chapter 17

The twins walked back into the room to see Estel sitting up in bed, Legolas perched on the edge.

"You two ok?" Legolas asked.

"We're fine," Elrohir smiled.

"How are you feeling Estel?" Elladan asked.

"I am feeling much better than I was when you found me. in fact, I'm..."

"Don't even mention the word fine." Legolas groaned, "We know what fine means when it comes to you covering up for injuries."

"You are not much better young prince." The three looked to Elladan and for a moment they could swear it was Elrond standing in his place.

"Young? You are not much older."

"By a couple of centuries, pen neth." Elrohir added, grinning widely as a cushion was thrown in his direction. "Ha, missed." He said but did not count on the cushion from behind, courtesy of his older twin.

"I didn't." Elladan was now the one grinning.

"Hey. That's not fair." Elrohir growled and lunged for his twin. Elladan sidestepped and grabbed another pillow and threw it at Elrohir, hitting him directly in the face.

Soon feathers were flying everywhere as the pillow fight digressed into a scuffle. Shouts and laughs echoed through the closed doors down the corridors.

"What is going on in here?" Thranduil entered the room, only to be hit by a wayward pillow.

"Sorry father," Legolas grinned as the feathers started to settle.

"Don't make me laugh, it hurts." Estel groaned.

"Do you three not have a home of your own to destroy?" the king asked, a smile playing on his lips.

"No my lord, Estel and Legolas already destroyed it." Elrohir laughed as the younger two glared at him.

"Wouldn't surprise me." He muttered, "Dinner will be shortly, will you be joining us?"

"Feel up to it Estel?" Elladan asked.

"I'm getting bored with these four walls, of course I will." He growled.

"I think it would be good to leave for home tomorrow as well," Elladan sighed.

"What?" his brothers asked in unison.

"We have to go home sooner or later, and seeing Estel is much better than he was it would be a good time to make our way home. We have stayed away much longer than we should have."

"Of course," Thranduil nodded, "I shall make sure everything is ready for you."

"Thank you my lord, your hospitality has been most welcome." Elladan smiled, "Elrohir, come on, we should start getting ready." He led the younger to their own rooms where they started getting ready.

"Estel?" Elrohir knocked on his friend's door. "You coming to dinner?" no answer. "Estel?" he slowly opened the door to find the young man had changed his clothes but had fallen back to sleep. "Not too hungry then brother?" he smiled and pulled the cover fully over the Human and softly smoothed the hair from his face.

"Is it time to go yet?" a tired voice murmured.

"Nay Estel, it is only dinner time. We do not leave until the morning." He smiled softly.

"Oh," he whispered.

"We could always bring you some food for later, if you want to sleep."

"Sleep now." He muttered with a yawn.

"Alright," he leaned down and planted a light kiss on his little brother's head, "sleep well Estel." He whispered, as if he was a small child again.

Almost immediately Estel was back asleep.

A knock on the door echoed through the peaceful silence, causing Elrohir to jump out of his chair.

"Are you two..." Elladan burst in the room but was silenced by his twin.

"He sleeps," Elrohir explained, "I told him we would bring him food when he wakes up."

"He is still so young," Elladan murmured, "so oblivious to the destiny that awaits him. I wish it could stay so."

"Why can't it?" the younger asked, never taking his eyes off the Human, "why does he have to know? Can't he just stay as Estel? At home. With us. Safe." His raising voice caused Estel to stir slightly.

"Keep it down," Elladan hissed, "don't wake him, he needs his rest," he continued in a hushed voice, "You know we cannot keep it from him forever. Not if he has a chance to restore the world of man. We know not how hard this path will be for him. He will need us to support him." The elder's eyes pleaded for understanding.

"Just because I'm letting you have your way does not mean i have to like it." Elrohir sighed.

"I don't like it either, but we have no choice, if we keep it from him, he will learn of it another way. He will find out that we knew all along and will probably hate us for it, and drive him away." Elladan said.

There was a short silence. "When do you intend to tell him?"

"When we get home. When it feels like the right time, but within the next few months. Come, we should leave him to sleep."

Elrohir was first to leave the room, Elladan sat a while longer, knowing he would have very few moments like this with the young man he came to love as his little brother.