Disclaimer and Acknowledgements: As in Chapter 1
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Chapter 21 – Warm Tea, Cold Hearts
Elladan caught Aragorn in his arms as he fell forward and eased him onto the floor. Exchanging a worried glance with Elrohir, the older elf retrieved the discarded cloth and placed it back over the feverish human's brows.
Elrohir watched his father from where he sat and called out softly to Elladan catching his attention. Elrond sat with his face buried in his hands, obviously worn out from all the healing that he had performed and was totally oblivious of what had transpired among the three brothers some distance away. The twins looked over at their father and wished that there were something they could do to ease his weariness but they knew that the only way he could regain his strength was to rest… something that he elf lord would definitely not submit to willingly.
Elrohir moved over to join his father beside the resting prince and placed his hand on the older elf's shoulder expressing his concern.
"You should rest Ada." Knowing well what his father's reaction would be, Elrohir still couldn't help but made the statement.
"I'm fine," the elf lord answered with a weak smile as he shifted on the ground to find a more comfortable position.
"You are weary. I can see it in your eyes." The persistent elf was determined to talk his father into getting some rest.
"They need me." Elrond swept his gaze over to where his foster son was and a frown broke out on his tired face. Had Aragorn moved since he last saw to him? He seemed to remember the boy being much farther from him than he was now.
Noticing his father's confusion, the young elf told him of what happened.
"He was awake?" Elrond asked unbelievingly. He should have heard something if what Elrohir told him was true but he was completely unaware of it. The elf lord was wearier than he cared to admit.
"Elladan is making some tea. At least have some to refresh your mind."
"Are you trying to put me to sleep with the tea?" The Lord of Imladris raised his eyebrow skeptically. "It won't work, you know."
Elrohir gave his father a mock undignified look. "Would I do something like that?"
The question drew a chuckle from the elf lord. He clasped his son on the shoulder and graced him with a dangerous smile. "You wouldn't dare."
Elrohir laughed for the first time in many days. They had been tensed ever since Elrond revealed his visions, in fear that they may lose the two that they had grown to love so dearly over the years. Now that the two youngsters had been found battered and bruised but alive, some tension had been alleviated.
"Tea is ready father," Elladan called from the small fire that they had built earlier in the night. The soft flame danced in the gentle breeze casting flickering shadows against the cave wall.
Tugging on Elrond's sleeve, Elrohir dragged his father onto his feet and shoved him towards the fire. As they settled down beside Elladan, the older twin handed a cup of hot steaming tea to his father. Sniffing at the tea suspiciously, Elrond inspected its content and aroma trying to detect if the tea contained any herbs that would render him unconscious. The twins grinned at each other and grew somber when their father glared at them with one of those 'what-are-you-up-to' look.
"It's just tea, Ada," Elladan reassured the still suspicious elf lord. "We can't afford to put you out when these two depended on you." He swept his hand to his right where Aragorn and Legolas rested. To put the elf lord's mind at ease, Elladan took a sip of his own tea showing his sincerity. Soon, the three elves were sitting comfortably by the fire enjoying a cup of soothing tea and drying their wet hair and clothes.
Elrond ran his fingers through his hair working the tangles out as it dried slowly in the warm air. His two sons were engrossed in a debate speculating on how their brother and friend got into this mess.
"Could it be bandits?" Elrohir theorized as he refilled his empty cup.
"Not likely. They still have all their belongings." Elladan rummaged through his brother's pack and pulled out the mithril box. "Besides, they would have taken this."
"Pure mithril?" Elrohir eyed the box astoundingly and reached out to touch it.
Elladan nodded. "It would earn them a fortune!"
"Estel's ankle was healing when we found him. Looks like he broke it about three days ago. Same goes for Legolas' broken arm and the gash on his forehead," the younger elf continued.
"But the stab wounds were fresh, not more than a day old."
"And Legolas' injuries would have healed if he had gotten it three days ago unless…"
"Unless he was beaten again recently."
"This is getting complicating."
"Something must have happened in the village. Remember the guard at the gates said something about having thrown them out?"
"They could have gotten into some kind of trouble there, knowing their magnetism for disasters."
"The suspense is killing me!"
"Maybe we should wake them and ask."
Elladan elbowed his brother in the ribs for that remark and the younger twin yelped.
"I was only joking!"
"I know. I just like poking fun at you."
The friendly bantering went on for several more minutes and Elrond let out a small sigh of relief when they finally exhausted the topic and changed the subject.
*****
To Be Continued...
A/N: No cliffie. :) And next installment will be on Nov 10… I think. *g*
To the reviewers:
True-Slytherin-gurl – Ahh, so that's where you were... buried under tons of schoolwork. LOL! School is more important so no worries. Don't want you to neglect school because you're reading my story. Your parents would really hunt me down and hurt me. LOL!
Riva van Dyk –*hands you tissue* Umm... I didn't say anything about Legolas dying. Hehehe. Don't hurt me. :P
Elven Kitten – We kill our characters to show that we can actually do it. *eg* Very evil indeed. The kid? I'm not going anywhere near that kid. This I can tell you. LOL! Because I have absolutely no idea what happened to him. Hmmm... *ponders*
CrazyStar314 – I'm NOT evil! Blame my beta! She gave me evil idea! *hides behind Rhonda* It's her evil plot bunnies... infested my closet! I only wish I kept some of them instead of making rabbit stew after finishing the story. Now I need more...
Lelgalad – May I remind you that this is a smut-free story. LOL!!! *watches in amusement as dogs lick you* Ewww... I hope you kept your dogs out tonight. :D
Mayara Estel – Are you still alive? I sure hope so. Here's the next installment. Read while you can because I'll be gone again for another 2 weeks starting December 1st. :P
Ittybittykitty – No box! No box! It's under the sea now. *digs a hole and buries it deep* I love torturing you. *vbeg*
K-rock – Jackson has no power over me in fanfics! Muahahaha!! Can do anything I want with Legolas... ohh what joy! Post all at once? Hmm... ffnet may not like that. It will be a little too big, I think. Hehehe. Ohh, you got ideas? Well, feel free to catch me on MSN (wanda_utq@hotmail.com) or AIM (PrissyElf). I'm dying for ideas for I'm now pretty much sitting on the new fic I'm working on right now. :P
Aemilia Rose – Woohoo!! *bounces up and down* I got flowers and balloons!! *sniffs flowers and giggles insanely* For that you don't get a cliffie in this chapter. :D
Ryoko Lasgalen – Swimming is good. Swimming with ranger and elf is even better. :D Maybe that would clean up Aragorn a bit since he's always so... sweaty. LOL! But Legolas may not like to get wet. Heh. Okay, so I put poor Estel back to sleep and Legolas is resting and healing now. No pain in this chapter. They gotta rest up for their journey home. :)
leggylover03 – I'm not bringing a suitcase for this training. You'll have to fit into my bag. LOL! The one in December will have a suitcase and I'll make sure I get something big enough to fit you in. :D And yes, you contributed to tons of evilness in fic. Without you, there will be no story. *hugs you and squishes you to death*
Deana – Super Elrond and can do anything! I'll have a talk with him and maybe he can heal your agony after having to endure withdrawal for so many days. Hehehe.
Sparrow Greenleaf - *taps you on shoulder* Are you still alive??! Hope you didn't drown in your drool. LMAO!! I'll go find you a life jacket. Aragorn and Legolas are resting now so they are fine for the time being. *angelic smile*
Iawen Londea – *stuffs evil author title into your pocket* Here, take it. :D I'm still waiting PATIENTLY for the final chapter of Shot in The Dark and To Feel Once More. *taps feet* And what about the other fic where you blasted Elladan and Elrohir to kingdom come? :P
HalandLeg4ever – Not necessarily until November 10 ;) And yes, they are getting better. :D I'm happy for them too. *g*
FallenStar2 – Ohhhh!! Haven't seen you in ages!! *hugs* Legolas is so "torturable". LOL!! I love to torture him. *looks apologetically at Legolas* Sorry dearie, I'll make it up to you later. :D
Aronoiiel – OMG!! Such compliment!!! I'm so honored! *bows low* For that you get Chapter 21 a week before Nov 10. Hope that's to your liking. :D And no evil cliffie in this one. LOL!