Farflung: Hurrah! You're back! But I have been busy in your absence. Catch me if you can!
Kelly Kragen: I do think there are hints in the LotR that Gandalf could be mirthful and even mischievous. There are certainly such hints in The Hobbit.
Karri: An upcoming chapter will take a peek back at events in the Great Hall. Thranduil will not be happy, but Gilglîr will manage things nicely.
Joee: I really do need to find a name for Edwen Nana. Something along the lines of 'Hawk Mother' or 'Fierce Mother' or 'Warrior Mother', I think. Suggestions, anyone?
Dragonfly: I may try to arrange a 'chat' between Legolas and Gandalf on the subject of Edwen Nana.
Chapter 37: Converging Paths II
"Four scimitars, you say," mused Celeborn.
"Aye, my Lord" said the messenger, "four scimitars bound to the back of the horse."
"Were these scimitars bloody?" asked Galadriel.
"No, my Lady. They were quite clean."
"Not bloody," Galadriel said after the messenger had departed. "These weapons felled no Elves."
"No, nor any wizard, neither. But I'll warrant there are some Orcs need burying. I will send out a company of Elves to see to it."
"And I will ride with them."
"You, Galadriel? Why? No ceremony is required at the disposal of Orc carcasses."
"Oh, I do not ride on behalf of the Orcs. But methinks my skills are needed nonetheless."
"I did not know you had looked in your mirror today."
"I have not. It needs no mirror to divine that my services may be welcome. Legolas and the others have not returned. Nor has Mithrandir, but he has sent a message of a skirmish as surely as if he had written it. It is a rare encounter that does not result in some injury to the victors as well as the defeated."
"True. Would you like me to accompany you?"
"No. In these days no elven realm should be left even briefly without a leader."
As Galadriel gathered together various herbs and nostrums, Elladan and Elrohir hovered anxiously over Halbarad, who lay patient and uncomplaining but whose pallor clearly showed that he was in great pain. His leg was now hot to the touch, and the Elves knew that it was becoming infected. Each had taken turns scouring the vicinity for athelas, but so far they had found only a few shriveled leaves. From time to time they cast their eyes hopefully in the direction of Rivendell.
"Run quickly, little brother," murmured Elladan. "Run quickly."
Estel was indeed running quickly. He refreshed himself as he ran by nibbling lembas and squirting water into his mouth. He stopped only to refill his water bladder whenever he came across a water source, for he knew he could not go on without water. He was running so fast that he bolted right past a hidden Baramagor as he crossed the border into Imladris.
"Hey, Estel," Baramagor shouted as he leaped from cover, "where are you going in such a hurry?"
"Carrying a message to Elrond," Estel called over his shoulder without breaking step.
"Can I interest you in a horse?" Baramagor hollered after him.
Estel wheeled about and charged toward Baramagor.
"Where?" he shouted as he ran.
Baramagor whistled, and his horse came out from where he had been quietly grazing. Estel raced up to him and vaulted onto his back. "Hannon le!" he shouted as he galloped off.
Baramagor shrugged as he watched him ride away.
"With that young human, everything is a matter of life and death."
The Elf settled back down to watch, little dreaming how true his words were.
Legolas still lay limply in Gandalf's arms, and though the wizard was not riding as swiftly as Estel, he had urged his horse into a pace with which he was not entirely comfortable, given the rugged terrain. Still, he was concerned that the young Elf had not yet regained consciousness.
Galadriel sat upon her horse surveying the decaying bodies of Orcs. She was the only one who could steel her nerves sufficiently so as to not need to cover her face against the stench.
"I think," she was saying calmly to the captain, who looked more than a little ill, "that the bodies are in such a state as to warrant burning rather than burying."
The captain readily agreed, for he thought to himself that the limbs of the carcasses might come away as his Elves tried to drag them into a common grave. If they burned the bodies, however, they could simply heap wood over them where they lay.
After Galadriel had seen that everything was in order, she began to ride off toward the west, along the trail followed by Gandalf and the others.
My Lady," the startled captain shouted after her, "do you not want an escort?"
"I thank you, but no," she called back calmly. "There are no Orcs hereabouts—live ones, I mean."
"Noro lim," she murmured to her horse once she was beyond the captain's sight. Soon she was flying along at a pace that would have left Celeborn terrified for her safety—no doubt the reason she had chosen to discourage him from coming in the first place.
Mounted on a fresh horse, Estel came bursting out of the stable at Rivendell, Elrond following close, his saddlebag packed with herbs and unguents. Several hours later Glorfindel departed with a large troop of riders, amongst whom were some who would serve as bearers once Halbarad had been treated by Elrond and could be moved. Erestor remained behind to give orders for the preparation of a room for the Dúnadan in the House of Healing.
Gandalf had reached level ground and now urged Elrohir's horse into a full gallop. Not for nothing was this steed one of the most admired horses in Imladris!
"I do believe," Gandalf muttered into his ear, "that you could challenge Glorfindel's horse for supremacy."
Seemingly in response, the stallion galloped even faster. The other horses, although they were not doubly burdened, began to fall off until Gandalf was several leagues ahead of his friends.
Sitting by the fire that they kept burning to warm Halbarad, who was now sweating and shivering at the same time, Elladan suddenly raised his head and listened intently.
"A horse approaches, and riding swiftly."
Elrohir stretched himself out upon the ground and pressed his ear to the earth.
"Not just any horse," he exclaimed, "my horse."
"Your horse!" scoffed Elladan. "You cannot tell that just from listening to hoofbeats. His gait is not that distinctive!"
"I am judging," Elrohir declared loftily, "from the speed."
Suddenly he looked troubled.
"But why is he galloping this way so swiftly when we set him to decoying the Orcs in the other direction?"
The twins exchanged worried looks.
"You don't suppose," said Elladan, "that the Orcs are pursuing him this way and he is hastening to warn us?"
"It is possible," Elrohir said grimly. He arose and strung his bow. Elladan did likewise. There was really no adequate shelter in which to hide Halbarad, and if Orcs attacked in great numbers, they might be able to do little more than die in his defense. Elrohir drew Halbarad's blade and folded the Ranger's fingers around it, although he feared that it would be his lot to cut the throat of the helpless Dúnadan if he were on the verge of falling alive into the claws of Orcs.
There was one smallish thicket that stood between them and the oncoming hoofbeats, and the two Elves stood staring fixedly at it, bows at the ready.
"I think," whispered Elladan, "that your horse bears something grey upon his back."
"Yes," agreed Elrohir, "and—but what is that!?"
Gandalf broke into the open, Orophin's arrow still sticking in his hat. Seeing two additional arrows now aimed at him, he urgently shouted at the horse to pull up, which the steed did with such alacrity that Gandalf very nearly lost his grip on Legolas.
"Hey!" he yelled indignantly, "Have I become the target for every heedless Elf in Middle Earth!?"
The two young Elves dropped their bows in such a fashion that Glorfindel would have scolded them for treating their weapons in as careless a manner as elflings newly introduced to the art of archery.
"Mithrandir," exclaimed Elladan, "you must help us with Halbarad. His leg is badly broken!"
Gandalf looked distressed.
"I have Legolas in my charge. He needs the care of your father, I think."
"Estel has gone to fetch him," Elrohir explained. "Now you're here one of us can ride on ahead to hurry him. With your aid, the Lord of Imladris will tend to both Halbarad and Legolas."
Gandalf nodded.
"Very well. Elladan, you should go. Your horse will be more rested than Elrohir's, for he will not have borne a double burden."
"But I haven't my horse at the moment, Mithrandir."
"Wait a bit and you shall. For now, you two come and take Legolas from this horse and lay him in the shade of that boulder. Then you must gather more wood and make sure that every water bladder is full."
Elladan was in the thicket collecting fallen branches when once again he heard hoofbeats.
"My horse," he grinned. "But not alone," he added to himself. Gandalf, in true wizard fashion, had neglected to mention that Haldir, Rúmil, and Orophin were riding after him. Puzzled, and a little alarmed, Elladan hastened back to the fire.
"Mithrandir," he began, "whilst in the thicket, I heard—"
"Quite right," said Mithrandir. "You may expect guests. Pray do not shoot at them!"
Mystified, Elladan and Elrohir looked at one another and then shrugged. What else could one expect of a wizard? It was no wonder he and their enigmatic grandnana got along so famously.
A short while later Haldir and his brothers, and Elladan's horse, galloped into the clearing. Elladan gaped at them until Gandalf sharply reminded him that he was to ride for Rivendell. With that, Elladan vaulted onto his horse and urged him once more to a gallop, as he did so promising the steed that he would have a long rest and much oats in recompense for the hard usage.
Thanks to Gandalf's ministrations, Halbarad already looked a little more comfortable, but it was obvious that he could not be moved and would need care more skillful than that of the wizard. Still, the Istar felt that he could safely turn is attention once more to Legolas. To his delight, that young Elf, although still not conscious, was now sleeping in the usual elven manner, eyes open but unfocused.
"It is to be hoped," Gandalf said to himself, "that the problem was infection rather than orc-poison."
Elladan had scarcely ridden twelve leagues when, surmounting a rise, he observed two horses approaching him. He saw at once that they bore Estel and Elrond.
"We will wait here for them," he said to his horse. If the horse had been either a human or an Elf, he would have uttered a great sigh of relief. When, as a mere colt, he had been chosen by Elladan, he knew that he was in for no uncommon life, and on the whole he had enjoyed his numerous adventures; still, there were those moments when he wished he were a gelding and not a war horse. On the other hand, there was that filly….
Elrond and Estel saw Elladan upon the rise and made directly for him.
"How is Halbarad?" asked Elrond after the briefest of preambles.
"Feverish, but Mithrandir now tends him."
Elrond canted an eyebrow at his son.
"Mithrandir? How came he there?"
"Actually, Ada, he was bearing Legolas to you for you to treat him. Haldir, Rúmil, and Orophin accompany him."
Up went the other eyebrow. Obviously several good tales were going to come out of this episode.
The three set off toward the campsite, cantering now instead of galloping. Still, they made good time.
"Horses approach from the direction of Imladris," said Elrohir. "Mayhap one bears my father."
"No doubt in the company of Elladan," replied Gandalf.
Added the wizard slyly, "Truly your brother has a remarkable horse to have made it to Rivendell and back in such a short time."
"Mithrandir," protested Elrohir, "doubtless my father was very nearly here."
"What is the matter?" teased Gandalf, who knew of Elrohir's competitiveness regarding his horse. "Do I disparage your horse by merely praising your brother's? But, come, let us put the matter aside and prepare to welcome the Lord of Imladris."
Under the circumstances, welcoming the Lord of Imladris was no more elaborate an affair than rising to their feet and calling out a heartfelt 'Mae govannen'.
Elrond dismounted with no formality beyond replying to those greetings and at once began to tend to the injured Ranger and Elf, also sparing a few minutes to look at Orophin's bruised head.
"If Orophin seems addled," a straight-faced Rúmil assured Elrond, "it may not necessarily be the result of the blow."
"You may soon be addled," retorted Elrond, "if I am forced to cuff your ears for failing to keep that fire going."
Rúmil hurried off to the thicket to replenish their stock of wood.
With five young Elves and a youth to take care of mundane tasks, Gandalf and Elrond were able to attend to Halbarad and Legolas with great care; and, while neither had improved spectacularly after several hours, they did not worsen and in fact each seemed a little better.
It was thus with some satisfaction that Gandalf and Elrond watched the setting of the sun. As they stood enjoying the glowing sky, Legolas roused himself and said, "Horse." Wizard and healer hurried to his side.
"We have several horses hereabouts," said Elrond gently. "Did you want to see one, yours perhaps?"
Legolas shook his head.
"Another horse."
"You want to see one of the other horses?"
"Another horse comes. Yonder."
Elrond and Gandalf looked toward the thicket, and a light-stepping elven horse cantered forth, the setting sun shimmering from the robes of the slender figure who sat gracefully astride it.
Now it was Elrond and Gandalf's turn to gape. This was a most unexpected vision. Elrond was the first to find his voice.
"My Lady, you are very welcome here."
Galadriel surveyed the scene, a gently teasing smile upon her face.
"Two patients, and both a wizard and a healer in attendance. I am not needed here."
She made as if to turn her horse about.
"My Lady," called Elrond, "now you are here, surely you will stay and accompany us to Rivendell. I would be loath to miss an opportunity to extend the hospitality of Imladris to the Lady of Lothlórien."
"But as I have said, my services are unnecessary."
Estel was standing nearby. He had run without stopping to Rivendell, and without rest had ridden back again. Since his return, he had been ceaselessly scurrying hither and thither, fetching this and that. He chose this moment to fall in a dead faint.
"On second thought," said Galadriel wryly, "I may be of some use after all. It seems that our young Dúnadan is not yet altogether a Ranger."
"Oh, but he is," croaked Halbarad in a hoarse voice, causing both Elrond and Gandalf to startle. They had not known that he was awake.
"A Ranger," continued Halbarad, "knows to seize upon every moment that is appropriate for sleeping—aye, and will sleep deeply when it is safe to do so, in order to make up for all those occasions when sleep was a rare luxury. And surely it is safe to sleep so in the presence of the Lady of Lothlórien, surrounded as she is by an aura of calmness and surety."
This was rather a long speech for Halbarad, and a witty one, and all were duly impressed, not the least the Lady of Lothlórien.
"I shall stay," she proclaimed, "so that I may sit in speech with Master Halbarad. I wish to practice clever retorts, and clearly he is a worthy partner for such an endeavor."
Elrond gave an exaggerated bow.
"I would be honored if you would deign to gift us with your presence for any reason."
Laughing, Galadriel dismounted, but soon was all business and bustle as she bathed Estel's face and wrists.
"I think he may have been suffocating from having been smothered in dust," she observed, shaking her head in mock horror.
"You will find," rejoined Elrond, "that on this expedition even Legolas has accumulated a fine layer of grit."
"I do not believe that!"
"But it is true, Lady!"
Estel began to come around, and blushed to find himself lying in the lap of the Lady of Lothlórien.
"Estel," she teased him, "you must become used to lying in ladies' laps. I see that you are growing a beard, and soon all the maidens will insist upon it."
Estel turned even redder and tried to gracefully extricate himself from her lap, which was of course impossible. He ended up flipping over awkwardly and crawling away on his hands and knees until he was able to arise and stagger away. As Galadriel watched his retreat, her smile grew thoughtful.
"Elrond, he must be told soon."
"Aye, Galadriel, he must. Upon our return to Rivendell, once our patients are safely bestowed, I shall speak with him. I am glad you will be there, for I hope you will speak with him as well."
"I shall, I assure you. Perhaps that is why I have been led here. And I would speak with the Lady Gilraen as well."
"That would be good," opined Gandalf. "I do not think she is long for Middle Earth, now she has seen her son reach manhood."
"He is not a Man," protested Elrohir, who sat nearby.
"Oh, yes, he is, Elrohir," replied Gandalf. "You and Elladan are simply too near to see it. He is no longer your little brother."
"Nor is Arwen your little sister," added Galadriel. "Elrond, you should recall her to Imladris before you and your sons no longer recognize her!"
"I will, Galadriel. After you have visited with us for a time in Rivendell, I will accompany you to Lothlórien. When I return to Imladris, Arwen shall ride with me."
Galadriel cast a swift smile at Gandalf. Then, matters having been settled to her satisfaction, she excused herself and retired to the makeshift tent that had been fashioned for her by Haldir and his brothers.
"Yes," she thought before allowing herself to drift into dreams, "matters are drawing to a very satisfactory conclusion indeed."