A/N) Hello again! First let me get this straight for Elemmire who asked me about Estel's parents:

It says in Appendix A in the 'Tale of Aragorn and Arwen' that after Arathorn's death Gilraen took her infant son, Aragorn, to Rivendell. So she still lives. Later on in that tale Aragorn confines in Gilraen about his love for Arwen after he meets her at twenty years of age. So sometime in his childhood in Rivendell Gilraen must have come into it. Gilraen dies when Aragorn is in his late fifties early sixties in the town she lives in Eriador. So Gilraen is not killed with Arathorn she lives but we don't know what happens to her, so I have given her a new life with a new husband and another child. I am trying to keep the timeline as accurate as possible when it says about her staying with Estel in Rivendell, which is why she has been put into this story to make sure that it happens. I hope that clears everything up for the readers who didn't know much about Gilraen's existence during her son's childhood.

Secondly this chapter would've been uploaded on Sunday but unfortunately I was unable to. I have a good excuse: - I saw Return of the King! Yay! I came home and couldn't stop thinking about it, so naturally I didn't even think of putting this up on Sunday. Now that ROTK is out of the way I should find less time thinking about it and more time writing. Enough of my blabber.



Well onto the story!

Reunion

By Strider's Girl

Chapter 2: No Longer Who We Remember Him To Be


Messages had been sent out to the town where Gilraen had last been known to be living. A messenger had come from Gilraen bringing a letter from her.


Master Elrond of Rivendell


I am terribly concerned about the recent news of Estel: I cannot even begin to comprehend what he may be going through. You stated in your letter that you wanted to know if it is possible for me to come to Rivendell and aid in Estel's healing.

I would be pleased to see my son again, but you may have heard I have recently re-married and had another child - a boy, Lathear - he is only eight months old; I do not wish to leave him at such a tender age. However I am agreeing to come to Estel and I will bring Lathear with me; my husband will remain behind.

I would like an escort to bring me to Rivendell for I fear of evil roaming the lands after what happened to Estel. I do have some concerns to ask you before I meet Estel again.

Hoping all is well with you.

Sincerely

Gilraen, Maid of Eriador


Elrond sent Elladan and Glorfindel to escort the woman to Rivendell, and the two elves had yet to return. Estel on the other hand had remained hidden away in his room each day, only emerging when he was forced to bathe.

It was more then two weeks after Gilraen's letter that she came to Rivendell, a baby boy held tightly in her arms as she walked through the gleaming gardens taking in everything.

Elrond met her on the precipice of the porch into the main hall. He bowed low and kissed her hand. He welcomed little Lathear into his home and he led the woman and child into the house and bid them sit down in one of the comfy chairs.

All servants were bidden to leave and Elrond began his tale of what had happened to Estel. Gilraen listened taking in everything he said and shaking her head at the end, unable to believe that someone had done something like that to a child.

"Where is he?" she asked.

"In his room. He hardly speaks to anyone. We do not know what we can do about it." Elrond said. "I was hoping that perhaps you could bring him out of his shell. I do not wish to tell him of his true ancestry yet. It would frighten him more. I suppose you can tell him of Arathorn but not of who he is and what he is."

"Then I will do that." Gilraen said, "Please look after Lathear. I do not want him to feel unloved by the presence of my child."



*****



Gilraen was led to Estel's room and she was left alone.

He hand lay on the door, not wanting to open it, fearing what she may see. Her fears passed and she edged the door open and peered inside.

It was dark, curtains were drawn across the wide balcony, and clothes littered the floor. Her eyes sought out her son and then she him laying unmoving staring into the darkness. She stepped into the room and moved closer not daring to breathe.

"Estel?" she whispered. She sat on the edge of the bed and rested a hand on her son's chest. The soft touch jerked him back to awareness. His eyes widened as he took in the form of the woman in front of him. He edged back nearly falling off the bed, but Gilraen leaned forward and grasped him pulling him back.

"You do not need to be afraid of me." she said. "I.... am.... your mother."

They sat in the darkness studying one another; then Estel broke the silence. "You can't be. I didn't think you wanted me."

Gilraen sighed. She'd been afraid of this."I do want you Estel." she pulled him into a hug and grasped him tight. She had not cuddled her child in eight years. "Estel, things happened that meant you had to come here for protection. I didn't want you to see evil in the world; I wanted you to have a calm and peaceful life. I thought I'd given it to you, but it seems that evil can reach you anywhere. I will stay with you for as long as you want me to."

"Forever?" the boy asked hopefully.

"Yes, forever." Gilraen murmured, knowing that Lathear would have to be taken back to her husband in Eriador. She would stay with her son. As long as it was necessary.



*****

With Gilraen in Rivendell and Lathear taken home by Sîrfalas, Estel began to emerge from his room more often and began to talk more. However Elrond could see that his foster son was not fully recovered though he was getting there. Though the elf lord could see that Estel held a deep hatred for men nevertheless. Whenever the Rangers or any men were mentioned he would spit and make rude comments in elvish; it was apparent that Estel had not forgiven men for what had happened to him, and it seemed he never would.

Weeks went by and Estel made an unusual request to the elven lord.

"Father," he said, "I wish to learn how to defend myself. Not with bows but with swords."

Gilraen was present to this and gave a little shocked reaction but did not say anything. Instead she listened to Elrond's kind words.

"Estel - my son - I see in your heart that you wish this. I can understand your reasons but I see no need for it. But I see that your heart wants this; therefore under the training of Elladan and Elrohir I will allow you to learn the art of sword-fighting. I am reluctant but I believe you are capable. I will arrange for you to take up lessons."

The boy then left the room leaving Elrond and Gilraen alone.

"I'm not sure about Estel learning how to use a sword. I would not let him." she voiced.

"He wishes it and I'm sure I cannot stop him. Asking to do something like that shows he is recovering, though I know that he still dislikes men. I do not think we can heal that from him until he is old enough."

Gilraen sighed. "I wish none of this had happened."

"So do I but I cannot change what has transpired. We must wait."

"He is not who I remember him to be." the woman replied. "When I last saw him he was full of light and laughter, now he is just a shadow of his former self."

"He is healing, quicker then I thought him to do. Hopefully he will be back to normal in time and maybe you can go home."

Gilraen shook her head. "No, I can't. I promised Estel that I'd stay with him forever. He asked me to."

"You won't always."

"I know, but it's the least I can do for now while he is like this. Maybe he will let me go one of these days."

TBC

The next chapter of 'Recovery' hopefully will be up on 24th of December or Boxing Day. The next chapter should be the last one, also there will be a short preview of "The Forge of Friendship" which is the continuation of Estel's hatred for men into his early twenties and will therefor be known as Aragorn in the next story not Estel. Hopefully that won't confuse you too much! See you all real soon!