Chapter 6

The next thing Tally knew was waking up in a warm bed, covered in soft sheets and a bright white room. "What?" she said trying to sit up, "Where am I? What's going on?"

"It is alright my lady," said an elf woman from the other side of the room. "You made it to the Sanctuary. You have been under doctor's orders not to be woken up. Your body needed to repair itself and that is best done while you sleep. I shall go let them know you are awake. There will be a feast tonight. I shall find you something to wear as well."

Tally lay back down. Her head hurt and all the information did not help. There was a knock on the door which then slowly opened. Legolas' blond head appeared around it, "Oh Tally," he said rushing over to her, "you're recovered. I.. We have all been so worried. The healers here are skilled and better experienced to deal with orc wounds than Josiah and it has worked."

"How did I get here? The last thing I remember is falling asleep by the fire."

"When the dawn came we found we could not wake you. Gandalf was going to ride around some more to throw off any scent we left behind, but he felt there was no time and we came straight here. You have caused quite an uprising. Many people here are descended from great lineage, but none so great as yours. There is a feast tonight to celebrate your coming. Everyone will be there." He saw Tally shrink back,

"No Legolas, no. " She shook her head and moved away from him. "I cannot go. People cannot see me. They will know what has happened. They will see and know how unclean I am and how unworthy I am of such an honour. Then they will realise they have made a mistake and send me back, but I can't go back can I? How could I go back?" Tally turned away and tears silently began to roll down her face. Legolas reached out her hand and rested it on her shoulder. He felt Tally go rigid under his touch. He left his hand there for a second and then began to stroke her hair. Her tears suddenly became audible and her shoulders shook, "Don't Legolas, how can you bear to touch me?" He ran a finger down the side of her face

"Tally you are beautiful. I don't care what has happened to you. You will be at the feast tonight and you will have a good time." He moved closer to her ear and whispered, "I'll make sure of it." And with that he left her. She was shaking. Legolas' comments just added to her confusion.

When the Elf woman, Malia, offered to run her a bath and help her wash Tally just followed her. There was a bath room joining onto her bedroom. There was a large, steaming, bubble bath waiting for her. Tally smiled gratefully and sank into the waters. She hissed as the hot water crept into the cuts. Slowly the pain die down and Tally lay back and relaxed breathing in the herbal vapours. Malia walked in and brought a tray of soaps and lotions. She pointed to the ones for hair and for her body and left.

Tally took some pink soap which smelt of roses and lathered her hands. She began to wash herself, scrubbing at the dirt which had accumulated on her skin. Tally started rubbing harder and harder. Her skin went red and cuts began to open, "I must get the dirt off. Why won't it go away. The dirt has to go."

"Lady Natalia? Are you alright?" Malia go no reply, "Lady Natalia? I'm coming in." Malia opened the door and gasped at what she saw. Tally was practically ripping her skin off. The bath water had turned red from the cuts she had opened up, "Oh hell!" exclaimed Malia and ran to her. Grabbing hold of her shoulders, Malia shook her, "Lady Natalia, stop! Tally! Stop. You're bleeding. You have to stop." Tally let her hands dropped to her sides. She turned and looked into Malia's eyes with her own bloodshot ones,

"I'm covered in their dirt. I can still smell them on me, in my hair. It's not going away Malia, make it go away, please?"

"Oh you poor child," said Malia, "Here let me wash your hair. This stuff is strong, you won't be able to smell anything after, I promise." Quickly Malia washed her hair and got her out of the bath. She used a special ointment to close up all the cuts, but many of them would probably scar on her pale skin. Malia wrapped Tally in some warm towels and led her back to her room. She had laid out a beautiful pink robe on the bed. "The Prince of Mikwood said that he thought this was your favourite colour. I hope it fits you."

Tally touched the robe. It felt so silken, "I can't wear this. It is too precious. Someone else should wear it. I'll just wear.." Tally looked around for her clothes, "Where are my clothes?"

"They have been thrown away. They were too torn to keep. Please Lady Natalia, try this on. There are under garments over here too. I shall leave and then come do up the back of you robe for you."

Tally did as she was told. She didn't have the strength to argue anymore. She had to admit the dress was gorgeous. Pink silk trimmed in silver. The bodice brought in her waist and then it was A-line to the floor. There were soft pink slippers to wear with it. Tally called Malia back in who pulled in the strings on the back for her. It was like wearing a corset, she thought. "Malia? Where are my earrings, and my necklace? They will go well with this."

"My lady, we do not pierce out ears. It is sign of serfdom. They were thrown away with your clothes. I am sorry if this offends you. You necklace is here though. Let me do it."

"They were given to me by my friend. Please can you get them back. I can make a necklace from them, but I cannot lose them. Please?" she turned round and looked at Malia with begging eyes.

"I will do my best and take them to our best smith myself."

"Thank you Malia. That is very good of you. You have been very kind to me. I would appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone about the bath today. They will probably realise, but still.." she trailed off

"Of course my lady."

"No one has ever called me their lady before. Why do you do it? Tally is fine."

"Lady Natalia, my family has been serving elf lords since the days of the Eldar. Even in these times we keep up these traditions. It is one form of normality in these troubled times." She paused for a moment and looked sad, before smiling, saying, "You look beautiful my Lady. I shall go tell him you are ready."

"Him?" Tally called after the departing elf.