Disclaimer: As always, I own nothing. It all belongs to Tolkien.

A/N: Once again massive apologies for the delayed updates, life has been a bit rocky lately and I've been neck-deep in assignment jungle. Thank you for the reviews, they keep me going! Without much further ado, here is the next chapter. Enjoy!

Nine

Afather is someone who wants to catch you before you fall

But instead picks you up, brushes you up and lets you try again

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Estel was a mess; literally. Top to toe covered in mud and something else that smelled so foul Elrond didn't want to know what it was. In fact, it wasn't just Estel who was dirty at that particular moment. Felan, the dog, was whacking his tail (and splatting mud all over) in a most content manner. Estel was clearly trying his best to seem like he was ashamed of it all but Elrond could see him struggling to hide his laughter and to be quite honest, Elrond couldn't be angry at him. After all, he was merely a child still and children were supposed to get messy every so often. In fact, the Elf-Lord could recall several similar occasions during his own children's childhood; especially the twins'.

And by the Valar had they been messy children; even though they weren't related by blood Estel took after them a lot. Of course, Elrond wouldn't have it any other way – he enjoyed having a child in Imladris again. It made the valley seem more alive in a way and it made him feel somewhat less old (if that was at all possible).

Estel laughed heartily clearly enjoying himself and the king of Rivendell couldn't help but to envy him a little. The carefreeness of a child was a luxury adults could not afford, at least not Elrond. He sometimes wished he could relive the days of his youth and because of Estel he was allowed to be playful again. There were many times when Elladan and Elrohir had told him that Estel probably thought of his adoptive father as an old man who'd lost the ability to have fun long ago because there were often days when the elven king spent long hours in his study, seeing to the diplomatic duties of his land.

Today was an exception. Elrond had handed over most of his duties to Erestor and Glorfindel to spend some much overdue and needed quality time with Estel and by the time he'd found his son he was covered top to toe in mud. Felan was happily wagging his tail, running up to Elrond and jumping up into his lap without much warning.

"Felan!" Estel called "Ada, doesn't want to be muddy." The eight year old looked up at Elrond with an almost worried expression on his face, as if he was getting ready to be scolded or shouted at but Elrond did none of the above. He merely smiled, wiped some of the mud of himself and scratched Felan under his neck. Estel almost didn't know what to make of this unusual behaviour from his father. It wasn't what he was used to.

"It's quite alright aier." said Elrond calmly.

"You're not angry with me?" asked Estel, still a bit weary.

Elrond shook his head and laughed. "Of course not. I do however believe there is need for a bath."

"But ada, I don't like the bath tubs. They're small and uncomfortable." Estel complained and glanced longingly towards the river.

"Is that so? Well in that case Estel, you'd better race me to the river."

Estel's eyes beamed and his entire face shone up just as if he was receiving presents for Yule or his birthday. "Really?! We can swim in the river? Can we really? You can swim ada?"

"Of course I can swim Estel, now how about that race?"

"I'm going to beat you ada!" Estel and Felan were off running before anyone had ever managed to count to three and Elrond was off after them, laughing like he hadn't done in a long time and it was in that moment that the elf-lord realised he had fallen completely in love with his son and knew that taking him in and raising him as one of his own, was the best choice he'd ever made.

To be continued…..

I know this was pretty short but I wanted something fairly sweet and fluffy. I hope you enjoyed it nonetheless. Please leave a review and tell me what you think!