A/N Credits to Lydwina Marie for her kind reviews and for giving me the nudge to continue this thing.

Alternating between seeing to other patients and the twins, Elrond by the next morning was about dead on his feet. Glorfindel and Erestor were nowhere nearby to scold him for his negligence, but the elf-lord still did not care. At least a majority of the traumas were done and dealt with and the rest of the healers could manage without him.

Elrond sat with Elrohir first when he came, the younger elf had not moved from the position he was the night prior. Still Elrohir was a bit grey and needed the heated towels to keep warm. As for hydration, since the normal reflex dissipated as the elf slipped deeper into the dream world, was paused for the time being. The healers hoped that Elrohir would wake, or bear some semblance of consciousness in order to get the water in his body that it desperately needed. The fact that the peredhel survived the night brought hope, but it was a dangerous line between Mandos and life, and will remain so for a while yet.

"The blood loss will slow his healing down greatly than what will be normal…" Elrond spoke quietly to some healers that were still learning, "The best that can be done is get a lot of water into him, keep him warm, change the dressings daily, and every now and then move him in different positions to avoid sores and bruising, and to keep his muscles supple."

Elrond kept his eyes on Elrohir's face, wishing for some bit of movement. The eyes never moved, not even in dreams. The chances of extended unconsciousness Elrond knew was likely to happen, but he prayed and kept wishing it would not come to be. But there was nothing to be done. Besides, the extensive stress and hurt done to Elrohir's body probably only encouraged it. It gave a chance for his body to heal, that much was positive…

Elrond issued a couple more orders before giving off what little energy he could spare into Elrohir and then left that alcove. The elf-lord entered Elladan's den and sat in the now vacant chair. The elder twin was awake, only with his eyes closed. When the carved seat creaked slightly, so did the twin's eyes open partially. After a few moments of processing who it was, Elladan cracked a faint smile.

"How…how much wine did you pour into me?" He asked quietly. Elladan's voice was slightly strained.

Elrond returned the smile. "None. Do you not remember the draught I gave you?"

The twin briefly licked the inside of his cheeks. "No…and I do not think I want to when it comes to taste." Elladan grimaced.

"Are you in pain?"

Elladan frowned then and looked at the swathed arm. "I…it burns. That or I cannot feel it at all."

It was Elrond's turn to frown and he stood up, leaning over to gently grasp said arm. "They wrapped it too tightly…" The peredhel murmured, "Unless you want to argue about snow-water again, brace yourself."

Elladan blinked rapidly, "Argue about what?" He did not bother asking about having relief. Better get it done and over with. "Why would I-" Even with tender and gentle hands, the blood rushing through his battered arm's veins left him gaping openly and silently.

"I am sorry, Elladan." Elrond said, loosening the wrappings enough so that they will keep things still, but not to the point of numbness. "Yes…you were wanting snow-water instead of the lukewarm we have here. In fact, I think you were arguing about it with Brannel when I left you…"

Elladan had the grace to blush. "…You cannot blame me for that. And, I think I had a point you know. Cold water is better."

"I will need to make arrangements for a cooling house for such needs." Elrond finished with retying the knot before looking at his son. "How does it feel now?"

"…it burns, but…not painful as long as I do not move it." Elladan looked beyond his father to his sibling's alcove, now looking quite worried and even afraid. The younger peredhel casted frantic eyes to the elder, "Elro...?"

Elrond looked grim and sat down again. "Elrohir is alive, if barely…" He bowed his head. "He may be in darkness for some days since there has been no response to anything we have done since last night."

Elladan just went white and sunk back into the large pillows. "But…he cannot survive for long like that! Not after-"

Elrond effectively cut Elladan off. "It was bound to happen eventually considering the nature of his hurts. We have done what we can, and will continue to do what is possible until he wakes up again." Elrond lifted a brow. "For now; like I have told Estel, you need to not stress yourself to the high stars, or else you will do harm to your own battered body."

Elladan again gaped but with his mouth closed. Eventually he looked down. "I am afraid, Adar…It is not fair, especially not to Elrohir or you. Or Estel…"

Elrond grasped the uninjured hand and squeezed it gently. "I am afraid too, my son…All we can do is hope, and pray."

Elladan nodded, then looked to the swathed arm again. "…this time there will be some lasting damage. Were muscles torn?"

"Stretched, but with proper care and careful movement nothing detrimental will result."

Elladan again nodded. His gaze drifted back to the other alcove; silence drifting through the air except for the occasional shuffle of movement from people or objects. "How do the others fair? What of Estel?"

Elrond looked also back to where Elrohir lay before answering the question. "They are well as can be. Some…passed." Elladan looked sad at that news and bowed his head. A minute of silence again happened before the elf-lord continued. "Estel was shaken, and his lungs are filled with dust…and you know of the bruises and scrapes that came with it."

Elladan took on a slightly distant look. "The poor boy will never want to go near cliffs or pass ways again…"

Elrond said nothing to affirm that, instead: "I said he can see you today after getting a chance to regain composure. However, if you desire peace for a little while more…"

"No…If Estel needs reassurance in the form of us, then let him come." Elladan still looked tired, "…I can stay awake for a while yet…"

"As you wish., my son." Elrond stood up. "Do not do anything strenuous over the course of the next two weeks; for the next few days you will be confined here until your broken bones firmly knit together."

Elladan simply nodded again. Once his father had left him be and again relatively silent, Elladan took the chance to doze for a few minutes until a fourteen-year-old came running in.

When Elrond informed him that Elladan is willing to see him, Estel was overblown by a big amount of relief, but also fear of what he might see. One thing that was made clear to the human was to keep as quiet as possible. At least he was not as congested as he was the night before, so the coughing fits were less frequent, but they came every now and then. Estel was still a bit shaken from the catastrophe, so as he walked down the hall clinging to a blanket wrapped around his shoulders, every sudden noise he about jumped out of his pants in response.

'Nothing is going to try and kill you here…' the human child thought to reassure himself. 'Only thing that can really kill you is yourself falling off a ledge…or Erestor's mountain hound…And of course Glorfindel's baubles.'

Estel quickened his steps and as silently as he could humanly manage without being near to panic, entered the twins' suite. Estel was trying hard not to look towards Elrohir's alcove or else he will most certainly go and sit with the younger twin, and then later be more unsettled and likely cry. So the mortal adolescent trotted to Elladan's in record time. The sound of the human's feet would not go unnoticed, injured or no.

Elladan opened his eyes and offered a reassuring smile to the youngster. "Did someone time that…?"

Estel shook his head rapidly. "No, but…I have been jumpy and…"

"Do not worry, brother, I have been a bit too with the noises across the way." The elf exhaled slowly.

Estel took in the bruises and patterned skin of his elven sibling; then to the badly hurt arm and broken leg resting on pillows. "C-could I…?"

"Just be careful not to jostle around. But, that is a talent of yours, yes?"

Estel in a flash was already on the bed and surprisingly with such speed, did not jostle much at all. Still he would not look to where Elrohir was, instead his gaze was fixed on the elder twin.

Elladan appeared worn and amazed from the adan's recent feat. For yet another period of time there was silence, each adopted sibling staring at each other. The elf was starting to lose the battle though, and his eyes began to drift shut. Of course, that was when Estel had to talk.

"Adar said that you were arguing about snow last night."

Elladan let a smile tug at his lips and answered with nonchalance in his tone. "I am sure I made excellent points why snow-water is better than normal water. It is…fresh, I think."

"What about…" Estel contemplated asking, but did so regardless. Maybe it will make them both feel better. "…dirty snow?"

Elladan's eyes opened again, immediately catching where the adan was going and lifted a brow,."Now, I know I cannot remember what happened, but I am very well sure I did not talk about a particular kind of snow."

Estel just grinned. "Maybe…different colored?"

Elladan looked offended. "Now you and Adar are up against me? I see how it is now. Maybe he knows some secrets I accidently slipped while loopy, and shared them with you!"

The looks were maintained, yet Elladan eventually broke out a bigger smile than he had since coming back to Rivendell and laughed lightly. Estel also giggled, but the humor eventually left and it was quiet. Elladan looked off to the left where Elrohir was and was close to drifting again. Estel just played with the sheets absently until he got the courage to ask.

"Elrohir…? How…A-adar said he may not…"

"I know, Estel." Elladan looked downtrodden emotionally, "The chances are very high at this point…"

Estel expressed fear and concern for both his elven brothers. With a frown, the fourteen-year-old prodded. "Will…would you be able to cope with the loss?"

Elladan rolled his head to face the wall. "I doubt I would cope at all with Elrohir's passing. With the state he is now, I need to start letting go…"

Estel blinked a few times. He took a breath in and continued. "Elrohir is still alive though, right?"

"Yes."

"So there is still a chance he will live. I know that for certain because the best healers are found in our home, Elladan. Maybe you can join them when you are well enough again."

Elladan took this in slowly and gave a smile, though it was not genuine. "You live up to your name, Estel…it will help many of us through these trials."

The human beamed and looked to be very happy to have brought some hope back to his brother. But deep down, Elladan was still despairing for what could come-which did involve a secret that only Estel was unaware of.

Elrond was standing and half pacing before the hearth in his chambers. Still he was basically dead on his feet. He just could not settle down.

"Mellon…"

The half-elf turned sharply at the voice and saw Glorfindel leaning against the post by the door. He was wearing that strange and ridiculous looking circlet, which Glorfindel years ago called it "the bird of paradise adorner" or something along that line. The Vanya carefully studied the lord of Imladris before frowning.

"What is it, Glorfindel?" Elrond ended up asking sharply and groaned afterwards in regret.

"What are you contemplating, Eärendilion?"

"I know not anymore…" Elrond grounded out and started pacing again. "I think of the Vale, I think of the recent traumas and how much I can do for them, I think of my children. I think…"

"You are worrying over Elrohir's future, are you not?" Glorfindel prodded softly.

The half-elf stopped, and with reluctance nodded. "Yes…"

Glorfindel looked forlorn then, a very foreign emotion for the Vanya. "Then I am here to tell you that it looks bleak."

"What do you mean? Has something happened?" Elrond looked afraid again.

The gold-haired shook his head. "You did not let me finish…No, nothing has changed, or else a healer would be running for you right now."

"Then what is it?" Elrond asked lamely.

Glorfindel was not quick to answer, finding interest to the stone carved floor for a minute. The balrog-slayer released a held breath. "Brains can only take so much, elven or not. What I am saying…Mellon, Elrohir may never come back to us."

Elrond knew that was a possibility, one that he was not willing to accept. Not after Celebrían and Elros… "I know." He stated as a matter of fact.

Glorfindel again gauged Elrond, searching. Elrond likely did not know, one possibility that he was not willing to accept. He will ask later. "Please take some rest, my lord. My colleague and I will manage things in the meantime."

Elrond said nothing but waved a hand in dismissal. Glorfindel bowed his head briefly while making sure Elrond did what was requested. Said request was in the process of being fulfilled, and the Vanya left. The lord of Imladris just about flopped on the bed and was asleep in a matter of minutes.

A/N Has anyone else noticed that the paragraphs/spaces (especially dialogue) bunch up together a lot more than they did before when you upload it to the doc manager?