Four hours later

The sun was setting over Imladris. Lord Elrond sat in his study, situated in the last homely house. Suddenly two identical white horses came bursting over the bridge to his home. What he saw surprised him. The horses belonged to his sons he knew that much, but his eldest carried another being with him. Elrohir was on his own horse which meant that the two of them, if injured were relatively not to bad to deal with. The condition of the other though was something that greatly worried the Elven lord. The only time that his sons ever brought anyone home with them was when they were laying on deaths doorstep. He walked out of his study and through the corridors at such a fast pace several other elves had to dodge out of his way. The seneschal of Imladris, Glorfindel, was walking towards the Elven lords office before Elrond walked right past him. Glorfindel turned on his heel and made it to the courtyard just as Elrond and his sons did. Elrond made his way to Elladan's horse and held out his arms for the 'other' to be placed in them. Elladan placed Eldarion's limp body in the arms of his father and dismounted next to him thanking his horse. Elrohir was also off his horse and next to his father in an Instant. As the stable hand collected the horses and led them to the stable they made their way through the corridors and up to the healing wards.

"What happened this time? Are either of you injured?" Glorfindel asked walking with Elrohir

"We found him on the border. He had been in the Bruinen and he sustained a range of injuries." Elrohir replied

"Six broken ribs, a punctured lung, a broken arm, and a dislocated ankle. He also took on water and only at noon did he get it out. He is undoubtably ill and also has a high fever." Elladan supplied to his father.

As they reached the wards Elladan slammed the doors against the walls startling every healer inside. Elrond lay Eldarion on a bed and then checked his vitals. He frowned, the boys breathing was irregular. Glorfindel shoved each twin into a chair with much protest and got an apprentice healer to check over them for good measure.

They never admit to being hurt. They only tell us when it's to late. He thought, thinking about when Estel and the Mirkwood prince were with them.

It was about two hours before Eldarion was properly stabilised. He was in a fitful healing sleep and he was expected to wake up late the next day if he survived. Elrond, Glorfindel and the twins sat around the bed watching the mortal sleep.

Elrond was the first to break the silence. "You did not tell me all before hand. Who is this child?"

"Father, this is Eldarion son of Gondor," Said Elladan "He speaks fluent elvish and-"

"I know this boy. As do you," Elrond stated smiling whilst stroking the boys head.

Both twins shot their father a questioning look clearly confused.

"Only one child in Gondor has an elvish name. Did he say how he got it?"

"Yes he did. He said it was a tribute to his fathers adopted father and his mothers actual father." Elrohir said

"Wait, hold on," Glorfindel said getting involved. "Wouldn't that mean this is the child of Arwen. He is the son of Estel. He is your nephew and your grandchild." He said looking each of the others in the eye.

There was a stunned silence. The last time any of them saw Eldarion was when he was a small infant dependent on his parents. Now he was independent and strong, he looked like a young man and like a young version of his father.

Late the next day

Eldarion lay in an unfamiliar bed. It was not comfortable or uncomfortable for that matter, just different. He looked up at the elegantly carved ceiling and noted the pretty dark wood. Where was he. This is not my bed nor is it my room. For that matter I doubt that I'm in Gondor.

"I'm glad to hear you're awake. You made us worried." An elf at the window sill said with his back to Eldarion.

Eldarion jolted upright. Where was he?

"Hush penneth you are safe here. Calm down. Do not move around to much. You'll hurt yourself further" Elrond said

"Where are they? Where are Elladan and Elrohir? Who are you?" Eldarion asked, voice rasping, edging away slightly.

"The twins are around and I am lord Elrond, their father."

"Mae Govannen, Hir Nin. Mi van me?"

"You were gravely ill and my sons brought you here to Imladris when you passed out."

"When did I pass out? I don't remember doing that."

"Not many people do. Yesterday mid afternoon apparently."

Eldarion sat in silence as he processed the information.

"I've been here for a whole day? Oh jeez this is bad I was meant to tell my father how things were going and...now I'm here and...well...drat."

"Your father has already been notified."

"How? Was it even my father?"

"Don't worry about that now, drink this."

Eldarion scrunched his nose and turned up his chin. "I've already had two cups of that stuff. My father makes one just like it when I'm sick or injured and let me tell you, it's foul."

"You offend me. Without this tea many elves, men, woman and children would be dead. Including you," The Elven lord said in a matter of fact tone. "Drink it."

Eldarion complied as he realised that he was in pain though he would never admit it. As the cup drained Elrond thought to himself. This is definitely Estel's child.

Elvish used

penneth - young one

mae govannen - well met

hir nin - my lord

mi van me - where are we