Journey’s End

Chapter 36

The Houses of Healing

***Aragorn’s Point of View***

“Rana! No!” I yelled as her eyes closed slowly, “Please no! Try to stay awake!”

She didn’t respond as I lifted her limp body into my arms and ran to the Houses of Healing. I brought her to a bed and found Legolas at my side.

“What happened?” I asked, laying her down.

“Poisoned arrow.” He answered simply, looking on as medical supplies were brought.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” I snapped.

“She wouldn’t let me!” He cried defensively. “She didn’t want you to worry.” He said in a softer tone. I sighed; it wasn’t fair to blame him.

“I’m sorry.” I murmured, working quickly to access Rana’s wound.

“It’s alright.” He replied, “How can I help?”

I instructed him on what to do, trying to ignore my emotions, I couldn’t afford to waste precious time on them; we needed to work as quickly as possible. The next few minutes were vital to Rana’s survival.

***Rana’s Point of View***

I smiled a little as I found myself surrounded by the familiar mist of my dream. I could no longer feel the pain in my arm, or anywhere else…I severely hoped that this didn’t mean that I was dead…Oh well… There was nothing I could do about it now. I looked down at my hand, just to check that the Ring of Barahir was there, it was. With a slight smile, I looked up and once again saw the mysterious hooded figure. This time I was going to find out who they were.

As I walked towards them, they made no move to run away. Curiously I peered at them as I stood before them, but I could see nothing under their hood. I lifted my hand, and gently swept their hood back.

“Aragorn?” I whispered, seeing his familiar face smiling at me. I smiled in return as he gently took my face in his hands. I frowned a little in confusion, until he kissed me softly. Was this like the dream I had before? No… I think I preferred this one. With a smile I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around his neck. After a moment, he pulled back.

“Rana…” He whispered, “Wake up.”

I frowned.

“I don’t want to wake up.” I murmured. He smiled, and as I blinked, the image began to fade, but I could still hear him.

“Rana, wake up.”

“No…Let me sleep…I’m tired…” I moaned stubbornly. I heard laughter and then, as the last remains of my dream slipped away, I felt myself relax into a comfortable dreamless doze.

***Aragorn’s Point of View***

“Rana, wake up.” I murmured softly, laying my hand on her forehead as she frowned in her sleep. We had been successful in neutralising the poison; she just needed to regain consciousness.

“No… Let me sleep… I’m tired…” She moaned, and I laughed. She was going to be alright.

***Rana’s Point of View***

I blinked awake slowly, and saw sunlight streaming into the clean, white room through an open window. Everything smelt fresh and clean, and I was lying in a comfy bed, in a long room, lined with a few other beds. I yawned and sat up, wincing at the slight pain in my upper arm. With a slight smile I realised I wasn’t dead.

That was good.

Then Aragorn walked into the room.

That made things even better.

I grinned as he saw me awake and dashed over.

“Good morning…” I mumbled, as he hugged me.

“Afternoon.” He corrected me, and I smiled and snuggled into his shoulder.

“Sorry about nearly dying.” I whispered.

“It’s alright.” He laughed, “Just don’t do it again.”

“Well… I can’t promise anything…” I muttered as he released me with a smile. I blushed a little as I remembered my dream, but I became distracted as Legolas walked into the room.

“Aragorn, Gandalf and Eómer are waiting…” He trailed off as he spotted me. “You’re awake.” He commented with a smile. I nodded.

“How long have I been asleep?”

“Only a day.” Aragorn murmured, sitting on my bed and holding my hand.

“Sorry if I gave you a scare…” I whispered sheepishly.

“It’s alright…” Aragorn whispered, squeezing my hand and looking into my eyes. I looked back into his and found myself unable to break his gaze, until Legolas coughed awkwardly.

“Aragorn?” He muttered. Aragorn looked up at him, and I blushed and looked down.

“Of course.” He smiled, and then turned back to me. “You should rest.”

“Where are you going?” I asked as he stood and let his hand slide from mine.

“A council has been called, to decide our next move.”

“Alright, I’m coming too.” I said, swinging my legs out of the bed, only to find my shoulders caught. Aragorn dragged me back and gently pushed me back down onto the pillow.

“You need to rest Rana, you almost died.”

“But I’m fine!” I cried, sitting up again. Aragorn looked at me sadly.

“I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He murmured, leaning forward and gently kissing my forehead. I sighed and closed my eyes in defeat.

“Aragorn, please?” I begged as he began to walk to the door.

“Just try to get some sleep.” He sighed, leaving the room with Legolas. Outside, I heard him speaking with someone, saying something about making sure I didn’t leave.

I groaned and slumped back down onto my bed, my emotions in turmoil.

Why did I keep having dreams about Aragorn? I couldn’t remember having many significant ones about him before we started out on this quest…

Somewhere in my heart I knew I had feelings for him, but what should I do? Should I tell him, or just stay friends as we have always been?

I barely knew how strong these feelings were, but I had never felt like this about anyone…

Did I love Aragorn?

“Are you feeling any better?”

I jumped at the sound of a strange voice and sat up to see a man sitting on a bed some distance away, watching me. I gazed in amazement at his face, he looked exactly like Boromir! I could see that beneath his shirt, his torso was heavily bandaged.

“Who are you?” I asked suspiciously. He smiled and bowed a little where he sat.

“Faramir, son of Denethor, and now Steward of Gondor I suppose.” He shrugged a little, and I began to remember everything I knew about Gondor. When I had last visited the city, Denethor had been the Steward. He must have died recently, although I would have thought him too old to fight in a battle. If Faramir was the son of Denethor, that would make him Boromir’s brother. I could see now that their faces were not exactly alike.

I smiled and nodded.

“Shouldn’t you be at the council then?” I asked.

“I’m not allowed!” He laughed, pointing to his bandages.

“I can sympathise with that.” I sighed, looking down. I could feel him looking at me as he thought for a second.

“I saw the way you looked at him, if I felt that much for someone I would not be lying in bed while they were away making decisions about their fate.”

I looked up at him and blushed, had he seen me with Aragorn? And were my feelings that obvious?

“What can I do though? He asked someone outside to make sure I didn’t leave.” I murmured sadly.

“That’s only the nurse.” Faramir replied. He stood and walked to my bedside. “I could create a diversion, and you could get out of here.” He whispered, casting a glance at the door. My eyes widened and I frowned.

“Why would you do that?” I asked.

“Because you don’t look like you want to be sitting here. I would be no use in a battle, but you can still fight!”

I smiled.

“You are a lot like Boromir.” I murmured. His eyes widened.

“You knew him?”

“Yes… I was with him just before he died…” I whispered sadly. “He was courageous until the very end.”

Faramir smiled a little.

“I’m glad to hear that.”

I nodded and climbed out of bed.

“I made him a promise, that I would not let Gondor fall. I have yet to fulfil that promise.” I then looked down at myself, realising that instead of my normal clothing, I wore a long white dress. “Faramir? Do you know were my clothes are?” I asked, blushing a little. He nodded towards a neatly folded pile of clothing sitting on a nearby table. He turned away politely as I changed quickly, and located all my weapons.

“Alright… I’m ready.” I smiled, fastening my cloak.