Title: It Was Nothing

Disclaimer: Estel, Elladan, and Elrohir belong to Tolkien. I own only the plot and the spiders (Are there really spiders out there with red-and-orange markings? I don't think so.). And you can count this story as an AU if you like.

Rating: PG-13 for angst.

Warning: If you are afraid of spiders, then do not read this story.

A/N: Sorry this chapter is late—colds are not helpful to a writer. (I think I probably used up a whole Kleenex box in one day!) Neither was the rain—both of my muses abandoned me. And then I had the problem of actually starting the chapter. Not to mention the fact that my ideas flew out the window when I needed them…

I also fixed some typos I found in Chapter One. If you see any in this chapter, feel free to inform me.

Translations are at the bottom.

Enjoy!

Chapter Two

The next morning, Elrohir tightly tapped on the door. "Estel?" He called out. When no one answered, he pushed the door open. Estel was curled up, blankets pulled up to his nose.

Elrohir sat down on the side of the bed, and laid his hand on Estel's forehead. He drew it back when he found it hot, much warmer than last night. Concerned, he shook his brother by his shoulder. "Estel! Wake up!" He tapped Estel's forehead.

The boy's breathing suddenly hitched, and he rolled over to face Elrohir. "'Ro?" He said hoarsely. "What's wrong?"

The half-elf sighed, relieved. "You wouldn't wake up." He looked down at his brother. "I was worried."

Estel wearily nodded and closed his eyes. "Thirsty…"

Elrohir squeezed his hand as he got up. "I will be back."

Closing the door behind him, Elrohir swiftly went in search of water. He was worried by Estel's lack of reaction. If only Ada were here, he thought as he found a pitcher and filled it with water. Grabbing an empty cup, he quickly walked back upstairs.

Kicking the door open with his foot, he entered the room to find Estel struggling to sit up. Immediately, he put down the pitcher and cup on a desk and walked over to help his brother. Pushing two pillows behind Estel's back, he poured some water into the cup. "Slowly," he softly said when Estel grasped the cup and began gulping the cool liquid down. He watched him for a few moments. "Does your throat hurt?" he asked.

The boy shook his head as he looked up. "Oddly enough, no." When he finished, Estel handed the cup back to Elrohir and rested his forehead in his hands. His head still ached immensely, pulsing with each beat of his heart. A touch on his shoulder made him look up to catch Elrohir's worried look. "Gwador?"

"My head hurts." He whispered. "A lot." He was surprised to feel the tears coming. "I wish Ada was here."

Elrohir pulled the boy into his arms and rocked him back and forth. "I know," he answered.

Suddenly, Estel stiffened, and pulled away. "What?" Elrohir asked.

Estel's face had gone white. "'Ro, I need to—" he swallowed hard and threw the blankets off himself. Elrohir swiftly lifted his brother from the bed and ran to the bathroom where Estel leaned over a basin and lost the contents of his stomach. Elrohir gently rubbed his back as he supported the boy. "Better?"

He nodded. "Can I…sleep?"

Elrohir smiled. "Of course you can."

Estel sighed, and let his eyes close. In only a few moments, he had drifted off.

As Elrohir reached to cover up his brother, he saw the bandage that Estel was still wearing. Deciding to change it, he pulled it off, and gasped at what he saw.

Estel's hand was red and swollen. The bitten area was hot under Elrohir's probing fingers, and the boy whimpered and tried to pull away.

"So this was what you were hiding," Elrohir muttered. "It certainly is not 'nothing'!" He pushed the sleeve of Estel's shirt all the way up, and found that the rash had traveled up about half of his arm. He realized this was no ordinary bite. Giving his brother one more look, Elrohir ran out of the room.

"Elladan!" he called urgently.

The elder twin poked his head out from a room. "What is it?" he asked, climbing the stairs to join his brother.

"Estel was bitten by something—I don't know what." Elrohir replied. "His fever was much higher than it was yesterday."

Elladan walked inside Estel's room. "Is he asleep?"

"Aye."

The elf bent over and whispered in Estel's ear. "Tithen-pen, wake up."

Estel opened his eyes and glared weakly at Elladan. "Can't you let me sleep?"

"Not now." Elladan held Estel's left hand. "You need to explain to us what this is?"

Estel looked away. "It's nothing." He mumbled. "Just a stupid bite I got from a spider."

"Why did you not tell us earlier?" Elrohir demanded.

"Because I didn't want you two fussing over me!" Estel pushed Elladan and turned to the face the wall. "It was only a spider, El." He bit his lip.

The twins exchanged glances. "It is not 'just' a spider, brother." Elrohir said. "Your illness was caused by the bite. Look at your hand!"

Reluctantly, Estel did as he was told. "Well, I suppose it's a little red." He finally said.

"You don't understand," Elladan said impatiently. "For I can see that it was no ordinary spider, but that of a poisonous type."

Estel looked at his brother, shock in his eyes. "P-poisonous?"

"Yes." Elrohir examined Estel's hand. "Tell me what the spider looked like."

Estel tried to remember. "It was as big as my hand, I think. It had red-and-orange markings."

"Was it orange on red or red on orange?"

The boy thought for a moment. "Red on orange."

Elrohir sighed and shook his head while Elladan groaned. "Saew-lam Ihingrilath," He mumbled. "Rhaich!"

"Elladan? What are Saew-lam Ihingrilath?" Estel asked, stumbling over the unfamiliar word. "And how come I've never heard of them?"

"They are a kind of poisonous spider that lives in shaded areas." Elrohir replied. "Their venom is slow, taking about a week, but it is deadly." He refused to meet his youngest brother's eyes. "And the reason you have never heard of them is because they are quite rare."

"But surely Ada has the antidote." Estel said. When either of his brothers answered him, a note of panic edged into his voice. "El? Does he?"

"Nay…" Elrohir whispered. "He doesn't."

The room became deathly silent. Estel looked stricken. His good hand found his coverlet, and he grasped it tightly. "What will happen now?" He tentatively asked.

Elladan was already out the door. "Estel, where was the spider?"

"Near the place where we camped last night." He answered, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand. "But the spider's dead. I killed it."

Elladan bit back a curse. "Then I will just have to find another one." He closed the door behind him, leaving Estel and Elrohir in his wake.

Estel looked at his brother. "Am I going to die?"

"Of course not!" Elrohir retorted sharply. "Elladan and I will make sure of that." His voice softened as drew the boy close to him. "I promise you—you will be just fine."

Estel simply nodded. "'Ro," he mumbled. "Can I really sleep now? Without someone waking me up?"

Elrohir could not keep the smile from his face. "Of course."

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

Elladan ignored the mud that sprayed up onto his clothing as he mounted his horse. He hoped that a few more of those spiders still existed. If they didn't, then Estel's chances of surviving would be slim indeed.

It was not the first time he had encountered these spiders. The peredhel could recall that day when he was only a young child. He and his brother had been outside playing with the other children when one of the elfling cried out that there was a huge spider. Elrohir had run for Elrond while the rest of the children killed the spider they had found. Later that day, Elrond had gone out with a few other elves to rid Imladris of the arachnids, telling them that such spiders were deadly, especially to children. After a few days, the entire episode had been forgotten.

At least, until now. Elladan leaned forward, his head resting lightly on the mane of his horse. Narrowing his eyes, he gritted his teeth while urging his horse into a gallop. "Hortho, mellon nîn." He whispered. "I will not fail you, Estel."

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

The hours passed by slowly. Elrohir had not left Estel's room, not even to eat. When it was finally afternoon, he tried to wake his brother. This time it took much longer, but finally, Estel did wake up.

"Can you eat anything, Estel?" He asked.

Estel shook his head; he afraid he might embarrass himself again. "I'm not hungry, just thirsty. And hot."

"How is your hand?"

"Itchy." He reached over to scratch it, but Elrohir stopped him. "You will only make it worse." He informed him.

"Can't you do anything about it?"

"I'm afraid not." The half-elf replied. "Forgive me, Estel." He tried not to let his worry show.

"It's all right." Estel leaned back against the pillows, and turned his head so that his flushed cheek could rest against the pillow. As he closed his eyes, he could hear Elrohir moving about in the room. Something cold touched his forehead, and his eyes flew open. "Elrohir? What are you doing?"

"Trying to bring your fever down." Elrohir had wetted a cloth with water and was now wiping it across his brother's face. "Better?"

Estel nodded, smiling a little. "Better." He let his eyes meet his brother's. "Tell me a story, Elrohir."

"What sort of story?"

"About you and Elladan getting into trouble."

Elrohir managed a grin. "Have I told you about the time Elladan and I accidentally set Glorfindel's room on fire?" When Estel shook his head, he began his story, "Elladan and I were only about your age at that time. Being bored we decided to…"

Estel smiled. He had feeling how much trouble his brothers had gotten into. Glorfindel didn't appreciate it when anyone entered his room without his permission.

TBC…

Translations:

Gwador – sworn brother

Tithen pen – little one

Saew-lam Ihingrilath – Poison tongue spiders. My own creation

Rhaich! – Curses!

Peredhel – half elf

Hortho – hurry

Mellon nîn – my friend

A/N: Yes, I'm stopping here. One more chapter and we're done.

A/N #2: I think I may have spawned a bunny while mentioning Elladan's and Elrohir's story about the fire…Maybe I'll write it. :)