Disclaimer: Once again, not mine.
This is actually turning out to be longer than I thought, but you seem to be okay with that. Over thirteen hundred hits, thank you! I'm trying to write a couple of chapters ahead, I seem to have "caught up" over Thanksgiving.I'm not that positive where this is going. I hope you enjoy it. James is beta-ing again for me, so definite thanks to her.
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"Speaking" Thoughts
Chapter 10Elle Gaealis paced nervously on the family manor steps; it was shortly after sunrise. She had dressed in work clothes and tied her long hair back in a ponytail so when Valandil arrived with Pharaohirrim she would be ready to attend his injuries. She had already had the grooms set up a type of medical area next to his paddock. She wanted to check him as soon as they arrived. She looked towards the woods again and sighed audibly when she didn't see anything.
"Lady Gaealis."
Elle turned to see an elf standing silently in the doorway. He reminded her of Haldir, but there was a difference in his stance. He appeared more relaxed than she had ever seen Haldir.
"Rising before dawn will not make them move any faster. The colt is hurt, Lady, you must show patience." Orophin smiled warmly. He moved onto the terrace smiling into the sunlight. "They will be here by early afternoon, you should eat something and try to relax. Your colt will be home soon."
Elle bit her lip, "Of course my Lord, I am just anxious to see him." She glanced at the woods again before turning back to Orophin and smiling. "Shall we have breakfast then?"
"What a fabulous idea Lady." Orophin offered her arm and pretended not to notice when she peeked another look to the woods. "Have you ever heard the story of Haldir's first girlfriend? They used to spy on me and an elf-maid when we would have picnic lunches."
"I did not know Haldir had such a streak in him." Elle was trying her best not to blush at the though of speaking of Haldir with his brother.
Orophin's face spread into a wide grin, "Lady, there is so much you need to know!"
XxXxX
Haldir was in Lord Gaealis's study when he heard a groom running up the manor stairs. He moved quickly from the chair he was seated in to the study door to intercept the groom. The young boy came to a rushing halt seeing the elf lord come out of the room so fast.
The groom puffed several times trying to catch his breath before speaking. "My lord, Lady Gaealis's colt approaches!"
Haldir placed a hand on the youth, smiling at the excitement in his eyes. "How far off are they?"
"The tree line."
Haldir nodded his head, "Thank you, I will tell Elle. Would you tell the kitchen to prepare hot water and a dinner for the elves coming in?"
The boy ran off towards the kitchen. Haldir turned towards the main staircase where he knew Elle stood, "Lady Gaealis, your colt approaches."
Elle stood at the top of the stairs holding onto the banister. She smiled down at him, "You knew I was here." It wasn't a question.
"Yes. I have the kitchen heating water to tend to his wounds." Haldir tightened the laces on his boots. When he looked up Elle was already waiting at the door. "We must go easy." Elle nodded and they walked out to the manor stairs.
XxXxX
Elle stood next to the fence surrounding Pharaohirrim's paddock. Every few minutes she would look towards the woods, sigh, and begin pacing again. Haldir watched her movements for several minutes with a smile on his face before saying anything.
"Lady, they are walking. We should see them very soon." Haldir accepted the hot water from the groom-boy who had appeared by the fence. He placed it on the table, which had been set up earlier at Elle's command and leaned back against the fence.
Elle went over the objects on the table again to make sure everything she had wanted was there. There were bandages, ointment, towels, a horse blanket, and other various items that might be necessary to tend the colt's injuries. Out of the corner of her eye Elle saw Haldir stand up from the fence. She turned around and saw her colt for the first time in days.
Valandil led Pharaohirrim by a simple rope halter and lead he had made out of necessity. Elle felt tears leap to her eyes at the devastating shape her colt appeared to be in. The first thing she noticed were his eyes. The colt appeared not to focus on anything around him and his eyes looked as though they were shadowed, guarded. Blood soaked his silvery coat dinging the color and turning him almost pink from the blood coverage. Elle could see the thieves had used a type of whip on him causing long, thin skin welts and abrasions. She couldn't even count how many there were. His mane and tail were matted with blood. Her eyes traced over his body and then down to his legs. She had noticed a limp when she had first seen him, but his legs were more of a surprise. All four legs had signs of whip marks, but his left back leg had taken more abuse than the rest. It looked as though the thieves had repeatedly attacked the leg. There were several long cuts, severe swelling, and Pharaohirrim refused to put any weight on the leg.
Elle gave a strangled cry, but did not move from where she stood rooted to the ground. Haldir reached out to her and placed his hand on her shoulder trying to comfort her in any way. Valandil slid from the back of his own horse and led Pharaohirrim slowly towards his paddock. After tying the colt to the fence for examination, Valandil met with Haldir.
"How is he?" Haldir still stood next to Elle still comforting her as best he could.
"The colt is still sore from the beating he has taken. The wounds are closing and I believe it is obvious he has a fast healing time, probably from the elven blood from his sire." Valandil glanced at Elle who had begun to come out of her shock and was now approaching Pharaohirrim. Both elves could see she was trying to hold back tears as she moved towards the wounded colt.
Elle blinked back tears as she moved towards Pharaohirrim. She had completely blocked out what was going on around her and her colt. She approached him slowly, speaking quietly so she would not upset him.
"Pharaohirrim."
The colt's eyes finally cleared and pierced her with an intent stare.
"Pharaohirrim. I am going to make you well." Elle had barely whispered it to herself, but the elves heard her clearly. She approached him slowly then carefully placed her hand on his shoulder trying to avoid grazing any welts. As soon as she touched him Elle felt as though her energy was being sapped from her. She closed her eyes, but could still see things going on around where she stood. Seconds later she lost her touch and the world swam back to where it was supposed to be.
Valandil had caught Elle around the waist and was now leaning her against his tall frame while Haldir tried to get her attention.
"Lady Gaealis? Lady Gaealis, I need you to focus on me." Haldir pulled on her chin to make her look at him.
"What was that?"
Haldir looked to Valandil, "I believe Pharaohirrim was using your energy to help heal himself faster. I need to speak with Valandil for a moment. Just rest for a moment." Valandil released his hold from her waist allowing her to stand on her own. He walked a few feet away from Elle with Haldir and they conversed silently.
Elle bit her lip then moved closer to Pharaohirrim again while keeping an eye on the elves. If that is what will heal him, then that is what we will do.
Elle moved closer and laid her hand on the colt's shoulder again. Nothing happened. Elle lifted her hand slowly then moved around to Pharaohirrim's other shoulder to try again. Again, nothing happened when she placed her hand on his other shoulder. Her brow furrowed in confusion. She moved around to face her colt.
"Do you not want my help anymore?" Elle whispered.
"He knows he will hurt you if he does it again Lady Gaealis." Elle turned to look at the elf who had returned her colt to her.
"Lady, allow me to introduce Lord Valandil." Haldir stepped up to the fence.
Valandil bowed and then began to explain, "He used some of your energy, but he knows to use too much would hurt you. He does not want to do that. What he already took has helped him considerably." Elle looked again and noticed the improvement. She was surprised she hadn't noticed it in the first place. Valandil continued, "He has cycled the your energy through his body and with his already high healing capability, he is much improved." Pharaohirrim's body did indeed look better. There were still marks on his body, but most looked as though they had been healing for days, not just hours. Elle could see he was still sore, but already feeling better.
"Then why not use more of my energy? It would make him well…"
Valandil cut her off, "To use more of your energy would actually transfer his wounds to you. He knows that, that is not his intention. Pharaohirrim knew you were willing to help which is why he allowed you to give your energy in the first place. It is an interesting bond between horses and the one they chose as master. Pharaohirrim will accept help from others, humans or elves, as long as they show goodness. However, he will not accept energy from any one other than his master. You could call it a loyalty or trust trait seen in elven bred horses."
"Valandil is going to be staying with you Lady. He is going to help heal Pharaohirrim and help you understand the bond between you and your colt." Haldir informed her. "I must return to Loth Lorien."
"I thought you were staying to help me." Elle was hurt Haldir would leave her so quickly. "I do not mean any disrespect to you Lord Valandil…"
"None taken Lady, I understand you have come to depend on Haldir." Valandil smiled, "I would like to take a closer look at some of the things you have ready to care for your horse. I will leave you to speak with Haldir." He turned towards the table with the hot water.
Elle nodded numbly. Haldir motioned for her to walk with him. "Lady, I will leave in a few days so that you may come to accept Valandil as a friend. I am leaving Rumil and a couple of my guards with you until you and Limduin feel safe again. I will return in a few months to see you. Valandil will be able to help you train Pharaohirrim. He is very skilled with horses and one of Loth Lorien's best. He is also a great advisor and will help you with the council."
"Why can you not stay?" Elle bit back the tears threatening to run down her cheeks.
Haldir raised his eyebrows, "Lady Galadriel requests I return to Lorien for business. I would not leave you if I thought you could not handle yourself."
Elle nodded her head. "I must return to Pharaohirrim. I'm sure there is much I can learn from Lord Valandil."
XxXxX
Several days later, Haldir and most of his guard did leave for Loth Lorien in the morning.
"Lady Gaealis, I will return shortly before winter sets in. If there is an emergency send one of the guards and I will return immediately." Haldir leapt onto Nimrohspell's back. "Learn what you can from Valandil."
Elle nodded her head, "I will. Safe journey, to you and your guard." She nodded to the other elves including Haldir's brother Orophin who gave her a wink.
The elves moved out lead by Haldir. Elle watched them leave until they had disappeared into the surrounding woods.
"Lady Gaealis, would you like to help me tend your colt?" Valandil stood next to her.
"If you want us to get along, its just Elle." She smiled wryly at him. "Haldir just pretends not to know that."
Valandil grinned back, "He does that a lot doesn't he? And I am just Valandil."
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