Aearlin & Silinde - The Begining - 09
He was an elf after all, and so he waited patiently for the injured blonde to carefully slide his legs over the side of the bed. Once ready to stand, Silinde offered the ellon his shoulder to brace, stooping so that he was level to the sitting blonde before slowly coming to a full stand. Sheets tucked firmly in place, Silinde began the trek to the baths. “They are just around the corner to the right. Not too far, but I’m afraid it might take us some time because of your condition.” It wasn’t meant in any disrespect, it was just stating the obvious. Then it dawned on the Mirkwood warrior that the other had no belongings with him.
“Aearlin…do you have any clothing to wear?” Yeah it was a stupid question, but Silinde knew nothing of this mysterious elf other than what he had witnessed with Elrohir, and the rumors he gathered from the staff. “If not, do not worry mellon nin. I assure you that I have a vast collection of tunics and leggings that you may wear until you are well enough to have new ones made.” Which from what Silinde understood would be at least two weeks time. He sympathized with the injured ellon. The Mirkwood warrior remembered many of his own recoveries, and sitting inside for any amount of time for an elf was unbearable.
So the made their way slowly down the long corridor, till they came upon the door to the baths. “And here we are!” First Silinde let Aearlin to a bench set against the corner of the wall, then checking the water temperature. He heard Elrohir’s warning about water that was too warm, and he would not be scolded by the son of Elrond over something so simple. “It seems the water is cool enough to appease your healer’s warning, but warm enough for you to relax.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Aearlin absolutely hated being injured. The sting and burn of wounds, and ache of healing flesh, bothered the warrior to no end. When the injuries were this bad, it was far worse - two weeks before he could return to the mountains that he claimed as his home. Two weeks before he returned to hunting and tracking orcs. It was a nightmare for an elf so accustomed to the outdoors.
Still, he had the blond elf Silinde there. It was a comfort that he really couldn't explain - to have the other present and ready to help or comfort him if possible. Which brought him to the present - the other elf's question ringing warmly in his ears. "Clothes... no, I suppose not. I have no doubt the orcs destroyed whatever I had on before encountering them..." And it wasn't like he had a few dozen spares floating around - that would have been nigh impossible! "The foul creatures more than likely destroyed my sword and bow, as well - of that I have little doubt." He wrinkled his nose in distaste at the mention, then continued the slow hobbling down the hall and toward the baths.
It took far longer than he had hoped, but soon enough they emerged within the bathing room, warmth and humidity flooding the air. Oh, to get clean! A grateful smile touched his lips at Silinde's care, testing the water for him. "I cannot begin to say thank you enough," he finally spoke, shuffling carefully toward the bath. And not caring who saw him, or what part of him, he dropped the sheet he had used to maneuver to the baths, setting it over a wooden peg to hang, and edged very carefully toward the water. With Silinde's help, he worked his way down until he was submerged up to his neck, resting peacefully in the water and ignoring the myriad of cuts, bruises and slash-marks that littered his body. No…he was just happy to be clean!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Silinde let out a gasp at the numerous cuts and bruises decorating the ellon. The sheet had covered his lower half, and Silinde was shocked to see just as many injuries as the top half of the ellon. So while helping the other submerge into the tub, he gently prodded for answers to his questions. “Aearlin, what really happened to you?”
Sure the mysterious stranger was humorous, and seemed to be carefree, but for some reason, Silinde didn’t believe it. Perhaps because he had seen a glimpse of something in those aquamarine eyes, though what it was he could not identify. He really didn’t want to pry in the other’s affairs, but Mirkwood elves traveled through the Misty Mountains, and as a guard, he could not let harm come to them, especially if there was information available. “Forgive me mellon nin, but many of my kin travel those paths. I would not wish what has been done to you on anyone else.”