Disclaimer: Nope. Still don't own it.

A/N: I can't believe how kind everyone is! It really helped last week. One of my co-workers died and his viewing and funeral was last week, so, needless to say, it was not a good week. But all the kind reviews helped a lot, so THANKS! I hope you like CHAPTER FOUR! (Oh, by the way, as far as I know, Ecthelion is the Steward when Aragorn is small, Denethor is, after all, only one year older than him; I checked the Appendices and while this is AU, I am going to try to keep some of the canon.)


May Angels Lead You In

May angels lead you in

Hear you me my friends

On sleepless roads the sleepless go

May angels lead you in

--Jimmy Eat World "Hear You Me"

Elladan yawned and blinked, taking a moment to orient himself. It had been so long since he had slept through the night with no nightmares. He wondered a moment why this was, then glanced over to the weight resting on his arm—Estel. Elladan smiled, knowing exactly why he had been able to sleep the night through. Oh, he was already losing his heart to this little boy. Elladan shook his head, no, he couldn't get attached, not that much. When they reached Imladris, Estel would probably be sent to a nice Elven family with young children or perhaps a Ranger family, they were, after all, his kin.

Elladan's heart fell at the thought that Estel would leave, but he pushed the feeling aside and whispered, "Estel, child, time to wake. Let us greet the day." Estel stirred, making a sound of protest as he burrowed into the Elf's side. Elladan grinned, "Come on, Estel. We will speak to the Steward this morning then we shall be on our way home!" The boy's eyes snapped open, "Home?" Elladan nodded, "Yes, we will leave for Imladris today. But first we must speak to the Steward." Estel nodded and yawned.

The Elf got up off of the bed and went into the next room, "Elrohir, get up, we must speak to Echthelion today, then start back to Imladris. I want to be out of here before the snows." Elrohir groaned and looked at his brother, "Go away, 'Dan. Let me sleep." Elladan grinned and yanked the blankets off of his brother, "No. Come on, little brother, we have things that must be done today."

Elrohir glared at his twin, "Fine. I'm awake. Now will you leave me alone?" Elladan smirked and rolled his eyes, "Yes. I shall. Now, set a good example, 'Ro. After all, we don't want Estel to think it is alright to behave like a warg in the morning." Elrohir stuck his tongue out in a very childish show of temper and Elladan laughed. Elrohir sighed and reluctantly got up and dressed then went over and saw Elladan helping Estel to get ready. After that, a short walk, then they entered the dining hall. Estel's eyes widened at the sight of all the people and all the good food, but he clung to Elladan like a small monkey. Elladan sat the boy down, "I'll be right back with some food, Estel. Worry not, I won't be gone long." The boy nodded and did his best to hide his apprehension. The twins returned a few moments later with plenty of food for them all. Estel's eyes lit up when he saw the hotcakes and warm cider. Elladan suppressed a smile, once again amused by the boy's simple delight over something so simple as a meal. Elrohir also hid a smile, helping the boy to tuck a napkin into his shirt. The meal went very quickly and then the three were summoned to the Steward.

Elladan and Elrohir each took one of Estel's hands and they walked to Ecthelion's seat. The Steward smiled, "Lord Elladan, Lord Elrohir! You wished to speak with me?" The twins bowed a little and nodded, "Indeed, milord. We were being escorted yesterday around your fair city when a small boy accidentally bumped into us as he carried water buckets. No one was hurt, but he ran off. When we followed, to return the buckets we found he lived at the orphan home. It is for this reason we have come to you."

Ecthelion nodded, "We have funds for the home, to help with upkeep and to care for the children." The Steward frowned, unsure why the Elves were bringing this up.

Elladan nodded, "So we were informed. However, milord, it would seem the one appointed to care for the children and oversee the spending of the funds has grossly misused them. We found a home barely able to stand, the children wear little more than rags and seem to be half starved. Furthermore, when we entered and returned the buckets, we also asked to see the caretaker. The child who gave us his location was frightened of him and refused to show us the way. When we found his office, we discovered him beating a small child, the same one we had bumped into in the street. He was beating the child for losing the buckets and coming back wet from the water that was spilled."

At the mention of the orphan home and its caretaker, Estel whimpered and clung to the Elves' hands tighter. Ecthelion's frown deepened, "Are you certain?" The twins nodded, "We are, milord," Elladan nodded at Estel, "He is the child we spoke of. The one we bumped into and who was beaten by the caretaker for losing the buckets. We thought it fair to take him in for causing him pain. He is called Estel." Ecthelion nodded, "An Elvish name?"

Elladan nodded and told a little lie, "He does not remember his own name, milord and we could not refer to him by the one he was given in the orphan home, it was not at all kind. With your leave, we will take him with us when we depart, we knew his parents, though we had not heard of his birth, and it may be that we can find some of his kin."

Ecthelion nodded, "Of course...You say the children are being mistreated?" the Steward asked, very troubled. Elrohir nodded, "Without a doubt, sir...We were so concerned we brought them to stay the night in the Houses of Healing. I hope we have not offended or overstepped our bounds, but we could not in good conscience leave them how they were..."

Ecthelion shook his head, "No, no, you have not done wrong. In fact, I thank you for bringing this to my attention...I have had inspectors to the home, all came back with good reports, now, it would seem they are being bribed or threatened in some way...It troubles me that I did not catch this sooner...I cannot fathom one hurting children for personal gain...Thank you. I will send some workers to see to the home and perhaps the children can stay in the Houses of Healing or I do know of several families that might be willing to take a few in, for a time...As to the appointment of a new guardian, I will look into it, but I am not quite sure as to whom I should appoint..."

Elladan nodded, "Perhaps, at least temporarily you would consider the young man who acted as our guide yesterday? He is called Elthir." Ecthelion nodded, "Good suggestion. I thank you, again." Elladan nodded and smiled, "If that is all, milord, my brother and I would be on our way. We wish to make it home before the first snows." The Steward nodded and rose, "Thank you, if ever you are in need, you may call upon me." The Elves bowed a little and left the room, Estel still holding tight to their hands.

Instead of returning to their rooms, they ventured into the City, stopping at shops and stalls to gather what supplies they would need for the child and themselves for the journey back. Once they had everything, they made their way to the Houses of Healing.

"Estel, child, we will leave after the noon meal, you must say any goodbyes now," Elladan told him quietly. Estel nodded and they went inside. They went into a large room where the children were playing happily, the older ones were either watching them or helping the healers. One noticed them enter and hurried over, "Ara!" she exclaimed. Estel blushed, "Hello, Mearta."

The girl smiled at him, "How are you? I heard what happened..." Estel blushed again, "I'm alright...El'dan and Elr'hir helped me..." She nodded, "I see. And am I going to see you tonight, at dinner, eating your vegetables?" Estel shook his head, "El'dan and Elr'hir said I could go home with them. We have to leave in a little while a'cause it's real far away. I'm not going to be here tonight. But I had to come say 'bye." Mearta's eyes filled with tears, though she smiled, "I'm glad for you, little one. I hope I may see you again one day, but if I do not, I hope your life is wonderful."

Estel hugged her, "Thank you, Mearta. Omen sila lumenn omentielvo...W-will you watch out for Calen, please? He's so small, smaller than me..." The girl nodded, "I will, I promise." The boy hugged her again and then went over to another child, shorter and thinner than he was. The smaller child's face lit up when he saw Estel, "Ara!"

Estel smiled, "Calen," the boy paused, "I-I've come to tell you goodbye. El'dan and Elr'hir are taking me home with them, I may not see you again...Mearta'll still be here...I-I'll miss you Calen." The smaller child clung to Estel, looking heartbroken, "I'll miss you, Ara! Don' go! Please!" Estel looked at him, "I must. It will be alright. The Steward himself said so. He's going to find someone else to take care of you, not Treneth. I will always be your friend." Calen nodded and Estel went back over to the Elves. Elladan took his hand gently, giving him a soft smile, "We will come back eventually, it may be that you will be allowed to visit." Estel brightened a little at the thought and by the time they reached the Citadel, his mood was considerably lightened. Once again, the trio sat down to a good meal, then Elladan and Elrohir gathered their gear and they made their way down to the courtyard. A stable hand brought their mounts and left with a bow.

"Estel, for now you'll ride with me, alright?" Elrohir asked. The boy nodded and the Elf lifted him onto the animal before mounting himself. Estel looked a little nervous atop the large animal and Elrohir wrapped an arm around him firmly, "It is alright, Estel. You will not fall, I won't let you." The boy nodded and grasped the arm around his waist as they started to move. Soon the city was lost to the horizon and all that could be seen in any direction was wilderness. Estel began to get tired, yawning and blinking rapidly as the rocking motion lulled him to sleep. Soon, he was leaning back against Elrohir, sleeping peacefully.

After several hours, the twins came to a stop and Elrohir handed down the sleeping child to Elladan. They laid him on a cloak as they set up camp and then moved him to a small bedroll. Elladan woke him a little while later, "Estel, child, it is time for supper." The boy yawned and blinked up at the Elf, clearly confused until he realized where he was. Smiling the Elf led Estel to the campfire and gave him a plate of food. Soon after, the boy began to yawn again. Noticing, Elrohir went to help him get ready for bed, then tucked him in.

Elrohir laid out his bedding next to the child and soon both were sleeping peacefully. Estel barely stirred when Elrohir woke and traded places with Elladan, taking his turn at watch. When the sun began to cast its pale rays across the sky, Elrohir woke his brother and their young charge. The child rose, but it was clear he was still tired, though he said not a word in complaint. After a small breakfast, they set off again, riding for hours before stopping for a short rest around midday. Estel, riding with Elrohir this day, had fallen asleep for quite awhile, but was now very awake. The Elf could sense his boredom, though the child was very quiet and obviously trying very hard not to fidget or cause problems. Finally, Elrohir asked, "Estel, would you like to play a game?" The boy nodded, "Yes!"

"I am going to think of something and you have to guess it by asking me questions, but you may only ask questions to which the answer is 'yes' or 'no'. Are you ready?" Elrohir asked. The boy nodded and the Elf said, "Very well, you may begin to ask." Estel thought a moment and said, "Are you thinking of a place?"

"No. It is not a place."

"Is it an animal?" Estel asked with a look of concentration.

"No. Guess again."

"Is it a person?"

"Yes, I am thinking of a person," Elrohir said with a smile.

"Do I know him?" Estel asked.

Elrohir grinned wider, "Yes, I would say that you do know him."

"Is it Calen?"

"No, it is not Calen."

"Is it one of the children from the City?"

"Yes, it is one of the children from the City," Elrohir said. Estel scrunched his face in concentration, biting his lip in thought.

"Is it Mardeth?"

Elrohir shook his head, "Indeed not!"

"Josseth?"

"No."

"Kelbern?"

"No," Elrohir paused then said, "I'll give you a hint, he's very brave and kind and he is very good at carrying water buckets."

Estel's eyes lit up, "Is it me?"

Elrohir laughed, "Yes, it is you, tithen pen! Now it is your turn, you think of something and I will try to guess it."

For the next several hours, Estel and Elrohir played the game happily, keeping the young boy occupied as they rode. That night, it was much the same as before, Estel fell asleep soon after the meal and was carried to bed.

Thus the routine of their days of traveling was set, wake at dawn, ride, stop at midday for a meal, ride further, stop in the late afternoon to make camp and have a meal before going to bed. They altered the routine every once in a while as they happened upon a particularly good camping spot or a place to bathe and wash clothing when they would stay for an extra day or so to rest and one of the twins would hunt to add to their supplies and provide variety.

The more time the two Peredhil twins spent with Estel the more he worked his way into their hearts. Though they did not realize the full effect the child was having upon them, to any who had know them before, it would have been obvious just how much Estel had indeed lived up to his new name, bringing hope and life back to the two Elven twins. The grief that had long been rooted in their eyes and hearts was now fading, nearly gone as they spent hours and days in the presence of the innocent child that brought smiles to their faces so easily.

It had been many days since their departure from Minas Tirith and the end of their journey was near. On the last night they spent outside of the boarders of Imladris, Elladan and Elrohir stayed up, talking with each other.

"'Dan, how do you think ada will react to us bringing home a small, adan child, Arathorn's son or not?" Elrohir asked.

Elladan chuckled and shook his head, "I'm not sure, 'Ro. He will be relieved, I think, to find that Isildur's line has not been extinguished. Beyond that I cannot say. Why?"

"I was just thinking of what will happen to Estel..." the younger twin looked at his brother, "I don't want him to go..."

"Go? Go where? Estel is coming with us!" Elladan replied.

Elrohir shook his head, "But, more than likely, ada will place him with some Elven family, one with children, or a human family, perhaps one of the Dunadain...I do not want him to go..."

Elladan's face darkened, "Neither do I, but it will be for the best...He is so sweet...Any family will love him. We will just have to be sure that we visit quite often!" Elrohir nodded and the brothers fell into a melancholy silence, broken only by the sounds of the night around them.


A/N: Well, what did you think? Little bit longer than last time, not much though. I promised more Estel/Twins interaction and I will get there, but I have to get past Estel's adoption into Elrond's family for real! Hopefully that'll be next chapter, it all depends on my muses...mutters about uncooperative muses. Well, please REVIEW!

Hugs and bunnies,

Lalaith

Good? Bad? Ugly? Please REVIEW! (And Remember: All the SANE people quit here years ago...)