Chapter 10

The Son's of Elrond

Along the way, the twins rode beside Aragorn, with Halbarad. They spoke to him in elvish, speaking a message from their father: 'The days are short. If thou art in haste, remember the Paths of the Dead.' At this Aragorn's face darkened, but he nodded.

"For another reason, also, we have come. Our father has felt the one, Gildae's pain, even so far away in Imladris. Since he could not come himself, he sent us and bid us to give him what little healing and comfort we can. Where is he?" asked Elrohir. Aragorn nodded behind him to where Kalan rode in painful silence, his hood drawn low over his face. Even as they watched, he began to slip from the saddle. Astalsul neighed softly in warning and Legolas, who rode beside them, swiftly pushed Kalan back upright. Kalan's head jerked up and Legolas spoke to him softly in elvish. All Kalan did was nod.

Elladan turned back to the Ranger beside him, anxiety written all over his fair face. "Is it as bad as we feared?" he asked.

"Probably worse," answered Aragorn and he told the brothers of what Kalan had endured. Their faces showed horror, then anger, then remorse.

"It *is* worse than we feared," said Elrohir, glancing back at Kalan then returned to Aragorn. "We shall reach Edoras tonight. My brother and I shall go to Kalan Gildae. We are not as great as our father in healing and power, but perhaps he will talk to us," he said, his twin nodded in agreement. They said farewell to Aragorn and dropped back to Kalan. Elrohir went to his right and Elladan to the left. He spoke softly to Legolas who nodded and moved away, letting the elder elf take his place beside Kalan.

Astalsul eyed the two newcomers warily and snapped at them if they came too close, trying to protect his burden. Kalan laid a slightly shaking hand on the steed's neck and he quieted.

"Toror' e' inn[1], thou hath been hurt grievously," said Elladan. Kalan turned his gaze to the elf, he looked weak, pained and grieved. For the first time, Kalan looked his true age. Elladan met his brother's gaze over the half-dragon's head, both were reminded of their mother and how she left for the Undying Lands after being tormented by the orcs. So similar to how Kalan was now, both of them feared that Kalan would be the same, however, only elves have even been allowed into Valinor. There would be nowhere for Kalan to run to, and he could fade away into nothing. The twins broke eye contact when Kalan spoke.

"What news from thy father?" he asked in the same tongue.

"He wished to be here with you, it pains him that he cannot," Elladan replied. "And he says that you must come back to him in one piece," he added with a small laugh. Kalan gave a wan smile, but turned away. Elrohir reached out and took Kalan's hand, but the younger jerked his hand away as if he'd been burned. Elrohir was shocked and Kalan slumped in his saddle.

"I am sorry, Elrohir, it is yet hard for me not to feel the orc's claws on me. I meant no offense," said Kalan weakly, not meeting either of their eyes.

"There was none taken, Gildae, we understand," reassured Elrohir. The elf delved into his saddlebag and brought out a small flask. He handed it over to Kalan. "Drink a little of this. It is miruvor, and it will help you regain some strength," Kalan did as he was told and took two sips of the elven cordial. Warmth ran through his body and a bit of strength returned. He nodded thanks and handed the flask back to Elrohir. The three of them rode the rest of the way in silence.

*

Later that night, the Riders reached Edoras. The hill-top capital of Rohan and the Golden Hall of Meduseld. Aragorn helped Merry to the ground; the poor hobbit was all but asleep. Gimli hopped off the horse followed by Legolas. The son's of Elrond dismounted and Elladan moved to help Kalan.

The dragonling had already managed to get a leg over the saddle by himself. But then his strength failed him before he could touch the ground. Elladan caught him in his arms before he could fall. Kalan was shaking with weariness and strain. The elf set him upon his own feet, but wrapped an arm around Kalan's waist, holding him up. Astalsul gently nudged him with his nose and 'wuffed' against his neck in affection. Kalan laid a hand upon the horse's neck.

"Diolla lle, mellonamin,"[2] he said. "Now you must get some rest yourself," he added. The horse nudged him once more before he allowed himself to be led away by a soldier. Elrohir touched Kalan's arm, tentatively. Kalan flinched slightly but did not pull away, perhaps because he was too weary. Aragorn approached them.

"Kalan?" he asked. The youth raised his head and opened his eyes. 'Damn!' cursed Aragorn in his mind. Kalan had the same look in his eyes as he did when he Legolas had found in Orthanc. Tortured, pained, lost and without hope. The Ranger turned to Elladan. "I trust you know best how to help him," he said in a low voice.

"Nay, not the best, but enough to help, even a little bit," answered the elf. "Is there a room where we can go?" Aragorn nodded and called to a nearby soldier.

"Please lead them to one of the guest rooms inside," then turned back to the elves. "I will be taking council with Theoden and Eómar if you should need me," then nodded. The twins followed the Rohan soldier into the keep, Elladan gently leading the almost catatonic half-dragon. Aragorn watched them go with a sad look on his weathered face. There was a tug on the hem of his tunic and he looked down into Merry's worried and sleepy eyes.

"Aragorn, will Kalan be alright?" asked the hobbit. Aragorn sighed.

"I do not know, Merry. I hope so, but I fear that he has been hurt worse than he will allow us to see," answered the man. Then he turned and, with Theoden and Eómar, entered into the Golden Hall.

**Thank you Siah for you wonderful review, I appreciate the comments. I am hoping to post the next chapter next week. Check back for the next intalment of Shadowed Past: Fall From Grace – "The Comfort of Brothers"**

 [1]Brother in Heart – term of endearment used by the twins with Kalan

[2] Thank you, my friend