Chapter 11
A gentle rain softly fell upon the roof of the house of healing. The refreshingly delicious scent of wet earth, wood, grass and the general flora wafted lazily through the air. The sound of its light splashing was subtly soothing enough to lull one into an almost dreamlike state.
Haldir sat once again by Élharma's bedside. She had lain in a deep sleep for almost two days now, waking only once, and then briefly. It was a good sleep, a rest that would help both her mind and body begin healing.
Haldir watched with a familiar awe the stunning vision, which lay before him. She was perfect in every way, from her gently waved strands of burnished gold, to her pale skin, slightly bronzed from many hours beneath the sun. Her flawlessly pointed ears, her high, delicate cheekbones, her long, slender fingers. His heart leapt every time he saw her, for her beauty was beyond measure.
It did not seem as if she was to wake soon, so he let his mind wander. His thoughts went to his conversation with Elrond the morning before, just at the royal party was departing for Imladris.
"A characteristic of this poison is that it drains the subject of all energy and strength." The lord had instructed from the back of his magnificent steed, "Élharma will be physically weak, most likely so much so that she will be unable to move at all. She will require constant care for the first few weeks, as she will be unable to care for herself."
Haldir had nodded in acceptance. He was not only willing but also wanted to do every care for his one love, his heart. There was no creature in all of middle earth that he loved more. A smile played upon his lips when he remembered the confusion in his mind about such matters just a few short days ago.
But now he knew. Now he understood exactly what conclusion Arwen had been prodding him to. And he had come to that conclusion before it was to late.
He did not only appreciate Élharma's beauty, but he loved her for who she is. He loved her for all of her good traits, not just pitying her for her many emotional hindrances. Arwen had managed to make him see past Élharma's cold indifference to see the beautiful, creative, inquisitive, passionate being that was at her very core.
Élharma's mind came from the warm depths of sleep slowly, peacefully, as if rising from a balmy, relaxing bath where the air was not unpleasantly cold but it was a refreshing difference from the slightly oppressive heat of the water. As her body came into tune with her mind, she heard soft breathing from somewhere to her right, she smelled the familiar, dusky scent of earth. Haldir. Her heart leapt at the thought of him. Had it all been a dream or had she actually, positively heard him say the things he had said when she woke up last time?
Curious, she opened her eyes slightly. She was suddenly thankful for the rain, as it thoroughly muted the harshness of pure sunlight; she must have been asleep for some time, as her eyes were taking longer than usual to adjust to the light.
"So, you have finally decided to awaken, my sleeping beauty," came his rich voice.
She opened her eyes fully and tried to answer him. To her utter frustration, she found that her voice was weak and gravelly. The words came out as no more than a croak. Haldir smiled as if he found her predicament charming.
"Yes, I am awake." She finally managed, "And don't laugh at me, I am embarrassed enough as it is."
He leaned lightly upon the bed, his eyes caressing her fine features, "And why is that, my love?"
She felt a blush creep up her throat, "First of all, because of this, this, this," she was at a loss for words to describe the particularly scant clothing she was dressed in, "this THING I am dressed in, and second of all because I appear to lack the ability to do anything about in on my own, as none of my limbs seem to be responding at the moment."
He chuckled. Yes, as a matter of fact, he did find her response utterly charming. "I shall call the healers. They shall dress you in anything you deem fit to wear." He stood to leave.
"Thank you." She said, her eyes filling with tears. His politeness and concern for her was overwhelming. The gentle kindness in his voice and the tenderness in his eyes made her feel as if she were truly a queen of the highest standing. No one, not even Arwen had ever caused her to feel this way. And even though it was new, she enjoyed the feeling immensely.
He paused and glanced back at her, "Anything for you, my heart."
The healers entered a few minutes later and Élharma requested that she be clothed in a simple cotton tunic and leggings. It was a man's attire, but would keep her modesty as she moved around in the bed.
'ahah; the thought of me moving around in bed at this moment is an oxymoron' she thought warily. 'My being moved by someone else is more like the reality.'
You see, she had found immediately that her body was not responding to any of her commands. No matter how she concentrated on tensing a muscle or lifting an appendage, she found that it was truly impossible.
Soon, they had finished and once again Élharma lay peacefully on the bed. Almost immediately, Haldir entered carrying a tray loaded with food of various sorts. He silently set himself carefully upon the bed, successful in not spilling any of the various glasses or bowls on the tray.
She regarded him with bright eyes. "Haldir?" She asked quietly.
He looked at her and arched an eyebrow.
"I love you." She said with a faint smile, unsure of how he would react.
He grinned; her words fell upon his ears like sweet honey. Those words were what he had been anxious to hear for the last few weeks.
He reached out a hand and gently held her chin in his hand, his thumb lightly caressing her lip, "You do not know how long I have waited to hear you say that, my love. And I too love you, I love you with all of my heart."
It was her turn to grin, "I am famished, my stomach feels as if I haven't eaten in, like, a week!"
He chuckled, "You really haven't eaten in over a week. I have some light soup for you, and the rest is for me."
She eyed the contents of the tray hungrily, "You have got to be kidding."
"No, I am not. You are only to have soup today. Anything else will overwhelm your system and cause you to be ill once again."
She stuck her lip out in a false pout.
He drew a spoonful of the lucid broth, its gentle aroma teasing their senses, and slowly, carefully, fed her the entire bowl.
When he finished, Élharma was exhausted and immediately fell into another deep, peaceful sleep.
Haldir cleaned the dishes and took them to the cookery. Then, he too slept. Perched on the edge of Élharma's bed, he fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
Many days passed in such a manner, Élharma sleeping for most of the day and Haldir attending to all of her waking needs. Her waking moments came at ever increasing intervals and she slowly began regaining control of her muscles. As her endurance increased, Haldir would carry her outside and they would sit in the warm sun and talk. Sometimes they would go to one of the many ponds and dip their feet in the cool water. Haldir never tired of Élharma's company. The burden of her absolute immobility was but a trifle in his eyes, as every moment of time spent with her was well worth the effort. Élharma, likewise, never grew weary of her companion, although it distressed her to be completely dependant on him.
One morning, Haldir awoke to a feather light touch brushing against his face. He knew it was Élharma but kept his eyes closed, reveling in the sensation of her fingers tracing his nose, his cheek, his jaw, his ear, and around again to sweep against his closed eyelids. A smile crept upon his lips.
"Wake up, my love." She whispered into his ear, her warm breath tickling the sensitive lobe.
"I am awake." He answered, his voice gravelly from sleep. He opened his eyes to see Élharma's face hovering just above his shoulder.
When he opened his eyes, she smiled, "I think that I am ready to try to stand up today." She almost giggled.
"I think I will say what you are ready for and what you aren't ready for," He said, an impish smile quirked his mouth.
She frowned, the corners of her delicate mouth turning down gently.
"But I agree with you that today you most certainly are ready to stand." He laughed. She was absolutely undeniable when upset.
"After breakfast." He finished.
Haldir carried her to the kitchens where they dined on a light breakfast of plump raspberries in a frothy cream. Afterwards, they returned to the healer's house for the daily routine of stretching muscles and working the various knots out of Élharma's body. Haldir called for one of the healers, and with Haldir on one arm and Anwakala on the other, they gently pulled Élharma into a standing position. Both healers slowly let all of her meager weight rest fully on her feet. Élharma was practically beaming.
Just at that moment, Galadriel walked in. She grinned widely at the scene before her, casually teasing, "Haldir, you had better hold onto her tightly or she might just up and run away."
Both Haldir and Élharma shook their heads violently. There was absolutely no way that she would leave now.
Galadriel continued, "I actually came to suggest that you attend the summer festival this year; Elrond will be having it in Rivendell. I know neither of you have ever been fond of such events, but I thought you might have had a change in ideals since last years festival."
There was a slight pause before Élharma fell heavily upon the bed to a sit upon its edge. The two in question regarded the Lady blankly. Haldir was the first to react.
"You think we should go to the festival together." He spluttered, having been completely caught off guard by the Lady's arrival.
Galadriel nodded.
Haldir recovered with ease, "I think it is an excellent idea." He looked at Élharma, who was looking at Galadriel as if the Lady's nose had just fallen off of her face.
He continued, "It will give us at least a goal, for you to be ambulating by the time the ball comes around. And if we are even luckier, you will be strong enough to dance with me."
Élharma shook her head, as if to clear it, "Thank you, my lady, for inviting us," she glanced up at Haldir, her features once again lifting in another heart breaking smile, "I think it is a wonderful idea."
They spent the next two months preparing for the summer festival. Élharma progressed quickly, regaining the ability to stand, walk, run, and finally Haldir taught her to dance.
**~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~**
Please R/R!!
Also, if you have any extra suggestions, you are more than welcome to email me with those. Do you think everything is going to be fine from here? *Laughs maniacally* I don't think so!! I have something truly evil planned and you will get a taste of it in the next chapter.
PS: I know it is a short chapter. To bad.
A gentle rain softly fell upon the roof of the house of healing. The refreshingly delicious scent of wet earth, wood, grass and the general flora wafted lazily through the air. The sound of its light splashing was subtly soothing enough to lull one into an almost dreamlike state.
Haldir sat once again by Élharma's bedside. She had lain in a deep sleep for almost two days now, waking only once, and then briefly. It was a good sleep, a rest that would help both her mind and body begin healing.
Haldir watched with a familiar awe the stunning vision, which lay before him. She was perfect in every way, from her gently waved strands of burnished gold, to her pale skin, slightly bronzed from many hours beneath the sun. Her flawlessly pointed ears, her high, delicate cheekbones, her long, slender fingers. His heart leapt every time he saw her, for her beauty was beyond measure.
It did not seem as if she was to wake soon, so he let his mind wander. His thoughts went to his conversation with Elrond the morning before, just at the royal party was departing for Imladris.
"A characteristic of this poison is that it drains the subject of all energy and strength." The lord had instructed from the back of his magnificent steed, "Élharma will be physically weak, most likely so much so that she will be unable to move at all. She will require constant care for the first few weeks, as she will be unable to care for herself."
Haldir had nodded in acceptance. He was not only willing but also wanted to do every care for his one love, his heart. There was no creature in all of middle earth that he loved more. A smile played upon his lips when he remembered the confusion in his mind about such matters just a few short days ago.
But now he knew. Now he understood exactly what conclusion Arwen had been prodding him to. And he had come to that conclusion before it was to late.
He did not only appreciate Élharma's beauty, but he loved her for who she is. He loved her for all of her good traits, not just pitying her for her many emotional hindrances. Arwen had managed to make him see past Élharma's cold indifference to see the beautiful, creative, inquisitive, passionate being that was at her very core.
Élharma's mind came from the warm depths of sleep slowly, peacefully, as if rising from a balmy, relaxing bath where the air was not unpleasantly cold but it was a refreshing difference from the slightly oppressive heat of the water. As her body came into tune with her mind, she heard soft breathing from somewhere to her right, she smelled the familiar, dusky scent of earth. Haldir. Her heart leapt at the thought of him. Had it all been a dream or had she actually, positively heard him say the things he had said when she woke up last time?
Curious, she opened her eyes slightly. She was suddenly thankful for the rain, as it thoroughly muted the harshness of pure sunlight; she must have been asleep for some time, as her eyes were taking longer than usual to adjust to the light.
"So, you have finally decided to awaken, my sleeping beauty," came his rich voice.
She opened her eyes fully and tried to answer him. To her utter frustration, she found that her voice was weak and gravelly. The words came out as no more than a croak. Haldir smiled as if he found her predicament charming.
"Yes, I am awake." She finally managed, "And don't laugh at me, I am embarrassed enough as it is."
He leaned lightly upon the bed, his eyes caressing her fine features, "And why is that, my love?"
She felt a blush creep up her throat, "First of all, because of this, this, this," she was at a loss for words to describe the particularly scant clothing she was dressed in, "this THING I am dressed in, and second of all because I appear to lack the ability to do anything about in on my own, as none of my limbs seem to be responding at the moment."
He chuckled. Yes, as a matter of fact, he did find her response utterly charming. "I shall call the healers. They shall dress you in anything you deem fit to wear." He stood to leave.
"Thank you." She said, her eyes filling with tears. His politeness and concern for her was overwhelming. The gentle kindness in his voice and the tenderness in his eyes made her feel as if she were truly a queen of the highest standing. No one, not even Arwen had ever caused her to feel this way. And even though it was new, she enjoyed the feeling immensely.
He paused and glanced back at her, "Anything for you, my heart."
The healers entered a few minutes later and Élharma requested that she be clothed in a simple cotton tunic and leggings. It was a man's attire, but would keep her modesty as she moved around in the bed.
'ahah; the thought of me moving around in bed at this moment is an oxymoron' she thought warily. 'My being moved by someone else is more like the reality.'
You see, she had found immediately that her body was not responding to any of her commands. No matter how she concentrated on tensing a muscle or lifting an appendage, she found that it was truly impossible.
Soon, they had finished and once again Élharma lay peacefully on the bed. Almost immediately, Haldir entered carrying a tray loaded with food of various sorts. He silently set himself carefully upon the bed, successful in not spilling any of the various glasses or bowls on the tray.
She regarded him with bright eyes. "Haldir?" She asked quietly.
He looked at her and arched an eyebrow.
"I love you." She said with a faint smile, unsure of how he would react.
He grinned; her words fell upon his ears like sweet honey. Those words were what he had been anxious to hear for the last few weeks.
He reached out a hand and gently held her chin in his hand, his thumb lightly caressing her lip, "You do not know how long I have waited to hear you say that, my love. And I too love you, I love you with all of my heart."
It was her turn to grin, "I am famished, my stomach feels as if I haven't eaten in, like, a week!"
He chuckled, "You really haven't eaten in over a week. I have some light soup for you, and the rest is for me."
She eyed the contents of the tray hungrily, "You have got to be kidding."
"No, I am not. You are only to have soup today. Anything else will overwhelm your system and cause you to be ill once again."
She stuck her lip out in a false pout.
He drew a spoonful of the lucid broth, its gentle aroma teasing their senses, and slowly, carefully, fed her the entire bowl.
When he finished, Élharma was exhausted and immediately fell into another deep, peaceful sleep.
Haldir cleaned the dishes and took them to the cookery. Then, he too slept. Perched on the edge of Élharma's bed, he fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
Many days passed in such a manner, Élharma sleeping for most of the day and Haldir attending to all of her waking needs. Her waking moments came at ever increasing intervals and she slowly began regaining control of her muscles. As her endurance increased, Haldir would carry her outside and they would sit in the warm sun and talk. Sometimes they would go to one of the many ponds and dip their feet in the cool water. Haldir never tired of Élharma's company. The burden of her absolute immobility was but a trifle in his eyes, as every moment of time spent with her was well worth the effort. Élharma, likewise, never grew weary of her companion, although it distressed her to be completely dependant on him.
One morning, Haldir awoke to a feather light touch brushing against his face. He knew it was Élharma but kept his eyes closed, reveling in the sensation of her fingers tracing his nose, his cheek, his jaw, his ear, and around again to sweep against his closed eyelids. A smile crept upon his lips.
"Wake up, my love." She whispered into his ear, her warm breath tickling the sensitive lobe.
"I am awake." He answered, his voice gravelly from sleep. He opened his eyes to see Élharma's face hovering just above his shoulder.
When he opened his eyes, she smiled, "I think that I am ready to try to stand up today." She almost giggled.
"I think I will say what you are ready for and what you aren't ready for," He said, an impish smile quirked his mouth.
She frowned, the corners of her delicate mouth turning down gently.
"But I agree with you that today you most certainly are ready to stand." He laughed. She was absolutely undeniable when upset.
"After breakfast." He finished.
Haldir carried her to the kitchens where they dined on a light breakfast of plump raspberries in a frothy cream. Afterwards, they returned to the healer's house for the daily routine of stretching muscles and working the various knots out of Élharma's body. Haldir called for one of the healers, and with Haldir on one arm and Anwakala on the other, they gently pulled Élharma into a standing position. Both healers slowly let all of her meager weight rest fully on her feet. Élharma was practically beaming.
Just at that moment, Galadriel walked in. She grinned widely at the scene before her, casually teasing, "Haldir, you had better hold onto her tightly or she might just up and run away."
Both Haldir and Élharma shook their heads violently. There was absolutely no way that she would leave now.
Galadriel continued, "I actually came to suggest that you attend the summer festival this year; Elrond will be having it in Rivendell. I know neither of you have ever been fond of such events, but I thought you might have had a change in ideals since last years festival."
There was a slight pause before Élharma fell heavily upon the bed to a sit upon its edge. The two in question regarded the Lady blankly. Haldir was the first to react.
"You think we should go to the festival together." He spluttered, having been completely caught off guard by the Lady's arrival.
Galadriel nodded.
Haldir recovered with ease, "I think it is an excellent idea." He looked at Élharma, who was looking at Galadriel as if the Lady's nose had just fallen off of her face.
He continued, "It will give us at least a goal, for you to be ambulating by the time the ball comes around. And if we are even luckier, you will be strong enough to dance with me."
Élharma shook her head, as if to clear it, "Thank you, my lady, for inviting us," she glanced up at Haldir, her features once again lifting in another heart breaking smile, "I think it is a wonderful idea."
They spent the next two months preparing for the summer festival. Élharma progressed quickly, regaining the ability to stand, walk, run, and finally Haldir taught her to dance.
**~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~**
Please R/R!!
Also, if you have any extra suggestions, you are more than welcome to email me with those. Do you think everything is going to be fine from here? *Laughs maniacally* I don't think so!! I have something truly evil planned and you will get a taste of it in the next chapter.
PS: I know it is a short chapter. To bad.