Chapter Sixteen: A Reunion of Sorrow

He felt the motion of the horse under him as the two elves rode towards Rivendell. His eyes were tightly shut, and his mind swam in and out of dreams. They were not the kind of dreams he wished to visit, but they were necessary to keep the two brothers' locked together in their unusual bond. Opening his eyes, groaning as his chest was jarred slightly, Elladan looked up at his rescuer.

Legolas briefly took his eyes off the path ahead, and glanced down at his charge. Smiling slightly, Legolas tried to give the elf encouragement. He had only met the twins once in his life, and he remembered how that visit had turned out. Thinking back on that particular visit, he felt anguish rise into his chest. Gulping back the lump that formed, he also remembered how brave they had been venturing into that forest and taking punishment for their actions. It had been Erysyn and Legolas' decision to explore and guilt ridden, Legolas knew it had been his fault his elder brother had died those many years ago.

Galen had been a brave warrior, well into his prime years. That year, not only did Legolas and Erysyn loose their brother, but also their father and mother had lost their heir. Legolas winced thinking about his mother; she had fallen into a deep sorrow, ignoring her family and her position at court. Now Erysyn was sick with grief, the only thought on his mind was that he had been responsible for Galen's death, and causing his mother this pain and anguish.

"Hold on Elladan, we are almost there." Legolas whispered

Cire didn't know how long he sat on that bench; his body was stiff, and cramped from obviously sitting too long. Standing up and stretching out his sore muscles, Cire wandered to the window and looked down into the courtyard. He couldn't remember any place being as beautiful as Rivendell, and he wished he didn't have to leave. The only difference now, then when he had first arrived was the silence. It seemed the whole of Rivendell knew of the twin's injuries, and all waited silently for news.

The door opened and caused Cire to whirl around thinking the worst. Elrond closed the door behind him and pinched the bridge of his nose. The elf's eyes were swollen that showed signs of weeping or lack of sleep, he wasn't sure which. Thinking back on his own son, Cire knew he would have sobbed like a newborn babe if his son were dying.

Cire approached Elrond slowly, and ground his teeth wondering how he should ask how Elrohir was fairing.

"He is fine for the moment, Cire." Elrond whispered knowing what the man wanted to know. "He will not waken again, unless the twin's bond is repaired."

"Can it be repaired?" He asked around the ache in his throat.

Elrond shook his head. "I do not know." The elf lord turned and walked down the hall silently, but suddenly stopped. Spinning around, Elrond raced to the window and glanced out.

Curiously, Cire followed and seeing nothing out of the ordinary, turned his head and watched Elrond's face. He was searching for something. The elf lord had heard something the man could not. Then without warning, the sound of a horse approaching caused him to look towards the entrance of the courtyard. It was the elf prince who had left days ago. He carried something. Squinting, Cire couldn't make out what.

Elrond spun away from the window and barked a command for his guard to follow him, and raced down the halls towards the front doors. Quickly gaining his wits about him, Cire ran after them, not nearly as fast as the elves, nor as agile. The man watched as the elf leapt down the stairs two sometimes three at a time, and finally opened the oak doors racing from the man's view.

Once Cire had descended the stairs he made it to the front doors without a problem and looked out at the sight that greeted him. Elrond was helping the elf prince pull a figure from the horse. Gasping once he caught sight of the bleeding face, he knew instantly it was Elladan. He stopped on the top stair and felt his face fall at the sight of the young elf. His body was broken; no man would recover from such injuries, how could an elf? He wondered.

Elrond laid Elladan on the ground and knelt beside him quickly searching for a pulse. He found one faint and erratic, and shook his head. The elf lord let his fingers roam over his son's body gently, found numerous wounds and open cuts. Swallowing against the lump in his throat, Elrond ignored Legolas who knelt beside him.

Elladan's face was cut and torn in many places; his collarbone was shattered. Both his feet were broken, however not only broken but almost irrepairable. His kneecap was cracked, and dislocated. Both his arms bleed profusely from the cuts scattered over the surface. Large red welts circled his wrists signalling the use of rope.

Growling with rage, Elrond pushed aside the other injuries and gently lifted his son into his arms, cradling his body. Quickly, Elrond rushed into the house, and headed towards the healing rooms. Everything happened in the space of mere minutes to Cire as he watched the swift movements of the elves as they parted to let their lord through.

They ascended the stairs quickly, and finally back in the healing wings, Elrond met up with a distraught mother. Celebrían, opened the door for her husband laying her hand on Elladan's forehead, and sorrow filled her eyes. Elrond barked out commands to his healers, even to his own wife who bade to his every command.

Elrond placed Elladan onto a bed, close to his brother's and began his task of a healer. Elladan groaned slightly as he was placed onto the bed, and opened his glazed eyes. He whispered softly. "Home." Before closing his eyes again and slightly smiled. Elrond whispered into his son's ear.

"You are indeed home, my son. You need rest, and time to recover. I am going to give you something to help you sleep and to dull the pain."

Shaking his head slowly, Elladan's face scrunched up in pain. "Ro?"

"Right beside you, but if you are to help him, you must first recover your strength." Elrond placed his hand on his son's forehead, and started to whisper words of sleep.

Elladan shook his head furiously from side to side, loosening his father's hold. "Not-yet." He whispered hoarsely. Turning his eyes to the side, he caught sight of his brother. He was motionless, paler then the white clouds in the sky, and his face seemed thinner. Dark circles surrounded his eyes making them appear sunken. Startled, Elladan lifted himself onto his elbows, and cried out as he jarred his numerous wounds. Falling back onto the mattress, sweat broke out on his forehead.

"Ada." He whispered.

Elrond frowned, and sadly leaned in to hear his son's words.

"How long?"

Shaking his head sadly, Elrond whispered. "Not long, Elladan. He is fading, I cannot do anymore for him."

"I can." No sound came from Elladan's mouth, only his lips formed the words.

"You are not a healer, Elladan, you do not have the skills."

Coughing, Elladan shook his head. "I-can help."

Sadly, Elrond watched as his son fell into unconsciousness. Sighing, Elrond began his long and tedious task of healing his son's many wounds. He prayed that his eldest would wake before Elrohir was lost to them. It was only a matter of time, before his youngest would fade from lack of drink and food. Also from grief, not knowing his brother was now safe, and beside him.

Elrohir remained motionless, unaware of his brother's presence. His breathing became shallow, and laboured. Elrond watched carefully as his son deteriorated, when his eldest moaned under his administrations, he turned his eyes from Elrohir to Elladan. Elrohir would not live to see the sun rise. Angrily, brushing the tears out of his eyes, he felt a hand on his shoulder. Startled, he lifted his head, and looked over his shoulder. His wife stood rubbing the tension out of his shoulders.

"They are strong my love. Now that Elladan is home, Elrohir will surely recover. Won't he?" She knelt down beside her husband and laid her head in his lap.

Swallowing, Elrond shook his head. "I do not know, Celebrían. Elrohir is too far-gone, and Elladan is unconscious. I fear Elrohir will fade from this world before the sun rises. Elladan will not be awake in time to bid his brother farewell."

Celebrían nodded her head sadly. "Perhaps they will meet again."

Elrond closed his eyes and choked back a sob. "I hope you are right."

Legolas, paced back and forth. Finally, he stopped and looked at the door. Once realizing it wasn't going to open, he began pacing again. This went on for half the afternoon, until the door finally opened and Celebrían wandered out looking haggard and drained.

"Milady." Legolas lowered his head respectfully. He took her arm and guided her to the benches and helped her sit. "How are they?"

She shook her head slowly. "It does not look good, young one. I fear-"

Legolas watched as her face went from one of sadness to despair. The grief that filled her eyes caused the prince worry. Frowning, he stood up and wandered over to the door and opened it slightly. He saw Elrond sitting beside Elladan's bed holding his hand. Elrohir lay upon his bed looking pale and almost in a deathlike state. Swallowing, Legolas entered the room quietly and went to Elrohir's bedside. It had been a long time since he had met the twin's and now holding the younger twin's hand, it felt unnaturally cold. The pranks they had pulled on each other now seemed unimportant, all revenge pointless. Sadly, Legolas gripped Elrohir's hand tightly, and whispered to him words of encouragement.

"You family needs you, Elrohir. Hold on for your brother." Legolas glanced up and met Elrond's eyes. "How are they?"

Elrond didn't answer, only shook his head. The elf lord looked out the window and stared at the darkening sky, and sighed audibly. Finally, he stood and walked over to his healing tools, and began mixing a drought. He hoped it would be potent enough to wake his eldest, who was still motionless and unconscious. Bringing the drink to his son, he lifted the limp head and poured small amounts into his son's mouth.

Elrond placed the cup on the small wooden table by the bedside and looked at Elladan. "Time to wake, my son." He whispered.

Slowly as the minutes past, Elladan's grey eyes finally fluttered open. Frowning, he looked up at his father.

"Wake, Elladan. You must say your farewells to your brother, before he fades completely." Elrond aided Elladan into a sitting position, and helped him stand. Slowly, and painfully, Elladan made his way to Elrohir's bed, where he lay down beside him.

Slowly, Elladan placed his hand over his brother's heart, and closed his eyes. "Wait for me." He whispered, the words falling on deaf ears, as he drifted into sleep, searching for his brother's fëa.