Chapter Seven
Elrond and his companions had been travelling for three days. Thus far, the journey had been peaceful. Elrond had gotten to know Celeborn- it turned out that he was wedded to Galadriel, making him a distant cousin-by-marriage to him and Elros. Elrond had asked many questions about Balar, as he had not dwelt near the sea since Sirion, and he hardly remembered that place after all these years. He had been assured that it was beautiful, as the haven had been built by both Noldor and Sindar, it reflected the heritage of both kindreds. He found himself eagerly anticipating their arrival.
They stopped in a wooded area to water the horses, and to have a brief luncheon. Gildor and several others went to patrol the area. Elrond helped himself to some bread and cheese, then walked several paces away before he sat to eat. He did not want to seem rude, but no-one had actually asked him to sit with them, and he did not wish to impose his company on elves he barely knew. It made little difference in the end, for not two minutes after he began eating, one of the scouts ran swiftly back into the glade.
"Yrch*!"
All the elves rose immediately upon hearing the warning. They formed into a defensive position, pushing Elrond and several other young elves into the centre of the group, where they could be better protected. All drew weapons, and prepared for battle.
More than two dozen orcs rushed into the clearing, trampling everything in their path. Within seconds, the groups clashed. For Elrond, the battle seemed to pass in a blur. Several of the orcs had focussed on him, and he fought instinctively. Three orcs fell to his blade, before he felt a raging burn encase his right arm. He cried out in pain, realising that the last orc he had felled had sunk it's dagger into his upper arm, just below his shoulder. He dropped his sword, as his hand began to shake. The pain continued, and he realised the blade must have been stained with poison. His arm went numb, and he felt off balance, just as another pair of orcs charged him.
Thankfully, Gildor, who had just re-entered the clearing, saw his distress. A well-aimed dagger pierced one of the orc's throats, killing it instantly, and the other turned, snarling, looking for the knife's thrower. It bared it's teeth and attacked Gildor, only to be halted suddenly, as an arrow pierced it's chest. The orc crumpled, and Gildor turned in surprise, to see Erestor lowering his bow. He nodded his thanks to his young protege, then looked to Elrond.
The young Peredhel had fallen to his knees. The numbness that had claimed his arm was spreading through his entire body, and his vision was fuzzy. He could not think clearly. He knew he should get up, that there was some reason that he wasn't safe, but the notion danced just out of his reach. As Gildor reached him, he began to lose conciousness.
"Elros?" his whisper was barely audible. Everything went black.
Nothing Elrond could see made sense. Everything around him was spinning, and all he could clearly make out was flashes of bright colours, red, purple, black...What was happening? He could hear voices...
"Elrond, can you hear me? Gildor, bring me those athelas leaves! And fresh water."
Gildor...he knew that name. But who was speaking? His head hurt. He needed to sleep...
"Useless half-breed!" a sneering voice echoed. Maedhros! Elrond looked around, but couldn't see him, everything was so blurred... He tried to move, to get away from the angry elf, but other hands held him down. He struggled.
"Maglor! Elros!" he tried to call to his family for help. Why didn't they answer?
"...must not try and move, young one. We will be safely in Balar soon." someone said firmly.
What?
"Will he be alright, Lord Celeborn?"
"I have sent messengers ahead. They should send a healer out to meet us. He will be fine."
Elrond slowly became aware of a strange rocking sensation, and the clip-clop of hooves. Was he on horseback? Where was he being taken? He tried to see where he was, but the flashes of colour dominated his vision again. He tried to move his arm to rub his eyes. It hurt. Someone screamed in agony. He was falling...
He was back in Sirion. His Nana and Ada were there, with Elros and Maglor. They stood looking at him, sadly. Then one by one, they all walked away. He tried to call after them, desperate not to be left alone. None of them seemed to hear him, and he could not move. The room he was in began to burn. He was trapped! He struggled to free himself as the fire made contact with his right shoulder. He could feel slender hands restraining him, though. More strange voices spoke.
"Will he recover?"
"I believe so, hervenn*. The poison was making him delirious. I have purged it from the wound now, and he should waken soon. Do not fear for him."
None of this made sense to Elrond. He could not understand what had happened, no matter how hard he tried. He drifted off to sleep again...
Elrond opened his eyes slowly, unsure of where he was. The last thing he remembered clearly was...leaving Himring, travelling with Gil-Galad's people, and being ambushed by orcs. After that, his memory failed him. He sat up, then realised he was in an unfamiliar bed. He looked around the room. Sunlight shone through the large window, illuminating several other beds, none of which were occupied. There were bottles of herbs and healing draughts displayed on shelves around the room, and several cupboards beneath them. One of the cupboards was half-open, revealing piles of soft linen for bandages, and sturdier fabric, perhaps used to create slings. Elrond realised he must be in a healer's quarters. Was this Balar? He resolved to get up and find out. However, the moment he tried to stand, his head swam, and he almost fell. He was attempting to steady himself when three elves quietly entered the room, two ellyn* and an elleth*. He recognised Celeborn, but the other two were unknown to him. He stared at them curiously, while they in turn all looked surprised to see him awake.
The elleth spoke first "Do you know where you are, Elrond?" Her voice was unusually deep, for a woman.
He nodded, while gazing at her in fascination. She was one of the most beautiful women he'd ever seen! Long golden hair, that had a silverish sheen in the sunlight, clear, deep blue eyes, and a very tall, slender form. He hoped he wasn't blushing!
"This is Balar, is it not, my Lady?" He frowned. "How exactly did I come to be here? I remember the orc ambush, but very little after that." Actually, he remembered nothing after that, but decided not to say so.
"You received a wound in the battle." Celeborn spoke up. "The blade the orc used was poisoned. You have been unconscious for five days. I carried you here on my horse after the orcs were vanquished. My wife, Galadriel," he gestured at the elleth "has worked to heal you since we arrived."
Elrond knew his face had reddened now. He stammered out his thanks to Lady Galadriel, who inclined her head gracefully in acknowledgement. The other ellon, who had remained silent, stepped towards Elrond, and, unexpectedly, embraced him. Elrond was stunned, but returned the gesture, even though he wasn't sure who this dark-haired richly dressed ellon was. The stranger released him and smiled. He was very young, Elrond realised, finding himself returning the enthusiastic smile. Celeborn and Galadriel looked on, indulgent expressions on their faces.
"I am so glad to meet you at last, cousin!" the young elf said happily. "I am Ereinion, son of Orodreth, sometimes known as Gil-Galad, King of the Noldor." Elrond stared, speechless.
To be continued...!
AN: Hope this chapter wasn't too confusing!
Elvish Translations *
Yrch- Orcs
Hervenn- Husband
Ellyn- plural of male elf
Ellon- male elf
Elleth- female elf
