Chapter Seventeen: Bridhon O Eryn Lasgalen ["Prince of Mirkwood"]

Written by Telahalien

She could hear voices in the room before she was even fully awake. They were low and she could catch on a word or two, but no actual phrase. The light of the sun illuminated her eyes and she found it impossible to keep them close for much longer. She opened them slowly and squinted trying to make out the two figures in the room.

She tried to sit up, but a sharp pain on her side reminded her that that wasn't possible. So, instead she laid back down and covered the top of her eyes with her hand. One of the figures came and sat at her side blocking the sun from her eyes.

It was Arwen! She smiled happily at her, "I could almost hug you if it wasn't for the pain in my side."

Arwen smiled, "You gave us all such a scare. What happened?"

Halien smiled to herself, "I was riding to Rivendell, and Gil Galad jumped over a fallen tree. The next thing I knew I was on the ground next to that tree. My side is killing me!"

Arwen laughed, and Lord Elrond who had been standing reclined on the bed post, now stepped forward, "You are very lucky that that's all that happened to you, Halien. It could have been much worse."

Halien's eyes went wide, she didn't know that her father had been in the room. She tried to put on her best sorry looking face, but she knew that wouldn't help.

"My lord, Arwen and--"

"I will not listen to your foolishness. You are both responsible for this. You will be punished accordingly as soon as you heal, Halien" He gave her a stern look and began to walk out of the room.

"I hope I heal real slow," Halien commented, and Arwen bit her lip to restrain herself from laughing.

"You forget Halien, Elvish medicine helps to heal fast," Lord Elrond said without turning back and walking out of the room.

"Ugh, great we're in for it now," Arwen said softly to her.

Halien rolled her eyes and smiled. Arwen noticing this laughed lightly. She grabbed Halien's arm and pulled her out of the bed. Halien cried out in pain, and doubled over.

"What are you doing?!"

"The best medicine for you right now, is a look at the outside world. Besides it's going to be a very long day! So c'mon get dressed!" Arwen tossed her a dress and walked out of the room. Halien scowled as she pulled the dress on. There was a huge purple bruise on her side, with a bit of yellow on it as well.

After painfully dressing herself she stepped out of the room, and headed towards the hall. She was actually quite hungry, and she hoped that she wouldn't find her father on the way. Fortunately the hall was empty, and she managed to eat a bit before heading outside. Life had not really changed much, actually they had only be gone a couple of days, but Halien still expected a bit of change.

Her horse, Gil-Galad, was at the stables being taken care of. "I really must practice jumping over obstacles with that horse," she said to herself.

She continued her walk, and found that all of the handmaidens were rushing in and out of the halls with great haste. Halien watched them puzzled, and approached Nuve, her personal handmaiden.

"What's going on?" she questioned her.

Nuve turned to Halien surprised, "M'lady! You're out of bed! How are you feeling?"

"Better, thank you. What's all the rush for?"

"Well, you've been asleep for a day or so, but there are visitors we must attend to, and there will be more arriving this afternoon. I suggest you get some rest, because I am sure that Lord Elrond will hold a dinner to welcome all of these guests, and you have to look your best." Nuve pinched Halien's cheek and smiled warmly at her.

Halien laughed softly. Nuveth had taken care of Halien when she was a child as well. She had been her teacher, and like a second mother to her besides the Lady Celebrian.

A soft yawn escaped Halien's lips, and she stretched her arms up, but then brought them back down when the pain hit her side once more. Sleep was coming like a thick blanket and she did not think she would make it back to her room. Instead she walked as much as she could, and found herself in a balcony that overlooked the courtyard. It was a very large balcony that had a bed like seat in the center of it.

Halien could take it no more, she brought her tired body down on the small seat, and let her overwhelmed eyes rest. She did not expect to fall asleep; she just wanted to rest her eyes, but her body had a different plan. A heavy sleep overcame her and she slept all the way until the afternoon.

Her eyes opened once more, but this time she heard the soft galloping of horses. It's a dream, she told herself and closed her eyes trying to go back to sleep. But still she heard the sound of the galloping drawing nearer and nearer. At last her curiosity was too much. She stood up slowly from where she lay and looked from the balcony out to the courtyard.

At first her eyes saw nothing and she mentally kicked herself, "Ugh, I'm hearing things," she said to herself.

However, just as she was about to sit down a young Elf entered the courtyard. He rode on his horse, his sun golden hair trailing behind him as he entered under the arch of the courtyard. He looked up and around him with ocean blue eyes. His shoulders were broad and a brown tunic covered the rest of his strong body. He was dressed in traveling attire, and Halien noticed that he wore black boots which were caked with mud, probably from his traveling, she thought to herself. She had never seen him before, and she found herself staring at him. She was drawn in as if she were under a spell.

His eyes met hers, and she felt as he could see through her. For some reason it scared her, but also brought comfort to her. She felt confused and understood at the same time. She kept his gaze on him without realizing that she had, and he bowed his head slightly and smiled. Embarrassed by her actions, Halien blushed madly, and left the balcony hurriedly. She bumped into the bed hitting her shins. She cried out, and almost fell, but caught herself. Her face turned even redder and she stormed out of the balcony and into the hall; she did not have time to see the puzzled look on the young Elf's face.

She paced to her room fast once she was out in the hall, and ignored Arwen's call to her as she walked past her. Instead she rushed into her room, closed the curtains, and threw herself on the bed. She covered her face with a pillow, and let the blushing cease before forcing herself to go back to sleep.