Chapter 10: Nightmares

A/N: Guess what you guys? Other than the fact that I'm finally on break. And that I haven't updated (sorry about that). I got hit in the face with a softball again. Yep you read it right again. It happened last year during the school team with the pitching machine. But this time I was trying to catch the ball. I have stitch marks on my nose and just above my lip. Not to mention that my nose is cut to because of the stitches of the ball. On top of that, my upper lip has this huge blood blister. And one of my teeth is kind of lose but nothing that won't heal. Yeah but other than that, I'm perfectly fine; it's not as bad as last time so that's a good thing.

Plastic + String + Flesh = Scrapes, bruises, and blood blisters.

Anyway sorry about the long wait and I hope that this was a good chapter.

Oh yeah warning: cursing Elf.

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"Anna?"

Annadîn looked up, she hadn't even realized that she had zoned out. By her chair stood Gimli and a few steps away was Legolas. She gave a weak smile and stood up, mentally kicking herself for not paying attention. 

"Are you alright?" Gimli questioned.

She nodded her head and the three left the dining hall. As they left, Annadîn noted that they had been the only ones in the hall. Her eyebrow scrunched in confusion. She did not know what happened or when anyone had left. But as the three continued to walk, she tried to push the thought from her head.

"Good night Legolas, Anna."

Legolas said his good night and like usual Annadîn nodded her head in reply. Then, the two began to walk once more. Silence hung between them and it stayed as they came near their rooms. Annadîn turned to enter her room when Legolas grabbed her wrist.

"Is everything all right?" He questioned hesitantly.

Annadîn slowly turned around to face the Elf. She looked him in the eye and slowly nodded. The thing she did not know was the he saw the doubt in her eyes. This human who had been so silent through the months, who was now a close friend, did not yet know that lying was impossible for her, especially since she talked through her eyes.

"Annadîn don't lie to me, please."

Annadîn looked at him and briefly closed her eyes. She shook her head, turned and walked away. Legolas released his hand from her wrist and watched as she entered her room with her head down. For a second he stood in the hallway staring at her door wondering. The moment passed, he turned, and went into his own room. Once the door was shut, he slammed his hand into the nearest object, which as luck would have it, was a wall.

"Damnnit Annadîn. What the hell do I have to do? All I want to know is if you are fine. But no, you won't let me in. You won't let anyone in. What do I fucking have to do?" He whispered fiercely.

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Annadîn shut the door and collapsed against it. She released a breath as she slid down the door. Sitting on the floor, she curled into a ball and let the tears fall. Silently her body's gems rolled down her cheeks and broke upon the marble floor. Her mind ran thousand's of miles away into another time, and another place, she willed it to stop but her mind, her memory, was out of reach.

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"Will she ever let us in Arwen?" Aragorn lay in bed with Arwen next to him. He stroked her head as it rested on his chest.

"Everything depends on her."

"That is what frightens me. She is but a child, a child that has locked herself within."

"And this is why she has come to us Aragorn."

"You believe the reason she is here is for us to guide her."
"I do. It's obvious that she knows nothing of this place, of our world. I believe she was brought to us for her own good. We know nothing of how long she has been like this."

"Long."

"What?"
"Long Arwen. Long, if she knows how to communicate with us so well."

"I believe that you are right. But for the night let this leave your mind." Arwen whispered. She took his hand and gently untangled it from where is clutched the covers in a fist.

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Annadîn awoke and darkness met her eyes. She rubbed them willing the darkness to leave her. But she quickly discovered that it was not her sight but the actual room that was dark. Slowly she pulled herself off of the floor and took off the skirt she was wearing. Grabbing the shorts off of the chair near her bed, she slipped them on. She did not even bother to change out of the dark blue shirt, which had once belonged to Legolas.

With tired eyes, and a heavy heart Annadîn climbed into bed. And soon after her head hit the pillow, she was once again asleep.

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Legolas awoke to screaming. He did not know how long it had bee continuing on but he was out of bed in a flash and stood outside his door. The scream continued but this time he distinguished a word.

"NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOO."

It came from the room across from his, Annadîn's room. Ignoring everything else, he swiftly opened the door to her room and made his way to her bed. His eyes adjusted but not enough for him to see clearly. And as he opened the curtains of the windows to let the moonlight in, another scream ripped through the air. With the speed belonging only to those of Elven descent, he made his way to her side.

He sat on the bed and placed his hand on her shoulder. Her eyes opened immediately, but they glared with pure evil and torture. Shocked Legolas pulled away and once he did Annadîn closed her eyes and rolled to the edge of the bed, now lying on her stomach. Blinking Legolas tried to rid himself of the shock. But Annadîn's whimpers brought him out of his state.

Gently he reached out and touched Annadîn's shoulder. She jolted awake but did not move her body. Her eyes opened and stared wide eyed at the wall. Legolas did not know what to do and very slowly he removed his hand.

"Annadîn?" He questioned not knowing what to say.

Ever so slowly, Annadîn rolled over so that she was lying on her back. She looked straight above her. Legolas watched her as she did this and he could see tears forming in her eyes. There was a loud noise behind him and Legolas turned to see Aragorn, Gimli, Arwen, and the Hobbits enter the room. But he immediately turned his attention back to Annadîn.

Gently he placed his hand on her forehead, instantly her eyes were locked on his. She could feel the tears that threatened to fall, and she wanted to let them. And if she did, she knew this Elf would listen, would try to understand. But she knew he wouldn't, he would not understand what she felt.

"We heard screaming." Gimli muttered.

"It was Annadîn," Legolas stated turning to look at the group huddled just inside the door.

"Why?" Pippin asked innocently.

They looked at her. And she knew they needed an explanation. But she also knew that she would not be able to communicate with all at once. Closing her eyes briefly she pulled herself together and faced them again. Gradually she sat up and placed her back against the head bored.

The room was eerily silent. None who lived there would speak and the one would did, never spoke. Finally, it was broken by an Elf.

"What happened Annadîn?" 

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She went to the small corridor that led to the kitchen. The dining room -to the left of the corridor- remained the same as always, empty. The bathroom on the right in the corridor was empty. Then, she turned her head to the left and peeked into the laundry room. Shoes lay inside so she knew someone was home. Her socked feet padded loudly on the wooden floor. It went straight to her heart and made her muscles tense. Why was it so quiet? She had never heard soft steps echo, but now as she did she wished never to hear it again.

The lights of the kitchen were off, it was the first thing she noticed when she left the small corridor. She turned to her right, something was making her look, but as her body moved her mind screamed at her to stop. She did not want to see what was waiting for her; she knew, what ever was there would not be good. Her eyes looked into the family room, the kitchen table separating the two rooms.

What she saw made her back up. They were there, all of them, except one. One was missing. Where is he? her mind screamed. The tears struck her. She watched as they fell freely from her mother's face. Nothing could halt their flow; her mother did not even try and brush them away. Their trails were slick with thousands of tears, which glided noiselessly down her cheeks and fell from her chin.

Quickly her eyes went to her father. He too had tear-stained cheeks. And still more fell down his face. This wasn't right, her mind screamed, they are mistaken.

Her head kept shaking it wasn't true they were lying! But her eyes roamed to her older brother. And as she watched the first tears as they fell from his eyes-they were his very first, she could tell because his cheeks were completely dry-tears were then brought to her eyes. The crystal water droplets danced melancholy down her brother's cheeks and glided off of his face. She shook her head one last time knowing the desperation was evident in her eyes. But she was met with pain. He nodded slowly, strongly, in confirmation, never breaking eye contact.

She opened her mouth to scream but nothing came out. Slowly she closed it, but not before a tear slipped inside, and she tasted its saltiness, creating a bitter taste. And she knew from that moment on that her life was to be smeared with bitterness.

"No," She whispered harshly, "No!"

Her brother came to her then and held her close to his chest. It was his chest that she fell asleep on that night. It was his chest she went to for comfort. It was him that paid attention to her years afterward.

It was ominous, a feeling that she was beginning to tire of. Ever so slowly, the limousine drove through the cemetery, winding its way between the countless graves and headstones. She wasn't supposed to be here. She wasn't supposed to see this day come. But it had, with no way to stop it.

A hand gripped her own and she emerged clinging to her older brother. With each other's support, they succeed in making it to the plot. She stood stiffly staring at the coffin. It was small, much too small. These death holders were not supposed to be made this small. But here it was before her. Slowly she raised her hand and touched the dark wood. She memorized the smooth grain with her hand. It was her last good bye for this life. Caressing the coffin one last time a single tear rolled down her cheek.

This was a day for lasts. Her last good bye. Her last tear. Her last words. "I love you."

The coffin was lowered and earth heaved upon it. She stood mesmerized by the sereneness of the moment. How could something so foreign, so tragic, be so peaceful. She shook her head and walked away, it wasn't peaceful it was just a world full of melancholy.

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Tears were brought to Annadîn's eyes once again. Everyone in the room saw them and their hearts ached. Arwen was the first to be awoken from her emotional stupor. She lightly touched everyone on the arm and left with all but Legolas. The small band walked out of earshot of the room, even so that Arwen and Aragorn could not hear.

"Will she be alright?" Merry asked in a hushed tone.

"I do not know." Aragorn whispered huskily. He was shocked by Annadîn's action, she had seemed strong to him. Strong for not breaking down here, where he knew she was not from. But now reality hit him that his friend was not this rock solid person but a girl, a young girl, who was haunted.

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Legolas turned his head and watched his friends leave the room. He was slightly unnerved to see them leave him, but he also knew that being alone with Annadîn would be easier for her. Turning back to the distressed young woman in front of him, he placed a gentle hand on her side-she had turned onto her side, facing away from the door. In return for his action, Annadîn put her hand over his.

He was amazed at the action from her. Recently he had been trying to evoke some sort of communication out of her but nothing had worked.  He felt as she took a deep breath and released it slowly.

"The Hobbits," She whispered in a gruff voice.

Legolas blinked, Annadîn had just spoken. He watched as she turned on her back and looked him straight in the eye. Also, he noticed that she had not let go of his hand.

"The Hobbits," She repeated again.

"What about the Hobbits?" He questioned soothingly.

"They look so much like him."

Reaching out with his free hand Legolas stroked her hair. "Like who."

"Him." She stated.

Legolas noted the slight dimmed look in her eyes. "Whose him Annadîn?"

"Max." It was said plainly. "He was my little brother." She whispered so quietly Legolas' ears were strained to hear it.

Annadîn blinked. She couldn't believe she had said that. No one had heard her talk in years. Why here? Why in this place? But she didn't care for once. Once in a long time, she wasn't worried about what she was doing or acting like. There was a need for her to tell someone and Legolas was present. He had been kind and gentle to her even though she was a stranger, and uncooperative.

"Aragorn." She said quietly.

But without either of them moving he appeared at the door almost as if he knew he was going to be needed. The corners of her mouth turned up quickly but then dropped back down. She was glad he came; he needed to be told also.

Aragorn stood in the door and keep his eyes locked on Annadîn's. She did not look away or blink but her eyes bore right into his own. Slightly unnerved he walked into the room and shut the door. He had been in the hallway with the others when something pulled him back to the room. And the next thing he knew, he was standing in the doorway hearing words being spoken by Annadîn.

"He was deaf, but you would not have been able to tell if you had just met him." A sad smile placed itself on her features. "Max was full of energy and he wanted to try everything. But his curiosity and his disability were his demise."

She closed her eyes and both Man and Elf watched as her face first relaxed in peaceful memories and then her face turned grim. Once the sadness completely filled her features once again, she continued to speak.

"It was a rainy day. I was at school late practicing for a sport. When I got home it was quiet, deathly quiet." A tear slipped from beneath her eyelid. "They were waiting for me with ill news and tear stained cheeks." Annadîn halted, her voice becoming worn out. She was silent for a moment and then began for the second time after clearing her throat. "It was raining—Max loved the rain because he could feel the thunder—he was crossing the street when he was hit. He didn't hear them coming, how could he?"

Legolas and Aragorn looked at each other questioningly. Hit by what? They guessed that a street was like a road but were confused by what could have struck the little boy.

"Anna I'm sorry to cause you to stop but we are confused."

Annadîn opened her eyes. She looked at both and a small smile showed on her face for a brief second. "He was hit by a car, but I'm sure you don't know what that is. It's like a cart made of metal that moves without the aid of horses or cattle." The two looked at her quizzically but they somewhat understood what she said.

Aragorn nodded his head, "Continue, please."

"There's nothing else to say."

"You have been completely silent for four years?" Legolas asked exasperated in a gentle tone. "Because you did not want to be questioned."

"I guess you could say that." Annadîn whispered.

Aragorn saw the discomfort that Annadîn had placed herself in. She did not know what they were thinking, and he was pretty sure that Legolas' exclamation hadn't helped anything. He walked over to the other side of the bed and sat down. Gently he took his hand pushed back some of her hair; next he took hers in his own. "There is nothing to say to comfort you Anna, this I know. But we are here for you and wish the best. Please let us help any way we can."

A small smile spread across her lips, but in her eyes, the sadness remained. "They never said anything like that."

"Who?" Legolas questioned.

"My parents." And that was all that they could get out of her that night.

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"Go back to Arwen." Legolas whispered.

"No, not yet." Aragorn responded.

"She is finally asleep, it does not take two to watch over one."

"I know but I am afraid that if I leave it has all been a dream."

"Maybe it has." Legolas stated. "But we will not know until the morning comes, and if you do not get any sleep you will be useless to your kingdom. Rest Aragorn, I will watch over Annadîn."

Aragorn nodded slowly. It was times like these that he was reminded that behind Legolas' fair face was wisdom that came from centuries that he had lived.

After she had told the story, both had tried to get her to sleep. The only way that she would was after they promised someone would be with her. Only after, did she relent and fall into sleep.

"Good night Legolas, protect her as you can." Then he left.

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Well that's it for now. Now's the time to hope of the review train. I want to break a hundred and hopefully more.

Thanks for all the support and stuff.

Now the little button push it please.

Please review.

Jazmin 3 Firewing-I liked your way of saying you liked it and sorry about the wait. (9) Cryptic I thought it was more of a different twist. Anyway that was probably as cryptic as it's gonna get…I think. (10)

Siren6-Does someone love Merry and Pippin? And mischief may yet entail. Sorry about not updating.

Ashes-Hum I guess you enjoy a non-Mary-sue and we all do, and I hope mine is. Anyway sorry bout waiting and stuff.

Coolio02-Why do they all assume that because Merry and Pippin appear Anna will suddenly become party animal, joking. I'm actually …. Yeah have no idea what I'm saying.

Andreah- *Waves at Muses with a big smile* Why is it always the Hobbits? *turns to muses #1 questioningly* Anyway though Merry and Pippin have played a part as you have seen but maybe it will become slightly better for them later. Sorry about not updating. (9) Hopefully this chapter helped you understand a bit more (10)

Dark Angel 4523-Updating what's that? I didn't know there was something as updating. No really though I've been extremely busy and well just look at the above paragraph. Anyway hope this answers some of your questions.

Serpent of Light-Guilt trip nice try though. I must admit if everyone tried giving one it might work. Anyway here's a new chapter and I might get another done before the end of break no promises though.(9) I won't give up on this story if that's what you and others are worrying about. It's more of finding time to actually write it with my 4 to 5 hours of homework load. I hope this made up for if even just slightly the long wait. (10)

Itarilde-elenastar-Wow I feel so special on favorites list. Anyway sorry about driving you mad times 2. And hopefully this chapter will make you less likely to hurt the already injured me.(9) Okay I knew someone would understand about being busy. And good luck with being in Illinois I used to live there and I love it. Well I'm really glad you liked it and sorry about the monstrous wait.

Ainu Laire-I must confess I was wondering when someone was going to call me on my story. Really it wasn't that hard to figure it out. At least I didn't think it was so bravo to you. And so, so sorry about not updating. (9) Do I get any slack points for my little accident/injury? And I hope that you have gotten some of the answers you're seeking. (10)

Skye-Hey thanks for letting me know about the song. And sorry bout the huge wait. Well now I have to go do something or otherwise all these people will come and attack me. So….tootles.

Jo March95-The song is one of my favorites, and I'm glad you liked it. (9) I think you like that word interesting. And hope the wait wasn't too painful. (10)

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