Listened to Davy Jones' music box theme while writing this. Just felt right.


Elrond placed the sleeping child in the bed. The elf lord tenderly stroked the boy's pained face. He glanced at Arwen, who was still shedding tears. "It is not your fault, Arwen." Elrond assured her. "Whatever triggered his breakdown, it was not your doing."

"I don't understand, Ada." Arwen said sadly. "I was only trying to be kind to him. But it seems that I have only made things worse."

"Nonsense, daughter." Elrond shook his head. "Once Ingeras is calm enough, we will try to find out what hit him so hard." There was a knock at the door. "Come." Elrond responded. Several figures entered, all with concerned faces. "He's sleeping for now." Elrond told his audience. They all noticed that Arwen was still troubled by this and she wouldn't meet their eyes. Elrohir and Glorfindel now felt bad for teasing her. She was obviously taking this hard.

"I'm sorry for jesting with you, sister. I didn't mean to upset you." Elrohir spoke up. "I was only trying to lighten up the awkward, alarming scene is all. But...I should've curved my tongue, I guess." Arwen nodded.

"And please accept my apologies, Arwen." Glorfindel said earnestly. Arwen shrugged, wiping her eyes.

"How is he, Ada?" Elladan asked Elrond. All eyes were on the small figure in the bed.

"He finally drifted off ten minutes ago." Elrond answered. "He was weeping harshly ever since I'd brought him in here."

"That was over two hours ago!" Elrohir gasped. Legolas grimaced sorrowfully.

"Legolas?" Aragorn prodded his friend.

"He's been trying so hard to be brave since I've known him." Legolas said solemnly. "He wouldn't talk about what's troubling him."

"What can you tell us about him, Legolas?" Elrond asked. Everyone listened intently.

"Not much." Legolas groaned. "We found him in the forest, about to be killed by those horrid spiders. We rescued him, but he was stricken with the delirious fever that is cursing our Wood. We brought him home where he was tended. He had horrible nightmares.

'At one point when our chief healer had fallen asleep, Ingeras snuck out. I think he was trying to run away. Perhaps he was trying to find his ada, I don't know. He was ambushed by Orcs but we slew them and brought him back. His fever finally broke, but he kept starving himself and he wouldn't talk to us. And the nightmares never stopped. We kept telling him he was safe, but he just wouldn't open up. And he kept holding back his tears.'"

"Poor child." Erestor grunted.

"All I could find out from him was his name, and he said that he had no people. He told us that his mother was dead, that she'd been killed."

"Oh." Several voices sighed knowingly and everyone's thoughts went to the dearly departed Lady Celebrian, Elrond's wife and Queen Calathiel, Legolas's mother.

"He said that the necklace was given to him by his parents. But that is all he ever told us." Legolas hung his head.

"You did not fail him, Legolas. Know that." Elrond said firmly. "You kept him safe and tried to be a friend to him. It was not wasted, and someday-hopefully soon!-you will see that." Legolas shrugged skeptically.

"The necklace is most precious to him." Legolas said quietly. "He will not part with it. He keeps it close, like a life line. It's as if it is the only connection he now has to his family."

"I have good faith that it is."

"What are you planning to do for him, Ada?" Aragorn asked with his arms crossed.

"First of all, we will see how he gets through the night." Elrond answered. "If what Legolas has told us is any indication, then it's more than likely he will experience more nightmares, even exhausted as he is! I would like for someone to sit with him at all times. We will let him sleep for as long as he needs to. When he wakes up, let's not bombard him immediately with an armful of questions. He needs to feel safe, and feel able to talk freely when the need rises. For now, let's just try to make him feel as welcome as possible. I will take the first shift, and then someone else may take over this afternoon, and so on."

"I'd like to sit with him tonight." Legolas and Arwen said at the same time.

"Arwen, you may sit with him through dinner if your prefer, and Legolas after that." Elrond suggested. "Legolas, any ideas of how he ended up and lost his way in the forest?"

"No, Sir." Legolas shook his head in exasperation. "Tauriel found his tracks beginning at the gate opening from the West. That's all we know, except that he appeared to be all alone."

"I see." Elrond rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I do wish Gandalf was here. Perhaps he could fill us in."

"Ai." Glorfindel nodded.

"Well, clear out now. I wish for Ingeras to have absolute quiet." Elrond ordered. "Oh, Elrohir? I wish you to bring me some herbs for calming effect, should we need them. I could fetch them myself if it comes to that, but I do not want Ingeras to be alone."

"Yes, Ada." Elrohir nodded and shuffled out with the others. Elrond rubbed Ingeras's small hand.

"Try to let your heart rest, little one." He said. "We will help you through whatever this terribly heavy burden is."


Ingeras did not wake fully all day, but a few times that he was semi-conscious, he wept painfully even though his eyes remained shut, always white knuckle clenching the cross necklace. Elrond and Aragorn tried to comfort him, but the boy cried himself back to sleep, then Aragorn sat with him. It was all they could do to keep Legolas from constantly trying to come in the room.

Late into the night, Legolas sat with Ingeras, staring at him guiltily and praying to the Valar to take pity on the poor, bereaved soul who seemed so lost. About midnight, Ingeras's even breathing became ragged, and he began to tremble violently. Then he began screaming in agony. "Ingeras? Ingeras!" Legolas gasped, crouching on the bed and trying to shake his friend awake. "Ingeras, wake up! You're dreaming. It's me, Legolas. Ingeras, please wake up!" Legolas begged. Ingeras didn't seem to hear him and continued wailing.

"Legolas? What is going on?" Aragorn asked as he and the twins burst into the room.

"Get Lord Elrond! NOW!" Legolas barked at them. Elladan turned on his heel and ran to fetch his father. By now, the entire household was at the threshold of Ingeras's room, having heard his horrible screams. Elrohir approached the bed and took the child's shaking arm and firmly touched his shoulder.

"Ingeras, can you hear me?" Elrohir asked. "Ingeras!" Ingeras only continued to seize and scream with tears. Elrond finally entered the room and hurried to Ingeras's side. "Ada! He's not coming out of it." Elrohir explained.

"Elladan, the herbs!" Elrond told his oldest son. Erestor, Glorfindel, Lindir, and Arwen all watched anxiously from the door. "Give me some room, please." He instructed his son and Legolas to back up. He leaned down close to the convulsing child, placing his hands on his shoulders. "Ingeras? Wake up, child! Do you hear me? Wake up now." Elrond spoke directly to him.

"Papa! Ppppaaaappppaaa!" Ingeras sobbed horribly, the pain and horror so thick in his strangled voice that it made every occupant in the room shudder. Elrond tightened his grip and focusing his energy, he entered Ingeras's mind, trying to see what he saw. In Ingeras's dreams, Elrond saw Vlad fighting Mehmed, and then Vlad screeching in distress as Mehmed slit open more and more bags of silver coins. Then, when Vlad could barely stand up anymore, Mehmed backed him against the wall, slugged him several times, then kicked him back into a cart where Vlad hit his head then fell to the ground. "PAPA!" Ingeras cried:

"Take one last look at your father, Ingeras." Mehmed taunted.

"Nooo!" Ingeras wailed.

"Look at how pathetic he is." Mehmed continued as Vlad wearily turned his dizzy head to look at his son.

"No! Stop! Please!" Ingeras begged.

"If I put a stake through your heart, it will kill you. Like any other man." Mehmed grinned down at Vlad who was flat on his back, struggling just to sit up! Ingeras kept fighting against his bonds, trying to get away and save his daddy, but to no avail. Then Mehmed came to stand right above Vlad, arching his arm back with a wooden stake. "A fitting death, for Lord..."

"NO! Nooooo!" Ingeras screamed.

"Noooo!" Ingeras screeched hoarsely, jolting upright in the bed, shaking uncontrollably, sweating profusely, and his frightened blue eyes wildly darting back and forth in terror.

"Whoa, shhh! Ingeras, it's all right. You were dreaming, penneth. You're safe. It was just a dream." Elrond shushed him calmly. Ingeras whimpered like a whipped puppy, and couldn't stop shaking. He was hyperventilating big time. He looked up in fright and confusion at all the visitors in the room who were staring at him. "Ingeras, can you hear me?" Elrond asked. Ingeras glanced at him, but he was so scared and tears kept pouring down his face. "It's alright, son. No one here is going to hurt you." Elrond said soothingly, stroking the boy's face.

"Wh-wh-where a-a-am I?" Ingeras asked in a quivering voice. Elrond was relieved that the boy was speaking, and facing him at least. At least he wasn't so dazed that he didn't hear anything around him.

"Do you remember? You're in Rivendell." Elrond reminded him. "Legolas brought you here. Can you remember?" Ingeras began frantically searching the room for Legolas and saw him at his right. Legolas tried to smile.

"I'm right here." He said in a friendly voice. But Ingeras shivered even harder. Tears filled Legolas's eyes. He was trying so hard to prove to Ingeras that the boy didn't have to be afraid of him, that the elf wanted to be his friend, but he was failing miserably and it hurt.

"Ingeras? Look at me, son." Elrond said. Ingeras frightfully looked around the room, warily eyeing the concerned audience. "No, no. Eyes on me." Elrond said. Ingeras finally met his gaze. "Do you know who I am?"

"L-L-L-L-Lord Elr-r-r-r-rond-d-d-d..." Ingeras squeaked, unable to catch his breath.

"Very good." Elrond smiled with an approving nod. "Now, Ingeras? I need you to hold my hands and do the same as I do, and just breathe with me. Can you do that?"

"I-I-I-I…." Ingeras sputtered. Legolas looked away, covering his face with his hands, trying to hide his tears.

I've just made everything worse! Seems like that's all I can ever achieve with him! Legolas berated himself. Arwen looked at him sympathetically and made her way over to her friend and gripped his hand. She understood exactly what he was going through. He sadly looked at her then hung his head.

"Do exactly as I do." Elrond instructed Ingeras, and gripping his still quivering hands, the healer led him through a breathing exercise. Elrohir gently rubbed the boy's back.

"That's it, Ingeras. Good job." Aragorn encouraged him when the boy followed Elrond's instructions, even though it was a struggle. After a short while, Ingeras's breathing was less manic, but he was still shaking. "Here, Ingeras. Drink this. Ada says it will help you." Aragorn took a mug from Elladan and handed it to the boy.

"Will it keep my bad dreams away?" Ingeras asked pleadingly.

"I cannot guarantee that, son. But it will help you feel calmer." Elrond said. Ingeras looked into the cup, disappointed. But he drank it then handed the cup back to Aragorn. Elrond suggested the others should leave, and thanked his sons for their help. "Ingeras, is there anyone in here that you would like to remain with the two of us?" Elrond asked. Ingeras warily eyed the occupants.

"Aragorn." Ingeras said, taking them all by surprise. Aragorn arched his eyebrows then glanced over at Legolas who looked distraught with disappointment but he nodded urgently to his friend.

"Me?" Aragorn asked. Ingeras eagerly nodded. "All right." Elrond nodded to Arwen and Legolas to leave, though he threw them both an apologetic look. Aragorn sat down on the bed opposite Elrond, who was holding Ingeras close to himself. "Would it help, to talk about your dream?" Aragorn asked cautiously.

"No, please! No, it won't!" Ingeras blurted out adamantly.

"All right, I'm sorry. You don't have to right now." Aragorn assured him. He glanced up at his father who gave him the 'I'll explain later' look. Aragorn reached his hand out and rubbed Ingeras's back.

"I want my momma." Ingeras started to cry again.

"I'm so sorry, Ingeras." Aragorn hung his head.

"I miss Papa! I miss Papa!" Ingeras sobbed.

"It's all right, child." Elrond said, running his hand through Ingeras's hair as the boy hid his face in his robes and cried.

"Ohh! Why did he leave me here?" Ingeras wailed. He was referring to Gandalf, not Vlad. But his comforters didn't know that.

"Did he leave you in the Mirkwood forest?" Elrond asked cautiously.

"Mmm-hmm!" Ingeras replied in a muffled voice.

"Did your father promise to come back for you?" Aragorn asked.

"Not him! He didn't leave me in the forest!" Ingeras corrected him. "I was talking about Gandalf." Elrond and Aragorn gaped at each other, puzzled.

"Do you mean Gandalf the Grey, the great wizard?" Elrond inquired.

"Yes! Yes, that's him! Do you know him?" Ingeras blinked in astonishment.

"Ai. We know him very well." Aragorn nodded. "But, Ingeras, why would he leave you? It's not like Gandalf to abandon a child in need!"

"Sp-spiders. There were spiders. Great, monstrous spiders, like frightening creatures out of a nightmare." Ingeras explained, trembling as he recounted his tale. "Gandalf told me to run on ahead, to stay on the path till I reached the Elvin king's palace. He stayed behind and fended off the spiders. But he never came back for me!" Ingeras began to cry again.

"Well, Gandalf is a good friend and ally of ours, young one." Elrond told him. "He would not just leave you to fend for yourself unless he had a good reason, I assure you."

"He'd said he'd follow, but he never came!" Ingeras blurted out.

"If he'd fallen by the spiders, Legolas would've found him when they traced Ingeras's tracks back to the West gate." Aragorn stated. Elrond was frowning deeply. Sure, Gandalf had an irritating knack for leaving comrades in the middle of an excursion. But he always had a good reason and he always came back!

"Ingeras, do you remember when this was?" Elrond asked. "When this happened?"

"Almost two weeks ago." Ingeras said, looking up at him.

"I only have one more question, penneth, then I will ask you nothing further tonight." Elrond assured him. "One thing I must know. When did your mother die?" Ingeras's eyes instantly welled up and he sobbed. "I'm sorry, son. I should not have pressed so early."

"I miss her!" Ingeras wailed. Aragorn hung his head sadly. He'd been there, so had his foster siblings, and even Legolas! They'd all been there. And now here was another child in their midst, dealing with the same fresh pain. "She...she died, just a couple days before Gandalf took me to the forest!" Ingeras blurted out. Aragorn and Elrond exchanged alarmed glances. Why, this boy's mother had not even been dead for a month! His grief was much fresher and acute than they'd first thought.

"I'm so sorry, Ingeras." Aragorn bit his lip as tears filled his own eyes and he was taken back to his early days after his mother had died.

"They killed her! They killed her!" Ingeras cried indignantly. "Why did they have to kill her?!"

"Who killed her, penneth?" Elrond prodded gently. Ingeras could no longer speak coherently and wept harshly. Aragorn closed his eyes and quietly sang an Elvish lullaby. Half an hour later, Ingeras was hiccuping and his red eyes were puffy. Aragorn grabbed a cool, wet rag and gently set it on his eyes as Elrond laid the boy back down in the bed. They both noted how once again Ingeras was gripping the necklace.


An entire audience was waiting outside the door when Elrond finally emerged. They all looked at the healer expectantly, curiously, and worriedly. "He's asleep." Elrond nodded. They all sighed with relief. "Estel is sitting with him." Legolas hung his head, fighting the urge not to be angrily jealous of Aragorn.

"What did you see in his dreams?" Elladan asked. Elrond gaped at him, surprised. They'd seen what he did? Well, shouldn't surprise him really.

"Not here." Elrond said. He ushered them all into the drawing room. "In Ingeras's dreams, I saw two men battling to the death." He began. "One of them, was Ingeras's father. He looked like a mighty warrior, yet he was becoming weaker by the moment. The other man in the golden armor kept slicing open bag after bag of silver coins. Seemed that the more he spilled, the more disoriented Ingeras's father became. He could barely stand on his own two feet! Then his assailant attacked him, brutally and threw him back where he fell to the ground. I heard Ingeras screaming for his father. The boy was bound, unable to reach his father. The other man was taunting them both and was about to drive a wooden stake through the father's chest. That is when Ingeras woke up."

Everyone remained quiet, lost in their own thoughts, trying to process what they had just been told. Arwen, Legolas, and the twins all shuddered to imagine if that had been them and their own dads in Ingeras's shoes! Arwen was shedding tears just thinking about what young Ingeras had had to witness. "Who would be so cruel to do such a thing?" She whimpered angrily.

"I do not know...yet." Elrond sighed.

"What was his father like? Can you describe him?" Legolas asked hopefully. Even if Ingeras didn't trust him, maybe he could still help! Maybe Legolas could try to find his father!

"He was garbed in armor, black with the emblem of a red dragon emblazoned on it." Elrond answered. "He had dark, long hair and an angular face. But what I remember most about him, were his eyes. Even as wild and swift as the battle was, I got a good look at the boy's father when he was sprawled on the floor. Those eyes, the first word that comes to me is haunted."

"Haunted." Glorfindel repeated.

"Broken, angry, determined, but so pained." Elrond finished. He looked to Legolas. "You were right to bring him here, Legolas!"

"Well, apparently it is much more than we ever did for him." Legolas said curtly with his arms folded.

"Stop beating yourself up, mellon." Elrohir hit his arm. "It's most unbecoming. And does wonders for your image! You look more like a sulking, spoiled elfling than a warrior elf right about now." Elrond rolled his eyes, as did Elladan.

"Thanks a lot, 'Ro. You're such a ray of sunshine." Elladan scolded his twin. Legolas just shook his head, but not without sending Elrohir a death glare.

"I guess he doesn't like me." Legolas said miserably. "On our journey here, I thought he was finally beginning to trust me! I suppose he was just hanging on for security till he reached somewhere safe."

"Nay, Legolas." Elrond said reassuringly. "I believe you are wrong. I think that Ingeras does like you. And I can see that he trusts you." Legolas glared at him skeptically. "I saw the way he let you help him down from your horse, and how he stayed by your side until his breakdown. He was not cowering nor was he scouring around with his eyes for the quickest escape route from you. No, I think you have made a new friend, penneth."

Then why did he ask for Aragorn, someone he has known less than an entire day, to stay with him, instead of me? I've known him for much longer! Legolas thought stormily. He knew he shouldn't be jealous, but he liked Ingeras and wanted so badly to help him.

"I think he asked for Estel because he is a human," Erestor spoke up, as if reading Legolas's thoughts. "One of his own kind. Someone who can relate to him in ways that our people can't. From what you have told us, Legolas, little Ingeras has been surrounded by elves since he arrived in our world."

"Ai, and it's got to be frightening and very lonely for him." Glorfindel added.

"I had not thought of that!" Legolas sputtered, suddenly feeling guilty for being jealous of his best friend's surprised connection to the little boy. "Now I feel stupid for not having realized that part sooner."

"Let's pray that Estel's natural presence will help him sleep through the night." Arwen murmured. Everyone agreed.

"Well, we did learn a few things!" Elrond announced. "Ingeras is not from our world. He is not a part of Middle Earth. He was brought here, by our good friend Gandalf."

"Gandalf?!" All of the other elves nearly choked in astonishment.

"Ai. Gandalf was bringing him to your father's realm, Legolas. But on their way through the Wood, they were ambushed by spiders. Gandalf tried to hold them off and sent Ingeras to reach your palace. He said that Gandalf never returned."

"Ohhh." Legolas grunted thoughtfully. "That explains the singular set of tracks Tauriel found, and how he didn't know where he was, and even why he was with elves! We found him all alone and very sick in the forest. Poor little fellow! He must have been terrified, all on his own. Well, if what you say is true about his father, it is now clear that his ada is not the one who had him bound! I'm relieved to hear that."

"Something else you should all know." Elrond said very seriously. "Ingeras's mother was killed, not two days before Gandalf brought him here."

"But...that is less than two weeks!" Elrohir gasped. Arwen burst out in tears. She couldn't help it. Her heart went out to Ingeras and she couldn't bear thinking of all this tragedy that had been thrust on him. Elladan wrapped his arm around her and held her.

Legolas grimaced. One little soul bombarded with pain and horror so suddenly. It was not fair! Legolas made up his mind then and there. He would do whatever it took to find Ingeras's father! While the boy recovered here, Legolas would find Vlad and bring him back to his son! But how? They were not of Middle Earth. The first thing to do, would be to find Gandalf.

"We must do all we can to make sure that Ingeras feels safe and cared for here." Elrond said. "As I know you will all do your best. He is in fresh grief right now, so it might take him a while to open up to us."

Well, you've learned more about him in just a few hours than we could in one week! Legolas thought. "May I go see him?" He asked.

"Of course, Legolas." Elrond nodded, smiling warmly at Legolas's deep concern for the little stranger.

"How dreadful." Elrohir shook his head. "Well, we'll help him learn to smile again...in time! Won't we, 'Dan?"

"You know it." Elladan nodded. Elrond glanced at his daughter. He still had not learned what had triggered Ingeras's reaction to Arwen the way it had.

"Great Valar, help us!" Erestor rolled his eyes.

"Now we'll have two Estels to look out for!" Glorfindel groaned playfully. Elrond smiled at his old friends.


Legolas softly knocked on Ingeras's door. "Come." Aragorn answered. Legolas quietly slipped inside and took in the sight. Aragorn was lying on the bed upright against the headboard, while Ingeras lay on his side in his arms, clinging to the ranger for dear life. "Sit down, Legolas." Aragorn smiled. Legolas walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. He reached his hand out and slowly stroked Ingeras's face. "You're quite fond of him, aren't you?" Aragorn asked with a smile.

"I am." Legolas nodded. "I don't know what it is. My father is rarely ever that gracious to strangers! But even he would never turn away a child in need! I guess, Ingeras reminds me of you at his age." Legolas shrugged.

"I can't understand why he asked for me!" Aragorn exclaimed, bewildered. "He doesn't even know me that well, and you've been with him much longer than I have, mellon."

Legolas smiled thoughtfully, glad that he could answer his friend without feeling jealous now. "You're like him, a human, one of his own." Legolas said softly. "From the time we found him, he has had no one but elves for company!"

"I went through that, and I didn't think it was so bad. Well, not much." Aragorn teased.

"You were brought up by elves, Estel. And whatever questions you had, someone was there to give you answers. Ingeras was dropped in our world and left all alone. I guess seeing you, even a stranger, was a tremendous comfort and relief to him."

"Ahh, yes." Aragorn nodded.

"He looks so much like you at that age."

"That's what everybody keeps saying!" Aragorn shook his head. "I pray we can help the poor child!"

"As do I." Legolas uttered wholeheartedly.


The next morning, Elrond found both Legolas and Aragorn in the bed with Ingeras, each on the opposite side of the boy, and each with a protective arm wrapped around the child. Elrond smiled fondly and decided not to disturb them. Both the elf and the ranger were waken up a little later from crying. They both sat up and saw that Ingeras was weeping. "Ingeras, wake up, mellon." Aragorn said, lightly shaking him. Ingeras buried his face into Aragorn's stomach, and clutched his sleeve, crying small, painful whimpers. Legolas swallowed dismally and rubbed the boy's back.

"It's all right, Ingeras. I swear to you, we'll help you and try to make things right again." Legolas promised.

"Momma! Momma!" Ingeras wailed in Aragorn's clothing. He held the boy until he began to calm down.

"You're not alone, penneth." Aragorn told him.

"Where am I?" Ingeras asked.

"Rivendell."

"Ohh." Ingeras's face fell even more. "I remember. When we arrived yesterday, I...I thought I was in heaven! It's so...magical here. Then I started looking...I was looking for my momma. Then that beautiful lady Arwen came down, and...and...I saw her. At first I thought she was my momma, even though my mother had golden hair instead of black." His voice was starting to quiver again.

"Oh, little friend. I am so sorry!" Legolas gasped, gripping his wrist.

"Then I realized it wasn't Momma," Ingeras began crying again, "because she had black hair. But she looked so much like her otherwise! And her eyes...her eyes! They are exactly as my momma's were!" At that point, Ingeras completely lost it and sobbed all over again. Aragorn and Legolas looked at each other dismally. Aragorn held the boy close to his chest, rocking him back and forth, while Legolas rubbed his shoulder. Ingeras cried so long that the guys missed breakfast, though they hardly noticed.

Elrond appeared after breakfast and when he arrived, Ingeras was quieter, but still had little tears running down his face. "Ohh, penneth." Elrond sighed sadly, sitting down on the bed. "Are you all right?"

"No, Sir. I'm not." Ingeras shook his head, facing the healer.

"Of course not. I'm sorry. And we do not expect you to be at this time." Elrond nodded. "I see you have some very good friends to keep you company though." He smiled. Ingeras subtly nodded. "Think you can stand something in your stomach?"

"No thank you. I am not hungry." Ingeras moaned. "My tummy hurts, all over."

"That is perfectly natural, little one." Elrond smiled kindly. "When you lose someone you love, your body grieves too. It will get better with time, but that might be a long time. Did you sleep better, I hope?"

"I think so." Ingeras nodded, still holding onto Aragorn. So, Erestor's theory was accurate.

"Ingeras, there is someone who would really like to see you. Arwen feels terrible for what happened yesterday and she would really like to make sure that she won't cause you anymore distress." Elrond said.

"She didn't do anything wrong. It's just that..." Ingeras hung his head, starting to cry again at the thought of Mirena. Aragorn and Legolas spoke in Elvish and explained to Elrond what Ingeras had told them.

"I see." Elrond nodded. "Well, she would like to be your friend, if you can bear it."

"I want to see her." Ingeras agreed.

"I will fetch her." Elrond smiled. Legolas finally stood up but Ingeras would not release Aragorn. Arwen slowly came inside the room.

"Hello, Ingeras." She smiled. "I'm sorry that I caused you distress when you first arrived here, but I would really like to help you! And I want to be your friend. Would you mind if I tried to be?" Ingeras didn't speak. Tears filled his eyes and he reached his arms out anxiously for her. Arwen smiled and came to the bed. She wrapped the boy in a warm, tender, motherly embrace, and Ingeras sobbed painfully. Arwen thought she'd made a mistake and started to release him, but Ingeras grabbed her tighter and would not let go. He needed a woman's hug, more than they could possibly imagine!


A few days later, Legolas had to leave to return to Mirkwood and let his father know what was going on. "Do you have to go?" Ingeras asked longingly.

"Yes, little friend. I'm afraid so." Legolas nodded solemnly. "And I will miss you very much! But you are safer here, and the House of Elrond can help you with your mother's loss much better than we can. But Lord Elrond said you can write to me! I wish you would."

"I'd like that." Ingeras smiled sadly. He grabbed Legolas around the legs and began crying again. This time, Legolas couldn't push back the tears from his own eyes. He knelt down and embraced the boy.

"Things are going to get better, my little friend. I promise you they will!"

"Will you come back?" Ingeras pleaded.

"Yes. Yes, I will come back!" Legolas smiled.

When Legolas rode off into the mountainside with his guards, Ingeras wept in Aragorn's arms. Another person he cared about had left him. Only this one promised to return.