Cold-Blade: It's an interesting name... is there a reason behind it? The necklace held Legolas's ring, which he left with her before going on the quest. It was a kind of promise--that he'd come back, that things would work out. Her showing up without it was between a rejection and a slap in the face for the poor, clueless Leaf.

MyOnlyCat: Yeah, I've kind of wondered if Celebrian ever knew what was going on until Elrond came over. It's possible, I think... but it must have been terrible.

Sarah: The battle in Mirkwood was near the end, I believe. I think it started around the time of Helm's Deep, if that helps. So, she's had just enough time to be able to hide her injury for a while, and have her stubbornness override the pain.

LJP: In my mind, Leaf is still ticked when Alyeni leaves. He's hurt, and anger is more acceptable an emotion to show at the diner table. But I'll get into that next chapter, and Arwen will be coming in too... although at this point, I have no plans for dresses. Maybe later, I don't know. As for my computer: I'm completely clueless about this sort of thing. A new power source might keep it from overheating? I have enough of a time keeping power coming into the computer--the cord flickers every time I move. Is there an easy way to fix the floppy drive, or should I be looking around for a new computer? (Assuming you know more about this sort of thing than me... which wouldn't be hard.)

Animir: All I can say is I'm glad I wasn't typing up a final on it when it decided to stop saving to floppies. (Praise Valar)

Daphne: Sorry, not just yet...

Farflung: Just picturing Leaf knocking back a shot of something cracks me up every time. There is going to be some discussion with those you mentioned, but ultimately, it's up to them... and I don't know how much more will come before finals (lucky me, I've got almost two weeks for those).

Thanks to everyone else who e-mailed/reviewed!

Sorry about the short chapter. Not much I could do about it right now. As soon as I get Not A Word finished--only a few more chapters--then I'll have whatever school time is left to work on this. Hey, I made the 10-day deadline! And I even managed to run through this a few times to look for glaring errors.



Chapter 31

With a hiss I woke, my body twisting in such a way to avoid the pain.

"Easy, Alye," a familiar voice murmured. "You didn't do yourself any favors doing so much so quickly."

"I sat on a bloody horse, Joy," I managed between harsh breaths. "Why'd you do that? I was asleep."

"I know. I was hoping you would remain asleep so I could check on the wound… Why did the king let you leave?"

"He didn't have much of a choice, Joy. I was leaving whether he agreed to help me or not, and he damned well knew it." Slowly I was able to get my eyes open, checking to be sure he was the only one in the room. I took a calming breath and slowly did my best to relax, letting him fuss over my wound. "How's it look?" I asked a while later.

"You should never have left the healing rooms so quickly," he insisted stubbornly.

"Joy," I sighed, "I had to come. I promised Arwen I would do my best to be here… and I was still too late." I'd also wanted to see Leaf… but that seemed to be forever beside the point, now.

"Will you at least go to the healing rooms now?"

"No. I'll allow you to fuss, but not some human," I spat.

"Glad to know I'm so appreciated," Estel murmured, one brow quirking as he came in. He took one look at me and winced. "Looks like you had it worse than I did in this war."

"Just the one," I defended.

Joy snorted. "That's why you're black all over, right? Why every breath causes you pain?"

"I'm fi—"

"Damn it all, you're not!" His fingers clenched on the rag before he got up, storming from the room with a snort of disgust as the rag splashed into a bowl somewhere behind me. "You try to talk some sense into her!" he yelled over his shoulder at Estel.

He took Joy's place on the bed, looking at my shoulder in silent sympathy. "Well, so much for the quiet, composed idea humans around here had of elves."

I laughed quietly—and painfully. "Just remind them there is a distinction between wood-elves and high elves," I murmured.

"You are hurt, aren't you?"

"I'd think that was obvious, at this point," I whispered softly, somehow soothed by his quietness, and by finally admitting how much it hurt.

"Where?"

I let out a slow breath. "The worst is my shoulder," I murmured after a moment.

"Gotten how?"

"Orc from behind."

Estel quirked a brow. "I know you're not a trained warrior, but how did it sneak up on you?"

"It didn't."

He remained silent, the brow quirked, requesting an explanation.

I sighed carefully. "Thranduil was fighting off two, and was sent to the ground. One held him there, unable to rise, while the other two moved to strike. I was down to one sword… so I blocked one with my blade…"

"The other with your body," he finished, his eyes flashing. "What of the other wounds?"

"I was nearly skinned but twisted away, was struck a few times… It does hurt to breathe… and walk, and ride, and sleep…" I trailed off, turning slightly farther onto my side. "I can ignore the pain. I always have."

"What do you mean always?" he asked with a frown.

I treated him to a bitter smile. "My father ruled with a heavy hand," I answered quietly, before allowing myself to slip into sleep again, faintly aware Estel had moved to finish what Joy had started.