The next few days felt like they went by both very slowly, and very quickly.
I slept for a good portion of the day, waking only long enough to have the bandages replaced, eat a little something, and see to any hygiene needs I had.
The majority of the times I woke up were caused by nightmares, or someone coming into the room.
I had become a very light sleeper, and any sleep I did manage was plagued by nightmares of men with bloodied necks and groping hands, or waking up in the forest again, as if finding Rivendell had only been a dream.
I had quickly ceased making noises in my sleep while on my travels, not wanting to attract any dangerous wildlife, and that habit had not faded upon being in a safe environment.
I often woke up biting the insides of my cheeks or tongue, muscles tensed to keep from any sudden movements. Once, my dreams were so horrific that upon waking, I threw up onto the floor next to the bed, trembling and gasping for breaths that were just out of reach until a healer happened by, heard the quiet, uneven, labored breaths, and investigated. They were quick to get everything cleaned up, and had a cup of warm herbal tea in my hands soon after, sitting with me until I finished it, and managed to fall back asleep.
After that, healers started checking in on me every couple hours at night in an attempt to catch nightmares before they could get that bad.
There was a pair of simple wooden crutches leaned against the wall next to my bed for the moments where I had to get up to see to myself, which I made use of even when I had no reason to be out of bed, simply to give myself a bit of movement.
Elrond had recommended that I keep minimal pressure on my feet, as they were probably the most injured part of me, aside from the cracked rib.
Once a day for the first couple days, Elrond came to check on me, but after that any interactions I had were with other healers that I didn't know.
They didn't linger after checking on me, gently telling me I should be resting every time they left.
Occasionally they told me that the lady Arwen had come to visit, but that I had been asleep. I hoped one of these times I would be awake when she came, so I could thank her for helping me.
Like clockwork, there was someone offering food in the morning, afternoon, evening, and night just before they went around putting out most of the candles and torches. They seemed intent on fattening me up, not that I was complaining.
Going for so many weeks without the steady presence of food had certainly changed how I looked at meals.
I wasn't able to eat very much, though.
In the first few days they only offered bland soups and mashes of fruits or vegetables, careful not to give me anything that might cause my stomach upset.
Each meal was paired with a cup of herbal tea, most of which I could not identify, often paired with a spoon of honey on the side of the tray, should I want it sweeter.
Five days after my talk with Elrond, I got another unlikely visit.
Maeben, the elf who'd pretty much saved me.
I had been folding creases into the blanket and watching them spring apart upon my fingers releasing it, feeling too restless to sleep despite somehow still feeling tired, when I was startled by a cheerful voice at my doorway.
"you are certainly looking much better, miss Alyssa!"
His smile was genuine, and I had to wonder again why they were all being so nice.
He was paused in the doorway, hands clasped behind his back, looking much more at ease than he had the last time I saw him.
I returned the smile, feeling the skin of my face stretch into the almost forgotten gesture, "I do feel much better. I owe it mostly to you, for finding me and helping me get here. I don't know how much further I would have gotten on my own."
Compared to his voice, smooth, accented, and joyful, mine still sounded scratchy and dull, used so infrequently recently that it sounded wrong to my ears.
He held up his hands slightly as if in surrender, shaking his head adamantly. His voice was insistent, though still held the same cheerful note, as if he truly was happy to see me feeling better.
"Nay, milady, you were on the right course, and with the determination you showed, I believe you would have found your way whether I came across you or not. Besides, it was your singing that caught my attention. You are the cause of your own salvation."
I ducked my head a little self consciously, not having expected that.
"Would you mind if I kept you company for a while?"
He was still standing at the edge of the doorway, and I realized that he hadn't stepped foot inside yet.
Was he waiting for permission..? I cleared my throat a little, not having expected that.
"Please, come in. I'd appreciate the distraction."
He nodded slightly in thanks, and stepped in, moving a chair over to sit next to the bed.
"Do you know how long you've got to stay in here? Surely you're mostly healed by now?"
"I'm not sure. My feet still hurt a bit, and my chest still aches, but everything else seems to be mending well. Lord Elrond said one of my ribs was cracked, and that the only fix for that is time. He said I can walk around outside if I like, but not to over do it."
I pulled my hair over my shoulder, bandage wrapped fingers fiddling with the braid awkwardly.
I couldn't help but wonder why he was here. I mean, he didn't know me, he'd been the one to find me, sure, but that gave him no obligation to check on me…
It wasn't until he responded that I realized I'd actually spoken my thoughts.
"Milady, no offence meant of course, but you looked horrible. It's natural for anyone who came across someone in your state to want to see that they were doing alright."
He smiled a little sheepishly,
"As well, I was hoping I might persuade you to sing for me again. My wife is very fond of music, and is always looking for new songs to sing while she works. I had hoped that you might tell me the words for the song I heard you singing, so I could present it to her. She's a seamstress, you see, and Lord Elrond asked her if she'd make you some things, since you had very little of your own that we could find. She's been working tirelessly, especially after hearing that I found you, and of the state you were in."
He trailed off a little, looking slightly self conscious. Damn elves, either gorgeous or adorable. Was there no normal setting?
I couldn't help but smile a bit wider, "Of course, I'd be happy to tell you the lyrics. Please thank your wife for me, and perhaps when I'm well enough to get out of this room you might introduce me, so I can thank her myself?"
He perked up, smiling again, and nodded excitedly. "I would be most happy to! I'm sure she would be quite pleased to meet you, and to know you were well."
We made small talk for another few moments before I offered to sing again and he pulled out a piece of parchment and a stick of charcoal, watching me eagerly, charcoal poised and ready to write whenever I began to sing.
We spent the better part of an hour singing and writing, making sure he knew how the tune went and the right inflections to use. My voice had strengthened considerably since he'd heard me sing days ago, so it was easier to identify the words, and it didn't hurt my throat or ribs at all, though I was careful to keep my voice soft, not wanting to disturb anyone, or cause myself any pain.
He asked only once about the Quenya words, and did not push when I seemed hesitant to talk about it aside from that I didn't actually know the language, only those words.
When he left, I felt considerably less confined, though I hadn't moved from the bed at all, and I was left with a quiet longing for my cello so that I could comfort myself with the familiarity of music.
I hummed to myself quietly, until sleep claimed me again.