Disclaimer: See Chapter One.

A/N: Hey there folks. All right, first off I would like to apologize for any confusion I may have caused. I thought that I had been clear on the matter that this story was a direct sequel to Coming Home, but apparently I was not. Just to clear things up, all of my LOTR stories are a series I guess you could call it. I don't do it chronological order though. My pattern goes likes this. Small Estel, Adult Estel. This story is with Estel as an adult and he is aware of his heritage. At this stage in his life though, he is still known as Estel. All of my stories intertwine with one another just to let you know. That's why I said that this story was a sequel of sorts to The Love of a Family. Many of the things that happened in that story will reappear here. So once again, I am terribly sorry for any confusion I may have caused. All right, onto other things. Thank you all so much for your reviews! I am so glad that you are all enjoying it so far. I do have some bad news though. My beta is going out of town and won't be able to beta anything until about December 22, so I apologize ahead of time for the wait for Chapter 3. Many many thanks to my incredible beta who has a wonderful HP story that you have to read if you are an HP fan. As promised, here is Chapter Two. Enjoy!

Estel walked into the house muttering under his breathe about stubborn, hovering, over protective mother hens, who thought that he was a child. Honestly, the way his brothers and his friends were worrying over him, one would think he was on the verge of dying which he most certainly was not!

Walking the familiar corridors, Estel headed for his Ada's study where he knew his father was most likely to be. He was all to aware of the five elves that were following silently behind him and shot them a nasty look.

To think that they thought that he was stubborn. He was nothing compared to the likes of them! He would have to figure out a way to remind them that he was an adult later. Not now though. No, right now he needed to be his father's good graces.

"Are you just going to stand there or are you going to knock?" Elladan said suddenly, startling Estel out of his thoughts. Apparently, he had come to the door of the study without even realizing it.

Estel's cheeks flushed and he hastily knocked on the door.

They were all surprised when no one answered. Estel, Elladan, and Elrohir exchanged puzzled glances. At this hour of the day their father was almost always in his study unless one of them was injured.

"Were you looking for someone young ones?" Thranduil's amused voice said from behind them.

The six of them jumped and turned around only to see that Elrond and Thranduil were barely holding back their laughter.

"I see that we surprised you," Elrond said, an eyebrow raised in amusement.

"Was there something that you wanted?" Thranduil said teasingly. He knew very well why the young ones had been seeking them out.

Elladan pushed Estel forward. Estel glared at his older brother but turned to the two older elves.

"Well, Ada, we were wondering if you had made a decision on when we could depart."

Elrond smiled at Estel's anxiousness. It was very clear that Estel wanted to leave for Mirkwood and visit the royal family for a while. While he was not happy about it, he would let Estel go, despite his ill feelings.

It appeared that Thranduil wanted to have some fun with Estel first though. "Oh, I don't know young one. Your father is a very hard elf to convince when he sets his mind to it."

Estel looked disappointed but was still hopeful that they could leave rather soon, if not right away. The younger elves however, looked far from disappointed. Thranduil would even go so far as to say that they looked relieved. Curious, to say the least. He and Elrond would have to ask them once Legolas and Estel were out of ear shot.

"Estel, ion nin, we are just teasing you. You may leave as soon as Thranduil wishes to depart. However, you must promise me though that you will not over exert yourself. I will not let you leave unless you promise me this," Elrond said.

"Yes Ada," Estel said simply. He couldn't make any promises that he wouldn't over exert himself. After all, trouble seemed to find him, and Legolas come to think of it, without them even trying.

Elrond sighed. He knew that was the best he was going to get out of Estel. He knew as well as his son that trouble always managed to find him. Knowing that Estel had promised what he could, he turned to Legolas.

"As for you Legolas, the same thing goes. That arm was very badly fractured and if I so much as hear that you have lifted your bow, you shall be very sorry indeed!"

Legolas opened his mouth to protest but shut it quickly when Elrond directed his infamous look at him.

"Ah! Do not even try to protest Legolas. No, you will not use your bow. The only exception to that rule would be if you, Valar forbid, were attacked by orcs. Even then, if at all possible, you are to use your knives."

Legolas sighed but reluctantly acquiesced. "Very well."

Elrond nodded in acceptance and turned his attention towards Thranduil, Delelen, and Thilloth. "Good, as for you three, you are to watch both Estel and Legolas. Make sure that they do not do something incredibly stupid or reckless as they are known for doing."

"Do not worry so mellon nin. Believe me when I say that we shall have our eyes on both of them at all times," Thranduil said while shooting a glance at Estel and Legolas. Those two could attract trouble in Lothlorien, let alone Imladris or Mirkwood. He would have his hands full for the coming journey, he just knew it.

"I would feel better if they had every elf in Imladris and Mirkwood keep an eye on them, but even then they would not stay out of trouble I fear," Elrond said dryly.

Legolas and Estel shook their heads in protest.

"Ada!"

"Elrond!"

"Tis not true," they said together.

The twins, Delelen, and Thilloth all snickered at Estel and Legolas's expenses. "I'm afraid that it is true tithen gwador," Delelen said.

"Aye, trouble seems to find the two of you wherever you go," Elladan said.

"You're trouble magnets, the both of you," Elrohir added.

Legolas and Estel scowled at the twins. "If we are trouble magnets, than what are you? If you do recall, we usually get into the most trouble when you two are around," Estel said.

Thranduil and Elrond laughed. "All right, all right. I believe it is safe to say that you are all trouble magnets," Elrond said.

"Aye, is that not the truth. Tell me Elrond, how in the name of the Valar did you convince me to have all of your sons plus all of mine under my roof?"

Elrond grinned smugly. "Skill my good King, skill."

"Yeah, yeah. Speaking of which, when can I expect you two?" Thranduil said to the twins.

Elladan and Elrohir shrugged and looked to their Ada. If they had it their way they would leave with Thranduil. It was up to their father though.

Elrond debated silently for a moment. On one hand, he wanted the twins to depart immediately so that they could keep an eye on Estel and Legolas. On the other hand, he really wanted them to stay home for a few days before they were off.

"I suppose I will send them along a few days after you leave, or possibly sooner, depending on how much they annoy me," Elrond said playfully.

"Ada!" the twins exclaimed together with mock hurt in their voices.

"So, when exactly are we leaving Ada?" Delelen asked.

"I would like to leave tomorrow with the dawn. We can however wait a few more days if you would prefer that Elrond," Thranduil said.

"Nay, tomorrow is fine. You had all better go and pack if you're leaving tomorrow," Elrond said.

"All right Ada!" Estel shouted, already halfway down the hall.

"Make sure to pack plenty of bandages and herbs! And Estel! Take your heavy cloak!" Elrond shouted after him.

Thranduil laughed as his sons and Estel took off down the hall. "I think that they are afraid that you will change your mind mellon nin."

"No, I will not change my mind. Not unless I see a drastic change of health in Estel," Elrond said quietly. It had not escaped his notice that Estel had trailed far behind Legolas, Delelen, and Thilloth. Naturally, Estel was somewhat slower than the elves but he was not that slow.

Thranduil noticed Elrond's suddenly pensive move. He knew what Elrond was thinking.

"Mellon nin, I really would not mind a few days delay, despite what I said earlier."

"Nay, you were correct. Your kingdom needs you Thranduil. I just wish I knew what was really going on with Estel," Elrond said tiredly.

"Then you have noticed it as well," Elladan said quietly.

Thranduil and Elrond turned around to face the twins in surprise. They had forgotten that they were still there.

"What have you noticed Elladan?" Elrond questioned. It was rare to see his twin sons looking so serious. It was more than a little unnerving to him and probably Thranduil as well.

"Ada, we are worried about Estel. It seems that he always had little to no energy. Not even a half an hour ago, when we were in the courtyard, he fell fast asleep in the grass," Elrohir said. He was worried for his little brother. His lack of energy was alarming to say the least if one took into account how active Estel usually was.

Elrond sighed and rubbed his temples wearily. "I am worried for him as well Elrohir, which is why the two of you will leave for Mirkwood in two days. Thranduil, is that all right with you?"

"Aye, tis fine. I know that I will feel better though once you two catch up with us," Thranduil said.

Elrond nodded in agreement. Valar knew he would feel better knowing the twins would be able to keep an eye on Estel.

"So we'll leave in two days. Don't worry Ada, at the first sign of trouble we'll send for you," Elladan said quietly.

"I know. Now go on and help your brother pack. I shall see you all at dinner," Elrond said.

The twins and Thranduil nodded, recognizing that Elrond wanted some time to himself in order to sort through his feelings. Quietly, they left Elrond to his thoughts.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The next morning dawned bright and early with everyone in the household being up long before the sun had made her appearance.

Estel, Legolas, and Legolas's brothers had woken everyone in the household up so that they could get moving. They were all anxious to get to Mirkwood.

Breakfast that morning had proved to be quite amusing. In their anxiousness to be on their way, the young elves and one young human practically shoveled down their food at an unbelievable rate. More than once did Thranduil and Elrond berate them for eating to quickly and pleaded with them to slow down or risk choking.

Reluctantly, they did slow down their pace but not by much. Elrond and Thranduil just shook their heads in amused exasperation knowing that it was hopeless. They were far to excited to listen to them. Not that they ever really listened to them in the first place.

Dawn that morning found everyone outside in the courtyard and bidding their farewells.

"Estel, ion nin, please be very careful and do not push yourself to hard. I do wish that you would wait a few more days," Elrond said, practically pleading with his youngest for him to stay.

Estel rolled his eyes in mock exasperation. He had to at least pretend that he was annoyed by his father's comment. The truth was, though, that he wasn't. He couldn't bring himself to be irritated with his father. After all, he was only looking out for his well fare.

"Ada, I am fine. Besides, I have Thranduil, Legolas, Delelen, and Thilloth to watch over me."

"I know. The twins will more than likely catch up to you before you even reach the palace, so watch for them," Elrond said.

"Don't worry Ada, I will. I promise that we'll be careful," Estel said solemnly. He may have not been able to promise that he wouldn't run into trouble, but he could promise that he would try to avoid it.

"You had better be careful tithen gwador! If we arrive and find you hurt in anyway because of your stubbornness, you will regret it," Elladan said pulling his brother into a fierce hug.

"I'll be fine Elladan. Besides, you'll have caught up with us before you even know it. That way, you can make sure that nothing will happen to me," Estel said returning the hug just as fiercely.

"You had bet that we'll be there to keep an eye on you. Just, try not to do anything stupid until we get there okay?" Elrohir said as he joined hugged Estel.

"I'll try Ro, now quit mothering me!" Estel exclaimed.

The twins laughed and pulled Estel into one more hug. "That's the Estel we all know and love! We'll see you in a few days little brother. Remember, we love you," Elladan said.

Estel nodded, his silver eyes reflecting that love. "As I love you my brothers. I love you too Ada! Don't worry, I shall not be gone all that long."

Elrond nodded and stepped forward to hug his son one last time. "May the Valar watch over you, all of you."

Thranduil bowed his head in acknowledgment of Elrond's words and prayer. When he looked up, for a single moment, his eyes met Elrond's. A wordless promise between two father's was reaffirmed and the moment was over.

"Safe journey," Elrond said as everyone mounted.

With one last nod, Thranduil, Legolas, Estel, Delelen, and Thilloth were off.

As Elrond watched his son ride off, he was suddenly hit with a feeling so foreboding that he nearly ran after the group. What was done though was done. He could not go after them now. What was bound to happen would, and he could only hope that he would be able to pick up the pieces.
With a silent prayer to the Valar to prove his foreboding feeling wrong, he entered the all to silent house.

Translations:

Ada: Dad/Daddy

Ion nin: My son

Mellon nin: My friend

Tithen gwador: Little brother

Tithen pen: Little one