CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

"Right, why don't you start by telling me why you are avoiding me," said Elfwine after forcing Eledher to sit down.

"I am not blind Elfwine, I know how you feel about Eldarion and Elboron. The love between you is palpable. I am the reason why one side of your triangle is failing," replied Eledher. Elfwine smiled slightly, taking Eledher completely by surprise.

"This is not the first time he has been shot," he said. Eledher cocked his head. Seeing the younger man's interest piqued, Elfwine's smile became more defined. "When he was nine he was shot and poisoned by Orcs. By all accounts he sent his parents into a mild form of depression and Elboron went catatonic for a few days."

"When he was nine!" exclaimed Eledher. Elfwine nodded.

"He was quite proud of the fact he was the first of us to gain a 'battle-scar'," he said. "This triangle you speak of will not fail any time soon. If anything Elboron will not allow him to die and when Elboron has made up his mind, then it can be difficult to change it."

"That's the other problem," muttered Eledher, his gaze drifting back to his knees. "Elboron hasn't spoken to me since the battle. Not even when I tried to apologise."

"We haven't seen you Eledher," said Elfwine gently. "You have been avoiding us since the battle."

"My cousin hates me, do you really expect me to stay around to witness his hatred?" replied Eledher.

"How would you react if, on the first time you went into battle together, you watched your best friend fall before your eyes?" asked Elfwine. "Eledher, there is something you have to understand. Elboron has been protective of Eldarion since the first moment Aragorn placed him in his arms. He was only a month turned two, yet he immediately swore to always protect Eldarion. He now sees himself in having failed in his vow to keep Eldarion safe and needs someone to project his own feelings of guilt and anger on to. You are the one that is focused on because you are the one for whom Eldarion fell. He does not hate you Eledher, he is simply grieving. As are the rest of the Gondorians."

"What about you?" asked Eledher turning his head back. He could have kicked himself for causing the light die in his beloved brother's eyes. "I'm sorry Elfwine. I….I shouldn't have asked that. Of course you are upset!"

"I am grieved that he is so badly injured, but he is just my friend. He is Elboron's brother and the champion of the Gondorians. His loss will hit them harder." replied Elfwine.

"I should have gone to Mother," whispered Eledher. "Or at least stayed in Edoras."

"But you didn't," said Elfwine reaching out to Eledher who was in the process of retreating from him. "Hindsight is a blessing and a curse. You cannot change the past but you can learn from it. If anyone should take blame then it should be me. I went to Gondor asking for aid. If I was a better commander then we would not have had to ask foreigners to help us!"

"No!" protested Eledher. "You are a good commander Elfwine. Not even Father was able to defeat the enemy on his own! You had to ask Eldarion for help."

Eledher noticed that his brother was ready to collapse under the strain of his emotions and pulled him to. Elfwine closed his eyes, which were once again burning with tears, and rested his head on Eledher's shoulder.

"I was so scared," Elfwine whispered in a voice choked with emotion, as he held Eledher tightly. "When I watched you fall. I thought I had lost you."

"But because of my bravado you are now losing a close friend. I am so sorry!"

Elfwine couldn't hold back any longer and allowed himself to succumb to his emotions and crumbled, quietly sobbed out his pent up grief and fear into Eledher's shoulder. The younger Prince held his brother tightly as his body shook with increasing ferocity and the patch of dampness gradually grew on his shoulder, but he didn't say anything. Allowing Elfwine to sob like a babe into his shoulder was the least he could after causing so much pain and suffering.

Elboron had come across his cousins at the beginning of Elfwine's explanation of the relationship between the two Gondorians. He could feel a flush of embarrassment creeping up his neck when he heard Elfwine tell of his impulsive toddler promise to Aragorn only to feel it be replaced by one of guilt when he watched Elfwine, who had been so emotionally strong since Eldarion's fall, crumble under the weight of those hidden emotions.

"You had no choice Elfwine," he said deciding that now was a suitable point to announce his arrival. The two brothers spun round, one in embarrassment, the other in fear.

"Who's with Eldarion?" asked Elfwine, wiping the back of his hand across his cheek and fighting to keep his voice calm.

"Díorn. The poor lad looks terrible," replied Elboron. Elfwine gave a choked laugh through his residual tears.

"That lad is the same age as Alphros!"

"When you see him you will understand what I mean," replied Elboron. "Eledher, can I have a word with you? In private."

Elfwine took that as a subtle hint make himself scarce and after squeezing Eledher's shoulder in reassurance and sending Elboron a warning look, he disappeared around a corner.

Eledher couldn't help but be a little apprehensive as Elboron settled beside him and did not speak. Eventually, Elboron's silence became to much for him and he cleared his throat.

"Do you realise how stupid you were?" asked Elboron, not looking at Eledher because such an action would cause him to raise his voice. "You never stand alone in a fight, especially when arrows are coming from unseen archers!"

"Notch it up to battle experience," tried Eledher. It was a fair comment. Eledher was but three months turned twenty and had been lucky enough to have been shielded from all the effects of war until recently. He was certainly very unlikely to make such a mistake again, particularly if Eldarion or Elboron were in the same battle. Besides, everyone had a first time. When Elboron's blazing hazel-green eyes turned to him, the Rohirrim realised his comment was ill-timed.

"That experience nearly killed my brother! It still might!" he raged. "All because you were out for the glory which Eldarion warned you not to go looking for!"

"I tried to apologise!" retorted Eledher. "But you are deaf to anything but your own thoughts!"

"Do not test me Eledher. I told you to move, Eldarion told you before you went into that battle not to look for glory. Uncle Éomer and Elfwine, your own family, asked you not to even enter the fight, but you are too pig-headed to take the advice of others. Everything has to be done your way!"

"I made a mistake!" exclaimed Eledher standing up. "Why can't you accept that? Or is the Heir to Ithilien as stubborn as his grandfather?"

"Elboron!" warned Rosruin suddenly as Elboron's eyes darkened, his face contorted and his hands became fists. "You react to him and you will ostracize Elfwine and Éomer will have every right to throw you from Edoras in disgrace!"

"Did you hear what he said?"

"That you being as stubborn as the Lord Denethor? Yes and I have to tell you that it is a family trait that you, your father and Lord Boromir all inherited. It is not an insult, just a simple observation. I also heard him admit that he made a mistake."

Elboron turned fully to face his Adjutant. "How long have you been standing there?"

"I just arrived. Eledher, I think you need to speak to Elfwine, he really did not look well when I passed him," said Rosruin. "And you, Elboron, are going to find something useful to do!"

When Elboron had left, Díorn had stripped off his heavy tunic, toed off his boots and climbed on to Eldarion's bed. Now he sat with Eldarion's head in his lap and was running his fingers through the curled locks and massaging the scalp beneath, while talking about anything which came to mind. Eldarion gave no indication that he had heard Díorn speak but the elder man did not let that stop him.

As he spoke, Díorn grew more and more distressed. The white of the bandages caused a stark against Eldarion's bronzed skin and even his face was pale, making it obvious to everyone that Eldarion was dying. Eventually, the tears, which Díorn had been desperately trying to hold back began to fall.

"Eldarion please fight," he whispered, twisting one of Eldarion's curls around his forefinger. "Elboron needs you. Your people need you." I need you.

Eldarion blinked at the droplets of water that fell on to his skin and slowly opening his eyes again he saw that Díorn was sitting on his bed crying quietly as he continued to speak through his tears and play with his hair. He tried to raise his hand to brush away the moisture from Díorn's cheek but his body was still to heavy for him to control properly and the limb fell back to the bed. He tried desperately to speak, wanting to reassure his companion that he was alright but his brain and tongue were refusing to cooperate.

Instead he moved into the hand that was massaging his scalp and Díorn's breath hitched. Ceasing his movements he glanced down at Eldarion, only to feel a fresh wave of emotion sweep over him as Eldarion offered him a weak smile.

"You grieve to soon," said a gentle voice from the doorway. Díorn turned his head so fast Eldarion was convinced he cricked his neck. Eldarion carefully rolled his head in the direction of the doorway and gave a watery smile at the sight of silver hair.

"Who are you?" asked Díorn, the pressure he was applying to Eldarion's chest increasing as his sense of protectiveness kicked in. Eldarion allowed him the action, mainly because he did not have the strength to fight it, though he personally knew there was nothing to fear from the visitor.

"Haldir. March-Warden of Lothlórien," replied the silver-haired visitor.

"What are you doing in Edoras?" asked Díorn, a little surprised that the Lothlórien warrior was in Edoras. Generally the declining Elves kept themselves to themselves.

"I am Eldarion's Guardian," replied Haldir walking towards the bed. "But who are you?"

"Díorn, son of Gílorn. I am Eldarion's Adjutant," replied Díorn. "What do you mean, I grieve to soon?"

"It takes more than a few arrows to rid us of Eldarion and the Dunlendings are not the first to try," replied Haldir as he sat down.

"How do you know what happened?"

"Éomer wrote to Lord Celeborn and told him of Eldarion's injuries. I came to convince myself that he is alright," replied Haldir.

"You call this alright!" exclaimed Díorn, staring at the Elf as though he had two heads.

"He is still alive and is healing," replied Haldir. Eledher, who had just arrived, inhaled sharply at the sight of the March-Warden, causing Haldir to swing round. His gaze hardened, causing Eledher to pale slightly.

Eldarion forced his right hand to stretch out towards the door as he watched the colour drain from Eledher's face, wishing that he could get his brain and tongue to cooperate with each other.

Eledher moved towards Eldarion and taking the hand he was being offered and went to his knees. Eldarion smiled at him, twisting his hand free and cupping Eledher's cheek. Eledher leaned into the touch but bit his lip.

"I must ask your forgiveness," he said. Eldarion shook his head and placed a finger over Eledher's lips to prevent any further speech. Removing the finger, he placed his hand over his own heart before pressing it back against Eledher's. Eledher and Díorn cocked their heads at the gesture but Haldir's eyes had widened considerably. Díorn noticed.

"You know what he meant?"

"He is saying that forgiveness is not needed," replied Haldir. 'Eldarion you must be joking? It is because of him you are in this state!'

Eldarion swung his head sharply and glared at his Guardian. Staving off sleep by this point, he gestured to the bandaging that covered most of his visible body then pointed to Eledher and shook his head. He then swept his hand over the wounds again and firmly pointed to himself.

Again Díorn and Eledher were nonplussed to the meaning behind the gestures and while they were a rudimentary way of getting the message across, Haldir understood what Eldarion was trying to say.

"How can you forgive him for this? You fell to protect him from his own stupidity?" demanded Haldir. Eledher hung his head and made to leave but Díorn gripped his shoulder and glared at Haldir. Eldarion closed his eyes against the combined pain of his wounds and the loathing in Haldir's voice. It was a mistake to do so as sleep ensnared him again and his head fell limp in Díorn's lap.

"Eldarion?" asked Díorn slightly alarmed. Eldarion offered no response, only causing Díorn's panic levels to rise.

"He's just sleeping," said Eledher, taking hold of Eldarion's hand. Just to reassure himself that Eldarion was still alive, Díorn rested his hand on Eldarion's chest and felt his heart, steady and gradually growing stronger.

Haldir, while feeling perplexed at Eldarion's lack of blame towards Eledher, could not bring himself to berate Eledher in front of Díorn who was obviously distraught though not showing it externally any longer.

"Haldir?" asked Elboron in surprise as he arrived later that evening. Díorn had fallen asleep beside Eldarion and Eledher had left the room. Haldir turned to face Elboron and held out his arms to the Ithilien heir. Elboron moved swiftly towards the Elf and embraced him.

Haldir smiled and withdrew. "How are you coping?"

"A lot better than I was a few days ago," replied Elboron. "What about you?"

"I don't think I've seen him at his worst," said Haldir as Elboron sat down. Elboron smiled.

"No. But if you had, you would have defeated the purpose of Eldarion's actions," he said. Haldir cocked his head.

"How so?"

"You would have killed Eledher," replied Elboron, resting a hand on Eldarion's chest to check the strength of his heart.

"Don't tell me that thought didn't cross your mind," said Haldir. "He is your brother!"

"I went into shock," replied Elboron. "I shut everything but Eldarion out. Yes I blamed Eledher for his fall but by harming him, I would lose not only him, but also Elfwine and Eldarion. I couldn't do that, I need them to much."

"You are to forgiving," muttered Haldir. Elboron chuckled and shook his head.

"I can hold a grudge, but Eledher is a casualty in this as well. We were in battle, Eldarion made a decision, albeit a decision we do not want to see him repeat, and we have to deal with the outcome. That means supporting Eldarion and Eledher as they fight to recover," said Elboron.

"What trauma did that boy suffer?" hissed Haldir.

"Other than the physical trauma of concussion, he also had to deal with the shock of seeing what his actions resulted in," replied Díorn as he awoke.

"Eldarion was badly injured and I shut him out. Elfwine was choosing to stay with us rather than be with his brother. Éomer had the concern of his people's safety to worry about Eledher's feelings. He was left to deal with the ordeal of his first battle on his own," continued Elboron.

'Forgive him,' whispered Eldarion. Elboron, Díorn and Haldir span round to face the raven man who was watching them.

"I thought you were asleep!" exclaimed Elboron.

'Hands are cold,' replied Eldarion with a weak smile. Elboron looked a little sheepish and buried his hands in the bed cover.

'Forgive him!'

"How can you ask me to do that?" Haldir asked.

"Anger and hate is like a cancer," replied Díorn as he sat up. "It was not Eledher who shot Eldarion but a Dunlending."

"It makes no difference who fired the actual shot," replied Haldir. "The blame is still the Rohirrim's."

Eldarion glared at the Elf before resolutely turning his head away. Haldir sighed at the dismissal and getting to his feet bid the three Gondorian's goodnight before leaving the room.

Elboron and Díorn turned back to Eldarion.

"Sleep well, my friend," said Díorn as he slid from the bed and, nodding his head to Elboron, then the room after Haldir.

Elboron stretched out beside Elboron and brought his arm around Eldarion's torso.

'When was the last time you slept?' asked Eldarion rolling his head back. He still didn't have the strength to fully reconstruct the barriers between his and Elboron's mind and Elboron's own emotions were still volatile. Elboron himself had not properly constructed the barriers in his own mind so Eldarion still felt most of what the tawny Prince did. Gone was the panic of losing Eldarion but in its place was exhaustion which Elboron was obviously fighting.

'Properly,' he added.

"The night before the battle," replied Elboron. "When you weren't fighting for your life!"

'I'm not fighting now,' said Eldarion.

"It is an idea," said Elboron burrowing into Eldarion. Eldarion smiled and kissed Elboron's temple.

'Then rest gwador nîn.' my brother

Rohan, six days later

"Eledher?" asked Elboron, coming across his cousin tending the horses. Eledher startled and spun around, his body preparing for a confrontation. Even six days after Eldarion was making unmistakable signs of recovery, Eledher was still a little jumpy around Haldir and Elboron.

"I owe you an apology…." began Elboron. Eledher immediately shook his head. Elboron continued regardless. "….Eldarion is more than a friend to me, you know that, and because of that I react badly whenever he is hurt. I felt every one of the arrows hit him and was angry at myself for not being able to prevent his pain…."

"But you were right," interrupted Eledher. "I was foolhardy and I got him hurt because of it. He didn't have to come to my aid. I didn't have to be in that battle."

"You would not have sat easy at home while Elfwine marched into battle. And if Eldarion hadn't come to your aid, Elfwine would be in my situation and Eldarion would be in Díorn's," replied Elboron. "You asked that it be seen as battle experience. That it was so long as you learn from it."

"Can you forgive me?" asked Eledher, risking a look into Elboron's eyes. To his surprise he found them glistening slightly.

"Yes," he whispered. Eledher choked back a sob and turned to face Elfwine, who had appeared in the box entrance.

"What about you?" he asked.

"I will always forgive you," said Elfwine moving forward to stand beside Elboron. Eledher dropped his horse brush and wrapped his arms around Elfwine and Elboron. The older Princes completed the embrace.

"Now forgive yourself!" muttered Elfwine, resting his head on top of Eledher's.

"That will take time," whispered Eledher as he settled his head against Elfwine's shoulder. "First I need Eldarion's forgiveness. And Haldir's."

Éomer sat in his throne, grinning like a loon, having just witnessed the scene in the stables. The night before he had seen Eldarion, Díorn, Rosruin and Haldir partaking in a rather weird conversation as Eldarion babbled in Sindarin while Haldir translated for the other two. The Elf had finally given up his hope of holding a serious grudge against Eledher and, while he would not trust the youth as far as he could throw him to keep Eldarion safe in battle, he was at least civil towards him.

"What has you so amused?" asked Gamling as he came across his King.

"They are healing," Éomer chuckled as he slumped back. "All of them."

A/N; I need to thank Trish for making me realise this, but I have just noticed that while I have the boys growing up, I seem to have made time stand still for the adults. Gamling, who in my mind would be approaching 80 by this point (I do not like picturing Éomer or Faramir as being in their 60s/70s!) is going to be retiring from the army of Rohan within the next couple of chapters, and then we are going back to Annúminas.
Happy Christmas
KC