Chapter 4

Silaerín

I threw myself against Elrond's door. I chose Elrond for he is known for his healing powers, and he lives closest to the sea. No one came and opened the door. I threw myself against it a second time. A third. I yelled desperately for Elrond, someone, anyone. If I lost her, Dúrvainwen, as I called her untill she woke up, I would be losing the most precious thing that I have ever held in my arms. More precious to me than my mithríl coat, or sting, or the Light of Elbereth. Whether I willed it or not, she was now my life. Perfectly imperfect. I had not spoken to her once, yet I knew that I loved her. I yelled untill my voice was hoarse. A hoarse throat is only temporarily, but death, death is forever. And if Elrond did not hurry, death would be the fate of Dúrvainwen, and, as such, my fate as well. After what was actually a few minutes, but to me seemed like hours, Elrond, and almost the whole population of Arda it seemed, arrived.

Not knowing what had possessed the Halfling to yell so, they all came running. Gandalf reached me first.

"What is wrong with you Frodo my lad? You scared us half to death!", Gandalf called out gruffly from a few feet behind me.

Could they not see her? See the way her spirit was leaving her body even know? The way her crushed ribs stuck out at awkward angles? The pain in her face, even as she slept?

"I found her, under a tree! Help her please! Help Dúrvainwen, before she perishes! Elrond! She needs you! Galadriel! Please use your mind and bring her back to us, back to her body! She's dying, can't you see that? Give her aid, before it's too late!" I was babbling hysterically, but I didn't care, not as long as Dúrvainwen lived to see another day.

/Frodo Baggins of the Shire. Ringbearer of old. Do not fear. Even as we speak, I am bringing the girl back. She comes back reluctantly though, for her body is in great pain. If she is seen to right away, she will most likely live./

I could hear Galadriel's musical voice in my my mind, and reassurance pouring in like a flood. I was grateful. Elrond tried to take Dúrvainwen from me, but I clasped her tight to my chest. When she cried out in pain, Elrond nodded to me, and led the way into his home. As I followed, I couldn't help but look down at her face. I resisted the urge to stroke her forehead, or kiss her soft-looking lips. The most important thing right now was getting her to live. When she was better, then I could try to get her to fall in love with me too. I had never believed in true love, or love at first sight, till I had seen Dúrvainwen.

Elrond opened the door to a guest bedroom, and led the way inside. He turned down the covers to the soft feather-filled bed, and helped me lay Dúrvainwen, bloody, bruised, and battered as she was, down among the silk and satin of the sheets. An elf named Lothdhínwen started heating some water to wash off Dúrvainwen. Until then, she took a cool cloth and dabbed at the open cuts and dirt and sweat on Dúrvainwen's beautiful face, and parts of her that could be seen. Legs, arms, shoulders. All were covered in blood and grime. I stood by her bed, just staring down at her.

"Will you being staying at her bedside the entire night, Frodo of the Ring? I can get you a pallet made on the floor beside the bed." Elrond's voice broke the trance I was in temporarily.

"Yes, Master Elrond, I believe I shall. Thank-you. That's very considerate of you." I looked at him troubledly. "Will she live to see the world again, my lord?"

"Only time, and a thorough inspection can tell. I can not hurry time, but if you will let go of her hand and move aside, I can do the inspection." I moved quickly. Too quickly. I tripped on the rug and fell. Elrond looked over at me, his eyes smiling. "That's the first time I've seen you trip in years, young hobbit! I wonder what's come over you!"

I knew he was only teasing me, but still I blushed. I hoped he couldn't see, but two miracles in one day? That's a little too much to ask for.

Elrond closed his eyes, then held his hands on the sides of her head, for about one and a half minutes. When he opened his eyes, he looked both encouraged and grave.

"It seems she has had a clean cut of the eleven ribs that were crushed by that tree limb, which is a good thing, but she also has a small bit of internal bleeding, and if that doesn't clear up, it could be fatal. Also, do you see the cuts and scrapes on her arms and face?" I nodded my head yes. "Well, she did not receive them here. She received this from wherever she originally came, and it appears that she has older scars, from previous things of the sort."

We heard some chimes and bells in the distance, summoning us for dinner. Elrond started to walk out, then turned around. "I would tell you to come to dinner, but since you seem to show more preference to staying and watching the girl (Don't try to disguise it, I can tell. It's obvious, because you are not moving from her side!), I'll send you some food, and a lime drink for the girl if she wakes up."

Before I could thank him, he had turned and walked from the room.

A few hours later, I had just dozed off when I heard Dúrvainwen stirring. I was immediately up and at her side.

She turned to me, her eyes foggy, and tried to speak, but her throat was too dry, and it just came out like a croak. I handed her the lime drink, which was kept cold by a special kind of rock it was sitting on, and she drank it. She motioned for me to come closer sith her hand. I leaned towards her, thrilled that she had finally awoken, and she spoke.

"You're the one who rescued me." Those six words, as clear as anything I had ever heard, although spoken softly. She had a rich, musical voice, one that reminded me of the elves singing. "Thank-you. If you hadn't have come, I would have died. I need to rest some, but I will wake up in the morning. Good-bye untill tomorrow-- for I can feel sleep coming."

"Wait!" I don't know why I said this, but I wanted to know something, so bad that it hurt. "What is your name?" That was the thing I most wanted to hear her say. I don't know why, so don't ask. I think I shall never know.

She spoke one last thing before her eyes closed in slumber once again. She sighed deeply as if content, and said, "My name," I had to lean in closer to hear her, her voice was going again, "My name is Silaerín."

Silaerín means Queen of the Shining Sea

Lothdhínwen means Silent Flower Maiden

Dúrvainwen means Dark Beautiful Maiden

You probably already know what Elrond and Galadriel mean, but I don't care, I'm going to tell you any way. And I don't think Frodo has a meaning.

Elrond means Star-Cave, or Star-Dome

Galadriel means Maiden/Lady Crowned with a Radiant Garland

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