A/N This story is a prequel to "The Hidden Days of Healing" also on this site. The story is based on a mixture of the book and the film mixed freely with my own imagination.
I did only intend to write one "Lord of the Rings" story but the response I received to "The Hidden Days of Healing" amazed me and encouraged me to write more. Depending on the response I get, I may write another story after this.
This is dedicated to all my loyal readers.
A very big thank you to everyone who has reviewed. Your comments are much appreciated.
Aragorn forced himself to smile at them, as he knew they looked to him for reassurance.
"I've come to see how your injured arm is faring, Merry." he said." I noticed you are still favouring the other one.
"It is much better." Merry said, a little too hastily." Just a trifle stiff."
"Let me see!"
Merry sighed but obediently rolled up his sleeve.
Aragorn gently felt it up to the shoulder joint and noted Merry's arm still felt slightly cold although no marks were visible.
He grasped the Hobbit's arm with his left hand and held the right poised about two inches above the cold flesh and closed his eyes, hoping he had the strength needed.
Merry was puzzled." What's wrong, Strider?" he asked." I told you, it doesn't hurt or anything."
He tried to pull his arm away from Aragorn's grasp."Hold it still, Merry!" Aragorn ordered." I want to make sure you have the full use of it."
"Won't it do later, if it's still stiff?" Merry asked." After all, it is only two days since I injured it."
"I do not know if, when." I will return and would leave you whole." Aragorn said.
He had been too weary to give Merry as much healing as he would have wished, when he saved his life, having already spent much of his strength on healing Faramir and the Lady Eowyn, while she was unconscious as he did not dare return to her later in case she mistook his attention for romantic feelings again.
Merry shuddered at the sorrow in his voice and made no further protest.
He could feel a powerful heat emanating from Aragorn's outstretched hand, which seemed to permeate deep into his flesh and melt the coldness.
He glanced at Aragorn's face and it appeared to him that the man was far away as if in some sort of trance. Slightly afraid, he sat still, hardly daring to breathe.
Aragorn opened his eyes and smiled at him. His face looked grey with exhaustion.
"Does that feel better?" he asked.
Merry flexed the arm and found he could now move it easily.
"Yes, it feels normal now, thank you, Strider!" he cried in amazement. "Can I ride out with you and Pippin tomorrow now?"
Aragorn shook his head.
"No, Merry, you suffered the Black Breath. It takes time to recover from that."
"But I want to go with Pippin!"
"We have hardly ever been parted." Pippin added pleadingly.Aragorn's face was grave.
"If you wish to stay here with Merry, I count it no disgrace, Pippin. You were freed from your oath to Gondor, when Lord Denethor released you." He said quietly." The land of Mordor is no place for a Hobbit!"
"Frodo and Sam are there, I want to help them. Don't leave me behind! I want to fight for the Shire as much as for Gondor!" Pippin pleaded.
"You are so young." Aragorn said sadly." You will be risking your life. I do not know if I can protect you."
"I wish to come." Pippin said steadfastly.
"If that is your choice, I shall not prevent you." Aragorn said." I know how much you want to help your cousin and represent the Shire and that is noble, however if you wish to change your mind before morning, you still can."
"I won't." Pippin said steadfastly doing his best to ignore the sorrow in Merry's eyes.
Aragorn took out a jar of salve from his pack and started massaging Merry's arm and shoulder with the contents.
Merry grimaced." So much fuss! I said my arm felt better and this stuff smells vile!"
Despite his sorrowful mood, Aragorn was unable to repress a smile.
"It is as well Lord Elrond can't hear you complaining about his millennia old and much coveted ointment!" he commented wryly, wishing he had someone to apply it to his own aching arms and shoulders" Now stop wriggling, this treatment is meant to be relaxing!"
"I'm sorry, Strider." Said Merry." I know you are trying to help me and I do appreciate it. I don't know how we could have managed without your help! It is just so hard to keep still as your fingers tickle!"
Aragorn finished applying the salve and started to wash his hands. "There is something you can for me, if you will, Merry." He said, picking up the towel.
Merry rolled down his sleeve and leaned back on the pillows.
"Very gladly as I feel so useless being left behind!"
"I would have you help care for those left behind wounded, Lord Faramir and especially the Lady Eowyn while we are gone as she is sorrowful for the loss of her uncle, and her brother rides forth with the Host tomorrow."
Merry bowed his head and wiped away a tear. He had only known King Theoden a short time but had come to love him as a father."
"I promise you I will." he said sincerely." I share Lady Eowyn's grief and we will have much to talk about. We both know what it is like to face that thing!" He shuddered and felt a stab of pain in his arm at the mention of the Nazgul.
Aragorn noticed his reaction.
"Try not to think of it too much." he said gently." I promise you the memory will fade in time but few would have had your courage to face it as you and Lady Eowyn did."
Merry basked in the praise but tried in typical Hobbit fashion to make light of it.
"Who knows, maybe I will merit a mention in one of Bilbo's songs?" he said
"Now that would be an honour!" Pippin replied.
Watching them jesting together, Aragorn felt a keen pang of sorrow as he remembered the songs and stories after the feast at Rivendell and wondered if they would ever all be together again. He briefly closed his eyes and at once a vision of Arwen flashed into his mind as she had appeared on that evening, so beautiful that all eyes had lingered on her. He swayed slightly.
"Are you alright, Strider?"
Pippin's concerned voice roused him from his reverie.
"I am just weary. I will leave you now but will see you again before we leave." He assured the Hobbits.
Bidding them farewell for now he left their room .He was about to return to his tent outside the city and rest as he was so exhausted his head throbbed, but something made him return to see how Faramir was faring.
TBC