As good of an elf as he is, sometimes I wish to smack Amathlan upside his pretty head. Hardheaded and proud, he is. He is prideful to a fault and apparently does not like others to help him, even when he is seriously injured!
Here is what happened...
We had just returned from the meeting with the Woodmen of Chetwood. Amathlan and I had been setting everything away for the evening back at the company's house.Amathlan was dealing with our dear Drambordal. The beast seemed to have had enjoyable time at the meeting, with all that casserole he had been able to lick up.
I would not have known anything was wrong with my fiery friend, if he had not let his gaurd down for a split second. I of course confronted him about my worry, thinking he could be injured and in pain. He adamantly denied any pain or injury....does he think me blind? We argued incessantly over my want to see what was wrong.
It was intense and our fight was long, but Amathlan eventually gave in and permitted me to see to his shoulder. The poor fool...there was a long cut on his shoulder and whatever blade had nicked him had obviously been laced with poison. How are dear Amathlan was still standing is a miracle of the valar.
I took him inside and had him sit by the fire. I fixed him up with the Athelas leaves that I tend to carry in my pack. This was also, quite the argument. Amathlan was obviously not well, but just the thought of someone having to help him was horrific in his mind. I won the argument of course. I have been told that I can be quite stubborn in certain situations. Amathlan seems to agree....
Amathlan seemed to be in such pain, no matter how he tried to hide it.... I despair to think of what might have happened if I had not forced him to tell me what was wrong. Would he have just let it be? Poisoning his body until he.... No, he is on his way to healing well now.
He has been coming over to my newly built house that is hidden deep in the forests, an hour from Bree on the south end (though this house is a different story). He has ridden every day to see me so I may tend to his wound. A mighty feat on his part, I'm sure. His pride may have suffered a hurt, but I think the two of us have both gained something more.
As I have been tending his wound, we have shared stories of our pasts and thoughts. We have even shared some wine. Having someone around these days seems to have broken through this stifling loneliness I feel, staying away from the company. I worry that once the wound has completely healed, I will have no more use to him, even though I know we are good friends.
This wound of his seems to have been both a blessing, and a curse. Though there have been a few minor hiccups in the healing process, Amathlan seems to have finally heeded my words of caution.
By the time we ride out to the Shire, he should be back to normal.
