Off to the side, Glorfindel sat with his arm around the shoulders of the eldest twin, who cleaved to him like an elfling as he intently watched the fluid, yet precise dance between healer and patient. Father and son.
At last, Elrond pulled away from the operating table, wiping his bloodied hands on a clean cloth. As the other healers gently wiped Elrohir's body clean in preparation for the final binding of his wound, Elrond came to stand before Elladan and Glorfindel.
" It is done. He will recover fully."
Elladan rose and threw his arms around his Ada with a sob of relief, while Glorfindel's face broke into a beauteous smile of joy. Elrond hugged his eldest son tightly, his own body trembling as the emotions he had had to suppress in order to treat his son, were released at last. Feeling the tremors, Elladan looked at his face.
" Ada, you must rest now. You look utterly drained." The twin's face creased in a concerned frown.
Elrond and Glorfindel shared a brief glance that bespoke their agreement that this was not the time to tell Elladan of the day's earlier events. Elrond then smiled at the twin.
" Aye, ion. But first I will bind Elrohir's wound and set a bed up for his recovery."
" Ada, can he be brought to our chambers? I could better watch over him there." Elladan pleaded.
Elrond looked at his son's earnest face and smiled.
" It will be done. I can think of no better nursemaid for him than you, ion nin. But you must also promise to take some rest. You look quite drained yourself."
" I promise Ada. Perhaps a guard can be posted by our chambers for this night, in case there is need to summon you."
Elladan then gazed over at Glorfindel, who nodded his head in affirmative.
" An excellent idea Elladan." he said.
Elladan smiled at the golden-haired lord, still feeling a twinge of proud excitement at hearing words of praise from his old tutor. Then his eyes widened as he thought of the noble beast who had borne them home.
" Where?..."
" The creature is resting comfortably outside." Glorfindel interjected. " Its needs have been seen to."
" I would know more about it ion. For I have never beheld its like." Elrond said.
" As would I." Glorfindel added. " But that can wait until the morrow. For tonight, I would settle it in the walled garden by the family quarters, my lord. It has a refreshing stream, pleasant cover from the trees and lush grass to lay upon."
" And an entrance that can be easily guarded...?" Elrond gave his seneschal a slight smile.
" Aye, it does." Glorfindel grinned, ruefully. " Though I sense no threat from it, but rather a great intelligence and gentleness. I do not think there is anything to fear."
" There is not." Elladan spoke up with conviction. " I would stake my life on it. Indeed, I staked Elrohir's."
The young lord looked at them with shinning eyes.
" Then let it be done." Elrond pronounced. " Elladan, go with Glorfindel and get yon creature settled for the night, while I finish tending to your brother. Then meet us in your quarters."
" Yes, Ada."
As his eldest son and the Balrog Slayer left to see to the noble beast, Elrond once again turned his attention to his youngest, applying one last coating of healing salve and then bandaging the wound tightly before placing Elrohir in another stretcher for the short journey to the twins' shared rooms.
Once Elrohir was settled in his own plush bed and tapers lit about the room to lent their soft glow, the Lord dismissed the healers and nodded to the guard, who took station outside the door. Then Elrond sat on the bed, taking his son's hand and at last, let fall the tears he had been holding back.
" Thanks be to Elbereth!.." The lord whispered as he watched the beloved face in healing sleep.
At the sound of his softened voice, Elrohir seemed to stir and though his eyes remained closed, the twin's lips moved ever so slightly as he began to murmur, almost inaudibly. Elrond leaned close to hear the words.
" Elladan... Ai! gwenneth...yes...deeper...need you... Yes, melethron...yes...meleth...nin..."
Elrond reared up in utter shock.
With cold dread cursing through his veins, he brought his hand to rest on his child's forehead. Instantly, an image of both of his sons entwined in the unmisteakeable throes of passion assailed him, and he knew this was no fevered fantasy, but an actual recollection. He drew his hand back as if burnt and stared at his youngest son in horror, mingled with profound sadness. For he had sensed in that brief vision that the forbidden act was not done out of twisted desire, but from the deepest of loves.
His sons were bound.
But, how? How could it be?! How could their bonding not have been seen in their eyes? By the Valar! How could his sons fall prey to the curse of Elros?!..
Elros...his own beloved twin. Elros, who had chosen the doom of man in a desperate bid to atone for the forbidden love he bore for Elrond.
Pain sliced across the elder Peredhel's heart. He could not, would not, lose his sons to mortality's choice!
At that moment, Elladan came into the room, only to face his Ada's blazing eyes.
" Ada! What is wrong?" Elladan's gaze darted frantically towards the bed. " Elrohir! Is Elrohir?..." He choked.
The rending distress in his eldest's face, forced Elrond to calm down. This was not the time for confrontations.
" Nay, ion nin. Elrohir rests peacefully, do not fear." The lord kept his voice steady through supreme effort. " I fear exhaustion has finally caught up with me. I will seek my chambers now, but send for me if needed."
As he moved to exit the room, he felt Elladan's hand upon his arm.
" Amin mella lle, Ada." The twin said, softly.
Elrond reached up to tenderly cup his face. " Amin mella lle, ion nin. Never doubt that."
And with those words, he was gone.
TBC...