Sirya lay against his father, his arm around his waist. Sirya didn't speak much, but when he did it became increasingly coherent throughout the day. He was aware of who and what was going on. Where he was, and what had happened to him. However, he declined to see Laina every time he was asked. He didn't want anyone to see him other than his parents, Thranduil, and Emarth. Legolas rubbed his stomach. He was awake.

"How do you feel?" Legolas murmured.

Sirya shrugged and Legolas sat up to look at him.

"Are you in pain?"

Sirya licked his lips, "I am always in pain."

Legolas helped him drink some water and take his medication. He rolled toward his father and Legolas embraced him.

"I wish to get up."

"When Loth comes tomorrow, we will see what he has to say about it."

Sirya coughed and Legolas wiped hair from his face.

"Ada," he said quietly.

"Mhm?" Legolas touched his head.

"How badly do I look?"

Legolas' eyebrows rose. It was the first time Sirya was openly concerned about his appearance. He had known it would come about eventually, but he wasn't expecting him to ask directly. Sirya was considerably self conscious, especially for an elf. It was a trait that embarrassed him.

"You look exactly the same, simply tired, and with no hair on one side of your head. You do not look bad."

"My hair-"

"Will grow back. Which will not take long, meleth nin. Besides, your Nana had already thought of all kinds of ways to braid it. It is still beautiful, Sirya, don't you worry." Sirya smiled, despite his mood. His father always knew. "If you wanted Laina to come, your Nana could certainly fix it nicely."

"I do not know," Sirya said quietly.

Legolas understood. Sirya had only become completely aware two days prior. He wasn't comfortable with himself yet.

"It is up to you. She knows you are alright and she is patient. She will wait until you are ready I am sure."

"It is just, I am still doing... strange things."

He spoke quenya at random times and saw things that weren't there. He'd vomited his lunch the day prior. Legolas nodded.

"It is alright. It will pass."

Baineth entered, a cup of tea in her hand. "My," She exclaimed, "You are both awake at the same time."

Sirya smiled and Baineth kissed his cheek.

Telion paced in Thranduil's office. The king had gone to retrieve Legolas. Telion didn't want to say what he was about to say, but he knew it was necessary. It was fair. He was dressed in ceremony robes, and his most expensive boots. This was going to change his life forever, and it was quite humiliating. He wanted to say his peace with dignity.

The door opened and Telion bowed his head as Legolas and his father entered and took their seats. Legolas looked equally as confused as his father.

"What was it you wanted to talk to speak with us about?" Thranduil asked, his long fingers intertwined under his chin. Legolas had regained color. Telion sighed internally. Loth had, again, done what he could not.

"With what has happened recently, I think it would be important for you to review the staffing in the healing wing."

Thranduil cocked his head. "What is it that you mean?"

Telion sighed, and adjusted himself in the chair. "I believe Loth is better suited for the position of head healer than I."

Thranduil raised his hand, "Telion-"

"My Lord Thranduil," Telion interrupted, "A head healer should be able to keep his or her head in all situations. I lost mine in a very important situation indeed."

"Telion. I know about what happened with your patient under lord Elrond." Telion put his head in his hands. "I have always known of that incident. I understand your hesitation with Sirya, as does Loth. We have not penalized you."

"I know, and I appreciate your kindness and understanding. But Loth is far better suited, and I formally resign."

Legolas stared at him. "That would require you to join us on patrol."

Telion hadn't thought of that. "That would be if Loth chooses me as his deputy healer. If you will have patience with me, I would be able to learn."

Legolas nodded sharply. "Telion, this is a serious move on your part. There is a more than fair chance you will never advance again."

Telion nodded. His hands were clammy.

"Please, think about this," Thranduil murmured, his gaze trained on him.

"Thank you, but I have. I formally resign." Telion pulled a piece of parchment from his pocket. A formal resignation, with a witness' signature. "Loth is stronger than I in almost every way."

"We will consider. If we so decide, we will offer Loth the position. But, he can deny it. If he does, your fate is in the hands of whomever becomes the lead healer."

Telion nodded, "that is fair."

Telion was dismissed and he rushed to his quarters. Regardless of the hours he'd spent thinking prior, he couldn't stop the pounding of his heart and the sinking sense of loss. He'd worked for that position from the day he could walk. Now it was gone, through his fingers. He slammed open his door and leaned against it. What would be his fate?

Sirya woke early the following morning, the dawn climbing over the trees in the window. He shifted, and froze.

He was damp.

No. No, no, no. He'd already vomited on his parents, spit on them, bled on them. Not this. He looked over, and Legolas was peacefully asleep on the opposite side of the bed. Next to him, Baineth's back was touching Sirya's arm. He bit down a sob. Maybe it would dry before they woke up. He sniffed, and Baineth shifted against him. He stiffened.

No...

She groaned and rolled to face him, her eyes opening a crack. "Are you alright?" She whispered.

"Nana-" he whispered, his voice shaking.

"What is it, meleth nin?" She asked and sat up with slowly increasing awareness. Her face registered recognition when she touched the mattress.

He sobbed, and she shook her head. "Ion nin, it is alright."

"Nana, I am sorry-"

"Do not be sorry sweetheart," she said and stroked his cheek.

"Do not tell Ada," he cried quietly.

"I have to, he has to get up. I have to pull the blankets off, penneth."

"Nana-"

"He loves you, he will understand. Do not worry."

Sirya cried openly, and Baineth shook Legolas.

"Sirya wet the bed," She said gently.

"Alright," Legolas said and got up. He rubbed his eyes before he lifted Sirya into his arms.

"Emarth?" Legolas said and the door opened, both guards looking in with concern.

"Can you please draw a bath? Please," Emarth nodded and walked past Baineth to the bathing room. Sirya sobbed, his hand over his face.

"Sirya," Legolas said and followed Emarth into the bathing room. "Please do not be upset. It is not your doing. Loth even told us it would happen."

"I am so sorry Ada, your bed-"

"It is a bed Sirya. That is all. You are far more important to me than my bed, which will be cleaned and it will be fine. My only concern is you."

Emarth didn't look for an explanation, he'd caught enough in Legolas' speech. Legolas sat Sirya down in a chair and pulled his bedclothes from him and set him in the bath. Sirya cried and rubbed his eye awkwardly with his hand. He couldn't even do that right.

"If I had been the one to have surgery and I did that, would you blame me?" Sirya shook his head, and Legolas brushed his hair behind his ear. "And what would you say to me if I were beating myself up?"

"That it's not your fault and it will pass," Sirya cried.

"Because that is the truth. I am going to go help your Naneth for a moment. Emarth will stay with you."

Legolas rose and returned to the bedroom to help Baineth get the blankets and pillows off of the bed. Emarth pulled some of his armor off and sat on the floor next to the claw foot bathtub. Sirya's scar gleamed black from the back of his head. His glacier blue eyes were red and pointed shamefully at the lavender soaked water. The stubble of raven hair was a violent line against the gorgeous, tumbles of black on the opposite side. Emarth's thumb found the freckle on Sirya's porcelain cheek.

"Do not be embarrassed. Your Adar and your Naneth would fight the Valar themselves for you. They want you to be happy. Take this in stride. You had surgery on your head, the control center of your body. Strange things are to happen until you are well again."

"I want them to be happy. I have been nothing but a nuisance since I arrived. I thought, since I was older, I could be more helpful. I was mistaken."

"Sirya, you have never been a nuisance. You are the light of Legolas and Baineth's lives. Not to mention mine as well. This is what family does for one another. There is no need to condemn yourself."

Sirya nodded, and Emarth smiled and rubbed his back.

"All will be alright still."

Telion woke to his door slamming against the wall. He was lying on the floor, a bottle of wine next to him. Loth stood in the doorframe, his green eyes wide with rage.

"What is wrong with you? Have you gotten a head injury as well?"

"What?" he groaned, and sat on the couch.

"Why would you do that? Why would you resign?"

"I could not do the surgery, I could not help Legolas. I panicked. Those are not qualities of a lead healer and I save Thranduil and Legolas the controversy of keeping me around."

"You selfish ass!"

Telion stood, anger bubbled in his core. "You get a promotion and I am a selfish ass?"

"Yes! I did not want a promotion because you resigned!"

"Would you rather I die? Because this is the only way you can get a promotion unless I die."

"I may kill you myself."

Telion stared at Loth. His blonde hair hung in his eyes, and he blew it away with an aggravated puff. "How can you put me in this position?"

"Accept it. You deserve it, you are far better than I. If you do not, some other undesirable will take the position and we will both be finished."

Loth stared at him. "I suppose you wish that I choose you for me deputy healer."

Telion shook his head, "You are not obligated to do so. I would understand."

"You are my partner, Telion. I cannot work with anyone else."

Telion smirked, "I will have to go into the woods."

"Indeed. Giant spiders and all."

Telion frowned, mock disgust on his face. "It sounds quite pleasant. Sleeping in the dirt, healing wounds with leaves and river water."

Loth laughed, "That is for you to figure out now. Now I get to boss everyone about."

Telion chuckled and Loth mussed his hair playfully. "You are far too much to deal with. I will need a vacation."

Loth left Telion in search of Menel. He had been courting her for several months, and soon hoped to marry her. She too was a healer, but at the military school. She was waiting for him in the garden, they had a date that day for lunch. She'd been so proud of him the past several weeks, earning awards and doing impossible surgeries. He was nervous. He had been too fortunate as of late… something was lurking in the shadows.

Thanks for reading! You are all the greatest! All of your inputs are of priceless value to me as an aspiring author. I'm stuck in my house due to a snowstorm, so the next may be up sooner than usual.

This chapter is named after my new story There Goes Paradise. It is the story about Elenwe and Baineth that I have promised you all, so head over and check it out! I'll be updating that for approximately 5 chapters.

. .ra- Thanks so much! Laina will certainly be back, as will Herenvarno and Arthon's trial. I'm so happy you cried, it means I did my job right! ;D Sirya will certainly do some talking about his fun frolic in the woods with his father once he's better. Thanks so much for the review!

Me And Not You 1001- Thanks, you're the best! Thanks for sharing about your family, I'm glad I'm getting the feeling and the connection right. Thanks so much for your review! :)