Ergothorn and Gwin get to know each other a little better, and try to figure out what to do next. Enjoy!

Chapter 57

I woke up a few hours later, and spotted Ergothorn drawing something on some parchment with a piece of coal. I tried to sit up quietly, but accidentally let out a groan as I felt the pain in my shoulder return. Ergothorn's head snapped up, and he set down his things to make his way over to me. "Are you sure you would not like something for the pain?" he asked worriedly.

Wishing Elrond was here with some athelas salve, I sighed. "Do you have any valerian root?" I asked hopefully.

Thinking for a moment, he turned to dig into his pack. "What would you use it for?" he asked quizzically.

Confused, I replied, "What would you use it for?"

"It can be crushed into a powder and, when mixed with water, it makes a lovely purple color I can use on my maps." He pulled small jar out of his pack and showed it to me. "I have used various other roots and plants to make different shades." He smiled, "I enjoy making my maps colorful, as I think it makes them more interesting and pleasing to look at."

Surprised at this new piece of knowledge, I explained how I had seen it used. "When you steep the roots in hot water, it makes a tea that has pain relieving properties. Although, it can make a person sleepy, so I use it in small amounts."

"Really? How interesting!" he replied, his eyes lighting up. "Shall we try it?"

I nodded, and he briefly left to find some clean water. I stoked the fire a bit more and once he returned, we boiled the water, I measured out a small amount of the root, and let it steep for five minutes before pouring myself some into a wooden cup Ergothorn had. He smirked at me as I grimaced at the bitter taste. "Do you need some honey, my lady?" he asked cheekily.

I rolled my eyes and said, "I am fine, thank you my lord." I tried to keep a straight face, but couldn't help but laugh a little at his antics.

Paying close attention to determine if the tea was making me sleepy, I was pleased to note it did not. I felt more relaxed, and the pain had faded to a slight dull ache. Unsure how often I could drink it, I had him pour a little more into a cup for later. Even if it was cold by then, it would still likely help.

"So," I began. "Tell me about yourself." He raised an eyebrow. "Why the mystery? Is your name really Ergothorn?"

"Alas, it is indeed the name my mother gave me," he said dramatically. "I would have preferred something more impressive, like Elendil, but instead she chose a name that is comprised of my father's name, Ergon, and my grandfather's name, Calathorn."

"Were you teased about your name?" I asked curiously. I noted he seemed a little bothered by it, despite his attempt to cover it with humor.

He shrugged, "Yes, people liked to call me 'thorny', which drove me crazy at the time, but now I like to think it made me more independent. I did not have many friends, and was an only child, but once I was older, I decided I was better off on my own." He looked a little sad as I watched him reflect on this. He gestured around himself, "As you can see, I prefer it that way."

There were a few moments of silence while I tried to figure out what to say, but he spoke before I could, "Do not feel sorry for me Gwinthilnel; I have grown used to the solitude. Being alone allows me to go where I wish without needing to worry about what others think."

"Well," I replied with a small smile. "You are not alone now."

Ergothorn gave me a slow smile, "That is true. Despite how we met, I appreciate the company." My cheeks flushed slightly at the warmth in his eyes, but he made no moves to do anything untoward. I wondered what he was thinking, but was too nervous to ask.

I had to admit, Ergothorn was very handsome, objectively speaking, and in a different way than Candaith. While Candaith was slender with more narrow shoulders, Ergothorn was broad and muscular. Their eyes were different colors, but they both twinkled in mirth. Candaith's hair was very dark, while Ergothorn's was yellow as corn, with a beard to match. I didn't even know if Candaith could grow a beard, as he had always been clean shaven.

I straightened up and tried to regain my composure, and was calm and collected when he asked me, "What of you? Is your name really Gwinthilnel?" I knew he was joking, but decided to humor him.

"Yes, but my friends call me Gwin, and my family would always call me Gwinnie." I smiled fondly as I cast my mind back. "Like you, it somewhat annoyed me at the time, but now I consider it a happy reminder of my time with them."

He seemed to read something in my eyes, and he looked more serious. "I sense your family is…no longer here?" he asked.

I sighed. "You would be right." I expected him to ask more questions, but was thankful when he simply said. "I am sorry for your loss, and I hope you have found some measure of happiness." The sincerity in his words made me feel a little emotional, but I was determined not to let it show too much.

"I have had many years to come to terms with it," I replied softly. "Luckily I have others in my life who care for me and who I view as family, even if we are not related by blood."

"I am glad," he murmured with a small smile. He stood up and peeked outside. "The sun is rising." He looked back at me, considering something. "Would you like to see?"

Nodding, he came over and helped me up, and we slowly made our way to the entrance of the cave. I pulled back the pine branches just enough to note the sun coming up over the horizon. We were facing West, but the reflection of the orange and red colors on the far away mountains made me smile; it was beautiful.

I felt my smile slide off my face when I realized Candaith and the others were likely out searching for me, and desperate for some clue that I was safe. Ergothorn noticed, and asked with some concern, "What is it? Are you in pain?"

I was a little, but did not acknowledge it. "I did not tell you why I was in the river in the first place, and I think you should know."

"Of course," he replied. "Let me help you back to the fire." I was frustrated at how fatigued I felt and how sore I was, but I knew my body had gone through much after I fell. I was surprised I had broken no bones. I staggered and almost fell, but Ergothorn slipped his arm around my waist and caught me. Embarrassed at my weakness, I kept my eyes down after he helped me sit. "Gwinthilnel, there is no need to feel any shame at your current condition; you almost died, and you need time to recover," Ergothorn said earnestly.

"I know," I grumbled, still feeling my pride smart. I took a moment to collect my thoughts, and explained what had happened. "The battle at Zudrugund was fierce, and I was hit with an arrow by the leader of the Uruks. He almost dragged me off…" at this, I shuddered, realizing what could have happened; Ergothorn waited patiently with a look of compassion on his face, and did not interrupt me. "Anyway, before he could, one of my companions stabbed him in the back, and as the Uruk died, he purposefully pulled me over the cliff with him. I tried to find a ledge or grab onto something to stop my fall, but the walls were smooth, and I ended up in the river. It was so cold." I remembered the icy, stabbing pain of the waters, but tried to push away the dark thoughts. "I hit a few boulders, and tried to swim to the bank, but only just managed to grab onto the tree, where you found me." I decided not to mention the dark thoughts and whispers of the mystery voice, as he might think me mad. Instead, I tucked my knees into my chest and wrapped my arms around my legs; it made my shoulder ache, but I tried to ignore it. "If you had been only a few moments later, I would have been carried away further downstream." And probably dead.

Ergothorn gave me a small smile, "Perhaps Bema was looking out for you and led me to just the right spot."

I shrugged, and remembered that the Rohirrim revered Bema, or as the Elves called him, Oromë, the great huntsman of the Valar. "Whatever the case may be, I must again say how thankful I am for your aid. I likely would not have survived without your help."

"Well, I am always available to save beautiful maidens," he replied with a wink, and it made me chuckle softly. It reminded me of Barachen's teasing, back at his camp. "I assume the others who were with you are likely searching for you?"

I nodded, "I doubt they would have just assumed I had died and been washed away downstream…although I know that could have happened." Shivering a bit at the thought, I continued, "I bet they split up and are searching the riverbank. Did you leave anything behind when you found me?"

He shook his head. "You had nothing with you, or it had been torn off during your fall or trip downstream. Perhaps they will find a clue in the river?"

"If not, they might just return to our camp to regroup and decide what to do next," I replied, thinking hard. I looked at Ergothorn, "What should I do next?"

Ergothorn sat in thought. "Hmm. I do not think you are yet healed enough to travel all the way to your camp; it is far from here, about half a day on foot when uninjured. I could go to the camp and alert them to your location, but I worry that something could happen to you while I was gone."

I almost rolled my eyes at this assumption, but I knew he was not saying these things to make me feel inadequate. He just wanted me to be safe. "I see your point, but I hate the thought of leaving them to search in despair and fear I am dead."

Ergothorn sat next to me and put his hands together in his lap. I watched him closely, and sensed he perhaps wanted to take my hand in his, but was unsure how it would be received. I appreciated his courtesy. The Dunedain were more free with signs of physical affection, even between friends, but Ergothorn was still only an acquaintance.

He was thinking hard, as was I, to figure out what to do. Would it be better to try and rest for another day and try to venture out tomorrow? It was difficult to predict when I would feel strong enough to walk such a long distance, but I was determined to return to them as soon as possible. Did I want to risk further injury by forcing myself to try and go today? I inwardly frowned at how poorly a simple walk from the cave entrance to the fire went, and realized I could not make an attempt until at least tomorrow.

"I would not force you to remain here for another day or two, as I am sure you wish to rejoin your companions, but I would strongly advise you to recover here for a time, until you are strong enough to travel safely," Ergothorn said.

I sighed, but nodded my head in agreement. "You are right. As grateful as I am for your help and your company, I do hope to rejoin them as soon as I may."

"Of course," Ergothorn said softly, but I noted a little disappointment in his eyes. "We will get you well enough to travel, and I will escort you to the camp to make sure you arrive safely."

As you can see, Gwin is struggling with risking further injury to reunite with Candaith and the others, or going anyway and hoping for the best. We will have to see what happens next! Thanks for reading, and leave a review!