And In The Dawn Save Them

Chapter 13 : Pelennor

Illustration : Alan Lee

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And so began the war of Men against Sauron. True to her word, and so as not to draw the enemy's attention to herself, Alcara remained in the shadows of the House of Healing, where there was much to do. In one day, she assigned each of the young sisters to prepare the hospital, the operating theatre and the pharmacy. She showed them how to prepare and stock remedies, ointments and bandages in quantity. She had to be everywhere at once, answering questions and helping to organise everything as quickly as possible, while keeping herself from constantly going to the balcony of the Healing House, where the loggia overlooked the battlefield.

In the days that followed, a haunting and distressing rumour could be heard in the distance: a dull and terrifying clamour, the sound of blades and catapults, cries of fear and pain. Gandalf's voice was very loud and deep, and could be heard intermittently, giving orders and encouraging the troops to stay where they were.

The House was at the top of the citadel, in the palace, and several levels of ramparts and walkways protected them from enemy assault. But for how long?

All at once, the soldiers brought them the first wounded, bombarded by catapult stones, hit by swords or maces. Alcara then embarked on a long day that lasted several days, putting the entries in order so as to have time to look after everyone and try to keep the others waiting. She no longer had the opportunity to look outside, so she regularly asked one of the youngest and most energetic sisters, named Elenie, to tell her what was happening on the battlefield.

After two days, the first tremors could be heard in the citadel: it seemed as if the ground was shaking, and the blows of the catapults were getting closer. The Sisters frequently ducked to the ground with each tremor, believing that the ceiling was about to collapse above them.

The sleepless nights and nervousness took their toll on Alcara: despite all her energy, and her determination to join in the collective effort against Mordor, she felt her emotions overwhelm her. She prayed inwardly not to have an involuntary reaction, but it was becoming increasingly difficult for her not to express her fear.

And suddenly, through the great loggia overlooking the fields of Pelennor, she saw them: the immense Nazgûl, led by the Witch-King of Angmar. She couldn't help but go to the edge of the balcony to see them: only they could go all the way to the top of the citadel, showing the way to the infantry.

At the same time, a new vision seized her mind, causing her to collapse to the ground in pain, and giving her such a headache that she clutched her head in her hands: the screams of the creatures were deafening, and provoked images of horror in her mind, of flesh torn to pieces, of buildings collapsing on bodies, of mountains of bloody corpses. But just as she was wondering whether this ordeal was going to last, a great flash of white light blinded them and sent them flying away towards the lower streets of the city: Gandalf must have seen them and managed to make them flee.

Young Elenie managed to support her away from the edge and bring her back inside. The visions gradually faded, but Alcara felt weak.

"Drink and eat something, please!" said Elenie. "You haven't eaten anything since yesterday, you need to be strong!"

After a short break, drinking water and eating a little, a Sister came running up to Alcara: "Madam, Faramir is here! He's wounded, but alive: his father wanted to burn him with him, but Pippin and Gandalf saved him! Steward Denethor is dead!"