The Same Woman

Chapter 16

Changes

Blackness…

Gray…

The blackness was slowly but surely disappearing, growing brighter with every passing second.

A flash of bright white…..

"Ahhh!!! My eyes!!! My eyes!!"

The brilliant light he was met with when he opened his eyes sent him into a spiraling, painful shock.

Aragorn shouted out to no one in particular, so he was fairly surprised to hear a low, gruff voice reply, "Yes, well, you haven't opened them in quite a while. There's no wonder as to why they hurt."

Aragorn, still with his eyes closed, asked wearily, "Who are you? Whatis the matterwith my eyes?"

He felt someone shift beside him "Like I said, you haven't opened them in a long time. They're not used to the sunlight again yet. Hold on a little while longer, they'll get used to the light." He heard them move again. "But this probably isn't helping—Rodwen, shut the curtain!!"

Instantly, the incredible bright light was gone, but it was not dark. Aragorn knew it was safe to open his eyes now, and after several more blinks, he opened them fully. They immediately started adjusting to the room. He seemed to be on a bed-- he had slept on more comfortable ones-- and he looked up to see that a small window was above him. Obviously, the sun's light had poured in through that window, only moments before. No wonder he had been temporarily blinded.

He next moved to stare eye-level at a man to his right. He was slender, young, and handsome, with piercing blue-green eyes and shaggy blonde hair that fell to his ears. It kept on seeming to fall into his eyes no matter how many times he pushed it back. His clothes were dirty, like some areas of his face, and the cloth was torn in multiple places. He sat next to Aragorn, resting himself on a wooden stool. He returned Aragorn's stare quietly.

"Wh-who are you?" Aragorn asked again. "Where am I? Where is Elrond?"

"Elrond?" asked the man, surprised. "Elrond? Well, I don't know any creature around here by the name of Elrond."

"There's an Elmound over the Third Hill. Perhaps he's means Elmound." A smooth, elegant voice floated to Aragorn's ears, and he looked to see the source of it.

A tall young woman with curly, deep red hair that cascaded down her back looked at him with emerald green eyes from the far side of the room. She wasn't skinny, rather slightly filled out, and wholesome looking. Her clothes also were soiled, yet they didn't subtract from her splendor in the least. Indeed, she was very beautiful, and walked with a magical grace as she came forward, resting her delicate hand on the man's shoulder.

"Ah, this is my wife, Rodwen," the man announced, smiling at the attractive woman beside him. He turned his attention back to the man on the bed. "Did you mean Elmound?"

"No," Aragorn answered quickly. "I said Elrond. I mean Master Elrond of Rivendell. Now you have yet to tell me who you are or where I am, and I demand to know at once!"

The young man wasn't taken back by Aragorn's outburst. His eyes were full of compassion and understanding. "I know this must be strange for you, mister, and I apologize. My name is Joui (pro. like a mix between 'joy' and 'joie')). We've been taking care of you, my wife and myself."

Aragorn frowned in confusion. Taking care of him? But the Healers in Rivendell were, well, elves. These beings were clearly of the race of Men. "But, you're not elves."

Joui broke into a grin. "No, I suppose were not."

"Wha-whe-wh—" Aragorn couldn't think clearly, and it felt like battle drums were pulsating in his skull, causing him excruciating head pain.

Rodwen stepped forward suddenly. She placed a soft hand on his shoulder. "Sir, you must stay calm. You may have finally awoken, but you have not yet recovered from your injuries. They were… are, very severe."

Aragorn struggled to not pass out. He complied, obeying her soothing tone and firm words, and laid down upon the bed again, slowly. After several minutes, when the room stopped turning, he asked hesitantly, "Where is Arwen?"

"Beg your pardon?" Rodwen asked, confused.

"Arwen Undomiel." He stared into their unknowing faces, until he little by little realized they didn't recognize the name of the most beautiful maiden on Middle Earth. This shocked him. "The Evenstar of her people? Arwen? Songs have been written about her eyes, and others abouther other endless beauties, as well. Surely you have heard of the Lady of Rivendell?"

"There you go again with that 'Rivendell' talk," Joui replied. "We've never heard of it."

Aragorn placed a shaky hand on his forehead. He had no idea of where he was, but he must be very, very far from home if people didn't know of Rivendell, much less Lady Undomiel or Lord Elrond.

"Like I said, we've been taking care of you. Mister…?"

"I am Estel," Aragorn answered, not sure if he could reveal his more royal name to these people.

"Estel," Rodwen sighed. "I've never heard of such before. That is a very unique name. So is, er, Arwen?" Aragorn nodded. "Yes, that name is very beautiful."

"So is the woman," Aragorn muttered softly.

"Yes, well, Estel, Rodwen and I found you in the woods not far from our home here. We live in seclusion, which is how we like it, but there is no one else around for miles. We took care of you the best we could. Whoever beat you left you there to die. You should feel fortunate. When my wife found you, you were just barely holding on to life. That must be some blood you have in you."

"You have no idea," Aragorn said to himself. Aloud, he replied, "I appreciate your kindness. I will repay it somehow, I swear."

Rodwen immediately started shaking her head no, but Joui spoke first. "No, plese, Estel, we could not ask such a thing. Believe it or not, you have been company for us, though, um, completely quiet. It is not often we see another face. You have already repaid us."

Aragorn was about to protest more, when Rodwen suddenly shot her gaze intently his way. "Wait! I couldn't place it before, but I have heard the name Arwen before."

Aragorn smiled, which was almost painful, considering there was a deep cut on his left cheek. Perhaps there was hope after all.

"Yes, Arwen, yo—you shouted out that name countless times when you were going through your fever. Oh, yes, um, after the first few days, you developed a terrible fever, Estel. We thought for sure it would be to much to handle for your body, on top of your injuries. But you pulled through. It lasted quite a while though. But, yes, you shouted out 'Arwen' while you were sick."

A sharp pain shot through Aragorn's chest. All he wanted at that moment was to get to Arwen. For her to console him and take care of him. But he didn't even know where he was.

"Where is this place?" he asked slowly, as if dreading the answer. "What is this land?"

Joui answered, "You're on the outskirts of Rohan, my friend. Rohan, the land great horses come from."

No, it couldn't be true. It couldn't be. He was so, so far from Rivendell. So far…

"How… how long have I been here?" Aragorn clenched his fists together, snagging the blanket in his palms.

Joui rubbed his chin. "You been here almost three months."

Those were the last words Aragorn heard before he passed out.