Almarëa

Maze of Thoughts

The King's head turned in the direction of the messenger elf, seeming to be making a quick decision in his mind. She did not unlock her arms from around his neck and he did not loosen his hold on her, her body still trembling slightly. However, before the King could even open his mouth to speak the doors that led to the study were thrown open without a knock.

She turned her head immediately as she saw Lossenel rushing back into the elegant study. She nearly did not notice Legolas walking quickly behind the snowy Princess for her eyes had instantly fallen on the third figure following her sister. Silver eyes immediately found hers, all the frantic worry and fear in them quickly turning into pain and sadness as she saw him taking in her shaking form.

"Take it to my chambers. I will be there in a minute." She heard the King say to the messenger elf, and she barely noticed as the latter bowed before quickly exiting the room, taking the letter from Lord Elrond to the indicated place.

Her eyes had remained fixed on Elladan, who also seemed to have paid attention to the messenger elf at all, not even turning to look as he crossed the room in long strides. His silver eyes never left hers as he dropped to his knees in front of her sitting form, eyes frantically examining her from head to toe, although she knew he was sure she did not have any injuries or was in any physical pain.

She saw his eyes look up to meet the King's, silver eyes questioning silently for any information on what is was that ailed her. She could feel his worry and fear through their bond merging with her own shock and panic and she slowly untangled her arms from around her father's neck, turning her trebling body to face Elladan. His hand immediately flew to hold hers as his silver eyes returned to look deeply into hers, pained and broken irises searching frantically into her tear stroked ones for any signs of pain or discomfort.

She felt part of her fear instantly fade away as his hand touched hers, her spirit automatically reaching for him as she felt him sending waves of calm in her direction. She felt her father press a gentle kiss on the top of her head before relinquishing his hold on her, slowly rising from the couch as Elladan sat to her other side, his arms immediately wrapping around her. She saw the King throwing a look at Elladan before he turned to leave, his ice blue eyes holding a strange mixture of warning and defeat.

"I have to go" She heard her father say in a low voice, ice blue eyes throwing her one last look before he made his way to the door, his previously gentle eyes now once again cold and hard.

She let her head fall on Elladan's shoulders, the tears that continued to silently flow from her eyes quickly soaking the fine silk of his tunic, but he did not seem to notice. Her body seemed to relax in Elladan's strong embrace, her trembling lessening slightly as she felt him through their bond.

"Are you in pain?" She heard Elladan's soft voice echoing inside her mind, one of his hands carefully coming to rest over her bandaged one, clarifying what he meant.

"No." Her hand still ached dully, but it no longer bothered her. He pulled her closer to him, his hold on her so gentle, as if she was made of fragile glass. "I am just...scared."

"I know." His voice sounded pained even inside her head, and she felt one of his hands softly stroke her long golden hair at her back.

She felt her entire self start to relax, her fear slowly becoming controllable as her tears started to dry on her cheeks. Elladan did not move his arms from around her, as if he knew exactly that she needed that reassurance and protection more than ever. She was surprise to find that as she slowly started to calm down and her trembling started to lessen, the numbness she had felt before did not return, her body seeming to be relaxing without shutting itself down.