End of previous chapter of That Precious Link

"It is well, Ada. You are just worried about Estel. Elrohir and I understand that. It is just …well, I guess we have witched places. We are usually the patients and you are healing us. We are unaccustomed to you being the one unconscious. Honestly, Ada, how do you stand it?"

This brought a chuckle from Elrond and he let go of some of his tension. He placed an arm around Elladan's shoulder and guided him toward the kitchen. "Let us see if we can arrange for Elrohir's favorites to be on tonight's menu, then we shall review what happened the night your brother was carried home."

Elladan smiled and nodded.

That Precious Link, Chapter 5, Brotherly Support

He could hear a sound in his room, but it was neither his family speaking to him or Legolas singing. He really needed to wake up. He should not waste his time sleeping like this. He should be hunting with his brothers or visiting the Prince of Mirkwood. Estel slowly opened his eyes and tried to locate the sound that had awakened him. Ah, it was coming from his balcony. Turning his head slowly, he squinted against the light until his eyes became accustomed to it. When he was finally able to see the source of the sound, his mouthfell open in shock. One of his brothers was kneeling on the balcony, hands on his knees and his shoulders shaking. The sounds that had called him from sleep were his brother's sobs.

"Gwador?" /Brother/

The sobbing stopped abruptly. The elf froze. Obviously, he had not meant for his younger brother to hear him. When there was no answer to his query, Estel threw the covers back and gathered his strength to make his way across the room. One of his brothers was hurting and there was no way he was staying in bed!

"Stop." The voice was soft, almost too soft for a human to hear, but Estel had spent his life in Rivendell and was more attentive than most humans. At least now he knew which brother it was.

"Elrohir?"

"Do not get up. I could not bear to have you fall."

"Are father and Elladan well?" A nod from the elf was his only answer.

Estel carefully pushed himself upright in the bed and leaned against the headboard. He hurriedly did a review of his condition. His side was sore, but well bandaged, the same with his left wrist. He couldn't remember eating since … since he met with Mithrandir on the road and shared a meal with the wizard. He was weak.

"You think I am just going to lie here while you are over there in pain? You do know better." Then, softer, "Tell me."

The elf leaned back against the doorway, calmer, but with his back still to the room. He wiped the tears from his face. "Perhaps later."

"Let me help you, gwador nin" /my brother/

"I …cannot."

"Then come sit with me."

Slowly, the elf stood to his feet, wiped his face again and entered the room with his long dark hair partially covering his face. The human scooted closer to the right side of his bed and nodded to the vacant spot on pillow to his left. The elf halted and shook his head.

"Please, brother. Just sit by me. We need not talk unless you want to."

The elf took a deep breath and moved to the bed. Mindful of his brother's injuries, he seated himself slightly higher in the bed than it's present occupant, so he could place his arm around the human and draw the young man's head to his shoulder. With some measure of peace, he let his head rest on his younger brother's. Estel pulled the covers over them both and relaxed into his brother's embrace. Estel had learned patience as well as some healing skills from his adopted father. As long as his brother was within his reach, he could wait.

That was how Elladan found them sometime later. Elrohir's eyes were glazed over in sleep, but when Elladan's eyes met Estel's, the man's were searching and full of concern. Elladan smiled sadly and mouthed, "Later." before silently leaving the room and seeking his own bed.

tbc