those shores. Elrond could not wait to hear about all the trouble those two had gotten into after he left.

It was going to pain Legolas when Estel died, for he did not know what was truly planned for humans after death. Elladan and Elrohir would be the same way. Estel was their little brother, just as he was Legolas brother-in-arms. It would kill them to slowly watched their younger brother age and die. If he had been there....

Celebrian had smiled and asked many questions about the mortal man that he had adopted the one that had married Arwen. She had been fascinated when he had told her about him and filled with sorrow that the boy had never had had gotten the care only a mother could give. She smiled when she heard her parents adopting the little boy as their grandchild.

"El you always find the best ways to surprise me. Here I thought you had given up all hope after I journeyed here only to find that you were having the time of your life, finding "Estel" in the oddest place." She said grinning; she was more like her father when he was not around her mother. Laughter and smiles. "I think I should be jealous of ion-le."

Elrond smiled at her, "it is hard not to have a good time around Estel, because he loves so freely. He has this odd mirth about him, I have no idea were it comes from, for neither Arathorn nor Gilrean ever acted that way."

Then he looked serious, "But he can be serious too. Sometimes it is like he can see right through you."

Celebrian smiled, "Sounds like he is exactly like his father, exactly like you."

Elrond looked at his wife surprised, "What makes you say that my love?"

Celebrian just smiled and walked away. The once she was sixty yards away, she turned back around. "Elrond, I can not wait to meet our youngest."

Elrond just stared after her, and then slowly a smile came onto his face…

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…'Take care of my Ada, all right?' Estel's daughter said worriedly as she moved towards the door leading out of the family's old private chambers.

'We will dear niece, we will.' Elrohir reassured their niece, giving her a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

'Are you sure this will work Uncle Legolas? Is not what you are going to do violating the ban?' The young girl asked.

'If any ask we are just taking our younger brother home with us.' Elladan said softly. "He is of our blood now."

The girl nodded, 'I understand, my sisters do not and who knows whether or not the Valar will. But my brother and I do...' She sighed as she tried her hardest to stay calm. She had promised herself she would not cry, but her emotions were like a whirlwind. 'I wish it did not have to happen, but it is enviable. I wish you all good luck.'

Elladan could not let his niece leave so sad, 'Just think of all the horror stories you will be able to tell your children about your father and his brothers.'

'And Uncle Legolas with my father. Yes, I will tell Eldarion's children and my sisters. As for me, I am not going to marry.'

'Why not I thought you and Nare...' Legolas began to ask.

The girl interrupted him, 'He was killed in an attack.' She wrapped her arms around herself as if to protect herself from the hard world that surrounded her.

'I am sorry.' Legolas said softly, the poor young woman.

'It is not your fault. We were never going to marry, that was just Amme's hope. We were just best friends.' She looked away, with tears in her eyes. Her arms fell to her sides. 'One I will sorely miss.'

She looked back to where her father was resting, and Legolas could not help feeling like they were trying to cheat death. Estel's daughter had lost her best friend, yet he was going to make sure his survived. All of them were, the elves had even gone as far as to cut their hands and Estel's (while he was asleep healing from his fever) then exchange blood; all in order to be able to claim they were brothers by blood incase the Valar claimed that they were not.

'I already said goodbye to my father. I will miss you all though.' She gave them all hugs, then turned to depart. But instead she turned back with tears in her eyes "Again good luck... just convincing him to get on the boat. He will not believe you … about the blood bond and the Valinor. But I know you will convince him somehow." She said softly in elvish. Then she was gone.

"What trip is iel-nin talking about?" Came a voice from behind them.

"We are taking you home." Legolas said softly with conviction, he would not leave his brother behind.

"But I am home! Imladris is my home!" The elderly looking Estel said quietly but firmly, even though there was a sense of puzzlement in the brief statement. What did Legolas mean by taking him home?

"No, my brother, you are not. And we are not leaving you here alone. We are going home to the Valinor and that is it." Elladan said in his best authoritative voice.

"What?" Was Estel's only response, he must have misheard his brother. He could have sworn he just said they were taking him to the Valinor… and why in Arda did he have a cut on his palm....

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"You did what?" Elladan exclaimed as his brother spoke of what he had done. Elrond just stood listening, but was unable to speak or move torn between his anger, sadness, and fear for his child.

"I used the palantiri." Estel replied quietly as he tried to put as much distance between him and his brother. Elladan was such a mother hen.

"Estel it was not a wise idea to trifle with something with so much power." Elrohir said cautioningly, he was the gentler of the two twins and hated upsetting his little brother.

"It had to be done gwadors, it had to be done."

"Estel, you have thrown yourself to the wolves. Sauron will surely find and kill you now."

"And if I had not done it, he would have done the same to Elrohir, Ada, Legolas, you, Elladan along with the rest of Middle Earth." Estel said sadly. "I do not know what I would do if I lost you all because of cowardliness on my part."

"Gwador surely you know what you have done." Elladan asked disbelieving that his brother would do something so mad knowingly.

"Began to fulfill my destiny." Was Estel's tired reply. He saw his brother beginning to protest, so he held up his hand. "Gwadors it had to be done, it had to be. Now let it be."

Estel sat down on the ground his face ashen, and leaned his head down between his knees. He was in pain by the horrors he had had to face. Sauron. That one word made Elrond blood boil, because of him his youngest was suffering.

My poor son, what did he ever do to deserve to be treated this way? Valar damn it! Why was this fate his? There were many before that could have done this, why must this child pay for the mistake his ancestor made. Elrond wanted so badly to be able to go over to his youngest and to comfort him, to make the horrors he knew all to well go away from his son. But Elrond was unable to move and he knew those horrors would never go away.

"Gwador…" Elladan began but was cut off by Legolas.

"Elladan leave him alone. He is right it had to be done." Legolas said as he sat down next to his friend, taking him into his arms. "Do not add to the burdens he already carries on his shoulders for all of us. Has he not suffered enough for one night."

Elrohir looked over at the two younglings knowing they were right. Yes it was dangerous, but it had to have been done. "Legolas is right Elladan." Elrohir said quietly. "Estel needs our comfort not our anger." Elrohir was sill afraid for his younger brother, but he refused to condemn him any more then he already was with his own anger.

Elladan looked at his twin in disbelief, how could have Elrohir turned against him? They were identical twins! So he turned to the only ally that he might possibly have left, who had stood strangely silent throughout the conversation.

"Ada, speak wisdom to my brothers, tell them it was foolish for Estel to have done this, to have used the palantiri."

Elrond was brought out of his stupor, looked at Elladan, then at Elrohir, Legolas and finally he looked at Estel. "I can not for I would be a hypocrite if I did."

"Nay, you would not Ada, Estel never should have used something with such an intense power to challenge Sauron."

"While his own Adar wields a ring of intense power to preserve Imladris? Nay I can not speak wisdom in this because it had to happen Elladan." The elven lord looked his eldest directly in the eye. Elrond's eyes were full of pain and regret. "I never wanted Estel nor any of you to witness the horrors I have. Seen because of Vilya." The last part was whispered so softly, one could wonder if Elrond had actually said it aloud or in the minds of his sons and their friend.

He turned to Legolas, who was staring at him disbelievingly, "Aye Thranduilion you heard correctly. But never speak of it, it is not something well known nor is it supposed to be."

"None of us were meant to have this kind of power, yet we do. As much as I hate to say it, Estel had to face Sauron in the palantiri because of the mistakes of countless people who came before him dating back even to the Eldar's time in the Valinor." Elladan, Elrohir, and Legolas looked up in disbelief. Estel, feeling as horrible as he did, raised his head from his friend's shoulder to give his father a strange look. What had the Eldar ever done that could have caused the horrors he had seen?

Elrond continued. "The Eldar, even I, often forget it was we who made the Silmarils and the rings. That the only thing that saved our rings from corruption was that Sauron never touched them."

"Ada, it was not your fault. No one could have known." Estel said quietly, he wanted to reassure his father but for some reason he couldn't. Elladan, Elrohir, and Legolas felt the same way, though they nodded agreeing to Estel's statement.

"Yes, we did have warning. More then half an age earlier we received a warning from a young woman. She warned us about the rings, she warned the Numenors about what would happen if they did not obey the Valar. She died and her message almost died out with her. Every race forgot her words, only a few remember from either the Numenoreans or the elves. Gil-Galad was one of the few that remembered, and only because he remembered was Lindon saved, at least for a while…"

Elrond looked at his youngest, ignoring the other elves' denials; looking into Estel's horror stricken depths. His son had been able to stay strong as he faced Sauron and when he had spoken to the others. But now among his family he could not hide his pain and weariness; Estel would never be allowed to rest.

Elrond brushed past Elladan, finally giving into the wish to comfort his son. But instead he knelt down before Estel. "Forgive my race and me for what we allowed to happen."

"I cannot do that Ada." Estel said softly. Elrond and the other elves looked surprised. "Because there is nothing to forgive Ada. For it was mine that allowed it to continue. Do you forgive me for what my ancestors allowed to happen?"

"I did the day I looked into your eyes my son. The day I realized my love for you was stronger then any hatred I could ever have had." Elrond drew his son into an embrace. Then they were all holding each other suddenly, for it was something they all needed badly…

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The roads of the dead were cold, so cold that even the elves felt the chill. Elrond had made Estel wear a spare cloak of his. Legolas walked close to his friend as Estel lead the armies of the dead through the tunnels to Gondor. Both were nervous, Elrond could tell. But honestly who would really want an army of undead oath-breakers, Elrond found that he kept turning around just to make sure the dead would not do something…unpleasant to him.

"Suddenly I wonder whether this was the best idea." Elrond said aloud, as he glanced behind once more.

"Why is that Ada? Are you feeling nervous about having a few dead people behind you?" Estel teased gently as he and Legolas fell back waiting for Elladan, Elrohir and Elrond to catch up.

"Ada, we have never known you to ever be nervous. Are you sure you are feeling well?" Elladan asked with a grin.

"Maybe you should lie down, Lord Elrond, you look like you are about to faint." Legolas joined in the teasing.

"Aye Ada, we would not want you to fall behind, who knows what these ghosts may do to you." Elrohir chimed in.

Elrond had had enough, "No I am not nervous, worried, or faint. I am perfectly fine."

"Then you have complete faith in my ability to control these ghosts." Estel asked raising his eyebrow.

"Aye Ada, do you have complete faith?" The twins repeated their brother's facial expression and suddenly Elrond knew why people could get frustrated with his looks. The look allowed no room for no….

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…Estel had looked terribly frightening as he fought against the orcs on the Pelennor Fields. The lost crown on his head, along with Anduril in his hand. His son fought along side his brothers and friend in this dreadful battle. Together they stood. Legolas fighting unmercifully with his knives, bow, and a sword. Elladan and Elrohir hacking down all the orcs, bad men that happened to come their way, and Estel annihilating any that dared to fight him. It was a blood bath, but Elrond could not help to be proud of these four warriors as he lifted his own sword. He was striking down the ones that were aiding Sauron in trying to destroy his family. Old warrior legends joined with new that day creating the most terrible force ever reckoned with…

"Faramir return to the light." Elrond watched as his son called the steward's remaining son back from the darkness with a certain pride. Both father and son had been called upon to use their healing skills. Elladan and Elrohir were helping in surgery as Legolas tended to the lesser wounded.

Faramir returned quickly, 'My king' was all he said. Estel, ever modest, shook his head.

'Not yet Faramir, not yet. I need you to continue the duties of Steward until this war is over.'

'Then my father is….' Faramir said quietly and calmly, although his eyes betrayed his emotions.

Estel nodded. 'Aye he is. I am sorry my friend, he committed suicide in the tower. He was driven mad by Sauron, so he can not be held for his actions.'

'I regret to here of this, my father will be mourned. I will do as you command my Lord.' Faramir replied to the great man standing before him wearing no crown, but was every inch a king.

Estel clapped the man on the shoulder and Elrond could not help but think how great and good a king his son was going to make. Now he had to try and wake that stubborn Eowyn, who, no matter what Gimli had done, was still angry with Estel. Maybe the Wraith's poison would knock some sense into her, at least one could hope couldn't they?

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Estel had looked so strong and brave when he had led the armies against Mordor. The time of laughter had past, the time of war had arrived swiftly. His sons and him fought bravely against the coming evil that threatened to invade their home. But there was sadness in his son's eyes and he seemed so much older.

This is the little boy I raised, taught, and comforted when he was distraught. This man had done many great things, and now he led us to Minas Morgal. This man is ion-nin, Estel-nin, my light.

"Ada what would you advise." Estel asked softly.

Broken again out of his reverie, taking a long look at his surroundings.

"We call them out. That is what I feel to be best ion-nin." Giving his son a reassuring smile, Estel gave one in return.

"Then that is what we will do." Estel murmured, then he paused. "Hannon le Ada, for being here with me."

"You are welcome nin tithen pen."

Estel smile widened at the sound of the nickname from the long past, since the time when he was a child being raised in the house of Elrond.

"Amine mela lle Ada, I just want you to know that."

"Amine mela lle Estel-nin. It will be all right." Elrond said calmly, sensing the fear his child was going through.

Again Estel smiled, turning from his father to the troops and gave the order.

'Send out a messenger to call them out.' His voice showed no fear as he told his troops what to do.

"And our tithen gwador has grown up." Elrohir said as he walked by Elrond with Elladan and Legolas.

"Estel grow up? That will never truly happen." Elladan told his younger twin. "Estel will always be young in his heart, no matter his physical appearance." A note of sadness could be heard in the older twin's voice.

"Estel will never grow old in his heart." Legolas agreed. "Sometimes I wonder if humans ever truly grow old there or if it is just Estel."

"There are some, but Estel, Estel I think is truly an unique human whose heart will never grow old. The light in his eyes will not diminish until his soul leaves his body to journey out of this world." Elrond said softly looking after his youngest son.

"It never should have to leave." Elladan whispered bitterly.

Elrond looked over at his eldest son. "Elladan..." But he had no words for this. It pained him as well that his youngest would depart from this world forever. And in his reverie, he did not hear Legolas' whispered vow.

TBC

Okay, yeah I had Elrond finally admit that the elves had some dealing with the rings… they made them with the help of the dwarves. So please don't yell at me. *pleads*

I wonder can anyone guess Estel's daughter's name? The word is used somewhere in this chapter…