I don't own any right on the characters or the universe, except for Lily and Gwenael.
Chapter 2. Meanwhile in Bree
As Lily enters the room of his patient, she sees he is trying to look at his stiches. The young dwarf cannot wait to hear her say that his condition allows him to take the road and join his uncle. Well, she is almost sure it is too early to do so.
- Good morning, Master Fili! Did you sleep well?
- Dear Lily! I slept like a log. How not to in a comfortable room as this one?
- I don't know... Maybe a bad wound around your ribs and back?
- Well, the painkiller herbal tea you gave me last night was quite effective.
- Maybe, but you won't have it on the road. You have to be in better shape.
- I am used to travel with wounds. This one is not my worst...
- I know, I know. You surely are a tough one, dear...
Well, it seems like she is facing what Bilbo sometimes called the sturborness of the dwarves. She takes a deep and subtle breath, focusing on the idea that all that bend does not break. So she stays quiet for the next minutes, examining cautiously how the wound is healing, and how is the general state of her patient. As she applies an ointment on him, she hears her beloved adoptive daughter, Gwenael, coming in the corridor, waiting at the door.
- Master Fili, let me introduce you to my best student, who is also my daughter, Gwenael Myrthle. I want her to see your stiches. It should be one of her last tests before she starts being an healer on her own. Do you mind?
- Of course not!
- Perfect! Gweanael, dear, enter please!
As Lily calls, a young hobbit appears in the door frame. She has blond hair that look like liquid waves of gold. Her eyes are emerald green, and she is taller than her mother. Lily, on the other hand, has brown and curly hair, with a lot of silver strays. Her gray eyes look wise and intelligent. Gwenael enters the room, ready to assist her mother and mentor.
Shaking Fili's hand friendly, the young lady introduces herself.
- Good morning Master Dwarf. My name is Gwenael, as you just heard, and I will do my best to assist my mother in helping you to heal as fast as possible.
- Please to meet you, Lady Myrthle.
Fili is not sure how he feels about her. Maybe it is because she is taller than usual for a female hobbit... or because her beauty is somehow making him uncomfortable. Maybe he is not used anymore to meet young ladies? He is nevertheless pleased to meet her, for her self-assurance makes him feel safe. He is convinced that she is totally reliable.
- It is my pleasure. Please call me Gwenael.
The youngest hobbit now examines Fili's wound. Right after she is finished, Lily asks for her opinion :
- What do you think?
- I don't know... I think I should talk with the patient first.
Noding to her last affirmation, Lily lets her apprentice lead the situation, for educational purpose. Gwenael turns towards Fili, looking at him directly in the eyes.
- I will be straight with you, Master Dwarf. You will have to wait a couple of days more before you take your leave.
Moving uncomfortably on his bed, Fili seems to deal with inner struggle. That is surely not what he wants to hear.
- Are you sure? He asks, not sure how to make her understand that he had worst wounds in the past, and that he is still in good shape.
- Well, you decide. But let me tell you the truth. We have to call a spade a spade. If you leave in your actual condition, there is an important risk that your wound gets infected, for many reasons : you won't wash enough, there is chance your stitches got stuck under your skin, or maybe they will break during travel... and so on.
Fili begins to link the dots and the idea to let go is slowly becoming an option in his head. But still... he is not used to be taken care of this way, and he was raised as a warrior. Ignoring the pain to get stronger is normal to him. Not to wait in a bed until is body is finished with the healing process.
Gwenael looks at him patiently, waiting in case he needs more information. Or sometimes, warrior just need an authorization to stop until they are fully healed.
- Master Fili...
- Please call me Fili. You saw me almost naked... I guess titles and formalities are no more necessary.
- If you wish, Fili. It would be a little dumb to leave now, unless an urgent situation, such as a greater danger for your health, just happens. If it heals badly, you will have a weakness that you will regret later.
She pauses a few instants, gathering her courage to tell him what she thinks he needs to hear, even if it makes him angry.
- You know what, I allow you to rest a few more days, just enough to make sure you are ready. If you have enough to be stucked between this four walls, then you could just take a few short walks a day. I will come back more often, just to have a look on your bandage and wound. What do you think?
Fili is a little stunned, and almost insulted. What does she think, giving him an authorization? But suddenly, his reaction makes him realize that his resistance at the idea to take a resting time is all about pride. But nobody here, except his brother, will see him in his actual condition. So why would he not let go, for once? He then just start to laugh, but regrets it seconds later, because laughing hurts at the site of his wound.
- Well, Lady Gwenael, you surely are an amazing healer. You heal the body as well as the mind.
- I see, you finally understand that you win more by listening to my advide than to follow your own mind. Well I am happy that you see it my way, because my way is the wellbeing of my patients. I thank thee for your nice words.
Lily observes carefully her student, not missing a word of this conversation. Well, her decision is made.
- Well, Gwenael, this is it. You just passed your last test. As your mentor, I declare you are officially a healer. May your professionnalism and your kindness always be the flame that leads your work. And as your mother, congratulations, my pumkin pie!
They both hug with all their affection, this effusion of enthusiasm and affection feeling a little bit akward and almost strange to Fili. But something seems about to melt somewhere in his chest. He better leave for a walk before this something melts for good. One new thing per day is enough... Well, one new thing in a while is enough. He does not need to become a softhearted... for softhearted kings do not lead their country for long, and he is supposed to rule one day, so, why bother to think about letting this part of himself to bloom? He thinks he really has to get out of here.
As he is gathering together his clothes, both damsels stop to hug, asking him if he needs help. He refuses politely, using his excessive free time as an excuse to do it alone, and slowly.
- Have a nice day, Master Fili, says a serious Lily. Make sure you pass by to say farewell, before you return to Erebor.
- Of course, my lady. I thank thee for all your good cares.
- You are very welcome.
And she leaves the room, giving a quick kiss on Gwenael's cheek on her way. The blond hobbit turns towards Fili right after the departure of her mother. She smiles warmly to him, hoping to induce some encouraging thoughts in him. Which makes him feel uncomfortable, he does not really know exactly why, until he remembers that he has to go outside to avoid an emotionnal melt down. This hobbit has definitely something that connects him too easily with his feelings. And this is not a very well known part of himself. He prefers to think logically, as the warrior and future heir he was raised to be.
- I will come back later today, says Gwenael. Make sure you do not push yourself too much.
- I got it, Lady Myrthle. I am a growned dwarf.
- I know, it is pretty obvious. What do you think will happen if I help you? That you will regress all of a sudden?
- Of course not...
She begins to annoy him, he has to admit. Does she always tells things so straight and without any reservation?
- Then, please, just let me help, for Elbereth sake!
- By Mahal, you are surely as stubborn as a goat, my lady.
She laughs loudly. She sounds like a strange mix between a crystal bell and... a pig , at least when she takes back her breath. Really strange, but verry funny too, he must admit.
- Sorry, Fili. I know, sometimes I cannot stop mothering my patients. I will give you space, here. But I still need to come back later. Take care until then.
- Thank you, my lady.
And she finally leaves him alone. So he slowly puts his clothes on, hoping he will feel better outside. Too much feelings are struggling inside of him now. Feelings that he is not actually used to feel so strongly. What a strange day. He has to find something to work on or to think about. Maybe his brother would have an idea? Focusing on finding his brother in town is an excellent start. At least, he thinks so.
At the end of the afternoon, Gwenael comes back, as planned, to the the Prancing Poney, after cleaning and changing herself. She had a wonderful day in the woods, searching for mushrooms and herbs. She even catched a couple of hare with her bow, that she always brings, just in case.
Walking in the corridor that leads to his patient room, she wonders if he pushed himself too much during the day. Bilbo already told her that dwarves are sometimes stubborn. She did not feel that Fili was that stubborn, for he seemed enough reasonable even if he was a little hard to convince. Maybe he was acting reasonable in order to get rid of her? Well, she will know real soon.
She knocks softly, in case he sleeps. She hears no answer. Hesitantly, she opens cautiously the door, and enters silently the room, not wanting to wake him. As she comes near the bed, she sees he is hidden under the blankets, even his head covered with the soft quilt. She decides just to catch a glimpse, only to be sure his stitches hold well enough. So she whispers softly :
- Fili, are you awake?
He moves a little under the blanket, talking harshly and quickly in his sleep, answering something in khuzdul, which she does not understand.
- Fili, wake up, please. I have to take a look. I will do it quick, so you can come back to sleep...
As her patient seems to sleep like a log, which she finds amazing because he must have pain enough to be uncomfortable in his sleep, It remembers her to prepare another painkiller herbal tea for tonight. Well, maybe Fili will not wake up this soon, so she decides not to waist time anymore. She slowly pulls the blanket around the area of his wound, just enough to check if there is something wrong with his bandage. Anticipating a bandage reddened by a small amount of blood, she is surprised to discover a perfect healed skin. She must look at the wrong side... But she was so sure it was his right side...
Suddenly, she squeaks, because strong arms make her turn arond and lift from the floor. It happens so quick. Seconds earlier, she was asking herself why there was no wound on her patient. She is now trapped in strong arms, a hand put on her mouth. Her breath becomes heavier and faster, as fear runs in her veins. She tries to calm down by exhaling as slowly as she can. She finally hears a voice in her ear, a voice that is not Fili's.
- Who are you, and what were you doing?
The hand leaves her mouth, to let her answer. Her voice shakes:
- I am Gwenael, the healer.
The arms leave her as quick as they grabbed her, seconds ago. She hurries to leave the room, running like a rabbit, but she is stopped by something robust, hard and warm. She runs right into Fili who is coming back from his walk.
- Careful, Lady Gwenael, or my stitches will.
Fili stops right there when he sees the tears on her cheeks, her face expressing fear. As her eyes meet Fili's, it seems to calm her a little. With a sob, and without thinking, she hides her face in his solid chest. His protective arms close around her, with no hesitation.
- What is it Kili?
Fili's eyes are very serious. He cannot imagine his brother hurting Gwenael, he knows him too well. But he also wants to protect this lady.
- It is a huge misunderstanding, I guess.
- Explain.
As Gwenael slowly relax, she hears what Kili says. A misunderstanding? Really? Anger grows in her belly, but words are stucked in her tight throat.
- I was sleeping on your bed, because I lost my key, the inkeeper was nowhere to find, and neither were you. So I decided to take a nap here, since your door was open. She took me by surprise into my sleep.
Fili knows is little brother and best friend. He does not lie. Guilt spreads from his face, even if it was surely fear that leads him to act this way.
As Gwenael slowly turns around, she steadies herself by pressing lightly her back on Fili's chest, wishing to throw her anger at Kili. But she is not prepare for what she sees, which is a sincerely ashamed dwarf. She is used to detect body language. Guilt is obviously printed on his face. In his so handsome face. Elbereth saves her, he is the most handsome male she ever saw. But she is still mad at him for his behavior. She tries to speak, but words are getting stucked in her throat. And Kili speaks first.
- I am truly sorry, my lady. It was not my intention to make you afraid. It was only an instinctive reaction. I hope you will forgive me, eventually.
The fact that he apologizes so fast, and most of it, that he understands that she needs time calms her. But she is too stunned to speak. So she takes Fili's hand, and makes him sit on his bed. She helps him to take off his shirt, and changes his bandage, putting some ointment before she puts a clean and new one on the wound, after cleaning it quickly but effectively. Her breath eventually calms down, and her muscles finally relax a little.
- Your wound is healing well, Fili, she says slowly.
Kili observes her while she is taking care of his brother. He hates when he reacts like this. His nightmares come back too often. There must be something to do with this? He does not want this kind of thing to happen again. But he still does not want to lose his reflex. Lost in his thoughts, Kili does not notice that his brother is looking at him. He knows his brother like himself, and he understands that Kili is now struggling about what he just did to lady Gwenael. He decides to take a chance and try to hit two targets with one arrow.
- Kili, maybe it would be a good idea to talk about it with Gwenael, she is a healer.
Fili sees that Gwenael stiffens when she hears what he just said. Well, it convinces him to make his move.
- I do not want to upset this young lady. She already takes care of your wound. With what happened, I feel bad just to think to ask her for help.
Gwenael's feels her heart squeeze when she hears him. His voice is so broken, he surely regrets what he did. If she does not take at least the time to listen to him, it would be a failure to provide cares to someone in need. It is not in her ethical code. And besides, it would be hypocritical saying Fili is stubborn if she is holding resentment against Master Kili. He already have apologized, and he seems truly sorry. What is done is done. And she must admit, now that fear is past, for she feels safe with Fili around, that this Kili is the first gentleman who can transform her stomach into a field of butterflies. She wants to give this new thing a chance... Now finished with Fili's bandage, she answers Kili, blushing when her eyes meet his.
- Please tell me what I can do for you... Master Kili. I am no more mad at you.
Really pleased by her words, Kili feels like his chest has just been freed from a heavy weight. As his eyes meet hers, he realizes how they look just like emeralds. And how her cascading hair just makes him think about gold. She is a living jewel... that fascinates him. Her blushing cheek make him think that maybe she is embarrassed and does not know how to dismiss him. He does not know what to do. Fili comes to his help, seemingly reading his brother's mind again.
- Lady Gwenael is a professionnal. She is obviously very commited to her work, and besides, as I know her from this moring, she is surely able to tell you if she does not wish to help, brother.
Listening to his brother, Kili finally decides to ask her for help. The worst would only result in her refusing. He has nothing to lose. But before he asks, she says:
- You are brothers? I did not realize... Anyway, please go ahead, Master Kili.
He clears his throat, not knowing how to ask it clearly.
- Well... I often have nightmares. And it sometimes makes me jump when I feel people near me.
It is difficult to focus on his demand, but she makes an effort to stay on duty.
- Since when do you have nightmares?
- A couple of weeks. It started when goblins were trying to kill me in my sleep. They almost succeded... Since then, I wake up during the night and any signal can startle me.
- Well, I have some herbs that are good against anxiety. But they are harmless against your reflexes. Let me prepare you something. I can bring it back at the same time I bring his painkiller tea to your... older brother, I guess?
- Yes, I am the little brother, answers a smiling Kili.
Gwenael's butterflies start to fly again, as well as her cheeks blushes another time. Pating Fili's shoulder, she smiles at the blond brother.
- Well, Gentlemen, I will come back later with your remedies.
They thank her in chorus, warmly.
As Kili cannot stop to look at her gathering together her material, and then follow her with his eyes until she is no more in sight, with a strange gleam in his deep brown eyes, Fili looks at his brother with a new perspective. Well, now that they get acquainted, he surely not feels how he expected to. Besides his relieve, he now feels something else. Another new kind of feeling. Too much new things in one day...
