Unfading Grass

.:MegChes:.

Thank you for the reviews. Also, you know who this is directed to if you are reading this: please DO NOT FLAME this story, as I said, if you don't like what you're reading, leave (we said that in the very first chapter, mind you). Flames do not help the writers at all. They are just used to barbecue orcs (lol, Meghan). Otherwise, thank you very much and I hope you like what you see. Remember, it is just Meggin Fallohide writing the chapters now, with occasional input by my sister Ches (and if that is so, it will most certainly be noted). Thank you.

And yes. There are obviously some modern things incorporated into this story. But that's a usual habit of mine, so don't think of it as an insult, but mere entertainment.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters. The genius Tolkien does.

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Tough Adjustments through Min's eyes

I woke up with a start. My throat ached, and I realized I was incredibly thirsty. It was late at night, that was obvious, and the moon was just a small trickle of light seeping in through my translucent curtains. I looked down at my hands, which lay across my stomach, folded neatly. I pulled them apart, and my left hand flopped over to the side of the bed. It tried balling it into a fist, but found it quite difficult, and agonizing. I bit back a scream of rage, remembering the events of that night. On my birthday. It had to be on my birthday.

The news was quite a shock for the people. As soon as we told everyone, the visitors began to murmur amongst themselves, and quickly the place began to drain out. Nervous people left, returning quickly to their homes and leaving our problems with us; perhaps they were scared we'd include them somehow. I can never forget the looks on my siblings' faces: Erhothien's mouth wide open, her precious book falling through her grip and onto the ground… Imbequesse's cloudy eyes, filled with terror… and Neverin and Neveriniel's skeptical looks, poking at their mother's arm and asking her to stop playing tricks. Of course it was no trick. It was totally, painfully true.

The first person we took care of was mother. We tucked her into bed, in a separate room close to the windows, overlooking the forest. We gave her also some liquids she was capable of drinking down. My father refused to leave her side, even when Legolas urged him to go to bed and take some rest, for we had a long day ahead of us tomorrow. Nothing broke my heart more than the sight of my dad, brave and strong, now looking weak and defeated as he sat there by my mother's side, caressing her hair with his calloused hands and staring deep, deep down into her blinking azure eyes, the only movement we noted. Such a beautiful thing, now trapped inside an unmoving body. It pained me to think of myself in her position.

Eldarion was another story. The independent "dude" he was, he refused the soothing broths and medicine the nurses offered to him; instead he headed directly to his bedroom and locked it, making sure the 'DO NOT DISTURB' sign was visible on his doorknob. I wished to sit with him and talk to him, even though he couldn't talk back. I longed to escape this place of limits and sadness. I longed to be free.

I suddenly remembered I hadn't opened my gifts yet. I recalled that they were still stacked in their neat pyramid outside in the party area. But they meant nothing to me now. They could wait. I would open them tomorrow with company, so I could thank the givers immediately.

Stretching, I lowered myself to the cold ground, hoping to make for the kitchen for a cold drink. I was wide awake. Nothing could put me to sleep. Usually I would travel with my handy drawing pad, but even my most prized possession was worthless to me now. It felt odd, traveling stealthily through the corridors without that extra bit of weight in my skirt pocket. I finally reached my destination, and eagerly I grabbed a glass. I squeezed too hard, and the glass exploded in my grip, the shards piercing the same skin I had already pierced that night. My bleeding hand felt numb with pain as I stood there, annoyed. I couldn't even get a simple drink of water. Licking my parched lips, I turned the faucet on and leaned over the sink, gobbling up the water such as an animal would.

Good. I felt better. Quickly, I flipped the faucet off, oblivious of my own blood slowly dripping on the floor. I picked up my skirts and pushed my way through the double doors. I walked quickly, so that I wouldn't wake the sleeping ones, especially my sisters. As I rushed quietly down the darkened hallway, I realized I was going down the wrong wing. I blinked. Stupid of me. Guess I was half asleep after all. Quickly, I was about to turn around, when a familiar voice stopped me.

It was coming from the room where my mother was confined. The room with the largest windows, the room overlooking the beautiful forest. The door was slightly ajar. My keen ears perked up, telling me the low, soothing voice belonged to none other but Legolas. My heart lurched at the mere thought of him. The archery lessons? What would happen to the archery lessons now? Quietly, I tiptoed to the crack of the door, making sure not to betray my presence.

He was talking in rapid elvish, a poem of some sort. I knew the dialect well, but my head began to get groggy and harder for me to translate the complex wordings. We were raised to learn the language of Men as our first language, Elvish second. Surreptitiously, I cocked my head to the side, taking a quick peek inside the shadowed room, my breath cooped inside of me. Legolas halted in his mutterings.

There he was, sitting in the same chair my father sat in just a while ago. He was dressed in a light tunic for bed, but apparently he wouldn't be sleeping very soon. His poignant, compassionate gaze, the only part of him that held the absolute emotion, was lost in my mother's passive, pale face. She lay there, dark hair in masses, and eyes closed. Her breathing came out evenly, and I was glad she went to sleep at last. Her hand dangled over the edge, where Legolas held it lightly in his palm. His other hand was stroking, stroking softly her cheek, as if he was lulling her into a sleep deeper than she had ever slept before. The moonlight flowed in the room, almost as if it was a spotlight, aimed at just this little area of the spacious chamber. It was a picturesque sight, like a perfect scene for a painting or sketch. How I longed to draw the scene. Every little detail.

I sniffed, and touched my face, which was wet. I was crying. I needed an outlet, to release all this anger and sadness. But my outlet was cruelly snatched from me. As I reached up to wipe my face, I lost my balance and I leaned over too much. The weight of my hand pushed the door farther open. I gasped, reprimanding myself of my clumsiness.

Legolas jumped cleanly to his feet, and our eyes met.

"I-I'm sorry," I stammered, feeling my face grow hot. I felt so embarrassed. What right did I have to go snooping around? I was supposed to be asleep. Resting.

"You're supposed to be asleep," Legolas murmured, reading my thoughts.

"W-well," I squeaked. "I can't. So I went…to get a drink of water…"

"What happened to your hand?" Legolas asked, stepping forward quickly and taking it. Gently, he inspected the cut.

"The glass," I squeaked even higher. I felt so groggy, and that I would faint any moment. "It broke."

Immediately, my hand was bandaged in a clean cloth, under his professional care. "Curse Acharnon," Legolas muttered. "I can't believe he did this to you."

"It's not your fault," I reassured him. He looked up at me, dropping my hand. "I know you still think it is. But don't."

He didn't answer.

"Where's dad?"

"I told him to get some rest. It's unhealthy to stay awake for so long. He told me to take his place, for tonight." He shrugged. "I'm not that tired." He sighed, casting a backwards glance at my mother. I felt my heart wrench just to look at her. Quietly, as not to wake her, I sat in the chair and took her hand in mine, feeling a vibrant warmth still dwelling there, despite her handicap. I clutched it tight, and closed my eyes. Quickly, her eyes fluttered open, and I looked at her. "Sorry for waking you, mom," I whispered. "Go to sleep. I'm here. I'm here for you. We'll have you moving again in no time." I thought I saw a hint of a smile on her lips, but perhaps it was a hallucination. She closed her eyes and resumed her sleep.

"I'm worried about Eldarion," I told Legolas. "He hasn't come out of his room since we set foot in the house."

He looked at me, and it made my heart stir. It was if he could see into my soul, and see my deepest secrets. I lowered my gaze as he spoke. "Everyone needs their alone time," he said simply, his eyes trailing to the moonlit forest outside the open window. I understood the bond he had with Nature. It was his outlet.

"I know," I whispered.

Peaceful silence flooded the room, and I felt my body become light, as if my soul was lifting into an ethereal world. My mother's figure became hazy, and I blinked as the colors around me toned down, and faded into grayscale. While the rest of my body grew light, my head grew heavy, and intense sleep was pressing against my eyelids. I wondered what time it was, but it hurt so much to think. I let go of my mother's hand, and forgot about my curse as I used my hands to push myself up from the chair. My hands wavered, and as sleep nearly conquered, I never really noticed Legolas catching my fall. I felt a vague warmth surround me, and as I finally slipped into a world of sleep, Legolas carried me back to my room and placed my body against the sheets. As he did to my mother, he reached out with his slender fingers and stroked my cheek.

"Happy birthday, Min. Sleep well."

Inklings for the Impossible & The Council through Eldarion's eyes

I was half expecting as I yawned that morning that an out-of-tune voice would erupt from my mouth, as what usually happened when I yawned. It felt awkward, yawning silently when you've been yawning loudly for nearly all your life. It spoils the day, to be reminded of your muteness. I had a natural instinct to groan because of this, but I only felt the air escape my lips, and I heard no sound. Not only was speech taken away from me, but every single bit of sound. The entire voice box was taken. All I could think of was how much that sucked.

A loud knock on my door sent me springing up from my bed like a jack-in-the-box. I didn't want to stand up and open the door, just to yell 'COME IN' really really loud, but things had been changing since last night. I stood up and wobbled over to the door. I opened it. My heart lunged in my chest as I saw Nurithil's emerald eyes blinking at me. All of a sudden I felt really hot, and I even felt the room heat up.

She was carrying a tray with my breakfast on it, and another small bowl with the medicine the healers had been trying to pour down me the previous night. I looked at her white hands, which were shaking. "Please," she uttered. "Stay in your bed. I'll prepare everything for you on your table. You needn't wake so early." I silently obeyed what she told me. I felt stupid. I wanted to talk so badly. "I added something to your medicine to make it taste better," Nurithil went on. I stared at her back as she laid everything out on the table. A bowl of porridge, a piece of embroidered cloth on the left side. "I…I also brought you this." She turned around, and fished out a notepad with thick parchment from her pocket. She also took out a quill, and a bottle of ink. She handed these two things to me.

I couldn't stop staring at her. That was probably why she lowered her eyes quickly, and stepped back like she was afraid of me. Deftly, I unscrewed the bottle of ink and dipped my quill inside.

Thank you, I wrote. I flashed this at her.

"You're welcome," she replied, and smiled. This made me feel even more hot.

What'd you put in the medicine?

"I won't spoil things for you," she laughed. "Just take it, and we'll all feel better, okay?" She paused, and curtsied. "Well, once you're up, you can meet your family outside, in the gathering area…I heard you're going to have a council about this…quest." A look of worry crossed her face. "All my prayers are with you."

All right. Thanks again.

She managed another small smile, and left the room, closing the door softly behind her. A few minutes later, I cursed myself of having such thoughts about a servant. What was up with me? Things between us just weren't possible. With my not talking, everything was even more limited.


"The council has begun!" My father's voice loomed over the council area, which was rarely used except for when Min drew such insulting caricatures of people that this was the place she was lectured and embarrassed in front of the whole family. My eyes scanned the area. There was Legolas, looking all regal, sitting across from me. He sent me an encouraging look. On his left side was my mother, with two guards/caretakers behind her back to watch over her since she apparently had the worse curse of them all. On his right was Minyarė, who was staring into her lap and looking extremely tired, as if she hadn't slept in years. Trailing down in the semi-circle of chairs were my other sisters, who were fidgeting and looking tired and worried. They looked like they hadn't gotten much sleep either. We were just all a bunch of tired worried unfortunate people, gathered to discuss an unfortunate quest. The rest of the day wasn't looking very bright.

My father cleared his throat, which caught the attention of some drooping heads slipping into sleep. "I apologize for the events of last night, on Minyarė's birthday. I firstly want to repeat myself on how proud I am of you, Minyarė-"

Min's head jerked up.

"-and that I don't care if you're seventeen or seventeen thousand, you'll always be precious to me."

Min looked down in her lap once again, and yawned. She wasn't an easy person to flatter.

My father continued, his eyes grazing over the heads of his family members, and one solitary blond head. "About the events of last night. I apologize if you were worried. I know it was a shock for all of us…I was greatly shocked. But I assure you that we'll get everything settled. That is why we are here…to discuss a quest that your brother, Eldarion, and your sister, Minyarė, and most likely Legolas, our guest, will be taking."

Small bursts of outrage and worry exploded from my sisters. The twins began bawling again, and it broke my heart to see tears streaming down their faces. They couldn't bear to lose us. How sad.

"IT WILL ALL BE FOR THEIR BENEFIT!" My father yelled over the noise. "Please, don't fret! They will be all right. Once the quest is fulfilled, the curses will be lifted, and your siblings and your mother will be back to normal. Understood? DO WE HAVE THIS UNDERSTOOD AND STRAIGHTEND OUT?"

I scribbled a hasty 'Yes' on my notepad and waved it around. I wanted the council over with as soon as possible. My father saw this, and a relieved look washed over his face, as he saw at least one person was willing to fully cooperate. After a few minutes, my sisters quieted down. I noticed Erhothien wasn't holding a book at all- the first time ever in her entire life. Clearly everyone realized the seriousness of this.

"Er- the council will be very brief- only a few minutes…so…we can…ah…get back to our…priorities," father continued. I grinned. I knew he hadn't eaten. He was always at a loss for words whenever he was hungry. But I could tell he wanted this over and done with. "It is only fair to let everyone know what the cursed ones' tasks are. Legolas?"

The blond elf stood up, and rambled them off. Befriend and enemy's enemy's enemy's untamed creature, recover what (stinkin') Acharnon lost and bring it back in good condition, and each of our individual tasks. As he listed them off, I could see everyone getting more and more restless. They were all impossible. It was like trying to read in utter darkness. Legolas finally finished, and he sat back down. His face remained passive, as if he wasn't affected in the least bit. I peered at his eyes, and it was as if the ocean's waves washed within. Trouble lurked there.

"Well- there they are. I assure you we will all try our best to find the solutions. We must have high hopes through these…tribulations." My father cleared his throat angrily. Apparently he couldn't wait to get a hold of Acharnon once more and beat his face in. He eyed Min, Legolas, and me. "You three- you will set out at once tomorrow morning, following the nearest trail to wherever. Stay out of places where you know trouble lingers. Today we pack your supplies, necessary foods, and such. It will be a long journey. It will require patience." He paused. "But we will succeed. We will end this. Your mother will be able to move again, Min will be able to draw like she's never drawn before, and Eldarion- he can say whatever he chooses to say."

Ibequesse dried her eyes with a handkerchief and sniffed loudly. Neverin's eyes were popping out of her head, while her twin was fast asleep, her head nodding into her lap.

"One last thing," father droned on. "If you ever need help- if you should ever come here- please don't hesitate to do so. We're always here to help you." He sighed, and a strange loneliness flooded the area. "Council dismissed."

Brief indeed. But easier said than done.


As the area emptied, Min caught up with me and stopped me in my tracks. "Eldarion," she breathed. I glanced down at what she embraced in her arms. "Thanks for the canvas. I opened my gifts today, and yours was the first one. It just stuck out." She smiled, her face a rosy red. "I thought I would never get drawing material this big. It might be…" she sniffed- "a…while, before I could start drawing on it, but I'd just like to tell you…it means so much to me." She smiled another teary smile.

Hey, you're welcome, I scribbled. This will all be over soon. You just wait and see.

All the while I was thinking, yeah, right. As if.


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