Title: Aragorn's Secret Weapon 9B

Author: Sivan Shemesh

Beta: Manon & Tinorial Peredhil

Rating: PG-13

Warning: Angst full ahead, fluff, and humor. Bad or good endings… lol!

Disclaimer: Characters belong to Tolkien. I just borrowed them for my own evil plans.

Spoiler: Total AU.

Summary: Aragorn has a plan on how he will finally beat Legolas. But will Legolas find out? And if he does, what he will do?

Note: Estel's age is 7, and Legolas's age is 14 and only an elfling compared to the other elves.

Part one: Family

9B.

Elrond swallowed hard as he looked upon his son. Sweat covered his forehead and he quickly wiped it away. Estel looked at his father with worry and felt as if he was being left behind because they were not telling him what was happening.

Elrond looked at his son gravely. "I need you to do something for me," he said softly.

Estel looked at his father's face and asked curiously, "What is it?"

"I… wait for me in the kitchen, I… I brought some herbs with me, wait for me there…" Elrond answered, a sparkle in his eyes, as though he had some sort of plan that left the boy wanting more answers.

Estel nodded and looked at his father and the twins before he left, tears falling down his face.

Glorfindel and Erestor tried not to say a word when Estel was there, but when the boy had left the room, Erestor looked at his lord and said, "You have to tell him, he is your son."

Elrond looked upon his advisor's face and, noticing the serious look that he wore, replied, "I know that he is my son, but I cannot do it, I cannot tell him what has happened! It has to wait!"

Glorfindel could not resist as he heard his lord and friend speak in that manner. He exploded. "With all due respect, my lord, I think that you should let your son and Legolas know about it. Allow them to face their fears with each other, because, my lord, as I see what is going on here at your house, time after time, your sons and Legolas are always being found wounded and hurting. This is has to stop."

Elrond only glared at his old friend. He knew that Glorfindel was right with what he said, but he felt that his sons were still too young to face all of these threats. He did not want to face the worst.

"I need to go; my son is waiting for me." Elrond hurried and left.

Erestor and Glorfindel sighed. The former went back to his room, leaving Glorfindel to handle it by himself.

Glorfindel walked towards Elrohir and squeezed his shoulders as he gently said, "He will be fine. Do not lose hope."

Elrohir smiled as he heard Glorfindel's words, and said, "Thank you…"

"It is my pleasure." Glorfindel smiled and added, "Call me if there is a change or if you need anything." He looked carefully at the twin. "I will always be there for you and your brothers if you want to talk; you know that, do you not?"

Elrohir looked at him. "I know, thank you."

Glorfindel only grinned and left the room.

Elrond took the herbs from his room and walked to the kitchen. Estel was impatient, too impatient. He walked back and forth, and it was seemed to his father that something was amiss.

"Estel?" Elrond called. He voice seemed to wake Estel from his thoughts as the boy ceased pacing and looked at his father. Elrond noticed the look of impatience on his son's face.

"Ada, what is it? Has something happened…" he asked, but he was halted by his father.

"Do not even think that my son, everything will be alright," Elrond answered as he tried to stay calm. "I need you to give these herbs to Legolas. Make him drink it all, and when he asks why, tell him that his body is still weak, and they are to give him more strength."

Estel took the herbs from his father's hands and nodded.

"Every day give him the herbs to drink when the sun is in the middle of the sky and also when the sun is going to set," Elrond explained, smiling as he added softly, "You are a healer now, my son, take care of him and do not let him leave the room."

Estel looked worriedly at his father and grew more curious as to why Legolas could not leave the room. "But why father? Is there something wrong?"

"Heal him my son," was the only thing Elrond said as he clasped his son's shoulders.

"I will do it father. Thank you."

"Now off you go." Elrond watched with a smile as Estel made his way to Legolas' room. Once the boy was out of sight, Elrond turned and hurried back to the healing room, and then he sighed heavily in relief as he did not want that Legolas will be there.

In Legolas' room…

Legolas did not know why Estel was not coming. Time passed slowly when Estel left, and the prince was bored. He was about to leave the bed when he finally saw Estel come.

"What? Where is Elladan?" he asked, noticing that the twin was not with the boy.

"I do not know… I mean I do know…" Estel became a little confused, as he did not have a firm idea as to what had happened to his brother. He lowered his head.

"What?" Legolas asked.

"Oh… my adar wants you to drink these herbs, as your body has not yet healed," Estel mentioned.

"Why? Where is your father, Estel?" Legolas questioned him, feeling the need to know the answers.

"Listen, all I know is that your body is still weak and that you should take the herbs for healing. Drink it, please," Estel demanded.

"Alright, alright, give it to me," Legolas said in defeat, drinking all that was required of him. His eyes blinked quickly and he turned to his friend. "For what exactly were these herbs meant for?"

"For your body, to heal."

"Oh… funny, but I feel tired, good night Este…" Legolas drifted off to sleep before he could finish the sentence.

Estel looked outside and noticed the daylight. He muttered, "But it is not even dark outside… err…"

End of Chapter 9B.

Evil grin...