Merry walks through the city, following the men carrying the bodies of Théoden and Éowyn. He falls into a depressive trance, fixating on the grief and death he has just seen. However, his thoughts are interrupted by Pippin, who finds him and leads him toward the Houses of Healing when he realizes that Merry’s arm has been corrupted by stabbing the Nazgûl. At the Houses of Healing, a wise old woman named Ioreth tells Gandalf that many people are drying of a strange despair, growing cold without any wound after being in contact with the Nazgûl. She remembers an old rhyme that claims the hands of the true king are able to heal people.

Outside of the city, Aragorn plans to remain camped before the gate until he has permission to enter from the steward. However, Gandalf comes and summons him to the Houses of Healing so that he can tend to Faramir, Éowyn, and Merry. Aragorn comes and asks Ioreth if they have the herb athelas, also called kingsfoil. She does not believe that the herb has medicinal properties other than freshening the air with its scent, but she sends the herbalists to find some.