Chapter Twenty
The moon was at its zenith when I finally reached the gates. The large beautiful carved doors had been beaten from forced entry, and I struggled through one of the many holes.
"Who's there?" barked a harsh voice. A cloaked figure slipped from the shadows. I collapsed onto the cobblestone. My throat from dry from lack of water, and my leg was hurting worse than ever. Still, I managed to reply weakly, "A friend."
The figure drew near, and I saw his face from beneath his hood. It was skeptical, but his eyes revealed concern.
"My leg, I think, is broken." I whispered, trying once more to sit up. The guard knelt down by me, and then looked shocked.
"You're a woman!" he exclaimed.
"Could you take me to the House of Healing?" I asked. The man nodded, and, without another word, picked me up, and carried me over to a corner, where stood a lean pony. He set me on the animal, and then guided the pony up through the city.
We travelled in silence, and for that, I was thankful. The road was long, and darkness radiated from every stone of the city.
After some time, we finally arrived at what I assumed must be the House of Healing. The guard knocked once on the door, and a woman greeted us.
"Another warrior?" she asked, barely glancing at me.
"Yea, good Ioreth, but also a woman." Ioreth peered curiously at me, she gave a sad smile, "Is Eomer encouraging the women of Rohan to join the Rohirrim?"
The guard shrugged, and turned to leave. I thanked him, and Ioreth supported me into a room full of peopled beds divided by linen cloth for privacy.
There was an empty bed near one corner, and she helped me sit on it. I took off my helm, and breastplate, and rubbed my shoulder where I had been cut. Ioreth carefully ripped the leg of my pants so she could clean my left leg.
I smiled to myself. I was sure Galadriel had never dreamed when giving me that dress that it would be torn and patched up so many times.
Once Ioreth had cleaned and banaged my leg, she gave me a cup of warm medicine. I drank it, and fell into a deep sleep.
.
When I woke up, it was because I felt the gaze of someone's eyes. I opened my own, and looked around. It looked to be late afternoon, and from the silence I guessed that many of the beds were now empty.
"Did I wake you?" Asked a concerned voice. My gaze shifted to the speaker. It was Eomer. I shook my head, smiling, "No, what are you doing here?"
"So many friends of mine are here." he answered sadly, "Men of the Rohirrim, Eowyn, Master Meriodoc, and yourself."
"How is Merry?" I asked. Eomer sighed, "He sleeps still, as does my sister. They have been through much." I nodded, sinking back into my pillow. I noticed I had been changed into a white night gown. How did people manage to change other people's clothes without waking them up? I marveled at the mysterious talent, and then looked again at Eomer.
He was staring out a far window, and I could tell his thoughts were even farther away. We sat quietly for a long time. Finally, Eomer turned back to me, "Can I get you anything?"
I looked at my bedside table, and saw my bag. Then I thought for a moment, and answered, "How is Pippin?"
"Is he the other Halfling?" I nodded.
"He has visited Master Merry thrice since the battle, but he has been very busy."
"When was the battle?"
"Four days ago."
I closed my eyes in thought, "Did he not visit me?"
Eomer opened his mouth, then closed it, then replied uncomfortably, "Forgive me, El, but Merry and Eowyn are in the highest rooms, and, well, you are among the other injured. Few even knew of your presence." he added hastily, "Not even I knew you were here had it not been for Ioreth."
"Ioreth?" I asked, amused.
"Yes, she asked me what I was thinking when I let two women fight alongside the Rohirrim. I knew of Eowyn's actions, but I could guess who the other woman was." He grinned slyly at me.
"How did you respond to Ioreth's question?" I inquired. Eomer's grin turned to a large smile, "I told her she was absolutely right, and that I should think before I recruited another woman to the Rohirrim."
"You didn't correct her?"
"It is useless arguing with that old maid," Eomer laughed, "her tongue is as sharp as a sword, and anyway, what harm has it done?"
"Ambitious young women everywhere will be wanting to join her country's army, and in years to come, everyone will blame you for such a thing coming to be." I joked. Eomer chuckled, and stood up.
"It grieves me to leave your side, El, but there are matters which I must still attend to."
"Where is Aragorn, and the others?" I asked as he was turning to go.
"They are holding council with Mithrandir. Shall I tell them of your presence?" I nodded, thanking him for visiting me, and watched his retreating form.
I stared straight ahead of me, not knowing what to do now. I knew that sooner or later, Aragorn would lead the march to the Black Gate. The quest was drawing to an end. Confusion swirled like a storm in my mind. Where would I go?
Perhaps Aragorn, once he is king, will let me stay in Minas Tirith. Maybe I could go with Legolas and Gimli. I didn't want to burden them, though. I sighed, thinking of other possibilities. I didn't want to have to follow anyone. I wanted to be independent. I was beginning to finally accept the fact that I couldn't return to my real home. My heart ached, and I felt so alone.
There was nowhere I could really feel at home, because it was so different. I felt tears stinging in my eyes, but I blinked them back.
I was beginning to wish I hadn't survived the battle. Did I even have a reason I wanted to continue living?
A coldness seeped into my heart, and I felt weak. Suicide meant eternal damnation. Surely I wasn't that bad off. I breathed slowly, trying to relax.
There was Merry and Pippin; I loved them. I thought of the soldier that had been killed after saving me.
That did it. I resolved in my heart that for him, I couldn't lose hope. His sacrificed life would not be in vain; I must insure that my life would have been worth saving. I felt strength growing within, and a warmth washed over me. There were still the three palantiri to find.
I flung the blankets off of me, and looked down at my left leg. It was bandaged tightly, and it appeared that Ioreth had set the bone straight at some time. I was grateful I hadn't remembered it.
I stretched off the bed, and pulled my pack up on my lap. I withdrew one of the palantiri, and held it tight in both hands. I concentrated on the first lost stone; I must know where it was hidden. Closing my eyes tight, I thought of the surroundings.
The chamber was dark, and it was absolutely silent. There was nothing to hear- no thundering of feet, no sound of crumbling rock.
Where is it? I asked to the darkness. Somehow, I felt that I would get an answer this time. The part of my brain I knew I had never used before seemed to grow hot, and I felt energy pulse through me.
Where is it? I demanded of my brain. I strained my mind, looking hard at the chamber. Abruptly, I knew where it was. It was as if the answer had been in my mind, and I had just found it.
Osgiliath. It rested in a chamber beneath the floor of the ruined king's bed quarters. I smiled to myself. I decided against tackling the next location. If I was just a bit tired as I looked into the stone, I knew Sauron would find me.
Slowly, gradually, I broke connection with the palantir. My mind returned to the House of Healing. I opened my eyes.
I jerked as I realized someone sat on the foot of my bed.
"Aragorn!" I gasped, "What are you doing here?"
"Forgive me, Orthalion, I did not mean to startle you." He apologized. I shook my head, smiling now that I had gotten over my suprise.
"How are you?" I asked, wrapping the palantir back up and setting it back in my bag.
"I was about to ask the same question of you." Aragorn replied, "But I am fine, or, as well as I could be under the circumstances. What did you see in the palantir? You were absorbed in it for many hours."
Shocked, I looked out the window, and saw only darkness. "Um, I'm fine, I guess. I broke my leg." I gestured obviously to my bandaged leg.
"How?" Aragorn inquired. I told him. I also told him of my ride on the Mumak. He laughed heartily, and answered, "My dear El, I think you are the first warrior to ride on the foot of a Mumak."
"I am no warrior." I corrected him, "I can't even fight well."
"In combat, perhaps not." Aragorn admitted, "But you have fought, if not with your sword, but with your heart, and will. You are stronger than many, and you possess a great gift." He rested his hand on the wrapped palantir.
I felt embaressed. I never know what to say when I'm complimented, so I changed the subject.
"I know where one of the palantiri is."
Aragorn lifted his head, and looked expectantly at me.
"It's in Osgiliath." I whispered. Aragorn nodded, and then looked hard at me.
"Orthalion, I have-" he paused, "-news."
"What?" I asked, worried.
"Frodo and Sam are near Orodruin, but Gorgorath lies before them. We must cause a diversion, so they may pass unnoticed."
"And by we, you mean yourself, Legolas, Gimli, Mithrandir, and the Rohirrim?" I sighed.
"And Master Peregrin." Aragorn added hesitantly. That struck a chord in my heart. I sat up straighter, "You send him to his death!"
"You should not doubt him, El." Aragorn responded softly, "For all that go, death most certainly waits. But it is not our lives that matter, don't you see?"
I felt like crying, but I held back the tears. This was all so hopeless. I had only Tolkien's word that my friends would survive, and did not comfort me in the least.
"So I will stay here, and wait for your return that will not come?" I asked resignedly. Aragorn didn't answer. Instead, he stood up, and gazed out the window.
Finally, he turned to me. His gaunt face shone in the moonlight, and I saw his pain. "We leave in the morning, but I will send Pippin to see you." Without another word, he disappeared from my sight.
.
I don't think I slept that night. I forced myself to stay awake, in case anyone should come with news of any kind.
As my partitioned room began to lighten with the promise of a sunrise, the cloth door was pulled aside, and Pippin peered in. When he saw me, he smiled weakly, and nodded his head.
He had grown since I last saw him, and he looked wiser now.
"Well," I began quietly, "we each have story to tell, don't we?"
"I can' stay vereh long." Pippin blurted, looking down at his feet.
"I know." I replied. I beckoned him closer, and started, "I just wanted to thank you."
"For wha'?" Pippin asked curiously.
"You were the first member of the Fellowship to accept me." I answered.
"I was either too nice, or too foolish. Gandalf said tha latteh." Pippin muttered, his smile widening.
I thought back on my first night spent in Middle Earth, tied to a tree. The memory made me grin, and I looked back at Pippin.
"Good luck on your journey." I wished. The smile slipped from Pippin's face. He nodded slowly, whispering something indistiguishable.
He mumbled a goodbye as he edged from the room.
"I'll see you when you return, then." I called. Pippin didn't answer, he just closed his eyes for a moment, and then left.
Legolas came in next to bid me goodbye. I wished him luck, as I had Pippin, and then Aragorn entered.
I had run out of things to say, so the both of us just remained silent, in an understood farewell. He opened his mouth to say something, but then snapped it shut. The he nodded once to me, and walked away.
Lastly came Eomer. I wasn't expecting him to visit, so he caught me off guard. He knelt by the bed, looking at me, making me feel very awkward. Finally, he said, "May your wounds mend swiftly."
I sighed, "There are some hurts that can't heal."
Eomer looked as if he was going to say something, but instead he held my left hand in both of his. His dark eyes locked on mine, and he replied, "Patience, then, Orthalion; there is no pain that cannot be ceased. Let time be your cure."
I bowed my head, not wanting to look at his eyes. They were too intense, grief-wracked, and penetrating. I felt his hands leave mine, and then one brought my face back up to his. He smiled, and stood up.
"Well, madame," he began, "we leave soon, and I should not be late. I look forward to our next meeting." Without another word, he swept into a bow, kissed my hand, and departed.
I fell back on my pillow, and gazed at the ceiling. I felt as though everything capable of being thought I had already pondered. It was as if there was nothing left to consider, and wonder at.
Sighing, I swung both my legs stiffly from the bed. Ioreth had supplied me with a kind of crutch, but I had never bothered with it. Today, however, I figured I might as well be bored out of my mind in different surroundings.
Supporting myself on the crutch, I hobbled out to a small garden. I sat tiredly on a bench, and leaned back, my head turned up to the morning sky.
It seemed so long since I had seen it above me. I was relieved now that its enormous expanse surrounded me. It was a cold morning, and I shivered a bit. As I was looking at the flowers, I heard footsteps draw near.
A woman came into sight, and she spotted me right away. I guessed she was a healer, because she clucked at me for not wearing something warmer. She scuttled off and returned quickly with a blanket, and then, mumbling to herself, hurried off.
I wrapped the cloth around me, and laid down on the bench, still gazing at the sky.
.
I must have fallen asleep, because the next thing I knew, it was afternoon, and Ioreth was scolding me for staying from bed for so long. At her demand, I returned to my bed, and crawled in.
And thus passed a week of intense boredom. On the eighth day of my stay in the House of Healing, I had a visitor.
He strode in, his arm was bandaged, but he was otherwise unhurt. He grinned when he saw me, and leaned against my bed.
"How have you been, then?" Merry asked.
"Broken leg, otherwise, I'm fine. You?" I replied.
A shadow passed over his face, and his smile flickered. Then he forced it back to its previous position, "Just my arm. And this." he added, lifting his hair from his forehead; there was a long cut from one eyebrow to the middle of his eyebrow.
"Well," I began cheerfully, "that should heal just fine." Merry nodded, "So says Ioreth; along with all the other things she talks of." I chuckled, "How is Eowyn?"
"Still sleeping."
"I heard of your victory on the fields," I began, "bravo, Master Brandybuck."
The Hobbit drew himself up proudly, but then sighed, "When do you think they will return?"
I didn't need to ask who 'they' were. "Once they've caused a diversion, they'll come back, and there should be a big feast and celebrating."
Merry grinned, and was about to say something, when a door slammed, and hurried footsteps echoed in the room. I gestured for Merry to draw aside the curtains. He did so, and a man caught sight of us.
"Where is Captain Faramir?" He demanded.
"He is still recovering. Who are you?" Merry countered.
"Beregond, I have urgent news for him."
"Tell it to me, and I shall tell him." Merry instructed, "Ioreth said he couldn't have any visitors."
"This is not news that can be lightly carried." Beregond snapped. Merry's face darkened, "Then be gone, Faramir can not be bothered."
"Have it your way, holbytla." Beregond began, "Tell Captain Faramir that orcs remain in Osgiliath, but that they are few, and can be easily defeated. Ask him if I may send some of his men out to rid them of our city. Well? What are you waiting for?"
Merry nodded, and hurried out of the room.
"How many orcs are there?" I asked, watching Beregond pace the room. He looked up, startled. It was obvious on his face that he thought he was alone. He stared closely at me, and then drew nearer.
"Are you the other maiden-soldier?" He inquired. When I nodded, he pressed, "The one who rode a Mumak, and crawled across the Pelennor Fields with a broken leg?"
"That's me." I said, trying not to sound too proud.
"Truly," Beregond started, looking away, "you women can be suprising. One defeats the King of the Nazgul, and the other..." he gesutured to me.
I didn't know what to say, but just then, Merry returned. Beregond straightened, and looked expectantly at Merry.
"He says you have his permission," Merry reported, "but to not use many more men then their are orcs."
"Why?"
"It would be cowardly." Merry shrugged. Beregond, nodding, thanked Merry, bowed shortly to me, and left.
.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* AAAclub: Nah, not curious at all... I don't think I'll write a sequel, but nothings decided as of yet. Turn into a Mary Sue? Shame on you for even suggesting it!
chibi-mairi: Thanks, I was trying to think of an idea that hadn't been used so many times you readers would flame me in protest.
Aztec-Raven: Really? I feel so fuzzy and special inside. You never cried during the Return of the King movie? I bawled for the last half hour, but then again, this is coming from some who cried during the Land Before Time...
Laureline: Yeah, the whole riding-on-the-leg-of-a-mumak isn't very realistic, but it beats having the protagonist faint at the beginning of the battle so the author doesn't have to write much, or making the character suddenly have super powers to defeat the enemies. 'Licky w/ her horse.' Licky. What an awesome word.
The moon was at its zenith when I finally reached the gates. The large beautiful carved doors had been beaten from forced entry, and I struggled through one of the many holes.
"Who's there?" barked a harsh voice. A cloaked figure slipped from the shadows. I collapsed onto the cobblestone. My throat from dry from lack of water, and my leg was hurting worse than ever. Still, I managed to reply weakly, "A friend."
The figure drew near, and I saw his face from beneath his hood. It was skeptical, but his eyes revealed concern.
"My leg, I think, is broken." I whispered, trying once more to sit up. The guard knelt down by me, and then looked shocked.
"You're a woman!" he exclaimed.
"Could you take me to the House of Healing?" I asked. The man nodded, and, without another word, picked me up, and carried me over to a corner, where stood a lean pony. He set me on the animal, and then guided the pony up through the city.
We travelled in silence, and for that, I was thankful. The road was long, and darkness radiated from every stone of the city.
After some time, we finally arrived at what I assumed must be the House of Healing. The guard knocked once on the door, and a woman greeted us.
"Another warrior?" she asked, barely glancing at me.
"Yea, good Ioreth, but also a woman." Ioreth peered curiously at me, she gave a sad smile, "Is Eomer encouraging the women of Rohan to join the Rohirrim?"
The guard shrugged, and turned to leave. I thanked him, and Ioreth supported me into a room full of peopled beds divided by linen cloth for privacy.
There was an empty bed near one corner, and she helped me sit on it. I took off my helm, and breastplate, and rubbed my shoulder where I had been cut. Ioreth carefully ripped the leg of my pants so she could clean my left leg.
I smiled to myself. I was sure Galadriel had never dreamed when giving me that dress that it would be torn and patched up so many times.
Once Ioreth had cleaned and banaged my leg, she gave me a cup of warm medicine. I drank it, and fell into a deep sleep.
.
When I woke up, it was because I felt the gaze of someone's eyes. I opened my own, and looked around. It looked to be late afternoon, and from the silence I guessed that many of the beds were now empty.
"Did I wake you?" Asked a concerned voice. My gaze shifted to the speaker. It was Eomer. I shook my head, smiling, "No, what are you doing here?"
"So many friends of mine are here." he answered sadly, "Men of the Rohirrim, Eowyn, Master Meriodoc, and yourself."
"How is Merry?" I asked. Eomer sighed, "He sleeps still, as does my sister. They have been through much." I nodded, sinking back into my pillow. I noticed I had been changed into a white night gown. How did people manage to change other people's clothes without waking them up? I marveled at the mysterious talent, and then looked again at Eomer.
He was staring out a far window, and I could tell his thoughts were even farther away. We sat quietly for a long time. Finally, Eomer turned back to me, "Can I get you anything?"
I looked at my bedside table, and saw my bag. Then I thought for a moment, and answered, "How is Pippin?"
"Is he the other Halfling?" I nodded.
"He has visited Master Merry thrice since the battle, but he has been very busy."
"When was the battle?"
"Four days ago."
I closed my eyes in thought, "Did he not visit me?"
Eomer opened his mouth, then closed it, then replied uncomfortably, "Forgive me, El, but Merry and Eowyn are in the highest rooms, and, well, you are among the other injured. Few even knew of your presence." he added hastily, "Not even I knew you were here had it not been for Ioreth."
"Ioreth?" I asked, amused.
"Yes, she asked me what I was thinking when I let two women fight alongside the Rohirrim. I knew of Eowyn's actions, but I could guess who the other woman was." He grinned slyly at me.
"How did you respond to Ioreth's question?" I inquired. Eomer's grin turned to a large smile, "I told her she was absolutely right, and that I should think before I recruited another woman to the Rohirrim."
"You didn't correct her?"
"It is useless arguing with that old maid," Eomer laughed, "her tongue is as sharp as a sword, and anyway, what harm has it done?"
"Ambitious young women everywhere will be wanting to join her country's army, and in years to come, everyone will blame you for such a thing coming to be." I joked. Eomer chuckled, and stood up.
"It grieves me to leave your side, El, but there are matters which I must still attend to."
"Where is Aragorn, and the others?" I asked as he was turning to go.
"They are holding council with Mithrandir. Shall I tell them of your presence?" I nodded, thanking him for visiting me, and watched his retreating form.
I stared straight ahead of me, not knowing what to do now. I knew that sooner or later, Aragorn would lead the march to the Black Gate. The quest was drawing to an end. Confusion swirled like a storm in my mind. Where would I go?
Perhaps Aragorn, once he is king, will let me stay in Minas Tirith. Maybe I could go with Legolas and Gimli. I didn't want to burden them, though. I sighed, thinking of other possibilities. I didn't want to have to follow anyone. I wanted to be independent. I was beginning to finally accept the fact that I couldn't return to my real home. My heart ached, and I felt so alone.
There was nowhere I could really feel at home, because it was so different. I felt tears stinging in my eyes, but I blinked them back.
I was beginning to wish I hadn't survived the battle. Did I even have a reason I wanted to continue living?
A coldness seeped into my heart, and I felt weak. Suicide meant eternal damnation. Surely I wasn't that bad off. I breathed slowly, trying to relax.
There was Merry and Pippin; I loved them. I thought of the soldier that had been killed after saving me.
That did it. I resolved in my heart that for him, I couldn't lose hope. His sacrificed life would not be in vain; I must insure that my life would have been worth saving. I felt strength growing within, and a warmth washed over me. There were still the three palantiri to find.
I flung the blankets off of me, and looked down at my left leg. It was bandaged tightly, and it appeared that Ioreth had set the bone straight at some time. I was grateful I hadn't remembered it.
I stretched off the bed, and pulled my pack up on my lap. I withdrew one of the palantiri, and held it tight in both hands. I concentrated on the first lost stone; I must know where it was hidden. Closing my eyes tight, I thought of the surroundings.
The chamber was dark, and it was absolutely silent. There was nothing to hear- no thundering of feet, no sound of crumbling rock.
Where is it? I asked to the darkness. Somehow, I felt that I would get an answer this time. The part of my brain I knew I had never used before seemed to grow hot, and I felt energy pulse through me.
Where is it? I demanded of my brain. I strained my mind, looking hard at the chamber. Abruptly, I knew where it was. It was as if the answer had been in my mind, and I had just found it.
Osgiliath. It rested in a chamber beneath the floor of the ruined king's bed quarters. I smiled to myself. I decided against tackling the next location. If I was just a bit tired as I looked into the stone, I knew Sauron would find me.
Slowly, gradually, I broke connection with the palantir. My mind returned to the House of Healing. I opened my eyes.
I jerked as I realized someone sat on the foot of my bed.
"Aragorn!" I gasped, "What are you doing here?"
"Forgive me, Orthalion, I did not mean to startle you." He apologized. I shook my head, smiling now that I had gotten over my suprise.
"How are you?" I asked, wrapping the palantir back up and setting it back in my bag.
"I was about to ask the same question of you." Aragorn replied, "But I am fine, or, as well as I could be under the circumstances. What did you see in the palantir? You were absorbed in it for many hours."
Shocked, I looked out the window, and saw only darkness. "Um, I'm fine, I guess. I broke my leg." I gestured obviously to my bandaged leg.
"How?" Aragorn inquired. I told him. I also told him of my ride on the Mumak. He laughed heartily, and answered, "My dear El, I think you are the first warrior to ride on the foot of a Mumak."
"I am no warrior." I corrected him, "I can't even fight well."
"In combat, perhaps not." Aragorn admitted, "But you have fought, if not with your sword, but with your heart, and will. You are stronger than many, and you possess a great gift." He rested his hand on the wrapped palantir.
I felt embaressed. I never know what to say when I'm complimented, so I changed the subject.
"I know where one of the palantiri is."
Aragorn lifted his head, and looked expectantly at me.
"It's in Osgiliath." I whispered. Aragorn nodded, and then looked hard at me.
"Orthalion, I have-" he paused, "-news."
"What?" I asked, worried.
"Frodo and Sam are near Orodruin, but Gorgorath lies before them. We must cause a diversion, so they may pass unnoticed."
"And by we, you mean yourself, Legolas, Gimli, Mithrandir, and the Rohirrim?" I sighed.
"And Master Peregrin." Aragorn added hesitantly. That struck a chord in my heart. I sat up straighter, "You send him to his death!"
"You should not doubt him, El." Aragorn responded softly, "For all that go, death most certainly waits. But it is not our lives that matter, don't you see?"
I felt like crying, but I held back the tears. This was all so hopeless. I had only Tolkien's word that my friends would survive, and did not comfort me in the least.
"So I will stay here, and wait for your return that will not come?" I asked resignedly. Aragorn didn't answer. Instead, he stood up, and gazed out the window.
Finally, he turned to me. His gaunt face shone in the moonlight, and I saw his pain. "We leave in the morning, but I will send Pippin to see you." Without another word, he disappeared from my sight.
.
I don't think I slept that night. I forced myself to stay awake, in case anyone should come with news of any kind.
As my partitioned room began to lighten with the promise of a sunrise, the cloth door was pulled aside, and Pippin peered in. When he saw me, he smiled weakly, and nodded his head.
He had grown since I last saw him, and he looked wiser now.
"Well," I began quietly, "we each have story to tell, don't we?"
"I can' stay vereh long." Pippin blurted, looking down at his feet.
"I know." I replied. I beckoned him closer, and started, "I just wanted to thank you."
"For wha'?" Pippin asked curiously.
"You were the first member of the Fellowship to accept me." I answered.
"I was either too nice, or too foolish. Gandalf said tha latteh." Pippin muttered, his smile widening.
I thought back on my first night spent in Middle Earth, tied to a tree. The memory made me grin, and I looked back at Pippin.
"Good luck on your journey." I wished. The smile slipped from Pippin's face. He nodded slowly, whispering something indistiguishable.
He mumbled a goodbye as he edged from the room.
"I'll see you when you return, then." I called. Pippin didn't answer, he just closed his eyes for a moment, and then left.
Legolas came in next to bid me goodbye. I wished him luck, as I had Pippin, and then Aragorn entered.
I had run out of things to say, so the both of us just remained silent, in an understood farewell. He opened his mouth to say something, but then snapped it shut. The he nodded once to me, and walked away.
Lastly came Eomer. I wasn't expecting him to visit, so he caught me off guard. He knelt by the bed, looking at me, making me feel very awkward. Finally, he said, "May your wounds mend swiftly."
I sighed, "There are some hurts that can't heal."
Eomer looked as if he was going to say something, but instead he held my left hand in both of his. His dark eyes locked on mine, and he replied, "Patience, then, Orthalion; there is no pain that cannot be ceased. Let time be your cure."
I bowed my head, not wanting to look at his eyes. They were too intense, grief-wracked, and penetrating. I felt his hands leave mine, and then one brought my face back up to his. He smiled, and stood up.
"Well, madame," he began, "we leave soon, and I should not be late. I look forward to our next meeting." Without another word, he swept into a bow, kissed my hand, and departed.
I fell back on my pillow, and gazed at the ceiling. I felt as though everything capable of being thought I had already pondered. It was as if there was nothing left to consider, and wonder at.
Sighing, I swung both my legs stiffly from the bed. Ioreth had supplied me with a kind of crutch, but I had never bothered with it. Today, however, I figured I might as well be bored out of my mind in different surroundings.
Supporting myself on the crutch, I hobbled out to a small garden. I sat tiredly on a bench, and leaned back, my head turned up to the morning sky.
It seemed so long since I had seen it above me. I was relieved now that its enormous expanse surrounded me. It was a cold morning, and I shivered a bit. As I was looking at the flowers, I heard footsteps draw near.
A woman came into sight, and she spotted me right away. I guessed she was a healer, because she clucked at me for not wearing something warmer. She scuttled off and returned quickly with a blanket, and then, mumbling to herself, hurried off.
I wrapped the cloth around me, and laid down on the bench, still gazing at the sky.
.
I must have fallen asleep, because the next thing I knew, it was afternoon, and Ioreth was scolding me for staying from bed for so long. At her demand, I returned to my bed, and crawled in.
And thus passed a week of intense boredom. On the eighth day of my stay in the House of Healing, I had a visitor.
He strode in, his arm was bandaged, but he was otherwise unhurt. He grinned when he saw me, and leaned against my bed.
"How have you been, then?" Merry asked.
"Broken leg, otherwise, I'm fine. You?" I replied.
A shadow passed over his face, and his smile flickered. Then he forced it back to its previous position, "Just my arm. And this." he added, lifting his hair from his forehead; there was a long cut from one eyebrow to the middle of his eyebrow.
"Well," I began cheerfully, "that should heal just fine." Merry nodded, "So says Ioreth; along with all the other things she talks of." I chuckled, "How is Eowyn?"
"Still sleeping."
"I heard of your victory on the fields," I began, "bravo, Master Brandybuck."
The Hobbit drew himself up proudly, but then sighed, "When do you think they will return?"
I didn't need to ask who 'they' were. "Once they've caused a diversion, they'll come back, and there should be a big feast and celebrating."
Merry grinned, and was about to say something, when a door slammed, and hurried footsteps echoed in the room. I gestured for Merry to draw aside the curtains. He did so, and a man caught sight of us.
"Where is Captain Faramir?" He demanded.
"He is still recovering. Who are you?" Merry countered.
"Beregond, I have urgent news for him."
"Tell it to me, and I shall tell him." Merry instructed, "Ioreth said he couldn't have any visitors."
"This is not news that can be lightly carried." Beregond snapped. Merry's face darkened, "Then be gone, Faramir can not be bothered."
"Have it your way, holbytla." Beregond began, "Tell Captain Faramir that orcs remain in Osgiliath, but that they are few, and can be easily defeated. Ask him if I may send some of his men out to rid them of our city. Well? What are you waiting for?"
Merry nodded, and hurried out of the room.
"How many orcs are there?" I asked, watching Beregond pace the room. He looked up, startled. It was obvious on his face that he thought he was alone. He stared closely at me, and then drew nearer.
"Are you the other maiden-soldier?" He inquired. When I nodded, he pressed, "The one who rode a Mumak, and crawled across the Pelennor Fields with a broken leg?"
"That's me." I said, trying not to sound too proud.
"Truly," Beregond started, looking away, "you women can be suprising. One defeats the King of the Nazgul, and the other..." he gesutured to me.
I didn't know what to say, but just then, Merry returned. Beregond straightened, and looked expectantly at Merry.
"He says you have his permission," Merry reported, "but to not use many more men then their are orcs."
"Why?"
"It would be cowardly." Merry shrugged. Beregond, nodding, thanked Merry, bowed shortly to me, and left.
.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* AAAclub: Nah, not curious at all... I don't think I'll write a sequel, but nothings decided as of yet. Turn into a Mary Sue? Shame on you for even suggesting it!
chibi-mairi: Thanks, I was trying to think of an idea that hadn't been used so many times you readers would flame me in protest.
Aztec-Raven: Really? I feel so fuzzy and special inside. You never cried during the Return of the King movie? I bawled for the last half hour, but then again, this is coming from some who cried during the Land Before Time...
Laureline: Yeah, the whole riding-on-the-leg-of-a-mumak isn't very realistic, but it beats having the protagonist faint at the beginning of the battle so the author doesn't have to write much, or making the character suddenly have super powers to defeat the enemies. 'Licky w/ her horse.' Licky. What an awesome word.