Adult-FanFiction.org : Lord of the Rings

Love's Redemption	By : mthorsta Category: -Multi-Age > Het - Male/Female Views: 7108 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 17
- 18
- 19
A.N: Hello lovely readers. I want to take a moment to thank you for your kind comments on the last chapter and well-wishes about my mother. Thankfully, she is on her way to recovery. I know it�s been longer than my usual monthly posting increment, but I have been spending a lot of time in the D�ni cavern lately. A game called Myst Online offered through Gametap lets you explore the cavern in a live, real-time environment with other �explorers� from all around the world - a most unique and wonderful way to explore the D�ni city and interact with other players. I would highly recommend it to you all as you can go see and explore for yourself the places I have written about. You can sit on the library landing and look out over the cavern in the exact same spot that Jordan did when she read the journal entries on the kings and ate her lunch. You can peer down the alley where the building collapsed nearly killing Victor Laxman (it is partially curtained off). Visit the Great Tree pub where she met with Zach. Explore Kirel, the neighborhood where Jordan stayed during her visit. Unfortunately though, they are shutting the game down in April. You could still enjoy it for a while anyway, but the downside is it requires a monthly subscription to Gametap.
Another reason why this chapter took me longer than usual is I felt that it was pivotal chapter and it had to be just right. I agonized over every word, revising and editing until at last, I felt like it was worthy. The next chapter is almost complete as well. My goal is to have it out by Valentine�s day, but I don�t promise anything.
Until next time�
- ELoI

Chapter 16 - Rise to the Occasion
  The battle of the elements wore on throughout the night, but the dark clouds eventually conceded to the morning sun and bowed out, ushering in a radiant blue sky. As the haziness from a night of broken and restless sleep faded, she became acutely aware of a sense of oppression and dread weighing heavily upon her heart. It was as if she was waking to a nightmare instead of from one.
  �It must be early.� She thought. She hadn�t recalled hearing the first bell that woke the city from its slumber. There was no reason to linger in bed any longer; sleep would not come. She drug herself out of bed and went into the bathing chamber to wash up. The dress she wore last night was still draped over the edge of the tub. She picked it up and felt of it. It had dried, but it was stiff and somewhat wrinkled. As she held it, she thought of Legolas in the next room. She imagined him sleeping peacefully in his bed; his golden hair splayed out on the pillow framing his face. She longed to look upon him like that; to sit on the edge of the bed and stroke his hair while he slept. After a few moments, he would open his eyes and smile lovingly at her; reach up and brush her cheek with the back of his hand. She would lean down and press her lips to his. Suddenly, she shook herself out of her daydream and berated herself for how easily she let her thoughts run wild. It only made it harder to pull away from him. In frustration, she balled up the dress and slammed it in the basket to be laundered on her way out of the bathing chamber.
  She put on one of her plainer gowns, opting for comfort rather than style. Afterwards, she sat down at the vanity and brushed out her hair. The sun streamed into her quarters through every opening, creating a mosaic of light and dark on the stone tile floor; its warmth was already strong enough to chase away the early morning chill. It was the kind of morning that Jordan relished back home on a rare day off - quiet, peaceful, comfortable; the perfect setting to relax on the balcony with a cup of coffee and watch the world go by. As much as she wished to enjoy it, her heart just wasn�t in it.
  She knew she would have to find something to occupy her time today or her brooding would drive her mad. She doubted after yesterday that Eowyn would be calling upon her to have breakfast and without Eowyn, that left few options. Maybe she could go to the market Eowyn had mentioned several times. She imagined it being similar to the arts and crafts booths at the medieval festival they used to have every year at the park just outside her city. She couldn�t buy anything, but it might be interesting to look around. Of course, it seemed less appealing when she realized all of the walking it would require, but she supposed she could always sit down and take frequent breaks. Before her accident, something as simple as walking was never given a single thought. It was as reflexive as breathing. Now the limitations thereof had to be factored in with every decision.
  Jordan turned herself around to sit backwards on the vanity bench and in the process, knocked her foot into her cane which was leaning up against the vanity. It went skittering across the floor and out of her reach. She clenched her fists and howled in anger. Today was not the day to try her patience. She was so tired of having to walk with it, needing it at all times, always having to think about it. She could never just get up from a chair and walk away, she had to locate her cane first and it seemed like she was always dropping it or knocking it over. If she could walk over to it, she would hurl it across the room, and that was just what she was going to do. With determination, she stood up using the vanity for support. Once she felt stable on her feet, she stepped out with her injured leg and set her foot flat on the floor. Shifting her weight, she took a small step with the other leg. She found that as long as she did not come up on the ball of her foot while she transitioned to the other leg, her injured leg would support her. She took a few more small steps in the same manner. It was more of a shuffling motion than walking but it was still unassisted and that was good enough for Jordan. She bent down and picked the cane up with the intent to throw it, but found her efforts had dissipated her anger. Turning it over in her hand, she studied the intricate vine detail that Legolas had painstakingly carved for her and felt bad for wanting to destroy it. She held it horizontally in both hands, using it for balance, and turning around, she began to walk back across the room. The more steps she took, the more her confidence grew, but she became too eager. By instinct, she rose up on the ball of her foot to take another step and her foot gave out. She knew she was going down but couldn�t stop herself. As she fell, the cane flew out of her hands, hit one of the posts of the bed frame, and clattered to the ground. She landed on her hands and knees on the hard stone floor, crying out from the impact that jolted her bones and joints.
  With a groan, she turned over and sat down on the floor, rubbing her knees through her dress to sooth the stinging pain. Just then, Legolas came running into her quarters using the balcony entrance, saw her sitting on the floor, and rushed to her side.

  �Jordan! Are you alright? I heard you fall.�

  �How could you hear that?�

  �Elves have excellent hearing, remember?� He smiled sympathetically. �Are you hurt?�

  �Just my pride, mostly.�

  �What happened?�

  �I was trying to walk without my cane.�

  Legolas raised his eyebrows in surprise. �Were you at all successful?�

  �For a little bit.�

  �Here, let me help you up.� He picked her up easily as if she weighed nothing and set her down on the edge of the bed.
�How did you land when you fell?�

  �On my hands and knees.�

  �Let me see.�

  �Legolas, it�s nothing.�

  Ignoring her protest, he knelt at her feet and lifted the hem of her dress just above her knees. She had a large, bright pink scrape on each knee cap. He prodded around the scrape gently, checking for injuries to the bone.

  �Ow!� She winced.

  �Sorry. You are probably going to have some bruising.�

  She nodded. She already knew as much but said nothing. It was sweet the way he was trying to play the part of healer, so she let him continue his examination. He paused when he saw the scar on her leg. He ran his fingers over it lightly, feeling a stab of regret. If only he could have prevented it; if only he had reached her sooner. He pulled her dress back down over her knees and held out his hands expectantly. She put her hands in his with her palms up, so he could examine them as well. He ran his thumbs over the palms of her hands. There was only a tiny scrape on the heel of one of her hands. He let her hands go and said, �You should let the healers put some liniment on your wounds.�

  �No, Legolas, it�s fine, really. I�m a big girl, I can handle it. It just stings a little.�

  He sat down on the edge of the bed beside her and a moment of silence passed between them.
  Now that they were together, Legolas could finally apologize for his behavior at the delegate�s dinner.

  �Jordan, there is something I have been wanting to say to you.� He began.

  Jordan immediately felt the urge to flee but managed to suppress it. Whatever he had to say, he would eventually find a way to say it. There was no point in avoiding it any longer.

  �What is it?�

  She maintained a calm exterior, but inside she was cringing. What if he was going to ask to court her as Eowyn said he would? She was not prepared right now to refuse him.

  �I wanted to apologize for my actions at the delegate�s dinner. I do not know what came over me. I am sorry.�

Jordan looked into his eyes - luminous rings of the brightest cerulean surrounding darker pools of the deepest depths. Rippling on the surface, she saw her own reflection; broken and fragmented, like her heart. A part of her wanted so badly to tell him of her past. Rejection would almost be better than this torment she was in - this duality of emotions - yearning, yet not wanting; resolute, yet weak. Maybe there was a chance he would be understanding. She was always trying to interpret the aspects of their relationship in the terms and conditions of her world. Maybe they no longer applied in this world.

  �Legolas, I�� She couldn�t do it. The words would not come. �I�m sorry too. I�m sorry I lied to you.�

  Legolas� body sagged with relief. Her hesitancy had started to worry him. He pulled her into his arms and held her. She stiffened at first as she struggled with her conflicting emotions but his gentle touch broke down her defenses and she relaxed into him and rested her head on his chest.
  That strange sensation was coming over her again. Lately she had noticed if she was around Legolas for any length of time, she would get these feelings - emotions that didn�t seem to come from within her, rather from the outside washing over her like waves. The first time she really noticed it was the day Legolas took her to the waterfall. Sometimes they were darker emotions that fueled her own but most of the time, like now, they were feelings of hopefulness and contentment surrounding her and filling her senses until any troubled thoughts she had began to yield. The sensation was never overpowering, just insistent and if she was not careful, she would find herself lulled by its gentle persuasion into believing nothing else mattered; not the difference in their life spans; not the differences in their race and culture. Those issues became trivial and meaningless; easily dismissed as something to be addressed in the future. She thought maybe it was something she was doing subconsciously; a way for her psyche to circumnavigate its own misgivings and validate her feelings for him. As much as she wanted to believe they could exist in this state of blissful ignorance, no one can shut out the world forever. The reality of life will find you and force you to face it. Somehow Aragorn and Arwen found a way to make it work. Perhaps she should talk to her. Maybe she could lend some insight.
  �Shall we put this incident behind us then?�

  �Yes.� She said into his chest.

  �Good. I am glad. May I escort you down to the archives today?�

  Jordan sat upright again. �I�m not going to the archives. The search is over. The book was not there.� She said, her voice tinged with bitterness.

  �Oh, I see.� He said softly. �Is this the reason then for your dispirited temperament lately?�

  Jordan looked at him questioningly, wondering how he could be so intuitive when she had spent maybe a few minutes with him in the last couple days.

  �It radiates off you like heat from a flame.�

  She looked down at her lap. �Yes, I suppose it is.� Well, it was partly the reason, anyway.

  �I am sorry. I think there are reasons why events may take a certain course and sometimes we cannot know their full purpose right away. What we do not receive presently may turn out to be a blessing in the future, if that is any consolation.�

  When she did not comment, he continued. �Had I known, I would not have made plans, but alas, I am spending the day with Aragorn. We are climbing above Minas Tirith up Mount Mindolluin.�

  �You�re going mountain climbing?� She didn�t know why, but it surprised her.

  �Yes.� He said with a mischievous gleam in his eye.

  �It sounds dangerous.�

  �Are you saying you are concerned about my welfare?� He prodded, raising one eyebrow in interest.

  He was trying to goad her into admitting she cared for him but she wasn�t about to fall for it.

  �Well�� She stammered. �Of course, I am concerned about the welfare of you both!� Just to rile him, she added, �I mean, should something untoward happen, where would Gondor be without its king?�

  Legolas put his hand over his heart. �Oh! A touching sentiment, truly.� He replied with mock sarcasm. �The only real danger is standing behind Aragorn if he should fall, as ungainly and graceless as men are. He would no doubt take me down with him! So, if we do not return, you will know who to blame and where to send the search party.� He ended with a hearty laugh.

  Jordan slapped his arm �That�s not funny!�

  �You concern is endearing but do not fret. It is only a short climb. Most likely we will not even reach where the snow begins.� He patted her shoulder reassuringly and stood up. He pulled Jordan to her feet and handed her cane to her. �With that, I should be on my way. He is probably waiting on me�� Then with a devilish grin, he added, �eager to meet his doom.�

  She put her hands on her hips and grunted with indignity at his teasing. He laughed and jumped out of the way in case she tried to hit him again.

  �Are you meeting Aragorn at his home?�

  �Yes, why?�

  �I would like to go with you to see Arwen.�

  �An excellent idea, of course you may. I am certain she would enjoy the company and it will give you two a chance to get to know one another better�and perhaps you can console her in the event Aragorn is defeated by the mountain.�

  �Legolas!�

  �Okay!� He laughed again and put his hands up in surrender. �I am sorry.�

  As they walked out the door, Jordan shook her finger at Legolas. �Now wouldn�t you feel terrible if something did happen?� She said, scolding him jokingly.

  �In all truthfulness, I may jest greatly at the man�s expense, but he is like kin to me. I would never let anything happen to him.�
~~~~~~
  When they emerged from tunnel that brought them to the seventh level, Jordan saw the mountains rising up behind the Citadel, towering to a dizzying height, and pointed to them.

  �Is that where you two are going?�

  �As far west as the eye can see is the range called the White Mountains, but see that peak in front there?� Legolas pointed out.

  �Yes.�

  �That is Mount Mindolluin, our destination.�
  Jordan stopped when they reached the soft green grass of the courtyard. Legolas got a few steps ahead of her before he realized she had stopped. He turned on his heel and walked back to her.

  �Is there something wrong?�

  �The grass won�t hurt as much if I fall. Will you hold my cane?�

  He realized she was going to try walk without it again. He tucked her cane under one arm and grasped her upper arm lightly.

  �I will not let you fall.�

  The first few steps came awkwardly, self-conscious as she was of her lumbering gait. When she got a rhythm going, Legolas let go of her arm but kept pace in case she stumbled. She managed to walk the length of the courtyard, coming to a stop at the steps of the Tower Hall.

  �Well, it wasn�t very pretty, but I did it.� She said shakily.

  �You did, indeed.� He said, beaming at her with pride.

  She gave a short laugh, feeling exhilarated by her progress. She was one step closer to freedom. Legolas held out her cane to her, smiling down at her warmly. She reached out to take it, but stopped cold when she looked into his eyes. What she thought she saw there made her breath hitch in her chest and her heart to skip a beat - the look of love.

  �Not so long ago, you told me you would never walk. Today you are walking on your own. Who knows what tomorrow will hold.�
  Her face flushed and her heart pounded. A shy smile was all she could offer him as she took her cane back from him. The palms of her hands were becoming clammy and beginning to sweat like they always did when she got nervous. Her grip on the handle of her cane was getting slippery. Her mind raced as they continued on their way to the home of Aragorn and Arwen. She couldn�t be certain about what she saw; but if it was, what now?
~~~~~~
  As they came upon the gate to the king�s private residence, the heavy iron doors were opened by the guards who recognized Legolas and were expecting him. Aragorn and Arwen were sitting at a dining table in their courtyard leisurely nibbling from large platters of bread and fruit when Legolas and Jordan arrived.

  �Good morning to you both.� Legolas said with a nod of his head. �You do remember the Lady Jordan?� He said, presenting her with a sweep of his arm. Jordan gave a slight curtsy as she approached the table.

  �Good morning, your Majesties.�

  Aragorn stood and motioned to Jordan. �Now here is a fine example of how to properly address a king and queen. You could take a lesson or two from your lady-friend, Elf.� He said with a grin. Legolas shot him a sarcastic look as he pulled a chair out for Jordan. After Jordan was seated, Aragorn reclaimed his chair and Legolas took the one across from him. Arwen smiled at Aragorn lovingly and ruffled his hair.

  �What my boorish husband meant to say was,� she addressed her guests, �welcome and please help yourselves to some breakfast.�

  Legolas and Aragorn burst into laughter.

  �Forgive me, Lady Jordan, I am but joking. You need not address us formally at all. Simply our first names will be fine.� Aragorn told her.
  They grazed on the bread and fruit and conversed for a bit but Aragorn and Legolas had no time to linger if they wanted to make it back before nightfall.

  Arwen turned to Jordan and asked, �Will you stay for tea after Legolas and my husband leave? I am sure there is much we have to talk about.�

  �Sure. I would like that.�

  �Wonderful.� Aragorn clasped his hands together. The Man and Elf both stood up to leave. �Enjoy your day ladies. Legolas, shall we?�

  Aragorn came up behind Arwen and she turned around to face him as he leaned down to kiss her. She touched his cheek as her lips met his.

  �Goodbye, my sweet.� He whispered.

  When Legolas approached her, Jordan stood to meet him. He took her hand and kissed it, bowing his head as he did so, letting his lips linger on the delicate skin. When at last he looked up, she smiled at him and it filled his heart with joy. Both Aragorn and Arwen watched curiously as this subtle display of affection played out.

  �Be careful.� She told him.

  He flashed her a grin, spun around, and with a spring in his step, walked out the gates with Aragorn in tow.
  Jordan sat back down and noticed Arwen was studying her intently. She suddenly felt very self-conscious.

  �I sense there is more going on than what the two of you have recently professed.� Arwen stated.

  Jordan tried to feign ignorance. �I don�t know what you mean.�

  �Oh, I think you do. You and Legolas have crossed the boundaries of mere camaraderie.�

  Jordan blanched, neither denying nor confirming her claim. The She-Elf could see right through her.

  Upon seeing Jordan�s uneasy reaction, she added, �The pairing of an Elf and a mortal, like Aragorn and myself, is unusual but it is not forbidden. Do not feel as if you have to hide your romance.�

  Jordan sighed. �It�s not that.�

  �Legolas� affection for you runs deep. Perhaps you do not share his sentiment?�

  �I do care about him, he�s wonderful, but��

  Arwen finished her sentence for her. �But you have doubts.�

  Jordan laughed bitterly. �Wouldn�t you?�
  They talked well into the afternoon. Arwen shared with Jordan how she met and fell in love with Aragorn and about her father�s prerequisite for her hand in marriage that kept them apart for so long.

  �Arwen, may I ask you a personal question?�

  �You may.� She said graciously.

  Jordan hesitated, trying to think of a way to pose her question respectfully. �I am wondering how you and Aragorn reconcile with the fact that you are immortal and he is not.�

  �It does not concern us for I am immortal no longer.�

  �How?

  �I chose to live a mortal life like that of my husband.�

  �Elves can just choose to be mortal?� She asked in amazement. The gears in her mind began turning and her thoughts were going in every direction. Her heart beat faster with excitement. Could Legolas just �turn off� his immortality and be like her? Could they spend their lives together growing old gracefully and following the natural course of humanity that she was so accustomed to?

  �Not all Elves. I am Peredhel - half-elven. Therefore, I could choose whether to be counted among Elves or Men.� Arwen paused to study the woman with her curious line of questioning. �You are thinking of Legolas in this matter.�

  Jordan sighed and nodded. �Yes.�

  �Through Legolas runs the pure blood of the Silvan race. He cannot forsake his immortality.�

  Jordan�s heart sank and her thoughts of the future came to a crushing halt. There was no way out of it. Should he still want her after she gathered the courage to reveal her past to him, should they decide to spend their live together, he would still be left behind when she passed on. The only unknown was what would happen to him after that. She was terrified to learn the answer but she had to know.

  Very hesitantly, she asked the dreaded question. �If we were to marry someday, what would become of Legolas when I die?�

  �He must sail to Valinor where he can come to terms with his grief and find healing. If he does not, or for some reason cannot, he will fade.�

  �What does that mean, �fade�?�

  �It means he will die. He will diminish over time slowly becoming overcome by his grief. He will fade into the shadows and give up his life. Then, his fe�, or spirit, will pass on to the Halls of Mandos where it will dwell until such a time when it is judged.� Arwen saw the despair that Jordan felt and took pity on her. �I know that is not what you wanted to hear, but I feel it is necessary that you know the truth.�
  Jordan�s eyes filled with tears. She felt an aching hollowness in her chest, her heart torn in two. She closed her eyes and the tears slowly cascaded down her cheeks. She took a deep breath and opened them again with a look of steeled determination.

  �Then we cannot be. I won�t let that happen to him. I cannot.�

  �There are no words of wisdom I can offer to help guide you on your path; you must find your own way, but if Legolas loves you, he may have already made his decision.�

  Jordan sniffed. �His decision for what?�

  �To sacrifice himself.�

  With those words, Jordan felt like she just had the wind knocked out of her. She took a moment to compose herself. She did not want to have a break down in front of a dignified queen. �Would you? Would you have chosen to be with Aragorn could you not have given up your immortality?�

  �Yes. I would have endured an eternity of sorrow for one lifetime with him. Understand this though - choosing the fate of Men was not without consequence. To become mortal meant I also had to choose between Aragorn and my family. I cannot sail to the Undying Lands and I will never see them again. It may be a small measure of comfort to you, but that is something Legolas will not have to face.�
  They talked for a while longer but Jordan�s mood had been dampened and the conversation was waning. Eventually, Jordan politely excused herself claiming there was something she needed to do and thanked Arwen for her hospitality.

  �You are always welcome here.� Arwen said. �It is unfortunate we did not have more time to get acquainted.� Arwen said. �It seems like you have only just arrived and yet tomorrow you depart.�

  �Ahh...� Jordan was taken aback. �I was not aware that we were leaving tomorrow.�

  �I believe that is Faramir and Legolas� intent.�

  �Oh.� Jordan said almost disappointedly. She had mixed feelings about returning to Emyn Arnen. She was used to the city now. Emyn Arnen seemed so different; so distant and secluded.

  �But I am certain we will see each other again.�

  �I look forward to it.�
~~~~~~
  Jordan left the sanctuary of Arwen�s courtyard feeling utterly hopeless. She had sought Arwen out hoping by some chance she would find the answer that solved all of her problems and instead she found nothing more than another complication. She had no destination, so she just wandered, following the road wherever it led her, her face twisted in heart-wrenching devastation and the weight of the world bearing down on her shoulders. Even if he would accept her as she was, there was no way she could let him make that kind of sacrifice. It was too much; too high of a price to pay for a few fleeting moments of love - for that is all it would seem compared to eternity. She eyed the tall, snow-peaked mountains nervously. Legolas was somewhere up there. Where are you, Legolas?
  A sudden commotion shook her out of her tormented introspection. It was coming from down the street. She could hear people shouting and then a woman wailing. She walked quickly in the direction of the noise, anxious to see what had happened. A crowd was starting to form in the middle of the street as people came out of their houses and business to investigate. She joined the crowd, impatiently rising up on her toes every few moments and craning her neck see over the heads of people. In the distance, she caught a glimpse of a group of soldiers on horseback coming their way in a hurry. The shouting grew louder as the soldiers broke through the crowd. As they rushed past her, Jordan could see that some were wounded and their armor stained with blood. Some of the more seriously injured rode in front of the soldiers that were still strong enough to carry them. Her hand flew to cover her mouth in shock as her mind reeled in confusion. Had there been a battle? To her knowledge, there was no discord between Gondor and any other kingdoms. The soldiers stopped just a little further up the street in front of the Houses of Healing. Instinct took over. With an influx of wounded, the healers might need some help. She rushed over as fast as she could and joined the procession of soldiers carrying the wounded into the building.
  Inside, the atmosphere was chaotic as the injured men were being laid out on beds and the healers were scrambling to treat them. The cries of a distraught woman pierced the air as she was dragged away from the man she clung to, presumably her husband, so he could be attended to. Jordan sought out the nearest person who looked like they worked here, grabbed them, and identified herself.

  �I am a healer. Do you need some assistance?�

  The matronly woman paused briefly, looking Jordan up and down skeptically, but then seemed to have a change of heart. She pointed to the far wall and said, �The medicines and supplies are over there; do what you can.�

  �Where can I wash my hands?�

  �What?�

  �I need to wash my hands before I treat any patients. Where can I do that?�

  The woman looked bewildered but motioned across the room towards the exit to the garden where a fountain stood and hurriedly walked away. Thankfully there was soap and dry towels in little niches carved into the wall above the fountain. At least it wasn�t a bowl of stagnant water that everyone had dipped their hands in.
  As Jordan hurried back into the fray, she noticed soldiers laying some of the men on the floor when there were still empty beds available.

  �Why are you laying these men out on the floor?� She asked one of them.

  He looked at her strangely. �They�re dead, my lady.�

  She shook her head in frustration. Apparently these men had not survived their wounds long enough to reach the city. In her country at least, soldiers of all ranks knew and practiced basic field medicine. If the Gondorian soldiers would have had some form of training in this respect, more than just wrapping a wound with a piece of torn cloth, the casualties would have been lessened this day.
  The stench of blood was in the air and the cries and groans of the injured echoed around the room. There were seventeen men in all that were still alive upon being brought to the Houses of Healing. Jordan moved swiftly from bed to bed, assessing the soldier�s injuries, determining who among them she could treat and which ones could not be saved, all the while making a mental check list of the supplies she would need. Most of the potentially treatable injuries she noted involved superficial lacerations, dislocations, puncture wounds, broken ribs and other various fractures. Of the more serious injuries she saw - a skull fracture from blunt force trauma, deep gashes with damage to internal organs, a punctured lung, an open compound fracture of the femur - none were treatable by any means here in Middle Earth. Although the healers here were skilled in their own right, compared to the practices of modern medicine, their limitations were great. If the men that suffered these grievous injuries survived long enough for the lesser injured men to be stabilized, they could only be given comfort measures until they passed away.
  Jordan rushed over to the shelves where the supplies were kept and was dismayed to see what was available. She would have to start thinking outside of the bounds of proper medical practices and rely more on creativity and resourcefulness. She dug around in the supplies trying to find some type of suture material and needles, finally coming up with some crude thread but no needles. She spied a roll of material that looked like it could be used for bandages or a makeshift sling and grabbed that as well and rushed over to one of the healers.

  �Where do you keep needles?�

  �Over here, I�ll show you.�

  The woman led her over to the supply shelves, opened a wooden box, and pulled out a square of soft leather with various sized needles inserted into it. Jordan groaned in disappointment. They were simply straight sewing needles, not at all like the curved suture needles she was used to. They didn�t even have a cutting surface. They would just have to be barbarically shoved through the skin doing more damage to the area of injury. Jordan selected a few and handed the leather holder back.

  �What was your name?�

  �I am Mariwen�

  �Thank you, Mariwen. I am Jordan.�

  Mariwen nodded and hurried back to her patient.
  As she walked past the row of dead bodies laid out on the ground, she noticed one of them was not a soldier; he was garbed in plain clothes. She stepped closer and looked down curiously at him. Something about him looked familiar. She gasped and fell to her knees beside the man. It was Turgon! Sparse, scraggly stubble now grew where a full beard had been, but there was no mistaking him.

  �Oh, Turgon.� She whispered mournfully.

  There was a soiled cloth lying across his neck. She suspected it was covering a wound, but she lifted it up anyway, groaned in disgust, and covered him back up. His throat was slit. Dried blood formed a crust on the wound�s gaping edges and stained his neck in dark crimson streaks. She grabbed one of the soldiers by the arm and pointed to Turgon.

  �Was this man with you?�

  �He was a lone traveler. We came upon his camp last evening and set up there offering protection while we could. Do you know him?�

  �He is a friend. Do you know where he was traveling to?�

  �No, my lady.�

  �What happened?�

  �We were ambushed by a party of Orcs. They came upon us while we slept, just before dawn.� He stated matter-of-factly and walked away.
  Jordan was numb with shock. She had not known Turgon very well. In fact, were someone to ask her about his personal life, she could not answer, but he had been her teacher in all things Middle Earth. She had shared with him her past and her origins; trusted him with this confidential information. He was kind, astute, and scholarly; much like her father. They were alike not only in character but in his style of teaching - engaging and good-natured but ingeniously demanding. The discovery of Turgon�s death reopened the fresh scars from her father�s recent passing, making it all the more difficult to bear. She fought back the tears that distorted her vision and focused on the task at hand.
~~~~~~
  Jordan was crouched on her knees painstakingly suturing a laceration to a soldier�s thigh when she heard a deep voice from behind her.

  �Pardon me, my lady.�

  She turned her head and looked up to see one of the Gondorian soldiers holding two bags - a satchel and one that looked like a leather saddle bag.

  Dropping them at her feet he said, �These belonged to your friend. Perhaps you could return them to his family?�

  She stared at the bags in a daze. �Sure, alright.� She stammered.

  The soldier gave a nod of his head and left.

  She didn�t know if Turgon even had any family. It would have to wait, anyway. Her mind was too weary to think about it. She set the bags off in a corner for now and turned her attention back to suturing the wound. It was deep and it needed a row of subdermal sutures but as there was no absorbable suture material in existence, a single layer closure would have to suffice.
~~~~~~
  Word spread quickly through the city of the Orc attack on the Gondorian patrol. Mordren, captain of the Gondorian army and a handful of his officers all paced restlessly in the Tower Hall anxiously awaiting the arrival of Aragorn, who had yet to return from his excursion, so they could plan their retaliation. The enormous doors began to open and the soldiers looked to it expectantly, but it was not Aragorn who entered, it was Eomer and Faramir.

  �King Eomer.� Mordren greeted him with a nod of his head albeit with some confusion. �Forgive me, but this is not your fight. What are you doing here?�

  �Not my fight?� Eomer rebutted with an edge of anger. �Today Orcs attack Gondor, tomorrow will they attack Rohan? No. It matters not what country. They are an abomination that plagues all of Middle Earth! If there is but one Orc left to be slaughtered, then I for one will gladly rise to the occasion.� Eomer said.

  Mordren grinned and clapped him on the back. �Then I am proud to fight at your side, King of Rohan.�
  Faramir, however, had a different matter on his mind as he stood quietly with his arms crossed, sidewise from the group, in sullen contemplation. He had been privately informed that his faithful servant and friend, Turgon, had been counted among the dead. There could be only one explanation for Turgon to be traveling through the wilds of Gondor - he had found the linking book and was taking it away from the city in accordance with Faramir�s orders. He was responsible for the man�s death.
  The enormous doors opened once more and Aragorn stormed in with Legolas following after.

  �Tell me what has happened.� Aragorn demanded.

  One of the soldiers who survived the attack, a young man named Firindor, stepped forward and bowed. �Just before dawn, we were converged upon by a party of Orcs whilst we slept. We were caught unaware and outnumbered.�

  �Why were you not roused by the soldier on watch?�

  �We did not designate a watch, my king. We did not deem it necessary. Orcs have not been seen roaming these lands for over two year�s time.�

  �Not necessary?!� Aragorn fumed. �You are charged with the defense of this city and of this country at all times, not just in the waking hours! Do you think Gondor has no other enemies besides Orcs?!�

  �Forgive me, my king.� Firindor said humbly. �I was not in charge of the company. I only do what I am ordered, sire.�

  �Who then was your commander?�

  �Ralthos. He�s�He�s dead, sire.�

  �Then I will not speak ill of the dead. Mordren, I expect you will inform your men that this practice will cease immediately. Their apathy has already cost many lives.�

  �I will see it done, King Elessar.�

  �How many were there?� Aragorn turned his attention back to Firindor.

  �It was dark, sire; they came from all sides surrounding and completely overwhelming us. It was utter madness! It seemed like there were a hundred of them but I cannot be certain. We managed to slay maybe twenty of them at best, but it made little impact. Then suddenly, they retreated. They had us; they could have slaughtered the lot of us, but it was as if�� Firindor searched for the right words. �It was as if they were toying with us for sport.�

  �These numbers do not constitute an army, but until now, the Orcs have been nothing more than a few small leaderless factions scattered about the countryside. If they are coalescing as a unified force, it is a threat that Gondor must take action against.� Legolas interjected.

  �Agreed, but I do not want to alarm the city folk any more than has been done. I want to send out a small scouting party�discreetly. We need to know if these Orcs were acting alone or if they are part of a larger force. Mordren, you will head up the scouting party; no more than five men. Track down the Orcs but take care not to draw attention to yourselves. Watch their activity and their movements. You will leave before dawn, before the city wakes.�

  �Yes, sire.�

  Faramir spoke up for the first time in this discussion. �I wish to join the scouting party.� His motivation was not so much out of loyalty to Gondor as it was out of guilt and the desire to exact revenge for the death of Turgon.

  �I will go as well.� Legolas said.

  Aragorn looked to Mordren questioningly. �Is this acceptable to you?�

  �It is.�

  �Count me in, too.� Eomer added.

  �Eomer, do you think that is wise? You have a duty to your throne.� Aragorn said.

  �Have the years caused you to think less of my skills in battle? I assure you, no harm will come to me.�

  �Well, if you do not mind being under Mordren�s charge, then I will speak no more against it.�

  �I have no quarrel.� Eomer replied.

  �Then it is settled.� Aragorn said.

  �We meet before dawn at the Great Gate.� Mordren informed them.
~~~~~~
  Jordan had worked tirelessly for hours but now her strength was beginning to waver. Her eyes were having a difficult time focusing. Her hands ached. Her muscles burned with the strain of being bent over or crouched down for hours in an unnatural position. She had sewn up so many wounds, she felt more like a seamstress than a doctor. Jordan took a moment to stretch and glance around the room. It was eerily quiet now. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around and saw the matronly woman she initially offered her help to.

  �Thank you for your assistance today�.eh, I do not believe I know your name.�

  �My name is Jordan.�

  �Thank you, Jordan. I am Astrid. The men are stable; there is nothing more you can do for now. You should take the time to rest and wash up. We may have need of your aid again.�

  Jordan wiped the perspiration from her brow with her sleeve. �Two of the men died shortly after I examined them. Were there any others that didn�t make it?�

  �Four others were lost despite our best efforts.�

  Jordan nodded and went to wash her hands.
~~~~~~
  Jordan staggered out into the street exhausted, her dress stained with blood. The sun had already set and the evening sky was filling with stars. On the way to her quarters, she stopped a servant and requested a bath to be drawn for her. Once inside, she let out a huge sigh of relief. There she could have some respite from the tumult and the oppression of death. In the bathing chamber, she stripped off her soiled dress and held it out in front of her to inspect. The dress, she thought, had met its end; it would never come clean. She tossed it over by the basket and eased her aching body into the steaming water. She picked up a shard of sweetly smelling soap and roughly scrubbed every inch of her skin. She felt tainted somehow as if death itself left behind a tangible residue. Once she felt clean again, she laid her head back and closed her eyes, clearing her mind of all thought. Nothing existed outside the four walls that surrounded her.
  She soaked until the water had cooled too much for comfort. She dried herself off with a rough drying cloth, lamenting the absence of big fluffy towels in Middle Earth. Just as she began to put on her sleeping gown, she remembered that she left Turgon�s bags lying in a corner in the Houses of Healing. Tossing the sleeping gown on the bed, she quickly put on another gown and hurried down to retrieve them before they were picked up by someone else. She had not planned on leaving her quarters again tonight but it was just as well. While she was there, she could check on some of her patients and change their bandages if need be.
~~~~~~
  The Houses of Healing was quiet and gently lit by candlelight. All of the dead had been carried off; to where she did not know. She nodded to Astrid in greeting and stopped at several of the beds to check on some of the men she had treated, carefully undoing the bandages to inspect the stitches and look for signs of infection. She was pleased to see the resident healers had already cleaned the wounds and applied fresh bandages. She made her way to the corner where she left Turgon�s belongings and to her relief, they were still there right where she left them.
  She slung the bags over her shoulder and wandered through the Houses of Healing and out into the garden. It was a peaceful and rather warm night with just a gentle whisper of a breeze. If one didn�t know any better, one would think all was right with the world on this night. She was slightly curious as to what Turgon�s bags contained, so she sat down on a bench and began to thumb through their contents. The first bag contained mostly clothes, a small dagger; nothing much of interest. The second bag, the satchel, also contained clothing, but as she leafed through it, she felt something hard underneath the clothes. She tried to free it, but it seemed to be wrapped up or tangled somehow, so she pulled the whole bundle out of the bag. She shook the bundle of clothes and the object came tumbling out and landed on the ground with a thud. She was grateful the object was still in one piece. She hadn�t even thought about the fact that it could be something fragile until she had already shaken it loose. But it wasn�t, it was a book.

  �Curious. A journal, perhaps?� She thought.

  She picked it up and dusted it off. It was rather nondescript; bound in well-worn brown leather. She opened it up to somewhere in the middle and scanned the page. Her heart leapt into her throat. It was in�D�ni?

  �Wha�How could��

  Words failed her. She was thrown into a complete tailspin; her mind in utter disbelieve. Her heart was racing and she began to hyperventilate. Frantically, she closed it, opened the front cover, flipped past the first protective page, and there before her was a linking panel with a clear view of the D�ni city, Ae�gura. She snapped the book shut and with shaking arms, clutched it to her chest, rocking back and forth. She couldn�t begin to comprehend why Turgon would have the linking book in his possession. Tears filled her eyes as she was flooded with emotions - relief, sadness, fear, confusion. This was her chance to leave this world. This was her chance to go home. Home�How would she get home? The link would put her in the middle of the D�ni city, in a cavern deep underground. It was a long walk to the surface. What if the restoration teams had pulled out and sealed the cavern off? What if there was no way out? All these thoughts; these terrible thoughts flew through her mind. And Legolas�Just thinking his name put a knife through her heart. She thought she wanted to leave him. She knew it was for the best. And yet it tore her apart. He brought her such joy; showed her that not all males� hearts are blighted and corrupt; that there is goodness and honor to be found there. For her, he would offer the world if was in his power to give. With him, she could have the future she had always desired but never believed - all she had to do was reach out and take it but she couldn�t see it. She was blinded by fear and by the unknown. It seemed so simple before; find the linking book, place her hand on the panel, and be instantaneously whisked away leaving Middle Earth as nothing more than a distant memory. But now that she actually had the book in her hands, she found it was not so easy, anymore.
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Love's Redemption