There and Back Again: A Girl's Tale

Chapter 9 Elwen of the Wood

Chapter 9 Elwen of the Wood

The halls of the last Homely House felt equal parts foreign and familiar to Elwen as she slowly followed Lindir, with the help of Kili, to the House of Healing. They climbed the wide stone stairs and passed through open corridors painted in the golden light of the fading day.

Every new building they passed felt like it had sprung from nature itself. There were no doors, just open archways. In some places it appeared the structure had been built around trees rather than destroying them for progress's sake.

There was something about Rivendell that made Elwen feel free. Perhaps it was the openness of the structures and the way the elves seemed to live with the land instead of on it. Thinking back to her time in the grimy flat, and even the group home, made her suddenly uncomfortable. How had she ever borne it? How had she not realized how entrapped she was by the man-made structures? Creatures as wild and free as her weren't meant to be caged.

Elwen shook herself. Even my thoughts don't sound like me.

Her uneasiness grew as the sense of familiarity and knowing settled upon her. She knew she was remembering, but did that have to mean changing?

Her already dogged gate slowed considerably, though they hadn't covered much distance. The stress of the previous night and day coupled with pain, exhaustion, and a hint of fear was finally taking its toll.

"Do you want me to carry you?" Kili asked, his face a mask of worry.

"I'm going to pretend you didn't just ask me that," Elwen said through gritted teeth.

"Stop being so stubborn," he whispered, cutting a look at Lindir who was walking several paces in front of them. "I don't know why you care so much what these elves think. Just let me---"

"Do not speak of what you do not understand," Elwen snapped.

Kili was so surprised by her tone that he paused mid-step.

She stumbled and would have fallen had Kili not gripped her under the arm. She looked up into his face, silently beseeching him to understand what she couldn't explain. I feel so different here. This isn't who I am! But did she really believe that?

"You sound just like one of them..." Kili said.

She couldn't tell if his voice was filled with curiosity or disgust. Probably both.

"We are here," Lindir's voice pulled the pair from their momentary standoff.

The first thing Elwen noticed as they were ushered into the room were the candles. The entire room was lit by what looked like a hundred candles scattered around the place and in gold sconces. She felt immediately calm upon entering, as if all the tension that had built up in her body over the last few days was being siphoned away.

"How may I assist?" asked a tall, willowy woman.

Her dark hair was tucked behind pointed ears and fell in waves down to her waist and her dress was the color of the clearest of blue sapphires. Elwen had trouble meeting the elf woman's dark green eyes. They made her feel as if the woman could see inside her, down into her bones, searching out ailment and injury.

"Caelil, may I present Elwen Greenlea and her companion," Lindir said formally.

The woman Caelil bowed. When she straightened, she looked to Lindir.

"Please escort the Master Dwarf from the room. Lady Elwen is in pain and I must observe the wound."

Kili began to protest, but Elwen shook her head.