See Ch.1 for disclaimer etc.

Chapter 12

Lord Elrond loaded up his horse with a blanket and a small basket of food. His heart swelled with relief that his youngest son had made such a huge step forward. He only hoped Estel would warm up to him so they could be a happy family again.

Moments later, the twins emerged from the house with Estel on Elrohir’s shoulders. Elrond received knowing looks from his twin sons, realizing they had in fact seen him outside the bathing chamber.

The Elven Lord smiled up at his littlest son. “Are you ready, ion nin?” he asked, gently lifting Estel from Elrohir’s shoulders.

Estel winced at the touch, but nodded timidly. He wasn’t looking forward to this.

Elrond looked up and saw Gandalf watching from the balcony. He knew the gray wizard disagreed with the Elf Lord’s plan, but he also knew that Gandalf had never experienced the gift of having children, and therefore never knew how precious that love was.

The Elf Lord lifted Estel up onto his horse, and then mounted behind him.

“We’ll be back later this afternoon” he explained to his family, and then rode off into the woods.

Estel sat quietly in front of his father. He wished he had been able to ride his own horse, but knew he wasn’t healed enough for that yet. He sighed and watched the trees as they walked, wondering how long he was to spend alone with his father.

After nearly an hour’s ride, Elrond stopped the horse in a small meadow beside a large stream. He climbed down and set Estel on his feet.

“Isn’t this a beautiful spot, Estel? I used to come here with my wife, and I thought it would be a nice place for is to have a picnic.”

The Elf Lord stooped down to Estel’s level and smiled. “I brought you here because it’s one of the safest places in Imladris. I want you to feel safe with me, ion nin. I love you, and I’d like to rebuild our trust.”

Estel watched his father, feeling very uncomfortable. He loved the Elf Lord dearly, and so wanted those words to be true. But after all that had happened, he couldn’t help but feel frightened. The little boy just sighed and wandered over to the stream bank. He knelt down and picked up some stones, tossing them into the current.

Elrond busied himself with setting out the blanket and the food. He sat down, watching his little son play by the water. Time went by quickly, and it seemed he had watched Estel for nearly an hour.

“Come eat some lunch, little one” Elrond called.

Estel sighed, and stood up, sitting on the blanket, as far from his father as possible. He nibbled on some crackers and cheese, and looked down at the blanket. He knew his father was watching him.

Elrond couldn’t help but gaze fondly at his son. It saddened him that Estel had still not uttered a word, despite being alone together, and having what seemed to be a good time.

Estel finished up his lunch, and lay down on the blanket, in the warm sun. He was very comfortable, despite having his father sitting a few feet away. It was only a few minutes before the little boy was fast asleep.

Elrond watched as his son slipped into a peaceful sleep. He sighed deeply, and stood up, going to sit on a large rock by the water, to think. He could feel the tears filling his eyes, and he let out a muffled sob as he prayed to the Valar.

“Why can’t I make him see how sorry I am? I have tried to show him he is safe and that I love him” he cried. “I never meant to hurt him. I love him so much, and I can’t take this silence. I miss my little boy’s voice. I miss hearing him call me Ada. Please help us. Please show my child how much he means to us”.

Elrond put his face in his hands and cried, unable to hold back any longer.

Estel was awoken by the sound of his father’s voice. He could tell the Elf Lord was praying, so he just lay silently and listened. He heard his Ada’s pleas, and his words of love. The unmistakable sound of his father’s crying proved too much for the little boy to bear. Estel slowly got to his feet and put a hand on his father’s shoulder.

“Don’t cry, Ada. Please” he said softly, his voice scratchy from disuse.

Elrond looked up, his eyes wide in shock at hearing his little boy’s soft voice.

“Estel, you spoke!”

He reached forward and enveloped his son in a tight embrace, and was relieved when Estel returned the hug, his tiny arms encircling the Elf Lord’s neck.

“Oh my child, I am so sorry for hurting you” Elrond cried.

“Ada, please don’t cry. It was my fault for disgracing you” Estel said softly.

The Elf Lord gasped and held his son out, to look deep into his eyes. “You didn’t disgrace me, I disgraced myself! I should have believed you.”

Elrond thought about Estel’s circlet, and he knew now was the time for answers. “Little one, why did you give me your circlet? And the picture, why did you not draw yourself? You are a part of our family!”

Estel looked at the ground and bit his lip. “I don’t deserve it. I humiliated you and made people think bad things about your family. If I don’t wear it, then people won’t have to know I am your son.”

Elrond felt his stomach churn, his heart breaking at the thought of the emotional pain he had caused this child. He pulled Estel to him and hugged him tightly.

“You could never humiliate me, and I was wrong to say such a thing. You are a part of my family, our family. By wearing that circlet, you make me the proudest father in all of Arda!”

Estel grinned as tears of joy slid down his cheeks. “I love you so much, Ada. I promise I will act better.”

“You act just as you are, ion nin. I want you to feel like you can talk to me about anything! I promise to believe you, and I will always help you if you need it” the Elf Lord vowed.

Estel looked up at his father, his face the picture of seriousness. “Ada, if you’re not still mad, can we move the chair in my room?”

Elrond looked at the little boy, confused. “The chair?”

Estel nodded and looked at the ground. “My chair is still in the corner. I thought you were still mad at me.”

Elrond groaned, realizing he hadn’t yet been in to remove the chair. “Oh Estel, I completely forgot! I’m not still angry with you! I was busy and worried about other things, and I completely forgot about it! I will have the chair removed from your room permanently, the moment we return!”

Estel breathed a sigh of relief, and hugged his Ada tightly. “Can we go home now?”

The Elf Lord nodded, and kissed his son’s forehead. “Estel, thank you for forgiving me. You have no idea how much that means to me. I have missed you” he said, standing the child on his feet, and starting to pack up. “And just to show you just how much, I will be requesting that Gandalf have a fireworks display after dinner tonight, just for you.”

Estel grinned and giggled excitedly as his Ada lifted him onto the horse.

“Ada, does this mean we can have dessert for dinner too?”

Elrond chuckled and mounted up. “We’ll see. Perhaps after you draw me a new picture of our family, with you in my arms. One big happy family.”

THE END

Sorry peeps for the long wait. I am working on the other stories, but I wanted to end this so it didn’t get left without a conclusion!! Thanks for being patient!!