Disclaimer: See Chapter One.
A/N: Hey there everyone, I am so sorry for the lack of updates but my laptop literally died on me and I lost all of my files including this story! WHHAAAA! Thank goodness, I was able to get my old computer to work for the five seconds I needed to transfer the files to my brand new computer, which cost a bloody fortune I'll have you know. So, here we are, back again and hopefully with this new and improved laptop, updates will be far more regular. Then again, one nevers knows. Ahhh, the life of a college student and part time worker. Anyway, thank you all so much for your reviews, I love you all! A huge thank you to my beta enb2004 who has been ever so patient and understanding. As promised, here is Chapter 27! Enjoy!
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As Elrond began to cut into Estel, Celeborn and Glorfindel tightened their hold on Estel, expecting him to arch or at least move due to the pain despite the fact he was unconscious. To their surprise and dismay, Estel didn't even twitch.
Elrond, of course, had noticed this but didn't say anything as he continued with the surgery. From the corner of his eye, he could see the twins and Thranduil giving Legolas some medicine to put him to sleep so they could remove the arrow from his chest. Seeing that they had everything under control, Elrond returned his full attention back to Estel.
With the incision now fully made, Elrond reluctantly put his hand into his sons chest and felt the rib that was dangerously close to Estel's lung. These were not ideal conditions for surgery but there was truly nothing he could do about it save to get it over and done with as fast as possible.
With a quick movement, he snapped the rib back into place and quickly withdrew to close the incision. They would have to keep a close eye on it to make sure that it didn't become infected and then there was also the poison to reckon with.
"Were you able to fix it Elrond?" Thranduil asked concerned.
"Aye, but we will not be able to bandage it for a bit. The pressure would be too much," Elrond said wearily. "Elladan, Elrohir, how is Legolas?" he asked.
"He should be fine thankfully. The arrow miraculously didn't get lodged all that hard in his body and missed his heart, although not by much," Elrohir said.
"It looked to be far worse than it appeared," Elladan added with much relief. Too many times had he seen the youngest Prince of Mirkwood hovering near death and he was all to glad that this had not been one of those times. Now if only Estel weren't hanging at Mandos' door, everything would be all right.
"Elrond," Glorfindel said looking around worriedly. "I think that we should move to a more secure location. Other orcs will have camped here before and I would rather not run into any more this night."
"Neither would I mellon nin, but I do not see that we have much of a choice in the matter. Neither Estel or Legolas are in any condition to be moved just yet. No, we will have to stay here for the night," Elrond said reluctantly.
"Wonderful," Thranduil said dryly. "When will be able to move them?" he asked.
"We shouldn't move them for a least another few days but considering the circumstances, I would say tomorrow. Just being in this area would be detrimental to their recovery, particularly Estel's, "Elrond said.
"Very well then. Elrond, go and take some rest, you as well Thranduil. I will look after the young ones and for Valar sakes, take care of those injuries!" Celeborn exclaimed noticing for the first time the blood on both Elrond and Thranduil.
"Tis but a scratch," Elrond and Thranduil said together to everyone's amusement.
"Sure Ada," the twins chorused.
Elrond glared at them but couldn't really say anything as they were right. If he didn't tend to his own hurts, he would never hear the end of it. "Very well, but keep a careful watch over your brother and the Prince. Both are in fragile states right now," he said as a precaution only. He was very much aware that his sons knew how precarious their situation at the moment was but his overprotective nature was kicking in.
"We will Ada," Elladan said as he gently sat down next to his brother and Legolas. "No harm will come to them, I swear it," Elrohir said.
"Go on Elrond, they'll be fine for the few minutes you are gone," Celeborn said gently. He knew how this had to be tearing Elrond's heart apart for his own felt like it had been shredded and chewed to pieces and then spat out.
Elrond sighed but nodded. "I'll be right back," he said grabbing Thranduil's arm before he could protest.
Celeborn and Glorfindel looked at one another before sighing in unison and shaking their heads in disbelief. "Stubborn," Glorfindel muttered.
"Yes, just like their sons," Celeborn said looking at Elrohir who was obviously past the point of exhaustion. While no serious harm had come to the elfling, he had still been a captive and had been forced to watch his brother and best friend be brutalized right in front of him.
"I'll prepare some of Elrond's infamous tea," Glorfindel said in a whisper. "It will at the very least allow him to rest."
Celeborn nodded in agreement. "Elladan," he said softly.
Elladan looked up and went over to his grandfather when he beckoned him over. "What is it Grandfather?" he asked curiously and a tad bit impatiently. He wanted to go back and sit with his little brother in case he woke up, as unlikely as it seemed.
"Here, give this tea to Elrohir," Glorfindel said passing the tea into Elladan's hand. "It will make sure he gets some of the rest he so desperately needs."
"And here is a second cup for you without the herbs so that he doesn't become suspicious," Celeborn added.
Elladan looked vaguely impressed but didn't comment on it. "Here Elrohir," he said walking back towards his twin and Estel.
"What's that?" Elrohir said looking at the tea.
"Just some nice hot tea Glorfindel and Grandfather made us," Elladan said taking a sip of his own tea.
"Oh good," Elrohir said wearily. "I am very thirsty," he said before gulping the tea down in one go.
Elladan rolled his eyes as Elrohir swallowed. He swore that his twin was the only person he knew who could swallow hot tea in one go without burning himself. The tea worked quickly, however, as Elrohir started to blink drowsily and wavered where he sat. "Go lie down Ro, everything is going to be okay," Elladan said helping his brother to lie down before he fell down.
"Estel," Ro murmured worriedly as the tea took effect.
"Estel will be fine Ro, I promise," Elladan said ignoring the fierce ache of misery in his heart when he thought of his injured brother who was lying all too close to Mandos' Hall for comfort.
Elrohir nodded before finally succumbing to sleep.
"You know, you should probably get some sleep yourself Elladan," Celeborn said gently.
Elladan sighed and rubbed his face wearily. "Perhaps I should, but I can not leave Estel, Legolas, and Elrohir alone. I wouldn't be able to sleep anyway with all that has happened."
"Perfectly understandable mellon nin. I know I will not be able to fall asleep this night either," Haldir said from behind Elladan.
"Haldir! You startled me," Elladan said. "Where did you go anyway?" he asked realizing he hadn't seen Haldir since the battle had ended.
"Hunting," Haldir said holding up several rabbits. "I figured that we would all need sustenance after this night."
"Good thinking penneth," Celeborn said. "It has been a long time since we have eaten anything that truly resembles food. Why don't you and Elladan fix it up while I go see what is taking Thranduil and Elrond so long."
"No need, here they come," Glorfindel said.
Thranduil and Elrond came back into the campground looking somewhat better than they had before they left.
"How are they?" Thranduil asked already heading for Legolas.
"Legolas is fine and Estel is stable, which for the moment, is all we can ask for," Glorfindel said.
"Come and have some of this delicious rabbit Haldir caught," Elladan said.
Elrond frowned when he noticed Elrohir wasn't with his twin. "Elladan, where is Elrohir?"
"Oh, we put him to sleep is all. He's right next to Estel and Legolas," Celeborn said.
"Good, he needs the rest," Elrond said wearily.
"As do the both of you," Celeborn said. "Eat up and then get some sleep while we watch over the young ones. No harm will come to them this night, I promise," he said seriously.
"Aye, but how can you know that for sure?" Thranduil said running his fingers through Legolas' long hair.
"No one can," Glorfindel said softly. "But the chances of anything happening tonight are drastically reduced with all of us here. Your sons are safe my Lords."
Elrond nodded and reluctantly dragged himself and Thranduil to the bedrolls.
"Elrond! You can not possibly be considering giving into them!" Thranduil hissed.
"I can and I am," Elrond said wearily. "If we are to do our sons any good, we must get enough sleep in order to face the morning and its challenges."
Thranduil saw the logic in Elrond's argument and grudgingly laid down next to Legolas. Despite both of the Elven Lord's arguments that they were not tired they both fell fast asleep within minutes.
The next morning dawned and with it came a heavy downpour fitting the depressed mood of the elves perfectly.
"Oh great, this is the very last thing we needed!" Elladan exclaimed upon being woken up by the heavy torrent.
"Quick! Get Estel and Legolas covered with blankets!" Elrond shouted as thunder boomed through the forest.
"Elrond, we need to get under way now! Estel will not last long in this weather!" Thranduil said as the rain continued to increase in strength and severity.
"I know," Elrond said knowing that even though Thranduil wouldn't be able to hear him he would understand. "Elladan! You'll take Elrohir and don't you dare protest Elrohir! Thranduil, you'll take Legolas while I take Estel. Let's go!" Elrond shouted while everyone rushed to obey his commands.
Minutes later both Estel and Legolas were secured in front of their father's in while wrapped in many blankets. Legolas had protested once he had woken up and realized what was going on, but quickly realized that arguing was not the best course of action at the time.
With one last look at the cave and field upon the cliff that had become everyone's version of hell, Elrond and Thranduil rode off with the others following right behind them.
Translations:Mellon nin: My friend
Tithen pen: Little one
Ada: Dad/Daddy
Ion nin: My son