Waking up after a restless night, Susan washed up and hurried into her gown. She noticed that Altaris has already left her bed though it was still a little dark outside. Her dream last night felt so real and she wanted to inform someone, Aragorn or Haldir, a soldier or general that needs to be aware of this impending war. Thinking that Haldir might already be at the stables as they prepare the journey back to Lothlórien, Susan went in that direction.
Once outside she heard the voices of Merry and Pip. Merry, it sounded, was berating the younger hobbit.
"Why did you look? Why do you always have to look?" Susan heard Merry said.
"I don't know. I can't help it." Pippin answered sounding sorry.
"You never can." Merry angrily said.
"I'm sorry, all right? I won't do it again." answered the Took.
"What happened Merry?" Susan asked when she got close. Their solemn faces indicated the severity of the situation.
Merry did not answer and was scowling so the human looked inquiringly at the other. "Remember the orb of Saruman we got from Isengard?" Pip began then he paused ashamed to go on. "Well last night, my curiosity got the better of me and I touched it."
"And?" Susan asked urging him to go on.
"I shouldn't have done it for I was forced to face Sauron himself." The hobbit said facing the ground. "I saw the white city burning." Then he looked at Merry and said: "I didn't mean it. I did not tell him of Frodo and the Ring though he hurt me much."
Still scowling, Merry said a little too forcefully: "Don't you understand? The enemy thinks you have the Ring. He's going to be looking for you Pip. They have to get you out of here."
"Where to Merry?" Susan asked clutching Pip's shoulders.
Looking at the human Merry replied: "I know not. You must speak with Gandalf."
"And you... you're coming with me?" Pip asked Merry a little panicked. But Merry did not respond instead told Susan to follow him and led them to the stables where Gandalf awaited.
"But we'll see each other soon. Won't we?" Pip insisted while walking.
"I don't know. I don't know what is going to happen." Merry said sadly shaking his head. When they reached Gandalf preparing his horse. Susan quickly approached him and said: "My good wizard…sir." She paused momentarily not knowing if she addressed the white wizard correctly. They were briefly introduced after the battle and Susan still felt very much intimidated by the wizened man. "Where would you be taking this Took?"
Galdalf gave her a strange look as if wondering why it would concern her. Susan pressed on: "For I have dreamed of a great war last night, of black soldiers attacking men. Are you headed to where this war would happen?"
"We were fortunate to see into Sauron's mind as he would attack Minas Tirith." Gandalf said. "Denethor, the steward of Gondor, needs to know of this."
"Couldn't Pip stay here where it is safer?" Susan asked.
Gandalf gave the hobbit a stern look and replied: "I have entrusted the palantir to Aragorn. But I don't trust this Took to be seduced in not touching it." He added: "We could not waste time. We have to leave in haste dear girl."
"Wait. Please. I'll go with you." She said. "I have seen this war both in my dreams and in Queen Galadriel's mirror. Please bid me to come for though I detest wars, I believe I could be of service."
Seeing Altaris and Haldir with Glorfindel at the far end of the stables, Susan quickly said: "I beg you to wait for me. Five minutes…" She said running towards the elves. The two hobbits and wizard looked at each puzzled other while Pip asked: "Five minutes?"
"Impatient to leave?" Altaris teased her when she reached them.
"No. I cannot leave yet." The human replied. Then looking at Haldir she said: "I'm sorry but I can't go back to Lórien at this time. Please inform our queen that a greater war is brewing in the white city. Our enemy wishes to destroy all men soon. I will accompany the white wizard and perhaps help in the war."
Looking briefly at Glorfindel then at Haldir she continued: "Haldir, couldn't the elves send aid once more? Perhaps Queen Galadriel…"
"Dear Susan, the time of the elves nears the end. Our people are leaving this land." Glorfindel replied.
"But you can't leave men at the hour of their greatest need!" Susan said shocked. "Would you let them fall defeated?" When they remained silent she implored looking at Haldir: "What of the allegiance?"
"The fate of men is no longer in our hands. Men could have ended this long ago. But it's the weakness of men that caused the battle we went through and that battle that would still come to pass." Lindir said. "A lot of my kin have fallen in Helm's Deep." He was a soldier of Rivendell and one of the remaining elves who survived the battle at Helm's Deep.
Knowing that she could not force anyone to fight nor lay down their lives, the human said sadly: "I understand." Looking at Altaris she said: "Please inform Galadriel the reason why I have not returned. She mentioned of purpose and I feel my purpose lies not in Lothlórien still." Then she hugged her friend and turned to leave. Both Altaris and Haldir followed her.
"Wait Susan." Haldir finally spoke. "I owe you my life and I don't easily forget. Please know that I don't share the sentiments of my fellow elves." He gave her a smile and said: "I'll do what I can when I speak to our queen though it's most likely she already knows of this. Nothing escapes her notice." He added. "But I dare not promise."
Susan gave her a genuine smile and would have hugged him but she didn't wish to offend the elf. "Thank you Haldir."
"Take good care of yourself." Altaris said.
"Thanks my friend. And you be careful too." she replied.
"I wasn't talking to you child." Altaris replied smiling. "I'm coming with you. Our queen told me to accompany you till you return. I can't let you wander alone." She continued: "Come. The wizard waits impatiently." The elf then proceeded to get two bags on the ground and said: "I have prepared our belongings earlier. Let us ride."
Unable to help herself, the human hugged her blond friend and said: "You're a darling. And you're very efficient indeed." They bid the elves farewell, with Altaris giving Haldir a quick hug. They then took their horses and loaded their provisions on them and made their way to Gandalf.
Upon their approach, Gandalf spoke: "The steward Denethor would not take too kindly the presence of many strangers." He was indicating the elf and the human.
"We are but mere women and would pose no threat to his eyes." Susan replied wisely. "We would not jeopardize our cause. Of this I'm sure."
"Indeed." Gandalf replied.
Then Susan looked at Merry and said: "I'll take of Pip Merry. Please tell Legolas…" she stopped not knowing where to begin. She wanted to speak to the elf for there were so many things she needed to tell him especially now that the future was uncertain, however there was no time. "…tell him to be careful and so should all of you. And that I'll see him at the end of the battle. Tell him that I…tell him not to get hurt. Bye Merry." She ended abruptly as she gave the hobbit a hug.
"Be careful too." Merry said. "All of you." He added looking at Pippin. They then got their horses and rode out of Edoras with Pip calling out Merry's name.
"How far is Minas Tirith?" a subdued Pip asked once they were out of the city.
"Three days' ride, as the Nazgul flies, and you'd better hope we don't have one of those on our tail." Replied the wizard.
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Legolas has almost scoured the whole capital in search of Susan but still was unable to locate the girl. He wanted to apologize for losing control the night before. He has never lost control though he felt that the beer was partly to blame he admitted that his anger and desires got the better of him. War loomed close of this he was sure. His death too was a possibility and he wished to see her one last time before they part forever. He saw some elves earlier so he thought that they haven't left yet for Lórien however Susan's room was strangely vacated when he sought her out.
Finally swallowing his pride, Legolas decided to speak with Haldir on Susan's whereabouts, so he headed straight to the stables. He saw the elves loading their horses with their belongings, while Haldir was seriously conversing with Aragorn not a far off.
Once he was near enough, he heard Aragorn say: "We would need more able soldiers if we don't want Minas Tirith to fall."
"Most elves are leaving Middle Earth's shores." Haldir replied. "What say of your dwarf friend in these times of war?"
"Dwarves keep to themselves, seeking treasure in the mountains." Aragorn said. "I know not if they'd fight. But I would speak to Gimli on this matter. However, would there be enough time to seek their help?" he asked Legolas as he approached.
"Though dwarves are unlikely to run away from a fight, there might be no time to ask for aid since the Lonely Mountains where the dwarves dwell are days away." Legolas answered.
"You have to make time if you want to see the looming battles to its end." Haldir pointed out his face serious. "Susan has already gone to the white city with Gandalf the White."
"What?!?!" Legolas loudly said his heart clenching at the thought of Susan in danger. "You let her leave?!"
"You know as well as I do that Susan is as determined as anyone here." Haldir replied. "She has had visions of this war and felt it her mission to help."
"We must leave for Minas Tirith then." Legolas told Aragorn. His voiced was strained for he could not bear Susan facing a greater threat than she did in Helm's Deep.
"Her fate is no longer in our hands dear friend." Haldir replied before Aragron could speak. "If you wish to see victory in the coming war and save her and yourselves, then you'd need all the strong willed and bodied warriors you can get. Whether human, elf or dwarf."
Placing a hand on Legolas's shoulder Aragorn said: "He speaks from reason. We men cannot face this battle alone. Though Isengard has fallen, Mordor and all its force would seek retribution. It would also call upon their alliance with Harad."
"I have given my word to Susan that I would confer with the queen about sending more elf troops." Haldir said. "Though I cannot speak for Rivendell."
"You may also send word to my father Thranduil in Mirkwood." Legolas said. "My father is aware of our cause."
Our friend Gimli would know of this." Aragorn said looking at Legolas. He hoped that the dwarf has overcome the influence of the brew from last night by then for he left him still snoring in bed this morning.
"I bid you farewell then." The Lórien elf said. "The sun has already risen high and we would wish to make most of this day in travel."
"May your trip be safe and your task be successful Haldir." Aragorn said bowing his head with his hand on his chest as he bid the elf goodbye.
"Be safe my brother." Legolas said his previous animosity forgotten. Aragorn and Legolas then left the stables discussing plans while they walked.
"They need you here Aragorn." The elf said. "Should the call for the Rohirrim to ride towards the White City for war come, you can lead them. Rohan would not be keen on fighting orcs once more after a recent battle."
"And what are your plans master elf?" the human asked.
"Though the Lonely Mountains are a far off, ride we must to ask for aid." Legolas answered. "They too are a part of this world and would likely wish to see the Fellowship's mission fulfilled."
"Would they welcome you an elf to their halls though? And listen to your plight?" the human asked.
"That would depend greatly on our dwarf friend." The elf said seriously.
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"You wish us to go where?" the dwarf asked. He had a terrible headache but dwarves have great tolerance to pain next to the elves but he still had to ask if he heard the elf correctly.
"We are to leave for the Lonely Mountains in haste Gimli." Legolas repeated. "Sauron's eye is set on Minas Tirith and we need to ask your kin for help."
"Come Gimli." The elf urged. "We can't afford to rest and dither now."
"And how do you propose to reach the place on time?" the dwarf asked. "It would take days of travel."
"Well if you're up to another race with no food and rest…" The elf began, they were already walking to the stables. "….unless of course you still haven't recovered your strength…" He trailed off, knowing exactly how to bait his friend.
Gimli growled at that and said: "To the Lonely Mountains then. If we should rest not, we'd make it in two to three days. Sauron's army better be ready to face bad tempered and battle ready dwarves."
When they reached the horses' stalls, Aragorn, Éomer and Merry were already there to see them off, and had their horse ready.
"Take Brego, though he's bad tempered and reckless, you'd not find a faster and tireless steed elsewhere." Éomer said. "I hope you both fare better than his previous master." The human continued recalling his fallen cousin.
Legolas got on the horse and pulled the dwarf behind him. He then thanked Éomer and told Aragorn: "Pray that we do not fail."
"Should the battle come swiftly than we anticipated, the Rohirrim would gather their troops at Dunharrow." Éomer informed them.
They were about to leave when Merry spoke for the first time. "Wait." He said. "I think Susan wanted to speak to you before she left."
Legolas head snapped towards the hobbit's direction and he asked: "What did she say?"
"There was no time so it was not much." The hobbit began. "She said to take care of yourself and not get hurt. And that she'll see you at the end of the battle." Merry ended looking at the elf's face. All four observed the play of emotions on Legolas' face.
"Very well then. Thank you Merry." The elf said. He has never felt better in days knowing that Susan's thoughts were on his as she left. "I bid you all farewell. I'll see you in a few days time." He said before riding off.
