Disclaimer: I own nothing but the OC's and the plot, everything else belongs to Tolkien and those who currently own the rights to his work.

Chapter 34 – No lies

Third Age 2805

Erestor pushed the door open slowly. He was prepared to be ordered out by Caladwen or one of the other healers.

He was in luck. The ward was empty, save for Elrond and his patient.

The Lord of Imladris was seated on the edge of Eruanna's bed, her right hand cradled gently in his. Elrond appeared to be staring down at the injured elleth but his eyes seemed to look right through her. His face was a calm mask, a veil he wore to shield his thoughts from others.

The mask faltered momentarily as his eyes flew to the door. An emotion that Erestor could not identify flashed in Elrond's eyes. It faded quickly and was forgotten as a heartfelt smile spread across the Lord's face; he'd been awaiting Erestor for some time. Elrond beckoned for the ellon to enter.

Erestor approached Eruanna's bed and as he drew nearer he could see that her eyes were closed, her skin paler than the bed's ivory linens. "How is she?" his voice trembled, sounding the depths of his concern.

Elrond would never lie to Erestor; the ellon had a talent for seeing through deception. "She lost a great deal of blood. The poison on the blade prevented clotting."

Erestor opened his mouth, a thousand worried questions ready to be spoken, but Elrond raised a hand to silence him.

"Istuion and I were able to draw out most of the poison and stop the bleeding." This bit of information quieted Erestor some, but Elrond could sense that he was not completely put at ease. He tuned back to his patient. "It is up to Eruanna now. She must do the rest."

Erestor took several steps nearer to Eruanna's bedside. Leaning down, he placed a hand on her forehead. Her face and hair were soaked with sweat. "She has a fever."

Elrond heard the fear in that statement. He did his best to dispel it. "The fever will drive the poison from her blood." Elrond watched his friend carefully; his former words did not ease the tension in Erestor's shoulders. He tried again. "Eruanna is a blending of the First and Second born. Her body is stronger than a man's and her spirit unyielding. She will pull through."

Erestor shifted his gaze so that he met his Lord's eyes; there was naught but sincerity in Elrond's face. The healer's calm surety should have comforted him, but another truth, more powerful than Elrond's sincerity, gnawed at his heart.

Elrond has been wrong before.

Erestor looked on as Elrond dipped a small towel in a bowl of water on the nightstand. He wrung the towel out before placing the cloth on Eruanna's forehead.

The elleth's eyes remained closed but a quiet whimper escaped her lips. It was a word, spoken so softly, Erestor was not certain she'd said anything at all.

"Ada."

The fever had invaded her dreams and Eruanna became restless. She cried out again, louder than before, and there was no mistaking her now, "ada." The word echoed eerily off the walls.

For the second time this day Erestor's logical mind was overwhelmed with emotion.

Why would she call for him? His thoughts cried out in confusion.

Perhaps if Erestor had been thinking more clearly, he would not have made such a foolish mistake.

Elrond could see the hurt and confusion etched across his friend's face at the sound of Eruanna's voice.

He does not understand.

"She calls for you, my friend," Elrond's voice was gentle. He knew Erestor would see this if it were not for his troubled mental state. "She has been calling for you ever since she arrived."

Erestor's eyes widened slightly. He tried to suppress his disbelief, not wishing to appear the fool in front of Elrond.

Of course she calls for me. Who else has been as a father to her?

Still, the sound of the child crying out to him with that word shook him to his very core. Erestor's heart already claimed Eruanna as his daughter but he had never asked if she felt the same.

Perhaps she has wished to call me father, but was afraid to ask. Does she think I would push her away, refuse to let her that close?

It would not be the first time, a small voice reminded him.

Anger at his own weakness threatened to overwhelm him. Erestor knew he pushed others away. He'd done so not an hour ago when Glorfindel attempted to reach out, to close the distance between them.

And you will do it again.

Elrond watched as wave after wave of conflicting emotions passed over his companion's face. It was clearly a battle, but Elrond had no way of knowing what enemy his friend faced.

With the grace of many ages, Elrond rose from his place at Eruanna's side. He drew Erestor back to the world with words, "Come and take my place."

Erestor nodded his assent. Taking Elrond's place at Eruanna's bedside, he reached out and took her hand. "I am here my child. I am here," he answered her.

Eruanna quieted some at the sound of Erestor's voice and she stilled once more.

Erestor leaned down and placed a kiss on Eruanna's forehead. In a voice so low, not even Elrond could hear, he whispered, "I won't leave you, child, not ever." It was a promise, one Erestor swore in his heart would never be broken.

Erestor straightened himself up, having momentarily forgotten Elrond's presence. He glanced nervously around the room and for the first time noticed the ellon asleep in a cot in the far corner. He addressed Elrond. "What of the warden?"

Elrond instantly transformed into the House's healer and gave Erestor his report. "The bones in his leg were broken in several places. It will be some time before he'll be well enough to return to Lórien."

Erestor nodded, it could have been much worse, for all of them. Erestor returned his attention to Eruanna. He'd seen the orc, watched the blade hit its mark. He'd been too far away, to slow to do anything but watch in horror. The horror did not last, it was replaced by fury. The rage moved him. He blocked the orc's killing blow and then….

Elrond was not blind to the haunted look in Erestor's eyes and the healer in him made an attempt to discover its cause. "How are you, my friend?"

Erestor shook his head, responding with a warning, "Do not ask me that question."

Elrond bristled at his friend's harsh tone. Erestor rarely refused his Lord an answer and never in such a brusque manner. "Why? It is my duty. I am a healer after all."

Erestor breathed a tired sigh. I do not have the strength for this now. "Because I have no wish to lie to you," the counselor replied, praying Elrond would let the matter rest.

"Erestor," the Lord of Imladris laid a hand on his friend's shoulder.

"Don't," the counselor hissed.

Elrond withdrew his arm instinctively at the deadly force in that one word. He could see Erestor's pain emanating like waves on a normally tranquil pool. Erestor, as he'd always been… an unfathomable pool of secrets; its surface seldom disturbed.

What stone caused these ripples?

Elrond knew he could not deal with Erestor now. The counselor was not ready and nor was Elrond. A wave of fatigue swept over the Lord on Imladris, reminding him that it had been many days since he was able to sleep, anxious as he was for his daughter's return. Healing Eruanna and the Lórien warden drained the last of his energies. If Erestor did not wish to speak of what troubled him, there was little Elrond could do at this time. "Stay with her as long as you wish. I will have your dinner brought here."

Erestor nodded in silent reply but his eyes remained averted. His behavior toward his long time friend and Lord was shameful, but he did not have the will or strength to apologize. He waited for the sound of the door and Elrond's steps retreating down the hall before allowing frustrated tears permission to fall.