The old ways

Hamling came and woke Eowyn and Marna when the sun had risen and the room was flooded with the warming rays of an early summer day.
Eowyn immediately checked on Haldir finding him fast asleep. She left his side only a few minutes to fetch some warm water and fresh healing herbs and bandages. The dressings on his back needed a change. Marna was instantly at her side, when she saw that Eowyn was removing the spoiled bandages from Haldir’s upper back.
When they had removed them, both gasped in surprise. It looked like the flesh and bone were mending rapidly. Even though Eowyn didn’t dare to probe for the ribs that been severed from the spinal column, from what she saw, she guessed that they were slowly growing new connecting tissue. This was amazing, but he would still need a few weeks to recover fully. A sigh of relief left Eowyn. She was sure now that this elf was going to make it. She didn’t know why she cared so much for this particular one, there were many brave and wounded fighters, maybe it was because he had brought the elves to Helm’s deep or maybe because he was fighting so hard to get well. Obviously because he needed to know if Legolas was well. It made her curious and she sat her mind on finding out more about this subject.

After they had finished redressing Haldir’s wounds, the two women moved to the other wounded in this room. Maybe it was the influence of a firstborn within these walls, or just mere luck, but no one had died the last night and it sent their hope flying.
Later during the day, after Eowyn had watched over the preparation of the food for the wounded, she took a bowl of porridge with small cut bacon in it and went back to the elf. He obviously had been awake for some time and his eyes were much clearer than during the night. Eowyn smiled at him and sat down beside his bed.
“’Quel re, my lady.” Haldir spoke quietly and with some effort.
“I presume you are wishing me a good day, am I right?” she smiled.
Haldir nodded in response and a tiny smile curved his lips.
“I hope you are hungry, I have brought something to strengthen you and some fresh water if you like.” Eowyn showed Haldir the bowl of food.
Haldir restrained himself from frowning. He had heard about the eating habits of man, but he was too well educated in diplomacy to let his revulsion get the upper hand and ask the Lady for some fresh fruit. He would have to make do with what was offered. Far worse was thct tct that Lady Eowyn seemed to have made up her mind about this and was definitely going to hand feed him. Maybe she was right though, the slightest movement let a piercing pain shoot through his back and shoulders. So he smiled and nodded at her.
“I am sorry to treat you like an invalid,” she laughed suddenly “well, then again you are, aren’t you. But I can not allow you to move. You will have to accept my help and let me feed you.”
Haldir was impressed by her gentle but lively spirit, she was a remarkable woman of her kind. So he willingly accepted her offer and enthusiastically wolfed down the offered porridge. It was fantastic how much better he felt afterwards.
Eowyn placed the empty bowl on the ground and leaned back in her chair. She enjoyed watching the elf getting better and she wanted to know more about him.
“I see you did enjoy the meal, even though I had the feeling that you were slightly taken aback at first. I promise, when we are in Edoras again, we hopefully will have a greater variety of food we can offer you.”
“Thank you, yes indeed I obviously was very hungry. And I am sorry, I did not want to offend you. I am in your depth for your generous help and hospitality. But you are very perceptive, I would indeed have preferred some fruit and bread.”
“No offence taken. I for myself am not too keen on porridge. But we’re soldiers and as such we do not tend to mutter. Right?” She smiled winningly at him.
“No, I suppose not.”
“Are you in need of anything else? Would you like to sleep or rather talk a little. I for myself sometimes find a little conversation during a healing process quite valuable. It keeps the mind off the pain and time passes more quickly.”
“Is it that you can read my mind, my dear Lady? I didn’t dare bother you with my questions and now you suggest it yourself. You truly are a shining example of your people and they must be very proud to have you.”
Eowyn blushes slightly and waved it off with her hand “Oh, thank you, but I think it is just a matter of education. You can find as much hospitality and friendliness in a farmer’s wife as in a noble woman. But I am flattered that you feel that way. Now, what question did you want to ask me?”
Haldir cleared his throat carefully fearing the pain that would instantly follow and took a deep breath “This may sound unusual to you, but though I remember I asked you this before, I need to know more. I can only recall the battle to the point were Aragorn called out to me to draw my people back.” Suddenly Haldir’s face paled visibly “Oh, by Elbereth. Aragorn was there when I fell. He held me in his arms. I can remember his voice. He must have thought me dead. Just like I did. If he told Legolas. Oh no! I must get word to him immediately.”
“Haldir, please calm down. What can I do to help? Is Legolas family? Do we need to tell anyone else? Are you afraid that these new could reach the golden wood. Have you got a wife that needs to know that you are still alive? I have heard that elves do suffer terribly once they loose a loved one.”
“No, no wife. Legolas, no.... if Aragorn tells him, he will.... la! Mela en’ coiamin! ...”
“Haldir! Listen to me, please. Look at me. Look me in the eyes, take a deep breath.” Eowyn had got up from her chair and held Haldir’s shoulders down. After a few seconds the elf calmed down a bit and Eowyn moved back to her chair.
“Now, Haldir. What is the matter. What could be wrong with your fellow elf?”
“He is my Hervenn. Bonded, husband. If learns of this...”
“Your what?” Eowyn looked astonished and confused.