Elrond followed Elladan to Aragorn's room. A small crowd was gathered outside the doors, all crestfallen. Glorfindel, Elrohir, Arwen, Erestor, Lindir, and some of the servants were all weeping. Arwen helplessly looked up at her father with red eyes. "Ada," She sniffled, "we cannot console him. I...I am afraid for him."

Elrond slipped through the open door. He found Aragorn sitting on the floor with Ingeras curled in a fetal position in his lap. Legolas knelt by, wanting desperately to help but not knowing what to do. Elrond grimaced hard. This was going to be difficult. The child was absolutely hysterical. "I am here." He spoke to Aragorn and Legolas. "I will take him."

Legolas looked reluctant, but he rose to his feet. However, Ingeras clung to Aragorn. "Don't leave me!" He begged. "Please don't leave me, Aragorn!" Aragorn felt as if his joints were crumbling.

"I won't leave you, Ingeras." He said reassuringly. Ingeras could not stop crying, but he clenched the ranger's arms as if they were his very life line.

"It is alright, Legolas." Elrond touched Legolas's shoulder. Legolas looked up at him despondently. He wanted to stay, he wanted so badly to help! He nodded and joined his disheartened friends outside. Elrond approached Aragorn and Ingeras, and carefully settled himself down on the floor beside them.

Ingeras was still operating on adrenaline, on the fear he'd had when Gandalf had sent him into Mirkwood all alone and he'd thought Vlad was surely dead. Vlad had just been mortally wounded before his eyes, and then was still alive. But that might not be for much longer! Ingeras was purely terrified that this time, Vlad would indeed die and leave him forever. The boy could not think clearly, trapped in a dark haze of terror and grief that he had suddenly known and felt much too early in his young life. He held onto Aragorn for dear life. Vlad might be gone soon, and right now Ingeras desperately needed someone to be there for him, needed another human, with human hands, to hold him.

"Ingeras," Elrond spoke quietly, but refrained from touching him as Ingeras appeared he may withdraw in fear if he was touched right now. "I am here. You're not alone, child. You're not alone."

"It's my fault!" Ingeras sobbed heavily.

"What is your fault? I don't understand."

"P-Papa...he was wounded, because of me! He was trying to protect me! If he dies, it is because I got him killed! My papa's going to die because I was in danger, and I got him in the way of that monster! He's going to die! My papa is going to die!" Ingeras hyperventilated.

"Ingeras, Ingeras!" Elrond called, firmly grasping his quivering shoulders. "That is not true, little one. None of it." Ingeras began to choke. Aragorn quickly sat him up. Elrond grasped the trembling little hand and he placed his other on Ingeras's chest. "Ingeras!" He demanded. "Look at me, look into my eyes, right now." Ingeras did, his tear tortured eyes wide with fear. "That's good. Follow me, breathe when I do. Come on." Elrond told him quietly. Aragorn rubbed Ingeras's back as his breathing very slowly became less manic.

Ingeras was breathing more normally, but he felt weak and continued shaking. He sank back down into Aragorn's lap, leaning against his stomach and clinging to his arms. Elrond felt tears in his eyes at the young one's pain. Then an idea struck him. It seemed that no words of comfort from them would soothe Ingeras's raw emotions right now. But, perhaps, just maybe the presence of an old friend would!

"Elladan!" Elrond called. His oldest son frantically burst into the room.

"Ada! What is it?" He panted, fearing the worst for Ingeras.

"Calm yourself, Ion nin. I only wish for you to bring Gandalf here, and I'd like you to take over his watch guarding Vlad." Elrond spoke calmly. Elladan relaxed considerably. He had been so afraid that little Ingeras had physically succumbed to his grief, or had done something rash to himself to end his suffering.

"Of course, Ada." Elladan smiled, rushing away.

"Ingeras?" Elrond gripped the boy's hand.

"Y-yes?" Ingeras finally spoke.

"I am going to have Gandalf come in. He will stay with you at this time, while I tend to your father. He is your old friend, and right now I feel that he may be more comfort to you than I am trying to be. Would you still like Aragorn to stay?"

"Only til Gandalf comes." Ingeras said. Aragorn smiled and stroked the boy's curls.

"Good." Elrond smiled in approval.

Gandalf entered and his blue eyes grew sad seeing his little friend in such a state. "You summoned me, Lord Elrond?" He asked.

"Yes, Gandalf. I wish to look in on Vlad again. If you could stay with Ingeras?"

"No need to ask." Gandalf smiled warmly. He stooped down, took Ingeras's hand, and-with Ingeras finally, willingly releasing Aragorn- carefully pulled him to his feet. "Let's go over to the bed, shall we? It's bound to be more comfortable." Gandalf gently led the boy to the bed and sat down with him. Ingeras leaned his head on Gandalf's chest, still weeping. Gandalf kept a firm arm around him. Elrond and Aragorn cautiously shuffled out.

"Now, now. What is it, lad?" Gandalf asked.

"I'm so scared, Gandalf!" Ingeras rolled his small hands into fists, clenching Gandalf's gray robe. "I'm so afraid that this time Papa will leave me for sure! I miss Momma. I miss her so much! I don't want to lose Papa again too!"

"Of course you don't." Gandalf said kindly. "But, even I am impressed that you father is still holding on! You do not understand what he's put himself through. But one thing I do know: he loves you very much."

"I don't want him to die! I want to be with him."

"I know, little one. You've done your father proud, being so brave and not losing hope all this time."

"I...I don't think I have any hope left." Ingeras blubbered.

"Well, then how about you and I cling to that hope together, shall we?" Gandalf suggested.

"Gandalf, you're a wizard. And you know so many things. And you can wield magic!" Ingeras exclaimed, as if discovering it for the first time.

"Ai."

"You can make Papa better, right?" Ingeras asked hopefully. Gandalf slightly smiled.

"I have already given him some of my aid, yes." He nodded.

"Gandalf, please tell me the truth! Is Papa going to die?"

Gandalf sighed. "That is still possible, Ingeras. But personally, I do not believe it will be so. Your father is strong, and he has too much to live for."

"What?"

"You, lad. You are what gives your father strength, what gave him the strength to renounce the darkness. God has brought you back together, and I do not think He would do that only to tear you apart again. Not after all you have been through. The road ahead won't be easy for either of you, but I do believe it is time for a new beginning."

"Do you think so, Gandalf? You think Papa will survive?"

"I believe he has what it takes to carry on." Gandalf smiled widely, rubbing Ingeras's head.