"How's Adar, Elladan?" asked Elrohir as he sorted through the papers of Imladris. He was given the duty to go through them, put signatures on them, and send them off. Basically he was given the job of what Elrond did in his free time.
"He is doing a lot better. He says that he can probably start working soon. He just wants to make sure Estel gets over the scare." Elladan said confidently.
Elrohir's face turned downcast as he voiced his thoughts. "I don't think he will ever forget that, ‘Dan. He thought his father was dead. That is not something you get over too quickly. I do not know what I would have done if we lost him." Elladan was unsure whether the last bit was referring to Elrond or Estel, but he knew that whoever it was it was causing his brother great turmoil.
Giving his brother a hug, he said trying to get his brother's mind off the subject, “Cheer up, little brother! All will be well soon."
"’Dan, how do you think Glor is doing?" Elrohir asked. Elladan had hoped to avoid this subject; ‘Ro had to think of everything!
"’Ro, I haven’t really seen much of him. He spends his time in the kitchen and he doesn't talk to anyone."
"He needs help."
~*~*~
"Ada! 'Dan told me that you could draw on the cast! Will you draw a picture for me?" Estel asked eagerly.
Elrond was sitting comfortably in a chair and drinking some light wine. Estel had been eager for some action in the house ever since the accident. Everyone was acting so downcast.
"Estel, maybe you should ask Glorfindel to do it, he's a much better artist than I am." Elrond said. It was his first step in trying to get Estel to feel comfortable around the elf lord again. It wasn't only for Estel, it was also for Glorfindel. Elrond hadn't seen Glorfindel since the "lecture." He had heard, through rumors, that Glorfindel was always in the kitchens cooking various entrees. Unfortunately, Estel's face fell at the recommendation. He apparently didn't want Glorfindel to draw on his cast.
"But Ada! I want you to do it. Please?" Estel asked pleadingly. Elrond did not have the heart to say no so he put on a smile and started to draw a scene of the Peredhil family, including Estel, on the cast.
Estel was quite patient for an 8 year old human while Elrond took at least 2 hours to complete the drawing. It was their family playing in a glade. Estel was very happy with the outcome and began prancing about the room to the great amusement of Elrond.
"Ada," Estel asked quietly after he had calmed down, “Why did Glorfindel yell at me if you keep saying it wasn't my fault?"
"Young one, Glorfindel did not mean for it to sound like he was blaming you. He was just a little bit worried for me is all. He is very mad at himself for making you sad. I think maybe you should go ask him if you can help cook. It might make him feel better." Elrond said, hoping again that Estel would feel comfortable to be with Glorfindel.
Are you sure he would let me help him?"
"I have no doubt, Estel." Estel skipped towards the door then turned around again.
"You're sure you're sure, Ada?"
"Yes, Estel! Now go on." Elrond said laughingly.
Estel made it to the kitchens before he began to get a little unsure of himself. What if Glorfindel wouldn't let him help? What if Glorfy was still mad at him? However, before Estel's musings could change his mind, Glorfindel opened up the door, for he had heard something outside, surprised.
"I-I wanted to help you cook." Estel whispered. As an afterthought he added, "If you'll let me." Glorfindel smiled a little hesitantly, but allowed Estel to enter the kitchens.
The room was a disaster area. The tables were covered with already completed foods: cookies, pies, cakes, cinnamon buns, all the pastries Estel could think of. The counters were covered with pots, pans, dirty mixing sthingys, utensils, and lots of required ingredients. Currently in the oven were some more cookies. The aroma of the pastries filled the whole room and Estel felt himself relax under its scent. He went to Glorfindel, who held out his hand, to help.
~***
Elrond made his way towards the kitchens to see how Glorfindel and his son were doing. He heard laughter coming from the kitchens and assumed that as a sign that everything was alright now.
When he opened the door and all of his sons were there cooking and making the biggest mess ever. Estel had a streak of cookie batter on his face and he was fighting over the sthingys covered in brownie mix with the twins. Glorfindel looked on amused and saw Elrond. He mouthed a thank you before giving the brothers another brownie-mix covered sthingy to end the fight. When Estel saw Elrond he quickly brought him over to an empty table (which surprisingly, still had a few bits of batter from an unknown source on it) and made him sit down.
"Ada, you told me that you collapsed because you weren't eating. I can't let that happen again. So I am going to make sure you eat." Estel said completely serious.
Elrond looked towards the two long tables full of food and his face fell. Elladan and Elrohir broke out in laughter. Glorfindel smirked playfully. They all knew that he had just been served lunch and that he would never be able to eat more than maybe a few cookies before his stomach defied him. They also knew that Estel wouldn't stop until he was completely satisfied. Elrond groaned. It was going to be a very long day.
.