Adult-FanFiction.org : Lord of the Rings

Love's Redemption	By : mthorsta Category: -Multi-Age > Het - Male/Female Views: 7108 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 10
- 11
- 12
Chapter 9 - Stand
  Legolas helped Jordan to sit up and swing her legs over the edge of the bed.

  �Legolas, something is wrong.�

  He put her arm around his shoulders and wrapped his arm around her waist to assist her in standing up.

  �Legolas, stop! I can�t feel my leg.�

  �What do you mean?�

  �I mean I can�t feel my leg!� She said, panic rising in her voice.

  �Perhaps it is because you have been abed for so long. Try to stand.� He pulled her to her feet and her injured leg buckled and she collapsed into Legolas. He caught her in his powerful arms and sat her back down on the bed.
   She pulled the hem of her sleeping gown up to her thighs and groped her lower leg around the bandage, feeling the skin. She could not feel her own touch from just below her knee down to her toes. She tried to flex her foot and wiggle her toes but it was like they were not her own and did not respond.

  �Oh God, no!� She cried. �Legolas, I have no feeling in my leg!�

  Legolas dropped to one knee putting himself at eye level with her and rested his hand on her shoulder. �There must be a simple explanation for this. Please stay calm, my lady. Everything will be all right.� His soft voice and words of comfort were not enough to ease the panic and fear that gripped her mind. �Not here. Not in Middle Earth.� She thought. How would she deal with such a disability in this primitive world? She began to hyperventilate. She tore frantically at the bandage and he grabbed her hands in his.

  �Stop!� He commanded.

  �Let me go!� She yelled, clawing at the bandage and struggling to free her hands from his grip.

  �No, you must stop this! You will injure yourself further.�

  Jordan�s small hands, now wet with perspiration, wriggled out of his grasp and she tore away the bandage around her leg and it fluttered to the stone floor. She gasped loudly at what she saw and covered her mouth with the back of her hand, choking back a sob. The dark pink edges of the gash were separated by about 2 cm revealing a deep depression of exposed subcutaneous tissue along the length of it. A wound like this would have required several layers of sutures back home. Without sutures to bring the edges of the wound together, it would fill in with fibrous tissue creating a disfiguring scar. Judging by the depth and angle of the wound, she had a fairly good idea as to the cause of her predicament. She put her head in her hands and cried.
   He could feel her anguish and his heart went out to her but he was at a loss as to how to handle her emotional outpouring. Should he take her in his arms and console her? Let her be? Words would offer little condolence. Therefore, he waited patiently, still crouched on the stone floor, leaving it up to her to take the initiative. The wound didn�t look terrible necessarily. He had seen much worse wounds inflicted in battle. It would heal eventually; but the fact she could not feel her leg was disconcerting. She finally raised her head and wiped her red-rimmed eyes. She forced her clinical self to take over and assess her condition like she would any other patient. Using her hand, she manually rotated her ankle and wiggled each toe, then tried to repeat the motion using only her muscles. Still, there was no movement.

  �Give me something sharp.� She said; her voice ragged from crying.

  �Lady Jordan, I do not think��

  �Just give me something sharp!� She screamed.

  He was taken aback by her sudden outburst of anger. He jumped to his feet, took the dagger from his belt, and handed it to her, afraid of what she might do with it, but more afraid of provoking her further by refusing. She scooted herself back on the bed and swung her legs around so that she sat with her legs out in front of her. She pricked the inside of her lower leg with the needle-sharp tip of the dagger, drawing a drop of blood.
   Legolas stared, frozen in shock and utterly confused as to why she would do this to herself. He watched as she pierced her own skin and showed no sign of pain or discomfort. He watched as the tiny drop of blood ran down her leg, splashing onto the bed sheet. She repeated this action on the outside of her leg. She felt it there, causing her to draw in her breath sharply. She continued to prick her skin in various places, working her way down to the top of her foot, and eventually the tip of each toe. Legolas began to see a pattern. The places she pricked on the inside of her leg caused no reaction. The places on the outside of her leg, apparently she could feel.

  �You�re wondering what I am doing aren�t you.� She said dully as she continued her self-examination. She didn�t give him a chance to answer. �A very crude nerve conduction test.� She smiled grimly, feeling oddly superior in knowing that which he did not. �Based on the upper medial to lower lateral course of denervation, it seems that either Ioreth severed the tibialis nerve when she cauterized the wound�or it was damaged by the infection or there is scar tissue compressing it.� Of course, without the advantage of the modern diagnostic tools of her world, she would never know the underlying cause with certainty. But the effect was the same - the nerve that enabled her to flex and extend her foot was damaged and without that control in addition to the lack of sensation in the tissues, she would never be able to walk unassisted. Even at home, it would take extensive physical therapy and then she would only be able to walk with the aid of forearm crutches. Legolas stood looking at her with wide eyes completely bewildered; as if she was speaking a language he did not understand. She realized he probably didn�t comprehend a word of what she just said but she didn�t care to reiterate in more simplistic terms.

  �Nevermind. It would take too long to explain. Basically what it means is I most likely won�t be able to walk again.� The bitterness she felt coming through in her voice.
  As an immortal being, he did not understand the concept of a long-term disability. He had only suffered minor injuries in battle and healed quickly.

  �But certainly it will heal in time.� He offered encouragingly.

  �No, Legolas,� she said solemnly, �nerves do not heal nor do they grow back. If they are damaged, they do not work�ever.�
  The day that started out with such promise, for both of them, was shattered with this new realization. For Jordan, all hopes of leading any kind of a �normal� life in Middle Earth were completely destroyed and after everything she had been through since she arrived, she just wanted to go home. Go home, and put it all behind her. You are home�Her mind echoing the words of the nameless ethereal voice she had heard before in automatic response. �No, I�m not.� She shot back resolutely and pushed the thought out of her head.
  �How could she not see that there is hope? There is always hope.� He thought. He knew; he had lived it. The Fellowship, himself included, had faced impossible situations with insurmountable odds where it seemed all hope was lost; but it was there; a single spark in the darkness and they emerged triumphant.

  �I am not a healer and I do not pretend to hold any understanding of the things you have spoken about but perhaps your despair is clouding your thoughts. I will go get Ioreth. She will know what to do.�
  She sighed and managed a sad, half smile; her eyes conveying both sadness and pity. �He is so innocent, so full of hope. How could he know there is none?�

  �Legolas, come here.� She said softly and motioned for him to sit on the bed. She took his hand, palm up, and ran her finger across his palm. �Do you feel that?�

  �Aye.�

  �What did I do?�

  �You touched my hand.�

  �How do you know?�

  He didn�t really know how to answer. �I just know. I felt it. I saw you touch me.�

  �Good. But do you know why you know?�

  He thought about it for awhile and could not come up with an answer. �Nay, I do not.�

  �The skin on your hand just sent a signal�a message to your brain�your mind,� she touched his temple, �telling it something has touched it. Your eyes sent a signal as well saying they saw my finger touch your hand. Your mind puts these two pieces of information together and now understands that I have touched your hand and sends this message back to your eyes and hand. Now all of it comes together; you feel my touch, you see it, and you understand it; and all of this happens instantaneously. Still holding his hand, she said, �Now imagine a line going from your hand all the way up to your brain.� She traced an imaginary line from his hand, up his arm, across his shoulder, and up the back of his neck to his head. He shivered involuntarily from her touch. �That is the nerve. It is how the signal travels from the skin of your hand to your brain and back again. Your body has hundreds of these nerves carrying signals from every part of your body to your brain.
   He watched her intently as she gave her lesson; his emotions a mixture of sadness and awe. The knowledge she possessed far surpassed any concept of healing he had ever heard of; things that, until now, he never thought to question. �She must be someone of great power and importance in her land.� He thought and regarded her with a new-found reverence.

   �Now, imagine that line was broken,� she traced a line from the palm of his hand to his forearm, �here. Your eyes could tell your brain you see my finger touching your skin, but your skin�s signal would go to here,� she touched her index finger to the middle of his forearm, �and stop. The signal would not reach your brain. In turn, your brain does not know to tell your skin something is touching it, so you can see I am touching you but you cannot feel it.� As she said this, she ran her finger along his forearm, hovering just above his skin so he could not feel her touch, to demonstrate. �When this happens,� she continued, �it is irreversible. The nerve cannot reconnect if it is broken.�

   She let his hand go and searched for a sign of comprehension in his eyes. She could�ve continued to explain how nerves control motor function but it would�ve only served to confuse him further. �Can you understand now the significance of an injury like this? Even the most skilled of healers could not repair it.�

  �Though I am certain my level of understanding is not as great as yours, aye, I understand.� He said meekly.

   With intelligence greater than any mortal woman he had known and the mystery surrounding her origins, he realized he felt humbled in her presence much like he did in the company of Lady Galadriel.
  Explaining human anatomy and physiology to Legolas took the focus off of her injury, but once the lesson was over, she embraced her hopelessness. She laid back down in the bed with a heavy sigh and turned on her side facing Legolas; the side in which her ribs were not broken. Although Legolas understood, to some degree, her explanation as to why her leg would never heal, he refused to believe; still clinging to hope.

  �Just tell me what to do and I shall do it.�

  �I appreciate all that you�ve done for me, Legolas; I really do, but there is nothing you can say or do to help me now.�

  He sensed she was already giving in to despair and he would not let this happen.�You cannot give up so easily. You need to fight!� He demanded.

  �Fight? I don�t want to fight anymore!� She yelled. �I�m tired of fighting! I just want to�� She stopped abruptly in mid-sentence. She had already said too much. She couldn�t tell him she wanted to go home. She sighed. �Nevermind.� She said sadly. �You should just go.�

  �But Lady Jordan, I�� He argued.

  Perturbed, she cut him off. �Just go!�

  �As you wish.� He said caustically and left quickly, closing the door hard behind him.

  A tear slipped down her cheek and she wiped it away angrily. �Why is he so damned determined?� She thought. She was tired of crying; tired of being angry; she just wanted a life that was happy and peaceful, but it always managed to elude her somehow. Legolas clenched his fists as he stormed down the corridor. �She is acting like a stubborn child!� He made his way to the healing wing to speak with Ioreth.
~~~~~
  Worn out and emotionally spent, Jordan fell into a troubled sleep. She dreamt the same dream as before where she was lost in a forest and someone or something was chasing her. Only this time, she couldn�t walk on her injured leg; all she could do was drag herself through the brush using her arms and pushing with her good leg. Terrified, she screamed and cried for help, but no one could hear her. Whatever was chasing her was almost upon her; the rustling of brush and snapping of twigs getting louder. She woke, sitting straight up in bed, breathless and drenched in sweat. �It was a dream�just a stupid dream.� She thought, feeling ridiculous for having a nightmare like a kid; but it served to confirm her fears about staying in Middle Earth with such a disability. Dealing with mobility issues in a world where the only means of transportation was on horseback or on foot was a prospect she could not bear. She poked at her leg hoping it had been a dream, too, but to her dismay, that had been real. She growled in frustration and fell back on the bed with a thud and stared at the ceiling.
   She replayed the argument she had with Legolas and felt wretched for yelling at him. He was only trying to help. He was always trying to help and maybe that is what made her so angry - she couldn�t accept it. He was so beautiful and kind; his venerable presence exuding such grace and strength. Why would he want to help her? And moreover, what did he want in return? She was nobody with nothing to give.
~~~~~
  By the time Legolas reached the healing wing, his anger had subsided and he regretted the tone he took with her, especially in her condition. He had uncharacteristically allowed his emotions to rule his actions. He resolved to make amends this evening; presuming this would be a sufficient amount of time for her anger to have diminished. Legolas spotted Ioreth at the far end of the healing wing and waited patiently for her come around.

  �Good day, Legolas. News on the lady I presume?�

  �Aye. She has awakened; however, there is a new complication.�

  �Oh? What is it?�

  �She says she no longer has feeling in her injured leg. She told me a nerve was damaged and that this is an injury that does not heal. She explained to me how nerves carry signals to your mind that allow your body to feel, although I did not quite understand it completely.�

  �Nerves? I do not know �nerves�, but there was a chance this might happen - an unfortunate, but necessary risk.�

  �So am I to understand you were aware of this as a possible outcome beforehand?� Anger welled up and he fought to maintain his composure.

  �Yes, Legolas. The only other option was death. Which would you have chosen? It is my duty as healer to make those kinds of decisions!� She did not take kindly to someone questioning her judgment, even if they were a prince. �As soon as I am finished here, I should like to speak with her. Tell her I will be there shortly.�

  �I would but she became upset with me and bade me to leave. I do not wish to renew her anger so soon.�

   �Fine. I will come unannounced. Now, begging you pardon, I have work to do.� She turned abruptly and walked away, skirt swishing behind her.

  It seemed to Legolas he could not please anyone today. He decided to go to the archery range for some practice and hopefully some friendly competition to get his mind off this morning�s unpleasantries.
~~~~~
  Jordan heard a knock at the door. She groaned thinking it to be Legolas.

  �Go away.� She cried out. The door opened anyway but it wasn�t Legolas, it was Ioreth. �I�m sorry, I thought you were Legolas.�

  �No.� She chuckled. �He is prettier than I, although, he came to see me earlier and spoke to me about your condition.�

  She rolled her eyes. �Of course he did.� She thought sarcastically.

  �He said you explained to him the nature of this new condition. I should like to hear more.�

  Jordan was about to tell her she didn�t feel up to a lengthy conversation but Ioreth had already plopped herself down in the chair and was looking at her expectantly. Half-heartedly, she gave the same explanation to Ioreth as she gave Legolas.
  Wide eyed and astonished, Ioreth asked, �How do you know this?�

  Jordan had to choose her words carefully. �It is common knowledge among all of the ph�healers in my land.� She almost said �physicians� but quickly corrected herself.

  �I have never heard of healing thusly. Would you be willing to teach me your ways? When you are well, of course.� She added.

  �Sure. When I am well.� Jordan echoed just to appease her; knowing she was committing to nothing because in her mind she would never be well.

  �Oh, wonderful!� She clasped her hands together in elation. �Now, I have brought some liniment and new cloth to redress your wound. Jordan felt she no longer needed medical care but didn�t want to argue her point with the woman, so she let her perform her duties and be on her way.
~~~~~
  As Legolas made his way from the palace grounds to the archery range, he heard a female voice calling his name. He looked around, finally catching sight of Eowyn in the distance, waving to him. He stopped, allowing her to catch up. Eowyn. There was a time when he had thought of her as nothing more than a foolish woman who spat in the eye of fate, tempting it to take her life by her reckless endeavors. But he realized it was not recklessness but courage and passion she displayed; born out of a desire to protect her country and those she loved; and he admired her for it.

  �Why are you out here? What has happened to the Lady Jordan?� She searched his eyes fearing the worst. She didn�t know why she was so captivated by this strange woman but ever was she the defender of women who were oppressed or mistreated by men.

  He held up his hand. �There is no cause for alarm. She is well.�

  �Really?� Eowyn was overjoyed. But the look on Legolas� face did not match her enthusiasm. �What is it?�

  �She no longer has use of her injured leg.�

  �Oh! That is terrible!�

  �Aye. She is taking it rather poorly and I fear for her well-being. She is allowing herself to succumb to her grief. I tried to make her see the error of her ways but she became angry and bid me leave her.�

  �Legolas,� She said gently, �you give poor counsel. You cannot tell her she is wrong for feeling a certain way.�

  �I confess I do not have much experience in the dealings of emotions where women or elleth are concerned. Perhaps you could speak to her? She may respond to another woman more favorably.�

  �Of course. I should like to get to know the woman who has captured the heart of our elven warrior prince.�

  �Nay, Eowyn. You have misinterpreted my intentions. As I said before, I care about her well-being.�

  �So, you admit you do not have feelings for her?� She asked curiously.

  �Only those of compassion for one who is in need.�

  �Forgive me. I did not mean to pry,� thinking to herself, �Your eyes betray your words, Legolas,� then, �I would be happy to speak with her. I shall go at once.�

  �Thank you, Eowyn. Farewell.�

  �Farewell, Legolas.� She smiled to herself as she walked away. �Curious, very curious.�
~~~~~
  Shortly after the healer left, there was another knock at the door. �Can�t people just leave me alone?� Jordan growled under her breath. She said nothing hoping they would go away. To her dismay, they simply entered without approval. This time, a plump, smallish woman carrying a tray of food walked in.

  �I am Maeve, a servant of the royal house. I have brought you some breakfast.�

  �Legolas sent you, didn�t he?�

  �For certain he did not. I was informed that we had a guest occupying this wing who would require meals delivered to their quarters. You are she, yes?�

  �I suppose. But who told you to do this, if not Legolas?�

  �Why Princess Eowyn, miss.� She said matter-of-factly, handing Jordan the tray.

  �Princess?� She thought. The idea seemed foreign even in thought. Princes and princesses she associated with the British. Encountering royalty in Middle Earth was a notion she never bothered to give much consideration to. Stranger still, that a princess would care to see that she was fed. Then another thought dawned on her.

  �There was a woman here while I was ill. I thought her name was Eowyn but I can�t be sure. Is that her? Was she here?�

  �Begging your pardon, miss. I am just the housekeeper. I know naught of the company she keeps. Now, if there is nothing further you require, I will take my leave.�

  �No�I guess not.�

  �Good day then, miss.� Maeve bowed and hurried out the door.

  Jordan inspected the tray of food. �Breakfast� consisted of some bread, fruit, what looked like scrambled eggs, and a goblet of dark wine. She picked at it hesitantly, not really caring to eat but her body said otherwise. She cleaned the plate with the exception of a few pieces of fruit. She sniffed the wine, then tasted a little on her tongue. It was sweet, more like port that the typical �dry� red wines she was used to. �How odd to serve wine with breakfast.� She set it back down on the tray deciding it was unwise to be drinking alcohol in her weakened condition. �On second thought, what the hell does it matter?� Her despair taking hold again. She gulped the sweet liquid down and set the tray aside, settling back into the bed. Her thoughts turned to Legolas, wondering where he had stormed off to. She pondered his place here in the palace. She had yet to see another elf and wondered if there were more like him. She couldn�t deny the fact that he was physically stunning; his golden hair and azure-colored eyes being his most striking features. Earlier, as she gave her physiology lesson, his hair had grazed over her hand and it felt like fine strands of silk. The desire to run her fingers through its long length and to touch the delicate point of his ears crossed her mind. �No! What am I thinking?� She shook the thoughts from her mind, horrified that they had appeared in the first place. It was natural to become enamored with one�s rescuer, especially one so beautiful, but it only served as a painful reminder of that which she would never have. Her head suddenly felt fuzzy and her eyes heavy. She realized it must be the potent wine getting to her and the thoughts that it gave way to only succeeded in darkening her already dismal mood.
  She must have drifted off for awhile, for when she opened her eyes she noticed one of the servants had been in her room and left a platter of bread and fruit, a pitcher of water, and a goblet of wine on the side table. She looked at the food with disdain. Not that she wasn�t hungry; she just didn�t feel like eating it. She poured herself a glass of water instead. As she stared out the tiny window at the blue sky, she remembered Maggie. She regretted ever leaving Maggie�s little cabin in the peaceful valley. She could have stayed there, milked the goats, tended the garden; at least there she had been whole. And what was she now? An empty shell; broken in body and spirit.
   She took herself back to Maggie�s valley in her mind and envisioned walking through the tall grass, brushing her hands over the top of it. The sun was warm on her back and she sat on the bank of a cool stream and let her fingers dangle in the water, creating little wakes behind them. She cupped her hands to take a drink, feeling the chill of the water as it slid down her throat. She closed her eyes and swayed with the imaginary breeze, pretending her life was one of happiness and tranquility but a soft knock at the door brought her back to reality. She heard the door open and looked over to see a young woman with very long blond hair wearing a deep green gown with elaborate gold embroidery at the bodice and a delicate gold chain at the waist, the long ends of which came together to dangled just above knee level. Her pale blue eyes and light hair were in striking contrast to her dress. She smiled as she walked in clutching several books to her chest which she set down on the side table.

  �Hello. How are you feeling?� Her face looked familiar to Jordan but she could not place it. Seeing her confusion, Eowyn said, �Oh, you must not remember. I am Eowyn.�

  �Are you Princess Eowyn?�

  Eowyn laughed lightheartedly. �In title, yes.� Jordan�s expression of awe was surprising to Eowyn.

  �Wow. I have never met a princess before.� Jordan�s awe turned to apprehension. She wanted to be respectful. �Oh! How should I address you? Your Highness?�

  Eowyn laughed again. �No, no. There is no need to stand on ceremony here; especially for one who is a friend of Legolas. You may call me Eowyn.�

  �Pleased to meet you, Eowyn. I am Jordan Blakely.� Eowyn�s carefree manner put Jordan at ease and she found she liked her immediately.

  �I brought a few books for you to read, if you like.�

  �Thank you. That was very thoughtful of you. Thank you for having meals sent to me as well.�

  �It�s the least I can do. I know you cannot make it to the dining hall as of yet.�

  �Do you mind if I ask you a question.�

  �You may ask. I do not mind.�

  Jordan felt awkward but she was fascinated by royalty; and here was a princess willing to talk candidly with her. �Are you a princess by marriage or are you the daughter of a king?�

  �My husband is Faramir; son of Denethor. At the deaths of his father and brother, he was the successor to the throne of Gondor as steward. After the war and Aragorn was crowned king, Aragorn declared these lands a princedom and gave title and lordship to Faramir. Now he is known as �Prince Faramir.�

  �That is terrible he lost his father and brother.� She said, thinking of the recent loss of her own father as well.

  �We all lost much during the war. We have peace now, but many paid dearly for it.� She said wistfully, remembering her beloved uncle Theoden and cousin Theodred.
  Jordan sensed this was a painful subject, so she said, �What about Legolas? What does he do here?�

  Eowyn looked at her in shock. �He has not told you of himself?�

  �No. Not that we�ve really had a chance to talk.� She paused feeling a little sheepish. �I kind of threw him out the last time he was here.�

  �Ah, yes. He told me that you and he had quarreled.� Jordan groaned. �Do not fret. He is not angry. In fact, he is quite remorseful.�

  �Oh.� This made Jordan feel even worse.

  �I can say presently, he is lending his talents to graciously design and plant a grand garden for Faramir and I.

  �So, he is a gardener?�

  Eowyn laughed. �No. Legolas is many things, but gardener is not among his titles. Elves have a natural affinity for all living things,� then she added, �and an eye for beauty.� Then it dawned on her - �Legolas has not told her he is a prince.� Eowyn had been perplexed by Jordan�s slight unease and then curiosity about her title after having kept company with a prince. Now it all made sense. She disclosed nothing about her realization but smiled and said wisely, �I will leave the rest for Legolas to tell.�
  The two women talked until the sun had started to go down and it was growing increasingly dim in her little cavern-like room. Eowyn was kind enough to go around the room and light all of the candles, knowing it would be difficult for Jordan. �The servants should be arriving with supper shortly. I should be on my way, now. Faramir will be expecting me. If you wish it, I can visit again tomorrow evening.�

  �Okay.�

  �Farewell, Jordan.� And with a twirl of her long hair and skirt, she was gone.
   Jordan took one of the books from the side table and looked it over. It appeared old; bound with leather. It had no title, nor a description inside the front cover, so she had no way of knowing what it was about. The print was crude and hard to see in the flickering candlelight, so she closed it and set it aside. It wasn�t long before the same servant, Maeve, brought her a tray of some unidentified meat, bread and another goblet of wine. So, she sat alone in the glow the candles and ate her dinner in silence; eating most of the bread and picking at the meat. She set all but the goblet of wine aside. Holding the goblet in her hand, she hung her head and stared into the dark liquid as tears fell from her eyes rippling its surface; the picture of abject misery.
   Just then, there was a slight rapping on the door, then, �Lady Jordan? It is I, Legolas. May I come in?� She sniffed and quickly set the goblet on the side table, wiping her eyes with the sheet.

  �Um, just a minute.� She sniffed again and tried to smooth out her hair and straighten her disheveled appearance. �Okay. You can come in.�

  �Am I disturbing you?�

  �No.� She tried to smile but it did not do much to cover up the evidence of her recently shed tears.

  �I am certain it has been a long day for you and I will not keep you; I merely wanted to apology for my behavior earlier. I should not have raised my voice to you. Forgive me.�

  �Its okay, Legolas. I know you were just trying to help. I�m sorry I yelled at you. You did not deserve it.�

  �Then let us put this entire incident behind us and start anew.�

  �I would like that.�

  �I shall come again in the morning. Until then.� He said with a slight bow.

  �Good night, Legolas.�

  Even though they had both apologized, she still felt miserable about the situation. She took the goblet in hand again and drained it of its contents. She stared at the flickering flames of the candles; her eyes becoming heavy until she saw only a sliver of light through slitted lids. Unknowingly, the empty goblet slipped out of her hand and clattered to the floor.
~~~~~
  Early the next morning, Legolas was up to greet the sun. It was promising to be a beautiful day and he was determined this would be the day he would get Jordan to come outside and enjoy the garden. Upon arriving at her quarters, he knocked lightly and pushed the door open. She was still asleep. She looked so peaceful; he decided not to disturb her. Turning to leave, he noticed the goblet that lay sideways on the stone floor. Furrowing his brow in curiosity, he picked it up and placed it back on the tray. Although, he never made a sound, Jordan sensed someone in the room with her and opened her eyes to see Legolas standing next to her bed.

  �Hey.� She said in a groggy voice.

  �Good morning, Lady Jordan. I did not realize you would still be asleep. I will come back later.�

  �No, it�s okay. Hold on, just let me sit up.� The terrible memories of yesterday had not yet caught up to her. Without thinking, she tried to use her feet to scoot herself towards the head of the bed and into a sitting position and found that it didn�t work like it should. Then, it all came flooding back to her. After some struggling, she managed to sit up, with her back resting on the pillows. Legolas waited for her to get situated.

  �I wondered if you might like to visit the gardens this morning.� He noticed an instant change in her demeanor from one of pleasantness to brooding.

  �How am I supposed to get there? I can�t walk.�

  �Perhaps I could carry you.�

  �No. Absolutely not. It would look ridiculous having to be carried.�

  �Why does it matter what it looks like?�

  �It just does.� She said darkly; her hand absent-mindedly reaching up to finger the necklace underneath her the fabric of her sleeping gown.
  Legolas was beginning to understand. She was too proud and independent. She would never accept anything less than walking on her own. He would have to think of something else.

  �Well, if that is your decision, I have no choice but to abide by it. Unfortunately, I have neglected my duties in the garden for far too long and I must be leaving. I shall come again tomorrow morning. Until then.�

  �Oh�okay�bye.� She said; sounding somewhat crestfallen. She didn�t understand why he affected her like he did. She didn�t really want to talk but yet felt dejected by him leaving so soon.
~~~~~
  The rest of the morning and into the afternoon, Legolas worked in the garden, digging holes in the earth with a length of tree branch that reached his waist. The sun was high and closing his eyes, he turned his face towards it to revel in its warmth; his golden hair gently fluttering around his face in the breeze. He looked around in satisfaction. The garden was taking shape nicely. He smiled to himself and let his thoughts drift, resting his weight on the stick when an idea struck him - If the lady had a stick like this of the right height, she could lean into it, using the stick for support rather than her leg. Keeping one foot off the ground, he tried walking, or rather hopping with it; garnishing strange looks from others working in the garden. It was effective, although it required quite a bit of upper body strength. He worked into the evening carving a branch to what he estimated as the right size, smoothing it off at the top so it was easy on the hand.
~~~~~
  The next day, Legolas waited to visit Jordan until the late morning; certain she would be fully awake by then. He brought with him the walking stick that he had carved hoping this would be the answer. It would at least allow her to walk on her own reconnaissance rather than be assisted by someone.

  �Good morning, Lady Jordan.� Upon noticing the tray of breakfast still untouched on the side table, he said, �Are you not going to eat your breakfast?�

  �I�m not hungry,� she said flatly, �and must you call me �lady� all the time?� She huffed. Most of the time, it was an eccentricity she found endearing, but today it just seemed to rub her the wrong way.

  Legolas was puzzled. �It is the proper way to greet one whom you are not on familiar terms with.�

  �I think we are on �familiar terms�, Legolas.�

  He shrugged. �As you wish,� then eager to change the subject, �I brought you something.� He said, holding out the walking stick. �I thought perhaps it could assist you in walking. It is a beautiful morning outside. Would you like to try?�

  She sighed heavily. �Maybe some other time.�
  Legolas forced himself to maintain a neutral expression to hide his frustration at her indifference. He deliberately set the walking stick in a corner within her line of sight, hoping she would try it in private, but he had a feeling she would not. He sat down heavily in the chair, the only evidence of his disappointment.

  �Perhaps it would be best if I returned to your homeland. Perhaps you would fare better there.�

  �I can�t go home.�

  �You would not have to walk nor ride on horseback for that matter. I could obtain a cart for you to ride in.�

  �No, Legolas. You don�t understand. It�s not a place you can get to.� Slight frustration was building in her voice. She regretted having said anything. �He is not going to give this up. I am going to end up having to tell him.�

  �Just tell me where it is. There are maps in the library. I will take you there no matter the length of the journey, if that is what you desire. We have all the provisions we may need at our disposal.� Her hand instinctively went to the vial she wore around her neck, gripping it through the fabric of her nightdress, her thumb caressing its side. This did not go unnoticed by Legolas.

  �I can�t tell you where it is.� She looked down in her lap. She could not make eye contact with him.

  �I find this reluctancy very puzzling. Since you have arrived, not once have you spoken about your homeland nor why you were traveling alone through the forest with naught but a small sac. You keep that jewel you wear around your neck hidden, touching it through the fabric but never taking it out. You think I do not see, but I do. What is this secret you carry?� He lifted her chin and her eyes locked with his; cerulean pools of an endless depth that bore into hers with such intensity, she felt it pierce her soul. She trembled. She knew she could hide nothing from him. She broke their gaze and looked away towards the window.

  �You would not believe me if I told you.� She said in a quiet voice.

  �Jordan, look at me.� He waited as she slowly turned her head towards him before he continued. �Over two millennia I have walked this earth, seen many lands, fought many battles against foes with incomprehensible powers; I have seen things I would ne�er believed had my own eyes not witnessed them firsthand. I do not think anything you could tell me would be unfathomable. Trust me.�
  She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them, she began her tale. Legolas listened intently and refrained from asking questions until her story was told in its entirety.

  �You cannot get to my home because it is not of this world. I traveled to Middle Earth using technology created by an ancient race of people called the D�ni. The people are long gone - their civilization was destroyed long ago; but the ruins of their city remain. The D�ni�s greatest achievement, as it was discovered, was writing; not books that you read but books that will take you to other worlds. They called these books �linking books.� I found a linking book when I visited the city; one that linked to Middle Earth. Right before my father died, he told me that my mother was not human but one of the last remaining survivors of D�ni and that I was half. My lineage was kept a secret to protect me. He told me that because of my differences, it was no longer safe for me in my world and that I should use the linking book and start a new life here in Middle Earth. So, after he died, I did. But the book must have been damaged because instead of arriving at Minas Tirith, I ended up in the middle of a forest. The only thing I could do was to somehow find my way back to Minas Tirith, where my father believes the other linking book is kept. All I had was a backpack. It�s all I could carry when I came through. I didn�t plan on needing any more supplies than that. But it was such a long ways to Minas Tirith and I ran out of food and water. I don�t remember how many days passed that I went without them, but everyday I grew weaker and I fell and hurt my leg which slowed me down even further. I knew I wouldn�t last much longer. That is why I took the horse. I figured if I could get to Minas Tirith faster, I might have a chance.� She finally pulled the small glass vial she wore as a pendant out from under her sleeping gown and showed it to Legolas. �This was a gift from a friend of my father�s to remember my heritage. The inscription is in the language of the D�ni - the same language that the linking book is written in,� she said, pointing to the inscription, �and inside are the ashes of my mother and father�all that is left of my family.� She ended sadly.
   She unhooked the clasp and handed it to Legolas so he could inspect it close up. He held it up to the light; then looked at the inscription closely, tracing the foreign letters with his finger.

  �You can read this?�

  �No, but I know what it says. It says �When all is taken from the one, the only hope that remains is what is given by another. Through this giving, both are redeemed.��

  He handed it back to her saying, �It is truly a work of art,� and said nothing more, but continued to look upon her with a blank expression. Jordan grew increasingly uncomfortable under his persistent gaze. Finally she said, �I told you, you would not believe me.�

  �Do not mistake my silence for disbelief. I have many questions and I am merely putting my thoughts in order.� To Jordan, it seemed like hours before Legolas spoke again. �How is it you travel through a book?�

  Jordan didn�t know how to describe it to him. �I can explain to you how it done, but I do not know how it works. None of my people do. Their technology is beyond us. All we know is that it works. Hand me a book from the bookshelf.�

  �Which one?�

  �It doesn�t matter. Any one.� He retrieved a book and handed it to her. �When you open the front cover of a linking book, there is a picture in the middle of the page right here.� She traced a square on the page with her finger.

  He stopped her. �What is a picture?�

  �It�s like a drawing or a painting.� She continued, �It is called the �linking panel� and it shows your destination. You put your hand on it like this,� she placed the palm of her hand flat on the page, �and before you can count to about two, you are transported to that world.� He stared at the page for a long time.

  �So, if someone were to see you do this, you would disappear before their eyes?�

  �Yes. I know it sounds crazy but that�s the way it happens.�

  �And you say there is a book like this in Minas Tirith?�

   �Based on the information we had, and the fact that the linking panel showed Minas Tirith, that was the assumption.�

   �And it is written in the language that is on your amulet?�

  �The D�ni language, yes.�

  �You said it was not safe for you in your world because of your differences. How are you different from the rest of your people?�

  �I am half D�ni. The D�ni lifespan is around 325 years old. A human�s is around 80 or 90. I do not look any different than anyone else in my world, but I will not age the same as others and people will start to ask questions. You have men, hobbits, elves, and dwarves in your world. Mine only has one race - the race of men, as you call them here, and they do not like things they cannot understand. It causes suspicion and mistrust.

  �If you are only half, how long will your lifespan be?�

  �I do not know. There is only one other instance of a child being born half D�ni, except in that case, the father was a D�ni and the mother a woman. The age upon her death was never recorded.�

  After a long awkward silence, Legolas said, �I am sorry to hear about the death of your parents.�

   �Thank you.�
  Legolas stood up preparing to leave.

   �I have work that needs attending to in the garden,� then added, �you may accompany me if you wish.�

  �No thank you. I am fine here.�

  �Suit yourself.� Legolas took a few paces toward the door.

  �Wait.� Jordan called out. Legolas stopped and turned around. �That�s it? You�re just going to accept my explanation as fact and leave?�

  �Aye. Is this not the reaction you were hoping for?� He asked, sitting back down in the chair.

  �Well, yes. But I didn�t think it would be that easy. I thought it would at least take you a while to come to terms with it.�

  �I will be honest. I do find it quite perplexing and strange but I know you are not telling a lie; I can see it in your eyes and in your mannerisms. Plus, it is the only explanation that makes sense. You speak Westron with an accent I have never heard before, you use words that sometimes I do not understand, you know nothing of elves and little about Middle Earth, and you have a knowledge of healing that far exceeds our own resident healer.�

  Jordan was dumbfounded. She had no inkling he had already made these observations of her.

   �You won�t tell anyone will you?�

  �Nay. I will leave that up to you,� he said as he stood up, �but I would caution you to use discretion as there are some who may not understand. The day grows late and I must be going now. I shall see you again tomorrow.�

  �Good�bye.� The last syllable faded as she realized he had already walked out the door and closed it behind him. She shook her head. �He�s acting strange.�
~~~~~
  Legolas� words indicated he was fine with this new information about her but in truth, he wasn�t. He felt quite disconcerted and needed to get away and clear his head; think things through. Instead of going to the garden, he opted for a short trip on horseback to a secluded pool he liked to swim in now and again. It was a small but deep pool of crystal clear water at the base of a waterfall surrounded by an outcropping of rocks. It was very private as few people knew about its existence. Standing on a high rock, he divested himself of his clothing and dove headfirst into the pool straight to the bottom; relishing the feeling of the cool water as it enveloped his bare skin. Pushing off the sandy bottom, he broke through the surface with such force, he came up out of the water to his waist and splashed down again. Tipping his head back in the water, he smoothed his long tresses away from his face and floated on his back, letting the waves created by the falls gently rock his body. He let go of everything; shutting the world out and clearing his mind until all that existed was this very moment and all that he knew was himself, the water, and his immediate surroundings. He created little tasks of endurance; swimming to the opposite end of the pool and back again as fast as he could and then again but under the water along the bottom; seeing how many pebbles he could pick up off the bottom without coming up for a breath. When he ran out of games to play, he hoisted himself up out of the water and climbed onto a large, flat rock where he lay on his back with his arms folded beneath his head to bask in the sun and dry off. He closed his mind to all thought and just enjoyed the feeling of the sun on his skin. When he was sufficiently dry, he dressed himself, and set out toward the palace, reluctantly leaving his place of refuge behind.
  By the time he finally reached his quarters, the sun had set and a few stars were visible in the indigo sky. He lit only a few of the candles, preferring to make use of the moonlight when it rose. He decided to open a bottle of wine; one of several his father gave him on his last visit. While it was not of the Dorwinion variety - the last of the supply had been put to good use during that visit - but it was a close comparison and almost just as potent.
   Pouring the fragrant liquid in a goblet, he took it out on the balcony and stretched out on the chaise - the perfect end to a relaxing afternoon. He watched the stars gathering in the night sky, shimmering pinpoints of light like jewels. As he sipped his wine, he spotted the walking sticks he had been carving for Jordan leaning up against the wall. It had occurred to him that having one for each hand would give her more stability, so he started making a second set, taking greater care with detail this time. The lady was now at the forefront of his thoughts again. He sighed. Did it really matter where she is from or how she came to be here? He supposed not. She was here and she needed him.
~~~~~
  Eowyn came to visit Jordan in the evening as promised, this time with what looked like an armful of multi-colored fabric.

  �I have brought you some gowns.� She announced cheerfully as she draped them over the chair. I know yours was ruined. I could only guess at your size, although I think they will fit well enough. Would you like to try them on?�

  �Thank you, but no. Maybe some other time.�

  �Oh.� She sounded disappointed. �Are you certain? I thought perhaps if you possessed something proper to wear, you may feel more at ease about venturing out of your quarters.�

  The last thing Jordan wanted to do was put on an uncomfortable gown, but she tried to be polite. �Yeah. I�m actually pretty tired. They look lovely, though. Thank you.�

  �All right. I will just put them in the wardrobe for you. Oh, you must promise, though, to come see the garden when you have recovered,� she pleaded, �and Faramir is very eager to meet you.�

  �Okay, I will.� Part of her wished she could.
~~~~~
  As days turned into weeks, Jordan grew increasingly bored and restless; sinking deeper into depression. She had studied every knot in the wood beams crisscrossing the ceiling and counted every crack in the rock walls. She had read every book that Eowyn had brought so far whether they interested her or not. Her only travels consisted of dragging herself to the next room to bathe or relieve herself and back again; never leaving her quarters. The wound continued to heal and scar over but her broken spirit did not. She had done the only thing she knew how to do with her pain; she locked it away, refusing to feel and she became as one already dead, only trapped in living flesh.
  Every morning Legolas would visit, encouraging her to at least make an effort to walk, and every time she refused. He would attempt to make light conversation and she would reply in her usual despondent manner. Then he would wish her good day and leave. He was never insistent nor did he get angry or upset; rather he adopted her indifference and wore it like a mask but underneath, her continual rejection hurt him deeply. Eowyn came by usually in the evenings bringing her more books to read or sharing a brief history about herself or her family. She never stayed long, though. In the beginning, she looked forward to Eowyn�s visits, but they quickly became a source of anxiety rather than enjoyment for Jordan, who was afraid Eowyn would start asking too many questions about her background. Though she tried to hide it to spare Eowyn�s feelings, her dwindling enthusiasm showed and Eowyn�s visits became less frequent.
~~~~~

  Finally, a morning came when he just could not bear the thought of visiting her again. The same questions asked; the same dismissals. She was completely void of all emotion, living and breathing but otherwise dead. He was so wearied by her unwillingness to help herself or to let others do for her and discouraged by her refusal to see that she could still lead a fruitful life. This could not go on any longer, but what else could he do? Just give up on her? Leave her lying in her quarters and go on about his business as if she didn�t exist? He wouldn�t be able to live with himself. If something did not change soon, he would go mad�and she would become unreachable. He made up his mind - He would be kind but firm but he would drag her out of that room if he had to.
   With unwavering determination, he walked straight into her quarters, without bothering to knock. She was reclining in bed, staring out the window. She had retreated so far into the quagmire of her mind, she didn�t even startle at his sudden intrusion.

  �Come. It is time to start learning how to use this.� He said, taking the walking stick from the corner and holding it up. �You need to practice.� He said firmly.

  �You know I can�t.� She responded in her usual lifeless tone.

  �You do not know that. You have never tried. Sit up; I will help you.�

  �Legolas, we�ve been through this before. It won�t help. I can�t walk.� She turned away from him, facing the wall.

   �You cannot or you will not?� He retorted, goading her to react; make her angry, anything. At least anger was something, anger was an emotion.

  She whipped around. �What do you mean by that?�

  �I mean that perhaps you areable to get up and walk but you choose to hide yourself away in this room; a prisoner of your own making. I think you enjoy pitying yourself.�
  �How dare you!� Her tone dark and seething. �Do you think I like lying in this bed day in and day out? Having to crawl across the floor like an animal to relieve myself? Do you know what that is like?�

  �That is by your choice alone.� He said coolly.

  �Why are you doing this to me?!�

  �Are you angry?�

  �What kind of question is that?! You�re basically accusing me of lying! Of course I�m angry!� She yelled, pounding her fist into the bed for emphasis.

  �Good! At least I know there is a living being capable of feeling somewhere in there!� He shouted back.

  �Ooh!� She growled and whipped a pillow at him. �Get�out!� She screamed, her pitch rising to a frenzy.

  �No! Not this time. You are going to leave that bed, get out of this room, and start living your life again!� And with that, he scooped her up effortlessly in his arms and headed towards the door.

  �Legolas! Put me down!� She screamed; kicking the air, and while one arm was pinned to his chest, she pummeled his shoulder with her other fist.

  �Stop this at once or I shall drop you.� He warned.
   He walked quickly, navigating the maze of stone-walled corridors. As there were no windows here, wrought iron candle sconces were fashioned to the walls every few feet to light the way.

  �Where are you taking me?� The annoyance still obvious in her voice, but at least she had stopped struggling. He did not respond nor slow his pace but continued up a flight of stairs and down a few more corridors until they reached an arched wooden door. Without faltering, he supported her entirely with one arm as he opened the door with the other. Once inside the room, she looked around. It was much larger than the room she was in; with an oversized stone fireplace and double doors that opened out onto a large balcony. He crossed the room, walking out to the edge of the balcony and turned so she could look outward.

  �There!� He pointed off into the distance. �There is the world! It stirs; it is alive just as you and I are alive; and it is waiting!� He proclaimed, his words charged with emotion.

  There were no words to describe the sheer magnitude of beauty that she beheld. The palace, she could now tell, sat atop a hill. The balcony on which she stood was higher still. From this vantage point, she looked down over rolling forested hills as far as the eye could see. Wisps of morning fog still lingered in the dales and valleys. The bright blue sky was infused with hues of pink and gold. The silver rays of pale morning sunlight shone through the tops of the trees, not yet rising above them; weaving through the branches and illuminating the ground wherever they touched.
  �It is time for you to stand.� He set her down carefully but continued holding on to her arm for support and stand she did. He let go of her arm and she stood without faltering on her own two feet. �Stay there. I shall return momentarily.� He dashed back inside the room and disappeared.

  �Wait! Where are you going?� She called out. He reappeared carrying something long and skinny in his hand. She realized what he was carrying were identical wooden poles and he held them out, one in each hand. Each had been intricately hand-carved with a design of branches and leaves along the length but what surprised her most was that each had a hand grip at a ninety-degree angle from the top. The likeness to a walking cane from her world was remarkable. She had no choice but to take them from him. She held them by the hand grip and tested her weight on them. Unbelievably, they were the perfect height. He stepped back about ten paces, facing her.

   �Walk to me.�

  Hesitantly, she took small, wobbly steps using the canes for support and balance. With each step, the wall that she had worked so hard to build around her crumbled, piece by piece. She began to let go of all of the sadness, anger and frustration that she had pushed deep down inside and refused to acknowledge. She stopped within arms length of Legolas who was beaming with pride at her small victory. She hung her head in remorse and sobbed.

  �This whole time, you never lost hope; always believing that I could overcome this, but I did not. I refused to see it. I treated you terribly and I pushed you away and I am so sorry,� she said through her sobs, �Legolas, I know I hurt you�please, pleaseforgive me.�

  He took a tentative step toward her closing the distance between them, wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her in close. She wrapped her arms around him as well and laid her head on his chest as the tears continued to fall. Almost a head taller than she, he rested his chin on the top of her head. He closed his eyes and exhaled heavily; relief washing over him. For the first time since they had met, he finally felt it was acceptable to touch her in this manner and to his delight, she welcomed it. She was warm and alive and finally free of the bonds of despair which filled Legolas with the greatest sense of fulfillment and joy; such he had not felt in many long years.

  �There is nothing to forgive, my lady.� He said softly. She clung to him tighter to express her gratefulness. They stayed locked in their embrace for some time, both reluctant to let go. It was Legolas who finally released her and they stood side by side looking out over the expanse. Legolas smiled watching the child-like emotions play across her face as she reveled in the sight.

   �What do you think?�

  �It�s so beautiful!�

  He helped her over to a nearby bench to rest. He seated himself next to her facing her side; one leg tucked up underneath him and his elbow leaning on the balcony railing, propping his head up with his hand.

  �Where did you get these?� Jordan asked, gesturing to the canes.

  �I carved them from some fallen tree limbs I came across in the forest.�

  �You made them?� She asked with a look of amazement.

  �Aye, I did.�

  �You did an incredible job. Thank you, Legolas. Though,� she paused, the smile fading from her face, �I have nothing to give you in return.�

  �I ask for nothing more than your camaraderie and companionship.� He smiled, his crystal blue eyes glimmering against the rising sun.

  �I can do that.� Something inside told her that he desired more than just friendship, but she kept it to herself. In true Jordan Blakely fashion, she would burn that bridge when she came to it.
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Love's Redemption