The Dark Gift - Chapter 3

'The finest rockets ever seen, They burst in showers of blue and green. Then after thunder, silver showers, Come falling like a rain of flowers.'

'Oh that doesn't do them justice,

Morianna finally came into view and couldn't resist speaking out to the young Hobbit, who appeared to need some cheering up.

'On the contrary, your words have filled me with an envy, you are lucky Master Gamgee, for your eyes have witnessed those wonders of Gandalf's and now your memory holds all those colours as bright as the first time you beheld them'

They all watched her as she moved towards Sam and knelt before him, he watched her move with the famous Elven grace, and when she was before him everything else but those two faded from his sight,

'For I, like so many others, have never had the joy of seeing those well known fireworks of Gandalf's. I can feel they have filled you with happiness on many occasion' she smiled a deep smile at Sam and he returned with a teary smile and felt his spirit lift ever so slightly. Slowly everything around him came into focus and he could see the others again, it was like no one else had heard her words, they had just been for him.

The Dark Lady brought the clay bowl up in one hand and dipping her finger into the dark red liquid she then moved her fingertip towards a cut on Sam Gamgee's cheek, he recoiled and she moved her finger back and spoke not just to the hobbit before her but also the rest of the watching Fellowship.

'This.erm. potion is to heal you, it is no poison, it will rekindle your souls and grant you strength. I give you my word, it, as well as my self are here to help you'

Sam relaxed and moved closer to her as she touched the liquid to the cut, and drew it across his cheek, the cut sealed its self behind the trail of warmth that spread thorough out the astonished gardeners body and she proceeded to re-load her fingers with the liquid and rub it into the deep bruise on Sam's left arm, the bruise faded almost instantly, she kept her eyes focused on the task in hand, making sure she didn't miss a spot.

When she had finished she smiled, placed the bowl back on the tray and rose, bowing slightly to Sam before she picked up her tray and moved to her next patient, or patients, Merry and Pippin. She repeated the procedure, tracing each cut, bruise, mark and scrape. And as with Sam all melted away but those 3 and she spoke to them directly as she saw the fear and uncertainty buried in their eyes,

'Don't worry little ones you are loyal and true and those are strong qualities indeed and they will serve you well. Always believe in yourselves and everything will turn out for the best'

Morianna proceeded to heal their physical wounds while her words helped to heal their emotional ones. She finished with Merry and Pippin, then moved toward Gimli, who backed away as she knelt before him, seeing this she looked at him and said 'Dear dwarf my mother herself bid this gift to you, for she wish's you to be at your fullest strength, so please except her gift and let me heal you'

The dwarfs pride still kept him back so Morianna continued 'she has no doubt that even in your injured state you would be a formidable foe to any who dares but it is hoped that the Elven skills would be of some use'

'Well my lady if your mother wishes it, it shall be so' he moved closer to her and she began to work, although the fact that dwarfs are hairy creatures made her work a little bit awkward she managed to fix most of his lacerations and bruises.

She then moved to Boromir who was a little hesitant at first but relented when she bowed low and captured him in her eyes. He allowed her to help even though no words were spoken she could feel his pull to the darkness that resided inside her the same way in which the darkness being carried by the final Halfling was pulling him towards it.

She wasn't comfortable with him so she finished quickly and moved on to Aragorn. She felt a calmness, as she knew his story well, how he was brought up with her kin in Rivendell and she could feel her niece Arwen's aura surrounding him in a kind of protective shroud.

They talked together in Elvish as she worked; he had a few varying cuts and marks, from throwing himself first into battles

'I know this potion you use my Lady, it is no special mixture of herbs like you would have us believe but it is your own blood, I am not rejecting your offer of healing just curious, is all that is said true' 'That depends on what you have heard Aragorn son of Arathorn, what do they say about me in the home of my kin called Rivendell?' 'That you are bleed for this gift you possess sometimes..............to the edge of death,' 'It is my calling Lord Aragorn, there is evil in me and the only way to repent is to give to those who need it, I am a mistake and mistakes must be rectified.' 'I wish there was something or someone could do to make you see otherwise, every life is worth something' Aragorn glanced at Legolas who had been watching the she-elf's every move.

Morianna rose, bowed and moved towards Frodo, she repeated the same ritual of servicing his wounds, she lifted up his shirt and gently massaged the mixture into the large bruise on his side which almost instantly faded, it didn't disappear but she could feel the hobbits muscles relax underneath her fingertips.

Frodo was staring at her with deep intent, his hand was on his breast clutching at the ring which was for the first time trying to pull away from the being before it, rather than drawing it into it's power.

Morianna drew Frodo's hand into her own, making him release his shirt. The ring hung from his neck and the Elf's eyes fell onto it and with a small smile she spoke to Frodo mind to mind to try and add some comfort.

'You mustn't let something so small fill your mind so greatly, it needs you Frodo, which means that you have power over it. You are strong young one, you must believe this yourself.' 'But without Gandalf I don't know where to turn, I don't know how to carry on, I feel so alone' 'But my dear little one, you are not alone, you will never be alone, just look around you, this mixture of beings will be with you no matter what, especially the one called Sam, I doubt he would leave your side even if it meant certain death, and have all the thoughts of every Elf of middle earth with you. The wizard Gandalf will not leave you either, his physical form may not be present but his spirit, his essence will never leave, it flows through you, though this fellowship and even the Ring'

Her hand moved towards the ring and it tried to bury itself against Frodo's chest. Frodo couldn't figure out if it was afraid or just unwilling to let her touch it. He let him self believe it was afraid of her. Knowing that the Ring feared this seemingly harmless Elf gave him confidence in the quest and her words gave him comfort, and he seemed at peace as she took the ring in her hand.

Although it wasn't clear to the others, the ring was desperate to be released by the hand that held it, it felt like cold spikes were being jammed into her hand, but she didn't let go, she could hear the rings voice in her head' 'Release me, release me. Morianna release me' and she did, but not before she allowed a little of her own blood to seep onto the ring from her cut hand, it was unnoticeable but the thin film of red dried and formed a barrier over the ring, she knew it wouldn't last for long bit it may offer some peace for the ring bearer and allow his to get at least one peaceful nights sleep. 'Thank you...Morianna' Frodo said to her as she rose and bowed low towards him while placing a hand on his head, she sent him into a deep sleep.

Finally Morianna moved towards Legolas, their eyes meeting instantly, as she settled in front of him. There were not many wounds to tend, as his Elven healing had served him well also his incredible skills as a warrior had kept most danger at bay.

As she traced his wounds with her blooded fingers, she never lost eye contact with him; it was if he wouldn't release her from his gaze. When Morianna finished healing Legolas's smooth pale skin, she poured the rest of the red liquid into the small clay cup that was also on her small tray. The cup ended up half full.

The black lady lifted the cup and held it towards Legolas; the wood Elf looked confused, unsure of what to do, he searched her eyes for an answer then he heard her voice inside his head. 'Dear Legolas drink this and it will grant you new strength and should give new vigour for the remainder of your journey'

Legolas took the cup from her and once again a flitting touch of their hands gave a lasting impression, so much so that Morianna jerked her hand away and momentarily lost her balance. Luckily she found it in time to catch her self so the others wouldn't notice, but Legolas noticed, he moved slightly to catch her, still holding the cup.

But he stopped, when she held up her hand and indicated for him to drink, he obliged. As soon as the liquid touched his lips he could taste the warmth of it, the thickness of the mixture added to its silk like feeling as it slid over his tongue and down his throat. Instantly warmth spread through him, and he could feel the liquid being absorbed into his own system, flowing through every inch of him, it filled him so completely; he had never known such a feeling. Every sense was on fire, he could hear everything, see everything, like never before, he let the cup drop from his lips and in his next breath he could taste every scent, yet a metallic taste was left in his mouth.

Then realising what he had just drunk he dropped the cup back on the tray and fell backwards, the liquid, which he now knew was her own blood, was flowing through him, awaking every single part of him, his fingertips tingle, as well as the tips of his toes and the tips of his pointed ears.

Then suddenly as if waking from a dream the feeling faded and left a dull but warm feeling of fulfilment behind. Along with an increased rate of breathing, he became aware that Morianna was not before him anymore but had risen with her tray and was walking away.