As they approached the base camp, the soldiers were cheering their King. Gil-Galad was riding ahead with Elrond next to him, smiling to the troops. They stopped to talk here and there to those that merrily shouted at them. Ciryatur was close behind, waving at his own warriors, his booming voice answering the cries of his men in Adunaic.
Elenluin smiled as well, as he rode on at the back of the little group. He felt light headed because of the blood loss, but he wouldn't let his men see he was hurt. They deserved the taste of victory, and his own frustrations and pains should not stop them from enjoying the feasts.
As they approached the tents and dismounted, Elenluin barely managed to stay standing, remaining up only by tightly holding the saddle of his horse next to him. Elrond was beside him before he could even utter a word, and quickly supported him. "Come, Elenluin, let's get that wound looked after."
Limping, held carefully by the master healer, he walked towards his assigned tent. It was positioned close to the King's quarters and as he entered, he saw his young armour bearer busily arranging some items inside. "My Lord, shall I help you out of your mail?"
By that time, exhaustion really kicked in, and all he could do was nod. He sank down with some help of Elrond on the straw mattress that had been placed in a corner. The young one removed his breast plate and mail shirt and he felt relieved of the weight. After that, he dismissed the boy, told him to fetch a meal and join the festivities.
As Elrond helped him to further undress so he could look at the wound, he let himself sink back on the mattress, closing his eyes.
"It is just a flesh wound Elrond"
"Let me be the judge of that. It seems like you have lost much blood, and I want to properly check if there is no artery hit."
"If that had been the case, I would not have gotten here my lord, trust me, it is just a flesh wound."
As he started investigating, the peredhel casually said "Why did you attempt to get to me in Rivendell, Elenluin? Gil-Galad told me you tried for weeks before you returned to him."
No answer came, and he glanced to the other's face. Elenluin looked white and exhausted. He was observing the tent's ceiling and did not react to what he had asked. Elrond sighed, he had never been able to get through the barriers the smith had built around himself.
He bandaged the wound, which indeed was relatively harmless when taken proper care off, and helped Elenluin put on his clothes again. As he did so, he asked "shall I have a look at your back as well? How is it nowadays? Did it improve lately?"
The smith did not answer and just removed his sweated under-tunic. As his arm protection had been ripped apart when parrying a blow he slowly removed the straps too, cautiously keeping his arms turned down hidden from sight.
Elrond inspected the countless scars on the smith's back wordlessly, they indeed looked somewhat better. The places where the armour straps were eternally chafing his skin would always remain sensitive, but the rest looked healthier than some months ago. Carefully examining him, he noticed that the smith had become very thin. Nothing but muscles and bones were visible under the thick scars and he reminded himself to have a word with Gil-Galad on getting him some proper rest and food. As he put on the numbing balm on Elenluin's back and glanced over his shoulder, he could not help but see the state of Elenluin's lower arms. More scars, scars he did not remember, and some barely healed cuts.
As he wiped his hands clean, he looked Elenluin in the eyes and sharply said "does anyone know about this?"
The smith returned the questioning stare calmly. "Yes, Ereinion does, and I would appreciate if you would forget about it. It is something that should not concern you, master Elrond. Now go to your own tent, and take care of yourself, for you as well must want some refreshments. I will manage here, do not worry. I will see you at the feast tonight."
"Elenluin, you are too weakened, take some rest, you should not stand on that leg for at least a week."
A gesture of the smith's hand told Elrond that his advice would not be followed.
"Just leave me Elrond, I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I will do what is needed tonight."
The stubborn trait around his mouth spoke for itself and while the master healer had already been irritated, he now really got angry with the man in front of him, who clearly did not want to hear what he had to say.
"Very well Elenluin, do whatever you want." and giving up on keeping up appearances, Elrond turned around and stormed out of the tent. Inside, out of his sight, Elenluin sank back on his mattress, as he finally let the pain overwhelm him.