Black Death

AN: Sorry about the spelling AOL sucks.

(*)

You build up the strongest of men,
You see not the dangers,
That lie before path.
Go out in your feeble attempts,
To save your dead.
One day you'll know,
Just how wrong you were.

(*)

The twins rushed to do their father's bidding as Elrond looked down on his youngest. Before Elrond thought he felt fear, now he really knew what fear was. More of it tore at the threads of his cool exterior, begging him to give up. He could not afford to give up, hope still remained, hope is what Estel was made up. Just as long as a breathe came, and his heart beat, there was always a chance. Even the tinniest of flickers could come a raging fire, so Elrond had to remember, his son was still doing quite well.

"He is to small to loose" he silently prayed to Valar.

Elladan and Elrohir at that moment came back in carrying the things that he had requested.

Wasting no time, Elrond started to wash away the pus. As he cleaned the boils, Estel began to thrash it hurt him greatly. Knowing this also, Elrohir had tears in his eyes at the sight of his brother going through such pain. Elladan however could no longer take it and had slumped to the floor tears cascading unheeded down his cheeks.

"Elladan not now!" Elrohir shouted to his twin. "Elladan please, if you don't help us now Estel will die. Do you understand? Do you want that to happen?"

"But-"

"For the love of-" Elrond cut himself of, striding over his son grabbing his arm.

Estel screamed louder, managing to bite down on Elrohir's hand for he was not paying attention. Even for an elf, the bite of the child brought Elrohir to his knee's fighting to free his hand from the child's tight grip. During this time Elrond looked into Elladan's eyes and at that moment understood his pain. The pain of losing first his mother then Arathorn and now he may lose Estel too.

Elrond fought his own tears and spoke to his son. "Elladan please your brother needs you, I need you will you not help us?"
"Father I do not know if I can watch him suffer that way."

He spoke with the truth and Elrond saw this; Elrond held his son until another scream pierced the air. Elladan wiped his tears and jumped to his brother's side determined not to let death have this one. Not now, not one so young.

Elrond quickly made his a paste that would serve to ward against infection, and would defeat any that had already set in. Hands shaking Elladan cleaned up the ooze, as Elrohir pinned Estel down with all his weight.

With the touch of centuries of practice, Elrond applied the paste. Estel still screamed, but he had no more energy to fight. Looking down he could see the tears that streamed down Estel's face. This child knew to much of pain. No child be it human, dwarves or elf, should ever know what pain is.

"Peace my son." Elrond spoke softly. "I am almost done, I promise you it'll feel better."

"Promise." Came a weak voice, sharp with pain.

"Yes, I promise." Elrond spoke.

However his words had fallen on deaf ears as Estel had once more passed out from the pain. He finished up his ministrations and pulled the covers up over his son. Then as any father would he sat next to his son cradling Estel's head in his arms and softly sang to him hoping to comfort the small child. Elladan and Elrohir sat on the end of the bed and listened to the soft sounds and drifted off to the soothing music.

A servant entered the next morning and what a sight he found. The elf lord and his sons all curled up together asleep. The servant knocked lightly on the door so not to startle them.

"Sorry Lord Elrond humans approach."

Elrond cracked open an eye, cursing inwardly for having to move. Then without he skill of a cat he slid out from around his sons. Looking over them he didn't want to leave them. So peaceful even at a time like this.

"Y-" Elrond stopped.

His eyes had fallen upon the servant before him. A clear boil appeared on his neck. Other then that the elf looked fine. Still this was not good, if elves even got remotely sick this disease must be worse then ever before. Explains why Estel was able to get so sick so fast. Valar let it just be boils and nothing else.

"Go to your quarters quarantine your self." Elrond grabbed Elrohir, or Elladan's leg and shakes it. "Get away from Estel, don't touch him unless need be."

The twins got up groggily listening, but not understanding what his father meant. Before they could ask Elrond was pushing them into the hall.

"Your brother is contagious. If you catch this it could mean you will also fall sick."

"I do not care!" Elladan said "I will risk it."

Elrond shook his head with disbelief. He could not deter his sons no matter how hard he tried he knew this. His worry now multiplied by two as he saw two pairs of eyes staring at him. Very well get back inside for this is where you will be residing for the next week or two. Elrond let a tear slip from his eye for he knew soon Estel would not be the only one ill.

For now he had to shove the weary humans away before it was to late. Humans who sadly wanted to fight. Why else would they rouse him. As Elrond strode into the courtyard he was saddened to see the humans already had been in contact with the elves. He could not risk this getting outside of Rivendell. The humans would have to remain, ultimately die here.

"Get them inside." Elrond shouted. "They cannot go home."

With no question to his word the elves lured the humans in side, then closed the gates. Some of the humans fought, but they were soon to learn that it was futile. Sadly Elrond wondered how long it was before these humans parished. For now there was no chance for them to live. Was a mercy killing deamable in a time like this? He looked into the scared human eyes that looked into his eyes. Looking for their future.

(*)