**I don't own anything from Lord of the Rings, J. R.R. Tolkien, or any of
the poetry or poets referenced (such as John Keats, Shakespeare, Poe,
Donne) or the Depeche Mode song "Enjoy the Silence"-all I own is Dascha,
Ivy, Geniveve, Christopher, Ireth and Taralom**
A/N: This story is the third part of "The Evangeline Series," the first part being found in the story "A Sorta Fairytale" and the second part in "Judgement of the Moon and Stars." Please read and review if you have not already done so. Happy reading!
PART THREE OF THE EVANGELINE SERIES:
Green and Gray
By Leah Pensotti
Chapter Two: Enjoy the Silence
Pippin stumbled upstairs as he led Geniveve to the infirmary. The Houses of Healing were nothing like the sterile hospitals at home. The dreaded place she spent the last hours of her mortal life. They were warm, if not welcoming; with the exception of the illness and the pain that hung over it.
Gandalf was in the corridor, hurrying from room to room. As Geniveve and Pippin approached, he barely noticed them. Geniveve rushed up to him, "Gandalf; where have they taken Dascha?"
The wizard looked up slowly and met eyes with her, "She is down the hall and to the left, I fear that she is in grave condition, lady."
Geniveve frowned, "But she cannot die. Her heart, bowels and head are still in tact."
Gandalf nodded, "Indeed, but her heart is being attacked by poison. Her blood has been tainted by the orc attack."
She felt hot tears coming down her face, "Poison?"
Gandalf nodded and Geniveve's heart sank fast and she nodded, "I must go to her. Please, excuse me Gandalf."
Geniveve pushed past the wizard, not knowing that Pippin still trailed behind her. She rushed to Dascha's room, finding her friend piled beneath white linen sheets shivering. She had gone pallid and pale and her brow glistened with cold sweat. Geniveve fell down beside her bed and clutched her hands.
~~
"Words like violence,
Break the silence.
Come crashing in,
Into my little world.
Painful to me,
Pierce right through me."
~~
"Dascha?"
Dascha's eyelid's fluttered vigorously at the sound of her name, but never opened completely. Geniveve heard her groan sickly. Tears ran faster down Geniveve's face. Suddenly she felt a pull at her tattered riding coat.
She turned to find Pippin beside her, "Lady Geniveve, I must find Merry. I will send someone to Dascha as soon as possible."
Geniveve nodded vacantly as Pippin left the room. Dascha's eyes opened a bit as she tried to focus in on her friend. Geniveve lowered her head to Dascha's, "Dascha, I'm here. I'm here for you."
Dascha whispered lowly, "I am sorry, Gen."
Geniveve smiled sadly, "Don't apologize, you were only trying to help."
As Dascha drifted back into sleep, an older woman with grayish hair bustled into the room. She shewed Geniveve out of the way and began to apply compresses to her head. Geniveve called to her, "Who are you?"
The woman pulled back Dascha's covers and inspected the wounds at her waist and answered, "I am Ioreth, my lady."
As Geniveve looked over Ioreth's shoulder, she saw black strips on Dascha's midsection. She cried with recognition at the wriggling objects on the unusually pale skin, "Leeches?"
Ioreth nodded, "Aye my lady."
Geniveve slumped back and watched Dascha's oblivious expression. She tapped Ioreth on the shoulder, "Ioreth? I s she going to make it?"
The older woman turned to her with a grim expression, "I don't know, dear. But I must go; there are many others to tend to. You must do the compresses. I shall return shortly with a clean dress for you. You can't traipse about covered in dirt and contaminated blood with all of the sick about."
Ioreth left the rag and bowl at Dascha's bedside. Geniveve continued to touch it to her friend's brow. Dascha was flushed and feverish. Tears continued to crawl down Geniveve's face, they seemed to be ever present and she thought of them as much of an appendage as either her arms or legs.
Dascha blinked her eyes; "I am dying, no? I can feel it this time. I shall die twice."
Geniveve shook her head, "Don't speak this way."
Dascha smiled sadly, "Is true, Gen."
Dascha's breathing became labored and she began to wheeze, "I'm sorry, Gen."
"Don't be sorry, Dascha. Please just hang on, please."
Dascha grabbed Geniveve's hands and squeezed, "I-I can't."
Geniveve took Dascha's face in her hands and nearly yelled, "No Dascha! You stay here! Ioreth will be right back!"
Dascha's eyes teemed with tears and the last breath in her body sprang from her lips. Geniveve watched as her spirit was released into the air. Her head drooped on to Dascha's lifeless form.
A pained sob echoed from Geniveve's throat that seemed to rattle the entire building, "Noooo!"
Geniveve laid in denial. She cradled Dascha and felt the brutal, searing feeling of loss. Before long, Ioreth returned with a group of people. Geniveve heard her in the hall, "In here, my lord. I pray that you have the same outcome as you did with Captain Faramir, Lady Eowyn and the halfling."
As Ioreth entered the room, she stifled a sob. A male voice called from behind, "Lady Geniveve?"
She did not look up, for she already knew who it was, "You're too late Aragorn. She's gone."
He rushed to her side and touched Dascha's face. Aragorn placed a hand to her chest to feel for a heartbeat. There is hope left, her heart still beats but she is fading fast. We must draw the poison out."
Geniveve watched raptly as Ioreth brought Aragorn a bowl. Aragorn pulled two sprigs of leaves apart and immersed his hands in the water. He drenched Dascha's wounds with the salve and repeated the act over and over again for the next hour.
Finally, Dascha's chest moved up and down rhythmically. She was breathing again. Geniveve felt wave of release wash over her and she cried with happiness. Aragorn rose from the bed and walked to Geniveve and whispered to her harshly, "You swore to stay in Edoras with Eowyn. You both tempted fate."
Geniveve felt a strong hand on her shoulder, "She did not break her vow. Dascha followed the Riders without Geniveve's knowledge. Geniveve only rode to stop her friend, yet it was to no avail. As for Eowyn, she too is in the Houses of Healing."
Aragorn nodded and relented, "Indeed, that is true."
He pulled Geniveve to his chest and hugged her tightly, "I am sorry that you have experienced so much today. Dascha will pull through, though it will be a slow recovery."
As he released her, Geniveve nodded and watched him walk away. Gandalf squeezed her shoulder, "Rest child. Try to sleep."
Geniveve stood, nearly emotionless. She thought she was alone, yet she still felt eyes on her. She looked to the door to see Eomer watching her, cautiously, holding a white bundle in his hands.
Geniveve could not speak, her body dare not move. Eomer approached her slowly and reached the bundle out to her, "The healer, Ioreth, told me to give this to you."
She took the bundle from him and recognized it as a sterile, white dress. She nodded and placed it on the chair in the corner of the room. Eomer took her hands in his and Geniveve broke down.
"It's my fault. I should've worked faster to get her to the Healers. She is my friend, I should've braved the battle."
Eomer shook his head; "Telvilya knew what awaited. She rode out to meet it like Eowyn. Yet she did not figure the ambush."
Geniveve looked up at Eomer's face and fell into his chest. Eomer looked surprised by her actions and then did his best to comfort her. He brushed the wild hairs out of her face and whispered, "She will recover like Eowyn, however my uncle, the King-"
Geniveve pulled away from Eomer, realizing now that he was King Eomer, Lord of the Mark.
"I am sorry, my lord, for your loss. I shouldn't have thrown myself at the king in such a manner."
Eomer nodded, "Thank you, but feel free to throw yourself at me."
Geniveve smiled in spite of herself, "Eomer-"
He placed a finger to her lips, "I know. The Elf."
She nodded, "Thank You."
Eomer kissed her cheek and nodded, "I must go now, but I shall see you soon. Take care, Evangeline. I fear that you would've made a fine queen."
Geniveve murmured, "Farewell, Eomer King."
As he left, Geniveve looked upon Dascha's barely breathing form and cried until dawn.
~~
"Words are very unnecessary,
They can only do harm.
Vows are spoken,
To be broken.
Feelings are intense,
Words are trivial."
~~
She did not sleep that night, but she did change into the simple linen dress and washed Dascha's blood off her skin. The riding garb from Rivendell could not be salvaged, but she ripped off the silver clasp to keep as a memento. She washed her hair and let it fall into loose waves.
Geniveve curled up into a chair and waited for Ioreth to come and check up on Dascha. As she drifted off into sleep, she saw Dascha. She stirred awake as she felt a gentle, light touch on her cheek. She heard strange words in her ear; they were spoken in elvish. She blinked in the morning light. As her eyes adjusted, she recognized a familiar form.
"Legolas?"
The elf smiled softly as she sat up to meet him. Geniveve's arms flew around him, seeking sanctuary. She pressed her mouth to his ear and apologized profusely, "Forgive me, Legolas. I didn't wish to break our promise. Please don't be angry with me."
Legolas pulled back and cupped her face; "I was saddened by the news, when Aragorn dealt it to me last night. I was upset. But Gandalf told me the circumstances. You acted loyally. You put your life in jeopardy for your friend. It was honorable. That cannot anger me. I am thankful, that you are safe."
Geniveve hung her head, "I didn't help her Legolas, I delayed in taking her to the healers. I could've gotten her here faster."
Geniveve's bottom lip quivered; " I am glad you're here. Why are you here anyway?"
Legolas smiled, "We came to see the Hobbits-and you. The gulls fly outside."
Geniveve looked to the window ruefully. She hated the gulls. Legolas looked away from the birds and back to her, "Sea-longing. I fear my days happy in the woods are over. Merry told me that I should not pass to the Havens. That someone here in Middle-Earth would need me."
Geniveve's heart pounded in her throat, she could delay no more, "I need you."
Legolas felt a smile pull at his lips, "You do?"
She held his gaze and wrapped her arms about his neck, "Legolas, I love you. Very much."
Geniveve waited as he processed the information. Legolas felt his heart exploding and smiled gently at her, "And I love you, Geniveve."
Geniveve felt herself crying, once again. They loved each other. They said it and it was real and true. Geniveve kissed his lips with a passion that she had never felt before. All the sadness in the world could not rob this from her.
~~
Pleasures remain,
So does the pain.
Words are meaningless
And forgettable."
~~
Legolas planted kisses along her chin and neck as Geniveve gave into the feeling. She gave in. Completely. Is this what Ivy spoke of?
They clung to each other for awhile, before Legolas sighed, "we ride again soon. I hate saying goodbye."
Geniveve nodded, "Me too."
Legolas weaved his fingers between hers, "'Tis the last goodbye. When I return we will not leave each other's sides. I swear by it."
She kissed him again, her hands moved through his hair. She pulled away in shock as she heard giggles from the door. There, Gimli leaned on his axe and Pippin grinned.
Legolas merely looked to them, "You should learn to knock."
Gimli huffed, "And you should learn to shut doors."
Legolas relented, "Well met, Master Dwarf."
He led Geniveve by the hand and to the door. There he kissed her cheek, "I shall return for you, melamin."
Geniveve wrinkled her brow, "What did you call me?"
Legolas smiled, "Melamin. My love."
Geniveve kissed him again and whispered in sincerity, "Return to me soon, Legolas."
He nodded, "Take care of Dascha. She will need you in every way. Her recovery will be rough."
Geniveve nodded in return and watched him as he walked down the corridor with Gimli, who congratulated Legolas boisterously, "Well done, Laddie" or "What a match! What a story!"
Geniveve sat by Dascha's bedside for the rest of the evening, lost somewhere between worry and euphoria.
~~
"All I ever wanted,
All I ever needed,
Is here in my arms.
Words are very unnecessary,
They can only do harm.
Enjoy the silence."
~~
A/N: This chapter was written to Tori Amos's album, "StangeLittleGirls." The song "Enjoy the Silence" was originally written and recorded by Depeche Mode, but it was Tori's version that made this happen. In the next few chapters-Eowyn and Faramir, Geniveve and Dascha go their separate ways, Frodo and Sam, and more Legolas.
Please read and review! I would really appreciate it!
A/N: This story is the third part of "The Evangeline Series," the first part being found in the story "A Sorta Fairytale" and the second part in "Judgement of the Moon and Stars." Please read and review if you have not already done so. Happy reading!
PART THREE OF THE EVANGELINE SERIES:
Green and Gray
By Leah Pensotti
Chapter Two: Enjoy the Silence
Pippin stumbled upstairs as he led Geniveve to the infirmary. The Houses of Healing were nothing like the sterile hospitals at home. The dreaded place she spent the last hours of her mortal life. They were warm, if not welcoming; with the exception of the illness and the pain that hung over it.
Gandalf was in the corridor, hurrying from room to room. As Geniveve and Pippin approached, he barely noticed them. Geniveve rushed up to him, "Gandalf; where have they taken Dascha?"
The wizard looked up slowly and met eyes with her, "She is down the hall and to the left, I fear that she is in grave condition, lady."
Geniveve frowned, "But she cannot die. Her heart, bowels and head are still in tact."
Gandalf nodded, "Indeed, but her heart is being attacked by poison. Her blood has been tainted by the orc attack."
She felt hot tears coming down her face, "Poison?"
Gandalf nodded and Geniveve's heart sank fast and she nodded, "I must go to her. Please, excuse me Gandalf."
Geniveve pushed past the wizard, not knowing that Pippin still trailed behind her. She rushed to Dascha's room, finding her friend piled beneath white linen sheets shivering. She had gone pallid and pale and her brow glistened with cold sweat. Geniveve fell down beside her bed and clutched her hands.
~~
"Words like violence,
Break the silence.
Come crashing in,
Into my little world.
Painful to me,
Pierce right through me."
~~
"Dascha?"
Dascha's eyelid's fluttered vigorously at the sound of her name, but never opened completely. Geniveve heard her groan sickly. Tears ran faster down Geniveve's face. Suddenly she felt a pull at her tattered riding coat.
She turned to find Pippin beside her, "Lady Geniveve, I must find Merry. I will send someone to Dascha as soon as possible."
Geniveve nodded vacantly as Pippin left the room. Dascha's eyes opened a bit as she tried to focus in on her friend. Geniveve lowered her head to Dascha's, "Dascha, I'm here. I'm here for you."
Dascha whispered lowly, "I am sorry, Gen."
Geniveve smiled sadly, "Don't apologize, you were only trying to help."
As Dascha drifted back into sleep, an older woman with grayish hair bustled into the room. She shewed Geniveve out of the way and began to apply compresses to her head. Geniveve called to her, "Who are you?"
The woman pulled back Dascha's covers and inspected the wounds at her waist and answered, "I am Ioreth, my lady."
As Geniveve looked over Ioreth's shoulder, she saw black strips on Dascha's midsection. She cried with recognition at the wriggling objects on the unusually pale skin, "Leeches?"
Ioreth nodded, "Aye my lady."
Geniveve slumped back and watched Dascha's oblivious expression. She tapped Ioreth on the shoulder, "Ioreth? I s she going to make it?"
The older woman turned to her with a grim expression, "I don't know, dear. But I must go; there are many others to tend to. You must do the compresses. I shall return shortly with a clean dress for you. You can't traipse about covered in dirt and contaminated blood with all of the sick about."
Ioreth left the rag and bowl at Dascha's bedside. Geniveve continued to touch it to her friend's brow. Dascha was flushed and feverish. Tears continued to crawl down Geniveve's face, they seemed to be ever present and she thought of them as much of an appendage as either her arms or legs.
Dascha blinked her eyes; "I am dying, no? I can feel it this time. I shall die twice."
Geniveve shook her head, "Don't speak this way."
Dascha smiled sadly, "Is true, Gen."
Dascha's breathing became labored and she began to wheeze, "I'm sorry, Gen."
"Don't be sorry, Dascha. Please just hang on, please."
Dascha grabbed Geniveve's hands and squeezed, "I-I can't."
Geniveve took Dascha's face in her hands and nearly yelled, "No Dascha! You stay here! Ioreth will be right back!"
Dascha's eyes teemed with tears and the last breath in her body sprang from her lips. Geniveve watched as her spirit was released into the air. Her head drooped on to Dascha's lifeless form.
A pained sob echoed from Geniveve's throat that seemed to rattle the entire building, "Noooo!"
Geniveve laid in denial. She cradled Dascha and felt the brutal, searing feeling of loss. Before long, Ioreth returned with a group of people. Geniveve heard her in the hall, "In here, my lord. I pray that you have the same outcome as you did with Captain Faramir, Lady Eowyn and the halfling."
As Ioreth entered the room, she stifled a sob. A male voice called from behind, "Lady Geniveve?"
She did not look up, for she already knew who it was, "You're too late Aragorn. She's gone."
He rushed to her side and touched Dascha's face. Aragorn placed a hand to her chest to feel for a heartbeat. There is hope left, her heart still beats but she is fading fast. We must draw the poison out."
Geniveve watched raptly as Ioreth brought Aragorn a bowl. Aragorn pulled two sprigs of leaves apart and immersed his hands in the water. He drenched Dascha's wounds with the salve and repeated the act over and over again for the next hour.
Finally, Dascha's chest moved up and down rhythmically. She was breathing again. Geniveve felt wave of release wash over her and she cried with happiness. Aragorn rose from the bed and walked to Geniveve and whispered to her harshly, "You swore to stay in Edoras with Eowyn. You both tempted fate."
Geniveve felt a strong hand on her shoulder, "She did not break her vow. Dascha followed the Riders without Geniveve's knowledge. Geniveve only rode to stop her friend, yet it was to no avail. As for Eowyn, she too is in the Houses of Healing."
Aragorn nodded and relented, "Indeed, that is true."
He pulled Geniveve to his chest and hugged her tightly, "I am sorry that you have experienced so much today. Dascha will pull through, though it will be a slow recovery."
As he released her, Geniveve nodded and watched him walk away. Gandalf squeezed her shoulder, "Rest child. Try to sleep."
Geniveve stood, nearly emotionless. She thought she was alone, yet she still felt eyes on her. She looked to the door to see Eomer watching her, cautiously, holding a white bundle in his hands.
Geniveve could not speak, her body dare not move. Eomer approached her slowly and reached the bundle out to her, "The healer, Ioreth, told me to give this to you."
She took the bundle from him and recognized it as a sterile, white dress. She nodded and placed it on the chair in the corner of the room. Eomer took her hands in his and Geniveve broke down.
"It's my fault. I should've worked faster to get her to the Healers. She is my friend, I should've braved the battle."
Eomer shook his head; "Telvilya knew what awaited. She rode out to meet it like Eowyn. Yet she did not figure the ambush."
Geniveve looked up at Eomer's face and fell into his chest. Eomer looked surprised by her actions and then did his best to comfort her. He brushed the wild hairs out of her face and whispered, "She will recover like Eowyn, however my uncle, the King-"
Geniveve pulled away from Eomer, realizing now that he was King Eomer, Lord of the Mark.
"I am sorry, my lord, for your loss. I shouldn't have thrown myself at the king in such a manner."
Eomer nodded, "Thank you, but feel free to throw yourself at me."
Geniveve smiled in spite of herself, "Eomer-"
He placed a finger to her lips, "I know. The Elf."
She nodded, "Thank You."
Eomer kissed her cheek and nodded, "I must go now, but I shall see you soon. Take care, Evangeline. I fear that you would've made a fine queen."
Geniveve murmured, "Farewell, Eomer King."
As he left, Geniveve looked upon Dascha's barely breathing form and cried until dawn.
~~
"Words are very unnecessary,
They can only do harm.
Vows are spoken,
To be broken.
Feelings are intense,
Words are trivial."
~~
She did not sleep that night, but she did change into the simple linen dress and washed Dascha's blood off her skin. The riding garb from Rivendell could not be salvaged, but she ripped off the silver clasp to keep as a memento. She washed her hair and let it fall into loose waves.
Geniveve curled up into a chair and waited for Ioreth to come and check up on Dascha. As she drifted off into sleep, she saw Dascha. She stirred awake as she felt a gentle, light touch on her cheek. She heard strange words in her ear; they were spoken in elvish. She blinked in the morning light. As her eyes adjusted, she recognized a familiar form.
"Legolas?"
The elf smiled softly as she sat up to meet him. Geniveve's arms flew around him, seeking sanctuary. She pressed her mouth to his ear and apologized profusely, "Forgive me, Legolas. I didn't wish to break our promise. Please don't be angry with me."
Legolas pulled back and cupped her face; "I was saddened by the news, when Aragorn dealt it to me last night. I was upset. But Gandalf told me the circumstances. You acted loyally. You put your life in jeopardy for your friend. It was honorable. That cannot anger me. I am thankful, that you are safe."
Geniveve hung her head, "I didn't help her Legolas, I delayed in taking her to the healers. I could've gotten her here faster."
Geniveve's bottom lip quivered; " I am glad you're here. Why are you here anyway?"
Legolas smiled, "We came to see the Hobbits-and you. The gulls fly outside."
Geniveve looked to the window ruefully. She hated the gulls. Legolas looked away from the birds and back to her, "Sea-longing. I fear my days happy in the woods are over. Merry told me that I should not pass to the Havens. That someone here in Middle-Earth would need me."
Geniveve's heart pounded in her throat, she could delay no more, "I need you."
Legolas felt a smile pull at his lips, "You do?"
She held his gaze and wrapped her arms about his neck, "Legolas, I love you. Very much."
Geniveve waited as he processed the information. Legolas felt his heart exploding and smiled gently at her, "And I love you, Geniveve."
Geniveve felt herself crying, once again. They loved each other. They said it and it was real and true. Geniveve kissed his lips with a passion that she had never felt before. All the sadness in the world could not rob this from her.
~~
Pleasures remain,
So does the pain.
Words are meaningless
And forgettable."
~~
Legolas planted kisses along her chin and neck as Geniveve gave into the feeling. She gave in. Completely. Is this what Ivy spoke of?
They clung to each other for awhile, before Legolas sighed, "we ride again soon. I hate saying goodbye."
Geniveve nodded, "Me too."
Legolas weaved his fingers between hers, "'Tis the last goodbye. When I return we will not leave each other's sides. I swear by it."
She kissed him again, her hands moved through his hair. She pulled away in shock as she heard giggles from the door. There, Gimli leaned on his axe and Pippin grinned.
Legolas merely looked to them, "You should learn to knock."
Gimli huffed, "And you should learn to shut doors."
Legolas relented, "Well met, Master Dwarf."
He led Geniveve by the hand and to the door. There he kissed her cheek, "I shall return for you, melamin."
Geniveve wrinkled her brow, "What did you call me?"
Legolas smiled, "Melamin. My love."
Geniveve kissed him again and whispered in sincerity, "Return to me soon, Legolas."
He nodded, "Take care of Dascha. She will need you in every way. Her recovery will be rough."
Geniveve nodded in return and watched him as he walked down the corridor with Gimli, who congratulated Legolas boisterously, "Well done, Laddie" or "What a match! What a story!"
Geniveve sat by Dascha's bedside for the rest of the evening, lost somewhere between worry and euphoria.
~~
"All I ever wanted,
All I ever needed,
Is here in my arms.
Words are very unnecessary,
They can only do harm.
Enjoy the silence."
~~
A/N: This chapter was written to Tori Amos's album, "StangeLittleGirls." The song "Enjoy the Silence" was originally written and recorded by Depeche Mode, but it was Tori's version that made this happen. In the next few chapters-Eowyn and Faramir, Geniveve and Dascha go their separate ways, Frodo and Sam, and more Legolas.
Please read and review! I would really appreciate it!