Aliel

Chapter 12

Varen quickly tied my attacker's hands behind his back and secured him to the wooden railing attached to the bakery steps. "Come, Claresa, we should make sure that Renai and Adeem are unharmed." Varen led the way into the bakery. It didn't look too bad, but I did have to step carefully around a pile of broken glass from the front window.

"Adeem? Renai?" I called up the stairs. I heard nothing, and I was afraid that the worst had happened, but then I saw the glow of a lit candle. Adeem appeared at the top of the stairs, peering down at us.

"Is the coast clear?" he whispered.

"Yes, the elves are chasing them off."

"You hear that Renai? It's alright now, those men are gone. Come on, darling, let's go." Adeem led the frightened Renai down the stairs and directly into her rocking chair.

"Oh, Claresa!" she exclaimed when she caught sight of me. "I was so worried after you jumped from the window, and then I thought I heard you scream!" I came forward and took her hand.

"I'm alright, Renai, see?"

"Yes, yes, you are. We're all alright, aren't we?"

"Yes." After calming Renai, lighting a few more candles, and sweeping up all the broken glass, I realized that I smelled like soggy leather, and that I was covered in mud. So I excused myself to wash as best I could and change my clothes.

Then came the waiting. I was anxious for Lorien. I was worried, more worried than I'd ever been in my life. There seemed to be an emptiness in my chest, and there was nothing to fill it.

At the first light of day I cooked up breakfast for everyone to keep myself busy. I wondered if this was how Renai had felt the whole time Adeem was gone, and I silently praised her for holding onto her cheery attitude for so long.

Everyone just finished eating when there was a knock at the door. Varen answered it and in walked another elf woman, tall, silver haired, and with bright orange eyes.

"Varen, I have been sent to retrieve you and Captain Lorien's Aliel. You must come, quickly."

"What is it, what happened?" I exclaimed, rushing forward.

"Come," was all she said, and went back out the door, Varen and I right on her heels. The man that had attacked me in the night was being led away by another elf, but he was not my concern in that moment.

"Claresa, ride with me," Varen said, and hoisted me up onto her black horse's back so that I was sitting behind her. Then we were off, racing down the muddy streets.

"Varen, what if he's been hurt, what if-"

"Do not even think it," she commanded, guiding the horse around a corner. "Fear and panic will only make the situation worse. Try to calm yourself." How was I to do that?

Finally we made it out of the city and were galloping top speed towards the elven camp. The horse barely stopped before we had our feet on the ground and running for a giant white tent near the outskirts of the camp. I made it to the entrance, then stopped.

"Claresa?" Varen noticed that I wasn't following her and came back.

"I can't, I can't go in there, what if he's..." I couldn't finish the thought out loud, but in my mind were images of Lorien, bloodied and still. Varen took my hands, steadying me.

"You must calm yourself. You must be brave, if not for yourself, then for him." I took a shaky breath and let it out. "That's it, a few more." Three breaths later, Varen led me inside the tent.

It was some kind of makeshift hospital. Rows upon rows of white beds filled the tent, all of them empty, but I heard sounds coming from a screened off section in the back corner. I thought it amazing that with all the chaos of last night, only one elf had been harmed. I only wished that it wasn't Lorien.

We made it to the screened off section, and the curtain was pulled aside, revealing Lorien, lying in a white bed of his own. Bandages were wrapped tightly around his torso, and his skin had taken on an ashen hue. An elf was standing beside the bed, holding both of his hands over Lorien's chest. I realized that the bandages were shimmering slightly, and thought that it must be some kind of magic. It was painful seeing him so... helpless.

"He wanted to see you both before the healers came in," the she-elf with the orange eyes said. "Please, keep it brief." Lorien's eyes opened, and he weakly reached out a hand to me. I took it in both of mine.

"Lorien, what happened?"

"Quite foolish of me really...thought I could take on all of them by myself... Don't worry, Claresa... the healers will have me fixed up in no time-" There was a spasm in his hand, then his grip tightened. Sweat shown on his brow. When the pain eased he looked past me to Varen. "You'll take care of her while I'm indisposed?"

"Of course, Lorien."

"Thank you." The curtain was drawn aside again behind us, and three more elves came in.

"Lorien, it is time," one of them said. I gave him a reassuring smile, then let go of his hand and allowed Varen to lead me out of the hospital tent.

"He'll be alright, won't he?" I asked her as she sat me down on the ground just outside.

"Don't worry. That elf that was in there when we came in? He was performing a spell to stop the wound from bleeding or getting any worse. Now the healers will go in and repair all the damage. Each of them has centuries of experience. There won't even be a scar." Her words comforted me, and we sat there together as the hours passed, waiting.

I was unnerved by the sight of Lorien on that bed. It brought up memories I would have much rather left in the past. I was also surprised at the other emotions that had been plaguing me since he'd gone off to fight. Though we'd only spent a small amount of time together, it felt like I had known him far longer, and had a much deeper connection than just acquaintances.

Finally the orange-eyed elf emerged from the tent.

"He is going to be alright," she informed us.

"Can I see him?" I asked, scrambling to my feet.

"I'm afraid the healers have forbidden it, for now. He needs to rest and let his body recuperate."

"But when can I see him?"

"I do not know. I assure you that when the healers give their consent, a messenger will be dispatched to retrieve you." With that she went back into the tent.

"I will come and get you myself, Claresa," Varen assured me. I saw that there was no reason for me to stay, so I asked Varen to take me home.

To be continued...