The Maiden and The Ranger, Part 3
The story continues...
Laurelin rode straight to the front gate and dismounted. Securing Golden to a fence post and making her way to the door swift as the wind. She found Strider just as she had left him. He appeared glad to see she had returned safely home.
“I have brought you a gift from the village. I discovered your pipe in a pocket while cleaning your clothing last week so I picked up some sweet galenas for you. I’ll leave it here on the table for whenever you are up to smoking it.” She reached for the pipe she had stored in the table drawer, along with his cleaned clothes.
“You spoil me, my lady!” He smiled and watched as she brought in packages from town. Laurelin had picked up fresh meat from the market and more clothe to make bandages. She returned outside and released Golden in the small pasture behind the barn.
Laurelin walked back into the cottage and returned to Strider’s side. “I hope you are hungry. I’ve brought the makings for a hearty stew tonight. But first I will have a look at your wound.” Laurelin removed the bandages and examined the stitches. The wound was healing and she decided it was time to remove the stitches. “This may sting a bit as I pull the thread out. I will work as quickly as I can to spare you as much discomfort as possible.”
“I’m sure I’ll not suffer from your touch, my lady.” Strider spoke in response. He lay still and observed her as she removed the stitches from his chest. A small amount of blood seeped from the wound. Laurelin covered the wound with fresh bandages. “You have done a fine job in mending my injuries. I shall never forget the kindness you have shown me and my men.” As he spoke he looked into her eyes and smiled.
“You truly are the most gracious patient I have ever tended, kind sir. Now let me get to fixing that stew I have promised you!” She went to the kitchen and began to prepare their meal. Laurelin began to sing as she worked. It was a simple song she had known since she was a child.
“Snow-white! Snow-white! O Lady clear!
O Queen beyond the Western Seas!
O Light to us that wander here
Amid the world of woven trees!
Gilthoniel! O Elbereth!
Clear are thy eyes and bright thy breath!
Snow-white! Snow-white! We sing to thee
In a far land beyond the Sea.”
While the stew cooked Laurelin went out to her barn to place fresh water and feed in Golden’s stall. Upon returning to the cottage she found Strider, fully dressed, standing at his bedroom window. He turned to greet her “My strength is returning to me, my lady. I would like to take a walk with you in your gardens tomorrow.” He continued “That was a beautiful melody you were singing while in the kitchen. Where did you learn it?”
“Verily I have known it all my life. I am not sure who taught it to me.” Laurelin had noticed that Strider was holding his hand to his chest as he turned to her. “Let me have a look at your wound. I want to be sure it has not re-opened since I removed your stitches.”
He slowly walked to her and Laurelin reached to open his shirt. For the first time since Strider had come to stay with her, they stood face to face. He was taller than she had guessed. She undid his shirt and removed the bandages. There was a small amount of blood yet around the wound. “Let’s hope you have not undone any of my work by getting up too soon!” He watched intently as she tended to him, cleaning the wound and applying a new bandage. “Now let’s see about that stew. I do hope you are hungry!” They made their way to the kitchen, with Laurelin gently guiding Strider by placing her hand under his arm to steady him.
The stew was indeed ready and so Laurelin filled a bowl for each of them. As she leaned across the table the medallion she wore around her neck fell out from her bodice. She could feel his stare as she moved to place it back within her dress.
“Beg your pardon my lady. That coin you are wearing around your neck is unusual. Does it hold special meaning?” He could not hide his curiosity.
“I am not sure really. I found the medallion only after the people who raised me passed from this life.” She had not spoken about it in many a year. Yet Laurelin felt she could share her story with Strider. It was as if she needed to tell him and he would understand it.
“I never knew my birth parents. I was raised by two wonderful people who loved me dearly. When I reached adulthood they felt that I should know the truth about how I came to live with them.” Laurelin continued slowly as she and Strider ate the stew she had prepared.
“They were gentle folk who taught me the skills for growing things and healing the sick and injured. They had not been blessed with little ones of their own in this life. Yet on one fine summer’s day, an old grey fellow came traveling down this very road. It seems he was in search of them, yet they knew not of him. He had a very small child with him and asked them to raise me as their own.” Sadness now overcame Laurelin. She loved the couple who raised her, and missed them terribly.
“When the only parents I had known passed away, I found a leather pouch among my father’s belongings. In the pouch I found this medallion with a note bearing my name.” She then pulled the medallion out and looked at it. “I believe the writing on it may be a form of Elvish. But I’ve never found anyone who could read it.”
“May I have a closer look my lady? I may be able to translate it for you.” Strider offered and held out his hand to her. She removed the chain from her neck and handed the medallion to him. He gazed at the engraving for several minutes. “It is indeed written in Elvish, a form known as Quenya, an ancient tongue of Eldamar.”
Laurelin was astonished “You can read it then? Please tell me what it means.” She had always wondered what clues the medallion may hold to her true identity. Yet Strider did not answer at first. He hesitated as if maybe the medallion should remain a mystery to her.
“The symbols in the center of the medallion represent your name, Laurelin. Perhaps your namesake, as this coin is very old.” Strider then handed the medallion back to Laurelin. “The wording around the edge reads: The Heirs of Isildur, Kings of Gondor.” He seemed troubled by this as he spoke the words. However, the expression in his eyes softened as he returned his gaze to her.
“What does it mean Strider? I have not heard of the name Isildur, but I do know of the Kingdom of Gondor. Maybe my birth parents were from Gondor.” Now Laurelin’s mind raced. She wondered if she might finally be able to unlock the mystery of her true past.
“I cannot answer your question, my lady. I have not seen any such medallions in all my travels.” Strider paused and looked away through the kitchen window.
“I cannot thank you enough for solving the mystery of the inscription. Now if only I could learn of its significance to my past.” Again Laurelin thought hard on anything she might remember from her youth. She tried to think of any clues that might have been given to her from her parents.
Once they had finished their meal Laurelin cleared away the bowls and cleaned up the kitchen. All the while Strider remained seated at the table deep in thought. Little else was spoken between them this night. She lay in her bed a long while that night, unable to sleep for her thoughts of the medallion.