It never occured to Eldarion that Celebros was still having trouble at home. He never complained, and hadn't been coming every day. It never occured to him that the days when his nephew didn't come were days that Caladin forbade him to. It never occured to him that Celebros was only home when he had absolutely no alternative. Then one afternoon when Eldarion was working in the library, the boy came in, silently as always, nearly scaring the wits out of the Prince when he turned to find Celebros there. Celebros leapt back. 'Sorry!' he cried, softly so as not to attract attention. Distress shone in his eyes. 'It's okay,' Eldarion said, slightly surprised. This happened at least once a week, and usually Celebros just looked sheepish. He gave his nephew a look-over, looking him straight in the eye. Then his eyes wandered a bit. 'Celebros...' he said slowly, shocked, 'what happened?' 'Nothing,' the boy said quickly, looking nervous. He covered up the thing that had made Eldarion start with both small, nimble hands. A livid bruise covered almost all of his right cheek. Most of it was shapeless, but Eldarion could see two finger marks. It had looked like just shadows at first. Celebros was looking at him with wide, fearful eyes. He didn't press it.

'Father?' 'Eldarion. How are you?' 'It isn't me I'm worried about, Father.' 'What seems to be wrong?' Eldarion hesitated. 'Celebros came to talk to me today, and he - there was an awful bruise across most of his cheek. There were fingerprints in it, and it was his right cheek, so whoever did it was left-handed.' The King bit his lip, not looking at his son. 'You think it was Caladin,' he said quietly after a moment. His voice was miserable and tormented. 'No, I know it was Caladin.' 'What did Celebros say?' 'He wouldn't talk about it. He looked frightened. I didn't push it. He's twelve years old, for Elbereth's sake! I wouldn't want to talk about it either, if...' King Elessar shuddered slightly. 'I would never...' he tried to say. 'You know I...' 'But Caladin would, and I know that too. Celebros has been to see me a lot recently. Morgoth take Caladin! I tried to tell Malgil -' 'It was her choice. He promised her more than he could give, and she believed him.' Eldarion's face twisted. 'Then Morgoth take her too.' The King was silent a moment, looking at Eldarion with measuring eyes. Eldarion sighed, feeling tears in his eyes. 'I didn't mean that. I'm sorry, but I just...I don't want him to have to endure that. I think that -'