A/N) Well here is the next chapter. This is where all hell breaks loose and the angst comes in! I should warn you now that in a couple of chapters time there will be much, much pain for Estel and angst for the twins and Elrond. We also get introduced to the - eh what shall we say? - villain of this story. That coming in Chapter 6.
Also because I want to be evil I've put a nice little teaser at the bottom for this chapter for chapter five.
Enjoy!
Just an Innocent Child
Chapter 4: Death and Mystery
As the morning sun rose Dilir was the first to wake. Next to him lay Elrohir, eyes open, and asleep. It had taken him a long time to get used to the way the elves slept. When he had first seen Elrohir sleep with his eyes open he had felt horror building in his heart and thought him dead but later the twins had explained that they simply slept like that.
"Are you awake?" Elrohir asked sitting up.
Dilir nodded. "Yes. The sun's just raising."
"That's good. Estel is usually up by now. He's an early raiser and a late-to-bed child too. I do not know where he gets all the energy from."
Dilir giggled. "He must cause you loads of problems back at home."
"He does." Elrohir grinned, suddenly remembering a *certain* time.
Dilir noticed Elrohir's strange face and asked: "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. I was just thinking of a time." Elrohir explained. "Something Estel did to Elladan when he was smaller. You don't want to know."
"So what are we doing today?"
"Trying to get Estel to fell something and to see which of you are better at archery."
"I thought you said that it wouldn't be until I've had enough practice?"
"True. But I feel that you could best him anyway."
"Would your brother let me have a contest?" Dilir asked. "He seems to me too strict."
"Elladan's fine. He may be strict but its because of Estel that he's like that. He cares for his welfare, but he's easy to get around especially if you know what he's like. Trust me, Elladan will want this challenge."
"I hope you're right." Dilir said.
*****
The day wore on.
It was near to mid-day when the elves and two boys trumped back to camp. The morning had passed quickly and the sun was shining high in the sky. Estel had been unable to fell a beast again and the twins had given up. Dilir had spent the majority of the morning watching them and smiling to himself.
Elrohir came and sat next to him. "We're going to have one last try with Estel and then....we'll hand him over to Glorfindel to teach him."
Dilir once again sat and watched but this time he was accompanied by Elrohir who was refusing to go and help. At last Estel managed to - with Elladan's rough help - to hold the arrow straight in the bow. Then Elladan stepped back from Estel and carefully began instructing him in a calm - but not very controlled voice.
"Try not to blink. Stay calm. Take in short, deep breaths. Narrow your eyes but so you can still see your target. That is good. Now pull back on the string. Make sure you are aiming and release the tension."
Estel followed the instructions and then he let the tension go. The arrow shot passed the tree where he had targeted. It soared right through the bushes and a loud screech could be heard.
Elrohir jumped to his feet. "By the Valar! I think he shot something!"
Elladan and Elrohir glanced at each other.
"You two wait here. We'll go and see what exactly Estel hit." Elladan ordered. They left the clearing.
Estel tromped over to Dilir and sat down. "I sure hope I hit something my brothers can be proud off."
"I'm sure you have." Dilir said, slapping Estel on the back. "What did you think when you missed your intended target?"
Estel stood up and paced back and forth, one hand rubbing his chin. "I don't know. I felt surprised at the sound. It was not until I heard Elrohir shouting that I realised I might've shot something. I suppose I was surprised. I'm unsure at the moment in case I've hurt someone."
Dilir laughed. "I do not think that."
"I believe someone has been watching us." Estel said, glancing warily around. "Someone who is good at hiding."
Dilir looked around. Then suddenly his eyes caught a lone figure standing at the edge of the clearing, its face hidden with a green cloak that fell over its face. From afar Dilir could see that it was a male elf and it was neither Elladan or Elrohir. Then the figure slung an arrow into his bow and aimed.
Just before the arrow was released Dilir realised who the target was.
Estel did not see the danger. He was only aware of it when he heard the sound of an arrow being released. His head shot up, but even as he saw the arrow heading towards his heart he felt himself being pushed to the ground by Dilir.
A loud scream echoed through the clearing and a body fell with a thud.
*****
The sound of an arrow being released brought the two twins back to the clearing. Elrohir was the first to see Estel leaning over a body. Horror ripped through the twin's heart.
"Estel!"
Reaching the boy, the sight they saw shocked them to the core of their very being. Dilir lay gasping for air, an arrow protruded from the middle of his chest. He breathed heavily and choked, coughing up blood.
Elladan kneeled down beside him and pulled the arrow from Dilir knowing that it was the only way to relieve him of his pain quicker. Dilir's breathing came easier then it slowed. Elrohir closed his eyes. This child was about to die.
Dilir made one last gasp for breath and he went limp, falling unconscious.
"He will never wake." Elladan muttered.
Estel held on to his friend's hand and cried, letting his tears flow.
Elrohir put his arms round Estel and hugged him long and hard. He kissed the boy's forehead.
A few minutes passed and Estel had made no move but to cry and stare at his friend's body. At last Elladan asked the question that Estel had been dreading to hear.
"What happened?"
Estel sobs subsided as he willed himself to speak. His words came in-between sobs. "An elf. He...........targeted.......me. Dilir........took the arrow..........to save........me. I........do not know..........who's done this."
Elladan nodded and did not ask anymore questions. "I am truly sorry Estel. We should've been here."
Estel pulled from Elrohir's grasp and walked away, sitting down on the log, and sobbed long and hard as the twins carefully cleaned the arrow wound from Dilir, then they began the long walk back to Rivendell, all the while looking out for an elf.
TBC
Teaser for Chapter 5:
Deollyn stared at the dead body of his son and at the four elves in front of him. His gaze roamed over them and his eyes rested on the human boy sitting on the bench. He ran his fingers over his son's face.
"How did this happen?" Deollyn asked, hardly daring to breathe.
Elladan was the elf that spoke. "On the Hunting Trip. Estel felled a beast and we went to look. While we were investigating we heard a shout - a boy's shout. We found Dilir with Estel. An elf shot your son just below the heart. He would've not survived. I am sorry." They twin bowed his head.
Deollyn stared at the elf for a long time and then his gaze turned to Este. Anger spurred through him and before the elves could stop him he reached out and grabbed Estel by the front of the shirt.
"Who was it?" he demanded. "Who killed him? Tell me?" He shook the boy roughly.
Estel cringed in his grip. "I......don't.......know."
"Tell me! You do know! You were there!"
Before he could do any harm to the boy he felt a strong pair of hands twirl him round. He came face to face with Sîrfalas - one of Elrond's many friends.
"Do not harm that boy. Who are you to demand what this boy knows. Wait for the appropriate time." Even as Sîrfalas said that his eyes twinkled like fire.
Okay that is the teaser - that is if anyone decided to read this.
I will get Chapter 5 up as soon as I can. I've got four more exams to sit through and then I am free! My exam's finish on Wednesday - thank god! - and then I will hopefully be able to upload the next chapter on Friday sometime. But that is only a possibility!
Bye until next time!