AN: For anyone who is reading this as a standalone fic and is confused by the premise, this is part of a series in which Elladan was born with a congenital heart defect, and as a result is prone to sickness, along with other medical complications. It should be clear within this fic that it is not normal for elves to catch ill, and that Elladan is the exception to this rule. This is a significant part of his childhood in this series. If that makes you uncomfortable, you might not want to read any of my fanfics.
Chill
TA 148
i Elrondionnath Fanfiction
by The Cinderninja
Elladan loved the winter. He loved the snow, and the quiet beauty of the valley. He loved the versatility of the season. What he did not love was being the only elf bundled up so heavily that he nearly had to waddle, when even his brother could run around with only his long wool tunic and cloak.
The icy air didn't catch in Elrohir's lungs the way it did Elladan's, and leave him short of breath. His face didn't turn red if he stayed outside for too long, and he didn't shiver in the cold gusting wind.
After long hours of playing, when the twins dragged themselves back into the house, soaked through all their layers and dripping wet, it was always Elladan who was carried to a warm bath (though Elrohir never hesitated to follow). Hot tea was brought to both of them, but their parents only hassled Elladan about drinking his.
Elrohir sat forgotten by the hearth, bundled in a blanket and sipping the hot spiced tea, watching as their parents fussed over his brother. Normally Elladan adored extra attention, but there was a clear distinction between being doted on and being fussed over.
Elladan's crankiness over the extra concern was obvious, and eventually their parents bundled him in a blanket beside Elrohir and took their leave.
Exhaustion evident, Elladan was soon leaning against Elrohir with his tea half finished and eyes half closed. Elrohir didn't feel the cold that Elladan did, and he always wondered at how tired his brother became just from being cold and wet. It was a strange thing to him.
Even more worrying, he could feel a quiet headache in the back of his mind radiating from his brother. That, combined with his slowly closing eyelids told Elrohir enough to know that Elladan had most likely caught ill from the cold despite their parents' best efforts.
He hummed unhappily to himself as he set his empty cup down and wrapped his arms around the twin who was now fully asleep against him, snuggling close. It didn't seem fair that Elladan fell ill simply from being too cold. He had never known anyone else to get sick from it, and struggled to understand how it was even possible to get sick from the weather.
Elrohir was nearly asleep himself by the time their parents returned and, finding the twins sleeping, carried them to their bed.
By morning, Elrohir found his assumption proven right. Elladan was shivering beneath the blankets, face pinkish, and eyes shut miserably against the light streaming in through the window.
Elrohir hopped out of bed and hurried to pull the curtain shut. Before climbing back into bed, he fetched a book from the side table. It was an old, thick volume that Elladan had taken from the library and never returned. It had become his favourite book for Elrohir to read to him. When Elrohir climbed back into bed, Elladan immediately pulled him close and burrowed into his warmth.
For the rest of the morning, Elladan drifted between sleep and wakefulness. Sometimes he huddled close to Elrohir, trying to absorb as much warmth as possible into his cold body. At other times, he struggled to kick the blankets off of himself, drifting in a feverish haze. Through it all, he felt Elrohir next to him, and his brother's voice droned in and out of his dreams.
When Celebrian came to fetch them for breakfast Elladan was still shivering miserably in Elrohir's arms, and Elrohir pouted up at his mother. "He's sick." He informed her, before turning his attention back to the book and dutifully reading it aloud.
Celebrian had leaned in and pulled the blankets back to check on Elladan, but found herself hesitating as she registered the words Elrohir was speaking. "Are you reading him the Laws and Customs of the Eldar?" She asked, bemused. It was not a typical choice for elflings.
"Yes." Elrohir blinked at her. "He feels better when I read to him." He explained.
Celebrian smiled, not doubting that at all. "I'm sure he does, but surely you have more interesting books to choose from?" She wondered as she rested the back of her hand against Elladan's forehead. He was running a temperature, but she knew that already. Thankful, it didn't seem to be too severe, and would likely burn itself out by this evening.
Elrohir watched her, not understanding. "He likes this book."
Celebrian stood from the bed, satisfied that Elladan was not in any real danger, and pondered that. Well, she supposed, Elladan had always been a bit strange. "Well, if anything, it seems to be helping him sleep." She mused with a smile. "You can stay with him today," she added needlessly - they both knew that Elrohir wouldn't be attending any classes while Elladan was in bed sick. "I'll have breakfast sent up to you."
With a final kiss for each twin she turned and left them alone, and Elrohir's voice could once again be heard drifting into the hall as he picked up reading where he had left off.
