I woke up with my head on my arms, which were resting on the side of Faramir's bed. Rubbing my eyes, I slowly sat up and looked up to see Robin standing over me. She seemed worried. I glanced over at Faramir and even though his face looked white, he didn't seem to be in any pain at the moment.

"Aragorn as come, and he wants to see all three of the patience," Robin whispered nervously as she pour some boiled water into a bowl.

I looked sleepily at her. "Huh?" Just then, Aragorn and a bunch of other men walked into the room. I jumped up and ran to Robin's side, accidentally knocking over the chair. The four older women were right behind them. Aragorn spoke softly to someone and then turned to the eldest lady.

"Ioreth, you have store in this House of the herbs of healing?"

She gave him a long answer on how what we didn't have, they could get at the market for a good price and on, but Aragorn asked her for a simple plant, athelas.

"Kingsfoil, do you know that plant?" Aragorn asked Ioreth.

"Oh, I know of the kingsfoil plant, yes, I do not know if we have any in our store though," she answered, but she was sure the herb-master did. She ran off to find him and we all waited for her to return.

Bergil ran into the room a few minutes later with six leaves of athelas. Aragorn took the leaves and leaning over Faramir, crushed the leaves. The fragrance filled the room and Faramir stirred. I smiled at Robin. Faramir then slipped into a peaceful sleep and Aragorn left the room and entered Eowyn's room. Robin and I made sure Faramir was fine and then followed the others into Eowyn's room.

Eowyn was white and her body shook slightly. Aragorn was leaning over her and studying her wounded arm. He shook his head sadly, but crushed up some athelas and the air seemed to become fresh. He left quickly and hurried into Merry's room. Glancing back over my shoulder as I followed after Aragorn, I saw Eomer standing by Eowyn, holding her hand and smiling at her. Robin tugged at my arm, and we went to Merry's room. Merry lay on a small bed, looking deathly pale, Pippin and Gandalf standing beside him. Pippin held Merry's hand and tears where streaming down his cheeks.

Robin walked into the main room and then came back with a boiling pot of water. She poured some of the water into a small bowl and then handed it to Aragorn. After finding Merry's wound, Aragorn washed it with the warm water. Merry let out a painful groan. Pippin's lip quivered and soft sobs escaped his mouth. I walked over behind Pip and pulled him closed to me. He turned and threw his arms around my waist and cried his heart out. I stroked his head soothingly and cooed softly, forgetting myself for a minute, I began to murmur in elvish, muttering words of comfort.

"O mor henion I dhu. Ely siriar, el sila. Ai! Aniron.. Tiro! El eria e mor. I 'lir en el luitha 'uren, Ai! Aniron." my voice slowly trailed off. (From darkness I understand the night. Dreams flow, a star shines. Ah! I desire. Look! A star rises out of the darkness. The song of the star enchants my heart, Ah! I desire.[ok, so it isn't comforting, but it's sad and I think its pretty!]) Pippin sniffed as I muttered words that he couldn't understand to him. I gently rocked him back and forth.

Aragorn crushed up the remaining leaves. The air was filled with the sweet fragrance and then Merry sat up and said, "I am hungry. What time is it?" I smiled as Pippin jumped at his voice and then raced over and hugged Merry warmly. Merry hugged him back and Pippin and Merry started a lively conversation. Aragorn smiled and then slipped softly out of the door.

I slipped up behind Gandalf and whispered, "Can I say hello to Merry?"

"Yes, my dear child, you may.though you'll be exposing your true self to your new friend here." Gandalf glanced over at Robin.

"Oh.," I replied muttered. I retreated to the corner of the room. Merry saw Robin and asked who she was. Pippin told him that she had been one of the maids that had cared for him.

"Oh, yes, but my friend also cared for you and she is with us. where did Camellia go? Oh, there she is, over there, in the corner." Merry looked in my direction. He sat blinking at me for a couple of seconds and then he laughed.

"Anodien! How come you are here?" Merry exclaimed.

I was about to answer him when Robin said, "O, little master, you're wrong, this isn't.uh, who you said, this is Camellia." Merry looked confused and glanced from Robin to me.

I smiled and said, "Merry, I am who your heart tells you I am."

Merry paused, "You remind me so much of one of my friends.but.I'm just not sure."

I stared blankly at him and then sang under my breath: A Elbereth Gilthoniel, Silivren penna miriel, O menel aglar elenanth! Na-chaered palan-diriel O galadhremmin ennorath, Fanuilos, le linnathon Nef aear, si nef aearon!

Merry smiled. "Its good to see you too, Anodien, daughter of Ithildin. But, uh, is it ok if I have something to eat now? I'm hungry!" I laughed and walked out with Pippin to find Merry something to eat.

~Later the next day~

"But why can't I go and fight too? I can fight just as well as anyone!" I glanced back towards Merry's room when I heard Merry's angry voice rise. I slide up against the partly opened door and listened.

"Meriadoc, stay here and rest! Please, trust us," I heard Gandalf say.

"No! I've been left behind in Rohan and I don't plan to be left behind in Gondor either!"

"Merry, really, please trust us on this one. Gandalf and I think that it would be better if you stayed here." Aragorn's voice trailed off and he sighed. "Merry.please." Footsteps came quickly towards the door. I backed up into the small corner behind the door. Gandalf and Aragorn came out and softly closed the door. Aragorn sighed again. "What will we do with him, Gandalf? Neither you nor I can stay here and make sure that he stays.and Pippin will be coming too."

"We will find a way to keep him here." Gandlaf glanced over in my direction and his eyes then rested on me. I shamefully stepped away from my safe haven in the shadows. "You heard everything, didn't you, Anodien."

"Yes, Mirthrandir."

"You make sure that Merry doesn't leave with us. He needs the rest and Aragorn and I don't think it wise that he come with us. Do you understand?" I nodded. "Good. We have to leave now." Gandlaf nodded at me and then walked slowly down the hall.

Aragorn stood looking at me, and then he took a step closer. I looked up into his deep gray eyes. "Please," he whispered. "Don't let Merry follow.and if none of us return.tell Arwen that I love her."

"I will tell her, but you will be coming back, m' lord. I'm sure of that. I will take care of Merry." Aragorn nodded and then bowed lightly and turning, followed after Gandalf's retreating shadow.

I tilted my head looking after them. I hope that they all come back. I sighed and then opened Merry's door. I looked around the room and saw him sitting on the windowsill. He was looking out over the land and his face was twisted into a scowl. I walked up silently behind him and looked over his small curly head. The window was facing the East, towards Mordor. I gently laid my hand on Merry's shoulder. He stiffened under my touch.

"Go away," he growled. I slowly turned Merry around and gazed into his eyes. His lips quivered and a single tear fell down his rosy cheek. I cupped his head in my hands and planted a soft kiss on his forehead, and then turned and walked towards the door. I picked up some bowls that were empty and turned back toward Merry.

"I'll be back in a while with your supper, Merry. And I do think that Pippin was going to visit you..." I then walked out of the door and into the main room to continue with my daily duties with Robin.

I walked besides Robin, a huge platter between us. We had already given Faramir his supper and our next stop was Eowyn's room. I pushed the door open with my foot and we carried the platter into the room. Eowyn was sitting on her bed and staring at the floor. She looked up as we entered. Robin took her supper off the platter and set it on a small table

"I don't feel like eating. Take it back."

Robin jumped at Eowyn's words. I glanced over at the lady sitting on the edge of her bed. "Are you not feeling well, m' lady?" I asked gently.

"I'm fine!" she snapped. Robin looked nervously over at me. I just shrugged and started to put Eowyn's food back on the platter.

"No matter." I said. "Merry will eat it for you if you will not." Robin looked at me in surprise.

"You think that little creature could eat all of that?" she whispered.

I nodded. "I know he will."

Eowyn was still sitting on her bed when we prepared to leave. "If you get hungry, tell someone and we'll cook you up a bit of something," I said. "I know that you're sad because your brother left with the others.but you shouldn't starve yourself."

Eowyn glanced up at me. "You know," she stated slowly, "You remind me a lot of.an elf. an elf came to Edoras.Legolas.he came to Rohan with Aragorn and a dwarf, Gimli."

My eyes widened and I quickly tugged at Robin's dress. "Come on Robin.well, I.uh, we'll see you later m' lady," I stammered as I pushed Robin out the door.

Robin looked over her shoulder at me. "Why did you do that?" she asked. "Aren't you an elf?"

"Yes, I am an elf.I just.don't want everyone to know.that's all. Now lets get Merry his food."