These Lovely Scars (Lord of the Rings Fanfic)

The Boy Who Wandered

*Flashback*

I lay with my back against the damp, forest floor. The thick trees above me block out all the sunlight, leaving me in the dark and confused. I...can't remember anything. Who am I?

Where am I?

With a jerk, I sit up. My whole body throbs and aches as if I've been thrown off the edge of the world. I'm dressed in thin, torn rags that hardly cover anything, leaving my arms and legs bare and exposed. Strange, white scars mark my body.

Am I dead?

I must be. But what happened before this. How...how did I get here? What happened? As hard as I strain my mind, I can't come up with any answers. Not even a drop of memory.

Slowly, I lift my broken body off the ground and stand up. My limbs ache, and my body is laced with blue bruises. Tiny cuts line my arms and chest, little specks of red rubies against my pale skin. Inside some of the cuts are microscopic shards of glass. I dig a piece out of my flesh, only irritating the wound more and drawing more blood. What happened to me?

Suddenly, a large, human sized figure falls from the sky and lands in front of me with a 'thump.' Or, I shouldn't say that he fell from the sky, it's more like he jumped down from the trees. Yes, that's it. The boy stands in front of me with a curious look, neither of us daring to speak first. He has wavy, shoulder-length dark brown hair and dark eyes that glitter playfully. At his hip hangs a shiny sword. I can see my reflection in his blade: long black hair, big lost eyes in a pale face, and a broken body. With a gasp, I jump back. "It's me," I mutter to myself, my voice cracked and strained. I've remembered my name. "I'm Adrianne." The boy laughs, startling me. I trip and fall backwards to the ground like a fool. He walks towards me, and I instinctively cower away and hug myself into a ball. "Don't hurt me," I beg. The words feel familiar on my tongue. "Please don't hurt me."

I squeeze my eyes shut tightly as the boy stands in front of me. Surprisingly, he sits down. I brave a little peek through my fingers at him. He speaks with gentleness in his voice. "You're Adrianne, you said?" He asks. Unable to find my voice, I just nod and hug myself tightly. When he realizes I'm not going to talk, he continues on. "My name is Estel. I'm from Rivendell. You know where Rivendell is, I'm sure?" Frowning, I shake my head no. He looks confused. "No? Surely you must! Where are you from, then, that you are not familiar with the House of Elrond?"

A few seconds go by as I think. Finally, I speak. "I don't know. I can't remember."

The boy, Estel, frowns. "Are you an elf?"

"I don't think so." I hesitate, wondering what I should say. "Are you? An elf, I mean."

He smiles a bit cheekily. "Nah. But I wish I was. Elves are so much better than humans."

I frown a bit. "Am I a human?" I honestly can't remember. I have no idea who I am, more so what I am.

Estel laughs again. "Don't pretend."

Embarrased, I feel my cheeks flush a bit. He must think I am an idiot, or worse, a flirt. "Pretend? No, I...I'm not pretending. I really do not know. Please tell me, you must help. I need help, I need you to tell me, I need your help..." And just like that, I break into a screaming fit of hysteria. Estel jumps back, unprepared for my violent outburst of emotions. The tears flow like a river. I feel ashamed for crying in front of a stranger, but I can't help myself. I'm just so confused. "I'm sorry!" I half scream.

Estel comes up to me and...hugs me? The feeling of another person actually, physically HUGGING me is incredible. It's so unfamiliar, but wonderful. It's enough to put an end to my tears. "Shh," Estel hold me tight. "That's it. We have to be quiet, or else an orc pack might hear us."

I quickly try to dash my tears away. "W-what's an...orc?"

Estel pulls away, baffled. "You don't know what an orc is?" I shrug. "Nevermind, it doesn't matter right now. I'm going to take you to Rivendell with me, okay. It's safe there; it's my home."

"Am I going to see the elves?"

"Yes." Estel replies. "And there's one who will be able to help you." He sounds so sure of himself, and it comforts me. I let him help me up, and together we begin to make our way through the forest, with me balancing my weight on him.

"Ouch!" I exclaim, grimacing. It occurs to me that I am bare footed, and the skin of my feet is being scraped and torn by roots and twigs. Estel scoops me up into his arms, and continues to walk on. "You don't have to carry me, I'm alright." I say. I hate feeling helpless.

He shakes his head. "You're in no proper state to walk. I don't mind, really. You weigh about as much as a two year old. By the way, how old are you?"

"I don't know. I can't remember." A few minutes of silence, and I am allowed some time to think. With a jolt, I realize something.

"What is is? What's wrong?" Estel asks.

"I've remembered: My name is Adrianne, and I'm fourteen years old."

Estel smiles. "Mae govannen, Adrianne. I'm sixteen years old."

*End of Flashback*