When Elrond returned to the recovery room, Frodo was still asleep and Mithrandir was arranging some ivy around Frodo's bed.

"Ivy, admiral? Whatever for? I am not aware that this strand of ivy has any healing virtue."

Mithrandir chuckled as he curled the compliant plant around the legs of Frodo's bedside table. "Well, you asked me to come up with a solution for the IV and here you go. With all this foliage winding about his bed, no one will see the tubing. And I assume, his hand and arm will be kept under the covers."

"Excellent! The young hobbits will not question the greenery since it is every where."

Elrond then went to the side of the bed and pressed a few buttons. When the required equipment appeared, Elrond took Frodo's left hand out from under the coverlet and gently inserting the needle, he began the IV.

Mithrandir then helped him twine ivy about to cover the tubing.

The two ancient ones stood looking at the sleeping hobbit and smiled. "That should do our Ringbearer fine. Two more days should do it. The kidney infection is gone, his blood chemistry is clear..this is just a preventative and a boost to his immune system."

Mithrandir bent and wiped the curly locks of dark brown hair off Frodo's face. "He's been a brave lad so far. It is the least we can do for him."

The wizard stood, his aged face serious as he looked at the physician. "It is the rest of the journey that has me worried."

"Indeed, " Elrond said with a sigh. "We have no idea what Sauron may throw against us. I worry that he will be able to mask Frodo's vitals from us or otherwise scramble his monitoring signal."

Elrond bent and pressed a series of other buttons on the control panel that slipped out of the wall behind a large vase of autumn flowers. A small screen appeared and the two read Frodo's stats.

"I worry that the tracer I inserted, just there, is vulnerable to Sauron's machinations. The Morgul blade was certainly unexpected."

Mithrandir nodded, sitting down. "His powers have expanded much since last we crossed paths with him. I worry that perhaps he is receiving help from the Faldorians. They were ever fond of this sector."

"And of making trouble as well." Elrond smiled as Frodo stirred under his hand. "We will just have to be more vigilant. I will alert the Elbereth to watch the systems perimeter for any intrusions via signal or ship."

"Good idea."

Elrond stepped back from the young hobbit just as he stirred and opened his eyes.

Looking around a bit confused, he tried to sit up and Elrond smoothly lifted him and Mithrandir propped pillows behind him.

The elven healer laid a hand on the arm with the IV and it went slack. Carefully covering it, Elrond said, "Good morning Frodo, I am Elrond. How are you feeling?"

Frodo looked up the elf a bit confused. "I-I am, I feel rested. Better than I did before. Thank you." He brought his hand to his injured shoulder. "Is this better?"

Elrond smiled. "Much better my young friend." He lay a hand on the healing wound. "I will not hide from you that the nature of your wounding was very serious. It may pain you in cold weather and at other times. I will make up some salve to help with the pain."

"Thank you Lord Elrond." Frodo looked around the room. "Where are the others? Are they all right?"

"They are fine Frodo, they have all been quite----"

Just then, there was a strong knocking, and a curly head peered around the door. "Frodo! Come Merry, Frodo's awake!"

Pippin dashed in his face wreathed in smiles, closely followed by Merry.

"Oh Frodo, it is so good to see you awake!"

"And you look good too," added Pippin. "How's the arm then?"

Frodo grimacing a little moved it slightly so they could see.

"Look there Merry. It's moving!" Pippin looked up at the smiling elven lord. "Strider said you were good Lord Elrond! I am so glad you could help our Frodo! He's been in a bad way for so long!"

Elrond put a hand to Pippin's head. "I am glad I could save him Pippin. Now, the two of you may have some time with Frodo, but not much, as he's just awakened. I suspect he's hungry too."

"We can help with that!" Merry said.

"Say, where's Sam?" Pippin said with a slight frown. Frodo asked quietly, "Yes Lord Elrond, where is Sam? I expected to see him here."

"Samwise is getting some well earned sleep Frodo. He should be along shortly."

Another knock was heard, and an elf bearing a tray, followed closely by Sam entered the room. The elf quietly put down the tray near Lord Elrond, bowed and left.

"Mr. Frodo! You're awake!" Sam exclaimed running up to his side.

"And so are you Sam!" Frodo said laughing.

Sam ran his hand through his mussed up hair. "I was a bit of a hurry to see how you are doing." He went up and rubbed Frodo's left hand, just missing the tiny needle.

Elrond gently slipped Frodo's hand out of Sam's grip and said, "It is still a bit tender Sam. He is just getting feeling back into it."

"All right. Well it is certainly good to see you awake and in no pain and that's a fact."

He looked up at the healer. "He'll be all right now won't he sir?"

"Time and rest will tell Samwise. Here," the elf lord handed Sam a small bowl of porridge rich with cream and fruit and honey. "Why don't you help Frodo with his breakfast?"

"Be glad to!"

Merry and Pippin sat on the edge of the bed and began telling Frodo of their adventures after his wounding at Weather Top.

Mithrandir looked to Elrond and smiled. "If you would like to check up on Glorfindel, I shall see that they do not tire out Frodo."

"Thank you. I shall. If you will just block their view for a moment."

Mithrandir smiled and spread his arms to put them on his hips making a fine wall of his robe.

Elrond slipped into the passage room and returned to the ship.

Striding down the hall he entered sickbay and went up to his friend. Looking at the screen he instantly called up, he saw that the damage was healing quickly and there were no complications.

"Captain, there have been no problems with Glorfindel."

"I am relieved Elbereth." He glanced at the screen Elbereth dropped for his perusal.

Elrond placed a hand on his friend's shoulder and Glorfindel awoke.

Blinking, he tried to sit up, but Elrond kept him from rising. "No my friend. Lie still. You were badly injured when that Morgul hilt exploded. Do you remember anything?"

"A bright light and slamming into the ground."

"You were knocked out with a bad blow to your head." Elrond laid a hand on the bandage, sending warmth into the knitting bones and flesh. "You will be able to leave the ship this evening, but I insist you rest another day."

Knowing his friend would not say that unless necessary, the blond elf nodded carefully.

"As you will Elrond. I see our little Ringbearer has returned to the House. He is on the mend too?"

"Yes. Just two more days in the recovery room and I will judge him well enough to get about."

Glorfindel smiled at his friend. "I am glad you were able to save him Elrond. He is quite a brave one! It is so amazing he lasted as long as he did with that Morgul shard in him."

"Indeed. We will hope that he'll be able to succeed in his Quest as well."

Elrond, with one more glance at the screen, lay a hand across his friend's eyes. "Sleep well Glor. I shall see you this evening." His Second returned to sleep with a sigh.

Turning, the elven healer left sickbay.

About to return to the Last Homely House, Elrond made a quick decision. Going on down the corridor, Elrond took a lift and went down another corridor and then stood back from a pair of double doors.

Taking a deep breath, the elven lord approached the doors.

They slid silently open and Elrond stepped onto his bridge.

The lights came up when he entered as well as the bare minimum of systems.

"Is there anything in particular you need captain?" The Elbereth asked quietly.

"View screen on."

Elrond, with a rustle of his damask robes, settled into his command chair.

Silently the forward view screen activated and Elrond looked out into the dark velvet of space, as the planet spun slowly towards night below him.

The stars filled his eyes and he settled back into the body-molding confines of his seat with a sigh.

Space. It was so clean and vast.

And he missed it.

The elven lord sat in his chair until the moon slowly rose, burning out the sharp light of the stars.

Standing with a stretch he said quietly, "Close screen."

Slowly it went blank and the lights of the bridge rose to compensate.

Elrond turned and left the bridge.

He made one more stop before he left the ship.

Going to the cryonics chambers, the elf lord looked at the still form of his wife. She floated, seemingly asleep, her long blond hair a glorious cloud about her peaceful face.

He put a hand to the cool side of the chamber and leaned his forehead against the surface. Two tears rolled down his face.

"Soon my beloved. Soon we will be reunited. When we finally head to galactic West, and home. Where at last you will be healed."

The beautiful face made no sign it had heard.

Elrond quickly wiping his eyes lowered the lights in the room again and slowly left.

As he went to the passage room, the elf lord straightened his shoulders and smiled weakly.

But before they could leave this Middle Earth, there was a Quest to be fulfilled.

And a little hobbit to send on his way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~the end~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~