It was around four in the morning when Gandalf finished telling me the tale
of the Fellowship. He had told about his fall into the Abyss and Pippin
told me quite a bit about the Fellowship in Lorien, when Merry and himself
were captured by the orcs and when Gandalf had carried him swiftly away
from Merry on horseback to Gondor. Gandalf went into great detail with
almost everything, mostly because I made him explain most everything to me.
Pippin had fallen asleep around one o' clock in the morning with his head resting in my lap. I smiled as I ran my fingers through his tangles of soft brown curls while I listened to Gandalf. To tell the truth, I was studying Pippin more than I was listening to Gandalf. Pippin was skinny now, and taller than when I had last seen him. His face was thin and yet, his cheeks still glowed a rosy pink colour.
I leaned back against the low bed and rested, feeling Pippin's breath on my stomach, warm and soft. Gandalf had fallen into silence for some time and was starring into the fire. Pippin snuggled deeper into the folds of my large shirt and I took off my cloak and wrapped him in it. I shifted my weight to my right hip so I could lift Pippin onto my lap and cradle him for a while. My tears feel upon Pippin's head as I realized how much he had gone through and how hurt and broken he must feel at times and I realized that I had missed him the most when the Fellowship was gone. Pippin was so innocent and fun loving that he should never have come on this dreadful journey.
I sniffed and passed my hand over my eyes. Gandalf glanced at me briefly and smiled wearily. He got up stiffly and while walking to the door, passed me and patted my head. I grinned up at him and hugged Pippin closer.
"Where are you going, Mirthandir?" I whispered.
Gandalf's eyes smiled down at me from deep inside of him hooded face. "I must talk to the Steward of Gondor and try to reason with him." Gandalf sighed deeply and sadly shook his head. "But, we aren't on the best of terms right now," here Gandalf laughed softly. "We never were really, he didn't think much of my ideas and I didn't think much of his pride. Yes, we can be friendly if we must be, but he won't likely be happy to see me again. All I hope to find out when I talk to him is about Faramir and how he is doing."
"Who is Faramir, Mirthandir?" I asked.
"Faramir, Second Son of the Steward of Gondor," Gandalf mused. "Faramir is Boromir's younger brother. He is a good man, though I am not saying that Boromir wasn't good, just that Faramir always thought about things and his heart was pure and he had an Elvish lore to him, so to speak. He can speak Quenya and Sindarin fairly well, and with a pure accent too."
I smiled. "Maybe I should meet this Faramir of whom you speak so honorably about. Do you ever speak of me to others?"
Gandalf snorted. "Heavens, no! If you ever do come up, all I say is that you are a child who doesn't want to grow up and get some common sense like a normal person would. You're a fine elf-maiden, though you can be difficult at times. You are loyal, though, and you will love others if they give you a reason too."
I raised my eyebrows. "O, so you insult me and then you turn it all around with compliments? Mirthandir, if I didn't know you at all, I would be very confused." I said smirking. "But Gandalf, would you not take us with you to see the Great Steward? Please, you could take both Pippin and me and we wouldn't get in your way. Didn't you say that Pippin was on good terms with the Steward and that he was to have a part in serving Gondor?"
"Yes, yes, I did say so," Gandalf said. "Well, if you insist. But Pippin won't be happy about being awaken at.o, four or so in the morning.but he is supposed to be severing the Steward now."
I smiled. "I can carry him, Mirthandir." Gandalf sighed and waved a hand for me to follow him. I pulled Pippin's arms around my neck and held him to me so that he wouldn't awaken while we were going down the stairs. Gandalf led us down the alley and back out into the street, which was now deserted. We headed towards the center of the White City, and most of the walk was slightly uphill. My breath came out in short gasps as we reached the stairs that ran up to the great halls. I shifted Pippin's weight so that I would be easier for me to climb the stairs. Halfway up Gandalf looked back and to my surprise, took Pippin from me and carried him the rest of the way up the stairs.
I smiled thankfully at the old Wizard. "Thank you," I whispered. Gandalf nodded. At the top, he handed Pippin back to me and told me to wait in the passageway for him to get back. "I will only be a few minutes, hopefully," he said.
I sat down and leaned against the cold stonewalls. I closed my eyes and hugged Pippin. He wiggled a bit and then found a more comfortable position and settled down again. I must have fallen asleep because when I opened my eyes again, Gandalf was standing over me. I gazed at him but his eyes would not betray his thoughts.
"Wake up Pippin," Gandalf softly said. I shook the Hobbit but he didn't stir. I glanced back up at Gandalf and he just shrugged.
"Pippin Took, wake up," I whispered, shaking Pippin again. Pippin groaned softly and then rolled over. I sighed. "Pippin, wake up, you lazy Took!" I said in his ear.
Pippin jumped and then rolled back over and rubbed his eyes. He starred blankly at us for a while and then said, "Where's Merry?"
My heart nearly broke. I tried to smile but couldn't. "He's not here, Pip. Just Gandalf and me."
"Oh," Pippin sighed and sat up. "I'm going to go for a walk. I'll be back."
We watched Pippin walk down the stairs and then turn a corner and disappear from sight. I looked back up at Gandalf. "What is it?" I asked.
"Faramir isn't well," Gandalf said. "Faramir is sick, very sick. The Black Breath has touched him. He was alright awhile ago.but he is drifting in and out of "
"But how." I started but stopped short because people were starting to come towards us. I looked up at Gandalf nervously.
Gandalf sighed. "I'm going to go to the gate and let your friend in. But don't tell the Steward that I did it. He would be furious. I'll send Pippin back also. I think that you shouldn't be here. Go back to the room in which we are in for a time. I'll send Lindir there." I nodded.
I walked back toward the low, poor end of the City and I got lost once or twice but I found the alley and the hidden door and went up to the room and I laid down on the bed and I rested for a while. About five minutes after I had gotten to the room, I heard the soft tread of someone's footsteps. There was a knock on the old door and I opened the door and found Lindir standing in front of me. He grinned and picking me up, he twirled me around and hugged me tight.
"I was scared that you had left me outside the gate," Lindir said laughing.
I smiled. "I wouldn't do that to you, brother." Lindir looked at me and pulled me into a hug again.
We started talking and then Lindir collapsed on the bed. He was sleeping now. All of a sudden I heard footsteps running up the stairs. I opened the door to have Pippin fall into my arms, breathing hard.
"Where.where is Gandalf," Pippin said panting.
"He went to the gate, why?"
"Oh, he's gone mad, MAD! He's going to take.take Faramir and burn him.alive!"
"Who is?" I exclaimed.
"The.Steward.is, and I don't know, know what to do!" tears flowed out of Pippin's eyes. "I can't let him do that!"
"Well, go Pippin! Now!" I pushed Pippin down the stairs and hugged him at the bottom. "Don't worry. You'll save Faramir. But all the same, hurry!" Pippin ran off down the narrow alley and turned the corner. I starred after him. 'Good luck,' I thought. 'May grace grant you a strong heart and fast feet.'
"Who was that?" Lindir said sleepily from behind me.
"It was Peregrin Took."
"One of those Hobbits?" Lindir gave me a funny look. I nodded yes. "Hum.well, as long as we're in a city, let's buy you some more suitable clothes."
I smiled. "Alright Lindir."
We walked down the alley to one of the small shops and went inside. An old man looked up as we entered. "What can I do for you?" he said in the Common Tongue.
"I, we." I stammered. I cleared my throat and started over. "I would like to buy some clothes that would better suit me."
The man looked me up and down with a skeptically eye. "Well, then," he said. "Over this way."
Lindir sat down and waited as I tried on different dresses. I choose two plain, but nice dresses and I got am expensive one too. Lindir paid five silver pennies for the plain ones and ten silver pennies for the other dress.
One of the plain ones was a pale blue colour and it had a short collar with long sleeves. The dress came down to my ankles and when I twirled around, it danced upon my bare feet. The other plain dress was a pink colour with white trimming the collar and bottom of the dress. This dress had three quarters lengthen sleeves and the end of the sleeves hung loosely down. The third dress was a deep sapphire with purple flowers running along on vines at the bottom and a few curling and nodding their way to the waist. The sleeves were cut to the elbow and the rest of the sleeve hung down about my fingertips. Right above the cut, a red cord was tied and also around the waist. The collar was low cut and purple flowers were scattered around it.
After I had tried all of them on again, I slipped back into my plain white dress and stood and looked out the window. Lindir came up and stood beside me. "The shadows are growing darker," I whispered.
"Yeah," Lindir said. "But it's not at its darkest yet. I heard that the Riders of the Mark are drawing near. I hope they make it in time."
I nodded sadly, "I hope so too."
(Later the next day)
"He tried to burn him.alive?" Lindir stood gapping at Pippin who nodded wearily.
"Yes," Pippin replied. "And the Steward is now dead."
"But you saved Faramir's life, Pippin, that is something to be proud of." I said, trying to comfort him.
Pippin nodded then sat down heavily on the bed and cupped his chin in his hands. Tears sprang into his eyes and ran down his cheeks. I sat down beside Pip and held him close. At this, he burst out sobbing. I rocked his small form back and forth, cradling him. Pippin's crying slowly stopped and I looked down into his teary eyes.
"Do you think that Merry is all right? And.and, Frodo and Sam too? Do you?" Pippin whispered.
I smiled weakly. "I think that they will all be fine, Pip. You're tiered now. Go to sleep. Pippin, one of the guards told Lindir that they have spotted the Riders of the Mark coming this way."
Pippin smiled. "Maybe I will see Merry tomorrow," Pippin said sleepily and then he laid his head down and fell asleep.
I looked up at Lindir and smiled. "I wish Pippin was my child, I love this small creature more than anything. He is so precious." I sighed and ran my hand through Pip's tangles. Lindir smiled.
"One day, you will have a nice family with many children."
I smiled. "Will you, Lindir?" Lindir just gazed at me and then looked away. I frowned. "Lindir.won't you?"
Lindir cleared him throat. "No," he said. "I am going to go across the Sea. Even if we do win this war.I want to live with my mother and father in Valinor. Can you imagine, Anodien, living with the Valar?"
"You aren't going to stay?" I said with lips trembling.
"No, sweet sister, no," Lindir cupped my chin and kissed my forehead. I sighed and hugged him in return. Pippin shifted in his sleep and I repositioned him on the bed.
"Until tomorrow, little one," I said, kissing the top of his head. "Until tomorrow."
(The next day)
Pippin had run off to greet Merry as the Riders of the Mark came through the gate. Lindir and I stayed in the room. It was drawing near midday and Pippin hadn't returned and Gandalf hadn't been back since eleven o'clock. I looked out the small window and then sat on the bed with a sigh.
Suddenly Gandalf burst through the door. He grabbed my arm and rushed me down the stairs and into the dark alleyway. Lindir followed. "Mirthandir," he said. "What are you doing?"
"Faramir is very sick, Eowyn is near death and so is Meriadoc. I need Anodien to act as one works in the House of Healing. You will, won't you Anodien?" I nodded mutely. So many people so sick or dieing.why did I have to go? "Pippin is with Merry right now, though I think that Merry doesn't even know his cousin is with him. Faramir is being treated.but I don't know if he will last much longer."
He turned down several narrow streets and down some dark alleys. He turned right and opened a door at the bottom of a tall tower. He pushed me up the stairs and then through a door to the left, into an open courtyard overlooking the city. Dead vines crawled up the cold stones walls. After being pushed up some stairs to the right of the courtyard, Gandalf then guided me into a large room with a dome-shaped roof. I was starring at the ceiling painting when Gandalf's sharp elbow jabbed into my ribs. I looked at the five women around me. Gandalf walked up to the only man in the room and spoke to him in hushed tones. I chewed my lip as one of the youngest girls looked curiously at me. I smiled nervously. She smiled shyly back.
Gandalf walked back to me and said, "You and another girl will be attending to one of the sick. Of course, you will see all of the sick, but the one you are assigned is your main person to take care of." He glanced at the old man. "I told him that your name was Camellia. He doesn't know that you're an elf. He wanted one of the younger girls to be with you. Make us proud." He winked and left the room with Lindir.
The man called all of us together and gave each of us a partner. I got the youngest girl who had smiled at me. 'At least I have someone friendly,' I though to myself. I smiled at her.
The oldest women were to attend Merry, the other girls were to attend Eowyn and we were going to attend Faramir.
"My name is Robin, what's yours?" the young girl whispered.
"A.a.Camellia," I whispered back.
The girl nodded and we went into the room to the far right. A young man was laying on a bed in the middle of the room. He looked a ghostly white and was sweating.
"I'll go get some water, Robin," I said. Robin nodded and went over to the table that sat against the back wall. I looked for a well or something and finally found a small pool of water, fed by a spring flowing out of the mountainside. I filled a jug and carried it back to Faramir's room. Robin had crushed and mixed some of the roots and herbs that lay on the table. I poured some of the water into a bowl and taking up a cloth, walked over to Faramir's side and set the bowl down next to him. Robin brought over the crushed medicine and sprinkled a little into the bowl. I dipped the cloth in a washed Faramir's white face. A little colour returned in his cheeks. I smiled and glanced at Robin. She smiled back and then starred at Faramir. I turned and found myself looking into his gray eyes. He smiled weakly and sighed.
"Hello, Faramir," I said. "Are you feeling any better?"
His face twisted a little but then he nodded slightly and whispered, "Yes, thank you, a little better, at least."
"Well, that is better than nothing, right?" I said.
Faramir smiled. "Yes, I guess."
(Later that same day)
I had seen to both Eowyn and Merry that day. Gandalf was in and out of the House all day. We had to take night shifts. I told Robin that I would take both shifts and she could sleep. She had looked doubtful but gratefully at me and went off to bed. I sat by Faramir's bed and watched him for a while. He slept until midnight when he finally woke up.
"How are you m' lord?" I asked.
"I still feel very tiered," Faramir muttered. He paused and then whispered, "I'm sorry, I don't even know your name...what is it?"
"Ano.ah.I mean, Camellia." 'Great,' I thought. 'I am a total idiot.'
Faramir gave me a quire look. "What is your real name?"
I squirmed on my stool. "I.my name is.well, Mirthandir told me not to tell and now I've failed him...in everything." I looked at Faramir whose expressions lighten at Gandalf's name. I chewed my lips nervously.
"You know Mirthandir?" I nodded. He smiled and sat painfully up on his elbows. He waved me away when I tried to help him. "It gets old having people do everything for you," he replied.
"Gandalf told me that you speak Quenya and Sindarin fairly well."
"Hum.yes, at least, I know a little."
"Do you know.Elen sila lumenn' omentielvo," I asked.
"Hum.I, yes! Yes! I think I know that one! Is it.elen.'star'.sila.hum. a star shines.lummen'.. omentielvo.. a star shines in the hour of our meeting?" I nodded. Faramir smiled. "Ok," he said. "Let me see... Et Earello Endorenna utulien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta.
"I know that one!" I laughed. "'Out of the Great Sea to Middle-earth I am come. In this place will I abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world.' Elendil said that."
Faramir wrinkled his brow. "How did you know that?"
"I.I just.did," I stammered out, not sounding very convincing. I chewed on my lip again.it was such a bad habit.I always did it when I was nervous.
"You know.you never answered my question about who you really are. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone.please, you can tell me."
"My name is Anodien, daughter of Ithildin, but Robin only knows me as Camellia." Faramir nodded, so I continued. "I am an elf." Here Faramir started. "I was coming here with an escort of Elves and things became dangerous, and the other turned back for a while and sent Lindir and myself up ahead.does that make any sense?" Faramir nodded. "Well, I know the Hobbits and.."
"You know the Hobbits?" Faramir questioned. I nodded. "Did you know Frodo, son of Drogo and Samwise, his servant?" Faramir broke into a fit of violent coughs and then cleared his throat painfully. I nodded again. Faramir smiled and then laid back down on his bed. "Well, Anodien, I mean, Camellia," he said in a hoarse whisper. "I think that your secret is safe with me, seeing as I won't be going anywhere for a while. It was nice to talk to you. But, if you don't find it rude, I would like to go back to sleep. Alright by you?" I nodded a third time and smiling, Faramir closed his eyes and fell into a dark sleep again.
'Well,' I thought. 'This has been a very interesting day.'
Pippin had fallen asleep around one o' clock in the morning with his head resting in my lap. I smiled as I ran my fingers through his tangles of soft brown curls while I listened to Gandalf. To tell the truth, I was studying Pippin more than I was listening to Gandalf. Pippin was skinny now, and taller than when I had last seen him. His face was thin and yet, his cheeks still glowed a rosy pink colour.
I leaned back against the low bed and rested, feeling Pippin's breath on my stomach, warm and soft. Gandalf had fallen into silence for some time and was starring into the fire. Pippin snuggled deeper into the folds of my large shirt and I took off my cloak and wrapped him in it. I shifted my weight to my right hip so I could lift Pippin onto my lap and cradle him for a while. My tears feel upon Pippin's head as I realized how much he had gone through and how hurt and broken he must feel at times and I realized that I had missed him the most when the Fellowship was gone. Pippin was so innocent and fun loving that he should never have come on this dreadful journey.
I sniffed and passed my hand over my eyes. Gandalf glanced at me briefly and smiled wearily. He got up stiffly and while walking to the door, passed me and patted my head. I grinned up at him and hugged Pippin closer.
"Where are you going, Mirthandir?" I whispered.
Gandalf's eyes smiled down at me from deep inside of him hooded face. "I must talk to the Steward of Gondor and try to reason with him." Gandalf sighed deeply and sadly shook his head. "But, we aren't on the best of terms right now," here Gandalf laughed softly. "We never were really, he didn't think much of my ideas and I didn't think much of his pride. Yes, we can be friendly if we must be, but he won't likely be happy to see me again. All I hope to find out when I talk to him is about Faramir and how he is doing."
"Who is Faramir, Mirthandir?" I asked.
"Faramir, Second Son of the Steward of Gondor," Gandalf mused. "Faramir is Boromir's younger brother. He is a good man, though I am not saying that Boromir wasn't good, just that Faramir always thought about things and his heart was pure and he had an Elvish lore to him, so to speak. He can speak Quenya and Sindarin fairly well, and with a pure accent too."
I smiled. "Maybe I should meet this Faramir of whom you speak so honorably about. Do you ever speak of me to others?"
Gandalf snorted. "Heavens, no! If you ever do come up, all I say is that you are a child who doesn't want to grow up and get some common sense like a normal person would. You're a fine elf-maiden, though you can be difficult at times. You are loyal, though, and you will love others if they give you a reason too."
I raised my eyebrows. "O, so you insult me and then you turn it all around with compliments? Mirthandir, if I didn't know you at all, I would be very confused." I said smirking. "But Gandalf, would you not take us with you to see the Great Steward? Please, you could take both Pippin and me and we wouldn't get in your way. Didn't you say that Pippin was on good terms with the Steward and that he was to have a part in serving Gondor?"
"Yes, yes, I did say so," Gandalf said. "Well, if you insist. But Pippin won't be happy about being awaken at.o, four or so in the morning.but he is supposed to be severing the Steward now."
I smiled. "I can carry him, Mirthandir." Gandalf sighed and waved a hand for me to follow him. I pulled Pippin's arms around my neck and held him to me so that he wouldn't awaken while we were going down the stairs. Gandalf led us down the alley and back out into the street, which was now deserted. We headed towards the center of the White City, and most of the walk was slightly uphill. My breath came out in short gasps as we reached the stairs that ran up to the great halls. I shifted Pippin's weight so that I would be easier for me to climb the stairs. Halfway up Gandalf looked back and to my surprise, took Pippin from me and carried him the rest of the way up the stairs.
I smiled thankfully at the old Wizard. "Thank you," I whispered. Gandalf nodded. At the top, he handed Pippin back to me and told me to wait in the passageway for him to get back. "I will only be a few minutes, hopefully," he said.
I sat down and leaned against the cold stonewalls. I closed my eyes and hugged Pippin. He wiggled a bit and then found a more comfortable position and settled down again. I must have fallen asleep because when I opened my eyes again, Gandalf was standing over me. I gazed at him but his eyes would not betray his thoughts.
"Wake up Pippin," Gandalf softly said. I shook the Hobbit but he didn't stir. I glanced back up at Gandalf and he just shrugged.
"Pippin Took, wake up," I whispered, shaking Pippin again. Pippin groaned softly and then rolled over. I sighed. "Pippin, wake up, you lazy Took!" I said in his ear.
Pippin jumped and then rolled back over and rubbed his eyes. He starred blankly at us for a while and then said, "Where's Merry?"
My heart nearly broke. I tried to smile but couldn't. "He's not here, Pip. Just Gandalf and me."
"Oh," Pippin sighed and sat up. "I'm going to go for a walk. I'll be back."
We watched Pippin walk down the stairs and then turn a corner and disappear from sight. I looked back up at Gandalf. "What is it?" I asked.
"Faramir isn't well," Gandalf said. "Faramir is sick, very sick. The Black Breath has touched him. He was alright awhile ago.but he is drifting in and out of "
"But how." I started but stopped short because people were starting to come towards us. I looked up at Gandalf nervously.
Gandalf sighed. "I'm going to go to the gate and let your friend in. But don't tell the Steward that I did it. He would be furious. I'll send Pippin back also. I think that you shouldn't be here. Go back to the room in which we are in for a time. I'll send Lindir there." I nodded.
I walked back toward the low, poor end of the City and I got lost once or twice but I found the alley and the hidden door and went up to the room and I laid down on the bed and I rested for a while. About five minutes after I had gotten to the room, I heard the soft tread of someone's footsteps. There was a knock on the old door and I opened the door and found Lindir standing in front of me. He grinned and picking me up, he twirled me around and hugged me tight.
"I was scared that you had left me outside the gate," Lindir said laughing.
I smiled. "I wouldn't do that to you, brother." Lindir looked at me and pulled me into a hug again.
We started talking and then Lindir collapsed on the bed. He was sleeping now. All of a sudden I heard footsteps running up the stairs. I opened the door to have Pippin fall into my arms, breathing hard.
"Where.where is Gandalf," Pippin said panting.
"He went to the gate, why?"
"Oh, he's gone mad, MAD! He's going to take.take Faramir and burn him.alive!"
"Who is?" I exclaimed.
"The.Steward.is, and I don't know, know what to do!" tears flowed out of Pippin's eyes. "I can't let him do that!"
"Well, go Pippin! Now!" I pushed Pippin down the stairs and hugged him at the bottom. "Don't worry. You'll save Faramir. But all the same, hurry!" Pippin ran off down the narrow alley and turned the corner. I starred after him. 'Good luck,' I thought. 'May grace grant you a strong heart and fast feet.'
"Who was that?" Lindir said sleepily from behind me.
"It was Peregrin Took."
"One of those Hobbits?" Lindir gave me a funny look. I nodded yes. "Hum.well, as long as we're in a city, let's buy you some more suitable clothes."
I smiled. "Alright Lindir."
We walked down the alley to one of the small shops and went inside. An old man looked up as we entered. "What can I do for you?" he said in the Common Tongue.
"I, we." I stammered. I cleared my throat and started over. "I would like to buy some clothes that would better suit me."
The man looked me up and down with a skeptically eye. "Well, then," he said. "Over this way."
Lindir sat down and waited as I tried on different dresses. I choose two plain, but nice dresses and I got am expensive one too. Lindir paid five silver pennies for the plain ones and ten silver pennies for the other dress.
One of the plain ones was a pale blue colour and it had a short collar with long sleeves. The dress came down to my ankles and when I twirled around, it danced upon my bare feet. The other plain dress was a pink colour with white trimming the collar and bottom of the dress. This dress had three quarters lengthen sleeves and the end of the sleeves hung loosely down. The third dress was a deep sapphire with purple flowers running along on vines at the bottom and a few curling and nodding their way to the waist. The sleeves were cut to the elbow and the rest of the sleeve hung down about my fingertips. Right above the cut, a red cord was tied and also around the waist. The collar was low cut and purple flowers were scattered around it.
After I had tried all of them on again, I slipped back into my plain white dress and stood and looked out the window. Lindir came up and stood beside me. "The shadows are growing darker," I whispered.
"Yeah," Lindir said. "But it's not at its darkest yet. I heard that the Riders of the Mark are drawing near. I hope they make it in time."
I nodded sadly, "I hope so too."
(Later the next day)
"He tried to burn him.alive?" Lindir stood gapping at Pippin who nodded wearily.
"Yes," Pippin replied. "And the Steward is now dead."
"But you saved Faramir's life, Pippin, that is something to be proud of." I said, trying to comfort him.
Pippin nodded then sat down heavily on the bed and cupped his chin in his hands. Tears sprang into his eyes and ran down his cheeks. I sat down beside Pip and held him close. At this, he burst out sobbing. I rocked his small form back and forth, cradling him. Pippin's crying slowly stopped and I looked down into his teary eyes.
"Do you think that Merry is all right? And.and, Frodo and Sam too? Do you?" Pippin whispered.
I smiled weakly. "I think that they will all be fine, Pip. You're tiered now. Go to sleep. Pippin, one of the guards told Lindir that they have spotted the Riders of the Mark coming this way."
Pippin smiled. "Maybe I will see Merry tomorrow," Pippin said sleepily and then he laid his head down and fell asleep.
I looked up at Lindir and smiled. "I wish Pippin was my child, I love this small creature more than anything. He is so precious." I sighed and ran my hand through Pip's tangles. Lindir smiled.
"One day, you will have a nice family with many children."
I smiled. "Will you, Lindir?" Lindir just gazed at me and then looked away. I frowned. "Lindir.won't you?"
Lindir cleared him throat. "No," he said. "I am going to go across the Sea. Even if we do win this war.I want to live with my mother and father in Valinor. Can you imagine, Anodien, living with the Valar?"
"You aren't going to stay?" I said with lips trembling.
"No, sweet sister, no," Lindir cupped my chin and kissed my forehead. I sighed and hugged him in return. Pippin shifted in his sleep and I repositioned him on the bed.
"Until tomorrow, little one," I said, kissing the top of his head. "Until tomorrow."
(The next day)
Pippin had run off to greet Merry as the Riders of the Mark came through the gate. Lindir and I stayed in the room. It was drawing near midday and Pippin hadn't returned and Gandalf hadn't been back since eleven o'clock. I looked out the small window and then sat on the bed with a sigh.
Suddenly Gandalf burst through the door. He grabbed my arm and rushed me down the stairs and into the dark alleyway. Lindir followed. "Mirthandir," he said. "What are you doing?"
"Faramir is very sick, Eowyn is near death and so is Meriadoc. I need Anodien to act as one works in the House of Healing. You will, won't you Anodien?" I nodded mutely. So many people so sick or dieing.why did I have to go? "Pippin is with Merry right now, though I think that Merry doesn't even know his cousin is with him. Faramir is being treated.but I don't know if he will last much longer."
He turned down several narrow streets and down some dark alleys. He turned right and opened a door at the bottom of a tall tower. He pushed me up the stairs and then through a door to the left, into an open courtyard overlooking the city. Dead vines crawled up the cold stones walls. After being pushed up some stairs to the right of the courtyard, Gandalf then guided me into a large room with a dome-shaped roof. I was starring at the ceiling painting when Gandalf's sharp elbow jabbed into my ribs. I looked at the five women around me. Gandalf walked up to the only man in the room and spoke to him in hushed tones. I chewed my lip as one of the youngest girls looked curiously at me. I smiled nervously. She smiled shyly back.
Gandalf walked back to me and said, "You and another girl will be attending to one of the sick. Of course, you will see all of the sick, but the one you are assigned is your main person to take care of." He glanced at the old man. "I told him that your name was Camellia. He doesn't know that you're an elf. He wanted one of the younger girls to be with you. Make us proud." He winked and left the room with Lindir.
The man called all of us together and gave each of us a partner. I got the youngest girl who had smiled at me. 'At least I have someone friendly,' I though to myself. I smiled at her.
The oldest women were to attend Merry, the other girls were to attend Eowyn and we were going to attend Faramir.
"My name is Robin, what's yours?" the young girl whispered.
"A.a.Camellia," I whispered back.
The girl nodded and we went into the room to the far right. A young man was laying on a bed in the middle of the room. He looked a ghostly white and was sweating.
"I'll go get some water, Robin," I said. Robin nodded and went over to the table that sat against the back wall. I looked for a well or something and finally found a small pool of water, fed by a spring flowing out of the mountainside. I filled a jug and carried it back to Faramir's room. Robin had crushed and mixed some of the roots and herbs that lay on the table. I poured some of the water into a bowl and taking up a cloth, walked over to Faramir's side and set the bowl down next to him. Robin brought over the crushed medicine and sprinkled a little into the bowl. I dipped the cloth in a washed Faramir's white face. A little colour returned in his cheeks. I smiled and glanced at Robin. She smiled back and then starred at Faramir. I turned and found myself looking into his gray eyes. He smiled weakly and sighed.
"Hello, Faramir," I said. "Are you feeling any better?"
His face twisted a little but then he nodded slightly and whispered, "Yes, thank you, a little better, at least."
"Well, that is better than nothing, right?" I said.
Faramir smiled. "Yes, I guess."
(Later that same day)
I had seen to both Eowyn and Merry that day. Gandalf was in and out of the House all day. We had to take night shifts. I told Robin that I would take both shifts and she could sleep. She had looked doubtful but gratefully at me and went off to bed. I sat by Faramir's bed and watched him for a while. He slept until midnight when he finally woke up.
"How are you m' lord?" I asked.
"I still feel very tiered," Faramir muttered. He paused and then whispered, "I'm sorry, I don't even know your name...what is it?"
"Ano.ah.I mean, Camellia." 'Great,' I thought. 'I am a total idiot.'
Faramir gave me a quire look. "What is your real name?"
I squirmed on my stool. "I.my name is.well, Mirthandir told me not to tell and now I've failed him...in everything." I looked at Faramir whose expressions lighten at Gandalf's name. I chewed my lips nervously.
"You know Mirthandir?" I nodded. He smiled and sat painfully up on his elbows. He waved me away when I tried to help him. "It gets old having people do everything for you," he replied.
"Gandalf told me that you speak Quenya and Sindarin fairly well."
"Hum.yes, at least, I know a little."
"Do you know.Elen sila lumenn' omentielvo," I asked.
"Hum.I, yes! Yes! I think I know that one! Is it.elen.'star'.sila.hum. a star shines.lummen'.. omentielvo.. a star shines in the hour of our meeting?" I nodded. Faramir smiled. "Ok," he said. "Let me see... Et Earello Endorenna utulien. Sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta.
"I know that one!" I laughed. "'Out of the Great Sea to Middle-earth I am come. In this place will I abide, and my heirs, unto the ending of the world.' Elendil said that."
Faramir wrinkled his brow. "How did you know that?"
"I.I just.did," I stammered out, not sounding very convincing. I chewed on my lip again.it was such a bad habit.I always did it when I was nervous.
"You know.you never answered my question about who you really are. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone.please, you can tell me."
"My name is Anodien, daughter of Ithildin, but Robin only knows me as Camellia." Faramir nodded, so I continued. "I am an elf." Here Faramir started. "I was coming here with an escort of Elves and things became dangerous, and the other turned back for a while and sent Lindir and myself up ahead.does that make any sense?" Faramir nodded. "Well, I know the Hobbits and.."
"You know the Hobbits?" Faramir questioned. I nodded. "Did you know Frodo, son of Drogo and Samwise, his servant?" Faramir broke into a fit of violent coughs and then cleared his throat painfully. I nodded again. Faramir smiled and then laid back down on his bed. "Well, Anodien, I mean, Camellia," he said in a hoarse whisper. "I think that your secret is safe with me, seeing as I won't be going anywhere for a while. It was nice to talk to you. But, if you don't find it rude, I would like to go back to sleep. Alright by you?" I nodded a third time and smiling, Faramir closed his eyes and fell into a dark sleep again.
'Well,' I thought. 'This has been a very interesting day.'