Disclaimer: Wish I owned it, but I don't, so please, don't sue me!

A/N: Looks at reviews Wow. Everyone is so kind! I'm so glad you like it! I'm so totally unsure how long this story will be, it just kinda hit me over the head one day and wouldn't stop until I started writing. Well, here's the next chapter! Hugs and bunnies!


May Angels Lead You In

The healers gaped when the twins arrived leading a band of over forty orphans in little more than rags, all hungry and cold. Elthir saw them and came over, "It is arranged. The head healer agreed to let them stay in the east wing. He was rather unhappy..."

Elladan nodded, "If he has any complaints tell him to come to me. Thank you Elthir, you have been of great service to us today." The young man nodded and left, presumably to go home for it was nearly night. The children were amazed by the warm, dry building and even more pleased when healers began to take them to get clean and dressed in warm clothing. Seeing that the children were being well taken care of, Elladan and Elrohir spoke to Nandeth, the head healer, "Healer Nandeth, thank you. If you have need of us, we are lodging at the Citadel." Aragorn still clung to Elladan's neck and when the two Elves began to leave the healer called out, "Milords! You still have one of the children!"

Elladan and Elrohir looked at each other as Aragorn whimpered, "He is to stay with us. Good evening." The healer nodded and the twins continued out and back to their rooms at the Citadel. They arrived and Elrohir went to fetch clean, dry clothing for Aragorn. Elladan set the child on his bed and began talking quietly, "Aragorn, we will be leaving to go home soon..." the boy's eyes widened in fear and distress. Elladan noticed and hurried on, "Oh, child, we will not leave you here! Never! We wish you to come with us! You need not worry about being left alone ever again. I only meant to say that while we travel and possibly even back in Imladris, we will have to call you by another name...There are many evils looking for you child. Those who took your parents from you...But Elrohir and I will protect you..."

Aragorn looked at the Elf with wide eyes and Elladan asked, "Do you understand, Aragorn? There are bad things that want to hurt you, because of your name. Is it alright if Elrohir and I give you another?" The boy nodded, "Don't wanna be Aragorn no more...But if I'm not Aragorn, what will I be?"

Elladan thought for a moment then smiled, "Estel." The boy looked confused, "Stel?" Elladan nodded, "Estel. It means 'hope' in my native language." That only confused the boy more and Elladan laughed, "Child! Did your parents never tell you those in Imladris were not men?" The child nodded, "Papa said in Imladers was Elves!" Elladan nodded, "Indeed. We are Elves in Imladris."

"You're an Elf?" the boy asked, very interested. Elladan nodded, "I am. We have our own language, different than the language here. In the language of my people, the Elves, Estel means hope. You have heard my language before."

"I have?" whispered the boy. Elladan nodded, "Yes. You spoke a little to me earlier, when we ran into each other. Do you remember?"

"You mean the pretty words? The ones that papa used to say to mama when he came home? E-elen sila lumenn' o-men-ti-elvo?" asked the child. Elladan smiled at the boy's elementary pronunciation and nodded, "Yes. You surprised me earlier when you said that, I did not mean to scare you when I asked you to say it again...Do you know what the words mean?" The boy shook his head and Elladan answered, "It means 'a star shines upon the hour of our meeting.'" The boy was awed. Elladan smiled and was about to ask another question when Elrohir came back, a bundle of clothing in his arms, "Here we are! After your bath, Aragorn, there are some new clothes for you to wear." Aragorn smiled at the twin and gave him a hug, then remembered his new name, "I'm not Aragorn, El'dan said so. He says I can be Estel so the bad things don't hurt me." Elrohir looked at his twin, eyebrows raised. Elladan shrugged, "You know as well as I that there are those out there who would harm him because of his name. So I gave him a new one."

Elrohir sighed, "Yes, I do know. But, Estel? Why Estel?" Elladan grinned as he ushered the boy into the bathing chamber, "Because." Elrohir rolled his eyes, "That's not an answer, Elladan! Why Estel?"

"If you must know, it is because of his lineage, ada is always saying how one day Elendil's line would claim the throne again and he is of that line. He is Gondor's hope. And he's kept his own spirit despite that awful orphan home, his own hope..."Elladan looked away and went on, "And, 'Ro, he's my hope. Th-this is the first time since a-amme left that I've felt anything aside from hate for the orcs or grief because she's gone...Even with Arathorn and Gilraen, I did not think of them, but of the orcs that killed them...I-if he can be happy, even after all that has happened, maybe I can too..." Elladan trailed off softly and looked back at his brother, looking younger than Aragorn and yet infinitely older. Elrohir nodded, "I know what you mean...When I saw him in that alleyway, after he'd fallen, I-I don't know, I wanted to protect him...Like I want to protect Arwen...And when he ran, I-I was afraid...So I understand, 'Dan. I-I think, maybe, he's my hope too...It-it is a fitting name."

Elladan smiled suddenly, "Let's go help our little Estel get clean!" Elrohir nodded and stepped into the bathing chamber where Aragorn, now Estel, stood staring in awe at the large tub of steaming water. Elladan chuckled softly, "Alright, little one, off with those clothes and into the tub. Can you wash yourself or do you need help?"

"I can do it," Estel answered softly, carefully removing his almost-rags clothing. The boy climbed into the tub with a gasp when the warm water touched his cold skin. Elrohir held up a bar of soap from his and Elladan's supplies, "Wash all over," he admonished gently. Estel grinned and took it, rubbing it over his skin with delight. Next, Elladan gently got the boy's hair wet and poured some of the shampoo onto his hair, then worked it into a lather. "Close your eyes," he told Estel, pouring water over the boy's head to rinse the soap away. When Estel was completely clean, Elrohir unfolded a thick, fluffy towel and held it out for the boy. Estel scrambled out, teeth chattering when his wet skin met the air, and wrapped in the towel, making a face when it touched his newly cleaned injuries.

Elladan handed the boy a pair of leggings and both twins smiled when the boy struggled until he managed to pull them on, "Estel, will you lay on the bed? On your stomach, please, we want to look at the hurts on your back, alright?" Estel nodded and did as he was told. Elladan and Elrohir shared an angry, sorrowful look over the welts and bruises that decorated the child's back. Elladan handed his brother a jar of salve, "Estel, Elrohir is going to put some medicine on your back. It might sting a little at first, but it should help heal your hurts, alright?" The boy nodded and clutched the blankets as Elrohir gently applied the salve then bandaged the boy's back. When it was done, Elladan took the child into his arms, "It's over now, Estel." He helped slip a shirt on the boy, careful of his back. A knock interrupted the silence that had fallen and Elrohir went to the door.

A maid stood in the doorway with a tray of food, "Milord, the Steward thought you might like a meal, seeing as how you were away when it was served in the dining hall..." Elrohir smiled, "Thank you, miss. Please thank the Steward as well." The maid bobbed a curtsey and hurried off after Elrohir took the tray. He set it on the small table near the window, "Elladan, Estel, supper!"

Elladan smiled at the boy, "Let's go, before Elrohir eats it all!" Estel giggled and Elladan picked him up. The three sat down and Estel's eyes widened when he saw all of the delicious food. Elladan and Elrohir exchanged a glance, noticing again how thin and small the boy was. Elladan took a plate and piled a good portion of meat, vegetables, cheese, and bread on it then set it in front of Estel, "Eat as much as you can, if you finish that and want more, we will be happy to give it to you. But save some room, it looks like they sent us some dessert too!" Elladan grinned and tucked a linen napkin into the boy's shirt. Estel's jaw dropped at the Elf's words but he quickly began to eat, in case Elladan changed his mind. Elladan and Elrohir took platefuls themselves and also began to eat, enjoying the fact that Estel was so pleased with the meal. The boy finished the plateful in record time and Elrohir chuckled, "Well, Estel, let me get you a washrag to clean up your face and hands. Then, I do believe it is time for dessert!" Elrohir gently took a damp rag and wiped the boy's face and hands, removing the crumbs and little drips that had escaped the child. Elladan then set a small plate with a warm apple turnover in front of Estel.

The boy grinned and ate it with enthusiasm. When he finished, Elladan took a napkin and wiped Estel's cheeks, removing the little crumbs. Within moments, he was yawning and his eyelids began to droop. Elladan gathered the boy up out of his chair and laid him on the bed. The boy snuggled into the blankets and pillows and he murmured, "Don' go..." Elladan nodded, "Very well," he said softly, sitting back and laying a hand on the boy's head, stroking his hair. Elrohir gathered the dishes quietly then sat with them until Estel was fast asleep, before both of them retired, Elrohir taking the other bed in the adjacent room, Elladan made himself comfortable in an overstuffed chair by the fire.

#####

Estel opened his eyes and looked around not understanding where he was. He slipped out of the bed and pulled open the door that led to a small balcony overlooking the gardens. The little boy sat down, pulling his knees to his chin, and stared up at the stars, finding his favorite one shining brightly as it did every night.

Elladan woke to a chill breeze kissing his cheek. He stood and looked around, seeing the bedclothes disheveled and the balcony door open—the source of the breeze. He stepped out and saw the little boy staring at the sky.

"Estel. What are you doing out here in the cold, child?" Elladan asked quietly. Estel jumped and spun around, frightened, "I-I'm s-s-sorry s-sir..."

"No. I'm not angry. What are you doing?" Elladan said, sitting, and pulling the boy onto his lap. Estel glanced at the Elf then whispered, "Watching it."

"Watching what?" Elladan asked, confused. Estel lifted a hand and pointed at the sky, "That." Elladan twisted to look at the boy, "The stars?" Estel nodded and Elladan asked, "Do you have a favorite?" Estel nodded, eyes shining, "The bright one. It's really big. I-it makes me happy..."

Elladan smiled, "That star is called Earendil. There is a story that goes with it. Perhaps I will tell it to you one day, or, even better, perhaps my father will. He loves that star also. But, now, young one, it is time for you to be sleeping."

Estel yawned, "Not sleepy!" he protested. Elladan nodded, feigning seriousness, "Of course not. But I am. Will you help me get to sleep?" Estel nodded, "I help you, El'dan..." Estel said, blinking rapidly to keep awake. Elladan smiled and laid the boy on the bed then turned to go back to his chair. Estel grabbed his wrist, "Don' go..." he whispered. Elladan turned back and eased onto the bed. Estel crawled into the crook of his arm and laid his head on the Elf's chest, falling asleep almost instantly. Elladan stroked the boy's hair for a moment, smiling, amazed by the innocent trust Estel had bestowed upon him.

For the first time in longer than he cared to remember, Elladan fell asleep with a smile on his face and his dreams were not haunted by his mother's despairing face, her broken body, and his rage against the orcs.


A/N: Well. Chapter Three! Hope you liked it! I'm planning on having a lot more Estel/Twins interaction. Please let me know what you think, suggestions and CONSTRUCTIVE criticism is much appreciated and welcome. Please Review!

Hugs and bunnies,

Lalaith