CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
A week and a half later found Eldarion and Aragorn galloping over the plains of Rohan to be met by Elfhelm and a guard of twenty warriors.
"Welcome back to Rohan, my Lords," he greeted. "King Éomer is awaiting your arrival."
"How is Elboron?" asked Eldarion.
"Recovering, but he is confined to his bed for most of the time. It will be a few weeks yet before he is able to ride his horse again," replied Elfhelm. Eldarion nodded. He desperately wanted to charge off to Edoras but having been raised as the heir to Gondor, meant that he was expected to stay with company.
Aragorn, noticing the conflicting desires running through Eldarion's eyes, leant over and hastily spoke to Elfhelm who nodded. He kicked his own animal into a gallop, snatching Súldál's reign in his hand and encouraged the stallion into a gallop as well. With Éored commander and Gondorian Prince in the lead, the rest of the company moved into a gallop, heading for Edoras.
The two visitors were met by Éomer and Gamling on the steps of Meduseld. Elfwine and Lothíriel had dragged Éowyn away from the Golden Hall for the day in order to allow Elboron some peace from her incessant worry. Éomer could not find fault in his sister for her overprotection – Elboron was her only child and that was how he would remain thanks to complications during Elboron's birth. It was the right of every mother to mollycoddle their child, especially when it was a single offspring, but it was not helping Elboron recover.
"Westu Aragorn hál!" greeted Éomer with a smile and he embraced his fellow monarch. "You are most welcome."
"That is good to hear," smiled Aragorn. Éomer chuckled before greeting Eldarion, which Eldarion returned, though a little impatiently.
"Elboron is in his room. Second door on the left once you enter the guest quarters," Éomer said, smiling at Eldarion's agitation. Eldarion inclined his head in thanks before running off in the required direction.
"They lost control didn't they?" said Éomer quietly. Elfhelm and Gamling both retreated a respectful distance and Aragorn nodded, not needing the question clarified.
"They have yet to gain full control, though they are beginning to be able to seek each other when they need support."
"I would probably lose my mind if I had a bond like that," replied Éomer. "It is bad enough feeling your own pain, but to feel someone else's? I cannot begin to comprehend what that is like."
"There are few who can," said Aragorn. "That is why Eldarion and Elboron are having to figure this out as they go. Trail and error is the best option they have available to them."
"I wish them all the luck in the world," said Éomer. He then raised his voice, inviting others to join in the conversation. "Now, I have fresh ale on tap, would you care to join me? You must be parched after your gallop across the plains."
"And your excuse is?" asked Aragorn smiling.
"I am drinking with a friend, and toasting his health," replied Éomer. Aragorn chuckled as the pair walked into the Throne Room, Gamling and Elfhelm following a few paces behind.
Eldarion gently pushed open the door to Elboron's room and poked his head inside. Elboron was laying on his side, facing away from the door, his back still strapped to the ridiculous plank that the healers were convinced would help him heal. Eldarion scowled at the wooden object when he saw it. Slipping off his boots, Eldarion padded across the room and gently undid the bindings. Once the plank was removed, Elboron hunched slightly and released a whimper of relief, though he did not awaken. Eldarion smiled and removing his riding leathers until he was in a light pair of leggings and a flowing shirt, he slid into the bed behind Elboron and resting his head on his shoulder, fell asleep.
Elboron was the first awake later that afternoon but he did not register Eldarion's presence immediately, due to the fact that he was used to a board strapped to his back over the past fortnight. When the 'board' moved, Elboron's breathing hitched in his throat. Reaching out behind him, he found his hand coming into contact with a presence which was not only larger than the restraint, but was also warm.
"Go back to sleep," murmured a voice behind him and Elboron's hand froze.
"'Darion?" he whispered, afraid to turn and find that he was dreaming.
"Have you and Elfwine taken to sleeping together?" asked Eldarion, pretending to take offence. With a growl, Elboron spun around, not noticing immediately that he had a lot more freedom of movement, and pulled Eldarion to him in a rib-cracking hug.
"Tell me I'm not dreaming," he begged, his face in Eldarion's shoulder.
"If you are, I am sharing that dream," replied Eldarion, returning the embrace and resting his nose, as per usual, in the crook of Elboron's neck.
"Oh Valar, you are really here. I am holding you, speaking to you," choked Elboron, pulling Eldarion, if it were possible, tighter to him. It was then that he noticed his freedom of movement had increased.
"What happened to the board on my back?" he asked, releasing Eldarion slightly.
"I removed it," shrugged Eldarion, pulling back so that he was resting on his hands, leaning over Elboron. "Why? Are you in pain?"
"Pain? No! I feel better than I have in days! Uncle Éomer's healer was convinced that it was the best method and wouldn't listen to me when I told him that I was better off without it," replied Elboron.
"Healer's never do," smiled Eldarion. "I think it is a job requirement – to be selectively hard of hearing." Elboron chuckled.
"You are really here," he repeated, cupping Eldarion's cheek.
"Yes I am. And I will be here until you are literally back on you feet," reassured Eldarion. Elboron seemed lost for words so settled for pulling Eldarion back to him, and the pair settled together, both feeling more at peace than they had in months.
They were reawakened by the sound an irate healer. The man, who went by the name Fætthyge, had come to carry out his afternoon check-up on his patient and found the board which was supposed to be strapped to Elboron's back, laying four foot away from the bed. He also discover Elboron laying on his back, with Eldarion sprawled half across him.
"Prince Elboron, what in the name of Béma are you playing at?"
Elboron and Eldarion, who were still in a state between sleep and waking blinked stupidly at Fætthyge for a couple of minutes, Elboron offering the comprehensive reply of "Huh?" to the question.
Fætthyge brandished the board at the two. "What is this doing on the floor?" he demanded. "It belongs on you back until I decided otherwise."
"No," said Elboron, now fully awake.
"Excuse me? Who is the superior healer here?" demanded Fætthyge.
"I am," said Aragorn from behind them. Fætthyge spun round, still brandishing the plank, while Eldarion and Elboron looked over at him from their position on the bed. "Do not tell me that you have had that thing strapped to Elboron's back for the past fortnight," said Aragorn.
"Three weeks," muttered Elboron, though no one but Eldarion heard.
"He has injured his back when he was flown from his horse. How, pray tell, was I supposed to treat him?"
"By getting him to move," replied Aragorn. Fætthyge drew himself up to his full height of five-foot ten inches.
"He was thrown from a sixteen hand brute!" he stated.
"Gílroch is not a brute, he is just spirited!" snapped Elboron.
Aragorn reserved comment and moved out of the doorway towards the bed. "How are you feeling, Elboron?" he asked.
"A lot better now that my back isn't forced straight," replied Elboron, with a meaningful look in Fætthyge's direction. "My leg is still funny though."
"How so?"
"Sometimes I can feel it, other's it is completely dead, and I only know it is there because I can see it," said Elboron.
"I see. Eldarion, kindly release Elboron's neck. Elboron, can you roll over for me? I want to examine your back myself," requested Aragorn. Fætthyge huffed in the middle of the floor. Eldarion clambered off his friend, setting himself at the foot of the bed, while Elboron flipped himself onto his stomach, burying his face in his pillow. Aragorn hissed in sympathy at the greenish-yellow bruises that dotted Elboron's back.
"What happened to you?" asked Aragorn, though he was really thinking allowed.
"Gílroch was a little jumpy and I lost my balance," replied Elboron. "I hit a rock and he kicked me. Elfwine said that he was stung by a bee or a wasp which caused him to fright."
"That does explain why he threw you," agreed Aragorn. "Can you feel that?" he asked, pushing down gently along Elboron spine.
"Yes," groaned Elboron.
"What about this?" he asked as he pressed closer to Elboron's hip. A sharp cry of pain was his response. Aragorn bit his lip and examined the rest of Elboron's back and legs quickly.
"You have a little internal bruising on the left side," said Aragorn once he had finished his examination.
"That's where Gílroch kicked me," said Elboron, turning his head to face Aragorn.
"That would explain it. That side will be a little tender for a few more days while your muscles heal. As for your back and leg, the best thing you can do is use them. Carry out a little exercise morning and afternoon and soon you will be back out riding with Elfwine and Eldarion."
"My Lord, if I may protest," Fætthyge began. Aragorn turned to look at him.
"If you are going to say that that board is to be reattached to Elboron's back and that he is to stay in bed, you may as well save your breath. Other than that, you may speak," Aragorn stated, folding his arms. Fætthyge opened and closed his mouth a couple of times but no words came out. With the parting shot of;
"You can inform the Lady Éowyn why her son is crippled," Fætthyge departed, taking the board with him.
"Thank you," said Elboron, as he shifted on to his right side.
"Rohirric healers always have had an odd way of treating patients," smiled Aragorn. "Now then, would you mind telling me where your mother is? I have not seen her since we arrived shortly after midday."
"I think Elfwine and Aunt Lothíriel took her away from the Hall today. She has been running herself ragged with worry," replied Elboron, as Eldarion settled behind him. He reached round and pulled Eldarion's arm across his chest and Eldarion rested his head on his upper arm.
"That sounds like your mother. I will leave you two alone for now but I will be back before the evening meal," said Aragorn. "And Elboron, you are welcome."
Elboron smiled at his King as he left the room before he became aware that Eldarion was nudging him on to his front.
"Eldarion, what are you doing?" asked Elboron as he found himself spread-eagled on his front.
"I noticed the tension in your back. I am going to give you a crude form of massage," replied Eldarion. Swinging round on his stomach he leant over the side of the bed to grab his riding tunic. Dragging it over he raked around for a couple of minutes before emerging triumphant, a small phial in his hand.
"What is that?" asked Elboron.
"Lavender oil," replied Eldarion. Carefully, he positioned himself on Elboron's thighs, though he took most of his weight on his own knees. He uncapped the oil and poured a small amount on to his hands, rubbing them together in order to heat the oil. Gently he began to work the knots in Elboron's shoulders, the elder Prince letting out a moan when Eldarion's fingers worked at a particularly stubborn knot which had formed between his shoulder blades. Elboron didn't think to ask where Eldarion had picked up this 'crude' skill, nor did he care, all he knew was the tension that had been gathering in his back since his fall was slowly ebbing away.
"Keep that up and I will fall asleep again," murmured Elboron as he hugged his pillow.
"Why else would I chose lavender?" grinned Eldarion.
"Ah, I see your plan now. You will lull me into a daze and then have your wicked way with me," groaned Elboron as another knot was 'untied'.
"No. If I wanted to do that, I would have chosen Sandalwood," replied Eldarion. Elboron simply groaned in response causing Eldarion to giggle. Running his hands over Elboron's back once more to ensure there was no more knots Eldarion clambered off him. Elboron released a relaxed sigh before rolling on to his side. Eldarion tossed the phial back into his pocket and curled up in front of Elboron, an arm thrown possessively across his waist. Elboron returned the gesture, hugging Eldarion around the shoulder and they nestled close, legs subconsciously tangling, falling once more into a relaxed sleep.
When Éowyn returned to Meduseld, she headed straight for Elboron's room, ignoring the protest from Elfwine that dinner was nearly ready. Giving up, with a roll of the eyes and an exclamation of 'mothers!', Elfwine simply followed. Éowyn stopped in the doorway to her son's room, causing Elfwine to walk into the back of her, and gazed, dumbstruck, at the scene before her.
Eldarion and Elboron had woken again half an hour previous alerted by Eldarion's stomach that it was about time for dinner. After dressing appropriately the pair began testing the strength of Elboron's legs and back. Elboron was taking baby steps around the room in a step-limp, step-limb, step-limp pattern, leaning heavily on Eldarion. Both teenagers glanced up when they heard the door open and caught sight of Éowyn and Elfwine.
"When? What? How?" asked Éowyn.
"When - half an hour ago, What - I'm allowed to walk again for short periods of time. As for the how, I put one foot in front of the other in a repeated pattern," replied Elboron, taking another step as though in demonstration. Eldarion grinned while Elfwine bit the inside if his lip. Elboron's impish-humour was making a grateful return journey.
"And how long have you been here?" she asked, turning to Eldarion as Elboron sat down.
"Since noon," replied the youngest of the three teenagers. His stomach gurgled again causing Eldarion to flush, Elfwine and Elboron to laugh and Éowyn to roll her eyes.
"Oh hush," muttered an embarrassed Eldarion. "Can you make it to the main hall or are Elfwine and I going to have to carry you?"
"I can walk," said a very determined Elboron and took off with as fast a pace as his step-limb gait would allow. Elfwine and Eldarion were quickly at his side when he began to sidle towards the wall in need of support. Elboron immediately batted away their hands only to fall against the wall again. This time Eldarion and Elfwine refused to take no for an answer and resolutely locked arms behind and beneath Elboron, scooping him into a crude seat, leaving Elboron with little option but to hold their shoulders for support. Éowyn rolled her eyes again but smiled for the first time since Elboron was injured.