A/N I am not sure I like this chapter too much. I might remove it. Tell me
what you think!
Estel was sleeping soundly until he felt a soft shake on his shoulders. He brushed the hand away.
"Go away Elrohir, I'm tired." He muttered in elvish; thinking that his brothers had come in to wake him up. The shaking got a little rougher. "Fine! I'm up." He snapped.
"You ok lad?" asked a person "You sound like you're speaking gibberish."
Estel sat up and looked around. He wasn't in Rivendell or in his bed room. He was on the forest floor, sleeping in a bed roll, and surrounded by the people who had offered him shelter.
"Oh, yeah...sorry." He mumbled in common. "I was just dreaming I guess."
Umor grinned at him. "Well you best get up. Marta cooked breakfast and we are about ready to eat."
Nomarl handed Estel a tunic and breeches. "Here are your clothes. The rain stopped just after you went to sleep. They're still damp but at least they will fit you better than those."
Estel nodded and took his clothes back. "Thank you."
Estel followed Nomarl over to the campfire they had built to cook breakfast on. He sat down and looked at the faces of the people who had welcomed him.
"We're heading that way." Dornar said, pointing in the direction of Rivendell.
Estel frowned; he didn't want to go to see the elves who didn't want him. "You are going to see the elves?" he asked
Taniay shook her head. "No, we are just going to pass by. We have no business with the elves; but they don't mind us passing through their woods."
Estel nodded, he knew plenty of people passed through the forests each year. He prayed that his brothers wouldn't find him. He quickly finished his breakfast and helped the others to pack up.
Elladan and Elrohir had woken an hour before dawn to start searching for their little brother. They had walked through the woods for hours. They had passed a camp with a few people sleeping an hour before; but they hadn't gone to look. Many people passed through the woods every year seeing the three men, two women, the baby, and the little boy didn't faze them.
"We have been searching for hours." Elrohir said to his brother.
Elladan nodded "I know, and we are getting no where. The rain washed everything away; it is going to be close to impossible to find Estel."
Elrohir said nothing. He kept walking and looking around for tracks.
"Maybe we should have asked that group of people if they had seen Estel." Elladan said
Elrohir turned to look at his twin. "What would we have asked them? 'Oh sorry to wake you but have you seen a little boy named Estel?' No Elladan, I do not think that would have been a smart idea."
"Why not?" Elladan snapped "As long as we find Estel."
Elrohir sighed "Elladan, it was before dawn, I doubt it would have been smart to wake them."
"Well, let us go back and ask them now." Elladan said
Elrohir nodded "That makes sense. Hopefully they are still there, it is past noon already."
Estel had been walking with Umor, Nomarl, Dornar, Taniay, Marta, and baby Larka for the past six hours.
"Estel, where are you from? It would help us to find your parents." Taniay told him.
Estel looked at her. He had been dreading this question ever since it had been brought up the night before. "I'm not really from anywhere." He replied
"Where are your parents?" She pressed him
"The-they are dead." He whispered.
"Dead?" Umor asked "I thought you didn' know where they were."
Estel shrugged sadly but said nothing.
"Umor let the child be." Nomarl said to him. "He probably didn't want to accept it. I sure wouldn't 'ave."
Umor smiled at Estel. "I'm sorry." He said honestly "You can stay with me and Taniay if you like. We'll look after you."
Taniay looked at Umor who smiled, she blushed.
"Okay," Estel replied slowly. "I guess so."
Umor clapped him on the back, "I promise we won't hurt you." He said, thinking that was the reason Estel was so slow to respond.
Estel nodded "I know, you've been good to me so far. I am just afraid of what my parents would say."
Taniay looked at Estel sadly "I'm sure they would want you to be safe."
Estel nodded, he knew his brothers and Elrond would want him to be safe. He was just worried about his name; what would happen if Elladan and Elrohir came asking for a boy named Estel?
"I'm just worried what'll happen if someone comes asking about me." He said slowly, introducing his lie.
"What do you mean?" Dornar asked.
"Well I don't want to go back to where I came from." He said "I don't want to be known as Estel anymore. It wasn't my name anyway. It was just a word my parents would call me." He said.
Umor looked at Estel. "You afraid someone might come looking for you? Someone you don't want to find you?" Umor was thinking that Estel was worried about bandits or something. He figured bandits had killed Estel's family.
Estel nodded, "Yes, I don't know what'll happen if they find me." He was so scared that his brothers would find them that he didn't care if he was lying or not.
"We won't tell anyone who you are. If someone asks we will say you are Coror, my son." Umor said to him.
"But what if they recognise me?" Estel asked
"I could color your hair." Marta suggested "I could turn it blond like Umor's, and then I could crop it for you."
Estel beamed, this was going to work!
"I think he likes the idea." Nomarl said smiling as well.
"Come 'ere, we will get started right away." Marta said. She was so worried about the boys' safety that she didn't mind stopping to change his outward appearance.
"I'll get him some clothes." Taniay said fetching some of Umor's things and beginning to sew them.
Estel was thrilled; these people would keep him away from the elves who didn't want him. He wouldn't have to go back to being Elrond's charity case like Salnwen had said he was.
It was dusk when Elladan and Elrohir finally found the people they had seen sleeping earlier. They were camped around a fire and a little boy was fetching sticks.
"Excuse us!" Elrohir called
The group turned and smiled at the elves.
"How may we help you?" Asked a woman.
"We are looking for our little brother. Have you seen a little boy about your son's age with curly brown hair?" Elladan asked
The woman shook her head. "No, we saw a group of people with a little boy about Fodnor's age though." She told them indicating her son; a little boy with shoulder length blond hair and bright blue eyes.
Elladan and Elrohir's hearts sank.
"Thank you." Elrohir said his eyes full of sadness.
"I'm sorry we couldn't be of more help." A man said to them. "We will ask around for a little elven boy though."
Elrohir opened his mouth to correct them but Elladan was already walking away. Elrohir muttered his goodbyes and ran after his twin.
Elrohir caught up to his brother. "Why did you just leave?" he demanded
Elladan looked at his twin. "I am going to go and look for Estel, I don't want to socialize."
Elrohir rolled his eyes and followed Elladan.
Estel ran his hand through his inch long hair. It was so odd to have such short hair since he was used to having long curly hair.
Umor chuckled when he saw what Estel was doing. "Is it too different Coror?" he asked
Estel looked at Umor, he remembered that he was now named Coror and grinned. "It is strange." He replied "I have never had short hair."
Marta smiled at him. "You look cute as a blond."
Estel made a face at the word cute which caused the whole company to laugh.
"Are you hungry Coror?" Taniay asked
Estel nodded and went over to his new mother's side. He sat down next to her and she beamed.
"What do I call you?" he asked her
"Mum I guess." She said to him kindly
Estel nodded, he couldn't remember his mother it would be easy to call this pretty woman mother. He looked at Umor; it would be harder to call him father. He had loved Elrond so much but if he really wasn't wanted by the elves he would called Umor dad.
The moon was in the sky when Elladan and Elrohir reached the next camp.
"Greetings." Elrohir called to them.
A little boy with blond hair and silver eyes turned to look at the two elves that had entered the camp. He quickly turned away and went over to a man with blond hair who Elladan assumed was his father.
A woman who was holding a baby girl looked at the elves that had entered. "Can we help you?" she asked
Elladan nodded, "We are looking for our brother."
"We haven't seen any elven children." A man replied. "We will help you look though."
Elrohir sighed. "Our brother is not elven. He is human; have you seen him?"
"We haven't seen him." The man with blond hair said
"Oh, thank you." Elladan said feeling dejected.
"Excuse me." A woman called, holding the little blond boy's hand. "How did a human boy become your brother?"
"His parents were killed so our father adopted him." Elrohir said.
"He is our brother, even if he is human. We love him so much. Please tell Lord Elrond if you find him. Our father is so worried." Elladan said
"It's a lie." Marta whispered to Nomarl
"I know, no elf would adopt a human." Nomarl replied. "We will help them though, maybe we can lead them in the wrong direction and Umor, Taniay, and Coror can get away. I bet Coror is the boy these elves want."
Estel stiffened next to Taniay. He was so scared that Elladan and Elrohir would recognize him.
"Would you like us to help you find him?" Dornar asked
Elrohir's eyes brightened "That would be helpful. Please if you do not mind."
Umor looked at Taniay, "Coror and I will help them look for their littler brother."
Taniay looked at her husband. In his ear she whispered "What if these are the people that hurt Coror's family?"
"They are elves Taniay." Umor whispered back. "They are peaceful."
Nomarl looked at the elves. "Come sit with us, we will help you find your little brother."
Elladan and Elrohir hesitated; they didn't really want to wait. These people offered to help them though, they would wait for them.
"What are your names?" Marta asked.
"I am Elladan, this is my brother Elrohir." Elladan replied.
Estel kept his eyes on the ground; he didn't want to be recognized.
"What are your names?" Elrohir asked, wishing the men would hurry up and change so that they could look for Estel.
"I'm Marta and this is my husband Nomarl. Those are our friends Dornar, Taniay, Taniay's husband Umor, and their son Coror." Marta told them.
The little boy named Coror went over to Marta.
"Larka is awake." He whispered to her. "Nomarl wanted me to tell you."
The twin's looked at the little boy. He had cropped blond hair and silver eyes. He looked so much like Estel, he sounded like him as well. Was this their brother?
Estel looked up at his brothers. He would not tell them who he was. They might have said that they missed him but he was so sure they did not. How could they? He wasn't as fast as the other children. He was a human and he was adopted.
Marta smiled at Estel. "Thank you Coror." She got up. "Excuse me I should go check on my daughter."
"Of course." Elrohir said.
Estel had no reason to leave so he sat down across from Elladan. He kept his eyes down not wanting his brothers to identify him.
Elladan looked at Coror; he looked so much like Estel. His hair was short and blond though and Estel had curly brown hair. He turned to Elrohir.
"What do you think of Coror?" he asked masking their conversation in elvish.
Elrohir looked at Coror then back at his twin. "He looks like Estel. If I did not know better I would think he was Estel. Save for the short blond hair."
Elladan nodded, "I thought the same."
Estel stiffened as he heard the twins talk. They were suspicious of his identity. He couldn't let them know who he was. He didn't want to return to Rivendell. Salnwen and Salndir's words had hurt him so much. He still felt that they were true, the more he thought of what they had said to him the more dejected and unloved he felt. He wanted to throw himself into Elladan and Elrohir's arms but they would only take him back to Rivendell where the words of Salnwen and Salndir would break his spirit.
Estel felt someone touch his shoulder. He looked up to see Elladan resting his hand on his shoulder.
"Are you alright little one?" he asked "You are crying."
Estel quickly brushed the tears that he didn't know he was crying off of his face. "Ye-yes I am fine." He replied
Umor walked over as soon as he saw Estel was looking upset.
"What's wrong Coror?" he asked
Estel looked at Umor and shook his head. He didn't want to tell Umor what was really wrong.
The twins frowned at the little boy. Why was he crying? This was absolutely Estel.
"Are you alright?" Elladan asked
Estel looked up at his brother. "I am fine sir. Thank you." He went over to Umor and hugged him. He couldn't let his emotions go in front of the twins, they knew him too well.
"It is Estel." Elrohir confirmed in elvish.
Elladan nodded "I know. What has happened to him though? Why is he so afraid of us? Why is he not happy to see us?" he sounded so sad that Estel felt bad for lying to them.
'You're a disgrace. They don't love you, they pity you!' Salnwen's words were like poison in his memory.
The men and Estel went over to the twins.
"We are ready, let's go look for your brother." Nomarl said to them.
The twins nodded and sent a look of hopefulness to Estel. They hoped the little boy would go back home with them.
Thanks to all the reviewers! Please review again!
Sodalite: I know *sobs* poor little Estel. At least his brothers love him!
Vicki Turner: Thank you ^-^ I am glad you like it.
Ryanne: Thank you! I am glad you think it is great. I hope you enjoy this chapter too. *grins*
XxgemxX: You really like it? *beams* Thank you! I am glad you are enjoying it! I hope this is fast enough. I don't normally update so quickly.
Hiei-Rulez: I know. Elladan and Elrohir are looking for him! They love their little brother. Stupid little kids they hurt his feelings!
Shinigami061: I know! Evil little kids *grumbles* they shouldn't tease him. Oooo I am evil ^-^ Estel is being tortured inside. Aren't I awful? *grins* Tee Hee
Velvet: Er...Good interesting? I hope you are enjoying it. I have updated quickly. I am amazed I am never this fast at updating.
Estel was sleeping soundly until he felt a soft shake on his shoulders. He brushed the hand away.
"Go away Elrohir, I'm tired." He muttered in elvish; thinking that his brothers had come in to wake him up. The shaking got a little rougher. "Fine! I'm up." He snapped.
"You ok lad?" asked a person "You sound like you're speaking gibberish."
Estel sat up and looked around. He wasn't in Rivendell or in his bed room. He was on the forest floor, sleeping in a bed roll, and surrounded by the people who had offered him shelter.
"Oh, yeah...sorry." He mumbled in common. "I was just dreaming I guess."
Umor grinned at him. "Well you best get up. Marta cooked breakfast and we are about ready to eat."
Nomarl handed Estel a tunic and breeches. "Here are your clothes. The rain stopped just after you went to sleep. They're still damp but at least they will fit you better than those."
Estel nodded and took his clothes back. "Thank you."
Estel followed Nomarl over to the campfire they had built to cook breakfast on. He sat down and looked at the faces of the people who had welcomed him.
"We're heading that way." Dornar said, pointing in the direction of Rivendell.
Estel frowned; he didn't want to go to see the elves who didn't want him. "You are going to see the elves?" he asked
Taniay shook her head. "No, we are just going to pass by. We have no business with the elves; but they don't mind us passing through their woods."
Estel nodded, he knew plenty of people passed through the forests each year. He prayed that his brothers wouldn't find him. He quickly finished his breakfast and helped the others to pack up.
Elladan and Elrohir had woken an hour before dawn to start searching for their little brother. They had walked through the woods for hours. They had passed a camp with a few people sleeping an hour before; but they hadn't gone to look. Many people passed through the woods every year seeing the three men, two women, the baby, and the little boy didn't faze them.
"We have been searching for hours." Elrohir said to his brother.
Elladan nodded "I know, and we are getting no where. The rain washed everything away; it is going to be close to impossible to find Estel."
Elrohir said nothing. He kept walking and looking around for tracks.
"Maybe we should have asked that group of people if they had seen Estel." Elladan said
Elrohir turned to look at his twin. "What would we have asked them? 'Oh sorry to wake you but have you seen a little boy named Estel?' No Elladan, I do not think that would have been a smart idea."
"Why not?" Elladan snapped "As long as we find Estel."
Elrohir sighed "Elladan, it was before dawn, I doubt it would have been smart to wake them."
"Well, let us go back and ask them now." Elladan said
Elrohir nodded "That makes sense. Hopefully they are still there, it is past noon already."
Estel had been walking with Umor, Nomarl, Dornar, Taniay, Marta, and baby Larka for the past six hours.
"Estel, where are you from? It would help us to find your parents." Taniay told him.
Estel looked at her. He had been dreading this question ever since it had been brought up the night before. "I'm not really from anywhere." He replied
"Where are your parents?" She pressed him
"The-they are dead." He whispered.
"Dead?" Umor asked "I thought you didn' know where they were."
Estel shrugged sadly but said nothing.
"Umor let the child be." Nomarl said to him. "He probably didn't want to accept it. I sure wouldn't 'ave."
Umor smiled at Estel. "I'm sorry." He said honestly "You can stay with me and Taniay if you like. We'll look after you."
Taniay looked at Umor who smiled, she blushed.
"Okay," Estel replied slowly. "I guess so."
Umor clapped him on the back, "I promise we won't hurt you." He said, thinking that was the reason Estel was so slow to respond.
Estel nodded "I know, you've been good to me so far. I am just afraid of what my parents would say."
Taniay looked at Estel sadly "I'm sure they would want you to be safe."
Estel nodded, he knew his brothers and Elrond would want him to be safe. He was just worried about his name; what would happen if Elladan and Elrohir came asking for a boy named Estel?
"I'm just worried what'll happen if someone comes asking about me." He said slowly, introducing his lie.
"What do you mean?" Dornar asked.
"Well I don't want to go back to where I came from." He said "I don't want to be known as Estel anymore. It wasn't my name anyway. It was just a word my parents would call me." He said.
Umor looked at Estel. "You afraid someone might come looking for you? Someone you don't want to find you?" Umor was thinking that Estel was worried about bandits or something. He figured bandits had killed Estel's family.
Estel nodded, "Yes, I don't know what'll happen if they find me." He was so scared that his brothers would find them that he didn't care if he was lying or not.
"We won't tell anyone who you are. If someone asks we will say you are Coror, my son." Umor said to him.
"But what if they recognise me?" Estel asked
"I could color your hair." Marta suggested "I could turn it blond like Umor's, and then I could crop it for you."
Estel beamed, this was going to work!
"I think he likes the idea." Nomarl said smiling as well.
"Come 'ere, we will get started right away." Marta said. She was so worried about the boys' safety that she didn't mind stopping to change his outward appearance.
"I'll get him some clothes." Taniay said fetching some of Umor's things and beginning to sew them.
Estel was thrilled; these people would keep him away from the elves who didn't want him. He wouldn't have to go back to being Elrond's charity case like Salnwen had said he was.
It was dusk when Elladan and Elrohir finally found the people they had seen sleeping earlier. They were camped around a fire and a little boy was fetching sticks.
"Excuse us!" Elrohir called
The group turned and smiled at the elves.
"How may we help you?" Asked a woman.
"We are looking for our little brother. Have you seen a little boy about your son's age with curly brown hair?" Elladan asked
The woman shook her head. "No, we saw a group of people with a little boy about Fodnor's age though." She told them indicating her son; a little boy with shoulder length blond hair and bright blue eyes.
Elladan and Elrohir's hearts sank.
"Thank you." Elrohir said his eyes full of sadness.
"I'm sorry we couldn't be of more help." A man said to them. "We will ask around for a little elven boy though."
Elrohir opened his mouth to correct them but Elladan was already walking away. Elrohir muttered his goodbyes and ran after his twin.
Elrohir caught up to his brother. "Why did you just leave?" he demanded
Elladan looked at his twin. "I am going to go and look for Estel, I don't want to socialize."
Elrohir rolled his eyes and followed Elladan.
Estel ran his hand through his inch long hair. It was so odd to have such short hair since he was used to having long curly hair.
Umor chuckled when he saw what Estel was doing. "Is it too different Coror?" he asked
Estel looked at Umor, he remembered that he was now named Coror and grinned. "It is strange." He replied "I have never had short hair."
Marta smiled at him. "You look cute as a blond."
Estel made a face at the word cute which caused the whole company to laugh.
"Are you hungry Coror?" Taniay asked
Estel nodded and went over to his new mother's side. He sat down next to her and she beamed.
"What do I call you?" he asked her
"Mum I guess." She said to him kindly
Estel nodded, he couldn't remember his mother it would be easy to call this pretty woman mother. He looked at Umor; it would be harder to call him father. He had loved Elrond so much but if he really wasn't wanted by the elves he would called Umor dad.
The moon was in the sky when Elladan and Elrohir reached the next camp.
"Greetings." Elrohir called to them.
A little boy with blond hair and silver eyes turned to look at the two elves that had entered the camp. He quickly turned away and went over to a man with blond hair who Elladan assumed was his father.
A woman who was holding a baby girl looked at the elves that had entered. "Can we help you?" she asked
Elladan nodded, "We are looking for our brother."
"We haven't seen any elven children." A man replied. "We will help you look though."
Elrohir sighed. "Our brother is not elven. He is human; have you seen him?"
"We haven't seen him." The man with blond hair said
"Oh, thank you." Elladan said feeling dejected.
"Excuse me." A woman called, holding the little blond boy's hand. "How did a human boy become your brother?"
"His parents were killed so our father adopted him." Elrohir said.
"He is our brother, even if he is human. We love him so much. Please tell Lord Elrond if you find him. Our father is so worried." Elladan said
"It's a lie." Marta whispered to Nomarl
"I know, no elf would adopt a human." Nomarl replied. "We will help them though, maybe we can lead them in the wrong direction and Umor, Taniay, and Coror can get away. I bet Coror is the boy these elves want."
Estel stiffened next to Taniay. He was so scared that Elladan and Elrohir would recognize him.
"Would you like us to help you find him?" Dornar asked
Elrohir's eyes brightened "That would be helpful. Please if you do not mind."
Umor looked at Taniay, "Coror and I will help them look for their littler brother."
Taniay looked at her husband. In his ear she whispered "What if these are the people that hurt Coror's family?"
"They are elves Taniay." Umor whispered back. "They are peaceful."
Nomarl looked at the elves. "Come sit with us, we will help you find your little brother."
Elladan and Elrohir hesitated; they didn't really want to wait. These people offered to help them though, they would wait for them.
"What are your names?" Marta asked.
"I am Elladan, this is my brother Elrohir." Elladan replied.
Estel kept his eyes on the ground; he didn't want to be recognized.
"What are your names?" Elrohir asked, wishing the men would hurry up and change so that they could look for Estel.
"I'm Marta and this is my husband Nomarl. Those are our friends Dornar, Taniay, Taniay's husband Umor, and their son Coror." Marta told them.
The little boy named Coror went over to Marta.
"Larka is awake." He whispered to her. "Nomarl wanted me to tell you."
The twin's looked at the little boy. He had cropped blond hair and silver eyes. He looked so much like Estel, he sounded like him as well. Was this their brother?
Estel looked up at his brothers. He would not tell them who he was. They might have said that they missed him but he was so sure they did not. How could they? He wasn't as fast as the other children. He was a human and he was adopted.
Marta smiled at Estel. "Thank you Coror." She got up. "Excuse me I should go check on my daughter."
"Of course." Elrohir said.
Estel had no reason to leave so he sat down across from Elladan. He kept his eyes down not wanting his brothers to identify him.
Elladan looked at Coror; he looked so much like Estel. His hair was short and blond though and Estel had curly brown hair. He turned to Elrohir.
"What do you think of Coror?" he asked masking their conversation in elvish.
Elrohir looked at Coror then back at his twin. "He looks like Estel. If I did not know better I would think he was Estel. Save for the short blond hair."
Elladan nodded, "I thought the same."
Estel stiffened as he heard the twins talk. They were suspicious of his identity. He couldn't let them know who he was. He didn't want to return to Rivendell. Salnwen and Salndir's words had hurt him so much. He still felt that they were true, the more he thought of what they had said to him the more dejected and unloved he felt. He wanted to throw himself into Elladan and Elrohir's arms but they would only take him back to Rivendell where the words of Salnwen and Salndir would break his spirit.
Estel felt someone touch his shoulder. He looked up to see Elladan resting his hand on his shoulder.
"Are you alright little one?" he asked "You are crying."
Estel quickly brushed the tears that he didn't know he was crying off of his face. "Ye-yes I am fine." He replied
Umor walked over as soon as he saw Estel was looking upset.
"What's wrong Coror?" he asked
Estel looked at Umor and shook his head. He didn't want to tell Umor what was really wrong.
The twins frowned at the little boy. Why was he crying? This was absolutely Estel.
"Are you alright?" Elladan asked
Estel looked up at his brother. "I am fine sir. Thank you." He went over to Umor and hugged him. He couldn't let his emotions go in front of the twins, they knew him too well.
"It is Estel." Elrohir confirmed in elvish.
Elladan nodded "I know. What has happened to him though? Why is he so afraid of us? Why is he not happy to see us?" he sounded so sad that Estel felt bad for lying to them.
'You're a disgrace. They don't love you, they pity you!' Salnwen's words were like poison in his memory.
The men and Estel went over to the twins.
"We are ready, let's go look for your brother." Nomarl said to them.
The twins nodded and sent a look of hopefulness to Estel. They hoped the little boy would go back home with them.
Thanks to all the reviewers! Please review again!
Sodalite: I know *sobs* poor little Estel. At least his brothers love him!
Vicki Turner: Thank you ^-^ I am glad you like it.
Ryanne: Thank you! I am glad you think it is great. I hope you enjoy this chapter too. *grins*
XxgemxX: You really like it? *beams* Thank you! I am glad you are enjoying it! I hope this is fast enough. I don't normally update so quickly.
Hiei-Rulez: I know. Elladan and Elrohir are looking for him! They love their little brother. Stupid little kids they hurt his feelings!
Shinigami061: I know! Evil little kids *grumbles* they shouldn't tease him. Oooo I am evil ^-^ Estel is being tortured inside. Aren't I awful? *grins* Tee Hee
Velvet: Er...Good interesting? I hope you are enjoying it. I have updated quickly. I am amazed I am never this fast at updating.