~Arrival in Mirkwood~

"Where is this place?" Inquired Estel nearly five days later as they rode into the edges of Mirkwood.

"This is Mirkwood my brother. Come, this is serious business young one," Elladan said softly, reminding his brother that they were not here to play.

"I'll be good El, I promise," Elladan chuckled softly, part of him wondering if the boy could truly do as promise.

"I shall hold you to that promise young one," a few moments later two guards stood strongly at the gate.

"I am Elladan Peredhil, son of Lord Elrond of Rivendell, I am here on business with King Thranduil."

"Excellent, the King is awaiting you in his study, would you like to be escorted?"

"No thank you, I know the way," the elf nodded. Eyeing the child in the grown elf's arms.

"Would you take my horses please, and have our stuff taken to our rooms, my brother and I are quite tired and wish to get some rest before breakfast," stated Elladan, realizing just how late it was.

"As you wish young prince," Sighing, Elladan got down off the horse, and lifted his little brother into his arms. Moments later he was standing in the study, holding his now sleeping younger brother.

"Ah, it is good to see you again mellon nin, how is your father?" The king of Mirkwood said grasping Elladan's free shoulder. He looked upon the young figure in the elf's arms and smiled.

"Is this the child your father has told me about?"

"Yes, this is the human child we kept named Estel."

"Well it will be a pleasure to meet him," chuckled the king.

"Yes, he's usually more active, however he is very tired, and it is very late."

"Ah, yes it is, even for young elves like yourself. I'm sorry to say that Legolas will not be around while you are here, but he wishes you his best of course."

"Well, in that cause you will have wish him the same for me and my family," King Thranduil nodded.

"Come, allow me to show you to your rooms," Elladan smiled and nodded.

"Um, actually, I think he'd probably fare better if he stayed in my room, he usually sleeps with one of the three of us anyway," explained Elladan.

"I know the feeling, don't tell my son, but when he was really little, he used to sleep with my wife and I when he had nightmares. Shortly after my wife left for the far lands he was always with me during the night."

"I wouldn't dream of telling him; you two get some sleep, I shall speak with you tomorrow morning about your father's business."

"Thank you milord."

~*~

Elladan woke early the next morning to see his little brother fast asleep tangled in sheets, smiling softly he got prepared for the day.

"I will be good El, you'll see," came the voice from the bed. Elladan looked down at his sleep brought and sighed.

"I know buddy, and I'm going to hold you to that promise. Listen to me Estel, this is very important. Ada sent me to get this job done because he's busy. I'm not trying to neglect you or anything but..."

"I know, I wasn't even s'oppsed to be here. I promise El, I will be good," Elladan sighed and nodded.

"Just do your best," whispered Elladan.

"I'll be a prince," Estel stated. Elladan shook his head.

"Well, come Prince, let us dress you properly and then go."

"Elladan, how come the guard stared at me last night?" Estel asked as his brother finished helping him get dressed and pulled back his shoulder length hair.

"Well Estel, do you remember when Ada said that many elves don't see humans with other elves often?"

"Yes," Estel said as he grabbed a book from his bag.

"You gonna read that?"

"Yes," came the nod and firm statement again.

"Okay. Well, Mirkwood is one of those places where they rarely see humans with elves. It's not really normal."

"It is at Rivendell," explained Elladan just as the door opened.

"Master Peredhil, breakfast is ready," the elf stated and then left again. Elladan looked down at his brother.

"It's really isn't accepted in Rivendell either buddy, we're so used to having you around that most people consider you elf now."

"Why don't elves like humans?" Elladan looked at Estel and shook his head, crouching down in front of the younger man he smiled weakly.

"It's not that we don't like humans, it's that..." Elladan wasn't sure that he could find the correct words to say.

"It's that humans and elves didn't always like each other, and that there are still those elves from that time that remain the same fame of mind," Elladan looked at his brother and smiled.

"Exactly baby brother, exactly, and it's frame, not fame buddy," with a quick kiss on the forehead Elladan led his brother to the Dinning Room.

~*~

To Elladan's amazement his brother was quiet all through breakfast, simply eating and watching what his brother and King Thranduil had to say. He finished all his breakfast and waited until his brother instructed him.

"I imagine your brother is bored stiff, and I'm sorry to say the council will be no better," Elladan looked over at the small boy and smiled. Receiving a smile in return, Elladan returned to the King.

"He will be on his best behavior," explained Elladan.

"Excellent, I would expect no less from a child of Elrond. Shall we go, the council will be gathering momentarily," Elladan nodded and got up from the table.

"May I be excused?" came the small voice. Elladan smiled.

"Of course, come young one," Estel followed his brother, continuing to be quiet and well behaved. Within moments there were Elves, two dwarves, and an old man sitting around in a large circle. Estel was seated closely to his big brother's chair.

"Let's allow this meeting to begin," called the King.

"I do not wish the child to be here," stated one of the elves.

"Please, forgive me, this is my brother Estel. He is here because of some former problems. He will cause us no problems, I promise," stated Elladan as he sat back down. Estel sighed as he scooted closer to his brother. He suddenly noticed the older man looking at him, with a soft smile on his face.

"Let us get down to business," Elladan nodded and sighed, glad anything bad had been averted.

A/N: First off I apologize for all the confusion the final Chapter of Ada's Love caused. It was supposed to be in italics, at one point, then it didn't work, and then I had explained it at one point, but didn't feel right about having to explain it, because I felt like I might be confusing or insulting all my readers, as well as my self. Um, I hope everyone has gotten it for the most part, um, pretty much it's Estel going back to when he was really little, then suddenly having visions of when he gets older. Sorry if it was badly written. I'm also very pleased so many liked it being a dream, last time I wrote a story that ended up being a dream I got flamed for weeks about it, because it made the story that much worse. I dunno anyway. Glad you're all enjoying this story so far! Um, I ask that you don't get used to the every day thing I was doing a couple days back, it was a special treat because my week was going so well and I am way ahead with the writing. I am currently writing the sixth part to this series, and while I have just begun it, the other three went quite quickly and very well! So any who, please keep reading and reviewing, the short stories will eventually begin to draw out as the series goes, starting with Insecurities which I am currently writing! I'm done droning. Next chapter will be up on Monday most likely.