The Dare

Annith found me staring at the shelves. “Eolindë, you’re wanted in the third room.” Sighing, I followed her. As I walked to the rooms, I passed by a young woman. She had dark hair and green eyes and I did not recognize her. “Not seen her before, wonder who she is?” I thought. She nodded at me and I returned the courtesy. The rest of the day passed in a blur of flesh, bone and blood.

As the sun was setting, I went to check on Faramir, Lady Eowyn and the perian whose name I learned was Meriadoc. They were as I had seen them before. Ioreth was tending them.
“How do they go on, Mistress Ioreth.” I whispered.

“No change.” She said as she wiped Faramir’s brow. I gathered the dirty rags and poured fresh water in the bowl. Ioreth sighed and said, “Alas! if he should die. Would that there be kings in Gondor, as there were once upon a time, they say! For it is said in old lore, The hands of the king are the hands of a healer. And so the rightful king could ever be known.”

“Men may long remember your words, Ioreth! For there is hope in them. Maybe a king has indeed returned to Gondor; or have you not heard the strange tidings that have come to the City?” a voice replied. I looked up startled to see Mithrandir.

“I have been too busy with this and that to heed all the crying and shouting.” She answered. “All I hope is that those murdering devils do not come to this house and trouble the sick.” she replied. But Mithrandir had already left.

Bergil, Beregond’s son, had brought us news as he ran errands. I had heard his somewhat muddled account of what was going on but had paid little heed. I went got up and went to look in on my brother. He was pale and his breathing labored. I was a healer and I was watching my brother die.

“Elred. I wish you could have seen it. I will never forget the sight. Our people led by the King. They came. It was … Well, you can be sure there will be songs. Father was with them. Uncle Léod, he was here. He said that Father rode like one of them. It was magnificent.” Tears unbidden, dripped down my cheeks. I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up and saw the concerned face of Dior. He was filthy; his cloak torn and dark blood was spattered all over his shirt. He knelt down next to me and pulled me into his arms. A feeling of safety and comfort came over me.

“I was careful. I only got a few cuts and bruises.” he said softly. I laughed in spite of myself. I pulled away and took a good look at him. He looked like he hadn’t had much sleep and there was sadness in his eyes.

“Your father?” I asked warily, fearing the worst.
“He lives. He has several wounds but Master Ciren says that they are not fatal.” I sighed in relief.

“He is no better?” he asked pointing at Elred. I shook my head.

“I saw them bring in King Theoden and a woman of his house, I guess. I am sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you, Dior. But the lady lives still. She is Eowyn, the king’s niece. No one is sure how she came to be here but she fought the Captain of the Nazgul. Her and a perian killed him.” I told him. He looked astonished.

“But they are suffering from the Shadow just as Elred is. We have no cure for that.” I finished quietly.

“Come. I’m sure you have not eaten or stepped out of this place today.” He stood up and put out his hand. I put my hand in his and he pulled me up. He found some bread, dried fruit and a small jug of water. We went out to the wall and I looked out on the field. In the fading light, there were dark piles that I knew were the bodies of men and beasts. The smell of rotting flesh mingled with the earthy dampness. I wondered where my father was among those piles. As I scanned the horizon, I saw the tents of the Rohirrim, and the other peoples who had come to fight and die on the Pelennor. The flag of Dol Amroth flew over the Citadel.

“We prevailed in the end. The Southrons fight to the death.” said Dior as he chewed on his bread.

“Do they? While I am glad that we have carried the day, the cost of this victory has been steep. There are more widows and orphans now. I fear there will be as much weeping as there is rejoicing over this victory.” Dior merely nodded.

“Mistress Eolindë.” I heard Bergil’s desperate voice. I turned around to face the breathless boy.

“What is it, Bergil?” I asked as the boy tried to catch his breath.

“The Herbmaster told me to find you. They need some atha… athelas.” A tremor went through me.

“Who needs the athelas?”

“Mithrandir. The Herbmaster thought you might know where some was seeing as how you helped stock the herb supplies.”

I was shocked to the core. “Come, Bergil.” I said taking the boy’s hand. We hurried toward the storeroom. Dior followed. I walked in and went to the shelf where I had placed the small packet 2 weeks ago. I pulled it out. A wave of disappointment went through me as I saw that the packet had been opened. But I opened it up completely and there on the cloth were several leaves left. I re-wrapped them and handed them to Bergil. “Here is what is left from some I harvested two weeks ago. Go!”

“What was that all about?” he asked.

“I don’t know but I intend to find out.” I followed the way Bergil had gone. I heard some commotion coming from the rooms where Faramir, Eowyn and Meriadoc lay. I quietly went and stood next Ioreth near the door. Dior stood silently behind me.

I saw a stranger kneeling by Faramir. He had dark hair and a grey cloak lay on his shoulders. He called Faramir’s name. He bruised the athelas and a sweet fragrance filled the air. He put the leaves in a bowl of steaming water and held it to Faramir’s face.
“Well now! Who would have believed it? Ioreth said to me. “The weed is better than I thought. It reminds me of the roses of Imloth Melui when I was a lass, no king could ask for better.”

Suddenly Faramir’s eyes opened and he spoke softly to the man kneeling beside him. I was shocked beyond reason. Faramir was alive! Somehow, Dior’s hand found it’s way into mine. I squeezed it tightly. The man replied “Walk no more in the shadows but awake! You are weary. Rest a while, and take food, and be ready when I return.”

“I will, lord. For who would lie idle when the king has returned?”

“Farewell then for awhile!” the man said in reply. “I must go to others who need me.”

Dior and I stood aside as the man turned went out the door with Mithrandir and the others. I caught a glimpse of a dark haired man, disheveled from battle with eyes that shone with keen intelligence. I heard Ioreth exclaim, “King! Did you hear that? The hands of a healer, I said.” A small ember of hope glowed in my heart. Dior squeezed my hand once again before letting it go.

I follow the group as they entered the Lady Éowyn’s room. The Third Marshall, Éomer was at her bedside. Again, I only stood in the doorway, mesmerized by the scene. I could not hear what the king and the others said to each other. I felt the air freshen as the athelas was placed in the water. Then the king left her side and stepped out. Lord Eomer called to her. “Eowyn, Eowyn!” She opened her eyes. I heard her say, “Eomer! What joy is this? For they said you were slain. Nay, but that was only the dark voices in my dream. How long have I been dreaming?”

“Not long, my sister,” he replied. “But think no more of it.” Not wishing to disturb anyone, I left the doorway and saw as the group proceeded to Meriadoc’s room. I dared again to stand and watch from the door. The king called him and bruised more athelas. The halfling woke up and the air was full of the scent of growing things. I quietly stepped out of the doorway into the hall. I leaned against the wall trying to absorb what I had seen. Dior stood next to me.

“Perhaps, there is hope for Elred after all.” he suggested.

“Maybe but I would not dare impose on the king. I’m sure there are others that need him more than Elred does. But at least, Faramir, Eowyn and Meriadoc are better. All has not been lost. But I should be going to see other patients.” I said briskly. He merely nodded and kissed my hand. “Don’t give up so easily, Eolindë. Have hope. The king has returned,” he said with a smile.

A few hours later, I returned to Elred’s side. He was grey and I silently raged at my helplessness. I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I felt was someone shaking my shoulder.

“Eolindë, wake up.” A familiar voice echoed in my ear. My blurry eyes saw Dior’s face next to mine.

“What?” I asked trying to focus.

“He’s here!”

“Who?” I asked as I struggled to wake up.

“I am Aragorn, my lady.” A tall man beside Dior said. “I understand your brother is under the influence of the Black Shadow after riding out with Lord Faramir. I am told by your young friend here that it was you who harvested the athelas used to help the Lord Faramir, Lady Eowyn, and perian Merry.”

It was the same man I had seen before. The one they called king. He looked weary to the bone. He wore a green stone that seemed to glow with an inner light. With him, stood two other tall figures. In the flickering light, their appearance was very fair.

“Yes, my lord. I had read that it had healing properties. I was pleased to find it. I had no idea that it was so powerful.” I blushed and stammered, grateful for the dim light.
“In the right hands, it is.” he replied. “This is Elladan and Elrohir, the sons of Lord Elrond of Rivendell. How long has your brother been like this?” he asked kindly.

“Almost three days, my lord. He rode in the company that went to Osgiliath.” I looked away fearing to hear that it was too late.

“It is well then that I brought Elladan and Elrohir with me. What is his name?”

“Elred. He is my twin.” I replied with a catch in my voice.

Aragorn motioned for the other two with him to move to the head and the foot of the bed. As they moved into the light, I noticed their pointed ears. Elves! I was stunned. Elves here. I had thought them strange and remote creatures that had no interest in men or their doings. Aragorn knelt by Elred and laid his hands on Elred’s head. I knelt on the other side holding his hand. He spoke Rohirric in a low voice. “Elred, son of Rohan, leave the darkness behind and return.” A light that had no source seemed to come from the elves. It enveloped Elred as Aragorn called to him in Rohirric. “One who shares your heart is here. Return to her. Return to the ones who love you.” Stride’s voice grew faint for a time and then strengthened. Elred’s skin seemed to grow less pale and his hand grew warm. My heart filled with an unlooked for hope. The light around him grew stronger. Aragorn touched my arm. “Call him, lady. He will know your voice.”

“Elred!”

Elred stirred and coughed. He opened his eyes slowly and looked towards me. “Eolindë? He squeezed my hand. “I heard you. I wanted to answer but it was so dark and the voices told me…”

Tears streaming down my face, “Shh, brother. I am right here with you.” Elred smiled and closed his eyes. The light from the elves faded. A peaceful sleep came over him, his face pink and his limbs warm.

“My lords,” I looked at the three men around Elred’s bed, “Thank you. There are not words enough to thank you.”

“Lady Eolindë, it was your strong bond to your brother that kept him here. Those who share the womb together are bound together in ways only the Valar know. It was those ties that helped bring him back.” said one of the elves in melodious voice. “My brother and I are twins also. We were happy to help reunite you with yours.” I could only looked in speechless wonder.

“Let him sleep as long as he wants to and let him get up for a few hours at a time. It will take time but he will recover.” And as if blending into the shadows, the man and the two elves left. Dior was left standing by the wall. I stood up and flung myself into his arms.

“Dior, you had hope where I had none. Thank you for interceding on Elred’s and my behalf.”

“I did it for you, Eolindë.” his eyes dark. “It hurt me to see you in so much pain. Especially when you have given so much to others.”

I stepped back. “You dared to ask the king to heal my brother for me?”

“I would do anything in my power to see you smiling and happy, Eolindë.” he said quietly. His words sent a shiver down my spine. I stepped out of his embrace.

“Thank you Dior. Any debt you feel you owe me has been paid in full.” He opened his mouth to reply then closed it. “Sleep well, meleth nîn.” He said taking my hands and kissing them. “You too, my friend.” Then I joined Elred in a dreamless sleep.