Well, I've got the next chapter finished! I'd just like to say thank you to all the people who have reviewed so far. You have made writing this story so much better! I hope that you continue to encourage me.

This chapter is longer then the others. Hopefully the chapters should get longer as the story progresses. That will possibly mean it will take longer for me to write the chapter, but I'll try and spend an hour each day typing.



Well onto the chapter!



Just an Innocent Child



Chapter 6: In the Dead of the Night



A month passed.

The twins kept a close watch on Estel but the boy was no longer cheerful; he spent his days sitting on the balcony outside his room watching the day go by. It seemed to them that he did not know that the days went by. Estel had not attended any of his lessons since Dilir's death and no one pressured him to do so. Elrond wanted his son to work this out on his own. He wished him to deal with his fear's on his own.

Today the sun was shining high in the sky, the clouds were puffy and every now and again the sun disappeared beneath the clouds. But it came out again brighter then ever.

Elladan slowly opened the door to Estel's room, peering cautiously inside. The boy's bed was empty and unkempt; clothes lay scattered over the floor. It was the twin's job to clear up his room, though Estel was capable of doing it himself, he did not actually care anymore.

Estel sat cross-legged on the floor of his room, with his eyes closed and breathing slowly. It was a way to deal with the pain that he felt each morning - Elladan knew this as he was the one who had taught the child this a couple of weeks ago as usually in the morning they had found him sobbing each day.

Elladan carefully picked up any discarded clothes and was about to leave the room when Estel spoke. He had not spoken in a long time to any members of his family.

"Elladan?"

"Yes."

"Why do people kill each other?"

Elladan smiled sadly. "I do not know. Maybe it's because of their feelings." he answered. He needed to make it simple for a ten-year old boy. Someone Estel's age would not understand things like this that well, and it was important that he did in the most simplest way possible.

"Okay." Estel got to his feet and walked slowly onto the balcony and looked out.

Elladan's shoulders fell. He had hoped that Estel would not do that. "I will help you Estel. I promise."



*****



Elrohir glanced around. His little brother was no where to be seen. He had come to Estel's room expecting to find him but to his horror his little brother was not there. No one in the House had seen the boy since the night before.

Elrohir stood standing on the balcony, palms resting on the edge, staring out. As he peered around his eyes caught the movement of a small animal. His heart leapt - he thought it was Estel - but unfortunately it was only a small toad hopping from one stone to another. His shoulder's slumped. When Estel disappeared, he really did disappear!

Elrohir left the boys room and found Elladan down the hallway in another room.

"Any sign?" the elder twin asked.

Elrohir shook his head. "No. I hate it when he does this!" He cried in frustration. "You know, father's going to kill us if he finds that we've lost Estel again."

"Father does not know yet?" Elladan quizzed.

"No." Elrohir muttered. "I did not want to burden him with this."

"Isn't it a bit conspicuous that the entire household apart from father is searching in every nook and cranny?" Elladan asked, rising his eyebrows at his brother.

"Probably. But at the moment he has no idea, so please don't tell him." Elrohir begged.

"I won't. Anyway if he finds out then I'll blame it on you."

"What?"

"You were meant to watch him this morning and you've lost him." Elladan pointed out.

"Fine! Put the blame on me!" Elrohir said, exasperated.

Elladan could only suppress a smile.



*****



Hours later the twins returned to Estel's room and found him sitting at his usual place at the balcony, leaning over.

"Estel! Where have you been?" Elladan asked twisting his brother round.

Estel tried to pull away but the elder twin's grip tightened.

"We've been so worried about you. Where have you been?" he asked again.

This time the boy answered. "Wandering. Around Rivendell."

"You could've been hurt!" Elladan exclaimed, having to wipe the tears from his face that threatened to overwhelm him now that he knew that Estel was safe.

"How?"

"Just a fear that I have." Elladan replied. He did not want to burden the boy that the person who had killed Dilir had meant to kill Estel instead. Since that incident there had been no tracks found of the mysterious murderer. It was all very puzzling. Elrond was worried that a murderer could be living among them. At the moment everyone was a suspect: Including the twins. None of them liked the prospect of this.

"Can you let me go now?" Estel asked.

Elladan released his hold on his brother and let the boy turn around.

"Elladan? What's that?" Estel asked as he gazed into the distance.

Elladan peered out and saw three riders riding towards them, and then he disappeared into the forest that led into Rivendell. "I don't know. Shall we check it out?"

"Yes." Estel replied.



*****



Deollyn waited under the shadow of the trees for his mysterious visitor. Two other men stood with him. He had employed them to be his 'brothers': Mardil and Marihel. For a week now Deollyn had been in contact with this cloaked elf, who had been dubbed by Deollyn as the 'Shadow Elf'. The elf had told him to come to Rivendell and make peace with the elves and forget about the whole escapade, however that was not the whole plan. They were to kidnap the boy at night and escape into the mountains where they were to question him ruthlessly until he revealed to Deollyn who murdered his son.

There came the sounding of a horse galloping towards them and soon the rider entered the glade. It was his mysterious contact - the 'Shadow Elf'.

The rider was robed in a green cloak and his face was hidden - Deollyn did not yet know the identity of the elf, but was content to listen to him.

"My Lord." Deollyn bowed before the elf.

"You have come. Good. I am on business for the Lord of Rivendell. You may have trouble getting the boy. There are four lords in Rivendell at the moment. One is Lord Elrond. The only other lords you will have to contend with are the Lords Elladan and Elrohir and Sîrfalas. Stick to the plan and things may go well if you follow it through. Be as thorough as you may. Go. I will report back to you when I return." The elf turned swiftly and mounted his horse and left through the glade.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Mardil asked.

"I am only following orders." Deollyn said. "Come. We must go. We must succeed in our plan."

Quickly they remounted and followed the path leading to Rivendell. As they reached the gates two elves and human boy met them. Deollyn recognised them as the Lords Elladan and Elrohir. The human he knew only too well.

Elladan was the one to speak. "Deollyn? What are you coming here for?"

"To make amends with the Lord of Rivendell, and to apologize for threatening his son." Deollyn said.

"Then let us escort you to our father." Elladan replied. "And who are these people." He indicated the other riders.

"They are my brothers: Mardil and Marihel. They are my adopted brothers as you might say. My father took them in when he found them out, starving on the fields near my childhood home. They've come to this part of the world after serving in the armies of Gondor; to visit me in my grief for my son. They knew Dilir when he was really small. It's tragic they never got to say goodbye to him." Deollyn said, trying to smile his nicest.

"Then follow me." Elladan said, taking Estel by the shoulders and leading the group back to Rivendell.



*****



Elrond had gratefully excepted Deollyn's apology and had asked him to stay for the night, so that he did not have to ride away home through the night. Deollyn accepted without question. Deollyn, Mardil and Marihel had retired early leaving Elrond and his elven sons to speak of important matters.

When he was pretty sure that the household was all asleep Deollyn and his 'brothers' slipped quietly from their room. The torches were barely burning and it was enough light to see where they were going. There rooms had been placed on the other side of the house, near to the Lord Elrond's room.

They quickly made their way around until they came to Estel's room, who's door was slightly ajar. Deollyn slowly opened the door, a vicious gleam in his eyes.

Estel lay sleeping peacefully on his bed. Deollyn crept round to one side; Mardil on the other and Marihel holding a cord of rope, ready to subdue the boy as soon as possible.

Deollyn jumped forward, grabbing Estel's wrists, at the same time Mardil gripped his head and sliding his hand over the child's mouth preventing him from crying out.

Estel woke instantly as soon as the hand's touched him. He squirmed trying to pull away - but he was too weak.

The struggle was furious but short.

Deollyn twisted the child's wrists hard, nearly breaking them, and in the moment Estel fell limp to the bed, Marihel tied the boy's wrists and ankles together. Then he slid a gag into Estel's mouth.

Still awake and terrified Estel tried his hardest to escape but now that he was bound he found it impossible. Suddenly he felt sharp steal placed at his throat; Deollyn held a knife. In a hoarse whisper he said: "Stop struggling or I will kill you. And I don't want to do that - yet."

Estel stopped struggling. He did not wish to die.

Deollyn smirked. He nodded to Marihel who picked up the boy and slung him over his shoulder.

Silent as elves they crept from the house, taking Estel with them.



*****



"I don't trust Deollyn." Elladan remarked, as his father shut his study door. They were the last ones to go to bed.

"I do not trust him either. I feel something bad is going to happen, but whatever it is, and whenever it is going to happen, I cannot venture to guess." Elrond said. "Come."

The three elves gently glided up the stairs, blowing out each light in the hall. At last they came to Estel's room and peered inside checking to see that he was alright.

Elladan was the one who noticed something wrong. "Father?"

"What is it my son?" Elrond had not looked in the room and did not know what Elladan had seen.

"Estel's gone." Elladan replied.

At this the elven lord opened the door. The room was a mess. The bed sheets were all crumpled. Laying on the floor was a piece of cord. Elrond picked it up. "Rope." he muttered. "Elrohir! Go and see if Deollyn is in his room!"

Elrohir hurried to see but when he returned he said: "He is gone. Both of his brother's have gone to."

Elrond sat down on the edge of Estel's bed, fear gripping his heart. "Deollyn has taken him."

"Why?" Elladan asked. "What kind of man would take a child captive?"

"An insane one." Elrohir said.

"Where can they take him?" Elladan asked.

"The mountains." Elrond replied. "Deollyn's house is too obvious. There are caves in the mountains that one could hide in. My guess is that is where they are going."

"Then we have to follow them!" Elladan said.

"We cannot. We must wait the return of Glorfindel first. He will arrive tomorrow morning." Elrond said. "I promise you my sons, we will go after them at first light."



TBC



Chapter 7 is in the works now!