[Thenamir]

Thenamir took advantage of Dwarin’s herbs to shake off the fatigue which had been assailing him since the ambush. The old rider had shaken him as well, and he hoped that the herbs would also help to calm him a bit. The presence of Elwood the elf certainly helped, and he could not explain in himself why he had reacted so poorly to his presence at first. He took another deep breath from the pinch of herbs wrapped in a bit of old kerchief and tried to take stock of the situation.

He looked over at Taradan who was awake and seemed to be clear of mind -- technically he was in command, but he was still injured. Elwood was tending to him now, but whether he would be fit to continue following the Dunlendings was still an open question. The other wounded seemed to be much improved, and perhaps could continue on after a bit of rest. The addition of the new riders was a plus, but they would not be enough to stand against the numbers of now-warned Dunlenders Ulfwine expected to meet on the way to wherever-it-was that the enemies were heading. A decision had to be made, and soon. Thenamir rose, much relieved from his earlier pain, and approached Elwood. “Master Elwood, how is Taradan?”

Elwood at first did not seem to hear the question. He was kneeling on the ground beside Taradan, eyes closed, one hand upon the right side of Taradan’s head at the spot where he had sustained the crushing blow. Taradan closed his eyes again and seemed to sleep. After a few seconds Elwood exhaled audibly and stood up, looking down at his patient for a last moment before turning to Thenamir. “He should not have been allowed to sleep after that blow – he was near death when I began to tend him. His wound will heal in time, but he will be weaker on one side until he has had some time to rest.”

“Do you think he will be able to continue with us if we follow our attackers?” Thenamir asked with a note of concern.

Elwood’s brow furrowed slightly. “He will be able to ride, or perhaps walk, within a day, but the exertion of fighting will certainly kill him. If he is to recover fully, he should be in a healing ward for at least a week. But he has the face of a warrior upon him – I perceive that he will not willingly give up the chase.”

Thenamir was not really surprised, but the question of what to do was still unsolved. He recounted to Elwood the full story of the last few hours, from the suspicious meeting with Grima Wormtongue to their meeting here. Elwood listened attentively, nodding and asking an occasional probing question. When Thenamir was done, he asked, “is there any way you could join us, at least for a time? Your counsel, your wisdom and your woodcraft are sorely needed among us.”

“The paths of the elves seldom join with men in these days, willingly or no,” replied Elwood, “and even more seldom are we free with our counsel. But we have had word in the Golden Wood about the activities of Saruman, and the Lady has sent out scouts, of whom I am one, to seek out what may be discovered of his servants and plans. I do not care for the presence of the dwarf, but it appears that your purposes and mine will run together for a time.”

Thenamir smiled and breathed a deep sigh of relief. He extended his hand to the elf, who received it with a warm and firm grasp. “I thank you.” Thenamir's mind was now made up -- the chase would resume as soon as all could ride.

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Thenamir of Rohan,
Chairman of the Rohan Non-sequitur Society
"We may not make sense, but we do like pizza"

[ October 30, 2001: Message edited by: Thenamir ]