Maedhros shifted and slowly blinked his eyes open. He first realized that Huan was still snuggled into his side and he smiled as he ran his hand along the sleeping animals fur. He looked over and saw Fingon sitting up reading a book. He slowly sat up careful not to wake Huan in fear that if he did he'll leave. He enjoyed having something warm and soft at his side. He scratched behind Huan's ears a bit before he looked towards Fingon who looked up.

"You're awake," Fingon said putting his book down with a smile.

"Yeah," Maedhros replied.

"You're are looking a bit better," He said and Maedhros gave a small nod. Fingon smiled and moved next to the bed handing Maedhros a glass of water. At times when Maedhros his dexterity in his left hand, so Fingon helped Maedhros tip the glass back so he could drink without drenching himself. When he finished the glass Fingon moved it off to the side and looked at Maedhros.

"Where are Kano and Turko?" Maedhros asked as he looked around the room finding his brothers missing.

"They had to leave for a bit. They'll be back later but Turko did instruct for Huan to stay here for now." Fingon said. Maedhros did smile at that as he scratched under Huan's head who rolled more into Maedhros.

"He's...really really soft," Maedhros said. "It's...nice,"

"I am glad your happy," Fingon said. "Mildor came here after you fell asleep. He has some more medicine for you to take as well something that if you get like that it will calm you down. He also wants to talk to you later. As well as he doesn't want you to be alone."

Maedhros gave a small sigh. He looked at the bookshelf for a few moments and looked at Fingon. His friend regarded him curiously as he saw a bit of a shy expression his face. Yet, it wasn't his being caused by his fear, panic, or nervousness he got. It was something else. "Yes?" Fingon asked still gently.

"Can you...get me one of the poetry books on the shelf?" Maedhros asked softly. Fingon smiled and gave a nod. Fingon was one of the few people who knew Maedhros's secrect fond love for poetry. Back in Valinor he would try out his own and send them to Fingon to get his opinion on it. He picked out off the shelf and handed it to Maedhros who carefully balanced it on his lap. He opened it and started reading it quietly while periodically moving his hand back to Huan's head. The wolfhound had woken up at this point but was very content just resting his head by Meadhros's legs. As well as the periodic scratches he got behind the ear as well as under his chin.

As Maedhros relaxed into his book Fingon returned to his own. The two stayed like this for a bit over an hour. Yet, after sometime Maedhros stopped reading and looked towards the window. The curtains were drawn back allowing sunlight to stream inside. "Do you want to go read outside?" Fingon asked seeing his face.

"I...still want to have privacy," Maedhros said.

"What about the balcony across the hall in the room Maldor is staying in? You can sit just in the doorway," Fingon offered. "I think you'll enjoy some fresh air,"

"Okay." Maedhros said. He sat up and handed his book to Fingon. He slowly stood up and took Fingon's help in walking over to the door. The black-haired cousin opened it and looked around once he was sure no one was coming he led Maedhros across the hall and to Maldor's room. Luckily the healer answered quickly allowing the two (plus Huan who followed them at their heels). Fingon brought Maedhros to a chair before he put the books down. He explained to Maldor what Maedhros wanted to do for a bit. The haler nodded and helped Fingon set a comfortable spot up for Maedhros to be in.

Maedhros drew in a small breath once he felt the wind against him. He breathed in the sweet air and smiled as he settled back into the soft pillows that were placed around the chair. The wind gently brushed against his skin and moved his hair a bit.

"I forgot the air could smell sweet," Maedhros said as he moved his hand up as if to catch it.

"Yeah. The flowers are blooming and smell really nice," Fingon said bringing a chair to sit by Maedhros.

"It's nice outside," Maedhros added as let the sun touch his mared pale skin. He then looked at Fingon and said, "Maybe...maybe later on I can try to walk through the gardens?"

"Of course," Fingon said with a smile. Maedhros smiled a bit and turned his head to his book and Huan's head which was laying on his lap happily. Fingon sat there for a few moments enjoying seeing this moment of pure peace Maedhros was able to have. He then had an idea and stood up but a few moments later came back.

"What?" Maedhros asked looking at Fingon since he saw him leave his chair and go into the hallway for a few moments.

"You'll see," Fingon said. Maedhros paled a bit and he swallowed. It took him a few moments to find his words again.

"Please...can you tell me?" Maedhros asked his voice in a whisper.

Fingon gave his friend a soft smile and put a hand on his shoulder. "I am just asking for some tea and sweets to be sent up. I figured...i thought that would be nice."

"That sounds good. It was...I don't...not having someone tell me something is hard," Maedhros mumbled looking down. Fingon realized that must have been something Mairon or Melkor had done. He moved closer to Maedhros and offered him a reassuring smile.

"Thank you," Maedhros said. He then felt a lick at his hand and looked down at Huan who was looking at Maedhros as if to ask about his help.

Maedhros smiled and leaned forward and hugged Huan. "You two Huan," Maedhros said and he laughed lightly as Huan happily licked his face. From the spot where Mildor worked he was smiling as he saw Maedhros's clear joy. He felt bad for the elf since he knew that Maedhros's emotional, mental, and possibly physical state where still very unclear. At least right now was a better time. That was all they should look at.

~~~

"You look happy," A voice said. Maedhros looked up and was a bit surprised to see Caranthir standing there. It was an hour after Fingon and Maedhros finished a plate of sweets and some tea that Caranthir came to visit him.

"Moryo?" He asked. Caranthir nodded looked at Fingon who got up offering his chair next Maedhros. After a few moments Caranthir sat down. Finon said something softly to Maedhors who gave a little nod and Fingon went deeper into the room leaving the two to talk.

"I...I am sorry," Caranthir said after several minutes of being unable to speak. "I am sorry I haven't come to visit you sooner. I just-"

Yet, Caranthir looked away for a moment and moved his hand to his face. When he turned back to face Maedhros his older brother saw a few tears in his eyes. Maedhros gestured Caranthir to come closer and once he did Maedhros pulled him into a hug. Caranthir normally would have hated a surprise hug. Yet, right now he hugged his older brother back and shook slightly. After several moments Caranthir sat back down and offered Maedhros one of his rare half smiles.

"It is really good to see you doing this well," He said. "I head about how you were doing and it's...it is nice to see you like this."

"It's good able to be like this. I am feeling stronger everyday." Maedhros said clenching his left hand into a fist before opening it.

Caranthir nodded and said, "When you are up to it Celegorm and I thought that maybe we can help you practice horse riding. I have a way where you could still ride easily with-" he paused and glanced at Maedhros's bandaged stump uneasily. Luckily his older brother understood and was in a good enough mood to be able to nod.

"Thank you Moryo," Maedhros said.

"Of course," Caranthir said. He swallowed a bit and gave a bit of a cough. He stood up and mumbled something that Maedhros couldn't quite make out. Yet, his younger brother suddenly hugged him and whispered something quietly to him. Maedhros's face melted into a soft smile as he hugged his brother back. Once Caranthir let go he stood up gave a light cough and a half nod to Maedhros before he left.

"What was that?" Fingon asked as he came back over.

"Just a visit," Maedhros replied simply as he looked back to his poetry book. Fingon just nodded and patted Maedhros's shoulder. After another hour and a half of reading Fingon tapped Maedhros on the shoulder for him to look up. Maedhros blinked in surprise as he saw the sun just starting to set. Fingon stood up but he felt Maedhros grab at his sleeve.

"Can you watch it with me?" Maedhros his eyes looking from Fingon to the setting sun. His friend sat down and said, "Of course."

Maedhros watched with a relaxed face as the sun set once it did Maedhros moved back into the room as Fingon and Mildor moved everything back it. The healer then turned to Maedhros and said, "Before you back to your room I want to see how you are healing alright?"

Maedhros nodded and remained as still as he could to allow Mildor to check over his healing scars as well as his hand. It took awhile since Maedhros still like Mildor to wait after he checked one area before starting another. Once they were done with that Mildor had Maedhros drink a small glass of water which he added some herbs to.

"Alright. Everything is looking good but I want you to do more movement. Even if it's walking around your room a bit more." Mildor instructed.

"Okay," Maedhros replied.

"As well as you should try to clean yourself up tonight," the healer added. Maedhros then nodded and looked at him to see if he was finished. The healer offered him a warm smile and said, "Alright. I can tell you are tired. So, I'll talk to you tomorrow. Well goodnight and I do hope you sleep well."

"Thank you. Goodnight," Maedhros said he then stood up slowly and followed Fingon back to his room. Once there Fingon got some sleep clothes ready after Maedhros got cleaned up. It took some time for that to happen but once Maedhros finished a warm bath he (with slight help from Fingon still) slid on his soft pajamas and settled down into bed. His face still held a smile as Huan once again joined the red-haired elf on the bed.

"Alright. Dinner is coming," Fingon informed him as he sat down across from him.

"Thank you." Maedhros said.

"Nelyo. You do not have to thank me every time I do something for you. I do not mind and I just want to help you. So no thanks is required." Fingon said. Maedhros opened his mouth, then closed it and gave a slightly lopsided smile he got at times. Fingon just chuckled and thought for a moment then started to ask Maedhros about the poems he read through. Maedhros told him with happiness in his voice the conversation lasted until dinner came. The two ate and then after Maedhros took more of the medicine that Mildor told him too.

"Finno?" Maedhros asked sleepily as he sunk into the bed.

"Hmm?" Fingon asked as he looked up at Maedhros who's eyes were drooping.

"How...how long do I keep having to take all this medicine and herbs?" Maedhros asked.

"I don't know. We can ask Mildor tomorrow," Fingon said. Maedhros thought for a moment before giving a nod of approval. Then he slipped off to sleep with Huan curling up beside him settling his head on his stomach allowing his left arm to loop over him and lay against his fur. Fingon waited till he saw Maedhros breathing deeply with his eyes closed before he laid down on the couch and pulled the blanket around himself.