I am sorry it has taken me so long to get this chapter done. Thanks for your continued patience and reviews.
Chapter Twenty-Six
"The Hands of the King"
When the group finally arrived at the houses of healing Gandalf quickly led Jesse, Aragorn and Boromir towards rooms that were set back down a secluded hallway, while the others spread out and tried to assist wherever they were able. The first room they came to was occupied by Faramir. Prince Imrahil was standing at the end of Faramir's bed looking toward his ill nephew with great sadness. When he noticed the newcomers he turned toward Gandalf pleading silently for the wizard to do something. "Not all is lost my friend," the white wizard said softly laying his hand gently on the man's shoulder, "I have brought aid," he continued motioning toward Aragorn, as the ranger lowered his hood, "Allow me to present Aragorn son of Arathorn, the Lady Jessica of the Noldorim, and," he paused motioning for Boromir to remove his hood, "I believe you remember your own nephew." "How is this possible? We thought you dead," the prince asked in surprise as he gazed at the solemn face of Boromir.
"Gandalf," Jesse said softly bringing the wizard's attention to her, "Perhaps if you could get us some boiling water then you could explain things to the Prince. We might need Boromir's assistance in tending to his brother." "Wonderful suggestion Jessica," Gandalf replied as stepped from the room.
While waiting on the return of the white wizard, Jesse went about preparing the other things she thought they would need. There was a small bowl already sitting next to the bed on a small table. She quickly emptied out its contents and set it next to Aragorn. "I don't have very much athelas left but it should be enough for Faramir, Èowyn, and Merry. Let's just hope that no one else needs it," Jesse said as she placed a small pouch of the precious herb next the bowl. "Yes, let us hope," Aragorn agreed as he gently pulled away the bandages that hid the young man's wound.
It was not long before Gandalf returned with the water they needed and the room was soon filled with comforting scent of Athelas. The ranger carefully dipped a cloth into the bowl of water now mixed with the crushed herb and gently began to wipe the wound that threatened Faramir's life. Once the wound was cleaned he rinsed the cloth and began to wipe Faramir's brow speaking softly in Sindarin. After a few moments when there had still been no change Aragorn softly summoned Boromir to his side, "Call to him Boromir, and give him a reason to return to the land of the living." "Faramir, brother," the Gondorian called softly, "you must come back little brother there is still so much left for you to do. Come back to me Faramir," he pleaded with tears streaming down his face. "Boromir," croaked a voice from the bed, "I thought you were dead." "There is much we need to speak of little brother but for now just rest," Boromir replied smiling happily down at his little brother.
"Boromir, now that Faramir is going to mend we must go to the others, you probably should pull your hood back up for now just incase anyone comes in here. I will come back and check on you guys before I leave," Jesse said with a smile as she hugged her friend quickly before turning and exiting the room with Aragorn.
The scene that met them in Èowyn's room was much the same as Faramir's. Éomer sat at the edge of his sister's bed clutching the hand of her unbroken arm. Soon the room was filled with the soothing scent of athelas as Aragorn began to treat Èowyn much the same way he had Faramir. "Now call to her Éomer," the ranger encouraged as he gently stroked her brow with athelas dipped cloth.
"Sister come back to me please… I can not rule our people without you to help me… Please Sister hear me and come back…. I need you," the new King of Rohan pleaded as silent tears streamed down his strong face.
At first it was subtle but slowly Èowyn began to stir and her eyes began to flutter erratically. "Brother? Éomer?" she mumbled as her eyes finally began to focus on her brother's face.
Jesse smiled at the reunion and gently placed a hand on Éomer's armored shoulder, "See that she gets plenty of rest. I will check on you before I leave the Houses of Healing. We need to go tend to Merry now," she ordered softly as she and Aragorn made their way out of the room quietly.
Last they entered Merry's room and Pippin rushed over to Jesse, "Jesse! Strider! Merry, he's awful sick," the young hobbit cried desperately, as Jesse put a comforting arm around him.
"That is why we are here Pip," she gently soothed the distraught hobbit, "Thank you for staying and watching over them for me Ganis," she added with a smile toward the young man that was standing at the end of Merry's sick bed.
Jesse and Aragorn treated Merry with the Athelas, like they had done for Faramir and Èowyn. Ever so slowly the young Squire of Rohan began to breath better and his eyes popped open with a start.
"Strider? Jesse? I'm hungry. What time is it," Merry groggily declared as the smiling elleth helped him to sit up against a pile of pillows. It was hard to believe how close this young hobbit had really come to death.
Laughing she shared smiles with Aragorn and Ganis as she said, "Well that answers that. Merry is going to be just fine if he is thinking about his stomach." She bent down and placed a gentle kiss on his brow and added, "You had us scared my young friend.
"Just rest my young friend and we will see that you receive a meal," Aragorn replied with a smile, "Jesse and I must go and aid in tending the wounded. We shall check on you later." He led Jesse toward the door with one last smile at the two small hobbits that had already been through so much and would face much more before the end.
As they stepped out into the corridor they were greeted by the sight of Gandalf having a heated discussion with a man who seemed to be the head of the Houses of Healing. Clearing her throat to get their attention Jesse asked them what the problem was. As it turned out Toramir, the senior healer of the Houses of Healing and personal healer to the House of Stewards was not happy that someone had treated his Lord Steward behind his back.
"Okay let me get this straight," Jesse said breaking into their argument, "This healer," she sneered, "Is feeling slighted because someone dared to save Faramir's life when he had left him for dead. I would suggest Lord Healer that you thank the Valor that this Ranger had the skill to save your Lord Steward instead of this imagined slight against your talents as a healer and start tending to those that are still in need of healing."
"Who are you to speak to me in such a manner?" the still affronted healer asked with disdain as he looked down his nose at Jesse and Aragorn's somewhat dirty and battle weary appearances.
With a smirk Gandalf made the introduction with twinkling eyes, "Toramir Healer of the House of Stewards and Chief healer of the Houses of Healing allow me to present the Crowned Princess of the Noldorim Jessica Halliwell, daughter of the High King Gil Galad, wife of the March Warden Haldir of Lothlórien, Niece of Glorfindel of the House of the Golden Flower, and Granddaughter of Alatar the Blue," he paused as if in thought before adding, "Oh yes I left out Member of the Fellowship and future Queen of the Elven race."
Toramir's face drained of color as the white wizard listed off Jesse's various titles and positions. Jesse had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing out right at the look of panic that took over the senior healer's face. Toramir quickly excused himself and fled into the outer healing ward.
"That was cruel Gandalf. Much deserved but cruel all the same," the elleth laughed as she shook her head, "Did you really have to use all of my titles?" She turned and led her tow companions into the outer ward, "I never realized I had so many. The really sad part is I think you forgot some but I can't think of them now. Now lets get to work there are still a great deal that need our help before this night is over." She soon found herself going from one patient to the next treating the myriad of wounds and injuries the people had sustained in the battle and the events leading up to it.
As she removed an Easterling arrow from a young Rohirrim rider's shoulder with a little help from Háma and Glorfindel, she realized that the sun had already risen and they had finally treated the last of the wounded. Tying off the young man's bandages she lectured him on what he should and shouldn't do with the injury.
Haldir joined them as she stood up, "The Lady Ioreth has arranged for us to use the bath house attached to the Halls of Healing to freshen up. There will also be a meal served in the dinning hall. She has also arranged for a maid to assist you and provide you with a gown to wear."
Soon Jesse was being tended by Aniese, a maid in the Houses of Healing. "I have brought you a gown so that your other clothing can be cleaned and mended," Aniese said as she presented Jesse with a dark green silk gown. All along the collar, arms, and skirt tiny seabirds had been carefully embroidered into the fabric. "My sister Aranel is seeing to the needs of the Lady Vanora. The poor dear was right tired when her father brought her into the city," the maid said as she tied up the laces on the back of Jesse's gown.
"Vanora has been through a great deal. We found her held captive on the lead Corsair ship. She had been missing and believed dead for almost twenty years," the elleth replied sadly as she brushed out her hair before braiding it in a herring bone plait. "The King of the Dead led us to her when we raided the ships," she added as she smoothed out her skirt.
Stepping out of the bathing chamber Jesse was greeted by the sight of Glorfindel and Haldir having another of their numerous debates. Clearing her throat loudly to get their attention she declared with a smile, "I can't leave the two of you alone for a minute. Now let's go get something to eat. I am starving."
Haldir led them down a long corridor that opened up into a large dining hall. Platters of various breakfast foods were set out for them to choose from. Taking a seat they began to fill their plates with a selection and dug in to the first meal they had had in nearly twenty-four hours.
After their breakfast Jesse, Haldir, and Glorfindel visited Faramir, Èowyn, Merry and Vanora to check on their condition. Boromir, Éomer, Ganis, and Halbarad joined them as they made their way out of the city. A tent city had been made ready just outside of the city beyond the broken gates to house the armies that had come to the aid of the white city.
Once she and Haldir were safely tucked away in their bedroll Jesse allowed herself to finally let go of the tenuous hold she had maintained on her emotions since she woke up on the ship the morning of the battle. In the safety of her husband's loving arms she was finally able to allow herself to grieve and let the tears fall. Haldir murmured words of comfort in Sindarin as he comforted his emotionally exhausted wife. He knew that the day's events and the powerful emotions that his wife had picked up would be hard on her, so he allowed her to cry.
As her tears began to subside they found themselves driven to strengthen their bond and when they finally found their rest the power of that bond caused their bodies to glow with a timeless ethereal light. For a few short hours they were able to finally find a little peace. They knew that when they awoke they would have to help in the care of the wounded and the clean up of the damage done to the city but for a little while at least they had a little peace.