High School. A Teens Best Friend. Yeah Right.

By Risty Maskell and Silver15

Disclaimer: Nope, not ours.

Summary: Aww geez, you read this far. You guys don't need a summary.

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It was a very slow journey back. It's not easy riding with a sprained ankle and your arm in a sling. And Billee was having trouble holding onto his brother while riding. He said very little and I knew that he was really worried. Colan still hadn't woken up, even with all the bumping up and down. I was worried too; Billee's dad had gone way too far this time.

Finally, about a mile from our school, at the crossroads, Billee drew Starlight to a halt.

"What's wrong?" Legolas asked as we pulled up beside him. "Is it your brother…?"

"Sort of. Emma" Billee looked straight at me and gave a small smile. "You go back with the others. I can't take Colan back to the school. If my father found out…well you remember last time"

Indeed I did remember the incident. Not many people know about it, but Elrond wanted to take Billee in himself. When Billee's father found out, he came to the school and had a major row with Elrond. It very nearly came to blows. I knew that Billee didn't want to cause our Principal any more trouble.

"And besides" he continued, stroking Colan's head gently. "We can't take Laddie back there either. And I don't know what that dog did, but he's a bloody hero. If something has happened between my parents…well I'll have to find someone to take care of them both"

"You have to come back, Billee" Legolas pointed out. "Your brother, he needs elven magic to heal his head and he needs it quickly. Come back with us and let Elrond treat him. Then you can decide what to do"

I held my breath. I didn't particularly want to go back to school anyway, but if Billee wasn't than I definitely wasn't either. The decision was made for us when Colan stirred.

"Billee" he mumbled. "My head hurts"

"What happened, Colan?" Billee asked gently. "Was it dad?"

"Mummy's gone," the young elf whispered, his voice trembling. "Daddy…he hit me and…and it hurt. Laddie bit…bit his arm to…to make him stop. Where's Laddie?"

"Right with us" Billee said, trying very hard to keep the anger out of his voice. "We're going to see someone who can make your head better"

"I don't want to go home" Colan clung to Billee and sobbed against his chest. "Don't make me"

"You aren't going back home," Billee promised. "Now just be a brave little elf and we'll make you better again in no time"

He turned to us and I could see the pain in his eyes. Billee loves Colan with all his heart and I knew that it was destroying him to see his brother in such pain. His father wouldn't get off lightly this time.

"Let's go," he said flatly. "Laddie keeping up okay?"

I looked down at my beloved dog, but he seemed all right. Our small break had given him an opportunity to catch his breath. He's a tough dog anyway. I've had him for years, ever since he was a puppy and in that time he's been in more fights than you can imagine. He's blind in his left eye and he'll go completely mad if you approach him from that side, but over than that, he's very easy going. He is the very best friend I have ever had.

It was almost midnight by the time we got back to the school. Colan was still awake, his face pale and his eyes glazed over. It didn't take a wise person to know that we were losing him. My ankle was still throbbing; riding probably hadn't done it any good.

The school was in darkness, but the stable light was on and Boromir was waiting outside for us. As soon as we came to a halt, I jumped off Flamedancer and threw myself into his arms. He held me really tightly.

"I was so worried" he said softly. "Don't ever do that to me again"

"I won't," I was crying again now. "I love you. I love you Boromir"

"I know" Gently he tilted my head back and kissed away my tears. "I love you too"

We stayed like that for a moment, just gazing into each other's eyes. Jaime and Legolas quickly put the horses away, while Billee stood silently rocking Colan back and forth. Laddie sniffed at Boromir suspiciously, and then head butted his leg playfully. I was glad that Laddie seemed to like him. It would make things much easier in the long run.

"Elrond's in his office" Boromir told us. "He said that he'd wait up in case you needed him" he paused and his eyes came to rest on little Colan. "Oh man," he said. "What happened?"

"Don't ask" Billee said grimly. "Come on, he can't last much longer"

We hurried to Elrond's office and burst in without knocking. Elrond looked up, no doubt shocked by our sudden entrance. He glanced quickly at all of us, and then his eyes came to rest on Colan. He didn't even notice Laddie. I was glad, I wanted to keep my dog with me for just a little bit longer. I really miss him when I'm away at school.

"What happened?" he asked immediately. "Emma are you okay?"

"Fine" I said quickly. "I'll live. It's Colan who needs attention now"

"Come on then, let's take him to the infirmary" Elrond agreed. "Billee, you come with me. The rest of you go to bed. It's been a long day for all of you"

I was just about to leave, when Colan reached out and grabbed my arm. "No" he whispered. "You stay" I glanced at Elrond and he nodded.

As Elrond treated the little guy, we sat on his bed where he could see us. I could see that our Principal was completely horrified at Colan's condition. I was too. When I looked at Billee, he had tears in his eyes. Never in my life have I seen Billee cry. It's not that he doesn't, he just doesn't do it in front of other people. Even his friends. Colan's condition had really upset him.

Finally Elrond had finished. He looked at Billee and gave him a small smile.

"He's very lucky," he said slowly. "I've healed his head, but he's still very weak. He needs a lot of rest"

"Billee" Colan whispered. "Me come to bed with you"

"Come on then" Billee agreed. He gently lifted his brother up in his arms and turned to face Elrond. "Thank you, sir" he said gratefully.

"Who is that?" Colan asked sleepily. "Is that your Principal? Daddy said that that he was a loser and that you couldn't find a queerer elf if you tried"

"Colan!" Billee shook his head. "Dad talks crap. Don't repeat anything he says. It isn't nice"

"I don't think you are a loser, Mr. Principal" Colan said yawning. "You made my head better. Thank you"

"That is quite alright, little one" Elrond said with a smile. "You go to sleep. Billee, I want to see you in my office tomorrow morning"

"Yes sir" Billee said vaguely. "Right now all I want to do is sleep for a long time. But I'll come and see you when I wake up"

"That will be fine. Goodnight guys. You know where I am if you need me"

We waited until he went out of the infirmary, before smiling at each other. During the whole thing, Laddie had been lying by the side of the bed, just out of sight of Elrond. For now we had got away with it. I could keep him with me for just a little bit longer.

"We can't keep him hidden forever," Billee said as we walked back to the dorms. "Elrond didn't see him tonight because he was too focused on Colan, but he isn't stupid. You'll have to tell him"

"I don't want to talk to him," I said quietly. "But I know you're right. You're always right. I'll ask Jaime to tell him tomorrow for me. I don't want to face him after the stuff I said to him. I can't"

When we got to my dorm, we all stopped. Billee gave me a hug, which was kind of awkward since we had Colan between us.

"Thank you" he said softly. "If you hadn't found him when you did…" he broke off and shook his head. "You're a good friend, Emma," he continued after a moment. "And if there is anything I can ever do for you, I'll do it. I owe you big time"

"No" I shook my head and ran my hand through Colan's hair. "You know how much I love Colan. I'm pleased that I found him in time. You owe me nothing"

"I do" Billee gave me a weary smile. "Goodnight Emma, goodnight Laddie. I'll see you both tomorrow" He bent down and rubbed Laddie's head, then disappeared down the corridor.

I went into my dorm and got undressed slowly, ignoring the pain in my shoulder and ankle. When I got into bed, Laddie jumped up and stretched out next to me, just as he did at home. I feel asleep and slept better than I had done for a long time.