Disclaimer: See 1st chapter
Elrond was in his study, attempting to review reports from his meticulous advisor Erestor. He kept losing concentration though, an unusual occurrence, as his thoughts kept drifting back to Estel.
How haunted he had looked! His face had been so thin, so weary! As if all the burdens of the world rested atop his shoulders. His eyes had spoken of the evils he had seen, the deaths he had witnessed. But he had chosen this path, Elrond reminded himself, he had chosen to turn aside his destiny and become part of the last remnant of a dying race.
The elf focused back to his papers, finding that he had unwittingly written his son's name over the seals instead of his own. Sighing, he abandoned the paperwork, shifting the ruined reports to Glorfindel's pile for him to deal with. Let Erestor deal with him later, right now, he needed to be with his sons.
Looking outside, he realised it was close to lunchtime. He stopped by the kitchens to ask that some clear soup be made for Estel who, if he was not mistaken, had not eaten anything substantial for a few days. His body would have to become accustomed to larger amounts of food again; it was better to abstain from the richer foods for a time.
Entering the room where he'd left his sons, he found all of them were still asleep on the bed, a faint grimace of pain could be seen on Estel's forehead. The twins were curled around his youngest protectively. To his surprise, Estel's eyelids fluttered open. For a moment, his eyes were unfocused but his vision cleared and he looked at his father.
"Ada!" he whispered, trying not to disturb his brothers' slumber. Elrohir awoke then, and nudged his twin awake. Elladan blinked sleepily.
"Oh, hello ada. What's the time?" he asked, very much disorientated.
"It's about an hour till lunch Elladan. I though you might want to change into something more appropriate for lunch?" said Elrond pointedly at the twins, who were wearing sleep shirts.
"Yes ada," chorused the twins and they left in the direction of their rooms.
Estel struggled to sit up in the bed and his father moved to help him. The ranger looked at his father questioningly.
"I thought you might join us for lunch too ion nin, but I want to know what you've eaten recently." Said Elrond, answering the unspoken question. He knew that whatever his son had eaten, it wouldn't have been much. Last night he had seen how much weight Estel had lost.
"Mostly dried fruit, a handful or so of nuts. Everything else was lost in the battle," answered Estel. Elrond nodded, it was as he had expected.
"In that case, I'm sure you're aware it may take a while for your body to adjust to having food again." Seeing his son nod in acknowledgement, he smiled. "Do you want to try standing up?" he asked.
Estel nodded. Carefully he swung his legs over the side of the bed. With the assistance of his father he stood up, and waited for the sparkles before his eyes to clear. He tried taking a few steps forward and looked back at his father.
"I can make it to the dining room. I just need to eat something." He assured his father. Between the two of them, they managed to dress Estel in a simple shirt and breeches before making their careful way downstairs.
They reached the dining room in a surprisingly short space of time. As they neared the doors, enticing aromas wafted out at them, making Estel feel slightly sick. Elrond stopped and asked his son
"Are you sure you will be alright Estel? Your lips are white."
Swallowing back the nausea, Estel nodded. Elrond looked into his eyes intently before nodding and opening the door to the dining room.
Elladan and Elrohir were already there, waiting for them. Servants carried platters of bread and tureens of soup out and a special dish for Estel. He took a seat next to Elrohir, who turned a warm smile on his brother as he placed the clear soup in front of his brother.
Estel sipped the soup slowly, letting his stomach accept the food before eating some more. He was beginning to feel ravenous and he had to mentally remind himself to eat slowly. It was a light beef broth, delicately seasoned so as to not irritate his stomach. He savoured the flavour and particularly the warmth as it slid down his throat. It was his first hot meal in what seemed like an age. Towards the end of the meal, he began to feel a growing soreness in his body once more. His over abused muscles protested their use after so short a time. He shifted a little, attempting to find a more comfortable position.
Elladan noticed and asked concernedly
"Is everything well Estel?"
The adan blushed slightly.
"It's nothing," he hastened to assure his brother. "My back is just a bit sore."
Elrond frowned at the head of the table. His son was hiding something.
"Let me see your back after the meal Estel. You had gashes on your back that were only beginning to heal."
The meal was soon finished and father and son went, this time, to Estel's own rooms. Nothing had been changed from the time Estel had left it three years previous. As Elrond closed the door, the ranger sank down onto the bed with a sigh. His father removed his shirt, and traced over the scars on his back. Elrohir had done a good job. The gashes that had marred his back were sealed but dark bruising mottled the rest of his back.
Elrond touched a particularly large bruise that flowered over Estel's right side and heard the sharp intake of breath from his son. He winced in sympathy. Similar bruises covered the rest of Estel's body.
"I'll make you a mixture for all of these bruises ion nin but for now I suggest you take a hot bath. Do you want one of your brothers to help you?"
Estel smiled wryly
"Even if you only tell one of them, they'll both come anyway."
Elrond chuckled under his breath. "I think you may be right Estel. Doubtless the three of you will be swapping stories of your adventures. I'll tell them to come here." He turned to leave and stopped at the door
"Welcome home ion nin" he said, and shut the door behind him
A/N: I knowI promised to update but I didn't count on the computer shorting out in a blackout. I have the next three chapters typed and ready for uploading. i won't post them until I get a few reviews so I know whether I should edit them a little
