A/N Last chapter! I have an idea for a fic that follows five years after this one!
A/N2 This chapter is for my little neighbor, Alison. She was in a boating accident and her spleen, liver, and kidney was punctured. She is in the ICU. Her kidney is completely ruined, her liver is badly wounded, and her spleen is punctured badly as well. The little girl is only ten and could have died. If she hadn't been wearing her life jacket she would have been impaled and then drowned. Please, have her in your thoughts - even if you don't pray.
Epilogue: Speaking
Lord Elrond walked down his halls. He was going to speak with the humans that had taken care of his son for the few days that he had been gone. He needed to thank them, and explain what had happened. Shaking his head, he approached the group of humans that was following Glorfindel around the house for a tour.
"This is the lord of the house!" Glorfindel's voice boomed. Only Elrond could hear the teasing tone underneath the official one.
Elrond bowed his head to his guests. "Might I speak with you for a few moments?"
The humans nodded.
Glorfindel raised his eyebrows at his friend, but when Elrond mouthed "ion-nin" he just nodded his head in understanding.
"I came to inquire about a young human child." He noticed a few of them shifting and looking at each other. They seemed slightly frightened but they also wore looks of confusion and interest. "My son ran away a few days ago, I found him traveling with your group. He is sick and I am afraid that he might have pneumonia."
"There's a little boy with us; he said his family died," one of them answered.
Elrond was grateful he had gotten a reply.
"The little boy is my son. His name is Estel; he is only eleven years old and needs to be with his family." Elrond needed these people to understand. He knew he was jumping on them, but it would be hard to let them leave angry. Estel was not leaving; he would not allow the boy to go. He would miss his son terribly, and he knew his family would be incredibly sad. Estel brought life, fun, and happiness to their house. Everyone love the darling boy.
"How did a young kid like Estel become your child, Lord Elrond?" Nomarl asked politely.
"It is a long story, and one I really cannot tell. Lord Glorfindel will tell you for me. I do apologize, but I must tend to my son. Estel is incredibly sick and I fear for his health." He knew Estel wasn't as sick as he said but he also knew Estel could become that sick. The deep cough in his son's throat had not been comforting. He was worried that Estel would develop something more life threatening. He needed to see his son!
Glorfindel immediately took over for his friend. "I will explain some things to you about Estel. Not too many things," he added in elvish for Elrond's benefit.
Elrond smiled gratefully and walked away from his guests, feeling incredibly rude for leaving, but much more concerned about Estel to think of offending his guests. Elrond continued down the hall and didn't stop until he reached Estel's bedroom. He knew he would have to speak to the humans later, but right now his son was the main concern.
He opened the door to Estel's room to see Elladan and Elrohir sitting in a chair watching over their little brother. A smile touched his lips when he noticed that the twins were asleep as well.
Elrond picked a blanket up from the foot of Estel's bed and covered his twin sons up. He suppressed a chuckle when he saw the two squeezed into a chair. They had sat like that when they were little, and it amazed him that they could still squeeze into a chair next to each other.
Estel started to cough. He coughed himself awake and began to gasp. He saw his father at his side and reached his hand up towards him. "Ada!" he gasped.
Elrond was at his son's side as soon as he heard him begin to cough. He stroked Estel's head. "I will be right back, you should sit up."
Estel nodded and propped himself up while his father quickly left the room. His coughing subsided and he looked around the room. "'Dan? 'Ro?" He was curious as to why his brothers were sleeping in the same chair. "Wake up!" he yelled. He wanted to know what they were doing. They looked so silly!
Elladan and Elrohir started when they heard their names; they hadn't of course woken when their brother was coughing.
Elladan tried to get up from the chair but couldn't. "What on…? Oh," he muttered when he realized Elrohir was trying to get up at the same moment and the chair wouldn't allow it. "You get up first, 'Ro, I will get up next."
Elrohir grinned and easily got up from the chair when his brother stopped struggling. "Are you feeling alright, Estel?" he asked.
Estel shook his head when he started to cough again, tears streaming from his eyes.
"His chest infection has gotten a little out of hand," Lord Elrond said from the doorway. "He needs sleep." He had warm liquid in his hand and he pressed it into Estel's little ones. "Drink that, ion-nin. It will help to ease the throat pain and give you an easy sleep."
Estel took a sip and looked accusingly at Elladan. "His tastes better than yours did."
Elladan rolled his eyes. "It is a different type. You can smell the difference. Nice try, tithen pen." His voice held a tone of relief. He decided that if Estel was well enough to banter with him about the taste of tea, he must be happier.
Estel stuck his tongue out at Elladan before his eyes began to close and he was breathing rhythmically. He was soon in a deep sleep.
Elrond opened the door and beckoned to his sons. "We need to let him sleep in private. You two have other things to do and I must go apologize to our guests."
"Did you walk out on them, Ada?" Elladan asked.
Elrond glared at his oldest son. "That is none of your concern."
Elladan and Elrohir snickered as their father walked quickly, but gracefully, down the hall so that he could get rid of them.
"What do we need to do?" Elrohir asked his twin.
"I think we ought to go seek Erestor out. I do not think he has been informed of our guests," Elladan said. He just wanted to walk around the house for a little and then be back to check on their brother.
Elrohir seemed to have the same thoughts. "Let us hurry; I do not want Estel to wake up and find we are not there with him."
Elladan agreed and the two walked off down the hall, looking for their father's advisor.
Estel was deep in sleep; he was tossing and turning during a nightmare.
Lightning was crackling and Estel was running through the woods. Wolves with Salnwen and Salndir's faces were chasing him.
"Leave me alone!" He yelled at them, completely scared but trying to remain brave.
The wolves made a low growling noise as they came closer to Estel.
"We told you to leave, Estel," the one with Salndir's head hissed.
"You should have listened to us!" Salnwen-wolf barked at him. His voice full of malice.
Estel turned around and glared at the wolves. He picked up a stone and threw it at them. "Sticks and stones hurt, but your words hurt me more!"
Salndir-wolf yelped when the rock hit him. "Stupid human!" He charged at Estel but jumped back when another rock hit him. "Hey, that hurts!"
Estel threw another rock. "You should leave me alone!"
The wolves glowered but realized they wouldn't get close to Estel and ran away.
Estel was warped into his bedroom. He still held a rock in his hand. He dropped it quickly, realizing that he had just bullied the people that had bullied him. He felt horrible.
"Estel?"
Estel heard his name being called and looked around, not seeing anyone.
"Estel, tithen pen, wake up." Elrond was attempting to wake his son up. He needed to give him more of the herbal mixture.
Estel's eyes opened slowly. The first thing he saw was the window. The rain was still falling down in heavy sheets and lightning was dancing across the sky. His vision was blurry and it took him a moment to focus on his father. "A…Ada? Please, may I sleep?" he begged quietly.
Elrond nodded. "Drink this, then you may go back to sleep."
Estel fell asleep within moments. He was so tired and his body was crying out for rest.
Elrond left the room and went to find Glorfindel. He felt bad for being so rude to his guests earlier.
He found them in the sitting room. He took a deep breath and walked into the room. He was trying to hide the apprehension that he was feeling – only Glorfindel noticed.
"Greetings. I apologize for leaving so suddenly before. I was very worried about Estel. He is resting well now, though," Elrond said. He had a gentle smile on his face when he spoke of his youngest son. It was obvious that he loved the boy very much.
Umor noticed the look in the elven lord's eyes. "Lord Glorfindel was telling us about how you adopted your son."
Elrond nodded slightly. "He is a good child, we missed him very much. Thank you for bringing him, even though you did not know."
Three Weeks Later
Estel walked under the trees with his brothers. It was hard for him to believe that nearly a month ago he had run away. Looking at their faces he realized how much they cared for him, and a smile played across his lips.
"Come on, Estel!" Elladan called to him.
"We will beat you to the lake!" Elrohir taunted.
"No you will not!" Estel yelled and ran to catch up with his brothers. The humans had left their house the day after the rain stopped. Estel hadn't seen them since, but he knew they would meet again.
Sticks and stones will break your bones, but words will break your spirit.
Reviewer Responses:
Vicki Turner: LOL 8 kids? Wow…I don't think I would have been happy either. Honestly, I think I might have killed you guys. :-P I hope you like the last chapter!
Moralinde: I will give my beta your compliments. I'm sure she'll be happy to hear them. I hope you liked the last chapter of the story; it took me a long time!
Kekelina: Oo You have no idea how much homework I had to do. I honestly think my teachers though I had nothing better to do than work on their stinkin' hw! Paris was fun though; I had a great time just walking around.
Lil-whitelighter111488: Heehee the last chapter. There will be a sequel. It might not be out for a long time though, I have another fic to post.
Littlesaiyangirl: Did this answer your questions? I hope so. I hope you really like this chapter!!! I am sorry that it is over!
Grumpy: Yeah, he is home. He is home to stay…for a little anyways. The tea!!! Yucky!
Beling: Thanks! I am happy you liked it. I know it has to end sometime…sorry it is now! I love Elladan and Elrohir fluff with Estel. It is always so sweet to write!! I had fun writing this fic, I hope you enjoyed it!
Jacquelinestel: Heehee, Paris was fun! Yay fluff!!! I love to write fluff!! Fluff and angst! Flangst! Heehee flangst!
Seeing-spots: Last chapter…no more to come. There is a sequel, however…
Leggylover03: So happy you enjoyed this fic! Check out the sequel when I start to post! Hm…you might not have read the one before because I had replaced a chapter…Oh well, as long as you liked it!! Hope you like this chapter just as much.
Zammy: It took me over a month to update!!! I am sooooo sorry!
Someone Reading: YAY I made you sniffle. hands you tissues Does this cure the sniffles? Awww I made you sob! I am so happy!!! grins I know I shouldn't be happy, but I am! I just love it when people cry during my fics! I had a good time in Paris, I hope you liked this. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Haldir's Heart and Soul: He is back…back with his family.
If I missed anyone, I am terrible sorry!!! I will include you in the thanks and the prologue in the next chapter-like thing.