The Message by Flora-lass  

The six of us were chosen

To journey far into the North,

And we memorised what we must say

To the young lord of the Éothéod.

The message is most important

We were told - and we remembered.

I did not fear the danger overmuch

And even looked to find my long-lost kin.

But the greatest peril lay in the friendship we found.

The message is most important

We were told - and we remembered.

We knew, if one of us were hurt, or slain,

We must not stop.

So we asked forgiveness in advance

And prayed for safe passage.

The message is most important

We were told - and we remembered.

The Steward sent us out in pairs, one day apart;

You and I went first.

We travelled by night, often pursued

And riding far out of our way.

But we were always together

Until the arrows flew, and you fell.

The message is most important

We were told, and I - 

Forgot, and would have stayed to tend you.

But my fearless Flash remembered

And bore me away with the speed of his name,

Ignoring my cries of protest.

I clung to him, cowering, 

As my mind slowly cleared and the words returned.

The message is most important

We were told - and I remembered

You, lying cold and unburied, 

When I longed to lie down and sleep.

As long as Flash would go, we stumbled on.

Through the darkness of guilt and loss 

I would get there, for Gondor and for you.

The message is most important

We were told - and I did not forget again.

Finally we reached Framsburg,

Faint and famished after fifteen days.

Willing hands held my faithful Flash, and helped me stand.

‘Please, care for him,’ I gasped -

The message is most important -

‘And take me to your lord.’

I bowed before Éorl, still struggling for breath,

And showed him the Steward's stone.

He bade me sit and take my time;

But time was short, so I stood

And spoke, at last, my most important message.

There was silence, while he pondered 

and my heart pounded painfully.

But then he said: ‘I will come’.

He took my hand, offered me wine, urged me to rest awhile;

And I wept.

For the message was delivered,

And Gondor would have aid;

But you were gone -

And the others never came.

Chapter End Notes

Warmest thanks to Secondborn for encouraging me with this!

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