Chapter 6
The Awakening
Caught somewhere between sleep and awake, Vanadil half-struggled to open her eyes. However, her eyelids felt so heavy and her body as if it was made of lead. A dull throbbing in her shoulder forced her out of her lingering state, and she finally found strength to open her eyes a slit. A sharp stream of sunlight brought her even more out of her slumber, and she pulled herself into a somewhat sitting position.
The heavy oak door opened, and a handmaiden quietly entered her room. Upon seeing Vanadil, she smiled and softly said, "Tis nice to see you've awoken, Milady. I shall go inform the king and queen now."
Vanadil nodded and watched the door close behind her. Sighing, she wondered how long she had been lying in bed. It somewhat annoyed her that she had been laying around, which to her was a total waste of time. The door once again opened, and this time her mother entered.
Smiling, her mother made her way across the room to Vanadil, and sat lightly on the edge of her bed.
"I'm relieved to see you awake. Tis been two mornings since you last saw the light of day. You're quite lucky. The arrow only grazed your shoulder. You only required four stitches." She explained.
"I'm glad to be awake as well. I'm not known for lounging," Vanadil replied, carefully propping herself up on some pillows. "I hope I haven't worried father too much, I know I trouble him enough as it is."
"He's been very concerned. I know he'll be relieved as I that you've broken your slumber."
Before Vanadil could reply, she heard the familiar sound of someone entering her room. Looking up from her mother, she saw her father walk toward her with relief etched across his face.
"It is good fortune you've returned to us. The herbs administered for pain forced you to rest," he explained, then added with a slight smirk, "something I know you would not do otherwise."
"I'm fine, Father. Next time I'll be sure to take more caution." She assured him.
His smile slowly faded and was replaced by a more serious look. "There won't be a next time. Until those responsible for your injury are brought before me, you will not leave the grounds of this castle unless I am with you."
Vanadil's breath caught in her throat, "You can't be serious, Father! Why will you keep me here like a prisoner?"
"You aren't being kept like a prisoner, Vanadil. However, you must be reasonable. An attack on you is like an assault on Gondor. I've already sent out scouts." he insisted.
She frantically thought of a way to change his mind. "They were probably just forest bandits, not intent on harming me personally. I just happened to be there."
"I can't know that for sure," he said firmly. "However, I'm only doing this for your safety and well being. I can't stand to see you hurt."
Vanadil blinked back angry tears and turned her face away in fury. She would not let them see her cry. She felt her mother's hand on her arm and heard her soft words.
"Try to understand. He's doing what is best for you."
Stubbornly, Vanadil refused to answer or even look at her parents. Finally, she heard their retreating footsteps and the door close behind them. Now that they were gone, she felt her tears flow freely down her face. How could they do this to her? As she angrily wept, she felt the heavy pulls of slumber drag her back into the familiar sleep.
Later that evening, she awoke to find a bowl of lentil soup by her bedside. She was still too angry to eat and slowly swung her legs over the side of her bed and sat up. Although it was nigh six o'clock, she felt she had to leave the room before she went mad. Sighing in frustration she knew there would be no reason for her usual attire, and picked something that would also be in her parent's favor. Slipping on a pale coral gown, she hastily ran a brush through her hair, choosing to let it alone rather than pinning it up. As she set the brush down, a small shimmer caught her eye in the mirror. Her gaze fell to the Evenstar pendant which hung around her neck. Brushing her fingers slowly across the reflection in the mirror, she thought about the small symbol of the immortality which had been bestowed upon her. Vanadil knew that long before she was born, her mother had surrendered her immortality to be with Vanadil's father. However, the jewel was now hers and though she did not understand much of it, she knew she would greatly miss her parents when the day came that they would be taken from her while she lived on.
As she left her chambers, she quickly decided that she would visit the gardens. This time of day they would be well abandoned and it was still within the boundaries which had been set for her.
Silently making her way across the familiar old path, she noticed the castle made a soft glow spill over the garden, giving it an enchanting feel. Vanadil quickly found her favorite childhood spot; a large stone under a knotted oak tree surrounded by flowers, and sat down. Gazing into the small stream that ran through the massive garden, she began to ponder ways to change her father's mind. She was so deep in thought that she jumped when a shadow fell upon her.
Somewhat shaken, she looked up and glared at the intruder. It was Legolas.
"What are you doing here?" she hissed, annoyed that she had let him startle her.
"The same as you. I'm sorry I frightened you, Milady," he replied.
Vanadil grimaced. She never liked to be called such formal names.
"Please don't call me that. Vanadil is fine, and you didn't frighten me," she stubbornly replied.
At that, Legolas failed to hide his smile. He knew she was stubborn and would never admit it. Nodding, he agreed, "Very well then, Vanadil." Offering her his hand, he added, "Shall we walk?"
Vanadil looked at his hand hesitantly, trying to decide whether to accept his offer or let her stubbornness decide. Finally, she took a deep breath and slid her hand into his.
As they walked under the canopy of willow trees, she couldn't help but notice how warm his hand was against hers. She thought about the last time she had felt this calm, but could not remember. His soft voice brought her attention back to the present.
"I've not seen such beauty in so long," he exclaimed.
Vanadil nodded, "This is one of the most beautiful places in Gondor, Milord."
Legolas looked at her and smiled, "Please don't call me that. Legolas is fine."
She jerked her gaze to him in amusement, "Are you mocking me?"
Legolas smiled and shrugged. Vanadil smiled to herself. 'Well, two can play at that game,' she thought.
"Very well then, Legolas," she replied. As they continued to walk, they talked a bit about Mirkwood and Gondor. As she heard the descriptions of Mirkwood, she found her curiosity pique.
"I should very much like to see a place like that." She mused.
"You're quite adventurous aren't you?" he asked.
She agreed, "Yes, but that's ending for awhile. I'm confined to the castle grounds."
"You father just doesn't want to see you get hurt or worse," Legolas attempted to persuade her.
Vanadil kicked at a rock in her path, "I can fend for myself. I've done so before."
Legolas nodded but said nothing. He did not want to put himself in the middle of Vanadil and Aragorn. Still, he felt himself growing fonder of the headstrong maiden with every step he took.
Suddenly, she pulled her hand from his. "I'm sorry, it is late and I need be on my way. I thank thee for the company, Legolas." She exclaimed and left before he could reply.
As he watched the fleeting figure, he softly whispered, "Vanadil."
Agilely running up the stairs to her chamber, Vanadil's mind reeled at what had happened. She had actually not minded Legolas' company and that frightened her. She had always relied on her willful nature for security and protection. However, this was the first time she could remember letting her guard down.
Closing the door behind her, she took deliberate deep breaths, desperately trying to calm herself. Somehow she had to get away, even if just for a few hours. Feeling more at ease, she remembered what she had heard her father say a few days ago. He would be away tomorrow tending to some sort of duties. Smiling to herself, she decided that she would sneak out of the castle early in the morning after her father had left and be back before he returned. He would never know her absence.
The next morning, Vanadil watched her father leave with his escort, and to her delight she noticed most of the servants where not yet awake. She quickly, set out to the stable where she was sure Eledhwen would be glad to see her. Slinging a small satchel of necessities over her good shoulder, she picked up her bow and quiver, determined not to be caught unprepared this time.
The sweet smell of hay and leather welcomed her as she slipped silently into the stable. She lightly set her supplies down in front of Eledhwen's stall and reached into the pocket of her tunic, pulling some cubes of sugar out for him.
Vanadil all but sang as she readied him for their short journey. She was so happy to have the chance for some freedom, however small it might be. However, as she led Eledhwen from his stall and paused to pick up her supplies, she felt a hand close gently around her arm. Yanking her arm from the grasp, she whirled around coming face to face with Legolas.
"You're not supposed to be doing this," he exclaimed.
Vanadil felt frustrated well inside her. "If you're not here to help me, then just keep out of my way. This doesn't concern you," she exclaimed.
He smirked and picked up her satchel, "You shouldn't be carrying this with your shoulder. Hurry and get your things. We must be going if we're to be home before Aragorn finds you've gone."
Rendered speechless, Vanadil snatched her bow and quiver and followed Legolas down the aisle of the stable.
***Author's note- Here's Chapter Six! I'm very proud of getting it up so quickly. Reviews motivate me. This is sort of 1 ΒΌ chapters. I feel the last section sort of is an intro to chapter 7. I apologize if it's a little choppy. As always, please read and review. No flames but constructive criticism is welcomed. --Celestial Lady
The Awakening
Caught somewhere between sleep and awake, Vanadil half-struggled to open her eyes. However, her eyelids felt so heavy and her body as if it was made of lead. A dull throbbing in her shoulder forced her out of her lingering state, and she finally found strength to open her eyes a slit. A sharp stream of sunlight brought her even more out of her slumber, and she pulled herself into a somewhat sitting position.
The heavy oak door opened, and a handmaiden quietly entered her room. Upon seeing Vanadil, she smiled and softly said, "Tis nice to see you've awoken, Milady. I shall go inform the king and queen now."
Vanadil nodded and watched the door close behind her. Sighing, she wondered how long she had been lying in bed. It somewhat annoyed her that she had been laying around, which to her was a total waste of time. The door once again opened, and this time her mother entered.
Smiling, her mother made her way across the room to Vanadil, and sat lightly on the edge of her bed.
"I'm relieved to see you awake. Tis been two mornings since you last saw the light of day. You're quite lucky. The arrow only grazed your shoulder. You only required four stitches." She explained.
"I'm glad to be awake as well. I'm not known for lounging," Vanadil replied, carefully propping herself up on some pillows. "I hope I haven't worried father too much, I know I trouble him enough as it is."
"He's been very concerned. I know he'll be relieved as I that you've broken your slumber."
Before Vanadil could reply, she heard the familiar sound of someone entering her room. Looking up from her mother, she saw her father walk toward her with relief etched across his face.
"It is good fortune you've returned to us. The herbs administered for pain forced you to rest," he explained, then added with a slight smirk, "something I know you would not do otherwise."
"I'm fine, Father. Next time I'll be sure to take more caution." She assured him.
His smile slowly faded and was replaced by a more serious look. "There won't be a next time. Until those responsible for your injury are brought before me, you will not leave the grounds of this castle unless I am with you."
Vanadil's breath caught in her throat, "You can't be serious, Father! Why will you keep me here like a prisoner?"
"You aren't being kept like a prisoner, Vanadil. However, you must be reasonable. An attack on you is like an assault on Gondor. I've already sent out scouts." he insisted.
She frantically thought of a way to change his mind. "They were probably just forest bandits, not intent on harming me personally. I just happened to be there."
"I can't know that for sure," he said firmly. "However, I'm only doing this for your safety and well being. I can't stand to see you hurt."
Vanadil blinked back angry tears and turned her face away in fury. She would not let them see her cry. She felt her mother's hand on her arm and heard her soft words.
"Try to understand. He's doing what is best for you."
Stubbornly, Vanadil refused to answer or even look at her parents. Finally, she heard their retreating footsteps and the door close behind them. Now that they were gone, she felt her tears flow freely down her face. How could they do this to her? As she angrily wept, she felt the heavy pulls of slumber drag her back into the familiar sleep.
Later that evening, she awoke to find a bowl of lentil soup by her bedside. She was still too angry to eat and slowly swung her legs over the side of her bed and sat up. Although it was nigh six o'clock, she felt she had to leave the room before she went mad. Sighing in frustration she knew there would be no reason for her usual attire, and picked something that would also be in her parent's favor. Slipping on a pale coral gown, she hastily ran a brush through her hair, choosing to let it alone rather than pinning it up. As she set the brush down, a small shimmer caught her eye in the mirror. Her gaze fell to the Evenstar pendant which hung around her neck. Brushing her fingers slowly across the reflection in the mirror, she thought about the small symbol of the immortality which had been bestowed upon her. Vanadil knew that long before she was born, her mother had surrendered her immortality to be with Vanadil's father. However, the jewel was now hers and though she did not understand much of it, she knew she would greatly miss her parents when the day came that they would be taken from her while she lived on.
As she left her chambers, she quickly decided that she would visit the gardens. This time of day they would be well abandoned and it was still within the boundaries which had been set for her.
Silently making her way across the familiar old path, she noticed the castle made a soft glow spill over the garden, giving it an enchanting feel. Vanadil quickly found her favorite childhood spot; a large stone under a knotted oak tree surrounded by flowers, and sat down. Gazing into the small stream that ran through the massive garden, she began to ponder ways to change her father's mind. She was so deep in thought that she jumped when a shadow fell upon her.
Somewhat shaken, she looked up and glared at the intruder. It was Legolas.
"What are you doing here?" she hissed, annoyed that she had let him startle her.
"The same as you. I'm sorry I frightened you, Milady," he replied.
Vanadil grimaced. She never liked to be called such formal names.
"Please don't call me that. Vanadil is fine, and you didn't frighten me," she stubbornly replied.
At that, Legolas failed to hide his smile. He knew she was stubborn and would never admit it. Nodding, he agreed, "Very well then, Vanadil." Offering her his hand, he added, "Shall we walk?"
Vanadil looked at his hand hesitantly, trying to decide whether to accept his offer or let her stubbornness decide. Finally, she took a deep breath and slid her hand into his.
As they walked under the canopy of willow trees, she couldn't help but notice how warm his hand was against hers. She thought about the last time she had felt this calm, but could not remember. His soft voice brought her attention back to the present.
"I've not seen such beauty in so long," he exclaimed.
Vanadil nodded, "This is one of the most beautiful places in Gondor, Milord."
Legolas looked at her and smiled, "Please don't call me that. Legolas is fine."
She jerked her gaze to him in amusement, "Are you mocking me?"
Legolas smiled and shrugged. Vanadil smiled to herself. 'Well, two can play at that game,' she thought.
"Very well then, Legolas," she replied. As they continued to walk, they talked a bit about Mirkwood and Gondor. As she heard the descriptions of Mirkwood, she found her curiosity pique.
"I should very much like to see a place like that." She mused.
"You're quite adventurous aren't you?" he asked.
She agreed, "Yes, but that's ending for awhile. I'm confined to the castle grounds."
"You father just doesn't want to see you get hurt or worse," Legolas attempted to persuade her.
Vanadil kicked at a rock in her path, "I can fend for myself. I've done so before."
Legolas nodded but said nothing. He did not want to put himself in the middle of Vanadil and Aragorn. Still, he felt himself growing fonder of the headstrong maiden with every step he took.
Suddenly, she pulled her hand from his. "I'm sorry, it is late and I need be on my way. I thank thee for the company, Legolas." She exclaimed and left before he could reply.
As he watched the fleeting figure, he softly whispered, "Vanadil."
Agilely running up the stairs to her chamber, Vanadil's mind reeled at what had happened. She had actually not minded Legolas' company and that frightened her. She had always relied on her willful nature for security and protection. However, this was the first time she could remember letting her guard down.
Closing the door behind her, she took deliberate deep breaths, desperately trying to calm herself. Somehow she had to get away, even if just for a few hours. Feeling more at ease, she remembered what she had heard her father say a few days ago. He would be away tomorrow tending to some sort of duties. Smiling to herself, she decided that she would sneak out of the castle early in the morning after her father had left and be back before he returned. He would never know her absence.
The next morning, Vanadil watched her father leave with his escort, and to her delight she noticed most of the servants where not yet awake. She quickly, set out to the stable where she was sure Eledhwen would be glad to see her. Slinging a small satchel of necessities over her good shoulder, she picked up her bow and quiver, determined not to be caught unprepared this time.
The sweet smell of hay and leather welcomed her as she slipped silently into the stable. She lightly set her supplies down in front of Eledhwen's stall and reached into the pocket of her tunic, pulling some cubes of sugar out for him.
Vanadil all but sang as she readied him for their short journey. She was so happy to have the chance for some freedom, however small it might be. However, as she led Eledhwen from his stall and paused to pick up her supplies, she felt a hand close gently around her arm. Yanking her arm from the grasp, she whirled around coming face to face with Legolas.
"You're not supposed to be doing this," he exclaimed.
Vanadil felt frustrated well inside her. "If you're not here to help me, then just keep out of my way. This doesn't concern you," she exclaimed.
He smirked and picked up her satchel, "You shouldn't be carrying this with your shoulder. Hurry and get your things. We must be going if we're to be home before Aragorn finds you've gone."
Rendered speechless, Vanadil snatched her bow and quiver and followed Legolas down the aisle of the stable.
***Author's note- Here's Chapter Six! I'm very proud of getting it up so quickly. Reviews motivate me. This is sort of 1 ΒΌ chapters. I feel the last section sort of is an intro to chapter 7. I apologize if it's a little choppy. As always, please read and review. No flames but constructive criticism is welcomed. --Celestial Lady