End of previous chapter of TPL

The human decided it was time to change the atmosphere. "Well, that settles it. You certainly are a sorry group of elves." The man's grin was daring. With the gloomy mood broken, the elves exchanged apologies, sheepish looks and hugs while Estel looked on proudly. Finally, one problem eliminated. While not dangerous, this particular issue had been emotionally draining on all involved. They would deal with the remainder after a good night's sleep.

Chapter 7 Discovery

"Go away!" Elrohir felt as though his head had just touched his pillow.

"I cannot, gwador", Elladan hissed. "One of the guards has been injured. Do you want me to wake Ada instead?"

That brought Elrohir to his feet. By the time Elladan reached the bottom step, Elrohir had started his descent. He all but flew down the stairs, turned to enter the Healing Rooms, and collided with a familiar back. "Elladan…" he began and stepped around his brother to enter the room. When his brother no longer obstructed his view, Elrohir saw what had brought Elladan to a halt. Their father, robed and with every hair in place, was calmly dropping leaves into a bowl of steaming water.

"Ada, what are you doing here?"

If the guard's injuries had not appeared serious, Elrond would have enjoyed this moment. Identical faces stared at him from across the room, both of his sons were still as statues. Evidently, surprise had stolen their ability to move. Elrohir, at least, had managed to close his mouth. "I am caring for one who is injured, Elrohir. Perhaps the two of you would like to aid me?"

"Of course, Ada." The two spoke as one and approached the bed, immediately recognizing the patient. Nimar was younger than the twins. They remembered when he went on his first patrol. Now he lay before them, pale and with eyes closed. His hair was matted with blood and a bone protruded from one leg. Elrohir picked up a knife from the small table near the bed. There were several such tables around the room, instruments always prepared and carefully placed so the healers could select the right one without taking their eyes off their patients. As his father and brother examined the head wound, Elrohir carefully cut away the elf's outer pants and leggings so he could access the broken leg.

Sensing someone behind him, Elrohir threw a glance over his shoulder. An elf even younger than their patient stood behind him. Elrohir spoke softly to the distraught young guard. "Are you injured, Tilmor?"

"Scratches only. Will he be…alright?"

Elrohir examined their patient with his eyes. He was unsure how much blood Nimar had loss or how severe his head injury was, so he settled for a non-committal answer. "He is strong."

The guard's voice dropped to a whisper. "The branch just..fell."

Elrohir would have liked to stop this conversation so he could listen to the exchange between his twin and their father, but he knew Tilmor needed a different kind of help than they were giving his friend. To speak with him would not hinder the work he was doing on Nimar's leg, so he queried "Branch?"

"Yes, a large tree branch just fell, it caught his leg and caused him to fall heavily. His head impacted against a boulder."

During their talk, Elrohir had finished cleaning the wound and now needed to set the leg. Seeing his father and brother were not yet free to help him, he decided it might do Tilmor some good to help. It was basic healing and it was likely Tilmor had assisted in the procedure before. Tilmor was anxious to help, and they made quick work of it. By the time they had finished however, Tilmor was looking slightly unwell. Letting his father and brother know what he was doing, Elrohir walked the young guard to the front door for fresh air, encouraging him to go home to rest and return in the morning or to at least rest at the House of Elrond. Stepping outside and taking a deep breath, Tilmor turned to Elrohir and forced a smile. "I know he is in good hands. I will go home in case my family has heard and is worried. I will return in a few hours."

"May sleep find you quickly."

"Thank you."

Elrohir watched the elf for a few moments then stepped back over the threshold…and saw Estel sitting before him on a lower step. Elrohir closed the door and crossed to the stairs, seating himself by his human brother. "Estel? Are you well?"

"Yes, I heard something going on and came to help. By the time I dressed and made it to the bottom of the stairs, you seemed to have it well in hand, so I was just waiting. Will Nimar recover?"

Elrohir studied Estel, knowing that his brother still weakened easily after his poisoning. At least he had the sense to stop and recover his strength instead of continuing to the Healing Rooms. The young man was growing up, just as Ada said. Elrohir leaned his arms on his knees and clasped his hands together as he answered Estel's question. "Tilmor and I set his leg, it will heal, but his head injury…I cannot say. Even if he lives…" Elrohir let the thought hang. Estel had studied healing with Elrond long enough to know the dangers of impairment following a head injury. They were rare in elves, but not unheard of.

"Is Ada well enough to care for him?"

"Elladan is with him, but if one of them attempts to reach his spirit, I should probably be there." Elrohir hesitated, he was not sure he wanted to encourage Estel to join them but he hated to leave him out here alone.

"I will come with you. I promise to stay out of the way."

"You would not be in the way, little brother", replied Elrohir asthey rose, "it is just…"

"You worry I will overdo. I will not, because if one of you has to care for me, that will take assistance away from Nimar."

Elrohir nodded and smiled. He and his brother were just about to enter the room when their father's stunned voice froze them in place. "But how can that be? I saw nothing, felt nothing from him… Oh, Valar, Elladan…The touch of minds with Estel before my collapse. It must have somehow taken…burned out…my ability to heal through touch. It is gone. What will I do?"

Elrohir turned a shocked face to his younger brother. All color had left the young man's face, he would not meet Ro's eyes. The twin was torn between this brother and their father. Estel, sliding to the floor, his back to the wall, whispered. "Go." Still Elrohir wavered, until his twin, unaware of Estel's presence, called to him.

"Elrohir! We need you."

In the Healing Room, Elrohir found his father on his knees beside their patient's bed, showing signs of shock. Elrohir lifted fearful eyes from his father to his twin.

"Move Ada to a bed, then I need you to help me with Nimar. We must move quickly or lose him."

Elrohir lifted and supported his father, settling him in the next bed. "We cannot just leave Ada alone, Elladan. Not now."

"He feels badly enough, Elrohir. Think how he will feel if Nimar dies because you were holding his hand."

"Elladan-"

"Enough." Estel interrupted from the doorway. "I will watch Ada."

The twins watched as Estel moved unsteadily across the room. There was a sharp intake of breath from Elladan as he realized all his youngest brother must have heard.

"Estel-" Elladan began.

The human continued speaking as though his brother had never uttered his name, "It is the least I can do." He removed the blanket from an empty bed and covered his father with it, sat on the empty bed and watched the elf lord intently, careful never to touch him.

The twins noticed and exchanged a glance before focusing all their attention on their patient.

xxx

Somewhere during the night, the elf lord had roused himself from his stupor and pulled himself together enough to sit up in bed and motion Estel to his side. They offered the twins silent support and sent prayers to the Valar while seated side-by-side, Elrond's arm around his son's shoulders. Hours of combined effort from the twins had not saved Nimar. The twins were exhausted from their labors and Elrond insisted they go to their rooms to sleep. Elrohir protested, wanting to tell Tilmor himself instead of sending a messenger, but Elrond had been adamant, insisting that waking Tilmor would not benefit the young guard. Elrohir relented when the elf lord promised to wake him early so he could go.

Elrond's intentions had been good, but Tilmor came at daybreak to check on his friend. Estel, having given up on sleep, was downstairs and opened the door himself. When Elrond stepped into the hallway, his youngest had already broken the news and was holding a sobbing Tilmor in his arms, whispering words of comfort. The elf lord, feeling at a loss for words himself since he had been unable to do anything for Tilmor's friend, retreated into his room and allowed Estel to deal with their guest. By the time the remainder of the household was awake, Estel had helped Tilmor compose a letter to Nimar's brother who was visiting family in Lothlorien and arranged for a servant to escort Tilmor home. After Tilmor's departure, Estel penned a note of sympathy from the House of Elrond and dispatched a messenger to Lothlorien with both pieces of correspondence. He remained in his father's study with his head down on the desk dozing until he heard his family coming down the stairs. Straightening his clothes and brushing his hair out of his eyes, he went to join them for a late breakfast.

xxx

As Estel approached the dining room, he could hear his father and brothers settling in. He pulled his shoulders back and rotated them, and trying not to show how tired he was, then stepped into the room.

"Good morning."

"Good morning, Estel." It did not look as though Elladan had slept much either, even though he must have been exhausted.

Elrohir favored his human brother with a slight nod. "Estel."

"How did you sleep, ion nin?"

"Well enough. Tilmor was here earlier. We spoke for awhile." No point in avoiding it. Estel learned at an early age that his elven father had a way of knowing everything.

Elrohir tensed. "I had hoped to speak with him."

Estel placed a hand on his brother's. " I explained we just wanted him to sleep if he could. He understood." Estel hesitated briefly. "Are you upset that I did not wake you, Elrohir ?"

Elrohir's smile was sad. "No, I am not upset with you, Estel. It is just a duty that I would have taken upon myself."

For a time the only sound was of utensils against bowls and plates. After forcing down a few bites, Estel simply moved his food around, hoping no one would notice. Even if they did, he doubted they would comment on it today. His father and brothers were eating sparingly as well. The silence was becoming stifling.

"Ada."

"Estel."

Both smiled briefly, having spoken at the same moment. The twins gave up any pretense of eating and watched quietly. Concern for their father and brother was palpable as they looked from one to the other.

"Go ahead, Estel."

Estel studied his food. "It was nothing… I mean it was not important. What were you going to say, Ada?"

The elf lord's gaze traveled over each of his sons. All appeared strained, all had abandoned their food. The human was putting up a good front, but he was still recovering his strength and should not be at the table after his loss of sleep and time with Tilmor. He forced a smile as three pairs of eyes locked on him.

"Let us move to my study. Estel may rest upon the couch while we talk."

Estel opened his mouth to declare that he needed no rest, but thought better of it as Elrond's eyebrow moved upward, daring him to argue. The twins nodded agreement and the four moved to the elf lord's study.

Estel grinned sheepishly at his family as he settled on the couch. Elrond took a coverlet from the back of the couch and spread it over his youngest. He started to brush Estel's hair back from his face, but the human's head jerked away from his father. Elrond sank to the edge of the couch by Estel, stunned.

"Ion nin?"

Estel dropped his gaze and refused to answer. Elladan seated himself on the arm of the couch at Estel's head. "He was outside the Healing Room when we were treating Nimar last night."

Elrond closed his eyes as he searched his memory. He had been caught off guard when he realized he could not sense Nimar's spirit while Elladan could. What had he said?

When their father remained silent, Elrohir picked up his twin's story from the other arm of the couch. "I had helped you into an empty bed, but Elladan needed my assistance. Estel came in to sit with you. He covered you and watched you from the next bed over but he avoided touching you."

"Oh, ion nin. Your touch will not harm me. Did you not sit by me when I called you to me last night? Did I not hold you near while your brothers cared for Nimar? I drew comfort from your presence, Estel. You are not a danger to me."

"How can you be sure? I should not have risked being so close to you last night, but…"

"But?" Elrond was nothing if not patient.

"I was so…relieved…that you weren't upset with me I was unable to refuse."

"Estel, why would I be upset with you?"

"You said…I mean…it was because …" Estel took a deep breath, then the words flowed from him like water from a broken dam. "You were strickened with this thing when you touched my mind to cure me."

Elrond leaned forward, placing his fingers under the young man's chin to raise his head, giving silent thanks when his son did not pull back from his touch. "Look at me, ion nin." Elrond could see the effort it took for his son to do as he instructed. "This was not your fault. You would never harm one you love. Your brothers and I know this. I am thankful that whatever has happened to me did not impede my ability to treat you."

The human's eyes were now filled with tears as he reached for his father who pulled him gratefully into his arms. "I love you, Ada."

"And I love you, my son." Releasing his youngest and helping him resettle on the couch, Elrond moved to sit at Estel's feet and surveyed all three sons again, thinking how fortunate he was to have them. He suppressed the thought that one day one of them would enter Rivendell ill or injured and he would be unable to help them because of his current disability. "We must put all our information together and work through it as a family. Am I understood.?"

Elrohir and Estel nodded. Elladan caught his father's gaze and held it. "I agree. None of us can hold back from the others. Am I understood?" Elladan softened his question with a fond smile at his father. Elrond laughed. "Yes, Master Elladan. You are understood. Now, let us begin. Estel, I think we should start with your trip. However, if you are too tired, we can do this after you have rested."

"No. The sooner we do this, the sooner you will be…well." Estel stumbled over the word and Elladan squeezed his shoulder reassuringly. Estel took a steadying breath and began.

"Something…strange…did happen at the village. I didn't take it seriously at the time, but now I wonder…" His eyes sought Elrond's.

"Begin at the beginning, Estel."

tbc