The Return of the King and Queen

Chapter 36: Choices

It wasn't long after cleaning off the blood from battle and changing out of their clothes did Amdiriel and Aragorn find themselves being lead into the House of Healing. The ladies of the house were working vigorously to try to save as many people as they could as Amdiriel looked around. Amdiriel was about to ask a servant where she could find her brother but heard Irolas call her name. "Irolas." she said as she approached him quickly, pulling him in for a hug. "It is so good to see you alive Captain." said the man. "Likewise Lieutenant...Captain Faramir?" Amdiriel asked. "Come, he has been awaiting your arrival." said Irolas before he led the couple over to the corner of the room.

Amdiriel could not help the gasp that left her lips as she caught sight of the several bandages that were wrapped around her brother, two around his torso and another around his shoulder. "Faramir." Amdiriel whispered as she knelt beside him. "He's expected to make a full recovery, we just don't know when he will wake." Amdiriel nodded as Irolas then turned to leave to give the siblings some privacy. Amdiriel bit her lip as she could feel the tears start to burn in her eyes. "I'm here brother, I'm home and I will not be leaving. I know you would not have me waiting by your side while the city needed tending to so I will do my duty and tend to the people. But you can take your time to heal. I'll be here when you wake...I promise." Amdiriel whispered and place a soft kiss on her brother's forehead. As she turned she felt a hand grab hers causing her to turn back and see the eyes of her brother flutter open. "You sure did take your time coming home." he joked.

Amdiriel chuckled as she fell back to her knees beside her brother as he learned up to hug her, both siblings holding each other as if the other would disappear with the wind. "I missed you." Amdiriel whispered. "I missed you too. There is much to discuss." Faramir replied as he groaned and pulled away. "He must rest my lady." said one of the women from behind them. "Of course." Amdiriel and turned back to her brother. "Go aid the others. I will be here when you are done." Faramir told her. "Promise me?" Amdiriel asked. "I promise." Faramir replied as he laid back down and gave her hand one final squeeze before letting his eyes fall shut and welcome the peaceful slumber. "I love you brother." she whispered before turning back to the love of her life. "He will be fine. If he's anything like his sister he will recover in just a few short days and will be out there trying to defend the city." Aragorn told her. Amdiriel chuckled "That's what worries me." she replied as Aragorn pressed a gentle kiss to her temple.

The two walked through the House, helping where they could until the rush calmed. The two searched until they found Eomer siting with a still unconscious Eowyn. Aragorn and Amdiriel approached the two, both sitting on each side of the woman. Amdiriel then carefully lifts Eowyn's damaged arm, to see the dark scratches caused by battle. Amdiriel and Aragorn looked at each other knowing the damage was the internal darkness growing from the poison from the wound. Amdiriel dipped a clean cloth into the water before passing the bowl to Aragorn and carefully began to clean her forearm, while she murmured in Sinderian, hoping to aid in riding the poison from Eowyn's blood. Aragorn too wets his cloth and wipes Eowyn's forehead, murmuring healing to her. Suddenly Eowyn begins to breathe heavily as she then comes to, eyes fluttering open as she looks up at Aragorn in amazement. The fear and grief that once filled her brother's eyes are now filled with hope as Eomer thanks them. Eowyn looks to Amdiriel who has a small smile on her lips. "Rest. Your body needs it." Amdiriel said before she got up and left the trio, feeling it was not her place to be there any longer.

It wasn't long till the ladies of the house were pushing Amdiriel out of the house, knowing she had spent her energy on the battlefield and then in the house, helping them. "It is time to retire, my love." Aragorn whispered to Amdiriel as she was nearly falling asleep next to her brother's bed. "You are no good to him exhausted." Aragorn told her, Amdiriel sighed and nodded. Aragorn escorted the sleepy lady to her room. He instructed Amdiriel to wash up while he grabbed her a clean change of clothes to sleep in until he heard hiss in pain. "Amdi, are you alright?" Amdiriel didn't reply, trying to play off the pain as she took the clothes from Aragorn. He was about to let it go until he saw blood soaking through the upper sleeve of her dress. "Love, what happened?" he asked. "It's just a small cut." she replied but Aragorn knew better and took Amdiriel's arm in his hand, using the other hand to pull off the sleeve from her shoulder, revealing a bleeding four-inch cut just below her shoulder, a black color outlining the cut. "The Nazgul?" he asked to which Amdiriel nodded. "Change carefully and stay here. I'll be right back." he told her and headed for the door. "Aragorn, I'm fin-" she tried but was cut off as he turned back to her and pointed his finger at her. "Ah, stay." he ordered and pointed to the bed then left, closing the door behind him.