From Wyoming, to Middle-earth

Chap. 37 - Houses of Healing

~ARAGORN'S POINT OF VIEW~

I noticed something was wrong with Alex. She started to slip off of her saddle, but before she hit the ground, I caught her. I mounted Arroch, for Brego had run off. I eased Arroch into a gallop, and rode for Minas Tirith.

Gandalf followed me on Shadowfax, along with the two hobbits.

I rode quickly through the levels of the city, and felt Alex growing cold. I gasped, and stopped in front of the great hall. I ran inside the empty throne room, carrying Alex in my arms. I yelled to servants, "I need a doctor! Quickly!"

I was lead to the Houses of Healing, where Eowyn and Faramir were healing as well. I carefully laid Alex down on one, and sat next to her. I held her cold hand. She gasped sharply, and grabbed for her leg. I held her hands down, and she relaxed a little. A tall man waltzed in with a tray of herbs.

"Ah, poor lass. Going through what she is-" he pointed to Eowyn "-Except it's a bit worse," the doctor said, and ripped up some of the herbs. A sour aroma drifted to my nose and I wrinkled my nose. The doctor pulled the chain mail on Alex's legs up so he could see the wound. A maid handed him a damp towel, and he cleaned the wound. Alex gasped again, taking sharp intakes of breath. After the gash was cleaned out as best as he could, he rubbed a balm he had made out of the herbs onto it. She yelled out in pain, and I held her hands close to mine. Her eyes opened for a split second, and they were a cloudy blue. Alex's hands were ice cold now.

"Now you should let her rest. I have learned some healing methods of the elves, and she should be alright," the doctor said.

"Thank you," I said, and looked at Alex. She was sweating, and twitching. Faramir was watching me, and then he glanced at Eowyn.

"Lady Alex, she has a lot of courage," Faramir said, and leaned his head back down.

"Yes. She really does," I said, and flinched when she gasped in pain again. Gimli and Legolas walked in, and stood around the small bed. Gimli was clutching Alex's helmet.

"She's going to be alright? Right, lad?" Gimli asked.

I nodded, "She's going to be fine. The herbs she was given need time to heal her."

Legolas seemed to relax, and he looked around. I watched the sun gradually go down, and Legolas and Gimli went to bed. I stayed with her all night, holding her hand. Her raspy breaths rang through the hall. I fell asleep at one point, because in the morning, my face was on the side of her bed. Her skin's temperature was warm again, and her breathing was normal. I sighed, extremely relieved she was better. The doctor came back and checked on Eowyn and Faramir, and then Alex.

"She's healed a lot. Usually it takes a couple of days for the victims to heal. Alex is a special one," the doctor said, and looked at Alex in wonder. Gandalf, Merry and Pippin burst through the doors. Merry and Pippin ran to Alex's bed.

"Is she going to be alright?" Pippin asked.

I nodded. She twitched, but didn't open her eyes. Gandalf stared down at her, "That wound was deep. Perhaps deeper than Frodo's when he was stabbed. She's healed quickly."

Everyone nodded in agreement. I was patiently awaiting her awakening, and the room seemed tense. The sun was coming up, and it shone through the windows. Eventually, it's rays shone on her face, and she seemed to glow. Her hands tensed, as she curled her fingers around mine. Alex's eyes fluttered open.

~ALEX'S POINT OF VIEW~

"I'm alive," I breathed. Everyone I knew; Gandalf, Merry, Pippin, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Èomer, Èowyn, Faramir were looking at me. Each with smiles on their faces. I looked at Aragorn who seemed to have the biggest grin stretched across his face. I laughed, and smiled. Everyone seemed to talk at me at once, and I eagerly answered. Aragorn stayed silent, and I could tell he was about to burst with excitement. As soon as everyone bid me their, "It's good to see you are alive!" and their, "I missed you!" and many others, they left us in peace. Eowyn and Faramir left as well.