Black Death

AN:Haven't been on yesterday. And since the last poem of my stories is usually someone else's I was thinking. Since Pookems1971 was the person who wrote the last one (storm warning) I decided to give one of you a chance. I know the three readers I talk to nightly have contributed greatly, and I was wondering if anyone else would like contribute, besides reviews. Email is boxing_irish_elf@yahoo.com . :: gets poked by Haldir:: Okay that's my que to shut up and type.

(*)

Elven poison,
A quick quietus.
Be it formed of herbs,
Or salty words.
The results are the same,
The end comes swift.

(*)

The night was quiescent, not even an elven song drifted in the fall breeze. Hearts were heavy with the demise of fifty-three innocent souls, who wished only to save their families, and the family ties that were slowly tearing apart. If it was only it was an easy task to heal all wounds... If only.

Elladan walked back into the room he had left, his heart could not leave his twin brother. He had only gotten as far as the exit of the house when his heart strings pulled him back. Cursing him for trying to leave Elrohir when his twin needed him.

Sadly, the only person besides Estel to be present, was Figwitt. His brother was not in the room anymore. Had his brother left feeling betrayed by him? Or did something really bad come?

"Elrohir?" Figwitt asked.

"No Elladan; where's Elrohir?"

"Glorfindel took him, he did not look well." Figwitt stood to depart. "I'm sorry Elladan."

"It's okay." Elladan smiled mirthlessly.

"I shall be leaving now, I bid you farewell." Figwitt bowed slightly then slipped from the room.

Watching him leave Elladan couldn't help but to compare Figwitt to tree snake. Weak, yet wise, and fast to leave. Sighing Elladan pulled a chair next to Estel. There on the bed he rested his head on his arms, watching Estel sleep. Soon he, himself, drifted off to sleep to.

(*D*)

"YOUR WHAT?!" The voice ran out over the court yard. "YES!"

Elladan and Elrohir looked up as Arathorn came running around the corner at top speed. Next to him, an elf would look slow. Both looked at him, wondering if the human by any chance had lost his mind. Elrohir barely caught the human as he tore by them. Both twirled around before Arathorn came to a halt.

"For the sake of others, what has gotten into you?" Elrohir asked in a scolding tone.

"Gil.. Gil.."

"Breathe young Arathorn." Elrohir urged.

"Yes, breathe, and tell us what has gotten you so riled. Please, before you disturb every elf in Rivendell." Elladan insisted. "Never have we seen you so hyper."

Arathorn's face lit up. "I'm going to be a father!"

"Gilraen's pregnant?" Elrohir asked feeling like he could yell like Arathorn did.

"Yes," Arathorn gasped griping Elrohir's arms tight. "I'm going to be a father, we're going to have a baby!"

"Does father know if this?" Elladan asked not really knowing what to say.

"Yes he knows, Gilraen went to him first to make sure."

Arathorn beamed more, pulling Elrohir into a hug. Then he hugged Elladan. Then to much the dislike, and amusement of the others, Arathorn ran around shouting the news. All the twins could do was to stare after Aragorn. Smiles plastered on both of their faces.

Gilraen walked from the house, echoes of her husbands shouts still could be herd. Softly she laughed as she walked up to the twins. Her eyes twinkling with pride, and joy.

"I am sorry, I should have waited to tell him at a decent hour." Gilraen said chuckling.

"It's okay Gilraen." Elrohir said turning around.

"Early morning wake up calls is good for elf." Elladan finished, not turning around.

"Sure no one will shoot him?" Gilraen asked.

"I'm sure." Elladan comforted.

"Before I forget, congratulations." Elrohir added politely.

"Thanks."

(*E*)

"Elladan, Elladan."

Elladan groaned, opening his eyes. Blinking a few times he focused upon Glorfindel. Mouth opened wide, Elladan yawned. Smacking his lips a few times to get the dryness out of his mouth. He was still to groggy to remember about Elrohir.

"I was having a nice dream. About the time Arathorn told all of Rivendell he was to be a father." Elladan mumbled.

"Ah yes, we all remember that. As I recall I was still trying to sleep when he started howling like a warg."

Elladan chuckled a little, then his face saddened.

"Don't worry Elladan, no one blames you." Glorfindel touched Elladan's shoulder. "And no worries, for you brother will be fine to."

"He will?" Elladan questioned suddenly waking up. "What was wrong?"

"Stress, and worry upon getting sick."

Elladan groaned inwardly.

"Don't worry Elladan, he will be fine. He's sleeping right now, but I'm certain he will want to be by Estel when he wakes." Glorfindel thought for a second. "I know he's still out, but why don't you go and get him. We can lay him next to Estel."

Obediently Elladan stood at lumbered out the door. Glorfindel watched him as he left. Upon old bruises, he saw the new one. The elf lords hand print stood clear on Elladan's check. The swollen bruise was a darker black and blue. The twins eyes were heavy and stared down at the ground.

"Oh Estel, what are we going to do about your stubborn father and brother?" Glorfindel asked knowing Estel couldn't answer him.

With Elladan gone, Glorfindel set out changing bandages. It was best to do while Estel was still asleep. That way he could not feel any pain.

(*L*)

Elrond closed the door to the last elf that needed to be seen. They all seemed healthy except for the boils that formed. Sighing his mind filled with questions, and guilt. So much swam in his head, it was a wonder how one could feel nothing. All this at once, it was to much for the half elven lord.

"Lord Elrond." A voice came. "Pardon me."

Looking up, Elrond saw an older, raven haired elf, holding a dead rat. Taking a step back Elrond glared at him. No rats were usually permitted in Rivendell, especially dead ones.

"I'm sorry but we found this dead in the stables, a stray from the caravan of humans more likely." The elf said respectively, but a hint of disgust.

Before he could question the reasoning behind having to show him a dead rat, something bit his arm. Glancing down he noticed the wiggling form of a flea. Then as if Valar kicked him in the head, it dawned on Elrond.

"I want this placed searched for rats. Find any burn him, and I want all of Rivendell cleaned to get these fleas out of here. Fleas is how the plague is getting around, it is the only way not all of us are getting ill."

"So then we didn't need to kill the humans."

That stuck Elrond strait in the heart. "No, it was still for the better. You know how many fleas humans can carry. It would have been only a matter of time. You know how fleas are non discriminatory on who they bite."

"Yes Lord Elrond, I'll get on it right away." The raven haired elf bowed, leaving Elrond to himself.

Duty still called, and his heart still ached for him to apologize to his son. There was no need for violence, but lately he had been so violent towards one of his sons. Not to mention he wondered how Elrohir was, he had left without checking on him.

(*T*)

Elrohir's face looked worn, it did not show the mischief it once did. Even his eyes seemed dull when he stared up at Elladan. Glorfindel told him he would still be asleep by the time Elladan would get there. It was clear that he was not.

"I come to take you by Estel, how are you feeling?"

"Lightheaded and weak." Elrohir said forgetting the fact his twin left him.

Before Elrohir could tempt to rise, Elladan was by his side. Scooping his brother easily into his arms. It shocked Elladan when Elrohir didn't give his 'don't treat me like a cripple' speech. Instead Elrohir just rested his head on Elladan's shoulder.

"Excuse me brother, but I don't feel like fighting." Elrohir said slurred.

"It is fine, I do not feel like fighting either."

Easily Elladan carried Elrohir from his room. Almost promptly running into his father. His father in which he wished not to see. Both faces went blank of emotions, not wanting to betray anything to the other. Shrugging off the greeting he got from his son, Elrond took a step closer to Elladan.

Elladan stepped back.

"I just want to check on your brother, nothing more." Elrond stated gently. "I'm not here to fight."

Elladan's face crumpled and he looked off to the side. Sighing Elrond checked Elrohir for a temperature, he was sure there was a little one, but none that mattered. Then he took one of Elrohir's hands, touching the scars that marred his sons hand.

"I'm sorry Elladan." Elrohir said quickly. "What I did was uncalled for, and you don't have to forgive me for it."

"Good."

Elrond laid Elrohir's hand back on his stomach, resisting the urge to say something back. It was best if he let Elladan have his space, and hopefully in time he would come around.

"In my room on my self, is a white covered dish. Apply that cream to Elrohir's hands and wrap them tightly. The scars are getting a little stiff and they need to be kept soft so they can heal properly." Elrond said concentrating on his son. "Now is it all right with you if I check on Estel?"

"What ever you want." Elladan responded.

It was odd, Elrond didn't really care anymore that his son was mad at him. He had done his best to soothe things over. If his son wanted to be mad so be it. Elrohir listened as his father's footstep grew further down the hallway.

"What will it take for you to forgive father?" Elrohir asked.

"I do not know Elrohir, I don't even know if I can forgive him."

"Well try Elladan, I'm sure father has his reasons."

"Elrohir shut up." Elladan snapped. "I really do not want to hear this right now."

Elrohir shut his mouth, lowering his head. "Sorry Elladan."

(*)