Glorfindel was reading a scroll.
He had his pile completed at last, so he gave himself a little time to walk and look at something more to his interest before Tathardes came and dumped more work in front of his desk.
It was impressive about the amount of reading and writing that occurs when being in charge over a realm. Back in his day, things were much simpler in Gondolin. Of course, half the time they were not worried about the enemy attacking them (before they actually did attack…) or having to review findings outside of the realm…
Simple things were better, and Glorfindel, agreeing to certain persons' point of view, thought that people of all races like to make things a lot more complicated for themselves, instead of just accepting the way things were, or taking the most efficient route, even if they do not like that way.
Glorfindel looked out the open window, the fall breeze blowing into the room and a few leaves as well. Erestor was out…doing something. When Glorfindel finally found the green-elf from his perch, Glorfindel pressed his face into a wall and made a strangling noise from suppressed laughter.
Erestor was, discreetly, getting eaten by the Great Oak.
The roots of the tree poked out from the ground, making a fair place to sit on them or a safe place to sleep in…or in this case, a perfect way to present yourself as a sacrifice if you are breaking one of its branches, for one reason or another. The first time they intentionally broke a branch was when they were to make Erestor's sage staff from one of its branches. The Great Oak did not like it one bit, and it made it known to all who were present what would happen if they broke a branch: it would, with a thin, undeveloped root, grab a foot and pull the victim into its larger roots, of which it would trap the elf for a time and…well, it was an interesting experience. No one would be permanently harmed, they would just get a nice "talking" from the tree and get their nerves aroused from being chastened by a plant.
Everyone made a note for all to never break the tree's branches after that first event.
Why Erestor willingly put himself through that stressor at this point in time, Glorfindel did not know, but he would find out.
Ten minutes later, Erestor came walking into the study room where they worked while Elrond remained busy with Elrohir. The green-elf's hair was tousled and his clothes were covered in dirt and leaf mulch.
And he held the branch he had broken.
"You would think because I was its main planter it would show more respect, or at the least be more lenient." Erestor said, annoyed. The Great Oak has succeeded once again.
"I believe that is the result of planting an extinct type of tree from Beleriand in a place that is not natural for it." Glorfindel answered helpfully.
"More like a tree that has retained more of its sentient ability than most do in this age." Erestor set the branch on the long table.
"And why did you have to challenge it and get thrashed for this branch?" Glorfindel asked, motioning to the wood.
Erestor pulled some leaves from his hair. "…Elrohir will need help with walking, when he finally is able to get up and move about. Elladan broached the subject with me early this morning."
Glorfindel frowned slightly. "Why the Great Oak, though? There are other trees that could have been used."
Erestor gave Glorfindel a flat look. "It is just a tree in the end, Glorfindel, no matter how much we glorify it. And, given the fact it is special to us, or you more specifically, then it will make it a gift of great worth."
'Except for the fact that it is a reminder that he will not be able to walk for a time without help…' Glorfindel mentally added. He also played the simple card: The Oak is just a tree, but then it makes it no better than if a branch from a different tree was used. "And how is Elrohir this day?"
Erestor was quiet at that question. It has been three weeks since the operation. Tathardes was their main source of information regarding Elrohir and the others, aside from the healers that went down to the hall, when the elf-men were unable to see for themselves.
"Better," the green-elf answered lowly. "…in the sense of getting his mind back. In other places…not so much."
"The boulders are beginning to appear on the road." Glorfindel mused.
"Elrohir will have his pickaxes to get rid of them though." Erestor turned towards the archway. "If you will excuse me, I need to clean up. I do not want people wondering why I am unseemly."
Glorfindel could not hold back a smirk.
"Elrohir, I know this is painful for you, but we cannot keep delaying this."
"N-noo…"
"Brother, think of the better aspects of all this: your shoulders will not feel much discomfort and you will feel less tight, and the sooner you will be able to go where you wish to go."
Elrohir murmured another "no" in protest.
Elrond exhaled slowly out his nose, rubbing his forehead while his hand supported his elbow. Doing these exercises has become more of a challenge as the weeks went by, as Elrohir gained a higher level of consciousness and awareness and keeping it for hours. That was good news in of itself and Elrond was thankful for that, but it made it harder to help his son in other aspects in his road to recovery.
Three weeks. Elrohir still slept a lot and would enter phases where he became lost in his own world, but he was more awake and aware for longer periods of time: hours in between before he would doze off or lose his ability to focus. He would move on his own, though he struggled with that and still needed help depending on what he was trying to do. He even would try to speak and engage in conversation.
The good things ended there.
Elrohir was forgetful and could not put a lot of things into long term memory. He would forget what he was saying and would stop midsentence (his words often slurred and quiet). At some point in time they had learned Elrohir did not want anyone touching his head, not even to brush his hair. Whenever they held a hand near his scalp or face he would become afraid and would stress. Even his mood, depending on the situation or if he was unwilling to do something would become angry or upset, which made everything go south. Mood swings were very inconsistent and had no rhyme or reason to them.
Which led to Elrohir's countenance when nothing was happening: gloom. Elrond knew sorrow over this was expected, but he wanted to know what the other things that might be feeding it were. However, whenever he tried to ask, Elrohir would go mute or deaf to his questions, internalizing the questions and the sadness away from everyone else.
Elrond looked at Elladan, who was trying to ease the tension from Elrohir by rubbing between his shoulders. The older twin looked back to Elrond.
"Give him a few more minutes." The father sighed in defeat.
"Adar, can we not try using the pastes or the relaxants, or at least something to ease his mind?"
"You know why we cannot…even diluted the relaxants may prove harmful and it would scare him by losing his ability to move, even temporarily, and I do not wish to risk further altering his mind irreversibly with other medicines."
It was an atmosphere of fear and stress that made them stuck in this situation. What evil would they have to choose?
Elladan gave a quiet exhale and looked back at Elrohir. The scar on his head had disappeared and some hair was beginning to grow back, however it would take a long time for it return to its normal length, "If it makes you feel any better, I was unable to move much some time ago. My leg did not want to work, nor my arm."
Elrohir shifted. "I'don….don'…w-what…."
The younger twin had asked that question so many times: "What happened?" They hoped and dreaded the day when Elrohir will be able to remember their answer.
Elladan and Elrond did not answer this time.
Regarding the ointments, another healer present grabbed it and handed it to Elrond. This was the best they could use without fearing permanent harm. The oil possessed a soothing fragrance and it seeped into the skin.
Whatever tension Elladan managed to relieve from Elrohir came rushing back when they placed their hands on his arms and legs. His back was the only part of his body that he appeared to accept any relief in. They would do that last, thinking it may help instead of doing it first and then leaving Elrohir miserable after stretching his limbs.
Two long hours passed before they were done.
Elrond quietly worked the muscles in Elrohir's back. Elrohir trembled and perspired and he breathed a little fast from the strain they had just put him through. Elladan stood in a corner with his head bowed.
"You did well, Elrohir." Elrond said in a fatherly tone. "You did much better this time. You are done for the day; it will not happen again for a while."
He looked up when he heard the door open. Estel appeared worried and Tathardes stood behind him.
"It has been so long." Estel whispered. "Are you done?"
"The painful part is. You can come back in." Elrond answered.
The human scampered into the room. Elladan turned to see the two in the doorway, though he saw that Estel was carrying something.
"What do you have there?" The twin asked.
Estel held the thing…as it turns out, creature, to the elf. It was a small rabbit, a young one by the looks of it.
Elladan blinked. "Where did you find it?" The elf asked as the human put the rabbit in his hands.
"In the garden…it was limping, and I found a thorn in its foot. I took it out, and…" Estel trailed off and looked to the bed.
Elladan stroked the rabbit's ears back and followed the adolescent's gaze. He smiled slightly. "A fair idea…though-"
"It will not survive the winter with that foot," Estel pointed out. "It is malnourished in fact. It will freeze to death."
Elladan felt it when Estel mentioned it. The rabbit was not squirming or trying to get away. It was starting to fall asleep in his hands.
"Alright…I think Elrohir will appreciate the company of this little one."
Estel grinned at his brother.
Elrond did not pay too much attention to Elladan and Estel. He did look when Tathardes came to sit in the chair before Elrohir. The elf-maid set a phial down on the side table.
"A last extract before all the flowers lose their fragrance. It can make the room a bit fresher and help him stay relaxed."
Elrond, now satisfied that he had done all he could and letting Elrohir finally have a break, sat down on the bed. "Thank you, lady."
"Erestor also has acquired the branch that can be made for Elrohir when…he is able to walk again."
Elrond gave a small nod in acknowledgement to that. And then fell quiet.
The elf-lord watched as Elrohir stretched out a trembling hand before him, reaching for the elf-maid, and Tathardes took the hand and held it tenderly.
Elrond closed his eyes, his heart painfully twisted in remembrance of Celebrían simply being a mother. A caring and protective one. Erestor and Tathardes had no children, and by this time to a common eye, it would seem unlikely they ever will. Still, it was a thing in all women to just be so…caring and understanding to those around them. Tathardes slipped into that role so easily.
Perhaps Elrohir needed a mother-figure, especially now, and the green-elf here was the only one that could fit that role at that moment.
Elrond pushed that thought aside, though…he would not have Tathardes fall into a position she was not comfortable with. His sons respected her, though the twins and her never showed an aunt-nephew sort of relationship. And Elrond had no right to request her to slide into a mother-role, when that matter rested in Erestor and her alone. It was a service she would have to offer. Plus, Elrohir was still lost in a maze, so whatever he saw may be completely different from reality.
This was a small dilemma. In the end, Elrond simply longed for Celebrían to be here with them, and then let the whole matter to rest. He would not cause issues or awkward situations when there was no need for it.
Elrohir finally fell asleep a few minutes later. Tathardes let the family be when she was told they were satisfied.
"Here, Ada." Estel showed the rabbit to his father. "She may make things a bit more interesting in here, especially when the snow falls."
"Do not limit yourself to staying inside, child." Elrond said softly.
"I do not plan to, Ada, have no fear of that…She will just make things a bit livelier for Elrohir."
Bless him…
In the corner as Elladan viewed his family, he began to wonder who was the one that was most taxed by this. Elrohir was not having a good time, most certainly…but their father, he was beginning to lose his strong appearance, and Elladan wanted to prevent Elrond from having his own breakdown in front of everyone.