Nightmare
T.A 3001
Draco woke with a scream at his throat and his hands fisted tightly in his blanket. His eyes were wide and his body was coated with a sheen of sweat, he panted heavily as he tried to dispel the images his nightmare had brought him. He dared not shut his eyes for the images were still there at the back of his eyelids, he felt tears wet his cheeks. He rubbed the back of his hands on his eyes as he heard a flurry of feet outside the door to his room, a knock.
“Draco? Are you well?” Lord Elrond’s voice called out through the door.
Draco willed his voice not to tremble, “Ye-yes, I’m fine.” He failed.
There was a stretch of silence as he heard hissed conversations going on outside his door, then footsteps were heard walking away from his door, Draco thought maybe they had left. “May I come in?” Elrond had not.
Draco’s desire for someone to be beside him outshined his common sense, he called out an affirmative and slowly sat up. Draco watched as the lord came in and closed the door behind him.
He had not seen this image of the lord before, with his hair unpleated, head unadorned with his circlet and other elvish jewelleries, a grey and silver sleeping robe billowing around his feet as he walked, Draco turned his head back down to stare at his fingers when he noticed he was staring at the Elven Lord.
“It was only a nightmare. Nothing to worry about.” He said as Elrond settled on the side of his bed.
“Pen neth, I am no stranger to nightmares. They do not fade even when your eyes are open.” Elrond tried to be gentle as he gave his advice.
Draco wondered if Elrond was implicitly asking, did he want Draco to tell him what his nightmare was about? Would talking about it convince the mind that it was somehow not that terrifying? Was he really caring or did he just want to know? Draco kept quiet.
“It is alright if you do not wish to. Do you desire a story? It had always calmed both Elladan and Elrohir when they wake from night terrors.” Draco didn’t want to be treated like a child though, he declined the offer as politely as he could, the Lord tried.
There was silence once again. Draco didn’t know what to say, he had nothing to say, he only wanted to not be alone, for fear of his dreams come back to haunt him again, he struggled to find something to break the silence else the elf lord decide to leave.
“Mayhaps I should leave you to further rest.” Elrond said as he stood up, he stopped when his wrist was grabbed and panicked eyes met his.
“I-“ Draco stopped himself before something ridiculous left his mouth, he let go of the wrist he had taken a hold of in his panic to stop the elf from leaving, what was he doing? This wasn’t his parents, he couldn’t ask for someone who had been more than courteous in healing and housing him to stay with him through a nightmare, it seemed ludicrous.
“Sorry.” Draco muttered as he placed his hands back onto his lap and stared as he fiddled with his fingers.
Elrond inspected the young wizard. His eyes were forlorn, he was biting his lips and fiddling his fingers, a nervous sign, did Draco want him to stay but did not dare to ask?
“Do you wish me to stay?” Elrond placed a palm on Draco’s cheek and gently lifted his head to meet their eyes, he hoped the touch would convey his care and prompt Draco to ask for what he wanted, what he needed.
Draco subconsciously leaned into the touch, he could feel tears gather under his eyes again, he did not trust his voice, so he nodded. Elrond smiled at him, it was a gentle, his face was soft and eyes tender, Draco felt comforted in his presence. He scooted over in his bed, hoping the lord would get the hint and, if he wished, act on it.
Elrond smiled inwardly at the shy boy’s display, he slid under the covers and leaned his back on the headboard. He gently guided Draco onto his back and placed his head onto his lap, mindful of his injuries. He swept the sweat damped hair away from Draco’s forehead, “Sleep. I will be here when you wake.”
Draco’s eyelids grew heavy and he surrendered himself into darkness, safe in the arms of the elf lord, he fell into a calming sleep with naught but the images of shining stars to accompany him behind closed eyelids.