I could not breathe. Oh, the pain was unimaginable. I heard sounds, slurred and distant, and I cried out in pain as someone tried to lift me.
"It is alright, I am here," came a voice; soft and angelic, and I opened my eyes. Over me stood my twin, his face pale and his cheek splattered with black blood. His eyes were dark with fear and sympathy and I sighed as he placed his hand against my brow, checking for fever and yet sending me all the assurance he could give.
But it was not enough.
"Save your energy," I croaked, and El looked at me with horror etched across his face. "You will need it . . . El, I am beyond recovery."
"El," he whispered, his tone high and airy with disbelief. "Why are you giving in so easily?" His eyes flashed and his cheeks became red with anger. "Why are you being so weak?"
"I am not being weak," I retorted, and he paled again. "You are. El . . . I am facing what is simply true . . ."
Tears splattered on my chain mail as he began to cry. My twin . . . crying. It was a sorrowful sight and I too, however painful it was, began to sob with depression.
"You cannot leave me!" he croaked, his face twisted with agony. I clasped his hand weakly.
"Ada thought the same . . . with Elros . . ."
"Elros chose to die! He chose mortality!" shrieked Elladan, returning the hold on my arm desperately, like a frightened child. "You did not!"
"I chose the risk," I rejoined, and his face fell. "El . . . I am so sorry . . ."
The pain grew to an almost unbearable point and I clenched my eyes, biting my lip and drawing my own blood. I heard a cry of shock and of anguish, and I forced my eyes open to look on the terrified face of my twin.
Again, he was frightened to death and I realised it was not because I was leaving him forever; it was because of what I was going through currently.
"Do not worry," I murmured. "I am strong."
"I know," he whispered, and I nodded in response.
"Hold me?" I asked, and the reaction was immediate, as though he had been waiting patiently for the question the entire time.
It hurt, being lifted, but I landed on the lap of my half and I knew that was all that mattered. My twin.
"I love you, Elrohir," he whispered, and I smiled.
"Love you too, Dan. I will see you in the West . . ."