Many Journeys by Elleth

Confabulation

Caught in Angband, Maedhros receives comfort from an unexpected source. (Implied torture, but nothing graphic.)

In the brief respites before I was returned to their chambers (for too much pain dulled the mind, and the orcs wanted their playthings aware), I was not alone. In that time between wakefulness and such dreams as are possible in Moringotto's fortress – of creatures that slashed your skin and had you wake bleeding – I felt my hand held. Sometimes I would crack my eyes open to see a mop of red hair that was not my own – and my heart would pound painfully; no, no, no, no! until she moved to reveal a young and unfamiliar face, save for that angle of her chin, or how she blinked her eyes owlishly, like grandfather Mahtan might do – or were these but phantom-thoughts to addle me?

At times I could not help myself and called her amil. Then, and only then, I thought I felt the pain lessen and the nightmares recede, and there was light and a voice I knew. “Take what strength and comfort there is, dearest, knowing that you are not alone, and sleep now. None shall assail you while I am here with you.“

And I slept, with her arms around me.

Chapter End Notes

confabulation kon-FAB-yuh-lay-shuhn, noun:
1. Familiar talk; easy, unrestrained, unceremonious conversation.
2. (Psychology) A plausible but imagined memory that fills in gaps in what is remembered.

(from www.dictionary.com)