As you follow Pele into the garden you see she is greeted warmly by
a grizzled old man who is the Houses of Healing gardener, Rufus.
As you walk on she tells you...
He has a green thumb and helps me in the gardens. I
affectionately call him Sir Gawain though that is not his
real name. He is my green knight.
Whatever is she talking about ?
This is a mystery.

 

Come on and walk this way.... Enjoy the glorious gardens. Feel
free to explore just please stay on the paths and be
careful not to step on anything.

 

 

*Pele stops and turns you to the side pointing out
the various flora and fauna.*

 

 

As we continue on, you'll see the greensward with trees. This is one of
my favorite places when the wildflowers are in bloom. The bluebells
are some of the most beautiful of the wildflowers.

 

As we continue through the trees you will see a rather large open area here
to one side. This is my "Hoom Room." A few Gondorians wandered too far
into Fangorn and changed into Ents. I made ready this space for them. As
you know they are not very hasty in action or deed. This provides
them a special place to stay if their travels bring them
to Gondor and the White City.

 

 

As we come out the other side of the trees if you look to the right you will
see a sculpture my volunteers and I did of Nienna, Minas Tirith's first
healer. Nienna is quite an artist herself. She especially loved the garden
so I thought it would be nice to have something special here in her honor.

 

Most of the plants and herbs growing here are used in some
form or fashion in the Houses of Healing and Gondor.

 

Through this gate you will find my private gardens.

 

I love beautiful flowers.

 

There are several varieties that grow here.

 

Athelas is a plant of great healing virtue. It is said that it was brought
to Middle-Earth by the Numenoreans of the Second Age. It was certainly
known in Numenor where the Valinorean name is asea aranion. It grew
sparsely in the North and only in places where Men of Westernesse had
passed. In Gondor it is also known as 'kingsfoil' and grows abundantly.
The leaves are known for their refreshing scent.

The verse repeated in times of old is:
When the black breath blows
and death's shadow grows
and all light's pass,
come athelas! come athelas!
Life to the dying
In the King's hand lying!

 

Oh...come over here I have a surprise to show you!
Check out this view...This is my little
private window on the
world of Gondor!

 

Pele reaches down and picks a beautiful
white flower and hands it to you.

Thanks for coming to see me it has been a pleasure.
I hope you enjoyed your tour.