Healer's Quarters in Rivendell
Faorie hissed, turning her head away.
"Does it hurt?"
"No," Faorie answered simply, a smile on her face, "It's almost habit now when it's touched."
Faorie, who was having her bandages removed from her shoulder wound, laughed with relief in her eyes while Forostel remained quiet.
Pulling off the last bandage, Forostel reached for a bottle of healing oil and let a few drops fall onto Faorie's shoulder. She rubbed it, watching her patient for a reaction, but there was none. "It is fully recovered. You are going to have a scar."
"It wouldn't be the first."
Forostel visibly disapproved of Faorie's cheerful tone to her question. "Thank you again for your help, I did not realize that such wounds would befall you when -"
Raising her hand to stop Forostel from speaking, Faorie smiled gently, nodding once as she closed her eyes. "Do not fret on such things. That time has passed." Forostel was forgiven.
"You will no longer need bandages. You are free to move along as you once did without needing further treatment."
"Thank you, Hiril Forostel."
Forostel turned away, storing her materials into their proper containers and bags on a nearby table. "Do tell your companions if they are in need of treatment to seek me out. They do no damage but to themselves should they choose to leave their injuries without proper care."
Faorie watched Forostel curiously. "Forostel?"
"Hm."
She said nothing, only continued to watch.
Forostel turned around after the brief silence. "What is it?"
"Is there something on your mind? You seem more distant than usual."
Forostel turned away to her materials again. "There is nothing you need to concern yourself with."
"Are you certain? I listen well."
"There is nothing to tell. Now leave if you have no more business here. There are matters I need to attend to."
Standing up, Faorie held her hand firmly to her shoulder, lightly squeezing to test the soreness. There was no more pain, and this brought ease to Faorie's heart. "Thank you again, my friend. I will be off then."
As Faorie made her way to leave, Forostel called her name.
"Yes?"
"Is there a place in your company where..." She stopped.
"Forostel?"
Silence filled the room.
"Forostel, speak." Faorie took a few steps closer and leaned to the side, as if trying to catch sight of Forostel's face.
"My brother, Ebbephant - he had left me his armour, his clasp, and his cloak." She tightened her fists on the table where her materials still lay scattered. "I need your help."
"With what?"
"You are a tailor?"
"I am knowledgeable of the craft, yes."
"I need you to resize Ebbephant's armour to better fit myself."
Faorie furrowed her brow, taking a step closer to Forostel where she placed her hand on her shoulder to turn her around. They locked eyes, both full of strength. "Why do you need me to do this?"
"I will replace my brother within the ranks of your kin."
"You have no skills in battle Forostel. You cannot truly wish to -"
"I will train."
"What of your responsibilities as a healer?"
"I will still aid your kin and those who are in need. I have been studying strenuously to be equal to the abilities of Ebbephant."
Faorie still was not convinced. "Have you spoken with Lady Elisbeth?"
"No."
"I cannot grant you my support until you have done your part to begin your journey, Forostel."
"I understand."
The two remained silent for a moment. Forostel's gaze was steady on Faorie's, though Faorie gradually relaxed with a gentle smile upon her face again. "I will grant your wish." She signaled to Forostel with a nod. "Go get Ebbephant's armour."
Without a word or sign of gratitude, Forostel turned away around the corner, out from sight.
Faorie sat down, placing one hand atop the other on her lap while she waited. Memories filled her head of the times she laughed and fought beside her dear friend, Ebbephant. She had not even heard anyone voice his name in what seemed like ages, but the sound echoed fondly in her mind and in her heart. How she missed her friend...
Forostel reappeared with the armour and the cloak. She placed it before Faorie on the table.
"I will take these and return them within two weeks. Do not rush yourself into our company Forostel. This is a process and your involvement will be just as anyone else's. You will begin as Neth Megil and be tested on your strength and value as a warrior - assuming you pass Elisbeth's grace and granted permission."
Forostel did not respond, she stared at the armour and the cloak.
Gathering the folded clothing, Faorie smiled a goodbye and made her way towards the exit.
Forostel rushed ahead and opened it wide for Faorie to pass, then quietly shut the door behind her.
After her departure, Forostel returned to the room around the corner and sat herself at a table filled with satchels, one of which she pulled forward with a dried golden leaf stitched just above the main leather strap. Reaching from within, she pulled out something that she gripped tightly with one hand. She opened her palm over the table and let two Warband clasps lay nearly flat.
One clasp was filled with scratches up and across the design, the paint slightly worn and aged. The clasp had belong to Ebbephant before he had left it to Forostel at the time of his decision to sail to the Undying Lands.
The other was new, flawless. The color was strong and the texture smooth. Reeger.
She stared at the two for a long time, allowing herself to travel into deep thought.
The distant sound of a door opening triggered her back and she quickly stood up, turning towards the open archway.
From around the corner came an Elf maiden, smiling lightly at Forostel as she passed to gather her own belongings from a satchel across the room. She did not linger long after she took what was needed and left, shutting the front door behind her.
Forostel turned her gaze back to the table where the two clasps remained. She took one and squeezed it close to her heart, storing the other away safely. Closing her eyes and bowing her head, she raised the clasp higher to her mouth with both hands covering it, as if to pray. "I will be beside you again," she whispered to herself, "Until then..." She tucked the clasp into her pocket and exited the room, resuming her duties as usual.
Ebbephant and Reeger's Warband clasps.
