A/N: Hi guys. Sorry for another delayed update. I've been kind of smitten with my latest fic series "Castaways" which you should definitely check out if you like LOTR/The Hobbit. I'm not giving up on this and if you're one of my old readers thank you for staying with me.

Naneth - Mother

Aier - Little One/Small One

Chapter Fourteen

"The strength of family isn't determined by the number of members, but rather by the amount of love given and received."

Age: 5

Estel missed his naneth. He missed her so much his whole body ached.

One moment she was there and the next, she was gone. The worst part was, nobody would tell Estel why. All he knew was that he would never see her his mother again. Now he was all alone, in this place full of strangers who didn't know him.

Estel knew his mother liked them and that for some reason he had to live with them, but he didn't know why. His mother told him that the elves were kind and loving people and that they would look after him long after she was gone from this world. To young Estel, elves were scary and he didn't want to know them.

Dead.

His mother wasn't just gone, Estel knew, she was dead. Everyone thought he couldn't understand because he was so small but he understood much more than everyone realised. In his head, Estel heard his mother's voice singing him a lullaby and he recalled the flowery smell of her perfume. It wasn't long before his pillow was soaked wet with tears.

He didn't want to live in this place, not without her. These people, these elves, were not his friends and nor did he want them to be.

He hated them.

"Estel, what is the matter aier?"

The bedroom door pushed open and the sound of gentle footsteps reached Estel, but he didn't look up from his bed. The elf-lord called Elrond sat down next to him, but Estel still did not turn around. He'd been hiding away all day and hadn't even come for supper.

"I brought you some food," Elrond said "I thought you might be hungry."

Elrond placed the plate of food on the bedside table and Estel inhaled the delicious scent of stew. His stomach made a loud rumbling noise and he did feel like he could eat a whole deer. After deliberating for a few moments, Estel decided to sit up and reached for the plate.

"Estel, I know you miss your naneth." Elrond said "But she wanted to be happy and I gave her my word that you would have a home here."

Within moments Estel devoured the food on the plate and when he put it away, he still didn't want to speak with Elrond. Nothing he said could make things better and if he couldn't even bring his mother back, he certainly didn't want to hear it.

"I know I can't replace her and I know the pain is great." Elrond told him "I too once lost one I loved dearly, so I understand how you feel. Being somewhere new is scary and you might feel alone. But I promise you Estel, I will do all in my power to make sure that Rivendell feels safe to you and perhaps one day it might even feel like home."

Lord Elrond stood up and was about to leave the room, when Estel spoke carefully.

"I really miss her." said the small child and when his voice broke Estel couldn't hold back the tears. "Why did she have to die? Everyone says you have magic, why can't it bring her back?"

Lord Elrond immediately sat down and embraced young Estel into a hug. He knew the child must be confused and terrified. The death of Lady Gilraen was a great loss and Lord Elrond had too lost a friend in her. It would take time for Estel to heal but he was sure that eventually, with the help from him and his sons, they could give him a home like he had promised Gilraen all those years ago.

"Estel, death is complicated and even the wisest cannot understand it." Elrond explained "I know it hurts and I too wish that I could bring back your naneth, but death is a natural part of human life. It is one of life's mysteries that we must learn to live with."

Estel kept sobbing uncontrollably in the elf-lord's arms and Elrond's own heart almost broke for him.

"It will be alright, Estel." Elrond soothed him, "I know it is difficult to understand but even if she isn't here in body, your naneth will always watch over you in spirit."

Eventually, Estel sat up and dried his tears away. He stared at the elf-lord and tried to make sense of the words he was saying. Even though Estel was still afraid and sad, the words still made somehow made sense to him.

"You really think so?" he asked carefully

"With all my heart." Elrond replied,

"What does naneth mean?"

"It is the Elvish word for 'mother.' Would you like to learn some more words in Elvish?"

Estel nodded.

"But can I hear I story first? Naneth always told me a story to help me sleep at night."

Elrond gave Estel a warm smile and nodded. It might take a while, but the elf-lord knew in his heart that the young child would be alright.

To be continued…

A short chapter but meant to be cute. I hope you liked it. Let me know what you think. I'm taking suggestions for scenes you'd like to read?