MusicalCharlatan: Ah, but at least I have surrounded Legolas with loving friends.
Dragonfly: Well, the twins don't run into trouble, but I'm not done with Glorfindel yet.!
Inuyashaloverfan: O.K. Here is another chapter.
Karri: Yes, almost everybody is on the scene now except Thranduil, Gilglîr, and Tawarmaenas. And Glorfindel, of course, since he has gone to fetch Thranduil.
Legosgurl: Maybe, just maybe, I'll give Legolas a break.
Beta Reader: Dragonfly
Chapter 74: Another Encounter with Mushrooms
"I shall have you soon, Gollum," Aragorn murmured, studying the ground at his feet. "From these tracks it appears that you not far ahead at all." Suddenly he lifted his head and listened intently.
"Several horses, and all galloping at great speed. I should say that they were elven horses, but it is not like an Elf to push his horse so hard over broken ground."
Withdrawing into a thicket, Aragorn loosened knife and sword in their sheaths before drawing and nocking an arrow. Intently, he watched a break in the brush as the sound of hoof beats drew nearer and nearer.
The riders were shouting, however, before ever they came in sight.
"We are no enemies, Estel!" cried Elrohir just before breaking into the clearing. "I pray you, save that arrow for a foe—you shall have enough of them!"
Aragorn lowered his bow and stood clear of the cover as the twins galloped into view and abruptly drew their steeds to a halt.
"Elrohir, Elladan, why are you treating your horses so?" he asked disapprovingly.
"We do so by their leave, for the need was great," replied Elladan. "Estel," he continued, gesturing toward the freshest mount, "take that horse and make for Imladris with all speed. You shall find fresh horses awaiting you every few miles."
Aragorn caught hold of the bridle but hesitated.
"Why so urgent?" he asked.
"Legolas is very ill," Elrohir replied. "Mithrandir thinks your presence would be helpful."
Aragorn waited to ask no further questions but leapt astride the horse and galloped away from the clearing as quickly as the twins had galloped toward it.
As Aragorn was galloping toward Rivendell, Gandalf was regaining consciousness in the room to which he had been carried in the House of Healing.
"Elrond must have slipped me something," he moaned, squinting at a world whose boundaries seemed to fluctuate with the wizard's every heartbeat. "Can't believe I fell for that ploy—again! How many centuries has it been since he first deceived me into quaffing a doctored drink? Ai! what is it Men say? 'There is no fool like an old fool'?—and I am a very old fool indeed!"
The woozy wizard cautiously sat up and tried to pull on his boots, then gave up the attempt because they no longer fit his feet—seemingly it escaped his attention that he was trying to force his left boot onto his right foot. He staggered to his bare feet.
"Shall need my staff today even if I do not cast a single spell."
He retrieved that object from where Elrond had left it leaning against the wall and, leaning heavily upon it, hobbled from the room.
"Mae govannen," said Elrond when Gandalf appeared in the door to Legolas' chamber. "You must have been very weary. I have never known you to sleep so long."
Gandalf glared at the elf-lord, who raised his eyebrows innocently.
"Never mind me," the wizard sniffed. "How is Legolas?"
Elrond instantly sobered. He gestured toward the bed.
"As you see, he still sleeps. But his fever has not returned."
"At least we may be grateful for that."
"Yes, and it is to be hoped that Aragorn will be here soon."
"Aragorn? Has he captured Gollum, then?"
Elrond looked at him quizzically.
"My friend, you commanded that he be sent for. Have you forgotten?"
"If I have," growled Gandalf, "whose fault is that?"
Elrond had to concede the point. A rustling was heard. The two friends turned toward the door.
"Galadriel," said Elrond, "you have come to take your turn sitting by Legolas?"
"Yes. So Mithrandir has awoken. I see, however, that Edwen Nana has not."
"Edwen Nana asleep!" sputtered Gandalf. "Did you slip something into her drink as well?"
"Oh, no," replied Elrond calmly. "I had a sleeping powder baked into her biscuits. With a female, it is necessary to be subtle."
With that parting shot, the elf-lord went to his rest, leaving Galadriel and Gandalf to keep vigil. Galadriel laid a hand upon the young Elf's forehead.
"His fever has not returned."
"Elrond said it had not," agreed Gandalf. "I think there is hope."
"Yes. Soon Estel will be here," said Galadriel.
"True. Elrond mentioned that as well. I suppose Legolas will be comforted by hearing the voice of his friend," Gandalf returned.
Now it was Galadriel's turn to look oddly at the wizard, but she said nothing. Legolas stirred a little then, and both Galadriel and Gandalf turned anxiously toward him. The young Elf gave no further sign, however.
"Perhaps," mused Gandalf, "I should pass on a little more of my power."
"Mithrandir," warned Galadriel, "you put yourself at risk, and in the end you may do Legolas little good. It is true that he has rallied each time you have laid hands upon him, but your power places a great strain upon his system. As long as he does not worsen, let him sleep on undisturbed, at least until we see what effect Estel has upon him."
Gandalf gave way to her counsel, and the two sat side by side to keep vigil by the sick Elf. They would have been gladdened to know that they would not long await the arrival of Aragorn. Since leaving Elladan and Elrohir, the young Dúnadan had paused only long enough to leap from one horse and mount the next. So urgent was he that his passion had infected the horses. Each horse that he dismounted continued to follow in his wake. Soon he was galloping at the head of herd of horses, a herd that grew all the larger every few miles.
'The Great East Road', he thought with relief as he broke from the brush and rode onto that pathway. 'Now I shall be able to gallop all the faster'.
As Aragorn and his equine companions galloped eastward, the thunder of their hooves could be heard far in advance of the company. The band of brigands vanquished by Haldir was of course not the only one to lurk about the East Road. Now the captain of another such band, hearing the approach of horses, ordered one of his Men up into a tree to spy out the situation.
"How many Men guard those horses?" he called up to the spy.
"Only one," the spy shouted back.
"Only one," chortled the leader. "There is no way one Man can defend a herd. Even if he should escape us, we shall surely seize some of his horses. Into the road, boys!"
The brigands positioned themselves around a bend in the road so that they should take the traveler unawares. When Aragorn galloped around the corner, however, he was not at all daunted by the Men blocking his path. He rode straight at the leader, who sprang aside, else he would have been trampled. But the brigand was not particularly troubled over the escape of Aragorn and his mount. It was the other horses he was after, and he was sure that those steeds, riderless, would shy at breaking through a line of Men. He was, of course, dreadfully mistaken—fatally so, actually. The horses hesitated not one second, for they were as resolute as Aragorn. Too late, the horses were upon the Men, and the most of them were ridden into the dust. As it happened, that stretch of road was to be very safe for several years afterward, for the survivors, those few who managed to scramble away, returned to their folk to tell a harrowing tale of a highway guarded by fierce horses who would attack any Man who trifled with them.
But Aragorn, continuing to gallop east, gave no thought to the fate of the brigands, instead remaining on the lookout for fresh mounts, which continued to be spaced every few miles. When he reached the Last Bridge, he encountered not only a rested horse but also an Elf, Haldir, who proffered a water bladder and a packet of lembas bread.
"Hannon le," Aragorn called to his Lórien friend, but he did not stay either to eat or drink, nor did Haldir expect him to. With Haldir riding at his side, Aragorn sipped water and nibbled upon a wafer whilst urging his fresh mount onward. He was in the home stretch now, and he would stop for nothing.
In Rivendell, Legolas' fever had at last returned in all its fury. Edwen Nana, having awoken from her drugged sleep, bathed his wrists and his forehead, and above Legolas' bed Tathar had rigged a sort of fan that created a strong breeze as one pulled a cord. For several hours he had been standing off to one side, cord in hand, and pulling for all he was worth. Gandalf paced back and forth, Galadriel warily watching him as he cast longing looks toward his staff where it leaned against the wall. As for Elrond and Erestor, they were together in the library, desperately searching the medicinal tomes for anything they might have overlooked. Elrond shut a book with an exclamation of despair.
"Erestor, I do not believe we have overlooked anything recorded in these books on the subject of Orc poison."
"And if the cure be not recorded in these books," said Erestor gloomily, "then I do not know where it is to be found."
"Yet Mithrandir thinks that Aragorn may be able to do something," Elrond said thoughtfully."
"I do not know why!" retorted a skeptical Erestor. "Estel was raised here. He can only have read these very books that we have but now finished pouring through. Moreover, you were the one who trained him in the healing arts, and the pupil cannot know more than the teacher has taught!"
"Erestor, we must not assume that Aragorn ceased to learn once he escaped our tutelage. There are many sources of wisdom in the world, and not all of them elvish."
Erestor still looked doubtful, but the debate was brought to an end by the precipitous arrival of Berenmaethor, who rushed into the chamber without even knocking.
"The sentinels have passed word that Aragorn approaches!" he cried. Suddenly Erestor seemed to forget that he had just voiced doubt as to whether Aragorn could be of any help. "Excellent!" he exclaimed. "Let us hasten to greet him so that we may take him to Legolas straightaway!" With that he bolted from the room. Elrond's eyebrows rocketed to a fairly high elevation, but he hastened after his friend. After all, thought the elf-lord, it was to be hoped that there would be time enough to twit Erestor after Legolas had gone on the mend.
As fast as the two friends hurried, though, they could not get ahead of Aragorn, who had already found his way to Legolas' chamber before Elrond and Erestor had even reached the entrance to the House of Healing. When the two Elves caught up with the Dúnadan, he was minutely questioning Edwen Nana, Gandalf, and Galadriel as to the symptoms and course of Legolas' illness.
"You say that for several days there was no sign that Legolas had been poisoned?"
"That's true," said Edwen Nana. "The wound seemed very clean, and it healed well. Indeed, a few days after his injury Legolas was threatening to ride out with Haldir and the twins!"
"I think," mused Aragorn, "that the very cleanness of the wound was the first sign that Legolas had been poisoned. Infection could not gain a foothold in the face of this venom. The Rangers have told me of a poison that has such an effect, and they have taught me an antidote."
Aragorn unbound his pack and pulled forth a small bundle. When opened, it was seen that within were small, grey bits of something that looked very much like fragments of a dried mushroom. Erestor looked alarmed.
"Estel!" he cried. "Surely you don't propose to administer a mushroom to him!"
"I do," replied Aragorn calmly.
Now Erestor was indignant.
"Have you forgotten," he exclaimed, "how ill you once made yourself by eating a poisonous mushroom? How can you be sure that you won't poison Legolas?"
"Since that time," retorted Aragorn, "you yourself have trained me in the recognition of mushrooms. Do you doubt your own skill as a teacher?"
Erestor did not know what to say.
"Moreover," continued Aragorn, "lately I have been dwelling amongst the Dúnedain. Living as they do in the Wild, they have more occasion even than Elves to rely upon mushrooms both for sustenance and for their curative value. Do not forget that there is wisdom in places other than Imladris! It was under the tutelage of one of the most skilled of the Dúnedain healers that I harvested and prepared this mushroom."
Galadriel arose and walked over to a table where lay a basin. She picked it up.
"No doubt you wish to soak the mushroom in water."
Aragorn smiled at her with gratitude.
"Yes, my Lady. It is plain that Legolas would choke on anything solid, but we may still be able to make use of his swallowing reflex. Drop by drop, we will administer an infusion of mushroom to him."
Galadriel replaced the basin on the table, picked up a pitcher, and poured a little water into the basin. Coming to stand by her side, Aragorn cast several pieces of mushroom into the vessel.
"We should heat the water," Aragorn said. "The virtue within the mushroom will be released all the faster if we do."
Elrond crossed to the brazier and stoked it, and Aragorn carried the basin over and set it upon the fire. He knelt beside it, stirring the water, and little by little the liquid turned cloudy. At last he judged that it was ready, and he removed the basin from the fire to let the concoction cool. While they waited, Tathar went to fetch a slender reed that they might use as a pipette. When Tathar returned, Aragorn sucked a little of the liquid into the reed. Then Edwen Nana gently raised Legolas. His thumb on the top of the reed, Aragorn carefully released one drop of the medicinal liquid into Legolas' mouth. The young Elf, who had never lost the ability to swallow his saliva, naturally swallowed the medicine as a matter of course, and Aragorn promptly administered another drop.
For hours Aragorn continued in this fashion until Elrond insisted that he be allowed to take over.
"You have ridden far, Estel. Rest now. We will send for you if there is any great change, either for better or ill."
Aragorn began to protest.
"Have a care, Estel," warned Galadriel, her eyes laughing. "Gandalf has been desirous of casting a spell upon someone these past several days. Do not give him cause!"
Aragorn smiled and gave way. "Elrond," said Gandalf after Aragorn is departed, "does it not seem to you that Legolas is less flushed than formerly?"
Elrond laid his hand upon Legolas' forehead.
"You may be right, Mithrandir," he said hopefully.
Several hours later, when a weary Elladan and Elrohir stumbled in, it was plain that Legolas' fever had broken. Haldir went to fetch Aragorn, for, as Elrond said, he ought to be present if Legolas were to regain consciousness. Aragorn came hastily. When he saw that there was little of the medicine left, he prepared more, although all began to hope that there would be no need for it.
At length the young Elf's eyelashes fluttered a little, and he seemed to be trying to raise one of his hands to his face.
"Legolas," Elrond said gently, "are you in pain?"
"'Tch," muttered Legolas.
"What?"
"'Tch," repeated Legolas more urgently.
"I do not understand," said Elrond anxiously.
"I-tch," said Legolas distinctly.
"Legolas," said Elrond after he had recovered from a fit of uncharacteristic laughter, "where do you itch?"
"Nose," replied the young Elf.
Elrond obligingly scratched Legolas' nose for him. The young Elf sighed in contentment and dozed off again, but it was a healthy sleep, not a feverish one.
"Now you all shoo," said Edwen Nana, her spirits and therefore her combativeness restored. "No reason to clutter up the sickroom with all you hangers-on. Besides, you're all like to fall ill from lack of sleep, and then who will entertain Legolas when he wakes up?"
"But what about you, Edwen Nana?" asked Galadriel. "Are you not tired?"
"Not a bit," replied Edwen Nana airily. "I have slept long just now. Ate too many biscuits, I think. You know how a full belly can make a body sleepy."
Gandalf winked at Elrond, who was trying to look dignified.
"I have just been sleeping as well," said Aragorn, "and I feel no need for further sleep. Truth be told, I am more hungry than tired."
"Oh, you're hungry, are you?" said Edwen Nana eagerly. "I'll tend to you. What would you like?"
"Feed him a soup of mushrooms," japed Erestor, "as he seems to like them so much."
"Why, Erestor, I am astounded at your wit," retorted Aragorn. "What a brilliant idea."
"I do believe," observed Galadriel, "that now Legolas' health has been restored, some folk amongst us shall now turn their minds toward mischief.. I think I should leave for Lothlórien at once so that I do not become trapped in the crossfire."
"Not before Legolas is fully awake," objected Edwen Nana. "He would be dreadfully disappointed to learn that you had been here and left without his seeing you."
"Of course I would not leave before speaking with Legolas," Galadriel assured the nursemaid. "Or before tasting your mushroom soup, for that matter," she added, smiling.
There was a vote all around for mushroom soup that evening, even Erestor allowing as how he would really like to have some. And on that genial note the parties separated to entertain themselves as they saw fit until the evening meal.