Sorry the update was so long in coming. I've been really really sick. And the subsequent make-up work from school is enough to kill me!!
Disclaimer: I don't own any of Tolkien's characters, locations, or language. The other characters are mine.
Chapter 4
"Her body was used, against her will," Angion reiterated.
"May the Grace of the Valar be with her," Brilfin whispered as he knelt down to cover her still form. "We must move quickly," he said as he stood, "She will need care, and soon."
In silence, they lifted the beautiful, torn figure and placed her in the arms of an Elf on horseback, who immediately galloped off in the direction of Imladris.
The Elleth in his arms whimpered against his chest, her fingers grasping at the smooth fabric of his cloak. With a terrible wrenching fear in his heart, the rider spurred his horse onward with a cry of "Noro lim!"
When the smooth ringing of waterfalls reached his ears, he sighed and glanced down at the woman, who was breathing erratically, her forehead beaded with sweat. But, the danger was over and he leapt from the horse, the woman still in his arms. Summoning all remaining vestiges of his strength, he ran for the House of Healing, doors stood open, awaiting him.
A pair of healers in pure, white robes ushered him in, gesturing to a low table on which he placed the injured woman. The healers looked at her in pity, but also hope, and then quickly escorted him from the room.
Knowing his journey and mission were not yet complete, he took a deep breath and ran into the city, towards its center where lay the house of Elrond.
Past curious glances and shouted questions, he ran, knowing the urgency of his task. The Elven lord had asked that as soon as anything was known about the attacked travelers, he would be informed. So, with a renewed burst of speed, the messenger sprinted up the palace steps and hurriedly explained himself to the waiting guard.
The guard had been told of the attack and knew that the weary Elf brought important news. So, with little hesitation, he escorted the messenger into Lord Elrond's chambers.
The tall, stoic Lord wasted no time for greetings or platitudes.
"You have brought word of our lost kin?" he asked, his expression grim, but interested.
"We found a village that had been attacked, and amongst the dead, we found only one survivor."
"Where is the survivor?" he asked, his voice rising with urgency.
"She is with the healers, my Lord. She was......raped."
With a deep sigh, Elrond hung his head and made a gesture of supplication to the Valar.
"We must go to her," he said, lifting his head to peer at the messenger. "Lead me there."
******************
"She is resting," said the waiting healer, her pale robes blown about by the wind.
"She is well, then?" asked Elrond.
She nodded. "In body, yes. But her mind........we will know that when she awakens. We have much to tell her."
The second healer placed a restraining hand on his comrade's shoulder and turned to meet the inquisitive stares of the waiting pair.
"Will you at least tell us who she is?" Lord Elrond asked, not allowing emotion to invade his voice.
"Yes, she is Alquawen."
Elrond turned to the now-calm messenger, and asked, "Do you recognize the name, my friend?"
"In truth, Lord, I do not, though it sounds familiar."
"That is because she was not born in Imladris, but in Lothlorien. She moved here with her parents several hundred years ago, to escape with us to Valinor."
Realization dawned on the messenger's face. "Yes, I remember her now. She is uncommonly beautiful, is she not?"
"Yes," Elrond muttered in reply, lost in thought.
"My Lord?" one of the healers asked, searching for whatever troubled the Elven lord.
He raised his head slowly and looked intently at the healer.
"What is it you must tell her? What news could break her mind?" he asked, his voice raising slightly.
The healers exchanged a long look, worry creasing their otherwise-smooth brows. But, it was the woman who spoke.
"She is pregnant"
Notice the switch to third person in this chapter. I wouldn't point it out if it wasn't important