More classes to get through, another chapter written. Huzzah!

-A

small note: Most of the dialogue between Elladan and Elrohir in the beginning is in Elvish. I just didn't feel like translating it all.. hehe.

Looking After

            Elrohir heaved a sigh and collapsed bonelessly into a chair. He looked up at his older brother, and though Elladan looked as weary as he felt, his twin remained standing. A frown came across Elrohir's features. What was wrong with Elladan?

            "Elladan? Lle esta?" Elrohir finally voiced his concern, grey eyes becoming worried.

            "Uma, amin tereva." Elladan tried to keep his voice from wavering. His body was healing and though the process was quicker than that of Men's, it still seemed slow to him. Above all else, he was tired. But he would say not a word, he had no desire to be the cause of anyone's worry. "N'dela no'ta, Elrohir. Amin yerya."

            "Mankoi lle maa vee' manka lle naa autaien lanta?" Elrohir challenged as he stood, his concern spiked now. After spending his entire life within riding distance of his twin he knew Elladan's habits. If something was bothering him, Elladan would not speak of it. "Elladan, saesa, mani naa ta?"

            Elladan remained silent, much to his brother's dismay. "If this is the only way to get answers out of you Elladan, I'll do it." Elrohir prowled over and grabbed his brother by the edge of his jerkin and pushed him to tell wall. He'd never been the more patient of the two.

            Elladan had been surprised when he was grabbed, but the shock was replaced by a new wave of pain when he hit the wall. He hissed at the burning, his breathing a bit faster, even after Elrohir had let him go. Elrohir looked ashamed, worried, and just a bit angry.

            "Stupid, arrogant brother of mine! Dolle naa lost! You're hurt and you did not tell us?!"

            "It was not serious and I did not see the need to worry anyone with it." Elladan's voice grew quiet as he realized that Elrohir was right.

            "You were going to just let it heal on its own? Elladan! Did you hear nothing Father taught us?!" Elrohir scowled and yanked his brother away from the wall and towards the door, too angry to be worried about hurting him.

            "Where are we going?" Elladan fought his brother's hold and drag, attempting to free himself.

            "To another room so we do not wake Jephima. You need to get properly cleaned up and taken care of." Elrohir seemed oblivious to Elladan's protests and struggles.

            "Elrohir! Faina amin!" Elladan had no wish to be treated and looked after as a child was. "Aiya! Tanya awra!" He cried out when a stinging pain rushed down his arm from his shoulder.

            "It's your own fault that you're in pain now." Elrohir found another room and shoved his brother into it. Glad that the door locked from the outside, Elrohir left his brother while he went to retrieve some help.

            Aragorn smiled as he listened to Farren speak of the Dwarves of the Misty Mountains and the halls of the Lonely Mountain. Earlier, Eymen had spoken of Rohan, though his journey south was not nearly as recent as Farren's adventures in the northeast. Aragorn was curious, but he'd never truly lived amongst the Dwarves – caves bothered him despite the fact that the Dwarven halls were grand.

            "The hall of Kilin in the Misty Mountains is amongst the finest I've seen. A very welcoming bunch once they're convinced you have no interest in their hoards or secrets."

            Eymen shook his head. "I think I like the company of Elves more, though I have only been to the House of Elrond but a few times."

            "It is the best place for healing and thought that I've ever known." Aragorn chimed in smoothly, smiling in fond memory of his former home and currently his only true refuge.

            "But of course Estel is required to speak highly of Imladris." Elrohir used the name that Aragorn had been called as a child. He had slipped up to the company without announcement or notice. Haeranan looked a little startled to find the Elf suddenly so close.

            "Is Jephima..?"

            "He's fine and resting, he'll be awake in a few hours but be warned – the boy will be hungry." Elrohir smiled at the relieved look that relaxed Haeranan's face. Well, one was taken care of, time for the other. "Estel? Perhaps I could steal you away for a moment?"

            Aragorn searched Elrohir's grey eyes for some hint of what was going one. He rarely heard the name Estel from anyone but the twins. "Yes, of course." He rose with a polite bow of his head to his companions. As he and Elrohir left, he heard Farren and Eymen comparing the Dwarves' workmanship to Elves'.

            "What's all of this about Elrohir?"

            "It seems we have a stubborn brother who knows not how to look after himself." A small smile glittered in Elrohir's eyes.

            Aragorn frowned as the Elf led him upstairs and to another room. The Man was hocked to see that it had been locked.

            Once inside, they saw Elladan. He'd taken to sitting on the bed and looked the perfect example of sullen. "You're overreacting, Elrohir."

            "And you are under reacting, which is why I've brought Estel – he can make up for what the two of us lack and have too much of."

            Elladan rolled his eyes and made it obvious that if he was to be treated like a child then he would act like one. They would get none of his help in this affair.

            Aragorn couldn't help but grin at the situation, it was one he'd been in many a time before. But his amusement was leveled out with concern. 'Elladan, what's happened?"

            "Nothing overly serious - "

            "Something bothers his shoulder and side and he says nothing!" Elrohir cut in, his tone exasperated.

            "You are the pain in my side, dear brother!" Elladan shot back. He gave a pleading look to Aragorn. "I will be well in but a few days, there is no need for all of this fussing - "

            "There would be no fuss if you'd taken care of it sooner." Again, the younger of the two sliced in heatedly. It seemed that Elladan's body was already taking care of itself and that Elrohir's worry was cooling to a concerned anger.

            "Is it at least clean and covered?" Aragorn questioned as soon as he was sure Elrohir had shut up.

            "Yes, I took care of it while Elrohir was dragging you up here."

            Elrohir arched a skeptical brow.

            "If you do not believe me then speak to the maid that brought in that basin of warm water and the linen I used to bind my side and shoulder." And indeed there was a basin near the edge of the bed, clean strips of linen rested over the bed post. Elrohir frowned.

            "The door was locked."

            "I am just as adept at picking locks as you are, Elrohir, and relocking them is just as simple." Elladan smirked at his brother's annoyed expression.

            Aragorn grinned, he had not enjoyed the time in the Wild he spent without his foster brothers that he held as blood. Though more often than not the two got on perfectly with each other, they were still brothers and even Elven siblings quarreled every so often. It was amusing to be there when they did.

            "If you're both quite finished then join us downstairs for food and drink."

            Elrohir sighed, then a grin crossed his lips. "I suppose we could grace you with our presence, what say you Elladan?"

            Elladan stood up easily, the pain in his body dulling to a throb that flared and ebbed, he could endure it. "Yes, I say we do so." The brothers had lifted themselves back into good spirits.

            "It seems that all Estel need do is look amused and then we realize what a silly pair of Elves we must be to make the Dúnadan smile." Elrohir grinned as they entered the tavern. A few lewd drinking songs were loud amongst the din and the twins exchanged a mischievous grin.

            "Perhaps we should teach them some of our songs, Elladan."

            "Yes, perhaps we should. But I vote first for a good round of wine before you get me to do any singing."

            The last comments were heard by the Dúnadain as the three approached and laughter circled the table. Aragorn sat back with Eymen and smiled. Both knew that before the end of the night the Elves would be tipsy and the songs would be loud.

Not sure quite what to do now.. I need/want/love opinions and suggestions!

Translations:

Lle esta? – Are you well?

Uma, amin tereva – Yes, I'm fine

N'dela no'ta, Elrohir. Amin yerya – Don't worry about it, Elrohir, I'm just tired.

Mankoi lle maa vee' manka lle naa autaien lanta? – Why do you look as if you're going to fall over?

Elladan, saesa, mani naa ta? – Elladan, please, what is wrong?

Dolle naa lost! – You're head is empty!

Faina amin – Release me

Aiya! Tanya awra! – Ah! That hurt!