Disclaimer: See Chapter One.
A/N: Hey there people, and oh my god, thank you so much for your reviews! I was totally shocked by how many I received for this fic. I am sad to say that this is the last chapter of this fic. If you read the last chapter, the polls are still open. See the bottom of this fic for more info. Many many thanks to my awesome beta enb2004! As promised, here is Chapter 20. Enjoy!
The moment that the sun had dawned the next morning, Elrond was on his way to the healing wing. Despite his promise to Thranduil however, he had not slept. He had tried but he was still far to worried about Estel to get any of the rest he was in desperate need of. Rest would only come after he was sure that his youngest would be all right.
Walking into the healing room, he found to his surprise that both of the twins were fast asleep in chairs. Elrond shook his head in slight disapproval and exasperation. He was willing to bet that they had both stayed up and fallen asleep after a few minutes.
Honestly, when would his children learn that they needed their sleep, even when they were worried about someone? Probably never.
It was only then that Elrond noticed that something was amiss. True, Elladan and Elrohir were fast asleep but the bed that they had their heads leaning against, was empty.
Adrenaline suddenly coursed it's way through Elrond's system as the realization hit him hard and fast. Estel was not in the bed or even within the room.
Quickly, Elrond checked the bathroom, hoping against hope that Estel had awoken and had simply needed to relieve himself.
To his disappointment he did not find Estel in the bathroom however.
"Elladan! Elrohir! Wake up!" Elrond exclaimed.
At their fathers voice, the twins immediately sat up, all traces of sleepiness gone.
"Ada? What's...." Elladan started to say but then saw the empty bed.
"Oh no, Estel! Ada, where is he?" Elrohir asked, trying to remain calm but not doing to good a job at it.
Elrond sighed heavily and turned to his twins sons and glared at them sternly.
"I know not. One of you were supposed to be awake at all times, incase he did wake!" he said, glaring at the twins.
A moment later though, the glare softened. "I do not blame you though my sons. You were far beyond exhausted and I must admit, I did expect both of you to fall asleep. I simply did not count on the fact that Estel would awaken and not alert anyone that he was conscious!" Elrond said exasperatedly.
"Ada, he could not have gotten very far in his condition," Elladan said.
"Aye, but with Estel, one never truly knows. You two go wake up Legolas, his brothers, and father, I'm going to search the house," Elrond said already heading out the door.
"Hurry Ada," Elrohir whispered before he and Elladan turned to the door as well and headed for Legolas's room.
Legolas was fast asleep with one arm still resting gently against Estel's chest when his subconscious became aware of a rather loud banging coming from somewhere.
Legolas tried to bury the noise but the banging became more insistent and loud voices were joining the banging.
Groaning, Legolas allowed himself to become fully awake, if somewhat grudgingly. Now that he knew that Estel would be fine, albeit, somewhat sick and bedridden for a few days, he had intended to catch up on some sleep.
"Legolas? What is it?" Estel asked sleepily.
"Shh, it's all right Estel, go back to sleep. If I'm right, it's your brothers and father coming to kill both you and me," Legolas whispered.
"Come in," Legolas called out while pushing Estel back onto the bed.
"Legolas, finally. Estel is missing. You have to help us find him! He shouldn't and can not be wandering around in his condition and..." Elladan started to say and might have continued had not Elrohir elbowed him in the ribs, hard.
"Elladan, gwador, you may want to look at Legolas's bed," Elrohir said, smiling at his twins single mindedness.
So worried was Elladan that he had failed to notice that Estel was sitting upright in Legolas's bed and waving weakly at the twins.
"Don't worry Dan, I'm fine," Estel whispered, his throat still somewhat sore and irritated.
Elladan looked over Legolas's shoulder and gaped at Estel for a moment before he ran for the bed.
"Estel! You gwador nin, are anything but fine. And just what did you think you were doing? Getting out bed in the middle of the night without waking either one of us and walking to Legolas's room," he said shaking his head at Estel's lack of common sense.
"A question that I very much desire to hear the answer too ion nin," a dry voice said from behind the three young elves and one human.
Elladan and Elrohir jumped at their father's voice along with Legolas. They spun around only to come face to face with a slightly amused Thranduil, Delelen, Thilloth, and a very non-amused Lord Elrond.
At first, Estel looked at King Thranduil, Delelen, and Thilloth in shock. He had not known that they were in Imladris and was more than embarrassed to have them see him in such sight.
Embarrassed, Estel looked down, at the same time hoping to avoid his Ada's question.
Elrond sighed and walked over to the bed and sat down besides Estel.
"Estel, why did you get out of bed without waking your brothers. You know they would have helped you accomplish whatever it was that you wanted," Elrond said, grasping the young mans chin and looking him straight in the eye.
Estel tried to avoid his father's gaze but found that he was unable too.
"The last thing I remembered was the Legolas had been injured but I could not recall how badly. After I had woken up, I noticed that he wasn't by my bed as he usually is when I am sick or injured, and I became worried. I did see Elladan and Elrohir but I was loathe to wake them, so, I made my way to Legolas's room," Estel said somewhat sheepishly.
As one, both Elladan and Elrohir rolled their eyes.
"Estel! We care not if we were sleeping, you should have woken us up and allowed us to help you. Honestly tithen gwador, sometimes, I wonder about you," Elrohir said sitting down on the bed besides his father and little brother.
This time it was Estel who rolled his eyes.
"Elrohir, please, do not even attempt to tell me that you have not done the same thing when either you or Elladan have been injured," he said barely holding back a laugh.
Elrond chuckled slightly. "He does have you there Elrohir," he said.
"Aye that he does. Oh and Legolas, do you not remember the instructions I gave the twins before we all went to sleep?" Thranduil said in a calm, too calm, tone of voice.
Legolas gulped and turned to his father and older brothers. He had an idea where this was headed and he wanted no part in it.
"Yes, I do recall the instructions you gave them Ada," he said, sitting back down on the bed with Elrond, the twins, and Estel.
That way, his father couldn't harm him, not while Estel was injured and had his head on Legolas's shoulder.
"You were meant to abide by those instructions as well Legolas! Mind you, I did not anticipate you going to Legolas Estel, but still, Legolas, you should have woken us up," Thranduil said scowling slightly at his youngest child.
Legolas shrugged sheepishly. "Sorry Ada, it was during the middle of the night, and to be honest, I probably wouldn't have woken you up even had I remembered," he said.
Elrond and Thranduil exchanged glances and rolled their eyes. "Children," they muttered together.
It was very good to see Estel and Legolas acting like their usual selves however. For a few moments, Elrond had feared that the Estel he knew and loved with all his being might never be the same if he didn't lower the fever.
Thankfully, the fever had lowered in time and Estel was on the mend, but still far away from being at full strength however.
In fact, Elrond was willing to bet that it would take at least a month, if not more, for Estel to regain his strength. Something his youngest son was sure to be quite upset at. That did not matter though for Elrond was just glad that Estel was still here to be upset about something.
Elrond turned away from his thoughts and turned to Estel, becoming serious instantly.
"Estel, tell me how you feel. The truth ion nin, not what you keep telling everyone else. We all know that you are far from fine," he said eyeing Estel critically.
"My throat and chest hurt, and my nose won't stop running. My leg and arm hurt, but not as badly as before, and I have a pounding headache. I am actually rather tired though," Estel admitted somewhat reluctantly.
"That is to be expected ion nin. You have been through a horrible ordeal and your body is going to need a lot of time to regain it's strength. I am just glad that you are home and safe as of right now," Elrond said.
Estel smiled tiredly and turned his attention to Thranduil as he began to speak.
"Do not ever do that to us again young one! You nearly scared us all to Mandos and back! All of my children are anxiously awaiting word on your condition, so, as soon as Elrond declares you strong enough, we are taking you back with us to Mirkwood," Thranduil said while smiling.
Estel nodded and smiled in thanks to King Thranduil. It had been a long time since he had visited Mirkwood. He was looking forward to the trip already!
He yawned and looked up sheepishly at his family and very close friends, who may as well have been family.
"Sorry," he muttered.
Elrond smiled and shook his head. "There is nothing to be sorry for little one. You are in need of more rest. Go, get some sleep. We shall all still be here when you awaken," he said, pushing Estel back down onto the pillows and tucking the blanket in around him.
As Elrond tucked him in, Estel's last thought before sleep claimed him was that he had come home at last, where he was surrounded by his family and loved ones. Safe in the arms of his family and loved ones, Estel fell fast asleep.
Translations:
Ada: Dad/Daddy
Ion nin: My son
Gwador nin: My brother
Tithen gwador: Little brother
Mellon nin: My friend
Tithen pen: Little one
A/N 2: All right, hey there everyone! I hope that you have enjoyed this fic, and if you read the last chapter, the vote is still on for which story you want me to write next! Currently, the polls stand as thus:
Estel and Greenleaf: 14
The Edge of a Knife: 8
Please vote! You can vote in your review or you can email me, it doesn't matter which. The polls will close three days after this Chapter has been posted. That way, the new story, whichever one it is, will be up by the next day. Thank you!
HarryEstel