Ok ok… I know this took a while and I'm sorry. But Finals are over now, so I can write more. Yay!!! :-D Thanks you guys so much for all the fantabulous reviews!!! You guys are awesome, and I've gotten some great ideas. And another note, I am going to have the beginnings of Estel's therapy in this story, but the majority of the healing and therapy and stuff will take place in 'Golden Haired God' the next story. It takes place three months after this one, after Estel's eighth birthday. So, if you don't get everything you want by the last chapter of this story, then you will in the next story. I'd expect one or two more chapters for this story, by the way. Enjoy!

Two Left Feet

By: BabeyRachey

Chapter 7

Estel felt himself floating dreamily along, unable to see anything, but the darkness was comforting. He felt as though he was weightless, nothing could harm him. He could stay here forever, and never leave. He tried to smile at the fault, but realized all of a sudden that he couldn't move.

Becoming panicked, he tried desperately to move, to see, to feel anything! 'I just want to be able to see.' He thought desperately. Even as he thought it, it seemed to fade. Things were growing brighter, and he could feel! But as the numb faded away, he wished he couldn't.

The pain… it was everywhere…overwhelming. Estel gasped softly as it hit him, eyes securely closed as he passed into full wakefulness. His chest, it was on fire! His back was burning, and his left leg. Panicking once more, Estel realized he couldn't feel his right arm.

He wrenched his eyes open, and his eyes watered when the bright sunlight hit them, but he didn't close them. The darkness was gone… it was gone. Blinking the bleariness out of his eyes, Estel glanced down at his arm. It was swathed in bandages.

Estel frowned as he looked at it and the bandages covering his bare chest. 'That explains the pain.' Estel thought briefly, and wondered how he got them. A soft snore made him start slightly, and he then noticed his brothers.

One twin on each side of the bed, their heads on their arms in identical positions, and they were fast asleep. Estel smiled a little bit, but even that action seemed to require a lot of effort. Using his undamaged arm, Estel lifted the covers slightly and noted the heavy cast on his leg.

Placing the blanket back down, he glanced tiredly around the room. When he noticed at his pack thrown hastily on a chair, the memories came back at a terrifying speed.

Wolves, there had been a wolf. It had been dark, and it was raining. Lightning. Valar, how he hated storms. But what had he been doing outside? Ada never let him outside after dark!

Straining his memory a bit, he was suddenly bombarded with that horrible moment. His Ada hadn't believed him… spanked him…he didn't love him anymore. Feeling suddenly alone, and in pain, Estel couldn't hold back the tears. It hurt his chest horribly, but he couldn't hold back the sobs that seemed to suddenly overcome him.

Estel, blinded by his tears and despair, didn't notice when the twins awoke, or their shared looks of alarm. He didn't notice Elrohir head out the door. He didn't notice anything until he felt a soothing hand on his forehead, another enveloping his good hand.

"Estel?" He heard Elladan say softly, and felt a hand run over his tangled hair. Opening tear filled eyes; Estel met the concerned ones of his brother. Elladan saw more than pain in his brother's eyes, and felt his heart ache at the obvious misery.

"What ails you so, tithen pen?" He asked, sitting gingerly at Estel's side. Estel blinked once and looked away. He tried to pull away his hand, but Elladan wouldn't let him. Stifling more tears, Estel started in a shaky voice.

"I-I don't think A-Ada loves me anym-more." He said at last, bursting into tears once more. Shocked and fighting his own tears, Elladan gently lifted the injured boy carefully into his arms, rocking him gently. Estel buried his face in his brother's tunic enjoying the familiar comfort and smell.

"Why would you think that, gwador nin?" Elladan asked, while his brother cried into his shirt. "Ada loves you very much, and he was worried sick about you when you left." Estel lifted his head, surprised.

"He was?" He asked, sniffing. "B-but he spanked me, even when I told him I didn't do it. H-he didn't believe me. He yelled at me!"

Elladan brushed away a few stray tears with his thumb.

"I know, gwador nin. But he knows now, and he sorry. He loves you, as do Elrohir and I." Slightly relieved, Estel let himself relax in his brother's hold. He still hurt, but it didn't seem so bad now that his brother was holding him.

Elladan began humming an old lullaby that his mother would sing to him, still gently rocking Estel in his arms. After only a few moments, his felt the boy go slack and his breathing slow slightly. Smiling down at him, Elladan was glad to see him back asleep. He didn't like the idea of his brother in any kind of pain.

The elf looked up as the heard the door open, unsurprised to see his father and twin enter the room. It looked as though Elrond had had a rough night, but had at least gotten some sleep.

"He's back asleep." Elladan said softly, before his father could ask. Elrond nodded, concern still making a line between his brows.

"Elrohir said he was distressed. Did he say anything?" He inquired, noting the drying tears on the boy's cheeks. Elladan nodded, his throat constricting slightly as he thought of his youngest brother's words.

"He said he thought you didn't love him anymore." He paused as the elf lord flinched, visibly paling. "And he's confused. He didn't say specifically he was in pain, physically, but I could tell." Elrond nodded, his eyes seeming empty and unbearably tired all of a sudden.

"But," Elladan continued, before his father could say anything, "I told him that you loved him, and that you were sorry for what you did. He seemed relatively relieved. But Ada, you need to speak to him."

Elrond couldn't keep his own eyes from filling. "I know. I want to tell him how sorry I am, and tell him how much he means to me. The fact that I might not have had the chance haunts me. What if I never had a chance to say I'm sorry?"

Elrohir, who was standing to the side, was alarmed at his father's lack of control. He must be feeling awfully guilty, and his sensitive heart ached for everyone.

"Ada." He said, bringing the attention to himself. "Don't think like that. Estel will be fine, for the most part. Given time, everything will be back to normal. You have a chance; don't dwell on what won't happen." He rested a hand on the elf lord's shoulder.

Elrond nodded once again, his eyes staying latched on his youngest. In his mind, he could still see the garish wounds, open and painful, marring the young flesh. He bit his tongue hard to keep back the still-threatening tears.

It was awful, having to sit there and see the bandages the covered the claw marks that were there because of him. Because he hadn't thought and made his son feel unloved. When the hand on his shoulder squeezed, his attention was drawn back to his older sons. He noticed the fatigue and worry clear in their eyes.

"You two get some rest, I will stay here with him now." Elrond said softly, but firmly. Emotionally and physically tired, Elladan just nodded. Carefully, he laid the sleeping Estel back under the covers. Giving him a small kiss on the forehead, he left just behind his twin. He glanced back in time to see his father take Estel's in his own.

As the two walked down the hall, Elrohir noted his twin's worry and knew it wasn't just for Estel. Knowing he would speak given time, Elrohir just stayed quiet. When they came to their room, Elladan finally spoke.

"I haven't seen him feel so guilty since…since Amme left." He said softly. Elrohir's eyes shadowed a bit, but he forced a smile.

"I haven't either. But he will feel better once he talks to Estel. We all will."

Elladan smiled back at him. Talking to Elrohir always made him feel better.

"Yes, things will get better. With time."

There, see! I can finish a chapter without really having a cliffie… sorta. :) I hope the wait was worth it, and that you guys like this chapter.! PLEASE REVIEW! I love feedback. It's been help with my other work too. I've started 'Golden Haired God' already, the beginnings of it. Thank you guys again! I'll update soon, PROMISE! Keep the reading and reviews up! Toodles! Enjoy!

---BabeyRachey