Chapter 2: Loss Of Memories
Chapter Synopsis: Valaina continues to look after the elf she rescued, waiting patiently for him to wake while she nurses him back to health. But when the elf finally awakens, a problem arises…
& Key points: Alright so I'm a little worried that you all might be thinking Legolas is a wimp because he can totally take on three orcs right? Well just wait because the truth will be revealed as the story progresses. Legolas is not a wimp nor would I ever portray him as one. Also, I know that I said I wouldn't use Elvish but I can't keep calling Legolas elf. So I used a Quenya word for his temporary name and though it is Elvish, it will be the only time I don't italicize any Elvish spoken. &
ShopGirl1: Congrats, you're the first reviewer. You win my thanks and one night with Legolas. But then he returns to me. Haha. I hope this chapter is interesting enough for you too!
The Writer With No Name: Hey, I know how you feel when you only get like one review. Don't worry about it – soon you'll be flooded. I hope you like this chapter and keep up the work with your story.
Valaina had completed all of her chores by sunset. She had not wanted to return to the river with the elf still sleeping and so she had used the jugs of water she kept in the section of the house she used as a kitchen. She had first cleaned the bloodied rags and placed them on the tray in case she would need them. She had then washed the elf's long sleeved, open collared shirt which had been torn in the shoulder. While it hung out to dry she had then taken her father's old bow and waited patiently for a bird just outside the house. When one appeared she had brought it down with one arrow, taking it and immediately beheading it with her sword.
The blood dripped from the stump, flowing onto the ground. The blood would discourage the rabbits from attacking the tree bark. It took many minutes before the bird's blood was emptied but once the task was complete, she carried the bird to the pot of water she had been boiling over the fire she had made, and let it sit so that the feathers would fall off. She let it sit for a moment before quickly pulling it back out and plucking the feathers. They came off easily because the bird had been in boiling water. After holding the bird's feet in the water she then bent them backwards, snapping them off. Then came the long task of removing the organs and so she returned inside to do so.
When she had cleaned the bird of its organs and disposed of them as necessary she cooked the bird in the small pot hanging over the fire. By the time she had finished night had fallen and the sun was long gone. She returned inside with the cooked bird, leaving it for a moment while she carefully poured the broth that had collected in the pot into a bowl.
The elf still had not woken but she knew that he needed something to eat. She had been periodically giving him small sips of water but it took more than that to help him regain his strength. Valaina set the bowl on the tray and carried it to the bed, setting it down at the end before she sat upon her leg beside the sleeping elf. He had not moved since he had drifted off and his face resumed its serenity. She carefully sat him up, leaning up against the headboard as she slowly lowered his body against hers. The back of his head rested beside her neck. She sighed in satisfaction as she reached for the broth, bringing the bowl to his parted lips. She eased it forward and let a little broth into his mouth, waiting for his reaction. She was pleased when he accepted it and even swallowed a little.
"Good." She encouraged him, rubbing his stomach with the hand that held him around the waist. She had not dressed him another shirt for fear that she would hurt his shoulder doing so. She could feel his muscles and concluded that he was strong. She wondered how three orcs had managed to best him, though she knew something bad must have happened for he had no weapons with him.
Suddenly he coughed and she immediately set the bowl down, using her now free hand to gently sit him up and pat his back. His coughs stopped just as quickly as they had started and he fell back against her. She titled his chin back and he nearly frightened her when she saw his half lidded eyes. She watched him blink once, and then twice, and then three times. Still neither spoke. But finally he cleared his throat, coughing a couple more times before speaking.
"Where…where am I?" His voice nearly gave out but he managed to continue his question. He then must have realized something for he spoke again. "Can…can you…understand me…lady?"
Valaina could see that he was clearly confused and frustrated. She could feel his emotions attacking her head on as if she were feeling them herself.
"Yes I can understand you. I do not know if you remember but my name is Valaina and you are in my home in the forest. You should sleep longer, you need to build up your strength."
The elf tried very hard to focus on one thought at a time. He was growing very alarmed for he could not remember who he was. He could not remember why he was there in this she-elf's home. He could not remember anything about his past. He was beginning to frighten himself and sat up away from Valaina. His head began to pound in protest, his shoulder aching.
"Lie back please. You are still recovering."
"Recovering?" The elf was far from distressed at this point. He held his head in his hands and tried to see through the dizziness swirling about his mind. He sifted through question after question and wanted an answer for each. Who was he? What had happened? Why couldn't he remember anything? He felt hands take his shoulders and gently ease him back to lie down, his head cradled by the pillows.
Valaina was beginning to worry. She placed her hand to his forehead to feel for a fever that could possibly be clouding his mind and keeping him from remembering. His skin was a normal temperature and she feared the worst – he was suffering from loss of memory from his head injury.
"I know that you are weak and that you are confused. Please just rest awhile and perhaps you will feel better when you wake." She ran her fingers briefly over the bandage on the side of his head. His half lidded eyes followed them. "Trust me."
The elf knew that she was right. Though he still had many questions unanswered he agreed that rest might bring the memories back to him. He nodded once but decided against it when his head dizzied again. His eyes closed and before he knew it he was asleep once more.
She watched as he drifted off to sleep, pulling her fingers away from his head so as not to wake him. She looked towards the steaming broth but decided that she would try to feed him again later. She instead carried the tray to the table and set it down, returning to the forgotten bird to fix her own dinner that night. She was both starving and exhausted from the day's trials and tribulations and couldn't wait to eat and sleep herself.
In the early morning hours the next day, the elf awakened. The pain in his head had dulled considerably and he could actually open his eyes completely without so much effort. He looked up at the ceiling, deciding whether or not to move. He found himself slowly sitting up anyways and he was thrilled when the throbbing did not occur though he still leaned back against the headboard for support.
A hand went to rest on his left shoulder over the bandaging. He used too much pressure and winced, immediately easing up on the tender area. He figured probing and poking at it was out of the question and instead waited for the she-elf, Valaina, to tell him what had happened. When he thought of her he suddenly looked around, his eyes falling upon the form bending forward in a chair.
The braid that fell midway down the back of the form reassured him that it was Valaina. She was bowed over the table, her forehead resting upon her folded arms. Her back rose and fell with every breath she inhaled and exhaled, the rhythm betraying her to be asleep. He continued to watch her. He was in awe that the she-elf had managed to slay the orcs and get him to her home. He wasn't sure whether or not she had gotten help but something about her made him believe that she was strong enough to have done it alone.
He had dreamed that night of what had happened on the bank of the Anduin, leading up to when he had fallen into unconsciousness for the last time, but still had not recovered the missing pieces of the life he had forgotten. He suspected the head injury he had received had stolen them. But he remembered the she-elf's magic and wondered if perhaps she could restore his past.
A sudden rumbling sound ripped him from his gaze over her and he looked down at his stomach. He placed a hand over it and wondered when the last time had been that he had eaten. He vaguely remembered Valaina pouring something down his throat while he slept, but he had woken. Again he was interrupted by another noise – a soft sigh. He raised his head to see the she-elf waking, stretching her arms and yawning silently. He suddenly felt a stab of guilt, knowing that he had probably kept her busy the day before.
Valaina's eyes flickered around the house as the day before came rushing back to her. She saw the dirty dishes she had used to cook dinner with and eaten off of, the elf's shirt hanging on the makeshift clothesline, and then her eyes fell upon the elf himself. She was startled, jumping slightly at the sight of him sitting up in bed with his back against the headboard. He blinked a couple of times, both watching each other carefully. Finally her cheeks heated up with a blush for she felt embarrassed for having fallen asleep while watching over him. He smiled.
"That is a lovely blush you have Lady Valaina." He said pleasantly, disgusted by the way his voice sounded. His throat was dry and he could barely even understand the words he had spoken. Yet she didn't seem to mind. She instead returned his smile before rising to her feet.
"Thank you, but just call me Valaina." She went to the cabinets and took the last jug of water from it, pouring a cup for the elf so that he could drink. She then crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed as she had before. "Do you need my help?"
"I think that I can manage." He took the cup from her hands and drank deeply, wetting his throat and calming the thirst that had been gnawing at him, as was the hunger. While he drank she watched him and she waited to speak until he had finished, taking the cup back.
"Sir Elf, can you still not remember who you are?" She could see that her question pained him for he averted his eyes and hung his head. He shook it in response to her question and she nodded. "Do you know where you are from?"
Again he shook his head and she felt pity for him. She hesitated before asking another question, not wanting to cause him further embarrassment or frustration.
"Do you remember anything at all Sir Elf?" She asked softly. She waited patiently for him to answer and wondered if he would even answer her at all. Still he looked down and still he hung his head as though he were ashamed. Her pity for him grew and she felt it tugging at her heart.
"I only remember what happened on the bank and in the forest. Everything before that time has been stricken from my mind." He finally lifted his gaze and smiled crookedly, laughing dryly. "You must think me rather weak Valaina."
She could finally see the color of his eyes…and what sight they were. His irises were crafted from the very skies, burning as though one was caught in a snowstorm, ice and flurries biting and snapping at you. And yet the feeling was warm and kind. She could sense that he really did have a good heart, a good soul as she had suspected. She nearly sighed for the hues were so beautiful. It was saddening to see such eyes look so desperate and pained.
"No. No I do not think you weak Sir Elf." She reached out a hand and placed it on top of his, which rested upon his thigh. She did not take her eyes from his for even a second. "I sense a bravery in you, a strength. You are not weak and you should not think yourself so. I am sure that your memories will return to you in time as you injuries heal."
The elf was touched that she had thought this of him. He sincerely hoped that she was right, that his memories would return as he recovered. If they did not then he was praying that she would be able to help him. Otherwise he would go on for the rest of his days not knowing who he was, how old he was, had he any family, where he was from…
"Thank you Valaina. And if I am any trouble at all-" He was silenced when she took her hand from atop his and cut him off.
"You are no trouble at all Sir Elf. You may stay here as long as you like and I will have no trouble with helping you in any way that I can." She cracked a sudden smile. "But in the meantime, I can't keep calling you 'Sir Elf' now can I? You deserve a proper name."
She had actually been tossing names around in her head during their conversation. She was having trouble deciding on what to call him and wondered if he had anything in mind.
"Aye, I will be needing a name now won't I?" He tapped his chin with a finger as though thinking rather hard about it. He was actually interested in what name Valaina might come up with and decided to let her pick one. He waited, still resuming the look of concentration on his face.
Suddenly the she-elf was struck with an epiphany and thought herself stupid having not thought of it in the first place. It was simply the most perfect name for this elf. She decided to see what he thought.
"I think I may have just the name for you." She proclaimed. He stopped tapping his chin and came out of his 'concentration' to hear what she had come up with. "Henduluin."
"Blue-eyed." He grinned. "I like it."
"Well then Henduluin, how would you like something to eat? That stomach of yours is pretty ferocious, growling like that." She got up from the bed as he laughed. She was glad that the gloom that seemed to have hung in the air like a dark cloud had disappeared.
"Please let me help you with something. You have already done so much." He used his hands to push himself further upward and groaned from the stress he had put on his shoulder.
"What you can do for me is rest. Once you are strong enough to be up and around I promise to let you help me with the chores if that is what you really desire."
Henduluin relaxed, allowing her to position his pillows behind him rather than underneath him, fluffing them up. He laid against them and watched her as she went about preparing breakfast.
A breakfast of quail eggs and more broth that had been reheated over a fire was served to the ravenous Henduluin, who managed to eat in a dignified manner though he was very hungry. He found out quickly that Valaina was a wonderful cook and ate every last bite of his helping, smiling when she gave him seconds without him even needing to ask. She returned the smile with a shake of her head.
"All males have bottomless stomachs. My father…" Her voice trailed off suddenly and she stopped herself from going any further. Henduluin furrowed his brow, watching her turn and busy herself with the shirt hanging over the clothesline. He wondered why she had dropped the subject all of a sudden but decided not to press it. Obviously it was a sore topic.
Valaina sat down at one of the two chairs at the table and began to mend the tear in the shoulder of Henduluin's shirt. She had learned how to stitch up clothing as well as flesh and preferred sewing with fabric. She pulled the needle through the green fabric quickly, hardly needing to look at her fingers at all.
Henduluin noticed that it was his shirt she was fixing and put down his fork immediately. She had already been doing so much, taking him in, feeding him, providing him with the medical attention he had needed. He did not want her to be doing more than was necessary. He cursed himself for having to be bedridden otherwise he would be helping her. He made the decision immediately that in the morning he would wake early to get a head start on anything he could, despite the fact that Valaina had forbade him to do so until he was fully healed.
"You needn't do that Valaina. Why don't you take it easy for a little while?"
"It isn't any trouble, really. I have been making my own clothes for as long as I can remember. Stitching this up is very easy for me." She whipped out her dagger and cut the thread, turning her head towards him and holding up his shirt. It had been mended. "See?"
"I know that you have been working hard but…could I trouble you to ask how far the Anduin is from here? I feel in need of a bath." He noticed her cheeks flush and felt badly for embarrassing her but found that he quite liked the color.
"I am sorry for not washing you in the first place. To do that I would have had to remove your clothes and it was a liberty I did not think was mine to take. I hope you are not angry." She chewed her lip and wished the blush would fade. To cover her face she took the shirt and turned away from him, folding it up.
Henduluin thought it was silly. Had he found an injured she-elf in the forest he would not have undressed her either. He understood exactly why she hadn't bathed him and he honestly didn't mind. He was glad that she had been respectful enough to wait until he was conscious.
"Anger is not for those who save lives. They deserve thanks." He leaned forward, waiting for her to turn back around to face him. He figured that she was still blushing and did not mind. "And you have mine."
This brought a smile to Valaina's face. She pivoted, feeling the blush diminish almost instantaneously at his words of thanks. He returned the smile before throwing back the quilt he had been covered in. She went to his side, her hands hovering over him as she decided whether or not he should be getting up by himself or if he should allow her to assist him, or if he should be up at all. He took notice as he got to his feet cautiously.
"I will be fine. You do not have to accompany me if you would rather stay here and catch up on anything." The pain in his head had numbed completely and he no longer felt discomfort there. But it felt a tad heavier than he was sure it should have. His shoulder still ached but he paid it no mind.
"Nonsense, I need to fill the basin and you should not be out on your own. Besides, perhaps we could take this time to talk." She went to the front door, picking up the circular basin beside it and carrying it under one arm. Henduluin followed and they walked together at a slow pace for his sake.
"What is there to talk about Valaina?" He asked curiously from beside her. He was a little more than a head taller than her and so he looked down at her from his height. She in turn had to lift her eyes to meet his.
She shrugged in response to his question, again chewing on her lip. She had always found it easier to talk to the trees than to talk to other elves and humans. The trees were much simpler, not as judgmental and never ones to speak ill of anyone unless you held an ax in your hands. They simply listened and often gave advice built up on hundreds of years of wisdom and knowledge. But for one reason or another she knew it wouldn't be difficult to talk to Henduluin. He had no memories of his past and therefore he really did not know who he was and what kind of person he was. She thought herself bad for a minute, thinking that perhaps she would be taking advantage of him. She dismissed the thought for her intentions weren't evil. She simply wanted to hold a conversation with him.
"There is so much to talk about, so much to see. People often take time for granted. Time that could be spent with family, with friends, with nature. We overlook everything in our daily lives down to the last clump of dirt, the last petal of a flower. Life would be so much more precious if all of humankind stopped to notice even the smallest of gifts. Like the trees for instance." She walked ahead of Henduluin to a skinny tree though very tall. She greeted it using the very essence of her mind, the very bottom of her soul. It returned the greeting with the sound of a babbling brook, a peaceful psalm.
Henduluin watched the she-elf with curious and interested eyes. He could sense the deep connection between her and the tree she was now pressing her fingertips to. Her eyes had fluttered closed and her chin was raised towards the tallest of its branches, a look of tranquility painted over her features to wear as a mask, used to hide the troubles and worries for that one moment of serenity and peace. He wanted very much to join her, taking cautious steps towards her so as not to break her meditative like state.
"The trees were taught by the elves how to speak. Here, give me your hand." She reached out and felt for his and he gave it to her willingly. She then opened her eyes, taking his fingers and gently pressing them to the bark of the tree. "Can you feel its life?"
He concentrated very hard, wrinkles overtaking his forehead to show proof of his work. Valaina saw this and turned towards him, keeping his fingers to the bark.
"It is not a matter of concentration Henduluin. It is a matter of listening with your heart, with your soul. Listen to the birds, to the wind, to the rustling of leaves. If you pour yourself into it you will hear the voices of the trees." She moved her hand to cover his, her fingers sliding perfectly into the spaces between his as she pressed his hand flat against the tree. "You will feel the life."
He closed his eyes, now instead listening closely for the sounds of the forest. He could hear the gentle breezes that swirled through the air and lifted strands of his hair. He could hear the birds overhead as they spoke to one another in chirps and whistles. He could hear Valaina breathing quietly beside him. And then he could hear the same song, the greeting. His eyes snapped open for he was surprised. She smiled.
"What do I do?" He asked in awe, staring up at the tree. He was suddenly hungry to know how to communicate with the forest. He knew immediately that he must have done this frequently in his past for the yearning to do it was very strong. He wondered if he had spent his mornings like this, speaking with the trees.
"Let go of everything but the voices of the trees. Free your mind and simply speak the words, see them in your mind, picture them. They will hear." She slowly took her hand from his and looked on as he kept his hand in place, closing his eyes once more to greet the tree.
He did as she told him to and saw the words of greeting in his mind. He could picture himself saying these words aloud as if speaking to another elf. And then suddenly it was accepting his greetings and welcoming him to the forest and the sound was beautiful. He slowly opened his eyes and reluctantly pulled his hand from the bark though he wished to stay longer.
"I believe that I have strong connections with the trees." He told Valaina once they had begun walking again. "It seemed very right to be speaking with them."
Though Valaina knew that primarily, all elves had strong connections with nature, she too had felt the connection between Henduluin and the tree. She agreed that he must have been close with nature in the past.
"See, there is hope. Your memories are returning with time."
The rest of the walk to the Anduin was spent by the stories Valaina told Henduluin of the elves first teaching the trees to speak. He was like a young elfling, anticipating the next story and finding himself lost in her tales. She seemed to see that and thought it very cute. They both were smiling when they reached the river.
"I brought soap, rags, and a sponge along for you to use, as well as a towel for when you are finished bathing." She took the materials from the basin, displaying them across the length of the towel on the bank. She then pointed to an area upstream where jagged rocks formed almost an enclosed pool. "That is the best spot to wash in."
"Thank you." He took from her the soap, rags, and sponge before heading towards the pool. She watched him until he had reached it before wading into the water to fill the basin. She had not changed out of her dress, the one she had torn. The dress now ended in tatters just an inch or two below her knees and was stained in black orc blood. But she didn't mind, deciding to change later when she had the time.
Meanwhile Henduluin had waded into the pool and discovered that the water in it came just above the tops of his trousers, which he kept on for they were dirty and needed to be cleaned as well. He then set the toiletries Valaina had given him on the top of a fairly flat boulder, keeping the soap in his fist. As he went to lift his arm to begin washing himself, the ache in his shoulder worsened. He dropped his arm immediately and hissed in pain and annoyance.
"Here, let me." Valaina's voice came from behind him and he turned to see her walking from the bank into the water. She waded into the pool, pulling herself up onto the boulder he had set everything on, her legs dangling off into the water. She patted the space in between her legs. "Come on."
He moved towards her, turning with his back to her. He watched her take one of the rags and sink it in the water, using it to drench his long, blonde hair. She was very gentle and did not pull one hair on his head.
"Thank you again Valaina. You have done much for me."
"Hush, you have thanked me enough already." She set the rag down beside her and lathered the soap in her hands. She then worked the suds through his hair, massaging his scalp as if it were made of delicate lace. She was careful not to harm him and kept an eye out on the bandage on the side of his head.
"An elf should thank the she-elf who saved him at least a million times and then a million times more. You deserve more than I am giving you. If I were of noble blood, I would give you all the riches I owned." He declared as she then rinsed his hair of the suds.
"If you were of noble blood you would not have been wandering the woods." She then washed his body, minding his shoulder, and continued to tell him stories. When he was bathed and had towel dried, he bundled everything up in the towel and carried it in one hand.
He watched as Valaina carried the basin herself and decided to start assisting her then instead of waiting till morning.
"Please let me carry it." He insisted, motioning to the basin. She shook her head.
"No you will strain your shoulder."
"At least let me help. I will carry one side, and I will use my good arm." He reached out and looped his hand through the right ring on one side of the basin. She sighed, taking the left ring into her hand. The basin was now between them.