Estel didn't come to until late afternoon. His eyes were still closed but he grimaced. "Estel? Are you awake, son?" Elrond asked, patting his shoulder. Estel wearily opened his eyes and looked up sadly at his father. He looked wretched.
"A..." He groggily began.
"Shh. Be quiet, son. You must not talk." Elrond said quietly. Estel's brows furrowed. "Your throat needs to heal. Does it hurt?" Estel nodded unhappily. "Here, drink this." He held his son sit up and then laid him back down after he'd finished drinking. "It will help your throat feel better. Estel, you must not talk for three days. Someone will be on hand every hour in case you need something, and here...you can write on this paper for whatever you need or want. Shh. No, no. Don't try to talk, son. Just relax."
"Is he awake, Ada?" Elladan asked as he, Elrohir, and Glorfindel entered the room.
"Barely." Elrond nodded with a wry smile. Estel glanced up gloomily at his brothers. They couldn't help smiling.
"My, Estel, you look as if someone tied you to a chair during Erestor's lessons while it is sunny outside." Elrohir teased. Estel glared at him.
"Ready for some horseback riding, little brother?" Elladan chided. Estel's lips puckered sourly.
"Oh, you two elflings are horrible healers." Glorfindel shook his head. Estel started to shed tears, and his eyes were droopy, indicating that he would again be asleep soon. The twins had expected Estel to throw a fit or throw his pillow at them. They were both taken back that he was crying!
"Oh, Estel. We didn't mean anything by it." Elladan frowned dismally, kneeling next to the bed and patting his brother's head.
"We were just trying to cheer you up." Elrohir sighed.
"He's exhausted." Elrond said. "It's alright, Estel. You can go back to sleep. It will refresh you." He gently rubbed Estel's neck and shoulder. The soothing ministration lulled him quickly back to sleep. "I trust you two are not going to torment him every time he wakes up?" He gave his older sons 'the look'.
"No, Ada. He's too young to appreciate it anyway." Elrohir said with his arms crossed. "Why don't you have a break, Ada? We'll stay with him for now."
"Ai. I have documents to tend to." Elrond agreed, rising to his feet. "Let me know if his condition deteriorates. Oh, and try to get him to drink as much as you can."
"Don't worry. We have this covered."
"Yes, you do." Elrond approved. Lindir appeared, at Elrond's request and played melodious Elvish tunes to keep Estel calm. Estel was sleeping soundly, and his brothers were lovingly hovering over him like two guard dogs. Estel would be fine...at least for a couple hours!
The next time Estel woke was right before dinner. He rubbed his eyes and glanced around. "Well, are you awake now, little brother?" Elrohir cocked his head. Estel began to open his mouth.
"No, no, Estel! Remember? Ada said you cannot speak. If you want something, write it down on here." Elladan reminded him. "Are you thirsty?" Estel nodded quickly. "Here you are." He helped Estel sit up and gave him a glass of cool water. Estel began to gulp it down. "Slow down!" Elladan warned him. Estel started sipping slowly then handed his oldest brother the glass. It was empty. "Would you like some more?" Estel nodded. "Alright." Elladan stood up and walked to the water pitcher.
"So...ready for some dessert, Estel?" Elrohir grinned, patting his little brother's tummy. Estel smiled eagerly. "Good. I'll let Ada know." Elladan returned to the bed and gave his brother some more water. Estel lapped it up but by the time the glass was half empty, he handed it back to Elladan.
"How do you feel, Estel?" Elladan asked. Estel took the paper and pen and jotted down,
My throat is sore. I feel silly. I want to talk!
Elladan smiled and ruffled Estel's hair. "Well, you know something, penneth? This is very good practice for you!" He exclaimed. "Think of it as part of your training. In tracking, whether animals or bad fellows, you have to be quiet, sometimes for hours and hours or they will discover you've been following them."
Estel cocked his head and started writing again,
I'm gonna pretend I'm on an adventure. I'm a soldier, tracking down ugly goblins. They have four eyes and three tongues. And they drool.
"Ugh." Elladan grimaced. "Must you have such a gruesome imagination, little brother?"
I am the only soldier brave enough to fight them, because the others are scared of being eaten! But I will capture them, and give them to the dwarves, who will make those nasty goblins do all the cooking and cleaning!
"That's...merciful of you." Elladan arched his eyebrows.
"Here, Estel! As promised," Elrohir smiled when he came back. A maid was smiling at Estel as she carried a tray with a bowl of purple creaminess! Estel's eyes widened and his stomach rumbled as he eyed the treat.
All for me? He wrote to Elladan who laughed.
"He says, 'All for me?'" He told the others. Elrond and Glorfindel shuffled inside.
"Yes, Estel. All for you." Elrond nodded. Estel eyed the sweetness greedily. His throat may hurt, but if this was the treatment he got with operations, it wouldn't be so bad! He grabbed his spoon and dug into the blueberry cream pie without crust. It was so good! It was soft and thick, and cool, and sweet: very soothing to his miserable throat. He licked his lips and took another mouthful. The elves couldn't help chuckling as they watched the human wolf down his 'medicine'.
Thank you, Ada! His note read.
Still recovering from surgery, Estel grew sleepy faster than he wanted to and drifted off on Elladan's arm. "Don't let him get used to this." Elrond warned. "I do not want him to expect these kind of royalties every time he gets a sniffle!"
"Ada, really now." Elrohir rolled his eyes. "Do you think we'd be stupid enough to encourage that? Trust me, we don't him wasting time faking illnesses during lessons any more than you do!"
"Well, I am at least relieved to hear that!" Elrond sighed. "You two go have your dinner."
The next time Estel woke up, it was passed bedtime. Glorfindel and Elrond were in Estel's room, speaking quietly and keeping watch. Estel was wriggling and moaning. Elrond became instantly worried that his fever had returned and checked his forehead. He was cool. "Estel, what's the matter, son?" He asked, shaking his shoulder. Estel's eyes flew open and he looked frantic. "Just shake your head no or nod yes. Don't speak. Did you have a bad dream?" Elrond asked. Estel shook his head vigorously. He sat up, hugging himself and was rocking back and forth anxiously.
"My friend, I think Estel is trying to tell us he needs to use the bathing room facilities." Glorfindel chuckled.
"Ahh, yes!" Elrond agreed, berating himself for having not thought of that. He helped his youngest son out of bed and led him to the door, then Estel staggered inside the bathroom by himself, closing the door. Elrond shook his head. "I was so worried his fever may have returned, that I didn't consider..."
"He was squirming like a fish out of water and said he didn't have a bad dream. I just put two and two together." Glorfindel boasted. Elrond rolled his eyes. Estel opened the door and slowly came out.'
"Better, ion nin?" Elrond asked. Estel nodded sleepily. "How are you feeling, son?" Estel rubbed his throat, looking forlorn. "Here, I have some medicine for you that will help with that." He led Estel back to the bed but Estel reached his arms out. Elrond smiled, and picked up the 7-year-old and plopped him in his lap. Estel took his medicine then snuggled against the healer's chest, content. He was asleep in moments. Elrond smiled and kissed the top of his curls, grateful the boy was no longer feverish. He was well on his way to recovery!
Estel was pampered with sweets, his favorite toys, and lots of stories. Elrond was happy to see him in such good spirits, but worried that the lad would crave the lavish attention all the time, and try to create scenarios to get it. The next time Elrond came to visit his youngest late in the day, Estel was sitting up in bed, sulking. He pouted darkly. Elrond cleared his throat and approached. "Why, what is the matter, my son? Why so glum with all these rare treats?" He asked in surprise.
"I..." Estel opened his mouth.
"Ah ah. Remember? No talking. Not until the day after tomorrow." Elrond said firmly. Estel scowled and crossed his arms with a huff. Elrond sat next to him on the bed. "What's wrong, Estel?" Estel sourly scribbled on the paper.
I'm so bored! I want to go outside! The note stated emphatically.
Elrond chuckled, shaking his head and ruffled his son's curls. "I know, ion. It will only be for two more days. And then I promise you, you may go out to play." Elrond said. He pulled the covers back then took Estel's hand and led him out to the balcony outside his room. Estel smiled and then tried to climb the banister up to one of the trees. "And just where do you think you're going, young man?" Elrond furrowed his brows, gripping the boy by the waist. Estel threw him his biggest puppy dog eyes. "I'm sorry, Estel. No climbing for you today. You may rest here on the terrace and draw pictures, but no climbing or running." Estel stubbornly pursed his lips. "Oh. So you're going to be that way about it, are you?" Elrond quipped and lightly tickled his son's sides. Estel giggled quietly and doubled over on his knees. "That's better." Elrond approved, seeing the boy smile.
While Elrond tended other duties, Glorfindel sat outside with Estel. The boy tried drawing pictures until he was bored out of his mind. He hopped onto Glorfindel's lap, slightly taking the captain by surprise. "What is it, little one?" He asked.
Play with me! Estel wrote to him.
"So long as there is no roughhousing, or running, penneth. Your father has given strict orders that you are to have light activities." Glorfindel reminded him. Estel started to cry. "What is the matter, Estel?"
"Talk..." Estel mumbled. "Hate...no talk..."
"I'm sorry, lad." Glorfindel said sympathetically, rubbing his back. "I know it's hard for you. I bet you just hate being sick, don't you?" Estel nodded, rubbing his wet eyes. Getting desserts and presents and having no chores had been great at first, but being the energetic child that he was, Estel was growing restless with those things and was tired of lying around all day. He wanted to run and play!
"Why don't we take a walk?" Glorfindel suggested. Estel's head perked up at that idea. He quickly dried his eyes. Glorfindel stood and taking his small hand, slowly led him out. They went to the large fountain and he let Estel roll up his sleeves and twiddle his arms back and forth in the cool water. After that, they quietly visited the stables, where Estel got to see and pet his horse. Glorfindel explained to the equine that the boy couldn't talk right now. The horse seemed to understand and nibbled at his little master's chin, making Estel giggle lightly. He gave his steed an apple and hung around a bit longer, petting him. After that, Glorfindel took him to the apple trees and while he didn't allow the child to scramble up the trees, he hoisted him up onto his shoulders and let the boy pick some apples. The two of them went along, munching on the snacks.
"Ada?! Have you seen Estel? I can't find him anywhere!" Elrohir cried when he found his father heading to his study for to go over trade documents.
"What do you mean?" Elrond quickly whipped his head around.
"He's not in his room, or the healing ward! I checked in his bathing chamber, and he's not there either, or down in the kitchen."
"Valar preserve us," Elrond grimaced. It was obvious to him what had happened. Estel was so restless that he'd been disobedient and snuck out of the house to play. "Check the gardens. And the fountain." He told his son. Elrond laid his papers aside and joined the search for his convalescing son.
After nearly an hour of searching, the three members of Elrond's family met in the foyer. Sunset was approaching and they hadn't found Estel. Yes, he was recovering well. But he was still recovering! Too much excitement could cause a relapse. "Where is that boy?" Elrond huffed, clearly frustrated.
"You mean this boy?" Glorfindel spoke up from behind them as he entered the house. He was carrying a tired Estel in his arms. Estel's head was resting on his shoulder and his arms were snaked around the captain's neck.
"Estel!" The twins gasped. Elrond breathed with relief and came to his friend's side.
"Is he well?" He asked with worry, feeling his boy's forehead, checking for fever.
"Quite well." Glorfindel nodded with a smile. "And worn out, I'm afraid. Don't look so concerned, Elrond. He didn't run out and play if that's what you're thinking. But the poor child was so restless that I didn't think a careful stroll would do any harm. I assure you, he didn't do anything strenuous under my watch! My apologies though. I should've informed you of our activities so you needn't have worried."
"That would have been appreciated." Elrond agreed. "Thank you, for doing that for Estel, mellon nin. I have been so worried about him trying to do too much, that I didn't consider what I could just do with him. And I'm sure Estel appreciates it too."
"I can sympathize." Glorfindel shrugged. "I know how maddening it can be when I am bedridden from poison or wounds and can't wait to be out and about again."
"Indeed. Well, you have my thanks." Elrond smiled.
"Estel, slow down!" Elladan pleaded after his little brother, who was not the least bit sick anymore. Today he was having his first lesson of riding on his horse by himself and he couldn't wait.
"I can't!" Estel called, running.
"Oh, he is definitely recovered!" Elladan shook his head, cantering after the little ball of energy. Estel was running around the corner when he squealed as someone sprang out and grabbed him around the waist. Elrohir held him above the ground so he couldn't get away.
"'Ro! No fair! Put me down!" Estel protested, squirming.
"You advance like that into the stable, you will spook the horses, you little goblin." Elrohir told him.
"I'm not a goblin. You are!" Estel huffed. "Put me down!"
"Brother, he's calling me names!" Elrohir called dramatically to his twin.
"He started it!" Estel pouted.
"Estel, what are we going to do with you, you naughty boy?" Elladan shook his head.
"I want to ride my horse." Estel flailed in Elrohir's arms.
"One lesson at a time, jitter legs." Elladan said 'sternly'. Elrohir started tickling the boy in his arms. Estel shrieked and wriggled.
"Stop, stop it! 'Ro!" He laughed.
"You scream like a goblin too." Elrohir smirked, tickling Estel in the stomach.
"Not there! Ahahahaha! Stop!" Estel cried with laughter. The twins finally ended their torture and led Estel to the stables. He eagerly met his horse and fed him some sugar cubes. The twins gave him his lesson which he thoroughly enjoyed and when it was nearing dinner time, Estel's backside was sore. But he'd had a great time despite the discomfort.
Erestor made his way to the library, exasperated. "What is wrong, Erestor?" Elrond asked curiously.
"Trying to find some peace and quiet, that's what!" Erestor growled.
"What did he do this time?" Elrond asked with a chuckle. It almost didn't matter which 'he', he was referring to!
"No offense, mellon. But...once in a while, why can't Elrohir contract tonsillitis?" Erestor groaned. "At least then, he wouldn't have to talk!"
THE END
Ohh! What did Elrohir say? Use your imagination.
Hope you all enjoyed this story. I certainly did!