TITLE: Blood, Chapter Two: Elladan
ARAGORNANGST PROMPT #130: Responsibility (500 words)
AUTHOR: Marethiel/ThinkingLady
RATING: T (for potentially disturbing images)
CHARACTERS: Aragorn, Elladan
DISCLAIMER: Don't own 'em, drat it. Many thanks to Professor Tolkien for creating these wonderful souls to populate my imagination.
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This house is so quiet. Many beings visiting this riven dell have called it peaceful. I suppose if one has naught to cause anxiety or guilt, it could be called peaceful…
Ever have I hated this time, when I am forced to live with the noise in my mind, when I cannot find solace in sleep and the quiet offers nothing to distract me. After Naneth sailed, I found myself on the training grounds at this time of night, unable to find my rest, practicing form after form after form. My long blade slicing and rippling through the air was the only sound heard through the silence of Imladris. Sometimes, especially early on, Elrohir would join me; eventually he gave up, realizing he could not help me.
Valar! I rest my head wearily in my hands. It was my responsibility for choosing the route when Naneth was captured, and the orcs… I clench my eyes shut, trying to close out the image of her battered broken body in that vile, disgusting den. It was my responsibility this time, as well. Oh, Estel! Why? You know the doom that rests upon you! How could you endanger yourself? You know what is at stake! How could you be so reckless? So thoughtless? So utterly -
"...not… your fault…"
My eyes are blinded with scalding tears as I reach a shaking hand to clasp yours. Your pulse is weak, but there. You had a hard time through the surgery, but when all was said and done, and Ada had repaired your leg, your valiant heart still beat. Your face is chalk-white with pain and weariness, your eyes not entirely focused as you struggle to speak to me.
"… so thirsty…."
I pour a small glass of water and slip my arm behind your shoulders, easing you up enough to sip some. "Slowly, tithen gwador," I murmur gruffly as the liquid eases your dry, parched throat.
"…'Dan… listen…."
"Hush, now. No talking, young one," I say firmly. "Adar said you must rest."
I am appalled to see frustrated tears gather in the corners of your eyes. Then you gasp, your body tensing, your breath hissing as you are washed in a wave of awful pain. Immediately, I am beside you in the bed, trying to avoid jarring the heavy, large bandages around your thigh, attempting to send you healing energy.
"Shhh…" I soothe. "Easy… breathe through it…."
Finally you relax again as the wave passes, and you sag, exhausted, in my arms.
"… Estel… why?" I whisper, rocking you gently. "With so much at stake… Sauron… the throne… Arwen! Why did you do it? Why did you step between me and the boar?"
Trying to smile, and failing miserably, you weakly clasp my hand. "… No choice… others… too far…. away… You're m'big… brother…"
I gather you close and gently support you, my cheek on your hair, letting you rest against me. You doze off again, thankfully unaware of my tears.
- to be continued