Chapter 5
Return to Camp: Darkness Revealed
Upon reaching the camp of Rohan's army, King Theoden met them. Everything was explained, the hobbits were introduced, and how and where they had found Kalan.
"He needs a quiet, enclosed place to rest," said Aragorn. The old king nodded.
"Use my tent, it has more comfort than others," he offered and Aragorn nodded his thanks. As gently as he could, he took Kalan off the horse and into his arms. The youth cried out softly in pain, it made Merry and Pippin wince. As they took Kalan to the king's tent, he did not open his eyes.
Aragorn laid his burden down on the lush pallet in Theoden's tent. Legolas took a position at Kalan's head, the blonde elf stroking the dark hair, trying to soothe the boy who moaned and murmured strange and horrible things in elvish. Legolas caught Aragorn's eye, both understanding what Kalan said: he told of the torture he experienced at the hands of the orcs.
The man heated some water over a small brazier, then turned back to Kalan and unwrapped his cloak from around the smaller frame, but was mindful to keep him modestly covered. He checked for other wounds, anything other than the bruise and cuts on his thighs. Gently, the Ranger's fingers went between Kalan's legs. Kalan went rigid as Aragorn's fingers slowly explored and examined his opening. Kalan cried out as he was touched and tried to get away. Legolas held him still and Aragorn removed his hand. He looked at his fingered, his face becoming dark. His fingers were coated with Kalan's blood, which only slightly burned his skin…a bad sign. But there was also a black, sticky substance with the blood. Aragorn growled and wiped his hand on a towel. Merry watched all of this with wide, concerned eyes.
"What's wrong with him, Aragorn? I don't see many hurts on him," said the hobbit. Aragorn stood and faced the halfling.
"If my suspicions are correct, the orcs hurt him worse than what we can readily see," he said softly, and caught Gandalf's eye. At the mention of orcs, Kalan let out a small whimper.
"Saes, tampa! Tampa ta, saes…tampa…"1 Kalan whispered and his head tossed in the throes of a nightmare, or memory…or both. Legolas leaned down to whisper to Kalan in soft, fluid elvish.
"Gildae, tell me what they did to you," he asked. Kalan responded to his elven name, and answered in the same tongue.
"They wanted the Ring, hurting me, I feel dirty. There was no end to them, no end, always more pain; they enjoyed it, taking me, my tears. They wouldn't stop, wouldn't stop," tears slipped down his cheeks and he whispered. "They raped me."
Legolas flinched, his gray-green eyes flashing in anger. How dare those foul creatures do this to his friend! This beautiful being, torn apart and broken by unending pain and violation. They will pay, oh, they will pay dearly.
Kalan clutched at the blankets. "There was no end, they just kept coming, didn't stop, didn't stop," he added in a whisper, crying slightly. Legolas tried to comfort him, talking to him in elvish and smoothing the ebony waves. Aragorn clenched his fists, anger spreading over his normally calm features.
"So I was right," he said, mostly to himself. Pippin stepped forward, and tugged on the Ranger's tunic.
"Aragorn? What is it? What did they do to him?" the young hobbit asked. The man looked down at him sympathetically.
"They raped him, Pippin, over and over again. How long was he there?" he asked. Merry answered.
"We escaped from the orcs about six to seven days ago. They were still about a day's journey from Isenguard," he said.
"So, at least five days. Five days they tortured and violated him, it is amazing that he is still alive," Aragorn looked back at the trembling Kalan. Merry began to weep, as did Pippin.
"This is our fault, we left him behind," said Merry through his tears. "If we had been there…" he couldn't say anymore. Kalan stirred at the sound of Merry's voice and crying. He slowly opened his eyes, looking over at the two hobbits.
"Merry, Pip," he whispered. The two hobbits rushed to Kalan's side. Kalan raised a shaking hand and wiped the tears from the little faces. "I'm glad to see that you are alright. Don't blame yourselves; it's not your fault. You couldn't have done anything, had you been there. They would have only tortured you, too, to find the Ring." A small flicker of the old Kalan flashed in the silver eyes. "If I saved you from that, it was worth it," then the pain and fever took him again and he closed his eyes, shaking. He slipped back into his memories of torment, clutching desperately at the blankets. Aragorn turned to Gimli, who waited in brooding silence at the entrance.
"Gimli, take the hobbits out of here, get them some food and sleep," he said. The dwarf nodded and moved to the halflings.
"No! I want to stay here, with Kalan!" cried Merry, tears once again in his eyes, his little fists clenched. Aragorn knelt before him.
"Merry, Kalan would not want you to see him like this," he said softly. Pippin took his cousin's arm.
"C'mon, Merry. We can't help him now, not yet," said the younger hobbit. Merry dropped his gaze and nodded. He allowed himself to be led out by Gimli and Pippin. When they had gone, Aragorn stood and walked over to the now boiling water.
"He needs a healer, Aragorn," said the elf, he nodded. Gandalf spoke up.
"I shall go and find one," said the wizard. Kalan roused, startling Legolas who still held him.
"No! Please no one else," he cried out, sanity returning briefly to his eyes, but he weakened once more. "No one else, Aragorn, I cannot bear another's touch, not a stranger," he said. Legolas soothed him once more. Aragorn nodded.
"Alright, I am no healer, but I know of herbs that will break the fever and give you more strength. I shall return in the hour," and he stepped outside, followed by Gandalf.
"You know he needs other healing, Elessar2," said the wizard solemnly. Aragorn sighed.
"Yes, 'tis his soul that bears the worse wound. He can barely stand our touch!" his face contorted in anger and frustration. "Five days, five days, Gandalf of their continuous torment. They did not stop, you know that," he turned to the wizard. "As soon as he is well enough, I shall send him to Rivendell. Lord Elrond healed him before, and if his heart has not been completely destroyed, perhaps he can do so again. Only Elrond has the power to help him with this." Gandalf nodded.
"I will return to Orthanc, Sarumon and I have some unfinished business. He cannot hurt me anymore," he said.
"I will find the herbs and return here," said Aragorn. They clasped hands and parted.
1 Please, stop! Stop it, please…. stop…
2 Elessar = Aragorn's other name (one of many…)