chapter 14
"Legolas," Elladan called seeing the prince wandering toward Estel's room.
"Good to see you awake Elladan, are you supposed to be up?" the blond narrowed his eyes.
"No he is not," Thranduil said from behind, "you should be resting Elladan..."
"I've been resting for over two days...I was only going to spend some time with Estel." He spoke rather irritably.
"Don't be up for too long though, and make sure he does rest you two." Thranduil shot the two younger Elves a warning look, to which they both nodded before
entering the room.
The three were surprised to see Gandalf sitting over the Human, a dim red glow on his finger. "Come here Elladan," he ordered, "I can show you how to concentrate small amounts of power from your Ring for healing, properly, you two go on out a bit, he does not need you hovering over him."
Sharing annoyed glanced the two younger Elves went outside the room and took up their new favourite activity of pacing.
"Can you feel the energies filtering through your hands?" Gandalf asked, "You must feel the energies of the Ring, and embrace them, only then can you attempt to wield it. Visualise the Energies, see them around you, see them flowing into Estel, feel them strengthening him. Allow your own strength to go into him, but not so much that it drains you." he noticed Elladan was in deep concentration, "no don't fight it, embrace it, let it guide you." he waited moments longer, "Alright, that is enough, come out of it slowly, not all at once." Elladan opened his eyes to look into an approving face. "You did well, look" he nodded to the steady rising and falling of the younger's chest, "his breathing has eased already."
"Do you think he has a chance?" Elladan asked.
"Anything is possible; if you believe in it enough young one, remember that. Now I have to be going. Don't worry, I'll be keeping an eye on you, but don't try to do that alone. Or at all, understood?"
"Of course Mithrandir, thank you for your help." Elladan nodded as the wizard left.
Elladan was sitting alone with Estel, replacing some bandages, noting how some wounds had improved, even slightly. The bone in his cheek had started repairing, and many of his other cuts had already started to scar, which in this instance, was a good sign. Estel was healing.
Not long later Elrohir and Legolas walked back into the room. "How is he?" Legolas asked before Elrohir had a chance.
"Better than he was, look" Elladan said lifting a couple of bandages, "some of his wounds have healed."
"That is great news," Elrohir grinned, "see, you can do it. I never doubted you could."
"Ro, don't get too excited yet, he still has not woken." As if on cue eye lashes fluttered open revealing silver eyes, watching the other warily. "Estel..."
The first thing he was aware of was the fact his pain had lessened opening his eyes had not been as painful as it had in more recent times.
He recoiled immediately seeing three familiar faces watching him, the malicious expressions were replaced by more compassionate, concerned gazes.
"Estel, you know not how relieved I am to see you awake," one of the twins, Elladan, if he remembered rightly breathed, pulling him into a tight embrace. Estel flinched slightly; he could not remember such gentle contact in a long time.
"Do you know how worried we were?" Elrohir said taking position the other side of him, he let a ghost of a smile grace his lips as he allowed himself to be pulled into the other twin's arms.
He must be dreaming. That was the only explanation.
He looked up to see Legolas smiling over him, "welcome back Mellon, it is good to see you awake again."
"I-I-" he tried to form words, but his throat was still scratchy, and hoarse.
"Shh, shh," Elladan soothed, "here have a drink," he handed the younger, "slow sips, don't make yourself sick." He warned lightly.
Not long later Thranduil entered the room, "how is he...ah, you are awake. How do you feel?"
"He is better," Elladan answered, it was apparent Estel was having trouble trying to talk.
"Very well. Legolas, I would like some help now you know he is awake." The king left the room.
"Coming Ada," the prince called, "see you later." He nodded to his friends before leaving.
"Where..." the Human managed, realising Thranduil would never visit Rivendell.
"We are still in Mirkwood Estel," Elladan told him.
"Ada?" he was finding his voice again, this instance, not good.
"Estel..." Elladan started slowly, not sure how to tell him, he looked to Elrohir for help.
"Ada...he was..." Elrohir started.
"...attacked."
"Was...them..." fear burned in his eyes.
"Yes brother, it was. I tried to help him, but I was too late..." Elladan said.
"They...Ada...no..." he tried struggling against his brothers' grip, "let...go..."
"Estel no," Elladan snapped harsher than intended, the Human immediately shrank back on the bed, knowing that voice all too well, "you cannot go after him...he is dead Estel..."
"We nearly lost you once brother, I never want to be so scared ever again." Elrohir finished his brother's sentence. Again.
"Gone..." the thought finally hit him, he buried his face in Elladan's tunic, wanting to deny his brothers' words, but he knew he could not.
"Rest up Estel, we are going home as soon as you are better." Elladan said standing up, "come, he needs to rest." He followed the younger Elves out of the door, leaving Estel alone to his thoughts.