Chapter 3

Elrond yawned and blinked, -Ai... I hadn't meant to fall asleep...- he glanced down at his son, "you'd better wake up fast my son..."

He sat there for the longest time before he heard a knock at the door, "Come in," he sat, fully expecting it to be the twins or Legolas.

Teralin opened the door hesitantly, "Lord Elrond?"

The elf glanced up, "Teralin, I did not expect you."

"I'm sorry, if I'm intruding I'll leave."

"Nay, sit young one," he smiled at the man, "you have become a friend to my son, so you have a right to be with him."

"A friend to him I am... but surly there are others who are better friends with him than I who wish to be here."

Elrond smiled, "Perhaps, but then where are they?"

The human frowned in confusion.

"Why are you up so early?"

"I could not sleep well."

"That makes two of us," Legolas smiled from the doorway, "but I do believe I don't need it quite as much as you do."

The man smiled tiredly.

The three sat in silence for a while, simply resting and taking comfort in each others presence.

It was an odd feeling for Teralin for it had been a long time since he felt comfortable with anyone. He didn't have any family and the only person he had felt safe with was Thorongil. To his shock he had found out a while ago that the man was 42 years old now. The Captain himself was 37. But he'd always thought the other was younger, he'd looked like it, and even acted like it when there was no one around to witness it other than his few friends.

Legolas finally broke the silence, "Could you continue the story... if it's not too much to ask? It helps calm us all I believe, and I'm sure the twins won't mind since they already know what happens," he winked.

Elrond smiled, "Of course...

.....Flashback.....

Estel sat with his feet in the water, not moving an inch and watching the small fish that swam about his feet.

Elladan and Elrohir sat only a couple feet away from him with long sticks that they had tied a strong elven line to and attached a small silver hook to the end and were conversing quietly about the young human.

Elrohir sighed, "Do you think he knows his father isn't coming back?"

Elladan was silent for a moment, "I think he may... he's not as outgoing as he was when we met him... he's calmed terribly..."

"It's sad..." Elrohir said, "he's so young... he shouldn't have had to witness that..."

Elladan glanced over at the silent child, "Nay, he shouldn't have. But we can't turn back time."

"Poor child... he just seems so alone," Elrohir mumbled.

"Aye."

"Perhaps we can do something to help him feel less lonely," Elrohir suggested.

"A good idea 'Ro... but what?"

The younger twin sighed, "I don't know."

They sat in silence for a while, watching the child who was staring at the water, smiling at the bright silver fish that swam under the surface.

Elladan suddenly grinned, "I have an idea."

Elrohir glanced up at him, "What is it?"

"You'll see. We'll have to make sure it's okay with ada and Gilraen first though."

The younger elf shrugged, "If it'll make him happier I'm sure ada will have no problem with it."

"I know," Elladan smiled at the child.

........................

Elrond's eyebrows shot up, "Oh?"

Elladan nodded, "Aye ada, I think it'll help him. This way at least if we're busy he'll have something to play with. And I've already spoken to Gilraen and she seemed almost excited by the idea."

Elrond nodded, "Alright then... you'd better make sure he knows how to take care of it... he's very young and you'll have to help him."

"I know ada."

"Okay then, when do you leave?"

"We'll go tonight."

Elrond nodded, "It is settled then."

Elladan smiled, "Thank you ada."

The elder elf smiled.

.........................

A couple weeks later the elves returned.

Estel had seen them come through the gates and had leaped out of his mothers lap as soon as he saw them.

Gilraen blinked at the sudden absence and watched as her young son slowly pushed the heavy doors open far enough for him to slip through and ran as fast as he could.

Elladan had no sooner dismounted than he felt a small weight attach itself to his legs.

He glanced up at him with an accusing look.

Elrohir laughed as he dismounted and immediately the child clung to him as well.

He tugged slightly on his shirt and gave him the same look.

"I'm sorry Estel," Elladan said, "but you were asleep when we left and we did not wish to wake you."

Estel whimpered slightly and raised his arms.

Elladan laughed and lifted the child who clung to him.

Elrohir smiled and shifted the small bundle he held, "Shall we go in so you can see what we brought you?"

Estel looked over at him with wide eyes.

Elladan laughed, "Come, I'm sure ada and Gilraen would like to see it as well."

They all went inside and the two were greeted by their father and Gilraen.

Erestor had been sitting in his study when the commotion down stairs had caused him to want to find out what it was all about.

Estel looked over at the serious looking elf and smiled at him causing the other to smile down at him, then climbed into his mothers lap again.

Elladan smiled, "At least we know someone can make you smile Erestor."

The elf frowned at him.

Elladan smiled wryly.

Elrohir cleared his throat and handed Estel the small bundle he carried, "Hold it gently."

Estel did as he was told and slowly pulled the blanket away slowly. He let out a small gasp as he pulled the rest of it away. He gently touched the small ball of fur with wide eyes, waking the kitten.

It looked up at him with huge blue eyes and mewed softly. It was mainly black, but its face, right ear, tail and hind left foot were white. The poor thing look absolutely terrified.

Estel reacted automatically when it shrunk back a bit by gently pulling the soft blanket back around it. He stared over at the twins with huge eyes.

They smiled at the shocked child.

The child gently deposited the kitten in Elrond's lap and slid off his mothers. He then climbed onto Elladan's and hugged him and did the same with Elrohir.

Elrond smiled at that and held the kitten gently while Estel climbed back onto his mothers lap.

.....End Flashback.....

Elrond smiled at the wide-eyed looks he was getting. It was lunch time now, so the elven lord stopped.

"I think I'll continue this tomorrow," he laughed slightly.

Elladan nodded, "Aye, you need to rest. You didn't sleep last night, I can tell. I'll stay up with Estel tonight."

Teralin smiled, "I truly appreciate this Lord Elrond."

The elf smiled, "'T is my pleasure. Besides, you'll have to know what to expect when he wakes. This, I believe, will help a bit."

Legolas grinned, "Somehow I doubt he'll appreciate it."

The twins laughed, "Highly doubting it," they said simultaneously.

Teralin blinked at them and shook his head in amusement.

Legolas rolled his eyes, "You two had better stop doing that, you'll scare the human."

Teralin pretended to look annoyed at that though in the end he ended up laughing.

The twins grinned at each other then at the human, "Oh we can be worse," once again in unison.

Elrond crossed his arms, "If you start any of your pranks on him be aware I will allow Estel to do whatever he wants to do when he awakens."

Elladan grinned, "Ah yes, and as long as he can't speak perhaps he'll actually be able to do so."

Legolas rolled his eyes, "As long as I'm not on the receiving end of any of these pranks."

A/N

Elven Kitten: There! Hope you all enjoyed! :P I'm gonna keep this a/n short cuz I gotta get ready to go out. So namarie!

marbienl- yup! I wrote it cuz of u! :P Glad u liked!

starlit jewel- Oh nice! lol. Hope u liked!

sielge- Thank'e! Glad u enjoyed it! Hope this was soon enough! :P

grumpy- Glad u liked! :P Hope u liked this chapter too!