Haunted By His Night
Standard Disclaimer: I do not own any of the stuff (character, places, plots, general universe) from the Lord of the Rings movies or books, I just mess with them.
Haunted By His Night: Chapter 6
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When Estel awoke in the morning he at first wondered where he was. Unfortunately this was becoming a habit for him, but alas seconds later he realized where he was. He was in his brother's room. Still not remembering the night's activities in full, Estel rolled slightly to look at would have to be his remaining brother. He rolled over to find himself looking into the sleeping eyes of his father. He was doomed. There was no way that he could convince his father to let the matter drop, or let him away without talking about it for a while more. No, once his father awoke then he would be cornered into telling his story, and though deep down he knew he would have to someday, he wasn't ready for someday to become today. Estel silently rolled from the bed and snuck out of the room. If years of living with elves had taught him one thing it was to be silent.
It only he had been more silent when the Orcs were tracking him he wouldn't be in this situation now. Estel suddenly realized that he had been standing in the same place for at least 5 minutes. Damn, he didn't have time for this. He quickly grabbed his things, shoved them in his bag and went to leave for the day. He got all the way to the door when he thought of how worried his family was going to be about him. He stopped what he was doing went back and wrote a quick note. He would be back by this evening anyways, but they would worry.
For moments after he woke up he considered leaving fro good, but he quickly dismissed that notion as his family members were all excellent trackers and would find him within days. He sighed and headed down to the stables to get his horse. Within ten minutes the saddlebags were packed and he was on his way.
As Estel was leaving the courtyard Elrond was just awakening. He found himself quite disoriented as this was definitely not his bed, nor was this his room. He remembered moments later what had transpired the night before, and simultaneously realized that he was alone in the room. Elrond immediately got up and headed towards Estel's room, all the while cursing himself for letting his son sneak away from him. HE walked into the room and as he suspected his son was already gone, and all there was left of him was a note on the bed. Elrond considered waiting for Estel to come home on his own, but quickly dismissed the thought.
His son was most likely very troubled right now and leaving him alone for an entire day to think about what had happened to him probably wouldn't end well. There was a very good chance that Estel would be able to convince himself to leave if he was left alone, and Elrond did not want that to happen. Especially with the condition that Estel was now in. He would give him an hour's head start, and then he would follow. In the meantime he would see what the twin's involvement in this was.
Elladan and Elohir had been awake for hours when Elrond found them lying together in Elladan's bed. The quickly explained what had happened the last few nights and why they hadn't told him. Elrond knew that they only had Estel's best interests at heart, and he couldn't blame them for not wanting to break Estel's trust at a time like this. They had done the right thing in not telling him, and the right in making sure Estel would get help. Though they were usually quite the pranksters, they could be mature at times. His thoughts were interrupted when Elladan spoke up. "Ada, you can help him can't you?" He smiled and assured his sons that though it would take time, he could help their baby brother. He only hoped that he wasn't lying to them.
He sighed and said goodbye to his sons, telling them of his plan to go and talk to Estel. Though they wished he could stay with them at a time like this, they both realized the only thing Elrond could do to make any of them feel better was talk to Estel.
A half hour later found Elrond nearing the rivers edge. Estel's horse was beside him and he could see his young son sitting by the riverbank only twenty feet away. Elrond got off his horse and went to sit beside his son. Estel started at the sudden appearance of his father, but had nevertheless been expecting it. Ready or not, it was time to tell
Elrond saw Estel's shoulders slump in defeat and was surprised when his son started talking of his own accord. Estel started his story talking about his mission to take a message between the two ranger camps.
It was nearly nightfall when Estel heard the first noise that he realized belonged to someone other than him. He stopped his forward motion and listened very carefully. He heard someone talking about eating humans alive for dinner and that could mean only one thing, Orcs. He dismounted, gathering a few meager supplies and sent his horse off. It would be very easy for them to catch him, while riding. HE climbed up into the trees and took a look around. He was surrounded, by five separate bands or Orcs, none of which aware of the fact he was in their midst's. If he did this silently enough he may be bale to get past them without being detected. Well we all know how that plan turned out. He got caught as he wass just outside the camp, as he fell climbing down from the trees.
He had tried to escape many times but after a week he was no longer able to try, as his injuries prevented major movements. He had been tortured horribly for what seemed like forever and he had finally given up hope only days before his rescue. They were moving him to a more permanent camp when the elves showed up and assumed he had been in battle. Since he had tended most of his wounds himself the elves had just thought he had been attacking the Orcs when he showed up.
When Estel finally finished he was shaking with the effort not to cry. Elrond reached over and pulled his song into his arms, he was so young to have suffered such an experience. With Elrond hugging him Estel finally lost his composure and began to sob in earnest. Elrond just sat there holding him, whispering comforting words into his son's ears. That night would a ruff one, thought Elrond. There would be a lot of ruff nights in the days to come, and there would be no leaving Estel by himself. The healing process was far from over, but this was a start. This was a sign that his son could and would get better.
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AN: OMG, it's over. And for the first time in years I wrote I story that did not end in the death of the main character. For all those who are wondering Estel did get better with regular counseling and stuff. Just to give you all some closure, since the ending is a bit open. I love closure, probably why most my characters die.
