The King's Daughter

Chapter 6

Denali eyes were closed, but she could feel the warmth of the sun on her face as its rays spread all across her body, warming every inch of her skin.

Slowly she opened her eyes and as they focused, she saw nothing but waterfalls in the distance, surrounded by green hills and other eloquent buildings and pavilions. It was all bathed in the golden sun light.

Denali smiled, for she thought that she was dreaming, but as she looked around the room: the oak-wood frame, silk blankets, ivory dressers and fine-thin curtains, she knew that she was not dreaming.

She sat up, only to lie back down with a sharp cry. Denali placed a hand to her right side, where her wound was, and as she felt the silken bandages, all memories of the night before came flooding back to her mind.

“Where am I?” Denali spoke aloud.

“In the house of Elrond, in Rivendell.” A familiar voice said.

Denali looked to her left, and saw Legolas shutting the door, but he was not alone. With him, was her grandfather that she had never met before.

It was Lord Elrond.

He gave her a warm smile and came over to the bedside. He gently reached out his hand and grasped Denali’s. Denali was scared. She had never met him before, yet he was acting as if she saw him regularly.

“Welcome to Rivendell, my granddaughter. It is nice to see you again.” He said softly.

“Again? Forgive me, my lord, but I do not remember meeting you ever before.” Denali said, her voice cracking slightly. 

“No, you would not. You were very young when I first saw you. Just barely walking and learning about your gifts.” He replied.

Denali could say nothing for some time, but when she did, she asked: “When did we get here? It was only yesterday when I was hurt . . .” she paused when Legolas and Elrond shared a look.

“Was it not?” She began to worry.

Legolas stepped forward to stand beside Elrond. His face again emotionless, but his eyes full of concern.

“Denali . . . you have been asleep for five days. Tomorrow is your birthday. You turn 18.” He said softly.

“Five days?” Denali repeated. She turned away from them and looked back out over the balcony.  Her bones were stiff, but she thought that it was from using so much power, which it was but it was also from lack of movement.  

Denali heard the door open and close, and felt pressure on the bed beside her. She looked, hoping it was Legolas, but to her dismay, it was not.

“I know what you feel for him Denali,” Elrond said, “And it is not hopeless. He has the same feelings for you to, but he does not know how to make things possible for you both.”

He reached down, wiped a tear from her cheek, and brushed some hair out of her eyes. Denali sat up, wrapped her arms around his neck, hid her face, and wept.

Elrond made soothing noises and stroked her hair, in attempt to calm Denali down. This was only the second time that he held Denali in her life.

“Hush child. Now is not the time to weep. Now is the time to be happy, and celebrate,” Elrond gently pulled Denali away and held her at arm length, hand on her shoulders.

“How can I be happy when the two most important people in my life will not be hither?” Denali said quietly.

Elrond did not speak for some time, and it was not until the door opened and in walked three elven women, each carrying an article of clothing.