EXTENDED SUMMARY:
SETTING: This story takes place several years after the War of the Ring, and Gondor is still in the midst of recovery. Aragorn and Arwen are already wed and living in Minas Tirith. Elrond, Galadriel and Celeborn had already heeded the call of the sea, taking Gandalf, Frodo and Bilbo with them. In this universe, Eowyn, though betrothed to Faramir, had deserted him; the reasons will be discoursed as the story progresses. There would also be an unexpected return of a member of the Fellowship.
PLOT: A plague has descended upon the City of Doza, Gondor's tiny Southeastern neighbor. Doza is the City of the Healers of Men, and yet, all their knowledge and training in medicine are inadequate to end the plague. Ormulla, the Great Dozan Healer, has sent three of his protégé's to ask for Elessar's help.
SPOILERS: There may be some from the LOTR trilogy.
AUTHOR'S NOTE AND DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the Tolkien characters. The Dozan characters in this story are original, as well as the cities of Doza and Tersaf. I have very limited knowledge regarding Middle Earth geography, and I would greatly appreciate feedback regarding this matter. This fiction is my first attempt in writing Tolkien fanfiction.
FEEDBACK: Greatly appreciated! You can leave it at the review section or sent it directly to me via email: sidlestokes@yahoo.com
THE LAST ISTARI
By Moose
Chapter 1
"Forgive me for intruding, my Lord, but the messengers beg to see you at the soonest possible time."
Aragorn shifted his weary grey eyes to the bowed Gondorian guard at the entrance of his study. He has had a long day, and he was eager to hear the urgent news that Faramir brings. "What matter could be so urgent that it cannot wait until I finish my business with the Prince of Ithilien?"
"They would not say, my Lord," the guard replied, his voice reflecting the uneasiness he felt. "I –"
"King Elessar!"
Aragorn's hand instinctively grasped his swords hilt, as the guard and Faramir protectively positioned themselves between the newcomers and the King of Gondor.
"We mean no harm," said one of the three white-cloaked figures at the doorway, raising his arms to emphasize his words. "Please do not unsheath your weapons, for we come not to fight you and have left ours in the hands of your chamber guards."
Aragorn, who had traveled to more lands than any of the other occupants in the room, relaxed as he took in the sight of his visitors. "Your garb tells me you come from the Southeast. Are you not from the City of Doza?"
The three bowed in agreement. "Aye, my Lord," replied the one who stood in the middle. "We come with the most urgent matter."
"I can see that," Aragorn nodded. "I am quite familiar with your land and its inhabitants. If I am not mistaken, you three are from the class of healers." He paused, waiting for confirmation. The three visitors nodded. "Very well, what is this matter that demands my attention?"
"Before I answer that, first I must introduce myself and my companions to you," the man replied, removing his hood to better show his face. "I am Rolo, and I stand here with Akiral and Katana. Ormulla is our mentor, and he was the one who sent us to see you." His companions, a man and a woman, followed his suit and took off their hood.
"I remember him," Aragorn acknowledged. His astute eyes saw that the female in the group was regarding Faramir with what appears to be a mixture of surprise and bewilderment. Faramir ever so slightly uncomfortably shifted his weight, and the King knew he too was aware of the reaction he got from the one called Katana.
"He assured us you would," Rolo said, seemingly oblivious of his companion's reaction towards Gondor's Captain. "As for our purpose, we have come to ask for the aid of one who is knowledgeable of Elven healing ways."
"But Doza is the city of the great healers," Aragorn contended. "Why is it that you need Elven healing?"
"My Lord, a scourge has descended upon our land," Rolo replied gravely. "An unknown evil has afflicted most of our countrymen, and as we speak, many of them are giving up their bodies to Death. Ormulla has exhausted all his resources and knowledge, as has most of the other great Dozan healers, and yet this illness has left us baffled."
"And so you wish to consult Elven medicine."
"Aye, my Lord," Rolo nodded.
"Tell me, then, how this disease behaves."
This time, it was the man named Akiral who spoke up. "It has an insidious course, my Lord. At first the afflicted would fall into a trance-like state, the duration of which varies greatly among individuals. It may be as swift as several days or as long as several months. Then suddenly, the sick one would snap out of this phase and become either as violent as a rabid dog or as weak as an old man in his last days. Sometimes, there would be febrile episodes and delirium. Nevertheless, the outcome is still the same: the ailing body usually gives up within a fortnight after coming out of the trance."
Aragorn heard a sharp intake of breath at his right, where Faramir stood. He gave his captain a questioning look.
"My Lord, I'm afraid this is the same illness that has struck the city of Tersaf," Faramir explained. "A band of Ithilien rangers stationed near the city has sent word to me regarding these strange happenings at the city. This was the matter that I wish to discuss with you today."
"It is worse than we thought," Rolo said. "We had no inkling that it had gone beyond the borders of Doza."
"This is grave, indeed," Aragorn remarked thoughtfully. "However, I'm afraid Elven medicine can do little to aid you. You must understand that Elven medicine is directed towards dealing with afflictions of Elves, not mortal men like us. Elf physiology is different from ours, their bodies are immortal and can withstand more pain and heals faster than human bodies."
"Still, we would be grateful for your advice regarding this matter," Rolo implored. "We are at our wits ends and are willing to try anything to stop this disease."
"Very well," Aragorn said, realizing the seriousness of the situation. Healers of Doza pride themselves of being the best healers of men in Middle Earth, and they would never disclose that they do not know how to deal with a particular disease. Only desperation could possibly fuel Rolo's admission. "I will have to consult my books and my Queen, who knows much more about Elven healing than I do. In the meantime, eat, rest and refresh yourselves, for I see that your travel has took its toll on your bodies. I will call you when I have found something which can be of help."
"We are very grateful, King Elessar," Rolo bowed, as did Akiral and Katana. "We apologize for rudely interrupting your meeting."
Aragorn motioned for the guard, and gave him instructions to escort his visitors to their chambers. Faramir left with them, leaving Aragorn alone to try to find a solution to this problem.