Part One
"You shouldn't be out on the fields anymore. Just stay at home and rest for once. And take this, twice a day now."
"But my field-"
"Your field will waste away further if you die tomorrow and there is no one to take care of it," she offered her patient a warm smile. "You toil far too hard. Perhaps your family can handle the load for just one week. One week of rest and this ailment will surely fall behind you."
The man sighed, hanging his head a bit.
"If only we had that much time," he moaned. She only smiled again, patting him on the shoulder.
"If you do not rest, you will have no time left," she warned him. "One week, and all will be well."
"Very well," he consented, motioning for his son to help him stand. "I will rest-"
"Aerin!"
The occupants of the entire room spun around in unison. She frowned when the door to her rooms burst open, the Lady Eowyn running in.
"There are strange men," the lady gasped. "Entering the palace now. You must come."
"What? Why?" she was flabbergasted. But Eowyn was already gone, racing back towards her uncle as fast as her legs could carry her. The healer Aerin exchanged a shocked looked with her apprentices, turning to frown at the disappearing back of the lady.
"Sera," she called, edging towards the open door. "Please give Torat the potion. I will return shortly."
And then she was out the door, running to the entrance hall after Eowyn. She flew through the hallways, noting with confusion the lack of guards or goons present. Where had everyone gone?
Sounds of fighting reached her ears, causing her to increase her speed. The hall loomed in the distance, Eowyn as well. She watched as the lady dove through a crowd of people, trying to make her way to the king. She followed, slowing down when reaching the outer limits of the crowd.
She edged her way through the gathered people, seeing Grima's men laying on the floor in pain as she made progress. When she broke free, she turned immediately to see the king being confronted by a tall man dressed in white. Her eyes widened when she recognized that man as Gandalf the Grey. She paused, seeing Gandalf raise his staff to the king. The king twitched on his throne, grimacing in pain.
A gasp escaped her lips as she looked on his face, contorted with pain. She stepped forward, intent on helping her king. She wondered why no one else did a thing. The royal guard was standing idly in the hall while this wizard performed some magic on their king! Why were they just standing there?
A hand on her arm stopped her movement. It wasn't a grab per say, but more like a brush of contact, very light but enough to draw her attention. She turned, looking into clear blue eyes. And in a flash of light, she was taken away.
A sight hit her, like so many others had in her life. She saw nothing clearly, but this creature with long blonde hair moving rather slowly on top of a woman. She couldn't see her face but felt the heat radiating from both participants. It was just so intoxicating . . .
And again with a flash, she was back. The creature, an Elf she could see by now, was staring at her. He shook his head, his eyes going to the king and Gandalf. She nodded, but stepping back rather shakily from him. He looked at her strangely, but she turned away from his clear blue eyes. Instead she looked among the others, seeing Eowyn in front, held at bay by a man in dark clothes.
Grunting and whimpering at her side brought her attention to the left. She was taken aback to see a dwarf there, standing rather triumphantly with his boot on Grima's chest. She drank in the sight of Grima, shaking with fear and panic, a smirk coming over her features. She did not know what was happening, but if it did harm to Grima, it could not be all bad.
She turned back to her king, seeing Gandalf shouting words at Theoden.
"Saruman," the wizard declare. "I will draw you from the king as one draws poison from a wound!"
Her breath caught in her throat as the ripple effect of the wizard's power washed over her. She watched with trepidation as the wizard slammed his staff into her king's forehead, causing the man to cry out in pain. There was a tense moment, when everyone in the hall held their breaths, and then Theoden sank from his throne. Gandalf backed away from the fallen man, triumph on his features.
Eowyn broke free of the man holding her, rushing to her uncle's side. She only edged forward slowly, stopping a fair distance from her king and lady. Her heart began to swell in her chest as the king's frizzled white hair faded back into the tidy blonde locks he had been born with. His skin took back its colour, smoothing out a bit. And his eyes, the cloudiness drifted away from them and the king's blue orbs returned. She saw something in them she had not seen in awhile- awareness.
"I know your face," the king whispered, hands trailing over Eowyn's face as he squinted. Eowyn brightened, looking hopefully at her uncle for the first time in the long time.
"Eowyn," the king finally declared. His recognition caused tears to well up in her eyes, as well as several others in the room. A hand went to her mouth, trying to keep her emotions from spilling out of her. The king had his reunion with his niece, under the watchful eyes of the entire hall. Eowyn broke free of her wonder, frowning at her uncle's position. The lady turned, searching the crowd around her until her eyes fell on Aerin.
"Aerin," Eowyn motioned with her hand. "Come quick. He is weak."
She needed no more encouragement than that. She gently pushed her way through the crowd, *accidentally* kicking Grima in her attempt to step over the fallen man. Her clumsy act caused a titter to rise up from the dwarf. She smiled down at him as she passed, biting back a giggle at the wink he gave her.
But merriment left her after that, the seriousness of the situation taking hold again. She rushed past the others, kneeling in front of her king right by Theoden. His dazed eyes wander over her face, frowning as he tried to place her.
"Aerin," Eowyn supplied for him. "The palace healer. Surely you remember."
"Aerin . . ." her name rolled off his tongue. She spared him a happy smile before taking in his appearance. Her fingers flitted over his pulse point, feeling relieved to find a strong one there. He seemed fine, in perfect health, save for some weariness. Nothing a short rest could not fix . . .
"My healer," the king murmured, stopping her examination by taking her chin by his fingers. He angled her face towards his eyes, looking hard at her.
"Your mother . . ." he muttered. "You look just like her."
A smile and a tearful sob escaped her.
"Your majesty did always say that," she replied, blinking back her tears. He smiled at her distractedly. And then his face melted into a frown.
"Dark have been my dreams of late," he confided in her. He made to stand, still to weak to stagger to his feet. Aerin and Eowyn clasped one of his arms each, pulling their king to his feet. He fumbled for a bit, gazing out over the crowds of people in his hall. He flexed his hands unconsciously, looking entirely too small and confused for a split second.
"Your hands would remember their old strength again if they grasped your old sword."
Theoden seemed at a loss at Gandalf's words. Hama was quick to kneel in front of his king, his sire's sword outstretched before Theoden. He looked to Eowyn and Aerin for guidance. Eowyn looked a bit stunned, still marveling over her uncle's recovery. But Aerin only smiled, nodding her head in agreement.
"A wiser remedy I could not devise," she encouraged. Theoden reached out hesitantly, grabbing his sword by the hilt. Her breath caught in her throat again as his fingers remained where they were, relief filling her again as he pulled it from its sheath. Pride shone on her face as Theoden hefted his blade in plain sight to everyone in the hall.
And then he lowered his arm and let his eyes fall on Grima.
*****
There were no words to describe the extreme joy and satisfaction she felt when her king threw Wormtongue out of his hall and down the palace steps. She followed the crowd of people out of the hall, staying at Eowyn's side as they watched their king dispose of the filth that had haunted them for far too long.
Theoden was advancing on the snake, everyone watching in anticipation, when the Lord Aragorn interfered. His arm held back the king's killing blow, saving Grima's life.
"Too much blood has been split on his account," she could hear the man declare. Anger filled her, along with disappointment.
"Do not let him live," she whispered earnestly, all attention on her king. But Theoden heeded to Aragorn's words and Grima slipped through the crowd and out of the gates of Edoras.
Eowyn was celebrating the departure of the snake, throwing her arms around the healer in joy. Aerin managed a smile for her lady, but could not feel the same joy in her heart. Letting Grima live would not prevent more bloodshed, only increase it. She felt it, deep down in her bones.
She pulled back from Eowyn, allowing the lady to make for her uncle yet again. She watched her go with happiness on her face, turning to worry as she looked back at the closed gates of the city. Beyond there, Grima galloped away, most likely to his master's side. And the end result would be horrific for Rohan, she was certain.
A light touch on her arm pulled her out of her thoughts and back into a flash of light. The same sight as before, the Elf and his companion, causing her to warm from the inside out. She gasped lightly, turning physically away from the sight. She bumped right into the Elf in question, seeing the question in his eyes. She blushed, dropping her gaze and stepping back from him. She turned away, ignoring his presence to gaze upon her recovered king again.
The king had withdrawn from Aragorn, acknowledging his bowing subjects before turning back to Gandalf. There was weariness on his face as he spoke with the wizard.
"Where is my son?"
Her heart dropped, eyes meeting Eowyn's in the distance. Tears welled up in the lady's eyes once more at the thought of the prince. Everyone dropped their heads in remorse, none looking to answer their king. Theoden grew agitated, gaze sweeping over his subjects until they landed on her.
She could only sigh, tilting her head to the side and turning her gaze off to the side of the city. There were grassy hills there, flowers growing up wildly and sporadically all over the terrain. Theoden followed her gaze, and then sank to his knees in sudden grief.
The healer Aerin felt a tear slip down her cheek, never once taking her eyes off those hills. The hills where the lost members of Rohan's house were buried in death. A fresh grave had been dug that morning for the king's son.
*****
"You shouldn't be out on the fields anymore. Just stay at home and rest for once. And take this, twice a day now."
"But my field-"
"Your field will waste away further if you die tomorrow and there is no one to take care of it," she offered her patient a warm smile. "You toil far too hard. Perhaps your family can handle the load for just one week. One week of rest and this ailment will surely fall behind you."
The man sighed, hanging his head a bit.
"If only we had that much time," he moaned. She only smiled again, patting him on the shoulder.
"If you do not rest, you will have no time left," she warned him. "One week, and all will be well."
"Very well," he consented, motioning for his son to help him stand. "I will rest-"
"Aerin!"
The occupants of the entire room spun around in unison. She frowned when the door to her rooms burst open, the Lady Eowyn running in.
"There are strange men," the lady gasped. "Entering the palace now. You must come."
"What? Why?" she was flabbergasted. But Eowyn was already gone, racing back towards her uncle as fast as her legs could carry her. The healer Aerin exchanged a shocked looked with her apprentices, turning to frown at the disappearing back of the lady.
"Sera," she called, edging towards the open door. "Please give Torat the potion. I will return shortly."
And then she was out the door, running to the entrance hall after Eowyn. She flew through the hallways, noting with confusion the lack of guards or goons present. Where had everyone gone?
Sounds of fighting reached her ears, causing her to increase her speed. The hall loomed in the distance, Eowyn as well. She watched as the lady dove through a crowd of people, trying to make her way to the king. She followed, slowing down when reaching the outer limits of the crowd.
She edged her way through the gathered people, seeing Grima's men laying on the floor in pain as she made progress. When she broke free, she turned immediately to see the king being confronted by a tall man dressed in white. Her eyes widened when she recognized that man as Gandalf the Grey. She paused, seeing Gandalf raise his staff to the king. The king twitched on his throne, grimacing in pain.
A gasp escaped her lips as she looked on his face, contorted with pain. She stepped forward, intent on helping her king. She wondered why no one else did a thing. The royal guard was standing idly in the hall while this wizard performed some magic on their king! Why were they just standing there?
A hand on her arm stopped her movement. It wasn't a grab per say, but more like a brush of contact, very light but enough to draw her attention. She turned, looking into clear blue eyes. And in a flash of light, she was taken away.
A sight hit her, like so many others had in her life. She saw nothing clearly, but this creature with long blonde hair moving rather slowly on top of a woman. She couldn't see her face but felt the heat radiating from both participants. It was just so intoxicating . . .
And again with a flash, she was back. The creature, an Elf she could see by now, was staring at her. He shook his head, his eyes going to the king and Gandalf. She nodded, but stepping back rather shakily from him. He looked at her strangely, but she turned away from his clear blue eyes. Instead she looked among the others, seeing Eowyn in front, held at bay by a man in dark clothes.
Grunting and whimpering at her side brought her attention to the left. She was taken aback to see a dwarf there, standing rather triumphantly with his boot on Grima's chest. She drank in the sight of Grima, shaking with fear and panic, a smirk coming over her features. She did not know what was happening, but if it did harm to Grima, it could not be all bad.
She turned back to her king, seeing Gandalf shouting words at Theoden.
"Saruman," the wizard declare. "I will draw you from the king as one draws poison from a wound!"
Her breath caught in her throat as the ripple effect of the wizard's power washed over her. She watched with trepidation as the wizard slammed his staff into her king's forehead, causing the man to cry out in pain. There was a tense moment, when everyone in the hall held their breaths, and then Theoden sank from his throne. Gandalf backed away from the fallen man, triumph on his features.
Eowyn broke free of the man holding her, rushing to her uncle's side. She only edged forward slowly, stopping a fair distance from her king and lady. Her heart began to swell in her chest as the king's frizzled white hair faded back into the tidy blonde locks he had been born with. His skin took back its colour, smoothing out a bit. And his eyes, the cloudiness drifted away from them and the king's blue orbs returned. She saw something in them she had not seen in awhile- awareness.
"I know your face," the king whispered, hands trailing over Eowyn's face as he squinted. Eowyn brightened, looking hopefully at her uncle for the first time in the long time.
"Eowyn," the king finally declared. His recognition caused tears to well up in her eyes, as well as several others in the room. A hand went to her mouth, trying to keep her emotions from spilling out of her. The king had his reunion with his niece, under the watchful eyes of the entire hall. Eowyn broke free of her wonder, frowning at her uncle's position. The lady turned, searching the crowd around her until her eyes fell on Aerin.
"Aerin," Eowyn motioned with her hand. "Come quick. He is weak."
She needed no more encouragement than that. She gently pushed her way through the crowd, *accidentally* kicking Grima in her attempt to step over the fallen man. Her clumsy act caused a titter to rise up from the dwarf. She smiled down at him as she passed, biting back a giggle at the wink he gave her.
But merriment left her after that, the seriousness of the situation taking hold again. She rushed past the others, kneeling in front of her king right by Theoden. His dazed eyes wander over her face, frowning as he tried to place her.
"Aerin," Eowyn supplied for him. "The palace healer. Surely you remember."
"Aerin . . ." her name rolled off his tongue. She spared him a happy smile before taking in his appearance. Her fingers flitted over his pulse point, feeling relieved to find a strong one there. He seemed fine, in perfect health, save for some weariness. Nothing a short rest could not fix . . .
"My healer," the king murmured, stopping her examination by taking her chin by his fingers. He angled her face towards his eyes, looking hard at her.
"Your mother . . ." he muttered. "You look just like her."
A smile and a tearful sob escaped her.
"Your majesty did always say that," she replied, blinking back her tears. He smiled at her distractedly. And then his face melted into a frown.
"Dark have been my dreams of late," he confided in her. He made to stand, still to weak to stagger to his feet. Aerin and Eowyn clasped one of his arms each, pulling their king to his feet. He fumbled for a bit, gazing out over the crowds of people in his hall. He flexed his hands unconsciously, looking entirely too small and confused for a split second.
"Your hands would remember their old strength again if they grasped your old sword."
Theoden seemed at a loss at Gandalf's words. Hama was quick to kneel in front of his king, his sire's sword outstretched before Theoden. He looked to Eowyn and Aerin for guidance. Eowyn looked a bit stunned, still marveling over her uncle's recovery. But Aerin only smiled, nodding her head in agreement.
"A wiser remedy I could not devise," she encouraged. Theoden reached out hesitantly, grabbing his sword by the hilt. Her breath caught in her throat again as his fingers remained where they were, relief filling her again as he pulled it from its sheath. Pride shone on her face as Theoden hefted his blade in plain sight to everyone in the hall.
And then he lowered his arm and let his eyes fall on Grima.
*****
There were no words to describe the extreme joy and satisfaction she felt when her king threw Wormtongue out of his hall and down the palace steps. She followed the crowd of people out of the hall, staying at Eowyn's side as they watched their king dispose of the filth that had haunted them for far too long.
Theoden was advancing on the snake, everyone watching in anticipation, when the Lord Aragorn interfered. His arm held back the king's killing blow, saving Grima's life.
"Too much blood has been split on his account," she could hear the man declare. Anger filled her, along with disappointment.
"Do not let him live," she whispered earnestly, all attention on her king. But Theoden heeded to Aragorn's words and Grima slipped through the crowd and out of the gates of Edoras.
Eowyn was celebrating the departure of the snake, throwing her arms around the healer in joy. Aerin managed a smile for her lady, but could not feel the same joy in her heart. Letting Grima live would not prevent more bloodshed, only increase it. She felt it, deep down in her bones.
She pulled back from Eowyn, allowing the lady to make for her uncle yet again. She watched her go with happiness on her face, turning to worry as she looked back at the closed gates of the city. Beyond there, Grima galloped away, most likely to his master's side. And the end result would be horrific for Rohan, she was certain.
A light touch on her arm pulled her out of her thoughts and back into a flash of light. The same sight as before, the Elf and his companion, causing her to warm from the inside out. She gasped lightly, turning physically away from the sight. She bumped right into the Elf in question, seeing the question in his eyes. She blushed, dropping her gaze and stepping back from him. She turned away, ignoring his presence to gaze upon her recovered king again.
The king had withdrawn from Aragorn, acknowledging his bowing subjects before turning back to Gandalf. There was weariness on his face as he spoke with the wizard.
"Where is my son?"
Her heart dropped, eyes meeting Eowyn's in the distance. Tears welled up in the lady's eyes once more at the thought of the prince. Everyone dropped their heads in remorse, none looking to answer their king. Theoden grew agitated, gaze sweeping over his subjects until they landed on her.
She could only sigh, tilting her head to the side and turning her gaze off to the side of the city. There were grassy hills there, flowers growing up wildly and sporadically all over the terrain. Theoden followed her gaze, and then sank to his knees in sudden grief.
The healer Aerin felt a tear slip down her cheek, never once taking her eyes off those hills. The hills where the lost members of Rohan's house were buried in death. A fresh grave had been dug that morning for the king's son.
*****