Elladan woke slowly, feeling unaccountably rested. He stretched luxuriously, feeling the muscles in his arms and back as they pulled deliciously. He lay still a moment, suddenly wondering. He wasn't used to sleeping this long-why hadn't Elrohir awakened him for his watch?
Alarmed, he sat up, looking for his twin. He didn't see him. Scrambling to his feet, he looked 'round again, dark thoughts of finding his brother dead were screaming in his head.
"Elladan," the voice was soft, quiet and vaguely amused. "I'm over here."
The twin spun around, and he forced a laugh as he recognized Elrohir reclining at the base of a tree not ten feet away from him. "Gods, Brother! Do not do that to me! I feared you had gone and--" he cut himself off, abruptly.
"Killed myself?" came the bitter reply. "Have no fear, Brother Mine, I would not do that to you." Elrohir rose gracefully from the tree bole and walked up to his flustered twin, putting a hand on the others' shoulder. He smiled slightly. "I know how I would feel if you left me-I would not do that to you. You are my tie to Ea, Elladan, and I both love and hate you for it." With that less-than-comforting reply, he turned away and set about packing up their campsite. "Come Elladan. We must depart soon if we are to reach Imladris today."
Shaking himself, Elladan went to join his twin. "Why did you not wake me for my watch?" he questioned, feeling anger burn in his belly.
"I was not tired," came the expected response.
"You are NEVER tired!" Elladan burst out, his temper getting the better of him. "Yet you never sleep! How is that possible, Elrohir?"
"I cannot dream if I do not sleep." Elrohir replied, unfazed by his brother's fury.
"You are going to make yourself ill if you do not rest!" Elladan yelled.
"I do not see how that is any concern of yours."
"I am your BROTHER! You ARE my concern!"
"Then you are a fool." The quiet words drove a dagger into Elladan's heart, but anger was quick to staunch the flow of blood. With a face gone white with fury, he stepped forward and backhanded his brother as hard as he could. Stunned, Elrohir's head snapped back and he stumbled a few steps; he fell gracelessly to the ground, where he looked up with wide eyes. The elf brought a hand up to his mouth and it came away bloody, his teeth had cut through his lip. He stared at the blood dazedly, in shock.
…arryn please, love it's me, it's elrohir, please calm down, it's alright, i love you, it's alright love calm down, please 'tis elrohir, 'tis just me, shhh, I love you, shhh my love hush...
"…Elrohir…" Elladan was kneeling on the ground beside him, clinging to him and crying. "I am so sorry, brother, please, I am sorry, my temper got the better of me, please forgive me, Elrohir, please…"
Elrohir shoved him away wildly, springing to his feet. When Elladan reached out to him, he screamed, "No! Do not touch me!" The elf was shaking in great ripples like a lake surface, his face was white and blood stained his chin. He focused his eyes of his brother, and took in his miserable form. Elladan held his hand out again, and Elrohir shook his head. "No, please… just-leave me be." He desolately turned away, and seized a cloth, cleaning the blood away raggedly before continuing to ready himself for the road.
Elladan knelt where he was for a long moment, watching, before he got to his feet and packed his things, silent.
*~*~*
The return of the twin sons of Elrond to the Valley of Imladris was a much-celebrated event; it had been several years since the twins had last been home. At the last Homely House, things were in an uproar. The Lady Arwen had just arrived earlier that day and was still settling in. Servants and Lords alike bustled around each other, preparing for the great feast that was planned for that evening.
When the sentries caught sight of the rising cloud of dust on eth road, they gave up great whoops, whistling signals back and forth like Wood Elves until word finally reached Lord Elrond's ear.
Heaving a great sigh, Elrond dismissed the servant delivering the news, and passed through a small, concealed door to the room next to his. Stepping carefully into the sitting room, he caught sight of a blonde Eldar, slouched over his desk, fast asleep.
Elrond smiled indulgently and crossed over to the other elf. Gently, he smoothed the golden locks back behind a pointed ear. He leaned forward, and ghosted a breath along the sensitive point. "Glorfindel..." he whispered. "Wake up, melethron."
Without even a slight start, Glorfindel lifted his head, and kissed the other's mouth. "With such a sight to wake up to, how can I not?" He smiled against his lips, then kissed the half-elf once more. They both drew back at the same moment, recalling their duties.
Elrond cleared his throat. "Much as I would like to continue along this path, my sons are arriving as we speak."
Glorfindel sighed ruefully. "I am sorry I fell asleep, my Lord, I should have been working."
"Nonsense." Elrond brushed off the apology. "You have barely slept since you heard of the twins' return. You are allowed some respite." The half-elf slid his hands down the broad shoulders and linked them around Glorfindel's middle, holding the blonde tightly. "I need you awake and aware." He took a deep breath. "Are you ready?"
Glorfindel blinked and nodded, not trusting his voice. It would be very hard to see the twins again; they all had horrible memories they had yet to get over. Arryn's death hung over them all like a cloud. Elrond knew from Elladan's letters that dreams of Arryn constantly plagued Elrohir. *He dreams that Arryn is angry.* his son wrote. *He speaks in his sleep, mumbling that he did not wish to leave him, that he is sorry. He begs for absolution. It is heartbreaking, Ada. What should I do?*
Elrond shook himself, freeing his mind from the memories. His children would all be with him soon; he could determine a course of action with regards to Elrohir later. He gave Glorfindel one more squeeze, the released him. "Come, melethron. Let us go out to meet them.
*~*~*
The twins, when they arrived were a silent, somber pair. Elrond was surprised when they embraced him one at a time; usually they both leapt on him like a pair of monkeys and brought all three of them to a pile on the ground. They were all disturbed by the bruises around Elrohir's mouth, but were silent about them.
The twins greeted Glorfindel and Arwen cordially, bowing to the blonde and kissing their sister's cheek politely. Glorfindel took Elrohir's arm and steered him away to the room that was being prepared for him-he had expressed that he did not want o sleep in his old room.
Elrond and Arwen were left with Elladan, who looked at them miserably.
"Elladan," came Arwen's soft voice. "What had happened?"
Elladan swallowed visibly. "I hit him," he said quietly. "I hit him... I was so angry, and I hit him!" The words were quietly said, but they were so loud that all who heard felt pain. "He is still mourning Arryn. Father, it has been over twenty years! Surely he should be moving on!"
Elrond shrugged helplessly. "They were truly in love, Elladan. One does not just forget something that pure. Give him time."
"Does he still dream, Elladan?" Arwen asked. "He told Grandfather that he had dreams of Arryn."
"You speak of the nightmares he wakes up screaming and sobbing from?"
"He still does then?" Elrond sighed. "Very well. I will slip him something for dreamless sleep. Come, my children-let us head in-it is almost time for the feast."
*~*~*
Elrohir sat back and watched the elves around him as they danced and sang. He watched two elves, male and very much in love, as they held each other tightly, swaying, heads contentedly resting on the others shoulders.
//Oh Arryn...// Loneliness struck him in a wave of desolation. He once knew that closeness, that blind love that let one drop one's guard and trust. He missed that feeling.
Elrohir shook himself, feeling his resolve quake. Glancing about, he decided that he had been sociable long enough. With a quick look around for his father, Elrohir slipped quietly onto the balcony and into the night air. He wandered the gardens, walking in sweet memory. It had been far too long since he was last home.
Elrohir sat on the stone bench, lost in his thought. He heard a slight rustling in the rosebush behind him. He leapt to his feet, hand going automatically to his side for the dagger that was not there He cursed himself inwardly, dropping to a fighters crouch.
He held his breath, waiting for the attack. With a quiet "mrrow," a small cat wandered out from under the leaves. She stalked up to him, cool as you please, and reached one delicate paw up and swiped at his chin. Startled, Elrohir jerked back, and promptly fell on his rear.
The roar of laughter from the trees alerted him to the presence of another, and quicker that thought, he was at the tree base. Catching hold of a dangling foot, Elrohir yarded as hard as he could, darting out of the way as a body fell to the ground. "Who are you? What are you doing here?" he asked angrily. "And is this your cat?" His face softened when he saw the person look up at him; it was only a boy.
"I am Estel. I live here! What are *you* doing here?"
"I am Lord Elrohir. *I* live here."
The boy's face opened in astonishment. "You are Elrohir? Elrond's son?"
Elrohir felt a smile tug at his lips. "I am one of them, yes."
"Elrond has told me much about you. He… he is very sad when you are away. I think he misses you." Estel looked as if he were unsure what the elf's reaction would be.
"I am sad when I leave here. I know I miss him." Elrohir found himself explaining. "I have to leave, though. My twin and I, we hunt orcs."
"Why?" Such a simple question, such a complicated answer.
"Because, because-Estel. What do you know of honor?"
"I know that honor is what good men uphold to. It is something that makes men keep their word, that allows them to do things like rescue maidens," The boy's face turned sour. "It gives them an excuse to do bad things, and they can say it is done for honor."
"Honor isn't always such a bad thing. It can be very good. I hunt orcs because a long time ago, my... my lover was captured by orcs. He was tortured; and went mad from it. I hunt all orcs in vengeance." Elrohir couldn't for the life of him figure out why he was telling this strange boy about Arryn.
The boy looked saddened. "I am sorry, my lord. I lost my father to orcs as well."
"I am sorry." Elrohir looked up at the moon. "It is getting late. Will you join me in my father's house this evening? I daresay it will be difficult for you to return home tonight."
Estel smiled. "I told you, I live here, too!" Elrohir raised his eyebrow. "I do!"
"Alright." Elrohir smiled a bit. "Then let us return home." The cat had returned and was twining herself around Estel's legs. "Ah ha! That *is* your cat!" He glared at her.
Estel laughed, light and joyous. "Of course she is! She lives here, too!"
With a slight laugh, Elrohir herded the small company towards the lit windows of the Last Homely House.
*~*~*
"Father," little Estel asked, sitting on the elf's desk as he swung his legs slowly. "Why does Elrohir never smile anymore?"
Elrond sat back, abandoning any hope of finishing work. He sighed, and tried to figure out how to explain. "Did he tell you about Arryn, at all?"
"Was Arryn his lover? The one whom the orcs hurt?"
Elrond winced. "Yes. Arryn was brought here, to be healed. But I couldn't heal him; he was… he was no longer himself."
Estel nodded. "Elrohir said he went mad."
"Yes, Estel. He did. Elrohir does not smile, I imagine, because all he remembers of his home now, are memories of how we couldn't help his love. I-I wish it could have been different. Arryn was a wonderful elf, full of laughter and always singing. He made Elrohir so happy."
They were silent for a moment, Estel trying to understand the depths of what he had just learned.
"Come my son. Let us get you to bed."
For once, Estel did not protest, allowing Elrond to pick him up, even though he was really far too old to be carried. And when the older elf slid into bed with him, holding him close, he still did not speak, knowing somehow that Elrond was not really holding him, but a son he was slowly losing.
*~*~*
Estel was scared. Every night, he heard the most horrifying screams coming from the room next to his. Finally, he could stand it no longer. Feeling a surge of bravery, he snuck out of his bed, and crept towards the door. He looked back quickly, and grabbed his stuffed horse. Glorfindel had made it for him when he was still a baby. He really was too old to have such things, being all of eight, but still; a little extra protection never hurt.
Another scream came through the door. Shaking only a little bit, Estel carefully opened his door, and slid silently down the hall. One… two… three doors… there. He tried the door; it was unlocked, much to his surprise. Holding the horse out in front of him like a shield, he slipped inside. Immediately his gaze was drawn to the bed, where a figure thrashed and cried. Oh. It was just a person having a bad dream. Well, he had better wake them up; he knew that bad dreams were not nice.
Feeling very honorable (was this honor as Elrohir saw it?); he walked over to the bed and gently touched the shoulder of the dreamer. Estel yelled in surprise as he was flipped over the person and pinned to the bed, wild eyes boring into his. The child was very conscious of the hand wrapped around his throat.
With a startled cry, the elf released the boy and sat up, breathing raggedly. "Elrohir?" Estel asked warily. "Are you alright?"
"I am fine, Estel. What are you doing here?" Though he didn't look fine; if anything, the elf looked as if he would shake himself into a hole.
"I heard you screaming. Were you dreaming about Arryn?" The words, though innocently said, made Elrohir want to cry.
"Yes, Estel. I was dreaming about Arryn." He buried his head in his knees. "I dream that he is angry with me… that he blames me for his death. His eyes haunt me. Oh, Estel. I miss him."
Not knowing what to do, Estel simply sat there. Searching about for inspiration, his eyes fell on his stuffed horse. With a smile, he reached down and picked up the toy, and presented it to the distraught elf with a flourish. Elrohir looked blankly at it for a moment, before reaching a hand over to grasp it.
"Glorfindel made him for me. He protects me from bad dreams, but I'll let you sleep with him, if you'd like," Estel gallantly gave up his protector, but Elrohir could see the worry that was infusing the boy at the loss of his toy. Smiling a bit, Elrohir hugged the animal close.
"I'll tell you what, Estel. I…don't really want to be alone right now. Will you sleep with me?" Elrohir looked up into his face, and was secretly relieved when the boy smiled and accepted, burrowing deep under the covers beside Elrohir. Turning to face the child, he held out the horse, and smiled as Estel reached over to hold the toy close to his chest. The elf, in turn, held the child close. He hadn't been lying when he said he didn't want to sleep alone. Estel didn't need know that it wasn't his company that Elrohir longed for.
Just before sleep claimed the elf, he saw green eyes, sparking with yellow joy, dancing in front of his eyes.
Alarmed, he sat up, looking for his twin. He didn't see him. Scrambling to his feet, he looked 'round again, dark thoughts of finding his brother dead were screaming in his head.
"Elladan," the voice was soft, quiet and vaguely amused. "I'm over here."
The twin spun around, and he forced a laugh as he recognized Elrohir reclining at the base of a tree not ten feet away from him. "Gods, Brother! Do not do that to me! I feared you had gone and--" he cut himself off, abruptly.
"Killed myself?" came the bitter reply. "Have no fear, Brother Mine, I would not do that to you." Elrohir rose gracefully from the tree bole and walked up to his flustered twin, putting a hand on the others' shoulder. He smiled slightly. "I know how I would feel if you left me-I would not do that to you. You are my tie to Ea, Elladan, and I both love and hate you for it." With that less-than-comforting reply, he turned away and set about packing up their campsite. "Come Elladan. We must depart soon if we are to reach Imladris today."
Shaking himself, Elladan went to join his twin. "Why did you not wake me for my watch?" he questioned, feeling anger burn in his belly.
"I was not tired," came the expected response.
"You are NEVER tired!" Elladan burst out, his temper getting the better of him. "Yet you never sleep! How is that possible, Elrohir?"
"I cannot dream if I do not sleep." Elrohir replied, unfazed by his brother's fury.
"You are going to make yourself ill if you do not rest!" Elladan yelled.
"I do not see how that is any concern of yours."
"I am your BROTHER! You ARE my concern!"
"Then you are a fool." The quiet words drove a dagger into Elladan's heart, but anger was quick to staunch the flow of blood. With a face gone white with fury, he stepped forward and backhanded his brother as hard as he could. Stunned, Elrohir's head snapped back and he stumbled a few steps; he fell gracelessly to the ground, where he looked up with wide eyes. The elf brought a hand up to his mouth and it came away bloody, his teeth had cut through his lip. He stared at the blood dazedly, in shock.
…arryn please, love it's me, it's elrohir, please calm down, it's alright, i love you, it's alright love calm down, please 'tis elrohir, 'tis just me, shhh, I love you, shhh my love hush...
"…Elrohir…" Elladan was kneeling on the ground beside him, clinging to him and crying. "I am so sorry, brother, please, I am sorry, my temper got the better of me, please forgive me, Elrohir, please…"
Elrohir shoved him away wildly, springing to his feet. When Elladan reached out to him, he screamed, "No! Do not touch me!" The elf was shaking in great ripples like a lake surface, his face was white and blood stained his chin. He focused his eyes of his brother, and took in his miserable form. Elladan held his hand out again, and Elrohir shook his head. "No, please… just-leave me be." He desolately turned away, and seized a cloth, cleaning the blood away raggedly before continuing to ready himself for the road.
Elladan knelt where he was for a long moment, watching, before he got to his feet and packed his things, silent.
*~*~*
The return of the twin sons of Elrond to the Valley of Imladris was a much-celebrated event; it had been several years since the twins had last been home. At the last Homely House, things were in an uproar. The Lady Arwen had just arrived earlier that day and was still settling in. Servants and Lords alike bustled around each other, preparing for the great feast that was planned for that evening.
When the sentries caught sight of the rising cloud of dust on eth road, they gave up great whoops, whistling signals back and forth like Wood Elves until word finally reached Lord Elrond's ear.
Heaving a great sigh, Elrond dismissed the servant delivering the news, and passed through a small, concealed door to the room next to his. Stepping carefully into the sitting room, he caught sight of a blonde Eldar, slouched over his desk, fast asleep.
Elrond smiled indulgently and crossed over to the other elf. Gently, he smoothed the golden locks back behind a pointed ear. He leaned forward, and ghosted a breath along the sensitive point. "Glorfindel..." he whispered. "Wake up, melethron."
Without even a slight start, Glorfindel lifted his head, and kissed the other's mouth. "With such a sight to wake up to, how can I not?" He smiled against his lips, then kissed the half-elf once more. They both drew back at the same moment, recalling their duties.
Elrond cleared his throat. "Much as I would like to continue along this path, my sons are arriving as we speak."
Glorfindel sighed ruefully. "I am sorry I fell asleep, my Lord, I should have been working."
"Nonsense." Elrond brushed off the apology. "You have barely slept since you heard of the twins' return. You are allowed some respite." The half-elf slid his hands down the broad shoulders and linked them around Glorfindel's middle, holding the blonde tightly. "I need you awake and aware." He took a deep breath. "Are you ready?"
Glorfindel blinked and nodded, not trusting his voice. It would be very hard to see the twins again; they all had horrible memories they had yet to get over. Arryn's death hung over them all like a cloud. Elrond knew from Elladan's letters that dreams of Arryn constantly plagued Elrohir. *He dreams that Arryn is angry.* his son wrote. *He speaks in his sleep, mumbling that he did not wish to leave him, that he is sorry. He begs for absolution. It is heartbreaking, Ada. What should I do?*
Elrond shook himself, freeing his mind from the memories. His children would all be with him soon; he could determine a course of action with regards to Elrohir later. He gave Glorfindel one more squeeze, the released him. "Come, melethron. Let us go out to meet them.
*~*~*
The twins, when they arrived were a silent, somber pair. Elrond was surprised when they embraced him one at a time; usually they both leapt on him like a pair of monkeys and brought all three of them to a pile on the ground. They were all disturbed by the bruises around Elrohir's mouth, but were silent about them.
The twins greeted Glorfindel and Arwen cordially, bowing to the blonde and kissing their sister's cheek politely. Glorfindel took Elrohir's arm and steered him away to the room that was being prepared for him-he had expressed that he did not want o sleep in his old room.
Elrond and Arwen were left with Elladan, who looked at them miserably.
"Elladan," came Arwen's soft voice. "What had happened?"
Elladan swallowed visibly. "I hit him," he said quietly. "I hit him... I was so angry, and I hit him!" The words were quietly said, but they were so loud that all who heard felt pain. "He is still mourning Arryn. Father, it has been over twenty years! Surely he should be moving on!"
Elrond shrugged helplessly. "They were truly in love, Elladan. One does not just forget something that pure. Give him time."
"Does he still dream, Elladan?" Arwen asked. "He told Grandfather that he had dreams of Arryn."
"You speak of the nightmares he wakes up screaming and sobbing from?"
"He still does then?" Elrond sighed. "Very well. I will slip him something for dreamless sleep. Come, my children-let us head in-it is almost time for the feast."
*~*~*
Elrohir sat back and watched the elves around him as they danced and sang. He watched two elves, male and very much in love, as they held each other tightly, swaying, heads contentedly resting on the others shoulders.
//Oh Arryn...// Loneliness struck him in a wave of desolation. He once knew that closeness, that blind love that let one drop one's guard and trust. He missed that feeling.
Elrohir shook himself, feeling his resolve quake. Glancing about, he decided that he had been sociable long enough. With a quick look around for his father, Elrohir slipped quietly onto the balcony and into the night air. He wandered the gardens, walking in sweet memory. It had been far too long since he was last home.
Elrohir sat on the stone bench, lost in his thought. He heard a slight rustling in the rosebush behind him. He leapt to his feet, hand going automatically to his side for the dagger that was not there He cursed himself inwardly, dropping to a fighters crouch.
He held his breath, waiting for the attack. With a quiet "mrrow," a small cat wandered out from under the leaves. She stalked up to him, cool as you please, and reached one delicate paw up and swiped at his chin. Startled, Elrohir jerked back, and promptly fell on his rear.
The roar of laughter from the trees alerted him to the presence of another, and quicker that thought, he was at the tree base. Catching hold of a dangling foot, Elrohir yarded as hard as he could, darting out of the way as a body fell to the ground. "Who are you? What are you doing here?" he asked angrily. "And is this your cat?" His face softened when he saw the person look up at him; it was only a boy.
"I am Estel. I live here! What are *you* doing here?"
"I am Lord Elrohir. *I* live here."
The boy's face opened in astonishment. "You are Elrohir? Elrond's son?"
Elrohir felt a smile tug at his lips. "I am one of them, yes."
"Elrond has told me much about you. He… he is very sad when you are away. I think he misses you." Estel looked as if he were unsure what the elf's reaction would be.
"I am sad when I leave here. I know I miss him." Elrohir found himself explaining. "I have to leave, though. My twin and I, we hunt orcs."
"Why?" Such a simple question, such a complicated answer.
"Because, because-Estel. What do you know of honor?"
"I know that honor is what good men uphold to. It is something that makes men keep their word, that allows them to do things like rescue maidens," The boy's face turned sour. "It gives them an excuse to do bad things, and they can say it is done for honor."
"Honor isn't always such a bad thing. It can be very good. I hunt orcs because a long time ago, my... my lover was captured by orcs. He was tortured; and went mad from it. I hunt all orcs in vengeance." Elrohir couldn't for the life of him figure out why he was telling this strange boy about Arryn.
The boy looked saddened. "I am sorry, my lord. I lost my father to orcs as well."
"I am sorry." Elrohir looked up at the moon. "It is getting late. Will you join me in my father's house this evening? I daresay it will be difficult for you to return home tonight."
Estel smiled. "I told you, I live here, too!" Elrohir raised his eyebrow. "I do!"
"Alright." Elrohir smiled a bit. "Then let us return home." The cat had returned and was twining herself around Estel's legs. "Ah ha! That *is* your cat!" He glared at her.
Estel laughed, light and joyous. "Of course she is! She lives here, too!"
With a slight laugh, Elrohir herded the small company towards the lit windows of the Last Homely House.
*~*~*
"Father," little Estel asked, sitting on the elf's desk as he swung his legs slowly. "Why does Elrohir never smile anymore?"
Elrond sat back, abandoning any hope of finishing work. He sighed, and tried to figure out how to explain. "Did he tell you about Arryn, at all?"
"Was Arryn his lover? The one whom the orcs hurt?"
Elrond winced. "Yes. Arryn was brought here, to be healed. But I couldn't heal him; he was… he was no longer himself."
Estel nodded. "Elrohir said he went mad."
"Yes, Estel. He did. Elrohir does not smile, I imagine, because all he remembers of his home now, are memories of how we couldn't help his love. I-I wish it could have been different. Arryn was a wonderful elf, full of laughter and always singing. He made Elrohir so happy."
They were silent for a moment, Estel trying to understand the depths of what he had just learned.
"Come my son. Let us get you to bed."
For once, Estel did not protest, allowing Elrond to pick him up, even though he was really far too old to be carried. And when the older elf slid into bed with him, holding him close, he still did not speak, knowing somehow that Elrond was not really holding him, but a son he was slowly losing.
*~*~*
Estel was scared. Every night, he heard the most horrifying screams coming from the room next to his. Finally, he could stand it no longer. Feeling a surge of bravery, he snuck out of his bed, and crept towards the door. He looked back quickly, and grabbed his stuffed horse. Glorfindel had made it for him when he was still a baby. He really was too old to have such things, being all of eight, but still; a little extra protection never hurt.
Another scream came through the door. Shaking only a little bit, Estel carefully opened his door, and slid silently down the hall. One… two… three doors… there. He tried the door; it was unlocked, much to his surprise. Holding the horse out in front of him like a shield, he slipped inside. Immediately his gaze was drawn to the bed, where a figure thrashed and cried. Oh. It was just a person having a bad dream. Well, he had better wake them up; he knew that bad dreams were not nice.
Feeling very honorable (was this honor as Elrohir saw it?); he walked over to the bed and gently touched the shoulder of the dreamer. Estel yelled in surprise as he was flipped over the person and pinned to the bed, wild eyes boring into his. The child was very conscious of the hand wrapped around his throat.
With a startled cry, the elf released the boy and sat up, breathing raggedly. "Elrohir?" Estel asked warily. "Are you alright?"
"I am fine, Estel. What are you doing here?" Though he didn't look fine; if anything, the elf looked as if he would shake himself into a hole.
"I heard you screaming. Were you dreaming about Arryn?" The words, though innocently said, made Elrohir want to cry.
"Yes, Estel. I was dreaming about Arryn." He buried his head in his knees. "I dream that he is angry with me… that he blames me for his death. His eyes haunt me. Oh, Estel. I miss him."
Not knowing what to do, Estel simply sat there. Searching about for inspiration, his eyes fell on his stuffed horse. With a smile, he reached down and picked up the toy, and presented it to the distraught elf with a flourish. Elrohir looked blankly at it for a moment, before reaching a hand over to grasp it.
"Glorfindel made him for me. He protects me from bad dreams, but I'll let you sleep with him, if you'd like," Estel gallantly gave up his protector, but Elrohir could see the worry that was infusing the boy at the loss of his toy. Smiling a bit, Elrohir hugged the animal close.
"I'll tell you what, Estel. I…don't really want to be alone right now. Will you sleep with me?" Elrohir looked up into his face, and was secretly relieved when the boy smiled and accepted, burrowing deep under the covers beside Elrohir. Turning to face the child, he held out the horse, and smiled as Estel reached over to hold the toy close to his chest. The elf, in turn, held the child close. He hadn't been lying when he said he didn't want to sleep alone. Estel didn't need know that it wasn't his company that Elrohir longed for.
Just before sleep claimed the elf, he saw green eyes, sparking with yellow joy, dancing in front of his eyes.