Author's Note: Part 7 & 8 happen about the same time. Is anyone reading this?
Part 7:
Kittiwake,
I call you that for that is what your brother says your name is among maidens.
It is a matter of grave importance that I write you, all lands hang in the balance.
My heart pangs me but I must ask that you take upon yourself an even deeper risk.
Finishing the letter, he signed it simply, the Wanderer. Rising to his feet, he felt every inch his age and more. Troubled in more than mind, he was weary in body, and tired in spirit. What once was enough for him, no longer could fill and renew him. Shaking it off as best he could, he walked down to meet Eomer.
Gandalf and Eomer watched the kittiwake take off, both feeling nervous for vastly different reasons. "Will she remember enough to understand what I am trying to say?" Gandalf asked, long after the bird was gone from their sight.
"Yes. I am more worried by the fact that she has no one she can trust." He murmured, rubbing his arms to warm them from the sudden chill.
Gandalf looked over at him, concerned and more than a little worried. "What do you mean?" They had become comfortable enough with each other that he no longer worried about pushing the younger man away.
His breath hissed as he pulled it in, there was surprise in his eyes. "I did not tell you?"
"If you had, would I be asking?" Mildly reproachful.
With a sigh, he explained. "Saruman has been slowly replacing all the palace servants with his own. He finished doing it yesterday."
"Isn't there any way to get her some aid?"
Sorrowful eyes turned towards his, "If there were, I would've tried."
"Any word from the Shield Maidens?"
"None. I'm not sure but I don't think the silence from them is good. Even when Uncle wasn't getting along with them, they always responded. I have a bad feeling about it." He sighed, then shook himself firmly. "I'll see you around, Gandalf."
"That horse of yours is going to get a swelled head with all the attention you pay it, Eomer." The wizard called after him.
"He carries me faithfully and well, he deserves it." Eomer responded, before turning the corner.
Later after Elrond and Gandalf shared a glass of wine, he told his friend. "Children, that's what they are. They are children playing adults in a game of war and they don't truly recognize the cost they are to pay."
***
The Next Day.
Aragorn sat in the room, holding onto Arwen's transparent hand. She was fading from sight, barely holding onto her physical form. It killed him to see her thus.
"Gondor, oh Gondor,
Promised light of the world.
Dawning hope for mankind.
How could you have so fallen from yourself?"
The once smooth but now anguished voice cried, shocking him. "Arwen?"
"Oh King, thou that hearest their cries and turns away.
Thou seest their tears and stoppers thine heart.
Thou feelest their pain and refuses to succor them.
Hope of men, fear no more.
The time has come, it is long past.
Return to your aching people.
Do that which you long promised.
For this end did you come into the world.
Restore that which has been lost."
Arwen's voice died and the stillness was broken only by Aragorn's ragged weeping. Slowly, the tears dried and an acceptance cloaked him in its embrace. Rising on trembling limbs, he kissed her brow and left the room. Years had been added to his face. Screams of anguish rang unchecked in his head, no longer was he able to keep them out. They were his to carry and his to heal.
He went to his mother's grave and fell to his knees, clutching the stone for strength. When he rose, a new determination burned in his eyes. "Boromir, I need you." He called out as he walked to the stables.
It was almost like Boromir had known for he was there, by the heir's side, before the words had left Aragorn's lips. For a moment, the man of Gondor was uncertain who he was walking with-the countenance of the man was altered from the one he had learned before. "What is it?"
"Gather the Rohirrim and your soldiers, we leave for Gondor tonight." It was not said but stated in the voice of a man who knows what to do and that it was his right to do so. "We will escort the ring's party as far as Redhorn Pass, then we shall part company."
"Do you think that's wise? It seems to me that such a move will attract Sauron's gaze." Elladan spoke softly as Boromir turned away.
"Let it. It is time for us to wake up and shake the dust off of our feet. I will no longer go quietly into the dying light." Steel. But there was a tremble of fear as well.
"Boromir," his voice stopped the man and he turned, a question in his eyes. "Say nothing to the men."
"As you wish." Quiet agreement, knowing of the need Aragorn had for continued silence.
"Thank you."
***
Frodo felt the change in the air with a curious detachment, he rose from the bed. Somehow he *knew* it was time. Packing up his things, he rapped lightly on Sam's door. Still blinking their eyes, the 4 hobbits made their way out into the open night air.
Gandalf was waiting for them at the door. Gesturing with one hand, he indicated that they should remain silent. A wasted gesture as even Pippin seemed to feel the solemnity of the moment.
The men of Gondor stood nervously off to the side, distrustful of the approaching Ranger. A questioning look at Boromir revealed his confidence in the man and they accepted him into their midst grudgingly. Together, the Ranger and the Steward's son stood, though both were tense.
Part 7:
Kittiwake,
I call you that for that is what your brother says your name is among maidens.
It is a matter of grave importance that I write you, all lands hang in the balance.
My heart pangs me but I must ask that you take upon yourself an even deeper risk.
Finishing the letter, he signed it simply, the Wanderer. Rising to his feet, he felt every inch his age and more. Troubled in more than mind, he was weary in body, and tired in spirit. What once was enough for him, no longer could fill and renew him. Shaking it off as best he could, he walked down to meet Eomer.
Gandalf and Eomer watched the kittiwake take off, both feeling nervous for vastly different reasons. "Will she remember enough to understand what I am trying to say?" Gandalf asked, long after the bird was gone from their sight.
"Yes. I am more worried by the fact that she has no one she can trust." He murmured, rubbing his arms to warm them from the sudden chill.
Gandalf looked over at him, concerned and more than a little worried. "What do you mean?" They had become comfortable enough with each other that he no longer worried about pushing the younger man away.
His breath hissed as he pulled it in, there was surprise in his eyes. "I did not tell you?"
"If you had, would I be asking?" Mildly reproachful.
With a sigh, he explained. "Saruman has been slowly replacing all the palace servants with his own. He finished doing it yesterday."
"Isn't there any way to get her some aid?"
Sorrowful eyes turned towards his, "If there were, I would've tried."
"Any word from the Shield Maidens?"
"None. I'm not sure but I don't think the silence from them is good. Even when Uncle wasn't getting along with them, they always responded. I have a bad feeling about it." He sighed, then shook himself firmly. "I'll see you around, Gandalf."
"That horse of yours is going to get a swelled head with all the attention you pay it, Eomer." The wizard called after him.
"He carries me faithfully and well, he deserves it." Eomer responded, before turning the corner.
Later after Elrond and Gandalf shared a glass of wine, he told his friend. "Children, that's what they are. They are children playing adults in a game of war and they don't truly recognize the cost they are to pay."
***
The Next Day.
Aragorn sat in the room, holding onto Arwen's transparent hand. She was fading from sight, barely holding onto her physical form. It killed him to see her thus.
"Gondor, oh Gondor,
Promised light of the world.
Dawning hope for mankind.
How could you have so fallen from yourself?"
The once smooth but now anguished voice cried, shocking him. "Arwen?"
"Oh King, thou that hearest their cries and turns away.
Thou seest their tears and stoppers thine heart.
Thou feelest their pain and refuses to succor them.
Hope of men, fear no more.
The time has come, it is long past.
Return to your aching people.
Do that which you long promised.
For this end did you come into the world.
Restore that which has been lost."
Arwen's voice died and the stillness was broken only by Aragorn's ragged weeping. Slowly, the tears dried and an acceptance cloaked him in its embrace. Rising on trembling limbs, he kissed her brow and left the room. Years had been added to his face. Screams of anguish rang unchecked in his head, no longer was he able to keep them out. They were his to carry and his to heal.
He went to his mother's grave and fell to his knees, clutching the stone for strength. When he rose, a new determination burned in his eyes. "Boromir, I need you." He called out as he walked to the stables.
It was almost like Boromir had known for he was there, by the heir's side, before the words had left Aragorn's lips. For a moment, the man of Gondor was uncertain who he was walking with-the countenance of the man was altered from the one he had learned before. "What is it?"
"Gather the Rohirrim and your soldiers, we leave for Gondor tonight." It was not said but stated in the voice of a man who knows what to do and that it was his right to do so. "We will escort the ring's party as far as Redhorn Pass, then we shall part company."
"Do you think that's wise? It seems to me that such a move will attract Sauron's gaze." Elladan spoke softly as Boromir turned away.
"Let it. It is time for us to wake up and shake the dust off of our feet. I will no longer go quietly into the dying light." Steel. But there was a tremble of fear as well.
"Boromir," his voice stopped the man and he turned, a question in his eyes. "Say nothing to the men."
"As you wish." Quiet agreement, knowing of the need Aragorn had for continued silence.
"Thank you."
***
Frodo felt the change in the air with a curious detachment, he rose from the bed. Somehow he *knew* it was time. Packing up his things, he rapped lightly on Sam's door. Still blinking their eyes, the 4 hobbits made their way out into the open night air.
Gandalf was waiting for them at the door. Gesturing with one hand, he indicated that they should remain silent. A wasted gesture as even Pippin seemed to feel the solemnity of the moment.
The men of Gondor stood nervously off to the side, distrustful of the approaching Ranger. A questioning look at Boromir revealed his confidence in the man and they accepted him into their midst grudgingly. Together, the Ranger and the Steward's son stood, though both were tense.
