Rescued From Shadows

Chapter Eighteen

It was much later into that very night as Maedhros gave a staggered breath and shifted backward a bit. He felt sore and was exhausted. Yet, he stayed focused as he moved through the basic steps of swordsmanship.

“Maedhros? What are you still doing up?” Asked Maglor. Maedhros looked over at his brother who was standing there with his uncle.

“Practicing,” Maedhros said breathlessly.

“You still need time to rest,” Fingolfin said.

Maedhros shook his head and went back to his practicing. However, his eyes fluttered a bit and he fell back. Luckily his uncle and brother had came over and they caught him. Once they did they pried the practice sword he was using away.  Which caused Maedhros to quickly move away from them and eye them a bit.

“Nelyo,” Maglor said softly holding his hands up. “It’s okay. Relax.”

Maedhros let out a long breath and gave a soft nod. He then looked at his hand and sighed, it was slightly blistered and scratched up from his constant practice that he forced himself to do all day.

“Come on,” Fingolfin said as he took Maedhros’s arm. “You should get some rest.”

“Alright,” Maedhros replied tiredly. “Yet, someone has to get him.”

He pointed over his shoulder at Fingon who did stay with Maedhros but he had fallen asleep leaning against Huan along with Celegorm. Yet, his brother neverminded sleeping outside so they did not need to worry about. They just needed to get Fingon inside though.

Fingolfin walked over and picked up his son and Maglor came over to help Maedhros. The red-haired elf was so tired he was almost falling over. Maglor took Maedhros’s arm and led him inside. Fingolfin followed them carrying the sleeping elf. Maglor looked at Maedhros and then at Fingon and chuckled.

“What’s so funny?” Maedhros asked looking at him.

“Nothing really,” Maglor replied. Maedhros just nodded a bit and leaned a bit more on his brother. Shortly he was led to his room where he went to the bathroom. His brother came with him and helped him take care of his bruised hand.

“I wish I could take care of this on my own.” Maedhros said as Maglor cleaned up the blood.

“I know,” Maglor replied. As he wrapped the blisters in a soft bandage. After he finished Maedhros moved to his bed and once he laid down he realized just how tired he was. He heard his uncle and brother say goodnight to him. He just nodded a bit and shortly after he fell asleep.

~~~

That morning when Fingon woke up he saw that Maedhros was sitting awake but he seemed to be in one of his light dazes. Fingon walked over and sat down on the bed and asked gently, “Maedhros?”

Maedhros blinked startled looking up at him. He seemed startled and confused, “Finno?” He asked shakily.

“Easy.” Fingon said. “Just breath,”

Maedhros gave a bit of nod and let out a long breath. He closed his hand and took a deep breath before he looked back at Fingon. His cousin was gesturing for him to calm down. Maedhros took deep breaths and closed his eyes. A few more moments when Maedhros just opened his eyes. He looked to be more back to his senses but he still looked worn out.

“What happened?” Fingon asked.

“A bad dream,” Maedhros said.

“Want to talk to me about it?” He asked. Maedhros gestured to the scarring at his right arm to his shoulder. The scar was deep and still could start to bleed at times. It was deep and looked all jagged and how it branched out across his shoulder. Besides just being a scar from what was most likely was a knife it was also a bad burn wound.

“Is it how you got it?” Fingon asked.

Maedhros nodded and swallowed. He started to shake and shook his head, “I was asleep...I woke up to...to...to him burning my shoulder.” He managed. “He was too close...way to close. It hurt…there was a lot of blood and the smell...the burning smell...it-”

Yet his face got very pale as he spoke and he stood up and bolted into the bathroom. Once Fingon got there he was hunched over the toilet as he heaved. Fingon knelt down to sit next to him but made sure he gave Maedhros the space he needed. After a few more moments passed Maedhros sat down on the floor holding his stomach.

“I am not going to stay weak,” Maedhros said quietly. “I am not…”

“I know Mayo,” Fingon said softly. “You won’t’. You are going to get past this.”

Maedhros could just nod and coughed a bit into his hand. He then looked at Fingon with a few tears on his face. “Why did they do what they did?” He asked his voice cracked.

“I don’t know,” Fingon said softly.

Maedhros nodded and curled up holding his stomach. Most likely due to the memory of the smell and how it felt. Fingon gave a soft sigh and stood up. “Come on. We should try to find Celegorm and Huan, it maybe a bit helpful.” He offered.

“Alright,” Maedhros said softly and stood up and held his arms around himself. He followed Fingon outside the room. They only had to walk down the hallway and turn the corner before they spotted Celegorm who was speaking to an exhausted looking Curufin. Fingon’s sister Aredhel was there as well and she apparently was getting into an argument with the two. Yet, once they saw them Huan stood up and bounded over to him.

Maedhros smiled softly and bent down. He rubbed Huan’s chin and he felt himself relax as he petted the large white hound. He then laughed a bit as Huan licked Maedhros’s face. His brother’s and other cousin smiled a bit.

“Hey Nelyo,” Aredhel said as she walked over.

“Hello Aredhel,” Maedhros said as he was kneeling down by Huan. She smiled and dropped down by Huan as well. She scratched Huan’s head and Huan seemed to grin very happy with all the attention he was getting.

She talked with him lightly and Maedhros calmed down more as he talked. After a few more minutes the group went to eat while Curufin went back to his forge to continue on his work. After they ate Maedhros went back outside to practice but he was joined by the others.

Aredhel offered her assistance as well to help Maedhros with some moments. He did accept the help and was grateful for everything everyone was doing for him. Yet, he still felt in easy around everyone or more then two people. He shook his head and pushed his uneasiness away just focusing on what his sword practice.