Tolkientober Day 9 - Athelas.
Yes, this is late. 😅 I was out most of yesterday and then I had a horrific headache all night and went to bed early.
One of my favourite thematic features of the book that was omitted from the films is the fact that Aragorn doesn't prove that he is the true king by being good at war. Instead, he heals Faramir, Éowyn and Merry, who were afflicted by the Nazgûl, with athelas in the Houses of Healing in Minas Tirith.
One of the nurses recalls the old folklore/prophecy: “The hands of the king are the hands of a healer, and so shall the rightful king be known.”
And that is how Gondor knows its true king has returned. Not by his prowess with a sword, but by his ability to heal.
My athelas drawing is based on the real Indian plant thulasi, also known as holy basil or sacred basil. It's wonderfully fragrant and we believe it has healing properties. Also, it fits the description of athelas in the text, haha.
