A/N I have been so happy with the reviews I'm getting!! I really do want to apologize for taking so long to re-write the chapters to my other fics. :-( I am still working on them though so don't worry, they will be updated soon! Oh for those of you who get my new chapters on Author Alert, I updated Friendship is a Light of Hope. I doubt you got an alert because I was replacing a chapter.

Response to Reviewers:

Leggylover03: Thanks for the compliment! I know I just love writing fluffy fics. *grins*

Beling: Aw thanks! I am so happy you are enjoying this fic and that you like how I've written a young child. Oh yes, the twins do love their new little brother. Heehee

Cookie: Thank you, I am happy you like this! Oh yes…Well I made a mistake on the age and went back yesterday to change it. I feel pretty stupid. *embarrassed laugh* I am so thrilled at the compliment! Don't worry, I will be posting fast!

Zammy: Oh yes, little fluffy fics are precious! I love writing fluff, glad you enjoy it!

Catmint: Heehee I am sorry I made the mistakes. I checked it over! I even had my friend check it over! *sighs* Oh well. I am happy you are enjoying this fic; I'll ask my mom to read this over real quick when I finish. (I feel bad making you beta all my LotR fics!) I hope you like this chapter!

Someone Reading: You have no idea how much I look forward to your reviews! Oh I know; the twins have no idea what they're doing. That's why Elrohir stuck Elladan with Estel! Oh I am so happy you like the mundane scenes. I remember hearing about raising children and I am trying my hardest to write what I've heard. Of course since I'm only fifteen and I don't have a child of my own, I don't know what it's like. I am trying to make it seem real because I don't want a bunch of people telling me how I don't write this correctly. (I hope if I do mess up people will tell me!) Wow I sound pompous…I'm so happy you liked the last chapter I hope you like this one too!!!

Haldir's Heart and Soul: YAY I made you cry!!! *hands you a tissue* I love making people cry!! I hope you like this chapter!!!!

Lil-whitelighter111488: Yay I am so happy you like it! No, Estel won't meet Arwen in this fic. Sorry if I disappointed you!

Feanen: Interesting; good? I hope so because I really want people to enjoy this fic!

Jacquelinestel: Thanks! I really don't know how to portray a baby or a toddler so I am hoping I am doing a good job. My little cousin (whom I haven't seen in a year) acted this way when she was three. I hope I do it right! I am so happy you like this story! It makes me feel soooo good!

Shadowfaxgal27: Oh I love your reviews! You always have something really nice to say and it makes me feel so good! Oh I know I just want to reach into my story and grab the two-year-old and hug him so tight! *sighs* Oh well I can't do that. : ( I know poor little kid lost his parents at such a young age! Oh I hope he learns to love Elladan and Elrohir soon too, they like him! Aw that is so adorable about your friend's little brother! That is too funny! Him seeing Aragorn and yelling "Ariel!" I think that is cute! Thank you for the wonderful compliments! Here is a quick update!

ArtemisiaQuill: Aw thanks! I am really trying hard to depict the characters correctly! Heehee glad you didn't see any mistakes!!!

Vi Janaway: Thanks, I'm glad you think so!

Chibi noin: Heehee the few times I have babysat a little kid they get filthy when they eat so I decided I ought to write that in there. ^-^ Aw your little bro sounds cute! Heehee small and innocent! Little kids are adorable! Sorry about the ending *sighs* I tried! Hope you like this chapter more!

Sio: Aw thanks! I am happy you like the interaction between the El's, Estel, and Elrond! *huggles* Heehee it makes me so happy!!!! I can't seem to find enough 'Estel in Rivendell for the first time' fics so I decided I should write my own! *sighs* I wish I could find more but most people center on the friendship fics between Aragorn and Legolas. (WHICH I LOVE AND WRIT TOO!!!!!) I am so happy you think I have done well with the characters, I am really trying! I hope you like this chapter!!!

Coolio02: Oh I know he is just so adorable!!!! I know poor baby *sniffles* he misses his parents and don't know where they are. Poor guy! Here is the post, hope it is soon enough!

Chapter 3: Drying Tears

Elrohir walked down the hall looking for Glorfindel. He knew why his father wanted him to find the blond elf; so that he wouldn't be surprised when he saw a child in the house again. Elrohir chuckled as he remembered his own childhood. Since Glorfindel was one of his father's good friends he had played a big role in his life. Elrohir shook his head as he remembered his father and Glorfindel giving Elladan and him their first lesson in sword fighting.

"Glorfindel do not give my sons a sharp sword!" Elrond ordered.

"Ada I do not want that one!" the elfling cried pointing at the dull blade he had been given.

"Elrohir you will not use a sharp sword that is as big as you are to learn with! You will not only kill yourself but you will hurt your brother and the rest of us. Do you wish to hurt us?" Elrond asked his son.

Elrohir nodded.

"What?" Elrond cried dismayed.

Elrohir nodded and then shook his head quickly. "Heehee sorry Ada."

Elrond was confused so he turned around and saw Glorfindel smiling. "What did you do?"

"Nothing," Glorfindel replied mocking hurt.

"Yes he did Ada, he told me to hurt people!" Elrohir said trying to be helpful.

Elrond rubbed his temples and called an end to the weapons lesson.

Elrohir chuckled and kept walking down the hall. Glorfindel rarely baited his father like that anymore, but it was amusing when they did argue. He sighed and knocked on the door to Glorfindel's rooms.

The door opened only a few seconds later to reveal a blond elf wearing a smile. He was well groomed and looked happy. "Have you come to walk me to breakfast Elrohir?" Glorfindel asked amused.

Elrohir smiled at his old teacher and shook his head. "I will walk with you but that was not the intent I had when I knocked on your door."

"Oh, a pray tell why you are here." Glorfindel prompted.

"How do you feel about children in our house?" Elrohir asked.

Glorfindel looked at Elrohir. "Well I really have no say in the matter seeing how your father is Lord of Imladris; but if you are asking if I approve of the human child, I do."

Elrohir's face broke into a smile. "He is a sweet child."

"All children are sweet; you and your twin happened to be menaces as well, however." Glorfindel teased the younger elf.

Elrohir laughed. "Would you like to go to breakfast? I think I heard the bell chime not too long ago."

"Aye, that was indeed the bell; for I heard it as well." Glorfindel replied.

Elrohir nodded. "Shall we head down?"

Glorfindel smiled. "Let us go."

When Glorfindel and Elrohir arrived at the breakfast table they found Elladan holding a small child who was crying. Elladan was drying his tears and the small boy was just sniffling now.

Glorfindel went over to Elladan. "Is he alright?"

Elladan shook his head. "No, he misses his parents and I do not know how to say they are dead."

Glorfindel looked mournful. "I do not know how to tell a child something of that nature."

Elladan sighed. "Hopefully my adar will know what to say."

Glorfindel smiled slightly. "Speak with him after you give the little one his bath." He recommended, looking at the eggs that were coating the little boy's face.

"Father named him Estel." Elladan informed him.

Glorfindel smiled. "Hope is a good name for you little Estel." He said to the child.

Estel grabbed some of the material of Elladan's tunic in his hand and dug his face into Elladan's chest.

"He is a little shy," Glorfindel commented.

Elladan smiled and looked down at the child who had succeeded in ridding his face of egg but had smeared it all over Elladan's chest. Elladan sighed. "I think I may need to clean myself up as well."

Glorfindel chuckled at the younger elf and went to sit up near Elrond. "Good morning mellon-nin."

Elrond smiled at his long time friend. "Do you like the child?"

Glorfindel smiled back. "Yes, he looks like a good boy."

 Elrond nodded. "I hope he will not mind being raised here."

"Do not fret Elrond," Glorfindel said. "He will enjoy being here just as much as we all do."

Elrond gave his friend a thankful smile. "He will have to learn Elvish."

Glorfindel chuckled. "Aye that he will."

Elladan looked up from where he was sitting and called to his father. "Ada, did you find clothes for Estel?"

Elrond nodded. "Yes Elladan, and do not yell."

"I am not yelling, Adar." Elladan called.

Elrond shook his head. "The clothes are in his room on the bed."

Elladan nodded. "Thank you Adar; may I be excused?"

Elrond nodded. "Take Elrohir with you."

Elrohir looked up startled. "I thought you wanted Elladan to bathe Estel."

"You are free are you not ion-nin?" Elrond asked.

Elrohir nodded slowly.

"Good, then you may help your brother bathe and dress Estel." Elrond told them pleasantly.

"Ada I do not understand why one of the maids cannot do this." Elrohir said.

"'Ro stop complaining," Elladan hissed.

"I am not complaining!" Elrohir hissed back angrily.

"Boys stop fighting." Elrond ordered.

They both lowered their heads sheepishly. "Sorry Adar," they mumbled embarrassed. 

Elladan stood up from the table holding Estel in his arms. "Good day Adar; Glorfindel."

Elrohir said the same thing and the two left with Estel.

Glorfindel turned to his friend. "They will both be considerably less dry than they are now when they finish bathing the toddler."

Elrond chuckled and finished his breakfast.

Elladan and Elrohir headed to Estel's room and took him into the bathing chamber.

"Elrohir would you get the clothes Ada laid out for him?" Elladan asked.

Elrohir nodded and went to get the clothes.

"Well little one, are you ready for a bath?" Elladan asked. He was relieved that a servant had already filled the tub and had left plenty of warm water to rinse Estel off with when they finished.

As soon as Elladan put Estel on the ground tears sprang into Estel's eyes. "No, hold you!"

"No Estel, you must take a bath." Elladan chided.

Estel shook his head. "No," he said crossly.

Elrohir walked back in the room carrying the new clothes and a towel with him. "Here it is."

Elladan nodded at his twin and started to remove the shirt Estel had worn to bed. "Would you put bubbles in the tub? I remember Ada saying something once about how children like bubbles."

Elrohir nodded and poured some soapy mixture into the tub and stirred it up. Elrohir looked at Elladan and smirked. "You are almost as dirty as Estel."

Elladan rolled his eyes. "He smeared eggs and other things on me during breakfast."

Elrohir laughed. "How did he manage to get egg in his hair?" he asked, plucking egg out of the child's curly hair.

Elladan shrugged. "He is a child."

Estel looked at the two bicker in Elvish and then laughed and pointed. The twins were completely confused and paid him no mind.

Elladan had managed to remove the soiled clothing and had piled it on the floor. It was covered in milk, spittle, egg, and some bread crumbs. Estel had the same things coating his body and hair but that would all come off in the bath. He lifted the naked child and put him in the warm water.

Estel screeched as soon as he was in the water and began to splash the twins with water. "Out!"

The twins sighed. They had never bathed a child before but it wasn't turning out to be much fun. Elladan had a firm hold on the boy while Elrohir rubbed him down thoroughly with soap.

They worked quickly but somehow the slippery boy managed to get away from them. He was trying to get out when he slipped on the floor of the tub and fell. He was submerged in the water for no more than a second but when he was pulled out by two extremely frightened elven twins, he screamed and cried as though he was being murdered.

Elrohir immediately took him out of the water and wrapped him in a towel. "Shh little Estel, we are sorry."

Elladan muttered similar words of comfort but in the grey tongue.

Estel's crying subsided and he soon began to relax in Elrohir's arms. He began to play with Elrohir's braids and was soon giggling.

Elrohir and Elladan both relaxed but they still felt as though they had nearly drowned the child.

"Estel I am sorry," Elrohir whispered to the child.

"What happened?" Both twins jumped at the sound of their father's voice.

The twins turned guilty faces to their father and wouldn't quite meet his eyes.

"We nearly drowned him Ada," Elladan whispered.

"He slipped and fell in the tub." Elrohir added.

Elrond looked at his sons and took the giggling human child from Elrohir's arms. "He looks fine now. You did a good job with him."

"We nearly killed him!" Elladan protested.

Elrond chuckled. "I think he is fine now. Boys, children get hurt a lot and they often fall down. The fact that he is fine now is a good thing."

The twins looked apprehensively at Estel who was now fidgeting and squirming in Elrond's arms.

"Down," Estel ordered.

Elrond smiled and put the child on the floor. "Try to get his clothes on him."

They nodded.

"What would you like us to do afterwards?" Elrohir asked.

Elrond looked at his sons. "You should probably change your clothes unless you wish to remain looking as though you fell in a wading pool. I must speak with Erestor and Glorfindel. I will see you when I finish."

 The twins nodded and began to dress Estel.