The Strongest Bond [Middle-Earth Fanfic]

A Reliable Warning

The next morning I opened my eyes and smelled a familiar smell. Fresh bread. For a moment, I forgot everything I had been through in the past week and just sighed. What a peaceful smell.

After my moment of clarity, I was ready to start the day. Mr. Saelas pulled out a pan of bread from his hearth as I sat up. My chest slightly flared up with pain but I ignored it.

"Take it slowly, young man. You had quite a beating earlier." He commanded as I watched him carefully set the pan of bread on a towel. Mr. Saelas approached me once he placed down the pan. "Let me take a look at your wounds." I sighed and laid back on the bed in obedience.

As he unwrapped the bandages from my chest, I heard a slight gasp. "What? What is it?" I asked and looked at him for an answer.

"Your wound...it has gotten worse." He stared at my chest with the partially removed bandage. I strained my neck to see what he was talking about. My stomach looked almost totally black and blue.

"Oh...wow." Resting my neck and relaxing, I realized my hopes were smashed. I had hoped that they would have healed by now except for a couple of bruises.

"Hmm...those bandits certainly did a number on you." He brought out a pan with water and a rag. "I am going to try and clean it again, but something isn't right." He remarked.

I sat up and gasped. "Oh...my goodness...that really...hurts...but I need to be going. My family is waiting." A sharp pain exploded in my chest and wouldn't let up.

He gently pushed me back down upon the bed, "No. You are staying in the bed until I have done what I can."

I didn't want to consent, but finally did and laid back down. The pain softened slightly when I relaxed. Then, he rubbed a cold, wet rag on my stomach. It hurt more than I cared to say but I managed with my fists clenched tightly.

When he was done, I looked at my cold wounds. They hadn't changed at all. If anything, I was in more pain now than I had been.

"Can I please leave? I told my family I would only be gone for a couple of days." I decided not to sit up until he told me I could.

"Did that help at all?" He inquired.

"Um...ya." I answered sheepishly.

He looked at me with a slight grin on his face, "It didn't help at all, did it...?"

"Well no. It didn't." I finally admitted. "But I need to leave. I have detoured long enough."

"Yes, you may leave but I have a warning for you. Avoid unruly or easily provoked people. Because of this stone, it will be extremely easy for you to become angered. Also, you are in pain, I can see that, but you must hurry home and get rest. Hopefully by resting, your wounds will heal."

He painstakingly helped me stand up and pull my shirt on. "Thank you, sir, for helping me greatly." I half bowed (as low as I could without dying from the pain) in respect.

"It is no trouble, young man. Just heed my warning and you should be fine." He sent me out the door with my horse, belongings, and two slices of fresh bread.

On my way home, I remembered what I had told my mother. Even though we didn't really need a new saddle, I didn't want her to know that I had lied.

Stopping at a nearby town, I walked through the streets with my horse following closely. People bustled in and out of the many buildings. No one seemed to notice me, thankfully. I didn't need any more trouble.

When I walked into the craftsman's shop, he greeted me, "Good morning, young man! What can I do for you today?"

"Good morning, I am just looking to sell my old saddle." I had removed it from my horse after tying him to a post.