Wow, thanks for all the reviews. Sorry for taking so long. My computer died on me and this chapter has been written for a while. I'll try to update soon. Thank you all and please don't stop reviewing!!
Êlenrana exited the room. Glorfindel jumped to his feet worriedly.
" Elladan is awake. You may see him," she said wearily.
Glorfindel cupped one elbow as Arwen released Elrohir from his binds. The 2 children ran to their brother's side. Glorfindel put an arm around her waist, his gray eyes dark with... Êlenrana studied them a bit closer before deciding. A deep deep fear clung in her husband;s dark depths.
" What about Elrond?"
Êlenrana looked up with a smile.
" He will not die. I am tired and hungry. He will survive for another 20 minutes," she turned to leave.
" Ele, this is no joke," Glorfindel's eyes burnt with fire as he turned her to face him.
Êlenrana gently caressed his cheek, a slight smile on her face. His eyes softened at her touch and a hint of the grimness fell away.
"Trust me. He is not in my hands."
" Trust me. He is not in my hands."
Elladan's eyes drifted to Aragorn, who was seated beside the other bed, just leaned back, arms crossed over his chest and eyes never wavering from the unfeeling face. Elrohir noted it.
" He is taking Ada's predicament quite hard," Elladan said softly.
" I can hear you, Elladan," Aragorn said.
Arwen's hand brushed his shoulders. She settled in the chair beside Aragorn, laying her head on his shoulder.
" Do not worry. Ada will awake," she gave his cheek a quick kiss.
Aragorn shrugged, letting his elbows rest on his knees and then his head in his hands dejectedly. This was his fault. If only he had not been so careless...
It was so long. Elrond slumped down onto the ground. He was tired. There were obstacles everywhere. Beautiful singing caught his ear. He turned towards it a smile lighting his face. Celebrian.
" Oh no you do not," a hand pulled him from running to her.
" Let me go to her."
" Elrond, she is but a image. That is not your Celebrian. It is death."
Elrond stopped struggling. His gray eyes looked up at the darkness, searching for whomever it was that had a hold on him.
" I want to go home."
He could feel her sad smile. She took his hand, leading him on in the darkness.
" Come, I will help you through this."
Aragorn abruptly stood. His eyes were full of horror as he watched teh Elf's body seem to dim even more.
" Êlenrana, someone go get Êlenrana," he whispered.
Arwen stood up beside him, her hand falling on his shoulder blade.
" She thinks she cannot do anything for him."
Aragorn fell back in the chair. Arwen pulled his head onto her shoulder, gentlt caressing his hair. Aragorn buried his
face in her neck. Elladan and Elrohir watched with smiles and sadness. Erestor walked in, his eyes tired. He nodded stiffly, imedietly making the twins aware that something was wrong. Terribly wrong.
" If one of you are awake, we have diplomats arriving from all over. Many would like to take over Imladris. They must not know that Elrond is unwell or on the verge of..." Erestor looked away, unable to finish.
Elladan stood slowly, ignoring Elrohir's attempt to reseat him.He pulled on a clean robe.
" I am the eldest. I will go."
Glorfindel leaned over the table at Êlenrana once the many Elves dwindled to just a few. He glanced around, placing a hand on the table.
" What do you mean, he is out of your reach?" he hissed.
Êlenrana finished the bite she had taken before speaking.
" Someone else is watching out for him. I suspect one of the Valar and my powers cannot rival theirs," Êlenrana replied.
" Glorfindel," Círdan entered.
Glorfindel's jaw fell as many other high Elves entered. He conciously brushed off the robes he had been wearing for the last couple of days as he stood.
" In all of Mandos, why did they have to come now?"
Arwen watched Elladan worriedly as he shakily walked down the hall. Elrohir walked beside him, slightly behind, in case his brother should fall. She glanced back into the bedroom. Aragorn was still by Elrond's side. She sighed. This was killing the mortal. He did not
understand. Aragorn looked up at her.
" I will not be king."
She looked at him questioningly, not exactly understanding his statement.
" Tis your-"
" My destiny? My destiny is to worry my elders and be irresponsible," Aragorn shook his head, " No, I will not put my
people through hard times because I am irresponsible."
" Aragorn, you cannot just not be a king. It is in your blood."
Aragorn looked up at her, his gold eyes hard and his mouth set in a firm line.
" I will not be king. Never."
Arwen simply caressed his shoulder.
" You are still young. Your mind will change."
Or so she hoped. The only way Elrond would ever let them be would be if he accepted the kingship and not until then.
~*~
Glorfindel quickly stood.
" I did not remember anything about a council," he began.
" There is not one," Celeborn entered, sending Glorfindel an apologetic look, " They wish to discuss the one Ring and
Isildur's heir. They want to put him up as king now."
Glorfindel swallowed slowly.
" I'm sorry to say that your trips were for naught, Elrond-"
" Has taken a leave of absence from Imladris. He has put me in charge," Elladan strode out, Elrohir not too far
behind.
Êlenrana was on her feet in a second. Elrohir approached her looking slightly apologetic.
" He would not take no for an answer. You know how stubborn he can be," he muttered.
Êlenrana shook her head.
" I do hope you have found your accommodations to your liking. I believe we will begin in the morning," Elladan began, " I must review-"
" Your father said today at noon," Thranduil interrupted.
Legolas sent his father an irratated glance, then an apologetic one at the twins from his place beside his brother. It had obviously not been Legolas'doing to get all these men here. Elladan sighed, then nodded.
" If that is what he has said, then so be it."
" Ada, please come back."
Elrond's head turned at the whisper.
" Estel?"
" He is there. He was not dead, as I have told you time after time."
" Nienna."
" Elrond, go to him. Go to his voice."
Elrond felt that she was suddenly gone. He paused, straining his ears for any sound. None came and then a loud
clamor of noises together. He resisted the urge to cover his sensitive ears and found Estel's voice.
Elrond's lips moved, forming one word: Estel. Aragorn took his hand, a smile lighting his face slightly.
" Ada, Ada, it's me. I'm here. Just wake up."
Arwen watched with unchecked tears. Aragorn did not need to know that this was probably the last time Elrond
would move. The fading was becoming more and more apparent.
" Estel?" this time there was a whisper.
Arwen's eyes widened and she took off down the hallway.
" Êlenrana, Êlenrana," the yell came from the hallway.
Elladan sighed. Everything was going wrong. Now what did Arwen want? Êlenrana stood worriedly. Arwen entered, her eyes wide.
" It's Ada, Êlenrana," she said breathlessly.
Some of the high-elves chuckled.
" So he has returned?" Círdan asked.
" You could say that," Arwen looked at Êlenrana pleadingly, " I left Estel with him."
Êlenrana took off after Arwen.
" Ada? Ada?" Aragorn searched Elrond's face worriedly.
It was like the lord was fighting something. Aragorn clenched his father's hand. The lord suddenly went deathly still.
" Ada? Ada," Aragorn jumped to his feet, his voice raised, " Ada, you cannot do this to me, Ada;" The next word came out in a broken whisper, " Ada."
Aragorn turned to the window to mourn bitterly, not bothering to hide his tears. He was gone.
Elrond looked at Aragorn halfway across the room at the window. He sat up slightly, weakly. Elrond rubbed his ears, hearing the clamor still.
" You have deafened me with those yells, Estel."
Aragorn spun around.
" Ada."
Aragorn fell on the bed, his arms wrapping around Elrond. Elrond hugged his 20 year old foster son back.
" Where have you been?" Elrond asked, looking over his son's face.
" In the village right by the camp. A ranger rescued me and he let me stay with him until I healed. We tried to send
message, but..." Aragorn trailed off, " I must go tell everyone else."
Elrond shook his head, grabbing Estel's arm weakly.
" Stay here. I have not seen you in so long."
His son's face had lost much of its former innocence, something all faces did when faced with orcs.
" Were you hurt?"
" Just my back," Aragorn answered quickly, almost too quickly, " They whipped me."
Elrond winced, then noticed that he was in Elladan's room. He glanced around it oddly. Why was he in here?
" Where is Elladan?"
" Right here, Ada."
The twins and Arwen ran in, giving him hugs.
" We were so worried," Arwen whispered, " I thought you were dying."
Êlenrana stood at the foot of his bed. Elrond caught her smug look up and elbow nudge at Glorfindel as if to say I told you so. Glorfindel merely rolled his eyes, before leaning down to catch arms with Elrond.
" You, my friend, have scared me half to Mandos again. Why I am always put in charge of someone just before they either need medical help and such, is beyond me. Sometimes Eru has a cruel sense of humor," Glorfindel grinned, " I hope you are well for there are about 10 plus Elf-lords expecting you out there, including, King Thranduil."
Elrond sighed.
" Get me some robes."
Elrond could not keep his eyes off Estel. His son, whom he had thought was dead, had grown in stature since he had
last been home. Elrond suspected that orc beatings did make one a bit hardened and cold. He watched Arwen sob
into Aragorn's chest. The poor Undomiel was still crying for her father, just so happy and sad at the same time.
Elrond felt his heart pang and then smiled. Aragorn was there. He could have Arwen for all he cared. Elrond frowned a little. maybe not just have her, but let the descion be her own.
" Elrond, the council," Glorfindel was at the door.
" Look at them. They are so beautiful together," Elrond motioned.
Glorfindel regarded Elrond with an odd look, looking at the couple.
" Elrond, are you ok? That is Arwen with Estel," Glorfindel asked.
" I am fine," Elrond answered with a smile.
Glorfindel began to back away.
" I believe I will tell the council you are tired from your journey," Glorfindel turned.
" How did you find me?"
Glorfindel's steps faltered. He closed his eyes. He had been running from this memory for hours.
" I know you found me or you would not be watching over me like a mother bird," Elrond did not turn from the window, hands clasped behind his back.
Glorfindel looked down at the floor.
" I found you in Estel's room. I thought you were just sleeping. You scared me to Mandos. I could not find Êlenrana
or anyone to help me," Glorfindel said softly, " I have already lost one close friend, Elrond, many years ago. I do not need that again."
Elrond turned with a soft smile.
" Do not worry. I will never try that again. Tis a great strain on my mind."
" Your poor mind," Glorfindel muttered with an eyeroll.
Elrond merely chuckled.
" My mind is very important."
Glorfindel's eyebrows raised and the tip of a grin tugged on his lips.
" I almost wish Mandos had kept you."
" Glorfindel."