Chapter 11: Realization
AN: Hey you guys, sorry I made you wait longer then I said. I really thought that I was going to update last week but it just didn't happen. Well since it seems I'm in the mood to apologize sorry if this chapter or sentences in the chapter are whacked. I'm getting really tired all the time due to lack of sleep. So, in um about a month I should be getting sleep again and well yeah hopefully things will improve.
What are you doing reading this? I'm just rambling on so I don't feel bad. Get going and read the chapter already!
I have over 100 reviews! *celebrations*
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"How is she?" Arwen whispered when Aragorn arrived back into the room.
"She's sleeping now." He stated simply, the exhaustion painfully visible.
"What transpired?"
"She…she can speak Arwen. She did tonight, the first time in four years." With his words, Aragorn left the room and went out onto the balcony. His hands immediately went to the banister with a firm grip.
Arwen came up behind him and put her arms around his waist. She kissed him right below his ear encouraging him to continue.
"Arwen her brother died four years ago. I don't know exactly what occurred but I know enough that it sounds like murder, but it wasn't meditated… more of… like an accident. All she said was that he was hit. Her explanation was that whatever hit him was like a cart, made of metal, and it works without horses. I don't understand this but it's what transpired."
He turned then to Arwen and wrapped his arms around her waist also. "He was deaf. She loved him with all of her heart, Arwen. The anguish of the event was clearly painted in her eyes. She's been tortured, Arwen…tortured by herself."
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Legolas sat in a chair pulled up so close to the bed that his legs were slightly smashed between the too. When Annadîn had fallen asleep, she had claimed possession of his hand for the night. All through her story and even afterwards she had not let go. It was almost as if he was her anchor to the world.
He watched, as she turned on her side facing him, still fast asleep. Tenderly he brushed the strands that had fallen in her face away. And in his heart, there was nothing but love for her. The love of a friend and a brother.
As the sun began to rise from the deep blankets of darkness, Legolas felt a tremor go through Annadîn's body. Quickly he averted his eyes from the window to look at her, but her sleep continued. Though, he did notice that she had moved into a tighter position, her knees closer to her chest. He remembered this position well from the journey to Minas Tirith. And he remembered the endless nights where neither got sleep. Taking a breath, he began to sing in his native tongue, soothing both the sleeping girl and himself.
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Annadîn's eyes fluttered open slowly. Taking a deep breath, she took in what she saw before herself. Legolas sat with his knees compressed between a chair and the bed. She looked up into his face and saw that he was awake and alert. Slowly, she began to sit up and it was only then that she noticed that his hand was clasped in hers. Delicately she removed her hand from his and Legolas moved his away.
"You had a rough night, Annadîn." He took the hand she had previously been holding and caressed her cheek. "How do you feel?"
Annadîn simply shrugged. Afterwards she brought her knees to her chest.
A small smile claimed Legolas lips. "Nice try Annadîn, but words need to be used."
Lifting her gaze to meet Legolas' eyes, she pleaded with him, silently begging him to let her continue her silence.
"I'm sorry but I must hear it from you mellon nin."
"I'm not sure." She said softly. "What I told you last night…I've never told that to any one, ever. And I…I just…."
"Feel over whelmed?" Legolas finished innocently.
Annadîn nodded her head. "I thought being silent was the best way to deal…I never imagined it would only cause horrendous pain."
With a sympathetic smile on his face, Legolas stood up and pushed the chair away from the bed. He sat down on the edge and pulled Annadîn into his arms. "I do not know what to tell you. But I can say that as time passes the burdens that are laid on our hearts will remain but their intensity softens."
Annadîn gave into Legolas hug and sat for a while in his arms. She was surprised to find him when she woke up. Even though she knew that he was her friend, she did not suspect him to keep watch while she slept. Slowly she pulled away from his reach and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.
"Thank you." She whispered.
"It is no inconvenience to help a friend. Now I believe you would feel better if you had a bath. I will call Serina to bring warm water. And when I return, I will have some food for the both of us. Agreed?"
"Agreed," was the soft reply he got.
Legolas touched her head and then left. Annadîn then sat in the center of her bed with her legs underneath her. She looked around the large room and noticed that her window was open. Outside the sun had just cleared the horizon and the remnants of the sunrise were still visible in the sky. She smiled softly to herself thinking that no matter where you are the sunrise and sunset were still the most beautiful things.
The door opened interrupting her thoughts and Annadîn turned to see Serina entering her room. She rushed to her friend to relieve her of one of the buckets of water she carried. Serina gave her a warm smile and together they filled the tub in the bathroom.
"It's good to see you Anna, but then again it has only been a day." Serina exclaimed when Annadîn gave her a hug.
Smiling sheepishly Annadîn removed her shorts and started to unbutton the bottom of her shirt.
"I'll leave you to bathe, but I do wish to hear what happened after the prince found you last night." Serina pronounced leaving the bathroom and the chambers.
Annadîn couldn't help the cheeky grin that spread across her face at her friend's words. She shook her head as she proceeded to remove all clothing from her persons and then step into the tub. Sighing, she submerged her body in the water and relaxed. Enjoying the solitude that the bath entailed, she began to think about what was occurring.
Legolas was in a sense taking care of her, something had not happened in the last four years. This fact put an ironic smile on her face. Then Aragorn came to mind and she simply sighed. He was a friend but at some moments, she thought he was much like a father. Shaking her head softly, she mentally noted to find out his age.
After carefully cleansing her body and hair, she emerged from the water and wrapped a towel around herself. She glanced around the room only to realize that any form of clothes were nowhere to be seen. Silently cursing Serina, she opened the door to the main chamber and walked through it.
She arrived at the armoire before she realized that there was someone else in the room. With a deliberate slow pace, she turned to the intruder. She was met with Legolas' visage smiling gaily at her.
"Nice to see you too." He remarked indicating the glare that was fixed on Annadîn's face.
She simply raised her eyebrows and glowered at him.
Legolas raised his hands in peace. "I was under the impression that people usual take their change of clothes into the same room as they bathe." He touched the towel that surrounded her. She swatted his hand away with a well-placed slap and pointed her finger at him, glaring dangerously.
A low chuckle emanated from Legolas' throat as he pulled Annadîn's off-white blouse and a plain skirt from the armoire. He gave them to her as a peace offering. She took them, punched him in the arm, and proceeded back into the bathroom to change.
Legolas shook his head as he watched her leave. No matter how much time he spent around humans he would never truly understand them. They were marvelous creates with a hidden strength. Plus he loved their playfulness.
"How are you feeling?" Legolas asked again.
"A bit better." Annadîn confessed.
Legolas' head tipped to the side a bit at her reply, it was not her words that puzzled him put her soft voice. "Why do you speak so quietly? Your personality-when you let it show-states otherwise."
Annadîn shrugged, "I was always quiet, even if my personality is not."
Legolas agreed to that answer. "Come, I brought you something to eat."
At the small table in the room sat a tray laden with fruit and toast. Annadîn smiled when she was it and the two began to eat.
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"What is your name?"
Annadîn looked at Legolas. It was a cross between amazement and confusion.
"Please." He added in a soft tone.
"No."
Legolas looked at the young woman before him, who now was faced away from him. He gently placed his hand on her shoulder realizing his mistake. "Your name is for you to give to whom you please, I will not demand it from."
Annadîn nodded her head, slightly. She did not know why, but keeping her name to herself made this world a little more real. If she had a new name then perhaps she could now have a new life.
/Look at me already speaking with theses people, when I have not spoken to my family in years. But its not like they even tried…. I wish not to dwell on these things. I am here now and I shall enjoy myself no matter the cost./
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"It is good to see that you are enjoying yourself here Annadîn." Arwen stated.
Annadîn nodded her head. "It's peaceful here." She whispered.
Arwen cocked her head to the side. "Peaceful? Yet you have seen Aragorn send men away to hunt Orcs."
Shaking her head, Annadîn did not respond.
"Legolas has kept his eye on you since your dream." Arwen pointed out. "He is very worried about you, I have not seen him act like this for many years."
Annadîn shrugged. "It is good to have a friend." She stated plainly.
Arwen smiled and took the young human by the arm and they walked through the gardens together.
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"Where have you been Elf? I have been looking for you for days and not once have you been able to be found." Gimli bluntly stated.
"Aye, I have been with Annadîn. She is intriguing."
"Next thing you know he'll be living with the humans and not the Elves." Gimli muttered.
Aragorn chuckled. He knew Legolas' concern for Annadîn and also shared it. "I think that this Elf, has a good reason to keep such a close watch on Annadîn, Gimli."
"Ai. The lass does need to have some fun, she needs some cheering. Sometimes she makes the world more bleak then it is."
Both Legolas and Aragorn smiled at Gimli's words. They knew that he would not state such a comment if it truly did not bother him to see Annadîn in such a state as she was prone to have.
"Gimli I agree whole heartedly with you." Aragorn pronounced. "It seems that Minas Tirith will finally have that welcome for the hobbits."
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Annadîn sat in the window seat in her chambers. It was the first time she had been alone is a few days. It had only been a week since her nightmare, but her friends were not keen at leaving her alone. She placed her head on her knees and watched as some men galloped away on their horses. A small smile crept across her face as the image of Gimli on a horse came into her mind. It was one of the most amusing things she had seen in her stay.
Closing her eyes briefly she felt the sun warming her face and a smile graced her features. She loved the way the sun could kiss her face and make her feel like she was the sweetest thing in the world. With her head on her knees, her face turned to the window, and her eyes closed, she sat listening to the sounds of an ancient city, and enjoying the day.
It was a soft hand on her head that removed her from her calming thoughts. She raised her head from her knees to look straight up at Legolas. He was met with a smile and then she turned back to the window and the sun.
"You enjoy nature." He stated.
She nodded her head. "There was not such an abundance of it." She replied.
"I was going to ask you to the library, but I think, sitting here observing Valar's work would be better."
And so, Annadîn sat on the right side of the window and Legolas on the left. They watched the morning turn into afternoon, people carrying out their daily routines, and small children scamper across the streets playing tag.
"He used to play just as they do." Annadîn whispered.
Legolas looked up at her. She remained watching the children. He saw the joy, and yet the pain and sorrow visible in her eyes. And as he watched the emotions travel throughout her body and then disappear, he wondered if Elves and Men were not as different as they were believed to be. They still cared about the same things, and felt the same emotions. Death was traumatizing for both races, and family more important than anything else.
And perhaps, he thought, it is not so odd that humans grew old and passed away. For in their lives they witnessed so much more then Elves did. They experienced more joys and more hardships. They worked themselves with inspiring self-control and yet could free themselves of all restraints, if only for a night. But still through all of these things, they carried the pain of happenings forever in their hearts. /I would too grow old and pass if for my entire life I carried such a burden as they do./
His eyes remained on Annadîn for the rest of the time spent together that day. And for this one time he did not attract her eyes. But was able to observe her. And to think about the things that occurred in her life, and in the lives of his mortal friends.
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Thank you everyone who reviews to this story. You all have a special place in my heart and you are why I pull myself away from my homework and write, even if it does take a month.
Now please all review! Just let me know what you think.
Andreah-Yes she talked it's a miracle. Now the thing is to get her to continue to talk. *waves back at muse and holds up bigger metal mallet.* Oh I'm glad you liked it.
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Coolio02-I'm so so so sorry. But things got out of control. I hope you like this chapter and that stops any short of plan of the demise of me.
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