Heart of a Warden

Heart of a Warden Chapter 12


The raid had been a veritable slaughter. Haldir and the others had left their horses at the forest edge and continued on foot to the cavern that Rúmil had indicated the orcs had chosen for their lair. The elves had waited patiently for their foe to emerge as the sun set. Several volleys of arrows had killed most of them within moments of their emergence from the cave. The rest fled back inside. The elves had no choice but to follow. It was not their favorite way to fight since in the confines of the cavern the orc had the advantage. Haldir led them to the entrance and they split off into several groups to search out the fleeing enemy.

The only remains of the caravan that had been found were some broken crates and discarded torn clothing. It was as they expected orcs did not typically take prisoners and if they did the captives generally tended not to survive very long.

The search proved to be a difficult task. The cavern was full of side passages and nooks all perfect for concealment. Their bows would serve little use here so all of them drew sword or knife to complete their grisly mission. It was a lengthy job to scour the cave of its foul host and the lack of rest Rúmil had gotten over the last five days had taken its toll. It fogged his reflexes and made him less than cautious. So it was he did not even see the orc when it leapt upon him nor did he bring his weapon to bear quickly enough as he was violently slammed into the cave wall. His sword fell from his hand as pain shot down his arm. The orc raised his sword and Rúmil frantically groped for his dagger knowing he would not be in time to halt the downward swing of the rusted blade. Resigning himself for the bite of the blade upon his flesh, he was surprised when the blow never fell. The orc stood gaping in amazement at the four inches of elvish steel protruding from its chest. Black blood bubbled from its lips as it fell sliding off of the blade that had impaled it from behind. Rúmil scrambled out of the way of the falling corpse and looked upon the frowning countenance of his brother Orophin.

“That orc should not have gotten the drop on you, had you been paying more attention you would have seen it crouching in the rocks. How badly are you injured?” Orophin helped Rúmil to his feet. The sounds of fighting were dying down as the elves ferreted out the last of the vermin.

“Shoulder hurts, arm too, down to my fingertips and across my back.” Rúmil said through clenched teeth. He held his arm tight to his body and there was a large lump on the back of his shoulder.

“Haldir will see to you and any of the other wounded. Come let us go outside, I dislike it in here.” Orophin picked up his brothers sword and sheathed it for him and then helped him to the cave entrance and out into the clear night. They both breathed a sigh of relief at leaving the close confines of the cave.

It was not long before the rest of the hunting party joined them. Rúmil’s injury was the worst. A few of the elves had minor cuts and bruises and one was recovering from a stunning blow to the head. Haldir immediately went to his brother when he saw him holding his sword arm close to his side and took in his sweat dotted brow and pale mien. He gently examined the injury. Rúmil tensed and drew in a shuddering breath as even the slightest movement caused a river of burning pain to course down his useless arm. Orophin stood close by and helped support his brother. Orophin quickly related the details of the injury as Rúmil leaned on his brother.

Haldir looked upon his brother in sympathy. “Rúmil you have popped your shoulder out of place. I am going to have to put it back in. It will most likely be extremely unpleasant.” Rúmil nodded his assent. “Orophin help him to sit, I have to get this done before it swells overmuch.”

Once Rúmil was sitting Haldir placed one hand on his shoulder and the other firmly grasped his arm. He pushed on Rúmil’s shoulder as he raised his arm. Rúmil bit his lip against the searing pain as he endured Haldir’s ministrations. At first nothing happened and then suddenly with an audible click the joint was pushed back into place. He sagged back against his brother as the biting ache spread across his upper back. Again Haldir placed his hands on Rúmil and this time he felt a gentle warmth seep into the muscles of his arm. After a moment Haldir removed his hands and stood up.

“I have done what I can, your arm and shoulder with be sore for several days and you should take care not to overtax yourself lest you undo the healing. Now as for why it happened in the first place. Orophin tells me that you were careless, that Orc never should have gotten near you. Rúmil you have got to pull yourself together. I do not want to but am forced to take you off of the duty roster until you can devote your full attention to your duties. You leave me no other choice. Either come to terms with your feelings or tell Dara how you feel about her. Even if she rejects you at least you will know and be able to move on.”

“But Haldir I…” Rúmil was cut off mid tirade as his eldest brother knelt in front of him.

“I am not speaking to you as your kin but as your commander. You are officially off active duty until you are no longer a danger to yourself or those around you. When we return I order you to get some rest even if you have to resort to a sleeping potion. Now come, we have a long ride ahead of us.” Haldir helped his brother to his feet and they walked back to their horses. They all mounted up and headed for home, eager for a hot bath and some well deserved rest.

Rúmil dozed in the saddle, exhausted from his trip to the border and then back again to lead the elves to the orc lair. He shifted uncomfortably and jarred his sore shoulder. Cursing he tried to find a position that did not make it ache. It was still several hours before they reached the outskirts of the city and Rúmil was more than ready to collapse in his own bed and sleep.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The first day in the healing halls Dara spent drifting in and out of consciousness. When she woke she was given some broth to drink, some water and then another dose of one vile kind of medicine or another. Then she would sink back down into oblivion. On the morning of the second day the fog from the medication was starting to lift and when the assistant healer came with his tray she drank the fortifying herb laced broth but refused the draught that would send her back to sleep. Her leg ached constantly but she did not want to be drugged again. She hated feeling so helpless and the medicine made it hard to think. The assistant stood indecisively beside the bed vial in hand. He had been told by senior healer Ervadhor to make sure the patient took her medicine he was not prepared for her to refuse.

“My Lady you must take this, Healer Ervadhor deems it necessary for your treatment.”

Dara pushed the assistant’s hand away as he tried to get her to drink the contents.

“First of all I am a Warden and you will address me as such and secondly I am not an elfling to be ordered around. If my leg hurts so be it. I consider it a fair tradeoff for not being so muddleheaded after I drink what is in that vial. So I refuse. I will deal with the pain.”

The assistant tried once more to put the vial to her lips and again she pushed it away. “My Lady…I mean Warden I have my orders.”

“I am sure you do, now go away.” Dara crossed her arms over her chest and stared at the flustered elf till he left.

She looked around the room she was occupying. It was nice enough she supposed but for someone who was unused to being idle it was claustrophobic and confining. Dara experimentally moved her leg in an effort to sit up. Fiery pain shot up her leg making her gasp but she ignored it. Slowly she pulled herself up till her back rested against the head board of the bed. Well that was not so bad she thought to herself. Actually if she were to be brutally honest she would have to admit that the pain was almost unbearable and she really did not feel like moving again any time soon. It embarrassed her at how quickly she had used up what little store of energy she had left. The door to her room opened and there stood and elf she did not recognize. He had a stern countenance and moved with brisk efficiency. His mouth was turned down in a frown and the severe unadorned cut of his dark blue robes did nothing but enhance his general air of unpleasantness.

“I am healer Ervadhor. Now why have you refused to take the medicine I ordered?”

Dara stared right back at the frowning elf. “I did not take the potion because I do not wish to be any more incapacitated than my injured leg. I did not like the way it made me feel.”

“So be it. I cannot force you to drink. Understand this though, I am senior healer here and I will be obeyed. If you wish to get better you will abide by my rules. Though that is debatable considering the mess you have made of your leg. You should never have been out protecting the borders. I have no idea what the Wardens were thinking letting an Elleth join their ranks. You would have done better following in your mother’s footsteps. An herbalist is an honorable profession much more suited to a female. It was your father I am sure that convinced her to go along with the folly of you training to be a warden. She was a most tractable Elleth before she met him.”

Dara stiffened at his derogatory comments. “How dare you! I have a place among the wardens because I earned it! As for my mother and father you have no right to speak of them like that. They both supported my decision to enter training. As for my proper place that is up to me to decide. I may have to put up with you as my healer but I do not have to listen to your disparaging remarks.”

Dara watched him sullenly as he changed the bandages. Despite Ervadhor’s low opinion of her the healer took care as he tended the wound. His actions were competent and gentle. It was his brusque and disdainful bedside manner that proved to be so infuriating to Dara’s already frayed nerves. She stayed silent and when he had finished he admonished her to take care and not stand or try to get out of bed without help. If such help was needed there was always someone within calling distance. His face stayed in that perpetual frown all through his lecture and Dara was much relieved when he left the room. She did not see him again that day. Several of the female assistants helped her with a sponge bath and they even brought in a large bowl and several pitchers of warm water and washed her hair. It felt glorious to be truly clean again and she dozed on and off, waking briefly to eat.

By the morning of the fourth day Dara thought she would go out of her mind with boredom. Even the books brought to her by a kind hearted apprentice healer held little appeal. She realized how few friends she really had. Dara had many comrades but few close friends. Just Orophin and Rúmil and occasionally Haldir spent any time with her outside of her duties. Only a few of her fellow wardens had stopped by to see how she fared but they did not linger. By her estimation the hunting party should return sometime today and even though they had argued she was eager to see Rúmil again. She was left pretty much alone and did not see the irritating head healer more than once a day when he came to check her wound and change her bandages. If she stayed here any longer Dara would hurt someone. She was in a foul mood and felt that the walls were closing in on her. She listened carefully and could not hear anyone in the halls outside her room, then carefully swung her legs over the edge of the bed. She gritted her teeth against the inevitable stab of pain but did not let it stop her. Dara then carefully slid off of the bed and stood. She put all of her weight on her left leg and hung onto the bedpost. Hobbling very carefully she made her way to the doorway. Any weight she put on her injured leg caused it to ache with a fierce intensity Dara gritted her teeth and glanced out of the door. The hall was empty and it was only a few steps to the outside door and onto the balcony. She could almost taste her freedom, so intent was she on her escape Dara did not stop to think that the flimsy cotton night rail she wore was inappropriate attire for an outside stroll. She took one more look down the corridor and limped to the door.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The hunting party entered the city and Rúmil sighed in relief as he left his horse at the stables and gathered his belongings. He was going straight to his talan to bathe and then collapse. His forward progress was halted by his eldest brother Haldir.

“I want you to go to the healing halls and have them check your shoulder. Then I want you to get some rest by whatever means necessary. I do not want to see your face outside of your talan till tomorrow late.”

“But Haldir my shoulder is fine and I…” Rúmil got cut off in mid sentence.

“That was not a request.” Haldir looked sternly at his youngest sibling as if expecting further argument.

Rúmil truly hated when his brother pulled rank but he had little choice in the matter. “Was that my superior or my brother speaking? Very well, since I will get no peace if I do not do as you wish, I will see the healers. I would like to check on Dara as well.”

“As to who was ordering you about let us just say that rank has its privileges and so does being the eldest. Visiting Dara would be wise; you did not leave on the best of terms.”

Rúmil rolled his eyes. “Does everyone know of our argument?”

Haldir had to laugh at the exasperation in his brother’s voice. “Only the ones Orophin has told.”

Rúmil sighed theatrically “I think my brother has a very big mouth.”

“So you are just now figuring this out, come now Rúmil I thought you were a bit quicker than that. Orophin is not happy unless he knows what is going on around him. Sometimes he gossips worse than an Elleth. Enough talk though, you need to get some rest. I will see you later.” Haldir relieved Rúmil of his gear then turned his brother to face the path and gave him a light push in the direction of the healing hall. Haldir walked off towards his own talan to get a bath before making his report to Lord Celeborn.

Wearily Rúmil walked up the steps to the entrance to the healing halls. Near the top he hurried his steps, eager to get his shoulder seen to so he could rest. At the doorway he was totally unprepared to meet someone lingering there so he ran into them full force and they both tumbled to the floor. Rúmil managed to grab the person he ran into and rolled so he would not fall on them. As a result he hit the floor with his sore shoulder and hissed in pain. The reason he fell was sprawled on top of him also groaning in pain and cursing such vile oaths that it would have shocked him if he had not recognized Dara and knew she had learned all of those words from him and his brother.

He had reflexively tightened his arms around her when they hit the floor and despite the throbbing pain in his shoulder he held her tightly. Rúmil noticed that she was pale and shaking. It was too early for her to be out of bed and the effort of getting to the door and the fall had exhausted her.

“Let go of me Rúmil! I have to get back to my room before he catches me.” Dara pushed against his chest in an effort to get him to let her go.

“Before who catches you?” He did not let go and was reluctant to do so. Rúmil had missed her and was glad to see her much improved since he had left on the raid.

“ Senior Healer Ervadhor, my jailor and if he catches me he will no doubt place me under the watchful eye of one of his annoying assistants and pour vile concoctions down my throat. Now let go!” Dara’s struggling only jarred her leg and made her curse again.

Also having Dara sprawled out on top of him was causing a rather predictable reaction one that under the circumstances he did not want her aware of so he let her go. Dara sat up and gently prodded her injury and winced. It ached with a fierce abandon and she thought that is was not wise to have left her bed. She tried to get her traitorous limb to obey her and get to her feet but it was no use. She had overtaxed herself and now needed help getting back to her bed.

Rúmil sat up as well and surveyed his friend. He could not help but to look. All she wore was a thin cotton bed gown and during her tumble to the floor it had slipped off of one shoulder. He could not take his eyes off of the pale skin revealed by the garment. Her honey blonde hair was loose and in wild disarray around her head. The most frustrating aspect of this whole fiasco was that she had no idea what she did to him. She just sat there grumbling and massaging her thigh as her gown slipped further. He had seen her completely unclothed before but she had been so ill and he did what had to be done to treat her wounds. This was different, entirely different. His injury was completely forgotten as he had to clench his fists in an effort not to reach out and brush the hair away from her face. Instead he opted to get to his feet and then hold out his hand for her to grasp.

“You are right the floor is no place to sit in your condition, I will help you back to bed.”

As much as she hated to appear so helpless she knew she could not possibly get up without his help. She grasped his hand and tried to lever herself up using her good leg for balance. Dara overestimated her strength and her balance as she got to her feet. The room spun dizzily and she grasped Rúmil tightly to keep from falling.

“I’m sorry, I am dizzy. Give me a moment.” Dara had her eyes closed and her arms around him.

Rúmil stood there immobile. He tensed in her embrace, part in pain from her tight grip on his injured shoulder and part in pain of an entirely different sort. He desperately tried not to think of her pressed up against him wearing only her thin gown. Dara opened her eyes and looked at him. They were almost the same height and she could look him right in the eyes. Uncharacteristically she looked away first and became aware of what she was wearing. Rúmil was amazed to note the tinge of red to her cheeks, she was blushing. It had now become imperative that he get her back to her room before he completely embarrassed himself. Rúmil ignored the burning pain in his upper torso as he lifted her in his arms and carried Dara back to her room.

“Rúmil put me down I can walk, well mostly.” Dara protested. She did not know why he had made her uncomfortable. He was her best friend and had been for a very long time. Also to her distinct dismay she had actually blushed. All she wanted to do now was to get back to her room and crawl back into bed. Dara did not like being confused. She liked her world neat and orderly and not cluttered with feelings she could neither fathom nor explain.

Rúmil gently sat her on the bed and tucked the covers around her.

“I am not an elfling Rúmil. I was perfectly capable of covering myself.” Dara said with a tinge of anger.

As far as Rúmil was concerned he could not get her covered fast enough. Her gown had slipped to the point of revealing the upper swell of her breast and he was in danger of doing something that was sure to get her fist in his face. He stood up and winced as his shoulder throbbed intensely.

Dara frowned as she observed his careful and pained movements. “Rúmil were you hurt in the raid?”

“Much to my acute embarrassment, I let an orc sneak up on me. If it had not been for Orophin I would not be standing here. I got knocked backward and popped my shoulder out of place. Haldir put it back in but said I needed to get it checked at the healer’s.” He carefully sat in the chair beside her bed and held his arm close to his body so as not to aggravate the injury.

“Remind me to thank him then, for without his timely assistance, I could have lost my best friend. I’ll bet Haldir gave you a lecture.” Dara then proceeded to do a credible imitation of Haldir in lecture mode that had Rúmil laughing despite his weariness.

It was nice to laugh again with her. Rúmil was afraid that he had lost that part of their relationship. “Dara about that argument we had before I left, well I just wanted to say I am sorry. I do not agree with what you did but I could have found a better way to tell you.”

“I am sorry too; I never should have taken those herbs without your knowledge. We never should have fought about it. I am glad that you are alright. Now tell me about the raid. Was anyone else hurt? Did you kill them all?”

Rúmil told her all about the raid and they discussed in detail different strategies and fighting techniques. He once more felt a strong surge of emotion as they talked. Dara was like no other female he had ever met, one he could be himself around and not worry about offending. He truly could not stand the giggling flighty Elleth he had been around thus far. Oh they were beautiful to look at but that is as far as his interest went. They continued to discuss various battles they had been in and training techniques till Rúmil could no longer hide his yawns. The past week had finally caught up with him and he wondered if he could even move from the chair.

They both looked up as the door opened and in walked the bane of Dara’s existence. Healer Ervadhor and he was carrying a tray. It was time to change her bandages. The healer looked at Rúmil in displeasure. The young warden, according to Haldir, had been injured and should have been seen to by now. He had also been instructed to administer a sleeping draught if the elf did not get some rest. Ervadhor should have known he would be in here bothering his patient.

“You should not be here Warden Rúmil. Healer Alar is waiting to tend to your injury. He has many duties to attend to other than waiting for when you deign to make an appearance. I need to treat my patient so if you will excuse us.” Ervadhor turned his back on Rúmil clearly dismissing him and readied the items on the tray. “That was not a request Warden.”

Rúmil could clearly see why Dara disliked the elf so much. In fact, he did not like him either since Ervadhor had all but blamed him for nearly killing Dara with the herbs she had told him to use. With a sigh he left the room and sought out the healer who waited to attend him. Alar was a young healer new to his craft. But he had a gentle touch and was quite competent. He examined Rúmil’s shoulder and applied a soothing ointment that eased the burning pain. He was told not to overuse the arm for at least a week and not to draw a bow for at least two. Healer Alar also handed him a small vial and was told to drink it before bed. It would ease more of the aches he suffered and also help him to sleep. He was also handed a note along with the bottle. It was short and to the point.

Rúmil,
You are to take the sleeping draught the healer’s have prepared for you. I will check on you later and if I have found that you did not heed my wishes I will sit on you and pour it down your throat myself like I had to do with your medicine when you were an elfling.
Haldir.

Rúmil chuckled and tucked the note away and took the pot of salve for his injury. Then he thanked the healer and went back to Dara’s room. He peeked inside and found Dara propped up in bed and Ervadhor no where to be seen. Dara saw him lurking in the doorway.

“Rúmil come in, it is quite safe, the dreaded Head Healer has gone for now. He raked me over the coals for getting out of bed and trying to escape. He has spies everywhere it seems. I strained my wound and pulled a stitch or two which earned me another lecture and a foul potion as well. He is not happy unless I am drugged insensible.” Dara yawned and her head lolled a bit as her eyes lost their focus.

Rúmil sat in the chair beside her bed again. “It must be some potion you are almost out already.” He gave in to temptation and tucked a stray wisp of hair behind her ear. Rúmil’s heart sped up as he was rewarded with a sweet smile.

“Thank you.” Dara murmured sleepily.

“For what?” He asked curiously.

“For saving me, for being there when I needed you. For being my friend.” She then fell asleep pulled under by the strong sleeping draught. Dara still had a lot of healing to do and her little escape attempt had not done much to speed that process.

Rúmil stood up and leaned over Dara and placed a lingering kiss upon her cheek and was rewarded with another smile as she snuggled further into the covers. He vowed to make Dara see how he felt about her, he just did not know how without alienating her completely. With a sigh he left the healing hall and walked home. The distance seemed twice as far to his tired legs and he was vastly relieved when arrived a t his own door. It was times such as these when he questioned his logic at picking a Talan so far from the others. He went inside and straight to the bathing chamber. Rúmil took a hasty bath and donned a light pair of cotton leggings to sleep in. He sat on the edge of the bed and looked at the bottle in his hand. He knew Haldir would literally pour it down his throat if he did not take it so he uncorked the bottle, and drank the contents in one long swallow. Rúmil lay back on the bed and soon he could feel the effects of the draught.

Some hours later Haldir let himself in Rúmil’s darkened talan and went back to the bedroom. He was gratified to see Rúmil lying on his back, eyes vacant with sleep. There was an empty bottle on the bedside table along with the note he had written. He covered his brother with a light blanket and sat on the edge of the bed. It was towards his youngest brother he felt the most protective. It was ever Rúmil’s way to rush headlong without looking into most situations. He had been like that as a small elfling; Haldir was always getting him out of one mess or another. He had no idea how to help him in this situation however. It hurt Haldir to see Rúmil in such turmoil. Rúmil seemed to feel things twice as intensely as most elves. His brother had lost his focus and nearly died as a result, Haldir’s heart had nearly stopped when Orophin had related how close that orc had come to killing Rúmil. He wished he could go to Dara and make her love his younger brother; to command her to love him. It did not work that way and he feared that if she rebuked Rúmil it would do irreparable harm. He stroked the hair out of his brother’s face, it seemed like only yesterday Rúmil had been a chubby cheeked toddler now he was an elf grown and long past his majority yet he still seemed so much like the elfling Haldir remembered.

“Oh Rúmil this is one mess I do not know how to get you out of. I only hope you find a way yourself.” Haldir kissed his brother upon the brow then left to seek his own bed and a much needed rest.