Note from LadyErestor83: this is Crackers chapter...I apologize for it being up so late...Crackers sent it to me during the weekend and I was supposed to post it yesterday...
CHAPTER 25
Erestor's chief motive behind taking a breakfast-morsel in the garden was, quite frankly, escape. He would rather not encounter Lord Celeborn- or anyone, really, save Elithraniel- at the moment; he needed time to think. Toting a plate of flaky apple crepes and a mug of coffee, he made his way into an airy outdoor courtyard on Elrond's vast home's southern side and took a seat on a stone bench overlooking the river.
Though he could not see the waterfall from this vantage point, it,and the stream, swollen from the melting snow, could be heard rushing noisily over the rocky riverbed. Shaded from the bright morning sun by a narrow strip of pines between him and the house, even when he turned around, the voices' owners were invisible. However, they quickly became apparent.
"Excuse me, my lord?" The first was young and feminine; it alerted Erestor for he nearly thought it spoke to him- but such was not the case.
"Yes?" The reply was sharp and curt, its speaker identifiable at once: Erestor's (potential) future father-in-law.
"Lord Celeborn, my name is Isowen-" That accounts for her voice's familiarity, then, thought Erestor. "and my moth- I am one of the healers here in Lord Elrond's house. I was sent to bring you grave tidings about one of your daughters."
Erestor's heart stopped for a moment, he set his coffee-cup down numbly on the bench beside him, and he listened at rapt attention.
"What has happened?" Celeborn's answer was dyed with genuine concern.
"It is Lady Elithraniel," stated Isowen. "She had an unfortunate encounter with the stairs this morning and her ankle is broken."
The patient's lover began to breathe again: there were many worse ailments than a wounded ankle. However, Elithraniel would certainly be in a lot of pain, and disabled for quite a while. Making to abandon his breakfast as it rested, Erestor stood up and started out from behind the trees. However, he was stopped by the realization that Celeborn remained out of doors; though he would doubtless encounter the nér visiting Elithraniel, he still preferred to postpone that merry meeting as long as possible.
"Oh!" the Lord of Lórien anxiously. "Am I permitted to see her?"
"Yes, lord," was Isowen's grave reply. "I can escort you to the healers' wing, if you like," offered the maiden.
Erestor heard the sound of turning footsteps and the creaking, then shutting, of the door as it opened and closed for the healer and the Lord. As soon as it swung to, Erestor immediately emerged from his position at a run and followed them into the mansion and in the direction of the healers- and Elithraniel.
TBC...