Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot. Please don't sue me I'm poor.
Darkness...All around him...Dark, bleak and loneliness. Lindir knew he was dreaming. He was dreaming of nothing. He was just floating in a dark void. He wondered when he would wake, if he would wake. He saw something red coming towards him from the darkness. Then there was two red dots. As they got closer he realised they were eyes. Unable to move he could do nothing but watch as the blood red eyes got closer to him, until a flash of sharp teeth snapped at him waking him up from his nightmare.
Lord Elrond heard Lindir gasp and rushed to his side. Lindir was covered in a cold sweat, breathing erratically and his dilated eyes were twitching back and forth. Elrond knew he'd either had a nightmare or a bad flashback. He prepared a needle with a relaxing solution and injected it into Lindir's arm. He placed a cloth into a bowl of cold water, rung it out and placed it on Lindir's forehead. The medicine had already begun to work Lindir's breathing returned to normal and his eyes began to focus.
When Lindir was calm enough Lord Elrond called out to him "Can you hear me Lindir?" he asked.
After the teeth had snapped at him Lindir had woken up. He still couldn't move. Lying there his eyes were looking but not really seeing. Breathing uncontrollable. Heart beat rapid. It was impossible to describe. Suddenly there was a shadow, a sharp sting in his arm, a cooling sensation on his forehead and then a voice. Who's shadow was that? Who's voice was that? Mother? Father? WHERE AM I!? He panicked.
"Lindir, please stay calm" Lord Elrond said soothingly. He took Lindir's hand in his own and rubbed it calmly "It's just me Lindir"
Lindir felt something warm on his hand and squeezed it slightly. He slowly turned his head to look at his hand. He saw something, no someone was holding it. His eyes followed the arm that was connected to the hand until he was sure he was looking at a face. His vision began to focus again and he recognised the person as the Lord of Rivendell. He tried to speak to ask where he was, but his throat was so dry and sore all that came out was a raspy noise.
"I'll go get you some water" Lord Elrond said. He tried to let go of Lindir's hand to get water, but Lindir would not let him go.
'Why? Why am I holding his hand so tightly?' Lindir wondered 'Why do I crave this warmth?'
As much as he didn't want to Lord Elrond let go of Lindir's hand and got some water. He helped Lindir sit up and helped him to sip the water. He put the glass away and asked "Can you speak now?"
"Yes" Lindir replied. His voice was raspy and quiet, but he could speak.
"Thank goodness. You gave me quite the scare today" Lord Elrond said.
Lindir didn't really remember what happened, but for some reason he felt sad. He gripped onto Lord Elrond's sleeve and put his head into his chest.
Lord Elrond wrapped his arms around Lindir like he would his own children "It is alright Lindir. You're safe now" he said stroking Lindir's hair. They stayed like that for a few minutes until felt Lindir's grip on his sleeve loosen and his breathing became steady. He lay Lindir back down to sleep again and called for an assistant.
"Keep an eye on him. Wake him if he seems distressed and let me know when he wakes up" Lord Elrond ordered. The nurse bowed and obeyed his order and he left. He went back to his office and called for Erestor.
Erestor entered his Lord's office and asked "You called for me my Lord?"
"Yes I did. I want you to look into some counselling for Lindir" Lord Elrond replied.
"Yes my Lord" Erestor replied "How is he?" he asked.
"He had a nightmare or flashback and woke up with a start. His throat is sore no doubt from the yelling. I comforted him until he fell asleep again and left him with a nurse" Lord Elrond replied.
"I see. Will he be alright?" Erestor asked.
"I do not know, but personally I do not think he will" Elrond replied honestly "His grounding is over and so is his schooling. He will not being going back until he is better"
"Of course. I will gather any available councillors and tell them of your request" Erestor said.
"Thank you, however I want you to make sure the councillor will not treat him poorly. Make sure they understand the situation and that they are sympathetic with him" Lord Elrond said.
Erestor understood why Lord Elrond was being so specific "I think I know the perfect elf for the job my Lord"
"Good. I will leave this task to you then" Lord Elrond replied "Good bye my friend"
"Good bye" Erestor replied leaving Lord Elrond to do his work.
The elf Erestor had in mind was Adlanna. She was kind and gentle, with a husband a two children. She knew the pain of death after losing her father and brother in during the war, which inspired her to be a councillor for people with PTSD who had survived the war. She would be able to help Lindir. He called for one of his assistants to find Adlanna and send her to his office. He waited for about ten minutes before she finally arrived.
"You called for me my Lord?" she asked with a polite bow.
"Yes, please take a seat" Erestor replied, pointing to the seat on the other side of his desk. When Adlanna had sat down he began to explain to her what Lord Elrond wanted "Lord Elrond would like Lindir to attend counselling sessions to help him with his past and his PTSD. I think you might be able to help him"
"I have heard of the incident involving Lindir, the poor boy it must be so hard on him" Adlanna said.
"Lord Elrond specifically asked for someone who would not treat Lindir poorly and would be able to sympathize with him"
"I understand and I will do my best my Lord" Adlanna replied.
"Now just moment before you get involved there are a few things you need to know about. Lindir is difficult to deal with. He might run away, he might not listen-" Erestor started to explain but Adlanna interrupted him.
"I understand my Lord. He might be difficult to deal with, but do not worry I have many ways to deal with difficult people. You can count on me" Adlanna said.
"I hope so, Lindir has not been easy to deal with" Erestor sighed "I'm not sure when Lindir will come to you for counselling, but be prepared for him"
Adlanna giggled and said "Don't worry I'll do my best"
"Thank you Adlanna you are dismissed" Erestor said.
"Very well" Adlanna replied and left.
Erestor wasn't sure what to make of the situation. He knew Lindir would refuse to talk to Adlanna and would try to run away, but did Lord Elrond have a plan? Erestor certainly hopped so.