Moria's Revenge, chapter 22: Cleansed
Authors: Kookaburra and Llinos
Disclaimer: *Beating off hordes of lawyers* "NO! I swear! It's not mine! Hey, no biting...!"
****
Deilen, the elf clad in white, ushered Merry from the room and then tentatively took Pippin's hands and sat him up. He did not struggle this time, but looked around in confusion, wondering where he was. His body still hurt all over and certain pains such as the burns on his buttocks and sides had become more acute as fluid built up inside the skin, some of the blisters breaking.
"Pippin?" The elf said gently, "My name is Deilen, can you stand on your feet do you think?"
Pippin shook his head in a worried fashion; he was not too sure what this new person wanted from him. He seemed quite kind and gentle, but looks could be deceiving. Pippin was not ready to trust anyone yet, especially a stranger. He looked down at his body and saw that he had been dressed in something different, a white robe of some sort, it was shiny and smooth, and felt pleasant against his bruised and torn skin.
"Come Pippin, my name is Melystra," Pippin saw now that Deilen had been joined by someone else also clad in white. The voice was softer still and she had long flowing golden hair. "Take my hand and I will help you to rise up." Pippin looked at the hand that reached out to him. It was white and pretty and was offered palm upwards, the delicate fingers curling in slightly in a beckoning, reassuring manner. Pippin took the hand.
"That's good." the voice tinkled like a silver bell, not mocking but happy, as if him touching her was the sweetest thing that had ever happened. "Let me lift you down now, put your arms around my neck." Pippin pulled back at that and took his hand away, still fearful and in too much pain to welcome any embrace.
"It's all right, little one." Melystra whispered mellifluously. "Take my hand and Deilen's hand and we will help you down together. It's quite safe, I know you've been afraid, but you have to come out now."
Very carefully the two elves offered a hand each to Pippin and slowly, slowly, like a nervous dog, that wants the food, but is afraid of a cuff, Pippin reached out and tipped a finger to each hand. Gently they took his hands and then his arms and lifted him down from the tall bed and stood him precariously on his feet, the long silken robe touching the ground. Pippin had not actually walked since he had been rescued and this alone, aside from his injuries, made him very wobbly. He was also bent over awkwardly, as he essentially had several inches less of skin over his stomach as a result of the stitches. The elves did not release his hands as they could see he would have fallen at once, but they carefully walked him along supporting him under his arms, as if teaching a babe to toddle and sat him in a richly padded chair.
This was a new position for Pippin and he looked around him to see what would happen next. The padding was a great comfort, however, he still felt shooting pains as pressure was put on his abused posterior. He saw Frodo and Sam just behind the two elves and Boromir behind the hobbits. "What do you want?" He whimpered nervously. "Are you making me better again?"
"It's nothing to fear Pippin." Deilen spoke now. "We're going to trim your hair a little, so we can get rid of the lice."
"No please don't trim me! No please! I'll try to be better." Pippin was not really sure what they were going to do to him, but he could see the others, Frodo and Sam under the direction of the lady elf, Melystra readying some frightening equipment. He saw something metal flash in the light and his mind spun back to the rock in the forest
***Flashback***
Lugsta drew a long serrated knife and advanced towards Pippin. The knife glinted in the starlight and Pippin whimpered around the gag and squeezed his eyes shut. Lugsta placed it against Pippin's midsection, and Crugsyl held him down.
At the touch of the cold steel, Pippin froze. 'I'm going to die.' He thought. He wished he could have seen Merry again, just once. But no, it was better this way, Merry should not be defiled by a filthy slut like him. A single tear escaped from the corner of his eye, and traced his hairline, before dripping into his ear, and becoming a mild, tickling annoyance. 'I hope this doesn't hurt too much.'
Lugsta pressed the knife into the pearly skin of Pippin's stomach and sliced.
Pippin screamed in agony as he felt his skin part to the vicious blade.
***End of Flashback***
Pippin screamed in agony as he remembered the serrated knife cutting into his flesh and the unbelievable pain and the sight of his own blood pouring from his stomach. "Please no, no, please Master, please don't, please!"
"Pippin quiet, don't fret so, be at peace." Melystra's voice cut through his panic. "Only your hair. Open your eyes and look at me."
Pippin trembled but obeyed and peeped out at the elf who was smiling so sweetly at him. Pippin did not know if that was good or bad. Was she smiling at him or to him? She spoke again, but to someone else. Turning away she addressed Sam. "Samwise do you know how to cut hair?"
"I've cut my brothers' hair afore now. Not sure I made such a good job though, 'tain't like trimming the hedge exactly, begging your pardon Ma'am."
"That's all right, Master Gardener," Melystra picked up the small shears from the table and handed them to Sam. "Cut a little of my hair so that Pippin can see that it will not hurt him."
"What! I- I couldn't Milady, I might do something terrible!" Sam looked at Frodo in utter panic. Frodo just shrugged unhelpfully, secretly a little amused at poor Sam's reaction.
"Sam, I will not hold any blame to you," Melystra assured him, "and it is only hair, it will grow again whatever you may do. Just cut a little."
Hands trembling, Sam took a few strands of the golden tresses in his left hand and, levelling the end off as he had been taught by his mother, snipped off the excess. He then held out the cut hair to Pippin to show him. "See Pip, it doesn't hurt, just cut a little off. It's all right."
"May Sam cut your hair now?" Deilen asked him. "Or shall he cut a little of mine? Or of Frodo's?"
Pippin shook his head, and then nodded his head. He was not sure what to make of this display at all. It seemed safe but the shears were frightening and why did he have to have his hair cut off anyway? Perhaps this was another punishment that he deserved. They were probably right. He was filthy, he had been with orcs, done terrible things with orcs, he should have his hair cut off as a warning to others. He'd heard a story once about a woman in Bree who was consorting with all sorts and the respectable villagers had cut her hair off and that was just for going with her own kind. This was probably to make him into the orc he was now, they did not have long curls, so it would not be right for him to have them.
Meekly Pippin bowed his head in the chair and Sam patting him gently on the shoulder started to clip his hair off. As he watched each lock drop to the floor Pippin felt tears of shame well up and drop to ground with his pretty curls.
From behind the door, Merry's tears fell in cadence with his small cousin's. He peeked through the crack between the door and jamb. As he saw Pippin's lovely, curly locks fall to the snip-snip of Sam's shears, he tried not to remember how Pippin's hair bounced when he ran or laughed. Merry tried to tell himself that hair grew back, and it would only be short temporarily. It did not make him feel better.
While Sam was trimming Pippin's mop, Deilen was inspecting the curls that adorned his feet. The elf could see that there were many nits on the hair, and quite a few adult lice, which had been making a feast of the poor perian.
"I am afraid we will have to completely shave little Pippin's feet. It is the only way I can see to get the parasites off." Frodo looked up at the elf.
"But won't Pippin's feet get terribly cold? I know it's not so cold here, but I- I'm just worried about him getting a chill." Frodo stammered, he could not imagine his young cousin without the protection of furry feet.
Melystra smiled down at him. "A valid concern, Frodo. I will go and see what I can find for Pippin. With his small body, keeping him warm will be a great concern." She turned and glided out of the door.
Upon exiting the room, she bowled Merry over. "Oh, forgive me, young Merry. I hope I did not injure you." She said, helping Merry up off of the floor.
"Oh. No, it's quite all right, Ma'am. I should not be here anyway, it's just..."
"It's just that you love your cousin very much and you cannot stand to be away from him when he so desperately needs your love."
Merry looked up at her, tears still brimming in his eyes and nodded dumbly. "Well, Melystra continued, "as long as you are up, you can help me find something to comfort poor Pippin's feet." She offered her hand to Merry and they started their descent to the ground.
***
When Sam finished with Pippin's trim, the floor around the chair was covered in the thick locks, and Pippin's face was covered with tears.
"Oh, Mr. Pippin, please don't cry! I'm sorry I had to do this, but we need to get rid of the lice..." Sam wailed. It had cut his heart to feel the tiny trembling sobs from Pippin while Sam pruned the infested scalp. Although Pippin's hair was now a good deal shorter, it was by no means all gone. "Oh, Mister Deilen, please don't make me cut any more off! It's scaring Mister Pippin so!"
Deilen sighed and lifted Pippin's face and looked at how much was left. Sam had done a very decent job, leaving about a finger length of hair all around. "This will have to do, I suppose. We will just have to be especially attentive to combing out the nits. Now, Boromir, do you have the experience to shave Pippin's feet? I," he said with a slight chuckle, "am not well practiced enough with a razor to be comfortable using it."
Boromir laughed sheepishly and rubbed his slightly shaggy beard. " I am afraid I have not been practicing as much as I should have lately. But I do have some skill in it."
"Oh, Boromir, don't be so modest!" Frodo piped up. "The first week we were on the road, he shaved with his sword. To show off I think, but we were all very impressed."
"Oh, but I really liked Mister Strider trying to shave with Gimli's axe. It was a very valiant attempt, at least," said Sam.
"And he probably would have succeeded if Gimli had not discovered it!" laughed Frodo. I can still remember him chasing Aragorn up the tree!"
Boromir sighed. "All right, I will do it. But, do you have a basin and some lathering soap? I would hate to nick Pippin."
Deilen sent for both, and when the attendants had brought them, they also took the soiled bedding out, and replaced it with clean sheets and blankets.
Pippin watched fearfully as the steaming basin was placed beneath his feet, and Boromir checked the blade. The shining metal reminded him again of the orc blade, and he shut his eyes tightly. When strong hands began to rub and bathe his feet, he only jumped slightly.
Boromir concentrated on the task in front of him. As he lathered Pippin's feet, he could not help but wonder at them. The soles were incredibly thick, and the fur on top was luxurious. It would be hard for him to shave it off, but he hoped it would grow back. He carefully cleaned between Pippin's toes, and up his ankles. In order to get at all of the hair, he gently lifted the hem of the long shirt and draped it over Pippin's knees. The hair petered out at Pippin's upper calf, so it was to here that Boromir soaped. "What would father say if he saw me now, washing a halfling's feet, and not only that, actually being glad to!'
As he prepared to begin the shave, he glanced up at Pippin to see how the perian was faring. Pippin's eyes were shut incredibly tight, but at least he was not becoming hysterical. With the first stroke that changed. Pippin's eyes flew open and he began to jerk and flail. Boromir quickly backed away, not wanting to risk cutting Pippin. Frodo and Sam were at Pippin's head, soothing him and telling him that no one was going to hurt him; it was just a little shave.
Deilen strode quickly over to them with what looked suspiciously like a bottle. "Here, let me give him this."
"What is it?" asked Frodo suspiciously.
"Simply a sedative. It will render him unconscious for an hour. Enough time for him to be deloused." Deilen lifted Pippin and cradled him in his lap in one motion. Pippin was hyperventilating and looking at him with fearful eyes. "Shh, little one, drink this. It will help you go to sleep."
****
Melystra and Merry walked hand in hand down the long staircase. The hobbit was glad of the touch as he found the height of the stairs rather disturbing. They found Silael still with Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli.
"Merry?" Silael greeted. "Is Pippin awake yet?"
"Yes," Merry nodded. "They cut his hair off."
"Oh the delousing." Silael turned to the others I think you may all have to undergo that treatment, he looked at Gimli in particular, "including the shearing of hair growth."
"Not my beard!" Gimli growled. "A dwarf never cuts his beard."
"Well let us hope it won't come to that." Silael had enough to deal with at the moment. "If you have not cradled the little one you may be clear, but you should still use the preparation and have your beard and hair combed thoroughly.
"And what of Legolas?" Gimli pouted. "Would you ask him to shear his hair off?"
"No, elves are resistant to such infestation." Silael informed him. "Lice will not dwell on the body of an elf, although the men and the hobbits are certainly at risk. Also the warg must be treated urgently. I suspect she is the origin of the lice."
"I have brought some of the preparation for you to use." Melystra took a jar from a small bag at her side. "It is a mixture of turmeric and pyrethrum. You must comb it into the hair and then leave it for several hours and then wash it out and comb the hair thoroughly again."
"I think it would be best for you help each other with this task." Silael suggested.
"The little perian, Pippin has to have his feet shaved." Melystra turned to Silael now. "Merry is concerned he will be too cold without the fur for protection.
"I can help there." Aragorn put in. "I have woollen stockings that are thick and warm, more protection than elf or hobbit would ever need for their feet. I will fetch them."
"Also there is this." Silael showed Melystra the woollen scarf. "It belongs to Pippin and he kept hold of it throughout his ordeal. I think it might provide a good focus for him now, especially if it is repaired."
"Indeed," Melystra smiled knowingly at the other elf. "It will be a great help. I shall wash and re-knit it at once."
"Excuse me!" Merry asked nervously. "I don't understand. Why will the scarf help him? Won't it just remind him of what happened?"
"Yes, but he does not forget that in any case at the moment Merry," Melystra explained. "But the scarf must have been important to him, he kept hold of it throughout everything and it was damaged just as he was." Melystra turned the wrecked garment over in her hands, observing and memorising the pattern. "If he sees that the scarf can be mended then perhaps he will understand that he can be mended too."
****
Gimli and Legolas set about their given task of trying to milk Icicle. They took her for a walk first to make her as tired as possible, although this seemed an impossible task. Then Legolas sat and carefully combed the de- lousing preparation into her coat. She did not like this but bore it patiently, only growling at the elf occasionally when he snagged her fur with the fine-toothed comb.
Then while Gimli held her collar and offered her some choice pieces of meat, Legolas stood her firmly on the ground and attempted to milk her over a small bowl. But the warg was not prepared to give up her cub's milk and sat firmly down, even refusing the meat.
Legolas sat in front of her, holding her fine head in his hands and sent out his tendril of mind touch. He felt the contact and then showed her Pippin suckling. Then he made the picture change and showed Pippin drinking from a bottle.
She did not understand this and reverted to the first picture. Legolas then showed two pictures in quick succession, the first of him milking her, the second of Pippin lapping the milk from the bowl they were using as if he were a pup. The elf hoped this would make more sense to the warg. Icicle was having none of it and stubbornly sent back the first picture again.
Legolas withdrew with a sigh. "She won't accept it," he told Gimli, "she insists that she must nurse Pippin. I tried to show him drinking her milk from this bowl, but she obviously doesn't think it's time for him to be weaned yet."
"Maybe she would be more co-operative if she thought one of the other hobbits wanted the milk?" Gimli suggested.
"It's worth asking." Legolas agreed. He took Icicle's head once more and showed her Merry. She agreed, Merry. Then he showed her Merry nursing from her as Pippin did. This was a little more perplexing, but eventually she accepted the image, although she showed Legolas an image of Pippin and Merry nursing together. Legolas patiently sent back a slightly altered view of Pippin sleeping and Merry nursing. This took a few moments to filter back, but she eventually agreed it was an acceptable image. Then Legolas took a step further and showed her Merry milking her into the bowl and then feeding the milk to Pippin. She reverted to Merry nursing and Pippin sleeping. Legolas persisted. He sent Merry nursing and then expressing her milk. Next he showed Pippin crouched beside her and lapping the milk from the bowl.
Legolas waited. He looked into the intelligent eyes as she examined this complicated rush of information, but finally she sent back an agreement of the image he had sent. She would give Merry milk as long as it was for her cub.
"That's good," Legolas turned to Gimli with a sigh of relief. "You were right, she'll let Merry have the milk."
****
Merry was sitting by Melystra watching her re-knit the washed wool back into Pippin's scarf. She had carefully unravelled the whole thing, before washing and it letting it dry. Then Merry had held the wool for her as she skeined it around his outstretched hands so that she could wind it into balls. Now her fingers almost seemed to fly as she clicked the needles to and fro remaking the scarf into its original pattern.
"Merry, we need your help," Legolas greeted the pair. "You have to come and help us to milk Icicle."
"Me?" Merry asked with surprise. "What can I do?"
"She won't give us her milk." Legolas explained. "But she will let you have some and we need it for Pippin."
"Can't he just suckle as he usually does." Merry had not been there when Silael explained why they needed the milk. "Why do you need to milk her?"
"It is so that Silael can feed Pippin the mushroom." Gimli explained. "He's going to mix it in with the milk."
"Oh," Merry said getting up to go with them. "Show me what I must do then."
As Merry approached the warg she wagged her tail, but as soon as Legolas took her collar and stood her up so that the hobbit could milk her, she sat firmly down again and no amount of coaxing would make her stand.
"Try to roll her on her side," suggested Gimli. That's how she is used to giving milk. After all, she's not a milchcow, so it would seem strange to her to stand."
"Gimli's is right," Legolas agreed, "and Merry you probably need to nestle into her a bit, maybe even if you suckled on her first?"
Merry's eyes grew wide and his jaw hung open, "I-I don't think I c-could do that, I mean. it's." He trailed off as he realised the implications of what he was saying. "but if it's for Pippin, I suppose." Merry heaved a sigh. There was nothing he would not do and nothing he would not give to see Pippin well again, so if that included nursing on a warg then that's what he must do.
He took the bowl in one hand and crouched down on all fours and snuggled up into Icicle the way he had seen Pippin do. Then he buried his head into the fur on her belly and found the nipple with his mouth. Icicle was perfectly happy with this arrangement and pushed his head in further with her muzzle, licking the back of his neck encouragingly. After he had taken a few mouthfuls of the warg's milk, Merry surreptitiously moved his hand onto the nipple and replaced his lips with his fingers and slipped the bowl into place. This way he was able to express a good bowlful of milk without the mother even noticing what he was doing. When the bowl was full, Legolas, stroking Icicle with one hand removed the bowl with the other and Merry returned to sucking on her nipple for a while and then stopped as he snuggled into her belly and pretended to sleep. Icicle was quite content with the subterfuge and seemed happy to accept Merry as a substitute for her cub for the time being.
After a decent interval, Gimli coaxed her away with a good dish of meat laced with herbs, so that Merry could escape her attentions and go back to Pippin.
****
NB: The names of the elves are Welsh words:-
deilen means 'leaf' and Melystra means 'sweetness'. Silael actually means something in Sindarin, but I can't remember what, and the site with the dictionary I used is down, so I can't look it up.
Authors: Kookaburra and Llinos
Disclaimer: *Beating off hordes of lawyers* "NO! I swear! It's not mine! Hey, no biting...!"
****
Deilen, the elf clad in white, ushered Merry from the room and then tentatively took Pippin's hands and sat him up. He did not struggle this time, but looked around in confusion, wondering where he was. His body still hurt all over and certain pains such as the burns on his buttocks and sides had become more acute as fluid built up inside the skin, some of the blisters breaking.
"Pippin?" The elf said gently, "My name is Deilen, can you stand on your feet do you think?"
Pippin shook his head in a worried fashion; he was not too sure what this new person wanted from him. He seemed quite kind and gentle, but looks could be deceiving. Pippin was not ready to trust anyone yet, especially a stranger. He looked down at his body and saw that he had been dressed in something different, a white robe of some sort, it was shiny and smooth, and felt pleasant against his bruised and torn skin.
"Come Pippin, my name is Melystra," Pippin saw now that Deilen had been joined by someone else also clad in white. The voice was softer still and she had long flowing golden hair. "Take my hand and I will help you to rise up." Pippin looked at the hand that reached out to him. It was white and pretty and was offered palm upwards, the delicate fingers curling in slightly in a beckoning, reassuring manner. Pippin took the hand.
"That's good." the voice tinkled like a silver bell, not mocking but happy, as if him touching her was the sweetest thing that had ever happened. "Let me lift you down now, put your arms around my neck." Pippin pulled back at that and took his hand away, still fearful and in too much pain to welcome any embrace.
"It's all right, little one." Melystra whispered mellifluously. "Take my hand and Deilen's hand and we will help you down together. It's quite safe, I know you've been afraid, but you have to come out now."
Very carefully the two elves offered a hand each to Pippin and slowly, slowly, like a nervous dog, that wants the food, but is afraid of a cuff, Pippin reached out and tipped a finger to each hand. Gently they took his hands and then his arms and lifted him down from the tall bed and stood him precariously on his feet, the long silken robe touching the ground. Pippin had not actually walked since he had been rescued and this alone, aside from his injuries, made him very wobbly. He was also bent over awkwardly, as he essentially had several inches less of skin over his stomach as a result of the stitches. The elves did not release his hands as they could see he would have fallen at once, but they carefully walked him along supporting him under his arms, as if teaching a babe to toddle and sat him in a richly padded chair.
This was a new position for Pippin and he looked around him to see what would happen next. The padding was a great comfort, however, he still felt shooting pains as pressure was put on his abused posterior. He saw Frodo and Sam just behind the two elves and Boromir behind the hobbits. "What do you want?" He whimpered nervously. "Are you making me better again?"
"It's nothing to fear Pippin." Deilen spoke now. "We're going to trim your hair a little, so we can get rid of the lice."
"No please don't trim me! No please! I'll try to be better." Pippin was not really sure what they were going to do to him, but he could see the others, Frodo and Sam under the direction of the lady elf, Melystra readying some frightening equipment. He saw something metal flash in the light and his mind spun back to the rock in the forest
***Flashback***
Lugsta drew a long serrated knife and advanced towards Pippin. The knife glinted in the starlight and Pippin whimpered around the gag and squeezed his eyes shut. Lugsta placed it against Pippin's midsection, and Crugsyl held him down.
At the touch of the cold steel, Pippin froze. 'I'm going to die.' He thought. He wished he could have seen Merry again, just once. But no, it was better this way, Merry should not be defiled by a filthy slut like him. A single tear escaped from the corner of his eye, and traced his hairline, before dripping into his ear, and becoming a mild, tickling annoyance. 'I hope this doesn't hurt too much.'
Lugsta pressed the knife into the pearly skin of Pippin's stomach and sliced.
Pippin screamed in agony as he felt his skin part to the vicious blade.
***End of Flashback***
Pippin screamed in agony as he remembered the serrated knife cutting into his flesh and the unbelievable pain and the sight of his own blood pouring from his stomach. "Please no, no, please Master, please don't, please!"
"Pippin quiet, don't fret so, be at peace." Melystra's voice cut through his panic. "Only your hair. Open your eyes and look at me."
Pippin trembled but obeyed and peeped out at the elf who was smiling so sweetly at him. Pippin did not know if that was good or bad. Was she smiling at him or to him? She spoke again, but to someone else. Turning away she addressed Sam. "Samwise do you know how to cut hair?"
"I've cut my brothers' hair afore now. Not sure I made such a good job though, 'tain't like trimming the hedge exactly, begging your pardon Ma'am."
"That's all right, Master Gardener," Melystra picked up the small shears from the table and handed them to Sam. "Cut a little of my hair so that Pippin can see that it will not hurt him."
"What! I- I couldn't Milady, I might do something terrible!" Sam looked at Frodo in utter panic. Frodo just shrugged unhelpfully, secretly a little amused at poor Sam's reaction.
"Sam, I will not hold any blame to you," Melystra assured him, "and it is only hair, it will grow again whatever you may do. Just cut a little."
Hands trembling, Sam took a few strands of the golden tresses in his left hand and, levelling the end off as he had been taught by his mother, snipped off the excess. He then held out the cut hair to Pippin to show him. "See Pip, it doesn't hurt, just cut a little off. It's all right."
"May Sam cut your hair now?" Deilen asked him. "Or shall he cut a little of mine? Or of Frodo's?"
Pippin shook his head, and then nodded his head. He was not sure what to make of this display at all. It seemed safe but the shears were frightening and why did he have to have his hair cut off anyway? Perhaps this was another punishment that he deserved. They were probably right. He was filthy, he had been with orcs, done terrible things with orcs, he should have his hair cut off as a warning to others. He'd heard a story once about a woman in Bree who was consorting with all sorts and the respectable villagers had cut her hair off and that was just for going with her own kind. This was probably to make him into the orc he was now, they did not have long curls, so it would not be right for him to have them.
Meekly Pippin bowed his head in the chair and Sam patting him gently on the shoulder started to clip his hair off. As he watched each lock drop to the floor Pippin felt tears of shame well up and drop to ground with his pretty curls.
From behind the door, Merry's tears fell in cadence with his small cousin's. He peeked through the crack between the door and jamb. As he saw Pippin's lovely, curly locks fall to the snip-snip of Sam's shears, he tried not to remember how Pippin's hair bounced when he ran or laughed. Merry tried to tell himself that hair grew back, and it would only be short temporarily. It did not make him feel better.
While Sam was trimming Pippin's mop, Deilen was inspecting the curls that adorned his feet. The elf could see that there were many nits on the hair, and quite a few adult lice, which had been making a feast of the poor perian.
"I am afraid we will have to completely shave little Pippin's feet. It is the only way I can see to get the parasites off." Frodo looked up at the elf.
"But won't Pippin's feet get terribly cold? I know it's not so cold here, but I- I'm just worried about him getting a chill." Frodo stammered, he could not imagine his young cousin without the protection of furry feet.
Melystra smiled down at him. "A valid concern, Frodo. I will go and see what I can find for Pippin. With his small body, keeping him warm will be a great concern." She turned and glided out of the door.
Upon exiting the room, she bowled Merry over. "Oh, forgive me, young Merry. I hope I did not injure you." She said, helping Merry up off of the floor.
"Oh. No, it's quite all right, Ma'am. I should not be here anyway, it's just..."
"It's just that you love your cousin very much and you cannot stand to be away from him when he so desperately needs your love."
Merry looked up at her, tears still brimming in his eyes and nodded dumbly. "Well, Melystra continued, "as long as you are up, you can help me find something to comfort poor Pippin's feet." She offered her hand to Merry and they started their descent to the ground.
***
When Sam finished with Pippin's trim, the floor around the chair was covered in the thick locks, and Pippin's face was covered with tears.
"Oh, Mr. Pippin, please don't cry! I'm sorry I had to do this, but we need to get rid of the lice..." Sam wailed. It had cut his heart to feel the tiny trembling sobs from Pippin while Sam pruned the infested scalp. Although Pippin's hair was now a good deal shorter, it was by no means all gone. "Oh, Mister Deilen, please don't make me cut any more off! It's scaring Mister Pippin so!"
Deilen sighed and lifted Pippin's face and looked at how much was left. Sam had done a very decent job, leaving about a finger length of hair all around. "This will have to do, I suppose. We will just have to be especially attentive to combing out the nits. Now, Boromir, do you have the experience to shave Pippin's feet? I," he said with a slight chuckle, "am not well practiced enough with a razor to be comfortable using it."
Boromir laughed sheepishly and rubbed his slightly shaggy beard. " I am afraid I have not been practicing as much as I should have lately. But I do have some skill in it."
"Oh, Boromir, don't be so modest!" Frodo piped up. "The first week we were on the road, he shaved with his sword. To show off I think, but we were all very impressed."
"Oh, but I really liked Mister Strider trying to shave with Gimli's axe. It was a very valiant attempt, at least," said Sam.
"And he probably would have succeeded if Gimli had not discovered it!" laughed Frodo. I can still remember him chasing Aragorn up the tree!"
Boromir sighed. "All right, I will do it. But, do you have a basin and some lathering soap? I would hate to nick Pippin."
Deilen sent for both, and when the attendants had brought them, they also took the soiled bedding out, and replaced it with clean sheets and blankets.
Pippin watched fearfully as the steaming basin was placed beneath his feet, and Boromir checked the blade. The shining metal reminded him again of the orc blade, and he shut his eyes tightly. When strong hands began to rub and bathe his feet, he only jumped slightly.
Boromir concentrated on the task in front of him. As he lathered Pippin's feet, he could not help but wonder at them. The soles were incredibly thick, and the fur on top was luxurious. It would be hard for him to shave it off, but he hoped it would grow back. He carefully cleaned between Pippin's toes, and up his ankles. In order to get at all of the hair, he gently lifted the hem of the long shirt and draped it over Pippin's knees. The hair petered out at Pippin's upper calf, so it was to here that Boromir soaped. "What would father say if he saw me now, washing a halfling's feet, and not only that, actually being glad to!'
As he prepared to begin the shave, he glanced up at Pippin to see how the perian was faring. Pippin's eyes were shut incredibly tight, but at least he was not becoming hysterical. With the first stroke that changed. Pippin's eyes flew open and he began to jerk and flail. Boromir quickly backed away, not wanting to risk cutting Pippin. Frodo and Sam were at Pippin's head, soothing him and telling him that no one was going to hurt him; it was just a little shave.
Deilen strode quickly over to them with what looked suspiciously like a bottle. "Here, let me give him this."
"What is it?" asked Frodo suspiciously.
"Simply a sedative. It will render him unconscious for an hour. Enough time for him to be deloused." Deilen lifted Pippin and cradled him in his lap in one motion. Pippin was hyperventilating and looking at him with fearful eyes. "Shh, little one, drink this. It will help you go to sleep."
****
Melystra and Merry walked hand in hand down the long staircase. The hobbit was glad of the touch as he found the height of the stairs rather disturbing. They found Silael still with Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli.
"Merry?" Silael greeted. "Is Pippin awake yet?"
"Yes," Merry nodded. "They cut his hair off."
"Oh the delousing." Silael turned to the others I think you may all have to undergo that treatment, he looked at Gimli in particular, "including the shearing of hair growth."
"Not my beard!" Gimli growled. "A dwarf never cuts his beard."
"Well let us hope it won't come to that." Silael had enough to deal with at the moment. "If you have not cradled the little one you may be clear, but you should still use the preparation and have your beard and hair combed thoroughly.
"And what of Legolas?" Gimli pouted. "Would you ask him to shear his hair off?"
"No, elves are resistant to such infestation." Silael informed him. "Lice will not dwell on the body of an elf, although the men and the hobbits are certainly at risk. Also the warg must be treated urgently. I suspect she is the origin of the lice."
"I have brought some of the preparation for you to use." Melystra took a jar from a small bag at her side. "It is a mixture of turmeric and pyrethrum. You must comb it into the hair and then leave it for several hours and then wash it out and comb the hair thoroughly again."
"I think it would be best for you help each other with this task." Silael suggested.
"The little perian, Pippin has to have his feet shaved." Melystra turned to Silael now. "Merry is concerned he will be too cold without the fur for protection.
"I can help there." Aragorn put in. "I have woollen stockings that are thick and warm, more protection than elf or hobbit would ever need for their feet. I will fetch them."
"Also there is this." Silael showed Melystra the woollen scarf. "It belongs to Pippin and he kept hold of it throughout his ordeal. I think it might provide a good focus for him now, especially if it is repaired."
"Indeed," Melystra smiled knowingly at the other elf. "It will be a great help. I shall wash and re-knit it at once."
"Excuse me!" Merry asked nervously. "I don't understand. Why will the scarf help him? Won't it just remind him of what happened?"
"Yes, but he does not forget that in any case at the moment Merry," Melystra explained. "But the scarf must have been important to him, he kept hold of it throughout everything and it was damaged just as he was." Melystra turned the wrecked garment over in her hands, observing and memorising the pattern. "If he sees that the scarf can be mended then perhaps he will understand that he can be mended too."
****
Gimli and Legolas set about their given task of trying to milk Icicle. They took her for a walk first to make her as tired as possible, although this seemed an impossible task. Then Legolas sat and carefully combed the de- lousing preparation into her coat. She did not like this but bore it patiently, only growling at the elf occasionally when he snagged her fur with the fine-toothed comb.
Then while Gimli held her collar and offered her some choice pieces of meat, Legolas stood her firmly on the ground and attempted to milk her over a small bowl. But the warg was not prepared to give up her cub's milk and sat firmly down, even refusing the meat.
Legolas sat in front of her, holding her fine head in his hands and sent out his tendril of mind touch. He felt the contact and then showed her Pippin suckling. Then he made the picture change and showed Pippin drinking from a bottle.
She did not understand this and reverted to the first picture. Legolas then showed two pictures in quick succession, the first of him milking her, the second of Pippin lapping the milk from the bowl they were using as if he were a pup. The elf hoped this would make more sense to the warg. Icicle was having none of it and stubbornly sent back the first picture again.
Legolas withdrew with a sigh. "She won't accept it," he told Gimli, "she insists that she must nurse Pippin. I tried to show him drinking her milk from this bowl, but she obviously doesn't think it's time for him to be weaned yet."
"Maybe she would be more co-operative if she thought one of the other hobbits wanted the milk?" Gimli suggested.
"It's worth asking." Legolas agreed. He took Icicle's head once more and showed her Merry. She agreed, Merry. Then he showed her Merry nursing from her as Pippin did. This was a little more perplexing, but eventually she accepted the image, although she showed Legolas an image of Pippin and Merry nursing together. Legolas patiently sent back a slightly altered view of Pippin sleeping and Merry nursing. This took a few moments to filter back, but she eventually agreed it was an acceptable image. Then Legolas took a step further and showed her Merry milking her into the bowl and then feeding the milk to Pippin. She reverted to Merry nursing and Pippin sleeping. Legolas persisted. He sent Merry nursing and then expressing her milk. Next he showed Pippin crouched beside her and lapping the milk from the bowl.
Legolas waited. He looked into the intelligent eyes as she examined this complicated rush of information, but finally she sent back an agreement of the image he had sent. She would give Merry milk as long as it was for her cub.
"That's good," Legolas turned to Gimli with a sigh of relief. "You were right, she'll let Merry have the milk."
****
Merry was sitting by Melystra watching her re-knit the washed wool back into Pippin's scarf. She had carefully unravelled the whole thing, before washing and it letting it dry. Then Merry had held the wool for her as she skeined it around his outstretched hands so that she could wind it into balls. Now her fingers almost seemed to fly as she clicked the needles to and fro remaking the scarf into its original pattern.
"Merry, we need your help," Legolas greeted the pair. "You have to come and help us to milk Icicle."
"Me?" Merry asked with surprise. "What can I do?"
"She won't give us her milk." Legolas explained. "But she will let you have some and we need it for Pippin."
"Can't he just suckle as he usually does." Merry had not been there when Silael explained why they needed the milk. "Why do you need to milk her?"
"It is so that Silael can feed Pippin the mushroom." Gimli explained. "He's going to mix it in with the milk."
"Oh," Merry said getting up to go with them. "Show me what I must do then."
As Merry approached the warg she wagged her tail, but as soon as Legolas took her collar and stood her up so that the hobbit could milk her, she sat firmly down again and no amount of coaxing would make her stand.
"Try to roll her on her side," suggested Gimli. That's how she is used to giving milk. After all, she's not a milchcow, so it would seem strange to her to stand."
"Gimli's is right," Legolas agreed, "and Merry you probably need to nestle into her a bit, maybe even if you suckled on her first?"
Merry's eyes grew wide and his jaw hung open, "I-I don't think I c-could do that, I mean. it's." He trailed off as he realised the implications of what he was saying. "but if it's for Pippin, I suppose." Merry heaved a sigh. There was nothing he would not do and nothing he would not give to see Pippin well again, so if that included nursing on a warg then that's what he must do.
He took the bowl in one hand and crouched down on all fours and snuggled up into Icicle the way he had seen Pippin do. Then he buried his head into the fur on her belly and found the nipple with his mouth. Icicle was perfectly happy with this arrangement and pushed his head in further with her muzzle, licking the back of his neck encouragingly. After he had taken a few mouthfuls of the warg's milk, Merry surreptitiously moved his hand onto the nipple and replaced his lips with his fingers and slipped the bowl into place. This way he was able to express a good bowlful of milk without the mother even noticing what he was doing. When the bowl was full, Legolas, stroking Icicle with one hand removed the bowl with the other and Merry returned to sucking on her nipple for a while and then stopped as he snuggled into her belly and pretended to sleep. Icicle was quite content with the subterfuge and seemed happy to accept Merry as a substitute for her cub for the time being.
After a decent interval, Gimli coaxed her away with a good dish of meat laced with herbs, so that Merry could escape her attentions and go back to Pippin.
****
NB: The names of the elves are Welsh words:-
deilen means 'leaf' and Melystra means 'sweetness'. Silael actually means something in Sindarin, but I can't remember what, and the site with the dictionary I used is down, so I can't look it up.