Pain. That was the first thought that crossed her mind. Her head pounded heavily, making it almost impossible to concentrate on the figures before her eyes. Piercing ice blue eyes stared into hers, nearly demanding her to focus on them, and she struggled to concentrate, using them as an anchor point from the spinning world around her.
The Elvenking's frightened blue eyes relaxed visibly once she looked back at them, but the alarmed gleam never left the sky colored irises. She could hear voices speaking frantically around her, but could not catch what they were saying. For the first time she noticed that she was lying on her back on the snow-covered grass. Her entire body was shaking, and she felt weak, exhausted.
Her eyes moved frantically around, searching for Elladan. She found him to her left side, kneeling on the snow next to the King, a worried expression on his handsome face. His silver eyes met hers instantly, so frightened and concerned, the mischievous spark that usually lighted them completely gone. She wanted to say something to him, anything but could not find her voice.
She could see other elves hovering over her, their faces or parts of their body appearing and disappearing in her line of vision. They seemed to be the ones speaking, murmuring words in elvish, looking incredibly anxious and confused, their curious eyes darting form her to the King to Elladan. She could not recognize a single on of the faces, all of them standing in a loose circle around her, keeping their distance.
"Almarëa? Can you hear me?" Her eyes darted back to meet the King's worried ice blue ones, nodding her head lightly.
She felt the Elvenking swiftly scoop her up in his arms, her body seeming to be weightless in his strong grip. Everything spun again at the motion, and she hid her face in the rich fabric of his green formal robes, not really knowing what was happening. She could tell they were moving quickly, the King walking at a fast pace. She could also hear a pair of voices moving along in front of them, guards she assumed, making way in between the curious elves and ordering them to move aside for the King to pass.
The change of sound in the Elvenking's footsteps told her when they entered the palace, the bright sunlight disappearing from over her head. They did not stop once, and Elerrina guessed that no elf wanted to block their King's path. She could almost feel the curious stares following them, but did not move her face from the King's chest.
She heard a door being pushed open, and then felt herself being carried into a room, tow pairs of footsteps following them. The room was quiet, de door closing behind them with a deaf click. She could tell the room was brightly lit, and did not dare open her eyes to face the light, her head already protesting painfully. The sound of sheets being pulled down echoed silently through the room, and the next thing she knew she was gently being lowered onto a soft bed. A tender hand caressed her forehead, brushing away some strands of her long golden hair as she felt someone sitting down on the edge of the mattress.
"Close the curtains"
The King of Mirkwood's command echoed softly in the air, his voice so low and peaceful and yet carrying such an authority she doubted anyone would question. She heard movement inside the room follow by a welcoming darkness as the heavy curtains sealed shut against the bright sunlight.
"Should I fetch a healer, Your Majesty?" A female voice asked, that she guessed belonged to a maid.
"Yes. Send for Melnor, please."
Footsteps hurried towards the door, which opened and closed once more, leaving the room in silence once again. She opened her eyes only halfway, trying to make out shapes in the darkness. She recognized the familiar interior of her own bedchamber.
The Elvenking sat at the edge of the bed, long hair falling down his back, the darkness reducing its light golden color to a mere ash grey. One of his hands rested lightly on the side of her face, his thumb softly caressing her cheek. His eyes immediately met hers, infinite blue irises so gentle and warm, not a trace of the cold and powerful piercing gaze of the King of Mirkwood remained in them.
"Close your eyes. It will help." His voice was soft as he spoke, eyes never leaving hers.
She did as told, hiding behind the darkness of her now closed eyelids. Her thoughts travelled back to Elladan, and she wanted him here with her, sending her waves of calmness as he eased her splitting headache. She concentrated on their bond, feeling his soothing presence reaching to her, and she relaxed a little.
Short minutes later she heard the door being pushed open, and she open her eyes just in time to see a maid enter the piece followed by a tall dark haired elf. The elf's eyes looked at her curiously for a brief moment before fixing his eyes on the King.
"How can I be of help, My Lord?" His voice was deep, patient, as he inclined his head respectfully. His patient eyes turned once again to her, seeming to study her curiously. It only lasted for a second, his eyes returning to look serious as added. "What ails her?"
The Elvenking did not answer but instead rose from the bed, allowing the dark haired healer to get closer to her. She felt the healer's hands expertly taking hold of her right wrist to check her pulse, his eyes hovering over her for any signs of an injury. She caught sight of the King dismissing the two maids with a silent movement of his hands, and seconds later the doors opened and closed again.
The healer, Melnor she assumed, let go of her hand, leaning over her to touch her forehead and neck. His quick examination lasted only a minute or so before he stood straight again, turning to face his King.
"There is nothing, physically wrong with her." His voice as low as his eyes stared into the piercing blue pair of the King of Mirkwood, seeming to silently ask the dreadful realization that was written in them. There was something in the silent exchange of looks that told her that the healer knew exactly what was wrong with her, and that it was not the first time he had seen it.
"I will go prepare something for her." He added in a low, grave tone. "Should I bring something for you as well?" His observed the King carefully as he spoke.
"No." She heard the Elvenking answer in a serene voice that held no space for argument. "I am fine."
Melnor nodded his head respectfully, and without adding anything else headed towards the door at a hurried pace. She closed her eyes trying in vain to escape the throbbing pain in her head, and felt the bed shift slightly as the King returned to sit at the edge of the mattress.
"I am sorry." She heard him say softly, long fingers gently stroking her hair.
The dark haired healer returned only a couple minutes after, and she opened her eyes to see his tall, slim figure walking towards her, a steaming cup held in one hand.
"Drink this, My Lady" Melnor handed the cup to her as the Elvenking carefully helped her sit up on the bed.
The steaming cup felt warm against her fingers, the sensation spreading through her hands comfortingly. She obediently took it to her lips, sipping the bitter liquid without complaining. At that moment she would drink anything if it would take away the splitting headache she suffered. Out of the corner of her eyes she saw the King nodding silently at the healer, and the latter accepted his dismissal with a light bow of the head before heading out of the room.
The Elvenking gently took the empty cup from her hands once she had finished its contents and slowly pushed her back down onto the pillows. She wanted to look at him, wanted to see into his eyes, to search for an explanation in the impenetrable infinitudes of his irises, but felt too exhausted and weary to even keep her eyes open. She fought to keep them open, fearing that the regal looking elf in front of her would disappear at any moment, taking with him all of her hopes of knowing what had just happened.
"Rest, Almarëa" He said in a soothing voice, easily reading her thoughts through her eyes. "Sleep, my child."
His fingers softly started stroking her hair again, feeling strangely soothing and comforting. His sole presence felt soothing, somehow seeming to pacify her troubled spirit, making her feel oddly safe, even though she had barely interacted with him and had only spoken to him twice. She let her green eyes fall on his once last time, loosing her fight against her fatigue, pain, and drowsiness from the draught as her eyes started to close again.
"Do not go." She breathed out faintly, not really knowing why she had said it. She did not understand the reason why, but suddenly she felt scared of him leaving her side, needing his presence close to her to feel safe.
A ghost of a smile appeared on the Elvenking's lips, illuminating his serene eyes with a faint gleam as he looked at her, powerful blue irises looking different, no longer impenetrable, as if for a split second the iced barrier that sealed them had been entirely broken.
"I will be here."
She felt her eyes starting to close again, her eyelids too heavy for her to keep them open any longer. She did not remember how for how long she laid there, the constant throbbing pain pounding behind her closed eyes while a tender hand tried to soothe it away. Everything started to become distant and soon she was drifting off into a dreamless sleep where she could feel nothing at all.
When she woke up, the first thing she noticed was the absence of the splitting pain in her head. She felt slightly disoriented, memories coming back to her in a blurry haze. Her eyes fluttered open slowly, and she noticed that she was still lying on the bed inside her own bedchamber.
The large room was still dark, the heavy curtains obscuring the windows and balcony. A lone figure sat motionless at the round table placed on one corner of the room, like a cold heavenly crafted statue forgotten in the darkness. Long light blond hair fell inertly down his back in neat braids, contrasting with a pale gleam against the dark forest green color of his rich formal robes. One pale hand absently held a cut crystal glass of red wine that rested on the table, the other hand resting lightly on his lap. She could only see the fine profile of his face, ice blue eyes staring off into the darkness, lost in thought. The crown that had adorned his head some hours ago now placed unceremoniously over the polished wood table next to a large golden tray carrying an untouched assortment of food.
She sat up on the bed, the Elvenking's head immediately turning in her direction, snapping out of his thoughtful trance. He offered her a warm smile as he walked towards the bed.
"How are you feeling?" His infinite blue eyes stared softly at her as he sat down at the edge of the mattress. His voice was gentle and low, but she could hear the hidden concern that tainted the melodic sound.
"Lightheaded" She admitted still trying to shake off her slight disorientation. He gave her a pained smile, one hand placing a strand of golden hair behind her ear.
"I can imagine. You can rest some more if you wish to." His voice soft as he smiled sympathetically at her, somehow giving her the feeling that he had been in her position before, and probably more than once.
"It is alright." He nodded his head in response but did not add anything else as his ice blue eyes looked deeply into hers.
Silence settled between them for a moment, her thoughts flying back to Elladan, wanting nothing more than for him to be here with her. She could still feel him reaching to her through their bond, making her feel secure as gentle waves of soothing calmness washed through her. She could feel his frantic worry and despair, almost as if they were her own feelings. She reached back to him in a pathetic attempt to ease his worry, knowing deep inside that he could probably feel her need for his presence next to her.
"Rina? Are you in pain? How do you feel?"
She never knew how she managed not to hive away her surprise as Elladan's musical voice bounced softly inside her mind, so clear and gentle, as if he were standing right by her side at that precise moment. She could easily hear the worried tone his voice carried, and yet the sole sound of his voice made her heart beat peacefully again. She had known their bond was strong, feeling what he felt becoming only easier every day, but had never been able to hear his thoughts.
She had never shared a bond with anyone before. She had no idea how to answer, if he would be able to hear her in return at all. She had only ever heard Lord Elrond speaking inside her mind, and he had been able to do so because of the connection she shared with Vilya, which in return enabled a connection between their minds.
"Dan? Can you hear me? I am fine. I slept for a while. The King is here with me."
She immediately felt Elladan relax slightly and assumed that he had indeed heard her. Waves of calmness continued to wash through her, her heart fluttering contently at the feeling of him close to her, even though he was physically away.
"I heard breakfast did not go very well this morning"
The Elvenking's gentle voice brought her back from her thoughts and she centered her eyes once again on the regal looking figure in front of her. His eyes were soft and warm, and yet still so unreachable, a comforting smile present on his fair face. She smiled faintly in return, lowering her gaze at the mention of the events from hours earlier.
"Did Tadion do anything to you?" Slender fingers softly pushed her chin upwards, her eyes meeting a powerful pair of ice blue irises, so intense and infinite and at the same time to impenetrable and unreadable, making it impossible to escape the stare.
"No" She said quickly, unable to hide the surprise from her face at the unexpected words, somehow trying to understand what was the King talking about. "He did not do anything. Why would you think so?"
"I do not." He reassured her in a calmed voice, his voice always so serene and patient. "He thinks he did. I just wanted to hear what you thought."
"He did not do anything wrong" She added, stunned that Tadion would think that. But then again she had fled from the dinning room without reason or explanation. "Nobody did anything wrong. I just…I…"
"It is alright" He said immediately. "You do not have to explain yourself. You have done nothing wrong, Almarëa."
She merely nodded her head, not knowing what else to answer as her eyes fell once again on the unreachable infinities of his ice blue eyes. There were so many things she wanted to ask him, but did not know how. She wanted to look at this elf in the same way that Legolas did, so comfortably and easily. She wanted to be able to look at him and feel he was her father and not the respected King of Mirkwood.
"You can hear the trees singing."
His eyes darted back to hers instantly at her sudden change of topic. She did not know from where she got the courage to voice that question, but did not regret it. His eyes pierced her for a moment, seeming to study her carefully. She felt her insides turn to ice, expecting him look coldly at her again, but acted as unpredictable as ever, a smirk crossing his face as a single chuckle escaped his lips.
"So you figured out not everyone can." She could not tell if he was talking to her or to himself, his eyes lowering to his hands and his smirk still present on his face.
"You knew I could hear them also." Cautious blue eyes lifted back up to meet hers, seeming to calculate whether to answer or not.
"I did not." He said at last, his voice dropping to a low sound, the look in his eyes suddenly darkening, looking deep and troubled now, part of the iced seal seeming to vanish as the smirk disappeared from his face. "It was a wild guess, and you proved me right."
"You knew what was happening to me." Her voice was merely a whisper. For the look in his eyes she knew he understood she meant about the attack. She could not tell how she knew, but she did.
Ice blue eyes pierced her intently, and she did not look away, she could not. They were so powerful, so deep and mighty, pulling her like magnets with a force she did not know existed. It felt so different from Lord Elrond's piercing stare, in which she felt that he could see through her very soul, so wise and concealed. No. The King's eyes were different. She could see the silent answer to her question in them, and felt that, for the first time, she was looking into the entirety of his eyes, looking into the unreachable depths behind the broken iced barrier, and what she saw was a power and strength she wished she could escape immediately, and yet could not. This time, he did not evade her behind cold eyes.
"Elrond hides very well that powerful jewel he wields."
Here is chapter 5! I really hope you like it! Please let me know what you think of it!
Thanks again to my reviewers: KrystylSky, CalathielKat, Elf sister, Martine9295, She Elf of Hidden Lore, dandapanda, Coco99, ForbiddenShadow0, SarahWeasley, The Grimreaper PT, gossipghurl, AmazingWriter123, CeffylGwyn, nethfaer, K8Y, booklover1598, kcelflover, xX-MissyMii-Xx, Wtiger5, luckyponygirl, and Paperlanterns86. This chapter is for you. Thank you for all of your comments about the story, they truly make it easier to keep writing it!
Love,
Elena