Chapter 17
It was early morning, the sun had not even thought of rising as horses hooves echoed through the empty courtyard. "Ada," a familiar voice yelled, as Elrohir raced through the familiar corridors of his home, "Ada," he carefully placed Elladan on a bed in the healing wing before tearing down the corridors to find his father. "Ada wake up." Elrohir jumped on the bed, the surprised Elf lord woke with a fright.
"Elladan what is the meaning of this?" he demanded.
"Elladan's injured in the healing wing, he needs your help immediately if he is to survive."
"What are you waiting for then?" he said slipping out of bed into a robe, concern overriding the thought of his missing son had finally returned safe. "Ai Valar what happened?" he demanded.
"A burning building fell on top of him...we were trapped and..."
"Never mind the details just go and get water, cloths, bandages, athelas, other herbs you think will help and lots of that burn salve." He ordered as he started peeling the burned trousers away and cringed seeing the skin stick to them.
"Ada is he..." Estel burst in, after leaving the other Humans with a sleepy Erestor.
"His back..." Elrond started seeing the burned bandages.
"They flogged him for no reason...they thought he was..." Estel started.
"Are you just going to stand there or will you help?" Elrond snapped.
"Sorry Ada," Estel whispered starting to clean the wounds with athelas water.
Hours later the three had finally finished working on Elladan's extensive wounds just as lunch was being called.
"My lord," Glorfindel entered the room and saw the three looking tired, "are you well, do you want me to have food sent?"
"Thank you Glorfindel," Elrond nodded tiredly. "Elrohir," he pulled the younger Elf into a loving embrace, "I am so sorry my son; I fear my original greeting..."
"It doesn't matter Ada," he whispered leaning into the elder Elf.
"Do you think he will be alright?" Estel asked.
"Hopefully, the burns are not good but they have been treated but..."
"What? But what?" Elrohir asked apprehensively.
"I fear for his legs...I do not know if they will fully heal...or if he will ever be able to use them again." The two younger brothers stood in silent shock.
"You mean..." a quiet voice said from behind, "I might not be able to walk again."
"Elladan," Elrohir flung himself into his twin's arms, "I'm glad you're alright."
"Define alright," he sighed wincing as his lively brother embraced him tightly, hands moving over painful wounds.
"Sorry," he muttered withdrawing.
"Ada?" Elladan prompted for an answer.
"Yes Elladan...I am sorry, but it is true..."
"No...I won't believe you...you'll see when I am able to walk again...I'll be fine." He said painfully swinging his legs around and tried to stand up, but failed miserably when pain shot through his legs and he fell forward.
"You are nowhere near strong enough to support yourself on your legs, I told you this, you will just have to accept it, even if you can walk again it won't be for a long wile yet." Elrond said sternly helping his eldest back into bed.