The Long Winter RPG

[Nurumaiel]

"I'm going to need help," Branda muttered to himself. He turned to where Dinodas was kneeling next to Robin. "Dinodas, lad! Do you have any healing skills?"

Dinodas looked up. "Some, sir," he said. "I can clean and bandage a wound well enough, and I can learn more, besides taking orders willingly."

"I'll need you to help me, then."

The hobbit lad's face took on a strange look, like he was being torn in two. "Oh, Branda, sir, I would indeed wish to help, but I may be needed elsewhere with my bow."

Branda smiled gently at him. "I think the worst of the battle is over," he said. "These hobbits need your help more than anyone right now."

"Yes, sir," Dinodas said, setting his jaw. "What can I do first?"

Daffodyl looked down at her leg. The blood was still coming through the bandage, at it was starting to hurt. Now that she had been warmed up and was no longer numb all over, pain returned to her.

"Hello, Daffodyl," said Dinodas. "I guess I'd better change that bandage on your leg." He unwound the old bandage, soaked with blood, and tossed it aside. Then he cleaned the wound out carefully and bandaged it up. "Hurt?" he asked softly.

Daffodyl nodded. "But I don't mind. I'm worried about Emerald."

"Me too," Dinodas said, and he looked over at the seriously hurt hobbit lass. "I hope she comes through."

"I hope so too," Daffodyl said. "Branda is worried about her."

Dinodas wanted to say, "He should be," but he didn't want to frighten Daffodyl. The chances of Emerald living were very slim, and Daffodyl didn't need to hear that right now. So instead he just said softly, "I've known miracles to happen," and began bandaging Daffodyl's arms.