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PSAgain, I apologize for the length. TT

19. Estel

"Ada, I'm fine," Elrohir complained, flinching as his father continued to observe the wound. "Can't we go see Legolas now?"

Elrond frowned. "Yes, neth pen, after you finish your studying."

Estel snorted, earning him a glare from the youngest twin. The adan shrugged.

"All right, you can go in now. But first make sure that Thranduil and Legolas are not talking. I don't want you to interrupt any conversation that they are having, do you hear me? Thranduil was very worried about his son's well-being and you do not need to make matters worse by barging in there and creating a scene."

Now it was Estel's turn to frown. "What do you mean, 'make matters worse'?"

Elrond turned to face his adopted son. "Your brother is right; Legolas has changed. I could sense something different in him already. When Thranduil realizes this it will be a rude awakening. I don't want you to make it harder for either of them."

Elrohir smiled innocently. "What do you think we would do to make matters worse?"

"I'm sure that you'll find some way to do it despite my best efforts," Elrond grumbled, putting one hand to his forehead. "I'm going to go rest. You two behave yourselves."

Estel waited until Elrond disappeared down the hallway before leaning forward and whispering, "Do you think that he's back to normal?"

Elrohir shrugged. Being back at Imladris was already making him forget about their current problems. "I don't know; I've never actually met anyone who released the other side."

The two stood up and walked to the door slowly, putting their ears to it to hear if anything was going on. It seemed silent. Elrohir gently turned the doorknob and peeked through. Estel leaned over him and observed the scene.

Thranduil was sleeping in a chair, and he couldn't see what Legolas was doing because of the restraints of the small crack. Elrohir pushed the door the rest of the way open and they quietly stepped in.

Legolas was facing the wall, surrounded by pillows. Elrohir frowned. "This certainly wasn't what I expected."

"I know." Estel paused. "It's...strange."

Elrohir plopped down next to Thranduil, grabbing a grape off of the table and popping it into his mouth. "You know, Legolas is probably back to normal now. Being..."

"Evil?" Estel offered.

"Yes, hannon le, being evil just isn't part of his nature. He's probably over it now..."

Legolas rolled over and moaned. Elrohir closed his mouth, not wishing to wake their friend. They watched Legolas toss and turn for a moment before he sunk back into the pillows, sighing. Estel felt his heart wrench. He knew how much Legolas hated being 'an invalid', and this time, it was his fault. Legolas wouldn't be in this state if he hadn't stayed in the Wild Men's village for so long. As if sensing what his brother was thinking, Elrohir spoke up.

"It's not your fault, gwador," he whispered. "You didn't even know what was going on at the time!"

"That's the problem," Estel snapped. "I was so busy lying around that I couldn't come and help my friend."

"Estel..."

"What would you have done?" For some reason, Estel found himself angry at his older brother. "What would you have done in my situation?"

Elrohir paused. "I...I would have known something was wrong, but that's only because of..."

"Because of your Elven abilities," Estel said for him dryly, rolling his eyes. "I should have known something was wrong too. Even we mortals know when our friends are in trouble. Just because I'm mortal doesn't mean that I'm stupid."

Elrohir remained silent, a look similar to Elrond's when he was slightly annoyed on his face. "Estel, I'm not criticizing you because you're mortal. Don't turn it around to make it look I am."

Estel scowled even though that he knew that the youngest twin was right. He looked back down at Legolas. "I'm sorry, Ro. It's not your fault."

Ro tossed him an apple. "Don't worry, I'm not angry. Here, you should eat something."

Estel accepted the food gratefully. They sat for a while, eating in silence. Estel longed for Legolas to wake so that he could speak with him. Staring at his pale, still face made Estel fill like he was staring at his lifeless body that was about to be put in a tomb. Sighing, he stood, walking over to a window and looking out of it.

"Where's Elladan?" he asked, not directing his words to particularly anyone.

Elrohir shrugged. "I don't know."

"You know," Estel began slowly, "this reminds me of the time that Legolas and I found you lost in the forest."

"You mean when you were five?"

Estel nodded. "Yeah, it does."

Elrohir had an odd expression on his face. His eyes were scrunched up and his cheeks were growing red. Estel frowned. "What's so funny?"

That did it. Elrohir doubled over, laughing so hard that tears were streaming down his cheeks. "What's so funny?" Estel repeated, feeling his face flush.

"My brother," Elrohir gasped, "it was YOU who were lost!"

Estel paused. "I don't remember it that way."

"Of course you wouldn't! Legolas was so afraid of upsetting you that he lied and said that Elladan and I were lost and that you were going to find us. I remember how you trotted up to us..."

"I didn't trot," Estel snapped.

"Oh, trust me, you trotted. I'll never forget it! You trotted right up to me and said, 'Don't ever run off like that again! You left me and Legolas alone with a sprayed ankle.'"

"Huh?"

"Yes, Estel, with a SPRAYED ankle. I suppose that you didn't know it was sprained at the time."

Even though Estel had to admit that this was mildly funny, it was hurting his pride. He walked over to Elrohir and smacked him in the back of the head.

"OW!"

The sound made Legolas lift his head. Estel and Elrohir immediately grew quiet, watching as Legolas slowly awoke. The two brothers glanced at each nervously.

Legolas turned to face them, taking in their strange position: Estel, with his hand covering Elrohir's mouth, and Elrohir grabbing adan's elbows. Legolas's eyes grew wide.

"Estel?"

TBC...

Deana: Thranduil hasn't seen Elladan back at Imladris though, so he really couldn't verify if he was alive or not lol. I hope that you enjoyed this chapter!

CapriceAnn Hedican-Kocur: I know, I don't like them being short either. They should get longer after a while, but for now they're kinda short. Anyway, I hope you liked this one!

IwishChan: Poor Legolas is right! The foeg edhel has had a hard time. And now we can only hope that Elladan shows up soon...

Freak Goddess of the Crypt: I'm glad that you liked it! I hope that you like this one too. Sighs at short length

Slayer3: Here. Hands over a tissue I hope that this helps. Yes, ole' Leggy is going through quite a hard time. :( We can only hope that he gets better soon! I hope that you enjoyed this chapter.

Faerlas: I'm glad that you like it. This has been an enjoyable one for me to write. I hope that you liked this chapter as well!

Please, keep up with the reviews; luvemluvemluvem!