A/N: This is one of the best minor characters Tolkien ever created, and her presence makes the Houses of Healing one of the best chapters within Lord of the Rings. If you have not read the book, it is worth it just to read about her small part within the War.

Disclaimer: Named characters throughout the story belong to Tolkien. Small passages (dialogue) from The Return of the King are quoted and are marked in italics.

Chapter One: The Coming of the King

15 March, 3019 TA

Well! If this day has not gone from bad to worse to better! I truly had not expected such an odd turn of events- well, odd may not be the correct term, but truly unexpected, to say the least! I did not see much of the siege within the Houses, but I see the men who are wounded during battle, and I hear what they have seen. I heard the terrible drums roll throughout the night, and I felt the ground shake when that machine- Grond it was called by the orcs- broke the Gate at last. Now I was not there, of course, but one under my care was, and he told me of the terrible creature that entered our city. It was one of the Ringwraiths- now, do not look at me like that! I do not lie, and this soldier saw it with his own eyes. If you don't believe me, you can go and ask him for yourself. Or would you rather hear the rest of the story?

Very well then, I shall continue. The wizard Mithrandir faced him at our Gate, and would have fought him if the Rohirrim had not come! You did hear their horns, did you not? I was not quite sure what that sound was, myself, but it did fill me with hope when I heard it. It filled everyone here in the Houses with great faith. Indeed, the soldier I was looking after- no, a different one, there are too many wounded to care for one for so long- he was convinced that he was to die. But then his eyes were filled with light, and he said, "The Sun is rising! There is yet hope." I told him to keep that hope but to keep a cool head and not go dashing back into battle. You know how young men can be at times- so eager to die a glorious death.

What was that? Oh, yes, while it was a blessing to see the Rohirrim come, events did turn ill. Now, this is not yet known to many, but our Lord Steward is dead- he went mad and burnt himself to death, and nearly took our Lord Faramir with him!

How dare you accuse me of coming up with such a tale! I never lie, I only repeat what I hear, and this I heard from the periannath. Now if you are so bold as to call them liars, I shall go and tell them myself.

I am glad you do not think that necessary. Both the perian Peregrin and the soldier Beregond saw this, and it would not be wise to call either of them liars. They helped save our Lord Faramir's life, although I have heard that Beregond split the blood of some of the Guard whilst doing so. No, I am not quite so sure if he did, and I do not plan on asking him, either. He is still with Lord Faramir, if you wish to ask him yourself.

No, I did not believe you would ask him, but if you are indeed so curious as to find the truth, you should do so. Otherwise you should stop questioning my words. As I was saying, the day turned ill when our Lord Steward lost himself to madness and his heir lay dying- you did not see him, so deathly pale and cold! It was truly terrible. And as the day passed, word came that King Théoden of Rohan had fallen, and his niece, the Lady Éowyn, was dying. No, I do not know what she was doing in battle. Rumor is going about among the Rohirrim in the Houses that she had come under guise as a man- what an odd thing for a woman to do! But I have heard that Rohirrim are a bit queer in their ways- perhaps women sneak into battle often in Rohan.

Do not interrupt, let me finish. She was not the only one to be brought into the Houses injured- another perian, who came with the Rohirrim, was injured as well. Apparently they felled the Lord of the Ringwraiths- truly a fantastic event! But many had feared that they, along with Lord Faramir, would fall under the Black Shadow of the Nazgûl and be lost to us.

But as you now know, they did not! As I looked upon our Lord Faramir, I said, "Would that there were kings in Gondor, as there were once upon a time, they say! For it is said in old lore: The hands of the king are the hands of a healer. And so the rightful king could ever be known." Now, do not smile at that! For Mithrandir, he said: "Men may long remember your words, Ioreth!" And indeed, I heard him speak of me as 'Ioreth, wise-woman of Gondor', and he spoke my words to others; great lords, at that! I heard him myself, as I went from room to room, watching those suffering under the Black Breath. So do not laugh at me, for great wizards think me wise!

As I was saying, my words were indeed wise, for a king has returned to Gondor and he cured the Lord Faramir, the Lady Éowyn, and the Lord Perian, all with a few leaves of kingsfoil! Who would have thought that that weed would have such healing powers? When I smelt it, I said, "No king could ask for better", and I still stand by those words. He crushed the leaves in their rooms, and left behind a most lovely smell. I suspect that the smell still lingers, if you dare to enter one of the rooms and smell it for yourself.

The King? Well, I spread the word, to be sure- after all, as one of the women of the Houses of Healing, it is my duty to spread news of such a miracle. Many came to the Houses, some wanting to see the man who had the powers of the kings of old, others who needed his aid. And indeed, I heard from many that he is even now aiding many of our people with the help of a couple elves. Elves! Who would have thought that we would see elves in our city in this time? Many had believed them to be myth, although I knew that they existed. I am surprised that they take interest in our affairs, although I suppose that the Enemy is their affair, as well. Still, I had not ever expected to see an elf in my lifetime. And now there are supposedly three wandering about Minas Tirith, although I only have seen two thus far. Have you seen the two dark-haired elves whom look so similar to one another? They must be kin- perhaps even brothers. They do look very much alike.

Oh, yes, back to the King. He was stern and short of words, but he seemed kind. At least, he was very kind to the perian Peregrin. I heard of their meeting and they were very familiar with one another, or so it is said. He was very kind to our Lord Faramir, and that is well enough for me. He did seem very tired when he left the Houses, and I can only imagine how he is feeling now.

Oh, good gracious me, look at the time! I must do my last run and turn in for the night. You should leave, too- the Warden is not fond of visitors, and if he sees you, he just might think that you have overstayed your welcome. We must talk again soon, however- it is always a pleasure to talk with you.

Now go, and we shall speak again another time. 

Chapter Two: Ioreth the Wise

29 May, 3019 TA

Good day, dear friend! I hope you are as well as I am. I am sorry that I have not been able to speak with you often these last weeks- so much has happened since we have had time for a decent conversation! The downfall of the Enemy and the crowning of the King, and all the sick that need tending to! Mind, the number of sick has decreased quite a bit ever since the Enemy was defeated. With the Black Breath lurking in the air no more, people can breathe easier, or so I think. Indeed, after the last battles in March, the number of patients in the Houses has decreased quite a bit. The kingsfoil is also helping very much- who would have thought that a king's hands could have so much power over a weed? It is fascinating, to say the least.

Have you yet met the King? He frequents the Houses often, so I see him all the time. He knows me very well now, you know. Now, our Lord Elfstone, he can be stern, but truly has a golden heart. You would know that he was away from the City throughout April, but in the time that he has been here he has spent many hours within the Houses. I encourage you to come here more often; you may be able to finally meet him. See, after many of his meetings and councils, if he isn't spending time with his friends, he comes here before suppertime to talk with the Warden about various topics, or the herb-master about the stores, and sometimes even comes to talk with some of the patients.

Oh, he does very well with the patients. He is a natural healer- I suppose it comes with being king. After all, I did say that "the hands of the king are the hands of a healer", and he simply could not be the king if he was not a proper healer. Our Lord Elfstone is very good with patients. Now, you know that most of those wounded in the War have recovered and left the Houses, but there are still some here who encountered some heavy misfortunes in the War. We had a man who barely made it with his life, but lost one of his legs and spent many weeks here recovering. He's finally gone, but a couple weeks ago he was still here. Lord Elfstone spent quite a while with him. I do not know what he said to that poor man, but whatever he did, it made him feel much better, and soon enough he left.

The King just came by yesterday and did yet another patient check. He likes to be informed of all the happenings in the City, I think- he seems to be that kind of man. That is definitely the kind of ruler that this City needs: one who knows what is going on in Minas Tirith, and keeps up with it. He will be a very good king, I believe. Well, yesterday he was checking up on our patients, and he happened to come upon the patient that I was tending to. It was a young girl, who apparently became sick a few days ago, and has been getting worse as each day passes. Her mother brought her here to be tended; her father died in the War a few months back. I was checking on her when Lord Elfstone came in.

He was most kind and patient with her. She did not know who he was, and he only said to call him 'Aragorn'. I was most baffled by this, but I did not say anything. He asked how she was feeling, and then asked a bit about her. He truly seemed remorseful about her father's death, and went to praise him, and her family, for being so strong and brave. It truly warmed my heart, it did. He spent a few minutes with her, and then put his hand on her forehead, and she relaxed and went to sleep! I'm not quite sure what he did, but I suppose it has to do with some kingly powers beyond any of us.

He then turned to me and asked about her symptoms, which I gave him. It was a common sickness that she had- coughing, sneezing, fever, and other such things. I doubt you want to know the details. I told him all I could about it, and he then asked what I was doing to treat her. I said, "Plenty of rest, fluids, and willow bark tea with every meal, until she starts improving." He seemed pleased, and he said to "continue as such, Ioreth", bid me a good day, and left. He truly has a good memory, he does- I'm surprised he remembered me at all. He sees many people every day, after all, most more important than I. But our Lord Elfstone is a remarkable man.

Well now, I am sorry to cut this conversation short, but I have some patients to be tending to. The Warden is still not fond of visitors overstaying their welcome- he can certainly have a temper, you know. But you be sure to come here more often, anyways- you may be able to finally meet the King one day. You would like him. He is truly one of a kind.

Now go on, and we shall talk later. Fare well, my friend, until the morrow!