A/N: Sorry this chapter took so long. Unfortunately my muse seems to be deserting me, making this chapter extremely hard to write. I would greatly appreciate some feedback.

Disclaimer: As always, with the exception of original characters and storylines, the rest belongs to the estate of the master, J.R.R. Tolkien.

Previously:

Still surprised to hear the young elf take charge in such a fashion, Mithrandir decided to tease, "Isthere anything else you'd like us to do...Your majesty?"

Legolas was all business, as he reached down to lift Cilinwë. He was irritated by the jibe and rebuked the wizard by saying, "We have no time for tomfoolery. We have wounded to care for."

Meeting everyone's stare he added, "Ever more important, we have a child to find!" before quickly returning to the business at hand…

Chapter 37—Elven Camp

"How is our Adar?" Elladan questioned Legolas.

"He is resting comfortably."

"Good," answered Elrohir as they wearily sat down around the fire burning in the center of camp.

After the battle all had been busy caring for the wounded, who were carefully taken from the field of battle and ensconced in a tent provided by the Rangers. Though they greatly desired to see to the care of their injured father, Elladan and Elrohir recognized Cilinwë's greater need and combined their healing talents to work on the still bleeding and unconscious elf, while Haldir and Mithrandir worked together caring for Celeborn. After helping Legolas move Elrond to the tent, Halbarad oversaw the running of the camp, leaving the young prince to care for the elf lord.

A fatigued Haldir exited the tent and seeing the impromptu gathering around the fire, elected to sit down next to Legolas.

"How is daeradar?" asked Elrohir.

"Stubborn," replied an exasperated Haldir, causing all to grin but they said nothing. Shaking his head, the Marchwarden continued, "He insists he is fine and does not wish to be 'fussed over.'"

As all present laughed at the statement, Elrohir said, "Now you know where we get it from."

"I assumed it came from your father's side," answered Haldir, as he ran his hands through his long blonde hair.

"Why would you think that," started Elladan, while Elrohir finished, "You know our grandmother," causing all present to grin and stifle a laugh.

"I shall not dignify that comment with a response," was Haldir's reply.

Clasping a flagon in one hand, Halbarad sat down and joined the group, before asking, "How goes the healing?"

"Cilinwë will heal," answered Elladan, "he just needs to rest."

"And from what we have been told our father and grandfather need to rest too," added Elrohir.

"Well," interrupted Legolas, "your father does need further attention."

Twin heads shot up and grey eyes stared at the prince, and Elrohir voiced what they were both thinking, "Did you not say he was resting comfortably?"

"He is," Legolas assured his friends upon seeing the fear on their faces, "but his hand requires further attention."

"How so?" asked Elrohir.

"The cuts were deep, to the bone," explained the prince, "I healed them to the best of my ability but I am no healer. I think they may require stitches to keep them closed."

"I shall look at his hand," said Elladan, as he started to stand up.

"It will hold," said Legolas, "rest for now. You need to regain some energy before tending your Adar."

"I agree with Legolas. Rest and we shall see to Adar together in a few moments," added Elrohir.

At that moment a Ranger joined them and started passing out flagons of tea, while asking, "Does anyone desire something to eat?"

"Yes please," said Halbarad, answering for all, "and I think our companions need something too, whether they agree or not."

Nodding his head, the young Ranger slipped away to find help and fill some plates.

Looking around at the group Haldir noticed someone was missing and asked, "Where is Lord Erestor."

A small smile played at the corner of Elrohir's lips, and he answered, "With Glorfindel."

"Erestor has not left his side," Elladan informed the group.

Smiling, Halbarad commented, "I am sure Glorfindel has enjoyed the attention."

Shaking his head, Legolas answered for them, "Erestor is beside himself with worry over his friend and he is making Glorfindel crazed." Legolas further added, "He told Erestor he was a mother hen and told the poor elf to quit smothering him!"

Everyone chuckled softly, lightening the somber mood. Smiling Elladan said, "In Erestor's defense those were dangerous wounds. I cannot blame him for worrying over Glorfindel."

"And Adar always said Glorfindel was a horrible patient," Elrohir enlightened the group.

"A most volatile combination," supplied Halbarad.

"Most definitely," Legolas readily agreed, having already seen for himself how each elf's patience with the other was beginning to fray.

A few moments later a small group of Rangers returned carrying plates of steaming food, handing one to everyone present. On each platter was a slice of deer roast, wild potatoes, a salad of wild greens, and a hard roll.

Taking his plate from the young Ranger, Legolas said, "Hannon le." The delicious aromas making his stomach growl, reminding the young elf of how long it had been since he actually ate.

Did he enjoy his break of fast just this morning? Legolas spent the hours of the day hiding from the men and following his young friend. He thought rescue was at hand when Erestor returned with the rest of the Elven party. But that was not to be, when battle erupted, and the men escaped with Estel. Too busy fighting for his life; he had been unable to fulfill his promise not to leave the boy.

Sadness and fear for the dark-haired child, caused Legolas to lose his appetite and he pushed his food around his plate.

Glancing at his friend, Elrohir noticed Legolas was not eating and gently ordered, "Mad mellon nín." (Eat my friend.)

"I am not hungry."

Meeting Legolas' eyes, he continued, "You do Estel no good if you make yourself sick."

Looking down at his untouched food, said Legolas quietly, "I promised him."

Elrohir was unable to hear the whispered comment but sitting next to him Haldir did not miss it, he asked, "Promised who?"

Pushing a potato around his plate, Legolas answered so softly that the Marchwarden nearly missed the answer, "Estel."

"Man pennich?" asked Haldir. (What did you say?)

Though blessed with an elf's acute sense of hearing, Haldir had to strain to hear Legolas say, "I told him I would not leave him with the men," as he stared at the fire.

Looking at the distraught elf Haldir replied, "Tis not your fault…"

"I failed him!"

"No Legolas," started Elladan, "You did not know what was to come."

Jumping to his feet, Legolas declared hotly, "I swore I would not leave him alone! I failed him!" With that Legolas stalked away from the fire, not wishing to hear any more platitudes.

A stunned silence descended on the group, after Legolas' outburst. None knew what to say and soon all lost their appetites. After a few minutes Elladan put his plate down and asked Elrohir, "Shall we see to Adar?"

"What of Legolas?" asked Halbarad.

Before the twins could answer Haldir said, "I shall see to the young Woodland prince."

"Are you sure Haldir?"

"Aye," replied Haldir.

"Hannon le," said the twins, as they turned and returned to the tent set aside for the injured.

Haldir quietly sat with Halbarad and took a few more bites of food from his plate, giving Legolas a little time to cool off. Eventually he stood, stretched, saying to Halbarad, "Thank you. The food was delicious."

"You are most welcome."

Turning away to find Legolas, Haldir heard the Ranger add, "If I can be of any help, send for me."

Nodding gravely the Marchwarden answered, "I shall," and walked off into the fading day

Entering the tent, the twins noted how quiet it was. Glancing around they found that the injured appeared to be resting and Mithrandir had fallen asleep while watching over their grandfather. They were surprised to find that Erestor had given up his vigil at Glorfindel's side and was not in the tent.

Both sat down next to their father and Elladan gently ran a hand across Elrond's brow checking for fever, as Elrohir carefully took his injured hand from beneath the covers and slowly started to remove the bandages.

After the dressing was stripped away and the wounds revealed, the twins hissed sharply.

They were surprised to hear a concerned voice ask, "What is wrong?"

"Daeradar!" They were shocked to find their grandfather awake and standing right behind them.

"Quiet or you shall wake the others," admonished Celeborn.

"Sit down," replied Elladan, as he quickly stood and helped his grandfather. "Before you fall down," added Elrohir.

Sitting down next to Celeborn, Elladan said, "You should be resting."

"I am fine."

The twins snorted at this but did not contradict their grandfather.

"How does he fare?" asked Celeborn.

"He is still deeply asleep," replied Elladan.

Celeborn grimaced in sympathy after glancing at Elrond's mangled hand, "And his hand?"

"I haru núr," answered the younger twin. (The wound is deep.)

Concern rippled through the old elf lord and he asked, "Will it damage the hand?" Elrond was an accomplished healer and Celeborn was concerned about how his son-in-law would react, if his skills were diminished.

Understanding what his grandfather was asking, Elladan replied, "It will heal." Adding fiercely, "I shall see to it!" Elrohir nodded his silent agreement with his twin, as each turned their attention to healing their father.

Not wishing to disturb their concentration, Celeborn did not reply, instead he sat quietly and watched them at work.

With the dressing already removed, the twins could see the work Legolas had already completed on the hand. The wounds were cleaned out and herbs applied to assist with healing and prevent infection. With the aid of Legolas' healing energy, the wounds had begun to close but were still gaping open in other areas.

Looking at the wound Elrohir asked his brother, "Stitches?"

"Aye," answered Elladan.

Both knew the gashes to their father's hand were exceptionally deep. Under normal circumstances, it would be best to clean the wounds and allow their father's own healing energy to mend the damage in time, but the circumstances were anything but normal. Elrond had depleted his energy stores by neglecting his own wounds and treating those of his family and dear friends. He worsened the situation by expending vast stores of power by calling back their grandfather, Lord Celeborn, leaving his own body unable to effectively heal his own wounds.

After a long grueling day, the stresses of battle and healing Cilinwë, the twins' own ability to heal was nearly exhausted. Though both were blessed by the Vala with the natural skills of a healer, they had chosen instead to follow the path of the warrior, limiting their abilities to heal.

Grasping a water skin that was sitting within easy reach, Elladan carefully dampened a cloth and gently commenced to rinse the herbs from the injury. After a few moments work, he poured some water from the skin into a goblet and used it to rinse away the herbs. He kept repeating the process until the wounds were cleaned of both any debris left in the wounds and anything Legolas may have applied to heal them.

While Elladan was busy cleaning the damaged hand, Elrohir found his father's healing bag and removed a needle and a long strand of catgut, carefully feeding it through the eye of the needle. Finishing, he sat back and waited for his brother to complete his task.

Once the older twin was done he cautiously checked the wound, looking for any damage to tendons, which could cause long-term loss of flexibility and dexterity of the fingers and affect future use of the hand. With a deep sigh of relief, Elladan dragged a hand through his hair, relieved to find no tendons were cut.

With a curt nod from his twin, Elrohir began the delicate work of stitching the wound closed. While Elladan held their father's hand firmly in his and kept it as still as possible, the younger twin carefully kept the sutures small, limiting any possibility of scarring. Long, tense minutes later, the first wound was closed and he shifted his attention to the second.

After Elrohir finished stitching the second gash closed, Elladan reached into the herb satchel and found the marigold. He applied it to the injury to help prevent infection. Next, Elrohir carefully wrapped the hand in a clean dressing and Elladan gently laid his father's hand across his chest. Finally, he checked his father's forehead for any signs of fever and was relieved to find none.

"Nicely done."

The twins nearly started at the words. Their concentration was on healing their Adar and then on their relief when the task was complete, causing them to forget their daeradar sitting behind them.

"Hannon le," answered Elladan, as he nearly sagged with weariness.

Seeing the unvoiced question written on Celeborn's face, Elrohir said, "He will not lose use of the hand."

Nodding, watching his son-in-law sleep, Celeborn replied, "Good, but it should not have been necessary."

"Man?" questioned Elrohir. (What?)

"He should have been able to heal himself."

"Aye," said Elladan, "but he did not have the energy left."

Turning to look at his grandfather, Elrohir added, "As any good healer he saw to the needs of others before himself."

Celeborn looked away, unable to meet his grandson's eyes and said, "I did not wish him to endanger himself for me."

"What would you have him do?" questioned Elladan, as he too turned to look at his grandfather, "Allow you to slip away to Mandos' halls without making any attempt to prevent it?"

"If it is the pattern Vairë weaves."

Grasping his grandfather's hand, Elrohir said, "You ask the impossible."

"He could not do that and survive," supplied Elladan.

"Grandfather, his losses have been too many," added Elrohir. Making sure to meet his grandfather's eyes, he continued, "His parents, his brother, his king, his wife and now…his son."

"Do not ask that of him," said Elladan. Glancing at his father's peaceful face, he added, "It could finally break him."

Celeborn finally nodded his understanding and the trio sat silently, simply enjoying a quiet moment together.

Finally Elladan spoke up and said, "You need to rest daeradar."

"I am fine."

"And whose definition shall we use," questioned Elrohir.

Smiling, Celeborn replied, "I think we all agreed yours would endanger even a troll's health, so I shall use my own."

Elladan attempted to order the elf lord, "To bed daeradar!"

In his most lordly voice, Celeborn replied, "I do not take orders from you, pen neth." (young one)

From behind them the trio heard, "Then what about me…pen neth?"

Smiling the twins turned to look at the wizard, as Mithrandir stood and moved to join them, saying, "You may be able to defy these young ones, but good luck trying that with me," as he planted the end of his staff firmly in the ground.

"Im dangweth na al pen," Celeborn answered, haughtily. (I answer to no one.)

"Is that so?" questioned Mithrandir.

With no hesitation the elf lord said, "Aye, that is so."

Raising a doubting eyebrow at the elf, Mithrandir replied, "What of Galadriel? All know that she is mild mannered elleth."

The twins nearly choked, as they tried to stifle their chuckles and failed miserably. Celeborn glared at the snickering duo and questioned, "Is something funny?"

"Daeradar," explained Elrohir, "We have never heard of daernaneth described as meek."

"You must admit daeradar, she is…outspoken," added Elladan.

Seeing the look on their grandfather's face Elrohir hastily supplied, "But we love her just as she is." Elladan agreed, "Aye, we do."

Trying to smother a small grin, Celeborn replied, "I will admit she is… opinionated."

Shaking his head Mithrandir said, "Now that we have established that Lady Galadriel commands Lothlórien," he stared at Celeborn, "You shall return to bed."

As Celeborn opened his mouth to comment, Mithrandir added, "And no more arguments."

Elladan stood and gently but firmly grasped his grandfather's uninjured arm and said, "Come daeradar, I shall help you to bed."

Standing and heading to the tent opening, Elrohir said, "I shall bring you a plate of food," as he left.

After helping his grandfather back to his bedroll, Elladan checked the bandages on Celeborn's shoulder injury, and was pleased to find the white dressing unstained. Next, he checked for fever and finding none he tucked the blanket around his grandfather's legs.

Elrohir returned with the platter of food and handed it to Celeborn, who said, "Hannon le daerion."

"Lle creoso." (You are welcome.)

The twins were about to sit down next to their grandfather, ready to make sure he did not get up again, when they heard someone moan. Glancing around the tent, they were unable to determine who made the sound.

Before they could decide on a course of action, Mithrandir took a seat next to Celeborn's bedroll and informed the twins, "Go, look after your other patients. I will tend to your grandfather and ensure he does not get out of bed again."

"If you are sure?" asked Elladan hesitantly.

"Most assuredly," answered the wizard, "I shall keep my old friend company while you care for the others."

"Hannon le mellon nín," (Thank you my friend) replied Elrohir, as the twins left their grandfather's side.

Gazing sternly at Celeborn, Mithrandir said, "And you will stay abed this time!"

Celeborn's laugh filled the still air as he answered, "I promise this time, though if I wanted to get up, you could not stop me!"

"Hmmph," was the wizard's only reply, as he watched the elf lord eat.

TBC

A/N: This and chapter 38 were meant to be one chapter but I ran out of time. Although I am going on vacation tomorrow I hope to finish the rest and post it sometime next week. Thanks for your patience.