Disclaimer: See chapter 1

Chapter 4

The Winter Flower

"Amras! Amras, wake up!"

Amras opened his eyes and looked up at Elrond. "Reallan? Is she okay?" Amras asked eagerly as he stood to his feet.

"For now, Reallan is fine. Her fever is lower, but." Elrond hesitated.

"But what?"

Elrond sighed. "I have not yet found a cure to the poison and I am not sure how much time we have. My sons, Elladan and Elrohir are helping me look through my books to find a cure. Glorfindel is helping as well."

Amras sighed and looked down at the ground. He could not bear the thought of loosing his sister.

"We will find a cure!" Elrond said confidently.

"May I see her?" Amras asked.

Elrond nodded.

Amras quietly walked into the room. He sat down in a chair near the bed and took Reallan's hand in his own. Reallan looked up at him and smiled.

"How are you feeling?" He asked.

"Tired, but I'm okay." She replied. "It's nice to be back in Rivendell."

Amras forced himself to smile. "Elrond is working on a cure to help you get better." Amras encouraged.

"Are you hungry?" A young elf maiden said as she came through the door. "I brought you some broth."

Reallan looked up and smiled. "I would like some. Thank you."

"Why don't you go get some rest and get yourself something to eat, Amras. I'll take care of Reallan." The elf girl said.

"Thank you, but I would like to stay with my sister." Amras replied.

"It's okay, Amras. Ninde will be here. Get some rest." Reallan said.

Amras smiled. "I'll be back later." He said, as he stood and left the room.

*~*~*

Amras returned a few hours later. Ninde was still in the room sitting on a chair. Reallan lay asleep on the bed. As Amras came in the room, Ninde looked up.

"How is she?" Amras whispered.

Ninde stood. "She is getting weaker and the pain is worsening. I gave her some herbal tea to help her rest for now."

Amras thanked her and silently sat down. A few minutes later a silent knock startled Amras. The door opened slightly and Aragorn stepped inside.

"Strider! What are you doing here?" Amras whispered as he stood.

Aragorn smiled. "I had to make sure she was okay."

"She is very weak. Elrond does not yet have a cure for the poison." Amras sadly replied.

Aragorn's smile faded, but he confidently replied, "Elrond will find a cure. Reallan will make it through."

Amras nodded.

"I am going to see Elrond now. Tell me if there is any change." Aragorn said.
Amras nodded again as Aragorn left the room. Amras sat down and gently picked up Reallan's hand. With his other hand, he gently pushed Reallan's hair from her face.

"You are going to be okay. Just hang on." Amras said. Aragorn's words rang in his mind. 'Reallan will make it through.' Amras held on to that hope as he watched his sister.

*~*~*
"Find anything?" Aragorn asked Elrond as he entered the room.

Elrond looked up from the book he was skimming through. "Estel! Glorfindel told me that you came back. I was not expecting you back so soon."

"I had to see if there was anything I could do for her." Aragorn replied.

Elrond looked back down at his book. "Well, Estel, I think there might just be something you could do."

Aragorn perked up. "Anything."

"I think I might have just found a cure to the poison." Elrond said.

Aragorn came around Elrond and looked down at the book.

"There is a flower, a winter flower, that might just work for the poison. It is called Nesta Niphredil." Elrond said as he pointed to a picture of the white flower.

"I have heard of it." Aragorn said. "It is said to be more valuable and harder to find than Athelas."

Elrond nodded. "It is. Few even know it exists. Others think it is only a myth. Hardly anyone has ever found it. I found some once on my travels, but I did not find out its value until many years later. The only place I know to find it is at the Caradhras Mountains."

"Then that is where I will go." Aragorn said.

"The journey will be hard and dangerous." Elrond replied. "But if you can bring a small amount back, I will be able to make a antidote to heal Reallan."

Aragorn nodded.

Suddenly Amras burst into the room.

"What is it?" Elrond asked as he stood.

"It's Reallan!" Amras said quickly. "I don't think she is breathing."

Elrond and Aragorn quickly ran from the room. They raced down the hall and into Elrond's healing room. Elrond looked down at Reallan. She took a gasp for air, but didn't seem to get any. He placed a hand on her forehead.

"Her fever is back and she is having difficulty breathing." Elrond announced. Looking toward Aragorn he added, "If you wish to save her life, you better leave now."
Aragorn nodded and turned toward the door.

"Hurry, Estel. There isn't much time." Elrond said as he began making another potion with his healing herbs.

Aragorn nodded and left the room. He quickly saddled his horse and mounted. As he left the stables, Elrohir saw him.

"Estel, where are you going?" Elrohir asked.

"Reallan is worse. I must find the Nesta Niphredil to save her." Aragorn said quickly.

"You should not go alone. I will come with you." Elrohir said.

"Nay, I must travel quickly. Stay and help your father." Aragorn replied.

"You should travel alone in those mountains." Elrohir said.

"He will not be alone." Legolas declared from behind them. Aragorn turned around on his horse. Legolas mounted his horse and rode up beside Aragorn. "I will travel beside you, my friend."

Aragorn half smiled and bowed his head to the elf. "It seems I owe you once again, Legolas." Looking at Elrohir he added, "I will return soon. Don't let her die before then."

Elrohir nodded. "Go!"

Aragorn held tightly to Gwindor and rode out of Rivendell. Legolas followed behind.

A/N: Nesta Niphredil means Healing Winter Flower. Now please review and tell me what you think.