Of Futures Past (Legolas)

18

Alana did not sleep well that night, but, for the first time, it was not due to nightmares. Once the initial shock wore off, her lips had spread into a giddy smile and her hand had covered it, despite no one being around to witness it. Every time she began to calm down, she was reminded of how calmly he had called her his love, and the giddy smile and blush started once again.

By early morning, she had managed to fall into a light sleep, the permanent smile remaining even when she was unconscious.

Silon, the main healer, noted her bright demeanor happily when he came to check on her wounds, grateful that the Princess was not so troubled as the previous night, when she had been tossing and turning frantically in her sleep. He was not so happy that she had not rested enough, but he did not scold her when she woke.

"Good morning, my lady." Silon greeted when he entered her room some hours after his first checkin that day.

"Good morning, Silon. How are you today?" Alana asked brightly, somehow almost seeming as if she were glowing.

Silon felt a smile growing on his own cheeks at her contagious joy. "Very well, Princess. And you?"

To his surprise, a light blush covered her cheeks as she said, "I'm feeling very well today too."

"I'm glad to hear it. Now that you've woken, I will call Sidhil to help you bathe and change your dressings."

Alana nodded, practically bouncing in her bed. She waited impatiently for Sidhil to arrive, the healer chuckling and raising a brow at her behaviour when she entered the bath area.

In the warm water, Alana felt herself relax fully, her cheeks hurting from the continued smiling, and she giggled to herself quietly.

"You are in a good mood today, my lady." Sidhil commented.

"Yes, very." Alana sighed.

"Has it to do with the tall ellon who accompanied you here last night?"

Alana's cheeks burned bright red and her expression became bashful. Sidhil laughed at her.

"No need to be shy, my lady."

Alana turned her head away embarrassedly. "It's hard not to be."

Sidhil laughed again, then went to work examining Alana's wounds and rebandaging them as Alana exited the bath.

"You should walk less, my lady, your leg wound has not healed as well as your shoulder, despite there being a past wound on your shoulder as well. You'll have to rest it today." Sidhil chided.

Alana chuckled guiltily. "Sorry, Sidhil. I have difficulties sitting still."

"I can tell. Since you insist on walking, I will get you a crutch to use with your good arm tomorrow." Sidhil paused, grinning wickedly. "Unless your ellon is willing to carry you."

Alana reached down and splashed Sidhil with some water. "Stop that, Sidhil." Despite her words, she was grinning and blushing.

"Of course, my lady." Sidhil said in a slightly mocking tone, but the spark in her eyes was enough to embarrass Alana further.

Unfortunately for Alana, Sidhil forced her to stay in her room to rest her leg for the rest of the day, constantly reapplying poultices and using her healing gifts to speed the process along.

"Must I really stay here all day?" Alana was longingly looking out the window, wishing she could go spend time with the Fellowship.

Sidhil nodded firmly. "Of course you do. You should be grateful, your leg will heal much faster than if you had your way." Sidhil noticed there was no change to Alana's expression and sighed. "Besides, you're much too flustered as you are now to speak to your ellon. Better to prepare yourself for later than blush and stutter in front of him." 

Alana's mouth dropped open. "I would not! I'm perfectly coherent!"

"Yes, until you remember he called you meleth nin and then you'll be brain dead like you were last night." Sidhil retorted.

Alana flushed bright red, hiding her face in her hands. "You heard that?"

"Of course we heard! We were not so far away, and in case you don't remember, we elves have exquisite hearing."

Alana shrank into herself more, trying to hide. "That's so embarrassing that you heard."

"And you're so flustered you're hiding your face. You're staying here today, and tomorrow your leg will be fine enough to walk with a crutch at least." Sidhil said, leaving no room for arguments.

Alana groaned. "You torture me."

"Glad you appreciate me, Princess." Sidhil grinned, laughing at Alana's annoyed expression, still laced with some remaining blush.

Some time later, Alana had a visitor. Aragorn had been told by Legolas what had happened and been pressured into gauging her reaction, which was supported by the hobbits who didn't know what was happening but wanted Alana to spend more time with them.

"How are you feeling, Alana?" He asked, noting that she was fidgeting in her bed.

"Quite restless, and not very happy." She directed that last part pointedly towards Sidhil, who only laughed. Aragorn's concerned expression quickly dissipated at Sidhil's words.

"You've been giddy all day. I'm doing you a favour, Princess."

Aragorn smirked. "Something put you in a good mood, Alana?"

Alana blushed, looking away. "Not particularly."

Sidhil ruffled Alana's hair playfully. "Sure, meleth nin." She teased.

Alana swatted her hand away, her cheeks burning once again. "Be quiet, Sidhil!"

Aragorn chuckled. "Do not be embarrassed, Alana. You are much more flustered than I expected."

Alana tossed a pillow at him frustratedly. "Why am I being teased by both of you now?"

"Because your reactions are so cute and obvious!" Sidhil chimed.

"Legolas is indeed much more subtle about his affections, though they have been obvious for quite some time." Aragorn mused, amused at the way her head snapped up.

"What? How much time?" Alana asked.

"That is not for me to tell you." Aragorn said, chuckling as Alana frowned at him. A few moments passed, then he asked, "Will you be joining us tonight? The hobbits are very vocal about wanting you there, and Legolas also would be pleased."

"Of course!" Alana said.

"Not!" Sidhil interjected. "Do you not remember that I said you are not leaving today? Your leg wound was aggravated and you need it to heal properly. Tomorrow, you will have a crutch and can spend as much time as you wish with your ellon. Today, you rest."

Alana groaned again, her hand tapping her thigh impatiently.

Aragorn chuckled at her. "I have not seen you so agitated for quite some time, Alana."

Alana glared at him, her cheeks pink. "I've always been too restless to stay in bed all day."

"I know, Alana. I will see you tomorrow then."

Alana nodded, leaning back against her pillows and trying not to let her boredom make her anxious.