Disclaimer: Still not ours, we may consider giving them back, someday.
Chapter three
The old Istari watched as the small Elfling seemed to fold in on himself. It looked to his eyes that the child almost expected to be beaten. He raised puzzled eyes up to his old friends.
"What is happening?"
"This little one was found yesterday by one of our patrols. He has been very badly beaten. We have been treating him." Elrond moved nearer to the Elfling who stood trembling, eyes not leaving the floor.
"Who is he?" Mithrandir lowered his voice so that his voice was gentle and would not cause more fear for the Elfling.
"We do not know he seems to have no memory." Elrond sighed as he said this.
"He has amnesia?" The wizard sounded surprised.
"I think it is traumatic amnesia, yes. He is also malnourished as you can see." Elrond lowered himself to his knees. "Little One, I promise that no one will hurt you while you are under my roof. Let me show you my friends. This is Mithrandir, I have known him for a very long time and he is kind. This is Glorfindel. You remember meeting him earlier. Come, child, look at me."
It was slow and the trembling seemed to increase ten fold but the little shorn head finally rose and Elrond had to suck his breath in once more. Those azure eyes seemed to be bottomless pits of misery. He heard Mithrandir give a sad sigh. He opened his arms and beckoned to the Elfling.
"Come, Little One I will not harm you." The Elfling was very reluctant, one of his kind had hurt him in the past, he was not sure he could trust him. He glanced over his shoulder to the other monster that seemed to be much more frightening. What to do? They had not hurt him so far. In fact they had been kinder to him than he could remember ever being treated. Admittedly that was not long; he could only remember shouting and pain before that and then nothing.
"It is alright, Penneth come I will keep you safe." There was something in this old monsters voice that seemed to stir something within him and with a deep breath he took faltering steps towards those arms. Soon he was enveloped within warm arms. He could not stop the shuddering breath and as he was gently held it all became too much for him and the barriers finally fell and he began to very quietly sob.
Mithrandir looked down with great sadness in his eyes. How anyone could treat this darling Elfling like this was beyond him. He gently rocked backwards and forward, talking gently. He looked up as the other Elves moved nearer.
"That is the first real comfort he has accepted, he let me hug him earlier but was rigid in my arms. He will not even let Glorfindel near him. He is terrified of him."
Even sobbing as hard as he was, they had to listen hard; it was as if he was scared of making a sound.
"Where was he found, was there any clue to his identity?" Mithrandir was gently drying the tiny thin face; the more he dried him the more came. It seemed that once the Elfling had started to cry, he could not stop. This had obviously been building for some time.
"No, he was found two hours walk away, he was wearing rags. There was nothing at first that even said he was an Elfling. They found that after they had started to treat his wounds." Elrond settled back watching the child as he wept.
"I see and his hair?" He had to smile at the sight of Elrond looking both ashamed and embarrassed.
"That was me I am afraid. His hair was in such tight mats that I could not comb it out. This was the only way to deal with it. It was not until we had finished that we found that his hair was blond and not brown." Elrond watched as the Maia gently brushed the stubble that remained.
"His arms, what happened?" He could see the splint that was supporting the stick thin limb.
"His right arm is broken above the wrist; I had to re-break it so that he can heal properly. His left clavicle is broken as well. His arm movements will be very limited for a time."
"I will stay while he heals if that is alright?" The Elfling was now sleeping in his arms, face still shiny from his tears.
"Of course, Aira Mellon, (old friend) you know that you are always welcome here; besides this snow will be around for some time. It will make travelling very difficult." Elrond stood and crossed to the chair. Glorfindel gently brushed the Elfling's face dry a sad look on his face.
"He will be well, Glorfindel. We are here to help him." Mithrandir patted the Eldar's hand. "I have travelled from Lothlorien, Galadriel and Celeborn send their warm wishes. I have some missives for you, Elrond."
"Thank you, Aira Mellon I will see to them later, once this Little One has settled somewhat. He will need to have frequent light meals; he needs to gain some much needed weight."
"That would be good; he is far too slight and small. Have you heard anything from Thranduil?" Mithrandir settled back and moved the Elfling further onto his lap, so that he was safer. He accepted the blanket from Glorfindel and gently wrapped the slight form.
"No nothing. I am worried about him. He will have taken Meathlin's death very hard. The Prince was severely wounded as well. I offered to travel to Mirkwood to help but Thranduil refused. I think it was grief talking." Elrond sighed he was worried about his old friend and the longer it went without any word the more he wanted to just up and go to his aid. Not that he could now what with the weather closing in.
"Galadriel is worried as well. She has heard nothing from him either. Her visions trouble her; she is highly worried about the Young Prince. How old would he be know?" Mithrandir accepted the wine that Elrond offered; his trip had been long and hard.
"About the age of eight I think." He looked critically at the young Elfling, no he was far too small to be the Prince, and he looked to be about five or six.
The Maia's wise eyes twinkled at him when he looked up. "My thoughts exactly, Elrond, He is far too small to be Legolas. I almost give thanks that it is not he."
"I agree. What has Galadriel seen for the Prince?" Elrond could not help but ask he knew his mother in laws powers all too well.
"She says that his future is much clouded, she cannot see him clearly, and it worries her." The wine was good, as he would expect from Elrond.
"I can imagine. That is not good." A clouded future never boded well as he knew from past experience. Still it was all relative, Galadriel herself would admit to that. As she warned the beings and Elves that looked into her mirror what they saw could be what had already happened, may yet come to pass or never happen. That should be a comfort for her, but she was too kind hearted for that.
They all remembered the darling little Elfling Prince. Such beauty as he had not seen in such a while, the long golden hair and the deep blue azure eyes that seemed to shine with an inner light. Laughter that was musical and seemed to fill the air with joy and he was so full of life.
So different to this little one, yes he had blond hair and deep azure eyes, but there the similarity ended. No Prince would ever have eyes that sad.
"We need to speak with her about this little one. Elrond was sure that he came from either Mirkwood or Lothlorien." Glorfindel broke in.
"There are no Elfling's missing from Lothlorien, he is certainly not from there. Not that I was aware of anyway." Mithrandir sounded thoughtful.
"I have written to her and included information on this Penneth. I did not think that she would keep something like that quiet. She would have the Galadhrim searching the Golden Wood for him and would not let it lie. I know that." Elrond gave a small smile.
"Yes, she loves the Elfling's and will not let anything befall them. You think this little One is from Mirkwood?" They all smiled as the Elfling snuffled slightly in his sleep and seemed to curl even more on Mithrandir's lap. As they watched a pale, scratched hand slowly moved and caught hold of his long beard. As the others laughed softly, he did not dare laugh himself in case he woke the Elfling.
"He certainly seems to be becoming taken with you." Elrond could not help but joke, deep down he was relieved. May be they could help this little one after all.
"I would say so. What will you do with him?" Mithrandir's voice was tender as he looked down at the small Elfling on his lap.
"Well he needs to heal and I think that he needs time to readjust from what ever happened to him. His memory may never come back or he could remember when he wakens. I think that for the time being he stays here and then come the thaw and spring we send word to Thranduil and see if he belongs to a family there. For the time being we will consider him to be a foster child of Rivendell." Elrond had already made this decision some time ago. All he wanted was to see the Elfling well and happy.
"That is for the best, I will stay as long as I can and try to help you with him." They all looked up as the door opened to reveal Estel.
"Ada, I am sorry to disturb you, I brought the Elfling some food. Would you like me to bring you all some? It is nearing the noonday meal." The young human had a bowl in his hands that he handed to his father. It held a small amount of broth.
"Thank you, Estel that would be wonderful. Why do you and your brothers not join us?" Estel's happy smile was his answer and the young man left the room with a small glance at the Elfling.
"I will wake him. What have you called him?" Mithrandir looked up questioningly.
"We have not thought of a name for him. We wanted to wait to see what his personality was like."
"I see we cannot keep on calling him Little One. I agree though." He shot them a small smile before gently shaking the small shoulder. "Little One, we have some food for you. Wake up now."
The small Elfling blinked as his eyes came back to awareness and for a minute he stiffened as he realised when where he was. At the wizards smile he seemed to relax.
This lasted until the door opened; he went from being relaxed to rigid in seconds, big eyes watching the door with fear. Mithrandir could feel the tremors that wracked the thin frame as the twins and Estel came into the study. They carried trays of food and bottles of wine.
The Elfling relaxed as he noticed the young human that he recognised from before.
"Hello again, Penneth are you enjoying your broth?" Estel smiled down at the Elfling.
The head nodded and he accepted another spoonful from the wizard he sat upon. He could not remember the last time his stomach had been this full. It felt good.
"So what do we call you, Penneth? We cannot keep on calling you that. Can you remember your name yet?" Estel had put the tray on the desk and was kneeling in front of the Elfling. All waited as he answered.
"No." For the first time they all realised that he had no front teeth. It made him look all the more beautiful if that were possible. "He called me Brat." The voice was low.
"Who? Who called you Brat, little one?" Mithrandir could feel his ire rising again.
"The man, my Mathter." The room fell into shocked silence.
"Your master, Penneth?" Glorfindel's voice made the Elfling start and he cried out in fear as the Elf came near.
"Shush, I will never harm you, Penneth. I wish to be your friend. Can you describe him?" Glorfindel spoke in a calm quiet voice.
"He took me I think, no remember. He wath nathty." The Elfling shivered. "Hith hair wath black and he had one eye." He was shaking at the memory.
"He will not harm you again and he is not your Master. I will make certain of that." The promise in the Balrog Slayers voice made the Elfling smile for the first time.
"Can you take us to him, Penneth?" Mithrandir hated to ask, but the Elfling had to have been brought to Imladris, he could not have made it here on his own.
A nervous nod was his reply. "He drink and hit me, I ran away. That ith when I found and bringed here." the small tongue licked his lips.
"Good for you. We need to think of a name for you until you remember your own. Do you have one that you can think of?"
The fuzzy blond head shook in the negative.
"Hmmm, that will make it difficult. What do you like?" The Maia asked him gently.
"Thnow." Was the lisped answer.
"We cannot call you Snow, little one. Anything else?" Mithrandir had to hide his amusement.
"Treeth, like treeth and leaveth. Green. Mith them in winter." He was unaware that they had no idea what he was talking about.
"Treeth?" Estel was wary.
"Yeth." It was then that the human realised that because of the missing front teeth the Elfling could not sound his S's. It caused the S's to come out with a 'th' sound.
"Trees, you like trees?" At the happy nod the others relaxed. "And you like leaves, do they talk to you?" If they were dealing with a Wood Elf then it would be reasonable that they would, but this little One may be too young to know what they were saying.
"Yeth, they funny." He accepted another mouthful of food from Mithrandir.
"Then we shall have to contemplate that. That food smells very good, Estel." Mithrandir deliberately changed the conversation.
The meal was a jolly affair with much laughter and although the Elfling did not really join in much he did seem to be a lot more relaxed around them. As they finished their meal they looked up to see him sitting on Mithrandir's knee sucking his lip, he was gazing sadly at his thumb while swinging his legs backwards and forwards. How he longed to suck his thumb, most days he had only had that comfort. Now they were trapped and he could not reach them.
"Are you alright, Little One?" Mithrandir could not help but ask startled blue eyes looked at him before nodding. "Do you suck your thumb?"
Relief filled those eyes as the Elfling nodded.
"Let me help." With utmost care the wizard moved the left arm so that it was supported against his own chest for support but in such away that the Elfling could move it without hurting himself. Within minutes he was happily sucking away while being cradled gently once more.
The others smiled at the scene and Estel could remember a time when he had been held in those strong, safe arms.
Elladan and Elrohir were extolling them about one of their latest jokes on poor Erestor when they realised that the Elfling was once more asleep.
"We need to find this man, Ada. We cannot let him remain near here and thinking that he can use Elfling's as his slaves." Elrohir's voice was soft and yet very angry.
"I know Ion-nin and we will as soon as this little One is far more settled. He has to fully trust us first. Thanks to Mithrandir that has happened faster than I would have thought possible. We may also be able to find out from him where this Elfling came from. His parents must be in a fine state of panic over him."
"We are agreed that he is a Wood Elf, though?" Mithrandir was frowning at them.
"Yes, Mellon-nin only a true Wood Elf would be able to hear the trees so clearly. I have not heard of one as young as this hearing them so clearly before, that only adds to the mystery." Elrond was smiling fondly down at the Elfling. So quiet and small and yet he had managed to conquer their hearts within the space of one short morning.
"Where will he sleep for the time being? He can hardly stay here, Elrond." Mithrandir was sure of that.
"No, I will have a chamber set up for him."
"Near to mine, Ada he will be no trouble and I would like to keep an eye on him." Estel was looking eagerly at his father.
"As you wish, Estel. He may well have nightmares…"
"That is why he should be near to someone that he can trust. I do not mind, if it helps him to trust again, I would like to help."
"Thank you, Estel he will need a lot of help and care from all of us. He needs to be kept as calm as possible for the next few days and I want to keep a close eye on him." Elrond smiled at his foster son.
"I will arrange for the chamber to be readied for him." Glorfindel left the chamber.
"He will win many a heart. I already can see three big softies that he can wrap around his fingers." Mithrandir's smile proved he was joking with them.
"And one even bigger softie is sitting not too far from me." Elrond's smile was wide as he took in the sight of the Elfling laying safe in the old wizard's arms.
"One can never be too old to be an old softie. This little One certainly brings that out in one does he not?" Mithrandir's smile was wide.
It was much later that Mithrandir carried the Elfling gently to his bed. Although it had been hurriedly arranged, Glorfindel had worked a minor miracle. The large bed had been changed for one that was suitable for an Elfling.
The covers were deep and soft with plenty of billowing pillows. A small glass holding clear water was sitting on the table next to the bed. Lined up in a row across the top of it were a set of small wooden Elven figures, carefully carved.
Estel could not stop his small gasp as he saw for the first time in many years the dear old friends from his childhood. He had been very young when Glorfindel had carved them for him and he had spent long happy hours playing with them.
"Glorfindel, where did you find them? I thought they had been lost years ago." Estel's voice was soft with remembrance.
"They have been in my care since then. I have been guarding them for your own children, but I felt that this little One had need of some friends. I hope you do not mind, Estel?" The blond Elf stood in the window watching as Elrond pulled back the bedding.
"Of course not, he will love them as much as I have, I am sure." Estel was watching as Mithrandir gently settled the Elfling into the bed and covered him. Elrond said nothing but left the chamber.
They said nothing either just stood watching the Elfling settled into the soft bed with a tiny sigh. Elrond quickly returned to the chamber and what he was holding made both twins gasp.
"Snuffles, Ada how?" Elrohir raised stunned eyes to his father.
"I am as guilty as Glorfindel, I am afraid. I did not have the heart to throw him away, so I have been keeping him safe until you had sons of your own. I believe that there is someone in far greater need for the minute. Can I let him have use of Snuffles while he is here?" Elrond watched the happy smiles on his twin sons faces.
"Yes, Ada Snuffles will be exactly what he needs." They watched as Snuffles was gently placed next to the Elfling so that when he woke he would see him first thing.
Silently they left the chamber leaving one small safety globe alight so that if the Elfling awoke it would not be to darkness. Elrond made certain that the chamber door was open enough so that if they were needed they could hear him.
"Ada, I think I will retire if that is alright? I wish to be nearby just in case." Estel was not happy with leaving the small Elfling on his own in a strange place.
"Of course, Ion-nin try and rest. Call for me if I am needed?" They watched as with a swift goodnight the young human opened his chamber door and disappeared into his own chamber. His door was left wide open the light from his chamber filling the hallway and with small smiles the others left them to rest.
It was cold, cold and very, very dark. He dare not move nor make a sound. He could hear the angry steps that were coming nearer by the second. He tried to make himself as small as possible.
The door opened with a loud bang and it took all his strength not to cry out in fear. He hated it here, hated the smell and the dark.
"Where ya, Whelp? Ya'll regret hiding from me when I am through with ya!" The voice was a deep, slurred growl. The man had been drinking once again. The Elfling knew he would hurt tomorrow, he always did.
"So there ya are, Runt!" Cruel hands reached out for him, long nails digging into his thin arms as he was lifted without hesitation from his position on the floor. He bit back his whimper of both fear and pain. Any noise would only offer the man more motives to hurt him more.
He hung limp from the man's hand, he knew better than to fight this. The first crack as the fist landed echoed in the cold room. It was quickly followed by another.
The Man finally had had all the fun that he could get from the Elfling for the minute and he let the small being fall making no move to prevent the fall. He cackled with glee as the Elfling hit the floor with a loud crack. The small filthy face looked up at him in fear, blue eyes wide with fear and tears making a channel down his dirty cheeks. His left hand was cradled protectively within his right. Although he was crying he made no sound, it was eerie to watch, but not one sound left that tiny mouth.
"Good. If'n I hear one word out of ya, ya will feel my belt d'ya understan' Brat?" The filthy head nodded once. "Ya has no one, Brat no one loves ya. Ya Ma's dead and gone and ya Da? Has he tried to find ya? No. If he does I'll kill ya where you stand, ya mine and no one will help ya." He gave the small, pitiful lump on the floor a kick.
He laughed as he made his way across the filthy floor, as he reached the door he turned. "Ya better have ma food ready on time or ya will get reacquired with ma belt." With that the door was closed on him, leaving him quietly sobbing in the dark, eyes wide with fear.
He wanted his Ada; his Ada would make this Man go away. Why did his Ada not come for him? He huddled into a small ball as the fear and pain became too much….
Estel was not sure what had woken him up. He lifted himself up resting on one elbow as he listened to the dark around him. All he heard was silence. Shrugging he lay back down and buried his head into his soft pillow. He had just gotten comfortable when he heard the sound again. He was instantly on the alert, it sounded as if someone's heart was very quietly breaking. They were also trying to be as quiet as they possibly could.
It was then that Estel knew where the noises were coming from; it was the chamber right opposite from him. He quickly rose and not bothering with his over gown quickly left his chamber.
Pushing open the door he looked into the chamber. The Elfling was writhing on the bed almost as if he was being struck. Tears fell almost silently from the tightly shut eyes. It felt wrong to see an Elf sleeping with their eyes closed, it was such a rare thing.
He moved towards the bed and without hesitation he gently picked the small body up. "Shush, you are safe, Little One. No one will hurt you here."
He rocked the child gently, trying to calm him. Slowly he calmed down as the nightmare receded. As he settled one more into peaceful sleep he could have sworn he heard the child say quietly. "Ada, you come for me?"
Every time he tried to lay the Elfling down to sleep and return to his room, the little One would whimper and cling to him as hard as his poor injured arms would let him. In the end he gave up and settled down to sleep with the Elfling. Soon both were lost to the waking world.
Morning dawned bright and silent. The deep carpet of white snow making the day seem brighter than usual. Slowly Imladris woke and began its day.
Elrond made his way slowly down the corridor towards the Elfling's chamber. He noted that Estel's chamber door was wide open; he paused for a moment before knocking softly and poking his head through so that he could look into the chamber. It was empty.
He gave a small smile as he turned and entered the opposite chamber door wider. There snuggled down into the bed with the Elfling curled up beside him was Estel. It was an adorable sight. As he neared the bed he realised that the Elfling had been crying, his heart went out to the tiny child as he realised what must have happened.
"He had a nightmare." He looked up into bright grey eyes. "He would not let me leave him. I think he thought I was his Ada."
"Did he give you any clues as to who he is?" Elrond gently brushed the pale cheeks, wiping them free of any trace of tears.
"No, not a thing. Ada, I think that he been very badly treated, he was flinching as if some one was striking him. I could kill the evil…" Estel really wanted to swear but would not do so in front of tender ears.
"I agree with you, Estel on all points. But for now we need to give this Penneth all the help and love that he needs until we can reunite him with his family."
"Very well, Ada." Estel watched as the Elfling stirred in his arms. Confused blue eyes opened. "Good morning, Little One."
The Elfling instantly stiffened before memory returned and he relaxed back. "Are you hungry?" Elrond smiled at the child.
The small brow knitted as he pondered that question. Then he nodded once. "Let us go and eat then." He lifted the Elfling from his foster son's arms and carried him to the door followed closely by the yawning Estel.
He waited until Estel had followed them a small way down the hallway before turning to him with a wide mischievous grin.
"Are you going to come down to the morning meal dressed like that?"
Estel was puzzled for a minute until he realised that he was still dressed in his night clothes. He blushed scarlet to the roots of his hair and with a muttered. "I will join you soon." He disappeared back into his chamber, Elrond's laughter following him down the corridor.
Elrond felt the Elfling stiffen as he laughed before relaxing back, the rumble of laughter had obviously startled him. As they made their way into the Hall of Fire he was greeted by all the Elf's present and he felt the Elfling stiffen before trying to hide beneath his robes and he quickly crossed to his own seat.
He had just started to feed the small child some porridge, not missing the tiny grimace of distaste, not that he said anything he just passively accepted the food; when Estel hurried in fully dressed in his hands he held a tiny black and white stuffed dog. It was very old and threadbare; it was obvious that he had been well loved in the past.
Estel drew near to his father and with a small smile presented the dog to the Elfling. "This is for you to look after; he was left behind when you left your chamber."
The blue eyes widened with shock and then disbelief. He peeked up at Elrond to gauge his reaction and when he received a nod of encouragement turned back to Estel. "For me?" The voice was very small and unsure.
"Yes, for you. His name is Snuffles and he will snuffle and frighten the nasty monsters away for you."
"Thnuffleth'. Thank you." The two small arms gently hugged the dog to the thin chest and it was not lost on any in the room that he did not let go of the toy at all.
Estel could feel the blue eyes following his every move all during the morning meal. It seemed he had made a small friend that morning.
Once they had all eaten Elrond took the Elfling back to his chamber so that he could wash and change him into something a little more suitable than his night shirt. He had to smile at his wide eyes as the Elfling got his first good look at the chamber.
"This is your while you are with us. Glorfindel brought the soldiers for you, he thought you might like to play with them, they belonged to Estel when he was small." That obviously caught the small Elfling's attention and he beamed at the older Elf, showing fully the gap between his teeth.
It was not long before Elrond was in his study, the small Elfling with Snuffles in tow, sitting once more in the large overstuffed chair. He sat very quietly watching as the Elf Lord read his messages.
There was knock on the door and Glorfindel entered parchments in hand. He nodded to his friend and smiled to the Elfling. For the first time, the child did not draw back in fear. Elrond smiled as he looked up.
"You remember my friend, Glorfindel, Little One?"
The Elfling nodded once. Glorfindel handed Elrond his letters before going and kneeling before the child. "Good morning, little One and Snuffles."
To the two Elves surprise the Elfling gave a small tinkling laugh at that. "Do you like Snuffles?"
"Yeth, thank you. Thank you for my tholdierth, Glor… Glorfan." The Elfling gave a sigh of frustration.
"It is Glorfindel, Penneth. Try it again. Follow me. Glor."
"Glor." The little voice was following him.
"Fin" The mighty Balrog Slayer was patient with the child.
"Fin."
"That is good. Del." he smiled his reassurances.
"Del."
"Very good, now try and say it all together like this. Glorfindel."
"Glorfandel."
"Very near, Penneth try it again. Glorfindel." He could hear Elrond laughing quietly behind him.
"Glorfandel." The small beam was a joy to behold.
"That will do nicely, I think." They all jumped as the door flew open to reveal Elladan.
"Ada, there is a messenger from Mirkwood. He needs to see you urgently."
Elrond stood from his desk. "Bring him here, he is uninjured?"
"No, Ada they had some trouble with Orcs along the way. He refuses treatment until he has spoken with you." Elladan sounded puzzled.
"Very well. I will see him. Thank you, Ion-nin." Elladan left the room with a smile at the Elfling. Elrond picked him up and hugged him tightly. He heard the door close behind him.
"Hir Nin, I apologise at intruding but I have an urgent message from King Thranduil. His young son has been taken; we have been searching for him for months. I dared to cross the Misty Mountains so that we could ask you to…"
Elrond turned slowly trying to reassure the petrified Elfling in his arms. The dark haired Elf in front stuttered to a halt as he took in the Elfling in his arms.
For one long minute both Elrond and Glorfindel thought the Elf was going to pass out in front of them. Then, face white he knelt on one knee, his eyes never leaving the Elfling's.
"Prince Legolas, by the Valar we thought you were lost!"
Elrond and Glorfindel could only gasp at the other Elf unsure if they could believe what they had just heard….
To be continued
Please accept our very big apologise at the lateness of this posting. Real life has been somewhat hectic and pretty amazing for both of us. We hope that the length of this chapter goes a little towards easing the pain this may have caused. We promise another update this weekend.
We would also like to thank all our wonderful reviewers.
Replies to reviews:
Haldir's Heart and Soul: Sorry that was me (Shell) being rotten, as you see the identity of the Elfling has been discovered. Now all they need to find out is exactly what happened to the poor dear.
Megan: Thank you. Is this one a little better for you?
Mornflower: As you say poor wittle ewfie! Here is an update for you.
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Isildwen: We thank you for your kind words. Yay for Gandalf!
Ruby the Troll: Thank you for your kind words. We are sorry we did not make this clear but this is very AU and based very loosely in the world of our other fics. Did we say Thranduil had been the complete cause of the Elfling's injuries? Also the story as to how the Elfling made the trip is slowly beginning to emerge. Please bear with us and keep on letting us know what you think?
Blinken: Thank you! I'm glad you like Elrond's response, it kind of wrote itself, if you know what I mean? As you say, the abuse had to be spoken of as it is an enormous part of the story and as much as we all would like to close our eyes; this happens far more than any of us would like to admit. I have been lucky and honoured in my nursing career to have worked in all bar one field of expertise, this still after 20 years can reduce me to tears, and no child of any kind should go through this. It was not easy to write.
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Triptych: We shall see! Rotten aren't I. Evil is what Mei calls me!!
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Well, that is all for now. Please let us know what you think?
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Mei and Shell