Fragments
By Lailonniel
Author's Note: This is the prequel to "The Lost One" and "Found". However, you do not need to have read them to understand this story. It can stand on its own. I hope you enjoy and please review!
Chapter I: A Broken Heart
Gilorn leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on his wife's temple. At last, she had fallen into Elven slumber and had found some respite from her pain. She had been in labor for hours now, and the babe had still not come forth. He sighed heavily. He was so excited that this child was entering their lives, yet he hated to see his beloved wife in such pain. He lightly brushed the tangled blonde hair away from her pale face and smiled tenderly down at her. She was so precious to him. She stirred at his touch and slowly roused. Gilorn drew back and mentally cursed himself for awakening her.
Pelethel smiled weakly at him. "She will be here soon, my love. I can feel it."
Gilorn shook his head and smiled. "And how do you know that it will be a girl?"
Pelethel turned her head towards the window and gazed out, a wistful expression on her sweet face. "Because I dreamed of her," she whispered. "She will be a beautiful little girl with golden hair and laughing green eyes." She closed her eyes and smiled. "She is what I have always dreamed of, what I have always wanted."
Gilorn sat on the edge of the bed and took Pelethel's hand in his. He frowned slightly, for her hand was cold to the touch and lay limply in his own. He leaned down and kissed her on the forehead, all the while praying that she would not be taken from him.
"Just rest now, dear heart. I will watch over you."
She nodded weakly, and her body began to relax. He lay beside her and pulled her close to him. He had intended to stay awake, but he was so weary. Before he knew it, he had drifted off into Elven sleep, his beloved wife held protectively in his loving embrace.
Gilorn awoke abruptly as Pelethel moaned and began to writhe in pain. He sat up quickly and took her hand.
"What is wrong, Pelethel? What can I do?" he asked in concern.
She looked up at him with wild eyes. "The baby! She is coming!"
Gilorn ran from the room and down the corridor toward the healer's chambers. He burst into the room and grabbed the healer by the arm.
"My wife! The baby is coming!" Gilorn said, as he dragged the healer down the hallway. The healer pulled his arm free from Gilorn's grasp, and he and his assistants began to follow Gilorn to the birthing chamber. As they neared Pelethel's chambers, a frightening scream rent the air. Gilorn ran towards the room, but the healer grabbed his arm and pushed him aside.
"You must stay here, Gilorn," he said firmly. His expression softened as he saw the panic in Gilorn's eyes. "Do not fear. All will be well."
The healer turned and went into the room, his attendants close behind. Gilorn waited outside for as long as he was able to, but Pelethel's cries soon became more pained and harsh. She began to cry out for him, and he knew that he could tolerate this no longer. He entered the room and ran to Pelethel's side. He could feel the healer's annoyed gaze, but he did not care. He only had eyes for his wife. He stared at her with concern. She was perspiring heavily and was so pale. She looked up at him, fear shining in her eyes.
"The baby, Gilorn! She will not come!"
He kissed her hand and tried to fight back his tears. He needed to be strong for Pelethel and for the child. Pelethel screamed again, but it was different than before. Her back began to arch, and he quickly moved to hold her from behind. Her breathing had become rapid, and she was clenching his hand so tightly that he thought it might break. She began to push and her cries were so full of pain that he feared his heart would shatter. After several pushes, the baby slid out and Pelethel collapsed against him. A small cry met his ears, and he looked at the baby in the healer's arms.
Pelethel smiled and held out her arms for the tiny babe. The moment the healer placed the baby in Pelethel's arms, she stopped crying and gazed at her mother with wide, curious eyes. Pelethel smiled at the babe and rocked her gently.
"Hello, little one. I have been waiting for you for so long." She nuzzled the baby's soft cheek. "My love. My Elerrina."
Gilorn smiled at them and placed his finger in the baby's tiny hand. He laughed softly as the baby's hand grasped his finger. He kissed Pelethel, and then began to study the babe. She had a small tuft of blonde hair and green eyes. Just as Pelethel had said. Pelethel reached up and gave the baby to him. He held Elerrina in his arms and smiled down at her.
"Hello, princess," he whispered. "You are so beautiful."
Pelethel watched them lovingly. Gilorn seemed absolutely in love with Elerrina, and she with him. Pelethel sighed. At last she had everything that she had ever wanted. A loving husband and a beautiful child. She could not be happier. She continued to gaze at them, but gasped as she felt a sharp pain in her abdomen. Something was wrong.
Gilorn glanced sharply at his wife when he heard her gasp. He handed the baby to one of the healer's assistants and took Pelethel into his arms. She was deathly pale and her breathing was labored. He looked at the healer in panic, but the healer was already examining her. Gilorn looked down and his heart stopped at what he saw. Blood was pouring from Pelethel like a river, a fatal river that seemed to have no end. Pelethel weakly grasped his hand, and he looked down at her in desperate concern.
"Take care of her, Gilorn," she whispered. "Tell her how much I love her." She gazed into his eyes, the light in her own fading. "I love you."
"Pelethel, do not leave me. Please. I need you. I love you so much."
She turned her gaze to the baby and smiled. Her breathing slowed and ceased, and her body went limp in Gilorn's arms. Gilorn held her close and wept, never realizing that the healers had left the chamber, taking the baby with them.
Several years passed and Elerrina had grown into a beautiful, wild elfling. Gilorn watched her grow, and every day his heart became heavier. Every day, she looked more and more like her mother. Pelethel, how I miss you, my love. He sighed. He knew that he could not be a proper father to Elerrina. He was a messenger of Rivendell and was often sent great lengths to deliver messages to other realms. He sighed, for he knew that was not the only reason. His grief over losing Pelethel had become so great that it hurt him to even look at Elerrina. He loved his daughter deeply, but he knew that it would be best to send her to Mirkwood to live with Pelethel's sister and her husband. Silaerwen and Maldathar would care for Elerrina and give her the love that she deserved. He glanced up as Elerrina ran into the room.
"Ada! Look at what I found!" She opened her hand and revealed a large blue butterfly. She grinned up at him proudly. "Is it not beautiful, Ada?"
Gilorn smiled at her and lifted her onto his lap. "It is beautiful, my Elerrina. Just like you."
She giggled and leapt from his arms. She ran over to the window and released the butterfly. She smiled and waved at it, before running back over to her father and climbing into his lap. Gilorn held her close and kissed her hair. He knew that he needed to tell her, even though she might not understand.
"Elerrina, I have something to tell you." Elerrina turned in his arms and looked into his eyes. He sighed. "I am going to take you to visit Silaerwen and Maldathar in a few days."
Elerrina grinned at him. "I love them!"
Gilorn smiled sadly and kissed her cheek. "I know, my sweet, and that is why you will be staying with them for a while."
Elerrina frowned. "For how long, Ada?"
"For a long time, princess."
"But I want to stay with you."
He touched her hair. "I know, but you cannot."
Tears began to course down Elerrina's cheeks. "Why, Ada? I love you and want to live with you!"
He fought back his own tears and looked at her. "No, Elerrina. You are going to live with them," he told her, his voice far more stern than he had intended.
Elerrina moved from his lap and ran to her room, her little sobs breaking his heart. He sighed. One day you will understand, my daughter. One day.
Gilorn sighed in relief as they finally entered Mirkwood. It had been a long journey, for both he and Elerrina. She sat in front of him on the horse, and he looked down at her little golden head. She had been so silent during their travels, barely speaking to him at all. He knew that she was hurting and did not understand why he was leaving her. He had thought about turning around and taking Elerrina back to Rivendell many times, but he knew he could not.
Gilorn halted before Maldathar and Silaerwen's home, and they ran out to meet them. He dismounted and lifted Elerrina off of the horse. The moment her little feet touched the ground, she ran into Silaerwen's arms and buried her face in her dress. Gilorn winced as he saw the sobs that began to shake Elerrina's little body. Maldathar reached out and clasped his arm.
"Come inside and rest, Gilorn," Maldathar offered. "You look exhausted."
Gilorn shook his head. "Thank you for the invitation, Maldathar, but I think it would be best if I left."
Maldathar nodded, and Gilorn walked over to Elerrina. He knelt before her and smiled sadly. "Goodbye, princess. Behave for Silaerwen and Maldathar."
Elerrina stared at him for a moment before she ran into his arms. She began to cry again, and he cried along with her.
"I love you, Elerrina," he whispered.
"I love you too, Ada. Please do not leave me," she begged.
"I am sorry, princess, but I have to." He drew back and looked into her eyes. "I will be back to visit you soon."
He kissed her cheek and rose. He quickly mounted his horse and turned for one last look at his daughter. She looked back at him, tears flowing down her cheeks. He waved at her and rode out of the city, his heart breaking. I love you, Elerrina. He sighed heavily and rode quickly away from Mirkwood, the image of Elerrina's heartbroken little face permanently etched into his mind.
