Disclaimer: See Chapter One.
A/N: Hey there folks! Thank you all so much for your incredible reviews! I know this is a little later than usual but this is the first time I've had all day to access a computer and type and its 10:40pm! Hope you enjoy Chapter Eight and enjoy!
The Lord and Lady of Lothlorien sighed in relief when they reached the courtyard of Imladris safely and without any incidents. The trip had been highly tense for they were not sure what to expect. Reaching Imladris was a great relief for all of them.
The party of travelers soon spotted Elrond and the twins, not paying any attention at all to the "elfling" in the background, and wondered about the smug looks on their faces.
"I wonder what had got them looking so self-satisfied," Arwen questioned aloud.
Galadriel scowled. "Whatever it is, it does not bode well for us. I recognize those looks. They are up to something," she said, shaking her golden head, wondering what her twin grandsons would do to them this time.
"I know not Arwen, but I do believe that we are about to find out," Celeborn said, he too wondering about his son-in-law and grandsons smugness.
Only Glorfindel truly noticed Estel. Also, only he knew the reason for the smug looks. and could not help but grin.
"Oh, the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien, along with Arwen, were about to get the shock of their immortal lives," he thought with glee and anticipation as he watched Estel take off running for them.
No sooner than had Celeborn said those words when Galadriel saw a small black blur come flying at her and she felt small arms encircle her waist tightly.
"Welcome Grandmother!" a small "elfling" exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear.
At Estel's welcome, Glorfindel nearly fell of his horse, he was laughing so hard. Never had he thought that he would see the day when Galadriel and Celeborn would look so shocked.
Galadriel's fair face showed her open shock and she nearly actually tripped over her own feet, such was the state of her shock. Meanwhile, Celeborn's jaw had fallen open, while his silver eyebrows were nearly reaching his hairline. Celeborn too, lost his elven grace for a moment and stumbled, only remaining upright due to the fact that Haldir had caught him.
"Hmm, I wonder if that is where Elrond learned that eyebrow trick," Glorfindel pondered for a moment.
Turning away from that amusing thought, Glorfindel turned to see how Arwen was taking this. Seeing her expression, Glorfindel couldn't help but to start laughing all over again.
Arwen's face was a mixture of utter surprise, fury, and shock. Her blue eyes blazed fiercely and she was glaring at her twin brothers and father who were watching from a distance, all laughing and having to hold onto each other to remain upright.
As one, Galadriel, Celeborn, Arwen, and the rest of the party from Lothlorien turned to Glorfindel.
"GLORFINDEL! Is there something that you wish to tell us," Arwen asked through gritted teeth.
Completely oblivious to the apparent shock of the elves around him Estel began to speak, unaware that he was saving Glorfindel from a very painful death, courtesy of the Evenstar.
"My name is Estel. "Oh! You must be my grandfather!" Estel said excitedly, spotting Celeborn who was standing next to the still shocked Galadriel. Estel rushed over and gave Celeborn a hug before the startled Elf Lord even realized what had been said and what was happening.
"Thank the Valar. You just saved me from a fiery death Estel," Glorfindel muttered under his breathe. Glorfindel noticed that Arwen was about to start in on him again when Estel addressed the Evenstar, with Glorfindel once again thanking his lucky stars.
Estel noticed the she-elf that was standing open mouthed next to his grandfather. "She looks a lot like my Ada and brothers, with the dark hair and fair skin, and there was the Evenstar that Ada told me about!" Estel thought happily, glad to have recognized his sister.
"You must be Arwen! I'm so happy to meet my big sister finally!" Estel said, hugging the startled she-elf.
It was Arwen's turn to look around in helpless confusion. Here was this little "elfling" hugging her and calling her big sister and Arwen had no idea what the little one was talking about.
Estel suddenly noticed the blonde elf to Arwen's right and raced for him excitedly. "Glorfy! You're back!" Estel said happily, for he had missed the elf while he had been gone.
" I'm very happy to be back tithen pen," Glorfindel said picking the little boy up and hugging him. "Come, I am sure your Ada is waiting for us and your brothers as well," he said smiling fondly at Estel as he began walking back to the courtyard.
Celeborn, Galadriel, and Arwen all looked at each other with apparent confusion on their faces.
"Grandmother....., Ada would not..." Arwen began to say hesitantly.
"Well, we shall find any answers standing around here. Come, let us follow Glorfindel and this... Estel," Galadriel said, looking at the retreating figures.
Slowly, the elves followed the Balrog slayer and the tiny "elfling" to the courtyard of Imladris.
Once Estel and Glorfindel had reached the courtyard, with the party from Lothlorien only a few paces behind the two, Elrond eagerly scooped Estel into his arms with Estel laughing happily.
The elves, particularly Galadriel, Celeborn, and Arwen, watched the touching scene with not a little amazement.
Seeing that the party had reached the courtyard and was watching Elrond and Estel, Glorfindel nudged Elrond in the ribs, telling him without words to pay attention.
Elladan and Elrohir just laughed at the scene and the obvious confusion that was apparent on all the elves from Lothlorien. This was just to funny for words. Rarely had they seen their grandparents in such a state of shock.
"Lord Celeborn, Lady Galadriel, my apologies. Welcome to Imladris. Welcome home Undomiel," Elrond said warmly and lovingly.
" And what a welcoming we received Adar. Tell me, when did you plan to inform us that you had had a fourth child?" Arwen asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Now," Elrond said simply, enjoying getting a rise out his daughter and in-laws, instead of the other way around, for once.
"Elrond...." Galadriel said in a no nonsense warning tone of voice.
"Oh very well. Arwen this is your little brother Estel. Galadriel, Celeborn, he is your fourth grandchild," Elrond said, knowing that they would be annoyed by this, as Estel had probably already told them that information.
"Elrond!" Galadriel said in exasperation. "How can he possibly be our...", she started to say but was cut of my Elrond when he realized what she was about to say.
"We adopted him two years ago, so he is indeed your grandchild," Elrond said simply, not going into the full details of Estel's adoption then and there. "It is all right if he calls you his grandparents," Elrond questioned, looking at his daughter as well.
"Of course it's all right Elrond! Any son of yours in my grandson and you full well known that!" Galadriel scolded him. There were some things that she was still puzzled about she did not let that bother her at the moment.
"Let me see my newest grandson," Galadriel said, smiling at the little "elfling", with her arms outstretched.
Elrond nodded and handed Estel over to his Grandmother.
Not having had the time before, Galadriel looked the young "elfling" over.
His eyes were of elven silver with just a touch of blue. His skin was fair and his hair was the same raven black as that of his father, brothers, and sister, but shorter with and slightly wavy.
"He is the very image of you Elrond!" Galadriel said with surprise. Celeborn nodded in agreement. "If I did not know better, I would say that he was of your blood, and not adopted," Celeborn said.
Elrond just smiled and nodded. Oh how little they knew....
Galadriel smiled at Estel. "I am very happy to meet you tithen pen," she said, absent mindedly pushing a piece of Estel's unruly hair behind his hair.
Galadriel froze as she felt that the ear was round not pointed. Suddenly, the pieces began to click into place within her mind. "No, it could not be, could it?" she asked herself, while surveying Estel with open curiosity now.
Elrond saw Galadriel freeze when she touched Estel's ear, and he knew that she knew Estel was edain. Taking Estel from his grandmother, he handed Estel to his brothers.
"Ion nin, why don't you go with you brothers and make sure that the feat is coming along nicely for our guests," Elrond suggested.
"Of course Ada. Bye Grandmother, Grandfather, Arwen! I'll see you at the feast," Estel said before turning around and following his brothers to the kitchens.
"Elrond.." Galadriel began to say but Elrond interrupted her.
"Not here. Even walls can have ears," Elrond warned her. Seeing that Galadriel had heeded his masked warning he continued.
"Come, let us go to my office and I shall explain everything that has happened over the past two wonderful years," Elrond said.
Translations:
Ada: Dad/Daddy
Adar: Father
Ion nin: My son
Tithen pen: Little one
Arda: Middle Earth