Elrond entered the room silently. He walked toward the bed softly. Two almost identical figures were laying on it, one in the arms of another. Elladan was still very pale and unresponsive, his mind deep in the sleep while his body trying to repair the damage done to it. He will survive and Elrond was sure that he'll be well soon. Elrohir was the one that troubled him more right now. He remember seeing the terror in the young elf's eyes, a panic that should never been experienced by such a young mind.
Elrond sat at the chair, looking at his sons. Twins wee close. He remembered his own childhood. How he wished he was never separated from Elros! But they both made their choices. And Elrond could hardly regret his life. Beautiful wife, three wonderful children… Yet, he missed his brother. And it was even more painful to know that they won't meet neither in Valinor, nor in the halls of Mandos.
He shook his head ever so slightly, shaking the memories away. His sons needed him and they needed him now. Gently he rolled Elrohir onto his back. The young elf was so distressed that he let no one check him over. Well, Elrond had to admit that he was too occupied to save Elladan's life and had no spare moment for anything else.
Elrohir's arms were blooded, his palms scratched badly, some of the cuts were inflamed. Taking a small tureen of water and a rag, he started to clean the wounds gently. Elrohir's eyes moved under closed eyelids, he gave out a small whimper, but didn't wake up. Elladan's heart bled from the small sound of pain. How could happy clear day in the woods end up like this? With two young ones laying at the break of death, one from his wounds and the other one from grief?
Elrond would give his life for any of his children without a second thought. He would probably cut his own throat if that's what keeps them alive. But right now all he could do was sit and wait. Praying that time would heal both his sons' wounds.
He put the rag near the tureen, staring at the slightly reddish water. He remembered taking far more of such tureens away from this room only few hours ago… With his son's blood in it… Once again pushing his body to move, Elrond walked toward the shelf, looking through the bottles and small packages, searching for the right one. Having finally noted the needed bottle, he returned to the bed, gently putting some herbal salve onto Elrohir's hands before bandaging them. Lifting his son's dirty and torn shirt, he winced, seeing the variety of small and big bruises, that covered all his son's torso. But swiftly checking the young elf's ribcage, he found all the ribs fine and in their places. Breathing a sigh of relief for this small mercy, he moved the blanket, so it woukd cover both twins.
Elrohir once again stirred, but not enough to wake up. He rolled onto his side, his armes closing around Elladan's chest as if the young elf wanted to be sure that his brother would go nowhere while he's asleep.
"Sleep well, my sons." Elrond gently kissed twins' foreheads. "Please, be well."
XXX
Night fall over the woods surrounding the Imladris. Stars were unbelievably bright, looking down from the dark sky. Elves met their arrival with singing, greeting the smalls orbs of light. The moon peered curiously from the lonely cloud, as if deciding whether she should show herself tonight. But with a single night wind's blow the cloud was swept away, letting the moon shine in her full beauty. It smiled, casting the bright mystic light all over the shadowy woods, finding it's way into the most dark places, peering in the windows of the elven stronghold.
Elves sang, their melodic voices beautiful as always, fitting the starlight perfectly. But sedness was in their song. The moon frowned, her light being shadowed by the light translucent cloud. She listened to the song, glancing into the small window.
Her silver rays dispersed the darkness, lighting the room. Two small figures were laying at the bed, there faces pale. The moonlight seemed to softened, caressing the skin of the two firstborns, cradling them in it's mystic arms.
Elrond walked into the room softly, intending to check on his sons. The room was drowning in the moonlight creating a special atmosphere. Elrond stepped to the bed, putting the bunch of supplies on the table. He didn't lit up the candle – there was no use in it. Besides, he felt that it would be wrong to spoil a special harmony that the moonlight created in the room.
Lifting the blanket he checked the bandages that encircled Elladan's torso. His hand went toward the young elf's forehead and froze. They were battling with a high fever for hours, being able to only reduce it to the non-too-bead level. But now it was gone completely. Elladan wasn't fighting for his life any more. The healing process had started and Elrond could feel that it was going to be a smoth and quick recovery. He smiled. His son would be well. And hopefully Elrohir would be fine too, once he sees his brother awake and mending.
Elrond finished checking on his son's injuries and walked out of the room, leaving them be. For the first time this day he was truly relieved.
XXX
Elrohir blinked, waking up. His mind was dizzy from the sleep and remains of stress. He slowly remembered the events of the day, feeling as a panic was starting to kick in. But suddenly he felt strangely calm. He looked at his brother's face. It looked ghostly in the full moon's light. Yet, something in it made Elrohir feel relieved. His twin was in pain no more. In his sleep, at least.
The young elf closed his eyes. Suddenly he felt unbelievably tired. His eyelids were heavy and his thoughts started to muddle. Soft smile sneaked onto his face. Cradled by the moonlight he fell asleep once more. With a strong confidence in his heart. All would be well.