A week after that Elrohir sat on the side of his own bed. He gently pulled a tunic on, the wounds on his back were on the mend, but they still hurt. He could hear Elladan walking around in the lounge that connected their rooms. After Elrohir had been moved to his own room from the healing ward Elladan had kept the connecting doors open so he would know if anything happened.

Elrohir turned his head and saw his reflection in the mirror on the wall beside him. He was still pale and he looked exhausted. His hair only just reached his shoulders, he hadn't gotten used to it yet.

Elrohir stiffly leaned forward and pulled on his boots. He grimaced slightly in pain, but it wasn't as bad as it had been.

He looked up when he was done and saw Elladan in the doorway watching him worriedly. Elrohir just smiled at him and rolled his eyes.

"I'm fine." Elrohir said lightly, "Don't worry Elladan."

Just then the door sprang open.

"Elrohir!" Arwen said gleefully and jumped up into the bed beside him. Elladan had scolded her the last time she jumped into Elrohir's arms so she hadn't done it since.

"Hello my gorgeous sister, how are we doing today?" Elrohir asked and smiled at her.

"I am doing well. I slept through the whole night." Arwen answered, "How are you doing?"

Elrohir ruffled her hair and said, "That's great! No dreams haunted you this night?" Arwen shook her head. "I am well too."

Arwen studied him closely her face only inches from his. "But you're still white." She said while holding her hand up to Elrohir's cheek to compare their skin color.

"Yeah…" Elrohir sighed, "It will probably take some more time for that to go away."

Elladan looked worried at Elrohir, he was the only one who knew, but Elrohir was having some troubles sleeping some nights. Last night had been one of them. The nightmare he had, had been so bad that Elrohir had thrown up afterwards. It had taken Elladan almost an hour to calm him down.

Elrohir had never told him completely what had happened the time when they had dragged him away from camp, but Elladan guessed that something had set its marks in Elrohir.

He was snapped out of his thoughts when Arwen started laughing hysterically. Elrohir was tickling her; there was a huge smile on his lips as well.

Arwen soon jumped up from the bed and ran out of the room. They could hear her laughter fade down the hall.

Elladan walked over to Elrohir and placed his palms on either side of Elrohir's face. "Are you really okay Elrohir?" Elladan asked.

Elrohir's cheerful expression subsided and left him with a small smile. "I will be." He answered. "Thank you Elladan."

Elladan nodded he was about to walk back into the lounge when Elrohir's voice stopped him.

"Elladan?"

Elladan turned around again. Elrohir was looking at him.

"Are all the humans in the cells?"

Elladan looked surprised this was the first time Elrohir had asked about them. He nodded and answered, "Yes all of them are down there."

Elrohir looked hesitant but then said, "I want to talk to one of them."

"What?" Elladan asked angrily. "I don't want you anywhere near even one of them after what they did to you. After how much they hurt you and Arwen."

Elrohir sighed. He knew Elladan would react like that. "I don't want to see any of those who hurt me, but Elladan one them helped me. I already told you about him, he even looked after Arwen when I couldn't."

"I still don't trust him. He was one of them." Elladan said bitterly.

"I don't really think he was. I had a feeling about him from the beginning. I think he is a good man."

Elladan ground his teeth together. Elrohir kept quiet while he thought, he knew how much he was asking of Elladan.

"You're going to see him whether I say yes or no aren't you?" Elladan said at last in a defeated tone. Elrohir nodded. "And if I don't say yes then you're going to do it alone." Elrohir nodded. "What was his name?"

"Arron."

Elladan walked towards the door. When his hand touched the knob Elrohir stood up as well.

"Stay here." Elladan said, "I'll bring him here, but I'm not going to let you meet any of the others and I'm not leaving you two alone for even a second."

When Elladan had stepped out of the room Elrohir whispered, "Thank you Elladan."

Elladan walked through the corridors. He was angry, but not really angry, sad, but he didn't exactly know why. Maybe it was because of the expression Elrohir had showed him or the fear in his eyes the night before after he had had the nightmare. Even though Elladan knew that the man Elrohir wanted to see hadn't done anything to him, he knew that if Elrohir saw him then he would be reminded of what had happened. He didn't want Elrohir to be in more pain than he already was.

He had told them what had happened a few days ago, he hadn't had the energy to do it before that. Elrohir had shielded Arwen from harm, but it had been by using his own body. He had protected her without fail even though he had been as injured as he was… But Elrohir had been alone, alone with no one to lean against or take the burden off his shoulders.

Arwen hadn't seen Elrohir get hurt. Luckily or else her nightmares would probably have been worse than they were. It was painful to think that Elrohir had been about to get hurt and he had told Arwen to close her eyes…

Elladan rounded the last corner and stood before the door that led down to the basement. The cells under Rivendell were rarely used, but this time had been an exception. There was a guard standing in front of the door, but Elladan just nodded at him and he was let through. He walked down the stairs guided by the orange light cast by the lanterns hanging on the walls.

They had grouped the men in about five per cell, except for the leader who had was alone in a cell. Elladan realized then that he should have asked Elrohir what the man looked like. Then again Elrohir had said that he had had a feeling about him from the beginning maybe Elladan would get the same feeling.

Elladan walked from cell to cell and looked at them. Some of the men tried to talk to him, but he ignored them. Finally he noticed someone who seemed different from the rest.

Elladan looked at him until the man met his eyes. "Is your name Arron?" He asked not being able to keep the coldness from his voice.

He wanted nothing more than to punch every one of the men, but he knew nothing good would come of it. Well… something good would, it would feel good for about an hour and then he would regret it.

The man's eyes widened and Elladan knew that it was Arron before he heard the answer, "Yes sir."

"Come here." Elladan commanded.

Arron's legs almost moved by themselves as he stood up form the floor and walked over to the door where Elladan was. Elladan unlocked the door and held it open for Arron to step through. When he was out Elladan closed it right in front of some of the other humans who had gotten up.

Elladan took an iron grip around the man's wrist and pulled him up the stairs. The guard jumped away as the door slammed up and Elladan came out dragging one of the humans behind him.

"Lord Elladan, where are you taking him?" The guard asked, "My orders were to not let the humans escape from the cells."

"Elrohir wants to talk with him." Elladan ground out bitterly. Seeing the humans had strengthened his hatred. "I'll make sure he doesn't get away."

The guard nodded reluctantly and resumed his earlier position in front of the door. Elladan kept moving towards Elrohir's and his rooms. The man followed having the jog slightly at the speed Elladan was going, but he wisely kept his mouth shut.

When Elladan came to a point where he knew he would soon enter Elrohir's range of hearing he slammed the human up against the wall.

"If you hurt him in any way I will kill you… no better I will kill you slowly and drag it out until you are begging for death. Do you understand me?" Elladan hissed, his eyes piercing the human's.

Arron swallowed nervously and nodded. Even though the elf looked almost identical to Elrohir, he was now absolutely sure they were not the same person. Then again had been a part of company who had hurt his daughter he wouldn't be friendly with him either so Arron understood what the elf was feeling.

When Arron nodded Elladan jerked him away from the wall and down the corridor again until he stopped at a door. Elladan took a deep breath and the entered the room with Arron behind him. It was the lounge between the two rooms only some seconds after they had entered the room Elrohir came into it from the door to the left, it had already been open when they had entered the room. Elladan could see the flicker of emotion in Elrohir's eyes when he first saw Arron, but he appeared calm.

Elrohir looked at Elladan and smiled. "Thank you Elladan." He said in the common tongue.

Elladan didn't answer but moved slightly away so Elrohir could talk to Arron. Not out of reach if anything should happen.

Arron first noticed now, when comparing him to his brother, how wounded Elrohir had been. He was still pale and drawn like he was in pain, but he looked better than how he had looked last Arron had seen him.

Elrohir then looked at Arron. "Hello Arron."

Arron opened his mouth but now sound escaped his lips he looked to his right, Elrohir followed his gaze and saw that Elladan glaring at Arron.

Elrohir sighed and said, "Stop it Elladan you're making him nervous."

Elladan rolled his eyes but took his gaze off Arron and onto Elrohir.

"Ignore him." Elrohir said and walked over to the sitting area in front of the fireplace. "Come and sit. I want to talk with you."

As Arron sat down Elrohir poured some tea into three teacups and handed them each a cup. Then he sat down opposite Arron.

Elrohir took some sips of tea before placing the cup on the table and leaning forward to look at Arron. He took a deep breath and said, "Thank you for helping me and Arwen, Arron. I know it wasn't something easily done. I am in your debt for looking after Arwen while I couldn't. Something confuses me though… what were you even doing with the rest of them? You don't seem like the person who would have a wish to hurt anyone."

Arron's eyes widened. Not only had the elf thanked him fro what he done, but he had also judged his character as someone who didn't belong with the other men. He didn't think he deserved what Elrohir had said. Even though he hadn't done anything he had still been a part of it… hadn't he? He hadn't done anything to stop them from hurting Elrohir.

"Do not think you didn't deserve the thanks." Elrohir said quietly, breaking Arron's thoughts. "You do not know how much you helped me by just helping Arwen. She is safe now and unharmed because you held her back from running to me at that time. You did more than you think you did."

Arron swallowed thickly, even after what the elf had been through Arron had never met a person less selfish than he was.

"How is she?" Arron asked, using his voice for the first time.

Elrohir saw Elladan stiffen slightly from the corner of his eyes. Elrohir smiled a little sadly and answered, "She's fine. She'll pull through. Why are you so concerned with Arwen?"

Arron hesitated before saying, "I have a daughter. Arwen looks like she's the same age as her… She reminded me of her a bit. Trust me when I say that I never wanted any of it to happen. I never wanted them to hurt you or Arwen. I didn't know what their plan was; I was only there to make some money. There's a hunger stroke in my village, I just needed to take care of them. I didn't know what Callen was planning…"

Elrohir looked up as that name hung in the air. "Callen?" He questioned.

Arron blinked stupidly and moved his mouth without any sounds coming out. He glanced over to Elladan who had suddenly edged closer. "You didn't know his name…?" Arron then stuttered, "He was the one who… The leader. He… I'm sorry."

A shadow passed through Elrohir's eyes, he subconsciously looked down at his hands. Callen… That was the name of the man who had hurt him. His face suddenly gained a label. It felt weird, but theoretically it shouldn't change anything. He was still the man who had tortured him no matter if he had a name or not.

Elrohir looked up again and realized that both Elladan and Arron were staring at him to see his reaction. He grinned and joked, "Did you think I would mysteriously grow another head after finding out his name was Callen?"

Immediately Arron blushed and looked away, but Elladan kept his gaze so Elrohir met it head on assuring him that there was nothing wrong. Elladan relented and backed away a little.

Elrohir smiled and then turned back to Arron. "Arron where do you live?"

"A small village southeast of here. About two days journey."

Elrohir nodded. "The rest of the humans are going to be picked up in a week or so and we will let your race deal with them. Since you helped me I'll ask my father to spare you of it. Would you like to be released and go back to your home without an escort or would you rather wait for the envoy and go with them?" Elrohir asked.

Arron looked awestruck at him and said, "…You're going to let me go home?"

"That was the general idea." Elrohir smiled.

"I want nothing more than to get back to my family. Thank you Elrohir… thank you so much."

Elrohir looked at Elladan and asked, "It's okay right?" Elladan nodded he had seen no lies in Arron's eyes so he believed that he was innocent. Of course he would still never completely forgive the man, but he respected Elrohir's decision.

"I go and ask him now." Elrohir said and stood up, "You mind keeping Arron companied?"

"No just go and ask."

Elrohir walked to the door and exited the room. Elladan and Arron were left behind in an uncomfortable silence, in Arron's case. Elladan walked around the room leisurely checking various things.

"…You and Elrohir are? Brothers?" Arron asked nervously after some time.

"Yes." Elladan answered and looked at Arron, first now noticing how nervous he looked. He sat down opposite him. "We're twins actually, we're usually completely identical."
Arron nodded, knowing that Elladan was probably referring to Elrohir's shortened hair.

"Will he ever forgive me…?" Arron asked softly.

Elladan raised an eyebrow and said, "From what I can hear you didn't do anything to him. Why shouldn't he?"

"Exactly…" Arron said and rested his head in his hands. "I didn't do anything. I just watched while they hurt him."

Elladan leaned forward and pulled Arron's hands off his face. "There is something you need to understand. Callen hurt my brother more than I can bear and Elrohir is still recovering from it. He has been in pain almost constantly since and has trouble sleeping. Right now he is in pain and exhausted, but he still took time to see you, talk to you and free you. He wouldn't do it if he hadn't already forgiven you. Elrohir is as good as anything gets and he always thinks of others before himself. It is therefor easy to earn his forgiveness, trust me he understands more than you know. If you doubt it then ask him." He said.

It was almost an hour before Elrohir came back. Elrond came in behind him with some papers in one of his hands. He looked the human over thoughtfully and then sat down in one of the chairs.

As they talked Elrohir sat down in the chair in front of the fireplace he hugged his legs close to him and rested his head on his knees. Slowly he fell asleep in the warm glow of the fire.

Elladan noticed this and came over a while later when he was sure Elrohir was sleeping deeply. He placed his arms under Elrohir's knees and under his back and gently lifted him into his arm. Both Elrond and Arron looked up as he did this, they hadn't noticed Elrohir falling asleep.

Elladan lifted him into his bedroom and put him on the bed. Then he pulled the curtains in front of the windows and pulled the covers over him. He kissed Elrohir on the forehead before walking back into the lounge and closing the door gently behind him.

Elrond looked at him worriedly and asked in elvish so Arron wouldn't understand it, "How much sleep did he get last night?"

Elladan shrugged and answered, "Not much."

"Food?"

"Breakfast."

Elrond nodded and turned back to Arron. He lowered his voice so there was no chance that they would wake Elrohir. He needed the sleep.

"Where is Arwen?" Elladan asked suddenly.

Elrond looked up, "She's with Erestor. Drawing while he's working I think. Would you go and check on her?" Elrond asked.

"Sure." Elladan said, "I'll have someone send some lunch in here." Then he went out the door.

Food was brought to the room at the same time as Elrond was done explaining the formal business to Arron. He had trusted Elrohir's judgment of the man, and nothing he had seen so far had opposed to what Elrohir had said. If what the man had and hadn't done was as they said, then Elrond had only a slight bitterness against him. They could ask no more, he was after all in the company that had tortured his son.

Elrond watched as Arron hesitantly started eating being sure of never taking more than Elrond even though Elrond was sure he was hungry.

After the meal Elrond asked more about his family and where they lived. It was like the man's eyes lightened up when he talked about his family, especially his daughter.

"When do you want to leave?" Elrond asked.

"As soon as possible." Arron answered eager to be back with his family.

"Then it will be tomorrow. Come let us find a room where you can stay for the night."

Elrond stood up and walked into the corridor followed by Arron. Elrond led him to almost the other side of the house and found a room. Arron looked at it with huge eyes, he obviously wasn't used to such luxury.

"I'll have dinner brought here and maybe Elladan or Elrohir will get you tomorrow." Elrond said.

"Thank you for your hospitality my Lord." Arron said and bowed, "I'm afraid I have no way of repaying you."

Elrond just smiled and waved his hand dismissively. "The Last Homely House has its doors open for anyone in need of its warmth. Good night."

As Elrond turned the corner he saw Glorfindel in the hall and walked up to him.

"Glorfindel can you place a guard at the entrance to the south wing?" Elrond asked. "Arron is in the fifth room to the right. I still don't trust him enough to allow him to roam my house unwatched."

"Of course my Lord." Glorfindel said.