Fanuiriel sat in her rooms where she had been for the last two days. Her thoughts had turned ever so slowly from worrying about telling Lord Elrond about her being married to Estel, to Estel's safety.
She didn't want to be a widow before she had ever really been a wife.
A runner had come to tell them of the elves fighting the orcs and that there were more than expected.
And Estel had been caught up in all! He probably thought it was exciting and a bit of a lark. But he was so young and untried.
Fanuiriel stared sightlessly at her loom and then stood abruptly and marched out of her rooms.
Someone had to know what was happening.
Not willing to face Lord Elrond at the moment, Fanuiriel decided on Erestor. As a close advisor of the Master of Rivendell, he surely would have some information.
The she elf, with clasped hands before her, hurried through the corridors in search of the elf lord.
The third messenger rode grimly on into the night.
Not only was the news he carried grave, but the young human son of Elrond was slowly succumbing to the poisoned orc arrow.
At each stop, the elves had done what they could, but they only had the most rudimentary of healing supplies with them.
Now Estel was completely in thrall to the poison. He was unconscious, tossing feverishly with dark dreams in the arms of the elf carrying him. The wounded side of his face was going green.
A sickle moon hung high in the sky, shedding a faint silver glow on the lathered horse and rider with his injured companion as they clattered into the main courtyard of Rivendell.
Two elves dashed out of the shadows, one taking the exhausted horse and the other taking Estel from the messenger. Once dismounted, the messenger took the slender human back and raced into the quiet House.
Setting Estel down in Lord Elrond's surgery, he hurried to wake the elf lord.
In minutes, Elrond, adjusting a long grey robe over his sleeping tunic followed the elf to his study.
Entering the surgery, he looked at his son grimly, gently touching the poisoned flesh. The messenger in the meantime had quickly lit the candles.
"Celarin I thank you for your swift arrival. Before you seek your rest, would you please rouse Erestor and he will ring the general alarm so we may gather soldiers with dispatch."
"Of course, my lord."
Elrond, eyes shining in the candlelight, clasped the elf by the shoulder as he turned to leave. "My thanks again for bringing Estel to me so quickly."
The messenger bowed and hurried out.
Elrond bent over Estel and tenderly brushed his hair back. "Ah, my son, your first touch of the real world and the evil therein. I am sorry for this."
Carefully, the healer unwrapped the bandage around Estel's angry wound. Elrond could immediately see the poisons progress by the terrible green hue around the arrow graze. His fingers touched the hot flesh sadly and then he turned to get what supplies he needed from the cabinet behind him.
Estel began to mumble and move on the table. "Ada! Ada! I am so thirsty!!" The young man rubbed a hand down his face revealing tear-filled eyes. "No, no, don't die! Stay with us!! Ada!"
Elrond immediately turned and quieted his son by placing his hands on either side of his face, saying, "Sh, Estel, I am here. Troops are being sent to aid Glorfindel. Sh, Estel, all will be well."
Estel sighed under his father's hands and relaxed.
"Fanuiriel." He whispered. "Tell her I love her."
Elrond went completely still. Estel loved Fanuiriel? But was it not Elladan whom she had her heart set on?
Shaking his head, the elven lord re-focused his attention on his son's injury.
In an hour, the healer had finished and Estel's face was clean, sutured and bandaged.
As he carried his patient back to his room, he was relieved to see that he had fallen into natural sleep.
Settling the young man in his bed, Elrond decided he might leave him for a short while as he checked on the deployment of the soldiers.
Brushing his son's hair off his face once more, he bent and kissed his still warm forehead and then went out.
He had heard the strident clamor of the alarm bell just as he began working on Estel's face.
"My lord," Erestor bowed as he drew abreast of Elrond. "The soldiers have been assembled in the courtyard. They await your orders."
Nodding, Elrond strode out onto the broad porch before the double doors that were the main entrance to the Last Homely House.
"Elves! Lord Glorfindel and your beleaguered brethren await your aid! Ride hard now and may the Valar protect you!"
With a shout, the troop whirled and raced across the bridge.
A brief wave of desire to armor up and lead the armed elves swept
over the elven lord as he watched their furious departure.
But turning, he dampened his feelings with a sigh.
He must see to Estel and prepare for more wounded.
Fanuiriel, hearing the alarm bell, ran to the courtyard where she at last tracked down Erestor.
"My lord," Fanuiriel put a hand on his arm as he was about to descend the main steps.
"Yes Fanuiriel? Is your business urgent? I must assemble the soldiers."
"Ah, soldiers my lord? What has happened?"
"The elves we sent out to face the orcs have been over-set. We are sending reinforcements."
Fanuiriel blanched at this news and stopped the elf lord once more as he attempted to leave.
"Fanuiriel! I must away!"
"Any news of Estel?"
Erestor paused and looked at her sharply. "The messenger bringing us the news of the battle also carried a wounded, unconscious Estel as well."
Fanuireil stepped back at this information, a hand to her mouth. She then turned and ran back into the House.
Erestor stared after her a moment puzzled by her behavior, but more pressing duties took his attention and he forgot about the she elf.
Fanuiriel flew down the corridors and just as she reached Elrond's study, she stopped and put a hand to her chest.
No, no wait. She could not barge in not while Lord Elrond was working to save Estel.
Slumping against the wall in the shadow of a pillar, Fanuiriel bit a knuckle and stared at the floor trying to calm down.
She would wait until the healer was done and Estel was returned to his room. Surely he was going to be all right. Lord Elrond would not allow Estel to die!
Then she could see what was happening.
Taking a deep breath, the she elf went into the main hall where the stairs went up to the private rooms. She sat in front of the fire burning there, her thoughts lost in the dancing flames.
And there she sat for a few hours, lost in thought.
Estel struggled into consciousness. His face felt funny, all tight and numb. His skin felt warm as if he had a fever and his mouth was as dry as sand.
"Wa-water," he mumbled. "Ada? Ada where are you?"
He opened his eyes when he felt a cool hand on his forehead.
His head was lifted and he saw the warm expression of his father's concern. "I am here Estel. Drink slowly."
His father brought a stoneware cup to his lips and Estel eagerly drank it down, even though he could taste it was more than water. He brought his hands up in his eagerness to drink and wrapped them around his fathers as he swallowed.
Finished, Elrond lay his head back down.
"Ada! The orcs attacked and elves died! It was awful!" Tears filled the injured human's eyes.
"Yes, my son, I know. Your message was received. I have sent more soldiers. Once the sun is up, I shall ask Gwaihir for the aid of his people since they will be able to arrive more quickly."
"That's good Ada." Estel, tired and still feverish, clung to his father's hand. "Please don't leave Ada. Please. My dreams are-are not nice."
"Of course, Estel." Elrond disengaged his hands from the young man's grasp and then put them on either side of his anxious face, pouring in
rest and quiet to settle his sons mind.
Estel, his eyes slowly going unfocused smiled up at his father. His Ada was here. He would make everything right.
A smile crossed his face as he finally slept.
Elrond lifted his hands when he was certain Estel was asleep.
With a deep sigh, the elf lord straightened and rose with a stretch. A little hot tea would be welcome before the sun rose and he needed to call for the Wind Lord's aid.
As Lord Elrond left his sons rooms, he did not notice Fanuiriel waiting in the shadows of a winged statue behind him.
She watched the elf until he disappeared into his private chambers.
Biting her lip, Fanuiriel slipped into the room, dim save for one candle at the young man's bedside.
Gasping, she ran to his side, tears glistening in her eyes. His face! Oh Elbereth! What had happened? Was he going to be disfigured?
She sat on the bed and stared at the now peaceful face of her husband.
What else might be wrong?
Tempted to pull the coverlet down, she shook her head deciding against it.
Should she go or should she stay?
If she stayed it would show what a devoted wife she was, undoubtedly softening Lord Elrond.
But if Estel was disfigured, she could keep her distance and dismiss anything he might say as youthful fancy.
Fanuiriel shifted nervously, staring sightlessly at the unconscious Estel.
Slowly she went up to the young man and brought a hand up to the side of his face.
Sighing deeply, Fanuiriel left.
Lord Elrond stood on the highest tower of the Last Homely House where he used his telescope and stood in the early morning breeze and sent forth his call for Gwaihir the Wind Lord.
The Wind Lord, seeking his breakfast answered and in a half an hour, Elrond saw the great winged shape coming from the North.
Soon, with a great swoosh, the majestic eagle landed on the roof and bowed his noble head slightly. "What can I do for you my friend?"
"Gwaihir, my elves are sore beset on the western edge of these mountains near where the East Road wends it way through the foothills. I have sent more soldiers, but if you and a few of your brethren could harry the marauding yrch until my reinforcements arrive, I would be most grateful."
"Yrch! How I detest them! They harry my youngsters and have even stolen chicks into their mountain holes. I will be happy to help you Elrond, son of Earendil."
"My thanks Gwaihir!"
With a screech of anger, the mighty eagle pushed off from the roof making the timbers creak. Elrond stood in the brief maelstrom the eagles downbeat created and raised a hand in gratitude.
Relief went through the elf lord as he turned to re-enter the house. The Wind Lord and his companions would certainly help against the yrch.
