Disclaimer: I do not own anything pertaining to LOTR, I only wish I did.

Rating: PG. I will change the rating when necessary.

A/N: Constructive criticism is welcome and appreciated. This is told in the first person, from Freda's point of view. Many details of events and time lines are from The Encyclopedia of Arda online. Translations come from two online sites – Arwen Undomiel and Grey Company. (for some reason, is not allowing me to type out the addresses, but it's cool) I do not own them either, I only use them for flavor.

From the First

Chapter 7: Healing

The days passed slowly while we waited for Legolas to come around. King Elessar stayed in Dol Elessa and the three of us, he, Gimli and I took turns keeping vigil. Often times we would sit in twos to keep each other company. Occasionally the three of us would all sit together. I was alone, however, when Legolas first stirred. I had been sitting in the chair near the window with my eyes closed as the early evening sun sent mountain shadows creeping along the fields. There was a small noise that caused me to open my eyes drowsily. I leaped to my feet when I found Legolas watching me.

"Amin nowe llie ôl" (19) He said quietly.

I smiled, tears of relief coming to my eyes. "Amin anwa." (20) I came to the side of the bed. "You have been asleep for more than a week. We were all very worried."

He shifted, trying to stretch, and grimaced when it caused discomfort. I did not realize that my hand had gone to his until I felt his fingers curl around my own. Surprised, I resisted the urge to pull it back away immediately.

"You must lie still."

His lips curved upward slightly. "You may as well tell a bird not to fly or a fish not to swim."

I smiled. "Yes, well, a bird with a broken wing can not fly."

"It will still try." He pointed out.

I lowered my head, giving in. "I should go and tell the others you have woken." His soft smile faded slightly. "Amin entul." (21)

He nodded and I left to find Gimli and King Elessar. They were in the hall and both rose when they heard the door open. My expression was all they needed.

"He is awake?" Gimli asked eagerly.

"Just now." I confirmed.

Both of their faces lit with joy, a welcome change from the melancholy that had been barely kept at bay for the last few days. They left to go to Legolas. I went to notify Prince Faramir and Lady Eowyn. They were both glad to hear that the elf had regained consciousness, and said they would go by to see him. I then went to the kitchens to find some food and drink to take back with me. Legolas was now sitting up. The maid who had followed me from the kitchens with a second tray placed hers on the table near the bed as I instructed. I placed the one I carried on the chest at the foot of the bed.

"I thought you might like something to eat." I said, meaning it to be for all of them.

Gimli wasted little time coming to see what I had brought and choosing a few morsels to start with.

I looked to Legolas. "Would you like anything? Fruit? Or perhaps something to drink?"

"Some water, please."

I poured him a cup, telling him of my lord and lady's well-wishes for a speedy recovery and that they planned to visit. Our fingers touched again when I handed him the drink. He smiled and thanked me, and after making sure that the three were not in need of anything further I excused myself to give them time.

King Elessar returned to Minas Tirith the next day, assured that his friend would now make a full recovery. With each passing day the elf grew stronger. My time was once again divided between Eldoran, Lady Eowyn and sitting with Legolas and Gimli. At first we were confined to the quarters, but as the elf healed we ventured to the gardens.

One morning, as I helped Lady Eowyn to dress for a hunting excursion, she brought up the subject of the marriage proposal.

"Have you given it any more thought? I know that there have been other matters which you have been tending to, but Lord Adanor will be looking for your answer soon."

I hesitated. I had thought about it a little, during the times when I was sitting alone in the room while Legolas had been unconscious. I had gone no further toward making a decision. "I do not have one, my lady."

"What is it that makes you unsure?" she asked.

"I," Doubt flooded me. How could I explain it to anyone, even to someone so understanding as her, if I myself did not know why I felt it would be the wrong choice to accept the offer? "I don't know." I finally uttered. Then, with a sudden need to try to make her understand, "It doesn't feel right. What if it is not meant to be him?"

"If not Adanor, then who?" Her tone was gentle.

"I don't know." I said again, feeling helpless. "I just don't believe it is supposed to be him."

She took my hand in hers and looked kindly into my eyes as an older sister would. "Freda, mind that you do not close doors too soon in the hopes of others opening that may not."

I gazed back at her, feeling in my heart that I understood what she was saying, though my mind did not fully grasp it. I could not respond; I didn't know how to.

"I can ask for more time if you think it will help." she offered.

I shook my head. She regarded me steadily, then nodded.

"I shall send word of your reply, then."

"Thank you, my lady." I curtsied slightly.

"You will be going to see Prince Legolas and Lord Gimli once we are finished?"

"Yes, my lady."

"I suppose the three of you will be in the gardens again today?"

"I believe so. It seems to help very much with the healing process."

She nodded. "That is good."

Once we had finished, I went to Legolas and Gimli's rooms only to find it empty and a maid changing out the bedding.

"Where are Lord Gimli and Prince Legolas?"

"They said to tell you that they would be in the stables. I think the Prince was anxious to visit his horse."

I knew what Legolas thought to do. Hurrying down the corridors, I exited the main castle and entered the stables. Sure enough, I found the two of them preparing to go riding.

"My Lord, I'm not sure you are well enough for this yet." I said, maintaining proper decorum because of the stable boys who were assisting. I wanted to drop to my knees and wrap my arms around his legs to prevent him from moving.

"It will only be a short ride. I tire of being indoors."

"There are the gardens..." I protested.

"Yes, and they are most lovely, but they still have walls." He replied, turning toward me. "I've had them prepare your horse as well."

I looked to my left. Fione was already saddled and watching me as if to say that I could not deny her this. When I looked back to Legolas, I knew that the battle was over. He had a self-satisfied smile on his face.

"What did I tell you before, lass?" Gimli chuckled.

"I know, it does no good to argue." I said, sighing, "Sometimes I don't know which of you is more stubborn."

They both laughed. I watched with nervous eyes as Legolas mounted up, noted the grimace of discomfort that marred his perfect features momentarily.

"Are you sure you're well enough for this?"

He smiled, looking more himself than he had since he'd woken. "Amin vesta a' il (push too far) athan nin taeg."

"You had best not push them at all!"

He chuckled and waited for me to mount. We started out at a slow walk; Legolas let me set the pace. It had been too long since I had been out riding. I was aching to feel the wind whipping past as I raced along the river's banks. Fione's muscles twitched anxiously and I knew she felt the same. We were not far outside of the city walls before Legolas nudged his horse to a trot.

I quickly caught up. "You are supposed to be going slowly." I scolded.

"This is slow compared with my normal riding." he pointed out.

"That isn't what I meant."

He simply smiled and continued as though he hadn't heard. I watched to make certain that he wasn't in too much pain, insisting that we return when his color seemed to pale a bit. He did not argue, and I knew my assumption was correct. He was trying to do too much.

We continued to ride a little each day, pushing a little farther. Gimli did not come on the fifth day. I tried to persuade him to come, but he insisted, saying that he would rather rest indoors. So, Legolas and I rode alone. It started much the same as our other rides, walking the horses until he tired of the pace and went to a trot. This day, however, as we reached the spot we had turned back at before, Legolas continued on without slowing.

I noticed that he was riding much easier than he had been. The corner of his mouth curled upward into a smile. He had caught me staring at him. "Is there something on my tunic?"

I looked away quickly, flushing. "I'm sorry. It's just – you're improving so quickly. It astounds me."

"I have had the good fortune to have great healers," he commented, "and a unfailingly attentive nurse to watch out for me."

"I have done very little." I said, embarrassed. I focused on the path ahead.

"You have done more than you know." He said softly, reaching over and taking a brief hold of my hand.

I looked over at him as he released it. He was looking ahead again, but I saw him cast a quick glance from the corner of his eye. Then suddenly he was off, cantering across the field. Equally amused and concerned, I urged Fione after him. She enjoyed the challenge, stretching her gait out fully as she raced to catch up. As the distance closed between us, I could see Legolas smiling.

"Legolas! Slow down! Your wounds!" I called, pushing Fione past him in an attempt to cut him off and force him to stop. He wheeled around us, laughing gaily. I pushed Fione to catch him again. "Have you gone mad?" I cried, though I too was smiling. It was good to see him enjoying himself.

He turned again, taking another route through the brush. I resigned myself to just following, waiting for him to expend this burst of energy. When he finally slowed, he led us to an area near the river where the grass was soft and green. We dismounted and left the horses to wander. He filled his water skein that had been stored in his saddle's pouch and offered it to me. I sipped gratefully before handing it back, watching as he went to sit in the grass.

"Your shoulder and side must be in some pain after all of that." I commented, drawn nearer by the peacefulness that had begun to settle in the air.

"It has been worse."

I shook my head. "Stubborn." I gazed out across the river to Gondor, following the line of mountains with my eyes. I wondered if Adanor had been angry when he received the message that I had declined his offer of marriage.

"Something troubles you."

I pulled my eyes from the horizon. "It is nothing."

"It may help to talk about whatever it is." He offered.

I moved to sit in the grass near him. "Thank you, but truly, there is nothing to discuss. Just a passing thought." The way his eyes searched mine gave me a strange feeling. Anxious to change the subject, I looked up to the clouds in the sky. "A sleeping cat."

"I do not understand."

His look of confusion made me smile. "That cloud," I pointed, "Looks like a sleeping cat curled up in a ball."

He gazed at it for a moment, then his expression lifted. "I see."

"My brother and I would play a game when we were young where we would lay out in the grass and try to see shapes in the clouds." It sounded so silly telling him about it. "A simple game, to be sure, but it kept us entertained."

"It is very creative." He commented. "I think I would like to try it."

"Truly?" I could not hide my astonishment.

He raised a delicate eyebrow. "Do you think I can not be creative?" he challenged.

"Not at all!" I giggled. "I'm worried that I might not be able to keep up."

He smiled and laid back, unable to fully hide the pained look that flashed across his face.

"Perhaps it is not a good idea." I mused aloud.

"There is no backing out now." He said, extending a hand. "Shall we begin?"

I shifted, trying to not get too tangled in the fabric of my gown while laying down beside him. When he spoke next, he sounded far too near.

"Do we start with the one above us, or do we wait for the next one?"

"We wait." I replied, not daring to look away from the sky.

It took a short time for the cloud to pass by.

"A turtle." Legolas' arm rose to point to the cloud.

I smiled. "Alright." I tried to focus. The next cloud came by.

"A dragon."

"A dragon?"

"Yes. See the wings there," He outlined them with his finger, "and the head, with a puff of smoke coming from the nose..."

"Ah, I see." A thought occurred to me. I turned my head to look at him, curious. "Have you ever seen a live dragon?"

"Of course, though it was many years ago."

"Are they really as terrible as the stories make them out to be?"

He nodded. "Sometimes worse."

"And they really breathe fire?"

"Not all of them. Ringwe ailoki can not. That does not mean they are any less dangerous."

"Ringwe ailoki?" This was a phrase I had not learned.

"Cold drakes."

"Oh." I looked back up at the clouds. "Tell me more about Eryn Lasgalen." (22)

"What about the game?"

I laughed. "We can play while you talk."

So he began telling me about his home, the same stories he told me all those years ago when I was a little girl. He added new details, and told me how it had changed after the war. There was nothing but his voice and the sound of the breeze in the grass. Even the river seemed to have quieted to listen. I closed my eyes, allowing his descriptions to create images in my head.

"Freda."

"Hmm?"

"We should go back."

"But you were telling me about your home."

I heard his soft chuckle. "That was hours ago."

I furrowed my brow without opening my eyes. "No it wasn't."

"It was." He insisted. He was still smiling, I could hear it in his tone. "Open your eyes. The sun is already touching the mountains."

I groaned and stretched, not wanting to listen. Finally, I did as he bade me. "Oh!" I pushed up to a sitting position. He was telling the truth.

"You fell asleep. I did not mean to bore you."

"It was not boredom." I saw the hidden laughter in his eyes. "It was peaceful. I'm sorry that I was not better company. You should have woken me."

He shook his head. "I could not. It was a shame to wake you just now. I would rather have let you sleep."

I laughed. "I'm sure it was very entertaining to be sitting here all that time."

"You still have much to learn, Ai'ell." (23) He smiled.

(19) Amin nowe llie ôl - I thought you were a dream.

(20) Amin anwa – I am real.

(21) Amin entul – I will return.

(22) Eryn Lasgalen – the new name for Mirkwood after the War of the Ring

(23) Ai'ell – Little one (feminine); literally, "little girl"