Chapter Seven: Bad Dreams
"Hey, Lebelon! It is time to eat." Enerion said in a loud voice.
The boy woke up with a start and began rubbing his eyes. The sky was just opening to the few rays of dawn and a cool wind swept through the area, flickering the fire in their campsite as Enerion handed him a plate of what looks like a cooked fowl.
"Better eat. We will not be stopping till mid-day arrives," he said.
The boy followed what he was told and before long, he had consumed his meal.
Enerion doused the fire with little water and covered the small pit with sand. It left a thin smoke rising from the dark embers.
He grabbed the boy and hoisted him to the saddle. He later mounts his steed and they start on an easy pace before breaking into a gallop.
The boy held his head straight to let the rush of the wind beat against his little face. It was very cool and the brown flat plain fell past behind him.
He numbly stared at the unchanging scene ahead of him; all was blur. Where are they going? His mind asked. His sisters were dead and his parents too. What am I still doing here? He stared at the ground for so long that his eyes close as sleep beckoned and the dream haunts him again.
The dream opens...
~~~His father was warding off the men with his sword while his mother in pure haste strapped something around his waist and soon unsheathed a short sword of her own in order to protect him from the men on horseback. They laughed at her, taunted her, and gave her lewd expressions of their lust for her. Sounds of metal clashing came to his right and he swiveled his head to see what was happening. He saw his father engaged in a sword fight with two men! His father successfully dispatched them with ease and readied himself to meet the next one. A laugh distracted Movlen. It was close to him that he screamed in fright. His fevered body could not make a move to protect himself but the man ceased any sound when his mother drove her short sword to the man's side. With a yell, another man came down on his mother; he warned her just time and saw her wounding him on the chest when he made a lunge for her. Then someone clamped a hand over his mouth! He could not scream another warning to his mother. For another man was behind her and slowly advancing towards her. A muffled scream erupted within him as he body wriggled hard on the ground. He watched helplessly in horror as his mother was struck from behind. His father, hearing the scream of his wife, was suddenly caught off guard. He ran immediately towards the man who slew his wife. They fought intensely, but the boy saw that the man had advance skills. He deftly parried the sword strikes coming from his father and soon the other man struck him in the mid-section thus mortally killing him as well. It was after that time when the hand was released from his mouth. However, strangely enough, there was no sound coming from his mouth now. He stared blankly at the lifeless bodies of his parents as the remaining men carried him off.
"The boy does not speak, Reckan. We should have left him!" called out the man who was responsible in silencing the boy's outburst a while ago..
"Never mind. Let Mayarlos decide what to do with him." The man named Reckan decided.~~~
The dream ends.
The boy let out a gurgled cry and began kicking the horse. All in response to the dream, he was experiencing again. The frantic movements startled Enerion as he tried to calm both the horse and the boy. They came to trot when the boy's thrashing subsided.
He set the kid down and quickly checked his horse. There were telltale bruise marks on the area where the boy kicked hard.
Enerion glares at the boy for a moment. "Do not try to become a burden, boy."
"Then what do you what from me!" The boy nearly screamed at Enerion. The man was taken aback at the fury held by the child as he stared back at him.
"So, you speak." Enerion remarked after a while has passed. The boy did not answer him and the neighing of the horse was the only sound that broke the silence.
"I will bring you to your sister," Enerion started again when the boy refused to speak.
"You are lying!" the boy said as his body trembled with emotions.
"Quite the contrary, I saw her, alive and taken by the elves," he answered the boy and started to walk back to his horse.
The boy glanced at him with full suspicion. "Why?"
"Why?" echoed the man as he mounted back on his horse and waited for the boy to follow. When he did not, he continued.
"It has been said that the Elves great halls house jeweled treasures far imaginable by mortal man. Now, I plan to take them in exchange for your life. If your sister wishes to see you again, then all she has to do, is make a plea to the Elves to honor a trade." Enerion said and leveled a glare at the child.
The boy wavers under the ruthless stare of the man.
"If you think you can escape now, look around you," he let out a derisive laugh. "There are but rocks around and wolves hunt in packs at night if the sun does not kill you first." He flatly said and held out his open hand. "You have a choice boy, which one will you choose."
The boy hesitated and did not like to choose. When he was growing up, his parents taught him right from wrong and he knew the Elves were good people from the stories his father told him long ago but, he was alone in the plains with many bad things happen even to good people like his parents. So, with a heavy heart, he walked forward and felt his skin crawl when he took Enerion's outstretched hand that hoisted him in front of the saddle.
"Good." Enerion remarked and soon they rode the plains as fast as the horse could take them.
Elsewhere, Anathea hobbled towards the railing to look out at the view from her room. She had been very curious of what this place was and wanted to know more about it but Estel was not with her yet. Anathea gasped in wonder at the sight before her. She gripped the railing as emotions run through her in pure amazement where she stood by, observing. She had never seen that such a beautiful place would truly exist in Middle Earth. It felt like all her cares have fallen away and she was suspended in an ethereal realm so different from what she knew.
The sight held her and in silence, she began to dream of a world that was far from pain and sadness. She wondered if there were anymore like this place and continued gazing at the far away falls that fed the river underneath it. She could not see the whole length of river for it ran below far from her sight from where she is.
She breathed in deeply and the scent of pine intermingled with rosemary were recognizable fragrance sweeping into her chamber. A loud chirp greeted above her head and found the Thrush again, coming for another visit today. She smiled at the bird.
"Hello there," she greeted back and followed the bird's flight when he perched closer this time, on the railing near her. Anathea giggled. She had never been so close to a bird and made sure not to make sudden movements that would frighten it away, she slowly lifted her forefinger and stroked the body of the bird. It chirped again. The delight of feeling the soft feathers run under her finger made Anathea giggle again.
"It is also nice to make your acquaintance again," she carried out her monologue. The Thrush hopped this time to her forefinger and Anathea was giggling all over, as she felt, the Thrush's little feet wrapped on her finger while blasting out another series of chirps.
"I would love to dance with you, but I am still not well," Anathea replied looking rather disappointed.
The bird chirped.
Anathea nodded. "Yes, my ankle has not healed yet."
Estel was heading down the hall when he heard laughter coming from Anathea's room. He was suddenly curious and wondered what she could be laughing at. Silently, he opened her door to a crack and peered into her room. He saw her leaning on the railing with a Thrush on her hand. It was chirping madly at her.
"Is that so."
He heard her say. He came in.
"I would love to go and see more of your beautiful home once I am well." She promised.
The Thrush chirped again.
"You are very insistent, are you?" Anathea chided a little. "Very well, when I am well, I will go and we can have the whole day exploring. Will you show me your secret place?" She asked this time.
The bird seemed to bob its tiny head in affirmation and finally prepared for another flight. The bird rustled its feathers and spread its wings. With a push from its legs, the Thrush flew away.
"Thank you." Anathea waved upwards.
Estel burst forward. "You made a friend?" He called out rather loudly that startled the girl.
"I'm sorry," He stopped himself when Anathea gasped. "I will try to be more quiet." Estel amended.
Anathea chuckled. "No," she started wagging her head. "It is fine. There was no harm done." Anathea replied.
Estel came up beside her and noticed that he came up barely reaching her shoulders. He is short. I really must make sure Father feeds me right. Estel took a mental note.
"How old are you?" Estel asked curious.
"Eleven," answered Anathea. "And you?" looking back at the falls.
"Seven."
"Is it this beautiful, Estel?" Anathea asked with a breathless tone in her voice.
"Always," Estel replied. "I heard you talking to a bird? I didn't know you could do it too." There was a slight annoyance creeping in his voice.
"Anathea's brow furrowed. "You're annoyed?" She asked puzzled.
"My brothers could understand any animal here in Middle Earth except for the fell things that roam the lands that is and I was trying to understand Nimloth yesterday, but all she did was throw me to the ground." Estel patted his still sore back for emphasis.
"Nimloth?" Anathea repeated not following Estel's story.
"Nimloth, is a female foal at the stables." Estel provided and glanced inquiringly at the girl. "You haven't been to the stables, right. I must bring you next time." He told her after realization hit him.
"You seldom, wake up so early in the morning. What made this time different?" Estel asked, curious.
Anathea looked strangely at him and for a moment, a flicker of distrust came over her face but she shook her head as if to clear the bad thought away from her mind. She was not among strangers who were going to hurt her. She was safe.
"I had a bad dream and I couldn't sleep." She replied and continued. "And I decided to watch the coming of dawn over..." She groped for the word Estel told her before.
"Im..." She tried to remember.
"Imladris." Estel finished for her when he figured out what she was saying.
"Imladris." Anathea repeated as she nodded.
"What was the dream about?" asked Estel, genuinely intrigued.
"I was chased by the five men and that they caught me. They were all laughing around me. I..." her lips started to tremble. "I saw my sister's body on the ground and that of my parents, Estel." Looking at him with sorrowful eyes but sharply averted them and stared again at the faraway waterfall. "My family is gone." She whispers more to herself and closes her eyes. Estel stood silent by her side not knowing what to say.
"I lost my father when I was very young and I can not remember my mother's face." Estel shared, his own brows furrowed as he tried countless times trying to remember what his mother looked like only that he could only remember his mother's name.
"Your uncle will only be very happy to know that you are well and recovering, once he sees you." He told her, trying to cheer her up. However, the girl seemed to be lost in her thoughts and appeared to have not heard him. So Estel let the silence fall between them and idly watched a hummingbird flit pass them.
A bell rang inside the inner halls of the house and Estel took Anathea's arm. The girl turned to look at him quizzically.
"Morning meal is set." He explained. "Why don't you join us at the table. I'm sure father won't mind." He gave her a small smile, glad that something has changed the subject.
The girl nodded and hobbled beside Estel out of the room. Along the way, the two found out that it was hard to keep their balance straight. They only succeeded a few yards when finally both of them crashed onto a vase. Estel was pinned underneath Anathea that he could not save the vase from breaking on the floor.
"Do you think someone heard that?" Anathea asked in a hush tone as she saw the ceramic in pieces. She tried to push herself up as Estel squirmed from under her. Estel would have roared in laughter from Anathea's remark but instead bit his lips.
"Yes, unfortunately and my father will be displeased." He said while gravely looking at the scattered ceramic pieces.
Let me help you," a warm male voice from behind her offered and Anathea was soon easily swept up the floor. She felt her cheeks go warm when she found out that Elrohir carried her in his arms. She quickly looked away, embarrassed.
"Elrohir!" Estel voice came out like a squeak. "Please, don't tell, Father." He begged as he followed his brother into the dining hall.
"Tell me what?" Elrond asked from his seat as they entered the room. He had a very good idea of the mischief that had happened down the hall as the elf lord's eyes inquiringly gazes at his human son and on Anathea.
"Anathea, I would have one of my attendants bring your meal to your room," The elf lord offered.
Elrohir gently sets her down and waits for Anathea to take her seat before going to his own chair across the table. Elladan watched his brother with a sly gleam in his eyes. However, he decided not to tease his brother just yet.
"Estel invited me to join you. I had thought it was all right," she politely tells him while looking at the faces gathered around the table seeking approval.
Elrond smiled as he nodded. "That was very thoughtful of you, son." His father complimented. "We are glad that you can join us for breakfast, Anathea."
The boy smiled and had temporarily forgotten what happened along their way to the dining hall. However, Elrond did not forget and he planned to ask Estel about it after the meal.
The family ate and it was Anathea's first time to eat other elven food besides the broth that she had become accustomed too. She knew she would not forget this experience for the rest of her life. The conversation was hearty and Anathea enjoyed her time eating with the Elven family. She listened intently to the brothers' stories and Elrond noted that she was extremely fascinated by their encounters.
"Oh," she started as if she forgot something. She glanced around the table as if looking for someone. The Elves and Estel turned to her, questioningly.
"Shouldn't we have waited for your wife, Lord Elrond?" Anathea innocently asked.
Elladan and Elrohir stiffened a little in their seats while their father spoke.
"My wife," Elrond began in a soft tone that Anathea almost missed if she wasn't listening attentively.
"Has sailed for the Undying lands many years ago." He ended and offered no further explanation. An awkward silence fell on the small group around the table.
Anathea didn't understand what he meant and but she had sensed that it was something not freely discussed so she dropped the subject and apologized greatly for her impoliteness.
"No child. You have no fault in the matter," Elrond told her, as his face breaking in an understanding half smile that was sincere. "You had no way of knowing." He lays a hand on her shoulder.
Soon the meal was over and again, Elrohir carried Anathea back to her room followed by his father and brothers. Elladan kept quiet on the side but caught Anathea's gaze upon him when she happened to look to his direction. She could see a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips, which made her flushed even more. She had an idea that the older twin will tease Elrohir when he had a chance.
"Let us see your ankle," Elrond remarked when Elrohir lowered her to the bed so that his father could begin examining Anathea's ankle.
"The swelling has subsided and the bruise has disappeared," Elrond told her. Anathea flinches at little at Elrond's touch and came to a decision that another week was needed for her ankle to heal completely.
"Another week." She groaned.
"Yes," Elrond emphasized and detected the boredom in the child's voice. "And by that time your uncle will be here to take you to Gondor."
"My uncle..." The girl repeated.
Elrond noted the forgetful tone of the girl about her uncle's family. Imladris seemed to have that effect with transients. Anathea wondered what it would be like to live with her uncle. She was starting to get accustomed to living with the Elves.
Elrond nodded as he carefully watched the girl. "I will be sending out my messenger today to bring word to your uncle. Tell me, what is his name?"
"His name is Amros." She said in a quiet voice.
"Do you not want to be your family, Anathea?" Elrond gently asks.
"I do want to be with them. But it always feels that the moment I start liking a place, just like now, I find out that I have to move again. It is always the same what my father did to us." Her voice shook a little.
"I spent most of my life going from one hamlet to another that I have forgotten what it was like to just stay at one place." The girl said in a frustrated tone. "Now, that they are gone..."
"But you do not know for certain," Elrohir interrupted her.
Anathea looked at him in quiet disbelief. "I just know. I saw them in my dream, last night." She shivered.
Elrond sympathized with the girl and raised a hand to Elrohir to stop him from saying anymore which could upset the girl. He understood Anathea's need for permanence. Just as the Elves remained in Middle Earth, they strove to retain what was left from the Glory of the Eldar. However, they had come to know that through passage of time, the dominion of the West would pass to the Men and no matter how one looks at it; the Firstborns will become myths to the lives of Men.
As for this child, the stability of having a home was identified with her parents and now they were gone, Anathea is striving to find it here.
"You have not lost your family, Anathea. They lived through you," Elrond began to explain as he sat beside her and quickly noted her look of rejection of what he was going to say next. Not to be deterred, he placed his hand on the girl's head so that she will listen.
"It is true that circumstance has forced you to be permanently separated from your parents and from your sister, but they are in you. The things they have taught you while you were growing up in those places you have been to, the values they left behind. They are with you because they know what they have taught you, would someday become useful in your own life. That is part of their legacy, Anathea. Wherever you maybe, you will always carry them with you."
"It's not the same," she mumbled as the pain came reverberating back.
Elrond watched her as he felt his heart broke to see another child come to grips of the loss of her own parents. "I know, Anathea and how I wish we can we take away your pain but we cannot. Through time you will also heal." He said softly as he took the girl in his arms when she started to cry. "We are here, Anathea." He said reassuring her while slowly rocking her to calm the child. Soon her sobs were all spent and Anathea heave a long sigh.
"Please stay for a little while until I fall asleep?" Anathea requested as she stared into space. Her eyelids drooped from the calling of sleep.
"Of course, Anathea." Elrond replied as he helped her settled in her bed.
Anathea looked at the others with glistening eyes and clutched the extra pillow close to her.
Elrond turned to his sons. They all nodded in understanding and left the room.
Outside the room, Estel looked up to his brothers. "I hope she'll be well again."
Elladan placed a hand on Estel's little shoulders as he knelt beside him. "We remember how long and hard it was for you too, Estel."
"And I'm glad, you, Elrohir and father were always there." Estel told him as he gave his older brother a hug. "I wish we can do that for her too."
With that, the brothers walked away.
Elrond stayed with the girl as she tried to sleep. Then he thought of an elvish lullaby, he used to sing to his sons then to Estel when the boy was having a hard time sleeping. He started to sing the lullaby to Anathea.
Anathea stirred inside the covers as she heard the voice singing through her. It was in a language very unfamiliar to her ears but her heart was grieving too much and the emotional spin of her feelings left her exhausted again that her eyes remained close and only listened to the voice, gentle touch.
She rolled to one side, facing the singer while her hand stretched out on the covers as if it was seeking for the other hand. Elrond took her hand and held it. The little fingers interlaced with his and as he finished the song, the girl was breathing easily and rhythmic rise and fall of her chest told him that she was asleep.
He leaned forward to give her a fatherly kiss. "You will never be alone, child." He whispered in grey tongue and slowly removed his hand from her grasp. He stood for a few more minutes before quietly leaving the room.
"Hey, Lebelon! It is time to eat." Enerion said in a loud voice.
The boy woke up with a start and began rubbing his eyes. The sky was just opening to the few rays of dawn and a cool wind swept through the area, flickering the fire in their campsite as Enerion handed him a plate of what looks like a cooked fowl.
"Better eat. We will not be stopping till mid-day arrives," he said.
The boy followed what he was told and before long, he had consumed his meal.
Enerion doused the fire with little water and covered the small pit with sand. It left a thin smoke rising from the dark embers.
He grabbed the boy and hoisted him to the saddle. He later mounts his steed and they start on an easy pace before breaking into a gallop.
The boy held his head straight to let the rush of the wind beat against his little face. It was very cool and the brown flat plain fell past behind him.
He numbly stared at the unchanging scene ahead of him; all was blur. Where are they going? His mind asked. His sisters were dead and his parents too. What am I still doing here? He stared at the ground for so long that his eyes close as sleep beckoned and the dream haunts him again.
The dream opens...
~~~His father was warding off the men with his sword while his mother in pure haste strapped something around his waist and soon unsheathed a short sword of her own in order to protect him from the men on horseback. They laughed at her, taunted her, and gave her lewd expressions of their lust for her. Sounds of metal clashing came to his right and he swiveled his head to see what was happening. He saw his father engaged in a sword fight with two men! His father successfully dispatched them with ease and readied himself to meet the next one. A laugh distracted Movlen. It was close to him that he screamed in fright. His fevered body could not make a move to protect himself but the man ceased any sound when his mother drove her short sword to the man's side. With a yell, another man came down on his mother; he warned her just time and saw her wounding him on the chest when he made a lunge for her. Then someone clamped a hand over his mouth! He could not scream another warning to his mother. For another man was behind her and slowly advancing towards her. A muffled scream erupted within him as he body wriggled hard on the ground. He watched helplessly in horror as his mother was struck from behind. His father, hearing the scream of his wife, was suddenly caught off guard. He ran immediately towards the man who slew his wife. They fought intensely, but the boy saw that the man had advance skills. He deftly parried the sword strikes coming from his father and soon the other man struck him in the mid-section thus mortally killing him as well. It was after that time when the hand was released from his mouth. However, strangely enough, there was no sound coming from his mouth now. He stared blankly at the lifeless bodies of his parents as the remaining men carried him off.
"The boy does not speak, Reckan. We should have left him!" called out the man who was responsible in silencing the boy's outburst a while ago..
"Never mind. Let Mayarlos decide what to do with him." The man named Reckan decided.~~~
The dream ends.
The boy let out a gurgled cry and began kicking the horse. All in response to the dream, he was experiencing again. The frantic movements startled Enerion as he tried to calm both the horse and the boy. They came to trot when the boy's thrashing subsided.
He set the kid down and quickly checked his horse. There were telltale bruise marks on the area where the boy kicked hard.
Enerion glares at the boy for a moment. "Do not try to become a burden, boy."
"Then what do you what from me!" The boy nearly screamed at Enerion. The man was taken aback at the fury held by the child as he stared back at him.
"So, you speak." Enerion remarked after a while has passed. The boy did not answer him and the neighing of the horse was the only sound that broke the silence.
"I will bring you to your sister," Enerion started again when the boy refused to speak.
"You are lying!" the boy said as his body trembled with emotions.
"Quite the contrary, I saw her, alive and taken by the elves," he answered the boy and started to walk back to his horse.
The boy glanced at him with full suspicion. "Why?"
"Why?" echoed the man as he mounted back on his horse and waited for the boy to follow. When he did not, he continued.
"It has been said that the Elves great halls house jeweled treasures far imaginable by mortal man. Now, I plan to take them in exchange for your life. If your sister wishes to see you again, then all she has to do, is make a plea to the Elves to honor a trade." Enerion said and leveled a glare at the child.
The boy wavers under the ruthless stare of the man.
"If you think you can escape now, look around you," he let out a derisive laugh. "There are but rocks around and wolves hunt in packs at night if the sun does not kill you first." He flatly said and held out his open hand. "You have a choice boy, which one will you choose."
The boy hesitated and did not like to choose. When he was growing up, his parents taught him right from wrong and he knew the Elves were good people from the stories his father told him long ago but, he was alone in the plains with many bad things happen even to good people like his parents. So, with a heavy heart, he walked forward and felt his skin crawl when he took Enerion's outstretched hand that hoisted him in front of the saddle.
"Good." Enerion remarked and soon they rode the plains as fast as the horse could take them.
Elsewhere, Anathea hobbled towards the railing to look out at the view from her room. She had been very curious of what this place was and wanted to know more about it but Estel was not with her yet. Anathea gasped in wonder at the sight before her. She gripped the railing as emotions run through her in pure amazement where she stood by, observing. She had never seen that such a beautiful place would truly exist in Middle Earth. It felt like all her cares have fallen away and she was suspended in an ethereal realm so different from what she knew.
The sight held her and in silence, she began to dream of a world that was far from pain and sadness. She wondered if there were anymore like this place and continued gazing at the far away falls that fed the river underneath it. She could not see the whole length of river for it ran below far from her sight from where she is.
She breathed in deeply and the scent of pine intermingled with rosemary were recognizable fragrance sweeping into her chamber. A loud chirp greeted above her head and found the Thrush again, coming for another visit today. She smiled at the bird.
"Hello there," she greeted back and followed the bird's flight when he perched closer this time, on the railing near her. Anathea giggled. She had never been so close to a bird and made sure not to make sudden movements that would frighten it away, she slowly lifted her forefinger and stroked the body of the bird. It chirped again. The delight of feeling the soft feathers run under her finger made Anathea giggle again.
"It is also nice to make your acquaintance again," she carried out her monologue. The Thrush hopped this time to her forefinger and Anathea was giggling all over, as she felt, the Thrush's little feet wrapped on her finger while blasting out another series of chirps.
"I would love to dance with you, but I am still not well," Anathea replied looking rather disappointed.
The bird chirped.
Anathea nodded. "Yes, my ankle has not healed yet."
Estel was heading down the hall when he heard laughter coming from Anathea's room. He was suddenly curious and wondered what she could be laughing at. Silently, he opened her door to a crack and peered into her room. He saw her leaning on the railing with a Thrush on her hand. It was chirping madly at her.
"Is that so."
He heard her say. He came in.
"I would love to go and see more of your beautiful home once I am well." She promised.
The Thrush chirped again.
"You are very insistent, are you?" Anathea chided a little. "Very well, when I am well, I will go and we can have the whole day exploring. Will you show me your secret place?" She asked this time.
The bird seemed to bob its tiny head in affirmation and finally prepared for another flight. The bird rustled its feathers and spread its wings. With a push from its legs, the Thrush flew away.
"Thank you." Anathea waved upwards.
Estel burst forward. "You made a friend?" He called out rather loudly that startled the girl.
"I'm sorry," He stopped himself when Anathea gasped. "I will try to be more quiet." Estel amended.
Anathea chuckled. "No," she started wagging her head. "It is fine. There was no harm done." Anathea replied.
Estel came up beside her and noticed that he came up barely reaching her shoulders. He is short. I really must make sure Father feeds me right. Estel took a mental note.
"How old are you?" Estel asked curious.
"Eleven," answered Anathea. "And you?" looking back at the falls.
"Seven."
"Is it this beautiful, Estel?" Anathea asked with a breathless tone in her voice.
"Always," Estel replied. "I heard you talking to a bird? I didn't know you could do it too." There was a slight annoyance creeping in his voice.
"Anathea's brow furrowed. "You're annoyed?" She asked puzzled.
"My brothers could understand any animal here in Middle Earth except for the fell things that roam the lands that is and I was trying to understand Nimloth yesterday, but all she did was throw me to the ground." Estel patted his still sore back for emphasis.
"Nimloth?" Anathea repeated not following Estel's story.
"Nimloth, is a female foal at the stables." Estel provided and glanced inquiringly at the girl. "You haven't been to the stables, right. I must bring you next time." He told her after realization hit him.
"You seldom, wake up so early in the morning. What made this time different?" Estel asked, curious.
Anathea looked strangely at him and for a moment, a flicker of distrust came over her face but she shook her head as if to clear the bad thought away from her mind. She was not among strangers who were going to hurt her. She was safe.
"I had a bad dream and I couldn't sleep." She replied and continued. "And I decided to watch the coming of dawn over..." She groped for the word Estel told her before.
"Im..." She tried to remember.
"Imladris." Estel finished for her when he figured out what she was saying.
"Imladris." Anathea repeated as she nodded.
"What was the dream about?" asked Estel, genuinely intrigued.
"I was chased by the five men and that they caught me. They were all laughing around me. I..." her lips started to tremble. "I saw my sister's body on the ground and that of my parents, Estel." Looking at him with sorrowful eyes but sharply averted them and stared again at the faraway waterfall. "My family is gone." She whispers more to herself and closes her eyes. Estel stood silent by her side not knowing what to say.
"I lost my father when I was very young and I can not remember my mother's face." Estel shared, his own brows furrowed as he tried countless times trying to remember what his mother looked like only that he could only remember his mother's name.
"Your uncle will only be very happy to know that you are well and recovering, once he sees you." He told her, trying to cheer her up. However, the girl seemed to be lost in her thoughts and appeared to have not heard him. So Estel let the silence fall between them and idly watched a hummingbird flit pass them.
A bell rang inside the inner halls of the house and Estel took Anathea's arm. The girl turned to look at him quizzically.
"Morning meal is set." He explained. "Why don't you join us at the table. I'm sure father won't mind." He gave her a small smile, glad that something has changed the subject.
The girl nodded and hobbled beside Estel out of the room. Along the way, the two found out that it was hard to keep their balance straight. They only succeeded a few yards when finally both of them crashed onto a vase. Estel was pinned underneath Anathea that he could not save the vase from breaking on the floor.
"Do you think someone heard that?" Anathea asked in a hush tone as she saw the ceramic in pieces. She tried to push herself up as Estel squirmed from under her. Estel would have roared in laughter from Anathea's remark but instead bit his lips.
"Yes, unfortunately and my father will be displeased." He said while gravely looking at the scattered ceramic pieces.
Let me help you," a warm male voice from behind her offered and Anathea was soon easily swept up the floor. She felt her cheeks go warm when she found out that Elrohir carried her in his arms. She quickly looked away, embarrassed.
"Elrohir!" Estel voice came out like a squeak. "Please, don't tell, Father." He begged as he followed his brother into the dining hall.
"Tell me what?" Elrond asked from his seat as they entered the room. He had a very good idea of the mischief that had happened down the hall as the elf lord's eyes inquiringly gazes at his human son and on Anathea.
"Anathea, I would have one of my attendants bring your meal to your room," The elf lord offered.
Elrohir gently sets her down and waits for Anathea to take her seat before going to his own chair across the table. Elladan watched his brother with a sly gleam in his eyes. However, he decided not to tease his brother just yet.
"Estel invited me to join you. I had thought it was all right," she politely tells him while looking at the faces gathered around the table seeking approval.
Elrond smiled as he nodded. "That was very thoughtful of you, son." His father complimented. "We are glad that you can join us for breakfast, Anathea."
The boy smiled and had temporarily forgotten what happened along their way to the dining hall. However, Elrond did not forget and he planned to ask Estel about it after the meal.
The family ate and it was Anathea's first time to eat other elven food besides the broth that she had become accustomed too. She knew she would not forget this experience for the rest of her life. The conversation was hearty and Anathea enjoyed her time eating with the Elven family. She listened intently to the brothers' stories and Elrond noted that she was extremely fascinated by their encounters.
"Oh," she started as if she forgot something. She glanced around the table as if looking for someone. The Elves and Estel turned to her, questioningly.
"Shouldn't we have waited for your wife, Lord Elrond?" Anathea innocently asked.
Elladan and Elrohir stiffened a little in their seats while their father spoke.
"My wife," Elrond began in a soft tone that Anathea almost missed if she wasn't listening attentively.
"Has sailed for the Undying lands many years ago." He ended and offered no further explanation. An awkward silence fell on the small group around the table.
Anathea didn't understand what he meant and but she had sensed that it was something not freely discussed so she dropped the subject and apologized greatly for her impoliteness.
"No child. You have no fault in the matter," Elrond told her, as his face breaking in an understanding half smile that was sincere. "You had no way of knowing." He lays a hand on her shoulder.
Soon the meal was over and again, Elrohir carried Anathea back to her room followed by his father and brothers. Elladan kept quiet on the side but caught Anathea's gaze upon him when she happened to look to his direction. She could see a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips, which made her flushed even more. She had an idea that the older twin will tease Elrohir when he had a chance.
"Let us see your ankle," Elrond remarked when Elrohir lowered her to the bed so that his father could begin examining Anathea's ankle.
"The swelling has subsided and the bruise has disappeared," Elrond told her. Anathea flinches at little at Elrond's touch and came to a decision that another week was needed for her ankle to heal completely.
"Another week." She groaned.
"Yes," Elrond emphasized and detected the boredom in the child's voice. "And by that time your uncle will be here to take you to Gondor."
"My uncle..." The girl repeated.
Elrond noted the forgetful tone of the girl about her uncle's family. Imladris seemed to have that effect with transients. Anathea wondered what it would be like to live with her uncle. She was starting to get accustomed to living with the Elves.
Elrond nodded as he carefully watched the girl. "I will be sending out my messenger today to bring word to your uncle. Tell me, what is his name?"
"His name is Amros." She said in a quiet voice.
"Do you not want to be your family, Anathea?" Elrond gently asks.
"I do want to be with them. But it always feels that the moment I start liking a place, just like now, I find out that I have to move again. It is always the same what my father did to us." Her voice shook a little.
"I spent most of my life going from one hamlet to another that I have forgotten what it was like to just stay at one place." The girl said in a frustrated tone. "Now, that they are gone..."
"But you do not know for certain," Elrohir interrupted her.
Anathea looked at him in quiet disbelief. "I just know. I saw them in my dream, last night." She shivered.
Elrond sympathized with the girl and raised a hand to Elrohir to stop him from saying anymore which could upset the girl. He understood Anathea's need for permanence. Just as the Elves remained in Middle Earth, they strove to retain what was left from the Glory of the Eldar. However, they had come to know that through passage of time, the dominion of the West would pass to the Men and no matter how one looks at it; the Firstborns will become myths to the lives of Men.
As for this child, the stability of having a home was identified with her parents and now they were gone, Anathea is striving to find it here.
"You have not lost your family, Anathea. They lived through you," Elrond began to explain as he sat beside her and quickly noted her look of rejection of what he was going to say next. Not to be deterred, he placed his hand on the girl's head so that she will listen.
"It is true that circumstance has forced you to be permanently separated from your parents and from your sister, but they are in you. The things they have taught you while you were growing up in those places you have been to, the values they left behind. They are with you because they know what they have taught you, would someday become useful in your own life. That is part of their legacy, Anathea. Wherever you maybe, you will always carry them with you."
"It's not the same," she mumbled as the pain came reverberating back.
Elrond watched her as he felt his heart broke to see another child come to grips of the loss of her own parents. "I know, Anathea and how I wish we can we take away your pain but we cannot. Through time you will also heal." He said softly as he took the girl in his arms when she started to cry. "We are here, Anathea." He said reassuring her while slowly rocking her to calm the child. Soon her sobs were all spent and Anathea heave a long sigh.
"Please stay for a little while until I fall asleep?" Anathea requested as she stared into space. Her eyelids drooped from the calling of sleep.
"Of course, Anathea." Elrond replied as he helped her settled in her bed.
Anathea looked at the others with glistening eyes and clutched the extra pillow close to her.
Elrond turned to his sons. They all nodded in understanding and left the room.
Outside the room, Estel looked up to his brothers. "I hope she'll be well again."
Elladan placed a hand on Estel's little shoulders as he knelt beside him. "We remember how long and hard it was for you too, Estel."
"And I'm glad, you, Elrohir and father were always there." Estel told him as he gave his older brother a hug. "I wish we can do that for her too."
With that, the brothers walked away.
Elrond stayed with the girl as she tried to sleep. Then he thought of an elvish lullaby, he used to sing to his sons then to Estel when the boy was having a hard time sleeping. He started to sing the lullaby to Anathea.
Anathea stirred inside the covers as she heard the voice singing through her. It was in a language very unfamiliar to her ears but her heart was grieving too much and the emotional spin of her feelings left her exhausted again that her eyes remained close and only listened to the voice, gentle touch.
She rolled to one side, facing the singer while her hand stretched out on the covers as if it was seeking for the other hand. Elrond took her hand and held it. The little fingers interlaced with his and as he finished the song, the girl was breathing easily and rhythmic rise and fall of her chest told him that she was asleep.
He leaned forward to give her a fatherly kiss. "You will never be alone, child." He whispered in grey tongue and slowly removed his hand from her grasp. He stood for a few more minutes before quietly leaving the room.