Chapter 26

Worry and Wandering

All days come from one day
That must you must know

          Elladan shook his head furiously.

          " I need to be in there.  I am more skilled than any of you."

The man shook his head.

          " If you want to be in there, then calm down."

          " Calm down?  I have inexperienced healers working on my father.  Do you know who he is?"

The healer sighed.

          " Go in there, but if you become out of control, you will leave."

Elladan nodded.

          Elladan breathed in deeply, preparing himself.  He took his father's hand for just a moment.

          " I need a knife and cloth, lots of cloth."

The healers scurried about, fetching what he ordered.  Elladan carefully pulled on the arrow slightly.  All he got was a suppressed groan from his father.

          " For Eru's sake, pull it out," came the mumble.

Elladan nodded.

          " I am going to pull it out, Ada."

Elladan motioned to two healers.

          " Hold his shoulders.  I cannot have him come with the arrow."

Elladan took a deep breath, and then pulled.

~*~

          Elrohir sat outside, wringing his hands.  Every moment or so, he would get up and pace, and then plop back down.  Arwen watched with slight amusement.  She leaned against Aragorn, one of her hands taking his.

          " He will be fine."

Aragorn nodded slightly.

          " I feel partly responsible.  If I had not left, he would not be here," Aragorn looked up, his gold eyes dark and dull, " I have ruined so much.  How can anyone expect me to one day be a king?"

          " Tis destiny, Estel," Arwen whispered.

          " Fate's destiny is to kill us all," Aragorn mumbled.

Arwen shook her head, simply leaning it against his shoulder.  Aragorn kissed her forehead.

          " You two go rest.  I will tell you if anything changes or Elladan comes out."

Elrohir ignored him, stuffing hands in his pockets, and then plopping impatiently down again.  Arwen shook her head.

          " You cannot get rid of Elrohir that easily."

~*~

          Elladan wiped at the blood on his hands viciously.  He dried them, laying the towel back up on the shelf.  He sighed.

*So much blood loss.  So much time for the blood to fall. 

Elladan rubbed his forehead.

*If he does not survive, I cannot be lord as he was.  I am not wise.  I am a wandering healer.  Elrohir cannot do this either.  Arwen, she is too young. 

Elladan looked to his father, lying so still.

*You have twenty-four hours, Ada.  If you are not awake by then, all hope has failed.

~*~

          Elrohir nearly bowled his brother over.

          " How is he?  Is he awake?  Can I see him?  Is the-"

Elladan stopped his brother.  Elrohir was immediately silent, seeing his brother's grave face.  Horror filled eyes turned to all the blood on Elladan's robes.

          " I will tell you the truth.  It does not look good.  He was untreated for sometime.  Ada lost a lot of blood.  If he does not awake in twenty-four hours-"

          " A day?" Arwen put a hand to her mouth, lips trembling, " Elladan."

Elladan shook his head, his face showing how much he was affected by this.  He brushed by them, and then turned.

          " There is nothing that can be done until he awakes.  I suggest you take some rest."

~*~

          Aragorn slipped inside, glancing about for any lurking healers.  He took Elrond's hand, slipping into a chair.  He watched just for a moment.

*Ok, if he lives, I will think about being king.  Please, dear Eru, or Manwë, or whichever of you is listening.  Let him live.  So many still need him.

Aragorn stood, leaving again.  Elrond remained comatose.

~*~

          Legolas scratched, finally pulling off the crown and throwing it across the room with a mutter.  Aragorn could not help but chuckle.  Legolas looked up with a shrug.

          " You try wearing one of those."

Aragorn picked it up, handing it back to him.

          " Thank you."

Legolas shrugged, playing with it. 

          " Adar changed it.  I am to begin working as captain of the guard.  Twill be interesting because I have replace all the guards.  They are all loyal to Airóma."

          " I do not care the sentence.  I thank you for saving me."

Legolas threw the crown again.

          " I do not need any thanks.  Leave it be."

          " And why are you upset?"

          " I hate it when people are hurting.  So many were hurt just for riches, for greed.  That is uncommon among Elves, yet it flourishes here."

          Aragorn shrugged.

          " Maybe it is why you are here."

Legolas looked up.

          " Maybe you are here because one day you will be king."

          " Do not start that, Legolas."

Legolas stood.

          " You cannot hide from it."

Aragorn rolled his eyes, turning off.  He called over his shoulder.

          " Watch me.  The shadows are dark and even the Wise cannot see into them."

A hand touched his shoulder.  Aragorn looked at Thranduil. 

          " Master Elrond is awake.  The other three are asleep, but you can see if the healers will let you in."

~*~

          Aragorn tugged on the healer's sleeve. 

          " May I see him?"

The healer nodded.

          " Just do not excite or anger him."

Aragorn nodded, entering.

          " Ada?"

Elrond turned his head slowly.

          " Estel?  So they did set you free."

          Aragorn took Elrond's hand with his unhurt one.  His eyes winced seeing the mounds of gauze.  Elrond sought out his son's eyes.

          " It is not as bad as it looks.  I could have healed myself when I regained consciousness."

          " If you had."

Elrond's brow furrowed.

          " Estel, I am fine.  This is not your fault.  You are so quick to blame yourself for things you cannot control."

Aragorn shrugged.

          " I was scared, Ada.  I thought you were dead."

Elrond clenched the hand in his grasp.

          " It will take more than an arrow to take me down."

Aragorn smiled, beginning to stand.

          " The healer said not to excite or-"

          " Estel, I know what to do.  I am a healer myself."

          Aragorn nodded, his gaze thoughtful.

          " Yes, you are.  You are a powerful healer."

Elrond's brow furrowed.  Where was this going?  Aragorn shook his head, a smile lighting up his face.

          " Sleep, Ada.  This is the only time I believe I can see someone order you around."

Elrond chuckled, before wincing in pain.  Aragorn shook his head again, exiting and motioning to the healer he was through.

          Aragorn found himself wandering in the cavernous halls of Mirkwood.  He ran a hand over the wall, his thoughts far away.

*So many problems because I was captured.  All the ones I care the most for were captured and almost killed.  Legolas gave up his freedom to travel just so I could stay free.  Why do they care so much?

          His thoughts were abruptly brought back to Mirkwood when lips brushed over his.  He responded for a second, before glancing down when the lips pulled away.

          " You were ignoring me, Estel."

Aragorn smiled, slipping an arm around her and finding her lips fully.

          " Forgiven?"

Arwen pretended to act as if she thought about it.  Aragorn shook his head with a smile, catching her hand.  He rubbed the silver ring still shining upon her finger.  Arwen picked up his, motioning to the same on his hand.

          " I feared for you, Estel."

Aragorn gently kissed her hand.

          " I would have feared more for you, had I known your party would be attacked."

Arwen looked up at him, her dark waves catapulting head over heels down her back.  Aragorn's eyes were drawn to it.  He gently fingered it.

          " Le garch hûn-nin (You have my heart)," Arwen said softly.

Aragorn's hand moved to finger the Undómiel charm.  He glanced up, his gold eyes like the sun at dusk.

          " A le garch habar.  Im ú-garn pen an le aníran-nin (And you have mine.  I will have no one for you are my desire)."

Arwen's lips curved up in a smile.

          " I am sure Ada would love to hear this."

Aragorn chuckled also.

          " He would wish Thranduil had kept me."

~*~

          Aragorn sat at the desk.  He glanced over at Arwen who had drifted off to sleep on a cushion nearby.  Someone sat beside him.

          " What troubles you?"

Aragorn shrugged.

          " I feel a call to go East."

Legolas nodded.

          " Then go."

Aragorn shook his head.

          " I will."

Legolas rose.

          " You best write detailed accounts.  I will need something to keep me from going mad in the trees."

          " You already have gone mad," Aragorn replied with a chuckle.

Legolas laughed softly.

          " So you may have a point.  I wish you a safe journey."

Aragorn nodded.

          " Thank you for everything."

          " Radach I athrad an sîdh, mellon-nin (Find the way to peace, my friend)."

Aragorn turned to a piece of paper, scribbling on it.  He laid in it Arwen's grasp, and then kissed her forehead.

          " The days are long until I see you again.  I pray your affection stays so."