Black Death

AN: Yes Estel is coming, same with some exciting idea's from readers.

The bodies have fallen,
The answers have come.
Behold the truths,
That are beginning to show.
Lift your heads,
The carrier of death,
Will soon be passed.

(*)

The sun was on the rise when Estel opened his eyes. Never knowing he missed a day in time, all he cared about the great thirst he felt. Mind still foggy with sleep, he remembered people shouting. People he recognized, it scared him even in his dark world. Blinking he looked over to his side. His fathers eyes were open, but dazed in sleep. Feeling the bed tilt to the side, he looked to the other side of him.

Elrohir lay beside him on the bed. Why he was there couldn't figure it out. Fighting his aching body, he rolled over. Gripping Elrohir's arm tight. That is when he noticed Elladan on the other side of the bed.

His face was bruised, even more then Elrond's, Estel noticed. What caught his attention was the hand print. It stuck out in the pale surroundings of the room. The light highlight the little details of the bruise. It was pretty in a sense.

To intent was Estel on Staring at the bruise, he nearly scared when Elrohir moved. He would have if he wouldn't have felt so drained. Noting that he scared Estel, Elrohir stopped.

"Peace Estel," Elrohir began, "it is just me, and nothing more."

Estel snuggled closer to Elrohir. Not feeling well enough to speak quite yet. His head hurt alot, and his body ached greatly. With his free bandaged hand, Elrohir lightly stroked Estel's hair. Relaxing a little more Estel sunk lower into the bed.

"What happened to him?" Estel asked curiosity getting the better of him. "Was it orcs?"

"No," Elrohir tried to find the right words to say. "They had an accident."

"Don't lie!" Estel scolded. "I herd yelling."

"It was just a dream Estel that is all." Elrohir lied smoothly.

"No it wasn't!" Estel snapped. "Stop lying or I'll never ever forgive you."

Elladan stirred looking at Estel, which was just a small bump tightly pressed against his twin's side. Elrond also stirred at the sound of the tiny voice. Both looked like they still remained asleep. It was best of Elrohir handle this, he was best at things like this.

"I'm sorry Estel I lied."

"They were fighting!" Estel yelled his voice cracking. "I told you I herd them in my sleep! They hate each other now don't they?"

Sympathetically Elrohir hugged Estel as the child began to cry. Displeased. he glared at his father, at the same time mentally kicking his brother. Knowing how much trouble they caused both shifted in their seats.

"No Estel, I do not hate Elladan." Elrond said.

"Liar!" Estel screamed, "You hate broder and now we won't be a family!"

"Calm yourself Estel, me and Elladan were only-" Elrond looked at Elladan not knowing what to say.

Estel's sobs, turned into coughs. His body twitched at the pain each cough gave him. Carefully Elrohir slid them into a sitting position, then began to rub Estel's back in circles. His eyes easily caught the blood that caked the humans hands, and splattered on the sheets. The coughs turned into heaves, and Estel began puking up blood.

Without thought Elladan rushed to get water, and Elrond tried to calm Estel. Out of air Estel gasped, and leaned back. Both Elrond and Elrohir helped him lay down. Air crackled and popped on the way in, his throat slowly clearing out.

"I'm thirsday." Estel complained.

"Here Estel." Elladan handed him a cup of water.

"Thank you." Estel said politly taking the water.

Greedily Estel drank it, not caring his father wished him to drink it slowly. After Estel was done his eyes closed, he was out again. The twins faces turned grim, as Elrond's face sunk closer to defeat.

"Change the blankets," Elrond ordered.

Elladan glared at his father letting him know he would not take orders from him, but would do this for his brothers. Elrond uncharacteristically threw up his arms, walking towards the door. Where Legolas soon appeared, he was clearly upset.

"Legolas this is not the time." Elrond glowered.

"You killed them all?" Legolas snapped. "I know they were pathetic humans but you killed them! you had no just cause!"

"Legolas, if you rile up my son, I will dispose of you." Elrond said without thinking. "He has enough to go through right now."

Elrohir and Elladan caught Legolas' words, every one of them. They remembered hearing something about humans arriving in Rivendell, but they were to busy with Estel to figure out what was going on.

"Father, what is Legolas talking about?" Elladan asked.

"Elladan this does not concern you. Legolas lets go outside." Elrond grabbed Legolas' arm.

"Nay Elrond, your sons deserve to hear about the innocent people you murdered." Legolas said standing his ground. "Do you deny what you did?"

"No." Elrond replied feeling sick to his stomach.

Elrohir and Elladan's mouth dropped, as the blood stained blanket fell to the floor. Their father and murder was not without just cause. Unconsciously Elrond glanced back at his sons.

"It was for the better though," Elrond lowly, "they would have died slowly other wise."

"Who made you the judge of that?" Legolas asked. "How did you really know they were going to get sick?"

Turning from the door, Elrond walked back by Estel, touching his cheek lightly. His eyes lost to someplace else, some place that only sadness reigned. To say the least he was sick of being here, the pain was just to real, just to strong.

This used to be the home of his happiness, the place of his once pleasant dreams. Oddly he wondered if all this stress is why his beloved wife left. Taking a deep breathe he pushed the feelings down deep within him. Elrond would not let other see how he was feeling.

"I think this plague is carried by fleas." Elrond stated. "I am certain of it. By coming in here the fleas on those filthy humans transferred from them to us, and back to them." Solemnly he looked into Legolas' eyes. "The strain of plague has changed, it's different here in Rivendell then the rest of the affected area's."

"How can that be?" Elladan asked.

Elrond grabbed a wet rag, beginning to clean of Estel. "Everyone's immune systems are stronger here in Rivendell; Even that of Estel. It changed to survive."

"So that means-"

"That means young Legolas, we have not seen the likes of anything like this on Middle Earth, and if we are not careful even us elves may fall victim." Elrond finished interrupting Legolas. "Now you see why I did what I did?"

Legolas drew back not knowing what else to say, neither of the twins knew what to say either. Just to get away from the stares if only for a few seconds Elrond left to get a blanket for Elrohir and Estel.

"I did not know." Legolas said still stunned.

"It's okay Legolas." Elladan responded sluggishly. "We did not either."

Elladan stepped over the fallen blanket forcing his twin to lay down. As he did so Legolas noticed a reddish black bulge on Elrohir's neck as his hair slipped back. For him it was the beginnings of two major realizations.