Rescued From Shadows

Chapter Eleven

A Month Later...

"How does that feel?" Mildor asked as he helped Maedhros walked around his room.

"Better," Maedhros replied taking a few more steps with Mildor next to him. The healer nodded and they took a few more steps around the room.

"Alright. I think that's enough for right now," Mildor said as he led Maedhros over to the couch next to Fingon. Maedhors gave a small nod and sat down next to Fingon taking a deep breath and leaning back. Over the past month he's been healing a lot physically and somewhat mentally. He could handle visits as well as handle a sudden noise even though it can startle him. Yet, dealing with everything else was still very hard to even face.

Maedhros looked out the window and let the sunlight touch his face as Mildor talked to Fingon about what else Maedhros should for working his arm and leg today. He half listened as he sat there looking at the blue sky. He spaced out since when Fingon called him he looked around and Mildor was gone.

"Yeah?" Maedhros asked turning to Fingon.

"You okay?" Fingon asked.

"Yeah. Just looking outside," He replied.

"Yeah. It looks like a nice day outside," Fingon replied. Maedhros nodded in reply and looked out the window again.

"Maedhros? Do you want to go outside?' Fingon asked. Maedhros thought for a moment but shook his head.

"Not yet," He replied, his voice soft.

"Alright, well want to get back to the game?" Fingon asked as he looked at the chess game that was set up. Maedhros nodded and Fingon moved back to the chair across from him. He looked over the board since it ended on his tern last. Maedhros looked at the board after Fingon and moved his knight up. He looked over the pieces and smiled a bit as he moved his rook.

"Check," He said.

"What?" Fingon asked as he looked it over and frowned. He sighed and shook his head. It took him a few minutes to move a pawn which Maedhros took. Once Fingon made his next move Maedhros smiled a bit more.

"Checkmate," He said as he moved his queen.

"Why are you so good at this game?" Fingon asked as he sat back in his chair shaking his head.

"Grandpa Finwe first taught it to me," Maedhros replied as he settled back.

"Ah. Well when you get better fully we are going Falcon hunting and then we'll see who wins." Fingon said.

"Alright. Then I'll just have to play you at chess after," Maedhros said with a smile. Fingon pondered the question for a moment before he gave a nod.

"It's a deal," He said.

"Alright...do you want to play again?" Maedhros asked a bit hesitant.

"Of course. I'll set the board up again," Fingon said as he started to set it up again. Yet, a knock at the door interrupted them. Fingon got up and looked to Maedhros who just took a deep breath and nodded. Fingon headed to the door and when he opened it Huan came bolting in and over to Maedhros. The red-haired was a bit surprised but laughed lightly as Huan hopped up by him and started to lick his face.

"Hey!" Maedhros said in between licks.

"Huan. I think that's enough of a hello," Celegorm said. Huan turned and gave a light bark at him. Celegorm shook his head and said, "Yeah but I told you to be a bit gentle."

Huan looked at Maedhros and then settled down on the couch putting his head on Maedhros's lap. Maedhros smiled and bet Huan's head.

"He still thinks he's a small pup?" Fingon asked looking at Celegorm.

"Yeah. At least he didn't tackle you," Celegorm said. He then turned to Maedhros who smiled lightly.

"So. How have you been?" He asked.

"Better," Maedhros replied keeping his hand going over Huan's soft fur.

"That's really good," Celegorm said. "You are looking better."

Maedhros just nodded and looked at Huan who was very content with Maedhros petting his head. Celegorm smiled and sat on the floor by the couch. "So? Do you mind if we join you guys for a bit?" He asked.

"What did you do?" Maedhros asked.

"Can't I just want to see me older brother?" Celegorm replied but Maedhros just stared at him without changing an expression.

"Okay. Okay, Curufin may want to kill me since I kinda broke something he was in middle of." Celegorm said.

Maedhros shook his head trying to look upset but having his brother's antics around him helped again just wanted to make him smile. Having them here he felt a sense of something normal and like things could go back to that again. He liked that idea and feeling.

"Alright," Maedhros said as he turned his head to the chess game. Maedhros and Fingon went back the game as Celegorm was telling Maedhros what he had been up to lately. His hunting trips and a conversation he had with a bird. Maedhros listened with a smile as he played the game.

~~~

"Alright. We'll see you later, goodnight" Celegorm after Maedhros sat down in bed.

"Goodnght," Maedhros said as laid down. He waved to Celegrom as he left with Huan. He settled back and looked at Fingon who was getting some medicine that Mildor still wanted him to take. He was at a point where he could just take it without them having to trick him into it. Which was another plus in this.

Maedhros took the medicine and a long drink of water after. He put the cup down on the side of the bed as he laid back. He watched Fingon straighten things up a bit as he did that Maedhros reached a hand up to his hair. It started to grow back but it was still short which in all truth he didn't mind as much. Yet, the one thing he wasn't sure about was a long white streak of hair that he had now. He gave a sigh and put his hand down and closed his eyes for a moment. He gave a light gasp as when he closed his eyes for a few moments he felt himself hanging back at that cliff.

"Maedhros?" Fingon asked coming over as Maedhros gasped and sat up.

"I'm okay," Maedros said shakily. Fingon frowned and sat down next to him wrapping an arm around him.

"Just breath. It's okay, it's okay," Fingon said. Maedhros nodded and took a few deep breaths. He shook a bit but calmed down a bit as Fingon stayed next to him just saying comforting things and rubbing his shoulder. Maedhros took one last deep breath and nodded, "Thank you."

"Anytime," He said. "Well. It's getting late, you should get some sleep."

"Right." Maedhros said as he settled down further down in the bed. He closed his eyes and fell asleep luckily without dreams. Yet, the shadows came just as he started to wake up.

As he opened his eyes he stared at the ceiling, feeling something cold inside. A voice started to whisper in the back of his mind. The voice forced the shadows further into his mind making him wince and grip the blanket tightly. He shut his eyes and shook his head trying to ignore the nagging words.

"No," He said quietly as the voice pressed on. He sat up and shook his head, trying his hardest to ignore the whispers.

"Maedhros?" Asked Fingon who sat up over by the couch. Maedhros looked over and tears were in his eyes. Fingon frowned and walked over sitting down at the edge of the bed.

"Maedhros? What's wrong?" Fingon asked. Maedhros opened his mouth to speak but found no words. He swallowed and put his head on Fingon's shoulder as the tears came. Fingon wrapped his arms around him and drew him close as Maedhros cried quietly. Fingon wasn't sure what was wrong but he just held him close until the tears stopped. Once they stopped Fingon got him a wet cloth to clean his face. Maedhros just washed his face and then dried it quietly.

"Would you like to talk about it?" Fingon asked. Maedhros just shook his head and swallowed.

"I...I just want to get up," He said softly.

"Alright. Come on," Fingon said and helped him up. Maedhros walked to the bathroom and pushed what the voices said away in the back of his mind. He took a deep breath and started to get ready for the day.