Thranduil watched the beaver leave. At the point he was at in his long life, there were not very many firsts to be had, but this whole experience went down as a first-for he could not say that he had ever been measured by a beaver before.

The royals, seeming to have completed their goal of asking after his needs soon left, followed by their stern faced guard. He did not seem to trust Thranduil, which was fine. It was to be expected. Thranduil did not trust them either.

"That is something I never thought I would see," Elrond said with a chuckle.

"What are you going on about, Peredhel?"

"Oh nothing, I just never thought I would see the King of the Great Greenwood being bossed about by a beaver."

Thranduil let out a breath of irritation, "Well It is a first for me, I assure you." He looked at what was to be his room, the bed had looked comfortable and it had been too long since he had truly rested, "If you do not mind, I believe I shall retire."

"No you will not. Not until I have a chance to examine you."

"Pardon?"

"I mean it. You will not say what happened to you, but I am going to make sure you are ok."

"Elrond, I assure you. I am fine," Thranduil straightened and draped himself in regality. He wove a power about his presence that made him seem as an immovable mountain that would not bow to the raging storm. He was a being that would make those less ancient quake. "Goodnight, Elrond."

But Elrond was not less ancient. They were both creatures of the first age and neither would bow to the other, "Thranduil, I just want to make sure you are alright."

"Take my word for it, Elrond. I am fine."

"Dammit Thranduil," normally Elrond had infinite patience, but these were not normal circumstances, "Right now we are all we have, and I will make sure you are alright!"

Silence fell heavy as the King and Lord stared at each other, until at last, the King lowered his head in acquicence. Elrond was right, but oh how Thranduil wished he could just...rest. He had not allowed himself to let his guard down since his abrupt arrival and though he would not tell the elf Lord, but Elrond's presence made him feel safe.

"Thank you," Elrond said, "Come here then and take off that shirt. You can use one of mine, though I am afraid you will have the same trouble with the length but at least it will be clean."

Thranduil let out a burdened breath and fortified himself against what he knew was coming. He had not exactly been honest in saying that he was fine. He was fine enough to function, and that was all Thranduil really cared about. But he knew that Elrond had a different definition of fine. He removed his shirt.

"By the Valor, Thranduil! What happened to you," Elrond said as he rushed to him.

"I already told you what happened."

"You hardly told me anything. At least it looks like you are mostly healed, and some of the scars are nearly gone. Though this wound on the shoulder puzzles me, it should be much further healed. Come sit on the couch, it will make it easier."

Thranduil could imagine the surprise Elrond felt. It was not a nice sight, he was aware. His upper body was a patchwork of scars in varied states of healing. The majority were pale strips on their way to disappearance, but the wound on his shoulder was another matter. Whatever poison they had used to capture him had made the healing process slow and arduous. Though what Thrandiul had not imagine was the anger that seem to simmer below the surface underlined each of Elrond's words

"It was made by an arrow...a poisoned arrow," Thranduil disclosed.

Elrond's eyebrows pinched together, "Do you know what type of poison?"

"No. Though it does not appear to be fatal," Thranduil said in a dry tone.

Elrond glared at him, "Just hold still," he said as he put his hand the wound.

Thranduil felt the heat start rising on his shoulder and saw the light in the healer shine brighter. Then the throbbing pain started to ebb away and he let out a relieved sigh.

"There, was that so bad?" Elrond said.

Thranduil did not appreciate being talked to like an elfling, but he guessed he deserved it, so he bit back a sarcastic remark and instead said, "No Elrond, it was not so bad. I thank you."

"You are welcome. Now it should finish healing on its own without complication." He then handed Thranduil a set of clothes, and his tone became softer. "I will let you go put these on and then rest. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Elrond," Thranduil said as he headed toward his room, he had neither the inclination nor was he in the mood to try to get to the bottom of the other elf's anger. He missed Elrond's eyes grow hooded and aged with sorrow as they watched him leave.

In the next week, they fell into a semblance of a routine-in that the two elves mostly kept to themselves. Well, Thraduil kept to himself, and Elrond not wanting to leave him alone for too long, kept to himself along with him. Though he would never say, Elrond was worried about the other elf. Thranduil spent his time learning what he could from Elrond in the way of language, and the other time looking for quiet places to sit and, from what Elrond could tell, stare into the distance. Surprisingly enough Thranduil never asked Elrond to leave him alone, choosing instead to ignore him in those quiet moments. Though he also seemed to spend some time dodging Mrs. Beaver who had decided that he needed fattening up. It was really very funny, though apparently Elrond was the only elf who thought so.

Their routine of Thranduil staring off into the distance and Elrond staring at him stare, was interrupted by a nervous looking faun asking them to follow him. He led them to what looked to be a meeting room, it was more private than the throne room, but still made for things of importance. After being let in they waited by the door. Elrond himself would have wished to have more information as to why they had been summoned, but that had not been a possibility. All they could do was be patient and wait.

The room was filled with the different types of creatures that Elrond had come to expect. Some looked to have only just returned from patrol and were still in their mud stained uniforms. Standing at the head of an oval table, in the middle of the room, were the two Kings, who were deep in conversation with General Oreius and a Satyr with muddy armor. It was King Edmund that saw them first, and with a gesture for them to walk further into the room he said, "Thank you for joining us."

He spoke slow enough for Erond to understand and respond with a respectful bow of the head. Thranduil followed his lead, though his head "bow" was more of a nod. Even here, he was still a King in his own right, and though he was respectful he never gave more than was necessary to not offend. Though it looked to Elrond that the Kings did not mind, but the High General definitely did mind. Elrond made a note to talk to Thranduil about it at a later date. King Peter had begun talking and though Elrond could not understand every word he said, he did understand-for the most part-the meaning. There was someone he wanted them to meet. King Peter gestures to a corner to his left. Elrond and Thranduil's view was blocked by a centaur and two men, which caused them to need to move forward to see who the King was referring to.

Elrond thought that nothing else would surprise him at this point, but he still found his eyes widening when they met with the surprised face of Celeborn.

"Elrond! Thranduil! You are here. But how!" Celeborn took a step toward them in his surprise. It seemed that his view had also been blocked.

General Oreius did not seem to like that, as he too took a tense step forward with a hand on one of his swords, which in turn caused all the other soldiers to tense. Elrond did not like it, but he understood. The General did not want the new elf to take any steps toward the Kings, especially not now that he had obvious comrades in the room.

Celeborn unflinchingly met the gaze of the General and then slowly and deliberately took a step back.

"Stand down, General," Even if he had not understood the words Elrond would have understood the meaning. High King Peter did not raise his voice, but the authority in his words was unmistakable and the General responded.

Elrond looked back to Celeborn and his brows pinched at his appearance, "How do you fare, Celeborn?"

"I fare fine, I assure you."

"I believe Elrond was referring to the blood covering your tunic," Thranduil's tone bordered on bored.

"This?" Celeborn looked down at himself, "There is no need to worry. It is not mine." He then looked up and met both their eyes in turn, then said, "I am very glad to see you both."

"The sentiment is returned," Thranduil said, though he had a very aloof manner about him. Elrond understood from where his reputation came from. In Thranduil's world, weakness, and really in all their worlds, was dangerous, and in the hands of a King emotion could be weakness. So he kept himself in check, especially now in another Kingdom in a room where anyone could be an enemy as easily as a friend. And going by the small smile on Celeborn's lips, he understood.

"And I assume you will not be opposed to me making sure you really are alright?" Elrond said.

With a regal bow of his head Celeborn said, "Of course not."

Elrond gave Thranduil a pointed look, 'see, this is how elfs are supposed to react to a healer' he tried to say with his gaze. Thranduil ignored him.

"It seems that you know each other," King Edmund said.

"Yes, your Majesties, we do. This is Celeborn," Elrond said.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Celeborn," said King Peter.

Elrond translated for Celeborn and then relayed his response. Knowing that anymore conversation would be difficult, the Kings dismissed the three of them.

They drew some curious glances as they walked down the halls toward the guest quarters. The main reason most likely being that one of them looked like he had bathed his clothes in blood.

"We are near the same size, Celeborn," Thranduil looked Celeborn over, "Give or take an inch or two. You can use some of my clothes until they can make you some," Thranduil broke the silence that they had been walking in. They all had seemed to be waiting for privacy before diving into the why's and how's of their predicament.

"Thank you, It is much appreciated,"

They once again fell silent. Their situation was not one for idle chatter.