Veiled Stars » LotR [1] ✔️

Chapter Four: Heartache

Elle's dreams were a whirlwind.

There was a boy with grey eyes.

A battle, with screams echoing in the air although Elle could not see the fighting.

And finally a woman, with tears in her eyes as the life faded from her body.

Then Elle would snap back to the dark clearing. Back to the voice and its pain and its taunts until she blacked out again from the terror.

But at some point, Elle thought she heard voices. Real voices.

Her heart soared and she fought to regain consciousness.

Elle awoke to the sweet smell of fresh air and the warmth of a soft bed.

A bed?

Quickly she sat up, gasping as pain exploded through her leg, racing up her side and making her vision spot. Her eyes snapped to her leg, expecting to see a bloodied gash.

It was... bandaged.

Elle stared at the soft bandages across the skin, hiding away any signs of there ever being an injury. Clenching her jaw, she experimentally twisted her foot, wincing slightly as a sharp pain laced up her leg once more.

Not a good idea.

She set her attention onto the room instead.

It was small, with a set of flickering candles on a bedside table and a large window off to the other side. 

There was also a cup on the table, which Elle quickly took advantage of, chugging the water in seconds.

Planks in the hallways outside creaked and Elle jumped as the door was pushed open. The cup dropped from her hands, clattering to the floor.

A tall, dark-haired elf entered, his eyes widening slightly as he took in Elle sitting wide awake. She instantly tensed, but the elf only smiled softly, pushing into the room.

"You're awake, that is good. How does your leg feel?"

Despite his smile, Elle watched him warily. She rolled her answer over her tongue, shifting nervously. "Fine."

The elf nodded, pausing a few feet away. "And your shoulder?"

Elle's heart almost stopped. "What?"

He inclined his head and Elle snapped to the side with a start to see that her shoulder too, was bandaged. She hadn't even felt its pain.

"You were bleeding badly." The elf continued. Elle snapped back to him and read a sharp look in his dark eyes.

Not curiosity.

Could it be suspicion?

The sudden thought made her blood run cold and Elle swallowed hard, forcing a smile. "Thank you for your help. It feels fine."

The elf furrowed his brow, but seemed to realize that she wasn't going to say anymore and nodded. "My name is Lord Elrond. You have been under my care for the last three days."

This time Elle sat straight up, her heart pounding. Her eyes darted around the room and landed on the only exit.

The door in between her and the elf.

She wouldn't make it.

Elrond quickly noticed the girl's look and although his thoughts were still on her shoulder, his face softened. "Don't worry, child. No harm will befall you here."

Elle sat back on the bed, eyeing him warily.

Her senses screamed in difference, but she forced a smile. Her hands trembled slightly and she gripped them into fists.