Elrond sat up with Estel through the night. At dawn, while Estel slept, Elrond checked his throat again. It was an ugly mess. Elrond sighed as he watched his little son finally sleep with some relief. "I'm sorry, my son. You won't like this, but it must be done. Otherwise you will not heal." Elrond muttered, feeling the boy's forehead. It was still warm, but not as excessive as it was before.
"How's Estel?" Both of his son's asked as Elrond turned from closing the door.
"There is no need to barrage me as if I were an alluring elleth, ion nyn." Elrond shook his head. The boys frowned.
"You'd be rather dull for company as an elleth." Elrohir teased his father who retorted with a sharp look.
"How is our brother, Ada?" Elladan asked.
"Still poorly, I'm afraid." Elrond sighed. "Though his fever has reduced. It appears that Estel will not get better from this sickness unless we remove the problem. I'm going to have to operate and remove his tonsils. After that, he should be able to recover swiftly." The twins gaped.
"Operate?!" Elrohir sputtered. "But, Ada, you said this sickness was not serious!"
"Well, while it is not life-threatening, the procedure still must be done if your younger brother is to have any relief." Elrond stated. "I shall do it tomorrow, if his fever leaves so that he won't eat and his body will be rested and prepared. Make sure he gets plenty of liquids today so that we can dissolve his fever." His sons gave him a pensive look.
"So...which one of us is going to be the big, bad balrog and break the news to him?" Elladan asked with his arms crossed.
"Estel is not going to be happy about this!" Elrohir warned them.
"I will tell him." Elrond declared.
"Thank the Valar! You're so much better with him when he cries." Elladan breathed in relief. Elrond sighed.
"If you two would be good enough to sit with him when he wakes up, I must catch up on a little rest myself." Elrond said.
"Will do, Ada."
It was after lunch that Elrond returned to Estel's room. "I heard that you'll have to operate on the little chipmunk." Glorfindel smiled as he met him at the door.
"Ai. It should be an easy process, and he should recover that much quicker." Elrond nodded. "Convincing him is going to be the difficult task."
"Indeed." Glorfindel nodded. "Perhaps I could be of some support in that area."
"Honestly, I would be most grateful, mellon nin." Elrond smiled as they entered. "How do you feel, Estel?" Elrond asked pleasantly. Estel grimaced hard and rubbed his throat. "I see. Terrible, hmm?" Erestor was sitting across from the boy, with a book in his hands.
"Elladan said that his fever has vanished, my lord." Erestor smiled.
"Excellent." Elrond approved. "I am very pleased to hear that, Estel." Estel reached out his arms, begging Elrond to hold him. He looked so pitifully sad and miserable, the elf lord couldn't refuse him. He sat on the bed and gathered the boy in his arms.
"Can't you...make me...eel better, Ada?" Estel mumbled, his throat throbbing and aching with every word.
"Yes, Estel. I will make it better, I assure you." Elrond said, stroking his head. "But not until tomorrow."
"Why?" Estel looked up bewildered. When Elrond gently explained what was to proceed the following morning, Estel went pale.
"No, Ada! No operation!" He barked in protest.