This was started for the prompt: Rogue, but it ran amuck, lengthwise.

Estel is probably about, oh, I don't know, let's say 7 or 8.

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Rogue Erestor

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Rogue: adjective; definition 4 - no longer obedient, belonging, or accepted and hence not controllable or answerable; deviating, renegade.

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The Lord of Imladris escorted his guest along a wide corridor until they came to a high, arching doorway. The man next to him tried to appear nonchalant as he gazed around him at the beauty evident in every part of this elven home. "In here, if you will, Aled. My Chief Councilor will have prepared the documents, and will only need to know a few details before having the parchments ready to sign."

As Elrond graciously gestured the man to enter before him, he became aware of the total silence in the spacious, bookshelf lined room. He saw no austere, black-robed elf at the desk, nor did he see him standing at the balcony, holding up some rare, faded parchment to the brighter light there. He went swiftly to the smaller door that led to Erestor's private office. No elf glanced up, startled and apologetic for being so engrossed in his work that he forgot the time. Utterly perplexed, Elrond wondered if his duteous friend was ill.

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Two hours earlier...

"But 'Restor, my brothers told me to come to see you!"

Erestor swore under his breath, only to stop short when he darted a glance to see Estel's interested eyes upon him. It was quite obvious why Elladan and Elrohir had sent the child to Erestor: they wanted to leave for a week's hunting trip without all the drama occasioned when any of Estel's family left Imladris – even for a short length of time. He admired their strategy, even as he deplored its results. Normally, he would be willing to provide books, or even short lessons, for the boy's entertainment, since he was not nearly so annoyed by the child as he lead others to believe. For some odd reason, he had never fooled Estel at all. It was amusing to see the baffled expressions among family members when the boy spoke of "my 'Restor". But today he had duties that could not be put off, if an important trade agreement was to be signed. He tried to explain, quietly and rationally, to the little human standing before his desk.

Estel listened until it was obvious Erestor had embarked on some lecture or other, then broke into the careful words. "I know you are busy, but so is Ada—he's been with that man for hours—and 'Ro and 'Dan are busy, and Lindir is busy, and Lolindir is busy, and Glorfindel is busy, and Tallon is busy, and -"

Erestor broke in before Estel could enumerate every elf in Imladris. "I am sorry, Estel, not today." He turned exaggeratedly to the work spread out on the desk before him.

Estel slumped down against the desk, his entire posture that of a lonely waif forced to make his own way in a cruel world.

Erestor sniffed sharply through his not inconsiderable nose, and found his place with one long finger.

Estel sighed and began to pick at a small scab on his arm.

An angry huff. "Stop that!"

A weak, pitiful reply. "Sorry."

Erestor found his place again.

Estel upped the ante with a barely audible sniffle.

Erestor continued writing. He told himself firmly that he was not a monster for ignoring the child.

Estel now pulled out the big bow. He began to speak to 'Tinu' in a soft, serious voice. "Oh, no, you must not say such a thing about my friend 'Restor."

"Er-es-tor. Erestor. You are old enough to say my name properly." Blast! It was imperative to keep oneself from being drawn into Estel's conversations with his imaginary friend.

" – about my friend 'Restor. I know he seems mean sometimes, but he always takes care of me. There is no need to be rude just because it is the hottest day for ages and the falls will be wonderful after the rain last night. What's that? I think he knows what fun means...No, I know he does not have any, but he still knows what it means; he is very smart, after all! What? That is very rude! Grown-up work is important!" A quick glance to see what, if any, affect his words were having. "What's that? More important than little boys? I guess so..."

Erestor groaned. He held out for another minute before turning and saying gruffly, "Estel, you know perfectly well that you are more important than any work I might have to do -"

"YES!" Estel leapt to his feet and threw his arms around Erestor. "I knew you would take me!"

Far, far too late, Erestor tried to exercise authority. "Estel, stop this at once! I have told you repeatedly not to grasp my robe in your abominably sticky hands! I did not say I would take you swimming. I do not like swimming. There are many things we can enjoy together, here, in the library, but I do not swim."

Estel backed away, and said thoughtfully, "It does seem like a strange thing for you to do. I mean, you do not ride, or play, or fight, or - "

Erestor felt an uncharacteristic urge to defend himself. "I can do those things. I have done those things. But now my time is spent being an advisor and helper to your father. And today I need to -"

"I understand. Now that you are old, you do not have fun anymore." Estel looked exceedingly sorrowful for his friend.

Erestor sighed again. "Estel, I do have fun - it is just grown-up fun. I read books, I play chess, I have interesting conversations."

Rather appalled, Estel demanded, "Are you sure you know what the word fun means?"

Ignoring the minor for the major, Erestor tried again. "Estel. Listen to me. The papers I have to finish for your father are very, very important. They concern new trade agreements -"

"What's that?"

"That's when Imladris and other people agree on how they will exchange food and other things."

Estel's eyes grew wide. "You mean we will starve without them?"

"No! No, of course not! The agreement is merely for luxury items that we cannot grow."

"So they are not that important."

"No. Yes! I mean, they are important to your father and to us. They -"

"Will he fire you if you do not do them?"

"No, Estel, he will not fire me. How ever do you think of such things?"

Estel knew almost as much about red herrings as Erestor did, and easily ignored the one offered him. "So if we will not starve, and Ada will not fire you, why is it so important?" Estel suddenly stopped trying to manipulate the councilor. With great earnestness he whispered, "I just want to understand, 'Restor."

Erestor stared at the child for a long while. Then he reached for the lid to his ink pot and covered it tightly. He set the parchments aside, and stood, offering his hand. Estel looked at it doubtfully. "Are you going to make me stay in my room?"

Drawing himself to his full height, Erestor said haughtily, "We are going to our quarters to assemble suitable swimming attire."

" 'Restor!!"

A few minutes later the halls of Imladris were treated to the sight of a an elf, garbed in black robes which snapped and flapped at his ankles, striding along with a small human dancing around him like a damsel around a maypole. The elf ignored the squealing and giggling as he – Chief Councilor to Lord Elrond – tallied a list of the items required when one takes a small child swimming.

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When anxious inquiries had returned no hint of Erestor's whereabouts, Elrond joined the search himself. He had delivered his guest into Lolinder's hands, knowing the affable elf would keep the man distracted until the errant councilor could be found. When even Erestor's preferred locations for solitude and, to put it bluntly, hiding from social events, turned up empty, Elrond realized he had not seen Estel since the beginning of the search. He began to search anew, but now his worry was for a possibly endangered child. He hastened to Estel's favorite places, in particular those he was not allowed to visit alone. He was amazed when the search for one found two, and even more amazed at the sight that met his eyes when he rounded a rock outcropping adjacent to the loveliest falls in Imladris.

Estel stood on the edge of the granite overhang that bordered the deep pool at the bottom of the falls. He was poised to jump and Elrond shouted, "No Estel!"

The boy turned a face that was dazzling in its joy to his father and cried, "Ada! Watch me!"

Before Elrond could open his mouth again, Estel had launched himself into the air, arms and legs flailing. In a flash, Elrond was skinning out of his robes even before he reached the edge of the cliff. He stopped, hands frozen on the silver latchings, when he saw Erestor six feet below him with Estel in his arms. His reserved councilor was laughing as he tried to hold the slippery child, who was doing his best to push his friend beneath the surface of the crystal water.

"Erestor!"

Still laughing and sputtering, Erestor replied blandly, "My lord?"

"Erestor! You are swimming!"

"Discerning as always, my lord."

"Come out at once! We need you to complete that agreement! How could you leave us without -"

"No, my lord.

"Will you stop saying 'my lord' and – what did you say?"

Hefting Estel in one arm, Erestor met Elrond's eyes squarely. "I said 'no'. I am swimming with Estel. When we are finished, I will return to my duties." He swam one-armed to shallow water and gently pushed Estel away from him. "Stay here, Estel. I need to speak with your father a moment. I promise I will return shortly."

Erestor swam close to a still gaping Elrond, and pulled himself up onto the rock shelf with surprising ease. The water drained off his pale chest and arms, the weight of it dragging his black hair into a smooth, glistening sheet as far as the small of his back. He stood before Elrond, his old russet leggings dark from their immersion. "Before you admonish me for abandoning my duties, you might do well to consider what they are. What duties we all have. Estel's brothers left him with me in order to avoid a farewell scene. You and Glorfindel were busy. Everyone was busy. At least, too busy to play with a child who thinks they are his entire world. So, no, Elrond, I will not return to your trade agreement until Estel and I are finished. I will see you later this afternoon. There will be more than sufficient time to deal with the matter."

Erestor spun on his heel and poised on the edge of the shelf. Arms stretched overhead, palms pressed together, he turned his head and cried, "Watch me, Estel!" The boy encouraged him with delight, and the lean form stretched still more, then arced gracefully into the pool, leaving the merest ripple as he disappeared. He swam to Estel, and the boy gleefully clambered onto his back. Then Erestor stroked strongly to the deepest part of the pool, with Estel holding on like a limpet.

Seemingly forgotten, Elrond stood frozen, staring at Erestor who was now supporting Estel's body with his hands, encouraging him to relax and float. Suddenly, the elf lord finished unfastening his robe, and swiftly removed the many layers until he stood in his linen smallclothes. He strode to the edge of the rock shelf and called loudly, "May I please join you?"

Estel tried to jump up, his efforts sinking him briefly before Erestor's strong hands lifted him, holding him against his chest until the coughing fit passed. As soon as he caught his breath, Estel shrieked, "Yes! Come in with us, Ada!"

Erestor winced and pulled his head away from Estel's piercing voice. But as Elrond swam toward his son and friend, Estel renewed his tight grip around Erestor's neck. He placed a damp kiss on the cheek closest to him, whispering, "Thank you, 'Restor. For everything."

Erestor bestowed one of his rare smiles. "You are welcome, Estel. I am glad you wanted me with you today."

Before a grinning Elrond came up to them, Estel spoke directly into the sharply pointed ear next to his lips. "I can say Erestor now, you know. But everyone calls you that. 'Restor is just for me. Just for you and me."

Erestor said quietly and solemnly, "Very well. I will allow 'Restor, if it is just for you and me." Fortunately, he was soaking wet. Otherwise, Elrond might have noticed the one salty drop among many others that trailed down his cheek.

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End