The battle was soon finished and Elrond was helping treat the wounded. This battle was not that costly but there just were many wounded. The only question was, was why? Why did they do this? Was this just a senseless attack or was it something else? Yet, he pushed those questions away and went to Maedhros's. He only sustained a few major wounds from the Balrog, one of them was a bit gruesome though. When he blocked the attack from the Balrog for the second time, his right hand was crushed in the attack. From what Elrond could tell the bones were all shattered making his right hand again useless. If he would keep the arm it would cause him nothing but pain, so he had only once choice and that was to remove it. 

Fingon helped Elrond make sure Maedhros was sedated with some herbs before Elrond went to remove the hand. As Elrond carefully removed Maedhros's hand, he stayed by Maedhros's side helping Elrond. Elrond then sat back and let out a long breath and washed his hands off. He then turned back to Maedhros as he heard a soft groan, he looked at his Uncle and rushed over. 

"Uncle Nelyo," He said bending over. 

"Elrond," He said breathing softly. 

"How are you feeling?" Elrond asked. 

"In a bit of pain," He replied slowly sitting up. He winced and grabbed his side and then looked down at his right hand or rather where his right hand once was. 

"The balrog destroyed your hand in your fight, it would have caused you great pain," Elrond replied. 

"It's fine," He replied. "I mostly still used my left hand for things," 

Elrond nodded slowly and asked, "What about the rest of your wounds?" 

"They are fine," He replied. "It just hurts a bit," 

"That's good," Maedhros said as he settled back. He winced a bit more and Elrond moved to his side and had him lay back down. 

"You need to rest, you did lose an amount of blood," He said. 

"Fine," Maedhros said closing his eyes. Elrond looked down and then up at his Uncle and asked, "Why did you insist on coming here with Fingon?" 

Maedhros opened his eyes and asked, "Would you have come here if I was not here?" 

Elrond looked at him and said, "Yes," 

"That's why," He replied. "If I did not come with you, I would not have been able to go see Maglor knowing you may have been killed." 

"But you are hurt," Elrond said. 

"Elrond. I have been hurt far worse than this," He replied looking at him. 

"I know you have...it's just now that you are back. I can not help but worry about you," Elrond said. 

Maedhros looked at him and laughed a bit, he sat up a bit and put his left hand on Elrond's head. Elrond blinked at looked at him, "What?" He asked. 

Maedhros just nodded and moved his hand back and said, "It's nothing." 

He laid back down and let out a breath. He looked up as Glorfindel came in with Aragorn. "How are you doing?" Glorfindel asked. 

"I'll live," He replied. 

Glorfindel nodded and noticed his right hand, "Oh..." He said. 

"It's fine," Maedhros replied. Glorfindel nodded and Aragorn sat down and asked, "Is it alright if I ask you something?" 

"Go ahead," Maedhros replied. 

"Would you have any idea why the enemy would do this? Does this mean they have a new lead?" He asked. 

Maedhros thought for a moment and said, "No. This is just an unlucky attack, there are no signs of any logic to attack. So it could have been someone accidentally woke up the Balrog and this happened. I do not think it's anything more." 

Aragorn nodded and thanked him. "Perhaps you would like to come to Gondor and rest there for a bit longer before going out to find your brother." He offered. 

"No. I can leave tomorrow." Maedhros replied. 

"You will not," Elrond said. "You need at least a week of recovery, perhaps longer." 

"Elrond. I am fine," He replied. 

"I had to remove your hand since it was shattered and broken beyond anything anyone could do to heal it." Elrond snapped. 

"Elrond-" He began. 

"No!" Elrond said. "You have to take care of yourself for this, you need to rest. How are you going to help Atar if you are going to be worn out?" 

Maedhros opened his mouth but Elrond continued, yet, he dropped into Quenya and continued yelling at him about needing to rest. Maedhros sighed and let Elrond continue on. As he did this, Aragorn and Glorfindel looked at each other and backed out of the tent. 

Maedhros sat up and coved Elrond's mouth but the healer slapped his arm away and said, "No! Listen here you...you... you ******* stupid old man! You need your rest and I know my sons are good healers but with your wounds, you need an experienced healer!" 

Maedhros just looked at him for a long moment and covered his mouth and started laughing. It just caused Elrond to glare at him and make a face. As Maedhros held his side as he laughed and said, "I am sorry Elrond, yet that's the first time I heard you curse." 

Elrond's face went a bit red from embarrassment at the fact he just cursed but he scrunched up his nose and said, "Well...well you should...you should rest!" 

"Can you two start arguing for a moment," Fingon said speaking up. They looked over at him and he cleared his throat and said, "Maedhros is stubborn beyond all sense of logical reasoning. Yet, he knows what his body can take. So, he will rest for one more day and then leave in the morning. Yet, if you are still concerned then you should come with us to keep an eye on his wounds. Besides we may need a healer when we find Maglor." 

"Alright," Elrond said. 

Maedhros shook his head and said, "Fine." 

"Good," Fingon said. "Well, I will leave you to rest and tell the twins that you are coming as well." 

With that Fingon left and Maedhros laid back down. Elrond was quiet for a long moment and said, "Uncle...I am sorry for cursing at you. I just got-" 

Maedhros held up his hand and said, "Elrond. It's fine, my brothers have said a lot worse to me than that. Yet, what made me laugh is that when you get upset...you remind me of your brother. You two are very different yet when it comes to caring about others. You two are the same elf." 

Elrond smiled and wipes his eyes. "I miss him," He said softly. 

"I know," He replied. 

Elrond sniffed a bit and said, "I wish....I wish...that when he died...I told him that I was not mad at his choice. I was upset that we won't get to be together but I was always proud he trusted himself enough to make this choice with that kind of confidence. I questioned myself but Elros, he knew instently what he wanted. Yet, he knew I was upset that he did not a choice to stay...but I was never truly angry with him. I wish I could have told him." 

Maedhros looked at him and said, "He's your twin. He knew and he would be proud to learn who you have become." 

"I really hope so," Elrond said with a light sniff. He then looked down and said, "It's sad...that you did not get to say goodbye." 

Maedhros looked at him and said, "Well...actally I did." 

Elrond looked at him and asked, "What?" 

Maedhros once again sat up and got into a comfortable position and said, "When I was in the halls of Mandos after he died and his spirit came there. He came to see me, I do not know which Valar allowed this or it just was Elros's own personality that allowed it. Yet, I was able to have a long conversation to him and I was able to say goodbye." 

Elrond stared at him with wide-eyes. "You...you did?" He asked. 

"Yes...he actually called me the same thing you did," Maedhros replied. 

"A stupid old man?" Elrond asked. 

"Well to quote him, 'you are a **** **** **** selfish, idiotic old man'." Maedhros said. 

Elrond smiled and said, "He was himself until the end," 

"And was very proud of that," Maedhros said. Elrond nodded and blinked away some tears and stood up. "Well. If we are going to leave in two days you are going to need some rest." He said. 

"I know. I know, I'll get some rest." He replied. Elrond nodded and gave him a quick hug before he left his Uncle. Maedhros laid down and closed his eyes his mind drifting to the long talk he had with Elros. 

~~~

Maedhros sat there staring at one of the tapestries that decorated the halls of Mandos. He closed his eyes and looked down. He then looked up when he heard footsteps, he turned around quickly. He froze as when he saw who it was, he fell to his knees. 

"Hey, Uncle Mae," Elros said with a smile as he walked over and dropped to his knees hugging him. 

"Elros...you....not you," Maedhros said softly. 

Elros hugged him close and then let him go sitting back. Maedhros looked back at him and shut his eyes tightly. He shook his head and looked to the ground. Elros put a hand on his shoulder and said, "Uncle Mae, we have some time to talk. Can you look up at me? Please?" 

Maedhros looked up and then noticed there was something different about him. He was not the same, it then clicked what was different. Yes, he passed on but it was not from being killed. He died a mortal death. Maedhros looked at him and said, "You...how? Your mortal?" 

"Was or I could still am. Not sure the right wording," Elros said. 

"Please...tell me. What happened?" Maedhros asked. 

"Of course," Elros said standing up. "Yet, you'll have to tell me something like. Like what in the world you are doing here still," 

"I died. I-" He began and Elros rolled his eyes and said, "I asked Uncle. After you caste the silmaril away that was the thing that let you and your family was forgiven. Yet, you are refusing to leave since you are stubborn ***! So come on get up and we can tall then after we are finished. Leave here and see your family! See Elrond when he comes here and he's going to get married at some point so meet them. Got it!?"

Maedhros just looked up at him and smiled. "Okay," He said. "Alright." 

"Good," Elros said. "Since if you did not agree I would have used force. You're are a **** **** **** selfish, idiotic old man. You know that?" 

Maedhros had to laugh and said, "I guess I do," 

He stood up slowly and sat back down on the bench. He looked at Elros who sat down beside him. Maedhros smiled and asked, "Alright. Now that I agreed to your terms. Tell me your story."

Elros smirked and leaned against him and started talking. 

~~~

Hours passed and soon, Elros stood up and said, "Well. It's been great seeing you, uncle." 

"You too Ros," Maedhros said standing up. Elros turned and hugged him tightly. He smiled and stood back. "Uncle Mae?" He asked. 

"Yes?" Maedhros asked. 

"Can you do me a favor?" Elros asked. 

"Of course," He said. 

"Can you tell Elrond I understand. I know he wasn't truly mad at me, but I want him to know." Elros said.

"Of course," Maedhros said. Elros smiled and stretched and looked at him. "Well. I guess I should go." 

"Right," Maedhros said as he leaned over and gave Elros another hug. 

"Thank you, Uncle Nelyo. Thank you for everything you did," Elros said hugging him tightly. 

"No. Thank you Elros, if it wasn't for you I would not able to start forgiving myself." Maedhros replied. "So thank you, Elros." 

Elros smiled and gave Maedhros one final hug. "I love you, Uncle Maes," 

"I love you to Ros," Maedhros said softly.