~Aida~
In Taurorn's rush up the narrow, winding stone streets towards the House of Healing, he did not see another walking towards him until it was too late. With a cry out of surprise he knocked into them, tripping in his wake to half land on the poor unsuspecting soul.
"I am so sorry!" He gasped. getting awkwardly to his feet, He offered a hand out to the young woman he had run into, getting a proper look at her. She was beautiful, was his first thought. Her hair fell in lush, dark brown cascade, strands glowing auburn where sunlight played over them. Her mouth was full, even while set in a straight line as she stared up with him with the greenest eyes he thought he had ever seen. She could pass as an elleth, perhaps she is half? He shifted his gaze to her right ear, but it was rounded, just like his. Gazing back into those stunning eyes.
"Did you do that on purpose?" She asked, and he was surprised to hear a hint of fear and accusation in her soft voice.
"No!" He replied in shock. "No, my sister is in the Houses of Healing, I wished to see how she fared this morning. Truly I am sorry I ran into you." He added, and the young woman looked to his outstretched hand to his face still a little uncertain.
"Which one is your sister? I am a healer, I have just finished night duty, I might have tended to her."
"Aerlaer the Elf, did you tend her? How did she fare overnight?" He rushed out, now desperate to hear news. The woman seemed to decide he did not bite and took his hand. Gently he pulled her up and respectively let go of her hand, taking a step back.
"I did, there was no change during the night nor this morning, I am sorry." Taurorn's shoulders drooped and his heart fell.
"Lor- I mean Legolas, he has not left her side."
"He won't." Taurorn replied sadly. "I am gladdened she has him though."
"Forgive my confusion, are you a kind of Elf too?" The young healer's gaze now drifted to his ears and he gave a light laugh at that. "I only ask because you said she is your sister."
"Not by blood, by endearment." He replied wistfully, closing his eyes a moment from the aching pain in his heart. Aerlaer had filled the void his own twin had left when she had died. He couldn't lose Aerlaer, no one wanted to lose her. He felt another hand clasp around his and opened his eyes.
"She'll wake up." The healer said kindly. "She is loved by too many not to." She gave him a warm, encouraging smile and he was surprised to feel his heart calm. He gave her a small smile back and found it did not need to be forced.
"I will let you continue so you may see her." She said softly, dropping his hand and making to head down the narrow street. He spun to face her retreating figure.
"What is your name?" He called, and she turned and gave him a bright smile. This time his heart seemed to flip in his chest.
"Aida, what is yours friend of Elves?"
"Taurorn." He replied with a grin before turning and walking towards the Healing House, his heart lighter.
…
Elrohir intercepted Taurorn as he made to enter the large Healing chamber. "Aerlaer has a private chamber now."
"How does she fare?" He asked and Elrohir bit his lip chewing it a moment.
"I cannot say if she will improve or not, but she does not worsen. Her lifeforce has not changed. If there is still no increase in it by three hours past noon, I will try adding some of my own to it to see if it makes any difference." He explained and Taurorn nodded.
"How goes Legolas?"
"He is a mess, he needs sleep, needs food… Eru, he needs a wash, but he will not leave her. I am hoping now she is in her own chamber he might take some rest beside her. His own lifeforce has not come back yet, I do not know if it will." Elrohir worried.
"How is Éowyn? How is Merry?" He asked and Elrohir smiled.
"Merry has awoken and Pippin is with him. Éowyn fares well, I think she will awaken before the day's through." Taurorn smiled at these good tidings.
"I think, I will hold off seeing Aerlaer, if Legolas has chosen to rest I do not wish to disturb him." Taurorn decided.
"If you want, fetch Aerlaer's belongings and bring them back here."
"I will, at least then I will not feel so useless." He replied. "I can also give Aragorn and Gimli an update on Aerlaer and Merry. I will see Merry now." He said and followed Elrohir into the large healing chamber.
"Taurorn, I am glad to see another familiar face." Merry greeted him and he couldn't help but smile. So hardy and light spirited the Hobbits were. He wondered if the other two, Sam and Frodo were as light hearted as both Merry and Pippin?
"I am gladdened to see you up young hobbit." He replied as he stood beside Pippin.
"Once Aragorn sees me again, I should be allowed to leave. I do not much like it here." Merry admitted. Taurorn nodded, the chamber was still filled with many injured or sadly dying soldiers or civilians who were caught up in the battle. It was not a pleasant place to be.
"How fares Aerlaer, have you seen her?" Pippin hedged.
"Still there is no change. I spoke with Elrohir but have not seen her today, Legolas watches over her." He replied to both Hobbits, and from his pallet Merry smiled.
"Pip, remember when we were in the Mines of Moria and Aerlaer stopped Legolas from walking too close to danger?"
"Oh yes, it was quite funny to watch really." Pippin chuckled and Taurorn looked from one to the other.
"What happened?"
"Well Aerlaer grabbed his arm which startled him, and he spun around and grabbed hold of her and then they stood there for quite a long moment gazing at each other, I think they forgot we were all there watching them! Gandalf interrupted them and even in the dim light, well I didn't know Elves could look embarrassed until then." Merry laughed lightly and Taurorn couldn't help but grin.
"That moment feels like a lifetime ago." Pippin said reminiscently. "And then we ventured into Lothlórien."
"Oh yes and the Elves got up to all sorts of antics there." Merry grinned.
"Will you tell me of it?" Taurorn asked. "I need to hear some cheer involving Aerlaer to ease my heart." He added softer and the Hobbits both nodded with identical smirks.
"But of course!" Merry explained, patting the cot he lay upon for Taurorn to perch on the end of as Pippin was. "It all started when we were found by Haldir and his brothers…"
…
The day dragged. Legolas restrained from checking for the twenty-sixth time if Aerlaer's lifeforce had increased. Elrohir had come in and told him all he was doing was causing himself more anguish by checking too often. So, by her side he stayed, waiting and feeling useless. Waiting until Elrohir returned when it had been a full twenty-four hours since the elleth had entered the Houses of Healing.
Taurorn had crept in earlier and left her belongings beside the bed, including her weapons which he had cleaned and re-sharpened. Legolas almost wished he had not, for it would have given him something to do but then Taurorn's heart and mind were also troubled.
There was a soft knock at the closed door and then it quietly swung open revealing Gandalf. Legolas had not seen his old friend since the celebration at Edoras, when he had too much to drink.
"Do you know the first time I met Aerlaer she was attempting to defy gravity and leap from the rocky path leading across the river into Rivendell to land on the opposite bank. She was only an Elfling then." Gandalf spoke thoughtfully as he entered the room and observed the unconscious elleth.
"What happened?" Legolas asked, this story of a very young Aerlaer intriguing him. Gandalf chuckled.
"She learnt she could not quite fly like the birds could and ended up being healed for a broken limb. She didn't learn to be any less reckless though and in all these years, nothing has changed her nature in such things." Legolas nodded, unsure what Gandalf was getting at. "But perhaps that is a good thing for if she were not, where would you be?" His eyes twinkled as he glanced up from the elleth to now look knowingly at him. Legolas felt a small smile forming on his lips. He liked Gandalf's company, it made him feel as if everything would be alright.
"Ah yes, now the young Elrohir said if you wish, you can check and see if any of her lifeforce has returned, and he will be in shortly." Legolas nodded and stood up, his heart taking off from a standstill to a gallop. It was time. A tempo of fear and hope thundered through his veins as he placed a hand over his heart, struggling to let his mind focus through his trepidation. Closing his eyes, he sought out the pale golden light within her.
There was, Elbereth! There was more! His heart leapt. Words fled him as he turned towards Gandalf as Elrohir walked through the open door, followed closely by Elladan, Taurorn, and the remainder of the Fellowship. They waited anxiously for his findings but not for a moment longer could he contain his joy, and a huge grin split across his face.
"Yes!" Elladan and Elrohir cried out in unison as they rushed into the room and Elrohir checked for himself, also grinning. Taurorn looked as if a mountainous weight had been lifted from him as he stood beside Aragorn, smiling happily. The Hobbits embraced each other with tears of joy and Gimli, Gimli looked at him with a soft smile, conveying just how exultant he was for Aerlaer but for Legolas too.
Gandalf too looked at him, but with a knowing twinkle in his eye. "I forgot to add Legolas, when Aerlaer made that leap she landed on her feet."
"Then how did she break a limb?" He asked, confused.
"I believe she was then chased by a certain Elf in this very chamber for doing something so reckless and besting him, and she ran into Lord Elrond himself and tripped." Gandalf explained, and Legolas saw Elrohir looking rather sheepish.
"It was her idea." He muttered under his breath however a smile from the memory played upon his lips and Legolas laughed quietly. His heart once again filled with hope. She would be well again. He would see those sea-blue eyes and her smile again.
…
Evening came around again and Taurorn scoffed as he heard the Warden outside of Aerlaer's chamber arguing with another healer whose voice he recognised, and his face lit up. Legolas did not miss the change in his demeanour.
"By that look I take it you have met Aerlaer's Gondor healer, Aida?" He asked with a smirk and Taurorn grinned, nodding as the door opened and Aida walked in.
"A certain Elf told me she is on the mend." Aida said cheerily and then frowned, although in thought. "Although I am uncertain exactly which certain Elf he was, they really need to wear different coloured tunics or braid their hair differently." She added with another smile and Taurorn laughed.
"I even get them mixed up sometimes." He admitted, and Legolas raised a curious brow.
"How? Elrohir is slightly lither in body than Elladan and Elrohir always looks as if he is up to no good whereas Elladan always looks as if he is half up to no good." He grinned.
"I never thought of him being lither, I suppose he is." Taurorn smirked back. "Don't let Elladan hear that, he will be most upset."
"It is surprising for Elrohir is the one with the appetite of a Hobbit!" Legolas added and Aida and Taurorn both laughed.
"I wonder which of the two would best the other eating at a banquet." Aida wondered aloud and Taurorn's eyes lit up at her suggestion.
"We shall have to find out, what do you think, Legolas?"
"Certainly. My money is on Pippin." He replied with confidence. "Never have I seen Elf or man consume more than one piece of Lembas without being filled and yet that Hobbit easily eats three pieces in a sitting!" He chuckled, recalling the many times, namely Lorien, where the youngest Hobbit had scoffed the Elven bread.
"Oh, I do not know, I have spent my fair share of time with Elrohir, he could out eat a pig!" Taurorn countered with a hint of challenge. Legolas merely scoffed.
"How much do you want to bet?" He tilted his head with a grin, knowing Pippin could win hands down without encouragement.
"The loser must tack the victor's horse for a week if we should ride anywhere." Taurorn decided and Legolas nodded.
"Agreed." Aida looked from one to the other, amused.
"Do you always bet on such things?" She asked the blonde Elf who nodded impishly but Taurorn answered.
"This is nothing compared to the bets the twins come up with." He smirked directly at Legolas. "Like a certain knife fight in Edoras."
"I knew it!" Legolas exclaimed as Taurorn chuckled.
"Am I to be correct this fight is how you discovered Aerlaer is very skilled with knives?" Aida asked Legolas and he nodded with a smile. "Will you tell me what happened?" She asked Taurorn and he nodded in enthusiasm which also didn't go unnoticed by Legolas. Yes, he may have been completely oblivious and missed the way Aerlaer truly felt for him, but he could see what was happening here!
"Of course, I think Legolas might learn a thing or two from this story."
"I think we both will, he grinned at Aida, ensuring she felt welcome to remain. What was that word Elrohir used to use when he'd try have Legolas meet Imladris elleths? Oh yes, wing-Elf. Legolas would be Taurorn's wing-Elf
…
Aida stayed talking to them for nearly an hour before she had to officially begin her work for the evening. Taurorn walked her out of the chamber, hoping he could speak alone with her a moment.
"I am glad you no longer look at me as if I would bite you." He chuckled, and a shadow flickered across her lovely face. "I am sorry, that was the wrong thing to say." He mumbled, and she looked up to him with sad emerald eyes.
"No, I am sorry. I can see now and know now that you are a good man. Rangers are very unlike the men of Gondor, well some of the men." She said, and he searched her face, concerned.
"What do you speak of?" He asked with caution.
"Only that not all guards can be trusted, and one cannot turn their back idly on them or let one's own guard down." She sighed. Anger welled up in him but Taurorn kept it tempered.
"I hope you feel safe in our presence." He answered.
"I do, it is refreshing to laugh and joke and speak so to both you and Legolas." She smiled, and his heart warmed.
"If you wish it, we could laugh and speak again?" He asked with trepidation and her smile grew.
"I'd like that." She replied. "I better go, goodnight Taurorn." She touched his hand before heading into the large healing chamber. He walked back into Aerlaer's chamber in a slight daze.
"Well, well, it looks like young Taurorn finds himself smitten." Legolas teased with a smirk.
"Says the Elf who refuses to leave my sister alone." He quipped back and the Elf's smirk morphed into a lopsided grin.
"Did you ever wonder why I became so drunk back in Edoras?" Legolas asked, brown eyes filled with amusement. "I was very, very upset." He said and Taurorn looked at him quizzically. "I thought you and Aerlaer were together." Taurorn burst out laughing.
"How in Arda did you get such a ludicrous idea in your head, Legolas?" He choked out.
"Aragorn failed to tell me otherwise, he assumed I knew that was why she was positively bouncing around you when you met us in Rohan. Then I thought I heard her confessing her love for you after the eve of the celebration." Legolas grinned at him. "It was all very upsetting."
"Oh, you idiot Legolas!" He laughed incredulously. "She was fuming you didn't compliment her dress that evening and decided you didn't care for her! Besides, you silly Elf, she was confessing to me her feelings for you! Although don't repeat that to her, it's a secret you know." He smirked at the Elf who was gazing in wonder at Aerlaer's still sleeping form.
"I already know them." He murmured with a smile.
"She told you?" Taurorn asked and Legolas shook his head.
"No, she kissed me." He answered with happy laugh and Taurorn grinned widely.
He and Legolas spoke quietly for a while longer and then he left both Elves to return back down towards the encampment. He noticed the young guard from the night before was back on duty again at the entrance and as he made to put the cowl of his cloak over his head, he heard Aerlaer's name spoken in the conversation to the other young guard present. An unease came over Taurorn, and with silent footsteps, he melded into the shadows of the corridor to listen.
"Intriguing yes, I've not seen fairer." Bregon said to the other guard.
"What of Aida? Do your interests no longer rest with her?"
"No, I think I now have quite the inclination towards Elves." Bregon replied with a chuckle.
"Have you seen the lady from Rohan? She too is fair." The other guard said.
"No, not as yet." Bregon said. "I doubt she would affect me as this she-Elf does." He added.
"Do you wish to court her?" The nameless guard asked.
"Indeed, I wish to make her mine." He replied with a settled confidence which caused an uneasy feeling to settle like a stone in Taurorn's stomach. This guard was clearly the reason for Aida's mistrust. He had been correct the eve before, this man was not to be trusted by any of them. He would keep an eye on him. The guards had finished speaking of Aerlaer and thankful she was currently guarded by Legolas who he knew would likely kill for her, he retraced his steps a little way back up the corridor. With resonating steps which filled the empty corridor, hood still up to hide his identity, Taurorn slipped through the entrance and past both guards, looking at neither as he made his way from the city.
Ah ha! This time I beat everyone to the punch with a super swift update! She's going to live, yay! Might even wake up next chapt! ;)
A xx