Disclaimer: See Chapter One.
A/N: Hey there people! Thank you so much for your reviews! They mean so much to me. I would like to thank my beta enb2004 who has some incredible Harry Potter stuff, so go read it! Anyway, here is Chapter 16. Enjoy!
Reaching the house, Elrond had one of the servants draw Estel a hot bath while he helped Estel out of his soaked clothes.
"So, did you have fun ion nin?" Elrond asked, already knowing the answer.
"Oh yes Ada! Playing with you, the twins, Arwen, and my grandparents was so much fun!" Estel exclaimed happily, while Elrond pulled the wet leggings of him.
"I am glad that you had so much fun ion nin. I am glad as well that you invited me to come and play. I have not had that much fun in a very long time," Elrond said smiling.
"Good, you need to have fun Ada," Estel said firmly.
Elrond laughed. "You are right tithen pen. I do need to have fun. Come, I do believe that your bath is ready," he said picking Estel up and carrying him into the bathroom.
Elrond tested the water to make sure that it was not hot, then gently lowered Estel into the bath tub.
"Does that not feel good ion nin?" Elrond asked, knowing Estel had little love for baths.
Estel pouted as he was put in the water but answered his Ada anyway.
"The warm water feels nice, but I still do not like baths," Estel said defiantly.
Elrond laughed. "Of course you do not, although that may change as you grow," he said, remembering the twins had gone through much the same thing.
"Nope! I'll never like baths," Estel said firmly.
"The twins used to say the same thing when they were elflings Estel. In fact, now that they are grown, they enjoy baths as they are very relaxing," Elrond said while washing Estel's back.
Estel just stuck out his tongue and grudgingly allowed Elrond to wash his hair.
Once Elrond had finished, he lifted Estel out of the bath tub and dried Estel of gently with a fluffy white towel.
"Stay here ion nin while I fetch your clothes," Elrond said.
Estel nodded and waited for his Ada to come back.
Moments later, Elrond returned with a fresh pair of leggings and a tunic.
"Put these on ion nin, and then you can join your siblings and grandparents for your hot cocoa," he said, handing the clothing to Estel.
"What about you Ada? Aren't you going to have hot cocoa with us?" Estel asked while getting dressed.
"Of course I am ion nin, but I myself am in need of a hot bath and a change of clothes. You can go on ahead. Tell your siblings and grandparents to wait for me," Elrond said gently.
"Okay Ada," Estel said, not remembering the prank that they had left waiting for Elrond earlier in the day.
"Good ion nin. I shall be down shortly," Elrond said hugging Estel tightly.
"Love you Ada," Estel said.
"I love you to my tithen pen," Elrond said fondly. "Now go on and remember to wait for me," he said.
Estel nodded and walked out of his room and went down to the kitchens.
"There you are Estel. We were about to come looking for you," Arwen said as Estel entered the kitchen.
Estel noticed that the five of them had also changed and probably had taken baths as well as they all looked warm and cozy.
"Where is your Ada tithen pen?" Celeborn asked, holding a chair out for Estel to sit down in.
"He said that he was going to take a bath and change his clothes as well. He told me to tell you to wait for him before we have our hot cocoa," Estel said.
Elladan, Elrohir, and Arwen all burst out into laughter. This had worked out even better than they had originally planned.
Their father would have to take two baths this evening!
"What is it?" Estel asked confused.
"Well tithen pen, it looks like the prank that you and your brothers and sister planned is going to happen a bit earlier than planned, and with much more success than you had hoped for," Galadrial said, barely containing her laughter.
"This will be priceless," Celeborn was telling Elrohir. "Walking down the hallway in the middle of the night with only a towel is one thing, for no one is around during that hour. But to walk down the hallway now? It shall be priceless," he continued saying while laughing.
"Come, let us go on up then. This is a sight that I highly desire to see," Galadrial said.
The four children of Elrond nodded eagerly and followed their grandparents to their Ada's chambers.
After Estel had left, Elrond went into his own chambers and shed his soaked through clothes.
He walked into the bathroom and noticed with pleasure that the maids had anticipated that he would like a hot bath as well and had already drawn a bath for him.
Elrond lowered himself into the water and felt his muscles slowly begin to unwind. Although the cold did not effect him as it would Estel, a hot bath still did wonders for his spirit and overtired muscles.
After soaking in the bath for a while, Elrond washed himself and his hair before reluctantly getting out of the hot bath. He had promised that he would not take long, and his children and in-laws were waiting for him downstairs.
Elrond quickly dried himself off with a towel and put the towel around him.
He stepped back into his chambers and went over to his closet, intending to find a pair of leggings and a simple tunic to wear.
When he opened his closet, to his surprise and shock, there was nothing there. Not one article of clothing.
Elrond groaned in realization. Arwen. She had promised revenge and it looked like his clothes had been taken by here, probably with Elladan and Elrohir's help.
Groaning and muttering about evil daughters, Elrond opened his door reluctantly. Peeking out into the hallway, he saw no one. Sighing in relief that no one was around to see him in this embarrassing state, he swiftly walked down the hallway to Elladan's room.
"I must say Elrond, that is most certainly a new look. Is that the new fashion among Elvish royalty?" a familiar gruff voice asked from behind Elrond.
Elrond groaned again and turned around to face the laughing Mithrandir.
"Why of course Gandalf. Of course the new fashion is to only wear a towel around ones self. You should try it sometime," Elrond said sarcastically.
"I don't know Elrond, I don't think it was the towel that Gandalf was referring to," another familiar voice said.
Elrond whirled around, only to see all of his children, his two advisors, and both his in-laws.
"What is that you speak of Erestor?," Elrond asked through gritted teeth.
"Ada! Your hair! Arwen said the pink stuff would do something funny but I never thought something like that would happen!" Estel exclaimed.
At his youngests sentence, Elrond realized with sudden clarity that he had been royally set up, and that some damage to his hair had been done as well.
"Oh Valar, what more surprise are in store for me this night?" Elrond thought.
Elrond quickly grabbed a strand of his hair, and looked it over. To his horror, there was a definite reddish/pink tone in the ebony locks.
"You have a sick sense of humor iel nin," Elrond growled at his daughter.
"Oh Ada, you must learn to lighten up a bit. I did say that I would have my revenge, and face it. You deserved it for not telling me that I had a baby brother," she said sweetly.
"Oh Valar I give up! I can not win against the four of you. Elladan, may I please borrow some clothes?" Elrond asked.
"Of course Ada, we shall wait until you are dressed and then we should all go downstairs and have our hot cocoa, although I believe we will need to make a new batch by now," Elladan said.
Elrond threw up his hands in defeat, and stalked into Elladan's room in order to change.
Minutes later, Elrond had changed, and the family was proceeding downstairs for the long promised hot cocoa.
The whole family was downstairs drinking their hot cocoa with delight and just enjoying some rare family time. Family time was rare for Elrond and his children, but they always made an effort to spend as much time with one another as was possible.
Having Arwen and his in-laws along with all three of his sons, was truly a gift from the Valar.
"Grandmother, Grandfather, Arwen, you must come and visit us more often," Elladan said.
"We so rarely see you anymore, and I know Estel will miss you very much once you leave," Elrohir added.
"I know my grandchildren, but it is hard to leave our realm for too long. Lothlorien is protected as Imladris is. She can not go without her keepers for to long a period of time," Galadrial said.
The twins nodded their understanding sadly. It was one of the hardships both their grandparents and father faced. All three were rulers of Elven realms, and both their Grandmother and Grandfather bore rings of power that protected their Elven realm. A fact that was known by very few.
"However, there is no reason that you three could not come and visit us," Celeborn said.
"Nay, I'm afraid that we can not, at least not yet," Elrohir said.
"Aye, Estel is to young to travel the wilds yet, and we are unwilling to leave him for a season," Elladan said.
Galadrial, Arwen, and Celeborn nodded in understand but were disappointed.
"How old does Estel have to be before he can travel to Lothlorien?" Arwen asked.
"Fear not iel nin, it shall not be that much longer. Estel is currently four years old and I am considering taking him on a trip to Lothlorien when he reaches the age of six," Elrond said.
"You are Ada? Oh hannon le!" Estel exclaimed excitedly.
"You are welcome ion nin, but you have many skills to learn between now and then," Elrond said patiently.
"That is still such a long time though Ada! Imagine how much we shall miss in two years!" Arwen exclaimed.
"If I may make a suggestion?" Gandalf asked, walking into the kitchen.
"Please mellon nin, tell us your idea," Elrond said.
"I realize how important family is, and Estel shall need his grandparents and sisters love and guidance as well as yours and his brothers. Perhaps Galadrial, Celeborn, and Arwen can come every Winter Solstice and when the spring season begins," Gandalf said.
"I appreciate the offer Gandalf, but you know as well as I that I am unable to leave Lothlorien more than once a year. If I left twice, Lothlorien would be vulnerable without its protection," Galadrial said.
"I understand very well Galadrial. This is my offer. Lothlorien can hold her own once a year without it. During the spring festival, I shall reside in Lothlorien for the duration of your visit in Imladris," Gandalf said while puffing on his pipe.
"You would truly do this for us Mithrandir?" Celeborn said in awe.
"Tis no trouble Celeborn. Besides, I look forward to visiting you quite often Estel and to the day when I see you in Lothlorien," Mithrandir said.
Estel nodded happily and grinned. "I can't wait to see Lothlorien Grandmother. What is it like?" he asked curiously.
Galadrial never got to answer her grandson, for at that moment, both Glorfindel and Erestor came running into the kitchen. Both were pale and shaking. Whether from fury or fear was yet to be known.
"Forgive us Lord Elrond, but your skills are needed immediately," Erestor said breathlessly.
"The hunting party has just returned and there are many injured," Glorfindel said, looking significantly at Elrond.
Elrond knew exactly what it was that Glorfindel was not saying, for fear of upsetting Estel. The hunting party had been injured by orcs.
"Elladan, Elrohir, set out with another hunting party, but for Valar's sake, be careful!" Elrond said.
The twins nodded and hastily left to gather the needed supplies.
"Galadrial, Celeborn, Arwen, if you will come with me to the healing wing, your skills could be very useful.
"Ada, what's going on?" Estel asked fearfully.
Elrond's expression softened when he saw the fear on Estel's face.
"It is nothing ion nin. There has been a hunting accident, and I along with your grandparents are needed to heal the injuries. Your brothers just went to help fix the accident that occurred in the woods," he lied smoothly. It would not do to have Estel know that it was orcs. The poor boy was terrified of them.
"Glorfindel, would you put Estel to bed please? I'm afraid that I do not have the time tonight," Elrond said grimly.
"Of course mellon nin. Come Estel, let us get you into bed," Glorfindel said, picking up the young boy and exiting the kitchen while heading for the stairs.
"Okay Glorfy. Will you tell me a bedtime story?" Estel asked as they climbed the stairs and approached his chambers.
"Not tonight tithen pen. Erestor and I must help your brothers with the accident that occurred in the woods," Glorfindel said soothingly.
"Okay," Estel said somewhat disappointedly, but he understood that Glorfy was helping his brothers, and that was always a good thing.
"Tell Ada, my grandparents, the twins, and Arwen that I love them," Estel said as Glorfindel tenderly tucked Estel into bed.
"I shall tithen pen, don't worry," Glorfindel said softly.
"Good, I love you too Glorfy and tell Erestor that I love him too," Estel said sleepily.
"I shall Estel, I promise you," Glorfindel said, his heart filling with joy at Estel's words.
"Goodnight tithen pen, we all love you," he said before quietly exiting Estel's chambers.
"It was truly amazing how Estel loved so freely and so tenderly. Estel surely had stolen the hearts of everyone in Imladris. He is indeed our hope," Glorfindel thought fondly, his heart full of love for the little boy who had entered the lives so unexpectedly.
Looking back at Estel's chambers once more, Glorfindel headed downstairs to help Elladan and Elrohir prepare for the journey into the woods.
Gorothdil watched as Glorfindel quietly left the urchins chambers. For once, the boy was alone and his master had told him to strike. The orc attack on the patrol had been a distraction. The only distraction that Gorothdil needed to get to the creature.
Tonight, the urchin would pay. Tonight, Gorothdil would strike with a vengeance at the hearts of Elrond, his in-laws, and his sons and daughter. This night, he would relieve them of their burden called Estel.
Silently, Gorothdil unsheathed his sword, and crept unnoticed into Estel's room.
Translations:
Ada: Dad/Daddy
Ion nin: My son
Iel nin: My daughter
Mellon nin: My friend
Tithen pen: Little one