He rolled over, groaning as the movement brought intense pain to the wound in his chest. Blinking in the sunlight, he gazed around the unfamiliar environment.

He was in a fair-sized room, propped up on pillows in a bed; the timber it was made from still bore its bark and natural shape. Two other beds were either side of his. In one lay a young elven man Licomias had never seen before. One wall was cut away as a balcony window, revealing a beautiful woodland view; not quite Lothlorien, but still stunning.

Licomias sighed and relaxed back onto the pillows. He reasoned he must be in Mirkwood, which begged the question; how? The last thing he remembered was lying in Jenien's lap on the floor of a forest clearing, certain he was about to die. Odd that he remembered that so clearly. She had been crying for him, deep sorrow clear in her eyes. He recalled how ironic he'd found it, that he should discover his importance to her just as he left this life.

He stiffened again, suddenly anxious. Where was Jenien? Had she been brought here, too? Perhaps she had continued on her journey to Lothlorien. He wouldn't blame her. The last thing she needed was someone slowing her down. Galadriel did not like to be kept waiting. An image of the little elf maiden's face came to him, unbidden. He smiled unconsciously.

The door swung open, and another unfamiliar elf walked in. He checked Licomias' wound, clicking his tongue in satisfaction.

'It would appear, my lord, that you are healing very well. You may get up this afternoon, if you'd like.'

'Yes, I would, very much,' Licomias said, pulling himself a little more upright. 'I was wondering, sir, if you could tell me what befell the lady Jenien after our encounter with the orcs?'

The elf laughed.

'I'm no sir, I'm just Lewin, the king's healer. And yes, I can tell you exactly what happened. I was one of the ones who found you.'

Licomias stared at him incredulously.

'I was volunteered into the patrol that day,' he was told with a grimace. 'It wasn't my idea. Anyway, while we were out, we heard someone scream, so naturally we followed the sound to its source.'

'Naturally,' Licomias agreed, wondering why he'd chosen to ask the healer.

'We found young Jenien sobbing over you. You'd been run through the chest with an orc blade - though I'm sure you already knew that - and you'd passed out. Dear little thing, she thought you were dead. She was quite distraught. Anyway, we brought you back here, and patched you up. You've been drifting in and out of consciousness for days now.'

'Lady Jenien?'

Lewin looked blank for a moment, then smiled.

'Of course, you're worried about your lady! Well, she met with the king and his son, and they have been keeping her busy during your . . . incapacitation. She sat by your side for four days and nights before we could persuade her to get some sleep of her own. And she's been in to see you every day. She won't hear of leaving you to continue her journey. She's says either you both go, or neither.'

Lewin sighed.

'She's really quite a romantic. But then, she always was. You must mean a great deal to her for Jenien to neglect Prince Legolas in favour of sitting by your side. They're best friends, you know.'

Licomias rolled his eyes.

'What about the Lady?'

'Galadriel? Oh, she'll be fine. Jenien sent her a message, telling her she'd be late in taking up her duties.'

The injured elf groaned.

'How long have we been here?'

'A little under two months,' was the reply.

'What?'

Licomias could hardly believe it. One, that he'd been out of it so long, and two, that Jenien had refused to leave him. A warm feeling spread through him. Maybe she did care for him.



*~*~*



That evening, Lewin dressed him, supporting Licomias' still weakened body to the balcony that overlooked the gardens of the palace. He was sat comfortably in a chair by the rail, where he could enjoy the beauty of the gardens in peace. That peace was soon interrupted, though, by a light knocking on the door.

'Come in,' he called, not turning around.

He heard the door swing inwards, and the visitor step inside. A woman, he guessed, from the swish of fabric.

'Licomias?' said a quietly familiar voice.

He turned. Jenien was standing by the door, seemingly afraid to approach.

'What's wrong?'

She gave him a shy smile.

'Lewin told me if I tired you, he'd wouldn't let me visit any longer.'

Licomias grinned, beckoning her over. As she slipped to his side, he said,

'I'll be the judge of that, my lady.'

A small sob escaped her throat, and she fell to her knees beside him, burying her face in her hands.

'Jenien, what's happened?'

Her sobs grew louder, shaking her tiny frame with such violence Licomias considered calling for Lewin. Instead he waited patiently for her to calm down, before lifting her chin to gaze into her eyes, ignoring the tight pain over his scar.

'Tell me what has upset you.'

She smiled brokenly.

'I'm so sorry, Licomias,' she whispered. 'This is all my fault. If I'd waited for you to move first, you wouldn't have been injured at all.'

'Shhh.'

He rubbed his thumb over her lips, his hazel eyes burning into hers.

'You weren't to know that orc was still out there. And I'd like to see you try and stop me when my mind is set on something.'

'You saved my life,' she murmured.

'And you, mine. I meant what I said, Jenien.'

Her green eyes widened in wonder. Licomias took that as a good sign and plunged on.

'You are my light . . . my strength . . . my love.'

Fresh tears sprang up in Jenien's eyes. That's it, Licomias thought. She'll never even look at me again now.

The little maiden took his hands in hers, turning them over and kissing his palms in the ancient ritual of love. As he stared in shock, she smiled happily through her tears.

'I don't deserve you, Licomias. I almost got you killed. But if you'll have me . . .'

Licomias felt as though his heart would burst from all the joy that was seeping through his being. He pulled Jenien to her feet, gazing up into her eyes with a deep love, the pain in his chest a distant reminder of the circumstances that had brought them to this.

'Have you?' he whispered. 'A'maelamin [my beloved], I would move worlds just to hold you.'

Jenien laughed joyfully, her tearstained face glistening in the moonlight. Leaning down, she brushed his lips with hers, exulting in the feel of his hands at her waist, holding her close. She would never let him go.