End of previous chapter of TPL

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.

Chapter 9 Taking on New Roles

Estel woke feeling better than he had in days. Still mindful of his injuries, he sat on the side of the bed and simply enjoyed the sights and sounds available through his balcony doors. As the growling of his stomach called attention to his hunger, he decided it was time to rejoin his family. He moved down the hallway with quietness beyond most humans. Stopping when he heard his brothers' voices from behind the closed door of Elladan's room, he reached for the doorknob. He froze in place, almost holding his breath as he realized what they were discussing.

"I am not saying that Ada's condition will not be cured, Elrohir. I am just saying that it falls to us to take more responsibility for the injured. You know Estel could fall prey to human illness at any time. If for no other reason than that, this is a decision I would have us make now."

Elven footfalls were soundless, but in his mind, Estel pictured his brother pacing, waiting for Ro's response. Finally, a great sigh was heard from the other side of the door. "You are right, of course. But you are wrong if you believe I will be the one to take this role." Apparently, at this point, Elladan opened his mouth to interrupt because Ro's voice rose a notch, booking no interference with his train of thought. "No. I have heard you out in your reasons for why it must be done. Now you will hear my feelings on it before you go further."

"Fine!" Saddened as he was by this conversation, Estel had to smile at the older twin's irate reply. It was not often Elrohir stood his ground like this with Elladan. He was the peacekeeper of the two.

"You are the one to assist Ada here. You are better with healing people; I am better with horses, which would better serve me on patrol or hunting. You are eldest. If Ada were no longer to be Lord of Rivendell, that would fall to you. It would be prudent for you to spend the additional time with him now and learn all you can."

"You believe Ada will sail."

"Someday, gwador nin, someday; perhaps sooner now than before if we cannot cure him. Perhaps not, because we still do not know if there will be a lingering effect on Estel. It does not change the factthat you are eldest and if ever someone other than Ada is to be Lordof Rivendell, it will be you."

"Fine. I am eldest. Then as my younger brother, you will do as I say. You will stay here and remove yourself from hunting and combat to strengthen your healing ability."

Elrohir heard beyond his twin's words. "You can do this, Elladan. You have no need to question your abilities. You will do well."

"I want you here, Ro. As eldest it is my place to protect you. I cannot do that if you are out there without me. You are the one with patience, not I. I will drive Ada crazy within a week. I do not wish to rush his departure."

"Very funny, Elladan. If the two of us together have not driven him crazy, then one of us is not likely to do so. As for protecting me, you can do that by strengthening your healing power so that if I am injured, you will be able to heal me quickly."

"And send you back out to be hurt again? This is not what I want!"

"This is not about being allowed to do what we want. It is about doing what is right. Countless others will be affected if we cannot solve this mystery, Elladan. All beings who come here for help must be given it. And if Ada cannot do this, then you must. You began this, Elladan. I resisted hearing it, but you convinced me and now you must accept your place by Ada's side."

"There is something we have not considered."

"What?"

"Ada would be less suspicious of you asking to stay and learn than he would of me. If I ask it, he will know what we are doing."

There was sound of movement from within the room. Elrohir must have approached his brother, because his voice was softer. "He will know, gwador. No matter how we approach this, he will know."

Silence fell and Estel decided he had listened as long as he dared. Very quietly he descended the stairs.

Across the hall Elrond's bedroom door closed without a sound.

tbc

A/N The healer/warrior "conflict" is referred to more than once in this fiction, but this seems like a good place to give the following reference from Christopher Tolkien. "And the Eldar deemed that the dealing of death, even when lawful or under necessity, diminished the power of healing,… many elven-men were great healers and skilled in the lore of living bodies, though such men abstained from hunting, and went not to war until the last need." Of the Laws and Customs Among the Eldar, Morgoth's Ring