In this chapter we get another break from G/E/E/L/V, and get to take another look at A&A (although it's MA only this time, and not FA). I don't really care for it that much, but it is necessary. So, please enjoy!
Disclaimer: You can't possibly be thinking I'm making any money off of this. I don't own any of them, SO DON'T SUE! Oh yeah, I do own the original characters. Use your common sense and you'll know who they are...
7. Only A Guest
Aragorn tried to whirl around, but that only made him feel worse. He groaned, shutting his eyes and doubling over from the pain. Blood pounded past his ears and his heart jumped into his throat.
"Thank you, Prea," a woman's voice said. Estel knew better than to try and open his eyes to see her, so he continued staying in the same position.
He felt a cold rag gently being pressed against his forehead. "There, that's helps, doesn't it?" the woman crooned. Estel couldn't help himself; he sighed in relief.
"I told you that he would survive," a gruff sounding voice answered. "He was just what we needed."
Estel froze. He opened his eyes. The room spun. He pushed the woman's hand away. What did they need him for?
"Calm down," the woman said to Estel soothingly. She put a hand on his shoulder and gently pushed him down. "Berve, you're scaring him. He doesn't know where he is."
"He probably doesn't even hear us," (what must have been) Berve replied. "Don't worry though, Klia; I'll go."
Estel opened his eyes once again. This time he only felt a slight pain in his head. He could hear Berve push back the flap that covered the doorway as he exited the room.
The rag once again patted his forehead. He followed the arm until he found the face of the woman treating him.
She had wavy, auburn hair that she had pulled back behind her ears. Her face was dirty, but attractive. She had a motherly way about her. She smiled down at him with her lips still closed.
"Are you feeling any better?" she asked softly.
"Yes," Aragorn murmured. His jaw felt sore. "Where...?"
"Do not worry; you're safe here." She stroked his cheek. "You were saved from the battle field by my brother."
"Was Berve...was he the one..."
Klia nodded. "Yes, he was the warrior blocking you in the house." She set the rag down and opened a small packet around a strap on her waist. "You see, he was jus testing you. We do this during every battle. It just so happens that you managed to pass the test."
Estel passed the test? He wasn't very sure if this was a good thing or a bad thing. He decided to let the subject go until he learned more about how he had gotten into this situation.
"How did he save me?" Estel asked, his ribs aching from using the amount of air to speak.
"He pulled you out, but some of the wreckage still landed on you, and you were wounded." She finished with the packet. "Do not worry; you'll heal quickly. You already seem to be making rapid progress for someone who has gone through what you have."
"How long has it been?" Estel could see starlight shining in through the flap.
Klia pursed her lips, thinking. "Five days and six nights, since the battle, that is," she finally answered, putting the substance in her mouth and chewing."
"Is that athelas?"
"Who do you think you're with, the elves? Wild Men, as you call us, don't use athelas. We have our own herbs."
Estel froze. He wasn't sure that he wanted her using any unidentified plant on him, no matter what it was supposed to do.
Klia must have noticed the look on his face. "Don't worry; I am considered a great healer among my own people." She finished chewing the herb and put them on his ankle. Estel hadn't even noticed that it had been hurting until it was soothed. He let his eyes close a moment, rejoicing in the fact that there was now less pain.
"So," Klia began, "you have asked me enough questions. Now it is my turn to ask you some of mine."
Estel opened his eyes. Now the interrogation would begin. They had just been waiting for a moment when he wasn't on edge.
"What were you doing fighting with Elves?" she asked, wrapping her arms around her legs, smiling. "Are you of a people offering them assistance?"
Estel shook his head. "I was raised by the elves. I live among them as one of their own."
"I have never heard of such a thing before." Klia rocked herself back and forth. "You grew-up in Rivendell?"
Aragorn nodded. "I've lived there ever since I was a very small child. My mother brought me there after my father died." Why was he pouring out his entire life's story to this woman that he hardly even knew?
"That's too bad," Klia replied, and Estel didn't know if she meant that it was too bad that he'd lived among the elves since he was a small child or that his father was dead. "I'm sure that your mother was very sad." Again, he didn't know what she meant: Elves, or father.
Estel frowned. "I don't know. She died when I was very young."
"Both of my parents are dead as well." Klia sighed. "I live with my brother Berve and his wife, Fila. I am...I suppose that you would call me a nanny to their only child, Prea."
Estel blinked. "Prea...the child; she called you her mother."
Klia laughed, a sweet, melodious sound. "You are very perceptive. She calls me 'mother' all of the time. Fila never spends any time with her."
Estel nodded, yawning. Klia smiled at him.
"You should get some rest. You need to heal."
Aragorn nodded. "You're right..."
As he drifted off to sleep, he even forgot that he had passed some type of test.
(Fanfare) Your responses, ladies and gents:
Deana: Yes, I don't have the heart to kill off Estel (sniffs as she imagines the possibility and wipes away a tear). Plus, the future of Middle Earth hangs in a balance, and it all revolves around him. So I couldn't kill him off, otherwise the world of men is doomed. Yes, Legolas stole Elladan's horse (grr!), but he didn't harm Twin #1...for now... (Runs away laughing)
CapriceAnn Hedican-Kocur: I'm glad that you liked them. Chapter six is personally one of my favorites. I hope you like this one as well. I personally don't care for it (I don't like Klia, even though she's original). Anyway, thanks for posting!
IwishChan: Yes, ESTEL IS ALIVE! (Does a little dance) He is being taken good care of (maybe a little too good). And yes, Legolas is going to get himself in major trouble, so Estel better get his sorry ranger butt out of there and save his friend (because Legolas is still evading me). Even I need Estel for this one, and I'm the author (sighs). ;)