Memories of Eregion

Eregion, A Lifetime Ago

Tyulussë took one of the plants from the basket and passed it on to his companion.

“This is called yarrow.”

It was a pretty thing, small snow-white flowers clustered at the end of a long leafy stem.  The other elf hesitated a moment before taking it, and then simply stared at it, clearly wondering why he was being asked to hold the flower. 

“Oh.”

“Easy enough to find.  The flowers may be yellow as well.”

“Yes.”

Tyulussë held back a smile. 

“It has several uses.  Yarrow tea can be made to expel toxins and reduce fever.  Fresh leaves can be turned into a poultice to staunch bleeding.  Its oil can be used to bring down swelling and prevent infection.”

The other elf blinked once, and then nodded, absently, his vacant eyes still fixed on the flower – which he began to twirl slowly in his hand. 

“…Also, if you crush the flowers into a paste and eat it on the night of a full moon, it will give you the speed of a deer and the strength of a bear.”

“Ah.”

“But too much of it will cause you to go blind.”

The elf started to nod – but then caught himself, turning to him with confusion.

“What?”

Tyulussë laughed. 

The two of them were sitting beneath an enormous tree, several baskets and bundles of herbs spread out on a blanket between them.  The sun was high in the sky, the golden rays beating mercilessly down upon the field below.  The heat coupled with the sound of bees humming heavily through the air and the rushing sound of the nearby river had even Tyulussë’s eyes drooping.

“Welcome back to the lesson, Laurelindo.”

His companion rolled his eyes, dropping the yarrow plant onto a pile of bayberry leaves with a dramatic flourish.

“It’s too hot to concentrate!”

Tyulussë snorted, moving the yarrow back to its proper basket. 

“And whose fault is that?”

Tyulussë, at least, was dressed for the maddening heat – a thin white shirt rolled up to his elbows, dark hair tied back at the nape of his neck.  Laurelindo, meanwhile, looked like he was ready to waltz into a ballroom – heavy blue silk robes, garish make-up, and barefoot with a crown of (medicinally useless) flowers. 

Laurelindo abruptly rose to his feet and brushed clinging blades of grass from his robes. 

“Let’s go for a swim.”

Tyulussë arched an eyebrow. 

“Now?”

Laurelindo gave him a pitying look. 

“You taught me enough about yallow—” 

“Yarrow.”

“Now it is time to teach you how to have fun!”

Tyulussë looked scandalized. 

“What makes you think I don’t know how to have fun?”

Laurelindo crossed his arms. 

“Prove it.”

Sighing deeply, and realizing that the rest of this lesson would have to be put off until another day, Tyulussë rose slowly to his feet.  Truthfully, he was surprised that Laurelindo had lasted as long as he had; normally he was off scampering after butterflies after no more than an hour.  He still was not entirely sure what had possessed him to ask for these lessons. 

When they reached the riverbank, Tyulussë stepped forward to peer down into the deep and swiftly-flowing water. 

“Best go upriver a bit,” he suggested.  “The current here is—”

Fortunately, he was anticipating the shove, so when Laurelindo knocked him off-balance Tyulussë dragged the silk-clad brat in with him. Their laughter cut through the heavy summer heat as the two of them fell into the river.