End of previous chapter of TPL

"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."

Chapter 8 Wisdom

"The trip to Wisdom went well. I ate only from the food I took with me and did not need to refill my water bag. I had no encounters with orcs or other fell creatures. I felt fine when I arrived at the village. Rayhan and his family were glad to see me. He and I talked and played with Lillith and Griffin while Sharlain prepared the evening meal. You should see Lillith, Ada! They have followed all your instructions so she has gained some weight and her color is good. She still tires easily, but is at the stage when it is difficult to keep her still. Its hard to believe how close she was to death only weeks ago. Rayhan and Sharlain said again to tell you how grateful they are. They were pleased at the opportunity to offer me their hospitality. They said it did not begin to cover the debt they owe and of course I told them there was none. The sight of Lillith doing so well was payment enough." Estel stopped and smiled at the memory of the little girl whose parents had defied custom to bring her to see the elf healer when all else had failed. She was a pretty child even in illness but now, on the road to recovery, she seemed to blossom.

"I am delighted to hear she fares so well. I would have enjoyed visiting them and seeing her myself, had that been possible."

Estel's expression hardened. "I am glad you did not go, Ada. It was as we discussed. An elf would not have been welcomed in the village. I fear even my being there may have caused some problems for the family."

The three elves waited as the human became lost in thought. Ever mindful of his youngest's recent health problems and his lack of sleep the prior night, Elrond remained silent. If Estel fell asleep, they would not disturb him. The twins followed their father's example and quietly watched their brother.

Feeling eyes upon him, Estel looked up and grinned sheepishly. "Sorry."

"There is no need to apologize, little brother. The trip was difficult for you and you are not fully recovered." Elrohir smiled fondly at the human.

"Even if you are at that stage where it is difficult to keep you still," finished Elladan, using Estel's own words about Lillith against him.

"Hey!"

"Pay them no heed, Estel." Elrond's hand was firm on the human's chest, warning him that he would only be allowed to retaliate with words. "You were saying?"

Estel spared a moment to glare at Elrohir. Elladan was out of his line of sight while he remained in his present position. The younger twin smiled. Only a few days ago he feared his younger brother would never be able to argue with them again. It was good to have him well enough to do this, even if there were unanswered questions.

"The evening went well. We ate and I spent the night by their hearth – with Griffin for company." Estel blushed slightly. "The boy wants to be a ranger someday."

The twins exchanged knowing grins. It was no secret that being a ranger was the desire of Estel's heart. He chaffed against what he felt was his family's over-protectiveness. This trip to the village had been important to him. It was the first time he had been trusted alone with such an endeavor. They knew their father had hoped it would satisfy Estel's wanderlust, at least temporarily. If only the short trip had turned out as planned.

"So, little brother, where did the problem you mentioned come in?" Elladan ruffled his brother's hair, then frowned in concern when Estel didn't swat at him or move away.

"When the Shaman found out who I was."

"Shaman?"

"Healer. The one they defied in order to bring Lillith here when he was unable to help her. Evidently, it was bad enough that they brought her to Rivendell, but worse when they returned to the village with her getting better. He was humiliated and very angry. I guess Griffin told his friends I was there and word got back to the Shaman. Before lunch, he was at Rayhan's standing in front of the house, chanting. Sharlain was inside crying and clinging to the children. Rayhan was trying to calm her, so I stepped onto the porch and asked if there was a problem."

Elladan's hand touched Estel's shoulder. "You did not…?"

Estel sighed. "I did."

Elrond smiled fondly at the young man. "And he told you that you were the problem."

"Very clearly. I am surprised you could not hear him from Rivendell. And there is more." While Estel had been speaking with a trace of humor, he now seemed very interested in the fringe of his coverlet.

"Estel?"

"Ada, I know it is foolish, but it has been a long week and I am tired and …"

"Ion nin?"

Even though Estel's voice was but a whisper, his words carried to Elrond and Elladan. "They will find it funny. I am sure that next week it will be amusing to me as well, but…"

Elrond placed fingers under his son's chin and raised his head so he could see his face. He was stunned to see the shimmer of tears.

"Oh, Estel." He carefully pulled the human up into his embrace, rubbing his back with one hand to calm him.

Elrohir, who had been unable to hear Estel's words looked to Elladan and his concern deepened. His twin looked devastated. Elladan moved from his seat and knelt on the floor beside his father and Estel, his eyes searching his father's. Elrond moved one hand to his eldest's shoulder. "All is well, ion nin. Your brother is just tired. After he sleeps we will talk again."

Estel pushed back from his father. "No. I am being idiotic. I know you all love me. If my brothers laugh they will not do it to be unkind. We have done such things to each other all my life."

Elrohir moved to kneel by Elladan. Elladan reached a hand to push Estel's hair behind his ear, then allowed the hand to linger. "You are right, Estel. We have done such things your entire life. And each of us has been the victim. We do it for the joy of having each other as brothers. We will not laugh when you are injured thus."

"Nor when you have spent the night consoling an elf grieving at the loss of his friend. We promise you this." Elrohir placed one hand on his twin's shoulder and the other over his human brother's hand.

"What more did the Shaman do, ion nin?"

"He placed a curse on me."

Elrond was nonplussed. The twins exchanged a quick glance. Estel had been right. They would have laughed at him even though he was hurt and tired. Thank the Valar he had said something about it before they caused him pain.

"I do not mean he placed a curse on me. I mean he said he placed a curse on me. It is not that I believe his chanting can really do what he says. It is that everything has been so awful since he said it – I am making it worse, am I not?"

Elrond smiled gently. "What did you say when he told you this?"

"Nothing. I was so surprised I could think of nothing to say. Finally when he was through expounding on the evil of elves and those who associate with them and the travesty of elven healing, he shook his stick a few more times and departed in a rage. All those remaining looked at me as though I had become a 3-headed orc and left. Rayhan brought my things out to me. He apologized but said I could no longer stay there and that I should not return. I think Griffin wanted to say goodbye – I saw him peeping out the door – but Sharlain would not allow him to leave the house. I got my horse and left. I did not wish to bring any harm on Rayhan's family by staying.

Elladan managed to keep the humor out of his voice but could not stop himself from asking dryly, "He shook his stick at you?"

"Yes." Estel gave a resigned sigh. "It was a long stick, like a walking stick and on top of it was attached a gourd with netting over it. There was some sort of powder inside the gourd and when he shook it, the powder came out like puffs of smoke."

"Hmm. Were you close enough to inhale this powder, ion nin?"

"I don't think so, Ada. There really was no breeze to carry it anywhere."

"Did you feel well when you left there?"

"I was upset, of course, and concerned for Rayhan, Sharlain and the children. But I did not feel sick."

"What about your food and water?"

"I rode for a little over an hour before deciding to stop and eat lunch. I filled my water bag from a stream and ate some dried meat and cheese that Sharlain packed for me." Estel dropped his head. "I had no desire to build a fire."

"I do not believe I would have built a fire either, ion nin. But that means you could not boil your drinking water. Did the stream look pure?"

"Yes, Ada." Estel's smile was long-suffering, but at least it was a smile.

"Yes, Ada." Elladan decided a little teasing just to lighten the mood would be safe. "Estel may not be a genius-"

"Elladan!"

"…but he is smart enough not to drink contaminated water."

"Thank you for your support, gwador."

"That is what I am here for, little brother."

Grateful as Elrond was to his eldest, he interrupted their exchange "I believe I would like to test the food and water, in any case. Something could have been added to it before it was returned to you."

"Oh, Ada. I refuse to believe Sharlain or Rayhan would have done anything to harm me. They only asked me to leave because they had no choice."

"There is nothing to test, in any case, Ada." Elrohir's voice was subdued. "When the warriors found Estel's horse, there were no supplies with it. Not even his blanket roll."

This was news to the human. "Was she hurt? What of my weapons?"

"You were wearing your sword and dagger, but there was no sign of your bow and quiver. I am sorry, Estel. But your horse will be fine. We still have no idea why she did not return with you or of her own accord, however."

"And we still have no knowledge of how I was poisoned, how Ada could be affected by it, if it can happen again or if it will get worse. We are not even sure if it was deliberate or accidental!" Estel felt better after voicing his frustration – until he noticed his father's raised eyebrow. He wished for the nerve to raise his own in reply, but settled for clearing his throat.

"I appreciate your seeing to my horse's care, Elrohir. I should have asked about her before."

"No problem, little brother. I am glad to do it. It seems I am better with horses than with people."

"You took good care of me, as well, gwador nin. Hannon le."

Elrohir squeezed Estel's arm in response. "What happened next?"

"After the brief stop for lunch, I rode on until dusk, when I made camp. By then I had a headache and was tired so I decided to forego eating and get some sleep. I built a fire, drew my horse close, and was just settling into my blanket when Mirthrandir appeared. He was traveling in the direction I had come from and saw my fire. He knew something was wrong by finding me in bed so early, so I told him about my headache. He checked me for fever and when I had none he insisted going hungry would not help my head and prepared the

evening meal from his supplies. We ate and talked awhile…I have no recollection of going to sleep, but I remember our parting in the morning. He said there was something he had to do or he would have seen me back to Rivendell. I suppose I said I would be fine…" Here both twins snorted and Elrond smiled. "and he told me to come straight here and not allow myself to be distracted or delayed. I can remember nothing else until I woke up in my room."

"And that is where you will be going again, ion nin, to your room. First though, I must ask you if Tilmor was going to notify Nimar's family."

"Nimar's closest family, as you know, is his brother who is visiting Lothlorien. Tilmor wrote a letter to him and I sent it by messenger. Of course, he will be unable to return in time…"

The elves nodded in agreement. Even on a fast horse the trip would take nearly 3 days there and 3 days back. Decisions would have to be made before that time.

"Did Tilmor know Nimar's wishes?"

"They had not discussed it. Tilmor will likely be seeking your counsel later in the day."

Elrond nodded, secretly glad of the warning. Others had come to him in similar circumstances over the centuries, but in this particular case he felt inadequate. He could use the time to prepare himself, but for now his youngest was in need of rest.

"Elladan, take your brother to his room, please and see that he sleeps. No teasing, no pillow fights; just sleep."

Elladan's "Yes, Ada." was drowned out by Estel's "But Ada!"

Elrond smiled at his human son. "You have given us much to contemplate, Estel. Your brothers and I will consider the information while you sleep and we will talk more when you are rested. It will help no one for you to have a relapse, ion nin."

There were so many questions still unanswered, but Estel had to admit, to himself at least, that he could use some rest. Perhaps after some sleep, the situation would not seem so overwhelming.

Tbc

A/N I am off schedule on my Friday postings but am still posting once each week. I hope you are enjoying it. I am getting far too little done on the sequel!