Disclaimer: Well, maybe…but no. Nope, still don't own any of it…
A/N: I'M SO SORRY! Truly! Life was evil to me. See, at first it was just work, then my family was afraid we were going to have to move because the bank was threatening to foreclose, so, yeah. Then I ended up having to get a new job, my grandpa was in the hospital…Life is a cruel mistress. Been busy with reality, no time for writing. I AM SO, SO, SO, SO SORRY! Please forgive me! Hope CHAPTER SIX makes up for it! Hugs and bunnies!
May Angels Lead You InEstel woke slowly, yawning and stretching. Pushing the blankets away, the little boy slid off of the bed, his feet smacking softly on the stone floor. Looking around, the child realized he did not know where he was. He opened the door and poked his head out into the bright, sunlit corridor, looking for someone, anyone, but preferably Elladan or Elrohir.
Not seeing anyone, Estel slipped out of the room, his stomach growling. He became aware of wonderful smells wafting through the air. Eggs, bacon, hotcakes…Estel licked his lips in anticipation and followed his nose. He ended up in a large room with many tables and chairs. A blonde Elf approached him.
"Hello, young one. What is your name? Where are your parents?" the Elf asked. Estel looked at him confused and a little frightened. The Elf had asked him in Elvish, which he did not understand.
The Elf, seeing his apprehension, knelt and spoke again, this time in Common, "Hello, young one. What is your name? Where are your parents?"
Estel's confusion cleared and he said, "I'm 'Stel. Mama and papa had to go 'way, El'dan said…Who're you?"
The Elf smiled and chuckled, "I am Glorfindel, child. It is nice to meet you. Are you hungry?" Estel nodded eagerly and so the blonde Elf took his hand and sat him in a chair, "Here you are, wait just a moment and I shall get you something to eat."
Estel sat on the chair, swinging his feet, which were several inches away from the floor. Glorfindel returned with two plates and set one in front of the boy. Estel's eyes lit when he saw the fluffy hotcakes smothered in butter and syrup with pieces of bacon and some sausage on the side.
"Thank you, sir!" Estel exclaimed. Glorfindel chuckled and nodded, sitting across from the child. Estel picked up his fork and happily dug into his meal. Glorfindel watched out of the corner of his eye, amused as syrup ended up all over the young child's face, hands, and in his hair. The boy was just finishing, happily licking his fingers when Elladan and Elrohir burst into the room.
"Estel!" Elladan cried, hurrying over. Elrohir was barely a step behind his twin. The two stopped in front of the boy. "We were worried about you, Estel!" Elladan said, kneeling.
Estel giggled and reached out to touch the Elf's face, but was quickly intercepted by Elladan gently taking his wrist, "G'orfindel got me lots of breakfast!"
Elrohir raised an eyebrow, "I can see that. Tell, me child, did any of it end up in your mouth?"
Estel giggled and nodded, "All of it, silly!"
Elrohir smiled a little, "Not all of it, I see some in your hair and on your face and hands! Come, little brother, you need a bath!"
Glorfindel's eyebrows shot up at what Elrohir said. With a look, Elladan sent his brother with Estel to help the child. When the two were safely out of earshot, Elladan spoke, "Yes, Glor. Estel is our brother. Ada can explain…He is adorable, is he not? And very sweet…"
Glorfindel nodded, "Indeed…I suppose I best find your father? Yes. Well then, good day to you Elladan."
"Good day, Glorfindel and thank you for helping Estel get breakfast," the twin replied before hurrying away to go help Elrohir get the little boy clean.
Glorfindel arrived at Elrond's study and knocked before opening the door and walking in, "What is this the twins tell me? You have a third son? A very young one at that! Why, Elrond? How could you betray Celbrian like that? He looks to be at least a few centuries so he was born before she left! Why, mellon nin? How could you?" the blonde Elf demanded.
Elrond sighed, "Sit down, Glorfindel! Now! I take it you have met Estel? Yes…" Elrond sighed again, "Now, Glorfindel, what is this about me betraying my wife?"
"Estel! He is very obviously young! An Elfling but a few centuries, obviously born before Lady Celbrian departed and the twins say he is their brother and therefore, your son! How could you be with another, have a child with another? That is what I mean by betraying her!" Glorfindel hissed angrily.
Elrond's eyebrows shot up, "Elfling?" the Elf lord began to chuckle softly, surprising Glorfindel.
"Elrond, this is no laughing matter!" Glorfindel said, highly offended and outraged.
"I know, mellon nin! Trust me, I know. But, first let me clarify one thing. Estel is no Elfling," Elrond said, regaining his composure.
Glorfindel frowned, "But of course he is! The perfect little Elfling!"
Elrond shook his head, "Nay. Estel is mortal."
"But then why do the twins call him brother and say he is your son?" the blonde Elf asked, very confused and somewhat embarrassed for having accused his friend of being unfaithful.
"Because I have adopted him. Glor, Estel is, in reality, Aragorn son of Arathorn and Gilraen, the Heir of Isildur. You know Arathorn's band was slaughtered and we assumed his son was among those taken by the orcs, that he was dead. But it was not so. Elladan and Elrohir found him at an orphan home in Minas Tirith…It was Elladan who gave him the name 'Estel'. Glor, he is healing their hearts! They laughed! I have not heard them laugh since before Cel went away…And he needs protection. You know as well as I that there are dark forces looking for Isildur's Heir that do not wish to see that bloodline continue. Times are growing darker, the world of Men will need to see a King on the White Throne again one day and it is only that bloodline which may claim it. Oh, it is true, I could have simply sent him to the Rangers or another family, but the twins are so attached to him…They threatened to take him to Lorien if I did not allow him to stay. And so I have. He will be Estel, son of Elrond until he is old enough to take up his heritage," Elrond replied, "So, what do you have to say for yourself, hmm? I would never betray my beloved!"
Glorfindel blushed and mumbled under his breath before saying, "I-I am sorry, Elrond…I should not have jumped to such conclusions…I know how much you love her and miss her…I just…It was shocking to hear Elladan and Elrohir claim him as kin…You are right, of course, the child needs protection…Forgive me…"
Elrond smiled, "Of course, mellon nin…I understand."
Glorfindel nodded and hurriedly left, closing the door behind him. Sighing, Glorfindel went to the practice fields to clear his mind. He was not sure of this, not at all. A child in Imladris? And a mortal at that? Had the entire Peredhil family gone mad with grief to do such a thing? All Glorfindel had were questions and no answers. Perhaps in time, they would come to their senses and place the boy where he would be better served.
Erestor frowned and tried to concentrate on his paperwork unsuccessfully. The silence was thick around him and the sun shone merrily through the window, taunting him with its promise of carefree hours while he sat, stuck with all of these boring reports. Suddenly the silence was broken by a soft sound. Erestor cocked his head, what..? When he did not hear it again he tried, once again, to work. But then he heard it once more. A giggle. A small child's laughter. But there were no children in Elrond's House! Erestor stood and went over, looking out his doorway just in time as a small, very nude little child came racing down the hall, his bare little feet making soft slapping noises on the stone floor as he ran, laughing.
"ESTEL! COME BACK HERE THIS INSTANT!" a voice called. Erestor watched as both of Elrond's twin sons came tearing down the corridor after the child. Elrohir smile at him, "Hello, Erestor. ESTEL!" Erestor stood there blinking for several moments after they passed, unsure of his sanity. Perhaps too much work had given him an hallucination? The advisor had just settled back in his chair at his desk when the child came tearing into his office, still giggling maniacally. Erestor was shocked when a very wet, very nude young boy promptly crawled under his chair, between his legs and took up residence under his desk, still giggling. Less than a moment later, both of the twins were at his door.
"Erestor, have you seen Estel? He's a little boy, about this high, and has no clothing on?" the elder twin asked, gesturing with his hand Estel's height.
Elrohir chimed in, "He escaped from his bath. He'll catch cold if we don't get him dry and in some clothing soon."
Erestor broke from his stunned paralysis and slid back from his desk, pointing, "Do you mean him?" Elladan and Elrohir rushed in and Elrohir pulled Estel from under the desk, "Estel! Come, child, you will get sick this way!"
"Indeed, little brother and we do not want you to get sick!" Elladan agreed. The child giggled and twisted his hands in their hair, "Silly El'dan! You funny Elr'hir!" The twins hid smiles and turned to Erestor, "Thank you Erestor for catching our errant Estel."
Erestor merely nodded as they turned and left, Elrohir holding the child close. He had no clue what was going on and was not sure he wanted to know…With a sigh of longsuffering, Erestor tried, once again, to turn his mind back to his paperwork..
A/N: Well, short chapter, but I had to end it here…Hope you enjoyed it! And just so everyone knows, I have absolutely no idea when I will be able to update again...I'm so sorry! If you wish, you may consider this story on hold for a bit...Sorry...
Hugs and Bunnies,
Lalaith
Please REVIEW! Reviews keep me sane…
