Two days had passed, and the elleth had not awakened. Haldir’s concern grew with each passing hour. He had done all he could for her, and he was beginning to believe that she might need more healing than he could provide.
He touched her brow again. The fever was still heavily upon her. Moistening the rag, her reapplied it to her forehead. He examined her bandages and sighed deeply, filled with worry. ~She has bled through them again.~ Reaching into his pack, he removed another pouch of herbs and prepared fresh bandages. Kneeling down, he changed the dressing on her stomach wound first. He cleaned the wound thoroughly and applied fresh bandages. As he went to change the bandage on her shoulder, he saw a silver chain around her neck that he had not noticed before. He frowned. ~How did I miss this?~ Gently lifting the chain with his fingers, he studied the medallion on the end of it. It was made of silver and looked like an Elven house symbol, but it seemed broken, like it was missing a piece of some sort. He gazed at the ill maiden.
~Who are you?~
Taking up his bow, he continued his watch.
* * *
Alexa roused slightly, and tried to focus, but was unable to. The world around her seemed so dark, and everything was blurred. She tried to move her limbs, but they felt as heavy as iron, and she was unable to move them. She heard a gentle voice above her.
“It is all right. You are safe here,” the voice said soothingly. The voice seemed so familiar, but the name of its owner eluded her, and she was unable to make out his face. She felt a cool hand on her forehead. “Rest, now,” the voice said.
Alexa felt the blackness come upon her again, and, unable to resist, she fell back into nothingness.
* * *
Haldir checked the traps he had set on the outskirts of camp. He had caught rabbits in two of them. Taking the rabbits, he reset the traps and walked back to camp. Setting a pot of water over the fire to boil, he prepared the rabbits into a stew. As the stew simmered, he looked at the elleth. She had not yet awakened, and he knew that the longer she was unconscious, the smaller the chance was that she would awaken.
Her medallion caught his eye. He studied the piece of the Elven symbol engraved on the medallion. ~This symbol is so familiar to me. I feel like I have seen it before, yet too much of it is missing to be sure of its origin.~ All he could be sure of was that it was a very old Elven symbol, probably from before his time. ~If only there was more of it. Then perhaps I would have an idea of who you are and where you have come from.~ He touched her brow and found her to be perspiring. A small flicker of hope coursed through him. ~Perhaps the fever is breaking.~ He placed another damp cloth on her forehead. He ladled himself a bowl of stew and ate in silence, ever watchful of the countryside around him.
* * *
Alexa awakened and put a trembling hand to her throbbing head. Where was she? What had happened? The last thing she remembered was calling her horse, and… oh, no. Slowly turning her head, she saw the Elf sitting a few feet away, his back to her. Groaning, she tried to sit up, but was quickly overcome by an intense, sharp pain in her stomach, which caused her to fall back.
Haldir turned sharply, when he heard her groan. She was awake! Rushing to her, he knelt and gently, but firmly forced her to stay down. “Stay down. You are too ill and too weak, and your wound is far too severe for you to get up.”
She looked up at him, pain etched on her face. “What happened? How did I get here?” she asked weakly.
“Do not move, my lady; you have been gravely injured from your battle against that group of thieves.” He could see her confusion and tried to reassure her, “You are safe here.”
Perplexed, Alexa stared at him. Why did he help her? She had told him to leave her alone, and yet he came back and saved her life. ~What does he want? Why is he helping me?~
“Do you want some water, my lady?”
She looked up at him and nodded. He brought her his waterskin, but she was severely weakened from blood loss and her arms could not lift it. She looked at the Elf in surprise as he placed his hand behind her neck and gently lifted her head slightly. He pressed the waterskin to her lips, and watched her as she drank. “Thank you,” she said softly, embarrassed by her own helplessness.
He smiled at her. “You are welcome.”
“I shall be well in a few days, and I will be able to take care of myself. I will not need your help any longer.” As soon as the words had left her throat, she cringed inwardly, for she knew that she was being cruel. It did not matter though, for she would not apologize to an Elf, even if this one had helped her.
“With grace you shall, but we shall see.” Haldir glanced at her. Her rather cold comment had stung a little, but he chose to ignore it. Perhaps her manners would improve when her condition did. He thought back to their previous meetings and smiled slightly. ~Doubtful.~ He set the waterskin down beside her. “My lady, I must ask you something.” He saw her body tense slightly. “What is your name?”
She relaxed a little. “Alexa. What is yours? In the midst of all this excitement, I have forgotten.”
“Haldir of Lothlorien.” He looked at her. “What of your Elven name?”
Her eyes darkened. “Elven name? I have no Elven name, nor do I want one. Alexa is the only name I have ever known.”
Haldir saw her agitation and quickly apologized. He knew the last thing she needed at this time was to get upset. “I apologize. I did not mean to upset you. Please try to relax.”
She relaxed slightly, but was still angry. ~Why does he have to ask me about my past? Can’t he just leave it be?~
Haldir looked at her. “Lady Alexa,” he said, using her name for the first time. “I need to change the bandages on your wounds.”
She eyed him suspiciously. She did not want him to touch her wounds, for they hurt terribly, and she did not trust him. However, she could see the blood seeping through her tunic, and she realized that it was necessary for him to do so. She sighed heavily and nodded.
Getting fresh herbs and bandages, he tended her shoulder wound first. Alexa watched him as he cleaned her wound, noticing how he tended her with great care and gentleness. The wound hurt, but the pain was bearable. However, her abdomen wound was another matter. She gasped and gritted her teeth, trying to steel herself against the pain. Haldir was as gentle as possible, but she was in terrible pain by the time he was finished. She was deathly pale, and breathing heavily. He was deeply concerned for her.
“Do you want some more water, Lady Alexa?” With her last ounce of strength, she shook her head no and passed out. Haldir covered her with the blanket. “Rest now,” he whispered. “I will watch over you.”
Haldir stoked the fire and listened to the soft sound of her breathing. He watched her and studied her face. She was beautiful, yet there was a hardness in her features, a cold emptiness in her eyes. Even while resting, she seemed troubled. He touched her hair, smiling slightly. She had looked like a hurt child when he had helped her with the waterskin, so upset that she could not do it for herself. He frowned slightly. He had such a desire to protect her… and there was something else. Something deep inside him that he could not explain. He felt… different when he was with her. She stirred slightly, and he touched her brow. The fever had returned. He sighed heavily in frustration. Despite all his efforts, her condition had not improved. He knew she needed more intense healing if she was to survive the wound and the great blood loss she had suffered. If she did not improve soon, he would have no choice but to take her to Lorien.
