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I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. -Ephesians 4:1-2

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Taenya

"You look beautiful."

I frown at Elladan, barely able to think due to the pounding in my head. He sits on the bed beside me, gently running his fingers through my tangled crimson curls. His eyes are soft and melancholy as he gazes down at me. Even in all my pain, I still feel butterflies in my stomach when he gives me that look. He always looks at me as if I am the only girl in all of Arda, and it takes my breath away.

I close my eyes tightly when a wave of pain crashes over me, and I groan. I feel 'Dan place a rag soaked in cold water over my eyes, and I sigh in relief at the feeling. A few moments pass before I am able to respond. "You are such a flatterer," I say, my voice a mere whisper.

He chuckles softly, resuming his task of running his fingers over my hair, and my chest feels warm and fuzzy as he does so. "I am telling the truth, Taenya," he responds amusedly.

"I have been coughing up blood and fighting dreadful fevers for a week, 'Dan. I need a bath and a good hairbrushing," I say slowly and quietly, so as to not make my headache worse.

"That does not make you any less beautiful, Meleth nín (My love)," he responds stubbornly, and my lips twitch into a smile for a short moment before falling back into a grimace.

"You will change your mind when I accidentally throw up on you," I whisper, and he laughs brightly.

"Oh, hush," he jokes, "Would you like me to fetch a maid? A bath might help you feel better."

"No, I just want you with me," I complain weakly, "Could you please fill up a hot bath for me? I can bathe on my own."

"Taenya," he sighs uncertainly, taking the cloth from my eyes, and I look up at him, "You can barely move, and I cannot help you undress or bathe."

I blush at his blunt statement, mortified that he thought I was insinuating such a thing. "I was not-" I begin in panic, but I break into a coughing fit.

'Dan places his handkerchief over my lips, saying soothing words of comfort as tears form in my eyes. I have quickly grown to despise these coughing fits because they are extremely painful. It feels like needles are shooting through my chest with each cough, and it only amplifies the pain in my head tenfold. It seems like anytime I get worked up, that is when the coughing attacks come on, but sometimes I will be lying still and it will happen anyway.

When I stop coughing, he pulls the handkerchief away from my mouth, and he lays it on the nightstand. "What about Arwen? She has been anxious to come and visit you."

I only manage to nod weakly. He eyes me for a moment, worry evident in his silver irises, and he leans forward and kisses my forehead ever-so-carefully. "I will be back soon."

Mere moments after he quietly shuts the door behind him, a timid knock raps at the door. "Come in," I say as loudly as I possibly can, and I watch as the door opens. Ryia walks into my room hesitantly, her eyes widening when she sees me. If I felt better, I would have laughed at her surprise upon seeing me. Judging from her reaction, 'Dan was definitely lying earlier when he told me I looked beautiful.

"Ryia," I murmur, patting the space beside me on the bed that is now empty, "You can sit with me if you want to."

She approaches the bed slowly, her tiny footsteps nearly silent like those of an elf. She pulls herself up onto the large bed with some difficulty, but when she is settled, she looks at me with wide eyes again. "Are you okay?" she whispers cutely, peering down at me through the curtain of her curly red hair, "Queen Esta told me I was not allowed to visit you yet, but I snuck away when she went to get me a plate of cookies."

A short breath of amusement leaves my lips- the closest sound I can make to a laugh. That small action winds me, and I take a short, shuddering breath in order to start breathing properly again. "That was very naughty, but I am pleased to see you. I have missed you these past few days."

"You have?" she asks, grinning happily, "I have missed you, too!"

I wince involuntarily as her voice raises, and she immediately pouts. "I am sorry," she mutters, looking down at her lap, "Queen Esta said I would be too loud and in-in.. instrusive."

I bite my tongue to keep from laughing again. "You mean intrusive? You are not either of those things, my Ryia. I am so happy to have your company. 'Tis just that my head is hurting very badly, and the smallest of sounds makes it worse. Do not feel bad; 'tis not your fault," I tell her, my voice rasping.

The door creaks open slowly, and I turn my head with difficulty to see the queen of Mirkwood stepping inside. She crosses her arms, raising her eyebrow at Ryia who nervously grips the covers lying across my legs .

"Ryia, I told you not to come in here," she scolds lowly before her bright blue eyes shift to me. She walks closer to the bed, her eyes carrying a look of sadness and pity. "Oh dear, how are you feeling?" Her voice is soft and motherly, and it relaxes me instantly.

"I feel... sick," I answer unimpressively, and she laughs, sinking down on the bed near my shoulder. My lips twitch into a smile briefly.

"I imagine so. Do you need anything?" she questions kindly, leaning forward a bit to place her hand on mine in an act of comfort, and her long white hair brushes against the bed. I notice the way her hair falls in perfect waves around her small, pixie-like face and the way her nose scrunches up and her eyes crinkle at their corners when she smiles. Her snowy hair and the pop of color that is her strikingly blue eyes make her appear to be an ice queen, yet her personality is as bright as the summer sun. 'Tis no wonder why the supposed cold hearted king fell in love with her. Queen Esta is every bit as gentle and breathtakingly beautiful as a queen should be.

"'Dan has gone to fetch Arwen. We both agreed it is high time I had a bath," I reply, looking up at her through my watery, feverish eyes.

She smiles, shaking her head. "He would run through Mordor and back for you, Taenya. I hope you know that," she says softly.

"I know," I reply, attempting another smile.

The queen smiles gently. "Well, if there is nothing I can do for you, I guess we should leave you to rest now. I came to grab this naughty little girl," she says teasingly, tickling Ryia who giggles. I watch as the queen stands, her deep blue gown rippling like water with the movement, and she scoops Ryia into her arms. "Feel better soon, Taenya. We have all been so worried for you. Whenever you are up and walking again, my family and I would like to get to know you better," she says firmly, showing that she really means her words, before stepping out into the hallway and closing the door behind her.

Arwen and 'Dan arrive not long after.

"Oh, Taenya," Arwen sighs, her eyes round and sad as she looks at me for the first time since I fell ill, "It pains me to see you like this." She pats my hand sympathetically before moving to the washroom to draw my bath.

Elladan slowly helps me to sit up, and he looks at me apologetically when I gasp in pain as he picks me up in his warm, strong arms. I close my eyes tightly, laying my head against his shoulder, and I will myself to not throw up. "Are you alright for me to walk?" he asks softly.

I do not answer for long moments, waiting for my head to stop spinning. When I am able, I nod ever-so-slightly. He moves to the washroom slowly, and Arwen opens the door. 'Dan sits in a chair beside the bathtub, holding me in his lap as we wait for Arwen to finish heating the water that pours into the tub from one of Rivendell's springs.

He rubs his hand up and down my arm soothingly as I struggle to breathe through the tightness in my chest.

Arwen quietly addresses her brother. "How am I going to hold her up? I thought she would be able to stand at least a bit on her own. Poor Taenya, she can barely be moved."

'Dan stays silent.

Arwen clears her throat. "'Dan, you are studying to be a healer. Helping Taenya bathe would not be improper considering neither maids nor I will be able to hold her up or help her out when she is finished bathing. She is in pain. She needs you," she says.

My heart picks up speed in my chest. He cannot be in here while I bathe! I would never be able to look at him again!

Elladan sighs softly. "I know. I think her fever is coming back, so she definitely needs this bath. 'Twill make her feel better, I think."

"Well, the bath is ready," Arwen says, "Do you need my help?"

"Yes, I have no idea how to untie these dresses," he replies, and Arwen laughs heartily.

Elladan stands, carefully setting me on my feet, but he does not let go of me. My head spins again with the movement, and I collapse against him, my head on his chest. Arwen begins to untie the back of my dress, and my stomach flutters with nerves. A hot bath is exactly what I want right now, but I am not at ease with 'Dan helping me. A healer he may be, but we are courting, still. I just wish Lady Celebrian was here to share her thoughts.

"Alright, her dress is untied," Arwen says. She tugs at the material, pulling it down my shoulders.

I look up with effort, meeting Elladan's pained silver eyes. Neither one of us speaks, but he seems to get the message that I do not want him to look at me. He averts his gaze from me as my dress pools at my feet along with my undergarments, and my cheeks flush deeply.

'Dan scoops me into his arms, lowering me into the water quickly but carefully, and I watch him the whole time, my heart swelling with warmth as he keeps his eyes away from me like a true gentleman. Once I am submerged in the warm water, my entire body relaxes almost instantly. The water reaches my shoulders, but I sink into it further, allowing the bubbles from the soap Arwen placed inside to cover me.

She laughs, her gray eyes sparkling. "Taenya, you already look like you are already feeling better," she says, and 'Dan chuckles along with her.

"The water feels great," I respond, my voice still shaking weakly.

Arwen smiles widely. "Well, I need to get back to your sister. Ada is checking up on her, making sure her pregnancy is going along as it should," she says, walking to the door, "'Dan, if you need me, you know where to find me."

Once she leaves, Elladan sits on the floor beside me, and his eyes trace over my facial features. "Are you truly feeling better?"

I nod, able to smile for a few moments for the first time in a week. "I still feel awful but not as weak and sluggish," I tell him. I stare into his beautiful eyes for a moment before saying softly, "Thank you, 'Dan."

"'Tis nothing," he says, smiling handsomely, "I would do anything for you. I cannot bear seeing you unwell. It pains me deeply."

I shift in the water, soaking in the warmth.

"Would you like me to get you a washrag? Some oils?" he questions, and I nod.

He stands and grabs a rag from one of the many shelves on the wall, and he grabs a bottle of scented oil. He hands them to me, reclaiming his spot on the floor. I pour some oil on the rag, and I hand the bottle back to 'Dan. I begin to bathe, starting with my arms, and it feels so amazing to scrub away the grime and sweat from my skin. I glance at Elladan, meeting his gaze, and he instantly turns his eyes away from me, pretending that he was not watching me.

"Elladan, after I wash my hair, will you braid it for me?"

"Of course."

After scrubbing my skin with the oil-soaked rag and soap that was already in the water, I slowly push myself forward to give myself room to wash my hair. I close my eyes and hold my breath, sinking under the warm water, and I relish in the way the water feels against my feverish skin. When I come back up, 'Dan holds out a bottle of scented hair oil, and he pours some in my hands. I massage the oil through my sopping wet, tangled locks, and I can practically feel the grime dissolving from my hair. It's a wonderful feeling after lying in my sweat for a week.

I sink under the water again when I am finished, and I scrub my scalp and run my fingers through my hair, making sure to get all of the excess oil and filth. I come back up when I'm out of breath, which is much more quickly than usual due to my sickness.

"Okay," I pant, looking at 'Dan, "Will you braid my hair now?"

He nods, anxiously watching me gasp for breath. He stands and grabs a comb and tie, and he seats himself behind my head, laying a towel behind the tub. I help him pull my hair over the edge, and then I sink into the water to relax. He begins to comb the tangles out of my hair in a gentle manner, patting my hair with the towel every now and then to dry it a bit.

"Do you think your naneth has reached Lorien, yet?" I question him, closing my eyes tiredly. After all this movement, I feel winded.

He is silent for a moment, and I know he is worried about something. "I do not know. I pray she is."

I bite my lip, wanting to question him so badly, but I know he is being short with his response for a reason. He is afraid; of what, I do not know, but I have to respect his silence on the matter.

"Thank you for helping me into the bath," I thank him again, "I feel loads better in the water, but I believe my fever is trying to come back. My chest feels tight, and I am having a hard time breathing."

"I would do anything for you, Taenya, if only to make you smile," he responds quietly, and I feel him press a chaste kiss to my head, "I will help you out when I finish your hair, and then you can sleep."

At his sweet words, I feel tears prick my eyes. Could this possibly be our last few weeks together? We have not known each other for long, and I have just begun to fall in love with him. It seems so unfair that our time together will be cut short by death. Will I never get to know how it feels to be his wife, to spend long nights with him and wake up each morning by his side? I want to experience such happiness with him more than anything.

Before meeting 'Dan, I do not think I would have had much to miss in life if I became sick, other than my sister and Falenas, and they would have been better off without me. With my death, there would also be new life in the house I grew up in, and their child could grow up to become someone important. I would wish that, if I had never met Elladan.

But now I have him, and I love him more than I ever knew was possible. I am selfish. I do not want to die. I want to live out all the years of our lives side by side, hand in hand. Elves are meant to live forever but for some reason, forever was taken from my parents, and now it is being taken from me.

A single tear rolls down my cheek, and it drops into the water, ripples forming after its fall. That is how life is, is it not? The tear represents a single person, and when that person dies, it affects so many others, thus causing the ripple. What will happen to Elladan when I die? What about my sister or Falenas or my unborn niece? What will all of my new friends do when I am passed: like Lord Elrond and his wife, Elrohir, Arwen, Ryia, Queen Esta and her family? I do not want to leave any of them. I only just became close to them and was welcomed into their hearts warmly. I cannot leave them now.

I silently pray to Eru, asking him to save me, to allow me to live out my days with Elladan and my new loved ones by my side. Is it selfish to pray for my own life? I do not know. But I do know that I believe my prayers will be answered because my request comes from deep within me, from a place so deeply hidden in my soul that I did not know it existed until now.

I sigh, closing my eyes tighter.

Please, let me live.

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A/N: Sorry for the wait, y'all! I've been working by bottom off on an original book that I'm thinking about publishing on here! ;)

If you enjoyed, please comment! I'll try to update soon. Love y'all and God bless! <3