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Part the Third of... Eru only knows when these two will decide to stop harrassing us.
Ioreth: *knocks at the door to Glorfindel's room* I come bearing gifts! Or lunch, at least.
Glorfindel: *silently slips back into bed, wearing only breeches, and pulls the covers up to avoid a scolding* Come in.
Ioreth: *does so, setting down the tray and eyeing him suspiciously, although she can't prove he was out of bed* You're healing well, Elf. I didn't even hear you clambering back into bed that time.
Glorfindel: *innocent expression* Now why would I do something like that?
Ioreth: *smiles* Because you're far too stubborn and impatient for your own good. Soon you'll be well enough to leave us, and then that beast of yours can stop terrorizing the stable-boys and you can stop giving me headaches. Eat your lunch.
Glorfindel: *snorts* He does not terrorize the stable boys. His manners are better than that. *eyes the tray* What delicacies did you bring today? Please tell me no more broth.
Ioreth: No more broth. *grins* Hurin and some of the other guards went hunting yesterday, and I managed to... acquire some of the proceeds. So it's roast venison, and some bread to soak the gravy up.
Glorfindel: *answering grin* Solid food. This is cause for celebration. *glances at the door to be sure it's closed, and then quick as thought steals a kiss*
Ioreth: *reluctantly pulling away* You should be eating, and I should be working. *teasing* You need to keep your strength up. *winks*
Glorfindel: *pouts cutely* Won't you join me, sweet nurse? I fear I might need your assistance. After all, I'm only a poor, helpless elf.
Ioreth: *snorts* Helpless nothing. *settles down on the edge of the bed anyway* And I've already had my lunch, but I will keep you company, if you wish.
Glorfindel: *sets to work on the meal* Tell me a story?
Ioreth: A story? Once upon a time there was an Elf who asked too many questions, and complained too much, and generally made a nuisance of himself... *grins* I don't think you'd find my stories all that interesting, surely.
Glorfindel: Here we've spent so much time together, and I know so little about you. Indulge me, please. It's been a long time since I've ventured south.
Ioreth: I grew up in a quiet little town in Lossanarch by the name of Imloth Melui... and then I came here. Not much to tell, really.
Glorfindel: *traces a pattern on the back of her hand* You underestimate how intriguing I find you.
Ioreth: *blushes* I grew up in Imloth Melui... and then I came here because if I'd spent one more moment smiling and nodding there I would have gone insane. *shaking my head* We had a good healer, that was the one good thing about the place. She taught me a lot. Told me to come here, if I wanted to learn more. I had absolutely no idea what life was like outside my home and I am forever surprised that I managed to get myself from there to here in one piece.
Glorfindel: Ah, you see. There's a story in that. Few young women would leave their homes and travel alone to a strange place, all in the name of medicine.
Ioreth: *shrugs* My mother is a happy woman. She got married at seventeen, had eight kids, spends her life sewing and cooking and has never been further than the market two villages over. She has a good life. I just didn't want it for myself. *bites lip* I may have gone a little out of my way to make sure that I did not end up that way. In Lossanarch, gossip travels fast. People get reputations, deserved or not.
Glorfindel: *raises an eyebrow* You may be certain I will have nothing but the highest praise for you, Ioreth.
Ioreth: That sort of thing doesn't bother me any more. Things in Minas Tirith are different. *smiles brightly* Here's a story for you. Ioreth was my grandmother's name. People said she had foresight. I don't know if it was true - I don't really believe in such things, you know? Or rather, I don't like the thought that your path is laid out in front of you. She'd look at that palm of your hand and tell you what your future would be. She told me once that I would meet a king. Isn't that silly?
Glorfindel: *smirks, knowing that you may have already met that king* You should not doubt the foresighted. Theirs is a gift from the Valar--a fickle one, to be certain, but a gift nonetheless.
Ioreth: *smiles* Well, perhaps. When I was eighteen, and she was ill, she called me into her rooms, and she told me *imitating an old woman's voice* 'What are you doing still here? You'll never meet a king, hanging around Imloth Melui. Get going, girl.' *dissolves into giggles* I swear, she said it just like that.
Glorfindel: *laughs* For what it's worth, I think she was right. Why should meeting a king be so remarkable? After all, you've known a "legendary Balrog slayer" for some weeks now. A king is not so uncommon.
Ioreth: I'm sure you've met hundreds of kings. *rearranges your blankets* But I would still be surprised to come across one. Now, eat your lunch.
Glorfindel: Yes ma'am. *eats in silence until the plate is clean* Do I get a reward for being a good patient?
Ioreth: *puts plate and tray to one side and sits back down on the bed* Oh, I think you should. *smiles* *reaches down, tugs a lock of hair sharply, and then jumps back to her feet* Come on. *holds out a hand*
Glorfindel: *blinks, surprised* Is this an invitation to get out of bed?
Ioreth: *grins* Take it easy - if you try to push yourself too hard you'll do yourself an injury and then I'll carry you back here and tie you to the bed. But yes, I thought that you might like to take a walk to the gardens.
Glorfindel: My dear sweet nurse, those words are music to my old ears. *kisses your hand with a flourish and slips out of bed, then looks down* I suppose a shirt and boots are called for.
Ioreth: *produces shirt, socks, and boots from a cupboard* That might be a good idea. *pokes your chest gently* You'll get enough of the girls staring at you as it is.
Glorfindel: *eyes twinkling as I sit long enought o pull on the footwear before pulling the tunic over my head* Then maybe you should keep me cloistered, lest I be exhausted by their advances.
Ioreth: *chuckles at that* Or perhaps I should wear you out myself, before they can get their hands on you.
Glorfindel: *loops an arm around your waist and leans rather closer than necessary* Oh, Ioreth. I feel faint. Take me outside so I might see the sunshine one last time.
Ioreth: *swats lightly, but doesn't move away* Oh, quit it. Come on, then. Before you faint and I have to carry you everywhere.
Glorfindel: *chuckles and lets you lead the way, using my recent injuries as an excuse to stay close as we make our way through the halls*
Ioreth: *nods and greets people as they pass, smirking at the more-obviously jealous* Here we go! *The gardens of the houses are carefully tended and quite beautiful - even if every herb, flower, shrub and tree has been chosen for not just its looks, but its medicinal purposes, too*
Glorfindel: *The effect is instantaneous. It has been long since I was outside, and the quiet music of the garden is a balm to my restless spirit. I pause with you just outside the door and close my eyes to listen.* Bain ... *I murmur softly.*
Ioreth: *waits a moment before tugging you onwards* Come on. There's a bench around the corner - or the grass is quite soft, if you prefer.
Glorfindel: The grass, please. Just beneath that tree. *nods towards the spot in question* This is truly magnificent, Ioreth. People must come here often.
Ioreth: I come here to eat lunch, when I get the chance. It is used a lot for training, as well. *drops into a cross-legged position* But healers of Gondor do not just sit in gardens doing nothing.
Glorfindel: *settles beside you* Oh? What do they do here?
Ioreth: *smiles* Each plant here has a use in medicine, even if some of them... *plucking a flower and sticking it in Glorfindel's hair* look pretty as well. The apprentices learn to recognise them, and learn their uses.
Glorfindel: My lord keeps such gardens. *selects a small white flower and begins to braid it into your hair* They are pleasant year round, very fragrant. I used to sit with his family on warm days as he taught his children the values of the herbs.
Ioreth: Year round? How does he manage that?
Glorfindel: He is powerful amongst the elves, and our land is blessed with somewhat kinder weather than the mountains around it thanks to that power. Our people plant so that there is something to be enjoyed every season, in each garden.
Ioreth: It sounds lovely. *half-twist* What are you doing to my hair?
Glorfindel: *grins* Adorning it with the flowers of the season. Elves are quite fond of hair in general, you know.
Ioreth: *dryly* I'd noticed. You're lucky you didn't catch lice; we had a bit of an epidemic of the damn things going round a bit back. I'd have had to cut it all off if that happened.
Glorfindel: *snorts* Elves do not catch lice.
Ioreth: *eyes* You tell me a lot of things that start with 'Elves do not...' you know.
Glorfindel: *innocently* Do I? Then perhaps you should ask me questions about what elves do so we can halt that unfortunate trend. *finishes an intricate braid and plucks another flowers to begin work on another pattern*
Ioreth: Fine. What do Elves do, then, when they're not getting themselves in trouble, irritating innocent healers, or not resting when they should. *smiles* What do you do, when you're home?
Glorfindel: I help manage the day to day business of my lord's house, ride out on patrols, train warriors and horses. In the evening, there are tales and music around the fire, and numerous attempts to escape the mischief of my lord's sons.
Ioreth: *laughing at that last* Mischievous children are a constant wherever you go, it seems. My youngest brother was just like that - couldn't take your eyes off him for even a moment.
Glorfindel: *chuckles* The twins are nearly three thousand years old.
Ioreth: *eyes widen comically* Oh. *attempts to get mind working again* That's a lot of mischief.
Glorfindel: *smiling* They are quite young compared to many of us. It is good to hear them laugh again. There were many years when I feared they would lose all joy in life.
Ioreth: *sighs, leaning into you* I have not even seen so many as thirty summers yet, you know. *sideways glance* Perhaps I should get you a walking-stick, and sit you by the fire at night so the cold does not get into your old bones.
Glorfindel: *nuzzles your hair and whispers into your ear* This body is far younger than than the spirit that wears it, and does not bear the same scars.
Ioreth: *draws back, confused* I don't know what that means. I don't think I even want to know what that means. *looks up, as one of the older healers can be heard yelling about something or other* And I think I should get back to work.
Glorfindel: *kisses you lightly beneath your ear and finishes with the second flower* Then let us away.
Ioreth: *bites lip* I'm sorry... did you want to stay out here a bit longer? If you promise not to run away - I could come back later, or.. *shrugs* if you wanted, that is.
Glorfindel: *glances at a group of apprentices coming into the garden for the lessons you mentioned* I think it best that I return with you.
Ioreth: *stands wordlessly, brushing bits of grass from my skirts and then offering a hand to help you up*
Glorfindel: *I rise gracefully, and again use my wounds as an excuse to stay close to you as we walk the halls* Thank you for sharing your gardens with me, Ioreth.
Ioreth: They're not my- *stops* You're welcome.
Glorfindel: *gives a gentle squeeze* I am fortunate to have you for my healer.
Ioreth: Thank you. *opens the door* May I ask what the chance is that you will actually go get some rest now?
Glorfindel: *smirks* Do I get a treat if I take a nap?
Ioreth: *pulls you into the room and closes the door* You can have a treat now. *smirks back*
Glorfindel: *grins* Hoping to wear me out so I'll sleep better?
Ioreth: It does seem to work. And helping my favourite patient sleep better is a worthy goal, wouldn't you say? *goes up on tip-toes so I can kiss you*
Glorfindel: *returns the kiss, drawing it out before pulling you onto the bed atop me with surprising strength for a supposed convalescent* Very worthy indeed.
...fade to black, I'm afraid. We're sorry... you perverts.
Ioreth: *knocks at the door to Glorfindel's room* I come bearing gifts! Or lunch, at least.
Glorfindel: *silently slips back into bed, wearing only breeches, and pulls the covers up to avoid a scolding* Come in.
Ioreth: *does so, setting down the tray and eyeing him suspiciously, although she can't prove he was out of bed* You're healing well, Elf. I didn't even hear you clambering back into bed that time.
Glorfindel: *innocent expression* Now why would I do something like that?
Ioreth: *smiles* Because you're far too stubborn and impatient for your own good. Soon you'll be well enough to leave us, and then that beast of yours can stop terrorizing the stable-boys and you can stop giving me headaches. Eat your lunch.
Glorfindel: *snorts* He does not terrorize the stable boys. His manners are better than that. *eyes the tray* What delicacies did you bring today? Please tell me no more broth.
Ioreth: No more broth. *grins* Hurin and some of the other guards went hunting yesterday, and I managed to... acquire some of the proceeds. So it's roast venison, and some bread to soak the gravy up.
Glorfindel: *answering grin* Solid food. This is cause for celebration. *glances at the door to be sure it's closed, and then quick as thought steals a kiss*
Ioreth: *reluctantly pulling away* You should be eating, and I should be working. *teasing* You need to keep your strength up. *winks*
Glorfindel: *pouts cutely* Won't you join me, sweet nurse? I fear I might need your assistance. After all, I'm only a poor, helpless elf.
Ioreth: *snorts* Helpless nothing. *settles down on the edge of the bed anyway* And I've already had my lunch, but I will keep you company, if you wish.
Glorfindel: *sets to work on the meal* Tell me a story?
Ioreth: A story? Once upon a time there was an Elf who asked too many questions, and complained too much, and generally made a nuisance of himself... *grins* I don't think you'd find my stories all that interesting, surely.
Glorfindel: Here we've spent so much time together, and I know so little about you. Indulge me, please. It's been a long time since I've ventured south.
Ioreth: I grew up in a quiet little town in Lossanarch by the name of Imloth Melui... and then I came here. Not much to tell, really.
Glorfindel: *traces a pattern on the back of her hand* You underestimate how intriguing I find you.
Ioreth: *blushes* I grew up in Imloth Melui... and then I came here because if I'd spent one more moment smiling and nodding there I would have gone insane. *shaking my head* We had a good healer, that was the one good thing about the place. She taught me a lot. Told me to come here, if I wanted to learn more. I had absolutely no idea what life was like outside my home and I am forever surprised that I managed to get myself from there to here in one piece.
Glorfindel: Ah, you see. There's a story in that. Few young women would leave their homes and travel alone to a strange place, all in the name of medicine.
Ioreth: *shrugs* My mother is a happy woman. She got married at seventeen, had eight kids, spends her life sewing and cooking and has never been further than the market two villages over. She has a good life. I just didn't want it for myself. *bites lip* I may have gone a little out of my way to make sure that I did not end up that way. In Lossanarch, gossip travels fast. People get reputations, deserved or not.
Glorfindel: *raises an eyebrow* You may be certain I will have nothing but the highest praise for you, Ioreth.
Ioreth: That sort of thing doesn't bother me any more. Things in Minas Tirith are different. *smiles brightly* Here's a story for you. Ioreth was my grandmother's name. People said she had foresight. I don't know if it was true - I don't really believe in such things, you know? Or rather, I don't like the thought that your path is laid out in front of you. She'd look at that palm of your hand and tell you what your future would be. She told me once that I would meet a king. Isn't that silly?
Glorfindel: *smirks, knowing that you may have already met that king* You should not doubt the foresighted. Theirs is a gift from the Valar--a fickle one, to be certain, but a gift nonetheless.
Ioreth: *smiles* Well, perhaps. When I was eighteen, and she was ill, she called me into her rooms, and she told me *imitating an old woman's voice* 'What are you doing still here? You'll never meet a king, hanging around Imloth Melui. Get going, girl.' *dissolves into giggles* I swear, she said it just like that.
Glorfindel: *laughs* For what it's worth, I think she was right. Why should meeting a king be so remarkable? After all, you've known a "legendary Balrog slayer" for some weeks now. A king is not so uncommon.
Ioreth: I'm sure you've met hundreds of kings. *rearranges your blankets* But I would still be surprised to come across one. Now, eat your lunch.
Glorfindel: Yes ma'am. *eats in silence until the plate is clean* Do I get a reward for being a good patient?
Ioreth: *puts plate and tray to one side and sits back down on the bed* Oh, I think you should. *smiles* *reaches down, tugs a lock of hair sharply, and then jumps back to her feet* Come on. *holds out a hand*
Glorfindel: *blinks, surprised* Is this an invitation to get out of bed?
Ioreth: *grins* Take it easy - if you try to push yourself too hard you'll do yourself an injury and then I'll carry you back here and tie you to the bed. But yes, I thought that you might like to take a walk to the gardens.
Glorfindel: My dear sweet nurse, those words are music to my old ears. *kisses your hand with a flourish and slips out of bed, then looks down* I suppose a shirt and boots are called for.
Ioreth: *produces shirt, socks, and boots from a cupboard* That might be a good idea. *pokes your chest gently* You'll get enough of the girls staring at you as it is.
Glorfindel: *eyes twinkling as I sit long enought o pull on the footwear before pulling the tunic over my head* Then maybe you should keep me cloistered, lest I be exhausted by their advances.
Ioreth: *chuckles at that* Or perhaps I should wear you out myself, before they can get their hands on you.
Glorfindel: *loops an arm around your waist and leans rather closer than necessary* Oh, Ioreth. I feel faint. Take me outside so I might see the sunshine one last time.
Ioreth: *swats lightly, but doesn't move away* Oh, quit it. Come on, then. Before you faint and I have to carry you everywhere.
Glorfindel: *chuckles and lets you lead the way, using my recent injuries as an excuse to stay close as we make our way through the halls*
Ioreth: *nods and greets people as they pass, smirking at the more-obviously jealous* Here we go! *The gardens of the houses are carefully tended and quite beautiful - even if every herb, flower, shrub and tree has been chosen for not just its looks, but its medicinal purposes, too*
Glorfindel: *The effect is instantaneous. It has been long since I was outside, and the quiet music of the garden is a balm to my restless spirit. I pause with you just outside the door and close my eyes to listen.* Bain ... *I murmur softly.*
Ioreth: *waits a moment before tugging you onwards* Come on. There's a bench around the corner - or the grass is quite soft, if you prefer.
Glorfindel: The grass, please. Just beneath that tree. *nods towards the spot in question* This is truly magnificent, Ioreth. People must come here often.
Ioreth: I come here to eat lunch, when I get the chance. It is used a lot for training, as well. *drops into a cross-legged position* But healers of Gondor do not just sit in gardens doing nothing.
Glorfindel: *settles beside you* Oh? What do they do here?
Ioreth: *smiles* Each plant here has a use in medicine, even if some of them... *plucking a flower and sticking it in Glorfindel's hair* look pretty as well. The apprentices learn to recognise them, and learn their uses.
Glorfindel: My lord keeps such gardens. *selects a small white flower and begins to braid it into your hair* They are pleasant year round, very fragrant. I used to sit with his family on warm days as he taught his children the values of the herbs.
Ioreth: Year round? How does he manage that?
Glorfindel: He is powerful amongst the elves, and our land is blessed with somewhat kinder weather than the mountains around it thanks to that power. Our people plant so that there is something to be enjoyed every season, in each garden.
Ioreth: It sounds lovely. *half-twist* What are you doing to my hair?
Glorfindel: *grins* Adorning it with the flowers of the season. Elves are quite fond of hair in general, you know.
Ioreth: *dryly* I'd noticed. You're lucky you didn't catch lice; we had a bit of an epidemic of the damn things going round a bit back. I'd have had to cut it all off if that happened.
Glorfindel: *snorts* Elves do not catch lice.
Ioreth: *eyes* You tell me a lot of things that start with 'Elves do not...' you know.
Glorfindel: *innocently* Do I? Then perhaps you should ask me questions about what elves do so we can halt that unfortunate trend. *finishes an intricate braid and plucks another flowers to begin work on another pattern*
Ioreth: Fine. What do Elves do, then, when they're not getting themselves in trouble, irritating innocent healers, or not resting when they should. *smiles* What do you do, when you're home?
Glorfindel: I help manage the day to day business of my lord's house, ride out on patrols, train warriors and horses. In the evening, there are tales and music around the fire, and numerous attempts to escape the mischief of my lord's sons.
Ioreth: *laughing at that last* Mischievous children are a constant wherever you go, it seems. My youngest brother was just like that - couldn't take your eyes off him for even a moment.
Glorfindel: *chuckles* The twins are nearly three thousand years old.
Ioreth: *eyes widen comically* Oh. *attempts to get mind working again* That's a lot of mischief.
Glorfindel: *smiling* They are quite young compared to many of us. It is good to hear them laugh again. There were many years when I feared they would lose all joy in life.
Ioreth: *sighs, leaning into you* I have not even seen so many as thirty summers yet, you know. *sideways glance* Perhaps I should get you a walking-stick, and sit you by the fire at night so the cold does not get into your old bones.
Glorfindel: *nuzzles your hair and whispers into your ear* This body is far younger than than the spirit that wears it, and does not bear the same scars.
Ioreth: *draws back, confused* I don't know what that means. I don't think I even want to know what that means. *looks up, as one of the older healers can be heard yelling about something or other* And I think I should get back to work.
Glorfindel: *kisses you lightly beneath your ear and finishes with the second flower* Then let us away.
Ioreth: *bites lip* I'm sorry... did you want to stay out here a bit longer? If you promise not to run away - I could come back later, or.. *shrugs* if you wanted, that is.
Glorfindel: *glances at a group of apprentices coming into the garden for the lessons you mentioned* I think it best that I return with you.
Ioreth: *stands wordlessly, brushing bits of grass from my skirts and then offering a hand to help you up*
Glorfindel: *I rise gracefully, and again use my wounds as an excuse to stay close to you as we walk the halls* Thank you for sharing your gardens with me, Ioreth.
Ioreth: They're not my- *stops* You're welcome.
Glorfindel: *gives a gentle squeeze* I am fortunate to have you for my healer.
Ioreth: Thank you. *opens the door* May I ask what the chance is that you will actually go get some rest now?
Glorfindel: *smirks* Do I get a treat if I take a nap?
Ioreth: *pulls you into the room and closes the door* You can have a treat now. *smirks back*
Glorfindel: *grins* Hoping to wear me out so I'll sleep better?
Ioreth: It does seem to work. And helping my favourite patient sleep better is a worthy goal, wouldn't you say? *goes up on tip-toes so I can kiss you*
Glorfindel: *returns the kiss, drawing it out before pulling you onto the bed atop me with surprising strength for a supposed convalescent* Very worthy indeed.
...fade to black, I'm afraid. We're sorry... you perverts.