The Return of the King and Queen

Chapter 4: More Questions Than Answers

It had been 3 days since Maethor had arrived with Frodo and she had passed out and neither one had woken. Aragorn and the hobbits had arrived the day before. The hobbits were completely worried about the friend that they were off to his room as soon as Elrond had told them where it was. Aragorn chuckled as he watched the halflings runoff. "I better go thank Maethor for them for her getting him here in time. " he said. 

Elrond's face dropped at the mention of Maethor and it didn't go unnoticed by the ranger. 

"My Lord, what happened? Is Maethor alright?" Aragorn asked quickly. 

Elrond let out a loud sighed as Aragorn feared the worst until the elf spoke "She was stabbed on her left side by one of the wraiths on her way to us. The fact that she hasn't properly rested in days didn't help either...I didn't even know she was wounded until she passed out in front of me from loss of blood but we were lucky and she survived and is resting now." 

A strike of pain and guilt hit Aragorn's heart but also relief at the news that MAethor was alive. Elrond could sense the guilt coming from Aragorn. 

"It was not your fault, Aragorn. You did what you thought was right even though I know she left little room for you to argue with her. Frodo would not have survived had she not brought him to us...I just wish she wasn't so reckless." Elrond told him. 

Aragorn nodded but still felt slightly responsible, he was the one who let her go alone. 

Elrond then took the liberty of showing Aragorn his room. the two walked in silence down the halls. 

"My Lord," Aragorn said "If I may, Who is she...Maethor?" 

Elrond looked at the ranger but shook his head. "It is not my place to reveal her true identity but fear not for I believe it will be revealed...in due time." replied the elf as they arrived at the ranger's room. 

Aragorn now sat alongside Maethor's bed as he held a book in his hand. He had been searching for anything that may lead him to solve the mystery of the woman that laid in the bed recovering next to him but after all the books he had been through there was nothing. 

A soft groan pulled Aragorn from his thoughts as he looked over to see that Maethor's head was in turned in the opposite direction and watched as her eyes fluttered open. A gasp left her lips as she shot up from her pillow regretting her choice of action as she felt the pain shot up her side. 

Aragorn immediately stopped her, placing his hand on her shoulder. "Maethor." he said causing her to turn her head towards him. "It's alright, you're safe, everyone is safe." He told her, trying to calm her. 

"Aragorn?" she asked causing him to smile and nod. "Yes, it's alright. You're safe." he said again. MAethor took a deep breath and relaxed against her pillow. "How long have I've been out for?" she asked. "3 days. We arrived yesterday, Gandal arrived yesterday as well." Aragorn replied. 

MAethor removed the blankets to see that her wound was now wrapped in bandages.  "How long before these come off?" she asked. 

"When you learn that you can't always be reckless." Said a voice. Both looked over to see Elrond walk in.  "Uncle..." MAethor started but Elrond shook his head. 

"My dear, you may be half-elf but that doesn't mean you can reject your needs. I understand putting others before yourself but you can not protect them when you haven't eaten or rested in a week. You have to be careful, because of your recklessness it nearly cost you your life. Do you understand?" Elrond asked. Maethor nodded like a small child being scolded as she had many years ago. 

Elrond then sat on her bed and with a softer voice said "I am thankful that you are alright and I'm proud of what you did." He then kissed his niece's head before telling her what had transpired since she had been out and how her wounds were doing.