Well I'm back with the sequel to Just An Innocent Child. The first chapter is very short but the others will be longer. This first chapter is important to get the two main characters in place: Estel and Elrond.

I would like to warn you that Gilraen - Estel's mother - will make an appearance in the story. I am well aware that in the Appendices it says that she lived in Rivendell with her son but I've changed that by saying that she remarried and has had another child. I just believe that you shouldn't mourn over your loved ones as they would expect you to go and live life to the full, and I've put Gilraen in this situation. However she doesn't appear in this chapter.

Enough of my babble; on with the story!





~Recovery~

By Strider's Girl



Summary: After Estel's ordeal at the hand's of Deollyn, the elves are attempting to find the elf responsible for this whole escapade, but when there is no tracks to follow how will they find the one responsible? And what of Estel? Neglecting his family; he finds no solitude in Rivendell, except memories of bad times. Even in these turbulent times - with dark tidings from Mirkwood and the situation with the dragon - can Estel find the peace and quiet he needs to save his spirit from falling into darkness and misery for the rest of his life?



Chapter One: With Healing Brings a New Person



The fissures of sleep kept him in a world of pain and memories. Tossing and turning the ten-year old boy pulled the covers from him and swung his legs over the side of the bed staring into the blackness. His breathing came hard and he was panting as memories washed through his soul.

Once again he had been dreaming about him. Since his captivity by Deollyn three weeks ago, Estel had been having constant nightmares about it. All he could remember was the pain and the fact that not all men were good and kind. His heart clenched in anger.

He hated men; he hated himself.

In truth his wounds that Deollyn had given him had healed, but his heart had hardly begun to heal. His heart was turned towards what the man had done to him and what it had taken from him.

He had learnt that men were cruel and their hearts were not pure like the elves were. Men did not have the sense of goodness that elves had been born with. Yes, Men were weak to his eyes and he wished that he had never born to that abominable race.

Little Estel jumped from the side of his bed and slowly opened his door and peered out into the hallway. The lights were slowly dying down but it did not stop Estel from creeping down the barely lit hallway and running quickly down the stairs and out into the night.

At last the boy came to the garden - one of his favourite places in Rivendell - and it was a place that brought him refuge in his mind.

Scents of the surrounding wildlife soothed his mind and he curled up on the bench and fell asleep.

When he woke he was surprised to find an elf sitting down next to him.

"Estel? Why do you keep doing this?" the elf asked.

The boy did not answer. Since being returned to Rivendell Estel had not spoken to any elf apart from Elrond. It appeared he was the only one that could help the boy speak without fear.

The elf could not get through to the boy; instead he decided to pick him up and take him inside. The elf took the boy to Elrond who was in his study poring over ancient texts and attempting to put them in order.

"Father, its Estel. He's not responding again."

Elrond looked up and his face grew sad. "Give him to me Elrohir." the elven lord said.

Quickly Elrohir handed the boy to his father and left the study.

"Oh, what has happened to you Estel?" Elrond asked.

"He's taken everything from me. Everything. Men are evil. I wish I was not human." the boy murmured.

Elrond blinked several times. Estel had never answered that question before when he'd asked at first. "You have no control over what race you are Estel. If I could I would grant you immortality. But I cannot."

Estel tried to squirm away but Elrond stopped him.

"What else troubles you?"

Estel breathed in before answering slowly and carefully. "I wish to know who my parents are. Why did they not want me?"

Elrond closed his eyes. He was afraid of this happening. Estel's mother Gilraen visited Rivendell frequently but the boy did not know that she was his mother. His father had been killed and he was buried here in Rivendell but the boy did not know that. Perhaps it would be better for Gilraen to come and live here; perhaps she could aid her son in his recovery. Elrond knew that Gilraen had recently remarried and that she had had a son, though he did not know the exact details.

"They did want you Estel, but there were circumstances that prevented you from living with them. Your mother comes here frequently to see you but you did not know that. Would you like your mother to come and live here?"

"Yes, I would like that." the boy answered.

"Then I will see what I can do."

Silently the elven lord thought: Perhaps with Gilraen here she can help bring Estel's healing to bear and turn him into a new person who does not hate men.



TBC



I do not own any of these characters! Don't tell sue me! Tell me your thoughts instead!