CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Rohan

Elboron lay in his room, a very concerned Éowyn on one side and a panicking Elfwine on the other. A group of healers bustled in and out of the room. Elboron was still conscious but only just. The left side of his lower body had gone completely numb yet flames of pain licked around his spine. He was laying on his side, his back slightly curled, one hand up beside his face, the other under his cheek.

"Elfwine?"

"I'm here."

"Come round where I can see you," requested Elboron. Elfwine moved slowly around the bed and perched on a chair within Elboron's line of sight.

"How could you be so foolish?" asked Éowyn, her question directed mainly at Elfwine.

"Mother don't," pleaded Elboron, sounding sleepy. "Gílroch got spooked and I fell. It could easily have been Elfwine."

"But it wouldn't have happened if I hadn't persuaded you to ride out," replied Elfwine. He really was sorry that Elboron had been injured but it seemed that nothing would calm Éowyn.

"Stop it! It was an accident. Gílroch was needing the exercise, so was Antval. Besides, I'm a sixteen-year-old youth. I am supposed to get hurt!"

"But paralysed?" whispered Éowyn.

"It is only one side and we don't know that is what's wrong," said Elboron. "The ride back to Edoras can't have helped but the nerves are probably just jarred."

"And since when have you been a healer?" demanded Éowyn.

"Similar things have happened to some of the other stud workers and they were up and taming the colts within a couple of weeks," explained Elboron. It was at that particular moment that a healer decided that strapping Elboron's back to a straight, stiff board was a good idea. They roughly hauled Elboron's back straight and, throwing dignity out of the window, Elboron screamed.

"Eldarion!" he cried, turning his head into his pillow.

Lake Evendim

"Eldarion!" yelped Arahael catching his companion as he fell backwards. He steadied Eldarion against him, resting Eldarion's head on his shoulder, smoothing back Eldarion's fringe. "Eldarion, what's wrong?"

Eldarion choked. "Elboron. His back."

"Is your back injured," said Arahael as Eldarion tensed against him.

"No, I come to no physical harm. All I feel is the echo. Oh Valar, I don't want to know what he is going through!" he said as he arched his own back.

"Can you ride in front of me?" asked Arahael. Eldarion nodded and Arahael quickly helped him to his feet. Síldál had stood up when Arahael clicked his tongue and he walked over to the pair. Getting back on to his knees, he sat patiently as Arahael set Eldarion on his back and sat himself. Wrapping on arm around Eldarion, Arahael took the reins in the other and once Síldál had regained his feet, set the animal into a trot.

"ARAGORN!" yelled Arahael, riding up the causeway to the Palace. Eldarion was still moaning quietly in pain in front of him and Arahael really did pity both his kinsman and Elboron. "ARAGORN!"

It was Túnír who heard the cry first and came sprinting into view. "What's wrong?"

"Túnír, where is Aragorn?" demanded the elder, as he eased Eldarion down from Síldál's back, before sending the horse in the direction of the stables.

"I don't know. He was still at the training ground when I left him," replied Túnír.

"Go and find him. Tell him that I have taken Eldarion up to his room. That Elboron is hurting again."

"Yes, Father," nodded Túnír and took off in the direction of the training grounds while Arahael continued to help Eldarion into the Palace.

Eldarion had just got comfortable on his bed, when Aragorn came crashing through the door. "What's happened?"

"Elboron is hurting again. There is something seriously wrong with his back," answered Eldarion. Aragorn's eyes flashed in the direction of Arahael. Eldarion noticed and smiled gently.

"He knows Ada. I told him what the bond does." Aragorn nodded.

"Where is he?" asked Aragorn, knelt beside Eldarion, taking a hand in his own. Eldarion shook his head.

"I can't tell. All I know is that he is closer than Minas Tirith and that he is in so much pain that he can't block it."

Aragorn nodded again in acknowledgement. "Alright. I am going to give you some tea that will help you sleep and I want you to take it as soon as it is drinkable." Eldarion nodded, allowing Aragorn brew the tea whilst wondering what in the name of the Valar had happened to Elboron.

The tea was as disgusting as usual, but it did help deaden the link between Elboron and himself. Eldarion curled up under his covers, not bothering to change into some sleep clothes, and was quickly asleep. Aragorn took the scrap of cornflower blue fabric from Eldarion's bedside table and laid it gently in his hand. Eldarion immediately formed a fist around it and brought it to his face. Aragorn and Arahael shared a gentle smile before stepping out of the room.

"Arahael, you may be kin but if you use your knowledge of Eldarion's bond with Elboron to harm him in anyway, I will kill you," warned Aragorn once the door was closed. "He is finding life without him hard enough without you breaking his trust." Arahael nodded.

"I will not tell."

Dreamscape

You are hurting again, said Lórien, couching down beside Eldarion who was sitting in his glade.

"You have a habit of stating the obvious," replied Eldarion. "What has happened to Elboron? Where is he?"

Gílroch threw him, replied Lórien. I do not know where he is.

"You are of the Valar! How can you not know where he is?" demanded Eldarion.

He is not mine to protect replied Lórien. My brother has not told me all of what has happened.

"Can I speak to him?" Lórien shook his head and Eldarion glared at him. "Why not?"

Because he is not asleep, said Lórien. And he has suffered enough trauma already without having me pull him into a dreamscape by force.

Eldarion shoulder's slumped and he nodded his head. The only reason he was there was because his sleep was drug induced. He jerked up again when someone touched his shoulder. He looked up at Lórien but the Vala was sitting with his hands behind him and the pressure was still on his arm. Swinging his head around he saw the same figure who had guided Elboron to him the first night.

"Who are you?" asked Eldarion.

Shadow, replied Lórien, knowing that Eldarion had by this time learnt who that was. Shadow shook their hood back, allowing their braided raven-hair to dance over their shoulders. Eldarion stared from their face to Lórien's in amazement.

Mae govannen, Eldarion, smiled Shadow with a inclination of the head. well met

"No," protested Eldarion, tipping Shadow's head back up. "No bowing, no mark of rank."

Shadow will help you this night, Eldarion. You will see Elboron soon, said Lórien as he stood. Eldarion smiled in thanks and the Vala shimmered out of the glade. Eldarion immediately threw himself at Shadow who embraced him as they fell back.

"I have missed you so much," whispered Eldarion, burying his face in Shadow's shoulder.

I have been watching you, said Shadow. Every morning, I slip back to see you.

"Your star," muttered Eldarion. "Ada said he was going to show me where to look."

You already look, just through clouded eyes, said Shadow. Now, I understand you have met Arahael.

"Yes. I like him," said Eldarion. He smiled and sat up. "He was the first person to call me Eldarion rather than sire, when we moved."

So of course, he won your heart, laughed Shadow.

"And the first one to which I explained my bond with Elboron. Don't like Dior though," muttered Eldarion, his face darkening.

I think you summed up who he is rather well when you were speaking to Arahael, said Shadow with a smile. Do not worry about him.

"He said my bond with Elboron was 'disgusting Elven magic'!" said Eldarion. "That hurt!"

Love is never disgusting. Nor is your bond Elven magic, but something far more powerful and inexplicable. Dior's father and grandfather called the love between Estel and myself disgusting as well. They are simply jealous, soothed Shadow.

"Why did you never form a spirit bond with Ada?" asked Eldarion, the question having been playing on his mind for much of the afternoon.

Because we already had the bond of twins. There was no need for another to form, answered Shadow. Elros and Adar also had a twin bond, as do Elladan and Elrohir. As you told Arahael, there is one between him and Tarcil. father

"And Ada also has a soul-mate bond. Why do the Valar seem to favour us?"

Because you are looking at a very small, and gifted group of people. The Valar bless each and everyone of the peoples of Arda just not in the same way, replied Shadow.

"Are you happy?" asked Eldarion.

I am at peace, answered Shadow, partially avoiding the question.

"But not happy."

I would much rather be on the earth watching you grow up rather than snatching the few minutes I am granted each morning. But I knew when I rode out that afternoon that I would not be returning under my own volition, said Shadow. But, you are keeping me alive, in a manner. The stories you tell to Faerveren allow her to imagine me, so when I pass by to say hello, she is not startled.

"I did wonder why she started to correct me on some minor details," smiled Eldarion. Shadow chuckled.

Well, I could not let you get away with filling my niece's head with images of a Princess who got away with everything.

"Even if you did!"

Shadow nudged Eldarion's shoulder with her own with another chuckle. Our situations are completely different! She began to sober up. We must part, cub. Do not worry about trying to fit in any longer, our people must accept you or no one at all.

"I will miss you," said Eldarion, embracing Shadow quickly before she began to fade.

You have not lost me, Eldarion. I will always be there. At dawn, look to the east