Part 21
Legolas examined the repair.
The patch had stayed in place, but its edges were badly puckered.
Breathing heavily, he pulled out the bottle, dipped the brush,
and painted a generous quantity of gum around the edges. Then
he set to work on the second patch.
Eowyn leaned sideways and, holding the wheel rock-steady, peered
into the seeing-tube.
Despite all the weight that Haldir and Arador had jettisoned,
and the extra fuel that Master Eldacar was burning, and despite
whatever Legolas was doing, hidden somewhere upon the bladder,
The Shieldmaiden was still sinking.
Sir, she shouted, Master Eldacar!
I think we are about to run aground!
The scholar responded instantly. Arador,
he called, come and take over the burnerkeep the
flames as high as you can. He hurried aft. Let me
take the helm, my Lady,he grasped the wheelyou
hook yourself to the rail, maam,he glanced
into the seeing-tubeah... Yes, I suggest
that you and Master Haldir crouch beside the anchor housings,
my Lady, shielding your heads with your arms.
But... But what about Legolas? Eowyn ran
forward, and leaned out over the bow, looking upwards. Legolas!
she shouted. Legolas, you must come down! Quickly, my
love! Quickly!
...
Legolas lifted his hand. The second patch, neater than the
first, seemed secure. He unhooked his arm from the netting,
and began climbing down to the hull.
Legolas!
Melmenya?
You must hurry!
He looked down, and swore, for his repairs seemed to have made
no differencethey were still going to hit the ground. Melmenya,
he shouted, get back from the gunwale. Please!
Get well back! I am com In his anxiety for her safety,
he missed his hand hold, and swung out over empty space, legs
kicking.
Lassui! Eowyn screamed in terrorshe
had seen him slip.
He grabbed the rope and hauled himself to safety, shouting,
I am all right, Eowyn nín! He knew, now,
that there was no time to reach her before they hit the ground.
Please, my darling, do whatever Master Eldacar tells you.
But Eowyn was still leaning out, trying to see him.
He caught a glimpse of her golden hair, and then her sweet
face, and then, very slowly, she seemed to roll over the gunwale
and, arms and legs gently waving, to fall.
MELMENYA! he shrieked.
|