But One Star of All

Eleventh Entry - The Pieces

We took two spare horses for each of us so we could travel faster without killing them. I didn't remember to pack food but thankfully I surround myself with intelligent people. As much a struggle as it should have been, I was able to remain awake the entire journey. Some of our soldiers bound themselves to their saddles so they could keep up. I would find some way to thank them later.

And by the time I reached Rivendell I could no longer feel the rest of my body but my burning bones. I had no skin or muscles or ability to sense anything other than the sensation of having my insides rusted over. Having been to Rivendell on multiple occasions, even with Thranduil a few times, after marrying into royalty, any gates that stood before me were heaved open long before I reached them. Throwing myself from my saddle, I relied on memory to take me to Elrond's rooms of healing, though having not been here in decades, nor to the healing rooms in person, I could not find my husband without help.

So much for being Thranduil's unbeatable wife. I couldn't even walk to his side without guidance.

But there were only two people breathing in the room and I could tell one of them was standing, so I rushed to the side of the one that wasn't, falling against the table when I found it. "By the gods, Thranduil," I moaned, running fingers lightly over every piece of him I could reach. Every piece I could reach was swathed in bandages, and my blemished eyes filled with tears. "Elrond."

His robes hushed as he stepped forward. I cupped Thranduil's still face gently in my hands, still grazing my fingers over his many bandages. More than half his face was covered in them. If I could even see him, would I recognize him when he came back out of this clothwork shell?

"Your husband suffers for the most part from burns, though he has a small number of fractures on his right side from being, I believe, thrown."

I wiped my eyes. "That bastard," I wheezed. "How dare he go and hurt himself or let himself be hurt when I'm not there with him." I took a steadying breath. "Please continue. I'll recover my courtesy and greet you in a minute."

I believe I heard a dry smile. But healing was Elrond's calling, and I knew he understood. He had a great deal of experience with being ignored by people worried about their loved ones. "There is little else I can tell you without delving into specifics, unless you would like me to."

"Please."

"Significant but nonfatal burns from his left knee to his navel, and again from his middle ribcage across three quarters of his chest, receding over his collar bones, and over just shy of half his face. He should be able to restore himself of most of the sight in his left eye when he is strong enough."

My insides were shuddering. "And the fractures?"

"In his right upper arm, two; forearm one. There's one also in his right hip and two in his foot. All will heal flawlessly once he is stronger."

I felt a tremor roll through him and flinched, leaning over him. "Thranduil." I heard him sigh, and felt him grimace beneath my hands.

"Nelide." His arms twitched, both hands wishing to meet mine but neither one strong enough to do so at the present time. "Only you would rub your hands all over a man recovering from battle."

"How else do you expect me to see you, you barbarian?" Tears dripped down from my lips and onto the bandages compressing his face.

"By trusting in the good Lord Elrond's excellent judgment. Or is your own the only one you believe in?"

"For the most part, yes." He harrumphed. I slid down from the table, gripped the sheet over it and gently eased him sideways, wincing when I heard him groan.