Together the pair walked to Caras Galadhon. Once they got there Haldir and Rumil brought Sarwyn to an extra room in the royal tree. They also got a healer to come and take care of her wound more thoroughly then Haldir and Talagamen could, and also look at her arm. At one point when the healer had been working on Sarwyn she had woken fighting against the healer so they had to give her sleeping herbs, enough to take down an Elf had to be used on her for her to fall asleep.
Sarwyn awoke some time later, unaware at first of bandages around her thigh and the sling around her left arm. She sat up with more force then needed as she looked around to find out where on Middle Earth she was. After looking around she discovered she was in a room that appeared to be part of a tree. There was the bed she was in, it was placed in the middle of the wall across from the light brown door with silver lining. The bed had sheets of pure white and it felt like satin, or silk, Sarwyn didn't know. Beside the bed was a small table with a washing basin on top, next to the white basin with light pink flowers painted on it was a matching pitcher of water. At the sight of water Sarwyn realized how thirsty she was, but seeing no drinking water she ignored it. There was little else in the room, except for a desk close by the door, there was a couple of chairs in the room, one on each side of the bed. Lastly, in the room was a second door, Sawryn could only guess it was a balcony... Or something like that.
She painfully climbed out of bed and onto her feet. Standing straight up the pain in her leg went down a little bit, but it was not completely gone. One step was taken towards the door, as the pain shot up through her leg. As her weight shifted she began to fall but caught herself by grabbing the side of the bed. Sarwyn refused to let out even a whimper of pain, but even for her that was an extremely hard thing to do. Her face become hard and full of determination. Pressing her lips firmly together she pushed herself off the bed and onto her own feet. It took several tries, but she did manage to walk across the room despite the burning agony she felt in her leg.
When she had finally reached the door she greatly wished that there had been a chair near it, but none was there. As she leaned against the door frame to help hold up some of her weight she pulled quietly on the door to see if it was locked. It opened ever so slightly, after sucking in a breath she opened it wider and slowly made her way out of the room. On the walls were strange lights that could only be explained as something of pure beauty, it had a light blue hue as the color of it. Also the walls, that looked like the insides of a tree, had a special glow or life to it that Sarwyn had never seen or felt before, even in all of her travels.
Walking in heavy, awkward and throbbing steps made for getting anywhere a very slow process. After moving forward for some time she heard voices coming closer to her. Because she couldn't get to a well hidden hiding spot, before those who where coming got to her, she got close to the wall and turn around to hopefully look like someone who was just walking through the hallway. Though, Sarwyn failed to think that her hair was a complete mess and she was most obviously wearing a night gown of healers ward.
Around the corner Haldir and Lord Celeborn had stopped their walking to look at each other as they talked. The pair had been on their way to check on their guest, having no idea that she would be on her feet, much less out of her room. Haldir was reporting to his lord as the happening around the borders and about the strange woman who was was in command, of the Men, that he had saved.
"So" Celeborn started. "You say she was leading them into the heat of battle?" It wasn't that he cared that it was a woman in authority, it just out of surprise that it would be a female. He hadn't heard of a woman even as a foot soldier, much less a leader of an army (no matter how small) in a very long time.
"Yes my lord." Haldir nodded. "It seemed that it was her, indeed, leading them. It was her pushing forth the charge as they attacked the platoon of Orcs as well as the first to swing her sword among the Men. And when they retreated into the forest she lured the Orcs away from the other soldiers, a feat I have only seen selfless leaders perform and even then it is a rare thing to witness."
"Was there anything on her person that could show she was in fact the commander?" Celeborn asked, more often than not leaders had some sort of badge or medal, or even a helmet, to prove they were in charge.
"All that was found in the lady's possession was a golden locket, a sword of Men's make, and a Dwarvish charm necklace of good luck. Other than those things it was just simple well worn clothing of a warrior of Rohan." Haldir answered Celeborn when the latter asked of the personal items on the woman to try to piece together who she was. It was very rare to see a shield maiden of Rohan in battle these days. They had became fairly rare and if either one of them had to guess, they would say the woman was the last.
"A Dwarvish charm?" The lord asked for confirmation to make sure he was hearing correctly. They hadn't seen or hear of anyone with a Dwarvish charm in a long time, for it was very unusual for non Dwarvish race to hold something the Dwarves held in high esteem.
"Yes my Lord, it is quite easy to tell it is of Dwarvish make." Haldir nodded his head as he spoke. It was only easy because the Dwarven runes were quite clear, though Haldir could not read what was written.
The two started walking together towards the room of Sarwyn. As they turned the corner Haldir noticed that there was a woman walking very slowly down the hall, her back was towards them so he couldn't see who it was. The woman leaned on the wall for a bit of support and almost appeared if she let go she would crumple to the ground. Feeling compelled to help to woman, Haldir walked up to her and placed his hand gently on her shoulder. The thing he saw was a balled up fist accurately aimed for his face, Haldir barely managed to move enough for it fist to hit his jaw instead of his nose. Though the force behind the fist was as hard as Sarwyn could hit in her current state it only made Haldir take a small step back.
Instinctively Haldir's hand reached up and touched his now red and tender jaw. His eyes darted up to see who is was that just socked him on the jaw. The black orbs of Haldir's met with the hatred filled bright blue eyes of Sarwyn. Upon realizing who just hit him he found himself very surprised, she was walking, much less standing, the healers had said it would take the daughter of Men at least three days to just stand. In utter shock, though he didn't show that was in any way surprised, he asked her very kindly "Miss, please allow me to aid you but to your room."
The look of hate on Sarwyn's face quickly changed to that one of anger. "You think me not able to walk on my own?" She hated it when people thought of her weak, she had never ever taken to being called weak pleasantly. Normally when she was labeled such a thing she would beat the crap out the person who would dare call her that, unfortunately she was not able to fight in such a manner in her present condition.
Haldir in no way what so ever meant his offer in a way to imply that she was incapable, he had only wanted to help. Even though she wasn't considered a prisoner, and more of a guest, they had some questions for her. In the corner of his eye he saw Lord Celeborn slip away, unnoticed by the woman before him, probably to get a healer or something to help. To keep her from realizing that Celeborn had left he had to keep the woman's attention on him. "Madam, I never meant to offend you, it was merely a gesture of hospitality." He hoped that his choice of words would convince her to go lay back down.
Sarwyn studied the Elf in front of her, his face was one of honesty, his body language was open, and he showed no sign of malice intent. Upon learning these things from his actions she leaned on the wall, showing just a tiny sign of weakness. Standing still on her leg was triggering all kinds of pain reactions in her leg, and that's why she leaned on the wall to take some of her weight off her leg in the first place. "If you are just being hospitable, then I will leave now." If they had just been taking care of her until she was well, then she was well enough to leave this rotten place.
"I am sorry, but the healers have said that you should not leave until you are completely well or very close to it." Haldir was truly sorry, he hated having to keep her here against her will, but it was all for her well-being. He sure hoped she would listen to reason so he wouldn't have to use force to bring her back to her room so she could stop injuring herself more than she was already damaged.
At this reply Sarwyn raised an eyebrow, she didn't care what the so-called healers said. In her mind she felt she was able to leave when ever she wanted, but now she knew she wasn't able to fight back. "And you know what I say to that? Ishkhaqwi ai durugnul!" She smiled inside her head knowing that he would have no idea to what she said. Even though he wouldn't understand it word for word she knew that he would understandit as an insult to him, and that's all that she wanted. Staring at him with a defiant look on her face. The smirk on her face was to cover up the ever-growing pain that was climbing up from her leg and up to her side and slowly spreading over her abdomen.
Haldir honestly had no idea what she had said, in fact he didn't think he had ever heard that language. Even though he didn't understand completely what she said he had an idea it was a little more on the colorful side of what ever language she was speaking. Since he didn't know what she said then he felt like he should not react in anger or anything else other than kindness. Enough her face showed that she thought she won, he knew her leg was hurting her worst by the minute at least that's what the healers had said it would feel like if she did stand upon her injury to soon. He knew that if brought up her leg and the pain she would take as him calling her weak, which he didn't want to enrage her again. After debating in his head for a split second he finally replied to her rude remark. "The longer you continue to hurt yourself, the longer the healers will not let you leave here."
The woman knew there was some truth to his words, but she would never say that aloud. "Fine, I will return to my room." She knew that no matter what she said she would end up back in the room anyway. "But, I will require everything that you took from me when I was changed." Sarwyn knew that her two necklaces and her new sword was missing when she first woke, but had done nothing because she knew there wasn't anything she could do anyway.
Haldir nodded, he wasn't totally sure he would be able to fill that request but he would pull of the strings he could. "I will do what I can, but I may not be able to get them, but I will try my hardest you have my word."
Sarwyn scoffed, "I don't care about your word, I need those things." She gave no reason for why she needed them so much, but she felt he dudb't deserve to know her reasons. With that pushing herself off the wall the burning pain in her leg and now her abdomen became so much that Sarwyn's knees gave out from underneath her body.
Before she hit the ground Haldir managed catch her, if he had not, it would had not helped the woman recover in anyway shape or form. When he looked into her face it was scrunched up and her skin was starting to turn white around her face and neck. Picking her up like he had less than two days ago. He walked back her room, planning to put her there and retrieve a healer to care for Sarwyn. Upon reaching the door he stared at it trying to think on how he was going to open the door with Sarwyn in his arms. Before he really had long to think the door opened from the inside, standing in front stood Lord Celeborn and next to him was the head healer, Theririen.
Theririen was dressed in a simple pastel green no sleeve fitted dress. Over her right shoulder was a tan colored bag full of medical tools. Her silver hair was pulled back into a tight fish braid that rested on her left shoulder. She had been working as the head healer ever since before Haldir's time, sometimes he wondered if she was even older then the two rulers of Lothlorien.
"Bring her to the bed." Was the short order that came from Theririen. Celeborn moved out of the way of the door as Haldir brought Sarwyn back into the room she had only just gotten away from.
Once Sarwyn was on the bed Theririen began to check first on her arm, then she moved on to her leg. The healer pulled up Sarwyn's gown just above her wound on the left leg, and she left Sarwyn's right leg mostly covered. The bandages that had been placed around the injury of the warrior were quickly changing from their crisp white color to a darkened red. Theririen retrieved a pair of scissors from her bag and carefully cut the bandages opened. Once the rapping had been removed the healer pulled a cloth from her bag and firmly placed it on the flowing wound. Turning to Haldir, Theririen ordered him to press the clothe on the wound. Doing as he was told he switched his hand with that of the older woman's.
Theririen looked at Celeborn and asked him "My lord, do you mind pouring enough water into the basin for me to wash off the blood." On her hands was some of the blood that had come from Sarwyn's leg. The Elven lord nodded and was very swift to comply with the request of the healer. With water in the basin she washed off the blood and than turned her attention back to the stranger in her care. She watched Haldir apply pressure to the wound, there wasn't else the healer could do until the blood had stopped or at least slowed down greatly.
It took only a few minutes for the blood flow to slow down enough that Theririen could clean it and dress it once again. When the Elf had finished caring for the injuries on Sarwyn, she gathered the soiled bandages from the bed where she had laid them down when changing the bandages. With the bloodied cloth in hand she spoke in her always calm voice. "My lord, her wounds have been taken care of the best I could. Though there is one thing that greatly puzzles me. The injury on her leg should not have made her pass out, she didn't lose enough blood. And her arm is not damaged in such a way that would cause her lose consciousness."
"Could there be internal injuries?" Celeborn inquired.
Theririen shook her head. "No, I have checked many times. And there is no poison that I can find in her wounds."
"I see." Celeborn said as he drifted into thought, turning to Haldir he started to give out orders. "Haldir, I want at least one guard outside her room door to make sure she doesn't try and leave again so she won't hurt herself. Also, when she wakes up I want to know who she is, and what connection she has with the Dwarves."
"It shall be done my lord." The Marchwarden said as he bowed to his lord and then he took his leave.
"Madam Theririen," Celeborn said as he dipped his head towards the healer respectfully and followed Haldir out the door to go back to his duties by his wife's side.
The healer took a quick glance around the room, noting that she would need to send someone to clean out the basin with now bloodied water, and then also left to get the bandages cleaned once again.
Sarwyn awoke to the sound of feet walking back and forth. Just as her eyes blinked open, her eyes locked onto the light peaking from under the door. There she saw the shadow of a person walking back and forth outside of her door. When the realization of being the back into the same room she was before she set up quickly. As Sarwyn tried to stand up she forgot that her leg was injured as she placed all her weight on her right leg. A shot of searing pain coursed through Sarwyn's leg, causing her leg to give way and she fell out the bed in a loud clatter.
The door came flying open and Haldir, who had been about to get off his shift, came rushing in to find out what the crash was. He came to find Sarwyn holding her head were she hit it on the edge of the small table next to the bed. He could hear a mumbled string of curses coming from the woman. Quickly he moved over to help her up, knowing that trying to stand with her leg would be quite painfully and it would mostly cause her to reopen her wound... again. Silently he reached his hands to help her up; she slapped them away as she pulled her hands from her head. With a glare she used the edge of the bed to help herself up, her eyes never left those of Haldir. Sarwyn did some how managed to get all the way up on her own, though it was not without burning pains in her leg.
"Miss, please sit down so you don't continue to worsen you condition." Haldir spoke with a very calm and kind voice, he was doing is best to sound as non-threatening as he could.
Sarwyn really didn't want to listen to anything these people wanted her to do, because that would show submission to them. But her leg screamed out to her, to make her get the weight off it, the pain in her leg won out. She very ungracefully plopped down onto the edge of the bed as she very carefully watched every movement of Haldir. "Now that I am sitting, as you asked, I have a few questions for you." Swiftly she thought of several questions, and without letting Haldir say a word she continued. "First, where am I and why?"
"You are within the great city Caras Galadhon, and currently residing in one of the healer's recovery rooms. And why, it is because you were badly injured in a battle with the Orcs and when you retreated into the forest my patrol and I got you away from being shot thirty times by the arrows of Orcs. So we brought you to our capitol to help you heal." Haldir calmly answered the questions of the woman.
"Alright..." She trailed off into a thought. "What is your name?"
"I am Haldir, the head Marchwarden of Lothlorien." The man replied. "May I be so bold as to ask you your name?"
"Well, you did tell me yours..." She had a short mental argument within her brain whether or not to tell him her name. "I am Sarwyn, A Shieldmaiden of Rohan."
"Well, lady Sarwyn, it is very nice to meet you." A kind smile flashed across his face.
"I can't say the same." She said shortly and rudely.
"I see." He wasn't expecting that kind of answer from such a beautiful woman. "If you are alright, then I will take my leave. If there is anything we can get for you then please feel free to ask, even it's for a book." With a respectful bow Haldir turned to leave, just as he reached the door he glanced back and said "Please rest, it will be the best thing for you to recover."
Sarwyn released a huff as the Elf left the room. Out of instant boredom she flung her body across the bed and stared at the ceiling. Before she realized it her eyes began to grow heavy and then she drifted off into a deep and restful, unlike the other to times she had fallen unconscious.
Less than three hours later Celeborn and Galadriel came to meet Sarwyn. The lady watched Sarwyn, who was asleep, tossing and turning. She began to be very curious, Galadriel reached out to Sarwyn with her mind to find out what was going on in her dream. As soon Galadriel's mind touched that of Sarwyn the younger girl suddenly shot upright and her eyes burned with anger as she mentally shoved Galadriel out of her head. The lady's head snapped back and she almost lost her balance, never had she ever come across some one who could force her out of their mind before.
"Get out!" Sarwyn demanded her voice harsh, angry, and almost shrill. Ever since she had been a child she never left anyone inside of her mind, pushing them out was something that came naturally to her even though she didn't know why.
For once the Lady of light was speechless; it was all very shocking to her. Celeborn sent her a look of worry to see if she was alright, quickly his face returned to once of a lord who was in charge.
"We will not leave until you give us some answers." Celeborn responded to the demand put before him.
With her lips perched tightly together she glared at him with a look that could kill. Nothing more come out of her mouth as if to say 'Hell no'. She would follow the orders of no Elf, no matter have powerful he might be.
After catching a glance from his wife, whom had now recovered from her shock and now had taken on the air of ruler, he decided to leave.
Galadriel must have heard his thoughts for she turn and left the room before he even started to walk out. Sarwyn's sharp eyes remained in a locked glare as she followed the movement of the Elven lord.
Shortly after both Elves left Sarwyn let a large sigh escape her lips as she brought her knees up and placed her elbows on top of them. With placing her head in the palms of her hands as she finally had time to process what had taken place. When her mind was touch by others she went into a blind rage, she guessed it was because only Elves could reach out to others mentally and because of her hate for them she had a mental block against them.
Without her realizing it she fell back into a fitful sleep only to awaken sometime later. When she did woke up once more she looked towards the windows and it was dark outside. Taking a glance around, she found her bed sheets all jumbled up at the end of the bed, 'another bad dream' she thought. Continuing her look around she found everything still looked the same except for on the chair close to her bed there now laid a silken white robe.
Fighting her way through the pain to get back out of bed, but careful not to put her weight on her right leg, she slowly moved over to the chair that had the robe. Upon reaching it she had to go slowly as she pulled one sleeve onto her left arm she put in on her right arm. The robe was beautiful; she had to admit that, it had wide openings for the arms which made it easier to put on. The sleeves themselves were loose fitting and they seemed to float with every movement of Sarwyn's arms. The rest of the robe reached all the way to the ground and some three inches dragged behind her.
With great care she awkwardly walked towards the door to the outside. When she finally made it there she opened the door with great ease. Upon taking a step out into the night she was instantly hit with a gentle breeze of the evening. From side to side the balcony looked like it was a disk of wood that grew out from the side of the tree to create almost a half circle, and at it's widest it was ten feet. Along the edge there was a three foot tall fencing made of beautiful leaf pattern.
Closing the door behind her and leaned against the door frame as she slid to the ground. When her behind reached the floor she pulled her knees up to her chest and rapped her arms around her legs. She didn't cry, she didn't even sit in her hate; she sat there in deep thought. She had no way of getting home or even leaving this horrible place. All she could do was sit there and be bored for how ever long it would take to heal all the way.
So... Chapter 2! It is out finally! I would like to say a big thanks to jshaw0624 for editing this chapter. Please tell me what you think of the chapter.
Also I must say I am sorry, in my first chapter in the beginning it said '6 years before the destruction of the One Ring' but I meant it to say 60 years. I have gone back and changed it as to not create confutation.
-Delenn