Disclamier: I do not own Lord of the Rings or anything associated with it. It's a pity but it's true. sigh
A/N: So it seems that I have really bad timing for posting a chapter. I think it's a gift to post right before the site goes onto read only. laughs Definitely my luck, but I am glad I got to hear from all of you that reviewed. And I hope that people did read! (And pray!)
I am so sorry that this chapter is so late, but we have been having a lot of thunder storms where I live so I couldn't get on to my computer. I hope all of you enjoy this chapter!
"elvish"
'Common tongue'
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"My boy, my darling boy you have come back to me!" Elrond said in a whispered voice, though he wished to proclaim it from the roof tops.
He drew Estel into a tight embrace, mindful of his wounds. Estel grinned and returned his father's embrace, happy to once more be home.
Celebrian smiled gently at the picture painted before her. For once, in what had felt like eternity, her family was once more coming together. This day would be the beginning of a new era in their home, one full of light and hope.
Estel glanced at Celebrian as much as he could out of the elf lord's tight embrace. His happy face turned to concern upon seeing her. He hesitantly met her sapphire eyes with his silver ones. "Amme are you alright?"
"I am fine tithen pen." The Lady replied with a smile, after her confusion left her. She had not felt the tears creeping down her cheeks until Estel had mentioned them. "I am just happy that you are home."
The former king of Gondor nodded and opened his mouth to speak when the door to his chamber was thrown open. The bang resonated throughout the house of Elrond, waking more then one of its members with the crashing noise of the door colliding with the plastered wall.
"Estel?" Elladan and Elrohir said in rapt awe and hope. They had come running when they heard drawers slamming in their father's study.
When they had ran into the room they were greeted with a very pleasant surprise; once more their brother was awake and looking directly at them. The twins ignored the annoyed glares of their parents, uncle and friend seeing only that Aragorn was alert.
"El'dan, El'hir." Estel said in a raw voice. He coughed and tried to clear his throat. "Missed you."
"We missed you too, tithen muindor." Elrohir said softly bending down onto his knees next to his little brother. "We are just so glad that you are back with us."
"And that we will not have to kill Legolas. Elrohir and I have grown mighty attached to him." Elladan said with a grin and wink at the named person. He had remained standing, but dared not to turn his body, save his head, away from the bed.
"I am glad to see that you care so much for me Elladan." Was the caustic comment from their friend. Legolas' lips were set in a hard line but his eyes sparkled. "I do not know what has gotten into you brothers Estel, threatening me with a cruel death if I did not return you."
Elladan just gave a look of innocence when his little brother looked up at him questioning. He bent down and gathered his little Estel into a tight embrace. Estel barely had a chance to inhale a breath before Elladan had descended upon him.
"Need to breathe Elladan." Estel rasped loudly. Elladan laughed and Elrohir rolled his eyes shaking his head at his elder brother.
"Enough Elladan, let him go." Celebrian said in her soft voice. "Muindor lle has had a trying couple of days. He needs to have his rest without you strangling him."
"I am not doing any such thing! Ada tell Amme I was not strangling Estel." Elladan said in innocent cry, releasing his little brother on to the soft, fluffy pillows of his bed.
"There is nothing I can do Elladan. You had Estel in a death grip, be more careful." Elrond said with a small rumble of laughter. At one time the comment would have sent him into a bout of depression, yet now it was something that could truly be laughed at.
Elladan for a moment did not know how to react to the comment and glanced down at Elrohir. Elrohir shrugged and smiled, pointing at the still happy faces in the room.
Therefore Elladan gathered his courage upon seeing his father, friend and brother not reacting badly to Elrond's words, plowed ahead. He smiled at Estel and whispered in conspiring tones. "Tithen pen, tell Amme and Ada that I was not strangling you. You know I would never do such a thing."
"I would be careful of muindor lle saying that Estel. Elladan threatened to gut and stuff me. Who knows what he is capable of doing to either of us." Legolas warned Aragorn wearily.
Estel rolled his eyes and then glanced at his elven brother. "Elladan, how many times do I have to tell you not to threaten our guests?" Then he gave an evil smile. "No matter how much they deserve it!"
Elladan burst out laughing at the comment and Legolas huffed. "It is good to know where I stand in the thick of things."
Estel quickly turned at the sound of bitterness in Legolas' voice. "Legolas I did not mean any har..."
"Relax Elrondion." Legolas said with a smile to his best friend. "I know that you jest. I am just glad to hear you speak aloud in this world once more."
Elrohir shook his head at his brother's self doubt, and was happy when Estel returned the smile, "I am glad that you found me gwador-nin. I do not know what I would have done without Ada and you. Although I fear the price may have been too high for both of you to risk your lives for mine."
Elrond rose from his knees at Estel's side and caught his son into another hug. "We all glad that you are safe and sound."
With that said Elrond gave Estel a kiss upon his forehead. He whispered fiercely. "No price is too high, for you worth more to me then anyone could place a price upon."
"I say the same Estel." Legolas said as Estel turned to look at his friend, tears were in his eyes. "Your are worth more then any price could name mellon nin. My life would mean nothing if I had not tried to come and find you."
"Legolas you cannot mean that!" Estel exclaimed. He tried to sit up straight, only to have his mother pushed him back down into the pillows with a gentle reprimanding smile.
He gave her a mock scowl but settled with only being allowed to turn his head. "I am of little importance. Your life is of more value to me then my life could ever be!"
Estel turned to his father, "As is your life Ada. I would never want you to come to harm because of me."
"We had this discussion before Estel. I am Adar lle, I cannot turn away when you are in need." Elrond said as tears poured forth from behind his eyes.
He took Estel's hands into his own and he spoke soft as the throat constricted. "I could never turn any of my children away, let alone my youngest. I love all of you more then anything else in this world and any other that I could never leave you behind."
Elros placed a hand on his brother's shoulder. He spoke quietly to his nephew. "Muidor-ion (brother-son), you must face it that we all have taken you into our hearts. No matter how brief our meetings have been. Never doubt our love and willingness to sacrifice."
"You are very precious to us all Estel." Celebrian said in a low, comforting voice, although she still was not allowing him to rise. "Estel, you are a star in which we have placed our hopes and love on the paths that we once only saw darkness. I would do everything in my power to see that that star never fades."
Estel turned to the great lady that knelt next to him. "Lady I deserve nothing from you, no sacrifices nor have I earned any love." His words seemed to have been just barely breathed, for if Celebrian was not an elf it was doubtful she would have heard them.
"But you have Estel." Celebrian said as she smoothed the young child's hair back from his face. "You brought light to my children and husband in the darkest of times. That, ion-nin, is an accomplishment within itself. For that you have well earned any title of love or respect that I could ever give you ion-nin."
Estel was struck dumb at this lady's words. "Amme...." But a long finger silenced his protests. She took him into her embrace as his husband gazed upon his wife and child. It was a beautiful sight indeed.
"Estel?" Another female voice came. Lady Celebrian released her youngest son from her grasp at the sound of the voice. "Estel is this a dream? Are you really here?"
"Arwen." Estel breathed. He sat up as straight as he could in his bed. This time neither his brothers nor the Lady of Rivendell tried to restrain him. "Aye meleth (love), I am really here. I am home."
Arwen stood standing within the doorway for a second longer before running and flinging herself upon the bed. She pelted Estel with kisses long held in the small hope that her husband would return to her.
Elrond smiled at his youngest children, glancing to his wife as he stood up. He reached his hand to her and she took it within hers. With a small nodded and jerk of the head he led the others out of the room to leave the lovers to their privacy.
Elladan was the last to leave, turning back for a moment. "You always had to be the favorite Estel, did you not?"
Estel broke his silent communication with Arwen. He smiled at his brother's teasing. "Of course I do because I am the favorite of our parents."
Arwen laughed at her husband's jab at their brother but Elladan only shook his head in mock frustration. Then after a moment he laughed as well.
"Either way tithen pen, you will always be the baby of the family." Elladan said with a grin through his laughter. Elrohir just shook his head at his siblings' antics.
"And you will always be the overprotective eldest? What does it matter Elladan truly who is the favorite?" Estel asked with his right eyebrow cocked, looking remarkably like Elrond.
"Nay, it matters not, only that you are home." Elladan said with sparkling eyes and a gentle smile. "But let us not speak of these things, for I believe you two love birds have much more important matters to deal with. Amine mela lle tithen muindor."
"Amine mela lle muindor." Estel replied tears once more were coming to his eyes as he took in the sight of his brother. He had thought he would never see Elladan again.
"Navar Elladan." Arwen replied briskly. Elladan just laughed at her curtness and shut the door behind him. His brother was right, all that mattered was that all of them were home safe and sound.
To be continued or not? I'll let all of you decide.
siegle: I am glad that you liked the previous chapter so much! Did you like this one as well? I hope so! I am kind of sad that the story will end as well, but you get to decide it you want to hear a little more or not. I will leave you with that choice and please tell me if you want more, okay? puppy eyes Thank you again for reviewing.
Elven Kitten: I am glad you posted! I love your chapters, they are really great! I am grateful you reviewed my story, it brightened my day. smiles I hope you enjoyed this chapter just as much!
Moonfire: I am glad that you will forgive the heart trouble. laughs and grins I am glad you reviewed too, although the flattery is not well deserved on my part. Still I thank you for saying you loved the entire chapter, I am utterly glad. I hope you enjoyed this one as well. Thanks again!!
radbooks: Are you happy now with them being safe at home. One can hope it doesn't happen again. (And no I am not getting any bright ideas!) I am glad you like the part about Celebrian and the blood ceremony. To tell you the truth that was the hardest part to write because I was afraid it wouldn't work out. Thank you for belaying my fears. I hope you liked this chapter just as much! And thank you for telling me about Nemis. I haven't had a chance to read her stories yet, but the do sound interesting!! Thanks!!! ; )
grumpy: I am glad you know who is who, because if I get enough votes to continue for a little longer I may throw in a few other characters from the Silmarillon. (Yes I am that evil! tries to cackle but chokes Don't worry I'm still breathing. So not evil.) Isn't it nice to have them all back? I thought so, I really don't have a death wish, so I couldn't leave Estel there. Though I really don't think Cuive would hurt him.. Thank you again for reviewing!
trustingfriendship: I am glad you like the previous chapter. I am glad I made a thought provoking question. I really wanted to show that we have to accept people for everything they are. I am also glad that you liked it. Did you think the reunions went well? Will see if there will be more or not. It's up to you guys and gals.
Thank you again to all of you who have read and reviewed. All those who have read and are like me and are too tired to review, thank you!! I hope all of you enjoyed this chapter!
Don't forget to vote whether you want more or not! Click the review button to cast votes.