Unforgiven

Ithiliond

"Get out of the way!" The Elven prince shoved people aside. Desperation shone in his eyes, and it was apparent why. A woman lay unconscious in his arms, blood dripping down her sides and staining Legolas' armor. "I said move, damn you!" Drips of crimson liquid spotted the floor, and panic filled his voice as he started to shout. "Nanuet!"

Smoke filled the air as the gray-haired Fae appeared in front of him, disdain written plain on his face. "What now, Legolas?"

"Are you blind?" the prince seethed, holding out the woman. "Anodien's on Death's Door!" Nanuet pressed his thin lips together and snapped his fingers, bringing a few of his Fae assistants over to take her. Legolas let out a hiss and pulled away. "I'll carry her." Nanuet looked as though he was going to argue, but simply shrugged and waved a hand, using magic to transport all three of them.

They were surrounded by smoke, but once it cleared, they were in the infirmary. Without hesitation, Legolas brought Anodien to a bed, setting her down softly and trailing his fingers down her pale cheeks. Nanuet approached, magic glowing in his palms as he prepared to start the process.

Legolas did not hesitate to kneel down beside her and take her bloody hand in his. He pressed it to his lips and held his palm to her too-pale jaw, warmth seeping through them both. He began rubbing his thumb over her cheekbone. "I'll stay here for you, Anodien. As long as you need me, I will stay." Anodien had nothing to say. She was absent from the world, absent from everything.

Legolas removed his hand from her face to allow Nanuet to begin the healing, but not once did he let go of the Faeling's soft fingers around his.

...

Anodien's condition was critical. She was just barely hanging on through a magical lifeline produced by Nanuet. She hadn't moved in seven months. Faellond itself had nearly entirely burned down with the intensity of the blaze. A few wings had survived, including Anodien's and her mother's.

Minaethiel had gone back to the Dwarves, remaining with Gili. She'd been sent updates with every change that Anodien went through. Legolas would come to her every day without fail, tell her about the goings-on of the castle and her sister's letters. Nanuet had been transferring energy from Legolas to her daily to prevent her from dying of hunger. The prince didn't mind, instead seeming proud that he could still help her.

"I soon woke and took you from the burning castle, barely breathing," Legolas whispered to the unconscious Anodien. "I ran to Ithiliond, not once stopping. I couldn't let you die, Anodien." He ran his fingers through her long brown hair. "I couldn't lose you again, my love." Legolas leaned down and pressed his lips to her forehead. "Please come back to me."

...

"Every day, you walk with stronger step, you walk with longer step, the worst is over," Legolas murmured to Anodien, using his arms to support the princess. It had taken years, yes-- years for her to recover. Her lifeline had been nothing more than a thread, burning up with the death of her passion. It had taken two years for Anodien to waken, another for her to be able to move. Legolas had been with her each and every day.

It was in fact his closeness that brought Anodien out from the veil of Death, and had the soothing words of Legolas not reached her each and every day through her slumber, she'd have succumbed long ago. She still had not spoken, and her thoughts remained a mystery. Still, Legolas brought her everywhere. To forest glades, waterfalls, even to visit her sister. She never opened her mouth, and not a bit of magic was seen.

Neither was she ever seen off Legolas' arm. He was there for her, wiping away her tears and making her smile. He missed her voice, but he would wait an eternity if need be. After all, it was only forever-- not long at all.