Chapter 7 - The Healing Touch

It was almost supper when Merry came riding up to the Smials. He led his pony into the livery, making sure it was watered and fed. He wasn't looking forward to showing off his bandaged hand; in his mind's eye, all Merry could see was Pippin laughing at his calamity and claiming victory.

He opened the kitchen door (Tooks almost never locked their doors!) and walked into the thick aroma of bread baking and meat cooking. Pervinca sat at the table and peeling and cutting none other than...potatoes! Merry grinned at the coincidence. "Where's Pippin?"

Eglantine looked up as she stirred the meat in its broth, "And good evening to you, too, Merry!"

"I'm sorry, Auntie!" Merry stepped over to his aunt and squeezed her in a hug. Aunt Tina was the next best thing to his own mother, and so he was extra-sensitive to her feelings.

Eglantine looked into Merry's troubled blue eyes, "I heard the two of you had a bit of a spat this morning, eh?" Then she saw his hand, "Merry! What happened?"

Merry suddenly embarrassed, "Yes, Ma'am--this morning we, um, disagreed about which one got the other in trouble." Then he held up his bandaged hand and sheepishly grinned, "I thought my finger was", and he looked at Pervinca, "...a potato!" Pervinca had to cover her mouth to stifle her laugh.

"Well, I think you'll find Pippin in, shall I say, a more agreeable spirit?" She smiled; Merry looked as miserable as her own son did just a short while ago. "He's in his room, and I think he wants to see you!" She winked.

Merry nodded, "Yes, Ma'am!" He turned and left for Pippin's bedroom.

Merry knocked softly on the door and, using his good hand, twisted the handle and walked in. The room was dimly lit with a couple small candles--and there was a hint of an odd scent--like herbs. Then he saw Pippin lying against several pillows; he seemed asleep. As he got closer, Pippin opened his eyes. "Hullo." Pippin's arm was in sling and bound snug to his chest.

Merry was still trying to focus in the dim light at Pippin's arm. "What happened to you?", then he sniffed, "And what's that smell?"

Pippin was drowsy as he spoke, "I'll tell if you tell." He indicated towards Merry's hand.

Merry held up his bandaged hand, "Oh--this?" Merry smiled and went into his activities for the day. Pippin ended up laughing, and then nearly crying at the pain he caused his own arm. "Why does it smell like..." Merry tried to guess the scent, "I can't even place it!"

"Oh, it's just a concoction my cousin, Donnabelle made--and she mixed it with her father's favorite bottle!"

Merry guessed, "Wine?" Pippin shook his head.

"Ale?" Pippin shook his head again, "Ale doesn't come in a bottle, silly!"

Merry's eyes went wide, "You mean...?" Pippin nodded and smiled. "Has it taken the pain away?" Pippin smiled even wider, "Uh-huh."

"I'm sure it has!", Merry grinned. He picked up the mug that was already mixed, smelled it and winced. The last time Merry whiffed anything that strong came fresh out of Brandy Hall's own still!

Another knock was heard at the door and a hobbit lass peeked inside, "You're awake!", and in stepped Donnabelle.

"And just in time for supper!", Pippin said, waking up a little. "Donnabelle, meet my cousin, Merry; Merry, this is Donnabelle--she's one of the healers here," then he cocked an eye to his cousin, "and she's also one of your cousins, as well!" Merry gave him a sharp look.

Donnabelle merely smiled at Pippn's remark as she examined Pippin's shoulder. "Ow!" he grimaced, "was that necessary?"

"Yes!" She smiled, and then she drew out a magnifying glass and looked closely into Pippin's eyes. "Do you still experience a lot of pain, Pippin?" She smoothed his hair away from his face.

"No--only when you press against it!" Pippin answered.

Merry chuckled, "I think your brew took care of the pain!"

"Well, he was in a lot of pain earlier," then turned to Pippin, "but I think we'll wait on another mug full of Cousin Rosamunda's mixture until you're ready to sleep for the night." She looked at Merry's hand, "What happened to your hand?"

"Nothing."

"Let's have a look at it."

"Really! It's nothing!", Merry slipped his hand behind his back.

"What are you afraid of?"

"I'm not afraid of anything! See?" He placed his bandaged hand out in front of him, then quickly put it behind him again.

"You are afraid!" Donnabelle laughed, "I promise I won't bite--hard!"

No lass was going to laugh at him! So, Merry slowly drew out his hand and let Donnabelle look at the bandage.

"May I open it?" Donnabelle asked.

"No!" Merry took a deep breath then said, "All right."

Donnabelle took out a small blade from a pouch she carried, cut the knot and unwrapped Merry's hand and finger. She had only taken off the first outer layer when her and Merry saw blood had seeped through the bandage. She looked up at Merry, "Nothing, huh?"