The Protector comes to visit

From Twilight to Midnight
Ormenel Heavens-day
34 Rhiw Winter
Moon phase: First Quarter <HIDDEN>
Loa 137 o Yen 21, Nelandran o Endor <TA 3017>

Field Hospital
You are in a small clearing cut into the thickets. All about you, the bushes and trees grow thick and unwavering, blocking out most of the sunlight and dimming the atmosphere. Dispite the lack of sunlight or moonlight, the clearing gives of a calm, quiet, secure feeling. Here is where the Cuigrithweg have made their Field Hospital. Several woven mats are laid about on the ground in neat rows and a pair of small chests rest at the north side of the Hospital. High above the mats, a large tarp is strung to provide some shelter on the off chance that it should rain. On the south side of the clearing, a small stream runs by the Hospital. It also serves as the only entrance and exit.

Terridan is laying out on one of the cots, his chest, left arm, and legs are all heavily bandaged, though the Brevit Captain seems to breath easily at the moment. Kathalis sits silently near to Terridan looking down for now, his face is severly bruised and cut as if racked by an animal's claws. Aldarwen is sitting between Terridan and Kathalis taking care of them, and letting them rest peacefully.

After crossing the small stream in silence, Haldir strides slowly into the small clearing, head hanging low and the weight of the past night's occurrence causing his shoulders to sag. Not a dozen paces into the clearing, the Protector lifts his gaze and takes a deep breath, before stepping toward the injured.

Kathalis looks slowly up spotting the protector he slowly stands and salutes, "Protector."

Terridan looks over towards Haldir as Kathalis stands, and he moves again to try to sit up in his bed, though a grimace of pain crosses his face as he does, "Protector..."

Before stepping beneath the large tarp, and toward the injured, Haldir places his longbow he carries upon the ground, in effect dropping his guard duty for a more worthy cause. At the sound of his name, Haldir peers up, first to Kathalis and then to Terridan, but just as quickly to the healer.

Looking from Terridan to Haldir, Aldarwen nods her head and then turns to ease Terridan's effort, holding his back and pulling him slowly to the horizontal position.

Terridan struggles for a moment, then sighs, and lays back down, his strength leaving him for the time.

The sight of the bruises on Kathalis' face and the bandages wrapped around Terridan cause Haldir to lose his breath momentarily, but having seen other brothers-in-arms in such shape, although not for many a year, the Protector resigns himself and nods respectfully to Aldwaren and asks in a whisper, "The Banneret?"

As Terridan lays back down, Aldarwen caresses his cheek for a second, and then turns her gaze again toward the Protector, she answers in soft serious voice, "The wounds are deep, but Lord Celeborn was the first to take care of him, and his work was done very well. The Banneret will heal perfectly, but it will take some time before he's able to fight again".

A considerable burden seems to have been lifted from the Protector's shoulder and indeed, a long sigh is emitted. He even manages a meek smile and says softly, "If he may rise again and hear the songs of his kin while drinking miruvor, then I should want no more. Let his own heart tell when he wishes to pick up the sword again." The Protector then eyes Kathalis, and back to Aldarwen, asking of the Captain's condition.

Terridan looks up towards Haldir slowly, then manages a smile, "I will take my sword as soon as I can, mellon..."

Kathalis says soflty, "I am fine mellon...just a few bruises.." he smiles, "But I have a mission I really sould be off on the Lords order's..." he begins to stand.

Looking toward the Captain and then to the Protector, Aldarwen separates her lips, as if to say something, but then stops as the guards speak.

Softly, although firmly, Haldir's hand touches Kathalis' shoulder and there it rests as he asks, "Rest, Captain, and now tell me of the Lord's orders ..."

Aldarwen stares toward Kathalis her eyebrows rising in surprised expression. She lets the Protector speak.

Kathalis says softly, "We are to seak out the beorning that aided up in this and invite them back here to heal beneath our trees...

Nodding, with his hand still on Kathalis' shoulder, Haldir says, "This I shall do, with help from those who do not need care. Rest yourself, Captain, and keep the Banneret company, for you know what odd medicines the healers will try to pour down the poor guard's throat ..." He winks then at Kathalis ..

Kathalis chuckles softly, "A good dose of it what ever it may be would be good for him for now.." he smiels, "But really"

Terridan listens quietly, not moving.

Keeping her eyebrows raised, Aldarwen smiles quizzically and then nods at the Protector's words, "My dear Captain, you don't need to go yourself, although your wounds are not so terrible, it's better for you to stay here, resting".

Nodding, Haldir retains a more serious tone to his voice now, "Where should the search be held, Captain?"

Kathalis says softly, "North and east of near the misties sir...the battle took place at the gates....."

"And what about the creature?" asks the Protector, his gaze resting momentarily on Terridan as he questions the Captain. "Was it seen after the battle? Or only before?"

Kathalis says, "Only before the morian fell on us...it must have escaped in the chaos or have been working for them..

"And of the others?" says Haldir, again quizzing Kathalis, "Arehir?"

Kathalis says softly, "Arehir and the huntress where uninjured..."

Terridan sighs heavily, "Though I have not seen the Captain since I departed..."

Aldarwen looks around and asks, "So, that any of you want some warm tea to fill your bodies, my dear guards?"

Terridan looks up to Aldarwen slowly, "I am thirsty..."

Kathalis says, "I am alright, really, Aldarwen"

Haldir begins to open his mouth to accept, but then remembers the Lord's request, "Alas, I must set off for the northern borders. Be well, mellyn." He says this, looking both at Terridan and Kathalis. "And rest .." He then rises, smiles at Aldwaren and makes way for the thickets.

Aldarwen raises from her place between Terridan and Kathalis, and starts a small fire. She the raises her head and nods to the Protector, "Namarie...". Taking a clay pot she goes toward the side river and fills it with fresh water.

Kathalis says softly, "Namarie, Haldir."

Putting the water over the fire, the Healer opens her small bag and selects some herbs from it. She breaks them into small pieces and puts them into the pot. She then looks at the wounded and smiles as the warm liquid starts filling the place with its herbal sweet. She waits a few moments more and then, taking the large spoon, fills two cups.

Terridan smiles softly, then looks over towards the healer as she works, "Aldarwen... could you do a humble guard a small favor?"

Aldarwen takes one of the cups to Terridan and says, "Of course, mellon, I'm here to serve the wounded". She smiles to him and then takes the other cup to Kathalis, saying to the Captain, "Please drink it, I know you feel almost completely healed, but it will do you right, anyway". She bows her head and then returns to Terridan's side.

Terridan takes the cup, then smiles softly as he sips from it, "Could you sing for us, mellon? Let your voice soothe a weary guard..."

Kathalis nods and sighs , "Alright." seeing the Healer isn't going to give up, he slowly sips the tea.

Aldarwen blushes a bit at Terridan's request and says, "Oh, mellon, I thought you were going to ask me something more difficult. But, of course, I won't say no." With this, she retreats a few paces and sits down facing both Kathalis and Terridan. She takes out her small green and white harp and starts tuning it softly.

Soft sounds start coming from the small instrument in Aldarwen's hands. First mixing with the rushing of the side river, and then going up into the trees, resembling the rustling of leaves. The sounds grow in loudness as the maiden starts humming a merry melody without words, filled with sun patches and the voices of the birds.

Terridan smiles softly, listening quietly.

The melody goes up and down, dancing around the maiden, the sounds of the harp intertwining with her voice to produce the sounds of nature. And then, in one of the turn, the humming becomes words, and the sounds become a path to follow:

The warmth of the sun that touches us today
Brings peace and calm to our hearts in pain
The river rushing by at our side,
Will fill our bodies with its watery ride.

The Bard's fingers move quickly around the harp and the light of the sun seams to appear in the middle of the night. One ray directed to the singing maiden, and one to each of the guards listening. The music dances as her voice keeps chanting:

The birds on the tress shall sing for us,
And the flowers will bloom on our paths.
There will not ever be again in our lives,
Lonely days or saddening nights.

The melody goes on twisting around, becoming merrier and soothing as the Bards falls quiet. She keeps her hands moving over the instrument and looks at the guards to see their faces' expressions.

Terridan smiles softly, then nods to Aldarwen, "Thank you, mellon..."

Aldarwen puts her harp away and grins towards Terridan, she approaches him and says softly, "Well, now, that was enough for entretaining your souls, now you should have some rest, I would like to see you in a better state when the sun rises."

Terridan smiles softly, "Your song does more for me than all the herbs you could muster."

Aldarwen smiles and says, "I don't know if I should take that as something good or something bad... My herbs should relief your pain. But nevermind, it's time to sleep now, mellon". With this she slowly caresses Terridan's face.

Terridan sighs softly in relief at the caress, then smiles again, "You... apparantly do not give me much choice, mellon... but your herbs to ease my body, but your song eases my fea..."