Chapter 19 Return to Imladris
The five companions broke camp late the next morning. Mithrandir examined Elrond and declared him fit for travel, but issued a warning to the elf lord that was loud enough for Legolas and Estel to hear. "If you truly wish to recover you will remember this. You must allow time for full healing. To rush into touching a patient's spirit now could result in more than simply the loss of that ability. I would not see a mind such as yours destroyed, old friend. Middle Earth will have need of it in the years ahead."
"Destroyed? Mithrandir, what do you mean destroyed?" The panic in the human's voice was plainly evident. The elf lord threw an angry glance at the grey wizard, who remained unperturbed.
"There is nothing to worry about, Estel, I am fine. Mithrandir is being dramatic."
"Humph!" Mithrandir's muttering barely reached the human's ears. "Dramatic! Humph! Some appreciation. May just not bother next time."
Elrond rolled his eyes, thinking how much like the twins the wizard could be. Legolas hid a smile, not wanting to incur anyone's wrath.
Estel was not amused. "Now, wait a minute-"
"No, no. Your father will not listen to his elders; there is no point in speaking to him. We bid you goodbye." With this, the Istar clearly placed the responsibility for making Elrond listen onto his youngest son's shoulders, then nudged the brown wizard ahead of him as the two strode from the clearing en route to the village. Radagast and Mithrandir had agreed to visit Wisdom to reassure Rayhan and Sharlain that everything all was well and to deliver a promise from Legolas and Estel that the two would return for a visit in the near future.
"Ada-"
"Now, Estel, you know how Mithrandir can be."
"Yes, Ada. And I also know how you can be."
The elf lord smiled at his youngest and placed an arm about his shoulders. "Shall we rejoin the horses? I am anxious to check on Elrohir's recovery."
"I am inclined to stay here for another day. Elrohir would not want you to endanger yourself by traveling too soon."
"We will be on horseback, iôn nîn. I will hardly tire by riding."
"It is not the ride that worries me. It is when we arrive that I foresee problems. It tires me just thinking of how to keep you from doing too much too soon. It will be much easier for me if we stay here."
The elf lord threw back his head and laughed. Even Estel had to smile. It had been a long time since he had heard a real laugh from his father; far too long a time.
He sighed, knowing he was defeated. "Very well, but we will not rush. We will take our time and rest frequently."
"Of course, Estel, of course."
Estel cringed inwardly. He knew that tone. It was the one the twins used when they realized their younger brother had just fallen for one of their tricks. Oh, well, when they got home, he would have Elladan to help him temper their father's tendency to ignore his own well-being. He would just have to hope it would be enough.
xxx
The trip had gone as Estel expected. They traveled home more quickly than they had traveled to the village. His father had set a slower pace on the journey to Wisdom knowing the human dreaded seeing the Shaman again. The young man accepted the fact the elf lord's concern for the younger twin would set the pace for their return trip. To distract himself from his worry for his father, he pictured their reunion with the twins and their joy when they
learned Elrond had been cured. He was so immersed in the envisioned homecoming that he failed to hear his father's gasp, but Legolas' "Lord Elrond, are you well?" quickly drew his attention. He reached over to steady his father on his horse.
"Ada?"
The elf lord's voice was tight. "Elrohir worsens; Elladan fears for him."
xxx
As the three entered the courtyard, each rider reined his horse to an abrupt stop and leapt to the ground. Legolas hung back with the horses until he saw elves approaching from the stables, then ran after his traveling companions. As he crossed the threshold, he heard Elladan cry out to his father. "Ada, help him, please!"
As Legolas moved through the Healing Rooms, elves moved aside to allow him to pass, but remained hovering near the door. Elrohir was highly regarded and they wanted to be nearby to help if needed. Legolas stepped into the laboratory to find Estel and Elladan in a heated debate. Estel was trying to explain Mithrandir's warning, but Elladan was too overwhelmed with fear for Elrohir to listen. They were so caught up in their exchange that neither of them saw their father drop to his knees by Elrohir's side, reach his hand to Elrohir's forehead and close his eyes in concentration. Legolas recognized one of the healers present and breathed a few words into his ear. The healer motioned everyone out, then closed the door and stood inside it. Legolas nodded his approval and approached Elladan and the human, speaking softly. "My friends…"
"What?"
"Stay out of this, Legolas."
"Your father has made his decision. I suspect anything you do now would only put them both at greater risk."
Estel paled and his eyes misted. "Could you have stopped him?"
"No, Estel. I could not have reached him in time. But you know if your father had done nothing and Elrohir had died, he would never be able to forgive himself." Legolas' voice was firm, but gentle.
"I know about not forgiving yourself. Perhaps it is better for Ada this way." The young man pushed past his eldest brother and left the room through the private corridor.
Legolas was torn between following the human and remaining behind. One look at the elf lord and the decision was made. Even though he had only begun his attempt to heal Elrohir, Elrond was pale and perspiring. Legolas suppressed a shudder and elected to remain with Elladan. If Elrohir passed to the Halls of Mandos and Elrond's mind failed, Rivendell would need a Lord and Estel would need a brother, but grief could kill an elf. Legolas placed a hand on the elder twin's shoulder and began his appeal to the Valar.
xxx
Legolas splashed water on his face and drew a deep breath. Father and son lay side by side on cots in the laboratory, Elladan knelt between them with a hand to each chest. His breathing still hitched, but the sounds of his sobbing had hushed some time ago. Elves had been sent in search of Estel, but could not locate him in the house. On an impulse, Legolas had sent someone to the stable. They did not find the man there, but reported his horse was not in its stall. Legolas had no idea what to do next, and no one to ask. He desperately wished for his father's presence. King Thranduil would know what to do, but that was not why the prince wished for him. He simply needed his father to hold him and to tell him everything would be alright.
tbc