Chapter 9
Lord Cadogan was in his study when a servant knocked on the door. The servant entered at his call, bearing a letter with him. Cadogan glanced at the seal–it was the Lord Steward's seal. What could the Steward of Gondor want from me? He wondered as he slit the letter open.
As Cadogan read the letter he became alarmed. His face paled and his hands started shaking. It said Eleanor was injured–badly. He needed to leave for Minas Tirith immediately.
~o~o~
It took all of Cadogan's self-control to not go running down the hallway to see his daughter, but he did walk quickly. However, the servant guiding him was hesitant to bring him to Eleanor. "She's bad off, your grace," the servant told him as they ascended the stairs to Eleanor's room. "She doesn't recognize anyone and is going on about enemies from the south."
Cadogan worried about his daughter, but wasn't deterred. "I must see her."
The servant sighed. "Don't say I didn't warn you." He opened Eleanor's door.
She lay on the bed, still except for an occasional body spasm. Her face was eerily pale, but two red blotches stood out on her cheeks. She saw her father, but gave no sign of recognition. "I will tell you nothing! Subject me to the cruelest torture if you will, but my lips are sealed!"
"You see?" the servant shook his head sadly. "Lady Eleanor is not in her right mind. She has a poison–induced fever. We've treated her wound, but she'll be delirious for at least a week."
"I'll stay with her until she recovers." Cadogan stated.
The servant nodded his acquiescence and led Lord Cadogan to the rooms Denethor had prepared for him. Cadogan settled down to wait.