A/N I have included the reviewer responses from the last chapter in this one. I feel really bad about the lack of responses! I do love you guys, and I read every single review you send me. They warm my heart :o) Please review again!
Haldir's Heart and Soul: I totally agree with you. If he had heard what the twins said at a more appropriate time he wouldn't have freaked out so badly.
Lil-whitelighter111488: Yes those evil elflings *growls* they are so mean! I doubt Lord Elrond would kick them out. You'll have to wait and see!
Catmint: Stupid elflings *kicks them* they are evil! Oh thank you for beta reading everything for me; you are awesome! *huggles tight*
Radioactive Bubblegum: Ooo I love your name! I think it is so cool!!! Where did you make it up! It is such a cool name! Oh I know I feel bad for Estel too! Thanks for telling me that you enjoyed the chapter and the story. I am happy to hear that!
BabeyRachey: thank you! I am happy you are happy! I am sorry about the less frequent updates lately just because I have a beta so even after I've written the chapters I have to wait for her to edit them. Not that I'm complaining! She does such a great job! I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well.
Frodo Freak2: Yay I made you cry! *wicked laughter* I love doing that…Uhm…Sorry about that outburst…I didn't mean it in a bad way! I am just happy the fic er…moved you! Well I hope you like this chapter!
Littlesaiyangirl: Aw *hands you tissues* sorry I made you sob! I hope everything works out soon too! It better…I am planning on finishing the fic soon!
Livie: Thanks! I am happy you're enjoying the chapters!
Shadowed Flames: I know! Stubborn human! He should listen to the people; they are trying to help him!
Elvendancer: Yay I am so happy it isn't typical! I don't want it to be typical, I don't want people to stop reading or tell me it sucks. *grumbles* I haven't had that happen but still…grrr
Seeing-spots: Thank you! I am happy you enjoy it. I am glad you think I've got the characters pretty well done too. Thanks!
Sodalite: Yay I am so happy you are still enjoying the fic. Happy Easter to you too! Sorry I am a little late ^-^
Someone Reading: Oh you have no idea how much I look forward to your reviews! They are excellent! Yes I agree, Elladan wasn't the elf for the job but he is very dear. Heehee I hope you liked the confrontation between Elrond and Elladan. I don't know if I did a very good job but I hope you liked it! I love the fact that you think I did well on Glorfindel. I really don't know much about him so I am happy you think I am doing well with him. I am sorry that the story is almost over but I mean it has to end soon! I am thinking of perhaps a sequel but I don't know yet. Perhaps…I do hope you enjoy Friendship is a Light of Hope. It is sort of depressing but I hope you like it all the same. Glad you think my story is wonderful, have a good read on all of the others out there! I know there are a lot of good ones! Please review again; I love your reviews so much! Oh I know…I have been pondering over how I am going to rid myself of the Mortals and I decided that killing them would be out of the question. ^^ I can't believe I said that. *claps hand over mouth* That was such an evil thing to say! Oh well, yes I think Elrond managed to clean most things up. Of course, Estel was such a wounded little bird that I don't think it was too hard. Oh well, talk to you later, thanks for the awesome reviews!
Amthramiel: I am glad you like the story. Here is chapter seven!
Kekelina: Yes I know, Estel should listen; but he is just too hard headed. ^^
FiCtIoNfAn: I am glad you think it is a great story. Like I mentioned before I have to wait for my beta to send it back to me so that I can edit the mistakes. I am working fast though!
Vicki Turner: I am so happy your OK with the fact that I couldn't respond to the reviewers last time. ^^ Thank you for being so kind! I am so happy you are looking forward to this part in this chapter. Honestly, I am wondering what is going to happen as well! Heehee I don't know if that makes much sense but I enjoy reading what I am writing next as well. LOL that sounds sort of weird…ENJOY!!!
If I missed anyone I am so sorry! I honestly tried not to. I also might have repeated a name or two just because I added the reviews from last week! Sorry if I inconvenienced you!
Additional Disclaimer: I do not own the book where I got the quote from. I don't remember the name of the book I but I thought I should add the disclaimer just incase someone else knows it and decides to tell the author so he sues me! I doubt you will find the quote…but just incase you do!
Chapter 7: Listen to Me
Elrond continued his way through the hall and towards the guest bedrooms. He was going over what he was going to tell his youngest son. As far as Elrond knew, all Estel had found out was his birth name and his parents. If he had learned nothing else then Elrond could protect him. Estel was eleven; he wasn't a baby anymore and was becoming a young adult. In a few months he would be twelve and would go through many changes. Elrond smiled at the thought; it was going to scare Elladan and Elrohir out of their wits!
Elrond sighed as he reached the bedroom door. He quietly pulled it open and stepped inside of the room. When he entered his heart nearly broke from the sight of his human son standing in the rain sobbing. Knowing that he could just go cuddle him in his arms as he wished, he approached him soundlessly and lightly touched his shoulder. He felt Estel jerk and tense up under his touch.
Estel felt the hand upon his shoulder and jerked away, he was too embarrassed to be seen this way in front of Umor and Taniay. He quickly wiped his eyes on his sopping wet sleeve and turned around. When he saw the elf lord he wanted to crawl into a hole and die; he was so sure that Lord Elrond was just going to yell at him.
"Come inside Estel," Elrond told him gently.
Estel stood still in the rain, watching as the raindrops fell on Lord Elrond's head, clothes, and face. He didn't want to move, he didn't want to acknowledge anything that was going on around him. If Estel could have things his way he would have stayed in the rain until he died. Estel sneezed; he hoped that it meant he would get sick and die. He jerked himself when he had that thought and decided instantly that he didn't mean it. He sighed. He just wanted everything to be over with, nothing seemed to be going right since he had run away; he was back where he had started!
Elrond lightly put his hand on Estel's back, trying to help the boy move inside. He didn't want him to get sick, but he decided that it was already too late when he saw Estel sneeze. "Estel, come on, you need to get inside before you catch a cold and get a fever," Elrond said gently.
Estel felt tears spring to his eyes when he heard the softness in Elrond's voice. It wasn't because he was so happy to see him; he was so angry that Lord Elrond was being so kind when he had lied to him for years!
Estel was getting angry with Salnwen and Salndir's words. He clenched his fists at his sides and felt hot tears run down his face, which he quickly wiped away.
"Aw, look at the poor adan cry!" Salnwen cooed.
"Yes, we haven't even begun to tell him the truth yet. Perhaps we can make him weep," Salndir hissed.
"Nothing you can say will make me cry!" Estel muttered angrily.
"You are wrong Estel, oh so wrong," Salnwen whispered softly.
"Words will never hurt me!" Estel cried.
That had been the very beginning of their teasing; if only Estel had known how far they would go to watch the human boy cry. They had gone too far, Estel thought, way too far.
"Estel, come little one, you need to get inside." Elrond's voice was earnest; he didn't want his son to get too sick.
Estel nodded. "Alright," he muttered; quietly following the elf inside the room.
Elrond picked up some clothes that one of the servants had brought up and handed them to Estel. "You need to change or else you will become sick." He handed the clothes to Estel. "Go put these on and then come back; I need to talk to you."
Estel nodded mutely and took the clothes from Lord Elrond. He figured the elf lord was going to lie to him again or possibly even tell him nothing had happened. His heart was hoping that wasn't the case, but his mind was telling him it was probably so.
Estel opened the door that led to a sort of bathroom and he pulled off the wet clothes and dried himself off before slipping into the dry clothes. It did feel good to put on some dry things, especially after being out in the rain for more than half an hour. He stepped out of the bathroom and noticed Lord Elrond watching him.
"Come here Estel," he said.
Estel went silently, hoping he wasn't about to be scolded. "Yes?" he said shakily.
"I need you to listen to me," Elrond told Estel.
Estel looked at him, not sure what to say. He eventually nodded. "What is it you are going to tell me?" he asked carefully.
Elrond sighed softly; he hoped he could explain this correctly to Estel. "Estel, Elladan told me that you overheard Elrohir and him speaking of your human family."
"Yes," Estel said bitterly. "It is when I found out you lied to me."
Elrond cringed inwardly at the bite in his son's voice. It had a sting to it but he didn't reprimand him since Estel seemed to be beating himself up inside. "Estel, we never lied to you, I promise you. Never have we lied to you, we care about you too much to hurt you."
Estel snorted. "How can I believe you? How do I know that you do not lie when I have heard nothing of my human family?"
"Estel, we told you what we could," Elrond replied.
"You told me that they died when Elladan and Elrohir went to visit with them. You said that they died in an Orc raid and all the twins found was me wrapped up in a blanket and hidden from the Orcs. I never knew more than that, you never told me!" His voice was accusing and cold. It was not the voice of the Estel Lord Elrond knew.
"Estel you are such a special person I could not, and I still cannot, tell you everything about yourself," Elrond said sadly.
"Why not?" Estel demanded.
"If I was to tell you everything you need to know, it would kill you." Elrond's tone was flat and honest, it made Estel shake slightly.
"Oh," Estel replied. Elrond had sounded so honest about what he had said that Estel no longer really wanted to know everything. "Can you tell me some things?" Estel asked softly, his eyes pleading for as much information as Elrond could give him.
Elrond nodded. "I will tell you what I can; where do you want me to begin?"
"The beginning, I want to know everything from the beginning," Estel told him.
Elrond smiled at the little boy. "When I finish, will you tell me what made you run away?" He knew it was a long step. He doubted that Estel would tell him everything that had happened, but he could always hope.
Estel hesitated; he didn't want to tell his father everything. He was too scared that he would get yelled at or that he would get into trouble.
As though reading his thoughts Elrond answered. "I will not punish you; I just want to know what happened."
Estel's eyes brimmed with tears; he so wanted to be with his family again, to be hugged and loved, to be fed and clothed, but most of all, to be around those who cared for him. Estel nodded. "Yes Ada, I will tell you."
Elrond's heart leapt when he heard the elvish words come out of his son's mouth. Before, he and Estel had been speaking Common but when he heard the elvish he too switched into the soft language. "Thank you ion-nin; I just want to help you."
Estel shifted his gaze and fidgeted with his fingers while he drew circles with his toes. "Um, Ada?"
Elrond smiled at the little boy's shyness. "Yes Estel?"
"I love you," Estel said before wrapping his arms around the elf lord and hugging him tightly.
Elrond hugged his son back and stroked his short blond hair. "Sit down Estel, I'll tell you everything you wish to know."
Estel looked at the door. "What if Umor and Taniay come back early?"
Elrond had already thought of that. "Glorfindel has taken them on a tour of the house. I assume he knew that we would want some time together so I doubt they will be back any time soon. We probably have a few hours; that is if you think it is enough time before you decide if you want to live with us again."
Estel looked up at Elrond and nodded his head. "Oh yes Ada, I am so sorry I ran away. I didn't mean it; I love you all so much!"
Elrond smiled and patted Estel's blond hair. "This will take sometime getting used to."
Estel blushed. "I-I didn't want to be found." He looked at the floor, slightly ashamed.
Elrond put a finger under Estel's chin and lifted the boy's face until he was looking his father in the eye. "It is alright Estel, I know you were hurting."
Estel nodded, trying to avoid eye contact with his father. "Ada, may I talk to you first?"
"Of course Estel; what is it you wish to tell me?" Elrond asked, already having a pretty good idea of what his son wanted to talk to him about.
"May I tell you why I left?" Estel asked softly, his voice barely a whisper.
Elrond nodded and smiled. "Of course. I will tell you about your human family afterwards. Is that alright?"
Estel nodded happily. "Yes Ada, that is fine."
Elrond walked over to the bed and sat down on it and motioned for Estel to do the same. "You need to sit down, you are shaking from fatigue."
Estel sighed; he was catching a cold. He sat down next to his father and opened his mouth. Soon the tale of everything that had happened was coming out. "I went to play with Loden, Salndir, and Salnwen." Loden was one of Estel's best elven friends but the two rarely spent time together since Loden was not from Rivendell. Loden was a cousin to one of the servants' children and that was how Estel had met him. "We were having a good time but then Tandan came and told Loden his father wanted to leave for home that afternoon. I was left with Salnwen and Salndir. As soon as Loden left, they…" Estel gulped, trying not to cry again.
Elrond rubbed his back soothingly. "What did they do Estel?" he prompted.
"They started to make fun of me. They kept telling me how I was unloved and unwanted because I was a human. They were so mean Ada!" Estel cried.
Elrond felt a fierce anger for what the two elven children had said to Estel. He knew that Salnor and his wife Alima were kind to Estel and always treated him well. He had no idea why their children had been so mean to Estel. Though he was furious for what the two children had said, he would not admit it to Estel. He could not let the child see how angry he had become. He would not allow Salnwen and Salndir to see him so angry either, but he would be speaking to their parents.
Elrond pulled Estel close to him and kissed his forehead. "Do not worry Estel; I will talk to their parents about what happened. It was wrong of them to say such things to you."
Estel nodded and hugged his father tightly. "I am sorry I believed them and ran away."
Elrond smiled. "I am not angry with you. What else happened, Estel?"
Estel continued to tell him of all the things Salnwen and Salndir had said to him; making him doubt the love his elven family had for him. "I remember Elladan telling me 'sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will break my spirit'." He looked up into his father's eyes. "I didn't believe him until that day. I had always followed what the elflings said, 'sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me.' I had never been hurt in here before." Estel sighed quietly, pointing to his heart. "They are wrong Ada - words hurt; the words hurt me more than I would have hurt if they had broken my arm."
Elrond enveloped his son in a tight hug. Estel had learned wisdom far beyond his years. He silently thanked Elladan for telling Estel that, even if he hadn't believed it when he had said it before. "Estel, how do you feel now that you have told me everything that they have done to you?"
"I don't want to be like them, Ada. I feel sort of bad for the way they treated me," Estel replied honestly.
Elrond's heart swelled with pride at his son's words. "Estel, you will not be like them. You do not tease people because they are different, and I doubt you ever will. You are a good person Estel and I am proud of you."
"Even though I am human?" Estel asked quietly.
Elrond nodded. "Yes Estel, even though you are a human you are my son and I love you."
Tears overflowed in Estel's eyes and he hugged his father tightly. "I love you too Ada; I love you too!"
The two stayed in a tight embrace for many long minutes. They only stopped hugging because Estel started to cough.
Elrond looked at the little boy. "You are getting sick."
Estel nodded. "I know Ada but it is just a cold. Please, tell me what you were going to." he begged. He knew he would be fine in a few days if he got enough sleep. He hated being sick but he would spend the time in bed if his father would talk to him now.
Elrond sighed but nodded. "You are alright, you are not too sick; if you were, I would send you straight to bed. No more standing outside in rainstorms, alright Estel?"
Estel nodded. "Yes Ada, I understand."
"Good." He smiled at his son.
"Tell me Ada!" Estel said excitedly. "I want to know!"
Elrond laughed at his son's eagerness and hugged him tightly. "Alright, I will start from where I can."
Translations:
Ada: dad, daddy
Ion-nin: my son
Adar: father
This is the longest chapter yet! I hope you all enjoyed it. In the next chapter you'll see what happened with Elladan when he talks with Salndir and Salnwen's parents. The fic is coming to a close and I am debating a sequel. Please review and tell me what you think!