A/N: Unfortunately, this chapter took me forever to write (author's block, LOT'S of other commitments... :( ) and personally I think it's rubbish. But I'm just gonna post it. Any comments on how it could be improved would be greatly appreciated!
The first thing he was aware of was the throb of infection in his shoulder. The smell of medicinal herbs floated in the air.
"Should we go Adar?"
He knew that voice. Elladan…
"I think that would be for the best. He has not seen any of us in a long time. We do not wish to frighten him."
Adar? Nay, Elrond. But then… Ai! He was so confused. Elrond had raised him, looked after him. Did that mean he was still Aragorn's Father, even though he was not his birth Father?
"Elrond, Legolas and I must remain. Rethan may awaken."
Who was that? The voice did not sound familiar.
"Yea, but it would be best if the rest of you leave."
There was the sound of people getting to their feet. He heard them walking away.
"Elrohir… I understand íon nin, but you must trust me. Aragorn will be troubled as it is. He does not need additional stress."
A sigh, and then the last person left.
There was silence for a few moments, and then a hand brushed stray hair behind his ear in a familiar gesture.
"Ai, always in trouble. Sometimes I swear you merely do it to annoy me."
He heard someone lightly chuckle, followed by someone saying, "Leave them in peace!"
Did he want to wake up? It had been so long since he had seen his family… What was he to say to them?
"Aragorn?"
Elrond's voice made the decision for him. He slowly opened his eyes. Elrond was sitting in the chair next to his bed.
"How are you feeling?" he asked gently.
"Not good…but I'll survive." Aragorn said, smiling weakly.
Elrond laughed softly, "That is good."
Legolas listened and watched the exchange between the two, happy that his new friend was alive. Listening to the conversation, he was heartened to hear the love underneath the awkwardness and tension.
'A knife could cut through the tension in here' Elrohir thought, the words on the page before him swirling together meaninglessly. Not that it mattered. He wasn't really reading. Just staring at one spot on the page.
Sighing, he glanced up. Libren and Elladan were playing chess. It was clear that neither was concentrating, a fact that was proven when Libren moved Elladan's black knight forwards two squares.
Niphredil was staring at the fire, her eyes vacant and a tear slowly crawling down her cheek.
'She's acting like someone's died!' He gave himself a mental kick. People had died. Rethan could still die, as could Aragorn. It was unlikely for Aragorn, but still possible. As for Rethan… no-one really knew.
The door opened and Legolas walked in. Libren and Elladan looked up from their match, but Niphredil continued to stare into the fire, lost in a memory.
"Estel is going to be alright," Legolas announced.
'That was an obvious statement." Elrohir thought. But it did relieve some of the tension in the room.
"How did Estel and my Adar react to each other?" Elladan quickly asked, sharing a glance with Elrohir.
The two Mirkwood Elves looked at them strangely, before Legolas said, "They were a little bit awkward around each other…but they seemed to get on alright."
The twins breathed a collective sigh of relief. At least Aragorn hadn't slipped into himself and refused to think of them as family, as the twins had feared.
"Lord Elrond says that you two can see him now," Legolas said, nodding at the twins.
Elladan nodded, and moved his queen forward.
"Shall we settle this game later then, Libren?"
Legolas frowned, "What do you mean 'settle it?' Black has won."
The other three frowned and looked at the board. Sure enough, the white king was checkmated by a black bishop.
"Ah. Checkmate it is then." Libren said.