The Life of a Ranger
Chapter 4
"Estel for the last time you can't come hunting with us. You're to young. I promise we will be back in a week, now why don't you go back to bed." At this Estel ran back into the house nearly in tears.
When Estel got back to his room he decided that if Elladan and Elrohir wouldn't let him go hunting with them he'd go on his own. He packed some things into a small bag and headed to the kitchen to get some food.
When he had what he needed Estel ran out the house and into the woods.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Gilraen, please can I come in?" Elrond asked after searching the whole house and gardens for Estel.
"Yes," Gilraen replied. "Morning Elrond," she said happily but stopped when she saw the look on Elrond's face. "What's wrong? Is it Estel?"
"I'm afraid so," he said sitting down. "He's disappeared. I've searched the house and gardens. Glorfindel has got some elves together to search again. I'm sorry Gilraen." Elrond said hugging Gilraen.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
After hours of wandering Estel sat down in the base of a tree and started crying. He was lost, cold, hungry and scared. Elladan and Elrohir were right he thought, I am to young to be out hunting, even here. With these thoughts he fell asleep.
When Estel woke hours later he wondered where he was. He remembered falling asleep in the tree but now he was lying on a cold floor with his hands and feet tied together and a pounding headache. He also realised his cloak, tunic and bag were gone.
Then a creature bent down next to him and although Estel had never seen one before he instantly recognised it as an orc. He remembered all the stories Elladan and Elrohir had told him about what orcs did to people they caught.
"So you're awake at last are you," the orc said smiling wickedly at the trembling boy.
The orc started cracking a whip in front of Estel's face so he could see all the ugly spikes on it. The orc walked round Estel and before he knew what was happening the, whip hit his back pulling some skin up with it.
"Ow," Estel whimpered in pain.
When the one spot had been hit enough to leave a nice bleeding wound the orc choose another spot on his back and started whipping him there. Very soon Estel's back was a bleeding mess.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Ada, we're ready to leave now," the blonde elf said to his father.
"Ok, please be careful Legolas," the older elf said.
"I will but Ada I'm only going to Imladris," Legolas said.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Gilraen would you like anything to eat?" Elrond asked sitting down next to Gilraen.
"No thank you," Gilraen said tears coursing down her cheeks.
"You ought to get some rest," he said.
"How can I rest when Estel is somewhere out there," Gilraen said angrily. "Oh I'm sorry Elrond."
"Come with me," he said.
When Gilraen was seated in Elrond's study he pushed a cup of tea into her hands.
"No thank you, I don't think I can keep anything down at the moment," she said.
"It will make you feel better," Elrond said kindly. "Just try and drink a little bit, please."
"Ok," Gilraen said. After drinking half the cup she put it down and fell asleep. Elrond got up and covered the sleeping woman with a blanket.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Estel didn't remember how long the orcs had been running for and just as he was about to fall asleep he was thrown roughly onto the floor.
"Ow," he cried as he fell on his, still weak, left leg.
"Shut it, runt," an orc shouted as he punched Estel in the face. Blood spurted form his smashed nose. The other orcs thinking that looked fun came and joined in. Very soon Estel was covered in cuts and bruises and there was a growing pool of blood coming from his right side.
"Not to much," the orc leader said jeering at Estel. "We wouldn't want him to die just yet."
At this all the orcs left Estel lying in a heap tears streaming down his face, mingling with the blood.
"We'll go back to him later," the leader said laughing at the look on Estel's face.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Elrond," Glorfindel said, then seeing Gilraen stopped. "Um could I have a word outside please?"
"I'll go if you like," Gilraen said, sensing that Glorfindel didn't want to talk in front of her.
"There's no need Gilraen. I'll be back in a minute," Elrond said before following Glorfindel outside.
"We found Estel's tracks but then we lost them, we also found tracks of a party of orcs around the same place."
"Do you think we should tell Gilraen?" Elrond asked.
"I suppose we should," Glorfindel asked, feeling sorry for his friend because of all the memories all this must bring up.
"Gilraen," Elrond said sitting back down next to her. "Glorfindel found some tracks of a party of orcs near where Estel's tracks disappeared."
"Oh my poor Estel," Gilraen cried falling into Elrond's arms.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
When Estel saw an orc approaching him he started whimpering in fright. When he saw the knife in the orcs hand he tried to move away but he didn't have the strength so he just lay they eyes full of tears. Why did he run away? Why didn't he just go to bed like Elladan had suggested.
The orc started running the knife gently but hard enough to draw blood down Estel's cheeks then down his neck, then chest. Estel wondered why the orc was being so gentle to him. Then before he saw what was going on the orc sprinkled something over all the cuts.
Estel screamed when the powder touched the cuts, this just gave him a kick in the ribs that were already hurting terribly. The orc started sprinkling a different powder onto the already burning cuts. Estel's body felt like it was on fire, the pain was excruciating. He couldn't take anymore and fell unconscious, the orc seeing this walked off. After all what was the point in hurting the human if he wasn't awake to feel the pain.
When Estel awoke a few hours later an orc walked over to him holding a beaker full of something. He poured the contents down Estel's throat, who tried to squirm but stopped when the orc punched him hard in the stomach.
"Haven't you been taught to take your medicine?" the orc laughed cruelly at Estel before pulling him up and pushing him up to the group who were already moving away from the clearing.
After a while Estel couldn't keep up with the orcs so one of them picked him up and slung him roughly over his shoulder. Reopening the wound in Estel's side in the process.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Glorfindel, have you seen Gilraen?" Elrond asked.
"No, is she in her room?" Glorfindel suggested.
"I'll go and look now."
When Elrond reached Gilraen's room there was no one there. He went into Estel's room and saw Gilraen sleeping fitfully on Estel's bed hugging his small teddy bear. He went and sat down on the chair next to the bed.
"Are you alright Elrond?" Glorfindel asked when he found his friend.
"Yes. I was just trying to imagine what Gilraen must be going through. First her husband is killed by orcs. Then her and Estel are shot by orcs. And then Estel goes missing and for all we know he could have been taken by orcs. And all in under half a year," he said looking sadly at the young woman.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Welcome home my sons," Elrond greeted the two young elves that had just ridden through the gates.
"Ada, what's wrong?" Elrohir asked, seeing the look on Elrond's face.
"Come inside. I shall tell you when you have cleaned up," Elrond said, following Elladan and Elrohir inside.
When Elladan and Elrohir had cleaned up they were seated in Elrond's study waiting to find out what was wrong.
"Estel has gone missing," Elrond said looking out the window sadly.
"Missing. How long has he been gone for?" Elrohir asked worriedly.
"A week. He went the same day as you," Elrond said walking back to his sons.
"How's Gilraen?" Elladan asked speaking for the first time that evening.
"Not good, she hasn't been eating at all. She only sleeps if I give her something to help. Glorfindel has been taking some elves out every day this week and from what they can tell he has been captured by orcs," Elrond said sitting down and putting his head down.
"Well we should go and look for him," Elladan said rising quickly.
"No. People are looking now. You two need to rest. Tomorrow you can go and I will come with you. Go and get some sleep.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Estel woke when the orcs started kicking him in every visible place. Although Estel didn't no much about medical matters, he was sure every bone in his body must be broken.
A soft moan escaped his lips, which earned him an extremely hard kick in the stomach, which made him bring up the very little food that was in there.
One orc went and got his quiver of arrows, which all had a substance dripping of then that Estel did not want to know about.
The orc picked an arrow, held it for a moment then with all the strength he could muster drove it straight into Estel's left side.
"Argh," Estel cried before consciousness fled him.
The orcs walked off, laughing at Estel, who was now rapidly turning pale.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Gilraen. I am going with Elladan and Elrohir to find Estel. Erestor will be staying here so if you need anything just ask him. I promise we will find him," he said.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"My Lord there is a party of orcs ahead. Some thirty in total. Should we attack?" the elf said riding back to the prince.
"Yes, come. We shall leave the horses here."
It did not take long for the elves to kill the orcs and they were about to leave the clearing when something caught his eyes.
"Wait there," he said to the elves while running over to the thing lying on the floor.
When he reached it he saw that it was a human boy. The elves wondering what their Prince had gone back for ran after him and saw him picking the boy up.
"Legolas, what are you doing?" an elf asked. "That's a human," he spat the last word out. "I thought you hated humans."
"I do but this one is only a child and look what the orcs have done to him. Now help me get this arrow out. Someone heat some water, and I'll need some bandages," Legolas said, looking coldly at the elf.
"What are you going to do with him?" asked another elf after Legolas had cleaned and bandaged the wound.
"Take him to Lord Elrond. He needs much more medical attention then I can give him," Legolas said lifting Estel onto his horse in front of himself.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Ada, can you hear that?" Elladan asked.
"Yes. We will see who it is then head off."
"Who enters Imladris?" Elrohir asked when the party appeared. A blonde elf stepped forward.
"Lord Elrond. It is I, Legolas Greenleaf. On the way here, we found a party of orcs. After destroying them we found a young human in their camp," he said riding forward with the deathly pale boy in his arms.
"Estel," Elladan, Elrohir and Elrond all shouted running forward.
"This is my foster son Legolas," Elrond said noticing how confused the blonde elf looked. "I will explain later but I must see to Estel first. Elladan Elrohir follow me. Glorfindel could you inform Gilraen but ask her not to come yet. Once you have done that please come and find us." Elrond said before rushing inside, Estel in his arms.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Could I come in please Gilraen?"
"Yes. I thought you were going with Elrond and the twins," Gilraen said letting the elf in.
"Well some elves came from Mirkwood and they found Estel on the way here," he said.
"You mean Estel's back," Gilraen said standing quickly.
"Yes, but Elrond wants you to stay here for now. He was taken by orcs and Elrond needs to see to his wounds first. I promise I will come and get you as soon as we have finished," Glorfindel said at the smiling young woman.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Elrond ran carefully up to Estel's room, with him in his arms. When he reached it he laid him down on the bed and ran to get some bandages, herbs and other things.
He started to clean the gaping wound on Estel's right side. Elladan and Elrohir started cleaning the other cuts on Estel's shaking body.
"Glorfindel," Elrond said when the blonde elf appeared. "Do you think you could clean Estel's face up please? We can't see what's wrong until it's cleaned up."
"I think his nose is broken," Glorfindel said gently cleaning the blood from his face.
"Well, I want to see how his back is. Could you turn help me turn him over, but try and keep his nose from getting pushed into the pillows," Elrond said before turning Estel over.
When the four elves saw Estel's back their blood boiled. There were lots of bleeding welts and underneath the elves could see older welts.
He went over to the table and picked up a cream and walked back to the bed. When he first put some on Estel's back he struggled in pain but soon he was slightly more relaxed.
When they turned him back over they saw that some cuts on his front had turned red and raw. Elrond looked closer at them and saw that they were full of some sort of powder that was stopping then from healing.
"Elladan can you get me some clean water and a cloth please?"
He cleaned the cuts and put some more cream on them.
Elrond had done all he could for Estel who was still deathly pale. There was a knock on the door. When he opened it he was surprised to see Legolas standing there.
"How is he?" he asked.
"Not good," Elrond said sadly, letting the elf enter. "What did you do when you found him?"
"Just took the arrow out and cleaned and bandaged it," Legolas said looking at the boy.
"Arrow," Elrond said surprised.
"Yes. There was an arrow in his left side. I don't know how long it had been in or if there was any poison on it," Legolas said slightly surprised that the elf lord hadn't known about the arrow.
"Do you mind going please I'd like to check on that wound," Elrond asked.
"Of course," Legolas said leaving.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
After quite a few hours Elrond finally managed to rid Estel's body of the poison from the arrow.
On his way to Gilraen's room he met Legolas.
"Lord Elrond. How's Estel?" he asked approaching him.
"He's fine now just sleeping. Thank you so much for bringing him back Legolas," Elrond said smiling at the young elf.
"I'm just happy to help. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about the arrow before," Legolas said guiltily.
"Well it doesn't matter now. Will you be eating with us?"
"Yes."
"Good. I'm just going to tell Gilraen and then I'll be down," Elrond before going on to Gilraen's room.
"Can I come in please Gilraen?" he asked.
"Yes," she replied.
"Estel is fine now," he said smiling at the joy that flooded into her face. "You can go and see him now if you want, but he is sleeping. If you want to leave it until he's awake you can come and have some dinner first."
"I think I'll have some dinner first if you're sure he'll be alright."
"He'll be fine," he said opening the door for her.
"Who found him?" she asked as they made their way to the dining hall.
"Prince Legolas, from Mirkwood. He was travelling here when he came across the party of orcs that had Estel. After killing them all he and the other elves brought Estel here just as we were about to go and look for him," he replied opening the door.
When they were seated Elrond introduced the people that didn't already know each other. "Prince Legolas, this is Gilraen. Estel is her son. Gilraen this is Prince Legolas. It was he who found Estel," he said.
"I would just like to thank you for bringing Estel home, Prince Legolas," she said happily.
"It was nothing," he said. "And you don't need to call me prince."
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Legolas," two identical elves called. "Legolas thank you so much for saving Estel," they said embracing him.
"As I told Gilraen it was nothing. Why weren't you two at dinner?" he asked.
"We were sitting with Estel."
"How is he?" Legolas asked.
"Asleep. Ada says he will wake some when tomorrow. I'm sure he would like to meet you," Elrohir said. "See you tomorrow," he called before walking of.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Estel woke up and heard noises close to him. He didn't realise that he was in a nice warm bed, or that he wasn't hurting as much. He thought he was still in the orc camp and the noises didn't help. Before he could stop it he started crying noisily even though he knew the orcs would punish him for it.
Elrond, hearing Estel crying rushed over to the bed.
"Estel," he said gently. "Estel it's me, you're home."
Estel stopped crying and looked closely at the face above him.
"Ada?" he whispered.
"Yes, it's me," Elrond said sitting on the bed and gently pulling him onto his lap.
"Ada, my back hurts," Estel moaned.
"Well you lie on your tummy and I'll put some cream on it. It won't hurt," he said picking the cream up.
"Where's mommy?" he asked after Elrond had rubbed the cream in.
"Do you want me to go and get her?" Elrond asked.
"Yes, please."
"No need Elrond," Gilraen said walking into the room.
"Mommy," Estel cried happily.
Gilraen rushed up to the bed and hugged Estel. Elrond moved away from the bed to give them a bit of time together.
"Mommy, I'm sorry I ran away. I'm sorry Ada," he said a tear running down his cheek.
"I know you are," Gilraen said wiping the tear away. "Just promise me that you will never ever do it again."
"I promise," he said smiling up at Gilraen.
"Estel, will you drink this please," Elrond asked walking up to the bed.
"If I have to," he said grumpily.
"Good boy. It's actually quite nice," Elrond said laughing.
"Lord Elrond could I come in please?" an elf asked from the doorway.
"Yes. Estel this is Legolas, he's from Mirkwood," Elrond said.
"El'dan and El'hir told me about you," Estel said looking at the elf. "They said that next time they see you they're going to beat you in a ar- ar-"
"Archery, Estel," Gilraen said smiling.
"Yes that's it archery contest," said Estel grinning.
"Is that so," Legolas said sitting down next to the bed. "How are you now?" Legolas asked kindly.
"I'm fine thank you," he replied. They chatted until Estel could no longer keep his eyes open.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Estel, do you want some breakfast?" Elrond asked the sleepy two year old.
"Yes please. Can I come downstairs and have it with you?"
"No, you need to stay in bed for now. I'll stay with you though," he said. "I'll just go and get you some food."
When Estel had eaten his breakfast Elrond told him many stories. Half way through one of them someone appeared at the door.
"Can I have a word please Elrond?" the person asked. When Estel saw him he tried to hide under the duvet because he was extremely frightened of strangers.
"If you want to go and wait in my study and I will be there shortly," Elrond said smiling at his friend.
"Estel, it's alright there's no one here except you and me," he said encouraging the shaking boy to come out from under the duvet.
"That's my friend, Gandalf so you don't need to be scared of him. I'm just going to go and talk to him and then I'll come back and finish the story," Elrond said giving Estel a small hug.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Sorry about that Gandalf," Elrond said sitting down.
"It's alright. Who is the child?"
"Ah well, have you heard about Arathorn?" he asked.
"Yes but what does that have to do with the boy, unless.." Gandalf stopped.
"That is his son, Aragorn. He and his mother, Gilraen are living here. Aragorn is known as Estel," Elrond said.
"He was rather scared when I came," Gandalf commented.
"Yes well since he and Gilraen have been living here things haven't been very smooth. First Estel got yellow flu, then when he recovered we went for a picnic and we were attacked by orcs. Both Estel and Gilraen were shot and the arrows had Ulorfay on them. And just over a week ago Estel ran away and was captured by orcs. So he has been rather scared since he woke up yesterday," Elrond said sadly.
Suddenly they heard crying from the room next door.
"I'm sorry do you mind if I go," Elrond said standing up.
"Not at all," Gandalf said also standing up.
"I'll see you at dinner Gandalf," Elrond said before rushing to Estel.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Estel what's wrong?" Elrond said sitting next to the crying toddler.
"I feel asleep and had a dream about the orcs," Estel said when he had stopped crying.
"Well don't worry they won't hurt you here. Estel why did you run away?" Elrond asked, hugging him.
"Because El'dan and El'hir wouldn't let me go hunting with them. I'm sorry Ada I won't do it again," Estel said.
"I know you won't. I tell you what, why don't I clean your back and then we can go downstairs for a bit."
"And I can see mommy and El'dan and El'hir and Leg'las," Estel said grinning.
"Yes," Elrond said rubbing some cream onto his back before carrying him downstairs.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Please review.
"Estel for the last time you can't come hunting with us. You're to young. I promise we will be back in a week, now why don't you go back to bed." At this Estel ran back into the house nearly in tears.
When Estel got back to his room he decided that if Elladan and Elrohir wouldn't let him go hunting with them he'd go on his own. He packed some things into a small bag and headed to the kitchen to get some food.
When he had what he needed Estel ran out the house and into the woods.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Gilraen, please can I come in?" Elrond asked after searching the whole house and gardens for Estel.
"Yes," Gilraen replied. "Morning Elrond," she said happily but stopped when she saw the look on Elrond's face. "What's wrong? Is it Estel?"
"I'm afraid so," he said sitting down. "He's disappeared. I've searched the house and gardens. Glorfindel has got some elves together to search again. I'm sorry Gilraen." Elrond said hugging Gilraen.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
After hours of wandering Estel sat down in the base of a tree and started crying. He was lost, cold, hungry and scared. Elladan and Elrohir were right he thought, I am to young to be out hunting, even here. With these thoughts he fell asleep.
When Estel woke hours later he wondered where he was. He remembered falling asleep in the tree but now he was lying on a cold floor with his hands and feet tied together and a pounding headache. He also realised his cloak, tunic and bag were gone.
Then a creature bent down next to him and although Estel had never seen one before he instantly recognised it as an orc. He remembered all the stories Elladan and Elrohir had told him about what orcs did to people they caught.
"So you're awake at last are you," the orc said smiling wickedly at the trembling boy.
The orc started cracking a whip in front of Estel's face so he could see all the ugly spikes on it. The orc walked round Estel and before he knew what was happening the, whip hit his back pulling some skin up with it.
"Ow," Estel whimpered in pain.
When the one spot had been hit enough to leave a nice bleeding wound the orc choose another spot on his back and started whipping him there. Very soon Estel's back was a bleeding mess.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Ada, we're ready to leave now," the blonde elf said to his father.
"Ok, please be careful Legolas," the older elf said.
"I will but Ada I'm only going to Imladris," Legolas said.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Gilraen would you like anything to eat?" Elrond asked sitting down next to Gilraen.
"No thank you," Gilraen said tears coursing down her cheeks.
"You ought to get some rest," he said.
"How can I rest when Estel is somewhere out there," Gilraen said angrily. "Oh I'm sorry Elrond."
"Come with me," he said.
When Gilraen was seated in Elrond's study he pushed a cup of tea into her hands.
"No thank you, I don't think I can keep anything down at the moment," she said.
"It will make you feel better," Elrond said kindly. "Just try and drink a little bit, please."
"Ok," Gilraen said. After drinking half the cup she put it down and fell asleep. Elrond got up and covered the sleeping woman with a blanket.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Estel didn't remember how long the orcs had been running for and just as he was about to fall asleep he was thrown roughly onto the floor.
"Ow," he cried as he fell on his, still weak, left leg.
"Shut it, runt," an orc shouted as he punched Estel in the face. Blood spurted form his smashed nose. The other orcs thinking that looked fun came and joined in. Very soon Estel was covered in cuts and bruises and there was a growing pool of blood coming from his right side.
"Not to much," the orc leader said jeering at Estel. "We wouldn't want him to die just yet."
At this all the orcs left Estel lying in a heap tears streaming down his face, mingling with the blood.
"We'll go back to him later," the leader said laughing at the look on Estel's face.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Elrond," Glorfindel said, then seeing Gilraen stopped. "Um could I have a word outside please?"
"I'll go if you like," Gilraen said, sensing that Glorfindel didn't want to talk in front of her.
"There's no need Gilraen. I'll be back in a minute," Elrond said before following Glorfindel outside.
"We found Estel's tracks but then we lost them, we also found tracks of a party of orcs around the same place."
"Do you think we should tell Gilraen?" Elrond asked.
"I suppose we should," Glorfindel asked, feeling sorry for his friend because of all the memories all this must bring up.
"Gilraen," Elrond said sitting back down next to her. "Glorfindel found some tracks of a party of orcs near where Estel's tracks disappeared."
"Oh my poor Estel," Gilraen cried falling into Elrond's arms.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
When Estel saw an orc approaching him he started whimpering in fright. When he saw the knife in the orcs hand he tried to move away but he didn't have the strength so he just lay they eyes full of tears. Why did he run away? Why didn't he just go to bed like Elladan had suggested.
The orc started running the knife gently but hard enough to draw blood down Estel's cheeks then down his neck, then chest. Estel wondered why the orc was being so gentle to him. Then before he saw what was going on the orc sprinkled something over all the cuts.
Estel screamed when the powder touched the cuts, this just gave him a kick in the ribs that were already hurting terribly. The orc started sprinkling a different powder onto the already burning cuts. Estel's body felt like it was on fire, the pain was excruciating. He couldn't take anymore and fell unconscious, the orc seeing this walked off. After all what was the point in hurting the human if he wasn't awake to feel the pain.
When Estel awoke a few hours later an orc walked over to him holding a beaker full of something. He poured the contents down Estel's throat, who tried to squirm but stopped when the orc punched him hard in the stomach.
"Haven't you been taught to take your medicine?" the orc laughed cruelly at Estel before pulling him up and pushing him up to the group who were already moving away from the clearing.
After a while Estel couldn't keep up with the orcs so one of them picked him up and slung him roughly over his shoulder. Reopening the wound in Estel's side in the process.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Glorfindel, have you seen Gilraen?" Elrond asked.
"No, is she in her room?" Glorfindel suggested.
"I'll go and look now."
When Elrond reached Gilraen's room there was no one there. He went into Estel's room and saw Gilraen sleeping fitfully on Estel's bed hugging his small teddy bear. He went and sat down on the chair next to the bed.
"Are you alright Elrond?" Glorfindel asked when he found his friend.
"Yes. I was just trying to imagine what Gilraen must be going through. First her husband is killed by orcs. Then her and Estel are shot by orcs. And then Estel goes missing and for all we know he could have been taken by orcs. And all in under half a year," he said looking sadly at the young woman.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Welcome home my sons," Elrond greeted the two young elves that had just ridden through the gates.
"Ada, what's wrong?" Elrohir asked, seeing the look on Elrond's face.
"Come inside. I shall tell you when you have cleaned up," Elrond said, following Elladan and Elrohir inside.
When Elladan and Elrohir had cleaned up they were seated in Elrond's study waiting to find out what was wrong.
"Estel has gone missing," Elrond said looking out the window sadly.
"Missing. How long has he been gone for?" Elrohir asked worriedly.
"A week. He went the same day as you," Elrond said walking back to his sons.
"How's Gilraen?" Elladan asked speaking for the first time that evening.
"Not good, she hasn't been eating at all. She only sleeps if I give her something to help. Glorfindel has been taking some elves out every day this week and from what they can tell he has been captured by orcs," Elrond said sitting down and putting his head down.
"Well we should go and look for him," Elladan said rising quickly.
"No. People are looking now. You two need to rest. Tomorrow you can go and I will come with you. Go and get some sleep.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Estel woke when the orcs started kicking him in every visible place. Although Estel didn't no much about medical matters, he was sure every bone in his body must be broken.
A soft moan escaped his lips, which earned him an extremely hard kick in the stomach, which made him bring up the very little food that was in there.
One orc went and got his quiver of arrows, which all had a substance dripping of then that Estel did not want to know about.
The orc picked an arrow, held it for a moment then with all the strength he could muster drove it straight into Estel's left side.
"Argh," Estel cried before consciousness fled him.
The orcs walked off, laughing at Estel, who was now rapidly turning pale.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Gilraen. I am going with Elladan and Elrohir to find Estel. Erestor will be staying here so if you need anything just ask him. I promise we will find him," he said.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"My Lord there is a party of orcs ahead. Some thirty in total. Should we attack?" the elf said riding back to the prince.
"Yes, come. We shall leave the horses here."
It did not take long for the elves to kill the orcs and they were about to leave the clearing when something caught his eyes.
"Wait there," he said to the elves while running over to the thing lying on the floor.
When he reached it he saw that it was a human boy. The elves wondering what their Prince had gone back for ran after him and saw him picking the boy up.
"Legolas, what are you doing?" an elf asked. "That's a human," he spat the last word out. "I thought you hated humans."
"I do but this one is only a child and look what the orcs have done to him. Now help me get this arrow out. Someone heat some water, and I'll need some bandages," Legolas said, looking coldly at the elf.
"What are you going to do with him?" asked another elf after Legolas had cleaned and bandaged the wound.
"Take him to Lord Elrond. He needs much more medical attention then I can give him," Legolas said lifting Estel onto his horse in front of himself.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Ada, can you hear that?" Elladan asked.
"Yes. We will see who it is then head off."
"Who enters Imladris?" Elrohir asked when the party appeared. A blonde elf stepped forward.
"Lord Elrond. It is I, Legolas Greenleaf. On the way here, we found a party of orcs. After destroying them we found a young human in their camp," he said riding forward with the deathly pale boy in his arms.
"Estel," Elladan, Elrohir and Elrond all shouted running forward.
"This is my foster son Legolas," Elrond said noticing how confused the blonde elf looked. "I will explain later but I must see to Estel first. Elladan Elrohir follow me. Glorfindel could you inform Gilraen but ask her not to come yet. Once you have done that please come and find us." Elrond said before rushing inside, Estel in his arms.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Could I come in please Gilraen?"
"Yes. I thought you were going with Elrond and the twins," Gilraen said letting the elf in.
"Well some elves came from Mirkwood and they found Estel on the way here," he said.
"You mean Estel's back," Gilraen said standing quickly.
"Yes, but Elrond wants you to stay here for now. He was taken by orcs and Elrond needs to see to his wounds first. I promise I will come and get you as soon as we have finished," Glorfindel said at the smiling young woman.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Elrond ran carefully up to Estel's room, with him in his arms. When he reached it he laid him down on the bed and ran to get some bandages, herbs and other things.
He started to clean the gaping wound on Estel's right side. Elladan and Elrohir started cleaning the other cuts on Estel's shaking body.
"Glorfindel," Elrond said when the blonde elf appeared. "Do you think you could clean Estel's face up please? We can't see what's wrong until it's cleaned up."
"I think his nose is broken," Glorfindel said gently cleaning the blood from his face.
"Well, I want to see how his back is. Could you turn help me turn him over, but try and keep his nose from getting pushed into the pillows," Elrond said before turning Estel over.
When the four elves saw Estel's back their blood boiled. There were lots of bleeding welts and underneath the elves could see older welts.
He went over to the table and picked up a cream and walked back to the bed. When he first put some on Estel's back he struggled in pain but soon he was slightly more relaxed.
When they turned him back over they saw that some cuts on his front had turned red and raw. Elrond looked closer at them and saw that they were full of some sort of powder that was stopping then from healing.
"Elladan can you get me some clean water and a cloth please?"
He cleaned the cuts and put some more cream on them.
Elrond had done all he could for Estel who was still deathly pale. There was a knock on the door. When he opened it he was surprised to see Legolas standing there.
"How is he?" he asked.
"Not good," Elrond said sadly, letting the elf enter. "What did you do when you found him?"
"Just took the arrow out and cleaned and bandaged it," Legolas said looking at the boy.
"Arrow," Elrond said surprised.
"Yes. There was an arrow in his left side. I don't know how long it had been in or if there was any poison on it," Legolas said slightly surprised that the elf lord hadn't known about the arrow.
"Do you mind going please I'd like to check on that wound," Elrond asked.
"Of course," Legolas said leaving.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
After quite a few hours Elrond finally managed to rid Estel's body of the poison from the arrow.
On his way to Gilraen's room he met Legolas.
"Lord Elrond. How's Estel?" he asked approaching him.
"He's fine now just sleeping. Thank you so much for bringing him back Legolas," Elrond said smiling at the young elf.
"I'm just happy to help. I'm sorry I didn't tell you about the arrow before," Legolas said guiltily.
"Well it doesn't matter now. Will you be eating with us?"
"Yes."
"Good. I'm just going to tell Gilraen and then I'll be down," Elrond before going on to Gilraen's room.
"Can I come in please Gilraen?" he asked.
"Yes," she replied.
"Estel is fine now," he said smiling at the joy that flooded into her face. "You can go and see him now if you want, but he is sleeping. If you want to leave it until he's awake you can come and have some dinner first."
"I think I'll have some dinner first if you're sure he'll be alright."
"He'll be fine," he said opening the door for her.
"Who found him?" she asked as they made their way to the dining hall.
"Prince Legolas, from Mirkwood. He was travelling here when he came across the party of orcs that had Estel. After killing them all he and the other elves brought Estel here just as we were about to go and look for him," he replied opening the door.
When they were seated Elrond introduced the people that didn't already know each other. "Prince Legolas, this is Gilraen. Estel is her son. Gilraen this is Prince Legolas. It was he who found Estel," he said.
"I would just like to thank you for bringing Estel home, Prince Legolas," she said happily.
"It was nothing," he said. "And you don't need to call me prince."
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Legolas," two identical elves called. "Legolas thank you so much for saving Estel," they said embracing him.
"As I told Gilraen it was nothing. Why weren't you two at dinner?" he asked.
"We were sitting with Estel."
"How is he?" Legolas asked.
"Asleep. Ada says he will wake some when tomorrow. I'm sure he would like to meet you," Elrohir said. "See you tomorrow," he called before walking of.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
Estel woke up and heard noises close to him. He didn't realise that he was in a nice warm bed, or that he wasn't hurting as much. He thought he was still in the orc camp and the noises didn't help. Before he could stop it he started crying noisily even though he knew the orcs would punish him for it.
Elrond, hearing Estel crying rushed over to the bed.
"Estel," he said gently. "Estel it's me, you're home."
Estel stopped crying and looked closely at the face above him.
"Ada?" he whispered.
"Yes, it's me," Elrond said sitting on the bed and gently pulling him onto his lap.
"Ada, my back hurts," Estel moaned.
"Well you lie on your tummy and I'll put some cream on it. It won't hurt," he said picking the cream up.
"Where's mommy?" he asked after Elrond had rubbed the cream in.
"Do you want me to go and get her?" Elrond asked.
"Yes, please."
"No need Elrond," Gilraen said walking into the room.
"Mommy," Estel cried happily.
Gilraen rushed up to the bed and hugged Estel. Elrond moved away from the bed to give them a bit of time together.
"Mommy, I'm sorry I ran away. I'm sorry Ada," he said a tear running down his cheek.
"I know you are," Gilraen said wiping the tear away. "Just promise me that you will never ever do it again."
"I promise," he said smiling up at Gilraen.
"Estel, will you drink this please," Elrond asked walking up to the bed.
"If I have to," he said grumpily.
"Good boy. It's actually quite nice," Elrond said laughing.
"Lord Elrond could I come in please?" an elf asked from the doorway.
"Yes. Estel this is Legolas, he's from Mirkwood," Elrond said.
"El'dan and El'hir told me about you," Estel said looking at the elf. "They said that next time they see you they're going to beat you in a ar- ar-"
"Archery, Estel," Gilraen said smiling.
"Yes that's it archery contest," said Estel grinning.
"Is that so," Legolas said sitting down next to the bed. "How are you now?" Legolas asked kindly.
"I'm fine thank you," he replied. They chatted until Estel could no longer keep his eyes open.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Estel, do you want some breakfast?" Elrond asked the sleepy two year old.
"Yes please. Can I come downstairs and have it with you?"
"No, you need to stay in bed for now. I'll stay with you though," he said. "I'll just go and get you some food."
When Estel had eaten his breakfast Elrond told him many stories. Half way through one of them someone appeared at the door.
"Can I have a word please Elrond?" the person asked. When Estel saw him he tried to hide under the duvet because he was extremely frightened of strangers.
"If you want to go and wait in my study and I will be there shortly," Elrond said smiling at his friend.
"Estel, it's alright there's no one here except you and me," he said encouraging the shaking boy to come out from under the duvet.
"That's my friend, Gandalf so you don't need to be scared of him. I'm just going to go and talk to him and then I'll come back and finish the story," Elrond said giving Estel a small hug.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Sorry about that Gandalf," Elrond said sitting down.
"It's alright. Who is the child?"
"Ah well, have you heard about Arathorn?" he asked.
"Yes but what does that have to do with the boy, unless.." Gandalf stopped.
"That is his son, Aragorn. He and his mother, Gilraen are living here. Aragorn is known as Estel," Elrond said.
"He was rather scared when I came," Gandalf commented.
"Yes well since he and Gilraen have been living here things haven't been very smooth. First Estel got yellow flu, then when he recovered we went for a picnic and we were attacked by orcs. Both Estel and Gilraen were shot and the arrows had Ulorfay on them. And just over a week ago Estel ran away and was captured by orcs. So he has been rather scared since he woke up yesterday," Elrond said sadly.
Suddenly they heard crying from the room next door.
"I'm sorry do you mind if I go," Elrond said standing up.
"Not at all," Gandalf said also standing up.
"I'll see you at dinner Gandalf," Elrond said before rushing to Estel.
*-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Estel what's wrong?" Elrond said sitting next to the crying toddler.
"I feel asleep and had a dream about the orcs," Estel said when he had stopped crying.
"Well don't worry they won't hurt you here. Estel why did you run away?" Elrond asked, hugging him.
"Because El'dan and El'hir wouldn't let me go hunting with them. I'm sorry Ada I won't do it again," Estel said.
"I know you won't. I tell you what, why don't I clean your back and then we can go downstairs for a bit."
"And I can see mommy and El'dan and El'hir and Leg'las," Estel said grinning.
"Yes," Elrond said rubbing some cream onto his back before carrying him downstairs.
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