Chapter 4

The time had come for us to march on Mordor. The dark one's eye was on the look out for the hobbit and we needed to act quickly before it was too late. Perhaps this was it. The chances of survival were three times as slim as they were defending Minas Tirith. If young Frodo does not fulfill his mission all will be lost. My brothers and father were already gone and my mother and I were left alone.

"Mother, I must go and finish what I have started. If a battle ensues and the Halfling succeeds then I will never have a chance like this again. I have been to war before and I have lived. I do not fear death nor getting wounded. I am too much like you for that." I held her hands in mine as I pleaded one last time. She war scared for my life. Yes, I was lucky enough an orc had not run me through while I was unconscious but the fates must be looking upon me for some reason.

"Please, you and I both know that if this is really it then it will not be long before I am married. This is the last chance for me to do something exciting." I continued playing the marriage game that she did not take pleasure in. Her head hung briefly and I knew I had won.

"Very well. I know that if the hobbit fails then we will all die nonetheless. Come, we must get you ready." My mother stood and led me to where I had hidden my armor from my father. While she clasped the back of it I adjusted the front to fit again. Stains of orc and man blood were still visible on the shining metal and I tried my best to keep it from my mother's view. I tied my hair up and put my helmet on my head again covering my face with the black cloth as I had before. My mother sang a lullaby while she worked that I had remembered since my earliest times in life.

The evil comes over the mountains to the east

Yet the drums of war they never shall cease

My arms are open for you to come to me

Hear my voice calling like the waves of the sea.

Remember me my love and come back home

And through the darkness no more you shall roam.

My breath caught in my throat as she sang but I would not let my emotions show and upset her more than necessary. When I was prepared I gave my mother a parting hug and ran out to prepare my horse. His name was Starchaser. Ever since I was a child he has been with me. My father gave him as a gift when I was only six.

"Your horse is one of the most prized possessions you shall ever own." He told me long ago. To this day I treat him as well as any person in my acquaintance. I made my way to the stables and no one bothered me because I obviously was on my way to war. Starchaser was restless when I entered the stable. I went to him immediately rubbing his black nose soothingly. Most of the others were gone and he and I were alone. He must have sensed what was going on. Starchaser was a lot like myself in many ways. We both loved war, it was in our blood. Unfortunately neither of us saw it but once.

"Come along my friend. We must ride." I opened the door to his stall and led him out. His bridle and saddle were already on and I wasted no time in mounting. I galloped out of the stable to join the army, which was already marching for I could hear their drums.

I made it to the last parts of the cavalry just in time before the footman began to flood out of the gate. I wasn't going to lie and say being on Starchaser in my armor heading to war didn't feel good. It did. Unfortunately the fear part of it got to me. My brothers, my father, my people. It all could end in a matter of hours. We marched stoically on prepared for whatever met us. I saw my father up ahead behind King Aragorn. My brothers were close behind riding with Legolas Greenleaf with his little dwarf friend Gimli clutching onto him for dear life. Dwarves have always preferred to have their feet on the ground. Gandalf and the new king Eomer were also at the lead with two more hobbits behind them. I pushed Starchaser on a little faster so we could catch up almost. My brothers would know who I was but my father certainly wouldn't. Soon I found myself trailing calmly behind Elphir who like always was trying to make light of the mood by joking with the hobbit behind Gandalf. Even at the face of death he was still keeping things happy. I kept my head low just to be safe. Not that I thought my father would cause a problem while we ride to war, but if we did make it out then it would be a trial.

"If we make it home my young friend Eomer king. I would invite you to Dol Amroth so you may see true beauty." My father spoke with his fiery voice. The king looked over to my father and chuckled lightly.

"If we make it home then I would accept. I must admit Dol Amroth is one realm I would like to see in my life." His voice was deep and powerful and I listened as best as possible but with the laughing of my brothers and the hobbits I couldn't catch the next thing my father said. I could hear the resemblance of my name but nothing else. I cursed under my breath and the elf a few paces in front of me turned his head back and met my gaze. He looked quizzically for a moment but returned his attention to Gimli behind him.

"Lothiriel? What are you doing here?" Erchirion asked when he had slowed down to ride beside me.

"If this is it, then I wish to go out with such an end brother." I replied with as much confidence as I felt. He shook his head.

"Very well, stay with me though. I will look after you." He nodded once. Both of our eyes drifted to the road ahead and to our horror the gates of Mordor loomed over the grey horizon.

"This is it men!" King Aragorn raised his hand and we all halted. I looked to my brothers and then ahead to my father. All the leaders turned back to us to give the final speech. My eyes moved to Eomer who was already giving me an intense gaze. I felt as if he saw right through me with how hard he was. I couldn't pull myself away as rough as his skeptically eyes were. Never in my life had I seen such power of determination in hazel eyes such as his. Or any eyes for that matter. Aragorn gave a final cry and I jumped slightly when everyone started to cheer. I must have missed the entire speech.