-o0o-
Legolas winced in pain and tried to keep very, very still. He was lying on his stomach, while Lord Elrond was carefully sewing his wound shut. Elrond was a formidable healer and worked quietly and efficiently. Normally he would be grateful, but now the silence left him too much room to think.
When arriving back in Rivendell, Legolas had barely been able to stand on his own two feet. He still remembered the mortification of having to be helped off his horse. He would just as soon forget it ever happened. In the courtyard he had watched Estel being reunited with Elrond. Among all the pain and confusion that heart-warming scene had been the one good thing to happen this night. Estel had thrown himself at his adar, who had caught him and held him tight. Legolas had seen the relief in Elrond's features that at least his youngest son was home even while Estel silently cried into his adar's shoulder. After the dangers and the tension of the last night, the young human simply had not been able to hold back anymore. Legolas could not blame Estel for it.
After a few moments of silent support, Elrond had quickly looked Estel over for injuries. Satisfied that he was unharmed, he had picked up his son and carried him over to Legolas. Scanning him with his trained eyes, Elrond had quickly perceived Legolas' bad physical shape. The Lord of Imladris had immediately ordered that Legolas be helped to the healing wing and followed behind them with Estel still in his arms.
Once there he had put Estel on one of the beds and ordered healers to bring food and tea for Estel to calm the boy down. Then Elrond had turned to him and had given him his full healer's attention. While the Lord of Imladris had carefully cleaned his wound, Legolas had summarized the events of yesterday and their close encounter with the orcs. Legolas had felt awful that he could not tell Elrond where the twins were, could not offer anything else but the slim hope that they were safe, despite the bloodied rags the orc had borne that spoke of the opposite. He hated bringing anyone bad news, but especially to anyone in this family. They had been through too much already.
Elrond had accepted his words with a nod and had thanked him for keeping Estel safe in a low voice. Elrond's calm demeanor even with Elladan and Elrohir still unaccounted for only increased Legolas' respect for the Lord of Imladris. There was a reason Elrond was such a wise and formidable elven lord.
There was a rustle of movement behind him as Elrond placed the suturing materials aside, having finished sewing the wound on his back. He covered it with an odd smelling ointment and asked Legolas to sit up carefully, before dressing his wound in clean bandages. As Elrond bandaged his torso, Legolas' eyes fell on the quiet boy sitting across the room. He knew the human must be exhausted and it worried him that Estel was clearly still refusing to lie down and sleep. The boy was also much too quiet for his liking. How much damage had their encounter with the orcs done to the boy's normally so bright spirit? Legolas' heart wept for him, for the damage caused by the evil they had encountered this night.
And it was not even Estel's first confrontation with the cruel beasts. Legolas knew that Estel's encounter with orcs three years ago, when they had met for the first time, had already left its mark on the boy. He hoped this would not make things worse, but feared that it would. Especially with the twins still missing. For this newest misadventure to become no more than a distant memory, Elladan and Elrohir needed to be found - alive and well. If they were not… Legolas did not want to even think about what that would do to his friend; or to Estel's father and the whole of Rivendell.
Nor about what it would do to him. He had known Elladan and Elrohir for hundreds of years, considered them some of his closest friends. He did not want to imagine his life without those two trouble-makers in it. The twins had taught him much, about fighting, healing, but most importantly about enjoying life, about laying down the mantle of royalty every once in a while and truly enjoying himself. His visits to Rivendell, less frequent than he would like them to be though they were, were rare gifts of tranquility, of peace from the ever encroaching darkness - except of course for the days when they invariably stumbled across another random, unforeseen danger.
And with Estel's arrival in Rivendell, the feeling of joy and tranquility in the Hidden Valley had only increased. There was something pure about him, something true - and it called Legolas to him like a siren's song, like the call of a kindred spirit.
Legolas focused his attention back on Estel, but the boy had turned away from him. Legolas could see his shoulders shaking and although Estel tried to muffle the sounds he made, he could easily hear that Estel was crying. Legolas silently vowed that no matter what happened to the twins, he would always be Estel's friend, would always take care of the human.
He longed to walk over to Estel and soothe the boy's worries and fears; to remind him that as long as proven otherwise hope still remained. However, Legolas was certain that Lord Elrond would not appreciate it if Legolas reopened his wounds yet again by walking too soon. And he did not wish to intrude. The elven lord had only just finished putting his bandages in place. Now Elrond's back was turned to him while he sorted out his healer's utensils before, surely, turning to his son to console Estel.
-o0o-
Elrond sighed as he cleaned his healing supplies with silent care. Legolas' wound was naturally worse after what the young elf had been through, but fortunately Elrond was certain he could still make a full recovery as long as he got enough rest. He would not need to send word, send grave news to Thranduil after all. When Legolas and Estel had first returned Elrond had not been so sure. Legolas had been beyond pale beneath the dirt and blood that clung to him in dry patches. With the healing salves applied and the wound once again shut, things looked much better.
But now, bereft of a task to occupy his mind, Elrond found that his own worries returned in full force. He only had a preliminary report from Legolas, but he knew that with orcs invading Rivendell, the twins were in grave danger. It was not the first time that he was left to worry about his sons, unable to intervene, to protect them as he wished. However, even after hundreds of years it never got any easier. That the danger was so close to their home only made it worse.
He sighed, trying to remind himself to focus on the bright side, to believe that all was not yet lost. At least Estel had returned home safely and by some miracle his youngest son appeared unharmed. At least physically, he amended as the sound of Estel's quiet crying reached his ears, his mental state was another question entirely. The small hitches of breath and silent sobs coming from his youngest son broke his heart.
After washing the blood off his hands, Elrond could finally walk over to his son, sit down beside him and draw him onto his lap. Almost immediately, Estel turned his head into his robes, hiding his silent cries in the velvet material as he nestled his head under Elrond's chin. He hugged Estel tight to show him that he was not alone, would never be alone, trying to convey how very much loved he was.
Minutes passed in their silent embrace until, eventually, Estel's breathing evened out and his shaking shoulders fell still. As even the last hiccups stopped, Elrond hoped that his boy had fallen asleep, but as he moved to lay his son down on the bed, Estel struggled against him and sat right back up.
"No ada," he protested, "I will not sleep until Dan and Ro have returned. I cannot." Estel looked at him with such earnest eyes that Elrond decided not to oppose him yet. Eventually his energy would run out and he would fall asleep, but somehow Elrond hoped that Elladan and Elrohir would return before that happened. Estel would rest so much better knowing his brothers were safe. So would he, for that matter, and likely the Prince of Mirkwood as well.
Elrond looked over at Legolas, and found him looking at look on the young elf's face almost drew a sigh from him - he could see the rebellious glint in his eyes, the worry that would send him up and across the room to be with Estel as soon as Elrond had left the room. It was a noble cause, but would hardly be beneficial to his health.
Deciding to prevent having to patch Legolas up yet again, Elrond simply picked up Estel and carried him across the room to deposit him next to the prince. At least the look of relief from the young elf, the silent nod of thanks was worth his effort.
Elrond pulled over a stool and sat next to the bed, while Estel scrambled close to Legolas' side almost immediately, careful not to touch his wound, but seeking the contact none-the-less. Elrond smiled inwardly at the obvious bond between these two. Their friendship was something to be cherished.
"Ada, what if Dan and Ro don't ever come back?" Estel asked a few moments later, his voice small, worry written all over his face.
Elrond looked his son in the eyes and spoke truthfully: "Estel, we are all worried for Elladan and Elrohir, but I believe in my heart that they will be alright and will be back with us before long. Although they have at times taken their time, they have always made it home in the end. This time will be no different." Elrond reassured all three of them.
And when he closed his eyes, he could feel the certainty. He truly was convinced that his older sons would return. What he did not dare to consider, however, was the state that they would return in. Over the centuries he had had to heal Elladan and Elrohir of many wounds and injuries. Fighting orcs always left a mark on them, even if they escaped the fight physically unscathed. They were great warriors, trained by Glorfindel himself and could handle themselves in a fight, as they had proven time and again. But it was the mental strain that worried him. Any encounter with the foul beast awakened dark memories of the worst time his family had lived through. And he knew that despite his best efforts, despite the calm and tranquility of Imladris, the twins were still suffering from what had been done to their mother so long ago. They could not find solace in the knowledge that she dwelled in the West, healed of body and spirit. Only recently, with the arrival of their little Estel, had the darkness receded in his sons' memories.
Estel truly had been a blessing for his family, just as he seemed to be for Legolas. It only made Elrond more grateful for Estel's safe return. They would need Estel's infectious enthusiasm and charm that could brighten anyone's day. He brought so much joy to all of them.
But Estel needed them just as much. Elrond did not want to imagine what the loss of his brothers would do to Estel's spirit. No, the twins had to be alright or at least alright enough to make it home, so Elrond could patch them up once more. And they would be, yes, it was just a matter of time.
Hopefully that time would be shortened considerably by his seneschal. If anyone could find the twins in the broken pools it would be Glorfindel. The golden-haired elf had sworn to protect his sons and Elrond trusted his friend to keep his promises.
-o0o-
It was still early in the morning. The sun had risen but a few hours ago, when Glorfindel and his elves returned to Imladris. With all the riding back and forth, it felt like a season had passed since he had left the Last Homely House. Had it really only been yesterday that the sons of Elrond and the prince of Mirkwood had set out for a nice picnic and failed to return? It felt so much longer.
They had had to take it easy on the way back, paying heed to the injuries of his warriors, and so it had taken them many hours to cross the same distance that Glorfindel had covered on Belroch's back in record time yesterday. But they were all exhausted. Glorfindel would take his warriors to the healing wing as soon as they reached the courtyard and make sure that they would get the rest they needed.
Then he would find Elrond and inquire after Legolas' wellbeing, before updating him on what had happened since Legolas and Estel had been sent back. Not that he had much to tell except that the orcs had been destroyed and his men were continuing to look for Elladan and Elrohir.
He could not give his lord the news he wanted, the news he knew Elrond needed to hear. Frustration surged within him. He felt a rush of annoyance at Nelledir return. Logically he knew that his second had been right to send him home but that did not make it any easier for Glorfindel to accept. He had sworn to protect Lord Elrond's sons! It was his duty to see them safe! Once his men were taken care of and he knew that his wound was not poisoned, he would ride out again and help in the search. Nothing would keep him from finding Elladan and Elrohir.
Finally they stopped at the stables and dismounted. After stroking Belroch's neck one last time in thanks, he gave the bridle over to one of the stable hands, entreating him to show special care for the grey stallion. He turned to order help for his men, but saw that it was no longer necessary.
Each wounded elf was already being attended by one of the healers and helped towards the healing wing. Apparently they had been expected and Rivendell had prepared well for possible injuries. Glorfindel was grateful. One less thing he had to worry about. He knew that such efficiency was most likely due to the chief counselor of Elrond's household. In the next moment his suspicion was confirmed, when he saw Erestor approach.
"Glorfindel, you have returned. What news of the twins?" the dark-haired elf asked without preamble.
"They are still unaccounted for. My warriors are searching for them as we speak."
Glorfindel saw surprise flicker across the other elf's face. However, after mustering Glorfindel with a critical gaze, all Erestor said was: "My respect for Nelledir increases. Surely it takes a brave elf to make you return home with the search still unfinished."
Glorfindel scowled back at Erestor. He would not dignify that comment with an answer.
"Where is Elrond?" he deflected.
"He is in the healing wing with Estel and Legolas. Will you go and bring him the news personally this time?" Erestor asked pointedly.
Growling, Glorfindel headed for the healing wing to do just that.
-o0o-
Weariness was dragging at him like a great weight. Every step felt more difficult than the last and Elrohir fought to simply keep walking, to keep going, to keep breathing. He only managed small gasps of air now, not enough to satisfy his burning lungs but just enough for the next step. Always the next step. That was all Elrohir was focusing on, as he trudged along, leaning heavily on Elladan for support. He barely saw the ground beneath his feet as it wavered and swayed, forming occasionally into strange patterns of light, or images of pure darkness taken straight from his nightmares.
Without his twin by his side he would have been lost in that darkness long ago, he knew. Despite the daylight that flooded the tunnel, that was increasing with every step they took towards the end of the passage, his own world only seemed to dim. Still he forced himself to struggle on, to return home, with Elladan's support and for his sake. He would not leave his twin, not now, not ever. Certainly not this close to home.
And they were close. Even in his weakened state he could feel the soft touch of Vilya's power in the air, guarding, sheltering, preserving. Their father's presence was like a feather-soft embrace, felt with the fëa rather than the body.
They were almost home.
"Just a little further," Elladan was saying, had been whispering, barely heard, for a while now. A monotonous litany meant to comfort and encourage, but now his words were stronger, filled with conviction. Dragging his head up to look ahead, Elrohir was almost dazzled by the bright light of the midday sun as it reflected off stone and water ahead. A light beige ledge, the end of the tunnel and the exit to the outside world. The stream plunged over the edge joyfully, spraying in the fresh air, painting a multi-colored curtain of rainbows.
They stepped up to the very edge of the ledge together and bathed in the sunshine and the beauty of the valley below. There ran the Bruinen in its wild, noisome dash through the confines of its deeply cut riverbed, a thin, elegant bridge crossing it at the end of a white path that seemed to glow in the high sun. And beyond it, the roofs of Imladris. Home.
His eyes roamed over the vaulted ceilings, tiled in gray, the pale green of the birches in spring leaves. The very sight seemed to chase the lingering flickers in his vision away and he drank it in like a man dying of thirst. After their long trek underground, surrounded only by rock and darkness, the sheer beauty of Imladris was a balm to his spirit.
He hesitated as he spotted a shape on one of the large balconies framing the main building. It could not be… But the dark curls were unmistakable. Relief flooded him so suddenly that Elrohir almost sank to his knees. Only Elladan's fast response, tightening the hold he had on him, held him upright.
"Ro?" Elladan's voice was urgent, concerned, but Elrohir barely heard him.
"Estel!", he whispered with what little breath he had to spare. Both an explanation and a reaffirmation for himself, saying it aloud as if to dare his hallucinations to contradict him.
Thank the Valar! Estel had returned home. Finally he would be able to put the fears over his young brother's safety aside, would have something to shield him from the haunting images brought by the poison in his veins. The images that had been a mirror of his crushing fears.
Next to him Elladan stiffened, his head turning from side to side as he scanned the valley below. "Estel?", he asked, "Are you sure?"
Dismayed, Elrohir realized that Elladan did not see their brother. It was a stark reminder that his twin was still affected by his own injury, his vision still blurry. Even now he was squinting against the light, the sun most likely causing a splitting headache, though Elladan did his best to shield their bond from any traces of his pain.
His weariness returning with the reminder of Elladan's injury, it was all Elrohir could do to nod in answer to his twin's question. But it seemed to be enough. Elladan gripped him tighter, taking more of his weight, ready to move on - down the steep slope into the valley below. Even if he had not seen their little brother, Elrohir's words had apparently been enough to give him new determination, a fresh surge of energy.
"Come," Elladan said. "It is our turn to return home. Estel is waiting."
-o0o-
tbc...