Disclaimer: This story was written for enjoyment only. I do not own any of Tolkien's characters.



Author's Note: Thank you all once again! Your kind words are greatly appreciated and all of your suggestions are keenly noted. I have mentioned to my friend, who writes also, how you have helped me to write a better story through the messages you have sent to me. You are keeping me on track! I hope you continue to enjoy this next chapter!



Relesen Chapter 16







With weary eyes, Elrond surveyed his handiwork as his gaze swept over the numerous delicate stitches he had used to knit together once again the flesh on Legolas' forearm. Reaching for a roll of bandages with which to further bind the wound, the Eldar's brow knitted with concern, while his gaze shifted away from his own busy hands upward to take in the pale countenance of the one now laying before him. The Silvan elf's initial injury upon his return to Rivendell had been a grave one, his flesh marred by a deep and ragged cut, but this new damage, he had sustained, was all the more serious in nature. For not only had the elf's original wound reopened, but a vessel carrying blood from the archer's heart down his arm toward his hand had been nicked in the process. This fact alone was enough to worry him, the elf lord acknowledged, as he silently resumed his task of wrapping Legolas' wound, but the immortal being's First Born tendency toward rapid recuperation had been greatly compromised by all that the elf had been through both physically and emotionally in the preceding days. To add to that the burden of blood loss and a possible concussion made Elrond's spirit all the graver.



An involuntary shudder escaped the elf lord as his gaze moved across the room toward the chair containing the figure of his eldest son. Elladan's lithe form upon it belied the heaviness of his emotions. The elder twin looked on in stunned silence as he watched his father tend to the fair-haired elf, while a remorseful expression haunted his features



Elrond would never forget his initial impression when he had first caught sight of Elladan carrying Legolas' injured body through the long hallway toward him. For the second time in just hours, the elder twin's shouts of dismay had filled the hallways of the realm. This time Legolas lay limply within his arms, and a trail of blood marked the path they had taken. Elrond had feared in those first moments that his eldest had allowed unchecked emotion to get the better of him, and that he had sought out retribution upon the Silvan elf for the injuries he had caused his youngest brother. The elf lord's heart had stilled in his chest as his eyes moved away from Legolas' stricken form to meet with those of his son's, and for a brief moment he was unable to hide from Elladan the apprehension that consumed him. Elrond knew with certainty that Elladan had acknowledged this fear and doubt on his part, but his eldest son had only hesitated briefly as if to struggle with it before his voice and his movements took over spurring his father into action.



Breathlessly, Elladan moved forward toward the gathering crowd assembling about him to deposit Legolas's still body into the awaiting arms of those around him, while he struggled to speak. "I found him, Father, upon the far portico." The raven-haired elf panted. "He would have fallen had I not caught him . . . " Elladan continued while drawing a heavy breath. "He struck his head upon the parapet on his way down and he's bleeding profusely from his right arm. I tried to stop the flow of blood from it, but the wound is too deep! Help him, Father! Please!" Elladan finished in a desperate rush of words while bending forward in an attempt to catch his breath.



In the moments following the mayhem of this desperate arrival, the voices surrounding them were filled with words describing the utter chaos found along the hallways of the realm with the discovery of toppled furniture, fallen tapestries, a shattered vase, and blood marred walls and floors. For Elladan had not been alone in his pursuit to find Legolas. Elrohir had gone with him, procuring the assistance of the other elves he had encountered along the way, though the younger twin had yet to return.



As these muddled musings reached the elf lord, his mind went back over the few rushed words of explanation he had given to his eldest concerning Legolas' apparent role in Aragorn's injuries. Elrond, himself, had planned to seek out the whereabouts of the Silvan elf when it was discovered that he was missing, but Elladan was quick to jump in with his opposition to such a plan, proclaiming resolutely that his Father should stay with Estel. He went on to question verbally how Elrond could allow his concern for Legolas to outweigh that for his own son.



Elrond listened anxiously to his eldest's arguments before responding. "We do not know yet the circumstances surrounding your brother's condition, Elladan. I will not believe ill of Legolas, and I am not about to start jumping to conclusions! Please make way, for he is in no condition to be left alone!"



"But neither is Estel, Father!" Elladan countered harshly. "How can you take to the plight of the one, who struck him down, over that of your own ailing son? I cannot believe such impropriety on your part!"



"If I had the time to argue, I would have something to say about your acrimonious words to me, my son! But this moment is ill chosen, and I do not wish to dispute your disregard toward my explanation. I must go! ..."



"No, Father! I will not let you! I will not let you leave my brother's side . . . not for him! Never for him! I will go in your stead, if someone must find him!"



"Elladan . . . " Elrond began warily, unable to keep himself from being drawn into the emotion of the moment.



The eldest twin did not need for his father to continue on in conversation, for he could see the feelings of deep misgiving flashing within his now stormy eyes and hastily Elladan added. "And I will take Elrohir with me, Father, if that will put your mind at rest toward what my possible conduct might be if I should find Legolas!"



Not bothering to wait for a response, Elladan turned and stormed out of the room in search of the Silvan elf. Hesitating only briefly, Elrohir issued his father a quick look of concern before hastily taking off after his brother's swiftly departing figure, leaving Elrond alone to his thoughts.



Now as their eyes met again over the distance separating them, Elrond could not help but detect the glimmer of deep regret that filled Elladan's own.



The younger elf was the first to turn and look away, staring down at his restless hands upon his lap.



"You could not have known . . . " Elrond began in an attempt to break the heavy silence between them.



"Don't, Father!" Elladan interrupted.



Elrond curtailed his efforts at speech as he took in the increased distress that marked his son's countenance as Elladan lifted his head while he continued on. Gathering tears filled his gray eyes. "How could I have doubted him?" He asked as if questioning himself more than expecting an answer forthwith. "I have known him for eons. He has been a dear and trusted friend." Elladan rebuked. "Yes, circumstances were strained between him and Estel at first, but over the years . . . " Elladan hesitated as his voice began to break. "...over the years they had come to understand one another . . . had become friends . . . had come to regard and to love each other as brothers . . . How could I have let myself think the worst of him?" Elladan choked as his head dropped forward into his hands.



"Elladan, . . . " Elrond spoke up while placing Legolas' now bandaged arm to rest back down upon the bed below him before drawing the covers up over the elf's still form then moving around the bed toward his son. "...you were not to know. You cannot blame yourself!"



"How can I not, Father?" Elladan questioned in desperation. "I chose to distrust one of my closest friends and . . . " Elladan's voice broke once more as he looked up grievously at his father. "...and even you, my own father . . . "



Elrond's heart felt even heavier at this last disclosure, not from his son's words, but from his own inaction toward preventing what had occurred. 'If he hadn't kept silent . . . If he hadn't held back . . . ' A rush of unchecked emotion besieged the usually calm elf lord. 'When would this suffering end?' He questioned. The tragedy surrounding Aragorn and Legolas had mushroomed to engulf them all. None had remained untouched from the anguish in the wake of its path. 'Iluvatar!' Elrond entreated. 'Give me the strength to bear all that has happened thus far, and that, which is yet to come! Let me find the words to right what has gone wrong, to give counsel to those in need of my help, and to give hope to those now in despair! Let me find the strength to carry on . . . '



Turning sad eyes toward his eldest, Elrond spoke up. "Do not blame yourself, Elladan. Your reaction was only natural. Our race is not devoid of emotion. Your brother was hurt. You sought to right the wrong you believed done to him . . . "



"But Legolas was . . . is my friend, Father." Elladan interrupted gruffly.



"Yes." Elrond answered. "And it was that knowledge that ruled your heart in the end, for you saved him. You saved him from falling. Your love for him won out over the wrong you believed he had committed."



"But what did I drive him to, Father?" You did not see him upon the parapet this night! You did not witness the desperation so apparent in his eyes! If I had been but a few moments later . . . I shudder to think of what the consequences might have been!" Elladan's voice drew tight with this admission.



"But you were not late in getting there." Elrond returned. "You were there when he needed you."



"Was I Father?" Elladan questioned. "For he needed me long before that moment upon the parapet!"



"We cannot go about second guessing what has passed, my son." Elrond answered. "But only move forward and do what is right in the future. You did that. You were there for Legolas. You came to his aid and then sought out help for him when he needed it most."



Dropping his head back down into his awaiting hands, Elladan shook it back and forth in distressed response to his father's reply. "I cannot but help but feel responsible for his condition, Father, if not emotionally than physically. I laid my hands upon him in Estel's room after overhearing his revelation. I treated him roughly. It may have been by my hand that he . . ."



"If you must blame yourself, then blame me too, Elladan!" Elrond interrupted emphatically.

The younger elf's head shot up in disbelief to his father's words as Elrond continued. "For I am just as much to blame as you for keeping what knowledge I had of Legolas and Estel's circumstance to myself!"



"How can you say that, Father?" Elladan queried though he was unable to keep the hurt from his voice nor from his countenance at his father's admission.



"It was not done through any mistrust in you, Elladan, of that you can be sure!"



"My actions have not offered proof to that effect!" Elladan railed.



"What are you guilty of, Elladan? Harboring strong emotion? Many of us have experienced such intensity of feeling! I cannot honestly say that hesitancy never crossed my mind after learning that it was Legolas' arrow that had struck down your brother. The same can be said for Elrohir."



"Yes, Father! But you did not let such misgivings consume you!"



"That is right." Elrond answered gravely. "But there have been times in my life when I have felt as strongly as you did at that moment. I have learned to temper such emotion, my son, to allow my head to overrule the dictates of my heart."



"I am not sure I will ever be as wise as you are, Father."



Elrond stared back at his eldest. The love he felt for him filling his countenance, and he reached forward to caress his eldest's face with his hand. "Do not be so hard on yourself, Elladan, for it is a great gift to feel such strength of emotion as you do. One in which the goodness will always takes precedence. One in which love will always come first."



Neither was certain who was the first to move, but within a heartbeat the father had clasped his son toward him. Elladan buried his face into his father's shoulder as his tears fell to wet the Eldar's robe. Elrond spoke quiet words of comfort as he listened to his son's disjointed discourse. "You should have heard him father! The pain he now feels! The guilt he now bears over his actions! He was trying to save Estel's life! Estel had been injured! He had fallen! The orcs had him surrounded and Legolas was only trying to save his life when Estel rose up into the path of his oncoming arrow! How could I have held Legolas accountable for trying to save my brother's life?"



"Hush, Elladan!" Elrond soothed as his hands reached upward to stroke his son's hair and back. "You are not to blame. None of us are!"



Many long minutes passed as Elrond held his eldest within the comfort of his arms, listening to his words and consoling his distress until Elladan had spent all his emotion, and then the elf lord continued to hold him in the comfort that can only be offered by silent acceptance.



Finally drawing his son back, Elrond's concerned eyes took hold of his son's and he spoke. "Go now, and rest, Elladan. You have been through much this day."



"No, Father." His eldest answered. "I would like to stay with Legolas. I'd like to be here when he awakens." An uneasiness passed through the elder twin as his mind added worriedly. 'If he awakens . . . '



Elrond hesitated, unsure if he should acquiesce to this request. His reluctance did not stem from any mistrust in his son, but from fatherly concern for his welfare. Noting the determination now present in Elladan's eyes, the elf lord finally assented to his wishes, though not without silently planning to have additional help available close by should circumstances warrant its need. Ultimately he concluded with. "I should go now and check on Estel. Though I believe Elrohir is with him, I would be more at ease, if I knew how your youngest brother was faring."



"Yes, Father." Elladan acknowledged before issuing his father a brief nod of farewell before returning to the chair he had previously occupied to resume his vigil beside his friend's bed.



Elrond departed the room as his mind went over all of the events of the last few days. So much had happened. So much grief and pain. His mind longed for the peace of quieter, happier times, wondering distractedly if they would ever return to them again. Entering into the chamber that contained his youngest, Elrond noted the comfort of Elrohir's presence in the chair beside his brother's bed. Though his eyes were open, the younger twin had succumbed to the lure of much needed rest and had fallen asleep.



Drawing up beside the bed that contained his youngest son, Elrond settled his weight upon its cushions. His eyes searched the still pale countenance of the Man before him. He was pleased to note that his slumbering features appeared more relaxed and did not seem so pinched with pain. Reaching a hand forward, the elf lord reflexively brushed back the sweep of hair that fell across Aragorn's brow. He was surprised when his Human son responded to his touch by opening his sleepy, gray eyes. The Man's lips moved in speech as he quietly rasped. "Father. " Had Elrond not had the First Born's gift of keen hearing, it might have gone undetected. Aragorn said no more as his eyelids began to flutter and his eyes closed once again while his mind moved back toward the peace offered by sleep. The hint of a long missed smile curved upon his lips as he did. Tears filled Elrond's eyes as his hands moved down to cradle Aragorn's free one within his own. Bringing it up toward his face, he brushed his lips lightly against its warmth before turning his eyes upward and offering his thanks.