Dawn. The sun rose over the lip of the horizon as it would on any other day, chasing the cool of the night away. Olwe watched it from his bedchamber, his eyes dry and red rimmed from lack of sleep. This may be the last dawn he beholds, and he drank in the vision as though to lock it away in his being for all time to come. The Voice, cooing and purring with dark contentment, offers no remarks as he descends to his private chambers. On the other side of the golden door, he hears soft voices, one male and one female, the scuffling of feet, and a polite knock. "Come," he calls out. He is even more surprised to see the musician Estelin, and a slight, petite, Teleri maid, following behind the musician into the chamber.
"Greetings, my Lord. I hope you are well this morning. I see you are up already. Are you enjoying the sunrise?"
"Ah, musician, it was not you I expected." Olwe gives a wry smile. "The rise of the daystar," he pauses, nodding. "I- I guess I was." He glances behind the musician, curiously at the maiden. "Greetings," he says, softly.
Ainanna looks around her a bit as she enters after Estelin. When she sees Olwe she notices how tired he looks. When he greets her, she smiles gently. "Good Morning Milord." she greets him properly as she bows her head respectfully before she looks up again.
Estelin looks briefly at the rising daystar before turning to his companion. "Lord Olwe, this is Ainanna. She is a gifted healer. I have brought her to you to help ease your wounds and mind."
Olwe offers a tired smile in return and looks from one to the other. "Welcome to Alqualonde, Lady Ainanna. You have come on a day of great trial, I fear." He looks long at Estelin. "I thank you for the care you have of me." He gives a heavy sigh. "But so many have tried."
Ainanna nods to the King gently. "Thank you. It's an honor to meet you, Milord." She says and she looks back with a gentle expression. "It is always good to try everything." She speaks calmly.
Olwe bows his head for a moment, as the Voice rolls through his mind, chuckling. "Yesssss," it hisses, "Let the elven wench try." Olwe shudders at the sound. "After all, today you die, worm." He tries to control another trembles as the Voice stills, feels both the musician and the maid watching him. With pain-filled eyes, he glances at the healer and nods. "Your words hold wisdom, if not hope."
"Ainanna's healing method is unlike many others that I have seen practiced here. I suggest, my lord, that we allow her to try to heal you for your illness is nothing that I have beheld before."
Olwe gathers himself for a moment, slowly nods. "Yes, good Estelin, I am willing to submit to the lady's gentle ministrations." He looks at her for a moment, taking in her features. "You are Teleri?" he asks. "Yet I know you not," he says wonderingly.
Ainanna smiles a bit at the compliments passed to her from Estelin. "I'll be honored to help you and truly wish for it to save you from your pain," she answers with a calm smile. When he asks if she is a Teleri she doesn't right away know what to answer and looks at Estelin for a bit of help in that explanation.
Olwe's eyes close for a moment, and a look of pain sweeps over his features. Slowly, the sleeves of his undertunic becomes soaked with thick red lines of blood. He takes in a shaky breath, and says, "No matter. My memory is not what it was. I pray you forgive me."
Estelin briefly catches Ainanna's look. "Ah, she has been away and abroad, healing the hurts of the world." He reaches into his cloak and pulls out a vial filled with clear liquid. "My dear, I have kept safe the water as you requested." He holds the vial to Ainanna carefully. Olwe nods, opens his eyes and watches the vial passed from the musican to the healer.
Ainanna smiles for a moment, relieved that went well. When she hears Estelin's voice, she nods to him gently and with care accepts the vial from him. "Thank you, dear Estelin. I'm glad I could leave it in such capable hands," she answers. With this they might be able to drown out the torment. After a short moment, Ainanna steps forward with the vial and holds it out with both her hands to Lord Olwe. "Might I request from you that you drink the water and wear the vial, Milord?" she asks gently.
Olwe looks at the vial in the healer's hands; the chain of silver curled in one delicate hand while the other cradles the vial. Within the vial was a clear liquid. He looks up and into Ainanna's eyes, and for a moment, a feeling of calm floats through his being. Without thought of hesitation, Olwe reaches out for the vial and gently takes it. "Do I drink it all?” he asks. Within, the Voice grows still, watchful. Olwe looks up to see Apakenwe silently enter the room and smiles a welcome.
Apakenwë bows to the king in reply. Her eyes light on the new woman with Estelin, and she smiles in relief. His effort must have succeeded after all! She has so many questions, but they will have to wait until after the healer -- this, the best healer anyone could wish for -- has attended the king.
"Greetings, my Lord. I hope you are well this morning. I see you are up already. Are you enjoying the sunrise?"
"Ah, musician, it was not you I expected." Olwe gives a wry smile. "The rise of the daystar," he pauses, nodding. "I- I guess I was." He glances behind the musician, curiously at the maiden. "Greetings," he says, softly.
Ainanna looks around her a bit as she enters after Estelin. When she sees Olwe she notices how tired he looks. When he greets her, she smiles gently. "Good Morning Milord." she greets him properly as she bows her head respectfully before she looks up again.
Estelin looks briefly at the rising daystar before turning to his companion. "Lord Olwe, this is Ainanna. She is a gifted healer. I have brought her to you to help ease your wounds and mind."
Olwe offers a tired smile in return and looks from one to the other. "Welcome to Alqualonde, Lady Ainanna. You have come on a day of great trial, I fear." He looks long at Estelin. "I thank you for the care you have of me." He gives a heavy sigh. "But so many have tried."
Ainanna nods to the King gently. "Thank you. It's an honor to meet you, Milord." She says and she looks back with a gentle expression. "It is always good to try everything." She speaks calmly.
Olwe bows his head for a moment, as the Voice rolls through his mind, chuckling. "Yesssss," it hisses, "Let the elven wench try." Olwe shudders at the sound. "After all, today you die, worm." He tries to control another trembles as the Voice stills, feels both the musician and the maid watching him. With pain-filled eyes, he glances at the healer and nods. "Your words hold wisdom, if not hope."
"Ainanna's healing method is unlike many others that I have seen practiced here. I suggest, my lord, that we allow her to try to heal you for your illness is nothing that I have beheld before."
Olwe gathers himself for a moment, slowly nods. "Yes, good Estelin, I am willing to submit to the lady's gentle ministrations." He looks at her for a moment, taking in her features. "You are Teleri?" he asks. "Yet I know you not," he says wonderingly.
Ainanna smiles a bit at the compliments passed to her from Estelin. "I'll be honored to help you and truly wish for it to save you from your pain," she answers with a calm smile. When he asks if she is a Teleri she doesn't right away know what to answer and looks at Estelin for a bit of help in that explanation.
Olwe's eyes close for a moment, and a look of pain sweeps over his features. Slowly, the sleeves of his undertunic becomes soaked with thick red lines of blood. He takes in a shaky breath, and says, "No matter. My memory is not what it was. I pray you forgive me."
Estelin briefly catches Ainanna's look. "Ah, she has been away and abroad, healing the hurts of the world." He reaches into his cloak and pulls out a vial filled with clear liquid. "My dear, I have kept safe the water as you requested." He holds the vial to Ainanna carefully. Olwe nods, opens his eyes and watches the vial passed from the musican to the healer.
Ainanna smiles for a moment, relieved that went well. When she hears Estelin's voice, she nods to him gently and with care accepts the vial from him. "Thank you, dear Estelin. I'm glad I could leave it in such capable hands," she answers. With this they might be able to drown out the torment. After a short moment, Ainanna steps forward with the vial and holds it out with both her hands to Lord Olwe. "Might I request from you that you drink the water and wear the vial, Milord?" she asks gently.
Olwe looks at the vial in the healer's hands; the chain of silver curled in one delicate hand while the other cradles the vial. Within the vial was a clear liquid. He looks up and into Ainanna's eyes, and for a moment, a feeling of calm floats through his being. Without thought of hesitation, Olwe reaches out for the vial and gently takes it. "Do I drink it all?” he asks. Within, the Voice grows still, watchful. Olwe looks up to see Apakenwe silently enter the room and smiles a welcome.
Apakenwë bows to the king in reply. Her eyes light on the new woman with Estelin, and she smiles in relief. His effort must have succeeded after all! She has so many questions, but they will have to wait until after the healer -- this, the best healer anyone could wish for -- has attended the king.
Ainanna watches as Lord Olwe takes the vial and makes sure it is safe before she lowers her hands. "Not all: drink some of the water and then please wear it around your neck, Milord," she says as she smiles to him and nods a welcome to Apakenwe.
Estelin watches Olwe anxiously as he holds the vial of precious water. Olwe looks back down at the healer as she answers and nods once before carefully working the stopper off the top of the vial. He lifts it to his lips and cautiously tips it to pour on a few drops on his tongue. Lowering the vial, he puts the stopper back on the vial carefully, and then raises the chain to place it about his neck. Olwe slowly closes his eyes, and swallows.
The Voice...it is silenced.
Olwe's eyes fly open, and he stares, wide-eyed at them all, gasping. "What...what," he stammers, his eyes finally resting, disbelieving, upon the demure healer.
Ainanna nods gently and smiles. "It will help with the voice, but it won't heal it away. You still need to continue with the original plan. It will help you through the ceremony ahead, to be calm," she explains.
Apakenwe sighs with relief. Looking from the healer to her brother, she says, "It seems you did find the right healer."
Olwe continues to stare at her, mute. Then he reached out with trembling hands and grasps her two smaller hands. "It is as though the Gentle Vala Este sent you herself, sweet healer." His eyes grow moist. "You have done what no other have." He looks about, and drops one of Ainanna's hands to clasp one of Apakenwe's while he turns a grateful expression to Estelin. "Yes, by Blessed Eru, yes!"
Estelin nods."Yes, you will have some time of peace, free from darkness." He bows to the king's gratitude and smiles a little at his sister Apakenwe and Ainanna.
Ainanna smiles a bit shy but happy at the King's outburst. If he only knew how close he was to the truth. "I have just done what I was taught. I'm glad I could help," she answers and bows her head respectfully again before she looks at Estelin and Apakenwe, then back to Lord Olwe.
Olwe nods, his face still containing open amazement and gratitude. His voice is thick with emotion as he speaks, "May the Compassion of Nienna repay you a thousandfold for the compassion you have shown me this morn. I--I," his voice falters and he looks down. "I was nearly beyond hope."
Estelin smiles, thinking Lord Olwe has had enough excitement this morning. "Perhaps we should give him some time to enjoy the silence for a while," he says as he motions the others to follow him out of his bedchamber. "Time away from the Voice."
"Please, get some rest, your Majesty". Turning to Ainanna with a conspiratorial smile, Apakenwe says, "Come, my dear. I do so want to hear how you came here."
Olwe slowly becomes aware of how he had reached out and grabbed the hands of the two elven ladies and blushes, slowly releasing them. "Forgive me,” He whispers, feeling a wave of exhaustion overtake him as the amazment slowly fades. "Yes, Estelin, no offense. But I should like the peace before...before the things planned later this day." Olwe bows to the gentle healer. " Is there anything I can offer as thanks, my Lady?"
Ainanna nods gently. "I think you are right." When she hears Apakenwe speak she smiles and nods. "I would love to have a talk with you," she answers. When Lord Olwe asks if she wants anything in return she smiles and shakes her head gently. "Your health is the greatest gift," she answers his question.
"Then may Gentle Este bless you and keep you, Lady Ainanna." He smiles, tiredly at them all, "And may Eru keep you all."
Estelin manages to hide his grin as he quickly turns to leave, bowing as he does so. Ainanna bows respectfully at the king and follows Estelin to grant him his peace. Apakenwe also makes her respects, and walks out with the others. Once he is alone, Olwe slips to his knees and extends his hands out, palms up. Closing his eyes in prayer, he whispers, "Eru, Father, Thank you for their presence." He stays for a moment, on his knees, relishing the ability to invoke both the names of the Valar and of the Father of all, free of punishment from the Voice that has tormented him.
Estelin watches Olwe anxiously as he holds the vial of precious water. Olwe looks back down at the healer as she answers and nods once before carefully working the stopper off the top of the vial. He lifts it to his lips and cautiously tips it to pour on a few drops on his tongue. Lowering the vial, he puts the stopper back on the vial carefully, and then raises the chain to place it about his neck. Olwe slowly closes his eyes, and swallows.
The Voice...it is silenced.
Olwe's eyes fly open, and he stares, wide-eyed at them all, gasping. "What...what," he stammers, his eyes finally resting, disbelieving, upon the demure healer.
Ainanna nods gently and smiles. "It will help with the voice, but it won't heal it away. You still need to continue with the original plan. It will help you through the ceremony ahead, to be calm," she explains.
Apakenwe sighs with relief. Looking from the healer to her brother, she says, "It seems you did find the right healer."
Olwe continues to stare at her, mute. Then he reached out with trembling hands and grasps her two smaller hands. "It is as though the Gentle Vala Este sent you herself, sweet healer." His eyes grow moist. "You have done what no other have." He looks about, and drops one of Ainanna's hands to clasp one of Apakenwe's while he turns a grateful expression to Estelin. "Yes, by Blessed Eru, yes!"
Estelin nods."Yes, you will have some time of peace, free from darkness." He bows to the king's gratitude and smiles a little at his sister Apakenwe and Ainanna.
Ainanna smiles a bit shy but happy at the King's outburst. If he only knew how close he was to the truth. "I have just done what I was taught. I'm glad I could help," she answers and bows her head respectfully again before she looks at Estelin and Apakenwe, then back to Lord Olwe.
Olwe nods, his face still containing open amazement and gratitude. His voice is thick with emotion as he speaks, "May the Compassion of Nienna repay you a thousandfold for the compassion you have shown me this morn. I--I," his voice falters and he looks down. "I was nearly beyond hope."
Estelin smiles, thinking Lord Olwe has had enough excitement this morning. "Perhaps we should give him some time to enjoy the silence for a while," he says as he motions the others to follow him out of his bedchamber. "Time away from the Voice."
"Please, get some rest, your Majesty". Turning to Ainanna with a conspiratorial smile, Apakenwe says, "Come, my dear. I do so want to hear how you came here."
Olwe slowly becomes aware of how he had reached out and grabbed the hands of the two elven ladies and blushes, slowly releasing them. "Forgive me,” He whispers, feeling a wave of exhaustion overtake him as the amazment slowly fades. "Yes, Estelin, no offense. But I should like the peace before...before the things planned later this day." Olwe bows to the gentle healer. " Is there anything I can offer as thanks, my Lady?"
Ainanna nods gently. "I think you are right." When she hears Apakenwe speak she smiles and nods. "I would love to have a talk with you," she answers. When Lord Olwe asks if she wants anything in return she smiles and shakes her head gently. "Your health is the greatest gift," she answers his question.
"Then may Gentle Este bless you and keep you, Lady Ainanna." He smiles, tiredly at them all, "And may Eru keep you all."
Estelin manages to hide his grin as he quickly turns to leave, bowing as he does so. Ainanna bows respectfully at the king and follows Estelin to grant him his peace. Apakenwe also makes her respects, and walks out with the others. Once he is alone, Olwe slips to his knees and extends his hands out, palms up. Closing his eyes in prayer, he whispers, "Eru, Father, Thank you for their presence." He stays for a moment, on his knees, relishing the ability to invoke both the names of the Valar and of the Father of all, free of punishment from the Voice that has tormented him.
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