The IRE of Winter

Chapter 4: THE DWELLERS OF TROLLSHAWS

'Safirah, my child, why have you done such atrocity upon yourself. Need I remind you of what you are?' mother's voice was soft as silk, her words were sweet music playing in my ears. I looked into her bright lavender eyes as I lay on my bed, her face glows in the dark. Her hair was long and black like mine, her skin was pale as snow. A thin smile escaped her lips as she traces my cheeks with the tips of her finger.

I missed her, her care, her warm hands, her scent. I reached out for her, longing to touch her hand but I couldn't feel her, her touch was wind caressing my skin.

Mother was gone, long gone.

She died when I was young enough to remember, yet, she visited me in my dreams, seldom nights when I did something foolish, as if she watches my every move, listening to my thoughts, guarding me every time. Her memory will never fade, like a scar deep in my heart. She lingered in my dreams, telling sweet words I used to hear in my sleep. And tears ran down my eyes as she moved her face closer to mine. 'Hush my child, open your eyes and you shall fear no more.'

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'Mother!' I murmured. Panting, I opened my eyes and realized I was dreaming. The dark wooden ceiling was the first thing I saw, and I lay on a bed inside a small room with candles and cupboards hanging on the wall. Suddenly, I felt a shooting pain on my back crawling down my spine. I hissed the pain as I lifted myself up, sitting with my hands supporting my weight. My pants was damp and I found myself half naked, brown cloth covered my breast down my stomach. I wrapped my arms about myself as if concerned that anyone would see me. Still on my boots, my black hair hung in disarray concealing my shoulders and back. I sat, uncomfortably, trying to process what happened last night.

Where am I?

'You are awake,' Legolas popped out the door holding his bow, frowning as usual. I suddenly felt embarrassed looking this way in front of him. Now he will have more reasons to call me a filthy vaurg. I picked up a towel to cover myself as he walked towards me. 'Worry not, my eyes are not as sinful as that of humans'.'

What does that supposed to mean? I looked at him with a scowl. His pale gold hair seemed silvery under the ray of light peeking from the half opened window, his forest green clothes had spattered of blood. 'Don't...come near me,' I warned.

But he didn't listen, he frowned and his gray eyes seemed darker than ever. 'Elves were supposed to have excellent sense of hearing, are you not?' I scolded him with all my wits but he came and laid his hands on my shoulders pinning me down to the bed.

'You...reckless, unruly creature. I almost killed you,' he tried to contain his anger but he was not quite doing it well. His frown made a deep furrow in his brow, his eyes fixed to mine. He narrowed his eyes, intense under his thick brows, his hair fell down touching my cheeks as his face was near mine. I could smell him, the scent of sweat mixed with nature, an elvish scent. 'You lay here until I tell you otherwise.' He pulled back realizing the gravity of his actions.

Why was he acting this way? Was it guilt? I don't understand. He turned his back leaving me speechless. For a moment, I couldn't find a word to say. I wanted to speak to him, ask him what happened, where I am, where are the others, but none came except a deep sigh and a grunt. I looked away feeling helpless as my wound ached. Aside from the pain, my stomach churned. How many days have I starved myself?

'You need food. I will return in a moment.' He moved hastily towards the door.

'I don't need your pity, elf. I'm not hungry.'

The elf became more annoyed, narrowed his eyes again, his lips pressed to show his annoyance. I waited, looking away to avoid his eyes. 'ARAMIS!' he growled. He waited for a moment and called again. Suddenly, the door swung open and came Aramis holding a wooden tray. 'Feed this creature and do not let her out of this room.'