Healing Hope

Chapter Fifty-Six

Help from on High

“Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting.”

Elizabeth Bibesco

O-o-O-o-O

“Of course, how dim-witted of me...” Elrond stopped rocking and sat up quickly. So abrupt was his action that it drew Sariboril’s attention. The healer was even now changing the poultice over Elladan’s shoulder.

“What is it, Elrond?” she questioned. “What is wrong?”

“Glorfindel will never make it to the Grey Havens and back in time to save Elladan.” Elrond rose determinedly from the chair, his features animated. “What could I have been thinking?”

“Perhaps your mind was on your son,” she said kindly.

Elrond nodded, still distracted. “I must stop him.” He made for the door but halted and looked back. “Will you stay with Elladan?”

Sariboril was dumbfounded at the abrupt change in Elrond. His manner seemed almost frenetic when compared with his usual calm demeanor. “Of course, my Lord...” She might as well have spoken to herself for only the swish of his robes disappearing around the corner remained as she spoke. Shaking her head in bemusement, she went back to work on Elladan’s shoulder. “You father is in a very strange temper, young one,” she chuckled.

Elrond hurried down the steps. He had to reach the stables before Glorfindel could leave. Well, no matter, he consoled himself. If the Balrog Slayer had already gone he could not have gotten far. Elrond would simply summon him back. As he walked, he reached out with his mind, calling upon the one whose help he was requesting.

O-o-O-o-O

Helcar was in the stable with Glorfindel going over last minute instructions. The commander of all defenses for the inner valley and one of the most experienced warriors in Imladris, Helcar acted as Glorfindel “second” whenever the Golden Warrior was away. As Glorfindel readied what he needed for his trip, Helcar related to him the guard he had chosen to accompany Lord Erestor and Lord Elrohir.

Glorfindel seemed to be only half listening as he led Asfaloth from his stall. He did not like the idea of Erestor and Elrohir making such a hazardous trip without him, but Elrond had entrusted him with this mission, and its success might be the only thing to save Elladan. A frown creased his forehead has he puzzled over the problem.

“Do you concur with my choice to warriors as the escort?” Helcar was asking. His commander certainly seemed distracted today, but then again, Lord Elrond’s son was desperately ill.

Glorfindel forced his mind back to the present. “I do, but I would add Beling.”

Helcar’s eyebrows rose. Beling was still mourning the loss of his brother. “I am not disposed against his addition, my Lord, but may I inquire as to your reasoning?”

The Commander nodded. “Beling and Elrohir are close; they searched for the arrow together.” Glorfindel paused, absentmindedly rubbing his hand along Asfaloth’s neck, and then sighed. “If Elladan...” He could not bring himself to say the words. “If the worst happens, I want Beling there with Elrohir.”

“Of course,” Helcar nodded his understanding. “I will see to it at once.”

As Helcar left to summon Beling, Glorfindel started to lead Asfaloth from the stable. Celos and Celon immediately began backing out of their stalls. The horses had heard Glorfindel and Helcar speaking their master’s names clearly and were certainly astute enough to detect the level of tension and worry in their voices. Wherever Asfaloth was going, Celos and Celon wanted to go too.

Aradol spotted the pair’s intention and moved fast to intervene. “Whoa,” he called, planting himself squarely behind Celon, who had the closest stall. The Stable Master held out his arms to stop the two horses knowing full well that they were too well trained to run him over. “No my beauties, you are not to go with Asfaloth this time,” he soothed. “Your time of service will come, I promise you!” Aradol reached into the pocket of his apron to retrieve carrots for the pair, but they ignored the treat and kept their eyes fixed on Asfaloth, much to Aradol’s amusement. “Ah, my stubborn beauties; you remind me so much of the twins!”

Emerging from the stable, Glorfindel was surprised to see Elrond walking briskly towards him. “Is there some new information that I need?” the warrior asked.

“Put Asfaloth back in the stable, Glorfindel,” Elrond said. “I have another ride for you.”

O-o-O-o-O

Thedin was working at a desperate pace. The barbed arrow had done great damage to Falathar’s insides, requiring him to sew up far too much delicate tissue. Twice he feared that he was losing the young warrior, but each time Falathar’s spirit rallied to slam shut the door of death.

The surgery team seldom saw the survival of an elf this badly wounded, but Falathar seemed determined to remain in Middle Earth. As Thedin completed the last procedure, he gazed at the warrior’s extremely pale skin and breathed a weary thanks to the Valar and to the dedicated team of healers working with him. “We have done all we can,” he completed. “It is in the hands of the Valar now.”

“I would say that his chances are very good,” added a female aide. “This one has already beaten so many odds to survive that I cannot believe he would be taken from us now.”

Thedin watched her smile at Falathar with such love that the healer chuckled to himself. So, it seemed that the dashing Chief of the King’s Guard had caught the eye of one of his healers! “Gelleth, stay with our patient while I report to the King and Prince Legolas.”

The healer’s apprentice all but sighed with joy. “I would be most happy to remain with Falathar, First Healer,” she replied.

Thedin chuckled again. “Somehow I thought you might say that,” he replied as he removed the bloodied surgical robe and washed his hands. “Call me if there is the slightest change.” All humor aside, the First Healer knew that Falathar was still gravely wounded. “Gelleth,” he emphasized to her, “any change at all.”

Gelleth looked down quickly at Falathar, fear was clearly written on her beautiful features. “I will, First Healer,” she nodded so vigorously that the clip securing her hair bobbed up and down. “I will not leave him for a moment.”

“See that you do not,” Thedin replied. The First Healer walked back to the triage/waiting area looking for Thranduil or Legolas. Sure enough, Legolas was perched nervously on the edge of the examination table where Estel was treated earlier. The First Healer glanced around the room, gratified to see that the flow of wounded was finally dwindling and that his healers had everything well in hand.

Legolas jumped off the table as soon as he caught sight of Thedin. “First Healer,” he called. “How is Falathar?”

Thedin was grateful to see that the Prince had bathed and changed his clothes. The First Healer had smelt quite enough orc blood to last him for a long time. “Falathar survived the surgery and stands a very good chance of fully recovering.”

Legolas closed in eyes in thanks and heaved a sigh of relief.

“However,” cautioned Thedin, “his wound is grave, and his recovery will be a long, difficult one.”

“What can I do to help?” Legolas immediate asked.

A fierce gleam came to Thedin’s eyes as he looked around the room. “You can defeat these dark abominations!”

O-o-O-o-O

Thranduil was pacing. Within a few short hours he would be required to render judgment over Lariel, but first he needed further information to be able to understand more fully what had happened. Nárë reported what he saw, which was admittedly after the fact, though there was little doubt that the elleth entrusted with Estel’s care had struck him, kicked him in the back, and left him alone in the darkness.

“But why,” Thranduil mused, “that is what I do not understand.”

“I have no answer to that,” Nárë shrugged. “I have tried to think of any sign I might have missed that would explain her actions, but there are none.” The warrior sighed. “Lariel has never shown any such behavior before.”

“Lariel?” Estel sat up sleepily. “Is Lariel here?” He stared to rub his eye, but Nárë grabbed his hand before he could touch the swollen flesh.

“So,” said Thranduil, “you heard us speaking of Lariel.”

Estel nodded. “Restor says that little pitchers have big ears,” he repeated so innocently that the two elves chuckled.

“How well I remember,” laughed Thranduil. “Legolas once told my chief counselor that his Naneth said she was going to box the counselor’s big ears if he did not stop talking so much.”

Estel seemed puzzled. “Was the counselor a ‘little pitcher’ too?”

Nárë snorted, “Trust me, Estel, there was not much about him that was little, especially his ego.”

“So, ‘little pitcher’, are your ears big?” teased Thranduil. “Perhaps I should look.”

Immediately a look of panic crossed Estel’s face and he clapped his hand against his ear. Thranduil and Nárë were so surprised that neither one responded. “My ears are not big, King Thran-due; I promise!”

It seemed so important to Estel that both elves immediately agreed with him and changed the subject to one that would be less threatening to the child. However, Thranduil intended to ask Legolas if he knew of any reason Estel might have reacted with fear to such an innocent question.

When it became clear to him that neither King Adar nor Nárë were going to look at his ears, Estel relaxed and lowered his hand. That had been close though, and the boy decided he had better keep on his guard lest someone else see his ears.

“Can we go outside, King Thran-due?” Estel asked. “Please...”

Thranduil smiled. “I believe the light of Anor would do us both some good, but is your head not hurting you still?” The King could plainly see pain reflected on the child’s face.

Estel looked down, obviously crestfallen.

Thranduil sighed. Estel was unused to his caverns and undoubtedly could use the fresh air and light. “Very well, Estel, but you shall allow me to carry you, and “ he cautioned when a smile lit the child’s face, “you must promise to tell me if you start to feel worse.”

“Oh, I promise, King Adar,” Estel breathed, anxious to be away from all walls every where and feel the freedom of space around him.

While Thranduil helped Estel to dress, Nárë immediately left the room to arrange an escort for the King and Estel. With the increased attacks he would not risk the King anywhere outside the gates without ample protection. The Sword Master even donned his own sword as he assumed Falathar’s position of Chief of the King’s Guard.

When Thranduil and Estel emerged, they were both dressed in their finest, as befitted a pair of Kings. Thranduil chose golden britches tucked down into the softest of suede boots. His tunic was loose fitting and of the finest linen woven through with golden thread over which he fitted a scarlet cloak. Similarly, Estel was dressed in clothing that once belonged to Prince Legolas, and he too wore golden leggings. Because his arm had been secured to his body by the healer, the King did not attempt to remove his sleeping top but instead layered a scarlet cloak on top of it. Estel’s cloak was of heavy velvet to afford the child more warmth, whereas Thranduil’s was silk. Upon each of their heads sat woven gold and mithril coronets. They made quite a magnificent sight, and as they exited the chamber the King reached down and picked up the tiny future King of the West.

Estel threw his arm around Thranduil’s neck and smiled his King Adar. “I love you, King Adar,” he whispered, bringing a look of wonder to the mighty King’s face. “Can we look for bur-der-blys?”

After the last few days of non-stop battle and death, Thranduil decided that looking for butterflies would be a perfect way to spend the afternoon.

Nárë bowed to the pair, saluted with his sword and then called the guard to order as the Kings proudly started off down the corridor. Behind them, led by Nárë, the guard fell into step. It made for a regal procession through the hallways of the beleaguered Mirkwood and lifted the hearts of all who beheld the scene.

O-o-O-o-O

Glorfindel looked at Asfaloth and then back at Elrond not completely sure he had heard correctly. Well, of course, he heard him, he just could not fathom what he meant. Not ride Asfaloth? That was unheard of! Glorfindel always rode Asfaloth.

Elrond was shooing his friend back towards the stable. “Hurry, you must be ready.”

Glorfindel was beginning to worry. Perhaps the strain of the past weeks was finally taking its toll. “Elrond, whatever are you talking about?”

“Lord Gwaihir, of course,” Elrond replied, as though Glorfindel must surely know this already. “As swift and faithful as Asfaloth is, you could never make it to the Havens and back in time to save Elladan, so Lord Gwaihir has agreed to take you.” Elrond scanned the heavens. “I hear him coming!”

Glorfindel was greatly relieved. He too had realized that even at his speediest, it would take weeks on Asfaloth...weeks the twin did not have. With the Wind Lord’s assistance he could be back within a few days, depending upon how long it too to find the serpent.

Sure enough, Gwaihir swept overhead, gliding over them once before circling back to land gracefully before the elves. “My Lord Elrond,” the eagle greeted, “it is too long since we have treated together.” The eagle nodded his head next to Glorfindel. “Mighty Balrog Slayer, friend of my father, Thorondor, it is my honor to bear you to the Havens and back.”

Elrond bowed to the eagle. “Lord Gwaihir, I am honored.”

“As am I,” bowed Glorfindel. “Once again, as in the days of old, the Wind Lords come to the aid of the Eldar.”

“Come now,” Gwaihir said, “Climb upon my back and we shall wing our way to the sea to bring back aid for the young Elrondion.”

“Lord Gwaihir, I am in your debt,” said Elrond.

Gwaihir cocked his head to the side and looked steadily at the Elf Lord. “Not many ages ago, the sons of Elrond saved one of our hatchlings that had been snared by orc filth.” The eagle nodded his head as though remembering. “The Lords of the Wind shall always aid the House of Elrond.”

“Then go with the blessings of the Valar and with my sincerest thanks,” replied Elrond.

As Gwaihir lifted off with Glorfindel on his back, Elrond walked over to a rather forlorn looking Asfaloth. The Elf Lord scratched him behind the ears in comfort. “Soon, old friend, he will return soon.” Elrond stood watching until the great eagle disappeared from sight. “He must…”

TBC