Rescued From Shadows

Chapter Four

Fingon must have drifted off since when he opened his eyes he heard screaming. He jumped up and hurried over to Maedhros who was tossing in the bed waving his left arm. "Nelyo." He said gently and took his arm slowly moving it down.

"Nelyo. Shhh, it's okay. It's okay. Just calm down." He said softly as Maedhros opened his eyes. His eyes darted to look at Fingon and tried to pull his arm away terrified. Fingon let go of his arm and held up his hands. Maedhros pulled his arm close to him and hugged it close to his body. He shook his head and hung his head shivering.

"Nelyo. You're okay...you're safe." He said gently to him. "You are safe."

Maedhros swallowed and flinched as Fingon placed a hand on his shoulder. He shook his head hard and said, "N-n-no...don't."

Fingon moved his hand and said, "Nelyo. Just breath. You are safe and okay."

Maedhros shivered and moved a bit away. He slowly looked up and looked at Fingon. "Safe?" He asked softly.

"Yeah. You are safe," Fingon said gently. "You are going to be just fine."

Maedhros looked at Fingon and nodded slowly. He moved back and relaxed his shoulders and let Fingon move the blanket back over him. Maedhros looked at Fingon again and then back down. Fingon just got up and went to the table set up in the room and got a glass of water. He brought it over and said, "Here you go."

Maedhros looked at the glass with slight suspicion and then at Fingon. His cousin offered a smile and said, "It's just water, Nelyo."

He offered it to Maedhros again placing it near his left hand. Maedhros slowly took it and drank little sips slowly. Almost as if he wasn't going to get anymore in a while. Fingon swallowed a sigh and smiled gently at Maedhros. He moved his legs and folded them on the bed and asked, "Nelyo?"

Maedhros looked up slightly still clutching the cup close to him. Fingon waited a moment before he started up again. "You woke up rather startled...did you have a nightmare?" He asked gently.

Maedhros bit his bottom lip and turned away. Fingon continued a little more gently, "It is okay. I am asking since I want to know if you want to talk about it. It may help."

Maedhros shook his head and curled in on himself as much as his wounds would allow. Fingon nodded and said, "Okay. If you do want to talk about it. I am right here."

Maedhros managed a little nod before turning back towards the cup in his hand. Fingon stayed there and started to overthink again. He was beyond concerned for Maedhros who was a mess, he needed the healers to come back in and have another look but with Maedhros like this, he doubted he would let anyone come near him besides for people he didn't trust. Currently, it seemed like he was the only person who he did trust. Fingon ran a hand through his hair deciding that when he could he would speak with a healer about it.

A sudden knock on the door caused Maedhros to jump and looked up like a startled cat. Fingon turned to the door and stood up. "No," Maedhros said moving closer to Fingon.

His cousin turned to him and said, "I am just going to see who it is. I am not going anywhere,"

Maedhros looked at the door and back at Fingon then to the door once more. He didn't move but dropped his head to look at his cup of water that still was half full. He held it close to him possessively. Fingon just walked to the door and he found Maglor on the other side.

"Is Maedhros awake?" He asked keeping his voice soft.

"Yes. I can ask if he wants to see anyone," Fingon replied. Maglor nodded as the door closed again and Fingon moved back to Maedhros who was looking at the door.

"Nelyo?" Fingon asked. "Maglor is outside...do you want to speak with him?"

Maedhros looked up and then at the door. He frowned slightly and looked at Fingon. His friend smiled gently at him and said, "If you do not want to see anyone it's fine."

Maedhros nodded slowly and moved close to the pillows and kept his head down. "Okay. I'll tell him but Nelyo?"

Maedhros looked up slightly and Fingon continued, "He'll be worried about you. So I'll just step outside for a little bit and talk to him. Alright?"

Maedhros looked hesitant but eventually, he nodded slightly. Fingon smiled and nodded at him and walked back to the door and stepped outside. As Fingon was gone Maedhros curled up a drop more. He stared at his cup blankly. A part of his mind knew he was safe that he wasn't with them anymore. That he was home and was safe. Yet, the other part of his mind that seemed far stronger than any logic screamed at him that he wasn't safe. That anyone who walked in or spoke to him was just another trick or illusion that he shouldn't trust them. That everything was just another trick. He should just go back into his mind to that small place where no one could hurt him. It would be safe there...wouldn't it?

He frowned and shook his head harshly. No! This wasn't a trick! Fingon was there real this time and he was helping him. It's not a trick...is it? No...but maybe before he thought it wasn't a trick so maybe this time it was a trick. Maedhros dropped the glass and gripped his head with his left hand as if it would help somehow. He shook his head and he curled up as the area around him changed in his eyes to a cell that was both too hot and too cold.

A smell that wasn't there overwhelmed him and he staggered out of the bed falling on the floor having forgotten about his broken ankle. He whimpered and curled up on the floor and pressed himself half under the bed.

The door opened and once Maedhors fell to the floor since when he did the glass shatter across the floor. Fingon rushed over to Maedhros.

"Nelyo," Fingon said gently but voice filled with concern. Maedhros pulled away letting out a broken whine of pain and fear.

"Nelyo. It's me," Fingon said. Maglor stood behind with fear and concern for his brother. He had to be okay...he just had to be. Maedhros shook his head and moved his left arm over his face and head protectively.

Fingon turned to Maglor and said, "Get one of the healers...we...we have to drug him to get him back on the bed and help some of the wounds."

The fall to the floor and opened a few of them and caused more pain to flare through his body. Maglor looked at Fingon and then at Maedhros. He gave a nod and hurried to find one, Fingon then turned to Maedhros and said, "Maedhros...can you hear me? It's Fingon...it's Finno."

Maedhros shook his head and curled in on himself some more. Fingon just shook his head and sat there waiting for a healer to come. A few moments a healer came and it took slight force to get Maedhros to take the medicine but after a few more moments and struggling Maedhros just fell into their arms completely drained and now asleep. Once they got him on the bed the healer took care of his reopened wounds.

Fingon just stood off to the side with Maglor. Both of them looked sick with fear and concern for Maedhors. Fingon shook his head and leaned back.

"Hey. He will be okay...won't he? He's strong," Maglor said sounding like a scared elfling.

"I-Yes. He has to be," Fingon said faking strength into his voice.

Maglor just nodded and said, "Thank you...I have to go tell our other brothers about how he's doing."

"Right-Wait. Maglor." He said. Maglor stopped and looked at him.

"Can you get my father for me? I do not want to leave Maedhors alone and-" Maglor cut off the elf who was about to start rambling.

"I will," he said and headed off.

Fingon just nodded and looked back at Maedhors who was breathing heavily on the bed. He just leaned back and watched him. He was going to help his friend get better...no matter what. He owned Maedhros that much.