Chapter Nine.
It was late into the night when Eramellin finally woke in her father's arms. He had dozed off for a while against a chair he'd managed to pull to him. She yawned and sat up, waking Elrond in the progress. He breathed in deeply, blinking away sleep and looked at his child. She looked so fragile, even after her slumber. These nightmares drained her tremendously, leaving her weak and tired for days. In that time, she wouldn't eat either, only drink milk or water. He smiled softly at her, pushing her hair behind her ears and kissed her temple.
"What did I do this time ada?" she asked in a small, quiet voice, looking at her hands. He sighed and held her close, pulling her head to his chest. She closed her eyes, waiting. She had felt herself go into the nightmare, and she knew she had hurt someone but had no idea what she had done. That scared her. Elrond kissed her hair and held her hands in his free one.
"You attacked Glorfindel my dear," he said softly and she began to shake in guilt. He hated this part, because she would feel so bad that it would make her ill which only made her even weaker.
"Did anyone see what happened?" she asked, tears leaving her sorrow filled eyes. Elrond nodded.
"Yes child. Elrohir came and found me whilst Elladan, Glorfindel, some servants and healers tried to calm you. You then threw vases and plates, and attacked Glorfindel. Legolas watched from the doorway. I do think he finally realises what you are going through," he said softly, rocking her gently as she began to cry.
"Oh Valar...why does it have to happen ada? Why can't it go away? Now everyone knows what a monster I am...I am just thankful I didn't change into a Dragon. I am so very sorry ada, I didn't mean to do this...I haven't a clue as to why I had one or what may have brought it on. I am so confused ada," she whispered sadly.
"My daughter, mayhap what brought it on is the Anniversary of your Father's death?" he said carefully as to not bring on another one.
"Mayhap ada. I wish to talk no more of this...I am weak, I feel ill, I am tired and I want my bed ada..." she said softly, kissed him on the cheek and got up unsteadily then made her way towards the doorway before leaning against the frame. Elrond got up and walked over to her.
"I shall walk you to your rooms," he said and wrapped an arm around her shaky form, holding her hand with his other. Slowly he walked her through the many halls to her rooms. He helped her change into her night clothes and get in to her bed. She sighed sleepily when her head touched the many pillows. She could hear her dreamcatcher chimes dinging quietly. She smiled at her father who lay down next to her on top of the bedcovers.
"Do not sleep on top and be cold ada, sleep with me...I need your strength..." she said quietly. He nodded and took off his outer tunics, leaving him in a cotton dress tunic. He climbed in next to his child and she clung to him as though her very life was being sucked from her. He closed his eyes and let her rest her head under his chin, wrapping his arms around her weak form and sang her to sleep. When she was deeply alseep he kissed her forehead and drifted off himself.
When morning came, Legolas went to his friend's rooms to check on her. He had slept in his usual rooms last night, not wanting to disturb Eramellin. He knocked twice and waited patiently. No answer. He knocked again. There wasn't an answer this time either, so he opened the door carefully and peeked around it...she wasn't in the main chamber. The bedroom door was ajar though. Slowly he made his way over to the door and pushed it open gently. He gasped at what he saw. Elrond was sleeping soundly, arms tight around his daughter who was deathly pale. They looked so peaceful there, sleeping. He smiled softly and went to leave.
"Legolas," came the Lord's voice. So, he wasn't alseep. Legolas turned around to see him watching him with a smile.
"Aye?" he said quietly. The Lord's smile disappeared when Legolas came closer, worry now clutching his heart as he felt how cold his daughter was.
"Legolas...thank you for checking in on my daughter but could you please hurry to the healing wing and get as many healers as possible? She is ice cold and not moving. Fetch the twins too. Hurry!" said Elrond, his voice panic stricken. Legolas' eyes widened and he stared at his best friends face in shock. She was white. He ran out of the room as fast as he could, obeying Elrond's words.
"Eramellin? 'Mellin!" he called as he sat up, laying her down on her back and checked for a pulse. It was extremely weak. He started to panic even more. He opened her eyes and saw that her pupils were so large that the iris was not visible. He shook her shoulders. He got nothing. He felt her cheeks and they were icey to touch. He began to cry as he undid her night clothes and felt the rest of her body. She was cold all over and parts of her were going blue. How did he not notice the body heat leave while holding her?
"Child! My child please open your eyes, look at your ada!" he pleaded with her. He was vaguely aware of healers rushing in pulling him away from her, sitting him down in a near by chair. Glorfindel hobbled in and gasped at her body. He quickly embrace Elrond and lead him from the room to sit in her main chamber. The twins came running in with Legolas who closed the bedroom door. Elladan held his brother and Legolas sat next to Elrond who hugged him tightly.
"My Lord, do not worry. They will help her," said Glorfindel in a supportive tone.
"I pray to the Valar that she comes out of this, for it is they who caused her to be like this," said Elladan.
"Aye, I pray that they help her!" shouted Elrohir. Elrond sobbed harder into the Prince's shoulder, and Legolas held him. Glorfindel lit the fire as Erestor came in and gave a sad look towards the door. He started to pray quietly to the Valar, that she would come out of this for she did not deserve to die after all she had done for this Earth. And that she was in this state because of them. He sighed and hugged the twins close while Glorfindel kept them warm.
Manwe heard these words and contemplated them. Namo sat near by in his black throne, Lorien sat on the floor cross-legged and Varie shook her head as they watched the healers try to heat her up, trying to keep her alive. The Elven sickness had sturck her hard this time and if they did not intervene, she would die. They were at fault, they had created her. Her nightmares and strength came from Namo's involvement, her dreams from Lorien, her power from Manwe and her love and hope from Varie...all else came from the other Valar. They hadn't predicted that she would have waking nightmares nor would she be this sick. Namo stood abruptly.
"Tis my fault that this has happened, I am to blame for her nightamres though I did not expect them to leave her mind. Had I known this, I would never had agreed to give her any at all. I am only supposed to show her evil in these so she can help others, not create it. I will care for her and keep her alive," he said, straightening out his black robes. Varie looked at him with pride in her eyes as did Lorien. Manwe shook his head.
"Nay Namo, you cannot do this...she is too far gone to survive. Let her go," he said. The Lord of The House of The Dead disagreed.
"Nay! I will keep her alive...she is not only Elrond's born child, she is ours too. If she dies, who will help rid the Earth of Evil? Who will keep the Ring of Air safely on her father's finger? Who will keep the most valuable Lord alive? Sauron already hates her and will be defeated soon as you know, I for one love this Elleth like my own, I do not wish to lose her," he shouted. He wasn't going to let this lie, he would keep her alive even if Manwe did not wish it. Manwe sighed and did not push it any further, if Namo would keep her alive, he would let him. If he could take souls and keep them safe he would be able to keep one within it's body. He nodded to Lord of The Dead.
"So be it my Friend, but do not fail me with this...I too, do not wish to lose our child," he said softly, and Namo left to do his bidding. Varie and Lorien agreed that they would aid their friend if he needed to be aided at any time and they too did not wish to lose her either. They hoped Namo could do this for she was dieing quickly.
