Chapter Five
Strange Ailments
Elladan sat on his mothers lap, curled up in her embrace silently. Shivering slightly, he felt his mother wrap her arms tighter against his small body. His eyes were glued to the bed where his father rushed around, doing strange things. Elrohir had fallen asleep, only doing so once he had caught sight of his elder brother. Frowning, Elladan felt lonely. He knew his father would keep Elrohir bedridden until they had found a solution to Elrohir's strange behaviour.
Taking a deep breath, Elladan felt a yawn pull at his mouth, and he felt his mother laugh lightly as his eyes drifted closed. He really wasn't tired, so he lay there protected by his mother, fully aware of what was going on. Even though his eyes were closed, he could still hear his father muttering softly, and his mother humming a quiet tune.
He shifted, curling up closer to his mother, who he knew would protect him from any danger, but he was confused as to why his brother was ill. Elves did not get sick. Elladan did not understand.
Elladan opened his eyes slowly, and looked back at the bed, still being rocked gently by his mother, and quiet comfortably. Silently, he knew she was trying to lull him to sleep, but he was too worried. The incident in the hall had frightened him. He knew he shouldn't be frightened, but he had been and he frowned at the thought. He distinctly remembered red and yellow eyes peering out at him from the darkness, and he shivered again.
He wasn't cold, nor was he affected by the slight draft that came in through the window. Elladan was worried. Finally, Celebrían had carried him out of the room, and his eyes remained on his brother until the door closed behind them. Startled, Elladan struggled to get out of his mothers arms, but she held fast.
"Ro needs me." He complained.
"It is time for bed, little one." She whispered.
"Not little." He grumbled, finally easing his struggles.
Celebrían smiled. "Certainly not. If your brother is feeling better by the morn, you can then see him."
Elladan pouted but nodded.
As Elrond sat beside his sons bed, watching carefully for any changes, he felt a sigh well up inside, causing him to worry even more then before. They had transferred Elrohir to his own bed, and waited. Elladan was confused and fearful for his brother, and became angry when he had been sent to his own room. Finally Elladan had relented, and allowed his mother to carry him to his own chambers.
As the sun crested over the horizon filling the room in a pale light, Elrond sighed again, this time, his younger sons eyes fluttered, hearing the faint sound. Elrond leaned forward and propped his elbows on his knees waiting patiently as his son woke. The eyes were glazed over in sleep, and Elrond felt his brow furrow with concern. Elrohir's face was pale and drawn, making him look ill, rather then just tired.
"Good morning, my son." Elrond smiled softly.
"Ada?" The little voice croaked. Elrond reached over to the nightstand and poured a glass of water from the now half filled pitcher. Calling out softly, a guard who had been posted at the childs door, entered.
Handing the water jug to the guard, he asked for a refill. The guard nodded and exited the chambers quietly.
"You caused us great worry, little one." Elrond smiled, holding the glass to his sons lips. Elrohir remained silent, even after drinking the liquid in the glass. Waiting once again, Elrond pushed his boys hair off his forehead, and was quite relived to find the fever diminishing.
The sun shone brightly into the room, and finally after what seemed hours, Elrohir turned his head to his father happily. "Can I go outside and play?" Elrohir asked, pushing himself up onto his elbows.
Chuckling, Elrond nodded. "First, how do you feel?"
Elrohir seemed confused.
"Do you not remember last night?"
Shaking his head confusion clearly written on his face, Elrohir sat up resting his hands on his legs.
Elrond frowned. "You do not remember falling ill?"
Elrohir pursed his lips, and then shook his head. "Was I sick?"
Elrond nodded, placing his hand on Elrohir's forehead. "You seem to be feeling better, however, so therefore I grant you permission to dress and join your brother in various exploits."
Eagerly, Elrohir scrambled from his bed, dancing around excitedly, waiting to get dressed. Elrond stood, watching his son closely, but seeing no signs of the night's previous illness, he handed his younger child clothes for play.
Excitedly, Elrohir dashed around the chambers grabbing items for his day of play, despite his sore stomach. He did not want his father to worry about him, he already knew that everyone around was concern with his sudden strange illness, and he was not about to indulge any more attention.
Throughout the day, his stomach became tight, and he felt like he was going to get sick. His mother was seated on a bench in the gardens watching him and Elladan play; their father was in diplomatic council with men, including the man who frightened him. Quickly racing around the corner of the building, so no one would see him, Elrohir bend over and clutched his stomach wincing at the pain that made it almost unbearable. He felt his stomach tighten more, and bending over he retched and lost what he had had for breakfast. To his utter horror, he saw red, and gasping against the ache that lingered in his throat and stomach, he became fearful of the sight of blood that had come from him.
Shaking, he wiped his mouth with his sleeve and quickly covered the mess with dirt, hiding it effectively. He was really thirsty, and he raced from the gardens into the house. Once inside, Elrohir slipped into the dining hall and poured himself a glass of water, and drank two glasses before he felt a little better. His stomach still hurt, but the pain lessened dramatically.
He heard his mother call out for him, and he dashed back outside, attempting a grin as he rounded the corner. His mother stood there with her hands on her hips with a raised eyebrow.
"Where did you disappear to?"
"I was thirsty." Elrohir smiled, holding back the urge to clutch at his stomach that had begun to tighten again in pain.
Celebrían nodded, and waved him over. "I believe it is time for lunch."
Blanching, Elrohir looked down at his feet. He wasn't hungry, he didn't even know if he would be able to keep it down. Quickly thinking up an excuse he lifted his head and grinned at her. "May I go to my chambers and get some toys before lunch?"
Elladan came over to them and stood beside his mother, his face frowning. His brother looked at him hard, his eyes bearing deep inside his mind with an unspoken question. Elrohir waved it away with a tilt of his head, smiling, which was now becoming more difficult. Celebrían placed her finger to her lips and then nodded her head.
"Meet us in the kitchens." She held out her hand for his brother who looked back at Elrohir. His face was held in intense concern, but Elrohir ignored it racing into the house. He knew he had to collect some toys to hide his lie, so he headed to his chambers, still keeping his face still from any emotions.
Once inside his chambers, Elrohir closed the door behind him, allowing the tears to fall. He was so afraid, and his stomach hurt so much now. Climbing onto his bed, he curled up into a tight ball, and let the tears fall. Sniffling, his throat contracted and he sat up quickly, gasping for air. Leaning over his bed, he retched again, but this time nothing but blood came out. Wailing with fear, Elrohir rolled off the bed and slipped falling onto his back into the blood. Lifting a shaky hand, he poured himself a glass of water and drank some more.
He felt his lower lip start to tremble and he bit back a whimper of fear. His tears rolled down his face quickly, and pushing himself up to his feet, he looked around him his eyes darting everywhere. Not knowing what to do, he stood there for a long while, before his stomach tightened again. Groaning, weakly, he leaned over clutching his stomach, closing his eyes in pain. He placed his hand over his mouth trying to stop himself from being sick again, but blood slipped out of his mouth through his fingers. His fear grew, and stumbling towards his door, he needed to find his father. He never made it to his door collapsing only a foot away from it.
His legs would not work, and he called out weakly for his brother.
