By.CovridQueen
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The day dawned a dreary gray that the sun could not pierce. So oppressive was the fog that the flowers bent with the weight. Everything was soaked through and through, water beading and collecting on any flat surface available. I felt as if my life had been sucked from my body and then crammed down my throat once more, a darkness inside that made me sick. I was slow getting out of bed and caught a quiet hell for it, bruises placed carefully where no one could see.
"Mathis, there you are. You look ill." Legolas noted with concern as I stiffly entered the short room, clad in a loose white gown that did not bother my injuries.
The others looked up at this, all worried now, though they did not show it as openly as the elf.
"My apologies, for the lord will not dine with us this morn. The ill weather has caused some trouble, he sends his regards though." I said with some effort before sinking into a chair, breathless and weary, my vision swimming.
The chill within was slowly loosing its hold on me, but I had spent most of the night slipping in and out of a guilty and troubled sleep.
"Mathis, what ails you so?" Aragorn's questions floated to me, slow to register and my head cleared. "Mathis?"
"I will be all right, I simply ate something that did not agree with my stomach and it is still pouting. It will settle soon enough." I lied sullenly, sure my assailed side was already greatly discolored.
I tenderly touched the swollen and throbbing ribs, wishing to moan with every breath. At length, Legolas came to stand by my, lifting me gently to my feet by the elbow.
"Back to bed with you. I do not know why you rose in the first place." He smiled and I had not the strength to protest.
I doubted I would have had the will either way, his beautiful face one none could have resisted. My guilt weighed more heavily on my shoulders now as he guided me, to think that I had put them all in danger....
"What troubles you Mathis? This is more than an upset stomach." He finally questioned, steady gaze imploring.
He was worried. I bit my lip and did not answer, continuing to my room. My guilt would not left me remain silent and my fear bid me to do so, incessantly. We halted outside my room door and he forced me to look at him. I swallowed, feeling my fear give in to my conscience.
"You likened me to an Elf, but I am only an Imp in fair clothing. Be gone from this place as quickly as your beasts will bare you, for the sake of your company as well as mine." I said quickly, trembling.
"Mathis-"
"Don't question me, please. Just go."
He caught my arm, caught off guard by my sudden admission. I flinched slightly as the abrupt movement aggrivated my ribs. He tried again.
"Mathis-"
"Please Legolas."
He hesitated, then fell silent, letting me go. I paused long enough to place a kiss on his cheek and whisper in his ear.
"Best speed."
I then retreated to my room and fell onto the bed, not heeding the pain and dissolving into forlorn tears. I was going to die.
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It was dark when I awoke again, the black so complete I felt blind. I felt more myself, but something was pressing my heart. A sense of foreboding that made me sigh. I sat up slowly and it was if life had been breathed into embers of a smoldering fire, a low moan issuing involuntarily from my lips. I froze when the darkness seemed to shift, shrinking back when a shape came forward. I closed my eyes, flinching away when it was within arms reach, holding my breath. I exhaled suddenly when a tapered hand grasped my shoulder gently, starting and opening my eyes. I started again as I made out the fair features of someone who should have been long gone.
"Legolas, you can't be here!" I exclaimed in a dismayed whisper, pulling free.
"The fog was too thick, we don't know these lands." He responded quietly, sitting beside me as I pulled my legs to my chest. "You sound as if you are in pain."
"Just a little ache, nothing much." I answered dismissively. "I know the way blindfolded and Islingdur knows it better than I."
"The gloom is so dense you may as well be." He answered, brushing my side and feeling me flinch. "This is more than a simple ache. You have been favoring it all morning and for it to be so tender even now....you are hurt Mathis."
I pushed him away, beginning to speak but he silenced me.
"Someone comes."
He moved with a silent swiftness that was innate in all elfs, melting into the shadows. I lay slowly down once more and waited until, indeed, the sound of foot steps reached my door. I listened as it opened, and then shut, stirring at the noise and fainting sleep. I sighed, grimacing as I rolled onto my back before propping myself up on my elbows and blinking as my father sat in the same place Legolas had not moments before.
"Did I wake you?"
I shook my head no, eyeing him apprehensively and shifting away.
"How do you feel? I came in to hear from the servants that you had taken ill." He asked, touching my face. "I did not hurt you to badly this morning did I? The Monit was not pleased when you neglected to see him this morning. You know I hate to punish you."
"I'm fine." I answered tensely, turning away.
"That is good to hear." He whispered, his hand suddenly grasping my thigh.
I started, shifting back and he followed until my back was pressed firmly against the back board, arms pinned between us as he kissed me. I cried as he gripped my sides, but he didn't relent even as I managed to gasp a plea.
"Calm down, I'll be gentle." He whispered, kissing my forehead. "You know you can not fight me."
"But I can."
I started, having forgotten about Legolas. My father nearly wet himself, leaping up.
"Who's there? I know that voice, it is the elf." He said, looking around. "Show yourself!"
Legolas did not answer because he did not understand, or at least so I had thought until his voice came again and in our language.
"Do not touch her again or I will take swift vengeance on her behalf."
"You can do nothing to me elf."
"My name, is Legolas."
There was a healthy thump, and then a thud as if a sack of grain had been dropped. I jumped when a shadow appeared at my bedside once more, uncertain.
"I am sorry I did not act sooner."
I felt the tears come and flew to his arms, sobbing quietly. He stroked my hair, gently soothing me. I wiped my eyes after a few moments and he touched my side.
"What did he do to you?"
"He only knocked me about a little. I've had worse." I answered tightly, enduring the inflaming discomfort.
He sighed heavily and I could almost hear his indigence.
"I only knocked him out, you are no longer safe here." He said, guiding me suddenly to the door.
I traded hands the moment the door was opened, giving a slight wail as I was wheeled around and Gandalf loomed impossibly tall over me, eyes like silver flame.
"What have you done?!"
"Nothing! Nothin, I do what I'm told and nothing more." I responded, bewildered as I cowered before him.
"Told by whom? Who has done this? Speak up!"
I trembled at his tone, looking away and giving no response, my mind racing. He forced me too look at him, almost pinning me to the wall.
"Who are you in alliance with Mathis?!"
I flinched, near tears as I faltered, feeling my strength draining from my body. A black crept into the corners of my eyes as I felt my knees buckle.
"Mathis, who commands you?"
"I-I can not say." I gasped, fighting the dark.
"Answer me!"
"I can not say!" I finally screamed, my knees giving way.
Arms caught me and Legolas held me close, looking to Gandolf.
"Do you think you could have been gentler?" He demanded as he cradled my shaking form. "She is injured, to what extent, I do not know. Her, father, said something about a Monit before..."
Gandolf cocked his head in slight interest, studying my reaction to the word, but I was to far gone to answer right then. A light pierced the gloom suddenly and I heard my voice speaking without my mind's consent.
"Agno melhel imnos lorighnt. Elohin minm dith." I heard myself whimper, my mind clearing as I looked to Gandolf. "Please Mithrandir, let me help you."
"She speaks the elven tongue." Aragorn said, amazed from the background.
"How do you know that name?" Gandalf asked, puzzled.
I looked away again, confused myself. Where had that come from? It was Gimli who finally broke the silence.
"What did she say?"
"Death is now my fait. I can save you still, trust in me." Leoglas answered quietly, looking down at me and then to Gandolf. "We can no leave her here."
"No, not in good conscience." He answered, subdued.
"Where could we possibly leave her? It would be a folly to bring her with us." Aragorn noted.
"You needent worry, I can see you safely out of Risken, but I will not pass the boarders." I said quietly, standing with aid from Legolas.
Gandolf looked on me with ancient eyes, a knowlege floating there.
"Then let us make haste."