A new update! I didn't want to keep you all waiting. Without further ado: enjoy!
Chapter Four
It was customary in the Houses of Healing that after a Healer spent a week or more with patients they were allowed several days to themselves. It allowed them to keep up with families, if they had them, and attend to other personal matters, while leaving them refreshed and more able to deal with patients when they returned. During my days off I usually went to the market to get the food and other things I would need. I also cleaned my small home.
When I had first arrived in Gondor, homeless and without any money to my name, a kindly, older, widowed Healer, Reallan, had taken pity on me and allowed me to stay at her home. We made an agreement that she would let me stay with her as long as I helped her with the housekeeping duties and anything else she might need. And so I lived with her until I had saved up enough money to purchase my own home.
My home was small, with only a kitchen and a bedroom with a tiny bathroom, but I was so proud of it. It had been my first adult purchase and I had felt as though I was finally grown.
Of course, I did not completely desert my old housemate and companion. I still helped her with the upkeep of her home and we shared a meal together whenever our schedules at the Houses allowed. Reallan had become my adopted grandmother in Minas Tirith.
On my first days off after Lord Boromir had arrived I took care of my own home second and went to Reallan's first. I had purchased some food items for her and stocked them in the cupboards before dusting, sweeping the dirt from her floors, and wiping down her kitchen.
My days ended much too soon for my liking and on the morning of my first day back I rose from my bed reluctantly. After I washed and dressed I braided my long, auburn hair and then wrapped it around and around so it would not be in the way of my work. Placing a book in my bag I hauled it onto my shoulder and set out through the city to the Houses of Healing.
When I arrived I could hear shouting through the heavy door, which I pushed open quickly to discover what the disturbance in my usually peaceful environment was about.
"I have lain in the bed for nigh on two weeks!" Boromir shouted. "I am tired of it and I wish to get up and move about a bit!"
Reallan was standing resolutely by the bed, her gray hair falling from its braid and her hands on her soft hips. "I do not believe that you are ready for such an exertion, my lord."
Before Boromir could reply I dropped my bag with a thud. Both of them looked at me and Reallan came to me quickly. "Dear, he is your burden now; stubborn as an ox, that man," she muttered quietly.
"Well I shall see what I can do with him."
Reallan wrapped her cloak around her and gathered the rest of her things. "Oh Reallan, your cupboards are stocked and your house is clean," I said kindly.
"Oh thank you, dear." She kissed my cheek and then was gone, not being able to escape the Steward-Prince quickly enough.
I went over to Boromir's bed and put my hands on my hips. "What seems to be the problem, my lord?"
"I want to get out of this infernal bed," he said lamely and with much less gusto then before.
"Then get out of the infernal bed." I shrugged.
"But she said I could not." Boromir looked a bit bewildered at my comment.
"Ah, but she is not here any longer. I am and I think what the Lord wants the Lord Boromir should get." A bit of sarcasm crept into my voice.
He looked at me skeptically, unsure of how to respond to my tone. Instead of saying anything he pushed the sheets off of his legs and moved them slowly to the edge of the bed. As he stood I moved to stand near him, already knowing the outcome of his ill-fated attempt. Boromir went to take a step, but his legs were yet too weak to support him and I had to rush to brace him with my shoulder.
Groaning with the pain as I pushed him back upright and then sat him down, Boromir didn't say a word. I was sweating from the exertion of catching the large man as I silently moved his legs back onto the bed and covered him up. He crossed his arms over his bandaged chest, his pride stinging, I would imagine.
I went to work at the medicine counter as though nothing had happened. I rolled some bandages that Reallan had left unfinished and bundled some very valuable Athelas.
"You knew I could not do it," Boromir finally said, speaking more quietly than I had ever heard him.
"Perhaps, but you did not and what better way to learn your own limits, my lord?" I asked.
He remained silent and I pulled my book out and took a seat, having nothing more important to do.
"What are you reading?" Boromir asked. "A love story?"
I scoffed and lowered the book. "Hardly, my lord. It is a volume on the history of your proud city."
Boromir raised his eyebrows. "I could probably recite that for you."
"That is quite alright. I'd much rather read it myself, my lord." I tiled the book back up and Boromir was silent for a while, but it would seem that he could not hold his tongue for long.
"Why are you reading that? Surely there are more interesting books in my father's library." He continued to watch me.
"I am sure there are, my lord, but I felt that I should learn the history of my new home." I laid the book on my lap and looked at him.
"So you do not intend to return to Bree, then?" He inquired.
"I would not thing so," I replied.
"Why not?" Lord Boromir could have matched a five-year-old in his ability to question everything.
"My lord, I thought there was a strict code of propriety in Gondor. Does that not involve not prying into others' business?" I looked at him with a cheeky grin.
"Forgive me," he smiled softly at me. "I am only curious about the woman who saved my life."
"My lord, I did not save your life." I picked my book back up, but before Boromir could speak again or I could get very far in the book a couple entered the Houses and I turned to see Dirwen being supported by her young husband, Brydda.
"Oh Lindy, I am so glad it's you. I did not wish for anyone else when this happened," Dirwen said.
"Let us get you into a room," I said opening a door to a private room. Her husband paused when he saw Boromir.
"My lord," he said bowing deeply. "It is a comfort to see you again."
Before Boromir could respond to the flattery I pulled Brydda back to his senses. "Perhaps you can keep Lord Boromir company after your wife is settled in."
The man shook his head and went back to helping his wife into the room and onto the bed. He looked frightened as I escorted him to the door. "Do not fret. I will take good care of her," I promised. The man nodded and I closed the door, returning to Dirwen.
It was only the third baby I had delivered and it was by far the most difficult labor, as she was a new mother. After many house, I left the private room to inform Brydda of the birth of his son.
"Congratulations, Brydda!" Boromir exclaimed, reaching out to clap him on the back.
"Thank you, my lord," Brydda said before rushing off to see his wife and son.
It was then that I noticed the goblet in Boromir's hand. He must have asked Brydda to retrieve it for him. "What is that, my lord?" I indicated the goblet.
"A little wine. We were celebrating his good fortune." Boromir shrugged.
"That is for anesthesia and we do not have much left, my lord," I said slightly irritated.
He chuckled. "I will get you more." I sank into a chair, wiping my hands on my apron. "You look exhausted," he stated.
"Birthing a baby is exhausting work. Have you ever done it, my lord?" I asked with a weary smile.
"I cannot say that I have. Have you?" He asked. In Gondor, it was extremely inappropriate to talk about pregnancy or childbirth, especially with a man, but Boromir was drunk so I let the conversation go on.
"I have not, my lord," I replied.
"So your name is Lindy, you hail from Bree, and you have no children. That is all I know of you," he murmured drowsily.
That was all he would know has the wine put him to sleep.
There you go! I hope it was enjoyable! I have no idea what it going to happen in the next chapter, let me know your ideas! I love reviews!
Happy reading,
Avonmora