Among the thorns

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The room was silent, only the sound of Tanithia’s breathing and the occasional turn of a page in the book that Elrohir held in his hand, penetrated the room.

He had watched her for hours. The slow rise and fall of her chest and the flutter of her eyelids, the sporadic whimpers that came from her throat.

He sat, uncomfortable in his seat but refusing to move in case of her awakening. The pale colour of his skin was testament to his need for slumber and he refused this as well. He could not rest until she had awoken.

The hours passed and the midday hour came and went, but still there was no sign of movement from either occupants of the room.

The door creaked and Elladan walked in, concern clearly showing on his face, but there was no sign that he disapproved of his brother. Under his brothers scrutinizing gaze he checked on their patient, who aside from a temperature, was doing well.

He finished and sat in the chair opposite to Elrohir’s.

“You should rest Ro”

Elrohir shook his head. Elladan frowned, not knowing how to deal with his brother when he was in this mood he simply sat back in his chair and waited.

The dinner hour passed agonisingly slowly as both began to hope that she would wake soon.

A knock sounded on the door and a maid entered with a tray laden with food.

“Your father sent me with this. You really should eat you know”

She looked pleadingly at them, taking pity on her Elladan rose and picked an apple from a plate. She smiled thankfully and bowed her head.

“Thank you”

Elrohir said quietly from his seat. His features were soft in the light of the dusk.

The maid smiled at him and left them once again to the quiet.

“Are you going to eat?”

Elrohir stood for the first time in hours, giving his brother a pointed look he took a plate and goblet of wine and resumed his quiet watch.

Elladan stood, pleased that his brother was at least eating.

Elrohir stood from his chair intending to take his plate to the kitchens as he had not left the room all day. In truth he was getting frustrated with waiting. The battle between staying where he was and going to bed was raging inside of him. He was beginning to doubt that she would wake up anytime soon.

Elladan observed his brother with alert eyes. They were twins and as such they shared a strong bond. He could feel what his twin felt most of the time. But at this moment he could not discern Elrohir’s feelings. He could sense turmoil but other than that Elrohir was a closed book.

“Elrohir if you don’t sleep I’m telling Adar”

Elrohir’s head shot up and he almost dropped his plate where he stood.

“No, don’t. I’ll sleep don’t worry. Just don’t tell adar, he’ll probably drug me and put me to sleep for days”

“Alright I won’t tell adar. It is a good thing that atara is not here, she would have sent you to bed hours ago”

Elrohir nodded, distracted. His sharp eyes had noticed a change in Tanithia’s breathing. Her chest heaved as she took short breaths and her eye lids fluttered.

“Elladan”

He nodded towards her still sleeping figure. Taking one look at her Elladan strode towards the bed.

Her temperature was soaring. Quickly he threw off the thick covers in an effort to cool her down.

Elrohir placed his plate down and rushed into the bathroom for a cool cloth.

When he returned Tanithia whimphimpering and looked as if she was struggling against something, or somebody.

“Dan move that pillow”

Bracing her head Elladan removed the pillow from under her head.

All of a sudden her body went still and her eyes fluttered open. With wide eyes she looked at both the twins, Elladan was stood next to her bnd End Elrohir was sat beside her with the wet cloth on her forehead.

“Who are you?”

She asked quietly, her voice hoarse. She did not remember them.

“I am Elrohir and this is Elladan”

She nodded, her memory slowly returning to her.

“How do I tell you apart?”

Elladan grinned,

“Elrohir will be the dressed in blue and I will be the one wearing any other colour”

She smiled and winced as she coughed.

“Where am I?”

A smile slid across Elrohir’s lips despite his weariness.

“You are in Imladris. How do you feel?”

Elladan asked. She grimaced,

“I feel sick, and sore. I hurt everywhere”

Elladan sat down and took her hand in his.

“I am sorry, it is our fault that you are pained”

“Yes, it is your fault! I cannot believe that you drugged me. Whatever the circumstance you could have asked me first!”

She almost shouted, although it was clear to the twins that it was painful for her to speak. She closed her eyes,

“I am sorry, I did not mean that. I simply wish to be consulted before you drug me again. Is that clear? I have had enough of being told what to do and I will not stand for it any longer”

The twins grinned, she was feisty and unafraid of her own power. She surely was a warrior.

“There is no need for apologies my lady”

Elladan stood and retrieved a glass of water from the table. With the aid of Elrohir she drained the glass greedily.

“Thank you, you have no idea how long it as been since I’ve had water”

Her voice was clearer now and she sounded a little happier.

She nodded and slowly her demeanour changed, her eyes grew misty and her features dark.

“A faded vision”

The words, spoken in a whisper passed her lips. Though neither knew what it meant they could guess its meaning.

“You are beautiful”

Her eyes remained distant despite Elladan’s words, she shook her head,

“Broken”

A look of sorrow passed Elrohir’s face.

“No, you are not broken. They took your body but they did not take you heart or your mind”

She smiled at him. The smile was simply one of courtesy but he was more than satisfied for now.

She opened her mouth to say something but the words would not form on her lips. They had been snatched from her as a blackbird steals a jewel, they would not return. Shaking her head and blinking back tears she looked at the identical elves in front of her.

They sat still under her scrutiny. Her hands came up and cradled their faces. Her slender fingers running over their soft skin.

“So different. It must be horrible sometimes”

Elladan cocked his head a slight smile gracing his lips. Elrohir sported a similar expression.

“Do people not mistake one of you for the other?”

“Of course they do”

“It must bother you”

She said distractedly.

“Indeed, it can become tedious. But then again it can work to our advantage”

She smiled at Elladan’s secretive whisper.

“How so?”

“It is easy to deceive ones who cannot distinguish us, in fact there are very few who can. But when we do not wish to do something or one of us has played a prank we can easily avpunipunishment”

She grinned at his playful answer but something inside of her bade her to watch Elrohir. She had seen the emotions swirl in his eyes as she had studied him. Already she felt a connection with them, and them with her. She was draw to Elladan as a little sister would be to an older brother. But there was a connection that she could not put her finger on with Elrohir. It went deep, something in her very being seemed to recognise the thoughtful elf.

She yawned and immediately found herself tucked under a light blanket. Elladan kissed her brow and left the room, leaving Elrohir alone with her.

He still sat beside her, one of her hands between his larger hands in a protective gesture.

“My room is next door, you need only shout. Sweet dreams my lady”
smi smiled sleepily at him and nodded.

“Thank you”

He stood and watched as her eyes closed and she fell into sleep. As he did so he felt the weariness that he had pushed aside rise up and engulf him. Silently he exited the room only to come face to face with his father and brother.

Elrond smiled and raised an eyebrow.

“She is sleeping?”

Elrohir nodded, trying to hide his tiredness from his father.

“As you should be”

His sons rolled their eyes.

“Has she said much since waking?”

“She has spoken with us, but only about trivial things”

Elladan informed him.

“She is not yet ready to talk about it. But I fear she must. Whenever you speak to her watch her closely. Her behaviour, her speech, anything can tell you what a person if thinking and feeling. Now go and rest, both of you. Your mother and sister will return tomorrow and I suggest that you receive them in fair spirits”

A smile slid across Elrond face at the thought of seeing his wife again. His wife and daughter had been visiting Lothlorien for the winter and it was time that Imladris once again heard the laughter of Lady Celebrian and the cheerful laughter of a child from Lady Arwen.

“Aye adar, we shall do that”

“Goodnight my sons”

Elrond turned and journeyed to his study to meet Glorfindel, who by now was probably irritated by Elrond’s lateness.

Hopefully with Glorfindel’s aid he could find out who this maiden was.
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