I don't really like how this one turned out. I might re-do it completely when I have more time.
See disclaimer in earlier chapters…
Tooth
"Dan! Ro!" A shrill voice called out, immediately stopping the discussion of hunting strategies between the twin sons of Elrond. Both heads whipped towards the noise, as the dark haired elves swiftly headed in the direction of their little brother's room.
Arriving in the doorway of Estel's bedroom, the twins stared in shock as blood ran down the small child's mouth, staining his soft white shirt a deep red. Fists clenched tightly, Estel spun around, his wide gray eyes focusing on his brothers. Acting quickly, Elrohir scooped the boy up off his feet and sat him on his lap, as the elder twin grabbed a damp cloth from the bathroom and tried to get Estel to open his mouth. Estel's eyes were filled with tears, though the boy was doing a remarkable job at keeping them at bay. Elladan pried the small boy's mouth open, peering inside to find the cause of his pain.
Elladan noticed the problem right away, his eyes fixed on the gap where one of Estel's front teeth used to be. Elrohir noticed his twin relax slightly, and peered around to take a look.
"It seems you have lost a tooth, Estel," Elladan said softly, using a small piece of cloth to wipe the blood from Estel's chin and neck. Estel shook his head, opening his small fist and showing the small bloody tooth to his brothers.
"I did not lose it, Dan," Estel protested, "It came out when I bit into my apple." Estel's eyes wandered to the half-eaten apple on the floor, giving it a regretful look.
Elrohir chuckled, setting the boy on his bed. "Lay down hold this to your mouth to stop the bleeding." Estel nodded, keeping one hand on his tooth and the other on the cloth in his mouth.
"Does it hurt?" Elrohir questioned the boy. Estel shook his head no, looking down at his ruined shirt. His Ada didn't like it when he ruined his shirts.
"Worry not, Estel. It was not your fault the shirt was ruined," Elladan said, reassuringly. Noticing the frown on Estel's face. Estel looked up, removing the cloth from his mouth for a moment.
"Like when you and Ro come back from a hunt and your clothes are all dirty?" Estel wondered, glancing between the twins. Elladan shot his twin a serious look over Estel's head. It was a good thing Estel did not fully understand that when the twins went on 'a hunt,' it often meant orc and goblin hunting.
"Exactly dear brother!" Elrohir exclaimed loudly, pressing the cloth back to Estel's mouth.
Elladan laughed at his brothers, going into the bathroom to get the boy a cup of water while Elrohir grabbed a new shirt for the boy. With little difficulty, Elrohir had changed the boy's shirt, and the bleeding in his mouth had all but stopped. Elladan handed Estel the cup of water and took the boy's tooth, advising him to take small sips.
"It is good you didn't swallow it, Estel" Elrohir said, sitting next to his brother. "It would have been gone forever and Ada would have never seen it." He laughed as he ruffled the boy's hair.
Estel's eyes widened, filling once again with tears. Both twins were alert instantly, leaning over their brother as they tried to find the source of his pain.
"What is the matter Estel, did it start bleeding again?" Elladan questioned the boy, prompting Estel to open his mouth again. Estel clamped his mouth shut, just as the first few tears spilled over his cheeks.
"Is Ada going to be angry, Dan? I did not mean for my tooth to come out, it just did!" Estel's voice hitched as both twins rushed to reassure him.
"Of course not, tithen gwador, all children lose their baby teeth as they get older," Elladan assured the boy, brushing the boy's hair back from his face. Estel gave his brother an unsure look.
"Ada will be very proud of you, Estel," Elrohir added. "You truly are a big boy now, losing your baby teeth!"
"Really?" Estel questioned with new interest. Seeing his older brothers nod, Estel let loose a smile. "Then I do not have to take a nap?"
"Well, I wouldn't go that far, tithen gwador," Elrohir smiled, easing Estel to lay back down after making sure his mouth had stopped bleeding.
"We will show Ada first thing after he returns from his meeting," Elladan promised, tucking Estel's stuffed rabbit in next to the boy. Estel nodded, gazing at his tooth, which Elladan had placed on his bedside table.
"You know Estel, the sooner you fall asleep the sooner you will wake up and we can show Ada your tooth."
Estel nodded, a yawn giving the twins a clear view of his new gap. Elladan smiled at the boy, and Estel returned it with his own wide, sleepy smile. Estel shut his eyes, snuggling his stuffed rabbit as his breathing evened out.
Elladan and Elrohir shared a knowing look. Estel's regular smile was already infectious enough, but with this new gap he'd surely be able to conquer all of Middle Earth.