Chapter Five: Hope
The thundering of hooves came as a welcome sound to the men and few remaining elves that still fought against the Orcs. Herendil let out a joyful cry when he saw Gandalf at the head of a charge of powerful horsemen. Even though the Orcs tried to stop the attack, it was hopeless for them. Many dropped their weapons and fled, only to die by arrows from the few archers that remained inside Helm's Deep. Herendil watched, with joy, as Gandalf and his reinforcements swept through the Orcs like a glittering silver tide. Before they knew it, the battle was all but over. The Battle of Helm's Deep was won, and Men won it (with the help of some friends, of course).
"Mithrandir, that was a spectacular charge. I've never seen anything like that!" Herendil said, when he'd caught up with Gandalf, Aragorn and Legolas.
"It was a fine charge, but you really must credit Eomer with that." Gandalf said, with a careworn, yet somewhat pleased, smile.
"I will have to. But first there are the wounded to tend to. Aragorn, Legolas, do either of you have any athelas on you?" Herendil asked, remembering about the wounded Haldir and his child guardian.
"I have a little, and some bindings for wounds and thread for stitches, as well." Aragorn said, as he handed Herendil a small pouch that had crushed athelas leaves in it and some other implements of a healer's kit.
"Good. I hope Haldir has managed to hang on." Herendil muttered, as he urged his horse into a gallop, trampling dead Orcs underfoot as he went.
"Shouldn't you go as well?" Legolas asked, as he watched the elf go.
"Perhaps I should, but there are others who need a healer. I think Herendil can handle this." Aragorn said, as the elf disappeared back into the Hornburg.
Gareth looked up when he heard the sound of hooves approaching. He was relieved to see Herendil approach and dismount, carrying in his hands what was going to be needed to save Haldir's life.
"How is he, Gareth?" Herendil asked. The relief in Gareth's eyes faded.
"He's unconscious. I think the cut is infected." Gareth murmured, sadly.
"Let me see." Herendil said, as he got down beside the wounded elf and took a closer look. To his dismay, he found that the child was right.
"Gareth, go and get me some water, kindling, and some flint. I'm going to have to clean this wound out before I stitch it closed." Herendil ordered. With a nod, Gareth ran off to find something, anything, that would help the wounded elf, and the elf that was helping him. He returned carrying a bucket full of water, and three more children (who had just emerged from the caves beneath Helm's Deep) carried the wood and an iron cooking pot between them.
"Here's the flint, sir." One child said, shyly, as he handed two good-sized gray stones to the elf.
"Thank you. Now to get started." Herendil murmured, as he started removing Haldir's armor and blood-soaked tunic. Once the path to the wound was clear, Herendil started a fire and balanced the iron pot over it. When the water had been added and was boiling, Herendil added the athelas. No sooner had the leaves touched the water that a sweet, comforting aroma came from it.
"That smells good." Gareth murmured, feeling strangely relaxed by the smell.
"That is athelas, or kingsfoil, as it is known in common speech. It cleanses and uplifts in more ways than one." Herendil said, as he dipped a rag into the boiling mixture and started cleaning Haldir's wound with it. Haldir moaned softly in pain as Herendil worked, while Gareth, who had refilled the bucket with cold water, wiped Haldir's brow in an effort to keep him comfortable.
"He was fortunate." Herendil murmured, as he finished cleaning the grisly looking wound.
"Why do you say that, Herendil?" Gareth asked, curiously.
"It's not as deep as I thought it would be. Also, the blade that inflicted this wound hadn't been in his flesh long enough to leave very much poison. He should be able to pull though this." Herendil said, as he started stitching the wound closed. When he'd finished binding Haldir's stomach in the soft white bandages Aragorn had given him, he looked around. He was a little surprised to see Aragorn coming but managed to smile tiredly.
"He lives. The wound wasn't as serious as I thought." Herendil said, as Aragorn looked over his work.
"You did a fine job treating this wound. Where is the one I saw helping you?" Aragorn asked.
"He's over in that corner, asleep. It's been a long night and long morning." Herendil said, as he watched Aragorn carefully carry the slumbering boy closer to the fire.
"It has, indeed. For all of us. Why don't you get some sleep? It's been almost four days and I haven't seen you get any sleep during all that time." Aragorn suggested, grinning as the elf unsuccessfully tried to hide a yawn.
"You're right, of course. I haven't really slept since I returned to life in the Marshes. But I will get some rest." Herendil said, as he turned his charge and patient over to Aragorn, then went to find someplace quiet to sleep. But he was not destined to have pleasant dreams. In his mind's eye, he watched as his previous life flashed before his eyes; from childhood to adulthood, from the march to the Black Gate, to his own death centuries ago, at the hands of the Orcs. He watched, in slow motion, as his friends and some of his cousins were slain right in front of him, opening his mouth to cry out in anguish, but releasing no sound. Then all faded into nothingness. The next thing he knew was that someone was shaking him awake. When he opened his eyes (he'd closed them completely during his nightmare) he saw a very concerned Gimli and Legolas leaning over him.
"I never knew elves could have nightmares, laddie, but that must have been a frightening one." Gimli said, as Herendil came more into himself.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you." Herendil said, shakily.
"It's all right. What did you see?" Legolas asked, calmly.
"My former life. Or the final moments of it. Am I to be haunted by those memories forever?" Herendil asked, his voice almost coming out in a sob.
"I should hope not. I could give you something to drink that will help you sleep, if you want it." Aragorn suggested, from his place by the fire. Herendil nodded, slowly.
"I think I will take you up on your offer, Aragorn." Herendil said, surprised when he saw Gareth sit down beside him and give him a trusting look.
"You aren't afraid of me? Even after hearing that?" Herendil asked, in disbelief.
"You're an elf, I could never be afraid of you, Herendil." Gareth said, confidently.
"Then you are indeed an Elf-friend. Gareth Elf-friend. How does that sound?" Herendil asked, now seeming to have cheered up a little. The boy's eyes brightened with joy.
"I like it! Do I get to go with you now?" Gareth asked, eagerly, taking the elf off guard.
"Erm………………….don't you have any parents that will want to know of your whereabouts?" Herendil stammered, as Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli chuckled and shook their heads. Gareth looked disappointed and nodded.
"My mother is still in the caves." Gareth murmured.
"Then she will need you here, to take care of her. Elf-friend, I can't keep any promises, but I will try to return here for you when this war is over. When an elf gives his friendship, he doesn't do so lightly. Remember that, young Gareth." Herendil said, gently, yet firmly. The boy nodded, albeit a little reluctantly.
"Now, loyal elf, your draught." Aragorn quipped, getting a long-suffering look from Herendil for that remark.
"If this drink is as nasty as you are, then I have worse to fear." Herendil muttered, jokingly, while feigning insult. He made a face as he drank, and, when he put the cup down, he gave Aragorn a look that said it all.
"Was it that bad, Herendil?" Aragorn asked.
"No. It was worse." Herendil said, with a grin.
"That's the thanks I get." Aragorn said, as some laughter came from Legolas and Gimli. As Herendil drifted off into drugged sleep, Gimli and Legolas exchanged glances.
"Do you think he knew any hobbits in his former life?" Gimli asked. Legolas shrugged.
"I don't know. But he certainly sounds like he did, at some point." Legolas replied, thoughtfully.
"Hobbits? You mean like the ones that were with you in Lorien?" Haldir's voice asked, weakly. All except the peacefully sleeping Herendil turned and looked at the now conscious elf captain.
"Glad to see you awake, Haldir. It seems you'll survive after all." Aragorn said, pleased that Herendil's efforts had paid off.
"All thanks to a resurrected elf and a human child. Herendil did well, in healing and in fighting, even though he'd been absent from this world for almost an entire age. He's taking this better than most, though I feel that the worst shocks are yet to come." Haldir said, wincing slightly as he levered himself into a sitting position.
"I feel the same. How do you think he will react when my true identity is revealed?" Aragorn asked, with some concern in his voice.
"I really don't think he'll react. It's not like he actually saw your ancestor, Aragorn." Gimli said, nonchalantly.
"Yet we can't be sure. That all remains to be seen when we actually arrive at that point in time." Gandalf said, as he entered the shelter.
"Is King Theoden calling for me?" Aragorn asked. The white robed wizard nodded. Without another word, Aragorn disappeared out of the shelter. With a sigh, Gandalf sat down and gazed at all of them. He could see how tired each of them were, and how badly they each needed rest. But, in the back of his mind he knew that there was very little time to rest.
"Tomorrow, we head for Isengard. Rest up now, for there will be no time to later." Gandalf said, getting looks of understanding from those who were awake (namely Legolas, Gimli, and Haldir).
"Sir Wizard, what about me?" Gareth asked, in a meek voice. Gandalf looked over at him, and gave him a kindly look.
"So young, and already a part of this war." Gandalf thought, as he looked into the child's deep blue eyes.
"You will be coming with us to Isengard." Gandalf said, matter-of-factly.
"I will?! I mean………………what will happen to my mother? Who will tell her that I am going to Isengard?" Gareth asked, stunned that he would be going with Herendil after all.
"Don't worry, I have the feeling she will know before this night ends. Now get some rest. There is a long ride ahead of us." Gandalf replied. He watched as the boy curled up beside Herendil and slip easily into slumber.
"Amazing how a child like him can get to sleep so easily after all that's happened to him." Legolas murmured, as he watched them both sleep on.
"Yes. But there is more yet to come. Much more." Gandalf said, as heavy foreboding came upon him. Haldir, having caught the look in Gandalf's eyes, also gazed at the elf and child.
"Elbereth guard them both. They're going to need all the protection they can get before this war is over with." Haldir thought, grimly. Outside, the night was unnaturally silent and dark. Time was running out.