The wardens lead Tuiwen and Eldred beneath golden mallorn boughs to a secluded healing bower. Woven branches shelter a stone basin, clean linens, and bowls of crushed herbs.
A middle-aged elf woman steps from the bower, slim and silver-haired, wearing layered green robes. A crescent-shaped scar marks her brow above calm, watchful eyes.
the Galadhrim healer
Lay aside the cloak, Princess. I will examine the wound before the road carries you farther from safety.
The healer loosens the bandage. Beneath it, the old shoulder wound is darkened at its center, and the flesh tightens against her cleansing touch instead of yielding.
Nearby, the elder warden’s iron-shod staff gives a faint metallic tremor. Gray sparks crawl along its head, winding toward Tuiwen’s shoulder as though answering a buried call.
the young Galadhrim warden
That is no spent remnant of the arrow’s spell. The staff is drawing upon the same corruption that lies within her.
the Galadhrim healer
Stop. Do not bring it nearer. Whatever sleeps beneath that scar has recognized the iron, and it is reaching back.
✓ Quest Accepted
Contain the awakened corruption in Tuiwen’s wound
“"No magic of mine stops his corruption, and Gandalf treated it with herbs to no effect. What should I do?"”
FAILURE (Fair Reasoning, rolled +0)
Tuiwen
No magic of mine stops this corruption, and Gandalf’s herbs had no effect. What should I do?
Tuiwen gathers light into her palm and presses it above the darkened wound. The glow enters the scar, but the corruption folds around it, resisting rather than yielding.
The iron-shod staff jerks toward her shoulder. The Galadhrim healer catches it with both hands, and gray sparks scatter across the stones before the buried darkness withdraws deeper into the scar.
the Galadhrim healer
Do not force your light into it again. This thing feeds on opposition, and your magic has shown it where to hide.
the young Galadhrim warden
The staff did not merely answer the corruption. It revealed its direction. The taint reaches toward the western ward, where older powers may recognize it.
the Galadhrim healer
You need not master it here. We can bind the wound safely, then bring you before the Lady. Galadriel may know whether this darkness can be named and severed.
The Galadhrim healer wraps the shoulder in cool linen marked with silver dust. The pain settles, and a faint gray line now points west beneath Tuiwen’s skin.
✓ Quest Accepted
Have Galadriel identify and sever the corruption in Tuiwen’s wound
“"She has outpaced us then. Small wonder. I hope you are taking this in Eldren. Very few Men ever see the wonders of Lothlorien, and certainly not as an Elf Friend."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Diplomacy, rolled +1)
Tuiwen
She has outpaced us, then. Small wonder. I hope you are taking this in, Eldred. Very few Men ever see the wonders of Lothlórien, and certainly not as an Elf Friend.
Eldred
I am, Princess. I will remember every golden branch, though I doubt any words of mine could do them justice.
Beyond the healing bower, mallorn trunks rise like pale pillars, their golden leaves turning the air luminous. Hidden fountains murmur beneath woven bridges, and no shadow mars the paths.
the young Galadhrim warden
Few outsiders are welcomed this far beneath the trees. Your father’s declaration and the Lady’s writ have opened more than our border.
The gray line beneath Tuiwen’s bandage remains still, held by the silver dust. From the western ward, a cool wind carries the scent of living leaves and distant water.
the Galadhrim healer
Your words have done no harm, Princess. Rest a little longer, and I will take you both before the Lady when she is ready to receive you.
Eldred
I have walked through danger and shadow, yet this is the first place that feels untouched by either.
Quest Complete
Contain the awakened corruption in Tuiwen’s wound
Attribute Upgrade: Reasoning Fair→Good