Notes: The city of Minas Tirith (Tower of Guard) is built upon the slopes of Mount Mindolluin. It consists of seven levels, each of them ringed by a strong wall.

Translation of Elvish: Melethen - my love. Nín anoriel - my sun-maiden. Avawartho nin - do not abandon me. Mellonen - my friend. Athelas - beneficial leaf ... a healing plant brought to Middle-Earth by the Númenóreans. Cuilen - my life.

Chapter 14 - The Houses of Healing

Slowly Haldir ascended the road that led up to the seventh ring of the city. The Houses of Healing, he had been told, were close to the palace of the Steward, just outside the innermost wall of the city. He held the limp body of Éowyn close to his own, cherishing every breath she took. She could not die, not now, not so soon. No tears came from his eyes; his grief was beyond tears.

Everyone that saw him felt a wave of pity fill their hearts. The proud elven warrior looked like a child that had lost his way. They saw the golden-haired maiden in his arms, thinking her an elf. But then someone recognized her and cried out, "It is the fair Lady of the Rohirrim, Éowyn, niece of the King of the Mark." Haldir turned around shaking his head, "No longer is she the niece of the King of Rohan, sister she now is for Théoden is no more." Silence fell around him. Théoden, their ally of old was dead. Éowyn barely alive. What hopes they had still in their hearts faded. They were doomed, and doom they had brought upon those who had come to aid them.

The elf read the fear upon the faces that were turned to him. He summoned all the strength that was left within him and said, "But fear not, Éomer is King now. And he will see the end of this dark day. The Rangers of the North have also come to your assistance. Fear not, victory is at hand." With that he continued his way, sending silent prayers to the Valar, 'Let her see the new day as well...'

When he reached the Houses of Healing, he hesitantly gave his beloved over to the healers. He was by her side when they washed her face and hands, when they tended her broken arm. Then they turned their attention to her right arm, their faces falling. His heart broke when they said that there was no hope left for her, that the wound she had taken would eventually kill her.

He sank to his knees beside her bed, holding her cold hand in his, begging her to stay with him. He could not let go, there had to be a way, Galadriel had told him that there was one. Why had he never been interested in becoming a healer? Maybe elvish medicine could help her. But not even Legolas would be able to help him, the Prince had been forbidden to even go near the healer's quarters in Mirkwood. Softly he whispered, "Nín anoriel, meleth nín, avawartho nin."

He felt despair creep into his heart. He had failed Éomer; he had not been able to save her life. She was gliding from his grasp, with every breath she took she moved closer to the shadow world that would soon consume her. All hope faded, if she died so would he. He would not remain in a world without his sun, his light, his everything.

Only when he heard the whispers between two nurses, hope grew in his heart again. "If only we had a king, 'the hands of the king are the hands of a healer' they said of old." A king? Comprehension seeped into his mind ... Aragorn. Haldir jumped to his feet and ran to the nurses, his eyes blinking madly. "What did you just say?" The woman repeated her words, frightened of the tall elf before her.

Haldir turned back to Éowyn. "Forgive me my love, I shall not be away for long," he said, kissing her forehead. "But there is hope left, our only hope..."

He flew back through the rings of the city, finally reaching the main gate. The battle had ended and he saw the captains walk up to the gate. Quickly his eyes searched and finally found the one he was looking for. The ranger was walking next to Legolas, his hand touching the elf's as if by accident. Legolas was the first to notice the approaching elf. "Haldir, mellonen..."

Haldir ignored the friendly greeting and said, "Aragorn come with me! No time for explanations." The ranger looked at the elf astonished and turned to his lover. Legolas' eyes were suddenly filled with grief as he read Haldir's thoughts. "Éowyn," he turned to Aragorn, "make haste, you are much needed."

Soon they reached the Houses of Healing again and together they went into the chamber where Éowyn lay. Aragorn kneeled by her side and took her cold hand into his. "How..." he began but already Haldir told him of what had happened. "A Nazgûl, then it's the Black Breath. There only is one way to heal her, if any," he turned around to the healer who stood by his side, curious to see if this dirty ranger could cure the woman when he could not. "I need athelas," The healer looked at him puzzled. "Kingsfoil!" The man stared at Aragorn in disbelief, "But it holds no healing..." - "It holds more powers that your whole herb garden outside put together. Get me some."

The healer bowed and disappeared. Aragorn now stood and turned to Haldir, "I can't make any promises. She has been badly wounded, Haldir. She might yet die..." The Lórien elf was almost insane with agony. He reached for his sword and pointed it at the ranger's throat. "Heal her or face me!" Legolas grabbed Haldir's hand, slowly forcing him to lower the sword. "Haldir, I do not believe that it is her destiny to die, not here nor today."

Before Haldir could reply the healer returned with some dried leaves of the plant Aragorn had requested. "A bowl with warm water, and be quick," the ranger ordered. It was brought to him and he took one of the leaves and crushed it between his palms, casting it into the water. A scent of spring filled the air and light flooded the room. Aragorn took Éowyn's cold hand and bathed it in the warm water, calling out her name.

Éomer burst into the room and beholding Haldir almost lost control over himself. "I asked you to protect her, you failed. And now you might fail me again. These people out there tell me that she is going to die." His hand shot forward, closing around the elf's neck. Haldir put up no defence, he only stared the new King of Rohan in the eye. "She may live yet," Legolas said, stepping up to Éomer. Slowly he eased his grip on Haldir and suddenly turned towards the bed and stood by his sister's side. "Éowyn, sister. Come back, come back to the people who need you, who love you." He turned around and reached out for Haldir, "Come back to him and me."

Aragorn had wet a piece of cloth in the scented water and now touched Éowyn's pale face with it, still whispering her name. Haldir turned away, unable to bear the sight of his love's dead-like face. His heart bled, wishing only for one thing, to join her in death. There could never be a life worth living for him if she was not in it. But then, suddenly...

A sigh, a deep sigh escaped Éowyn's throat. Her breathing became steadier; her face was once again filled with colour. Aragorn sighed with relief. "She will live, she will live." The healer stared at him in awe. When finally he was able to speak again he exclaimed, "Pray, there are two others who have a similar wound. Our beloved Lord Faramir and a halfling..." Aragorn nodded and followed the healer.

Haldir had taken over Aragorn's place by Éowyn's side. Her hand was still resting in the warm water. "We both have been granted a great gift today Haldir of Lórien. We should treasure it from this day forward." Éomer stared into Haldir's eyes. "But was it not your treasuring her beyond everything that made her choose this path? Éomer, she needs freedom, not a cage. Only when free will she blossom, a cage would destroy her." Slowly Éomer nodded. "I will leave her in your keeping for now, I hope you won't let me down again." Then he was gone, leaving the two elves alone with his sister.

"You knew, did you not? You knew what she would be to me and yet you did not tell me. Why?" Haldir had always known that Legolas could see into the future of those he cared for deeply, and the Prince cared for the Chief Guardian. "I did, yes, I knew. But even had I told you, would you have believed me? The proud Warden of Lórien in love with a mere mortal? No, you would have laughed at me..." Haldir nodded, Legolas was right, as always.

"Only now can I understand your feelings for Aragorn. Forgive me if I was not as supportive as you could have expected it from a friend." Legolas could hardly believe his ears. Haldir, haughty Haldir was apologizing for something he had done? "What has come over you?" Haldir smiled and looked down upon the face of Éowyn, "She has, she filled my heart with love without even realizing it. I struggled against it, a hopeless effort. She made my soul complete. Legolas, she is the one I have longed for all of my life. Though I did not know it."

Legolas placed his hand upon Haldir's shoulder, "Well, you should start and believe the people around you," he smiled and then continued in a stern voice, "She will live, we all should be thankful for that. She will live and be with you. She is meant to be with you." He moved towards the door. "Now I will leave you. Even if we have won this battle, this was only a small part of Sauron's force. We will have to make our next move soon."

Now he was alone with his beloved again. Slowly he dried her hand, gasping at the feel of it. Warmth was returning to it, the ice was melting away. He took the small hand into his, kissing it softly. Suddenly he felt her move, holding on to him. His head flew up to look into her half-open eyes, a smile playing around her mouth. "Haldir," her voice hardly audible. "You have returned to me, nín anoriel, melethen, cuilen..." Haldir's voice trailed off as he covered Éowyn's face with kisses. "Never do this to me again, I need you, I cannot be without you." Éowyn chuckled softly, "I gave you a promise, that I'd remind you of those words you said to me after Éomer left us last night. And haven't I done that?"

"How dare you say such a thing, I thought I had lost you." Éowyn moved her right hand carefully up to his face, stroking it softly. "Oh Haldir, you almost lost me, almost. But I'm here with you. I love you, melethen." She pulled his face down and kissed his lips. "My Lord of Night and Silver, I love you..."