Chapter 8

Suddenly things changed and our father walked in – ignoring me he went towards my brother. My brother was watching him with no emotion on his face.

'You F***** idiot. You did not do as I asked, if you had your stupid sister would be dead. Now you shall pay the price, after I kill you, she is next. You have done her no favours.'

I watched horrified as my father went towards my brother with a knife. My brother backed up and when father went for him, he fought. This went on for a little while, I tried to stop it, but I couldn't. It was like I wasn't really there, I screamed at my brother to run, but he just looked at me with a face of utter calmness and a slight smile as father pushed the knife into my brother's heart.

I clutched at my heart because I could feel the same pain expect this pain would not take me to my death. I couldn't breathe I thought I would die. I gasped for air as I watched my father leave the room. I crawled to my brother and held his hand and I refused for him to die alone so I did not look away. I hummed a song that we sang as children and he passed away giving me one last smile of gratitude.

Aragorn's POV

Winter was struggling in her sleep and her screams sent chills down my back. I sent as much healing into her body as I could without overdosing her. Her screams quietened but her breathing did not soften. I caught a few words in between each scream. I could only assume she was re-living her past. Her eyes opened, she was lost and she did not show any gesture that she knew who I was as she looked up with pure terror.

'Mellon, do you not know who I am?' I asked gently.

She only looked at me with terror, muttering words which I could only guess. Legolas came to my side with a cream made to calm a person and some tea. Legolas rubbed the cream on her as I held her down while she yelled out for help. We both decided against the tea for now.

'How do we help her?' Legolas asked as he finished rubbing her back with the cream.

'She has gone back to her past and does not know how to get out. We must try and bring her back to us.'

'How?'

'By assuring her that she is safe. Keep talking to her. Keep comforting her.'

'Estel, you need to rest you have been up with her for a few nights now. Let me take over.'

'I cannot leave her. Can you not feel her fear? If I leave she may fall deeper into this dream. She may never come back to us.' I replied quickly.

'You will be of no use to her if you pass out from exhaustion. Go, get some sleep, I will watch her.'

'Very well.' I muttered to Legolas, he nodded as I walked away to get some rest.

The next morning I woke up feeling more refreshed, I found Legolas in the same position as last night.

'She did not wake up. But she is more settled.'

I walked over to Winter and noticed that she did look peaceful. I gently checked her wounds and was happy that she was healing well. I looked up and found that I was looking into her hazel coloured eyes. She looked confused and frightened, but said nothing rather she whimpered a little and held onto Legolas's hand.

'Winter you have given us quite a scare. How are you feeling this morning?' I asked gently.

She did not respond straight away but when she did she sounded distant as if unsure of something, ' I feel ok. Where am I?'

I explained quickly where we were and that the Lady of the Wood had welcomed us, and that The Lady of the Wood had helped heal her. I had told her all this when she had first woken up, but I did not think it so strange that she was disorientated. She had after all suffered an injury. I wanted to ask about her dream but thought it unwise to do so, so soon after her having woken up.

'Am I able to walk around a little? I feel stiff and sore.' She asked quietly.

'You may, but I shall come in case something happens.' I replied.

'No not you, I want to be alone. Please I just, I need, I just need to be alone.' She said as she started hyperventilating.

I frowned slightly at this, 'What if Legolas kept you company. Would that work?' she shook her head. I sighed I wanted to allow her a little freedom but I was too worried that she would further injure herself.

'Then I cannot allow you to leave I am afraid. I wish you to be well. If something were to happen you could get worse.'

She sighed clearly feeling frustrated, but she said nothing and laid back down upon her bed. I walked out of the room with Legolas at my side, 'I wonder what is troubling her mind?'

'She will tell when she feels ready. Do not worry I have faith that she will get better. For now she knows she has friends to help her and she knows she is not alone. Let her be for now. Some time alone may be just what she needs.'

'Legolas, when did you become so wise?' I asked.

He laughed lightly, 'One of us had to become wise.'

He was once again right. For now I had to plan what we would do now that Gandalf had fallen. I needed to speak with the Hobbits first to see if they were holding up alright. I knew Legolas was grieving and that he needed to deal with this himself. Gimli was doing what he could to keep busy he also felt the loss of Gandalf. As for Boromir I knew the ring was affecting him more and more every day. As much as it pained me, unfortunately he would have to fight that battle on his own.