A/N: Yes, I know this chapter is shorter than the two previous ones. Really, I couldn't help it. Okay, maybe I could, but I just don't want to. LOL!

Chapter 30

            The House of Healing in the kingdom of Mirkwood was in an uproar. All three Healers on duty were frantically running within its walls, shuffling back and forth between the private rooms located off of the main room, their arms full of something or another. A small crowd of people stood in that main room, shouting at the Healers, making demands, going as far as trying to follow them.

            At first glance, the sight would warrant the suspicion of numerous injuries due to battle, but it was not so. In fact, at the moment, the House only held three patients and Elf-maidens at that. Each was settled comfortably in her private room while members of her respective families stood out in the main room, demanding to see them.

            Velia had just stepped out of the room that housed Ziendriel, who was now sleeping comfortably. It had been such a shock to see the poor dear after nearly a week of absence, but even more so to see the state she had been in. The seasoned Healer had immediately surmised starvation as well as dehydration of the young one, not to mention the severe burning of her entire right hand. Parts of the skin had been blackened by fire, while the rest of it had already begun to puff and fill with pus. Besides the dirt on her face, she had found deep scratches running down one cheek, as well as old, yellowing bruises all over her face and head, mixing with more recent ones. There had also been the matter of the deep gash on her left arm.

            All of this, including the fact that the maiden's captor had not allowed her the decency of relieving her bodily functions in a humane way (for her dress had been sorely soiled), had shaken Velia to the core. She could not understand how one Elf could do this to another, and especially to Ziendriel! The girl was as good and innocent as they came and she could not imagine her doing anything to warrant such treatment!

            She is safe now, Velia thought, as quietly closed the door to Ziendriel's room, She is safe and that is all that matters. The commotion in the main room finally caught her attention, immediately causing a frown to cross her features. It had not been easy to tend to one of her own, but she had done it and would now do anything to assure her patient, as well as the other two maidens, got the peace that they deserved.

            Velia stood for a moment, observing the situation before her. Members of the girls' families stood by the front door, yelling their demands to her Healers. One mother was in hysterics, tears streaming down her face as she demanded to see her daughter. One father stood there shaking his fist in the air, while the other silently fumed. It was all so chaotic and noisy and Velia was not having it.

            "QUIET!" she bellowed, causing everyone in the room to jump. They all fell silent and looked to her, surprised. "There are three maidens here who have been through an ordeal so horrendous; I will not speak of it," she announced, her jaw set firmly,  "They are my patients and under my supervision, and as such, have been tended to with the utmost care. As of now, all three are resting, a rest so deserved, that I cannot emphasize the importance of silence!" She stared pointedly at the small group before her and became pleased when they all looked guiltily away. She softened then, knowing how much these parents had gone through, worrying about their daughters. "I suggest you all return in the morning," she added, speaking softly, "There is naught more you can do here. I assure you that the girls know of your love and that we will do all we can to make them comfortable."

            After a moment, the families reluctantly agreed to return to their homes, but only after promising the Healers that they would be back first thing in the morning. She merely smiled and nodded, then walked them out the door, shutting it behind them.

            Velia sighed, once they were gone. Family of patients could be so cumbersome to a Healer at times, almost hindering the very care that was needed. She understood their concern, she really did, but sometimes…She sighed again, letting her thought trail, then walked back over to Ziendriel's room. She paused for a moment, then quietly slipped inside, not noticing the soft, knowing smiles of the two Healers watching her from across the room.

            The room was almost completely dark and as per her instructions, the drapes were slightly opened, allowing a small bit of moonlight in. Ziendriel was suffering from a slight aversion to light after being in such a dim cave for so long, but it was not permanent. Her eyes needed to be readjusted to receiving light and Velia was confident that such a treatment would only take a week at most.

Softly walking over to the bed that held her patient, she peered down at the young one, shaking her head slightly. Tears were forming in her eyes as she thought of the torture Ziendriel had gone through, but she wouldn't allow them to fall. Velia sniffed quietly, then gently tucked the blankets around her.

"Will she be alright?"

The voice came softly from the corner of the room, startling the healer. She turned towards it source, her heart beating fast, then took a deep breath when she realized who it was.

Legolas stepped out of the shadows of the corner, his face somber. Though he had asked the Healer the question, his eyes remained fast to the peaceful figure in the bed.

Velia walked over to him, her face soft. "Of course, milord," she whispered, "I admit some of her ailments appear severe, but she will heal; she only needs time." She saw him nod absently as his shoulders slumped. She gently touched his arm. "Please, milord," she pleaded, "Retire for the night. I am sure your day has been just as trying as hers. You need your rest."

Legolas shook his head. "I do not wish to leave her," he whispered back, "I do not wish for her to be out of my sight for I fear she will not return." It was then that a single tear ran down his cheek, but he did not brush it away.

Velia smiled in understanding. The prince had refused to leave Ziendriel's side since bringing her to the House. It had taken several moments to convince him to lay her on a bed for examination; he had not wanted to release her from his protective embrace. Only after Sima, another Healer, had told him that he was interfering with the healing of Ziendriel, had he let her go. But he had not strayed too far; he had stood off on the side, observing. "She will be here, milord," she told him reassuringly, "I promise. She has been returned to us and I will make sure that it stays that way."

Legolas continued to stare at the maiden in the bed, unblinking, as if afraid to do so would cause her to vanish from his sight. Without a word, he stepped closer to the bed, his hand tentatively reaching out to touch her cheek. It was just the whisper of a touch, but Ziendriel felt it nonetheless. A small smile crept to her lips and she sighed softly, as she snuggled deeper under the covers. Her breathing returned to its soft and steady pace as she resumed her slumber. It brought a smile to the prince's face. It did his heart good to see her now, like this, peaceful and safe.

He turned to Velia, then did something she had not expected: he kissed her cheek. He smiled at her shock, then whispered, "I will take your advice, Velia. I now see that Ziendriel is in good hands. I will return in the morning."

Velia returned his smile and walked him out. It appeared to her that despite all of the strife and emotion that had dominated the last week, a happy ending was beginning to take shape.

Ariel lay in her bed within the House of Healing, listening to the sounds of the forest that drifted through her open window. She did not know the hour but guessed it to be late for she did not hear any of the Healers moving around in the main room.

She carefully sat up, then languidly stretched her shoulders and back. It felt good to do so after being tied to that horribly uncomfortable chair for hours on end in an equally horrible cave. She could not believe that an entire week had passed since meeting Elyse in the woods; she felt as if all conception of time was now lost on her.

She gently rubbed the back of her head, pleased that the lump she had received from Grien was considerably smaller. She knew all about Grien, Adrianna and Tiri for Lorith had told her once she had been seen by the Healers after being rescued. She remembered the shock that had jolted her body at being told that Adrianna, her friend, had engineered the whole plot, from the forged letters they had received to their abductions and imprisonment. How could Adrianna have done this to her? And to Elyse, who was supposed to be her best friend? And why? The questions ran around in her head, giving her no answer but succeeding in making her head spin.

She slowly sat up and brought her knees to her chest. She hugged her knees tightly and began to slightly rock her body. What had surprised her even more was the fact that Ziendriel had also been taken. It had not made sense when she had first heard it, but at a glance at Legolas it all fell into place. Ziendriel had been taken because the prince loved her; it made sense, but did not make her sister's situation tolerable.

When Legolas had rushed into the House with Ziendriel, he had caused such an uproar, that Ariel had come out of her room to see what the matter was. She had nearly fainted at the sight of her sister, so badly treated and unconscious. Luckily, Elyse had also come running, and had caught her just as her knees had buckled.

Tears pricked her eyes as she recalled the horrible sight of her sister bloodied and bruised and Ariel allowed them to fall. Her sister had been through so much this past week, but she was sure she could not even fathom it in the slightest. It saddened her to think of her behavior towards her sister prior to their kidnapping and she felt a heavy weight of guilt settle upon her shoulders.

"Ziendriel is right," she now murmured to herself, "I am a spoiled brat. I've never thought of anyone but myself; not even when she was away at Rivendell, away from our family. What a fool I am!" She shook her head in self-disgust.

            Her time in the cave had allowed her thoughts to expand and she had found they'd always returned to her family. She loved them dearly and knew they loved her, too. Her parents willingly gave her the desires of her heart, but she knew that it was Ziendriel who would have gotten her the moon and stars if she wanted. It had always been Ziendriel who had doted on her, who had shown her all the love a sister could possibly bestow upon her. Even when she had lived in Rivendell, Ariel knew that her sister loved her.

            The acknowledgement of it had Ariel in awe, then guilt. All Ziendriel had done was be a great sister than anyone could ask her to be and how did Ariel repay her? By acting like a jealous elfling brat who did not get her way. She winced as she remembered the harsh words of accusations she had thrown at Ziendriel when she had found out about her friendship with the prince. She was sure that that had been the first time she had ever spoken such words to her sister; oh, how hurt Ziendriel must have bee!

            Ariel sighed, then laid back down in the bed. Ziendriel had always given her forgiveness, but this time, she knew she would have to earn it. She wanted to; it was the least she could do for her sister.

            She settled back down among the soft pillows and felt her eyes begin to droop. Her last conscious thought before drifting off to sleep was that of crawling to her sister's bedside, begging for forgiveness.

            Elyse was also in her bed, tossing and turning. The ordeal had been quite trying on her mentally, but she had nearly died when the Healers had finally allowed her to look in a mirror. At the time of her rescue, she could not believe the prince and his friends had seen her in such a state! What could they possibly think of her now?

            After the whole humiliating experience of being poked and prodded, the old hags known as Healers had allowed her to bathe and eat a small meal. She did not know who had claimed the responsibility of the meal, but Elyse had eaten it with disdain. She had been forced to eat it, for one of the hags had stood watch over her, annoying her to no end! And the bath water had been nearly cold when she had stepped into the tub; did they want her to freeze to death?

            And now, this bed! She punched her pillow in an attempt to soften it, then flopped onto the mattress with great flourish. How did the old hags expect her to sleep on such a thing? She grunted and turned over, trying to find a comfortable spot and position.

            Unfortunately, she was too close to the edge of the bed and unceremoniously crashed to the floor. She let out a shriek and felt her face burn with embarrassment. "I hate everything!" she growled.

            In a small room located at the end of the hall near the servants' quarters, Lady Adrianna Roseleaf sat curled up in a corner, her eyes staring vacantly before her. Her head rested against one of the walls, her mouth slackened and slightly agape. The guards stationed outside the door would later tell anyone who would listen that she had been in that position since Lord Jhad had brought her there and had not moved an inch.

            Sudden, crazed laughter broke from the lady's mouth, startling the guards. They peaked through the small window in the door and saw Adrianna, still sitting in the same position, laughing loudly. Her mouth was open wide and there was a deranged light in her eyes as her laughter grow louder and louder.

            The guards glanced at one another, then slid the small window closed. They resumed their post, ignoring the muffled sounds of laughter.

            In his own holding room high above the gardens, Grien Whitesun still sat on the floor, happily humming to himself as he sketched. The floor was now cluttered with hundreds of parchments, each bearing the face of Adrianna Roseleaf. Every so often, he would stop his drawing and lightly kiss a picture, then murmur something lovingly to it or hug another one, crushing it in his arms.

            He had retreated so far into his mind that his family feared they could not bring him back.

            Tiri Amberwood sat locked in her quarters, quietly sobbing into her pillow. Her tears stung the tender skin of her cheek that was now red and inflamed from the hard slap her mother had given her. She could not sleep and doubted that she would ever be able to again.

            Her mother had been livid when the truth had finally come out and her father had burned with silent fury. However, it had been her mother, to her surprise, who had reacted violently by slapping her. Her father had merely nodded, then stalked out of the room. Then, she had been locked in her quarters by order of the king, until further notice. Apparently, her punishment had been waylaid by the return of Lady Ziendriel.

            Tiri knew her future looked grim and she was afraid. So very afraid.