*Aragorn: 6 years old

"He is in nowhere on the grounds," Elladan reported to his father.

Elrohir was pacing around in front of the door of Elrond's room thinking about what could have possibly happened. Elrond was putting out the fire that had just been in the fire place and set down the book he had been reading only a moment ago.

He glanced at his twins which were before him looking nervous. They had always been super protective over their young human brother. Ever since the day the twins had brought Gilraen and Aragorn to Rivendell, they had fallen attach to the young boy. Elrond could see why because he felt the same way. Aragorn had always brought so much light and hope into the Elves lives and he would never forgive himself if he lost him.

"He could not have wandered away. I have warned him of that very thing," Elrond said even though the brothers saw a twinkle of worry in his blue eyes.

"I saw him with some of the Elf children earlier today, but that was this morning," Elrohir explained and stopped pacing.

"Maybe we can go talk to some of the Elflings that were playing with him," Elladan suggested, "They might know what has happened to, Estel,"

Elrohir had already grabbed his cloak and was heading to the door as Elladan reassured to his worried father,

"Don't worry, father. We will find him,"

Then Elladan turned around and followed his brother out into the increasing winds of the storm.

-----

About twenty minutes after Elrond's twin sons had left, they had returned. They had both dragged inside Elrond's home two very wet and worried stroke Elflings. He knew them by the names of Alrah and Thernes. They had been close friends all their life and Elrond never saw them apart.

"They have something to tell you," Elladan said and not too gently pushed the two Elflings forward to Elrond.

Elrond watched as both of his sons ran to the cabinet and started packing supplies. He wondered what in Middle Earth could have happened. He looked down to the Elflings and said,

"Please, tell me what happened to, Estel,"

The two Elf friends looked really scared and Alrah looked to Thernes and waited for him to talk first. He did so, knowing the look on his friend's face.

"We dared Estel to climb a tree," Thernes' voice was so quiet and shaky.

"And?" Elrond said gently as his twins folded a couple blankets behind him.

"He fell," Thernes continued, "Because one of the Elves jumped in front of him,"

"What happened next?" Elrond asked is heart stinging by the Elflings harsh words.

"We all thought he was hurt by the look in his eyes," Alrah spoke up for the first time, "On the outside and the inside acually,"

Elrond looked at them uncertainly as they said the word "inside".

"They teased him about his rounded ears and..." Alrah chocked up and stopped talking,

He looked down to the ground feeling ashamed. Thernes wasn't doing any better himself. He was also looking to the floor and fiddling with his belt buckle that hung loosely around his waist.

"And what?" Elrond asked the suspense growing between the Elves.

"About how he is adopted," Alrah whispered and closed his eyes tightly.

Elrond too, closed his eyes and let out a sigh that everyone in the room heard. He had never wanted this day to come.

"We, along with the other Elves, are so sorry. We all hope that Estel is alright. None of us meant anything by it," Thernes said.

"We always tease him, and he never seems to mind," Alrah said his eyes still closed.

"Today he did," Thernes finished, "He ran into the woods,"

Both Elf children clamped their eyes shut awaited what would happen next.

"Being adopted is not a bad thing. Just because he is different from the rest of us Elves here in Rivendell, doesn't mean that I love him any less. I love him as my son and could never not love him as much as I do Elladan or Elrohir. Do you understand?" Elrond asked trying to make his point come across to the younglings who still looked scared before him.

They nodded quickly and gulped.

"Go back to your homes now and please spread the word about this day," Elrond said, "It will serve as a good reminder and what you Elves should not be doing. Thank you for your time,"

Trying not to trip over one another, Thernes and Alrah ran out of Elrond's house. Elrond turned his sons as said,

"Did they show you which way Estel went?"

Elladan nodded and handed their father a warm cloak and a bag full of herbs.

"Let's go," both twins said at once.

A/N: Hope you are enjoying this so far! There are lots more twists and turns to come!