A/N: Hello everyone! Sorry for the long delay! I would like to say a MASSIVE, HUGE thank you to everyone who reviewed and e-mailed me with their opinion. Thanks to you, this story will continue! Enjoy!
Thank you to Ringbearer for beta-ing!
A Sunset Love
Chapter 25: Torn
It was most heartbreaking thing Mithdelothwen had ever gone through, that much she could recall. It had now been a few days since the rest of the fellowship's departure, and the beginning of her torment. She stood from Saruman's balcony, watching her companions leave until she could see them no more. She wanted to cry- no, bawl, but she refused to let Saruman see her as such.
He has seen too many of my tears already. He shall not see anymore. She thought. She decided to make it a personal goal to just suck it up and be strong.
Shortly after she had watched them leave, Saruman ordered a young slip of a girl to be her handmaiden. Mithdelothwen felt such pity on this innocent looking human. She was no more than 15 years of age, and was shaking at all times. Not out of cold, as this girl was wearing a long sleeved dress... but out of fear. If she wasn't so scared looking, and somewhat grimy looking, she would be quite fair by human standards.
This maiden swiftly led Mithdelothwen to her chamber, near the top of Orthanc. As was expected, it was dark and quite gothic. Mithdelothwen could feel the hairs on her neck stand on end like an agitated cat. There was no way she could ever sleep in here. If there was one thing that Mithdelothwen feared, it was darkness. However, there were a number of white candles lit around the room and on the one window sill, and there was a candle chandelier in the ceiling, so it made the room slightly more bright.
The bed was made of obsidian, Mithdelothwen speculated, and she would think of it as beautiful, were it not for her situation. The sheets were black satin, contrasting with the bright white pillows. There was an armoire at the corner of the room, black of course, and filled with dresses of varying materials. Most of them were black, except for a few which were white. On the opposite wall, there was an oval mirror framed in white marble and a white marble vanity, with a few cosmetics on the table top. There was a door next to it, which led to a small bathing room with a large black marble tub and with fluffy white towels piled in a corner.
At least I'm not in a dungeon, Mithdelothwen thought gratefully. She stood at the door way, still taking in the sight of her 'to be home', fidgeting with her hands, not noticing her handmaiden shakily ask her a question.
"Pardon?" Mithdelothwen suddenly asked, feeling sorry for ignoring the poor girl. The girl looked shaken indeed, for one, she wasn't being punished this day, and two, she got to service an elf!
"I-I-..asked, i-if y-you would like to bathe?" The girl asked again, rather shyly. The thought of a bath lightened Mithdelothwen's spirits a little.
"I... I suppose so... no one else will be in the room, will they?" Mithdelothwen asked, as she quickly scanned the room again.
"n-no... no one else. I could leave, if you wish.." the girl added quite hastily, not wanting to be a bother. But, Mithdelothwen wanted to befriend this girl, so at least she could have someone to talk to.
"please.. stay? I haven't even your name yet." Mithdelothwen said, as they walked into the bathing room and the girl began filling the tub.
"My name?" The girl asked a little uncertainly.
"yes, your name. You have one, don't you?" Mithdelothwen wondered why this girl was so scared of her.
"Um... yes.. it was.. it was.. Eleanor, I think." Eleanor struggled to remember. It had been a long time since someone had called her by her real name. When she had been captured by Saruman, she had been given a new name, a name she dispised.
"That's a lovely name. My name is Mithdelothwen... you can call me Mith, for short." Mithdelothwen added, when she saw the look of confusion on the girl's face at the pronunciation of her name.
No more words transpired between the two, but for the first time in what seemed like ages, they were both smiling on the inside.
**********
It took every ounce of self-control Legolas possessed to stop from turning on his heel and running back towards Orthanc after they had left. He could swear his heart was tearing itself from his chest, but tried to ignore the pain, not realizing he wasn't walking in a straight line and accidentally bumped into Gimli. Gimli was startled, to say the least.
The poor elf... this separation of the two is really hard on him. I've said it before and I'll say it again: love is a fickle thing. Gimli thought, pretending as if nothing had happened. If he acknowledged that Legolas had tripped, it would just be like rubbing salt into a wound. Gimli would let Legolas hold onto his dignity...for now. He would make sure, however, that the elf stayed focused on what they were doing.
"We need your elf eyes and ears to attention, laddie!" Gimli chortled out, just loud enough for Legolas to hear. Legolas nodded mutely.
Is love supposed to hurt this much? Legolas wondered incredulously, aware that Aragorn had stopped to think of where to go.
"We are close to Rohan, a few days journey. On the other hand, we never did get to finish looking for Merry and Pippin. We cannot leave the little ones to die." Aragorn stated, being the natural leader of the remaining fellowship members. Boromir nodded, seconding that thought, as the hobbits were quite dear to him.
"Where should we go?" Boromir asked. Aragorn squinted at the sun, and turned his head to look around where they were.
"We need to go back to where we met the Riders of Rohan." Aragorn answered. Gimli was a little confused.
"But that was so long ago! How would that help us?" Gimli wondered aloud. Indeed, it had been a little over 5 days since they had last met the Riders, but apparently Aragorn had something in mind. Legolas trusted Aragorn and didn't question his actions.
"If Aragorn says to head somewhere, I shall follow." Legolas said, coming to Aragorn's defense and giving his friend an encouraging smile. Aragorn didn't miss the gesture and smiled gratefully at Legolas.
"Alright men, let's go!" At that, they headed off at a jog, to where they had been days before. Legolas hesitated, taking just a moment longer to look back at Orthanc, which was barely visible from where he was.
I will come back for you, Mithdelothwen. Just hold on until I come back... Legolas silently prayed, before joining his companions.
**********************
I'm sorry for the rather short chapter after the really long wait, but it'll be get better, I promise! *hugs* Like I said, lots of thank you's:
Arroz
Santoori
commodore
'me'
semycina Entanesse Quellatari
Luthien
Fernvigiel
PrimulaBrandybuck
Dimostiel
Sarkie
Melia
Arisma
Oswari
Fire Flame
Kristin Riddle
PyroPixie
Celesta Hellewise Harman
Ashley Rose
Fiona
Anthony
Leah
Tracy
Amye
Laura G.
Ringbearer
Lex
Justine
Loopeeee
Draekon
Joselyn Greenleaf
I'm sorry if I missed anyone, but your support has meant so much to me, and I am glad that you all enjoy my story so much! With wonderful reviewers such as yourselves, I'll never be able to give in to Flamers again! *^^*
Until next chapter...
~Feathers of the Wind [07.30.03] (I just had my physics exam today, so no more school! WHOO HOO!!!)
