Chapter 10
Willows POV
Italics = Elvish
I went to my bag that had somehow survived my adventure and went through all my things. Though I hated school with every fibre of my being, having my school books now were a source of comfort. They were familiar and though I disliked maths and the novel 'To Kill a Mocking Bird' I held them close. I knew that life was somewhere far away and that was not necessarily a bad thing, with a sigh I put the books down and kicked my bag away and curled up on the bed and held myself, My name is Winter Matthews. I am 17 years old. I go to a Private school. My brother was murdered by my father. I hate him. I am now in a different world that I can't decide if it is real or not. It feels real. I've been told it is real.
I stole this idea from the novel Hunger Games: Mockingjay. It did one thing it gave me a new focus – rather than feeling sorry for myself I now felt angry. Angry that I could not stop this from happening. My hands found the maths book and I started angrily ripping the pages out. But it was not enough. I wanted to brake something, anything. I spied a glass light on the other side of the room. Picking up the book I smashed it into the glass lamp. It shattered with a satisfying crash. Looking around I found more glass lights and smashed every single light with my hands. It felt good and it felt even better once I saw droplets of blood fall onto the clean floor.
Looking around at the mess I move my bag and start cleaning up. In the process I came across a letter that had my name on it. Opening it, it read:
Winter,
At times the world can seem an unfriendly and sinister place, but believe me when I say there is much more good in it than bad. All you have to do is look hard enough. And what might seem to be a series of unfortunate events, may, in fact, be the first steps of a journey.
Never lose hope. Never doubt yourself. The world is an adventure sometimes it's best to let go and see where you end up.
You are never alone and when you are ready to talk I will be here waiting for you.
Ms Miller.
She was always looking out for me despite my lack of interest for school. Even when she was not with me she was still worried about me. I had to wonder if she wondered where I was. I hated knowing that I would have told her everything if I were there. But I can't because I am here and she is there.
The blood continued to fall freely from my hand and I fell into the corner and held myself tightly not even knowing what to wish for. I was not asleep for long when the nightmares started.
I was 8 and I was running late for school. My brother had already left. Dad came into my room and started yelling. I pleaded for my brother to come home. I could barely stand. I took a deep breath and it started, I felt as if my ribs would crack. He was strong and scary. I felt the tears swim in my eyes. After what seemed like hours he left me on the floor to die alone. Blood was everywhere the smell was overwhelming, I gasped as I tried to move. Slowly and painfully I cleaned myself up and threw on a clean uniform, grabbed my school bag and sneaked out of the house I wanted my brother. I walked into the school and went straight to where I knew my brother would be. I did not even bother knocking on the class room door I just walked in and scouted for my brother. There he was sitting in the front with his mates having a laugh. I felt anger vibrating off me. The teacher was nowhere to be seen. I walked to my brother, gave him one look and he knew right then and there what had happened I could see the guilt running of him, as he carried me outside I held on to him and cried. He did not let me go.
My eyes flew open in fear as I looked around for my brother, I needed his comfort but he was not there with me. Rather it was Aragorn who was holding a wet cloth to my head. I felt dreadful; I brushed him off as I leaned over to vomit. I closed my eyes, and heard voices.
'Winter, Hear my voice. Come back to the light'.
I looked up, and saw Aragorn and Legolas next to me, 'She is not well, she has developed a fever and she is as cold as ice. Something troubles her in her sleep.'
I fell back into blackness not keen on sleeping but too weak to keep my eyes open. I felt something warm flush through my body, I opened my eyes feeling like I had already done the yr 12 celebrations drunk night.
'Can you hear me?' I nodded my head.
'I need you to sit up and drink this for me, it will help with the pain, Legolas will help you sit up.' Strong hands pulled me up in a sitting position. I had no strength so I leaned all my weight onto him.
Aragorn puts a cup to my mouth. I force down a sip, as the taste hits my insides I spit it out. 'Yuck that is worse than cough medicine.'
'You must drink it.' I closed my mouth not wanting another drop of that stuff to reach my lips.
I gave in after a few more moments and drank the vile drink.
'Go back to sleep now little one.' Legolas said.
I did not wish to sleep. I hated the dreams even the good ones. Aragorn swapped places with Legolas who had left us alone. I now rested my body against his, as he held me. It felt rather weird being held like this as my brother was the only one he would hold me close.
'Are you well?'
'Yes' I replied
'Do not lie to me, I noticed your discomfort when you were sleeping.' I did not answer. I just closed my eyes. I heard him sigh and a moment later I heard a soft humming.
Aragorn's pov
I hummed a song to help her fall into a peaceful sleep. It was not long however before she started moaning in her sleep, her facial expression changed from comfort to distressed. If it were not for my hearing I would not have caught the words she was saying.
'No, please no more. Matt help.'
It got worse as she started moving around I held her down, not wanting her to hurt herself. She was still in her dream and did not wake. The talking got louder and she started struggling more.
'Legolas.' I called out, he soon came, and saw the problem.
'Hold her legs down I will try to calm her and wake her up.' He did as I said.
'Mellon, open your eyes to the light, you are safe, I have you in my arms safe and sound. Please open your eyes free yourself from your unwanted dreams.'
I placed a hand on her forehead, hoping she would feel the magic of my healing. Soon she stopped and her eyes flew opened, she was unfocused and I feared she was still living the dream. I move to sit in front of her so she could see me.
'Do you know who I am?' Her eyes still unfocused, Legolas took over.
'Mellon, listen to my voice move your eyes to me, that's it, keep your eyes on me. Do you know who I am?'
She nodded her head.
'Who am I?'
'Le...Legolas.'
'Very good and who is this?'
She looked at me, 'A...Ar..Aragorn.'
'Close your eyes, lean back on Aragorn and follow his breathing.'
She fell back on me, I took a deep breath and felt her do the same, she followed my breathing and soon she was calm.
'What haunts your dreams?'I looked at Legolas worry evident in is eyes. 'Take your time, I am not going anywhere.'
'Really?' She asked.
'Yes really.' She studied my face contemplating weather or not I was telling the truth, I looked her straight in the eye letting her know I would not lie to her. I felt her heart rate speed up,
'You do not need to talk, until you are ready to talk. But Who is Matt?'
Her smile became wider, this was a good place to start.
'His name is Matthew he is my older brother. He is the best, I could always go to him anytime whenever I needed him'.
'He sounds like a very nice brother.'
"He is. Umm so my dad was not really nice to me, he just did things to me.'
I did wonder what she meant, but I could see she was wanting to escape,
'Winter I will help you in any way I can, we have three more days of rest then we are moving out, I have been talking to Galadriel, you have a choice to make, if you wish to continue with us or if you feel your journey is elsewhere. Lord Elrond has also sent out word giving you the same choice. If you wish to come we will wait until you are well enough to travel. Remember Mellon, I will listen when you are ready to talk.'
Two days had passed since I had talked to Winter. I knew in my heart she would come with us, I just hoped she would talk before we left,"
'Estel.' I did not need to turn to know it was Legolas seeking me out. He stood next to me and looked at me for a moment. 'I have known you since you were young, I can tell when you are worried.'
'I am worried about her'.
He put a hand on my shoulder. 'I'm sorry.'
I was shocked as to why he was sorry. 'Why?'
'I know what pains her, I can sense it I should have told you before but I had hoped she would talk to you.'
'What do you know?' I asked in a stern voice.
'I have only seen the signs once in another young child many years ago. However, I feel she will come seek you out before the day is out, if she does not I will tell you what I believe is the problem. If I am right, she will need us.'
'Why do you not tell me?' I asked switching back to common tongue.
He did not answer. I sighed, very much wanting to throw the stubborn elf off a cliff. But I knew he had his reason for not talking. I walked back to the others who were enjoying some of Gimli's tales. I noticed that Frodo was not with them, this concerned me. I had planned on talking to him after what happened with Gandalf, now was the time I felt. I found the little one sitting near the river that flowed through Lothlorien. Not wanting to scare Frodo I made some noise as I approached him.
'Frodo, may I join you?'
He turned around slightly and nodded his head. I sat down next to him. I was not sure how to bring up this conversation.
'I am fine Strider.' I kept forgetting how perceptive this Hobbit was.
'You may have known what I was going to ask, but you are a terrible liar.'
Frodo smiled slightly and I saw I saw him fighting with his emotions, so I continued before he could talk his way out of this conversation.
'There is no shame in weeping for a lost friend. You have friends here with you.' I held out my hand to him and waited for him to take it. After a few moments he stood up. I thought he was going to leave but rather he fell into me. I held him as he cried softly. I stroked his dark curly hair in comfort. We stayed like that for a while.
'I am sorry Strider. I am trying to stay strong, but, oh Strider I wish none of this were happening.' My heart broke for the little one who had seen far too much horror.
'Do not cast all hope away. Tomorrow is unknown. Rede oft is found at the rising of the Sun.' I held him not wanting to ever let go. Wanting to take away his pain, I did not know how though, and it hurt me. 'Weep for as long as your heart needs to Frodo, I am not going anywhere little one.'