Chapter 6

Originally posted on: 12th February 2014

_____________________________

So close yet so far away.

Dorian looked at the Company sitting on the terrace through the window of his room. Inability to go to them and tell them that everything was okay was driving him mad.

He was aware of how much Fili and Kili were worried.

Unfortunately, even getting out of his bed was a huge effort. He felt every single blow he had received, and there had been many. Now, when he thought about how long and quickly they had ran, it all seemed impossible to him, as well as that they had rode a stolen warg for some time.

He was sore and weary. This kind of situation was not new to him of course, but still, it bothered him.

Sybil was in even worse state. She had been sleeping constantly as long as he had remained unconcious, that was for at least two days, and she was still asleep, and the sky outside had already began to dusk. Ireth, their nurse, had been informing him about his sister’s condition from time to time. As she-elf claimed, at the beginning Sybil had been screaming a lot in her sleep. She had been shouting three names, to be precise - Dorian, Fili, Kili. But she had calmed down quite a long ago. Dorian feared for her. She was strong, but there were some limits. He was afraid that the burden of worries would break Sybil.

He felt weak and he needed to lie down. He was lying in a comfortable bed (he had almost forgotten what it is like to sleep in a warm, normal bed, under a roof, with a full belly and without fear). Whilst being engrossed in admiring the floral patterns on the ceiling, Ireth entered the room.

“Your sister has woken up,” the she-elf said. “The surprise is that she stood to her feet at once, asked about the Company, and, after finding out that all of them were okay, blithely stated that she was hungry.”

Dorian chuckled.

“I’m very happy to hear that and not surprised at all. Please tell her that as I’m not able to and meet her, but the thought of coming to me can’t even cross her mind. Say to her that she don’t have to worry about anything and should relax.”

“I'll tell her word for word, but I cannot make any promises,” Ireth grinned. “She suddenly became so full of energy, therefore I assume that she'll not sit still for a long time.”

“I brought you a dinner, a bowl of water and the medicines,” she added. “If you need something more before bedtime, just call me."

“Thank you,” Dorian smiled gratefully.

After Ireth left, Dorian enthusiastically started to eat up the delicious food.

He would never understand why Thorin hated elves so much.

***

The elves were surely amazing. As soon as she said that she was hungry, a tray was delivered to her room immediately. It had been filled with various fruits and vegetables, fragrant bread and toast with honey, as well as a large piece of butter, white and yellow cheese, a pitcher of water, juice and unusual, refreshing golden drink. At first, Sybil could not believe what she was looking at. She hadn't had such a quantity of food only for herself for a long time. As Ireth saw her greedily consuming everything she had been given, the she-elf grinned with satisfaction. The nurse repeated her brother's words and noticed concern on the girl’s face.

“Don't worry, daughter of Cora! Your brother will quickly return to health after taking medications that and I bring for you as well. I understand that you will have  difficulties in not going out of the room and resting, as Dorian told you. If you really feel up to walk freely around Rivendell, I'm obliged to inform you that Lord Elrond wants you ...” Sybil shivered at these words. “To dress up in one of the dresses which are put in the wardrobe.”

Ireth smiled even wider at the sight of shock on her patient's face.

“If you need anything else, call me,” she said, then left.

Sybil immediately forgot about food. Before she forgot about the whole world, she had remembered to take the medications, which were two infusions of herbs unfamiliar to her. When she drank the first one, she suddenly felt something like a delicate shade slowly sweeping through her ​​body, not  at all unpleasant but soothing. It was just as if the water slowly washed over a cracked, thirsty soil. Sybil had the impression that the liquid brewed every wound and eased every sore spot. After drinking the second one she felt a sudden rush of heat and energy. It seemed that she was completely healthy.

Then, she ran to the closet, took a deep breath and looked inside.

That was impossible.

She closed and opened the door once again, and again. So she was not hallucinating. She had never seen such a beautiful things. Yes, her mom had had some nice dresses for important occasions, but none of them were even in a half that lovely as the ones in the wardrobe.

Sybil had been given at least ten dresses. There were in all sorts of colors and shapes, very richly decorated.

(Lack of time and space for accurate and the most reliable description of all of them.)

And what should she wear?

What a difficult choice it was!

In the end, she concluded that the white gown would be the most suitable, perhaps due to the fact that it looked the most demurely. It was made of fine wool, if Sybil remembered correctly this stuff was called cashmere. The dress had a simple tight-fitting sleeves, and was belted under the bust. It was decorated in delicate black accents - there were visible as narrow black belt, moreover, the sleeves ends as well as the gown’s edges were trimmed with black pearls. When Sybil put the dress on, and white soft slippers after that, she looked around the room in search of a mirror.

When she saw this girl, she almost cried in astonishment.

What was she doing in her room?!

Long later, Sybil discovered that, shockingly, she was looking at her own reflection. Well, well. Someone had bathed her and combed her hair, so that it run down her back in gentle waves. She was presenting very... femininely. She had never wanted to be a lady, which sometimes had driven her mom mad. Now however, Sybil understood perfectly well that among the Eldar she had to behave as befits a dame.

How was it? Your back straight, the shoulders joined, head slightly raised, hands off and gentle, natural smile. When after a several tries she mastered the proper posture, and the effect was rewarding, Sybil went out of the room to explore Rivendell.

She was startled not to see any elves, but what she guessed, they all were at supper.

Thehouse was truly blessed. It could cure of sorrow, doubt and fear.

But it did not work on Sybil, not yet. Firstly, she needed to see Dorian, safe and sound.

***

Bilbo had been walking like that for a long time, savoring the magical aura of this place. He had realized that this was what he had longed for - all comforts of home. 

With a highest reluctance, he gathered himself to return to his dwarven companions. He was walking slowly, chasing rainbows, as out of a blue, somebody bumped right into him. At the very last minute, Bilbo was saved from falling over by someone’s strong yet small hands. When the person who had almost knocked him over spoke up, the Hobbit was thoroughly shocked.

“Oh, I beg your pardon Mister ...” Sybil groaned.

“Baggins, Bilbo Baggins,” he came to her rescue.

“Ah, Mr Baggins. I'm looking for someone who’s very important to me, I'm in rush  and ... Sorry again, Mr. Baggins. Oh, what an awkward situation. How can I repay you my carelessness?” she asked with a disarming smile.

“There is one thing ... Tell me how did you manage to come here with your brother so fast?”

The girl's jaw dropped. She opened and closed her mouth, not knowing what to say.

“How… how…” she finally choked out. “How did you find out about us?”

“Shame on me for this, but the last time Fili and Kili slipped out of the camp, taking away large amounts of beer with themselves, I felt obliged to find them. I were watching you for a long time. You dance very nicely,” he finished with an apologetic smile.

Sybil blushed to the roots of her hair. She looked like she did not know what she could laid her eyes upon. Whole range of emotions were visible on her face, from disbelief, through the embarrassment and awkwardness, to anger.

“Mr Baggins, it was very intimate moments, not intended for anyone's ears or eyes.” she said coldly as she calmed down. “I hope that in an exchange for following us, you will at least retain discretion.”

“I assure you that I will,” Bilbo told her solemnly. “Do you want me to take a message to Fili and Kili?” he asked, for he did not want to part with Sybil in such a hostile atmosphere.

The girl smiled happily.

“Pray tell them that we're here, safe and sound. We'll see soon. They better stay tuned,” she winked mischievously. “Now, forgive me, but I must see with Dorian. My brother doesn’t have enough strength to get out of his bed,” the lass sighed. “It was an honor to meet you, Mr. Baggins,” she curtsied and walked away briskly.

“All pleasure on mine,” Bilbo replied, wondering what glorious Sybil and Dorian had done this time. Numerous wounds on the girl’s hands, neck and face had not escaped the Hobbit’s attention.

When he returned to his companions, he spotted  Fili and Kili sitting apart from the rest and discussing something quietly, excitedly. Bilbo decided to play a quite cruel prank on them. He sneaked up to the boys from behind, getting so close that he could easily touch them.

“You know, I was just coming back here from a pleasant stroll ...” the brothers jerked and turned to him sharply. “When Sybil bumped into me. Literally. She clearly was in hurry. Puzzling, but she seemed quite healthy and well-rested, however, a fresh wounds on her hands, neck and face could belie it. It’s such a pity that you haven’t seen her, because you’ve missed a lot. She was dressed in a white elvish dress and looked truly lovely. She apologized me repeatedly and very politely. We had a small talk, then asked me to say to you these words: ‘we're here, safe and sound, we’ll see you soon. Stay tuned.’ After that, she said she had to see with Dorian, because he was too weak to get out of his bed. Then, she curtsied and walked away.”

The boys’ expressions were so priceless that Bilbo burst out laughing at the very memory for the rest of his live.

***

In the next day in the morning, Ireth was going to Dorian’s room, very concerned. He had a sad and serious news for him. However, as she crossed the threshold of her patient room, she stood still, rooted to the spot. Since the crack of dawn, Ireth had set on legs a half of Rivendell, even the horsemen had been sent to the area, after she had  discovered that he could not find Sybil. Meanwhile, the girl was sitting on the floor beside the bed where her brother was sleeping, and the siblings were holding hands, both of them asleep. 

______________________________

If things wren't interesting, I promise that something will finally happen.