Chapter 9

AT LAST Faramir and Eowyn and Meriadoc were laid in beds in the Houses of Healing; and there they were tended well. For though all lore was in these latter days fallen from its fullness of old, the leechcraft of Gondor was still wise. But now their art and knowledge were baffled; for there were many sick of a malady that would not be healed; and they called it the Black Shadow, for it came from the Nazgul. And it seemed to the tenders of the sick that on the Halfling and on the Lady of Rohan this malady lay heavily. But Faramir burned with a fever that would not abate.

Gandalf went from one to the other full of care, and he was told all that the watchers could hear. And so the day passed, while the great battle outside went on with shifting hopes and strange tidings; and still Gandalf waited and watched and did not go forth.

Then an old wife, Ioreth, looking on the fair face of Faramir, wept, for all the people loved him. And she said: "Alas! if he should die. Would that there were kings in Gondor, as there were once upon a time! For it is said in old lore: The hands of a king are the hands of a healer. And so the rightful king could ever be known."

And Gandalf, who stood by, said: "Men may long remember your words, Ioreth! For there is hope in them. Maybe a king has indeed returned to Gondor; or have you not heard the strange tidings that have come to the City?"

Then Gandalf went out in haste, and already the fire in the sky was burning out, while ash-grey evening crept over the fields.

The Prince Imrahil and Eomer of Rohan passed through the City and mounted to the Citadel; and they came seeking the Steward. But they found his chair empty, and before the dais lay Theoden King of the Mark upon a bed of state.

And Eomer said: "Where is the Lady Eowyn, my sister; for surely she should be lying beside the king, and in no less honour?"

And Imrahil said: "But the Lady Eowyn was yet living when they bore her hither. Did you not know?"

Then hope unlooked for came suddenly to Eomer's heart, and he went swiftly from the hall; and the Prince followed him. And there came Gandalf on foot and with him one cloaked in grey; and they met before the doors of the Houses of Healing.

And Imrahil said: "So victory is shorn of gladness, and it is bitter bought, if both Gondor and Rohan are in one day bereft of their lords. Eomer rules the Rohirrim. Who shall rule the City meanwhile? Shall we not send now for the Lord Aragorn?"

And the cloaked man spoke and said: "He is come." And they saw that it was Aragorn, wrapped in the grey cloak of Lorien.

Then Gandalf said: "Let us not stay at the door, for the time is urgent. For it is only in the coming of Aragorn that any hope remains for the sick that lie in the House."

Aragorn went first to Faramir, and then to the Lady Eowyn, and last to Merry. Then he called to Ioreth: "Have you athelas? It is also called kingsfoil, and maybe you know it by that name."

"Oh that!" said Ioreth. "No, we have none of it, I am sure. Why, I have never heard that it had any great virtue; and indeed I have often said to my sisters when we came upon it growing in the woods: 'kingsfoil', I said, 'tis a strange name, and I wonder why 'tis called so; for if I were a king, I would have plants more bright in my garden.'"

"If you love the Lord Faramir, run as quick as your tongue and get me kingsfoil, if there is a leaf in the City," said Aragorn.

"And if not," said Gandalf. "I will ride to Lossarnach with Ioreth behind me, and Shadowfax shall show her the meaning of haste."

Now Aragorn knelt beside Faramir, and held a hand upon his brow. At last Bergil came running in, and he bore six leaves in a cloth. "It is kingsfoil, sir," he said; "but not fresh, I fear. I hope it will serve, sir?" Then looking at Faramir he burst into tears.

But Aragorn smiled. "It will serve." Then taking two leaves, he laid them on his hands and breathed on them, and then he crushed them, and straightway a living freshness filled the room. And then he cast the leaves into the bowls of steaming water that were brought to him, and his eyes smiled as he held a bowl before Faramir's face.

Suddenly Faramir stirred, and he opened his eyes. "My lord, you called me. I come. What does the king command?"

Aragorn came to Eowyn, and he stooped and looked in her face, and he bent and kissed her on the brow. Once more Aragorn bruised two leaves of athelas and cast them into steaming water; and he laved her brow with it, and her right arm lying cold and nerveless on the coverlet.

Then he laid her hand in Eomer's and stepped away. "Call her!" he said, and he passed silently from the chamber.

"Eowyn, Eowyn!" cried Eomer. But she opened her eyes and said: "Eomer! What joy is this? For they said that you were slain. Nay, but that was only the dark voices in my dream. How long have I been dreaming?"

"Not long, my sister," said Eomer. "But think no more on it!"

Gandalf and Pippin came to Merry's room, and there they found Aragorn standing by the bed. Then Aragorn laid his hand on Merry's head, and called him by name. And when the fragrance of athelas stole through the room, suddenly Merry awoke, and he said:

"I am hungry. What is the time?"

"Past supper-time now," said Pippin. "though I daresay I could bring you something, if they will let me."

"They will indeed," said Gandalf. "And anything else that this Rider of Rohan may desire, if it can be found in Minas Tirith, where his name is in honour."

Aragorn and Gandalf went now to the Warden of the Houses of Healing, and they counselled him. At the doors of the Houses many were already gathered to see Aragorn; and when at last he had supped, men came and prayed that he would heal their kinsmen or their friends whose lives were in peril through hurt or wound, or who lay under the Black Shadow. And Aragorn arose and went out, and he sent for the sons of Elrond, and together they laboured far into the night.

-Return of the King, J.R.R. Tolkien

ALL BUT Erin were jolted awake a few hours later by a quick, though soft, knock. "Enter," Kalva called out as the girls each sat up, rubbing their eyes and clearing their throats. Sarah shook Erin awake, saying, "We've got a visitor."

"More than one visitor, actually," Gandalf said as he stepped through the door behind another tall, cloaked figure. "Is that acceptable?"

"Of course, my lord," Kalva said, moving to light some lamps. Erin rubbed her eyes wearily, trying to get them to water a little. She had been deeply asleep, as usual; back home she often didn't even hear the fire alarm if it went off accidentally.

All thoughts of her disturbed rest fled from Erin's mind as the cloaked man drew back his hood. She knew immediately who he was. Everything about him screamed it: his shoulder-length hair that looked as though it had not felt a comb for a very long time, the grey cloak that shimmered and waved gently in the breeze from the window, the piercing eyes that seemed to know your every thought, the regal posture that spoke command, and most of all the green stone worn at his breast. "My lord Elessar," she said in a slightly trembling voice still hoarse with sleep, earning sharp looks from both he and Gandalf.

"You know the Elvish tongue?" Gandalf exclaimed at the same moment that Aragorn said, "You know of me?"

Erin chose to answer Aragorn's question first. "I have heard and read much of you, my lord." She smiled a little. "I must admit, the descriptions did not do you justice."

"He's already got a sweetheart, Erin!" Adrienne teased her from across the room.

"What…I wasn't…I so did not…" Erin spluttered, blushing furiously at Adrienne's implications.

Adrienne laughed. "As my friend Erin so tactfully stated," she said, earning a glare from Erin, "you are a bit of a legend to us. It is an honor to meet you, my lord Aragorn."

Aragorn frowned a little. "A legend? Are you travelers from the North, perhaps?"

Adrienne cast a questioning glance at Gandalf, who nodded slightly. Aragorn saw the exchange, but said nothing. "Um, well, not really." Adrienne said, finding herself suddenly at a loss as to how to continue.

"We're from a completely different world," Erin said simply.

"The Undying Lands?" Aragorn asked.

Erin grimaced a little in frustration. "Sort of, but our world is not on Arda. In our world, the tales of Middle Earth and the Undying Lands and all the others are thought of as fiction. The man who wrote about them, J.R.R. Tolkien, was thought to have made them all up. We didn't know they were real until we arrived here."

"How did you come here, then?" Aragorn still seemed confused.

"We're not sure," Adrienne said.

"'Twas the work of the Valar themselves," Gandalf answered in a reverent voice. "I heard their Song when the girls appeared."

Aragorn bowed his head. "They have not yet deserted us, then. 'Tis a ray of hope in these dark times."

Erin, Adrienne, and Megan too seemed similarly awed by Gandalf's revelation. Kavila, however, was quite lost. "Who are the Valar?" she asked.

Before either Gandalf or Aragorn could attempt to explain, Erin spoke. "They're some of the gods of this world, Arda. At the highest point there is Eru, Iluvatar, who is like God or Allah. Then there's the Valar, who were created by Eru. And next there are the Maiar, who are similar to but less powerful than the Valar."

Kavila nodded. She still didn't seem to have fully comprehended it, but she had the general idea. "You seem to know much of Arda," Aragorn said.

Erin bowed her head in acknowledgement of the compliment. "Yes, there are some very detailed and informative books in our world that tell of Arda's history. That's how we know about you, and how we knew about the Battle of the Pelennor Fields."

"You knew how it would end?" Aragorn asked.

"We knew how it ended in the books. We did not know if that was the way it would end here," Erin answered cautiously.

Aragorn nodded a little, pondering her words. "Come," he said finally. "Though it seems no introductions are needed on my part, I still do not know your names."

Adrienne introduced herself quickly, and then pointed to her friends. "This is Megan. She hasn't said anything yet, but even if she had, you probably wouldn't have heard it because her voice is so soft. She is a good healer though…I bet the two of you can become good friends. This is Sarah, and that's Kalva. They're madly in love, but won't admit it. Erin's the one who's been doing all the talking. She's the resident Middle-Earth expert among us. This is Kavila. She's absolutely terrified of anything that's longer than a kitchen knife, which is why she joined Megan as a healer." Aragorn smiled mischievously, drawing Anduril partway out of its sheath. Kavila's eyes went wide.

"Don't you dare draw that thing in here!" she shrieked. "I don't care if you know how to use it, it can still poke somebody's eye out!" Everyone but Kavila shared a long laugh, while she glowered at each of them in turn.

"And this must be Vilad the swordmaster." Aragorn said, glancing at the single unconscious form. "Gandalf has told me your names and deeds, but I had no faces to match them to." He moved to Vilad's bedside, removing the blankets and examining his wounded leg.

"There's nothing you can do, my lord," Kavila said softly. "The healers have set and bandaged it. All that's left is waiting for it to heal."

"Perhaps I might lessen that wait," Aragorn answered as he removed the bandage, probing the wound. "'Tis the least reward I might give for such valor."

This time Erin spoke. "He would want you to save your strength for those who need it more, my lord." Aragorn looked up as she continued. "I am sure there are others more grievously hurt. You should go to them. Perhaps there will be time for talk later."

Aragorn rose with a sad smile. "Perhaps. Farewell, then. May we meet again." He and Gandalf turned and approached the door amid a chorus of goodbyes. As Aragorn was turning the handle Erin added, "Namarië."

Aragorn smiled, and Gandalf gave her a look that plainly promised a later discussion. Erin just grinned back as the door shut behind them.

"You were so flirting," Adrienne giggled.

"Was not!" Erin protested, laying back on her cot. "Somebody turn out the lights, please." Kalva obligingly rose and blew out the lamps, and the room's inhabitants sank back into sleep.

PRINCE Imrahil sent for Eomer; and he went down with him from the City, and they came to the tents of Aragorn that were set up on the field. And there they took counsel together with Gandalf and Aragorn and the sons of Elrond.

"My lords," said Gandalf, "listen to the words of the Steward of Gondor before he died: You may triumph on the fields of the Pelennor for a day, but against the Power that has now arisen there is no victory. I do not bid you despair, but to ponder the truth in these words.

"The Stones of Seeing do not lie, and not even the Lord of Barad-dur can make them do so. It cannot be doubted that when Denethor saw great forces arrayed against him in Mordor, and more still being gathered, he saw that which truly is.

"Hardly has our strength sufficed to beat off the first great assault. The next will be greater. Victory cannot be achieved by arms, whether you sit here to endure siege after siege, or march out to be overwhelmed beyond the River. I still hope for victory, but not by arms. For into the midst of all these policies comes the Ring of Power, the foundation of Barad-dur, and the hope of Sauron.

"Concerning this thing, you now all know enough for the understanding of our plight, and of Sauron's. If he regains it, your valour is vain, and his victory will be swift and complete: so complete that none can foresee the end of it while this world lasts. If it is destroyed, then he will fall; and his fall will be so low that none can foresee his arising ever again.

"Now Sauron knows all this, and he knows that this precious thing which he lost has been found again; but he does not yet know where it is. And therefore he is now in great doubt. For if we have found this thing, there are some among us with strength enough to wield it.

"But he is not yet sure," said Gandalf. "Indeed it can be used only by one master alone; and he will look for a time of strife, ere one of the great among us makes himself master and puts down the others.

"He is watching. His doubt will be growing, even as we speak here. His Eye is now straining towards us, blind almost to all else that is moving. So we must keep it. This, then, is my counsel. We have not the Ring. In wisdom or great folly it has been sent away to be destroyed, lest it destroy us. Without it we cannot by force defeat his force. But we must at all costs keep his Eye from his true peril.

"We must call out his hidden strength, so that he shall empty his land. We must march out to meet him at once. We must make ourselves the bait, though his jaws should close on us. He will take that bait, in hope and in greed, for he will think that in such rashness he sees the pride of the new Ringlord.

"We must walk open-eyed into that trap, with courage, but small hope for ourselves. For it may well prove that we ourselves shall perish utterly in a black battle far from the living lands. But this, I deem, is our duty. And better so than to perish nonetheless—as we surely shall, if we sit here—and know as we die that no new age shall be."

This then was the end of the debate of the lords: that they should set forth on the second morning from that day with seven thousands, if these might be found; and the great part of this force should be on foot, because of the evil lands into which they would go. And when they had reckoned up all their strength and taken thought for the journeys they should make and the roads they should choose, Imrahil suddenly laughed aloud.

"Surely," he cried, "This is the greatest jest in all the history of Gondor: that we should ride with seven thousands, scarce as many as the vanguard of its army in the days of its power, to assail the mountains and the impenetrable gate of the Black Land! If the Dark Lord knows so much as you say, Mithrandir, will he not rather smile than fear, and with his little finger crush us like a fly that tries to sting him?"

"No, he will try to trap the fly and take the sting," said Gandalf. "And there are names among us that are worth more than a thousand mail-clad knights apiece. No, he will not smile."

"Neither shall we," said Aragorn. "If this be jest, then it is too bitter for laugher." Then he drew Anduril and held it up glittering in the sun. "You shall not be sheathed until the last battle is fought," he said.

-Return of the King, J.R.R. Tolkien

BY NOON the next day, Erin felt ready to leave her bed. "I don't want to go far," she answered the protests of Kavila and Megan, who insisted she was not strong enough. "Just out to the gardens, to sit for awhile!"

"As long as one of us goes with you," Kavila countered, resigned to Erin's stubbornness. "But don't blame it on me when one of the senior healers starts chewing you out."

"When, not if? Such optimism, Kavila!" Erin laughed. "Come on, we need to lighten your mood!"

"My mood doesn't need any lightening." Kavila glowered as she moved toward the door. She pointedly ignored the incredulous look Erin gave her.

"Okay." Erin said in a long-suffering tone calculated to provoke Kavila's annoyance.

Kavila froze for a moment, her irritation plain. "Okay!" she mimicked. "You know, I don't have to take you outside!"

"Love you too," Erin said in a teasing tone as she opened the door and stepped through it, waiting for Kavila to follow. Kavila heaved a sigh and moved into the corridor.

It took longer than Erin had expected to reach the gardens, and she was struggling hard to hide her exhaustion by the time they came into view. A stone bench, carved with dancing, nymph-like creatures, had been placed next to the path just outside of the entryway.

"Let's sit for a minute," Erin suggested, ignoring the knowing look Kavila gave her.

Erin allowed her eyes to wander once she was seated. Leaves the color of spring lightly dusted the gnarled branches of the low-canopied trees, sheltering wildflowers of every hue that glinted like gems strewn among the soft, dew-kissed grass. Stone paths crisscrossed by threads of green wound their way among the slender trees, and in the distance Erin could hear water trickling in a fountain.

This gem of beauty set in the midst of charred grey stone and grim faces was a balm to Erin's heart. For a moment, she felt a pure serenity fall over her and hope was restored; the King was come, and all was not darkness and destruction. This garden and the peace it brought were the things they as free people fought to preserve, and to know that places such as this existed made even the dark times bearable.

After several minutes of rest, Erin felt her strength returning. She and Kavila rose, continuing down the path until they reached the fountain Erin had heard earlier. Seeing the wonder in Kavila's eyes at the fountain's beauty, she suggested they rest a second time, and Kavila complied without even inquiring about her friend's health.

The carved figure in the fountain was a boy, head tilted back as he merrily played a flute. The water spouted from the end of the flute in a graceful arch. "It looks like Krishna," Kavila whispered. She suddenly realized that it had been days since she had properly paid homage to her gods.

Erin smiled at her friend. "Go ahead," she said. "I'll rest here for a while."

Kavila nodded her thanks and faced the fountain, sinking down into a position of prayer in the soft grass. Erin turned around and faced the path, giving her friend some privacy as she joined her on the green carpet. She reveled in the near silence, letting it suffuse her being and calm her heart, giving her a peace she had not known in a long, long time.

For many years, Erin had felt a deep longing in her heart that she could not satisfy. It was always present, though it wavered in intensity. When she was with her friends it was at its lowest and most faint, but certain remarks, lines in a book, or scenes in a movie triggered emotions she could not suppress.

It had probably always been there, hidden inside her, but it was her discovery of the fantasy genre, both literary and cinematic, that ignited its spark into a bright flame. There were swords, and magic, and whole new worlds to explore with new cultures, even new languages. The characters were noble and courageous, their causes inspiring. And every time she finished a series, she would find herself nearly in tears with a longing to be in that world, to meet those characters, to live and fight under those kings and queens.

As the months passed and she devoured more fantasy series, her longing grew until it intensified into a cynicism and disgust for the modern world that she could not dismiss. Others were deemed "throwbacks" from the '60s, or the '20s; she was a throwback from the 1200s, when men still wielded swords and bows and lived by codes of honor. For most of her friends, the books and movies were merely entertainment; an enthralling read, or a few hours of gripping action. For Erin, however, the hours afterward were sometimes almost unbearable, especially when a theme involved the clash of technology and modernity against the ancient codes and lifestyles she so dearly loved.

She had always felt out of place in her world; she had never really wanted the futures that everyone looked forward to, or anticipated her life after college. It all seemed so predictable, so lacking in excitement and adventure. She would go to college, get a job, buy a house, marry, perhaps have children, retire, grow old, and die, just like everyone else. She knew that wasn't completely true; there were joys to be had in one's career and one's adult life. She might have found a loving husband, found activities to keep her busy, found a career that she enjoyed. But still…it wasn't the same.

Here in Middle Earth, she finally felt at peace. There was so much to learn here: so much history, so many languages, so many customs and cultures. This was exactly what she had yearned for throughout all those long nights when she had lain awake, struggling with her feelings. It was a dream come true in every way, one that she still marveled at.

While listening to the soft silence, Erin became aware of a voice, carried to her ears upon a soft breeze. It was a man's voice, musical in its timbre; at first she had mistaken it for an instrument. The sound grew closer; whoever it was, they were coming along the path.

"Follow what may, great deeds are not lessened in worth," the mystery voice was saying. "Great deed was the riding of the Paths of the Dead, and great it shall remain, though none be left in Gondor to sing of it in the days that are to come."

With a surge of excitement Erin realized exactly whose conversation she was eavesdropping on. She decided against alerting Kavila, who was still deeply entranced in her prayer. Instead, with a secret smile, she waited for the owner of the voice to come into view on the path.

The next voice, gruff in contrast, only made her more certain. "And that may well befall, for the faces of Aragorn and Gandalf are grave. Much I wonder what counsels they are taking in the tents there below. For my part, I wish that with our victory the war was now over. Yet whatever is still to do, I hope to have a part in it, for the honor of the folk of the Lonely Mountain."

Today was the day of the council where they would decide to march on the Black Gates, Erin realized. She only had a few days to recover, then. She would have to be careful about rationing her strength. There was no way she would allow herself to be left behind when the army left for the Morannon.

"And I for the folk of the Great Wood," continued the musical voice. "and for the love of the Lord of the White Tree."

Though the voices now fell silent, Erin could hear heavy footsteps along the path. Kavila finally came out of her mental trance, turning to Erin. "There's someone coming!" she said.

"I know," Erin answered with a smile.

Kavila's eyes narrowed. "You know who it—" The rest of her sentence remained unsaid as the mysterious people finally came into view. Kavila's eyes widened, and she gasped in awe. Erin couldn't hide her grin as she turned back to face the path where four figures had stopped in startlement at seeing the two girls.

The two shortest figures, pipes in hand, walked in front of the others. One Erin recognized as Pippin, which meant the other hobbit was Meriadoc Brandybuck. Perhaps a foot taller was the booted, bearded dwarf, Gimli son of Gloin. Only one was of normal height, and Erin recognized him immediately. The pointed ears, golden hair, and bow made his identity rather obvious. She had hoped they would run into him eventually, if nothing else than to see Kavila's expression. After all, Legolas had always been Kavila's favorite character in the movie.

"Legolas?" Kavila blurted looking as though she were about to faint (or go into hysterics). Erin watched with amusement as one thin, Elvish eyebrow rose delicately.

Erin rose to her feet stiffly, elbowing Kavila not so subtly as she did. She bowed as well as she could, saying, "My Lords Legolas, Gimli, Merry, 'tis a pleasure to meet you." She directed her gaze at Pippin, smiling. "I am glad you fare well after the battle, Pippin."

"You know each other?" Merry exclaimed indignantly.

Erin grinned again. "We stayed in Gandalf's room for a time. He was the first person we met here in Minas Tirith."

"You stayed in Gandalf's lodgings?" Gimli asked. "Whatever prevented you from acquiring your own room?"

Erin groaned. "Long story…why don't we go back to my room? You can meet my friends then," she said. "Besides, I think I'm ready to go back."

"Are you weak?" Kavila asked worriedly. "Did you overexert yourself?"

"Of course I'm weak, I lost a lot of blood!" Erin retorted. "However, I don't think I've overexerted myself…yet."

"You are injured?" Pippin inquired.

"Yeah…Orc blade in my side," Erin grinned ruefully. "That's what you get when you go into a battle after only a few hours of practice with a sword. I killed an Orc though."

"You fought in the battle?" Merry seemed stunned.

"Yeah. Kavila was here in the Healing Houses," Erin replied, and then her eyes widened. "I'm sorry, I've been impolite; I forgot introductions! I'm Erin, and this is Kavila." Merry, Legolas, and Gimli bowed their heads in acknowledgement. "Now, let's get back to the room. That cot sounds awful nice right now."

Legolas, who had been silent throughout the conversation, fell into step beside Kavila. Erin noticed his footfalls were conspicuously silent and light as he walked upon the grass.

"Lady Kavila, you seemed to know me before. May I inquire as to how?" he asked.

Kavila said nothing for several moments, still trying to find her voice amid the awe and confusion his presence created. "Um…well…I'm not…"

"It's part of that long story I mentioned," Erin cut in, saving Kavila from her embarrassment. "If you can wait until we get back to the room, my friends can help us tell it."

It didn't take long for them to reach the room. Erin was desperate not to show her weakness too much in front of these legendary folk and refused to slow her pace even when her knees became shaky and Kavila cast her worried looks. Well, what looks she could spare from the golden Elf-prince walking beside her. Erin smiled a little; this would provide many hours of laughter and teasing.

As they came within the shade of the Healing Houses, and then to the room occupied by Erin and her friends, she grew more and more excited. She couldn't wait to see her friends' expressions when they realized who had come to visit them. Kavila knocked quickly, then turned the knob and opened the door. Erin stepped inside. "Look who I found in the gardens!"

ADRIENNE'S foot was no longer throbbing. After a day's rest and the tender, loving care of her friends, not to mention the wonderful effect of those herbs Megan had been feeding her, the pain had receded to a dull ache. And so, Adrienne had tried to convince Sarah, Kalva, and Megan to let her out of bed. She was extremely envious of Erin being allowed out-of-doors. Unfortunately, her friends were proving stubborn.

"I just want to get out of this goddamn bed!" Adrienne fumed. "Five minutes! I'll lean on one of you! I'll wait until you can find me a crutch!" All three continued to shake their heads. "You don't know how frustrating it is to be kept in a bed for this long!"

"Adrienne, it hasn't even been 24 hours. The healers said you should keep off that foot for days. Plural," Megan replied in a soft but firm voice.

Adrienne knew she was being unfair to take her frustrations out on her friends, but she couldn't help it. They needed an outlet, and since she couldn't get out of this room, her only targets were her friends. "I don't care what the goddamn healers said! I want out, now!" she said, half-raising her voice. "I've had injuries in color guard, pretty bad foot injuries, and they haven't kept me out of school!"

Her friends exchanged looks, and Adrienne's ire rose at the suggestion of pity in their eyes. She decided to unveil her most potent weapon: puppy eyes.

Adrienne widened her deep brown eyes, her lip quivering as if she were about to cry. She tilted her head slightly so that she was looking up at her friends, eyes watering. Altogether, she made a most pitiful picture.

Megan and Sarah averted their eyes, trying unsuccessfully to suppress smiles. Kalva met her gaze evenly, moving to her bedside. "Adrienne? Is something wrong?"

"I need to get out of this bed," Adrienne said in a quavering tone at exactly the same moment that Sarah replied, "No, there's nothing wrong. Adrienne's just pulling her puppy eyes on you. Don't give in, Kalva."

Adrienne almost ruined her carefully constructed image by glaring at Sarah. However, at that moment the door opened, and Erin stepped inside. "Look who I found in the gardens!" she exclaimed, stepping aside as the door opened wider.

Adrienne's eyes were drawn immediately to the only normal-sized member of the group. Gracefully pointed ears peeked from a long mane of spun gold, framing delicate features and startling green eyes that met hers for a moment as they took in the room. Adrienne was left with the uncomfortable feeling that her very thoughts had been read. There was only one person this could be.

The much shorter figure at Legolas' side was also easily recognizable; after all, there was only one dwarf in the city of Minas Tirith. Red-brown hair shrouded Gimli's face, braided into thick plaits that bounced against his robust, mail-covered chest as he walked.

Adrienne's gaze, however, quickly fell upon the two smallest figures. Nearly identical brown curls bounced about their ears and adorned their bare feet, though Pippin's hair was tinged with red. Both hobbits had brown eyes, which were trained on the floor ahead of them and the long, curved pipes protruding from their mouths. "Merry and Pippin!" Adrienne exclaimed with joy. She had always had a special place for these two hobbits, and that affection only grew as she saw them in person.

"You know us?" Merry asked just as Pippin said, "Good afternoon, Lady Adrienne." Merry gave Pippin an astonished look. "You know them?" And you didn't tell me? his gaze seemed to say.

"It's not like you've told me everything about your travels," Pippin retorted. "And besides, with all the other things going on, I think I can be forgiven for a slip of mind!"

Adrienne giggled at the hobbits' bickering, even as the others favored them with fond glances.

"I am grieved that you were injured, Lady Adrienne," Pippin continued. "How did you come to the fighting?"

Adrienne sighed a little, catching Legolas, Gimli, and Merry's confused looks. "I guess I'll start at the beginning…" she said, and all four gathered about her.

KAVILA could not stop looking at Legolas. He was like a god out of some forgotten mythology, with his beautiful hair, piercing eyes, and those ears! They were so cute!

She gave herself a mental shake. I barely know him! I shouldn't be thinking like this! Out of the corner of her eye, Kavila caught an amused glance passing between Megan and Erin. Damn, I'm never going to live this down, she thought with a private grimace. As long as they don't tease me in front of him… Kavila felt her cheeks burn at the mere thought of it and was glad of her dark skin.

At least Sarah couldn't say anything; if she did, Kavila could think of several embarrassing retorts to throw back. Sarah's affection for Kalva was becoming increasingly obvious, and increasingly frustrating to watch...well, some of the time. Mostly, it was just funny.

Adrienne, Erin, and Megan didn't seem to have found anyone to catch their eye yet, but Kavila sincerely hoped it would happen. It would be endlessly amusing to tease them about it, especially Erin, who wore her emotions openly upon her face. If she fell for someone, it would be easy to tell.

Not that Kavila had fallen for anyone herself. Legolas had always been her favorite character in the movies, and she admired him for many reasons. She wondered briefly if his archery skills were as good as his cinematic double's had been. She hoped so; that was one of the unique traits that had so fascinated her about the movie character.

Now she was meeting this idol in real life, in flesh and blood. It was almost too much to believe. No, she hadn't fallen for anyone, especially not him. She was just dealing with a serious case of hero worship.

Finally, Adrienne finished her tale. "You are brave women, Lady Adrienne and Lady Sarah, to face a Nazgul." Legolas said. Sarah hadn't heard, but Kavila noticed that Adrienne didn't correct the highborn title "Lady" and that Legolas cast Adrienne a warm smile. Anger rose in Kavila's heart. How dare Adrienne! She had no right….Kavila was about to say something when she realized the direction of her thoughts. That was enough to stop her tongue, so startled was she by the strength of her feelings. She was by nature a quiet, gentle creature. Certainly, she got angry sometimes, but never over something so petty as a well-deserved compliment.

"Thank you, my lord," Adrienne said. Legolas grasped her hand and smiled at her again. "I am Legolas," he said.

Kavila didn't get angry this time, although a part of her wanted to. She crushed it ruthlessly as Adrienne shifted on the bed, her face contorting in a grimace of pain. "Kavila, Megan, is it time for another dose of medicine?" she asked through gritted teeth.

"What time is it?" Kavila asked. Merry took out a small gold pocketwatch, and Adrienne almost squealed with glee. "You've got a pocketwatch! That is so cool!"

"'Tis half past one," he answered after a quick glance.

Megan thanked him and moved to the bed. "The medication should have worn off about one," she said.

"It definitely wore off!" Adrienne retorted. "Get me another dose!"

"Yes ma'am!" Megan answered and retrieved the different herbs and potions. Kavila began removing the bandage. "Be careful, though," Megan warned. "You know what they say about pain medication."

"What do they say?" Legolas asked.

It's dangerous if you take it for too long. You'll get addicted, and you'll have trouble stopping using it." Adrienne replied.

"I have never heard that," Legolas contended.

"Well, that's how it is in our world," Adrienne said. Suddenly she hissed in pain, and Kavila looked up from where she was changing the bandage on Adrienne's leg. "Sorry. I'll try to be gentle."

Legolas's hand came to rest upon Kavila's shoulder as he watched her work. "You are doing fine work," he complimented her as she cleaned and dressed the wound. "Did you have knowledge of healing before you came here?"

"Sort of…I was taking a class where we learned all the parts of the human body…the anatomy. It was anatomy class," Kavila said, cringing at how repetitive that sounded. "I wanted to be a doctor when I grew up."

"A doctor?" Legolas asked.

Kavila quickly realized her mistake. "That's our word for healers," she amended. "I got a lot of practice during the battle. Megan really knows what she's doing."

Legolas nodded and watched Megan for a while as she crushed and mixed herbs for her other two patients. Kavila felt keenly the loss of his gaze.

What is happening to me! Kavila's mind was whirling in confusion. I don't even know him! All I know is the Legolas in the movie. I admire him, but I don't know him. Besides, I could never actually marry him. My parents wouldn't let me. He's not Indian…he's not even human!

Suddenly Kavila realized what she had been thinking. Had she really been debating marriage? Once again, Kavila was glad of her dark complexion: her mind was reeling and her face burning.

The bandaging finished, the room suddenly seemed far too confining and close and the air hot. "I'm going outside for awhile," Kavila said, hurriedly leaving, ignoring the various concerned and amused looks directed at her retreating back.

Kavila wasn't sure where she was going when she first ran out of the Houses of Healing. She couldn't go back in that room, not after her unexplained escape. Indeed, escape was exactly the word for it; she didn't think she could have stood another minute in that room…with Legolas. That retarded Elf, he was the problem! She was confused and ashamed, lost in a maze of conflicting hopes and desires that left her dizzy.

Suddenly she knew where to go: the inn. Legolas knew that they had stayed in an inn, but he didn't know which one, so he couldn't seek her out there. Not that Kavila had any reason to think he would seek her out; more likely it would be one of her friends. For some reason, that thought depressed her. She shook it off and headed toward the third level.

Minutes later Kavila slipped inside the back door of the inn, quickly making her way to the room. When she entered, she was overjoyed to find her backpack with all the maps sitting against the wall. She opened it and pulled out her physics book, her aversion to the subject forgotten. It was a bit of home, however distasteful the memories it summoned were.

Kavila flipped through pages she had nearly memorized during countless hours of studying until she came to the sections she had not yet learned. She bent her head and began to read.

Physics was, while often difficult to grasp, a study of rules: laws, equations, and formulas that could not be lightly disregarded. So unlike life, with its emotions and unexpected situations. There were no laws to guide the heart, no formulas or equations to identify the perfect husband, no matter what the horoscopes and love doctors said.

Kavila worked on her equations long enough to frustrate herself, effectively banishing the image of Legolas from her mind. Sometimes, no matter how many times she read through a passage or reworked a problem, she just couldn't wrap her mind around it. This was one of those times, and now there was no teacher around to explain it to her.

Kavila pushed back the chair with a growl, startled as it made a scraping sound against the floor instead of the soft rustle of carpet she had expected. With a jolt she snapped back to her surroundings. For a few minutes she had been back home at her desk, poring over the unfathomable text in a desperate attempt to prepare for an imminent test. But no; this tiny wooden table was not her desk, this cushionless seat was not her comfortable desk chair, and this hardwood floor was not her soft brown carpet. She was far from her home and its comforts.

Suddenly the homesickness crashed down on her. She missed it all so much: her family, her Indian friends, her dance classes…it all seemed so far away, so unreachable. Before she realized it, the tears were streaming down her cheeks.

Kavila stood up after several minutes of crying, quickly wiping the tears away. Kavila, now is not the time for an emotional breakdown. You will get home someday. Gandalf is a wizard; he can figure it out. Amid all the chaos and constant work of the past five days, she had managed to push away all thoughts of home. Her fears and the presence of her friends had distracted her from the loneliness.

That was what she needed now: a distraction. The face of Legolas appeared once more in her mind's eye. No, not that kind of a distraction, she fumed at herself. Damnit, Kavila, get yourself under control! You don't even know him!

Kavila realized with a small shock just how true that statement was. All she knew of him she had learned from the movies, but as Erin had so often reminded her, they deviated from the books—and from real life, it seemed. Erin would be a good source for that information…Erin, however, was currently in the room with Legolas. Kavila tried to remember what she knew: he was an elf, and thus immortal…but she had no idea how old he was. He was extremely good at archery and with knives. And hadn't Erin said he was a prince…the Prince of…of…Mirkwood, that was it! Mirkwood…Kavila wondered where in Middle Earth that was. Perhaps Legolas too was far from home.

Clearly, Kavila needed to know more. She needed a map, and….well, after that, she wasn't too sure. But she could start with the map.

Kavila glanced over the maps of the city Gandalf had drawn. The wizard had marked a bookstore not too far away on the third level; there would probably be some maps of Middle Earth there.

With a resigned sigh Kavila rose and replaced the maps. It seemed this infatuation of hers wasn't going anywhere for a while. She'd just have to deal with it the best she could.

IT WAS MUCH later that afternoon when Gandalf returned from the meeting upon the Pelennor. He went to the Healing Houses, checking quickly on Faramir and Eowyn and somewhat relieved to find Merry gone from his room. On his way to the gardens, where he supposed he would find the hobbit, he decided to look in on the girls.

He was surprised to find Gimli, Merry, and Pippin laughing and talking with the girls when he entered the room. "Well," he said from the doorway, drawing nine startled glances. "I was merely returning to inquire if you girls might care to meet the rest of the Fellowship. It seems I have been pre-empted."

Erin laughed. "Kavila and I ran into them in the gardens."

"In the gardens?" Gandalf raised an eyebrow. "You were out and about today?"

"Yes. I'm still pretty weak, but the fresh air was good. Kavila supported me." Erin said.

"Speaking of Kavila, where has she gone?" Gandalf asked.

Adrienne smirked. "She all but ran out of here at about two o' clock. Legolas left to look for her an hour ago."

Both of Gandalf's eyebrows shot skyward. "Legolas?"

Megan was snickering. "Yes…it seems she has taken a liking to him."

"And then Megan decided to play matchmaker and send Legolas after her," Erin added.

Gandalf's grin could not be restrained. Megan shook her head in mock resignation. "First Sarah, and now Kavila. Next thing it'll be Erin."

"Indeed!" Erin said sarcastically, even as Sarah sputtered her disagreement.

"Erin just has to remember not to make any moves on Aragorn," Adrienne said, ignoring the glare Erin sent her way. "I don't think Arwen would be happy."

By now, Gandalf had joined all the room's occupants in good-natured laughter.

"Pardon, but did Lady Adrienne just suggest that Aragorn is in love with the Elven Lady Arwen?" Pippin asked, clearly astonished.

Erin nodded. "Yep. Who knows, maybe if Sauron is defeated and Aragorn made king, there will be a wedding!"

"What is this talk of Aragorn and weddings?" came a musical voice from the doorway. Everyone looked up to see Legolas enter, Kavila clutching his right arm. Judging by her expression, she was not altogether happy to be led into the room on Legolas's arm. Immediately, amused glanced were traded throughout the room.

"Where did you find her?" Megan asked.

Legolas smiled at Kavila, even as she turned away in embarrassment. "I found her in a bookstore on the third level, reading one of those dreadful volumes on Elves that are written by men who know nothing of the subject."

Everyone in the room laughed. "What?" Kavila glared back. "I was just trying to see if Tolkien had it right!"

Erin shook her head in mock puzzlement. "Why not just ask Legolas yourself? I bet he knows the answers to all your questions, and can explain them far better than whatever book you were reading."

Kavila decided glaring was only going to make everyone else laugh harder and resigned herself to weeks of relentless teasing. Legolas led her towards the sole unoccupied chair, which she fell into with a weary sigh. Suddenly she realized Legolas had no seat. She rose to offer him her chair, only to find that his hands on her shoulders were preventing exactly such a move. When she looked up at him in protest, he smiled. "Stay. The lady should have the seat." Then he gracefully sank onto the floor just in front of the chair, the fluidity of his movements reminding Kavila of a cat. Her heart gave a leap when he leaned back into the support of the chair leg. No, she told herself firmly. I will not give in. I will not set myself up for heartbreak. Nothing good can come of this. He would never return my feelings.

Adrienne watched the scene play out before her with a mixture of amusement and sadness. Even if Legolas shared Kavila's feelings and even if they found happiness together, it would be brief, and sorrow would come in the end greater than in any human relationship. Adrienne didn't think Kavila realized that Legolas would not become mortal like Arwen. Kavila would eventually die, and Legolas would live on. Even Erin didn't have an explanation for that, but it was the precedent that history had set.

Adrienne was jerked from her melancholy thoughts when Legolas spoke up with a serious topic. "Gandalf, pray tell what decision was made upon the fields?"

Everyone in the room fell silent, the girls knowing what would happen, and the others waiting expectantly to hear the wizard's reply. Gandalf smiled sadly. "A force of seven thousand will be gathered, to ride against the Black Gates."

A brief wave of relief went through Adrienne; all was going as the books described.

"Seven thousand?" Kalva exclaimed. "I know little of strategy, my lord, but that seems far too few."

"We do not ride for victory." Gandalf replied enigmatically. Erin spoke into the sudden silence.

"When are we leaving?" she asked, voicing Adrienne's sentiments. She was already impatient to be off. There had never really been any doubt in her mind that she would see the Battle of the Black Gates. She would see the fearsome Eye, the fiery Orodruin, the insurmountable Morannon, and she would watch them topple before the strength and determination of two brave halflings. She would stand with the Men of the West, with the King of Gondor, against the Enemy.

Gandalf looked surprised. "You five girls have done more than enough. You need place yourselves in no further danger, certainly not in the service of a land to which you owe no allegiance."

"We don't owe Middle Earth any pledge of allegiance, but we love it more than the country that does hold our oath," Adrienne retorted. "You might as well accept it, Gandalf. We're coming with you, even if you tie us up, stuff us in a sack, and beg the Valar themselves to take us back!"

But Gandalf shook his head. "Kavila, Megan, and Sarah may come if they choose, but you two will not. You cannot fight if you are unable to walk," he said, giving Adrienne's foot a pointed glance.

The two girls shared a desperate look. "Gandalf, no! We're coming, whether you like it or not! You know as well as we do how important this battle is! It's history in the making! You can't keep us away!" Erin exclaimed, as she realized what Gandalf was about to do.

"I most certainly can," the wizard said in a stern voice. "You two are not fit for battle." Adrienne felt despair overwhelm her as Gandalf's next words fell, a deathblow to her dreams. "I forbid you to go."

He might have said more; if he did, Adrienne was too caught up in her disbelief, anger, and overall her crushing misery to hear it. For days she had been anticipating this battle, and now Gandalf had forbidden her to go because of a leg injury! She glanced at Erin, who was still depressed by Gandalf's pronouncement. Apparently Erin had resigned herself to their fate. Not I, thought Adrienne, as her anger rose, and her determination along with it. I will see this battle!