Glorfindel and Elladan walked out through the living room, which was crowded with the wounded sleeping on makeshift platforms.
"They moved all the injured." Elladan said in amazement, as the stepped out into the morning. The air was crisp and a light dusting of snow had fallen.
"We also constructed pallets for them. There are six houses packed with the injured. It is too cold for even injured elves to be exposed to the elements." Glorfindel explained. "We swept the area and are only beginning to pile the corpses of the enemy in the west end of the field. There were several men among the enemy troops. We have set them apart in hope that they might be identified." They moved quickly around the field and Glorfindel updated Elladan on their progress.
"Should not Dúclaur be among those who make the decisions here?" Elladan was surprised to see his father defer to himself and Glorfindel.
"His skills for healing take precedence now. You may find yourself drafted into healing duties later too. Dúclaur and Wusteir are the only master healers here. In addition, we brought five warriors with varying degrees of healing training. The villagers who are aiding their healer seem to have very little training. Dúclaur is nearly at his wits end trying to care for the wounded and train these helpers. But let us attend to the matter at hand. You and Arahad need to see these sketches of the enemy captains."
"Sketches of the enemy?" Elladan shivered slightly then remembered. "You said Adar had a vision."
"Several in fact." Glorfindel corrected. "He foresaw the attack some two weeks before Yule. But without elven reinforcements, the battle had quite a different ending."
"Adar foresaw our deaths?" Elladan whispered in horror. Glorfindel nodded unable to express the fear that had hung over them for the past month.
"Elfling, words can not describe how wonderful it is to see you. We focused on finding this location and on organizing warriors to prevent such a tragedy. You and your brother and the people in this village must play a pivotal role in the future. It is not often that the Valar grant such a warning." Glorfindel squeezed Elladan's shoulder lightly. They had arrived at Arahad's house.
"Elladan! Glorfindel! Come in." Aragost greeted them. "My father is just changing. We brought my Mother back from the healers."
"How is she?" Elladan was immediately concerned.
"She is sleeping." He paused to acknowledge they were indeed alone. "Your father said she would have difficulty for the next month until her leg healed. After that she would need special exercises to rehabilitate the leg. But he thought it would heal completely and she would regain full function."
"That is indeed great news." Glorfindel and Elladan rejoiced.
"Has everyone arrived?" Arahad called down to them.
"No, father. It is only Elladan and Glorfindel so far." Aragost's reply was nearly drowned out by a knock at the door. Many of the settlement's council arrived and they settled around the kitchen table. Aragost and approximately half the council had already been briefed on the Nazgul's captains, but Elladan, Arahad, and the rest of the hunting party gasped in shock at the sketches.
"They look like Dúnedain!" Arahad was deeply troubled. "They certainly may have visited some of our settlements without drawing any suspicion. Some inquiries in a pub and with little detective work they would have been able to locate us."
"Perhaps that is why we have heard no other attacks at our settlements. With a little spying they could have readily found out where our chieftain resided." Aragost reasoned then exclaimed in worry. "Father, you were their target."
"You were likely also their target, Aragost. I think that their objective is to wipe out all of Isildur's heirs." Glorfindel mused. "But their defeat here should send a clear message that we are now aware and will take precautions. Lord Elrond sent a message to remember that you will forever have allies in Rivendell and the Valley will always welcome you."
Xxxxxxxxxx
The dawn was just brightening the sky when Elladan woke. He immediately turned to check on Elrohir, who remained disturbingly pale and still. But he found the pulse beneath his fingertips beating with the resilient roll of life.
"Good morning, Penneth." Taral smiled and handed Elladan lembas and a glass of juice. "Aragost asked that you join him shortly."
"My Ad…" Elladan began then quickly corrected himself. "Is Dúclaur well? Did he sleep at all last night?"
"I did not see him rest but he did attend to Elrohir in the night. He administered some healing draughts and changed the bandages." Taral reported. Elrohir ate and then made his way out through the house. He heard more than saw his father, who was apparently explaining aspects of wound care and how to change bandages to an apprentice. He slipped out into the morning, hoping that some of the elves had already warmed river water for bathing purposes. The snow had melted yesterday but the dawn air was cold. This morning he was coordinating efforts to expand their searches in a widening arch around the village. These efforts served several purposes. First, they hoped to confirm that no enemy lurked close by but also they were to identify suitably secure stations further away to post guards. Scouts departed in groups of five and Glorfindel and Arahad manned the maps.
Xxxxxxxxxx Later that day.
"This meeting is adjourned." Arahad said in dismissal. The council disbanded with each member striding with renewed purpose out of the room.
"If we send too large a patrol to aid the traders, we risk our own protection." Glorfindel noted warily. Scouts had discovered a group of traders accompanied by Dúnedain from a settlement five leagues away. Several of the travelers had been injured during a clash with orc scouts. Their progress was slowed by the wagons that held their goods. It was reported that they carried food and goods from Gondor. Many rejoiced at the prospect of buying or trading for such wares.
"It would seem that the traders need healers and aid. Our healing houses are already bursting with patients." Elladan said in worry. "We should check on Dúclaur and Wusteir. They should be forewarned that more injured might be arriving tomorrow."
"I will warn them. You were out on reconnaissance all morning and then helped with the healers for hours. Eat and rest. I will be back shortly." Glorfindel ordered. As if on queue Aragost appeared with two small plates. Both contained a meager serving of a thin stew. Even with elves hunting, the surrounding forest could only provide so much food. Elves and men alike were careful to not overtax nature's bounty. It was the major reason that the Dúnedain population had dispersed into many smaller settlements following the fall of Arnor's ancient capital.
"I do not like the sudden appearance of the traders." Elladan nearly growled. "It is most suspicious.
"Yet they also encountered orcs. Perhaps from the same force that attacked us." Aragost handed Elladan a plate. "We will take precautions but we can not turn down the chance to trade for necessities." Elladan nodded reluctantly but did not respond. Aragost made an effort to engage him in further conversation.
"How is Elrohir? Is there any improvement?"
"It would have been a mortal wound had not Dúclaur miraculously appeared. It will be many days until he awakens and months until he recovers." Elladan paused and then quietly added. "I could have lost him without ever having the chance to explain."
"He will be well in time." Aragost soothed. He had noted the strain in the twins usually close relationship. Elrohir had been quiet and withdrawn since they arrived two months ago. "You will be able to resolve your differences."
"He tried to broach the subject many times but I evaded the discussion. If we had really talked.. if we had resolved things, I would have fought beside him. I might have spared him this fight for his life. He would not have been so careless."
"It is dangerous to talk about what might have been. Your brother is never careless in battle. My father said Elrohir blocked a blow that was meant for him. Elrohir sacrificed his own safety to keep my father safe."
"We have fought countless battles together without injury." Elladan's voice held surprising vehemence.
"You cannot blame Elrohir for getting injured. That is purely the fault of the orcs. We were far outnumbered." Aragost did not miss the hurt and anger that laced his friend's voice. With the insight of his line, he somehow knew this was due to deep festering hurts. "But this in not about this battle is it? It is about redhorn pass." Anguish passed briefly over Elladan's face.
"We should have been there. We did not protect the one that mattered most. Nay, we stayed in Lothlórien for an archery contest. She journeyed back without us." His voice wavered.
"You could not have known."
"Why were we not with her? Or Adar? Why did he not accompany us to Lothlórien? Where was his famous foresight?"
"Duties sometimes keep him in the valley. I knew your mother. She was not one to postpone her own schedule and agenda. She was lively, insightful, and kind. She was a force in her own right." Aragost said softly. He saw movement out of the corner of his eyes and was surprised to recognize Glorfindel standing in the shadows. The balrog slayer drew a finger to his lips, a motion that meant for Aragost to keep silent about his approach.
"We should have been with her."
"Did not Celeborn make sure to have many able warriors accompany her? Did any survive?" Aragost whispered, as he started to put his arm around Elladan's shoulder. Tears glistened uncontrolled down Elladan's cheeks.
"We might have gotten there sooner were we not delayed by the festivities."
"You told me you went as soon as your Grandmother found out. That you." Aragost thought was interrupted.
"Maybe if we had gotten there sooner, maybe if Adar and Daeradar let us help treat her, maybe things would have turned out differently. Maybe Naneth would not have needed to sail." Tears rolled silently down Elladan's cheeks. The strong arms of the golden warrior embraced the trembling elf, as Glorfindel gently chided.
"Penneth, your Adar is a great healer. Celeborn and Galadriel were there to aid him. It cost them much to see your Naneth in such a state. She fought bravely and held on to life. It is a testimony not only to your Adar's healing skills but also to her great strength of will. Your skills would not have tipped the balance. Think, now. Your Naneth would have never wanted you to see her like that. Neither would your brother ever be careless. Their injuries are not our fault. None of us are to blame. Leave the blame where it belongs – on the orcs and the forces of darkness alone. "
Xxxxxxxxx
"Taral will set up a station for sterilizing instruments. Of equal importance is your own attention to hygiene. You can have a positive impact on the health of our patients. Please thoroughly wash your hands before and after each patient that you treat. The disinfectant soap is very effective if you scrub for thirty seconds. In this simple way you can significantly lower the risk spreading infections." Elrond strove to keep his voice calm and supportive as he demonstrated the use of the soap, although inside he felt angry that these healers of men had such little regard for hygiene. Such infections were preventable! Here they had yet more on their hands from this failure to follow basic practices. Cirulian appeared behind him and rubbed his shoulder gently. The gesture of support was quite welcome.
"I have crushed additional herbs and prepared the paste to fight infections." Cirulian said helpfully. "Once all have finished washing, the volunteers can retrieve a vial of the paste."
"Clean the site of the infection carefully and apply the paste liberally as I have demonstrated. Do not hesitate to come ask me if you have any questions." Elrond added kindly. He watched in a daze as the volunteers scrubbed and exited, then startled slightly as he realized he was alone – but no not quite alone. Elrond felt eyes upon him, although he sensed no ill intent. Scanning the area, he saw only rows of patients and far too few healers. He bent down slightly looking under the supply table. Small green eyes looked fearfully back at him.
"Little one!" Elrond breathed in surprise. "Why do you hide under there?" He stretched his arms out in welcome. The small boy scrutinized him carefully before making a decision and emerging from his hiding spot.
"Will father get better?" The four year old shook from the effort of holding back his tears and brokenly stuttered. "I washed my hands! Will … will he go away like Mama?" Elrond bent and lifted the small boy. But he suddenly felt the strain of the last days descend upon him and swayed slightly under the boy's weight.
"We will do everything in our power to make him well again." Elrond soothed and held the boy gently. Someone's arm suddenly lent support and steadied him in return. He was not surprise to look up into Cirulian's blue eyes and he smiled in gratitude.
"Come sit down, Penneth." The Teleri warrior led the renowned healer to a chair at a small table nearby. Elrond had worked nearly non-stop for much of the last three days. "I will arrange for some food for you. You have not eaten yet this day."
"Day?" Elrond shook his head in surprise, suddenly worried about when he had last checked on Elrohir.
"You changed Elrohir's bandages not more than three hours ago, Penneth." Cirulian reassured him, having guessed Elrond's concern. "Come, you are in need of a break."
"Penneth?" The boy curiously repeated.
"It means 'little one'." Elrond smiled at the boy's obvious amusement.
"He called you little? You are not little." The youth giggled and pulled on Elrond's stray hair that had come unwound from his braids.
"What day is it?" Elrond mused dazedly. Then said aloud. "Those older than you will always think of you as little, no matter how tall you grow."
"I will tell them to stop once I grow as tall as a tree." The boy snuggled closer then whispered dejectedly. "My father always teases me." Elrond looked over at the man, who he assumed was the boy's father. He wished he could reassure the child that his father would be well. But the man was suffering from an infected wound and only time would tell.
"I met beings as tall as trees." Elrond smiled at the memory. "Treebeard was one of their names."
"Treebeard?" The boy repeated immediately enthralled. "Did he look like a tree?"
"Aye, he did." Elrond began his story.
"Some soup for you, Healer. I am Nissa, Jonas' grandmother." A white-haired Dúnedain woman approached and set a tray with two steaming bowl and a basket of rolls down. She smiled approvingly at how the young healer held the sleeping child. "You are very good with children, much like your older cousins Elladan and Elrohir. Elladan bade me to look out for you. He seems quite protective of you." Elrond was too tired to think of an appropriate response but that did not dissuade the woman from continuing her conversation.
"I was impressed by your patience in teaching the volunteers and apprentices about good hygiene. It takes special skills in diplomacy to teach those who are older than you. They were greatly disturbed that such a young healer would presume to teach them the finer points." Elrond nearly laughed at the misconception. Although he appeared younger than some of Wusteir's aides, he was in fact far older than even this jolly, opinionated Grandmother.
"Thank you for the compliment." Elrond said modestly. "I only wish to give the injured good treatment so they may have the best chance to recover fully."
"Let me take little Jonas, so you may eat." Elrond nodded and cautiously transferred his sleeping charge to the woman.
"I pray his father will be well." Elrond shivered at the loss of the boy's warmth. The weather had turned markedly colder and the house was drafty. He found a wool cloak suddenly draped over his shoulders.
"I did not know that elves were so effected by the cold." Wusteir motioned for Elrond to eat and pulled a bowl over for himself. The warmth of the simple thin soup spread through Elrond, augmenting his exhaustion. He had trouble conversing with the man who had just had the benefit of a night of rest.
"The salve you prepared appears to be quite effective at treating the infections. The volunteers are now applying it to more people." Wusteir noted how the elf fought a losing battle to keep his eyes open. Indeed Elrond finally just pushed the soup bowl aside and rested his head on the table. The human healer leaned forward to test his theory of just who this gifted healer was.
"Thank you for all your help Lord Elrond." Wusteir said in a low voice.
"You are most welcome." Mumbled the peredhel who was already drifting off to sleep.
"Dúclaur, Penneth, I will help you to bed." Cirulian said as he gently slipped his hands under Elrond's arm and half lifted him. "Wusteir, you will accompany us." Burning blue eyes bore into the healer, making him immediately regret his foolish experiment. But he already had his answer. Cirulian, in response, sought to assess if this healer was a threat to his Lord. Once the Teleri had guided Elrond to the pallet near Elrohir and wrapped a thick warm blanket around the peredhel, he turned his attention to man.
"Do not speak of anything you think you might have learned about Healer Dúclaur. There are dark forces abroad that see him as a threat and would remove him. Your settlement obviously has already captured the enemies' attention as the heirs of Elendil reside here. There is little need to add to its allure."
Xxxxxxxx
Several of the injured traders had been transported by horses to the settlement. The rest journeyed more slowly in their caravan, now escorted by Dúnedain. Ozian brightened, for they had given a fine performance in displaying their gratitude at the escort. The Dúnedain easily accepted the reports of their kin who had guided the traders. The staged encounter with the allied orcs had been most convincing, even if several of the orcs had to be sacrificed to the cause. The caravan wound down towards the meadow, which still held signs of last week's battle.
"The half elven lord is in the healing house, apparently resting from overtaxing himself." The informant sneered. He had helped deliver the 'wounded' to the healing house in the settlement and overheard the human healer slip when addressing the peredhel. "I can easily point out the chieftain and his son as well."
"How fortunate. We shall destroy Isildur's heirs as well as Elrond half-elven in one attack. Our Master will richly reward us." Ozian replied he carefully kept his voice low. They halted their wagons on the edge of the settlement and moved to open the wagons and set up display of their wares. The naive civilians began to mill around, eyeing their efforts with interest. But with the civilians, elven and Dúnedain warriors drew near scrutinizing their actions more closely. Ozian noted a change sweep through the crowd. The elves looks turned suspicious almost as if they suddenly recognized him for who he really was.
"We are discovered." Ozian realized and signaled quickly to his men. They drew their concealed weapons and attacked. They initiated an aggressive attack, which at the onset gave them an advantage over the Dúnedain and elven warriors, especially as some of the civilian population were mulling around the ware-laden carts. Ozian flung one of his daggers at the chieftain. Arahad sidestepped quickly, enough to avoid certain death but the dagger caught his forearm. The henchmen swarmed forward even as Elladan and Glorfindel organized their warriors to defend the chieftain.
Ozian swung his sword, the blow was blunted slightly by colliding with Habert's raised sword, but it connected with the man's head and he fell limply to the ground. The trader ran towards the healing houses, which were easily identifyable by the circle of aides and healers tending a fire outside. Ozian grabbed the nearest healer from behind, placing his knife at Wusteir's jugular.
"Elrond half-elven." He barked as the knife moved lower drawing blood as it went. "Where is he?" The healer pointed and twisted in Ozian's grip but the enemy's knife caught his arm and side as he stumbled forward, crying out as Ozian climbed over the healer's body in his rage fueled quest. He quickly entered the second house and scanned the beds of the injured. Some were awake but none would be able to challenge the dark Captain. Blood dripped from his blade and a wild light filled his eyes. It was then that he noted the small room on the left. Two dark haired elves lay sleeping on the floor. One was heavily bandaged. The other sleeper was garbed in healer's attire.
"That must be Elrond half-elven. I shall dispatch the Elven Lord with a Morgul blade. Then the Master may have a chance to capture his soul." He thought reaching down for a special concealed dagger within his cloak. The blade smoked slightly as he pulled it free from its sheath. He moved silently towards Elrond. But unbeknown to the assassin, the silver haired Teleri emerged from the corner behind the door. In a flash a deadly silver blade had ended the enemies' quest. Ozian was dead before his body crashed limply to the floor. The evil blade clanked harmlessly to the floor beside him.
Xxxxxxxx
Elladan and Glorfindel battled by Arahad's side. Aragost saw Habert fall under an enemy blow. A lone trader broke off from the group and dash towards the healer's compound with his weapons drawn. Aragost yelled over to his father. But it was Glorfindel and Elladan that reacted. The peredhel barked a series of orders out and immediately more elves came to reinforce the group around Arahad. Gold and black figures darted off in pursuit of the renegade.
"Wusteir!" Elladan gasped and bent to check the healer, who was bleeding from a deep arm wound. The knife had grazed his side as well.
"Elrond!" The healer gasped in pain. "He is the target. Go." They ran towards the house but a familiar silver topped figure appeared carrying the dead body of their enemy.
"All inside are safe. It seems one too many had an interest in Dúclaur." Cirulian noted as he deposited the body on the ground and gingerly removed a slim wrapped object. The evil blade smoked in the sunlight.
"There can be no doubt as to their origin. Who else but the servants of the enemy carry Morgul blades?" Glorfindel noted. The three elves then turned to survey the area for signs of danger. In the distance they could see that elves and Dúnedain had gained the upper hand.
"How would an outsider guess our healer's identity?" Cirulian questioned.
"How indeed? We should discuss that later." Glorfindel whispered.
"I will wake Dúclaur. Not a task I relish given that he has caught less than two hours of sleep." Cirulian turned to leave.
"Go tend to Wusteir." Glorfindel ordered. "We will keep this area secure." Elladan nodded and ran outside to assist Wusteir. He wrapped strips of cloth to stem the flow of blood from the arm wound then lifted the healer and transported him to the triage center.
"Are you a healer?" Wusteir asked fretfully.
"My father taught me." The words flowed with pride from Elladan's lips. He slowly assessed Wusteir's wounds as he waited for the pain and sleep draught to take effect. The stab wound on the left arm was more serious and he would need help from his Adar to check the condition of the tendons. This decided, he moved to clean and stitch the shallow two-inch gash along the man's ribcage. It was not long until the healing center was flooded with new patients and Elrond emerged.
"Where is Wusteir?" Elrond asked wearily. There were many who needed treatment.
"I just stitched a wound to his side. I need help assessing if the tendon in his arm was damaged by the knife wound." Elladan called. Elrond gasped at this news as Aragost ran in with another patient.
"It is Habert. A head wound…" The young Dúnedain frantically called. His frantic descriptions quickly followed.
"Lay him here, Aragost." Elrond was immediately awake. He assessed the wound that was still bleeding heavily.
"He sustained a serious concussion. We will need to be watching for any signs of swelling or a build up of pressure." Elrond warned as he sutured the gash. He was soon directing others as he moved around to gauge the severity of the wounded. The more minor wounds were quickly delegated to others for treatment. Elrond and Elladan treated the more serious injuries. At times they enlisted help from Glorfindel and Taral, who were coordinating the transport of the wounded. It was nearly five hours later before Cirulian pulled the weary peredhel from the room.
"Come Penneth." The Teleri chided. "Others can finish. You need rest."
"Do not fear. I know where to find you." Elladan called after them. He worked several more hours and was just washing his hands and removing his stained tunic when Glorfindel approached.
"Is the area secure?" Elladan inquired.
"None of the traders would surrender. Rather they chose to fight to the death. We surveyed the area. There were no signs that any escaped. I believe our position is secure, although we have increased the guard around the settlement." Glorfindel informed him as he handed him some lembas. "There is no stew for dinner for obvious reasons. You should also get some rest, Master Healer." Elladan took the lembas gratefully, for he was indeed starving.
"It is not a title I would chose or even one that I am skilled enough to carry, but necessity has made it so." Elladan returned.
"Taral sent me to ensure that you took some rest." Glorfindel's lips curved into a smile. Taral had some advanced training in the healing arts but had not done so willingly. The elf's father tried to insist that his son become a healer. But Taral had always leaned towards being a warrior.
"I am sure it is only out of concern for my well being." The sarcasm in Elladan's voice caused Glorfindel to laugh.
"Nay, if something happened to you, he might be called upon to be the head healer."
"That is surely his worst nightmare." Elladan smiled as he munched on the last of the lembas.
"Goodnight elfling." Glorfindel ruffled the dark hair and turned to leave.
"Goodnight Glorfindel." Elladan crossed out of the triage center and ambled over to where Cirulian was standing watch over his father and brother.
"You do not need to stand guard, Lord Cirulian. Glorfindel reports that all the enemy forces have been neutralized. The danger is past."
"You obviously do not know your father's history." The Teleri laughed slightly but did not move from his protective corner position. "He barely survived to reach his majority. If this is to be a repeat of those fifty years, I will soon beg for passage on one of Cirdan's boats."
"I have not heard those tales." Elladan's eyes widened at the warrior's serious mien.
"Tales for another time." Cirulian stated. "Perhaps when we are back within the safety of Imladris." Cirulian's demeanor signaled that he was through conversing. Elladan knew better than to press this warrior of the first age. He sighed in acceptance and bent down to assess his brother's condition. His brother pulled strength from their father, which was visible as a soft glow, which flowed from Elrond to Elrohir. The small but steady improvements in Elrohir's condition lifted Elladan's spirits. It would be a long road to recovery but his dear brother would indeed recover. Elladan moved over and stroked his Adar's head lightly, noting the dark circles that accentuated the elder peredhel's pale face. If anything, the great Lord of Imladris looked more like a youth, dressed as his was in the oversized healer's garb. He remembered the very first time he realized that his father was not invincible. He remembered hiding behind the curtains in his father's study, spying on his parents.
"Celebrían, please, we are not alone." His Adar warned. Naneth was massaging Ada's shoulders and neck. Her head was bent and almost hidden behind his.
"Come out Elladan. Come help me make your Ada better." His Naneth's voice twinkled with mirth. He hopped down from his perch, immediately interested in helping.
"Ada is sick?" He looked up from the perspective of a ten year old at his tall father.
"I am well ion nin." Elrond soothed.
"Elrond!" Celebrían chided indignantly. "There is no need to hide your ills from your family. Come here Elladan. You can help me massage Ada's shoulders. It is not an easy job to make sure the Valley is protected and all runs smoothly. Your Ada may look calm and serene but feel all these knots here." She guided his small hand and pressed hard. Elrond groaned in response.
"I will make you better Ada." Elladan promised, although he stuck his tongue out and cried "Ewww" when his Naneth placed a kiss on Ada's cheek. She swatted at Elladan playfully as her laughter filled the room.
"Families care and watch out for each other. We know and guard each other's secrets and dreams."
"Secrets?" Piped up the elfling, intrigued. Although his small hands could hardly touch the knots in his father's neck, his feather light touch lifted his father's spirits more than he could ever know.
"Celebrían!" Elrond sighed in dismay only to be hushed by another kiss from his wife.
"When work is too stressful, your Ada's stomach starts to bother him and he can not eat." She divulged in a secretive whisper in Elladan's ear.
"Ada! I know how to make you better!" Elladan announced and sped out of the room. Ten minutes later he came back with a small dish and his brother in tow. Naneth beamed in approval.
"Honey cakes!" They announced in delight and moved to set the sticky dish on Elrond's desk while the adults hastily gathered the important documents out of harms way. Small elflings were soon gleefully eating. After every second or third bite, Elladan would turn and feed a piece of the sticky treat to his Ada, who smiled and laughed at the messy elflings before him.
"I like fixing Ada." Elladan smiled at the childhood memory and lovingly stroked his father's dark hair. His father's face was thinner now and the collarbone more defined where it peaked from the collar of his shirt. Elladan shifted the blankets slightly to more effectively keep his father warm.
"He is well - only tired." Cirulian reported. "It is to be expected after three days of non stop healing duties."
"We should obtain some more appropriate clothing for my father." Elladan smiled as silver eyes blinked up at him dazedly.
"Ion-nin." Elrond's soft whisper was a balm to the hearts of those standing near. "Do you need me? How can I help?"
"Adar-nin, rest easy." Elladan said soothingly. "All is well. Elrohir improves slowly. Rest."