The Light Between Our Scars | Adar x Galadriel | Rings of Power

Chapter 7: Talindra

Galadriel approached the small group of soldiers that surrounded Adar. They were nervous about the presence of the Uruk, and she noticed a sparkle of doubt and fear in their eyes. The Healer was treating his wounds with herbal ointments, whispering elven words while slowly touching some precise points on his face, neck, and chest. Adar looked unconscious but relaxed, with no sign of pain in his muscles. Galadriel gazed at the girl more intently and noticed how young she was. Little elven ears came out from the long blonde hair that framed her delicate and pale face, lit by big, green eyes. Her profile expressed intense concentration while healing energy was visibly flowing from her to Adar's body. She stopped for a moment, sighing deeply and moving her hair away from her face.

Galadriel smiled at her, and she smiled back. "What is your name?" she asked.

"Talindra" the Healer responded.

"I'm Galadriel. Thank you for doing this", she said, taking her little hand in hers with gratitude.

"I know who you are, Commander of the Northern Armies" Talindra responded, lowering her gaze and blushing a little.

Galadriel couldn't help but add "You are very young!" but instantly regretted it.

Talindra's face reddened, turning her attention back to Adar. "I have enough practice", she slowly added.

"I don't doubt it, Talindra" Galadriel said quickly "I'm just surprised that you are so expert already. Thank you for being willing to help Adar".

Talindra made a little smile while whispering "I was the only one".

"What?" Galadriel asked, as the girl's voice was so low that she could barely hear it.

Talindra shot the soldiers a significant look, then gazed back at her "There are older Healers at the camp, more expert than me. But they wouldn't agree to help the Commander of the Orcs".

Galadriel felt that well-known sting in her heart. She felt it so often in the past days that she was almost getting used to it. "And why did you agree to come to heal him?".

"Because Gil-Galad said you were asking for help" Talindra stopped what she was doing and nervously added "I heard so many stories about you, Lady Galadriel, and I admire you so much. Your example has been my inspiration since I was a little Elf. I want to be like you when I grow older. If you think this Orc needs to be healed, then I'll do anything that is in my power to help".

Galadriel's heart warmed. It was an unusual ointment to her tormented thoughts. She smiled at Talindra and said "Thank you for your kind words and for what you're doing. You have all my gratitude, and I won't forget it. You have so much courage that you'll probably be far better than me when you grow older".

Talindra's face lit up, then frowned, pointing at Adar's abdomen. She asked with a trembling voice "These scars are old. How...?" She couldn't end the phrase.

"He is not an Orc, he is an Uruk, a corrupted Elf" Galadriel explained "See his Elven facial features, and the ears? He had been corrupted by Morgoth and Melkor and finally deceived and tortured by Sauron to become what he is now".

"Oh!" Talindra gasped. She vaguely heard stories of those corrupted Elves, but she was sure they were evil. So why did Galadriel care so much about this one? She shot her a questioning gaze.

They were interrupted by Gil-Galad and Elrond approaching. The High King asked Talindra how Adar was and if he could be transported. "The majority of the wounds are scarred over now; he should be fine in a couple of days. But these ones..." she indicated the three lacerations of Morgoth's Crown. Worrying black lines spread from the stabs to the whole of the Uruk's abdomen, like tentacles. They seemed to have a life of their own, trying to take over his whole body. "I can't heal this kind of wound" she admitted.

Gil-Galad kneeled beside Adar, examining his chest. "You have done a wonderful job, Talindra".

The young Elf blushed again, happiness sparkling in her big eyes.

"We are not used to this kind of darkness anymore. We haven't seen anything like this for centuries, and we thought we would never see it again" the High King said, raising his eyes to Galadriel "And you tried to warn us. To respect your instinct and willingness, Galadriel, I will try to heal this Uruk myself. But you must promise me you won't use any Elven power over Adar before we can discuss the situation with more calm".

She nodded, gratefully.

Gil-Galad put a hand over the dark wounds and pronounced a strong Elven chant. The black tentacles receded into the lacerations, but the wounds didn't heal. When he finished, exhausted, they looked better but still dark and painful. "I can't separate him from this darkness" he said, defeated.

Adar suddenly opened his eyes with a gasp. He frowned when he saw Gil-Galad and Elrond, but his face relaxed looking at Galadriel. "Why...why did you heal me?" his voice was barely audible.

"I told you, because you're an Elf" Galadriel answered smiling, squeezing his hand.

Elrond and Gil-Galad shot each other a surprised glance, then the King said to Adar "You're not completely healed. The wounds of Morgoth's Crown are infected by some kind of darkness that is poisoning your body. I can only limit it for now".

The Uruk nodded. "Before you cured me, its poison had spread through my whole body and mind, and I was too weak to control it. I can still feel it, but I can control the darkness. I... remember now" he added, looking at Galadriel, whose face lit up with hope.

Elrond intervened, a serious expression on his face "We are going to transport you to a cave near the Elven camp, Commander of the Uruks. You have been healed because we owed a debt of gratitude to you, for saving the life of our dear Lady Galadriel".

Gil-Galad added "We, the Elves, feel completely free from that debt from now on. In respect of what Galadriel told us, we accept that you will stay with us until you're completely healed. We will discuss your offer of an alliance against Sauron later, but we warn you: you may have defeated us in Eregion, but we won't allow you to deceive us now. If I ever feel you're setting us a trap, I won't hesitate to finish what these wounds have started".

Galadriel felt a chill running through her spine.

Adar looked into the High King's eyes and nodded, calmly. Then laboriously stood up and, turning to Talindra, took her little hands in his and said "Thank you, Healer. You must be exceptional in what you do if I'm able to walk". The little girl opened her mouth in surprise.

The difference between the two was so enormous - Adar tall, muscular, deformed, and Talindra small, thin, and pure - that Galadriel could barely hold back a chuckle, which came out like a sob.

Adar's attention turned to her, seriousness and calm in his eyes, and then he questioned the whole group of people "So, where is this cave you were talking about?"

The others were completely astonished by the Uruk's behavior - even the High King seemed impressed. Elrond pointed to the path in the woods, and they all set off in that direction.