Chapter 4: Willows POV

Before I was a teacher I was a survivor. Before I was a survivor I was a fighter. Before I was a fighter I was a normal 13 year old girl. What should have been my high school years turned into my years of pure hell, horror and hopelessness. Some may say that is what high school is, but I would have rather gone through the hell of high school life than hell itself.

The flashbacks, the screams of children, the bodies, it all still haunted me in some way or another. I had learnt not to let it consume me. It had been no easy task and no one can control the nightmares that can take a hold of oneself. It was one of my weaknesses. I had many weaknesses and I had no choice but to learn to hide them. If I were honest I would say I was scared for I had no idea who these people were or why they dressed and talked the way they did. I had to find a way out of here. But the problem was I could not help but feel something which I had not felt in years, safe.

Walking across the bridge, a beautiful site came into view. Waterfalls flowed off the cliff face, what an exquisite sound it made. I took a deep breath, breathing in the fresh smell of nature. Tranquillity flowed through the very walls of this place. I felt like a fresh new person walking through the gardens. I could see myself relaxing under the big oak tree, a word which had not been used in my life for quite some time. A smile spread through my lips before I could stop it. I could feel someone watching me. I was not surprised when a voice flowed through the air, 'No matter how many times I enter Rivendell I feel a sense of relief and calmness.' I had to agree with Aragorn. 'Come, Lord Elrond awaits our arrival.' I had to wonder how he knew we had arrived.

I did not ponder on this thought for long as we entered what I assumed to be a meeting room. Aragorn opened the door at the far end of the room and walked in. The room was rather cosy, a huge sofa sat in front of a huge window overlooking the spectacular gardens.

Legolas joined me making small talk, 'One can sit here and think for hours.'

I replied simply, 'Is that so?'

'Something haunts you,' he continued.

I snapped my head in his direction, ' Of course I just found out you are an Elf and I have no idea what that means.'

'You could simply ask? But to put your mind at ease, Elves are immortal, we are blessed with advanced hearing and sight. We are stronger than a human and do not tire as easily. However that is not what haunts you.'

I let that information process wondering how that was even possible. I shook my head thinking I had taken one too many hits to the head and simple replied, 'Nothing haunts me.'

He just looked at me and then turned his eyes out towards the gardens. Was I like an open book, was I more emotional presented then I had originally thought? 'You are tough, yet distant; you hold a haunted expression in your eyes. Forgive me it is just an observation.'

'Keep your observations to yourself next time, and then you will not need to ask for forgiveness.' I snapped.

The back door opened. A tall man walked out, with hair like Legolas's but dark brown, he had sharp facial features, and he was not a man to cross or should I say Elf. However there was gentleness in his grey blue eyes.

He spoke gently, 'Lady Willow, it is a pleasure to meet you. I have heard much of your fighting skills, but not much about yourself. Please join me in the next room where we can become better acquainted.'

'Sure,' I replied standing up giving Legolas and Aragorn one final glare before following this man who I assumed was Lord Elrond.

I followed him into a larger room, which had a desk and chairs. This looked to be his study room, with piles of books and maps covering most of the room. He watched me for a moment and then said, 'I am Lord Elrond. Aragorn has talked to me of your travels with him. I can see there is more to your story much more. You are very young are you not?'

I nodded my head and replied, 'Yes, I am 19 years old.'

'One so young has seen much despair.' Did he know? How would he I had said nothing about my past life. 'You wonder how I know this. I have the gift of foresight. I had seen you coming, and I saw enough to know you have past and present horrors. Though I do not know everything.'

'What do you know?' I asked with caution.

'I know that you had no choice but to learn how to survive. I can sense a great amount of good from you.'

'Oh!'

He looked at me raised his eyebrow and said, 'I will do what I can to send you home again, if that is your wish.'

'I guess so. Where is here exactly?

'We are in Middle Earth. I will go through it more at a later date. I am sure you are wanting to change out of your clothing and rest a while. I will have my daughter lead you to our guest rooms where you can wash; I will have some clothes brought in.'

He had not really answered my question but I stayed silent knowing he was right. I was ready for a rest. So with a slight sigh I followed him back out into the main room.

Legolas and Aragorn had left and I suddenly felt a little lost. A woman walks out, no words I had would justify her beauty, much like Rivendell. Her long black hair flowed down her back like a waterfall, her deep blue eyes pierced into mine.

'This is my daughter Arwen, you are in the best of care friend of the elves.'

'Lady Willow it is a pleasure to meet you.' She said as she led me away from the room and back outside.

After a few moments of weaving through the place she finally opened a door and led me in. The details of the walls were outstanding. Not a leaf out of place, a huge bed sat in the middle of the room, this room was fit for a queen, not someone like me. But nonetheless I was secretly pleased to have such a lovely room.

'You will find the bath through that door, I will place a few dresses on your bed, ready for you when you come out. There is no hurry.'

'Thank you Arwen.' I walked into the room and found a tub filled with hot water.

I pulled my clothes of and sank into the warm water, letting my sore muscles soak. The scent was that of roses, the water did not seem to get cold, and I felt like I was floating on a cloud.

Three dresses were on the bed. I decided to go with the lilac coloured dress. The dress was as light as a feather. It was a little looser and a little bit too big then I am used to, but it felt lovely to be in a dress again. It was something which I would have worn to a formal. It was long, with a little bit of glitter, simple but elegant. I walked to the door leading to the outside, and found Aragorn sitting on a bench. He looked up, and said, 'You look lovely; let me lead you to the dinner party.'

Party what party? 'Listen I'm… I would rather stay in my room.' He looked down on me, his face was starting to show a hint of concern.

'Are you unwell?' He thought I was sick, it was kind of funny and weird to hear someone ask about my wellbeing.

'I am fine, I just.. uh never mind, lead the way.' I sighed not knowing what else to say.

He led me towards another part of Rivendell. I walked down the stairs that lead to a huge room. There were many tables and a lot of people and of course I trip over my dress and fall right down the stairs hitting my head on the touch down. In my defence, I had never worn a long dress before. All eyes were on me, Aragorn was at my side in a flash, and I tried to sit up but he held me down, 'Let me look at your head before you move.' When he was satisfied he gave me the all clear, and gave me a hand up. 'If you start to feel dizzy come find me. I will give you something to help you. '

I could not help but wonder, at what point had Aragorn cared about me? Had we grown a mutual relationship?

This place really had taken away my guard. Was it so wrong that for the first time in 7 years I felt like I was the one being looked after?

'I will.' I replied. 'But the dizziness I can handle, the humiliation not so much.'

'Soon this incident will be forgotten as most men will get carried away with their drinks, I am sure you will find stories to threaten them with if they speak of your clumsiness.'

As the party went on Aragorn had been right soon my grand entrance had been forgotten, but there were still a few mutters about clumsy humans. My patience's started to become thin, it had been a very long time since I had been in a room packed with people (or should I say elves? In that case never) I stood up and headed for the door feeling faint. Something caught my arm.

I turned and saw Legolas eyeing me he spoke slowly, 'are you leaving Lady Aella?'

'Yes,' I said simply, thinking he did not need any further details.

'Do you care for company?' He asked.

Was this guy for real? Did he not want to tie me up and keep me tied up? He did not care before so why care now? I replied dryly, 'no.' His smile left his face, good I thought.

'Very well, I shall leave you with your thoughts; before you go I would like you to know that I think you look beautiful tonight.'

How does one reply to a comment like that? Especially one from a person who does not know you. I smiled quickly and pushed the door open. I flew out the room and took off down the stairs, through the halls, out the doors and straight towards the waterfalls. I took a deep breath and jumped straight into the water. To my surprise it was not too cold and not too warm it was perfect.

I lay on my back letting the water swim around my body, the moon light sparkled on the water. I looked up at the stars and wondered what had I done to deserve to see such beauty too feel such comfort. I ducked my head under the water as if trying to get rid of the demons that clawed at my heart and head.

I worried for my young students, would they think I had been caught? They knew I would never give away the location of those who still remain in the world; however it would not stop them from feeling scared once again. I swam back towards the shore area. I climbed out, wishing I had taken of the dress and hoping I would not get into trouble for getting it wet.

I headed back up the top, but sensing someone following me. A moment of silence and I began thinking maybe I had gone insane. In fact I think I had, I spent my teenage years fighting for survival, I'd been to hell and back I would not be surprised if I was going insane. I hear another noise from the bush; I quietly enter into my calm fighting mind.

I climbed up the tree and saw a shadow in the bush, it was moving, I got out my handy knife. Once the shadow was under the tree I jumped, flying through the air silently; landing on the man's back taking him by surprise. I flipped backwards and brought him down with me, I turned him around about to punch him out,

'Aragorn?' I exclaimed in surprise, not feeling an ounce of sorrow in my body.

'I should not have been following you, milady I saw you run off and was worried.'

I sighed, for someone who did not like or trust me Aragorn sure seemed to have changed his mind rather fast. However after this little stunt I am sure he has once again changed his views on me, I jumped up to allow him room to stand up. 'I am fine; I just needed a breather,' I said rather stiffly.

'I see that you are fine. I will show you to your room.' He replied equally stiffly, and with a small amount of anger.

It took me awhile, but I figured that he expected an apology. Well he would not be getting one from me any time soon.

'This is where you will sleep. Do not think of leaving Rivendell you are under the watchful eyes of the elves.' He said in a voice that would scare anyone from thinking about doing anything bad again. I nodded. He seemed satisfied.

With that he walked away and for the first time I felt lonely. All my mental training I had worked so hard to gain had taken a vacation it had seemed. I had trained my mind and heart to not accept help, to trust no one, to fall in love, to become close or talk to no one.

But here I was standing in the door way feeling infuriated that this man did not seem to like me. Perhaps I felt like this because in a way he did save my life, here I was in some unknown world with unusual beings. Sure he made sure I was unharmed but there was nothing more, he was still keeping his distance. I wanted these people to know how much I had suffered to know how much hurt I am feeling. I do not know why I wanted them to know perhaps I did trust them more than I thought, or maybe it was the look in Aragorn's eyes to know that he has also suffered, or maybe it was Legolas's calming voice. However it also scared me how safe I felt. With these thoughts swarming in my mind I went and took a nice hot bath.

That night as I lay awake on the soft delicate bed I felt a pull at my heart and drifted into a restless sleep. Images of the hell I went through haunted my dreams that night. A vision of the ninjas teaming up with a man dressed in white, a ring, and disgusting creatures, my head on a stick, blood everywhere. I woke up shaking I muffled my sobs so as not to be overheard. Tears streamed down my face. I fell to the floor in a heap trying to get a hold of myself. I took deep breaths not allowing any more tears fall from my eyes.

Hours later the sun came up but I did not leave my room; I needed a day to myself to get back into the right head space, the head space which took years of training hours of emotional brakeage to build myself up. I had to be prepared to kill the ninjas who were after my flesh and blood, I had to be strong enough for when I finally got the chance to go back home. This place was slowly breaking me.