Among the thorns

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Ithilin Palandiriel- Thank you thats so nice of you say so- I'm glad you like it. I've been writing for...five months

Thank you to all those who have read and reviewed!!!!

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The air smelled of pine and burnt wood. A soothing scent.

The quiet of the night was unnerving; no matter how often I stayed among the trees it still had the ability to put my wits through their paces.

I looked down to look at Tanithia, she had slept well for most of the night but for the past hour she had become fitful.

Her face had taken on a look of pain and she had whimpered as if in fear of something. Her slender hands clutched my tunic tightly refusing to let me go.

The fire was dying down and the only thing that I could hope for was that Elladan hurried in his search for more firewood.

In all the time that I and my brother have spent hunting orcs, this was the worst circumstance that I had come across. Most victims were killed outright, some were tortured, but rape was extremely rare.

She stirred in my arms and buried her head further into my chest. My hair swept over my shoulders and fell over hers mingling with the light locks. Her eyelids fluttered and she suddenly sat up screaming, chanting something over and over again. The chanting became more insistent as she began to rock herself. Her hands went up to her head and she began to cry.

Not knowing what to do I placed a hand on her shoulder. I was hoping that it would calm her and bring her out of her trance. Her eyes looked straight through me as if seeing an invisible foe, as she raised her fists I grabbed them and held them in the air.

“If you lie still, it won’t hurt, if you lie still it won’t hurt, if you lie still it won’t hurt”

She chanted over and over again. A wild look of panic and fear was deeply set in her wide eyes.

Her tears ceased but she quieted, but her lips still moved.

“Tanithia, look at me”

I said sternly, hoping to rouse her. Slowly her eyes found mine and locked on. Her chest heaved and her body shook as she calmed. She relaxed and fell into my arms sobbing.

“I did not mean...I did not mean it. Forgive me”

My eyes closed and I gently enclosed her in my arms. I did not know what to think or say. In all truth she had scared me. I know how to heal wounds of the body but wounds of the mind were not something that I had had much contact with.

~

Elladan emerged from among the dark trees and approached. A huge bundle of dead wood lay in his arms and an expression of concern was etched into his features.

Without saying anything he knew not to ask about it, for his brother would discuss it with him later.

“Elladan could you be useful for once and place those on the fire”

The maiden in his arms let out a small giggle and then a heavy but relived sigh. Her eyes closed and her body once again succumbed to sleep.

“What happened?”

Elladan asked a little more forcefully than he meant to.

Elrohir bowed his head and closed his eyes.

“Her injuries go deeper than we first suspected. Much deeper”

Elladan furrowed his brow and waited for Elrohir to continue.

“She awoke screaming and chanting something, ‘if you lie still, it won’t hurt’. We need not ask her what that applies to”

As he listened to his brother, Elladan felt the anxiety creep up on him and almost take him forcefully. Matters of the mind were not to be taken lightly. As they well knew.

Elladan studied his twin intently. Elrohir’s face was slightly more slender than his own; his eyes were the same, they held a depth which held the very key to their soul’s. His normally beautiful features were twisted in a mix of confusion, concern and anxiety. It was rare that his brother became so agitated.

The events concerning the girl had unsettled them both, but Elrohir seemed to be taking the brunt of it.

“It would seem that our plans to leave at dawn will have to be altered. We shall take our leave in an hour”

Elrohir’s head snapped up to look at his brother. Eyes met and an argument was settled. They could not remain in the forest any longer than necessary.

Elladan stood and began pacing.

“We will have a problem Ro”

He stopped his pacing and stared into the now blazing fire.

“She cannot move without pain and riding will worsen it. Home is less than a half a day away if we ride with haste. But she is not able to ride at speed. Therefore, what must we do?”

“We will have to drug her”

Came Elrohir’s simple reply. He disliked the idea of drugging her but it was the only way that she would be able travel at the speed necessary.

The hour passed swiftly and silently and soon it was time to wake her.

While Elladan prepared the drink that would render her unconscious, Elrohir set about waking her.

“Tanithia, it is time to wake”

She opened her eyes slowly and looked around. She did not question the early hour but confusion was there in her eyes. Elrohir smiled gently at her.

The circles under her eyes and her flushed cheeks along with her messy hair made her look like a child, and it made their cause for waking her all the more important.

She sighed and closed her eyes.

“I think not my lady”

Elrohir chuckled.

She gave up and opened her eyes. He followed her gaze to Elladan, as he approached the two of them.

He bent down on one knee and offered the cup to her. Without a word she tried to sit up but the pain in her lower body was too much for her and she collapsed once more in Elrohir’s arms.

“I cannot get up”

Elladan simply smiled at her and with one hand, lifted her head and helped her drink.

“It will get better, we promise”

Elladan spoke quietly as he moved the hair from her forehead. She smiled sleepily and fell into sleep.

“Well then brother, shall we depart?”

Elrohir looked up and handed Tanithia to Elladan.

“Aye, we shall depart”

Elrohir whistled and two magnificent steeds came galloping to their masters.

Quickly the two made sure that they had left no tracks behind and mounted their steeds, Elrohir mounted first and took Tanithia from Elladan.

Settling her in front of him as best he could, he set off, followed by Elladan.

They rode swiftly through the tress and reached the boarders of their home in a matterhourhours. They stopped as the large archway leading to the courtyard was revealed through the bark and leaves.

Tanithia stirred but did not wake. Both twins were regretting their actions earlier. Drugging her made the trip home easier but she would be in more pain later. Her body could not have stood the pain had she been awake, and being unconscious was not much better.

Elladan shouted an elf and asked him to tell his father to meet him in the bedroom adjoining Elrohir’s.

Quickly they carried Tanithia to the room, stopping for no-one.

The door was flung open by an exhausted Elladan, who looked immensely pleased to see his father.

“Welcome home, I suspect that there is a reason for you request?”

“Yes, we have found a maiden, her name is Tanithia, and she hails from Lothlorien. She has been battered and raped. The wounds have been cle but but they must be looked at more closely. Her mind is not what it should be er, er, that is the cause of our early arrival”

Elrond was about to speak when Elrohir entered carrying the maiden in his arms.

Elrond nearly gasped at the sight of her. But luckily, his millennia of healing and diplomacy had allowed him to school his expression to one of indifference. Inside he felt as much rage as his sons.

Over the course of the next hour, the twins watched anxiously as their father checked and healed Tanithia’s wounds.

Unluckily, the deep wound within her had been upset and blood was making it's way out of her womb in thick streams.

Elrohir watched with grief and guilt in his eyes; he should have listened to his own judgement, he had known that this could happen and it could have been avoided.

The air was thick with the smell of altheas and lavender by the time he had finished. Both twins looked to him for re-assurance that their efforts had not been vain and their charge would live.

“She will live. Her wounds will heal in a short time, though the pain she feels will stay for a time”

He stopped and looked at his sons weary faces. Their hair lay about their shoulder in a dull mass and their usually bright and jovial eyes were dim with exhaustion.

“You must bathe and then rest my sons. You are weary. Do not worry about...”

“How can we not?”

Elrohir interrupted, Elrond merely allowed the comment to pass.

“Do not worry about her, she will be fine. I will ask another maiden to sit with her until she wakes. Upon her awakening, she will be in much pain and I ask that you are here. She will need a familiar face”

~

I nodded numbly. The events he phe past two days were catching up on me and fatigue was setting in. Elladan looked to be in much the same state.

My father placed a hand on my shoulder as I left the room. I did not spare a thought for my brother as I entered my room.

The familiar smell of sandalwood hit me and my eyes swept over the décor of my room. Its cream coloured walls were soothing, and the blue velvet bed covers and drapes around the bed were merely done in my favourite colour. Silver silk cushions had been laid out on the top of the bed among the pillows.

I shrugged off my dirty cloak and carelessly let it fall to the floor before heading into my bathroom and turning the tap on the bath.

I undressed quickly, desperately trying to rid myself of the grimy clothes.

I slid into the bath and closed my eyes, very much enjoying the hot water.

My thoughts were occupied, the image of Tanithia lying there, unmoving. I had thought her dead at first glance. The bruises that marred her skin, I had seen the likes of before, but on her they were far worse. I could hardly believe the extent of her injuries.

Unconsciously, I had already cleaned my hair and washed. The water had gone cold so got out and wrapped a towel around my waist. My thoughts were too occupied for me to be able to rest so I sat in front of fire reading.

My eyes looked at the words but my head did not take them in. I had to read each page twice.

I gave up and stared at the flames for a while before giving up and dressing. My wardrobe was full of blue, there was the occasional tunic of red but most were of a royal blue colour.

I slipped on a velvet tunic and a pair of leggings. I opted for a comfortable pair of black boots and quickly fastened them.

I do not know why I was in a hurry but I felt it necessary. I braided my hair in my usual fashion and left the room. I passed Tanithia’s room but stopped, turning back I felt the overwhelming urge to see how she was.

Shaking my head I entered the room to see one of the maids, Amania, sat reading a book and Tanithia was still asleep. A peaceful look on her face.

“She is fine my lord, I can assure you”

I looked at her,

“I am sure that she is, you have my gratitude Amania”

She smiled as she heard me speak her name, she did not think that I listened to things. I knew all the names of our staff. They were as important as my father. Without the work that they did the house would be in disarray.

“You are most welcome my lord. Now why don’t you go and eat. She will not awaken for a while yet”

I smiled and approached the bed. She did indeed look peaceful and calm. Not thinking I bent down and kissed her forehead.

I left the room bewildered at my actions.

Dismissing my thoughts I said my goodbyes and headed towards the kitchens.

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