(Archive) The Fellowship of the Sword 30 - Healing Among the Beornings
From the archives of the Gondorian
In the Beorning Village, Aearwen heals Drenlyn and Doran. We find out that Aearwen came north as an emmissary of Gondor to follow-up on a meeting she had three years prior with an unknown Beorning to learn more herb-lore. (OOC: I guess she was bored in DA ) ). This is very good quality RP.
Elendor - Tuesday, December 19, 2000, 11:44 PM
[Beorn\'s ZMO(#9968)->Aearwen]
Real time is: Tue Dec 19 22:08:32 2000 - Weather in the Beorning realm is: CLEAR
Elendor time is: Late Morning
Infirmary
Upon entering this room, one\'s first impression is that it is small, immediately changed upon further examination. It is the amount of objects in here that creates this pleasant illusion. There are two lines of cots down either side of the wall, terminating at the far wall, where there is a room concealed by a long curtain. In the far right corner, there is a small hearth that provides heat for both cooking and for warming the room. Opposite the hearth on the far wall is a long cabinet and table with marked drawers and shelves, obviously meant for storing herbs and medicines for those who are treated here. The room is lit during the day through the large windows on both sides of the door, granting a fine view of the outside.
Contents:
Drenlyn
Doran
Obvious exits:
Back Room and Out
[Doran(#16967)] As the time for the nuncheon approaches on this pale wintry day, the cold of the outside is warded off by the warm glow of the fire in the chamber\'s merry hearth. Close by the lowly flickering flames in a simple cot of a mattress stuffed with straw lays a young man.
But the clothes of this man set him quite apart from these environs, and indeed from the entire surrounding village. His blood-stained raiment, now long removed, is left in a small pile by his bed, if he should want anything of it still. The man\'s chest is wrapped carefully, neatly with clean dressings of white linen. As is the entire lower portion of his right leg. A distinguishing cloak: heavy, black and lined with a fine trim of fir, is draped over the chair close to the cot where Doran lays quietly, at rest, recovering from his grievious wounds.
Stepping from behind a long curtain is Lady Aearwen, Envoy of the Prince of Dol Amroth and healer. Dark circles shadow beneath the cerulean eyes of the young woman as she walks towards the area where the men of Gondor have been taken for treatment. Long auburn locks are drawn back in a thick braid and hurriedly tied with a ribbon. A dress of plain blue adorns the slender form of the young healer. Wiping one hand across her brow as if to ease the weariness from seeing to these men since their arrival, she puts a smile upon her lips as she stops by the bed of Doran.
A soft whisper to the assistant working with her is heard as she says, \"See to these blood soaked clothes. Find a seamstress and repair what can be repaired.\" The woman gathers the articles from off of the floor and Aearwen adds, \"Have one of the squires see to the armor and mail. His squire must see to the equipment before it can gather rust upon its surface.\" Satisfied that the tasks will be seen too the woman turns her gaze back to the man in the bed. A cool hand is laid upon his brow, very lightly so as not to disturb his rest.
Though at the lady\'s touch, or at her words, Doran does stir. His neck stiffens, as if he would rise up from the bed, but he relaxes quickly, eyelids fluttering open. A bright smile slowly works its way across Doran\'s face, which looks almost fair once again. When the young knight had been drug within these chambers a few nights ago, he was ghastly pale, and indeed near death.
\"My.. squire?\" Doran mouths the words quietly, a besumed expression upon his visage, though still slightly wan. \"I am afraid that I have not yet been blessed with the opportunity to acquire such an apprentice, lady. Nor would I warrant one in my present state,\" he chuckles.
[Drenlyn(#19482)]
Walking slowly into the room, Drenlyn\'s head stares about him, examining the strange elements of the room. Seeing the fire burning brightly, he gains courage, and steps further inwards, spotting Doran lying on his cot. Smiling he strides forward, yet he holds back eyeing the lady that now tends the new knight.
Drenlyn listens carefully with a tilted head, yet not seeking to hide his presence nor his gaze. Long do his eyes stay on the lady, shining with questions, yet he sighs lightly and approaches the cot, \"Hail Doran! It is good to see that your knighting did not cost you your life. You have now set a high mark for those who remain squires to reach. But it is well, you fought valiently, and were rewarded justly.\"
Smiling gently as the young knight awakens, Aearwen continues to bend over the man, her eyes peering into his as she says, \"Rest easy young knight. You are in the infirmary of the Beorning Village. I know not of how much you remember of the last three days but you have been under my care.\" An impish grin curves her lips as she remarks, \"Now I suppose you would like to know who I am.\" Gracefully giving him a little curtsy she inclines her head and says, \"I am Lady Aearwen of Ethring-Bragollach, Envoy of the Prince and healer.
Surprise doth make the lady blink as the man admits to having no squire, indignation clearly written upon her brow as she says, \"Then one of the other squires can see to your armor while you heal. I shall not have you worrying about a single thing while you are under my care.\" Turning as another Gondorian comes forth she nods her head in greeting and listens to the words of the men as she checks the bandages of Doran and says softly, \"Do not mind me overmuch, I am pesky and bothersome at times, but I have a gift in the art of leechcraft and will expend every ounce of energy I have to get you back on your feet.\"
[Doran(#16967)]
\"Indeed, you must have done just that, Lady Aearwen,\" Doran remarks, a bright gleam now in his eye where sleep had before laid for many hours. \"Why I already feel as though I could step up from this cot to greet the day out of doors. But I shall remain under your careful administrations, for as long as is deemed fit. What I do remember from yestereve and that before is dim, but pleasant. My simple gratitude to you seems little thanks.\"
\"Good \'morn to you, Drenlyn,\" he looks over at the newly come squire now. \"Valiant? Perhaps some might use that word, perhaps.. fortunate is one that I should use,\" the young knight chuckles. \"Fortunate enough to be submitted into the care of the Lady-Envoy of our Prince,\" here he flashes another grateful smile at Aearwen.
[Drenlyn(#19482)]
\"But come now sir knight, if a squire you need, then allow me to care for your arms and mail while you can not,\" bows Drenlyn, smiling all the while. \"It would indeed be an honor to care for the rainment of one who has stood so valiently against such enemies, though fortune may have helped him survive it. But valor needs not fortune to show itself as it did in you, and so it did, in all its glory.\"
Smiling Drenlyn looks towards the lady healer, and turns to her, \"Pardon me my lady, I am forgetting myself.\" Bowing low he continues his speech with a gay and sincere voice, \"I thank-you for caring for all our men, especially our knight here, who would have had his knighthood end quickly had it not been for your skill.\"
Pausing long as he hears the lady\'s name Drenlyn eyes her even more carefully, a light of wonder filling his gaze, \"You say that you are from Gondor, and you have the air of one of our people. But how came you so far north? And what drove you hither?\"
Not waiting for an answer Drenlyn bows once more, \"Pardon my lady, I will hold my bothersome tongue, perhaps we will speak of it later if the chance appears. For now I would ask if there is naught else that I may do in your house, for I would gladly help she who helps my commradres.\"
A tone of censure marks the melodic voice of the healer as she says, \"The tincture we have passed through your lips has given you a false sense of wellness Doran. Make no mistake of that. You are far from being ready to rise from this bed, just yet.\" The stern expression upon her face quickly dissipates and a twinkling of sea blue eyes flash in teasing merriment, \"You can repay me with a dance when we return to Gondor. That is my fee.\", laughing softly until the bandage she is unwrapping is complete and the wound revealed.
Snapping her head quickly to her assistant, she barks out sharply, \"Fresh hot water, woundwort and bring the pouch with the powdered deerberry.\" Calmly she holds the bandage back over the wound as she glances at the squire and gives him a cool look, \"My duties as Envoy take me to many areas outside of Gondor and some three years past I met a woman from this area with a special ability. She had invited me to visit her homeland to learn more of this ability as well as learn the herb lore of this region.
One dimple is seen as she smiles, \"Lord Indilizar is a very distant relative of mine, as is Lady Gweneth, Lord Melethron and Lord Borgilas, if you are acquainted with either of those from House Bragollach.\", a droll laugh slips from her lips as she says, \"I can bet you would have knowledge of them all if you have been in Dol Amroth for any length of time.\"
[Doran(#16967)]
The young knight\'s glance caught in the merry blue eyes of his healer causes Doran to pay no attetion at all to the undressing of his hurts. As Aearwen places the bandage on the torn flesh he winces slightly. But the painful expression is quickly swept away by one of mirth, \"Then perhaps I shall venture to remain long under your care, lady. Until I am badgered out by my companions. To indebt myself deep in your manner of recompense seems good to me,\" he jests. Exhaling a deep breath he lays back now, allowing Aearwen to carry out her work, though he listens intently to all that she says to the squire.
\"It seems then that I am deeply indebted to the House of Sudden Flame. Twice did the lord Indilzar succour me from harm in our fray with the orcs. And he bore me from the battlefield, whence I could not have left under my own strength. If you look for a valiant model, Drenlyn, I would advise you to follow the Black Knight closely.\"
[Drenlyn(#19482)]
Smiling at the mention of the knights and the lady Gweneth Drenlyn replies, \"I have heard of them my lady, if not met them. They are bold and strong willed, as you must be, for it takes a stern will to travel as you have.\"
Nodding to the knight, \"I will do so my lord, for I have found him an apt example, not only of valor, but of knowledge and skill in many arts. I will follow him as close as I may, and it may be well that Sir Thorondur seeks to place me in Sir Indilzar\'s care, to teach me lore, and other pearls that the Black Knight holds.\"
The low undertones of the healer are barely heard as she requests of her assistant as she comes bearing the fresh water and ordered herbs, \"Some Dormidera tea and a hollow reed please.\" Picking up the pouch of deerberry, Aearwen sprinkles two tinctures into the water and stirs it gently with one finger, mixing the herb as well as testing the temperature. Dipping the clean cloth into the water she squeezes the excess and turns to attend to Doran. Sighing in relief as the assistant returns with the tea, Lady Aearwen smiles at the brave knight and says, \"Sip what you can of this brew, tis a bit on the bitter side but it will ease some of your pain.
Nodding her head in agreement as she listens to the man talk of Lord Indilzar a look of pride shines from the eyes of Lady Aearwen as she says, \"Aye. One cannot have a better role model, save that of our Liege Lord himself.\" Shaking her head in wonder she adds, \'The stories I could tell you of his bravery upon the field of battle. Sometime, if you wish to hear them, I could recant his walking across the bridge in Osgiliath to face the enemy alone! Or perhaps facing the wargs in Rohan. The Haradrim in Umbar.....the list goes on and on.\", her voice continues to talk softly as she bathes the wound and then sprinkles woundwort in the area to staunch the bleeding, \"Lord Indilzar is one of Gondor\'s greatest heroes, make no mistake of that.\"
[Doran(#16967)]
The form of the young knight twitches ever so slightly under Aearwen\'s hands, as the lady touches a swollen area, or tickles a bit of sensitive flesh. \"I have heard some of the tales, and spent days reading the lays in the library of fair Dol Amroth by the sea..\" Doran sighs wistfully thinking back to simpler days. Days that transpired mere weeks ago, before the young man\'s life was irrevocably changed by departing from comfort and honest labour on a dangerous errand of the highest honour.
\"Though my recall would pale in comparison to yours, lady, I have no doubt,\" he smiles back at his care-giver. But now the knight glances at Drenlyn once again. \"Come, what of the others? Are all housed well within the village?\"
[Drenlyn(#19482)]
\"Indeed Lord Indilzar one of our greatest heroes, but I still hold the Knight-Herald to be one of Gondor\'s best. Yet it is well that squires such as I have so many good men to follow and learn from,\" says Drenlyn, turning to Doran with a broad smile, \"Not to mention you Sir Doran.\" Turning his gaze to the lady, Drenlyn awaits her reply, his eyes still filled with wonder and happiness.
A tightening of her body at the mention of the Knight-Herald is barely perceptible as Lady Aearwen finishes bandaging Doran. Slender fingers test the tightness of the bandage after she ties off the end. Plopping down in a chair beside the bed she exhales deeply, \"Now, I shall take a small rest and chat for awhile before the next patient awakens and needs my attention.\" Wearily the lady healer rotates her neck as one hand gently massages the area, her eyes closing for a minute as a loud pop echoes in the room. \"There!\", she cries with a sigh of relief.
Smiling warmly at the men from Gondor she crosses her arms upon her bosom and leans back in the chair, \"So tell me, what news have you of Gondor? And why have you travelled this far?\", curiosity floods her cerulean eyes as she looks from knight to squire and then back again. Without thought she drops one hand over to again test the brow of Doran and says softly, \'You will get so used to my checking that before long you will not even notice\"
[Doran(#16967)]
The grey eyes of Doran, now keen and clear and far from sleep, though the poultices applied are very soothing, look on intently at the lady as she moves. Rolling onto his side, propped up on one elbow, the knight casts a quick glance at Drenlyn before speaking. \"Thank you once again, my lady,\" he acknowledges her care and skill in healing.
With a soft clearing of his throat, \"There is quite a tale in all this, as I am certain you have guessed. And much of it is sorrow. Though I do not know how freely we should speak of it, here amongst strangers, however friendly they may be. Perhaps you would rather hear from your kinsman, Indilzar. For it is he, the Black Knight, that leads our company, along with the White and the Silver.\"
Aearwen carefully watches the face of the knight as he rolls to one side and props himself up on one elbow. Content when little sign of pain is seen upon his visage, the lady of House Bragollach graces him with a warm smile. \"You are more than welcome Doran, tis my second calling, so to speak. My mother taught me from a very early age to appreciate the abilities of certain plants to aid in healing and upon my arrival in Gondor I began studying in earnest from the Master healers there.\"
A gasp of shock sounds as she leans forward in her chair and whispers sharply, \"The Silver Knight? Pray tell. What of this miracle? When last I heard, the Isilrim Lord had perished.\" Grave is her expression as she looks around the room and notes that the Beorning healers are across the room as she speaks in low tones, \"I shall have to speak to Indilzar when I have a free moment. I wish to hear what sorrow could have sent so many of Gondors brave men on such a journey.\" Distant grow her eyes as she says aloud, \"And where this journey must lead if you are still heading North.\"
[Doran(#16967)]
The young man smiles back at Aearwen, warmly but briefly. A stern expression, solemn and grave, now takes his fair face, masking an emotion that might linger there. \"My kinsman, the lord Arnafel, has long returned from his foray into Calenardhon. The full telling of that I would leave for another time,\" he sighs now, with another glance at the squire, and his voice drops low into a deep tone to be barely heard, save by those closest. \"No harm should come of our converse, no more than has already been done, and that is much. We are ventured forth on an errand of upmost importance, to secure the safety of one of the Prince\'s most prized possessions: his youngest son.\"
A myriad of emotions pass over the fair brow of the healer as Aearwen listens to his words, \"Lord Arnafel has returned from Calenardhon.\", she repeats his words as if in disbelief. Leaning ever closer to the knight as his own tone drops to a confidential level, Aearwen levels her clear gaze into his own, trusting and curious as he speaks of the errand of the Men of Gondor.
Pain floods her eyes, deep sorrow mars the beauty of her eyes as she asks, \"Secure the safety of Amrothos?\" closing her eyes as if looking at Doran and the words he speaks are too painful Aearwen whispers softly, \"Tell me this, what has become of Imrahil\'s youngest son? My heart is heavy with the mere mention of his safety being in harms way.\" The Envoy of the Prince studies the Swan Knight after the last words spill from her lips, deep lines of worry etching deep furrows into her brow.
[Doran(#16967)]
\"Amrothos has been taken from the world of the living, but not for long, if our errand proves successful. The Fellowship of the Sword, the elder knights name our company,\" Doran continues intently, his voice remaining very low. \"For we seek the fabled blade of mighty Anarion, and with that mystic heirloom shall Imrahil\'s son be freed from the torment of the undead. \'Twas an evil night, at the Stone of Erech when Amrothos was taken,\" the knight quietly says. And pauses here, to sigh, his eyes rolling back to look up as his eyelids flutter.
\"Fate or ill chance led us there. And now we have been many weeks afield. Counsel we took, from Curunir at Angrenost, and from the elves of Lothlorien. Our path lies northward now, to the far realms of the Dwarf-kings. There we turn, seeking rumour of Anarion\'s sword, the key to Amrothos\' life.\"
Studying the knight long after his voice has stilled, Aearwen is silent as she takes in all of the information given. Blue eyes flicker with some unknown emotion as she bites the corner of her lip in thought. Solemnly Aearwen nods her head, \"Indeed. A most evil of nights. And for Erchirion to be on this quest. I can only quess at the torment weighing upon the shoulders of The Prince.\"
Narrowing her eyes as she looks at the Knight her voice is clear and strong when next she speaks, \"Then North I shall travel as well. Both my skills as diplomatic envoy and healer can be used to aid The Fellowship of the Sword.\" Grave is her expression as she whispers, \"There is no choice here. My hands are a tool of Gondor and can be used,\" with that a clarity floods her expression as she says, \"Now to convince Lord Indilzar of that,\" a steely hard gaze turning cerulean eyes to a dark blue hue.
[Doran(#16967)]
The young knight, Doran, having fallen silent after having said all of that, capturing the purpose and background of the quest in a few meager words, looks up intently now at the Lady Ethir-Bragollach. \"It would be ill-considered by many for a lady such as yourself to confront such perils that are abroad in the Wild nowadays, fair Aearwen,\" he says staring deep into those sparkling blue eyes.
\"Or so I would say if I did not guess that already you have ventured much farther afield than I, as of yet, and are aware of such things. Though I may be shorter in years than some others, I hold myself to have enough wisdom and clear sight to see that you are a strong woman and that you will hold to your own path,\" again he falls silent, staring off at the plain wooden wall. Suddenly Doran\'s keen, piercing glance reverts back to his healer, grey eyes locking with those hard orbs of blue, and he says, \"You have given me my life back, Aearwen. I pledge it now to you and your safe-keeping, wherever our paths might lead.\"
A flush of colour quickly spreads across the porcelain cheeks of the fair lady as Doran begins to speak, tilting her chin up with a hint of defiance in those blazing blue eyes Aearwen remarks, \"It would be most unseemly for most noblewoman to face the perils that exist abroad in the wilds. I would be the first to admit, fear resides in me at the thought of such a journey.\" Her eyes beg him to understand as she continues in earnest, \"And yet, how can I give in to my own fear when there is so much at risk? Do not my hands have the gift of healing that could save the life or lives of many on such a trip?\" Snorting in derision she says, \"Would I to return to Gondor and hear of the demise of one man, the berating of myself would be relentless.\"
Her head bows as she studies one hand as if it were a strange appendage and continues her thoughts aloud to this Swan Knight, \"In five years, I have seen much as I traveled with the war host of Gondor. I would not put into words most of what I witnessed in Umbar and Caldur, the atrocities there were unspeakable. But I will say this, when the Southron left the body parts of our men strewn along the road, it was the healers that saw to the burying of those men.\" the eyes of Aearwen grow distant as if again seeing that which she will not speak.
Shivering suddenly the Lady of Ethring-Bragollach rises gracefully from the chair and stands beside the bed of Doran. His piercing eyes holding her own as he makes his pledge. Tenderly she rests one soft hand upon his for a moment and says, \"I am honoured by your pledge and you have mine in return. I will do all in my power to see to your care. Rest now Doran. We have spoken of many grievous things and you must have your rest to heal. There is time to speak further on this subject.\"
[Doran(#16967)]
Saying naught else, but taking hold of Aearwen\'s hand in his calloused grip, squeezing her fingertips gently for that brief moment, Doran lays himself back down, stretching out upon the cot. He casts the lady a warm, comforting look, himself now comforted, a nod at all she has beheld of the evils of battle. Dark eyelashes flutter closed and the knight is asleep within moments. His chest rises and falls with the steady rhythm of deep breaths, as warm wholesome air is taken into his person. Exhaling, but no longer in short, labourious wheezes as the night before, Doran seems to slip into a deep sleep of pleasant dreams, by the expression upon his face.