Part 51.
Aragorn and Eomer met in the midst of the battle, both leaning against their swords, glad to see one another. "We meet again, my friend." Aragorn told him, "Though all the host of Mordor lay between us."
"Well ridden, Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You have come none too soon. Much loss and sorrow has befallen us."
"Let us avenge it before we speak of it, then." Aragorn told him, hefting Anduril once more. "Elendil!" He cried as the two ran forth to take part once more in the battle.
They fought all through the day, as the sun made it's journey across the sky.
The sun lay at last behind Mindolliun, casting red light over land and sky until it seemed as though the very sky was on fire. The River glowed red in the last rays of light, as did the grass over the Pelennor Fields.
Victorious Aragorn, Eomer and Imrahil back towards the Gates of the City, weary beyond all else.
All three were unscathed for each had fought well with the weapons of their choosing and the skills with which they bore them. About them many others lay injured or dead on the battle field.
Aragorn was sorely taken when he realised that Halbarad was among the fallen. He closed his eyes, saying a silent prayer for the fallen, whose number he would never know.
Grief and weariness took him, and with those thoughts he looked for Arwen, needing to know that she was safe.
He turned to hear her calling his name, and was surprised as she threw herself into his arms, holding him tightly. "Thank the Valar you are safe, melamin." She whispered somewhere near his ear. My love. Her voice full of worry.
"I am well sweet Lady, do not fear for me." Aragorn told her, saying the words almost breathlessly into her hair.
'The light of hope protects you, Elfstone. But war is still upon us, the storm has barely broken." Arwen said softly.
Away from them Imrahil stood by Eomer, both watching Arwen and Aragorn.
"Who is she?" Imrahil asked.
"That is the Lady Arwen Undomiel of Rivendell, far off in the North-East. She had traveled with Aragorn since he last set foot there." Eomer told him.
"She is breathtaking." Imrahil breathed.
"She is." Another voice agreed. "There are few in this Middle Earth who could hold a candle to the Lady Evenstar." Elladan told them.
"Who are you? And whither do you come?" Imrahil asked.
"Also from fair Rivendell, for I am Elladan, and this is my brother Elrohir. We are the sons of Lord Elrond, and the Lady Evenstar is our sister." Elladan told him.
"I never thought I would see such a sight as she, especially not on the battlefields."
"You may never see such a sight again." Elrohir told Imrahil.
"I have vowed never to call anything fair again, unless it can be held up to the Lady Arwen and the Lady Galadriel." Gimli said as he and Legolas approached.
Arwen and Aragorn broke from their embrace, and walked over to where the others stood.
"Gentlemen, what are you doing? We must be on our way. Gondor is still in dire peril." Aragorn called to them.
"We have defeated the servants of Sauron, though." Imrahil said, confused.
"You have barely seen the breaking of the storm, Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth." Arwen said to him, "All must make haste to the White City, lest it fall."
"What if it does?" One of the Rohirrim asked in passing.
Arwen closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them, as though she was in great pain. "If the White City falls no one will be here to see what will happen after."
"Then let us ride with great haste!" Eomer said, "Already Theoden, and Eowyn have been borne on to the White City."
"Eowyn has been take to the White City?" Aragorn asked.
"She came to battle with us. My sister is passed, as is the King." Eomer told them, his heart heavy.
"Be still Eomer, son of Eomund." Arwen told him gently. "If Eowyn is passed then she chose the way of her passing. Live in the knowledge that she wanted to ride into battle."
"Your words bring me comfort, dear Lady. But I fear that my heart is still much aggrieved." Eomer said to her. "We must ride now, on to Gondor!" Aragorn called to the men.
Part 52.
As the sun went down the Grey Company, along with the Riders of Rohan and all that remained of the forces of Dol Amroth arrived outside the Gates of the White City.
Aragorn surprised all by re-folding his great standard, before they reached the City.
"Why do you hide your standard now, Aragorn?" Eomer asked. "You have already raised the banner in battle, and displayed tokens of the House of Elendil. Do you think you will be challenged?"
"I judge that it is not the time for this." Aragorn told him. "I have no mind for strife, except with our Enemy and his servants."
"I would not have you stay out of the White City like a beggar." Imrahil said to Aragorn.
"Not a beggar." Aragorn told him, "Say that I am a Captain of the Rangers, who are unused to cities and houses of stone." Then he turned to Arwen. "Lady Evenstar, I ask you to take the Star of Elendil into your safe keeping, until the time when it is needed by its master once more."
"You do not even need to ask, my Lord." Arwen said to him, her blue eyes staring up into his brown ones. "What of the Lady Arwen then?" Imrahil asked.
"She may dwell where she chooses." Aragorn told him. "If she wishes to enter the City I charge it to you to take care of her."
"Where do you wish to dwell, Lady of Rivendell?" Imrahil asked Arwen.
"I will stay here for now." Arwen told him. "I shall enter the White City soon enough."
"I don't understand." He told her.
Arwen smiled, "You are not meant too. Do not worry yourself with me, Prince Imrahil. You are needed within the City."
"I am... What do you mean?"
"Go now." Arwen instructed him.
After Eomer and Imrahil entered the City, Gimli and Legolas lit a fire. They all sat there, resting in the warmth, Arwen and Aragorn, the sons of Elrond, Elladan and Elrohir, Legolas and the Dwarf Gimli.
Gently Arwen tended to their cuts and scratches sustained in the battle of the Pelennor Fields.
Afterwards they sat silently, not speaking, barely moving for a long time.
"Come now, Aragorn." Arwen said to him, rousing his from his thoughts.
"Arwen, I do not understand." He told her, his voice betraying some of his tiredness.
"It is time for you and I to enter the White City. You are needed in the Houses of Healing." She answered him.
"What has happened?" Elladan asked.
"It is better for us to go now, before you are summoned." Arwen said simply.
Aragorn rose to his feet, offering her his hand. "Then we will go."
"Your time nears, my heart. Do not become discouraged, your people will need someone to look to when all is done." Arwen told him, her voice quiet in the night air.
The others smiled at each other as they watched the pair mount their horses, and ride into the White City.
"Do you think Aragorn will become discouraged?" Elladan asked the others, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
"It would be difficult." Legolas said. "I do not think Arwen would let him become discouraged."
"I think that Arwen is all the hope Estel needs. They will weather the storm of Mordor. They will be stronger for it."
Once more they stared into the fire, each consumed with his own thoughts.
Both drew their cloaks around them as they entered the City, leaving the horses in the care of one of the stable lads, the folds of fabric keeping both the chill out, and prying eyes from their faces.
As they stepped into the Houses of Healing, deep within the White City, both heard Gandalf say, "Shall we not send now for the Lord Aragorn?"
Lowering his hood, Aragorn spoke, "He is come." Aside from his Lothlorien cloak, and the green stone given to him by the Lady Galadriel, he was unadorned by mail or any other ornament.
Arwen knew him then, to be more kingly than ever before.
"I have come because Gandalf had bidden me too. For now I am but the Captain of the Dunedain of Arnor, and the Lord of Dol Amroth shall rule the City, until Faramir awakes from his ills. It is also my counsel that Gandalf should rule us all in the days yet to come." Aragorn said to them.
"Then let us not stay here at the door, for time is urgent. It is only with the coming of Aragorn that any hope remains for the sick." Gandalf said to them all.
"Are you well Gandalf?" Arwen asked as they entered.
"I am much better now that you are here with us, safe and well dear Lady." Gandalf told her.
Behind her somewhere, Arwen heard a woman say, "It is a pity there is no King sitting on the Throne of Gondor. 'The hands of the King are the hands of a healer, thus shall the rightful King be known.'"
Aragorn was surprised when he entered, by a small person, barely the height of a young man, rushing towards him. "Strider!" The figure cried, "I knew that you would come with the black pennant, but everyone was shouting corsairs."
"Pippin!" Aragorn said. "Thank the Valar you are well. See to the Lady Arwen now, for she was aggrieved by your parting, and has worried over you ever since!"
"Lady Arwen," Pippin smiled up at her, "It is good you see you again."
"The Valar really does love hobbits, Master Pippin." Arwen told him, reaching down to hug him. "I am glad you are safe and sound."
"Is this how we will speak to our King?" Imrahil asked Eomer, "Or will he be known by some other name?"
Aragorn heard him, and said, "Verily, Imrahil. In the high tongue of old I am Elessar, the Elfstone, and Envinyatar, the Renewer. But Strider shall be the name of my house if it is ever established. In the high tongue it will not sound so ill. Telcontar, I shall be, along with all the heirs of my house."
With those words he passed further into the house and as they went to the rooms where the sick were tended Gandalf told them the deeds of Eowyn and Meriadoc, and of the fall of Theoden.
Aragorn looked in first on Faramir, son of Denethor who lay poisoned, then in on Eowyn and Merry.
Arwen stood by him as he looked upon the faces of the sick, and saw their injuries. She laid her hand gently on his shoulder and he crouched beside one of the beds.
He sighed and laid one of his own hands on hers. "I wish that Lord Elrond was here, Arwen. He has more power than I. He is older and wiser than I. Now I must put forth all of the skill and knowledge I have of healing, which he has given to me."
"Do what you can Estel, if you need it of me, I can help you. Draw what strength you do not have from me." She told him softly, tugging gently at the chain still around his neck, from it hung the Evenstar pendent. "Look to the Evenstar."
Then he turned and called for one of the women. One came hurriedly to him, "Yes, my Lord?"
"What is your name?" Aragorn asked her. Arwen recognized her as the woman who had spoken earlier.
"Ioreth, my Lord." She answered.
"Ioreth, do you have a store of the herbs of healing in this House?"
"Yes, my Lord we do." She answered him.
"Do you have athelas?" Aragorn asked her.
"I will go and ask the Herb Master," Ioreth told him, "He knows all of the old names."
"It is also called kingsfoil." Aragorn told her.
"That! It is just a weed. I have never heard that it had any great virtue, save for smelling sweet, or wholesome is better to describe the scent, when the leaves are bruised." She told him. "We have none."
"If you love the Lord Faramir, dame, run and get me some if there is a leaf in this City." Aragorn told her.
Arwen watched as the woman scurried off to find the plant.
Finally Ioreth returned to them, bearing a handful of dried athelas. "This is all I could find, my Lord. I hope it will suffice."
"It will serve." Aragorn told her, "Now bring me some hot water, Ioreth."
Once more the woman scurried off to do his bidding, calling to the other women to bring the water.
"Be still, my Lord." Arwen said softly, laying her hand against his chest, over his heart. "Trust this, you will never go wrong."
"I can see the hope here Arwen, for it stands before me. But I struggle to find faith in this time." He answered.
"Do not worry, for now I have enough faith for both of us." She whispered, "Attend to you task, my love, my Lord, my King." She finished as Ioreth carried a bowl of hot water to them.
"I am no King, not yet anyway." He told her in a low voice.
"You have been my King since the day we met, Aragorn. There has always been greatness in you." She said softly, as Ioreth offered the steaming bowl to Aragorn.
"Is there anything else you require, Lord Aragorn?" She asked.
"No Ioreth." He told her, as she began to cry. "But stay and be comforted, for the worst is now over."
Returning to Faramir's side, Aragorn took two of the leaves, and breathed on them, then crushing them in his palms. At once the sweet scent of the athelas filled the room, even before he added them to the hot water.
Then he fanned the heavily scented steam over Faramir's sleeping face. "Faramir, Faramir. It is now time for you to awake!" He called gently, like a parent rousing a small child from sleep.
Faramir stirred and looked over at Aragorn. "My King, you have called me, and I have answered. What is your bidding?"
"Dream no more of the shadow places, and awake, Faramir of Gondor. Rest now and take some food. I will return to you later." Aragorn told him, as he stood to leave the chamber, Arwen's hand finding his easily.
Next they went to Eowyn's side, followed by Gandalf, Pippin, Imrahil and Eomer.
One of Eowyn's arms was broken, set in splints and wrapped in heavy bandages to help it heal straight. The other was ashen, unmoving. Arwen could see that it was the true cause of her illness.
She laid a gentle hand on Eowyn's brow, brushing the younger woman's fair tresses away from her face. "I know not how to speak to her." Aragorn said to Arwen.
"Trust this..." Arwen told him, once more laying her hand over his heart.
Aragorn nodded. "Eomer, she loves you more than me. She knows and trusts you. I am nothing but a shadow, or a dream to her. In a moment, you will call to her." Then he turned to Eowyn and kissed her brow. "Eowyn, Eomund's daughter, awake now. Your enemy is departed."
Once more the pungent scent of the athelas plant filled the room, wafting about in the steam escaping the bowl of water Aragorn held in his hands.
"Lady Eowyn, Sheild Maiden of Rohan, awake now for the shadow is departed." He said once more, then laid her hand in Eomer's and stepped back, taking Arwen's hand in his own.
They watched as Eomer called to his sister, "Eowyn, Eowyn."
Then she opened her eyes and stared up at her brother. "Eomer, what joy is this? I was told that you were slain, but maybe that was only the dark voice in my dreams. Where is the Lord of the Mark?"
"He is passed now, Eowyn, resting now in the citadel of Gondor. He bade me say good bye to you, calling you Eowyn, dearer than daughter." Eomer told her.
"What of the King's esquire, the Halfling, Merry?" She asked, "Eomer, you should make him a knight of the Riddermark, he is valiant."
"He lies in the Houses of Healing as you do, Eowyn of Rohan." Aragorn said quietly. "I go to him now. You however must rest and recover your strength."
"Do not fear for Merry, Pippin." Aragorn said to the hobbit. "He will not die as you fear, I have come to him in time. Wait now and all shall be well."
Then he infused the athelas once more, allowing the scent to fill the room, before laying his hand on Merry's head, gently ruffling the brown curls, and touched his sleeping eyelids. "Merry, wake now. The time of your darkness is over." He called.
Arwen smiled as Merry opened his eyes, fixing them on Pippin before speaking. "I am hungry. What is the time?"
"Past supper-time now, Merry." Pippin answered him, "But if they let me I will bring you something."
"They will indeed." Gandalf told them, "And anything else that this Rider of Rohan wishes, if it can be found in Minas Tirith."
"You have done well, Master Brandybuck." Arwen told him, laying one of her hands on his cheek. "Do not let your heart be burdened now. For the Lady Eowyn is safe because of you, and for that King Eomer is very grateful to you."
"I knew that the King, Theoden, was dead. I had not wanted to believe it though." Merry hung his head.
"Stay and rest Merry." Aragorn told him, "Pippin will go and find you some food. We others must go now. We will check on you later."
Merry looked small and forlorn in the white bed. Arwen took pity on him. "Rest now Merry." She said, leaning down to kiss his forehead. "Sweet dreams will you have tonight. Be at ease. It does not do anyone good to dwell in the past." Then she placed into his hands a small sphere of light.
As she turned and left the room tears streaked down her cheeks. Aragorn took one of her hands, holding it with both his own. "All is well, Arwen."
"I know." She said softly, "I will go back to my brothers and retire for this night, or what is left of it."
"As you wish Arwen. Hope will have me there soon as well." He told her.
"I will escort you there Arwen." Gandalf told her. "I must speak with the sons of Elrond."
They rode in silence back to the camp that Arwen and the others had set up before dusk.
"Are you sure you will not be more comfortable in the City, Arwen?" Gandalf asked.
"This night I wish to be close to friends and kin." She said, her voice carrying in the still night air.
"I had thought that you would have stayed in the Houses of Healing."
"I will return there in several hours, Gandalf. All I wish for now is some leave of this place. I will find none of it in waking." Arwen told him.
"As you wish, Lady Evenstar. Your father is proud of all you have done, and all you are continuing to do. Think of the days that shall follow this war, when all is peaceful in this Middle Earth."
"They are the only thoughts that prevent me from fleeing these pained lands Gandalf. Although you must never tell Aragorn that. I stay for him now, and for myself also." She said to Gandalf, her eyes glittering like sapphires in the dim light.
They said no more as they rode.
When they reached the small camp Legolas helped her to unsaddle Nallahir and offered her a hot drink.
She accepted it with eager hands, before leaning comfortably against Nallahir's satiny side and with her cloak wrapped around her, Arwen fell asleep.
Watching her closely Elladan spoke to Gandalf. "What happened in the Houses of Healing?"
"Arwen was witness to some very ill people there." Gandalf told them. "She is tired. A Lady of her stature does not often ride to war, nor ride to them through the Paths of the Dead."
"Arwen has always done all that she chose too." Elrohir said to Gandalf.
"How often was she stopped by Lord Elrond?" Gandalf asked, not expecting an answer. "Arwen knows that the only reason he allowed her to journey with us was that he has little or no faith left in Men, and none left in Middle Earth. Like your mother he has fallen out of love with this place. Lord Elrond is wise and knowledgeable, but even he knows that Arwen is still in love with this place. Her love for Middle Earth runs deeper than anyone's. This place is a part of her, and without her, this Middle Earth would fall deeper into the darkness that already threatens to engulf it."
"So Arwen is like a barrier for the Dark One?" Legolas asked.
"The deeper the darkness, the brighter the light will shine." Gandalf explained to them. "Sauron did not realize that her birth would force him change his plans. He has had to create a vast army, more than he would have thought. That slowed him down. Otherwise I fear that this assault on Middle Earth would have occurred sooner."
"I had no idea that she was so important." Elladan said quietly.
"She is that and more. Through Arwen some of the greatest Kings and Queens of these lands will be born. And she unites the people. None can resist her now. She has proved herself strong and able, powerful in her own mind and body. Arwen has shown that she will endure." Gandalf told them, "But have a care that you never tell Arwen the things I have said. They are not for her to know."
Aragorn and Eomer met in the midst of the battle, both leaning against their swords, glad to see one another. "We meet again, my friend." Aragorn told him, "Though all the host of Mordor lay between us."
"Well ridden, Aragorn, son of Arathorn. You have come none too soon. Much loss and sorrow has befallen us."
"Let us avenge it before we speak of it, then." Aragorn told him, hefting Anduril once more. "Elendil!" He cried as the two ran forth to take part once more in the battle.
They fought all through the day, as the sun made it's journey across the sky.
The sun lay at last behind Mindolliun, casting red light over land and sky until it seemed as though the very sky was on fire. The River glowed red in the last rays of light, as did the grass over the Pelennor Fields.
Victorious Aragorn, Eomer and Imrahil back towards the Gates of the City, weary beyond all else.
All three were unscathed for each had fought well with the weapons of their choosing and the skills with which they bore them. About them many others lay injured or dead on the battle field.
Aragorn was sorely taken when he realised that Halbarad was among the fallen. He closed his eyes, saying a silent prayer for the fallen, whose number he would never know.
Grief and weariness took him, and with those thoughts he looked for Arwen, needing to know that she was safe.
He turned to hear her calling his name, and was surprised as she threw herself into his arms, holding him tightly. "Thank the Valar you are safe, melamin." She whispered somewhere near his ear. My love. Her voice full of worry.
"I am well sweet Lady, do not fear for me." Aragorn told her, saying the words almost breathlessly into her hair.
'The light of hope protects you, Elfstone. But war is still upon us, the storm has barely broken." Arwen said softly.
Away from them Imrahil stood by Eomer, both watching Arwen and Aragorn.
"Who is she?" Imrahil asked.
"That is the Lady Arwen Undomiel of Rivendell, far off in the North-East. She had traveled with Aragorn since he last set foot there." Eomer told him.
"She is breathtaking." Imrahil breathed.
"She is." Another voice agreed. "There are few in this Middle Earth who could hold a candle to the Lady Evenstar." Elladan told them.
"Who are you? And whither do you come?" Imrahil asked.
"Also from fair Rivendell, for I am Elladan, and this is my brother Elrohir. We are the sons of Lord Elrond, and the Lady Evenstar is our sister." Elladan told him.
"I never thought I would see such a sight as she, especially not on the battlefields."
"You may never see such a sight again." Elrohir told Imrahil.
"I have vowed never to call anything fair again, unless it can be held up to the Lady Arwen and the Lady Galadriel." Gimli said as he and Legolas approached.
Arwen and Aragorn broke from their embrace, and walked over to where the others stood.
"Gentlemen, what are you doing? We must be on our way. Gondor is still in dire peril." Aragorn called to them.
"We have defeated the servants of Sauron, though." Imrahil said, confused.
"You have barely seen the breaking of the storm, Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth." Arwen said to him, "All must make haste to the White City, lest it fall."
"What if it does?" One of the Rohirrim asked in passing.
Arwen closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them, as though she was in great pain. "If the White City falls no one will be here to see what will happen after."
"Then let us ride with great haste!" Eomer said, "Already Theoden, and Eowyn have been borne on to the White City."
"Eowyn has been take to the White City?" Aragorn asked.
"She came to battle with us. My sister is passed, as is the King." Eomer told them, his heart heavy.
"Be still Eomer, son of Eomund." Arwen told him gently. "If Eowyn is passed then she chose the way of her passing. Live in the knowledge that she wanted to ride into battle."
"Your words bring me comfort, dear Lady. But I fear that my heart is still much aggrieved." Eomer said to her. "We must ride now, on to Gondor!" Aragorn called to the men.
Part 52.
As the sun went down the Grey Company, along with the Riders of Rohan and all that remained of the forces of Dol Amroth arrived outside the Gates of the White City.
Aragorn surprised all by re-folding his great standard, before they reached the City.
"Why do you hide your standard now, Aragorn?" Eomer asked. "You have already raised the banner in battle, and displayed tokens of the House of Elendil. Do you think you will be challenged?"
"I judge that it is not the time for this." Aragorn told him. "I have no mind for strife, except with our Enemy and his servants."
"I would not have you stay out of the White City like a beggar." Imrahil said to Aragorn.
"Not a beggar." Aragorn told him, "Say that I am a Captain of the Rangers, who are unused to cities and houses of stone." Then he turned to Arwen. "Lady Evenstar, I ask you to take the Star of Elendil into your safe keeping, until the time when it is needed by its master once more."
"You do not even need to ask, my Lord." Arwen said to him, her blue eyes staring up into his brown ones. "What of the Lady Arwen then?" Imrahil asked.
"She may dwell where she chooses." Aragorn told him. "If she wishes to enter the City I charge it to you to take care of her."
"Where do you wish to dwell, Lady of Rivendell?" Imrahil asked Arwen.
"I will stay here for now." Arwen told him. "I shall enter the White City soon enough."
"I don't understand." He told her.
Arwen smiled, "You are not meant too. Do not worry yourself with me, Prince Imrahil. You are needed within the City."
"I am... What do you mean?"
"Go now." Arwen instructed him.
After Eomer and Imrahil entered the City, Gimli and Legolas lit a fire. They all sat there, resting in the warmth, Arwen and Aragorn, the sons of Elrond, Elladan and Elrohir, Legolas and the Dwarf Gimli.
Gently Arwen tended to their cuts and scratches sustained in the battle of the Pelennor Fields.
Afterwards they sat silently, not speaking, barely moving for a long time.
"Come now, Aragorn." Arwen said to him, rousing his from his thoughts.
"Arwen, I do not understand." He told her, his voice betraying some of his tiredness.
"It is time for you and I to enter the White City. You are needed in the Houses of Healing." She answered him.
"What has happened?" Elladan asked.
"It is better for us to go now, before you are summoned." Arwen said simply.
Aragorn rose to his feet, offering her his hand. "Then we will go."
"Your time nears, my heart. Do not become discouraged, your people will need someone to look to when all is done." Arwen told him, her voice quiet in the night air.
The others smiled at each other as they watched the pair mount their horses, and ride into the White City.
"Do you think Aragorn will become discouraged?" Elladan asked the others, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
"It would be difficult." Legolas said. "I do not think Arwen would let him become discouraged."
"I think that Arwen is all the hope Estel needs. They will weather the storm of Mordor. They will be stronger for it."
Once more they stared into the fire, each consumed with his own thoughts.
Both drew their cloaks around them as they entered the City, leaving the horses in the care of one of the stable lads, the folds of fabric keeping both the chill out, and prying eyes from their faces.
As they stepped into the Houses of Healing, deep within the White City, both heard Gandalf say, "Shall we not send now for the Lord Aragorn?"
Lowering his hood, Aragorn spoke, "He is come." Aside from his Lothlorien cloak, and the green stone given to him by the Lady Galadriel, he was unadorned by mail or any other ornament.
Arwen knew him then, to be more kingly than ever before.
"I have come because Gandalf had bidden me too. For now I am but the Captain of the Dunedain of Arnor, and the Lord of Dol Amroth shall rule the City, until Faramir awakes from his ills. It is also my counsel that Gandalf should rule us all in the days yet to come." Aragorn said to them.
"Then let us not stay here at the door, for time is urgent. It is only with the coming of Aragorn that any hope remains for the sick." Gandalf said to them all.
"Are you well Gandalf?" Arwen asked as they entered.
"I am much better now that you are here with us, safe and well dear Lady." Gandalf told her.
Behind her somewhere, Arwen heard a woman say, "It is a pity there is no King sitting on the Throne of Gondor. 'The hands of the King are the hands of a healer, thus shall the rightful King be known.'"
Aragorn was surprised when he entered, by a small person, barely the height of a young man, rushing towards him. "Strider!" The figure cried, "I knew that you would come with the black pennant, but everyone was shouting corsairs."
"Pippin!" Aragorn said. "Thank the Valar you are well. See to the Lady Arwen now, for she was aggrieved by your parting, and has worried over you ever since!"
"Lady Arwen," Pippin smiled up at her, "It is good you see you again."
"The Valar really does love hobbits, Master Pippin." Arwen told him, reaching down to hug him. "I am glad you are safe and sound."
"Is this how we will speak to our King?" Imrahil asked Eomer, "Or will he be known by some other name?"
Aragorn heard him, and said, "Verily, Imrahil. In the high tongue of old I am Elessar, the Elfstone, and Envinyatar, the Renewer. But Strider shall be the name of my house if it is ever established. In the high tongue it will not sound so ill. Telcontar, I shall be, along with all the heirs of my house."
With those words he passed further into the house and as they went to the rooms where the sick were tended Gandalf told them the deeds of Eowyn and Meriadoc, and of the fall of Theoden.
Aragorn looked in first on Faramir, son of Denethor who lay poisoned, then in on Eowyn and Merry.
Arwen stood by him as he looked upon the faces of the sick, and saw their injuries. She laid her hand gently on his shoulder and he crouched beside one of the beds.
He sighed and laid one of his own hands on hers. "I wish that Lord Elrond was here, Arwen. He has more power than I. He is older and wiser than I. Now I must put forth all of the skill and knowledge I have of healing, which he has given to me."
"Do what you can Estel, if you need it of me, I can help you. Draw what strength you do not have from me." She told him softly, tugging gently at the chain still around his neck, from it hung the Evenstar pendent. "Look to the Evenstar."
Then he turned and called for one of the women. One came hurriedly to him, "Yes, my Lord?"
"What is your name?" Aragorn asked her. Arwen recognized her as the woman who had spoken earlier.
"Ioreth, my Lord." She answered.
"Ioreth, do you have a store of the herbs of healing in this House?"
"Yes, my Lord we do." She answered him.
"Do you have athelas?" Aragorn asked her.
"I will go and ask the Herb Master," Ioreth told him, "He knows all of the old names."
"It is also called kingsfoil." Aragorn told her.
"That! It is just a weed. I have never heard that it had any great virtue, save for smelling sweet, or wholesome is better to describe the scent, when the leaves are bruised." She told him. "We have none."
"If you love the Lord Faramir, dame, run and get me some if there is a leaf in this City." Aragorn told her.
Arwen watched as the woman scurried off to find the plant.
Finally Ioreth returned to them, bearing a handful of dried athelas. "This is all I could find, my Lord. I hope it will suffice."
"It will serve." Aragorn told her, "Now bring me some hot water, Ioreth."
Once more the woman scurried off to do his bidding, calling to the other women to bring the water.
"Be still, my Lord." Arwen said softly, laying her hand against his chest, over his heart. "Trust this, you will never go wrong."
"I can see the hope here Arwen, for it stands before me. But I struggle to find faith in this time." He answered.
"Do not worry, for now I have enough faith for both of us." She whispered, "Attend to you task, my love, my Lord, my King." She finished as Ioreth carried a bowl of hot water to them.
"I am no King, not yet anyway." He told her in a low voice.
"You have been my King since the day we met, Aragorn. There has always been greatness in you." She said softly, as Ioreth offered the steaming bowl to Aragorn.
"Is there anything else you require, Lord Aragorn?" She asked.
"No Ioreth." He told her, as she began to cry. "But stay and be comforted, for the worst is now over."
Returning to Faramir's side, Aragorn took two of the leaves, and breathed on them, then crushing them in his palms. At once the sweet scent of the athelas filled the room, even before he added them to the hot water.
Then he fanned the heavily scented steam over Faramir's sleeping face. "Faramir, Faramir. It is now time for you to awake!" He called gently, like a parent rousing a small child from sleep.
Faramir stirred and looked over at Aragorn. "My King, you have called me, and I have answered. What is your bidding?"
"Dream no more of the shadow places, and awake, Faramir of Gondor. Rest now and take some food. I will return to you later." Aragorn told him, as he stood to leave the chamber, Arwen's hand finding his easily.
Next they went to Eowyn's side, followed by Gandalf, Pippin, Imrahil and Eomer.
One of Eowyn's arms was broken, set in splints and wrapped in heavy bandages to help it heal straight. The other was ashen, unmoving. Arwen could see that it was the true cause of her illness.
She laid a gentle hand on Eowyn's brow, brushing the younger woman's fair tresses away from her face. "I know not how to speak to her." Aragorn said to Arwen.
"Trust this..." Arwen told him, once more laying her hand over his heart.
Aragorn nodded. "Eomer, she loves you more than me. She knows and trusts you. I am nothing but a shadow, or a dream to her. In a moment, you will call to her." Then he turned to Eowyn and kissed her brow. "Eowyn, Eomund's daughter, awake now. Your enemy is departed."
Once more the pungent scent of the athelas plant filled the room, wafting about in the steam escaping the bowl of water Aragorn held in his hands.
"Lady Eowyn, Sheild Maiden of Rohan, awake now for the shadow is departed." He said once more, then laid her hand in Eomer's and stepped back, taking Arwen's hand in his own.
They watched as Eomer called to his sister, "Eowyn, Eowyn."
Then she opened her eyes and stared up at her brother. "Eomer, what joy is this? I was told that you were slain, but maybe that was only the dark voice in my dreams. Where is the Lord of the Mark?"
"He is passed now, Eowyn, resting now in the citadel of Gondor. He bade me say good bye to you, calling you Eowyn, dearer than daughter." Eomer told her.
"What of the King's esquire, the Halfling, Merry?" She asked, "Eomer, you should make him a knight of the Riddermark, he is valiant."
"He lies in the Houses of Healing as you do, Eowyn of Rohan." Aragorn said quietly. "I go to him now. You however must rest and recover your strength."
"Do not fear for Merry, Pippin." Aragorn said to the hobbit. "He will not die as you fear, I have come to him in time. Wait now and all shall be well."
Then he infused the athelas once more, allowing the scent to fill the room, before laying his hand on Merry's head, gently ruffling the brown curls, and touched his sleeping eyelids. "Merry, wake now. The time of your darkness is over." He called.
Arwen smiled as Merry opened his eyes, fixing them on Pippin before speaking. "I am hungry. What is the time?"
"Past supper-time now, Merry." Pippin answered him, "But if they let me I will bring you something."
"They will indeed." Gandalf told them, "And anything else that this Rider of Rohan wishes, if it can be found in Minas Tirith."
"You have done well, Master Brandybuck." Arwen told him, laying one of her hands on his cheek. "Do not let your heart be burdened now. For the Lady Eowyn is safe because of you, and for that King Eomer is very grateful to you."
"I knew that the King, Theoden, was dead. I had not wanted to believe it though." Merry hung his head.
"Stay and rest Merry." Aragorn told him, "Pippin will go and find you some food. We others must go now. We will check on you later."
Merry looked small and forlorn in the white bed. Arwen took pity on him. "Rest now Merry." She said, leaning down to kiss his forehead. "Sweet dreams will you have tonight. Be at ease. It does not do anyone good to dwell in the past." Then she placed into his hands a small sphere of light.
As she turned and left the room tears streaked down her cheeks. Aragorn took one of her hands, holding it with both his own. "All is well, Arwen."
"I know." She said softly, "I will go back to my brothers and retire for this night, or what is left of it."
"As you wish Arwen. Hope will have me there soon as well." He told her.
"I will escort you there Arwen." Gandalf told her. "I must speak with the sons of Elrond."
They rode in silence back to the camp that Arwen and the others had set up before dusk.
"Are you sure you will not be more comfortable in the City, Arwen?" Gandalf asked.
"This night I wish to be close to friends and kin." She said, her voice carrying in the still night air.
"I had thought that you would have stayed in the Houses of Healing."
"I will return there in several hours, Gandalf. All I wish for now is some leave of this place. I will find none of it in waking." Arwen told him.
"As you wish, Lady Evenstar. Your father is proud of all you have done, and all you are continuing to do. Think of the days that shall follow this war, when all is peaceful in this Middle Earth."
"They are the only thoughts that prevent me from fleeing these pained lands Gandalf. Although you must never tell Aragorn that. I stay for him now, and for myself also." She said to Gandalf, her eyes glittering like sapphires in the dim light.
They said no more as they rode.
When they reached the small camp Legolas helped her to unsaddle Nallahir and offered her a hot drink.
She accepted it with eager hands, before leaning comfortably against Nallahir's satiny side and with her cloak wrapped around her, Arwen fell asleep.
Watching her closely Elladan spoke to Gandalf. "What happened in the Houses of Healing?"
"Arwen was witness to some very ill people there." Gandalf told them. "She is tired. A Lady of her stature does not often ride to war, nor ride to them through the Paths of the Dead."
"Arwen has always done all that she chose too." Elrohir said to Gandalf.
"How often was she stopped by Lord Elrond?" Gandalf asked, not expecting an answer. "Arwen knows that the only reason he allowed her to journey with us was that he has little or no faith left in Men, and none left in Middle Earth. Like your mother he has fallen out of love with this place. Lord Elrond is wise and knowledgeable, but even he knows that Arwen is still in love with this place. Her love for Middle Earth runs deeper than anyone's. This place is a part of her, and without her, this Middle Earth would fall deeper into the darkness that already threatens to engulf it."
"So Arwen is like a barrier for the Dark One?" Legolas asked.
"The deeper the darkness, the brighter the light will shine." Gandalf explained to them. "Sauron did not realize that her birth would force him change his plans. He has had to create a vast army, more than he would have thought. That slowed him down. Otherwise I fear that this assault on Middle Earth would have occurred sooner."
"I had no idea that she was so important." Elladan said quietly.
"She is that and more. Through Arwen some of the greatest Kings and Queens of these lands will be born. And she unites the people. None can resist her now. She has proved herself strong and able, powerful in her own mind and body. Arwen has shown that she will endure." Gandalf told them, "But have a care that you never tell Arwen the things I have said. They are not for her to know."