Estel and Gilraen cuddled on a couch for a while before Estel simply lay with his head in her lap, and the mother stroked his face and head. Estel kept asking questions about her trip and journey; about the humans he never sees. Gilraen answered each of them with a small story to accompany them. Eventually, Gilraen said all that she could, and the room was silent for a while.

"So, what has happened here, Estel? How was the celebration?"

Estel's heart skipped a beat and he thought his face lost all color. 'How can I say this?' "New years…it was spectacular as always. I lost my brains temporarily and I woke up right as everyone threw the crystal dust into the air. I had to wash my eyes so I could see again."

Gilraen chuckled softly. "You become so enamored with the whole affair. You are a blessed child, Estel."

Estel bit his lip. "I know."

Gilraen frowned slightly at Estel's subdued tone, wondering what changed so quickly. "What else happened, my son? You seem sad all of a sudden."

Estel breathed slowly, wishing the tremor to disappear.

"Did Dolmardo pass away?"

"N-no…"

"Then what?" Gilraen questioned.

Estel had been desiring to vent on his mother ever since Elrohir fell to darkness. Although that would have been easier had she been there when this all started. He took a shaky breath and started his story. "My brothers and I were returning from a journey of our own…"

Elladan sagged into his seat as he felt his mind rage in rapid thought, his hands covering his eyes as he pressed his fingers to his head. "I cannot say no to Halbarad, but I cannot leave either!"

"Who is saying you have to leave, Elladan?" Glorfindel stated evenly. "I can lead the party."

Elladan shook his head. "No, Glorfindel. I might as well be counted as an orc because I spent so much time studying their tracks, their maneuvers, their everything. That is why Halbarad wants me, and I am sure Elrohir as well if he knew he was still here."

Glorfindel glanced at Elrond with a fake look of insult. "Does me fighting the Witch-King not matter?"

Elrond narrowed an eye and a smirk pulled at one corner of his lips at the faint jest. He frowned slightly soon after. "You do not have to go, Elladan."

Elladan dropped his hands down to his sides. "And that is the problem: I want to go." He admitted defeatedly.

Glorfindel and Elrond kept their peace for a moment, Elrond's jaw working slightly while Glorfindel looked compassionate.

Elladan sighed. "I love my brother immensely, and I would do all within my power to ease his suffering, but I feel like I have reached my limit. I feel confined, I want to get out…" he trailed off.

Elrond's expression reflected his desire to help Elladan resolve this conflict. "Nothing would be held against you, Elladan. You have done more than enough."

"Elrohir would hold it against me," Elladan replied moodily.

"If I may be allowed to say," Glorfindel began. "I do not think Elrohir can fully understand what this is doing to you and to everyone else, and I doubt he can think about much beyond himself either."

Elladan gave a look towards his mentor that told the Vanya that he was not helping.

"There is some amount of truth to that," Elrond affirmed. His father side was saddened by the fact, but at the same time: the healer side kept saying that it was normal, especially after seeing it so many times in many patients who had to suffer from a severe head injury.

"I rather not further agitate my brother by removing my constant presence to his routine." Elladan spoke defensively.

"How long will it take before you explode within Elrohir's presence?" Glorfindel questioned. "Would that be easier to mend than you taking time for yourself to heal and him having to cope with your absence?"

Elladan mulled over the outcomes. "No, it would not be easier…But how does adding more changes help?"

"I would rather have my sons learn how to be able to let each other go for a time than have their relationship strained." Elrond finally said.

Elladan turned his gaze to his father, stunned.

"Elladan, you would not be found guilty if you left so your emotions would not spill over, even if Elrohir reacts poorly. However, you losing control there would be some amount of blame because you did not admit to having a limit, and Elrohir receives the brunt of that." Elrond paused. "I have seen your weariness, Elladan, and I also think it would be a good time for Elrohir to relearn that not everyone he wants to be present can be there."

Elladan still remained conflicted. "I feel like it would be a slap in his face for me to simply leave, especially with Gilraen and Halbarad to shake things up."

"Halbarad is not leaving immediately." Glorfindel reminded him. "You have a few days at least to think about this before making a final decision. Besides, you have Elrond, Estel, Erestor, Tathardes, and me to watch over Elrohir in the meantime, as long as you do not mind us sleeping on the couches in your room."

Elladan closed his eyes and bowed his head.

"Just think about it, my son." Elrond requested softly. "Nothing needs to be decided at this moment.

Estel wandered throughout the house alone, feeling dull. He related what had happened these past few months to his mother, and that left her mute in surprise and other emotions aside. He thought he would feel better to finally let it all out, but there remained a nagging feeling that he only reopened the wound. But how does one go about telling someone else that someone you care about is not the same they used to be?

Estel knew that his mother's relationship with Elrond and the twins were respectable at best. They got along alright and were friends, but it did not go beyond that. Estel caught the looks of grief and envy on Gilraen's face many times during his youth with the attention and love he gave to the elves. It was hard sometimes, but there was not much Estel could do about it: not knowing anything beyond that his brothers took him and his mother to Imladris after an orc attack that killed the father he never knew. He at least knew the twins were close friends with the man.

Still, this would shake things up for both Elrohir and his mother. He left Gilraen alone since his mother wanted to sleep some to restore her energy.

Estel jumped to the present as he nearly ran into Halbarad.

"Sorry Estel," the ranger apologized, also surprised by the boy's sudden appearance. "I think I have gotten lost, I cannot seem to find the Hall of Fire."

Estel blinked, curious as to why Halbarad was looking for the Hall of Fire. Food perhaps. "I can show you. Do you need a map to take with you for next time?"

Halbarad harrumphed. "I can find my way perfectly fine. Most the time. Come on, lead the way."

Estel grinned slightly and he led the man towards the dining hall. Elves were sharing stories and music as per normal at this hour. When Halbarad asked if Estel could stay with him, Estel hesitated. While he was wandering aimlessly in the halls, the moment before he walked into Halbarad he decided he was going to find Elrohir.

"Maybe later at dinner, Halbarad." The adolescent said slowly. "I need to find my brother."

"I am not sure where Elladan might be, but I am sure you will find him," Halbarad said kindly.

"No, I need to find Elrohir." Estel corrected in a whisper.

Halbarad appeared surprised and if not a bit bewildered. "I thought he was not home at this time. I want to invite him to help me find some troublesome orcs that are starting to prowl about, now that I know he is not away."

Estel realized his mistake too late and he felt incredibly guilty. "Ah, well…yes, he is home," he replied weakly.

Halbarad's brows furrowed together at Estel falling apart. "Is everything well with him? Elladan did not react too well about it either."

"I-I rather not be the one to talk about it," Estel spoke frantically and hastily made his way out.

The confusion left Halbarad wondering what transpired recently and he started inquiring the other elves what was going on.

Estel in the meantime hid in a corner, ashamed for making Halbarad worry and right in a public place too.

Elrond in forced calm walked towards one of the rooms. He got a mental message from Erestor to come, wanting to discuss something. He approached the door and proceeded to open it, finding that he was unable to. The door was opened by Tathardes however, and she gave him an apologetic expression.

"We figured it would be better if we were not disturbed by any curious onlookers."

"What happened?" Elrond demanded with parental anxiety.

"Nothing serious," Tathardes tried. "We would like to say that Elrohir is getting his stubbornness back."

Elrond walked inside when the elf-maid opened the door further. He found Erestor on the ground next to Elrohir, who was quietly sleeping and using Dolmardo as a pillow.

The green-elf looked up. "We were going to bring him back to the suite, although he was rather adamant about not going. I think he blacked out and being tired already was not helping things."

"When did it happen?" Elrond got down to the ground as well.

"Twenty minutes ago, I think," Erestor answered.

Elrond frowned as he felt Elrohir's head; the dog staying still as the elf-lord did so. "He has not been keeping the scarring from hardening lately. I wonder if that explains some of these changes of behavior."

"It is stress as well…" Erestor stated slowly. "Gilraen and the ranger's presence unsettled him greatly."

Elrohir moaned softly at the movement and touches being applied. Elrond stopped his ministrations. "Elrohir?"

Elrohir blinked his eyes open, blearily tracking random objects before settling on his father. "A-ada?"

"Yes, íon."

The younger twin blinked a few more times and raised his head. "H-how?"

"You are overtired." Elrond supplied. Erestor moved to grab the staff. Elrohir took that answer mutely and wanted to lay down again, although Elrond nudged him gently. "Not here, this cannot be comfortable."

"I don't want to get up…" Elrohir groaned.

"I know you want to stay here, but you would feel better if you were in your own bed."

Elrohir became surly and it showed, and the others took note to take extreme care with their next words should they speak. Erestor mutely held Elrohir's staff out and the younger twin snatched it away. He needed help in standing up, but he was obviously annoyed with that too, though he did not fight them. Elrond silently escorted Elrohir out into the hallway, and the elf-lord ignored some of the stares some of the other elves gave. It did not help Elrohir's foul mood, and the father had to chastise him for a rather rude comment Elrohir uttered to one of the elves, and Tathardes needed to break away from following the elf-lord and his son to apologize.

Estel rounded the corner and his face showed joy and apprehension seeing Elrond and Elrohir, especially the latter. "Good afternoon," the human greeted.

"Lead us, Estel," Elrond requested while Elrohir frowned.

Estel understood the command and he nodded, going back to where he was just now. The human paled a little as he saw Halbarad again. 'Why does our luck have to be so bad?!'

The older ranger looked immensely concerned. "You worried me, boy. What is going on?"

Estel chuckled nervously. "Why should there be anything wrong? There shouldn't-"

"Y-you shouldn't be here," someone muttered darkly.

Estel turned around slowly and felt his heart drop seeing his father, brother, and Erestor standing at the crossways. Elrohir seemed livid, and it surprised the young man that the twin had a lot more control than Estel expected him to have.

Halbarad was not sure what to make of this as he watched Elrond hand off the younger twin to Erestor, directing the laiquendë to guide Elrohir back to his quarters in a solemn voice. "My lords?" the ranger asked hesitantly.

"I will explain later," Elrond responded calmly.

"Y-you should not be here!" Elrohir repeated angrily, not wanting to leave now, although Erestor was stronger and continued to pull the second son of Elrond away from the vicinity, against his will.

Estel quietly observed the drama, feeling mildly depressed as he noticed there were other onlookers as well. Glancing at Halbarad, he saw the ranger's face expressed hurt while simultaneously eying Elrond, begging for an explanation.

Elrond did not seem to be taking it too well either, feeling responsible for his child's behavior while knowing there was little to be done about it. Exhaling wearily, he glanced at the ranger. "Come with me, I will tell you what you need to know."

Halbarad nodded meekly and stepped to. Estel debated with himself on who he should follow: his brother or his father. It did not take too long, because seeing Elrohir so angry scared him, and he did not want to be around while Erestor dealt with Elrohir's unstable emotions.

Estel padded after his friend and father.

Elladan sat in his room as he blankly examined the exquisite wood-work in the ceiling. He thought long and hard about the conversation he had with Glorfindel and Elrond, but he was no closer to solving this dilemma. He mentally and almost physically craved to get out of the valley: to unburden his mind and to do more than sit around all day. Going with Halbarad would give him those opportunities.

But he felt his hands were tied in a complicated knot that was impossible to unravel.

Elladan sighed. He did not have to make any decision yet, and that was fine…He lifted his head as he heard people approaching, and the voices, he instantly stood up as his heart started beating in the anxious rhythm he started to believe became a normal thing every twelve hours.

"L-let go, Erestor. I c-can manage m-myself!"

"We are not going to let you rip out Halbarad's throat for simply existing, my prince." Came Erestor's smooth yet melancholic answer.

Elladan with slow steps closed the distance as Erestor brought his brother in like an errant elfling. Elrohir shook the advisor's hand off and nearly fell over, though his staff saved him.

"You can't…" Elrohir struggled at first. "Y-you can't d-do this."

Erestor regarded the twin with a sad face. "I would not do this if I did not have to, Elrohir. It pains me as much as you to have to treat you this way." The laiquendë looked at Elladan. "You do not know what is good for you at this moment in time."

"T-they can't be here…" Elrohir repeated, his voice losing the anger and on the verge of breaking.

Elladan nodded his head to dismiss Erestor and the older twin breathed in slowly to keep his own patience. "Come sit down, brother, you look dead on your feet," he approached gently.

"B-better if I was!" Elrohir commented vehemently. "Y-you still keep me t-trapped in this p-pathetic existence, and t-treat me l-like dirt!"

Elladan stopped in shock at those words, trying hard to keep it in his mind that this was the injury playing its tricks, not his beloved twin speaking.

"Y-you-"

"Elrohir, you will hate me for saying this, but if you continue like this, for all we know you will burst a vessel and you will indeed be dead on the floor." Elladan interrupted with a pleading tone.

Those words struck a cord and Elrohir's rage was finally quenched. His weariness became more prominent and he flopped onto a couch, and instantly tears flowed out of his eyes. Frustration, grief, rage, humiliation: all of that coming out in one outlet.

Elladan was still not sure how to proceed and he approached cautiously.

"I-I shouldn't h-have d-done it," Elrohir whispered sadly. "S-shouldn't…W-why c-can't I do this?"

"You can do this, Elrohir," Elladan reassured softly. He started blaming the fall Elrohir took that morning. It had to be that. "This is just one of those bad days, yes?"

Elrohir shook his head. "E-every day is b-bad. N-none of you g-get it." He said hysterically. "T-this was the l-last straw."

Elladan felt his own eyes glistened as he listened on. From what he understood, Elrohir did see Halbarad, and how Erestor had to bring Elrohir back to their chambers due to his twin's immature behavior. It was more on the necessary treatment that seemed to have snapped it.

But what could they have done without causing even more harm?

Elrohir was crying openly now. "M-make it s-stop, p -please…"

Elladan sat down next to him and rested a hand on his back. "Just one of those bad days, brother." He repeated before stroking Elrohir's head. "It is just another bad day…"

A/N Yep...Elrohir is having a very bad day. Lack of emotional control is not fun.

Thank you for reviewing MistressofImladris, I'm glad you liked the last chapter. I hope you like this one too. :) And shoutout to Yorkiemom for reviewing too. :)