Translations: Nissëamin = my sweet Nissë qúen = sweet one Meleth-nin = my love

Chapter 38

Legolas stared blankly at Berae. It didn't sink in at first. Only a few seconds passed, but each one seemed to last hours before he found his voice.

"St-stopped?" He looked at her, praying it was not true. She lay completely still, her chest now longer rising and falling with her shallow breaths. "No," he whispered. "No, she can't.... she can't be.... Silva, wake up! You can't be.... d-dead! Silva, please!" His cheeks were damp with tears. He looked desperately to Berae. "Is there nothing you can do?!"

"No, I'm sorry. There's nothing..." he said, quietly.

"You're just going to let her die?!"

"Well.... there is a human practice.... I've never used it before though...."

"I don't care! Do it! Anything! Just do it!" Berae hurried to Silva's side and tilted her chin upwards. In one hand he took her chin and in the he took her nose, preparing to give her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Thranduil watched in horror. He was now sitting, though he didn't remember how he got there. He watched Berae trying to breathe the life back into his daughter, so far unsuccessful.

"It's not working," Berae said exasperatedly to Legolas after a few minutes of failed attempts.

"It's got to," Legolas growled. He pushed Berae out of the way and copied his former actions. 'I will not lose you!'

She was brought back to consciousness with, what felt to her like, a hard, sharp, mental tug. Her eyes flew open and she coughed slightly. She saw Legolas and Berae leaning over her. She was completely disorientated. The last thing she remembered was fighting at the battle in Esgaroth. There had been a huge, sudden pain on the left side of head.... and then nothing. Now she was in a bed and her whole body was wracked with pain. There wasn't a part of her that didn't ache.

"Why are you crying?" she asked hoarsely, her voice barely a whisper, cracked and tired. Legolas wiped away his tears hastily, but he couldn't wipe away the smile of complete ecstasy. He sat down and took her hand, kissing it repeatedly. (E/N: Bless him, but he would look a bit of a fool doing it, wouldn't he?)

"Because you are alive," he said, happily. "We thought we'd lost you." She looked confused. "Y-you stopped breathing for about... five minutes. You d-died, Sil." She stared at him in total shock.

"I.... what?" Thranduil finally managed to find his feet and crossed the room. She looked at him, hers eyes questioning him the truth of her lover's statement.

"It's true," he said with a grimace. There was a stunned silence on Silva's part and a reflectory one on the others'.

"I know this is a very joyous time for you now she is awake again," said Berae, suddenly, "but I would ask that your highnesses could leave for a while. I have to change her bandages and do my usual checks on her progress. Lady Silvawen must also take rest now. This has been very trying on her body and mind." Legolas looked at the Healer as though he was mad or speaking another language.

"You think I'm leaving her after all this?" he asked incredulously.

"I think, perhaps, we should," said Thranduil. "I now have to inform our people of this improvement and you have barely slept yourself, son, or so I am told. She needs rest too." Legolas shot a dark look at the Elvenking.

"Do not think my words to you were said in haste or grief," he spat. "I meant every syllable of it. Do not call me son."

"Legolas, please. She's awake again now, why do we have to fight like this?"

"Because it's your fault!" Thranduil's face, at that remark, was a mixture of shock, anger and sorrow.

"Very well," he said curtly, with a nod, and walked out of the room.

Silva stared at Legolas, her mouth slightly open. In the eight years she had known them, she'd never seen or known of them arguing. Their opinions differed on many subjects, but they always accepted the others views and, at most, teased each other. They were so close that she had always thought nothing could break them apart, nothing could come between them. Whatever their differences were, they could just disregard them. But Legolas had been so harsh just then. She couldn't quite work out exactly what they were arguing about, but it didn't sound as though it warranted Legolas' replies.

"How can you talk to him like that?" she asked sadly.

"It is his fault what happened to you." Everything clicked into place.

"....what?"

"if he'd stopped you going, you wouldn't have gotten hurt. I wouldn't have nearly lost you - again."

"I can't believe you're saying that."

"Well, it's true."

"You must be extremely stupid if you think he'd have been able to stop me. If it's anyone's fault it's mine, but it was really just luck of the draw. Go away, Legolas. Berae needs to change my bandages."

"But, Silva-"

"Tell your father I wish to see him when he is free. I don't want to see you until things are well between you again." She turned her face away from him sadly and tiredly, laying the uninjured side of her face against the pillow. Legolas looked dumbstruck, but knew she was being totally serious.

"As you wish, nissëamin." When the door clicked closed behind him, she looked up again at Berae, who was a little bewildered by everything that had just happened.

**

Silva spent several weeks in the Healing House. Her progress was quick in comparison to Humans, and even reasonably so compared to the Elves, though everyone wanted to stay in the Healing House so that Berae could keep a constant watch over her. Initially, she kept herself occupied by making Thranduil and Legolas make up (which proved a lot harder than she expected - they are both as stubborn as her). Then she contented herself with the company of her lover and her sisters. All four were currently in Mirkwood and she was loving every minute of the attention.

"I feel like some fresh air," said Silva chirpily, sitting up in her bed (rather awkwardly since her arm was still in a sling) and crossing her legs. She winced slightly.

"Are you sure that's a wise idea?" asked Legolas. "You don't want to overexert yourself, or you could hurt yourself even more."

"My garden misses me, nissë qúen," she said a little more firmly. "I have to see to it, now I'm capable."

"Legolas is right, Sil," said Rath, "you should rest."

"Don't call me Sil and I've been resting for the passed five weeks. I've only got out of bed to go to the toilet, and that's only next door. You lot fuss way too much. If you would just let me be, I'd be perfectly-"

"-in trouble?" suggested Nilia. Silva scowled. "Come on, Silva, what would you do if something happened to you and there was no one around to help you?"

"Jump for joy."

"I know it's tedious being locked up in a room all day, but at least we're with you," said Arian.

"Did I ever say that's a good thing?" They all looked shocked. "I'm joking, stop panicking. You five mean more to me than anything else in the world, you know that." She was careful not to catch anyone's eye. That wasn't strictly true. Kemenhin and Legolas were the two people that mattered the most to her, more than anything or anyone else, then her sisters, though it was a very close call. "Anyway, so, are you going to let me out or not?"

"Only if we get to go with you," said Legolas.

"What? All of you?"

"Yes, all of us," said Riel. Silva shrugged.

"Suit yourselves." She threw back the covers and swung her legs out of the bed. She stood lightly and grinned at her spectators. "See, told you I was fine." She took one step and stumbled. Legolas leapt up and sprang forward to catch her, being careful not to touch her side or rib cage too much.

"You were saying," he said with a smirk. She pulled away and pressed her left hand to her right side.

"Fine, I'm..... I'm fine." Berae walked into the room.

"What are you doing, my lady?" he queried.

"Going for a walk," she said stubbornly. "And you're not stopping em. I need to go outside before I go insane."

"I'm not planning on it," Berae said brightly. "In fact, I think it's a very good idea. You could do with some fresh air. But I need to change your bandages first." She stared disbelievingly at him.

"But.... but...."

"Yes?"

"You're not going to try and stop me?"

"I wouldn't dream of it, my lady. You've been more than ready to leave the Healing House for the last week."

"Well, why didn't you tell me!?!"

"Because I knew that if I told you, you would have insisted on leaving straight away. In keeping it quiet, you have now deemed yourself ready, which is the most important thing. It has also given your body extra recovery time before you go gallivanting."

"Gallivanting?!"

"Yes, my lady, gallivanting. So, if you'd all be so kind as to leave for a moment, then I'll let Lady Silvawen on her merry way." HE saw the flicker of disapproval in Legolas' eyes. The four sisters saw it also. Rath and Riel stifled laughs. Not disapproval, jealousy. Even after five weeks of the same procedure, day in, day out, he still did not like any one else seeing Silva in the state of undress it required to change her bindings. He also did not like other people - other men - touching his lady. Arian and Nilia rolled their eyes. Though they were on friendly terms with the Prince now, neither yet approved of the relationship.

"We'll be outside waiting, nissëamin," said Legolas, standing as Berae started to unwind the linen bands. Just before he left, he saw the bandage be removed completely and saw the long, diagonal gash on her right side, an ugly scab marking its place, but part of it had been knocked off and was now bleeding again quite a lot. He felt a rush of guilt as he thought he might have done that when he caught her.

He sat down in one of the chairs in the Healer's office, sighed and rubbed his eyes wearily.

"She is well, Legolas," said Riel, gently. "She gets better every day. Every time we enter that room that smile is wider."

"Yeah, and the sarcasm grows, as does the bitchiness. We are getting more and more of her little 'jokes'."

"Don't forget mood swings," said Rath, unhelpfully. "She is happier, but the mood swings are a hell of a lot worse."

"Well, what do you expect?!" said Nilia, snappishly. "For her to be all happy and smiling and for there to be all flowers and sunshine? The poor girl has been cooped up in that little room for over a month, away from her beloved plants, with only us five to talk to. And although she feels well, she knows she is not in full health."

"What's suddenly made you Silva's spokesperson?"

"I just care for my sisters health." She looked at Legolas as she made that comment. He glared at her.

"What are you implying?"

"I just think it's rather coincidental that the two times in her entire existence she has been ill have occurred whilst she was under the care and company of you or your kin."

"Are you saying we don't look after her? That we don't care?!" She shrugged lightly.

"Maybe."

"You have seen nothing of what has happened!!"

"I seen enough to make me doubt this.... 'relationship'."

"Do you think I do not love her with everything I have?!"

"I think it's debatable."

"Well, we don't care what you think, Chanilia," Silva hissed from the doorway. She held Berae's arm as she walked out. Legolas stood and went to her straight away, she slipped her good arm around his waist and let go of Berae. "I suddenly do not feel the need of your company," she said coldly. "Legolas is perfectly capable of looking after me."

"Silva, I-"

"If you insult him, you insult me, Chanilia, end of story. They began to walk out.

"I was only stating what I think!"

"What you think is irrelevant. You know nothing of us, what we've been through or how we've coped. I suggest you keep your comments to yourself and your mouth shut." The conversation was over; Legolas and Silva left the room.

Chanilia growled aloud with rage.

"That girl!" she cried. "She's too stubborn for her own good!!" Rath smirked.

"I'm sorry, Nilia, but you are just as bad." Nilia looked shocked.

"How am I?!"

"Why can't you just accept that Legolas and Silva are together?" asked Riel, exasperatedly. "They are in love, it's plain for all the world to see."

"Not to me, it isn't."

"Arian has accepted it, why can't you?"

"I wouldn't quite say accept," said Arian. "I do not approve of their relationship and I never will, but I know that they are inseparable and will fight anyone who tries to do so. So I am just getting on with my own life. I pray to the Valar every night that Silva will not get hurt by him but that she will see the light (E/N: Again, no pun intended) But I will be there for her if she does get hurt. And if they really are in love..... well, only time will tell."

"And why can you not think like that, Nilia?" queried Rath. "It would make life so much more bearable, especially where Silva is concerned. Damn our youngest sister."

"I'm not changing my views for convenience," Nilia snapped. Rath sighed.

"Well, it's your death wish."

Silva leant against the wall outside the Healing House, fists clenched, her face contorted with anger.

"You'd have thought, after this long, after all that's happened, she'd just accept and get on with it. But no! She has to keep making digs at you all the time. She just keeps winding me up, more and more. I swear, one of these days, I'll hit her!"

"Hush, meleth-nin, don't let her get to you. She's not worth it."

"You let her get to you!"

"Yeah.... well.... she questioned my love for you. That is one thing I will not tolerate." She smirked. 'Oh Eru, what is she planning now?' he thought.

"Awww, ikkwe wegowas is aww pwotective over his ikkwe wady Siwva!" He frowned at her. She pulled him into a gentle embrace (awkwardly with her arm still in sling). "I do love you, you know. I won't let my sisters come between."

"I wouldn't blame you if you did. I know they are the most important people to you." She pulled back from him slightly, without letting him from her arms, and couldn't hide the surprise on her face.

"Do you honestly think that?" He nodded uncertainly. She caressed his cheek lovingly with her hand and smiled gently. "You and Kemenhin are my world. You two alone mean more to me than life itself. I would put you two before anything and anyone, even my sisters." She kissed him gently. As their lips touched, Nilia and Arian walked out. They both looked down their noses disgustedly at the couple.

"Get a room," sighed Arian.

"Got one, thanks," Silva smiled confidently. "In fact, that's where we were just going." Legolas looked shocked at this very sudden change of plan, then he realized she was probably only saying it to wind her sisters up. "I'd rather be alone and 'enjoying myself' with him than outside. I do miss our big, spacious bed."

"You're just a tart, Silvawen, a common floozy," snarled Nilia. "Only whores give it away to meaningless flings!" Silva began to see red.

"Meaningless flings!?!" she growled.

"Well, it must be." Nilia was now the one smiling. "You have the attention span of a fish. You can never stick with anything."

"Yeah, because that's why we've been together for seven years."

"Well, I guess you can't be blamed for seeking your cheap thrills anywhere you can get them. You're lucky to have found one so willing, and he's handsome too."

"Get away from me before I do something I will NOT regret," Silva hissed through gritted teeth. She had turned around to face her sisters, but Legolas' hands remained on her hips and she could feel his grip tightening.

"If he really means so much to you," said Nilia lightly, "why do you not marry? Oh, wait, that's right, you can't, because you're not meant to be together. You can't because this coupling is pointless and worthless and-" A loud smacking sound rang down the corridor. Nilia's hand flew to her stinging cheek and Silva stood about an inch away from her face.

"Get-out-of-my-house-now!" Her voice and body were shaking violently and her eyes were full of unshed tears. Arian stood staring with her mouth open. Rath, Riel and Berae had come out of his office nearing the end of Nilia's snide comment.

"Silva, calm down," said Berae, concernedly, but he was ignored.

"Get. Out," she repeated, though Nilia remained completely still.

"Leave her alone, Silvawen," ordered Rath, knowing that even though Silva was still injured, she could harm Nilia considerably. Silva turned her glare on the eldest heart sister.

"All of you," she retorted.

"What?" said Arian.

"All of you, leave now. I never want to see you. Get out!" With that, she turned on her heel and fled, her free hand pressed to her side.