Glorfindel was donning his cloak again. "I'm going back, to meet Gandalf and see them all safely back here." He told Erestor. "And also to bring here any serious injuries as quickly as possible."

"A wise move, my friend. But do be careful." Erestor agreed. Just as Glorfindel departed from the study, Estel appeared. "Good morning, Estel." Erestor smiled.

"Good morning. I heard that the dwarf princes arrived last night! Do you think I'll get to see them?" Estel asked excitedly.

"You will have to ask your father." Erestor patted his head.

"What of Legolas and Alasse? Are they hurt?" Estel asked.

"From what I have heard, yes, Alasse was injured. But it was not life-threatening. And it sounds like Legolas is just fine."

"That's good." Estel nodded then rushed to find his father and his brothers.


Elrond was just leaving his bed chamber when Estel bumped into him. "Sorry, Ada! Can I see the dwarf princes, please? Are they okay? Can I help if they are injured?" Estel begged.

Elrond chuckled. "Yes, but remember to be quiet. And I think we should check on Thranduil too." Elrond said.

"Yes. So, what is the status of our guests, Ada?" Estel asked, trying to sound like a professional healer.

Elrond patted his head. "Prince Kili was quite ill last night when Glorfindel brought him here. He was very, very sick with pneumonia. But he survived the night. However, he needs constant and careful tending."

"I'd be happy to do that." Estel suggested.

"Ai. His brother, Prince Fili appears fine, but needed a good sleep. We shall look in on them before we visit Thranduil."


Elrond and Estel entered the healing wing and walked over to one of the beds. One of the healers smiled at Elrond. "His fever broke an hour ago, and he is resting well, my lord." He told him.

"Excellent. We'll take over from here." Elrond nodded. "This one is Prince Kili." He said to Estel. Estel studied the dwarf closely. He had a terribly, white color to his skin and he was all sweaty, his features exhausted.

"He's much thinner than the other dwarves." Estel observed closely. "Was he starved by his captors?"

"It appears so, doesn't it?" Elrond smiled. Yes, Estel was learning the trade quickly. Even the little things he already noticed sometimes surprised Elrond. Kili stirred and wearily opened his eyes. "Welcome to Rivendell, Prince Kili of Durin. It is good to have you with us this morning. We were almost afraid you would not make it."

Kili frowned suspiciously. Where in Durin's name was he? How did he get here? What had happened to Kili? Why was he alone in a strange room, with an elf and a human child? "Where am I? Where is Fili?" He asked in a crusty voice.

"Your brother is resting. He was very worried about you. We will fetch him if you want him." Elrond said.

"Please." Kili nodded.

"Estel, please go tell Fili his brother is awake. He is in the guest room at the top of the stairs."

"Yes, Ada!" Estel agreed and raced out. Elrond stepped closer to the bed and gripped Kili's wrist.

"How are we feeling this morning, young one?" He asked, monitoring his pulse. Kili coughed before he could speak.

"Don't know." Kili mumbled. "Lousy. Very lousy." He glowered.

"You were finally able to get some proper rest." Elrond explained. "You had severe pneumonia, the worst I have seen in many a century."

"The fault of those mutants who kidnapped us." Kili growled. "They took my cloak and I had to travel in the rain. They starved us and deprived us of water. Speaking of which, would it be too much to ask if I may have a drink? My throat feels drier than an ash bucket."

"Of course." Elrond poured him a glass of water and handed it to him. "Your fever is gone. You were nearly beyond our aid when they brought you in. But, you have some strength in you, young dwarf."

"I'm a folk of Durin." Kili retorted. "We're heartier than most think."

"Indeed, in this case that must be true." Elrond grinned.


Fili sighed contentedly as he snuggled under the soft sheets. It had been ages since he'd slept in a real bed, and he wanted to relish in every second of it! He reluctantly opened his eyes. Wait! Where was he? He bolted upright, glancing around the beautiful room and gazing in astonishment at the huge bed he was lying in. "Kili? Kili!" He called. Then he remembered, last night, they'd arrived in Rivendell and Kili had finally received full treatment for his disease. That would explain why Kili wasn't in here. There was a knock at the door. "Come in?" Fili answered. A young, human boy and one the sons of Elrond, Fili recognized as Elrohir, entered.

"Prince Fili, you look well rested." Elrohir smiled.

"I feel quite refreshed, thank you." Fili nodded.

"This is my little brother, Estel." Elrohir said. Fili stared, befuddled. Did he just say brother? How could it be that an elf and a human were actually brothers?

"Hello, Prince Fili. I'm excited to meet you." Estel smiled, offering his hand.

"Likewise, little one." Fili nodded.

"Would everyone quit calling me that?" Estel scrunched up his nose. "Your brother is awake. He wants to see you." Fili's face lit up and he threw the covers off.

"Here." Elrohir handed him a small bathrobe. "It might fit. It was mine when I was smaller." Fili wrapped himself up.

"How is Kili?" He asked.

"His fever is gone. He is very weak, but he's coherent and resting." Estel informed him.


"Can you take a deep breath for me?" Elrond asked Kili, pressing his hand on the dwarf's chest. Kili attempted to, but his exhale turned into a coughing fit. Elrond pursed his lips. Kili was still wheezing badly. "Your lungs are still congested, my friend. Considered, they are healing, but the process is going to take longer than it normally would, when you went for so long without proper treatment. I'm going to give you something then try a steam method." Kili shrugged. Just then, he saw a familiar face and he smiled.

Fili rushed over to the bed. "Kili, you're awake!" He beamed, taking Kili's hand.

"Ai, brother." Kili nodded feebly, but with his adorably cheeky smile.

"You had me so scared. Don't you ever, ever do that to me again! Or I'll let Uncle throttle you." Fili laughed with joyful tears.

"You wouldn't dare." Kili wearily grinned.

"You want to test me on that?" Fili arched his eyebrows. "How are you feeling, little brother?"

"Ridiculous." Kili puffed. "Though it feels great lying a real bed!"

"Have the others arrived yet?" Fili asked Elrohir.

"Not yet. Glorfindel rode off to meet them." Elrohir answered. "Don't worry, they'll be here."

"Wait til Uncle sees you." Fili said.

"I'd rather face those trolls again than have him see me like this!" Kili rubbed his head.

"Trolls? You were attacked by trolls?" Estel gasped, intrigued. "Will you tell me about them? Oh, please!"

"Another time, Estel. Right now, Kili needs a breathing treatment." Elrond interrupted as he stepped beside the bed with a cup of medicine and a bowl of a steaming herbal mixture. Fili sat beside his brother, helping him sit up and soothingly rubbed his back while Elrond held the bowl in front of Kili's face and kept instructing him to deeply breathe it in. After half an hour, Kili did feel less congested, but he was suddenly quite tired.

"Hungry yet, little brother?" Fili asked.

"Not yet." Kili shook his head, yawning.

"That doesn't sound like you! We need to get some meet back on your bones! You've grown much too skinny in this adventure." Fili half teased, patting Kili's tummy.

"Stop." Kili pushed his hand away. "I feel like I could sleep for a week!"

"Well, you will have plenty of time for sleep." Elrond said. "You must remain in bed for at least four days before you can walk around. And even then, you will have to take things slow to regain your strength."

"Uncle will not be pleased." Kili muttered casually, dropping his head back into the pillow. He yawned hard.

"We'll give you two some privacy." Elrohir said, shifting back. "Come, Estel." He looked to see his brother not listening. "Estel!" He snatched him away by the back of his collar.

"You really had me worried." Fili said sadly, stroking Kili's bangs.

"Sorry about that." Kili closed his eyes.

"When are you going to learn to stay out of trouble?"

"When did I ever agree to that?" Kili chuckled groggily, then his eyes shut and he was asleep.


Thorin was worried about his nephews. Had they made it safely to Rivendell? Was Kili still alive? Was he worse? He prayed every minute that they were better off than when they'd been in captivity.

Alasse slept hard through the journey, though she moaned here and there. Legolas tensed every time she whimpered. They were making good time, considering, but Legolas wouldn't be able to relax til they reached Rivendell.

It was late afternoon when they had to stop for a while and Voronwe came running down from the ridge to Legolas. "A rider coming down the mountain path. He looks like a messenger." Voronwe said.

"It is Glorfindel." Gandalf smiled before the elf even appeared. Legolas leaned back in relief. Maybe Glorfindel could help Alasse, and make the journey a little easier for her! Since they'd stopped, Alasse had been woken twice from nightmares of when she was beaten. Each time she asked some disturbing questions to Legolas, questioning whether Thranduil loved her anymore, or if he loved his wife's necklace more. Legolas couldn't understand it and it shook him. What in Arda's name ever could've made her doubt her father's love? Surely he hadn't said or done anything to give her that impression! Legolas certainly hoped not!

Glorfindel rode Asfaloth to the middle of the clearing and dismounted. There were several other horses behind him. "Gandalf! Thorin, Legolas!" He bowed.

"Glorfindel, it is a relief to see you, my friend." Gandalf bowed in return.

"I've come to help. I brought horses. How does your company fare?"

"Mostly minor cuts and bruises. But I am afraid the princess is in poor shape." Gandalf said solemnly. He led Glorfindel to Legolas who was sitting beside Alasse lying on the litter.

"Legolas! Thank the Valar. Your father has been so worried about the both of you."

"Glorfindel! Good to see you back on your feet, mellon. Can you help Alasse?" Legolas pleaded.

"I will see what can be done." Glorfindel replied as he stooped down to examine the elfling. She moaned when he checked her ribs and middle. "You are right, Gandalf. While her injuries are very slowly healing, her ribs are in a delicate state after being shattered. I will take her."

"No. She cannot bear the ride on a horse." Gandalf warned him. "She must be handled with the utmost caution."

"Ai." Glorfindel nodded, pressing his hands into her, lending her some of his strength, at least to make the rest of the journey with. "I will take Thorin and his company back safely to Rivendell, then return for you."

"Thank you, but my guard is capable of looking after us." Legolas interjected. "Go!"

"Be careful, my friends." Glorfindel said. "Thorin, I shall bring you and your company back. Then you may be with your nephews that much sooner."

"How are they?" Balin asked.

"Better. Kili was in a fragile state when we first got him to Elrond, but he is beginning to heal."

"That is good." Thorin breathed with relief.

"Mount up!" Glorfindel told them.

"Your Highness, I feel one of us should stay behind to help." Thorin told Legolas.

"You have done more than enough. Go, be with your nephews." Legolas told him. Thorin smiled with a nod, then mounted the horse.


When Thranduil woke, the first thing he spoke was asking about his children. Elrond assured him they were on their way, but that did little to settle the Elven king's shaken state. Glorfindel arrived a few hours later with the dwarves. He rushed to find Elrond. "Legolas and Gandalf are behind us." He told him. "I'm afraid they ran into some trouble after Elrohir left them with Fili and Kili. Princess Alasse's injuries were thrust upon, and now she is hurt worse than before. She is going to need your help, my friend." Glorfindel said. He felt responsible for this whole mess. If only he'd been quicker! If only he hadn't let the little punk stab him, this might never have gotten half as ugly as it had turned out.

"Thank you for letting me know! Thranduil is going to be more anxious once he hears that." Elrond sighed.


Fili jumped off the bed and ran to Thorin when he and the others entered the healing wing. "You look good." Thorin smiled at him. "How is Kili?"

"Finally getting some peace and rest." Fili sighed, relieved. "It's good to see you, Uncle!"

"It's a great relief to be here!" Bilbo explained.

"How is the little princess?" Fili asked. "Did they return with you?"

"Not yet." Bilbo hung his head. "There was a bit of trouble after you left."

"Oh no." Fili hung his head.

"But everyone survived, so let's not think about the bad things." Thorin smiled. Fili nodded quietly.


"Estel, I have an important job for you!" Elrond told his son before he went to report to Thranduil.

"Really? What is it, Ada?" Estel looked up at him eagerly.

"I want you to stay with King Thranduil and try to cheer him up. Think you can do that?"

"Sure, Ada." Estel grinned.

"That's my boy."


Elrond strode to his friend's hospital bed. "Glorfindel has returned with part of the company." He said.

"Elrond! Alasse...is she...is she..." Thranduil cried anxiously.

"Calm yourself, my friend." Elrond said sternly, touching the king's shoulder. "She's alive! Legolas is coming here with her as fast as he can. I will check her over myself, and let you know how she is."

"You're sure she's alive?" Thranduil persisted, his eyes almost pleading.

"Yes, Thranduil. She's alive." Elrond nodded.