Disclaimer: See 1st chapter
Elladan and Elrohir ere playing a game of chess in the family sitting room. They barely spared Elrond a glance when he entered, so concentrated were they on their game.
"Sons, I believe Estel would like to see you while…" Elrond was left speaking to thin air as the twins raced out of the room. In their haste, they knocked over the chessboard, scattering pieces everywhere. Elrond bent to pick up a piece, the white king.
'Someday my son' he thought, 'you will be king'.
Estel had flopped onto his bed despite his back, feeling the contentment of being home with his family. That was how his brothers found him several minutes later.
"Estel? Ada said you wanted us."
He twisted his head around to face his brothers, wincing slightly as his muscles informed him of their unhappiness at the movement.
"My back is covered with bruises. Ada suggested I take a hot bath, " explained Estel. "I thought you could tell me what's happened while I was away."
His brothers wore identical grins on their faces.
"We shall regale your mind with fine tales while your abused body soaks in a bath!" Elladan proclaimed dramatically, making the man laugh at the foolish expression on his brother's face.
"In fact, I'm of a mind to join you in your bath!" said Elrohir thoughtfully.
Estel heaved himself of the bed and picked up the loose shirt at the foot of the bed. The brothers padded to the private bathing room, which was unoccupied at this time of the day. Elladan closed the door as Elrohir assisted Estel in the shedding of his remaining clothing. Estel turned towards the pool, revealing his back coloured in shades in blue, black and purple. Elrohir turned shock filled eyes at his brother.
"It's nothing. I have endured far worse injuries in the wild. They will heal quickly at home," he murmured.
Elrohir nodded slowly. His younger brother had grown into a man during the years away from home. Quickly the twin stripped off their clothes and joined Estel in the water.
Estel sighed with pleasure as he submerged his throbbing flesh into the hot water. The tension in his muscles left as the water washed over his aching body. His brothers gathered soap and cloths from the cabinet at the side of the pool.. Elladan sprinkled some herbs in the water.
"Come Estel," he beckoned, "Let's see if you can forget your bruises with a little splashing!"
And with that, he caused a wave of water to cascade onto the man. A water fight began, measured of course due to Estel's injuries, but a water fight nonetheless. Then Glorfindel and Elrond entered, and were both taken aback by the shrieks and splashes. Estel was the first to notice them.
"Ada!" he exclaimed. The twins immediately ceased splashing, trying (and failing) to maintain a look of innocence.
Elrond looked at his sons sternly. About to reprimand them, he caught sight of his youngest and his gaze softened slightly. The shadows that he had seen earlier were gone, replaced by happiness and a playful glint in his eye. He looked more like the child who had terrorised the inhabitants of Imladris rather than the grim ranger that had returned.
He thought better of the lecture he had planned. 'If you can't beat them, join them' he thought with resignation. Glaring at his sons, particularly the twins, this time with mock sternness he said disapprovingly
"Elladan and Elrohir, you seem to have placed Estel at rather unfair odds. To correct this grievous crime, I think that Glorfindel and I might need to even up the numbers."
Glorfindel had assumed his impassive elven lord face. At Elrond's words, he broke into an evil grin. Here was an opportunity to payback the twins for all the pranks they had played on him over the centuries. The twins gulped, seeing the look on the blond elf's face. Elladan tried to protest
"But then it'll be three against two ada! That's not fair either!"
Estel, who had been watching the proceedings through amused eyes interjected
"Ah Elladan, do you not realise that I am already severely handicapped by my injuries? Ada is simply allowing me to rest my poor body."
Elrond agreed
"That's right Estel, you can relax while we take care of your brothers. So without further ado Glorfindel, let us begin!"
Then the water fight began in earnest. Estel lay in the water, shielded from his brother's attacks by his father and Glorfindel. Watching his family play, he began to feel pleasantly drowsy. He found himself slipping lower into the water as he dozed and shook himself awake. Soon the drowsiness was replaced by such a bone deep weariness that he could no longer hold his head upright. Glorfindel noticed the fall just in time to stop Estel's head impacting with the edge of the pool.
Distracted from their water fight, the twins and their father moved over to Estel to see what was wrong. Elrond quickly examined his son.
"He's just sleeping," he reported to the rest, who breathed a sigh of relief. "His body is still catching up on all the sleep he's missed. Also, his body is still regaining nutrients and fluid. Glorfindel, if you wouldn't mind asking the kitchen to have some light food available at all times? Estel needs to eat small but frequent meals," requested Elrond.
The advisor immediately dried himself, dressed quickly and left in the direction of the kitchens. Elrond and his sons dried themselves and Estel, rebinding his injuries and wrapping him in a dry towel; the water fight had soaked his clothes. Elrond picked up his son, who was deep in slumber, and carried him to his room, where he covered him with a blanket and let him sleep.
A/N: This chapter was posted because I really can't deny Harry Estel's plea. Please keep reviewing