Take My Pain Away

Chapter 5

The day after they arrived Abrâ was summoned to Elrond's residence. Thorin glowered as she was led away by a maiden elf.

She did not know what to expect and was surprised to find Gandalf waiting for her.

"Ahh, Umbakhul du IgrÌde Abrâsh, thank you for joining us."

Abrâ was enthralled by Elrond and flushed deeply as she bowed before him. "My Lord Elrond, it is my great pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Elrond rushed forward and took her by the hands, "It is my pleasure. I understand you are from Ered Lithui, we do not see many dwarves from that part of Middle Earth."

"No, my Lord, I don't imagine you do," she responded, as Elrond led her to a chair pulled up to a table. "We do not leave our homeland," she looked pointedly at Gandalf, "unless we are summoned by Incànus."

Elrond laughed, "Mithrandir, I think she has the mark of you."

"Abrâ is wise beyond her years, my Lord Elrond. There is not much I can get away with around her."

Abrâ could not help but smile; Incànus had been paying visits to her homeland for as long as she could remember. After 145 years, she figured she should know how to read him by now.

"Now, Abrâ," Gandalf spoke gently, "we have asked you here to discuss something that has been on my mind."

"Well, this sounds very serious, Incànus," Abrâ flashed him a mock serious face. "Is this about me turning for home?"

Gandalf cleared his throat, "No, it is about your name."

Abrâ paled. She did not like to talk about her name or the consequences of owning it. Elrond pushed a piece of paper across the table to Abrâ; on it was Gandalf's hasty copy of the rune on her medicine pouch.

Abrâ pulled the paper closer to her and, using all of the fingers of her right hand, started turning it in a circle. She glanced from one to the other for many moments before she spoke.

"My name is my curse," she removed the pouch from around her neck and placed it on the table.

The rune was crude; from ancient days, the language rarely used in the 3rd age.

"The dwarves of EredLithui were cursed in long days past. Our names determine our traits. We have had the same names passed down from dam to dam; dwarrow to dwarrow. My mother and I share this name. If she should die before I have a pebble, its power will rest solely in me."

"Sauron," Elrond whispered.

"No, my Lord, not Sauron. Much more ancient."

Elrond paled. To see an elf react in such a way frightened Gandalf.

Elrond looked upon the dam with sorrow in his face and tears in his eyes. "Morgoth..."

Gandalf gasped, "Morgoth?"

"Yes, Incànus. For age upon age we have been thus cursed."

"But what I saw...I do not understand the nature of your curse."

Abrâ smiled at the wizard, "It is ancient, Incànus. My name..." she sighed, "I do not know what it means however, what it does is evil."

Gandalf turned to Elrond, "My Lord, do you know what this says?" He put his finger on the rune.

"Destroyer of Fear and Pain."

"I cannot see how that would be a curse."

Abrâ put her hand on Gandalf's forearm. "When I touch people I take their fear and pain. They are left happy and healthy and I carry it."

Gandalf stared at her, dumbfounded. "Kili...his tooth." Abrâ nodded. "But you touch me all the time." Gandalf looked around, "And you touch the Elves..."

"You and the Elves are very special," she smiled at him and swung her gaze to include Elrond. "I can touch you and Lord Elrond; I can touch Ents and, unfortunately Orcs and Goblins."

"No human, hobbit or dwarf not of her homeland," Elrond continued.

"This explains so much," Gandalf thought back to all the times Abrâ had asked people to put things down so that she could pick them up. Even the slightest brush of fingers might lead to agony for the dam.

"Please, Incànus, do not tell anyone. It is bad enough they think I am a freak, but since I am heading for home, there really is no need to confirm it."

"My dear Abrâ, you are no freak! You are an unfortunate, descended from a long line of unfortunates-" Gandalf stopped speaking as he noticed Abrâ's mouth twitching.

"Unfortunate? Really?" Abrâ shook her head and chuckled. "I do not consider myself unfortunate. I have been blessed with a warm, resilient family. I have grown strong and can defend them." She turned to Elrond, "My Lord, with your permission might I consult your wise men in order to learn more of this 'condition'?"

"I will instruct our librarians to equip you with whatever you might need."

Abrâ rose from her chair and bowed to the elf, "Thank you my Lord. If you will excuse me?"

"Of course."

After Abrâ left Elrond and Gandalf regarded each other. "My Lord Elrond, I am concerned for those who are living in Ered Lithui. Radagast came to me with very dire tidings of a necromancer at Dol Guldur..."