Review Responses:
Racer38 – Thanks for the review!
Shinigami06 – I'm glad you like it!
Mojo the Rock Chick Munchkin – Brill? IS this a new language? ;) hehe. Keep up the reviews!
PokethePenguin – I know! I would love to have Estel as a little brother… *sigh* I'll just have to satisfy myself with writing about him, :-P
Miss Perfect – Thanks!
Frisha – I took longer than I wanted, but I hope it is worth it.
Amy – I'm planning on having Elladan's 'stitch story' later in the story. Glad you like it!
Naru – Sorry! I'm trying the best I can.
Catmint – Don't worry, you will! J As earlier, it will be later on in the story.
Elven Kitten – I know… Poor Estel… *muahahaha* Anyway, glad you like it! Keep reviewing.
punk rock princess – Thanks for pointing that out! :-D I'll be sure to fix it! Hannon lle!
Roccovende – I'm glad you like it! And while I'm at it… I am reading two of your stories. 'Bellas' is very good and I enjoy it a lot. I also love 'Changing Winds'. Any chance of you updating that soon? You left it off at such a cliff hanger!
Lutris – I'm glad you are interested! J Keep up the reviews!
Leggylover03 – I love them too! That is why I decided to write one myself!
Grumpy – I thought the game was cute. J I'm glad you liked it.
Eph – Thank you!
blah and stupid kid 04 – Thanks for all the help!!! :D
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Two Left Feet
By: BabeyRachey
Chapter 3
Estel sat at the dining room table, humming quietly to himself while waiting for his Ada and the twins to arrive. It had been two days since the vase incident, and Estel could run about freely.
In fact, Elrond had scolded him this morning for running in the halls, telling him he didn't want another incident that required stitches.
Estel scowled at the thought, glaring down at his lightly bandaged finger. His Ada had said he needed to keep the stitches for two weeks. Two whole weeks!
Looking glumly around the empty hall, Estel wondered where everyone else was. He was hungry!
Sighing to himself, he leaned back in his chair, before starting to hum his own senseless tune.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Elrond walked slowly through the hallways of his home, enjoying the relative peace of the house around him as he walked to the dining hall. He very rarely had the opportunity to simply enjoy the beauty of his own domain, and today had been a very stressful day, so he was enjoying it doubly.
The elf lord smiled as his thoughts wandered to his sons.
They kept the place lively; there was no doubt about that. It was very rarely that anyone found absolute quiet or peace, but he wouldn't trade a minute of it.
This very morning he had seen Estel running through the hallways, glad to finally be free of his restricting bandages. While he had scolded him for running inside, Elrond had been overjoyed at the fact Estel was back to being his happy carefree self.
Turning the corner, Elrond didn't notice the mess until he was nearly upon it. As he gazed upon it, Elrond gasped.
What had been a statue lay shattered into dozens of pieces on the cold floor. Bending over and picking up a delicate shard, Elrond felt a twinge of grief.
It had been one of the ones Celebrian had made, before she went across the sea. Elrond remembered how much joy his wife got from making the statues, and how she had filled rooms upon rooms with them.
This particular statue had been a gift from her, to him, the Winter Solstice before the twins had been born.
Elrond looked sadly at the pieces before him. What had happened? Who had done this?
The answer came to him immediately.
Estel, Of course.
Elrond felt a ripple of anger flow through him, his already frayed nerves stretching once more. Hadn't he told the child not to run in the halls? Hadn't he told him that something like this would happen?
It was rare that the elf lord let his temper get the better of him, but the sight of the broken pieces before him was too much. Why hadn't Estel come to him to tell him? Why hadn't the twins if Estel was with them?
Would the boy never learn?!
Standing up quickly, Elrond dodged the shards, making his way quickly to the dining room. Unfortunately the short, brisk walk wasn't enough to calm his piqued temper.
Estel looked up with relief, and then shock as Elrond came through the dining hall doors.
He was tense and towering with irritation mixed with anger. Estel had never seen his father in such a state.
It didn't help Elrond's temper much to see sitting there innocently, as though he had done nothing.
"Estel!" He said sharply, trying unsuccessfully to calm himself.
Estel stared wide eyed as his father strode up to him. "Y-Yes, Ada?" he gulped nervously.
"Come with me." The elf lord said shortly.
Startled, it took Estel a moment before jumping up and hurrying after his departing father. Confused, Estel was nearly jogging trying to keep up with Elrond. What was happening? Where were they going?
Elrond suddenly stopped, Estel barely keeping from crashing into him. Stepping to his father's side, Estel gasped.
Shattered pieces of what he guessed were once a beautiful figurine lay glittering sadly on the floor.
"Estel,"
Estel looked up at his Father's commanding voice.
"Did you do this?"
Estel gaped at his father, eyes wide and disbelieving. "No, Ada" He exclaimed vehemently, slightly hurt that he would think so.
Elrond lifted one eyebrow, temper straining. "One more chance for the truth, Estel. Did you do this?"
"It is the truth, Ada!" Estel said, eyes welling with tears. "I didn't do it! I listened when you said not to run in the halls!"
"If you did not, then who did?" Elrond questioned, sounding disbelieving himself.
"I-I do not know, Adar." Estel said nervousness and hurt laced through his voice. What was going on? Why didn't his Ada believe him?
Elrond sighed, exasperated, and rubbed his forehead tiredly. "Come here Estel." He said, walking over to a nearby bench. Estel timidly walked over to him. "I'm sorry that you feel that you have to lie to me." Elrond began.
"I didn't-"Estel stifled his protest at his father's look.
"What did I just say?" Elrond scolded, "If you would just tell me the truth, it would save us a lot of pain."
"I am, Adar, I am." Estel insisted, anger twisting into all his other emotions as well.
"You give me no choice then. I'm sorry."
Estel yelped when he was bent over his father's knee, and a stinging swat was laid on his backside.
"Do - Not – Run – In – The – Halls." He emphasized with each smack. Estel squirmed, tears making their way down his cheeks. What had he done to deserve this? He hadn't done anything wrong! Why didn't his Ada believe him?
After several moments of the abuse, Elrond finally stopped, setting Estel in front of him once again. "Because when you do, things like this happen. Come here," He invited, starting to pull Estel into a hug.
Estel pulled away sharply, and with a choked sob, took off down the hall in the direction of his room.
Elrond sighed, sorry that he had to punish Estel like that. But he hadn't expected the boy to dispute the fact that he had broken the figurine, and the way Estel had looked at him made his heart ache.
Rising, Elrond slowly made his way to the dining hall.
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Estel sat on his bed, dry sobs heaving through his small body.
He couldn't believe it.
His bottom still stung, and his heart felt like it was breaking. His Ada hadn't believed him… he had spanked him!
"I didn't do anything…" He sobbed out, the unfairness of the situation making an incredibly heavy burden on the seven year old.
'Maybe Ada doesn't love me anymore. What if he thinks I'm so bad, he doesn't want me around?' The thought ran again and again through his head like a poison. Tears streaming down his face, Estel looked around his room sadly.
His gaze landed on his pack.
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Elrond sat with Elladan and Elrohir at the dinner table, which was uncharacteristically quiet.
"Where is Estel, Ada?" Elrohir inquired. His little brother's absence was starting to worry him. Estel was never late for a meal. Elrond met his son's concerned gaze, suddenly feeling unbearably tired.
"I believe he is in his room." He answered, barely containing another sigh.
"Adar?" Elladan inquired, noticing his father's depressed state.
"I had to punish him earlier, and he ran off before I could make things right." Elrond said softly, regretting the harsh words that had been exchanged. Elladan and Elrohir exchanged surprised looks.
"What did he do this time?" Elrohir sounded disbelieving.
"He broke one of Celebrian's statues." Elrond replied shortly, remembering the broken shards with a twist in his heart. "My guess is he was running in the hallways."
They were all silent for a moment, eyes and hearts filled with remembrance and grief.
"I will check on him after dinner, Ada, if that's ok." Elrohir said finally. Elrond nodded, concerned himself.
Silently, they went on with their meal.
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Elrond left the dining room later, feeling rather down. Had he never realized how much his human son had brought to a simple meal? Turning the corner, Elrond thought sadly of his son's tear stained face. He hadn't wanted to punish him, but he couldn't just let the boy get away with disobeying rules.
As the elf lord approached the place of the incident, he was surprised to find one of the maids dutifully cleaning up the shattered pieces.
"You needn't have bothered." Elrond said apologetically, making the maid start and blush. "I was going to have Estel clean it up."
The maid looked at him with surprise and confusion.
"Estel, my lord? Why would you be having him do such a thing?"
Elrond sent her a confused glance as well. "He made the mess, he can clean it up." He said simply.
"But, my lord-"The maid started, but stopped herself, flushing.
"Yes?" Lord Elrond pressed slightly.
The maid composed herself and started again. "My Lord, you misunderstand. Estel did not do this. I'm afraid Sir Elandion had a bit too much wine with supper, and knocked it over on the way to his room. As I was the one aiding him, I thought I should come and clean it." She explained.
The words hit Elrond like a sack of bricks in the stomach.
Estel hadn't done it. He had been telling the truth, and he had punished him.
"I-I am sorry, my lord." The maid apologized; worried that Elrond's shocked expression was one of disapproval.
"No, 'tis not you." Elrond said distantly, dread and guilt curling in his gut. "Continue on." He muttered, before turning and dashing down the hall.
What had he done?
Stopping at Estel's door, the elf lord took a deep breath as he knocked.
"Estel?" He called.
He didn't receive an answer. After several moments of silence, Elrond opened the door himself. He gasped as he entered the room.
The drawers of the dresser were yanked open and miscellaneous clothes scatter over the floor. Elrond dashed to pull open the closet, paling when he noticed what was missing.
Estel's cloak and satchel were gone, as well at his boots.
"Oh Estel," Elrond whispered brokenly, "What have I done?"
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There ya go! Another chapter down! Did you like it? I hope so, took me forever to get it out. Lol. I'm sorry it took so long. Anyway, I'll TRY to update sooner, but I can't promise. School is hectic right about now. Please review! I love you all! :D
~BabeyRachey
Translations:
Ada/Adar - Daddy/Father