The Eternal Starlight

Light of my Darkness

"Good morning, Erenien," Aerwen pushed open the doors of the healing room with a warm smile upon her face.

"Good morning, Aerwen," came a nonchalant reply.

"Here is your breakfast," she brought a tray containing a steaming bowl of watery broth and some herbs. Erenien tried to sit up and hissed when the movement sent a wave of pain across her arm.

"Careful," Aerwen gently eased her into a sitting position and handed over the bowl after adding the herbs to it. Erenien eyed the contents, unsure whether to eat or not. Aerwen smiled wistfully at the scene, remembering a similar incident which happened years ago, involving a very young girl. Upon Aerwen's insistence, Erenien decided to give it a try and was suddenly thankful as the warm broth somewhat eased the nausea. She closed her eyes, letting the warmth of the liquid slowly spread, and exhaled in satisfaction. Soon, the contents of the bowl were almost empty.

A touch on the shoulder; she looked up to meet a pair of concerned eyes. "How do you feel?"

"I am alright. Thanks for asking," she replied plainly.

Aerwen wasn't entirely convinced, but decided to drop the matter anyway. "Well, if you truly feel alright, would you like to have some visitors?"

"Who?" Erenien asked, spooning the last of the contents.

"Prince Legolas and Captain Tauriel. They were here yesterday. You were sleeping."

"I don't mind," she mumbled, unsure whether she would want it or not.

"How does your shoulder feel? The herbs in the broth should ease the pain."

"It doesn't hurt that much."

"The poison might slow down the healing. But it will be alright within a few weeks, I suppose," Aerwen said, taking the now empty bowl from her hands.

Erenien merely nodded. "How long has it been since I was brought here?"

"It has been a week. You were unconscious," Aerwen sighed. "Oh, don't worry. You had lost a good amount of blood," she added, as Erenien's eyes grew slightly wider.

A knock came at the door. Into the room came Legolas and Tauriel, donning their guard attire and leather armour. Longbows and quiver full of arrows were hung over their shoulders and at their waist hung the twin knives. Legolas' eyes flitted across the room before finally resting on Erenien. A pause. "How are you?" Legolas asked finally.

"The pain has lessened. I will be alright. Our team, how are they?" Erenien asked, desperate to change the subject to anything other than her.

"They are all fine, Ery. Though everybody was a bit worried about you. All of them wanted to visit you. But they thought it would be better for you to get some good rest," Tauriel replied, offering a faint smile.

"Just tell them not to worry. I am as good as anyone can be in this situation. Tell them that I look forward to meeting them all."

"We shall," Tauriel replied.

"Well then, we are going. It is time for patrol. Take a rest," Legolas said, meeting her eyes hesitantly and left, Tauriel in tow. He felt so... distant. Erenien sighed and sank back to the pillows.

"Don't worry, dear," Aerwen said, as if she had read her thoughts. "The prince was really worried about you, he and our king both. You are their only joy after the loss of our queen. I believe they still blame themselves over what happened." Aerwen paused. Suddenly her eyes twinkled and her lips tugged in a small smile. "You had another visitor too, you know," she added with a mischievous grin.

Erenien raised an eyebrow in question. Who could that be?

"He was here every day, you know. It took a lot of effort from me and other healers to send him away. I had promised that I would inform him when you woke up."

"Then tell me. Who is that?"

"Laerdil. He brought you here. The poor boy was a mess. He used some healing spells on you before he brought you here. That has really helped stabilize your condition."

Erenien offered a genuine smile. "Tell him that I am well and would very much like to meet him."

"Sure I will. He might actually rush here, so don't panic."

Erenien smiled and nodded. As the healer left with the empty bowl, she closed her eyes and tried to memorize the previous events.

"What grace is given to me, let it pass to her. Let her be spared..."

A light in the darkness... Eyes, blue as the cloudless summer sky... The soul that gave a part of its life force to sustain hers... Her heart suddenly swelled with gratitude. She combed her fingers through her hair and winced when it ended abruptly, as the short strands of the once golden waterfall barely touched her shoulders. Embarrassed, she had wanted to shrink back completely into the covers and think of ways to hide her hair. That was when the door suddenly opened. Someone peeked through the half open door and entered as she looked up.

"Aerwen just told me that you woke up. I... I just wanted to know that you are alright. So... um... are you? Laerdil asked, eyes wandering to her shorn tresses.

"What?" Erenien asked, getting uncomfortable under his gaze.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes. I...I think so."

Laerdil nodded. "It's good to see you well, Erenien."

She offered a faint smile. "Thank you so much for saving my life."

"I did only my duty. I am much relieved to see you are recovering."

"I don't know how to repay you," she smiled.

"You don't have to. As I have said, I only did my duty," he said. I must be the one to thank you for simply being alive.

"I shall take my leave now, my lady. Take a rest." He bowed and left, albeit reluctantly.

She stared at the closed door. As she was left alone in the room, her captors' words weighed upon her heart. Her fingers combed through her hair, over and over again. Why did they kill my family? Why did they target my mother? Why did they take me?

As days turned to weeks, the once silent healers' room filled with songs and laughter. Friends visited whenever they could. After the dark trial, her tired mind embraced the blooming peace. However, the azure eyes refused to fade from the surface of her memory.