Two
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"Cevina learned to handle the child although the lady was still reluctant to leave him in her care. She grew attached to Estel as if he were her own. There were not really any others that she could talk to. (Perhaps Glorfindel, but he was busy and usually never around.) Being who she was, her presence was not really welcome in Imladris. "
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Elrohir lay upon the bed and sighed. He pressed one hand over his wound and winced. The knife had cut pretty deep into his flesh. If he had not lucked out he might have died right on the spot.
"You should not do that…"Cevina smiled as she opened the door. Elrohir raised his eyes and turned toward the girl. Her hair was black and long and her eyes were emerald green. There was a cut on her cheek and her neck was covered with bruises. But she was pretty, very pretty.
"And you should not be in here…" He replied with teasing smile.
"… Hmmm… I guess I could not resist…" She shrugged. She wanted very much to see the stranger that she fallowed a few moths ago. To her, he was quite charming, although a bit odd. She took a look at his wound and made a face. The blood was seeping through his clothing and gushing onto the sheets. "What happened?"
"I had a slip up…" He replied, "Nothing too serious…"
"I would call this pretty serious…" She whispered as she began to help clean the wound. She had no idea what she was doing of course but he did not notice. "Who did this?"
"… Orcs."
"Orcs… what are orcs?" She looked up at him. Elrohir glared at her for a moment and laughed softly. Cevina dropped her eyes and smiled.
"Cevina what are you doing in here?" A sharp voice came from behind.
"I…"
"You're not supposed to be here, get out, now!" It was the voice of Hiera, the nurse. Elrohir opened his mouth to say something in her defense but thought better of it. He was not in the mood to argue with Hiera not to mention the pain was really getting to him. Cevina licked her lips at him before slipping out the door.
"You must not get too close to that one…"
Elrohir didn't answer. He turned to his side and smiled. "…She's a whore you know…literally," Hiera continued bitterly, "And pregnant with the child of some drunk piece of…"
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"Cevina… he's beautiful…"
She looked down and sighed. Her body felt weary and painful but she was happy. She had a new baby boy. She was bleeding heavily yet it was far from her mind. Everything seemed blissful for that one moment. "Let me hold him…" She reached out with weak arms.
"What will you name him?"
"Gawen…" She answered after a few thoughtful seconds. Her eyes fell upon the tiny baby in her arms. His blue eyes looked up at her curiously before starting to fall back asleep.
"I want see him…" Estel looked up and peered over her shoulders. He was a boy of three now and smart as a whip. Cevina held the baby closer and kissed his brow. Everything seemed worth it then. Gawen would grow up happier than she did. That was all that matters.
"Why Gawen?"
"My brother was named Gawen…"replied Cevina after a silence. It hurt to think about her brother but it was also oddly nice.
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The next few months were harsh. She tried to care for her own babe and Estel although she was weary all the time. The other maidens continued to avoid her, whispering things about her past. But nothing could waver her joy of having Gawen in her arms. She was a mother, and not a bad one at that.
"Cevina, we're really busy in the kitchens today… can you just serve the wine?"
She nodded quietly although she hated the thought of pouring wine. It only brought back dreadful memories. She set Gawen on the bed and tucked him in. She brushed her hair a few times and headed toward the kitchens. The night passed quite dreadfully slow. Time and time again she went in receiving looks of interest, loathing, and even pity. Everyone seemed to know everything about her.
Cevina poured wine quickly trying to avoid the gaze of those that stood around her. But she caught the glance of Elrohir and smiled yet her hand slipped. Wine spilled onto the lap of a burly man.
"You little…"He cried as he shoved her onto the ground. Cevina looked up and started to apologize but he was past accepting apologies. His glass fell on the floor and shattered, the pieces flying everywhere. Cevina winced as the pieces of glass cut into her arms and face and she started to bleed slightly. Everyone gasped and stood up although no one made any notions to do anything.
"I'm sorry sir…" She began to say but she realized that would not do any good. He struck her hard across the face before she could say anymore and then turned back to his food.
"I must advise you not to that again, to anyone in my realm…" Came a clear and stern voice of the lord Elrond who had stood up as well, "Or I must ask you to leave…" He turned to Cevina and gave her a look of concern. Cevina quickly stood up and straightened her gown. She turned away and walked from the room. The other servants shook their heads at her as she walked back.
"Are you alright?"
Cevina looked up from her lap. Elrohir sat down beside her on the bench overlooking the balcony and brushed the hair from her eyes. She smiled weakly and nodded. He looked down at her arms where some little pieces of glass still stuck into her cuts.
"What he did, it was out of line…"He began, "It was only an accident, he overreacted."
"Thanks." She answered the only way she could.
"I didn't get to catch your name the last time," Elrohir said gently.
"Cevina…"She replied quietly wondering where this was going. Although it felt awkward, she enjoyed his company.
"I'm Elrohir…" He added feeling a bit strange.
"I know, "She blurted, her cheeks turning a bit red, "Son of lord Elrond…" He laughed quietly at this and looked toward the sky. The waning moon glowed brightly in the sky and the stars twinkled in the background.
"Well, um… thanks." She said with a weak smile, "I'll… see you around." She knew better than to get too close to him, for he was of a higher race and class than her. But it was somehow comforting to know that someone was on her side.