Chap. 37 - Houses of Healing

~ARAGORN'S POINT OF VIEW~

I noticed something was wrong with Alex. She started to slip off of her saddle, but before she hit the ground, I caught her. I mounted Arroch, for Brego had run off. I eased Arroch into a gallop, and rode for Minas Tirith.

Gandalf followed me on Shadowfax, along with the two hobbits.

I rode quickly through the levels of the city, and felt Alex growing cold. I gasped, and stopped in front of the great hall. I ran inside the empty throne room, carrying Alex in my arms. I yelled to servants, "I need a doctor! Quickly!"

I was lead to the Houses of Healing, where Eowyn and Faramir were healing as well. I carefully laid Alex down on one, and sat next to her. I held her cold hand. She gasped sharply, and grabbed for her leg. I held her hands down, and she relaxed a little. A tall man waltzed in with a tray of herbs.

"Ah, poor lass. Going through what she is-" he pointed to Eowyn "-Except it's a bit worse," the doctor said, and ripped up some of the herbs. A sour aroma drifted to my nose and I wrinkled my nose. The doctor pulled the chain mail on Alex's legs up so he could see the wound. A maid handed him a damp towel, and he cleaned the wound. Alex gasped again, taking sharp intakes of breath. After the gash was cleaned out as best as he could, he rubbed a balm he had made out of the herbs onto it. She yelled out in pain, and I held her hands close to mine. Her eyes opened for a split second, and they were a cloudy blue. Alex's hands were ice cold now.

"Now you should let her rest. I have learned some healing methods of the elves, and she should be alright," the doctor said.

"Thank you," I said, and looked at Alex. She was sweating, and twitching. Faramir was watching me, and then he glanced at Eowyn.

"Lady Alex, she has a lot of courage," Faramir said, and leaned his head back down.

"Yes. She really does," I said, and flinched when she gasped in pain again. Gimli and Legolas walked in, and stood around the small bed. Gimli was clutching Alex's helmet.

"She's going to be alright? Right, lad?" Gimli asked.

I nodded, "She's going to be fine. The herbs she was given need time to heal her."

Legolas seemed to relax, and he looked around. I watched the sun gradually go down, and Legolas and Gimli went to bed. I stayed with her all night, holding her hand. Her raspy breaths rang through the hall. I fell asleep at one point, because in the morning, my face was on the side of her bed. Her skin's temperature was warm again, and her breathing was normal. I sighed, extremely relieved she was better. The doctor came back and checked on Eowyn and Faramir, and then Alex.

"She's healed a lot. Usually it takes a couple of days for the victims to heal. Alex is a special one," the doctor said, and looked at Alex in wonder. Gandalf, Merry and Pippin burst through the doors. Merry and Pippin ran to Alex's bed.

"Is she going to be alright?" Pippin asked.

I nodded. She twitched, but didn't open her eyes. Gandalf stared down at her, "That wound was deep. Perhaps deeper than Frodo's when he was stabbed. She's healed quickly."

Everyone nodded in agreement. I was patiently awaiting her awakening, and the room seemed tense. The sun was coming up, and it shone through the windows. Eventually, it's rays shone on her face, and she seemed to glow. Her hands tensed, as she curled her fingers around mine. Alex's eyes fluttered open.

~ALEX'S POINT OF VIEW~

"I'm alive," I breathed. Everyone I knew; Gandalf, Merry, Pippin, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Èomer, Èowyn, Faramir were looking at me. Each with smiles on their faces. I looked at Aragorn who seemed to have the biggest grin stretched across his face. I laughed, and smiled. Everyone seemed to talk at me at once, and I eagerly answered. Aragorn stayed silent, and I could tell he was about to burst with excitement. As soon as everyone bid me their, "It's good to see you are alive!" and their, "I missed you!" and many others, they left us in peace. Eowyn and Faramir left as well.

I looked up at Aragorn, who swooped down and kissed me. I blushed, and tried to move my toes. A pain I wasn't used to shot up my leg, and I cried out. Concern flashed across Aragorn's face.

"I just tried to move my feet, that's all. I'm alright," I said, and shrugged it off.

"Don't move your leg. The doctor said you should rest," he said, and that somehow calmed me. But, once again, I disobeyed him. The more I moved my toes, the less it hurt. In a waste bin at the foot of my bed sat bloodied up cloths.

I wrinkled my nose. The small cloths looked soaked with blood, "Is that all from me?"

Aragorn looked at the cloths, "Yes. All from you. Are you proud of that?"

"No! No no no- Well... No," I chuckled. I looked at my leg, where a thick bandage was tied around it. I realized one of my hands was in Aragorn's grasp. I used that as leverage, and pulled myself up. My stomach growled.

Aragorn shot me a look, "No. Alex, you are supposed to rest. Let me get what you need."

"Ughh.. I need to do something!" I whined. I sounded like a toddler. I quickly took it back, "Fine. I'm actually really hungry, so some food would be nice."

Aragorn nodded, and stood up. "Food," I heard him mumble as he made his way towards a hallway. The doors behind him shut, and I laid my head against my pillow. I shut my eyes, and fell asleep.

The doors opened with a creak, and my eyes flew open. Aragorn came back in, holding a small tray with a bowl and a small plate with fruit. He set it down, and sat down next to me.

"Thank you," I said, and tried to sit up. I laughed aloud, "I can't get up without my leg hurting!"

Aragorn smiled, and helped me up, "There."

I laughed again, and ate my breakfast quickly. I set the bowl down, and looked back at my leg. I pulled my wrecked chain-mail over the bandage, and pushed my legs over the side of the bed. A small cane laid near my bedside table, and I grabbed it. Aragorn was watching me closely, and then spoke up, "Alex, no. Stay and rest!"

I shook my head stubbornly, and stood up with the help of the cane. I hobbled slowly to the doors.

"Alex! Stop!" Aragorn said, and stepped in front of me, blocking my path. I frowned, "I can't stay here for the entire day. You know me Aragorn. Nope nope nope no. I'll deal with the pain. I've done it before."

"You are one of the most stubborn people I have ever-" he stopped when Gimli and Legolas walked in. I laughed aloud, "Are you sure about that?"

Aragorn smiled sheepishly, "Perhaps not."

We followed Legolas and Gimli to the great hall. Gimli sat in the steward's throne.

"Frodo has passed beyond my sight. The darkness is deepening," Gandalf said, forlorn.

Aragorn stood next to him, and I leaned against a pillar.

"If Sauron had the Ring, we would know it," Aragorn replied.

"It's only a matter of time. He has suffered a defeat, yes, but behind the walls of Mordor our enemy is regrouping," Gandalf said, and Gimli blew out a puff of smoke, "Let him stay there. Let him rot! Why should we care?"

"Because ten thousand Orcs now stand between Frodo and Mount Doom. I've sent him to his death," Gandalf sighed.

"No. There is still hope for Frodo. He needs time and safe passage across the Plains of Gorgoroth. We can give him that," Aragorn said, and looked out towards Mordor.

"How?" Gimli asked.

"Draw out Sauron's armies. Empty his lands. Then we gather our full strength and march on the Black Gate."

"We cannot achieve victory through strength of arms," Èomer said.

"Not for ourselves. But we can give Frodo his chance if we keep Sauron's Eye fixed upon us. Keep him blind to all else that moves," Aragorn said.

"A diversion," Legolas added.

"Certainty of death. Small chance of success. What are we waiting for?" Gimli asked, suddenly filled with courage. Everyone but Gandalf, Aragorn and I left.

"Sauron will suspect a trap. He will not take the bait," Gandalf said.

"Oh, I think he will," Aragorn said. Aragorn turned to me, and walked off into a hallway. I listened to his footsteps grow quiet as he got further away. Gandalf looked at me, "How is your leg?"

"It's better. Than yesterday. It still hurts, but I can deal with it," I said, and reached for my sword, which wasn't there. My bow wasn't either. Gandalf could sense my worry for my weapons.

"They are in the armory, being guarded with respect," Gandalf said, and smiled slightly.

"Oh. Thank you for telling me that. And Arroch?" I asked, concerned for my horse.

"He's in the stables."

I chuckled, and turned to go off and find Aragorn.

~ARAGORN'S POINT OF VIEW~

As I left Gandalf and Alex, I went to find the Palantir. In a dark, but magnificent hall, the Palantir sat upon a tall stone pedestal. I ripped the cloth off, and held it in my hands.

"Long have you hunted me. Long have I eluded you. No more. Behold the Sword of Elendil," I spoke to Sauron.

Sauron sent back an image of Alex dying, anad then disappearing. I clenched Alex's locket in my hands. I dropped the Palantir, and backed away from it.

INTENSE. I ENTERED THE WATTY AWARDS WITH THIS STORY! WOOP WOOP. GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE WHO JOINED WITH THEIR OWN STORIES! :D