Hello, I can't believe that it is chapter three already. This one is kind of long, but it is the first meeting between Cahira and some of the other major characters, so I'm excited
Part 3: Leaving Home and the Entry into Rohan
Hawkmoon returned to the Eyrie as soon as she could call Freyr to fly her home. Because Gandalf bid her to make haste to the land of the Horselords and he insisted that she was needed, Cahira began her preparations for her journey. She went to the wooden chest at the foot of her bed and carefully unwrapping her father's bow and long knives, given to her by Celeborn after her father's death. Thoughtfully, she cleaned each weapon before slinging them into the sheathes across her back. She made her way into her stillroom and gathered as much of the medicinal herbs, potions, salves, and bandages as she could carry in the pouches at her waist and in her rucksack. Before leaving the cave that had been her home for so long, Cahira's gaze swept from the rooms she used to share with her mother and that would now stand empty in the healer's absence.
She climbed to the cliffs above her home to the nest of Freyr and Landraiva, the Eagles who had watched over her since she was small. She wished to bid farewell to these kind souls both as an act of courtesy and as a safety precaution so that the rest of the Eagles in the Eyrie would be aware of where she was going and for what reasons she would be leaving her nest.
The journey away from the Eyrie began an easy one, taking her through territory she had long since been roaming. It was only after five days of running that she reached the edge of where she had travelled before. The terrain was no longer cold and rocky, giving way to hilly forests, and then flat plains. She was now in, if not completely unknown territory, at least unfamiliar lands. She continued her trek south, not sure what to look for, but knowing that continuing in this direction would take her into Rohan and closer to conflict. The healer began running cautiously, stopping more frequently to listen for enemies with her half-Elvin senses and watching for roving hordes of Wild Men or Uruk-Hai with her Eagle-sight makeup on. The villages that she passed were either abandoned or burnt to ash, all evidencing signs of violence and bloodshed.
One day, after avoiding a mounted Warg patrol, she stopped in the shadow of Fangorn Forest to rest, careful not to step within its boundaries. She was startled by the cry of a hawk. It drifted down from the trees and she held her arm aloft to allow it to settle.
"Hello, daughter of the Hawklord," it called. "I have news for you from the White Wizard Gandalf."
"Greetings to you, friend Hawk," she replied. "What news do you bring?"
"He bids you to hasten to Helm's Deep. You will be needed there." The bird of prey settled its feathers then continued, "When I flew over, there was a long train of refugees fleeing to the fortress."
"Things must be dire. I will run there as swiftly as I can. Thank you, friend Hawk."
The bird chirruped with pleasure. "It is my honor to aid the daughter of our friend Toreindel." Cahira smiled and launched her arm into the air, allowing the hawk to take flight.
She decided to skirt Fangorn Forest and ran with as much haste as she could safely manage. She found herself following the river. It led her parallel to the foothills, a path that was easy enough to follow, as she knew that Helm's Deep was built directly into the mountains. After a day and a half's journey, she reached a rise overlooking the valley and the fortress.
Helms's Deep was an impressive sight to behold, especially to one whose idea of a stone dwelling was a cave in the Eyrie. As Cahira wearily picked her way down the slope to the corpse laden valley below, she could not help but notice the gaping hole in the Deeping Wall of the Hornburg. The healer could not fathom what black magic could have caused such destruction. The ground beneath her feet was soaked with the blood of the Uruk-Hai, foul creatures begotten beneath the shadow of the White Wizard's tower. The stench made her eyes water and as Cahira wiped the moisture away, her keen half-Elvin eyes were drawn to a group of horsemen riding down the long causeway that marked the entrance of the massive fortress.
Keeping her movements still and nonthreatening, Cahira halted and stood waiting for the riders to approach. There were eight riders in all, clad in the livery that marked them as under the command of the third Marshal of the Mark. They slowed their horses and stood them in a line, blocking Cahira's sight of the Hornburg. "Who are you, stranger, and what cause has you to come to this valley?" demanded the rider at the head of the group.
"I am Cahira Hawkmoon, healer, and I was called here by the wizard Gandalf," she replied.
"Why should we believe that Gandalf the White called you here? It is more likely that you are a spy of Saruman," declared another of the Riders.
Cahira could only release her breath in exasperation. "I can prove that I am not a spy of Saruman." She slowly put her hands up to her hair and pulled it back from her ears, revealing the tapered points that spoke of Elvin blood. "What elf do you know of that would willingly link themselves to the cause of the traitor Saruman?"
Only two days had passed since the men had witnessed an army of Elvin archers from Lothlorien come to their aid, and they could not find it within their hearts to continue their interrogation of what seemed to their eyes an oddly attired elf. Cahira herself was aware of the fact that these Riders thought her to be a full blood elf, but she decided that it would be better for now if she continued with the charade. One of the younger riders, a blonde youth who introduced himself as Anund offered her a perch behind him so that she would not have to walk the rest of the way, but Cahira refused, citing her lack of experience on horseback as reason enough not to ride. Anund was insistent that, as a guest, she must not walk, but again Cahira denied his request by quietly informing the young warrior that she would not ride and furthermore that she was more than capable of running as fast as Anund's horse could canter, if only someone would take her pack.
The leader of this group of Riders, Hallvard by name, took the healer's pack upon his mount and the Rohirrim and the woman proceeded up the cause way and into the Hornburg itself. The Riders dismounted and they escorted Cahira to the great hall of the fortress. As they climbed the stairs that led to the hall, Cahira was horrified at the number of corpses strewn across the grounds and at the sorry state that the majority of the men seemed to be in. The wounded were left lying in corners and other out of way places so as not to block the passage of the people walking around, but the injured were in a sorry state, crying for water, food, medicine, or even loved ones. The lucky few had their women or children to tend to them, but the majority of the men were left with only their wounds, their thoughts, and any nearby comrades for company. Cahira's heart was sore as she entered the great hall, and she knew that even if Gandalf was not here to vouch for her presence, she would have to convince those in power here to let her aid them with her healing abilities.
Hallvard led Cahira to a small room off of the main hall and she was presented to the people within as "The Elvin Healer Hawkmoon". The first was the Horselord himself, Theoden King of Rohan. The tall man nodded in response to her bow of respect. Also in attendance was the Ranger and Heir of Isildur, Aragorn; Legolas Greenleaf, the Elvin prince of Mirkwood; and the dwarf Gimli, son of Gloin. Cahira felt a twinge of nervousness in the presence of such great warriors, but she knew that she was intended to be among them as a healer and that eased her mind. Lord Theoden professed great curiosity as to why she came to Helm's Deep and the others looked on as she explained that she was summoned by Gandalf from her home in the Eagles' Eyrie to Rohan. Cahira explained that she is a healer of great skill and that she has come to help those who lie wounded after the great battle that had happened two days hence.
Aragorn looked upon the contrasted nature of her Elvin and human features and felt a twinge of sympathy about the type of prejudice he knew she would endure while in the land of men, though he had to wonder at Gandalf's motives in calling her to aid Rohan when there was an entire House of Healing to call upon in the land of Gondor and the elves also had skilled healers among them.
Unaware of Aragorn's thoughts, Cahira continued her tale to Theoden about her journey and her reasons for leaving her home. The only obstacle she had to face was explaining why she let Hallvard and the other riders think her to be a full elf instead of a human-elf half breed. Fortunately, luck was on her side because before she had to offer an account of her actions, Gandalf entered the room.
The White Wizard strode towards her and placed his hands on her shoulders. "Thank you, Hawkmoon, for arriving as swiftly as you did. I was not expecting you until two days hence."
Blushing, Cahira replied, "You maintained that my skills would be needed urgently, so I hurried as fast as I could run."
"You have my gratitude, Healer. Your work lies outside." He clapped her on the shoulder and then gestured towards where the wounded men were laying outside of the main hall.
"I shall do my duty, sir." She bowed again to Theoden-King and then paced towards the exterior of the hall, passing a tall blonde warrior on the way out.
The warrior in question was Eomer, a Chief Marshall of the Riddermark. He lifted his eyebrow at her passage, take note of her unusual appearance. He took his place among the men inside before asking, "Who was that lady?"
Aragorn replied, "That is Cahira Hawkmoon, a half-elf from the Eagles' Eyrie. She was called here by Gandalf because of our need for a skilled healer."
"From the Eyries, you say? I had thought that only Eagles live there."
Legolas answered, "That is what is commonly thought, but on occasion, a rare number of beings are allowed to live in the cliffs along with the Eagles."
"I see." Eomer glanced at his uncle. "Is there a guide with her, to keep a close watch on her? We do not know this woman."
Theoden replied, "I have not sent a guide because she was referred here by the White Wizard. A ally of Gandalf should be trusted."
"That is what we thought of Saruman as well. I shall keep an eye on her as she works to cure our wounded." Eomer left the room in search of the healer.
Gimli began chuckling, and the others turned curious as to the source of his mirth. He wiped a tear from his eye, "Ah, younglings. It does not matter the race."
"What do you mean, friend Dwarf?" inquire Legolas. "Why would younglings and one's race matter?"
Theoden and Gandalf understood the jest and both exchanged glances. "What Gimli means," responded Gandalf "Is that young men of any race are always expected to feel curious when exotic young women appear."
Legolas' eyes widened in understanding and he too began to smile.
Eomer was unaware of his uncle and the other men's' banter at his expense because he was single-mindedly trying to catch up to the healer. He saw her crouched beside a man with a mass of rags wrapped around his head and his concerned wife. She had taken a small knife from her belt and was gently cutting the makeshift bandage away. Eomer inhaled swiftly when he saw the damage. The man's right eye was gone and there was a deep gash across the cheek. Hawkmoon gently laid a hand across the man's left cheek to settle him and then she reached into one of her belt patches and pulled out two bundles of herbs. The first one she mixed with water then mashed into a paste in her hand to rub across the man's wounds. The second bundle she handed to the wife. She gave some instructions and then patted the woman's hand before moving on to the next injured person.
He watched her move down the row of men propped against the side of the main hall. Some were alert and she could do her work and move on. Others were delirious with the pain and she would administer some herb or potion from her belt and they would slip into sleep. With the cases of an unfortunate few, she would whisper solemnly with any family or comrades nearby, giving them options. Those without anybody nearby, she would try to talk to. He was startled when one badly wounded warrior nodded weakly. She leaned down and kissed his bloody cheek before drawing another small knife from her belt, this one sharp and a bit longer than the herb knife. She rested it against the wounded man's throat. He lifted a trembling hand to cover her's and nodded once more. Before Eomer could shout for someone to stop her, she plunged it quickly and efficiently into his neck. The man died almost instantly.
The Marshal stomped to where she sat by the dead man and loomed over her. "What do you think you were doing, woman?" he asked angrily.
She looked up at him with grey eyes shining from unshed tears. "I was giving peace to a badly injured man. He would have died, but it would have taken a day or two, and he would have been in excruciating pain, no matter what I gave him to ease it. He asked me to do this, and as his healer, I complied."
"What right do you have to grant a mercy kill? You are not a fellow warrior!"
She sighed and then indicated her tattooed cheeks and the moon pendant on her headband. "I am a Healer, and that gives me a right to someone's treatment that supersedes all others."
Eomer's anger drained out of him as realization struck that she was not unthinkingly killing the wounded, but that she was acting within her rights and responsibilities as a healer. "I apologize, lady. That was ill-done on my part."
"It was, man of Rohan, but it was done with pure intentions. I must forgive that."
"I am Eomer, nephew to Theoden-King, and Third Marshal of the Mark."
"I am Cahira Hawkmoon, a healer and Eagle-friend. It is an honor to meet you, though I wish that the circumstances were better." Her glance towards all of the wounded and the damaged Hornburg spoke volumes.
'As do I, Healer. Are you in need of any assistance?"
She gave him an evaluating look. "Would you be comfortable taking orders from one such as me?"
He nodded.
"Then your assistance would be more than welcome."She indicated towards the other wounded strewn out around them. "We have a great deal of work to do."
Eomer worked for the next several hours, fetching water and cloth for bandages, holding down thrashing victims while Hawkmoon worked her craft, and comforting the families and friends of those undergoing the healer's ministrations. He also ordered some of the village folk who were loitering nearby to lend a hand, as they had no other tasks to attend to.
Time blurred. He remembered someone bringing a quick bite to eat and taking off his armor because it was inconveniencing his movement, but aside from that, the faces and cries of the wounded seemed never-ending, just one person after another. He worked side by side with however happened to be there, whether it be a village child or some warrior's wife, even the healer herself. Finally, he heard Cahira call to the helpers that they could take a rest and that there work was over for now. He saw her sitting on a rock and pointing to a place beside her. "Thank you for helping me," she said, after wearily taking a swig of water from a skin. She passed it to him and he gratefully accepted it, also taking a long swallow.
He heard someone calling his name, and he slowly turned his head to see his sister bounding down the stairs, holding her skirts up with one hand and a basket in the other.
"I brought you provisions, brother. You and the healer have been working all day and I am sure that you are exhausted." She set the basket down and lifted the cloth covering it to reveal bread, apples, and a small tureen. He blanched a bit at the sight of the tureen, but she scolded him. "I did not make the soup, so it is safe to eat."
"You have my thanks," pronounced Hawkmoon. "I confess that I am very hungry." She and Eomer tore into the food while Eowyn watched amused. Finally they finished, both satisfied with their full bellies. Eomer stood up and stretched at the same time as Cahira stood up to dislodge her ponytail from where she was sitting on it. He then brought Eowyn over to meet the healer properly.
"This is my sister, the Lady Eowyn," introduced Eomer. His hands were planted on his sibling's shoulders in an affectionate gesture. He looked down at the blonde woman. "Eowyn, this is Healer Cahira Hawkmoon."
The White Lady of Rohan took the chance to looked curiously at the oddly dressed woman in front of her, noting the leather chest and leg armor, the bow and quiver across her back, the long knives poking out from under the quiver, the bunches of herbs and small bags at her waist, and the long horsetail of dark brown hair; however, there was one trait that she found to be most peculiar and she asked, "What is that paint around your eyes? Is it an affectation of your people or does it have some significance?"
Cahira looked a bit taken aback at the question, but she grinned in a friendly fashion. "I believe that you are the first person to ask me that question. Most people I encounter remark upon the high slits in my tunic, then my cheek tattoos. My eye paint has been magicked so that I can see with the sight of an Eagle. I wear it when I travel, so as to be more alert. I confess that I forgot that I was wearing it."
Eowyn tilted her head to the side in a perplexed manner. "Why would you need Eagle-sight?" She waved at the healer's exposed pointed ears. "I can tell that you are of Elvin descent. Are not those senses keen enough?" Eomer shot a warning frown at her and tightened his hands on her shoulders.
The healer only laughed. "That is a valid question, but I am only half Elvin. The sight of an Eagle is far superior to even most full Elves."
Eowyn stepped forward and grasped Cahira's slender hands. "You should come with me. I am sure that you need cleansing after so lengthy a journey and after all of the hard work you did." Hawkmoon nodded and the two women walked back towards the keep, leaving Eomer to smile at the prerogative of women and how quickly they make friends with each other.