by Silent Draco
“Namarith, foxglove tincture, six drops, and a small spoon of fevers-bane. Mix with the arrow’s root.” She sang a rhythm-song to steady mind and heart; taking the proffered soft cake, she deftly placed half under Sam’s tongue. Cradling his head on her lap, she sang on.
Sun and Sky and star shall wheel,
Tides and rivers rush and flow;
The pulse of Arda thus reveal.
Let all pain and sorrow go,
Healing heart we find, and seal
Lesion, fault, and bite; and so
We wake from horror to the real:
Joyful love, and light aglow
Estë patted Sam’s cheek gently, until his eyes fluttered. Holding the cup of marithian close, she spoke softly, “Master Samwise, awaken! Take two sips; this is a potent elixir of my own making, and will begin healing you. After the cordial, nibble the small cake, and swallow every bit.” Sam took two small sips, and opened his eyes wider, shutting them again against the dim light. He nibbled, made a face, and continued as ordered. “L-Lady Estë, did I fall an’ hurt meself? My ribs, like the day that pony kicked out in the north meadow, but more.” Pushing up from the soft padding, Sam asked for just one more sip. “Like the miruvor that Mr. Gandalf gave us all them years back, but … more and deeper, if ye know?” Then his face fell and he asked quietly, “Great Lady, did – did I say aught? Did it …?” and tears formed at the corners of his eyes.
She leaned over and wiped his eyes with her sleeve. “Yes, it did, to its folly. We drew it forth, like you would draw a boil with hot poultices, and expelled it into an adamant jar blessed by Varda. I sealed the opening so nothing may gaze or force its way in or out. Fear not! We called forth all the unclean and evil power, and Mandos shall expel it beyond the Gates of Night. Now, eat lightly and drink a bit more. Then we shall bring cool water to drink and a hot bath, with salves to ease aching joints.”
“But Lady,” Sam asked in confusion, “what was it? How could it get me? That felt like Him! I left the Shire only to meet with King Elessar across the Brandywine Bridge, at the fine pavilion that the King had built. Or the handful of trips to the King’s House, but none o’ them dark places! How can this happen?” His eyes clouded in confusion. “Ah,” she continued, “there is a long tale there to tell, and one perhaps over-long and not meet for mortal ears.” They drank and ate, and presently she told a shorter part, while the sun climbed through the sky. “Sam, do you recall Lord Glorfindel, whom you met in Rivendell?” Sam nodded; he recalled that desperate meeting, when Strider rose in joy to greet the tall Elf on the East Road. “Know that the Elves are bound to Arda, and after a long sleep, may walk again. He spent a long Age and more here, slumbering in the Halls of Mandos and then healing in our House. Before he departed eastward on errantry, small numbers of Noldo came by ship from the Grey Havens, some gravely wounded. Others now slept in Mandos’ halls, including Celebrimor their lord.”
She continued; Sam’s eyes widened, for he had heard the name before. “Yes. He and many of his loremasters fell before Sauron’s armies, but some of his lore-forgers and craftsmen fought free and accompanied Master Elrond to the fortress-refuge of Imladris. The most gravely wounded were sent by subtle and hidden paths to the Havens, and thence here. They told us of the lesser rings; the three fair Rings made by Celebrimor, using lore learned of Sauron; and the Day of Betrayal. All but the Three were bound to His hand by the lore, but all the bearers and their hearts would be revealed and overborne. The Master-Ring was His own, crafted in his forges on Mont Doom. Into it went the greater part of his power, for his purposes: suborn stubborn Dwarves; seduce and overthrow great, proud Men; undermine and ruin wise Elves; and subjugate Orcs, Trolls, and other fell creatures and spirits.”
“You, Sam, were part of the Great Ring’s unmaking, when his mountain, its forges, and his fortress were unmade along with the Ring. You and Frodo were buffeted with traces of those works, which Olorin should have cleansed. Also undone was the greater part of his power. Undone, but not destroyed, for Sauron was scattered to the far winds.” Sam thought more about this, and asked a question he wished to avoid. “Was it … one o’ them spirits, maybe, like them Watchers?” Estë looked gravely at him, and shook her head gently. “No, Sam,” she sighed, “the spirit spoke great, formal evil to me in my own House, and in the very Circle, in its Black Speech. The Great Ladies crushed that venom. It had the quality of one great among the Maiar, but unformed. The evil felt like a broken vessel, deliberately gouging what it touched. It wanted a place to hold and re-form to its liking, to look for more of itself.” At this Sam shuddered yet again, in horror of what had crept over him.
“Great Lady, was it a part of Him?” Sam asked. She paused, considering, then answered Sam. “It was a fragment of Sauron. He took much of an age to re-knit his spirit into a physical form, after being vanquished twice before: after the fall of Numenor and after the the Last Alliance overthrew him by force of arms. Ever wise, but still a fool, he have planned another gambit, for after recovering his Master-Ring: a way to seed his will, lust, and greed into mortal minions, and grow an additional set of servants into twisted forms under his full power. But with the unmaking of his Ring, all was wrecked; a mere six decades would not suffice to gather his spirit together, and seek revenge on one mortal in the wide world. However,” she paused, gazing out the window, gathering and carefully phrasing thoughts, “the brief discussion of the Mouth of Sauron gives me pause. Were some part or seed imbued in an article or artifact, it could be carried close enough to its goal, to make a search easier. He knew of Halflings, the Shire, and the name Baggins.” Sam nodded vigorously, recalling the conversation with his old Gaffer that very eve they departed. One had ridden up the Hill to Bagshot Row, and almost to the door of Bag End. One aged, stubborn hobbit had stood between them and disaster.
“I see your memory,” she continued, “and that was good fortune and a brave heart. He learned much from Curunir’s secret thoughts concerning the Shire, and the quiet trade and travel of his minions. The Palantiri speak and reveal far more than any can imagine, save only Feanor who wrought them. The Enemy would know the ease with which Curunir had suborned the Shire and its folk; he would not forgive the thief Baggins or his accomplices, nor abide the thought of any free and merry folk not serving His Purposes. Any sufficiently large fragment of his spirit would recall the Shire and its place, and find a way to be carried there.” Sam started at an old memory. “By your leave, Lady, I mav have had one a time!”
* * * * *
Shivering, Sam recalled an odd mathom sent by a long journey from Aglarond to Lake Evendim, then presented to Sam on one of King’s visits to the Shire border. The accompanying note from Lord Gimli included a fine necklace for Rosie, and finding an unusual piece of garnet grown in a treasure vein; it appeared like a small, shallow dish, but not of gemstone quality. “But my friend, it appeared the correct size for a hobbit’s pipe holder, and to knock out your dottle in style. Smoke a pipe and think kindly of me, old companion!” Sam told the story to Estë, concluding, “… it was a pretty thing, but still rough in places. When first I picked it up, it cut my left hand; such a bother. It made a pretty holder and knocker, but sat awkward-like on my little elbow table; always seemed to try sliding off, needed to be put back in place. That was in my last term as Mayor, so one day I wrapped it up, took it over to Michel Delving for what official business I had, and put it in the display case with a card from my clerk, noting that ‘In 1486 this Gift arrived for Mayor Samwise Gamgee from his good friend Gimli of the House of Durin, Lord of Aglarond in the White Mountains.’ It’s probably still gathering dust there. In some ways, ‘twas a relief to have it gone, because Rosie never cottoned to it, and there was always a little row when …”
Sam halted, wide-eyed, as Estë abruptly sucked in a breath. “That was always his way. Use force and his daunting on those too weak to resist, but always drain and weaken others. Other fragments or seeds of Him may be trying to take root and grow into evil, to find a way to suborn the Free Peoples or his remaining servants. Gimli’s folk would be new-come, still rejoicing and with few cares in the light of the Enemy’s downfall. This was one of their first findings, I imagine, and it probably whispered an idea to Gimli: just another oddity, a bit of whimsy. The small cuts, more than one I imagine, let the seed enter and take root in your heart.”
She paused a moment, then spoke plainly; her patient would never return to Hither Shore. “You bore the Master-Ring for a short while, but it knew your presence, your flavor. It sensed your goodness, steadfast and loving heart, and courage; it loathed you for everything He was not. Since you had borne the Master-Ring, you were tempted a small amount, so your spirit also had at least a small puncture or tear from it – sufficient for a fragment of Him to grasp and burrow in. When you handed over your offices and family leadership, but more when your Rosie passed away, it found the now-uncovered tear in your heart and dug harder. You were no longer whole. Is that when you began having the dreams and sudden rages?” Sam nodded, slowly. “Aye, Lady. ‘Twas when Rosie got so sick, and passed away. Me an’ the lads were at hammer an’ tongs. I’d think I was right and they were being fools, so I’d show ‘em proper. ‘Twas that thing working on me, like a big tick or one o’ them worms, I warrant. That … ‘twas time, an’ Mr. Frodo had reminded me before, when he and old Mr. Bilbo went to the Havens, that some day (but not then) I’d need healing too.”
“It was more than anyone could expect, Sam, but rest easy! You (like your master) are far tougher than anyone would expect. You bore and fought a peril that would have laid waste to most heroes of Men, and many among Elves. It was love and courage that saved you. We vanquished and removed the fragment, but only you can finish healing; to start forgive yourself for the evils it forced on you. We honor and freely forgive you, Samwise the Steadfast. In my Name and by the Name of Varda, be healed of all woe and horror.” Estë kissed him on the brow, rose, and quietly walked out, skirts swirling about her feet.
Sam sat for a time, deep in thought, as the leafy shadows stretched across the window and the light dimmed. He felt around inside his head and heart, but nothing reached back at him. He stretched and blew out a deep breath. “Me old Gaffer would say, ‘Sam ye ninnyhammer, th’ lass is right. Beat on yerself so, an’ I’ll whack ye more for larnin’! Now quit lollygagging and finish yer work!’ Lady, thank you for removing that thing. I’ve been a ninnyhammer, and a fool, but I loved me Rosie something special, and Eleanor and Frodo and Young Sam an’ all the rest. And Merry and Pippin, and Mr. Frodo of course; at the Field of Cormallen and Annuminas … aye, every one o’ them loved me too, are my friends, or thought me brave and strong. An’ they’re good and great folk, and right about big things, so … aye, time to ‘larn meself’ that I’m whole now, and good. But,” ye yawned hugely, “Mr. Bilbo is right about needin’ me rest from big talking and things. P’rhaps I just close my eyes a bit.”
Goralie was on watch that evening, in case. He heard Sam talking and half-thinking to himself, and relaxed as the Halfling sighed and rolled into blankets, dropping into deep and dreamless sleep. “The Second Song has its odd pauses and flourishes,” he murmured. “May this phrase have a slower tempo, and some long-sought rests.”
* * * * *
Find Previous Chapters Here:
Chapter 10 – Part 2 Chapter 10 – Part 1
Chapter 9 – Part 2 Chapter 9 – Part 1
Chapter 8 – Part 2 Chapter 8 – Part 1
Chapter 7 – Part 2 Chapter 7 – Part 1
Chapter 6 – Part 2 Chapter 6 – Part 1
Chapter 5 – Part 4 Chapter 5 – Part 3
Chapter 5 – Part 2 Chapter 5 – Part 1
Chapter 4 – Part 2 Chapter 4 – Part 1
Chapter 3 – Part 2 Chapter 3 – Part 1
Chapter 2 – Part 3 Chapter 2 – Part 2
Chapter 2 – Part 1 Chapter 1