Snow and Fire

Grey and Blue

I worked away in the kitchen, baking as per usual. I had just shut the bread oven when I heard movement in the bedroom where I had put the elf. Suddenly, a high, clear, terrified shriek pierced the relative silence. I jumped a little, my sensitive ears ringing. I headed for the bedroom, opening the door.
~<><><>~
She was sat up in the bed, her eyes wide with fear. The sheets were bunched in her hands, and her knuckles were white. She stared at me, and I found it very difficult to not focus on her eyes. They were beautiful. A greyish blue colour, they were akin to a river on a winters day. They were cold and clear and seemed to go right through me. I froze.
~<><><>~
The elf glared at me, her eyes piercing me like daggers.
"Who. Are. You." She hissed, her tone poisonous. I lowered my head submissively, trying to seem as unthreatening as possible. Naturally, that was difficult for me. I was tall, far too tall, and it was different to look small and gentle. I could hear the elf's heart pounding from where I was stood. She was terrified, her only weapons being her words. I spoke softly, trying to calm her.
"I will not harm you, you are safe here," I stated simply. She narrowed her eyes.
"Why am I here? What do you want of me?" She demanded. I shifted back a little, almost spooked by the harshness of her voice.
"I do not want anything of you. You were injured, if I had left you in the snowstorm you would have died," I murmured. She touched the side of her head, which I had bandaged to the best of my ability.
"Why would you save me?" She said, her tone still as cold as the snow outside.
"You were hurt and I would not leave anyone out in that storm. Man, woman nor child. Elf, skin changer, human, animal, maybe not even a dwarf. I only wish to help you, your own kin will be waiting for you once you are healed," I said truthfully.
~<><><>~
She froze then, as if remembering something.
"T-toron," she whispered almost inaudibly. I tilted my head curiously, I only knew the common tongue and the language of my own people, elvish was a mystery to me. She instantly seemed weaker, more childish and afraid. Gone was the hissing, spitting viper she had been, a frail little bird had taken its place. I moved a little closer, hoping I might be able to comfort her. She shuffled back until her back met the headboard, silent panic in her eyes.
"I will not harm you," I said gently "I only wish to ask you what is upsetting you."
"D-did you find a-anyone else i-in that st-storm?" She asked. Her voice seemed to be weaker too, the façade of her strength fading quickly. I shook my head sadly.
"No," I said "Only you."
~<><><>~
She fell silent then, seeming unable to speak. Her beautiful eyes had filled with tears and her hands were shaking.
"Miss...?" I asked gently.
"E-Ellavin. M-my n-name is E-Ellavin," she whispered hoarsely.
"Ellavin," I said, my tone still as gentle as I could manage "My name is Beorn. I will keep you safe here until you are healed, both mentally and physically. I will not force you to remain here, only advise you that travelling in these conditions is highly dangerous, even for me. You may stay here as long as you need to."
Ellavin nodded.
"Th-thank you Beorn," she whispered.
~<><><>~
I stood there like an awkward giraffe, not really knowing what to say or do. Ellavin looked up at me eventually, wiping her eyes carefully on her white sleeve. I pulled out a handkerchief from my tunic pocket and offered it to her. She managed a weak, closed mouth smile and took it gently, wiping her eyes. Ellavin folded it back up perfectly and handed back to me.
"Thank you," she whispered again.
"Do you wish me to leave you?" I asked. She shrugged a little.
"I don't mind, would you mind passing my bag?" She said, gesturing to the bag I had placed on a chair in the corner. I picked it up and gave it to her. I had put the book I had found in the snow inside it, guessing it was hers. She smiled gently when she saw it's battered cover, drawing it out of the bag and setting in on her lap. She opened it and her eyes began to travel along the flowing lines of the letters, a faint smile on her face, making her seem more like an angel than ever.
"Hene raitaed san 'Gellon ned i galar i chent gîn ned i gladhog' hene lhossed..." She muttered the words to herself.
"You can read that?" I blurted out. She looked up at me and smiled.
"I'm an elf, it's natural for me," she stated. I was still curious, looking down at the words, trying to decipher the flowing runes.
"What does it mean?" I asked gently.
"'He smiled then 'I love to see your eyes shine when you laugh' he whispered," she translated, reading over the line she had just read. I smiled a little.
"Who wrote that?" I asked.
"Me."
~<><><>~
I became more curious by the second, which made her smile more.
"Would you like me to read it to you?" She asked. I lowered my head again, embarrassed by my over curiosity.
"I-If it would not cause you too much trouble, reading has never been my strong suit," I murmured. She smiled up at me, moving over and patting the bed beside her. I froze, making her chuckle.
"It's okay, honestly Beorn," she said. I sat awkwardly down on the edge of the bed, my long legs hanging off awkwardly. She opened the book again. Then she began to read, translating the flowing runes into the most beautiful spoken words. Her voice was perfect, so soft and gentle. It took my mind off all else, chasing away the sounds of the storm outside and engulfing me in the gentle embrace of words.