Chapter 7
No Harm Done
Ettelwen's eyes widened in shock and she stopped the momentum of the staff. The staff froze an inch from Legolas's neck.
Her eyes were filled with astonishment and fear; her breaths were deep and heavy. Even her, normally steady hands trembled.
Legolas stayed kneeing unable to move. His breaths were shallow and labored, and pain flashed across his face with every breath.
Ettelwen dropped her staff and kneeled in front of Legolas. Harry and Ron ran to Legolas and Ettelwen's side, stopping short, however. They simply stood and watched not really knowing what to do.
Ettelwen grasped Legolas's good hand in her own.
"Legolas," she said quietly. Her usually confident voice wavered. "Listen to me. You mustn't move. It will only make your injuries worse."
Ettelwen slowly ran her fingers down his side applying only the slightest of pressure. About half way down his ribs, she stopped. Pain flashed across Legolas's face and his grip on her hand tightened so much that Ettelwen winced.
Ettelwen held her hand above his injured ribs. As her hand glowed lightly and faded, Legolas's breaths evened and deepened. The expression of pain, however, did not vanish from his face.
Ettelwen released her hold of Legolas's good hand, using it to support his injured hand. She held her other hand above his and once again it began to glow.
The pain on Legolas's face lessened but did not fade and Ettelwen's face was anything but encouraging. She looked at his face. The two seemed to have a shared a silent conversation that Legolas ended with a nod.
Slowly, he shifted his position revealing his badly broken leg.
Ettelwen examined the leg carefully.
"Lay back," she said quietly to Legolas. She looked at Harry and Ron. "Hold him still."
Ettelwen placed her hands on his leg. Legolas eyes closed as he braced for the coming pain.
She closed her eyes and slowed her breathing. She stayed like this for what seemed like an eternity.
"Ettelwen," Legolas whispered through gritted teeth, "You don't have a choice, just do it."
She took another deep breath and looked at his leg for a moment. She applied pressure to both sides of his leg; pain shot through Legolas's body. Ettelwen closed her eyes and breathed once more. Simultaneously, her eyes opened, her arms jerked and a sickening crack broke through the silence of the forest. Legolas's face contorted in pain and he gasped.
Ettelwen held her hands over his leg. They began to glow. As the glow faded, the pain vanished from his face.
Legolas stood slowly, carefully testing his formerly injured leg. After judging it to be fine, he offered his hand to Ettelwen.
Ignoring his hand, Ettelwen stood. She turned away from him and with a soft glow of golden light she vanished.
"What was that about?" asked Harry bluntly. "I mean, why did she leave?"
Legolas sighed, "Ettelwen was trained to fight on impulse, using every opening and advantage whenever one appeared. She was trained to kill her opponents if the chance arose. Never questioning her actions. Now when ever she fights her training takes control. She knew this, which is why at the beginning she was hesitant to fight."
"Trained to kill…It sounds like she was trained by evil."
"Unfortunately, she was."
"What?" exclaimed Harry and Ron together.
"Are you saying she's evil?' asked Harry in shock.
"She was," said the elf with a strong emphasis on 'was'. "It is not my place to answer your question. Ettelwen will tell you, on her own time, if she needs to."
With that said he walked towards camp. After a few moments, Harry and Ron followed him.