Disclaimer: I own nothing, as usual. Shutterbugs.
Sorry, none of Ithildor's journal entries today. Considering he's unconscious, that would be stupid! Hehe. Also I'm sticking my Reviewer Replies up here so you guys don't miss 'em. Scroll down for the story!
REVIEWER REPLIES:
PS: These are for all my reviews from all chapters!
frodofreak88: Thanks for forgiving me for killing Eressa. I will stick to my case—it had to happen! Otherwise there would be no angst later! Oh, and yes, Ithildor will get into more trouble. Not the wargs-and-spiders-attacking-trouble, but the angsty kind. Whee! And I promise to keep updating! Thank you for reviewing so often! Luvs ya!
The Noble Platypus: I'm glad you like it! I hope you continue to like it, and continue to review like you always do! You are soo great! And you can give Ithildor all the hugs you want! chucks Ithildor over to you Just don't let the Goddess of Mary Sues get to him! I hope you like Aderyn. She's probably my most favorite character I ever created. Unfortunately, she might not get to play nurse. In fact, it might be the exact opposite! Heheh!
BTW—I am scared poop-less about going to college and leaving all my friends and my comfort zone and all—so thanks for reassuring me that I'll love it. I certainly hope I will!
Bye now, thanks soo much, as always!
darkangelgep: I am very very glad to hear that you like this story. It is just so much more different from my others—I was worried everybody would hate it. But you've reassured me! And yes, new characters! And SURPRISE! Old characters will come back to haunt and lurk and fork everything up for Ithildor! Yayness! Thanks a bunch!
Booklover Fanatic: No no no! I don't want to go to college with this hanging over me, or sitting on me, or under me or anything! I'm trying to get it done as fast as I can, but I'm very…lazy sometimes, and busy too. But I promise even if I go to college I will continue writing this story till it is done, Done, DONE! And then write another one-shot spin-off just for the hell of it! By the way, have fun at college, I hope you're not as scared as I am!
XxDarkgoddessxX: HELLO! Thank God you reviewed, I thought you died or something! Don't scare me like that, girl! Thanks for the positive comments—I can always count on you for them! You probably are one of the most faithful reviewers I have—has it been two years I've been working on this series? Wow. Thank you for all your support! Unfortunately I don't think I will be able to bring Eressa back into the story. She is dead, after all. But another old character WILL come back. And they are gonna cause a lot of angst for Ithildor. So keep reading! Thanks so much! Bye!
The Emotional 13 Year Old: I have to work hard. Otherwise I'm just never going to get anything done. Besides, even if you don't check up on my stories 'cause you're reading others, when you do come back, there's gonna be lots of new chapters waiting for you! Thanks for continuing to review! Please continue! Bye!
shadowsorceress: I'm SOOO glad to hear that you like Ithildor. I thought people would be bored with him, 'cause, you know, he's not Legolas. Thanks god you like him! Oh, yay! I'll try not to keep you waiting. Thanks a bunch!
Mahogany Greenleaf: Thank you very much! I'm glad you like it. And I will update as soon as I can!
Deana: You bet Ithy took off. Hehe, this is so great. Only the 7th chapter and I already have people calling my main character pet names! Thanks!
LegyLuva: Thanks for you compliments on the little father/son scene between Leggy and Ithildor. I really wanted to do one of those and I liked it, so I'm glad you enjoyed it too! Yeah, I get down on myself for not updating fast enough. I really just want to make you guys happy. To not keep you waiting and wondering, you know? But I need a life too, I suppose. Thanks for you reassuring words! Please review while you can, I will look forward to them! Thank you again and again and again…
aknightofni: Wow…thanks for you great compliments…even if I sometimes don't agree with all of them…hehe. But thank you so much. I'm glad you enjoyed the Leggy/Ithildor scene. I had a pleasant time writing that one. I'm flattered to hear that you think my story is well written and at the same time entertaining. That's what I was aiming for! Thank you very much, I greatly appreciate it.
tanja: You know what? It is about time. I got really, really lazy for a while. Ok, more than a while. A LOOONG time. But now I'm back, and I'm gonna try hard to finish this story ASAP. Thanks for you encouraging thoughts. I'm sorry for seriously slacking off on some of my other stories thought—especially The Well of Souls. That one is like the thorn in my side. I really want to finish it, but I just can't seem to find the time to. But I have a whole week home alone with no parents to kick me off the computer now, so maybe I'll be able to write something! Thanks so much!
Rose Angel: Well….actually, Tolkien's character is Legolas Greenleaf. He just doesn't use his full name in the book all the time. And if you still don't believe me, it's printed clearly twice in the Two Towers—once when Lady Galadriel sends messages to the Three Hunters, and once more when Legolas wants to go watch the ents but Gandalf tells him not to. Check it out. But thanks for reviewing and looking at my profile! Bye!
Nirobie: Come on! You thought I would just stop at two stories? Of course there's a third! And after I'm done with this one (eventually), a fourth! But that one will be just a one shot, nothing monumental. Thanks for continuing to review! I'm glad you like that it's about Ithildor! I was worried people wouldn't like him. Thanks ever so much for your encouraging words! Luvs ya!
MidnightStar82: Thanks! And yes, another one! I'll never stop! AHAHAH! Well…maybe eventually I'll have to stop, but it sure is not gonna be soon! Um…this might just be because it's past midnight right now, but I didn't really understand the rest of your review. What about history and doing things the way they really would have been done? You'll have to repeat that. I didn't get it. My blonde-ness is kicking in. And I will update as soon as I can! Thanks again, and forever! Bye now!
Kitsune Kida: Thanks! I'm glad you thought I got off to a good start. Yeah, poor Leggy. I never cease to torture him! Hehe. Unfortunately, Legolas isn't going to be around to tell Ithildor the truth. But that doesn't mean that he won't find out on his own…oooh, the suspense! Thanks again!
((((((((((((((o Chapter 7 o)))))))))))))))
Ithildor was floating. No…no, he was flying. That was it. Flying. The air around him was tinged a rosy pink color. Normally Ithildor wouldn't have liked it, but somehow it didn't bother him. Not just yet.
The young prince outstretched his arms and continued to sail through the beautiful nihility. He barely even noticed the slight throb pulsing from his left side. It was peaceful here.
But then the pink hue began to darken. Ithildor could feel the air give way from under him. He opened his mouth to scream as he began to plummet downward, but nothing but a spurt of blood came out. He watched in horror as it stained the air a deadly red, then black.
Out of the darkness, he thought he heard a voice.
"…quickly, I think he's coming to…"
Who's coming? The prince thought groggily. He was surprised now to feel not air under him, but a soft, large mattress. Slowly and deliberately he opened his eyes.
Ithildor found himself staring at a high ceiling. And a girl.
"Are you awake?" She asked, dumbfounded by the sight of his eyes. She had not noticed before, of course. They had been closed. But now that he was looking at her she could see that they we the most chilling green she'd ever seen.
Ithildor was somewhat annoyed by the unnecessary question. "Of course I am you—AH!"
In his surprise and haste he had forgotten his wound. He tried to sit up, and suddenly the air was red again. He fell weakly back into the pillows and bed covers, clutching his injured side and wincing. After the pain had dulled he turned and discovered the girl staring at him sympathetically.
He hated that look. It was one he'd gotten to often…at least before he ran away…
Another thought occurred to Ithildor. Where was he? Again he glanced at the girl, scowling.
"What is this? Where am I?" He asked. His teeth tightly clenched when another pain tore through his battered body, and his hands stayed plastered to his wound. It hurt. But Ithildor dared not to show it.
"Well?" He continued when he received no reply. He realized he was being quite forward and rude, but out of his arrogance, did not correct his behavior.
The girl blinked, and Ithildor first noticed her eyes. They were large and innocent, and he noted their color—a subtle shade of blue, like a dark pool. She was young, no older that he was.
Of course, He corrected himself, humans age differently from elves.
He continued his observation. Her face was clean and her hair was as well. Ithildor noted her hair with interest. It was very long and unbraided, but it was also dark in color. The elf prince had never seen that sort of hair before. Most elves in Mirkwood had lightly colored blonde locks like him. It momentarily fixated him, but then the girl spoke.
"You are safe, my Lord." She answered quite politely. "You suffered an injury."
"Obviously." Ithildor grumbled, trying in vain to sit up once more. He finally gave up and rested his head against the soft pillows. "Where am I?"
"You are in Southbed, in the country of Rohan, my Lord." Answered the girl, observing him calmly, despite the elf's frustrations.
"Rohan?" Ithildor echoed. He'd read about the country of Rohan. It was full of humans who dressed in furs and rode horses and raised dogs, and that was about all he knew. He turned back to the girl and dragged his eyes over her figure one more time.
She was dressed plainly—a gray, long sleeved dress that laced up the sides. The only thing elegant about her was the belt she was wearing. It was silver and quite eye-catching. She sat next to the bed facing directly towards him, her hands clasped tightly in her lap and…Ithildor frowned in confusion. The chair she was sitting in was most unusual. It was wooden and metal, with a small platform near the bottom for her to rest her feet on…and wheels.
Ithildor was dumbfounded. He looked again. Yes—there were two large, thin wheels attached to the sides of the unusual chair. They were positioned closer to the back of the chair, and towards her feet, there were two legs—like a regular chair.
That is the strangest contraption I've ever seen. Ithildor thought secretly. His eyes gazed back up to the girl's face. He suddenly remembered what he'd been involved in.
"The orcs?" He asked.
The girl smiled warmly, and the elf felt instantly comforted. "You defeated them. But I'm afraid you didn't do it fast enough." She gestured gently to his side.
Ithildor looked at himself and nodded slowly. He carefully removed his hand from his side and inspected the damage. He'd been bandaged by whoever treated him here. A small amount of blood had seeped through the white gauze, but he could see that it was dried. Ithildor decided that his wound was a minor injury. He would recover soon—he hoped.
"Might I ask your name, my Lord?" The girl inquired. Ithildor looked up, startled by the question. Should he tell her or not? He didn't know if he could trust humans.
Instinctively he raised his chin. "I should like to speak to whoever you serve under before I reveal any of that information." He said. "Your Lord or Lady."
The girl blinked again, surprised, but then her warm smile crept over her features again. "You are." She whispered.
Ithildor scowled some more. "What? You must be jesting!"
"I can assure you that I am not, my Lord." The girl shook her head. "My name is Aderyn. You can address me as Lady Aderyn if you so choose."
Ithildor gawked at her. This was unbelievable. This girl could not be the Ruler over this house. She looked as if she was still a child! But, Ithildor realized, she acted exactly the opposite. Every action she took, ever word she spoke was very mature. She looked young, but certainly was acting very much like an adult. But Ithildor was still quizzical.
"Lady Aderyn…" He began uncertainly. "Forgive me for being forward, but are you not a little young to be the Lady of the house?"
The question didn't seem to faze her. "I am fifteen." She said proudly. "And I have had ownership of this house and half the town of Southbed since my parents passed away."
Ithildor winced, but not because of his wound. He hoped he hadn't offended the young lady. "I am very sorry." He apologized, dropping his arrogance for once. "I just didn't expect someone as young as you to have that position."
"Might I point out to you, my Lord, that you do not seem to be very old and wise either." She answered wittily.
Ithildor frowned. "I am an elf, and I can bet I am much older than you are."
The girl's blue eyes glittered, but there was no threat in them. "It doesn't matter to me. You are my guest. And you are welcome to stay here as long as it take for your wounds to heal."
"Thank you." Ithildor muttered, his eyes downcast. "And thank you for dressing my wounds as well."
"You are welcome. You did, after all, aid in slaying the enemy." Lady Aderyn replied. "It was the least we could do."
Ithildor looked up and found her eyes staring at him intently again. His brows furrowed, but he tried not to be impolite. "Do you mind not staring?"
"I am sorry." She said automatically. He voice softened. "I…I've never seen an elf before."
Ithildor sighed. "I've never seen a human before."
The two gazed at each other for another moment, and the Lady Aderyn gasped.
"What?" Ithildor demanded, alarmed.
Aderyn smiled apologetically and blushed. Ithildor was taken aback by this. As he watched the girl's cheeks flood pink she laughed. For the first time, her demeanor took a youthful turn.
"I'm terribly sorry. I forgot to ask your name." She said, rather embarrassed.
"Oh," Ithildor smiled slightly. "It's Ithildor." He decided to keep his princely position to himself. For now.
"Welcome to Southbed, Lord Ithildor." Lady Aderyn said as thought she had rehearsed it. "I will allow you to rest if you wish."
Ithildor didn't know what to say. Although she was a bit too mature for her age and a little annoying at times, he was strangely intrigued by her. How did a young girl like her manage a house like this? Why was she so mature when she was obviously still so young? And most of all, why did she insist on sitting in that odd chair?
He got his answer soon after.
"Rhianna!" Lady Aderyn called softly. Her shout surprised Ithildor, and he looked about the room, alert and aware.
Aderyn laughed at his reaction. She had a surprisingly youthful laugh in comparison to the rest of her presence.
"Not to worry, Master Ithildor." She cooed.
Another woman hurried through the doorway to the room and came to stand at Lady Aderyn's side. She stared at the young elf for a moment in amazement, but then her expression was changed into a kind smile. Aderyn smiled in turn, and introduced the woman.
"This is Rhianna, my personal servant." She explained. "She helps me get about the house. Rhianna, this is our guest, Lord Ithildor."
"Good day, my Lord." Rhianna greeted, bowing her head. Ithildor bowed his head as well, but didn't return the words.
Instead Aderyn continued. "You go ahead and rest." She said. "From what I've heard about elves, they heal faster than we humans do."
Ithildor nodded. "That is true." He concurred.
"Of course." Said Aderyn. Ithildor watched as Rhianna moved behind the chair Aderyn was sitting in, extended her hands forward and grasped two…handles?
Hm. Ithildor thought sheepishly, ashamed to have not noticed that detail before. I'm not as aware as I thought I was.
Rhianna held the handles fast, and then tilted the chair back a bit, so that all Lady Aderyn's weight was on the two strange, large wheels on the sides. Then, to Ithildor's amazement, she pushed Aderyn and wheeled her right over to the door. Aderyn glanced back at him for a moment.
"I'll see you at dinner time, then?" She asked, grinning.
Ithildor gave her a small smile in return. "I suppose," He said. "After all, I'm not going anywhere."
Aderyn allowed another youthful giggled to escape her mouth. Then she murmured a short goodbye and she and Rhianna were out the door.
I understand now! Ithildor said to himself. She must be sick, or injured or…something. She can't walk or stand on her own.
Ithildor looked back down to his bed covers. They were quite nice, made of soft fabric embroidered with heart-shaped leaves and flowers. He had to admit that the humans had made him quite comfortable.
Then he frowned. How long would he be forced to stay here? If he lingered in one place too long, he could be tracked down and found by the elvish troops.
Wait a minute. He thought. They don't have anyway of tracking me anymore. I lost Athenos. The snow probably covered up my tracks, and I can always keep Gilandor…
Ithildor gasped in alarm. Where IS Gilandor?
The young prince frantically tried to sit up again, but he was too hasty. He had forgotten his wound, and now it throbbed unmercifully. Ithildor clamped his teeth onto his bottom lip and bit back a whimper. He couldn't look for his beloved pet now. He couldn't even get out of bed.
I guess the only thing I can do is wait…
((((((((((((((o Personal thingy o)))))))))))))
Boy I suck at writing. Sorry for the negativity, but I just don't feel I'm doing very good. Sorry if I'm disappointing anybody. But thanks for supporting me, and HEY! Did anybody notice the town's name, Southbed? Did it ring a bell? Just a clue to where Ithildor is exactly. Let the chaos ensue. Thanks everybody. It's like 12:17 in the morning and I want to sleep. Goodnight and thanks again. ZZZzzzz….
Roseblade.