Hobbits Who Run With Wargs, or Beneath the Stars: Bingo Bolger-Baggins

[bingo_bolger_baggins]

In a moonlit clearing in the Old Forest, surrounded by snow covered trees and sheltering rocks, and creeks burbling quietly under ice, a ranger knelt beside a hobbit who arrived there not of his own volition. And it was clear the perils of the wild had not been kind to this dweller of the gentle hills. But the arduous chase was ended. The nightmare ride was over. And wrapped in the anguish that had become all that was left for him of Middle-earth on this gruesome journey, the hobbit reached to the friend who had come to his side beyond the bounds of hope . . . .

Comments

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*smiles and chuckles* I'm glad to know you are easy to please. *then grimaces at the pain of the fabric being removed from his wounds, and bites back a cry*

[arathorn.livejournal.com]

*tries to keep an impassive expression at the sight of the many scrapes and punctures now revealed on Bingo's torso* Now I have a little something for your bleeding. *fumbles in his pocket; pulls out a packet of leaves (http://biotech.tipo.gov.tw/plantjpg/1/Agrimonia%20pilosa%20var.%20japonica.jpg); throws a handful into the water*

This is...*tries to remember*...Oh yes. Agrimonia pilosa, a traditional Chinese Dunedain remedy to stop bleeding and infection. At least that's what is says on the wrapper. *smiles*

It infuses quickly. Drink some. You need liquids, love. *reaches back for the cup; picks out leaves; lifts Bingo's head a bit so he can drink*

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

Hmm! *stifles a twinge* My bleeding is quite overjoyed to be receiving gifts from such a splendid ranger and receives your suit. *smiles at Arathorn's joke*

Yes, I am parched. Thank you. *looks at Arathorn with grateful fondness as he lifts his head, drinks, and though the passage at first hurts and almost makes him choke as he shudders, the soothing warmth starts spreading through his body*

[arathorn.livejournal.com]

Careful, careful. There's plenty more for later. You don't have to drink it all now. I need some to wash your scrapes.

*takes cup from Bingo's lips, dips his rag in to soak up some of the infusion; begins to wash blood away from the various puctures and cuts*

You're taking this very well! *smiles in an attempt to lift Bingo's spirits*

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*cries out as the sore tissue around the wounds is touched, twinges and shudders, takes deep breaths*

You think so? *twinges* Well, if that's true, it's because I have a lovely healer tending to me. *stifles a moan*

[arathorn.livejournal.com]

*smiles then with skillful hands continues washing Bingo's shoulder, chest and sides*

You do have a lovely healer--the finest for miles around. And the ONLY one for miles around, I suspect. *chuckles* I think we're somewhat south of Bree, by the way.

Bingo, I'm going to sing a little healing chant, something I found on the Internet my father Arador taught me. *sings in a soothing voice as he touches Bingo's wounds gently*

Listen, O blood, instead of flowing
instead of pouring forth thy warm stream
Stop, O blood, like a wall, stope like a hedge.
Stop like a reef in the sea: like stiff sedge in the moss,
like a boulder in the field, like the pine in the wood.

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*chuckles--it doesn't hurt so much to do so now* Without whom . . . significant parts of me . . . would now be digesting in a Warg's stomach. *not quite ready for his own joke, he shivers* How did this happen, Arathorn? What was a Warg doing in the Shire? *shudders at the tenderness of his shoulder*

*nods and looks at him expectantly, then listens to his chant, and starts feeling a little woozy in a soothing way, like being in a warm tub, and the pain starts fading into the distance as he looks at Arathorn's hands (http://www.awareness4u.com/glowing_hands.jpg) and his sight gets hazy, as the ranger's touch upon his skin feels more and more like being swathed in a warm blanket, sighs peacefully* Hhnnnn.

[arathorn.livejournal.com]

*smiles and nods to himself as the cuts and wounds almost appear smaller to his eyes; moves down to Bingo's feet and begins to wash them clean of blood*

*softly* Warg behavior is not very known to me. I suspect one was hungry and looking for easy prey. *glances up toward Bingo's face* Not that you are easy, my friend. *suppresses a grin* But you are smaller than a man and therefore more tempting a target.

You went outside the night you prepared dinner for the group. I was alone in the parlor and heard a scream. What else would I do but follow whatever it was that took you?

Now I will wrap your wounds as best I can with pieces of my spare shirt. I'll use only the bottom of it so that you might be able to wear it. Your own shirt is no good to you now. Then you must sleep. I will stay with you.

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*looks into the fire (http://www.adventurist.net/buffalo/old_river_trail_09-02/photos/campfire.jpg) then back at Arathorn's hands (http://www.awareness4u.com/glowing_hands.jpg), or perhaps that was the effect of the fire, but the pain was certainly much fainter now, speaks wonderingly* The hands of a healer.

*smiles, raises an eyebrow to his joke and gives him a glance that would belie that comment* And one such a huge beast could carry off with ease.

You did run all this way then. Amazing, my friend. You followed the tracks?

*nods* Thank you a thousand times over, lisse mellon. I owe you my life. *small smile, nods* Please.

[arathorn.livejournal.com]

*smiles as he tears long strips from the hem of his extra shirt* I'm not completely useless, even if I never became King. *binds Bingo's injuries carefully one by one; keeps up a fairly chatty patter to lull his friend into a drowsy state*

I did run after you. And yes, I'm a good tracker. I have to be--I get hungry! Wargs are easy enough to track. Big body, small brain. Very easy.

*ties a knot in the final bandage* I'll help you into the shirt. *lifts Bingo's body and slips his friend's arms into the large garment, first one, then the other; lays him back down and reaches for the knapsack*

We are lucky to have my bedroll in my knapsack. We'll have to share it, unfortunately. *winks at Bingo* But we'll be warmer under the same blankets, if you don't mind. *arranges blanket around them both*

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*smiles warmly at him under droopy eye lashes* I dare say.

*nods* You are. I've done enough tracking to know that couldn't have been an easy feat, no matter how capable and rangerly you are.

*is lifted, is comfortable enough to enjoy it now, smiles drowsily at him* Thank you, mellon. The service here is impeccable.

Hmmmm, waaaarrm. And I think it fair to warn you, you're going to be in a great deal of trouble when I get well. Hnnn. *snuggles in close against him laying his head and an arm on Arathorn's chest and reaches with his other hand for the Dunedain's hand*

[arathorn.livejournal.com]

*clasps Bingo's hand gently in his own* I'll be in trouble when you get well? Then I'll use my best healing techniques for your pains and scrapes if that's your promise. *eyes twinkle merrily in the moonlight*

*slides his other arm lightly yet protectively around Bingo making his own body a haven of comforting repose for his recuperating friend* Sleep now, brave one, and dream of pleasant things, if you must dream at all. I'll not leave your side tonight, Bingo. Not at all...not at all...*voice trails off sleepily*

[bbolger-baggins.livejournal.com]

*clasps (http://www.digicamhelp.com/images/articles/clasped-hands.jpg) back, chuckles sleepily* Mmmmmhmmm.

*sinks sleepily against Arathorn's arm* I am glad. Good night, vanima mellon . . . *snuggles tightly against him as he drifts into sleep*