Author’s Note and Disclaimer: This story is AU and NOT canon. It’s a prequel to my previous series. It starts about halfway through the first chapter of “Before He Was King” when Aragorn first arrived in Rivendell.

Chapter 1

Elrond carried the sleeping child into a spare bedroom near his own, and down the hall from Elladan and Elrohir’s adjoining bedchambers. He laid Aragorn on the soft mattress and peeled away the rain drenched cloak that was wrapped around him. The two year-old was dressed in midnight blue traveling clothes and tiny deer skin moccasins.

The Elven Lord’s first thought was that he needed to find some suitable clothing for the little boy. The closest thing he could find in the wardrobe was an old undershirt of Elrohir’s from when he was a child. It had never been worn, and would serve as a suitable nightshirt for the two year-old.

Elrond wiggled Aragorn out of his wet clothes and was dismayed to see that the child was still in diapers. The Elven Lord sat and wondered where he would find the cloth at this time of night. At last he recalled having some soft linen in his healing room that served as material for slings and wraps. Elrond gently placed a soft blanket over the little boy who was now clad only in a rain soaked cloth diaper. He then crept from the room and made his way quickly to the healing room. He gathered a bundle of the linen, and a jar of soft powder, before returning to the bed room.

Elrond carefully removed the soaked cloth and applied some powder to the little boy’s bottom before wrapping him in the dry linen that was the exact size for a toddler.

After dressing the child in the undershirt, Elrond tucked the little boy into bed, and surrounded him with pillows, in case Aragorn happened to roll.

The Elven Lord had just left the child’s bedchamber when Elladan and Elrohir walked up the hall.

“Adar, what will happen to the child?” Elrohir inquired.

Elrond held up a hand. “Dry off and meet me in my study.  I will discuss it with you there, so we will not wake little Aragorn.”

The twins nodded and went to their rooms. Elrond continued down to his study where Gandalf was already dry and waiting.

“I apologize for not offering you a proper welcome, Mithrandir. We were not expecting you so soon. Happy Solstice.”

“It is understandable, Lord Elrond. I have come to you with a heavy burden this night. When I came across the twins and saw what had happened, I knew we must bring the child to you” Gandalf interjected.

“Tis no burden, Gandalf, tis a little boy. I may be a bit out of practice, caring for a young child, but I have not forgotten. It is a gift from the Valar that he survived. He needs a home and a family. He will also need the proper training and skills if he is to grow up to be a powerful leader to his people” Elrond explained.

Gandalf smiled. “I am happy you are so willing to care for the child. It will not be easy.”

“There is only one of him, Mithrandir. I survived twins! It will be difficult, but I will also have assistance from my boys, and Glorfindel as well.”

The door opened and the twins walked in, freshly dried and clothed.

“Well Adar, can we keep him?” Elladan asked hopefully.

Elrond chuckled. “He is not a pet, Elladan! But yes, the child will remain here, with us as his family.

Both twins leapt for joy. The prospect of teaching a little boy all of their pranks and tricks was all too endearing.

“You will of course have to assist with his training” Elrond explained.

“I cannot wait to show him the sword!” Elrohir declared.

Elrond raised an eyebrow. “Not until he reaches an age I deem appropriate. For now you may assist with his toilet training.”

Much to Elrond and Gandalf’s amusement, both twins adopted a look of complete horror.

“I am sorry, Adar. I believe I heard you incorrectly. Did you say the child does not know how to-,” Elladan gasped.

Elrond smirked, nodding.

“He is only two mortal years of age. He has probably only begun the process. As soon as he is settled and comfortable with us, we can begin.”

Gandalf smiled as he heard the twins groan. “Elrond, we must keep his identity a secret. If he goes by the name of Aragorn, I fear his life may be in danger. We cannot allow him to come to harm. He is the last hope of the Dunadain.”

Elrond nodded. “I agree, mellon nin. As you say, he is their hope. He shall be called Estel.”

Aragorn awoke very sleepily the next morning. He opened his eyes and realized he did not know where he was. The two year-old slid off the large bed, and promptly landed on his bottom on the cold stone floor. He got up and wandered out the door and into the long hallway.

“Dada?”

The little boy’s voice echoed down the hall. When he received no reply, he plopped down on the floor and began crying. “Mummeee!”

Elrond heard the sounds of crying and opened his door. He instantly saw Aragorn sitting on the cold floor, wailing. He moved to pick the little boy up, but Aragorn cowered away.

“Shh little one, I will not harm you” the Elven Lord said softly.

“Where dada?” Aragorn whimpered.

Elrond knelt down and stroked the little boy’s hair. He was relieved when Aragorn did not flinch away.

“Dada is not here, little one. He had to go away with your mummy.”

Aragorn sniffled. “Where dey go?”

Elrond sat down on the floor. “They passed away, child. They are no longer with us.”

Aragorn looked at the Elven Lord confused.

“When dey come back?”

Elrond sighed sadly. He had no idea how to explain this to one so young.

“Well, they won’t come back, Aragorn. When someone passes away, they go away for a very long time.”

Aragorn looked up at the Elven Lord as tears once again slid down his cheeks. “Dey not come back?”

“No, little one.”

Aragorn bowed his head and sniffled.

Elrond patted the child’s hair. “Would you like to stay here with us?”

Aragorn looked up again and nodded, reaching his arms out to be held.

Elrond scooped him up and hugged him until Aragorn’s tears abated.

“Are you hungry, little one?”

Aragorn nodded and pulled away from the Elven Lord’s shoulder. “Eggs?” he asked hopefully.

Elrond chuckled. “Would you like some eggs?”

The little boy nodded.

“Very well, Aragorn. Let us go eat some eggs.”

TBC?? PLEASE R&R

· Just another note. I tried to find a middle earth word for diaper because it seemed very modern, but I did some research and found out it was named “diaper” by the French in the 15th century. So I guess it is old. If anyone can think of a different word that would sound better, by all means email me, the same with “toilet training”. There are few words in Middle earth language that can encompass these words.   THANKS!!

· Mellon nin: My friend