A/N: Thanks again if you've reviewed this story! You really made my day!
Now, I'd like to address a few issues raised in a review. Firstly, I know that the Elves didn't actually go toHelm's Deepin the book, but I decided to include it to work Mathas' characterinto the story. I alsoknow that not all Elves in Lorien are blonde. I didn't intend to give that impression, and if I did, believe me it was unconsciously done. Thanks for the points about Elves' characteristics though. I'll take those into account if I should ever writea story like this again.
And hey... artistic license, right?
Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 5: The Healers'
It was half an hour and several rests later when Theodred finally arrived at the top of the stairs.
"I thought soldiers got a lot of exercise," Mithra said as he sat down heavily. "You're supposed to be fit as a fiddle."
"I thought I was," he replied in-between massaging his sore leg muscles. He laughed bitterly. "Those stairs would put any athlete to shame."
"Oh, you'll get over it," she said, taking his hand and pulling him to his feet. "Just like Boromir did."
Theodred glanced at her in interest. "Boromir was here?"
"Yes, he came with a company from Rivendell. Do you know him?" Mithra chose not to mention the news of Boromir's recent misfortune on the slopes of Amon Hen.
"He is a good friend of mine, once we can get the idea of a politically advantageous marriage of him to my cousin out of the way. He's an admirable man." He grinned at her. "I'm surprised he wasn't as enchanted by your looks as I have been."
"I didn't say he wasn't." Mithra was smiling shyly. Mere memories of some of Boromir's compliments brought tears of mirth to her eyes. She tried not to remember several of the situations that had occurred after being left alone with him. "Come on, the healers' is just along here."
She pushed open the door of a large wooden building built, like everything here, Theodred thought, around the tree. The room they entered was bright and airy, with what looked to be more windows than walls. What little wall space there was in the circular chamber was taken up by shelves groaning under the weight of carefully arranged medicines. A fair-haired male Elf robed in pale blue was stood at one of the many windows.
"May I help you?" he asked. His voice was slow and calm, like almost every other Elf here. Theodred was glad Mithra, his only companion, happened to be one of the exceptions. Hearing those almost inhuman voices made him want to scream at the speaker to talk normally.
"This is Theodred, son of King Theoden of Rohan," Mithra said. Theodred winced as she gave his full title. "He was found in the woods and has recently been granted permission by the Lord and Lady to stay here." She paused momentarily and cast him a sideways glance. "However, he does not appear to be in the best of conditions."
"Very well," the healer said, bowing his head. "Please be seated." He motioned towards a wooden stool beside one of the windows. "And that'll have to come off," he added, glancing at the armour Theodred was wearing.
After unbuckling the heavy breastplate, the man let out a sigh of relief. He was familiar with the floating sensation after removing armour worn for some time.
The healer eyed Theodred's bandage distastefully. "I presume this dressing was not applied by a healer?"
"I did it myself," Theodred told him.
"Hmmm… I wonder, might I ask you to remove your shirt?"
"Sorry?" Theodred cast a shy glance at Mithra, who stood by the door watching the proceedings with clear amusement written on her features. The Elf saw him looking.
"Mithra," he said. "I fear I may have to ask you to step outside. This brave soldier is clearly unnerved by the presence of a female."
This received a dark look in reply from the prince, but he pulled off his thick leather tunic, then his shirt wordlessly.
"Ah, I spoke too soon." The healer exchanged glances with Mithra; they both knew the trick had worked on the Men and Hobbits that were Mithra's previous charge.
The healer, Rumanas by name, lifted the blood-stained linen bandage and peered at the wound underneath. "It's notthat bad," he said, prodding the area gently. Theodred gasped and swore violently under his breath. He heard Mithra stifle a giggle and glanced across the chamber at her. She quickly averted her eyes, her cheeks reddening at an alarming pace. She was not unaccustomed to attractive men, but Theodred's refined muscles and handsome face had struck a chord somewhere inside her and, try as she might, it was getting incredibly difficult to tear her eyes away from his half-undressed body. She pretended to stare out of the window, still able to feel his gaze on her back.
He was distracted, however as Rumanas laid a deep bowl of water on a table beside him and threw two small leaves into it. Immediately, a refreshing and invigorating scent filled the room. Mithra breathed in deeply, familiar with the medicinal qualities of Athelas.
"I may not be a King," Rumanas said, "But this will help the slight infection, no doubt."
Dipping a thick wad of cotton into the water, the healer bathed Theodred's shoulder with it gently. Hold this in place for me, would you Mithra?" he asked.
"Hmmm?" she looked up quickly as she heard her name. Sighing, the healer repeated the question. "Oh!" she exclaimed. "Yes, of course!"
Hurrying across the room, she took hold of the cotton and continued to bathe Theodred's shoulder with it. He grinned up at her.
"You've gone quiet all of a sudden," he told her. She ignored him, but a tingle ran down her spine as her fingers lightly brushed him skin.
"That's good, Mithra," the healer said. "Just hold it there a little longer." He returned and unscrewed the lid of a jar of ointment. Motioning to Mithra to move the cotton, he rubbed it into the wound, after saying, "This may sting a bit."
Mithra had smiled at hearing those infamous words, but Theodred swore again. "It's ok for you," he muttered, "You're not having this gunk rubbed into your bloodstream."
"You'll need to repeat this process once a day for a fortnight," Rumanas said. Mithra and Theodred exchanged amused glances; fortunately, he had not heard. "Will you make sure that happens, Mithra?" Rumanas asked.
Mithra grinned, her green eyes never leaving Theodred's. "Oh, I'll be glad to."
She stifled her giggles at the look of pure loathing in his eyes. He continued to glare at her as he pulled his shirt on again and fastened up his tunic.
"You can go now," Rumanas said.
"Good," Theodred said. "Now you can show me to my room, Mithra. It's near yours, isn't it?" he added.
"Quite near," she said quietly. Her mood had shifted at the reminder that Theodred was to use the chambers that had once been occupied by Mathas.
"Then I hope I'll see more of you," he said, grinning in an attempt to cheer her up.
"Perhaps," was the distant reply.
Swinging his heavy breastplate by his side, Theodred thanked the healer and followed Mithra back along the path they had already walked.
Rumanas watched them go, smiling knowingly. He saw the prince of the Rohirrim be the first to speak, his eyes earnestly seeking out Mithra's, but, smiling shyly, she turned away. A sudden thought struck him, and he stood still on the threshold for a moment, pondering the best course of action to take. Coming to a decision, the healer pulled the door closed behind him and struck a course for the stairs, and the chambers of the Lady Galadriel.
A/N: I've just realised how slowly this story is moving. Apologies, it gets more interesting soon, I promise! Please keep reading and reviewing!
the green lama