 | |
| Chapter of The Return of the King | |
| The Houses of Healing | |
|---|---|
| Information | |
| Number | 8 |
| Synopsis | |
| Event | Aragorn heals the wounded of Gondor and Rohan. |
| Date | 16 March 3019 |
| Location | Minas Tirith |
| Perspective | Merry and Peregrin |
| Navigation | |
| Preceded by | The Pyre of Denethor |
| Followed by | The Last Debate |
The Houses of Healing is the eighth chapter of the first book in The Return of the King.
Summary
Merry was stricken with the Black Breath because of his battle with the Witch-king. He accompanied the procession carrying Théoden and Éowyn into the city.[1] As Merry ascended the city roads, he became separated from the group. He then encountered Pippin, who was startled and glad. Pippin noticed that Merry was stumbling badly. Merry's right arm was paralysed after he stabbed the Nazgûl. Pippin escorted Merry to the Houses of Healing.
Merry was lain upon a bed near Éowyn and Faramir, who was injured by an Southron arrow. The three of them grew steadily sicker from the Black Breath as Gandalf stood nearby. Ioreth recalled a legend of Gondor, which said, "The hands of the king are the hands of a healer, and so shall the rightful king be known."
Aragorn furled his banner and ordered his men to prepare tents outside the city. He refused to claim his throne until the war with Mordor was decided, for good or ill. Aragorn planned to wait outside the gate until the Lord of Minas Tirith bade him to enter. At Gandalf's request, Aragorn entered the city with Éomer and Imrahil in the guise of a Ranger. Aragorn, learning of Denethor’s fate, assigned Imrahil to act as the interim leader of Gondor. Aragorn, Éomer, and Imrahil secretly agreed, though, that Gandalf was their true leader for the remainder of the war against Mordor. Gandalf recalled what Ioreth had said, implying that only Aragorn could save those wounded by the Enemy.
Aragorn, Éomer, Imrahil, and Gandalf entered the Houses of Healing, where they met Pippin. Aragorn looked at Faramir, Éowyn, and Merry, noting that Faramir was in most urgent need of help. Aragorn asked Ioreth and the herb-master of the Houses of Healing for athelas. Neither of them understood the virtues of the herb. When Bergil, entered with the athelas, Aragorn crushed its leaves, and stirred them in a bowl of hot water. The sweet scent of the herb awoke Faramir from his fever. Faramir immediately affirmed Aragorn as his superior and king. Aragorn and Éomer discussed Éowyn. Aragorn then tended to Éowyn and Merry, who both returned to consciousness at the scent of the athelas. All through the night, Aragorn healed the wounded of the city. Rumours flew throughout the city that the King of Gondor now walked again, bringing healing in his hands. As foretold at Aragorn's birth, the people called him Elfstone,[2] after the green gem that he wore around his neck, which Galadriel had given to him earlier.[3]