The blood flow still hadn't stopped as the cart hurried towards the castle. Erienne bit her lips as she realised that even Galaden looked worried. They needed to stop the blood flow before they fixed his shoulder.

When they arrived at the castle, Erienne was not surprised to find that the soldiers had lined up to receive their commander. They rushed him up to his room where Erudraithe had already readied the bed. Water, wood planks, medicines and cloth were nearby. Legolas was there as were Ceridwen and Lairiel but Lairiel brought Ceridwen out as the latter broke down.

Galaden gave instructions as Thranduil, Erudraithe, Airion and Legolas helped to shift Aradan as carefully as possible unto the bed. Once they had finished cleaning his wound, Galaden applied some balm to ensure that the blood flow stopped temporarily at least for they could not sew and bandage the wound yet, until they set his shoulder.

With all the cleaning done, Galaden took a deep breath and looked at Erienne and Thranduil. Thranduil was leaning against the wall, staring at the floor and Erienne was at Aradan's bed head holding his hands.

"I need to set his shoulder and then sew up his back. He has regained consciousness, hasn't he?"

Erienne looked up and nodded. Aradan was in severe pain that could cloud his thinking but he was conscious. Galaden nodded brusquely in response and Erienne knew that he was into "healer" mode, completely detached and efficient for he knew that his next actions were going to cause Aradan much pain.

"Legolas, you had best leave. Thranduil, do you think you should be here?"

As Thranduil saw Legolas out, after having decided to stay himself, Galaden started to work and Thranduil wished he had left instead. Despite the drink that Galaden had given him to dull the pain, Aradan's face was contorted and he was biting the piece of wood that Galaden had placed in his mouth so hard that it started to splinter. Removing it, Erienne reached for another piece of wood when Thranduil stopped her.

"Forget it. If it breaks, he could swallow the splinters or injure his lips." With that, Thranduil rolled up his sleeves and placed his arms for Aradan to bite into.

"Stop resisting, Aradan. It is an order. I am not doing it for you. I need a Commander. Can't have him choking either."

Aradan could not reply but Erienne saw him placing his palms over Thranduil's shaking ones. "Sor.." Aradan did not continue, his voice choking as Galaden placed the slabs and worked mechanically to set his bones. His legs writhed for a while until finally Galaden looked up. It was done.

Erienne wiped the sweat and tears off Aradan's face while Thranduil breathed out deeply. There were deep teeth marks on his hands.

"You would wash your hands, my lord? Galaden can sew up the wound and bandage it. The worst is over."

Thranduil considered awhile and then looked at Erienne, "You would be with him, Erienne? He would be drowsy soon, would be not?"

"Aye, my lord. Do not worry. We will take care."

Thranduil nodded, sweeping the wet hair off Aradan's forehead. "I'll be back soon. I will check on Legolas as well. Do not worry about him, Erienne. I will talk to him. You just stay with Aradan."

Erienne nodded as Thranduil left the room. As Thranduil had said, Aradan was becoming drowsy and did not really feel the needle upon his flesh as Galaden sewed up his wound. When they were nearly done, Erienne washed his face, arms and feet, covering him with a blanket.

"He should be sleeping for quite awhile, Erienne. Do you want to stay with him? Else I can, for you would have work to see to? You would want to speak with Legolas as well. Now that he is sleeping, you can tell Thranduil that you will come up every hour. Once you have seen to the tasks at hand, Thranduil and you can take turns to sit," Galaden urged Erienne to see to her work assuring her that he would stay with Aradan.

"That would be good, Galaden. I will ask your lord if he is agreeable." Galaden nodded knowing what Erienne meant. Thranduil might not agree to her leaving Aradan yet.

Erienne left the room in search of Thranduil and was informed that the King had called a meeting of all the lieutenant-generals. Erienne nodded in approval. It had slipped her mind too and she was glad that Thranduil remained focused. Though the latest attack had occurred on the borders of the Woodlands, there was a need to step up patrols and ensure that all defences were in order.

Lairiel had offered to help Elda in the kitchens and that left Erienne with technically little to do urgently for now. That meant that she had to something which she was … afraid of. Going in search of Legolas. She was excited to see and longed to talk to him, but would he accept her? He had not seen her scarred body or knew that she had been raped.

As Erienne walked down the halls, she heard voices coming from one of the rooms. Why, it was coming from Legolas' room. Erienne paused. She did not want to intrude upon her son's privacy and decided to leave when she saw Ceridwen coming out of the room carrying a tray. She looked teary and walked away quickly. Realising that something was wrong, Erienne went towards the son's room, pausing at the open door. Legolas and Tauriel were in the room and seemed oblivious to her presence. She did not mean to eavesdrop but she could not help her maternal instinct.

"I am glad you are better, Tauriel. I know what happened at Dale was hard for you. Do try to get over it. I won't say that you will find someone else but do not close your life off, Tauriel."

"There is no future for us, Legolas. So much has happened. I can't imagine being with anyone."

"Of course. I understand, Tauriel. I meant to talk to you as well. 'Tis best for us. I care for you, Tauriel as a friend but I don't think we go beyond that. I am so glad you are not hurt about it. You really meant it, Tauriel? You are not upset, are you?"

"Nay, Legolas. I was waiting for your return to tell you myself, in case you harboured any hopes."

Legolas nodded, "Still, don't close your life off. You might just find someone you care for one day, Tauriel."

"How about you, Legolas? Do you think you will find anyone?"

"Huh…I…I don't know, Tauriel. But that's far from my thoughts now. Nana is back. I can't believe it. Yet, the happiness is marred. Commander Aradan is badly injured, Tauriel. 'Tis all my fault. I have created so much trouble…" Legolas was saying to Tauriel…who did not look very upset, something that appeared to have dawned on Legolas as well.

"You don't seem concerned, Tauriel. Are you not worried? 'Tis our Commander," Legolas was perplexed.

Tauriel looked up, "'Tis not that I am not worried, Legolas," she paused, "but is he more worthy than the others?"

Legolas eyebrows furrowed and it was apparent to Erienne that Legolas did not understand Tauriel's words, "What do you mean, Tauriel? He is our Commander."

Tauriel smiled. "When the Commander falls, it is a big thing, isn't it, Legolas? Coz he is the Commander. What if it was a poor Silvan elf? Would it matter as much? It certainly did not matter to the King when the dwarves fell. He only came 'cos you were there. The Prince. Else he would not have lifted a finger, staying all safe within his Woodlands."

"Why do you sound so bitter, Tauriel? Ada does not think like that. He might not show kindness outwardly but he cares for all his elves. Elda is Silvan. So are Lt.-Gen. Airion and..and …Why most of Mirkwood is Silvan-born."

"Including your Commander."

Legolas turned in shock at the words and his face froze as he saw his Nana at the door.