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Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings. It all belongs to J.R.R. Tolkien and the movie producers. I only own Amaris.
Number 26: Releasing the King
They walked into the hall and it was dark and damp. Amaris looked around and the people looked frightened and when she looked at the king her breath was taken away. He looked so old and nearly un-human and sitting next to the king was a slimy looking man with greasy black hair, she assumed was Grima Wormtounge. Grima looked at the others and sneered as he leaned into the king. Halfway up the hall, Gandalf let go of Legolas' arm and Legolas stepped closer to Amaris whose eyes had yet to leave Grima. "The curtsey of your hall has somewhat lesson of late, Theoden King," Gandalf said as he walked. Grima leaned in and the king slowly looked at Gandalf.
"Why should I welcome you Gandalf Stormcrow?" the king asked his voice sounding strained and very old. Grima nodded and turned to the king.
"A just question my liege," he said as he stood and started to walk to Gandalf. "Late is the hour this conjurer of spells makes his appearance." Grima stood in front of Gandalf trying to intimidate him. Gandalf just glared and the slimy man.
"Keep your fork tongue behind your teeth," Gandalf snapped and Grima's smile disappeared. "I have not fought through fire and death to speak to a sniveling serpent!" Gandalf moved his staff in front of him and pointed it towards Grima. Grima flinched back and looked towards the guards.
"His staff! I told you to take the wizard's staff!" he exclaimed as he coward away. The guards started to come after Gandalf and Amaris, Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli fought them off. Amaris took a wrong step and she felt her wound open again and blood began to run down her leg. She hissed as Legolas knocked down the last attacker and Gimli held down Grima by standing on him. Amaris stumbled and leaned against a pillar. This wound is going to be the death of me! She groaned in her mind as she watched Gandalf release the king from Saruman's hold. Amaris closed her eyes because the pain became unbearable and she gently slid down so she was sitting on the floor. She heard rustling around her and the doors to the hall being slammed opened and the king yelling. Suddenly, a hand was caressing her cheek causing her to open her eyes and once again her deep green eyes locked with the ocean blue orbs of Legolas.
"Meleth nîn, what is it?" Legolas asked as he looked at her scanning her to find the cause of her pain. Amaris smiled at him and then sat up straight.
"I didn't listen to you," she said as a waive of pain soared through her leg causing her to pause. Legolas looked at her with his brow furrowed. "My wound on my leg has reopened." Amaris gave him a slight smile and Legolas sighed.
"I will take you to a proper healer so they can look it over and seal it," he said as he lifted her from the cold stone floor and carried her outside to watch the king turn and ask for his son. He watched as a woman in white, who he learned her name to be Eowyn begin to cry and tell the king of his son's death. Legolas sighed and shook his head. So much pain and death, all over a small piece of gold. He thought as he walked to a guard. "Could you please direct me to a healer? My companion is in need of assistance," he said as the guard looked at him carefully and then looked at Amaris who looked at him with pleading eyes. The guard gave Amaris a slight smile and nodded.
"Go back inside the hall, and follow the first corridor on the left. At the end of the corridor will be a large room. That room is the healing room. A healer should be there to assist you," the guard stated with a smile.
"Thank you, your help is greatly appreciated," Legolas said as he bowed his head to the guard who did the same as he smiled at Amaris. Legolas turned and looked at Amaris who was looking over his shoulder smiling at the guard. "Is an elf not enough for you meleth nîn?" Legolas asked with a smile on his face. Amaris quickly looked at him with her mouth open in shock. She gently smacked his back causing him to laugh slightly.
"Honestly, Legolas!" Amaris exclaimed and she let a smile spread across her lips. "I don't know if an elf is enough, and I don't even know if a man is enough for I have never experienced either," she said as she looked at the prince whose smile had left his face and returned to his neutral expression. However, his eyes sparkled with amusement. Just before they reached the door Amaris leaned up and kissed his cheek lightly before whispering so only he could hear. "Do not worry meleth nîn for you are the only one my heart beats for." Amaris laid her head on his shoulder and she heard him smile which made her smile even more. Legolas opened the door and walked into the room that was nearly empty except for the woman healer who was looking over some parchment.
"Excuse me, milady," Legolas said as he walked up to her. The older woman looked up and was startled to see Legolas but she quickly recovered and smiled.
"Yes, milord, how can I help you?" she asked her voice kind and soothing. Amaris studied the woman and smiled. The healer looked to be about 40 to 45 and had dirty blonde hair that was pulled away and tucked under her hat with a few curls popping out and her eyes were a cool brown.
"My companion was injured on our journey here and my attempts to keep her wound sealed have not succeeded and I was wondering if you could be of assistance?" Legolas asked working his elf prince charm. The healer smiled and nodded her head.
"Certainly milord. Please lay her on that bed over there I will see what I can do." She motioned to a bed just to his left. Legolas nodded and did as she asked. He stepped away and stood by the door as the healer came over to Amaris to examine her. "Now, what is your name dear?"
"Amaris. What is yours?" The woman smiled at Amaris.
"My name is Aleathiel, Lady Amaris." Amaris held up her hands and shook her head.
"Aleathiel, I am no lady. I am simply Amaris and I would appreciate it if you would address me as so." Aleathiel smiled and nodded her head. Legolas smiled to himself hearing her exchange with the healer. She still never ceases to amaze me. He thought as he returned his attention back to the elleth and mortal woman.
"Now, Amaris, what is your injury?" Amaris raised up her skirt to her right thigh showing Aleathiel the bandaged leg that was now covered with blood and some of the blood had run down her leg towards her boot. "Oh my! How did this happen?" Amaris looked towards Legolas who nodded.
"My company and I were ambushed by Ura kai and during battle I was cut across the leg by one of the Uruks. I didn't have the means to tend to it until about four days after the injury." Amaris stated leaving out the fact that she was taken captive by the Uruks for good reason because as she told of the battle the woman shook her head as she removed the bandage. Aleathiel cleaned the wound and gave Amaris an herbal drink.
"I would like for you to drink this Amaris. It will put you to sleep and allow me to sew the wound close so it will not scar as badly." Amaris took the cup and looked at Legolas who made his way over to her.
"Drink it meleth nîn. I will not leave you while Aleathiel heals you," Legolas said as he took her free hand. Amaris nodded and quickly drank the bitter liquid. She laid down and soon she felt very tired and closed her eyes drifting off to sleep. Legolas smiled and looked at Aleathiel. Aleathiel smiled at him and began to work.
"Is she your betrothed?" Aleathiel asked Legolas after an eternity of silence. Legolas took his eyes from Amaris and looked at the older woman. He watched her finish the last stitch and then answered.
"No, we are not yet to be married. I have yet to ask her." Aleathiel smiled at Legolas and nodded. She applied a liquid to the stitching then wrapped a bandage around it.
"When you remove the bandage, place this liquid on the stitches. It will keep scarring down," Aleathiel said as she handed Legolas a small bottle. Legolas took it and nodded. "You may rest here with her until she wakes, which should be soon." Legolas nodded and Aleathiel left the room. Legolas looked back at Amaris and smiled. He spotted some feathers in her dark hair that had escaped from the feather pillow under her head. He slowly removed them lingering his fingers in her hair which was soft like silk. He ran his finger down her cheek only to see her eyes flutter open.
"Na vedui! (At last) I never thought you would wake," Legolas said as he smiled at her.
"Very funny Legolas. What time is it?" Amaris asked as she slowly sat up.
"Only about half an hour since we came in here." Amaris nodded and felt her leg which felt much better and no longer hurt. She rose from the bed and Legolas came over and helped her walk from the room as she was still a little groggy. They met up with Aragorn half way down the hall. "Aragorn, what news?" Aragorn looked at Legolas then at Amaris and raised an eyebrow. Amaris smiled and shook her head.
"I am fine. I was given some sleeping aide to put me to sleep while a healer stitched my leg. I'm just a little groggy," Amaris said as she stood straighter because her head was becoming clearer. Aragorn smiled and nodded.
"We will be briefing the king tomorrow after the funeral of his son, who was killed in battle," Aragorn said his voice low and saddened. Legolas and Amaris nodding understanding. "Lady Eowyn has arranged chambers for you Amaris so you can bathe and have your garments cleaned." Amaris smiled at the idea of taking a bath, which she was grateful for.
"Thank you Aragorn," Amaris said. Aragorn smiled at her and left the two in the corridor. Amaris looked at Legolas and smiled. "Could you please take me to Eowyn for I really wish to take a bath." Legolas smiled and nodded.
"Certainly, all though you do not need it," he said. Amaris laughed and shook her head.
