CHAPTER 2

Silent footfalls approached the huddled figure of the young human and a slender hand gently brushed a heaving shoulder.

Bleary, red-rimmed silver eyes snapped open, meeting those the colour of a summer sky and although he was still miserable to the bottom of his very soul Estel's lips quirked into a half-hearted smile when he saw who the intruder was.

"You father is very worried, Estel. You have been gone for quite some time." Golden hair spilled across the Elf's shoulders and contrasted starkly with the deep blue of his velvet cape as Glorfindel, friend and confidant of Lord Elrond, knelt before the boy who was as a nephew to him. "It is late. Will you come back with me?"

Estel shook his head. He could not go back. Nor did he want to.

"Estel…" Glorfindel removed his cloak and draped it around the shivering form of the human, whose dark-green tunic was soaked where it touched the ground. "Elrond has told me what happened. It was never easy for him to keep that secret, yet he did it for your sake."

"You knew?" The boys voice was strained, rough from crying and shaking slightly with fatigue.

"Aye. I knew." Glorfindel smiled at the memories. "I was the first to meet your brothers when they returned to Imladris with you after your parents had been killed." Millennia-old blue eyes glittered with mirth. "Unfortunately I was also the first in your father's fair realm to witness your fascination with Elven hair."

Not quite understanding what the Elf Lord was referring to he cast a questioning glance at the Eldar.

Glorfindel chuckled, pulling the youngster to his feet. "The first few weeks after your arrival you took to tangling your hands into everybody's hair. I swear I saw Elladan and Elrohir walking around with bald patches." He gazed at the young human, glad that a slight smile lighted the gaunt, pale face. "You were very much a little lord already, young Prince."

Estel moaned and shook his head as he followed the gently glowing form of Glorfindel down the steep path that lead back to the base of the gorge and into Imladris. Dusk had already fallen and the footing was quite precarious on the slick forest path.

"I do not wish for that title nor do I wish for any that my heritage might bring with it. Estel is my name and by that I shall ever be known to those I love." Speaking with authority was not easy when one's teeth were chattering, yet Estel found he managed quite well.

"Of course." Glorfindel's consenting tone hid the smile that crossed the Eldar's face. "You might not wish to be called by any of your titles, but it would be unwise to deny them from yourself." The Elf stopped briefly and waited for the boy to catch up. "Accepting your heritage will not be easy and it is something only you can decide to do. Make your choice wisely, take your time."

Estel nodded. The Eldar was one of his most trusted friends and he knew that the other spoke the truth.
They walked in silence as dusk waned into night and snow started to fall in thick, steady flakes, making the lights of Imladris look ever more inviting.



When Estel entered his room he was surprised to find Lord Elrond sitting in the chair by his bed.

The Elf's face lit up as he saw his son returning safely and he nodded gratefully to Glorfindel who had followed the lad, expecting to find his old friend in the boy's room.

"Ada…" Estel spoke hesitantly, still clasping Glorfindel's cloak tightly around him for warmth.

"My son!" The second time that day Estel was pulled into a tight embrace.

Leaning his head wearily against his father's shoulder and inhaling the familiar scent of soap and herbs that always surrounded the Elf the young human sighed contentedly.
"Forgive me ada, it was wrong to run away like that." Shivers wracked Estel's lean body as he stepped back from his father.

"There is nothing to forgive, ion-nîn." Elrond gently brushed a few wayward strands of black hair back from the young face looking at him. "But come now and stand by the fire." He handed Glorfindel's coat back to it's owner who accepted it with a smile and a slight bow and left the room.

To weary to object Estel dropped into the soft cushions of the chair Elrond had placed before the hearth and pried his boots off his freezing feet.
"I have made a decision, ada." Estel grunted as the second boot did not come off immediately.

Elrond watched his son, one eyebrow raised slightly at the boy's words. "Yes?"

Finally rid of the boot Estel leaned back in the chair and looked at the Elven Lord.
"My heritage is something I cannot simply embrace, though I do accept it. All I ask of you is patience and time. What you told me today scares me and I do not know if I am ready to reveal myself to the world yet."

Smiling, the Elf Lord laid a hand on the young man's shoulder. "I do not ask you to reveal yourself Estel, for it is not yet time for the Heir of Isildur to make himself known. Nor do I wish for you to take on duties that have been neglected for many centuries. You shall remain simply Estel for some time yet, for you still have much to learn."

"Good." Estel nodded as a mischievous glint lit up his eyes. "At least I know now why you made me learn Adûnaic, for who but the descendants of Númenór would have need for the speech of Westernesse?"

Elrond chuckled at his son's words. It was good to see the boy he had raised was not lost after all that had come to pass that day.
"Celboril will be waiting with dinner, if you are not too tired perhaps you will join us? It is after all your birthday."

"Aye." Estel got to his feet. "I will be down presently, but first I would like to change into something dry."

"Of course." Elrond left the room and nearly collided with two identical young Elves that looked at him with equal expressions of surprise and concern.

"Elladan, Elrohir!" Elrond admonished, giving them what they had termed "the look". "Have you nothing better to do that hover before your brother's room?"

Elrohir at least had the decency to look ashamed as he spoke. "Forgive us, ada, but we were worried about Estel. It is his birthday and yet nobody has seen him all day."

"Estel had much to think about. He learned about his heritage today." The Lord of Imladris explained what had happened while he steered his sons down the large flight of stairs into the dining hall.



Estel entered the dining-hall and was surprised to see not only his family and the Elves that lived in Elrond's household assembled around the table but also a group of rather scruffy looking humans who were deep in conversation with the Elves.

Lingering in the doorway Estel watched the scene for a few minutes, noting the way Elladan and Elrohir in particular seemed to enjoy the humans' company.

"Ah, Estel, you've finally come to join us." Elrond smiled as the young man stepped closer, still a little wary of the strange company.

Noting his son's hesitation the Elf Lord indicated the man nearest to him, who had gotten to his feet and smiled at Estel. "This is Halbarad, a Dúnedain Ranger of the North and kinsman of your father Arathorn."

"Greetings Lord Aragorn," Halbarad spoke, bowing slightly before the younger man. "It is with great joy that we received Lord Elrond's message that the Son of Arathorn lives." His deep voice was soft and held genuine joy in it.

"My greetings, Halbarad and my thanks for your kind words," Estel replied somewhat awkwardly and took his seat at his father's side. "But tell me," He turned to face the older man, "what brings the Dúnedain to Imladris on this day?"

Halbarad smiled broadly but it was Elrond who answered.
"*You* are the reason their for being here, Estel, for you are rightfully the Chieftain of the Dúnedain." The Elf Lord hurried to continue when he saw his son's face darken. "Halbarad has been holding that position since your father's death and I am sure he will do so for a while longer until you are ready."

The Ranger nodded his affirmative, Elrond had already talked to him about Estel's hesitancy to accept who he was, but even without the Elven Lord's words Halbarad would not have expected the young man to join them immediately.

Estel contemplated his father's words for a few minutes, far to aware of the fact that all of the assembled were waiting in silence for his answer.
Finally he smiled. "I am very honoured that you made such a long journey on my account and I would very much wish for you to remain the Chieftain, for you know the Dúnedain and the duties of a Ranger and I do not."

Halbarad nodded an raised his goblet, a motion followed by the others present. "To Aragorn!"

The younger man blushed slightly but smiled at the well-meant toast.

Cheers rose throughout the hall, the silence was broken. It was time for the merry-making to begin.



The sky in the east was already paling when Estel finally stumbled into his room and dropped onto his bed, not bothering to undress or pull back the coverlet.
He was already drifting into the darkness of sleep when he felt the presence of another in his room. Turning his head slightly and prying his eyes open he saw the faces of Elladan and Elrohir smiling at him.

Elladan spread a comforter over his human brother. "The nights are chilly yet."

Mumbling his thanks Estel expected them to leave, a frown furrowing his brow when they failed to do so.
"What?" He demanded, too tired to form whole sentences.

"Do you truly believe that you will have to bear all your burdens alone?" Elrohir stretched out next to Estel, ignoring the human's protests.

Silver eyes turned to meet the Elven twin's gaze. "You have burdens of your own. I cannot ask anybody to share what my heritage demands of me."

Sighing meaningfully Elladan stretched out on Estel's other side. "You are and always will be a Son of Elrond."

Estel's heart warmed at the words that were spoken so naturally yet he was not entirely certain what his brother meant.

Seeing the human's quizzical look Elladan pushed up on his elbow and smiled, his gaze briefly flickering to his twin.
"No matter what comes, muindor-nîn, a Son of Elrond is never alone."

Overwhelmed by the sincerity he could see in the two pairs of dark blue eyes Estel nodded thankfully, relief flooding through him and lifting all worries from his heart. "Hannon le."

Elladan lay down and stared at the intricately carved ceiling. "Someday, if you wish, I shall tell you about Arathorn…" he mused, but Estel was already asleep before he had finished his sentence.

Elrohir too lay facing his brothers, his eyes half lidded and glazed in sleep.

Spreading the comforter over all three bodies Elladan finally fell asleep himself – just as the first rays of sun crept over the peaks of the Misty Mountains and bathed the wintry world in cool new light.



Elvish translations:

Adar/ada = father/dad(dy)

Ion-nîn = my son

Muindor-nîn = my brother

Hannon-le = thank you