(A/N: Sorry I haven't written in a while for all you who follow my story. I still have up to chapter 16 written out, so this story hasn't been completely abandoned. I will try to get as much up as I possibly can. Keep the reviews coming, but mostly, please just enjoy yourselves, and have a moments entertainment, as you escape from the world around you, and enter into a new and unexplored territory!)

Disclaimers: If it doesn't belong to me, it's not mine!

"For some, pain is a trial, to fight and overcome, and strengthen. For others, it is their air. They live, breathe and drink all that hurts them so."

Chapter Eight: Withered Away

When Adah awoke, her eyes felt warm and dry, but the pillows beneath her were wet, and as she placed her hands on her hot cheeks, she felt where the tears had fallen. "Had it been a dream?" She wondered to herself. Flashbacks of the day before reviewed in her mind. She saw Legolas shaking on the ground. She saw herself screaming at those surrounding her in the school yard. She saw her parent's grave.

She shot out of her bed hoping the stinging inside had been brought forth by only a dream. She put her hand over her bed stand and petals brushed her fingers. There was the rose, sitting by the note, and a new fresh rose. She also found on her wrist, the crest of Legolas.

She squeezed her eyes together tight as pain flooded in the depths of her being. She felt a cloud of darkness and loneliness encase her body, and whatever joy and filled her life before, slowly slipped away.

Legolas was gone.

She forced her weary body out of bed, and dragged her feet to the window. A chair was now positioned there, that hadn't been before, as if someone had spent the night watching her. She stepped past the chair and walked onto the balcony. She let the wind pass over her face. All the strength she'd left began to abandon her. Her body started to tremble and she grabbed onto the stone ledge for support.

A strong wind forced itself upon her, trying to blow her back, but her feet were as heavy as rocks, and though her knees quivered, her feet held fast to the floor.

Color now departed her face, leaving her white and ghost-like. The shine in her hair and eyes faded and her skin grew hot. A sharp pain rose deep in her chest and she let out an agonizing wail that chilled the hearts of all that heard it. Amongst those was Adalin Tuckinin, and he ran to her chamber as fast as his feet would carry him.

Adalin found her laying on the balcony, shivering as if she'd just been pulled from a night chilled sea, but her head burned like fire, and was drenched with sweat.

He picked her up and whispered old songs and comforting verses he'd learned on his travels. He carried her to the room of the healers, and laid her on one of the tables.

None moved at the site of the child. They stared as if she'd been conjured by some evil wizardry, and brought forth for their destruction. Adalin turned to them impatient. "Can you not see I have brought you a sick child? Your job is to help all who dwell here, and Rivendell is her home as much as it is yours. Tend to this child, or lord Elrond will hear of your treachery."

At once, as if stung by his words, the three healing woman, and the two apprentices frantically ran around the room, observing Adah, and seeking out herbs they could give her.

Water mixed with plants was clothed over her brow. They felt at her throat, and rubbed her feet. But her state did not change, and she seemed to be in an awakened sleep. She called out the name Legolas, but she never opened her eyes, and seemed unaware of those around her. Adah was lost in a world she knew not how to escape from.

The oldest healing woman there spoke out loud, more to the air than anyone in particular. "We've seen no case like this before. She is hot and drenched in sweat, and yet we can find no trace of sickness inside, or out. Her eyes are dark and she doesn't seem to be able to see out of them. I don't think she's really here, if you understand me." She gave the teacher a concerned look.

Adalin looked over the child and sadness crept its slimy fingers over him. A dark cloud seemed to loom over the room. He turned to the woman, who seemed to posses the age and wisdom equal to Elrond and himself.

"I think what takes her is beyond this world that we know." He said. "Her eyes tell all. What I see in them is what's inside her, and they are dark and void. They've ridden themselves of the fire they once held. I believe she is fading."

He looked back to Adah who's fists were now clenched together. She seemed to be fighting a great battle inside herself, though none could tell whether she was wining or not. "She is only a child, and yet she is beyond her years. She has been through much, and I don't count her past fair to the least extent."

Now all looked on the child, who's face was now taking a change. What light had once existed there, now turned to darkness. The child didn't even appear to be human any longer. Her form transitioned from a playful sprite to some poor creature, wretched from deep toil and suffering.

None, not even Adalin dared to touch her, as if at the faintest touch she would whither away.

It was Elrond who came in and took her. He didn't bother to ask what happened, for he appeared to already understand. He left carrying Adah in his arms, and bared her away to the river that led to her parents grave. There he sat and rocked her until her weathered body calmed as still as the fields in Rivendell.

Some peace seemed to befall her. Whether it was the cool of the air, the sound of the river crashing amongst the shore, the shade of the trees or just the great arms of the elf-lord, Elrond did not know. But he did know that this child was now utterly alone, and he knew he was part to blame. He would have to set aside his fear of this being whom he loved and hated, this being whom he was bound to for a time, and give her whatever comfort he could.

For once, he cast all his cares aside, and thought only of Adah, and as the heat fled her body, she seemed to sense it.

(A/N: Well that's it for now. I know it's kinda sad, and the sadness thing gets old when it runs for too long, but in the next chapter, Adah's life is going to be drastically changed. It takes place a little bit into the future, and Adah's going to start having some adventures, and she even gets a new *&^%$# (sorry, not telling) There's going to be some new twists, and just to clarify, this story all takes place before the war of the ring, before Aragorn came to stay at Rivendell and all that, and if you've red all the appendixes of the books, then you'll notice some of the things some of the characters refer to. O.K, well, hope you still like my story, and I promise the next chapter's a little bit lighter and happier. (Disney style as my creative writing teacher calls it. Hee hee) O.K, that's it. Bye. Stop reading this! Yes, go home! Well, you probably already are home, but anywho, you get the point.)