Pitter patter...came the tread of soft, light feet, followed after with a cry of joy.
"Ada, come look!" Estel rounded the corner of a building in Rivendell with great speed, having to skid ungracefully to stop. Lord Elrond looked up from his book, and a curious expression replaced one of contented solitude.
"Yes, my young Estel?" he asked his insatiably curious child.
"Come with me! I have something to show you!" he chirped, his wavy hair bouncing and bobbing with every movement. Slowly placing a pressed flower into his book, Elrond sighed, and lifted his hand in front of himself dutifully. Estel's smile, more and more mannish looking every day, spread widely, and his small hand grasped onto Elrond's.
"It is not far, Ada. You will enjoy it!" he said over his shoulder, his normally clear blue eyes now clouded with pride and blindness to everything outside of his current interest.
"Estel," Elrond murmured, his whisper loud enough to be heard by the human boy. The child stopped, turning around to look at the only father he'd ever truly known.
"Slow down." the Lord of Imladris suggested, his smile warm and amused. Estel nodded, taking Elrond's advice to heart, but in no way going to listen to it. Once again, the boy led them charging down the path to a broad courtyard with a fountain in the middle, the gush of water trickling happily. Two elves were standing by it, looking underneath a dark cloth with curiously amused faces. They lowered the material that hung over an unknown object, and prepared to depart to leave child and elf alone in their soon to be needed discussion.
They inclined their heads once in recognition, and with that, they linked arms. Thus, the courtyard was left empty.
Estel came to sit by the side of the fountain, whose rushing crystalline water sounded more like a running brooke then something not crafted by nature. Elrond particularly liked this fountain, and was pleased with himself for installing it here, and adding fish to enhance its appeal.
"Ada, watch." Estel commanded, desiring the elf's attention. He lifted up the cloth gingerly, as if not wanting to injury what was underneath.
Elrond smiled complacently in pleasant anticipation.
"I caught this from the fountain right here!" the boy announced proudly, beaming. He held up his hands, and with delicate, precise fingers, lifted up the covering to reveal a dead fish. Elrond chuckled, a mischievous light in his eyes, something that scarce was shown by him.
"I managed to catch it with my bare hands! This is the first time I've ever caught something on my own! Ever!" Estel exclaimed, wishing to please the elf, but also not managing to conceal his obvious pride.
Elrond slipped his arms around the child's shoulders, and gently, politely explained how you don't catch fish from fountains.