BRIDGES
Disclaimer: I know nothing, I see nothing, I hear nothing!
Summary: An adventure awaits our favorite ranger and elf. This is another "Fin" adventure.
Please read and review.
Chapter Three
The figure bent over the fallen man, lifting each eyelid in concern. Deciding the man needed to be out on dry land, the creature stood, grabbed the man by the hands, and pulled him until he was out of the water. They reached the grassy bank, and the creature fell in exhaustion next to the man and lay still for several moments.
The man moaned softly, his head turning from one side to the other. The creature rose quietly, and gently touched the man on the forehead. The man's eyes blinked open, and he looked at the creature that was watching him with concern.
"Fin," he said as he sighed in relief.
"Estel," she replied back, "Did you have a nice swim?" She said raising an eyebrow and smirking.
Estel laughed softly, clutching his side in as a wave of pain washed over him.
"You cannot stay here. It is too open to be safe at night. Do you think you can walk? I do not know if I can carry you."
"Aye, I will try. My horse and packs are upstream, although I am unsure how far. There is ample coverage to camp safely there."
Fin helped him struggle to his feet. He swayed as dizziness threatened to overcome him. She gripped him tightly around the waist, drawing a moan of pain from him, but he stayed on his feet. Leaning heavily on her, they made their way upstream. He was amazed at her strength, though he tried not to lean too heavily on her, he found her able to bear him.
"Do you often find the urge to swim in such dangerous waters?"
"By the Valar, it was not intentional!" he replied. "I have been traveling all day along this river, checking the soundness of the crossings. The last one just was not as sound as I would have wished."
"Apparently. You should be more careful. Humans are fragile," she replied with a grin.
"Hmph"
They trudged along for a half-mile when Fin spotted the horse in the distance. Off to the right, there stood a small wooded area. Fin did not think Estel could go much farther, and he was far too heavy for her to carry much farther. Deciding that they would be camping among the trees that night, she whistled to the horse, and turned to make her way to the trees. The horse picked up it's head from grazing and headed toward Fin and Estel.
Estel was having difficulty making his legs and feet comply. He felt dizzy and exhausted; he knew his strength would not last too much longer. He lifted his head and saw the trees ahead and vowed to make it at least that far.
When they reached the trees, Estel stumbled and nearly brought them both down to the ground. Fin just barely managed to stay on her feet, and make Estel's fall less jarring. He landed on his side in a heap and closed his eyes, concentrating on staying awake and breathing. She turned his head to look at her, concern etching her features.
"Will you be alright while I gather wood for a fire? I also need to retrieve my things from the river bank."
He nodded, to tired to respond verbally.
"I shall return soon." She dashed away, leaving the wet, tired, injured man amidst the safety of the trees.
_______________________________________
Chapter Four
He must have dozed briefly, for he woke as Fin struggled to move him closer to the fire and make him more comfortable. She pulled him upright and helped him remove his coat, which she draped nearby over a tree branch to dry. Leaving him sitting, she quickly spread out a blanket from his pack and then gently helped him lay down on it. The fire felt good, and he felt safe in Fin's care.
"Estel, I would like to look at your wounds, my friend. I have some supplies, but I am afraid it will not be enough. Still I can make you more comfortable."
"I have some things in my pack that you could use. I always carry a healing kit with me."
She went to his horses' side and removed the packs it carried. She rummaged through until she found the kit, and also brought out another blanket and a small pot to boil water.
She turned to Estel and noted with concern that his eyes were closed and his breathing was strained. She kneeled beside him and began undoing the clasps of his tunic. She helped him remove his shirt and discovered the reason for his difficulties. There was several large bruises forming along his left side, the tell-tale signs of broken or badly bruised ribs. On his right side there was a gash that had bled. The river water had helped to stop it and also kept it clean. He also had a bruise forming on his left temple where he had struck a rock or branch during his trip down the river.
Fin selected several herbs from the healing kit and soon had Estel drugged into sleep. She had bound his wounds on his chest and sides and had applied a salve to the gashes on his right side and head. She knew he would sleep for several hours, possible the rest of the night. She covered him with the extra blanket, and added wood to the fire.
Standing, she began to scout the area, walking in ever widening circles all her senses alert. When she was satisfied that nothing fell was roaming near, she returned to the fire to check the man. She felt his forehead, but it was cool. She sighed in relief that he had not developed a fever, but knew that humans could get ill when they were weak and their natural resistance is lowered. Making herself comfortable at his side, she leaned against a tree and looked up through the trees at the stars. She knew they had names, her mother had once told her tales of the stars, but she could not remember, it had been so long ago.
She briefly though of eating and wondered if when Estel had eaten last. She had not eaten much in the last few days, and even though she felt hungry, she did not want to leave the man in case he woke up.
She spent the night scouting, or sitting by his side, her hand lightly placed on his chest as she dozed.
Disclaimer: I know nothing, I see nothing, I hear nothing!
Summary: An adventure awaits our favorite ranger and elf. This is another "Fin" adventure.
Please read and review.
Chapter Three
The figure bent over the fallen man, lifting each eyelid in concern. Deciding the man needed to be out on dry land, the creature stood, grabbed the man by the hands, and pulled him until he was out of the water. They reached the grassy bank, and the creature fell in exhaustion next to the man and lay still for several moments.
The man moaned softly, his head turning from one side to the other. The creature rose quietly, and gently touched the man on the forehead. The man's eyes blinked open, and he looked at the creature that was watching him with concern.
"Fin," he said as he sighed in relief.
"Estel," she replied back, "Did you have a nice swim?" She said raising an eyebrow and smirking.
Estel laughed softly, clutching his side in as a wave of pain washed over him.
"You cannot stay here. It is too open to be safe at night. Do you think you can walk? I do not know if I can carry you."
"Aye, I will try. My horse and packs are upstream, although I am unsure how far. There is ample coverage to camp safely there."
Fin helped him struggle to his feet. He swayed as dizziness threatened to overcome him. She gripped him tightly around the waist, drawing a moan of pain from him, but he stayed on his feet. Leaning heavily on her, they made their way upstream. He was amazed at her strength, though he tried not to lean too heavily on her, he found her able to bear him.
"Do you often find the urge to swim in such dangerous waters?"
"By the Valar, it was not intentional!" he replied. "I have been traveling all day along this river, checking the soundness of the crossings. The last one just was not as sound as I would have wished."
"Apparently. You should be more careful. Humans are fragile," she replied with a grin.
"Hmph"
They trudged along for a half-mile when Fin spotted the horse in the distance. Off to the right, there stood a small wooded area. Fin did not think Estel could go much farther, and he was far too heavy for her to carry much farther. Deciding that they would be camping among the trees that night, she whistled to the horse, and turned to make her way to the trees. The horse picked up it's head from grazing and headed toward Fin and Estel.
Estel was having difficulty making his legs and feet comply. He felt dizzy and exhausted; he knew his strength would not last too much longer. He lifted his head and saw the trees ahead and vowed to make it at least that far.
When they reached the trees, Estel stumbled and nearly brought them both down to the ground. Fin just barely managed to stay on her feet, and make Estel's fall less jarring. He landed on his side in a heap and closed his eyes, concentrating on staying awake and breathing. She turned his head to look at her, concern etching her features.
"Will you be alright while I gather wood for a fire? I also need to retrieve my things from the river bank."
He nodded, to tired to respond verbally.
"I shall return soon." She dashed away, leaving the wet, tired, injured man amidst the safety of the trees.
_______________________________________
Chapter Four
He must have dozed briefly, for he woke as Fin struggled to move him closer to the fire and make him more comfortable. She pulled him upright and helped him remove his coat, which she draped nearby over a tree branch to dry. Leaving him sitting, she quickly spread out a blanket from his pack and then gently helped him lay down on it. The fire felt good, and he felt safe in Fin's care.
"Estel, I would like to look at your wounds, my friend. I have some supplies, but I am afraid it will not be enough. Still I can make you more comfortable."
"I have some things in my pack that you could use. I always carry a healing kit with me."
She went to his horses' side and removed the packs it carried. She rummaged through until she found the kit, and also brought out another blanket and a small pot to boil water.
She turned to Estel and noted with concern that his eyes were closed and his breathing was strained. She kneeled beside him and began undoing the clasps of his tunic. She helped him remove his shirt and discovered the reason for his difficulties. There was several large bruises forming along his left side, the tell-tale signs of broken or badly bruised ribs. On his right side there was a gash that had bled. The river water had helped to stop it and also kept it clean. He also had a bruise forming on his left temple where he had struck a rock or branch during his trip down the river.
Fin selected several herbs from the healing kit and soon had Estel drugged into sleep. She had bound his wounds on his chest and sides and had applied a salve to the gashes on his right side and head. She knew he would sleep for several hours, possible the rest of the night. She covered him with the extra blanket, and added wood to the fire.
Standing, she began to scout the area, walking in ever widening circles all her senses alert. When she was satisfied that nothing fell was roaming near, she returned to the fire to check the man. She felt his forehead, but it was cool. She sighed in relief that he had not developed a fever, but knew that humans could get ill when they were weak and their natural resistance is lowered. Making herself comfortable at his side, she leaned against a tree and looked up through the trees at the stars. She knew they had names, her mother had once told her tales of the stars, but she could not remember, it had been so long ago.
She briefly though of eating and wondered if when Estel had eaten last. She had not eaten much in the last few days, and even though she felt hungry, she did not want to leave the man in case he woke up.
She spent the night scouting, or sitting by his side, her hand lightly placed on his chest as she dozed.