Manarenil and the two girls, back in the study, went over what they learned by the river.
As Manarenil wrote some more words for them to copy, Racell looked at her sister and bit her lip. "What do you think has happened Racell?" Dinna whispered worriedly.
Racell looked at the elf concentrating on his parchment. "I do not know. I cannot even guess."
"I wish the twins were here. We could play." Wistfully, Dinna looked down at her letters.
"Well maybe we can play with them later."
"I hope so."
Both of them were writing the words for "minnow" and "rocks" and using them in a sentence, when Lord Elrond entered the study.
Both girls looked up anxiously and Elrond smiled and said quietly, "Racell, will you come with me?"
The twelve-year old smiled back up at the elf lord expectantly, but her smile faltered some when she saw his grave expression.
Dinna looked at her sister and then at the elf lord and was about to join them, when she saw Elrond shake his head.
Manarenil quickly caught the elf lord's mood and said, "Dinna, do you suppose you could draw me a picture of the big toad we saw today? I would like it for my room."
Dinna grinned happily, delighted her tutor wanted something of hers. "Yes! Racell come back soon so I can show you!"
"I will." Gently Elrond turned her towards the door and led her out.
The minute the study door closed behind them Racell said in a terrified rush, "Oh what is the matter Ada Elrond?"
He looked at her steadily as they walked along and Racell's spirit dropped further as she saw his face and she stopped, stricken.
"Something bad has happened hasn't it?" She bit her lip and clasped her hands tightly before her. "Did we do something bad?"
"No, no Racell. Neither you nor your sister have done anything wrong."
"Then what Sir Elrond?"
He took Racell by the hand silently and they continued on to the elf lord's main study. They then went to the recovery room, just beyond the study proper.
Racell entered the room, which was filled with a refreshing heart-lifting scent. There in the bed before her lay her uncle Nagron, eyes closed, his thin face wrapped in bandages. An elf, sitting on the far side of the human, smiled at the two of them, bowed slightly and left.
The young girl slowly came to her uncle's side and lifted his hand from the coverlet. It was dry and hot.
Racell sank down and leaned her head on the edge of the bed, her eyes filling with tears. She did not need the nearby elven healer to tell her that her uncle was dying.
She felt a warm hand clasp her shoulder and she said in a hoarse whisper, "Is there nothing you can do?" She turned to face Elrond and hastily wiped her tears. "You saved me, can't you save him too?"
"I have done all I can Racell. His spirit's tie to his body is thin as old spider silk. I am sorry there is little more I can do, save make him comfortable. He was out in the Wild too long injured and poisoned Racell."
Racell looked at the elf whose eyes were filled with warmth and compassion. She realized he spoke truthfully. Her head fell back down on the bed, a sob pulling loose from her. Now it was Uncle Nagron who was going to leave she and Dinna. And then they would be truly alone.
She held the Ranger's hand tightly. She had had such hopes that Uncle Nagron would be found with just a few scratches, and really no worse for wear.
But here he was and even Ada Elrond could do nothing further. Her tears wet the back of his hand.
Suddenly she felt her pressure returned and she lifted her head to stare at the Ranger.
His grey blue eyes opened and focused a moment on the elf lord in confusion and then his glance slid to his little niece. He smiled slowly. "Racell." His voice was dry as sand in a drought.
"Oh Uncle Nagron." She moved closer and kissed him and his dry lips pressed against her cheek in return.
He ran a hand weakly through her hair, his eyes suspiciously moist. Racell just lay her head on his shoulder.
"My lord, thank you for this gift."
Elrond came up to him and Racell lifted her head and saw that the healer wanted to give the injured man something to drink.
She watched Nagron drink thirstily from the goblet, and as Elrond lay his head back, the Ranger sighed tiredly. "I am so glad my nieces made it here safely."
"They are fine Nagron. They are in the midst of lessons at the moment in Sindarin and Tengwar. Their tutor will also teach them Westron."
Nagron smiled and turned his head toward Racell who was chewing on a finger. "You be a good girl for Lord Elrond and make sure Dinna minds too."
"Yes, Uncle Nagron, we'll be good." Looking at the elf lord anxiously she asked, "Can Dinna see Uncle Nagron? Please?"
"All right Racell. I did not want to tire Nagron out. He is very weak."
"But it will make me feel all that much better my lord if I see the little one."
Elrond smiled and indicated to Racell she could go fetch Dinna.
The healer came closer to the Ranger, saying quietly, "I am sorry
Nagron to expose you to all this now."
"No, I am glad to see the girls. I worried constantly that the orcs had gotten to them."
Elrond nodded, deciding not to say anything of the girls' conditions when they arrived in Rivendell.
While they waited, the elf lord gently got Nagron more comfortable, propping him up with pillows and then gave him more medicine and water.
The Ranger looked at the ancient one before him and sighed, "How long do I have my lord?"
"Your body is worn out Nagron. I have done what I can to sustain it. It is now all in the hands of Eru."
The man nodded tiredly, then looked up, a bit of fire in his eyes. "Did you tell Racell of her heritage? Why she is here?"
"I did, though she is a bit young to grasp the ramifications. Rest assured, I shall do all I can for her to prepare her for any eventuality."
"My thanks again Lord Elrond. It is a load off my mind."
"Manarenil, Lord Elrond sent for me to fetch Dinna."
"All Right Racell. Dinna, perhaps you can finish your drawing for me later."
Dinna smiled and both girls bobbed quick, polite curtseys (something learned from Celebrian) and left the study.
The minute the door closed, Dinna said in a rush, "What's happened Racell? Is Ada Elrond angry? Do we have to leave? Can we say good bye to Nana Celebrian and the twins? Can I take my dolly?"
Racell brushed at her eyes quickly as she towed Dinna down the hall, walking fast. "No, we have not done anything wrong. Uncle Nagron is back."
Dinna, about to squeal in delight, saw her sister's unhappy expression and immediately quieted. "Is he all right?'
Racell, her breath hitching said, "For now."
Just then, they reached the study door and opened it slowly. Dinna ran to the recovery room and peeked around the edge. Seeing her uncle sitting up, she flew to his side. She flung her arms around him and began crying in deep racking sobs. The Ranger patted her slowly and gently, his eyes closed in happiness.
It warmed his heart to hold his brother's youngest. He felt a great feeling of peace steal over him as he held the sobbing child.
No matter what happened to him, he knew these two would survive and be loved by the kind elf at his side.