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Chapter Three

By the time we made it to Rohan the cool air had already awoken me. I'd stepped off the horse and onto the solid ground with a sense of awakening.

No more cell, no more walls to keep me trapped. I closed my eyes and took a long, deep breath of fresh air…I could no longer smell death lingering in the wind.

"Come," Aragorn nodded towards me, the uncertainty must have shown in my eyes. I followed the group as they walked further through Rohan – towards the golden hall.

I had been shown to a room where I could clean up and rest for a few hours, the celebrations were soon to begin and I couldn't help but be nervous. I hadn't been to anything resembling a party in years, I felt slightly out of touch with the concept. Although, I had to admit that after a long awaited, peaceful sleep, I found myself excited about the prospect of getting ready. I spent time brushing out the long, dark auburn tangles in my hair – braiding it loosely over my shoulder. One of the maidens of Rohan had provided me with fresh clothing, I pulled on the flowing red dress, its heavy billowing sleeves detailed with fine golden thread. It was a far cry from the dirtied rags I had been wearing since becoming a slave of Saruman. I sat in front of the looking glass, staring at the beautiful fabric and the clean, refreshed appearance of my pale ivory skin and light green eyes…but still, the ghostly handprint wrapped boldly around my throat. I let out a sigh, my fingertips tracing the outline of the scar, forever I'd be reminded of Saruman's power over me.

The daylight past quickly into evening and soon the celebrations had begun. Music filled my ears from where I stood outside the hall, I couldn't help but be amazed by everything that lay before me. The idea that I could leave Rohan this second if I wished…the freedom was intoxicating.

I made my way back inside, the hall was lit up with candle light and the scent of food filled the air. A tap on my shoulder caused me to jump, I spun around to see Theoden, his eyes filled with upset.

"I was saddened to hear of your people, Drendithiel," He stated with a frown, "I hope that some day you find peace."

I bowed my head in sadness, "I lost my world the day Saruman's army invaded," I said, an ache thumping in my chest as I spoke, "My peace won't return until this war ends." That was when it came to me…perhaps I couldn't just be free. I wouldn't be truly free until the dark lord was no more.

I walked away from Theoden, still confused by what was supposed to come of me now, where was I supposed to go from here?

"You appear troubled." Another voice sounded and Aragorn walked over to where I was stood by the fire.
"I don't quite know where I stand," I paused, "This war destroyed me…does that mean I should give up whatever life I may have left, just to fight in it?" I stared into Aragorn's grey eyes, awaiting his answer.

"Only you can decide your path, Drendithiel."

"Dren…call me Dren," I sighed, folding a lock of hair behind my ear.

"You told us earlier that you do not have the ability to fight, no sword training? Not even basics?" Aragorn asked.

"The women of Dylora were never required to learn, we had been considered a neutral kingdom for our entire existence. No battles ever took place on our grounds," I replied, saddened by what my world had become. Before Aragorn could speak again, my eyes had already started to water.

"I had family before this started, friends…a future. I was a royal woman of Dylora and now what am I?" I paused, "A woman who cannot fight to bring back the world that once existed."
"You can fight if your heart wills you to do so," Aragorn stated, his jaw tense and his eyes sincere.
"I am broken, sir Aragorn…I can offer only pieces of myself to this war and what use is that?"
"All people of war are broken, Dren. Hold your head like a warrior and people will believe you are one."

"Is that what you do?" I asked, my lips twisting into a small smile.
He smiled, looked to the ground and laughed apathetically to himself, "If you decide to fight, I will help you as best I can, Dren."

With that, he left me alone, the heat from the fire warming my face…so much so I barely noticed my tears anymore.

I kept to myself the rest of the evening, eventually the hall grew quiet with the sound of sleep, people strewn over the floor peacefully.

I paced the hall nervously before spotting Aragorn kneeling by the fire, rearranging the logs. I was just about to make my presence known but I noticed that he looked towards the sleeping woman on the daybed, her pale blue gown covering her. I hid behind the column and watched as Aragorn tended to her, making sure her gown was covering her ivory skin so as to keep her warm, her hand grabbed his before it could move away and they spoke for a few moments, too quiet for my ears. I admired the way he held her hand, kneeling beside her as she spoke, her eyes still heavy with sleep. I felt a deep pull in the pit of my stomach and turned away, glancing outside where the moon shone over the plains…a dark cloud flooded the sky in the distance and I shuddered.

I made my way quietly towards the room where the others slept, silently I began making myself somewhere to sleep…until a glimmer caught the corner of my eye. I turned, looking towards Gandalf, his eyes open in an eerie, unconscious stare – his arms wrapped carefully around the Palantir. I chewed nervously on my bottom lip, my palms sweating as I contemplated what to do next.

Carefully, I walked towards Gandalf, perching beside him I closed my eyes, opened my hands in front of me and spoke in a low whisper so as not to wake anyone.

"An chumhacht a thabhairt ar mhian liom mo lámh," (Bring the power I desire to my hand), I demanded sternly. Moments later, the cool sensation of the palantir settled in my palms. I opened my eyes, rose to my feet and made my way across the room. The palantir awakened, just as it had done the last time I'd held it.

"Léargas a thabhairt dom," (Give me insight) I spoke into the glass, my eyes burning at the sight of Sauron. A voice wormed its way into my skull, causing a sharp pain to overtake my entire body, the flames of his words captured me and I collapsed to the ground with a scream.

"You cannot control my power, young Drendithiel, you will die trying," The voice echoed in my rib cage, causing my heart to beat quicker and harder.

"No…but I can see what you don't wish to reveal," I growled, ignoring the voices around me, the shouting and screaming faded into the darkness that swallowed me whole.

I was sent into a world that didn't look familiar, a burning city – a white tree, dead in a courtyard of stone. The world shook away and Sauron gripped onto me, his venom leaking into every pore, shaking each of my memories for information.

"You will not find what you seek, Sauron," I tried to scream as loud as I could, but no voice escaped my lips.

Another image replaced the darkness - my brothers, my father, they lay dead amongst the rubble of our now broken kingdom. Grief overcame me and I sent all I could outwards, a burning in my fingertips broke the Palantir free of my grip as hands clasped around my shoulders – throwing me backwards and crashing towards the ground.

The sound of shattering stone filled my ears and I let out the air that had been held painfully in my lungs, slowly my chest deflated, my head pulsing, my hands, arms and legs numb.

"You stupid girl! And we are to believe you are no enemy!" Gandalf scoffed, throwing his arms up in the air in fury.
"Are you hurt? Can you hear me?" A familiar voice asked, a hand placed on my face, forcing me to look into his eyes as I fell into an unconscious abyss.

There you go guys, let me know what you think! I'll update again in the next couple of days (: