Scars 26- Fallen Hope
Disclaimer: This story is being written for enjoyment only. I do not own any of Tolkien's characters.
Author's Note: Thank you all once again for your kind words! They, as always, are greatly appreciated. I've posted chapter 26 tonight. It is a short one, but it lays some of the groundwork for future events. I apologize, however, because it does not contain any mention of the past as I thought I would get back to with this chapter. I've been swamped at work and with family events, which I've been totally enjoying, so I haven't had any time for writing or much time for reading lately . I did find some quiet time tonight, however, while my husband and kids were busy getting ready their Mother's Day preparations to do some writing (my present to myself). So please consider this short excerpt a Mother's Day present whether you are a mother or not. I hope you enjoy it. :)
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For you were made from dust and to dust you will return. (Genesis 3:19)
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"Near?" The Elf questioned anxiously as his head began to turn from side to side in mounting frustration. "But I cannot find him…Where…where… where has he gone to?"
"Hush now, Legolas… For you cannot help him at present. You must rest yourself, my friend, if you are to recover… Do not fret so… Be still…"
Ignoring Elladan's request, the Elf beckoned wildly. Where are you, Estel? I cannot find you…" Legolas gasped one final time before succumbing to the war that waged inside himself, and he slipped back into unconsciousness once again.
Feeling the Elf grow slack in his arms, Elladan held his friend within the comfort of his embrace before laying him back to rest upon the ground beneath him while responding. "Rest easy, my friend."
Then looking longingly towards the one, whom Legolas had just called out to, Elladan inquired tearfully. "Yes, Estel , where are you? Where do you travel to that I cannot follow? And why…why have you set off upon this path alone, without me again, like you did all those many years ago?"
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"Estel?" An approaching voice questioned as Halfdan arrived carrying an armful of kindling with which to stoke the dwindling flames of the dying camp fire.
Though endowed with the keen hearing of the Eldar, Elladan was so caught up in the scene now in front of him that he started at Halfdan's unexpected inquiry.
The Ranger elaborated further as he continued adding more of the wood he had gathered to the reviving assemblage. "You've used that word quite frequently when in conversation with Strider. What does it mean? I am unfamiliar with such a term."
Elladan hesitated warily as he watched the Human add the last of the timber he carried to the enlivening flames before straightening once more to brush his hands clean then doing likewise to his garments to rid them of any remaining bits of debris.
"It means Hope," The Elf spoke out at last .
"Hope?" The Ranger questioned.
"Yes." Elladan answered, his voice roughened with emotion.
"But it is as if you call him thus, refer to him as such in speech ?" Halfdan continued on.
"My people do…for we see him as bringing hope to others."
"Hope?" The Ranger spoke out again as he milled over this information in his mind until at last he resumed speaking. "Hope…, yes…My people see him as bringing thus too, for he has brought hope to many during these dark times through his leadership and guidance."
Elladan could only smile wanly at the Human's words as Halfdan went on to elaborate. "He is brave, the most imposing warrior that I have ever had the chance to fight beside, yet there is a gentleness about him too… a kindness of heart. During my brief years under Strider's tutelage, I have watched him with our Men; his healing touch with the many who have been injured in combat and with those, whom he could not save…" Halfdan's voice cracked before he finished. "…He has left none of the fallen to torment, but has stayed behind with them as he sent the rest of us ahead, leaving himself alone and vulnerable to the dangers still present until our comrades passed on into the afterlife."
"Yes, that sounds like Estel…" Elladan murmured distractedly.
"I, myself, have been beneficiary to his compassionate nature. A few months back many of my contingent, myself included, fell ill with the Marsh Malaise. It spread through our group like wildfire. Strider was able to aid most with his learned techniques, but no Man, no matter his healing prowess, stood the chance of eradicating fully its sweeping effect. The ramifications of the disease were devastating and unfortunately there were a few of us who succumbed to its grasp and slipped beyond the veil, my dear friend , Acton, being one of them. I, myself, lingered for days in the haze of delirium and debilitating pain. Yet Strider never left my side, or any of the others in his care. Whenever my eyes were to open, I found him there beside me, encouraging me to drink more of the Willow bark tea he had brewed or doing his best to ease the lingering discomfort brought on by the illness. It was not until I had turned the bend along with many of the others that we at last discovered he suffered with the malaise as well. That he had put his needs aside to care for the rest of us."
"And so he has done again…" Elladan lamented.
"How does he?" Halfdan retorted expectantly gesturing towards Aragorn's still form upon the foreground. "Will he survive this trauma?"
Elladan mournful eyes zeroed in upon the hopeful countenance of the Human before him. For long seconds his astute gaze studied the earnest features of this young Ranger deciding how he should answer his inquiry. To provide him with the truth would foster the return of the others within his contingent. For once given the news of his brother's failing health, Halfdan would be obligated to report back to his fellow Rangers the likelihood of their leader's impending death. Yet in his heart, he knew he could not provide this Man with some falsehood, with the hope that Estel was once again on the mend. For, during these intimate moments of conversation and through the few preceding days of their short acquaintance, he had come to acknowledge that Aragorn's men, Halfdan especially, held his brother in high esteem. They had the right to know that the one, whom they called Strider, was possibly close to death even if it would bring their numbers surging back in droves to keep vigil over their Chieftain, and take away from himself these last moments alone with the Human he had come to love as a brother.
Answering truthfully Elladan replied, "It does not look good."
Caught off guard by this grim news, Halfdan stumbled on , "Then he will…you expect…he will succumb?"
Elladan nodded gravely. His eyes tearing up as he heard the awful disclosure put to words again cutting his heart to shreds.
Halfdan's dark eyes mirrored his own now with heavy emotion as he inquired further. "How long…how much longer does he have?"
"That is not ours to determine...Only the Valar…" Elladan began until the power of speech escaped him as his voice choked up with tears. Finally regaining some modicum of composure he finished at last with. "I will stay with him however long it takes."
Halfdan only nodded his agreement, now at a loss for words."He is so pale…" The Ranger spoke out at last.
"He has lost a lot of blood, too much for his ailing body to compensate for."
"Then there is no hope that he will recover…" Halfdan muttered disheartened.
"There is always hope…" Elladan broke in as if by perforce, for such a heartfelt belief had long been indoctrinated in him by his father even when the world surrounding him proved bleak and without promise.
"Then there is a chance…" Halfdan began hopefully.
"If there is one, I shall not allow it to slip through my grasp." Elladan asserted vehemently.
"That is good. I shall hold onto such a belief then too!" Halfdan exclaimed before turning as if to depart. The raven-haired Elf was expecting the Ranger to report back to the members of his company and apprize them of the failing health of their Chieftain. The First Born was surprised, however, as he watched the Ranger drop down towards the ground beneath them as if to gather some discarded possession. Instead, the Human grasped a handful of earth within his weathered palm before turning towards Elladan again and asking, "May I?" Seeking closer proximity to the one he followed.
Though confused, Elladan stood aside allowing Halfdan admittance towards his brother, while the Human explained further the unusualness of his actions. "It has long been the practice of the people I was born to, to use the earth to treat one among us who is ill or has been hurt. For we believe our life blood once originated from its grace. It is our custom to apply its bounty to their flesh in the hope that its life giving force will be renewed within them. Though such a notion would most likely be considered silly by your kind due to your abundant knowledge in the arts of healing , this is something I would like do for Strider. I ask your permission now to apply some to my Chieftain's flesh."
Elladan was taken aback by the Ranger's odd request , but finding his voice he answered. "The customs of one race should never be considered foolhardy nor looked upon with disdain by another, for it is through our mutual understanding and sharing that we all shall benefit. I will not deny you what you ask. My bro…. Strider has been privileged in his lifetime to be associated with two great races."
Pleased by the Elf's answer, Halfdan moved forward and knelt next to his lifeless Chieftain. Using his free hand, he wet it with the water Elladan had been using to cool both his brother and Legolas before placing his dampened thumb towards the clump of earth he held within the palm of his other. Then extending his hand forward, he met with Aragorn's hollow face as his thumb traced a smudged path across one of the elder Ranger's heated cheekbones before withdrawing it and moving to do likewise to his other leaving behind a sienna colored streak upon Aragorn's flesh in his wake while uttering forth words in a dialect Elladan was unfamiliar with.
Rising upward, the Ranger did not discard the remaining soil he held within his claim, but gestured towards Legolas as well and stated. "I wish to do likewise to your ailing kin with your agreement of course."
Elladan only nodded before muttering astoundedly. "Yes, yes…please do so. He would be honored. For, our race has long held the earth and these woodlands surrounding us in high regard. It would please me for you perform such a ritual upon Legolas as well."
Complying with Elladan's wishes, Halfdan knelt beside the supine Elf and repeated the process. Legolas, unlike Aragorn, responded to the Human's touch. His head began moving from side to side with the contact before taking a deep, shuddering breath of inhalation drawing in the earthy scent being placed upon his pale countenance as the Ranger reiterated the same foreign words above him that he had used just a short while before over Aragorn.
When Halfdan was finished, Elladan drew towards his agitated friend placing his comforting hands upon archer's tense shoulders to still his flailing motions while urging reassuringly. "All is well, mellon nin. Be at peace, my friend. Halfdan has only gifted you with the scent and touch of the terra firma surrounding us. Breathe in its aroma, Legolas. Let it revive you…let it remind you of the world you have left behind and how it beckons out to you to return to us."
Legolas issued a small groan of pain, but said no more as his body complied with Elladan's instructions.
As Elladan finished tending to Legolas, Halfdan returned the remaining soil he held within his grasp back to the earth's possession. With Legolas stilling beneath his continued touch, Elladan moved his anxious gaze towards the Ranger again half expecting to see Halfdan moving off now towards the Men of his company to fill them in on Aragorn's weakening state. He was surprised, however, to find that the Human chose not travel towards his grouping, but proceeded forward for only short distance before halting as if to linger then finally settling himself down upon the ground to watch and wait.
Noting the First Born's confusion, the Ranger called out to him at last . "This night will be a long one. You will let me know if there is anything further I can do throughout it to assist you in easing their suffering."
Elladan only nodded his appreciation, realizing the great hardship the Ranger was taking upon himself, almost admittedly committing an act of treason against the Men he fought beside by withholding such vital information concerning their Chieftain's present health.
Turning to his brother, the Elf could only whisper starkly . "You have had a great impact upon all you've come in contact with during your lifetime. We linger beside you, brother, never wanting to be far from your side . Do not allow thus to happen, Estel! Fight hard, young one! Fight for all of us! "
Author's Closing Notes: Well if you've reached this point, then I thank you for reading chapter 26. I'm pretty sure some of the ideas I mentioned in this chapter probably don't coincide with Tolkien's ideas on the formation of the race of Men or Middleearth. My apologies, but when I was doing some research on symbolism and healing, I came across with the information that some ancient cultures practiced something along the lines as to what Halfdan performed in this chapter especially when the victim was suffering from blood loss. I found this idea very intriguing, and I decided to expand upon it in my own way in this chapter. As I said earlier, it will spur off some of the future events on what's to come especially with Legolas.
I will be getting back to Legolas' other realm excursion in the next chapter and I also hope to get back to the past with Elladan's musings as he tends to Aragorn too.
Thank you again to all for your continued support! Nerfernherder, your reviews especially keep me on my toes and I'd like to reassure you and answer your questions, but let's just say you've given me food for thought and in the long run some of what you hope for might come into play, though perhaps not as how you envisioned it.
Just to note too, as per Fanfiction Net's request to all authors, I've gone back and removed all the musical lyrics I used within this story and my other stories.
Until next time, Sue a.k.a Quicbeam1