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Chapter XXII : WARRIORS

Legolas was no healer. He was a prince and a mighty warrior but his healing skills were almost nonexistent.

As he saw the gaping wound on Cyrene's body, he knew he would exchange anything, even his life, to save her. He just pressed some cloth to the cut to staunch the blood, the life that was abandoning the Amazon's body. Cyrene was unconscious. He could not bear the thought of loosing her, and her life was slowly draining away.

They needed Aragorn or Elrond or any elven healer. He felt powerless, watching Cyrene die.

Gimli and Aella had entered the tent; the little Amazon ran to her friend and gently pried Legolas' hand away from the wound so she could survey the damage.

"Master Gimli, we have to work fast. Please heat up my dagger in the fire. We have to stop the bleeding. Master Legolas, you have been doing well. Just continue pressing the wound until we are ready to cauterize it," Aella said brusquely.

"You mean to burn the wound, Aella?" asked Legolas in shock. He had never witnessed the practice of human medicine, and the thought of intentional cauterization filled him with horror. Did these people know nothing about herbs, plants and potions?

Aella managed a weak smile for the elf. Was he daft? They were fighting against time, and Cyrene was loosing too much blood.

Gimli was already holding Aella's dagger over the campfire. He watched silently the horrified expression in the elf's features and Aella's determined face. "Legolas, I am sure that Mistress Aella knows what she is doing. We have no other means to heal or at least keep Cyrene from bleeding to death."

It was then that Aella understood Legolas. Gimli's explanation made it clear to her that the elf had never before seen a wound treated this way. He was distrustful of the cauterization. He might even think Aella was putting her friend's life at risk. She raised the hem of her tunic and showed the elf and the dwarf a long scar on her thigh.

"Cyrene herself cauterized this wound many seasons ago. I was attacked by a wild boar. She killed the animal, took care of the wound, and carried me for two days until we arrived back at our dwellings. Fear not, Master Legolas, she will survive this ordeal. Cyrene is an Amazon, never forget that".

Legolas nodded solemnly. He had no choice but to accept. Cyrene's salvation was not in his hands, but in the capable ones of the little Amazon and her barbaric methods of healing. Again, he was reminded of the differences between elves and Amazons. He was then distracted by a soft moan from the pallet. Cyrene was conscious again.

"Legolas," she whispered hoarsely. He cupped her face with his free hand. "Do not dare die on me, amaelamin," he told the Amazon.

"We have still plenty of oaths to fulfill, my Elf. And I never break my promises. I will not begin breaking them now," Cyrene paused, her lips dry and her head hurting.

Aella grinned. "Of course you are not going to miss the grand battle upon us, will you, my sister?" Aella said and walked over to her wounded friend. "We are going to cauterize the wound, Cyrene. You think you will be able to ride come dawn?"

Cyrene smiled fiercely back at her best friend. "I will. Even if you must tie me to the horse, I will. Now make haste, we don't have much time."

Aella handed Cyrene a small piece of leather. Then she turned to the dwarf. "Please support her. Master Gimli, I'll need your help to keep her still as well. Is the blade ready?"

Cyrene put the piece of leather between her teeth. Legolas kneeled next to her by the other side of the pallet, and she gripped his arm with her right hand. Gimli gave the red-hot dagger to Aella and took Cyrene's left hand in his. He used his other hand to hold her shoulder down. Even though he had never seen the procedure

before, he understood what was going to be done.

Aella looked into her friend's eyes. Cyrene nodded to her, and Aella set the burning blade carefully to the wound. In spite of Cyrene's efforts to keep her body still, the moment the metal touched her flesh, she bucked, her nerves rebelling against the searing pain. She bit hard into the leather and tears fell from the corners of her eyes. Aella calmly finished the cauterization.

Legolas and Gimli would never forget the nauseating smell of burned flesh or the sizzle of the hot dagger against flesh and blood.

Cyrene's grip on the elf's arm lessened. Legolas tenderly brushed his fingers over her cheeks and forehead, wiping away her tears and sweat.

"Now rest, amaelamin. You have to gather your strength before sunrise," he said, placing a gentle kiss on her brow, as she nodded and fell asleep.

**********************

After Aella had bandaged Cyrene's wound with their help, Gimli and Legolas stepped out of the tent and sat in the darkness. Aella left, going to gather her gear and some replacements for Cyrene's gear as well. When Gimli asked her if she never slept, the small redhead gave him a bright smile and said that she could also sleep in the saddle, which left the dwarf grumbling about horse-crazed humans and elves.

Legolas watched the sky. The stars shone bright and the crescent moon seemed suspended above their camp, as if it belonged to the Amazons. Gimli sat by his side. The dwarf silently watched his elven friend for a long while, and then spoke. "The last day has been very eventful indeed. Don't you agree, Legolas?"

"Yes, Gimli it has been an amazing journey. I never imagined meeting creatures like the Amazons before. I never imagined what they would really be like, once I found out they were not some bard's fantasy. They are so different from everything I have ever known before," said the elf."

"She loves you as deeply as you do love her, my friend," said the dwarf.

Legolas smiled sadly. "Yes I know. And I am sure that deep inside she knows it as well. But she denies it; she says she doesn't know about loving others. And I hope we survive Minas Tirith to be able to show her about love. Cyrene has won my heart."

"We will see the day after the battle, Legolas. And then the real battle will begin for you, for this woman is quite proud and stubborn. A fiery mate indeed," said Gimli, chuckling softly.

"Well I do think that you have a heavy task ahead of you as well, Master Dwarf. Mistress Aella is quite taken with you and I do not think you are immune to her many qualities and charms," countered Legolas, his smile widening as he saw the dwarf's rugged countenance turn crimson.

"Legolas, there is nothing between Mistress Aella and me. And I might add that though she is very appealing, I see no future in any liaison between an Amazon and a dwarf; there would no possibility of it," said the dwarf.

Legolas smile faded, "I know Gimli. Probably as much future as a pairing between an Amazon and an elf. So, even if you might loose in the end, let your heart guide you, my friend. It is better than spending the rest of your life wondering what it could have been like."

Gimli stretched and yawned. "What you say has too much truth in it, Master Elf. I will reflect upon it in my dreams, for now I will turn in. I will see you at dawn".

Gimli disappeared into the tent. Legolas followed him to see if Cyrene was well. He felt her forehead and it seemed cool to the touch. After a brief caressing touch to her cheek, he went outside again. The shadow that had been there as he was talking to Gimli still stood there, a couple of feet away from the tent.

Legolas sighed, and bowed to the shadow. "She is well, Your Majesty. You should not worry about your daughter."

Myrine stepped then towards Legolas, drawing the hood of her cloak down. Full moonlight fell over her face.

"You have known about my presence for a long while, haven't you Master Elf?" she said softly.

"Yes, Mistress, I have. There has been no fever since the wound has been treated. We will ride at dawn, as Cyrene wishes," said Legolas, his head now high, facing Myrine. Cyrene and Alkaia looked very much like their mother. So this was what Cyrene would look like when she had passed her 40 seasons. Myrine was a striking woman; the only sign of her age were silvery strands in her hair. Her face did not show any lines; her eyes were clear and shiny.

"I thank you for taking care of Cyrene, Master Elf. You deserve the gratitude of the queen and of the mother," and Myrine stepped closer to the elf, took his hand and brought it to her forehead, bowing to him. Legolas was humbled and gently pulled his hand away from hers and said, " You don't have to thank me, Mistress. Cyrene is my sister in arms, my friend and very dear to me. She would support me or Master Gimli as well, if we were wounded."

Myrine smiled at him. "I suppose that your race is not very good at lying, Master Legolas. I am her mother, I can read her heart as well as I can read the feelings you harbor every time you look at her."

The queen's look got lost in the horizon, where the ocean-waves glided with silver crests in the dark.

"When I met the father of my daughters, I almost stayed with him. He was an

exceptional male, one who respected and cherished me. I went back to his bed many times, against the laws of the Goddess. Until he asked me to share his life and I did not have the courage to leave my people and my heritage behind. Cyrene is a brave and noble woman, Legolas. I hope that you both find a path to happiness when all this is over. You have my blessings, Legolas Greenleaf of Mirkwood." After saying this, Myrine bowed again to him and walked silently away, pulling the hood of the cloak over her head again.

Legolas looked after Myrine until she disappeared from his sight. They would need her blessings and much more.

*********************

Dawn found Cyrene sitting up on her pallet, changing her torn and bloodied tunic for a clean one. It took some effort, since moving her left arm was painful and difficult. But she had to. Amazons looked up to their leaders, they were supposed to be the incarnation of the Goddess herself. She would not fail her warriors, Theoden, or Aragorn. She was pulling the tunic over her head, with a considerable amount of pain, as she felt the fabric being gently pried from her hands, and tender hands helping her with the garment. "I thank you Legolas, but if I cannot dress myself I can hardly lead warriors into battle," she said.

The elf slid his hands over her arms and sat behind her, pulling her back to his chest. "Let me assist you with these simple tasks and save your strength for the important ones. Trust me, Cyrene," he whispered in her ear. Gimli was still asleep.

She enjoyed the feeling of his body supporting hers, the strength rippling beneath her back, the warmth and the tenderness he gave her.

"I hate to ruin the moment, Cyrene, but we have to leave soon," said Aella from the tent's entrance. The look in her eyes showed her pleasure in seeing them together.

Legolas sighed and turning her in his arms, he pressed a gentle kiss on Cyrene's forehead, before releasing her. "I will wake Gimli and leave you the tent, so that you might help Cyrene to prepare herself," he said to Aella.

"I am awake, Master Elf. We dwarves do not need as much rest as you might think," said a grumpy voice from behind them.

Legolas smiled at his friend and both left the tent. Aella put a basket on the ground. She pulled clean bandages and a jar out of it.

"Your mother sent a jar of poultice for the wound, to help you with the pain, as well as a potion. She also sent a couple of tunics and she personally replenished your gear," said Aella.

"Did you speak to the Queen? Why did you tell her about the wound?" asked Cyrene, flinching as Aella pulled the stained bandage from the burn. Aella smeared some poultice on the burn and bandaged her friend tightly. "She is still my liege, Cyrene, until I leave with you. I could not refuse her, and honestly, I did not want to. She cares deeply for you, my sister."

"I know, Aella. I care about her too. But now we will part again, and this time for good," Cyrene told her friend.

Aella applied one more bandage and pulled it tight. Cyrene felt like she had an iron rod in her back. The little Amazon helped her with the rest of her clothing and gear. The Queen had sent her a whole new set of armor. It was a beautifully crafted one, with ivy leaves and crescent moons engraved on the shimmering metal. It was a magnificent gift; Cyrene was overwhelmed. Next Aella strapped on her friend's armor, padding the part over the wound. Cyrene stood up and managed not to stagger. She was in full gear, and Aella helped her strap her quiver on as well.

"Are you well, Cyrene?" asked Aella. Cyrene breathed slowly and gathered her strength. She felt as weak as a newborn babe. She would make it. She had to. She nodded.

Cyrene stepped out of the tent to find Legolas and Gimli waiting for her. She could see Legolas's worried look, and she smiled back. Then Aella emerged from the tent, also in full gear, and they walked to the practice field.

Over a hundred Amazons stood there, waiting by their mounts. Cyrene walked to her mare and talked softly to the horse that nuzzled her hand.

Arod stood next to her horse, and a smaller mare was also there. Aella walked to the smaller horse, murmuring to it.

Queen Myrine and Alkaia arrived on the field together. Alkaia sported a fresh scar on her face, one that would mark her forever. Cyrene knelt on the ground as all other Amazons did, to salute their Queen.

Myrine approached Cyrene, and bid her stand up.

"Cyrene, daughter of Myrine, are you ready to lead these women into battle?" asked the Queen in front of all warriors.

Cyrene stood up. "Yes, my Queen, I am ready. The Goddess will guide us through the fight and to victory. Or else we will await you in the underworld, Mistress."

"Before noon Alkaia and myself will return to Artemis Island. May the Goddess guide and protect your journey, my sisters!" she said to the Amazons.

Myrine approached her daughter and put a new medallion around her neck. It was a piece of carved moonstone in the shape of a crescent moon.

"I know you will not return to us. But do not forget your kin and where you come from. I wish you a good life, my child," Myrine said.

Cyrene walked up to Alkaia, and bowed her head with her fist over her heart. "I will lead the warriors to victory, Mistress. I wish you a long and good life."

Alkaia looked back into eyes so like her own and sighed. "I no longer hate you, sister. You will always have a home among the Amazons. Return to us." Cyrene felt her heart beating louder. This was what she had wished and never believed might come true. She gripped her sister's forearm in salute. Both gripped hard, and they felt for a moment as if they belonged together again.

"May the Goddess be with you, Alkaia," Cyrene said and turned away. She addressed the warriors.

"We are riding to face evil itself. And we will defeat it. The Amazons will conquer and inspire new legends of valor and victory. And the Goddess will guide us. We have been summoned upon and ancient pact, and we will show our prowess in battle. We will honor our heritage and defeat Darkness. Once again, our feats will be sung about and our daughters will look the world proud in the eye, as warriors. We are not mere females riding into fight, but women, daughters of Artemis, equal and even superior to many males. We fought at Troya, we fought Hercules, we overcome fear and attempt the impossible. That is why we are not leaving the battlefield unless we are victorious . This is my oath to you, my Queen an to you my warriors. Up, Amazons, the road is long!"

Saying this, Cyrene mounted up and all the warriors did as well. Legolas helped Gimli up on Arod and jumped up before the dwarf. He caught up with Cyrene, who was leaning heavily forward in the saddle.

"Cyrene," he started to say and reached out to her, but Aella interposed her horse between them.

Legolas looked puzzled at Aella, not understanding why she interfered.

The Amazon turned to him. "Do not do that, Master Legolas. She is the commander now and most Amazons will not understand the bond you share. You have to keep it secret, for hers and the mission's sake," Aella explained.

And then she reached into her saddlebag and pulled out a flask, handing it to Cyrene, who received it and looked back at her smaller friend. Aella nodded and said, "It helps with the pain. Drink."

Cyrene took a sip and handed it back to Aella. Her eyes met Legolas's and she smiled weakly.

The elf understood the situation and resigned himself to abide by the Amazon's rules. But what hurt him the most was the look in Cyrene's eyes, full of longing and regret.

They would ride now hard to meet Aragorn and the Army of the Dead at Pelargir. The next days would be full of hardship and then the battle would be upon them.

Legolas felt his hope falter. They had so little time left before facing death and they were not allowed to at least spend it together.

The Valar were setting a difficult trial before him, either to prove his intentions or to make him understand the impossibility of ever sharing his life with Cyrene.