Disclaimer: I own nothing. All the characters, cultures, places, etc. belong to the imagination of J.R.R. Tolkien. The only thing I created was the plot of this fan fiction and a few minor characters. Every recognizable thing was taken from Tolkien's books.

Chapter two

Estel moved quickly down the hall. The edgy five-year old stopped abruptly when he heard the sound of footsteps behind him. He glanced nervously behind him and saw the figure following him. His breath stopped and he swiftly ducked behind a small chair. He sat trembling and hugged his knees to his chest. The soft footsteps continued down the hall and stopped right in front of his chair and the child caught his breath. The figure smiled and turned around, looking right at the spot where Estel was hidden. Estel tried to condense himself into the smallest space possible, but the form still found him behind the chair.

"Hah!" the figure exclaimed as it reached down and swooped the boy up in one swift motion, "I found you!" Estel almost laughed as he was lifted into the air above the Elf's head. Elladan laughed and dropped Estel to the ground with a thud, but the resilient child hardly noticed and jumped to his feet, an eager look on his face.

"No," Elladan said, interpreting the anxious look on Estel's face, "I haven't found Elrohir." Estel smiled in delight and turned around, running down the hall opposite the way he'd just come. Elladan laughed and followed him, sprinting until he caught up with the hasty boy. Estel skidded around a corner, too distracted to care about what stood in front of him, and ran directly into the legs of a woman, knocking him onto his back. Elladan slid around the corner next, though managed to stop himself before colliding with the dark-haired woman.

"Estel," Gilraen murmured, picking the boy into her arms, "what have I told you about running-"

"I am sorry," Elladan said, collecting himself and walking to her side, "it was my fault for encouraging it." The woman smiled gently and set Estel onto the ground. The boy bowed his head, ashamed, and stood silently.

"It is all right," Gilraen said, smiling at her child, "as long as it doesn't happen again." Estel perked up at her words.

"I assure you," Elladan said, beginning to walk off, "it won't." Estel tottered briskly to his side and they turned away.

"Estel," Gilraen called, "come here a moment." Estel sighed and ambled back to her. "I am going to have to borrow Estel," she told Elladan. "It will only be a minute." Elladan nodded and walked away from them, waving to the disappointed child as he left.

Gilraen turned to Estel with a smile and settled herself down on a chair that lined the east wall. It made Estel uneasy, for he was not used to seeing his mother like this. Anything unusual to the child seemed to perturb him. He didn't trust many people or things anymore. Not since three years before.

"Estel," she began, "something is happening." Estel stiffened, shifting himself uncomfortably in Gilraen's lap. "Do not be alarmed," she said, caressing him. "Lord Elrond has discovered a party of orcs," Gilraen explained. "They are coming dangerously close to the borders, and he is alarmed." Estel cringed, remembering with bitterness the disgusting nature of orcs.

"He has called for help," Gilraen said, "from beyond the mountains. When they come, they will be able to help us fight the orcs." Estel nodded, beginning to understand. "We haven't heard from them," she said, "but if they do come, I don't want you to get into trouble with them. It would be best if you stayed away from them once they arrived."

Estel didn't understand. He didn't know why his mother didn't want him to be with the newcomers. It interested him. He wanted to see them. Gilraen sent him a look that was meant as a warning.

"I want you to stay away from them, understand?" Estel nodded slowly. 'I understand,' he thought, 'but nothing will stop me from going.'

"Estel," Gilraen said, "I want to know that you won't go. Please, tell me." Estel stared at her, wondering why she was asking him to speak so suddenly. He wasn't used to talking. He had scarcely said a word since he first arrived in Imladris nearly three years before. He never spoke to anyone. When he first arrived, Elrond decided to let them live there. After the orcs had killed his father, he and his mother walked for what seemed like ages until they were found by two Elves. They brought himself and his mother to Imladris and they had dwelled there ever since. All the Elves began calling him Estel, but that was not his real name. He was so used to people calling him that, he had almost forgotten his true name. Almost. His name was Aragorn. He knew that much. He also knew that he would go to the new Elves. He knew that he would see them, no matter how much his mother begged him to stay away. 'What trouble could it cause?' he wondered with a smile. Gilraen sighed and shook her head.

"At least acknowledge me," she pleaded. Estel nodded, jumping out of her lap. Gilraen sighed again and motioned him off. "Go, go," she said, "find Elrohir." Estel smiled and ran off, ignoring his mother's voice calling after him to walk.

TBC