Chapter 8
A World That Is Amiss
The next day at dawn, they set out for Edoras. Because of Arwen's injury, Eldarion and Legolas carried her. She was not a burden, for she was not heavy like most hobbits. When she lived in the house of the King, she ate only as much as was customary among Men, and she learned not to eat in excess. When she lived among her kin, she still only ate three or four meals a day. That was one of the reasons many looked down on her: she embraced the traditions of Men and did not live like her kin.
On the third night of their travels, they set up camp. They were very tried from all their fast-paced travel, especially the young hobbits, who were not used to the distance traveled without rest. They sat around the fire that night, discussing how long they had been traveling.
"How much longer are we going to be doing this?" Faramir asked holding his foot, "The feet of hobbits were not mean to run cross-country!"
Everyone laughed. It was quite true that hobbits were not use to running. It was especially difficult for them because they did not wear shoes and were not used to the rough terrain of the open plains.
"Only four more days, Faramir," Eldarion answered him.
"I know this part of our journey has been long," Legolas consoled them all, "but you must hold out on your strength until we reach Edoras. We must reach Edoras before the storms of winter are upon us."
"I wish I did not still have to be carried," Arwen sighed, "for it is keeping us from traveling properly."
"This is not your fault, Arwen," Eldarion insisted, "Don't blame yourself. This part of our journey was bound to be difficult, with or without your injury."
This was not the first time this has been discussed in the last few days. Eldarion wished Arwen would not blame herself, but he could also tell she was out of her normal disposition.
"All the same, I wish it was not hindering our travels."
Suddenly, out of the darkness, they all heard a great sound off in the distance. The young hobbits were all frightened and embraced each other in fear. As it drew nearer, they realized the sound was the neighs of the horse. When it finally came near the fire, they saw a white stallion of rare beauty.
Legolas said, "This is none other than Shadowfax, the horse of Gandalf."
Shadowfax instantly attached himself to Arwen, as if he knew Arwen was injured.
"This is strange," commented Eldarion, "I thought Shadowfax responded to no one but Gandalf himself."
"It is remarkable he has attached himself to her," Legolas added
Arwen petted the horse's nose. "I'm glad he is here to help us carry our supplies and to carry me. After all, I can be quite a hand full!"
Everyone laughed and she smiled.
The next days of travel were much easier, with less to carry and a ride for Arwen. Rosie, Goldie, and Faramir took turns riding with her, because there was enough room on Shadowfax for two hobbits. It seemed the great white horse reenergized their spirits. They were all more content in their travels with Arwen in better comfort.
Four days after they found Shadowfax, they arrived at the Golden Hall of Edoras and were warmly welcomed. Aragorn was quick to greet them upon their arrival, and to bring them to King Eomer. The King of the Golden Hall happily greeted those in the company of the King of the West. He was happy to see those who had been in fellowship with the Ring-Bearer, especially Master Merry.
"It brings me great joy to see you all of you again, but there are some of you I do not know. What are your names, young maidens?"
"My name is Rosie Gamgee," she said with a curtsy, "and I am Sam Gamgee's second eldest daughter."
"And I'm Goldilocks Gamgee," she said, imitating her sister's curtsy, "but everyone calls me Goldie. I'm Sam's third eldest daughter."
"How many children do you have, Samwise?" King Eomer asked.
"I have seven sons and six daughters," Sam answered, "My eldest daughter was married just before we left and my youngest son is now nine years old."
"Thirteen children? You must be a very busy father!" Eomer laughed as he patted Sam on the shoulder. "Good for you, Master Gamgee." He moved on to young Faramir and asked, "Now, what is your name, little master?"
"Faramir Took, the son of Peregrin Took, your highness" he attempted a bow with little success, for he nearly fell on his head. His father caught him by the arms before he fell forward. The Gamgee girls giggled at his failed attempt to bow.
"Don't worry about it, Faramir" Eomer laughed, patted him on the head, and asked his father, "Is he your only son?"
"Aye, he is," Pippin replied, putting his hands firmly on his son's shoulders in pride.
"What about you, Merry? Do you have any children?"
"We have two young children which Estella and I adopted. We were not able to have any of our own, but wanted children for many years. Then one day, we found a baby girl abandoned in a basket in the middle of the field, and when we were unable to find her parents, we took her in as our own and we named her after your sister. She's seven now, and is as beautiful as a Lady Eowyn herself, with beautiful golden hair and a personality to match her namesake."
Eomer bellowed a hearty laugh and said, "I'd believe it."
"I also have a son, who goes by the name Rory, after my grandfather Rorimac. He is the child of my late cousin Berilac. Both of his parents passed away within two weeks of his birth. Since he was already a Brandybuck and I still had no male heir, we chose to take him in as our son. He is five years old now and he is quite an energetic child to say the least."
"It was most noble of you to take in those children when they had no home. Well done, Master Holdwine." Eomer put his hand on Merry's shoulder.
Merry was humbled by King Eomer's praise. "Thank you, my lord."
Eomer then turned to Arwen and said, "Now this one I have met before. Arwen Baggins, it is good to see you after many years."
"Thank you, your majesty," she said with a custy.
"How are you?"
"Much better than I was," she replied, for she was finally able to walk again, "but very weary from our journey."
"I would imagine so," King Eomer said, "but for a short while, may you all forsake your troubles! Please enjoy the feast that has been prepared in your honor!"
Food was brought before them and they were served the most wonderful meal they had since they left on their journey. They had their fill and were quite content. As they were finishing eating, a servant delivered a letter to King Eomer. The message of this letter was of enough concern that he and King Elessar left the table and went into the corner of the room to discuss it.
Eomer held up the note in his hand. "They have finally confirmed the reports: the orcs are regrouping in the Blackland and are rebuilding their fortresses. It was just as we feared."
Aragorn sighed. He hoped they would have more time before they regrouped.
"Does anyone know their intent?" He asked.
"No one knows for certain," Eomer answered. "All that is known is that they will cause chaos all over Middle-earth as they did in many of the great wars if they are not stopped."
"What I cannot understand is how they have all united," Aragorn pondered. "They usually have a difficult time uniting unless something is motivating them. There has to be something, or someone, driving them to an unknown goal."
"This will make Arwen's journey even more treacherous," Eomer sighed. "They will make it most difficult for Arwen to complete her task."
"This is going to be more difficult than anyone anticipated." Aragorn admitted.
The Kings did not realize Arwen was able to hear their conversation. She was unable to listen anymore after the last comments made about her, so she walked away from the table without a word, with tears beginning to weld up in her eyes.
Arwen's heart was greatly troubled by all that was happening. Middle-earth was to be destroyed by the deeds of these evil creatures until she gave up her life to ransom it. She felt the weight of the world was pressing on her. It was happening so fast, she didn't know what to think anymore.
I have an even greater burden to bear than Ada had, she thought to herself, for at least he had some hope of completing his task before his time. I have to bear the burden of knowing I shall die before I can complete my task.
She walked out of the Golden Hall, all the way to an outpost where she could overlook the surrounding valley. She sat alone for hours, pondering yet again why she had to be the ransom for all Middle-earth, for all the ill-deeds of Men, Elves, Dwarves, and her kin. As the sky grew darker, she noticed the stars were shining overhead and she wondered if her Ada could see the same stars. She wondered how much her Ada loved her, for at times she doubted the love of the one who abandoned her as a newborn infant. These doubts still troubled her often.
"Arwen?" called out the voice of Belthil from behind her, "What are you doing? You have been out here for hours."
"I have been thinking," replied Arwen as she wrapped her arms around her knees, "about many things."
"Like what?" asked Belthil as she sat down beside Arwen.
"Well, there is much on my mind."
"I have the time to listen."
Arwen took a deep breath. She had always been able to talk to Belthil about everything, but now she had to hide the one thing troubling her most – her fate. Finally, she replied, "I know this may sound ridiculous, but I have been wondering…how much my Ada loves me."
"Really? Why?"
"Well, I never truly known his love. I never really met him. How am I supposed to know he loves me?"
"Well, he did make the necessary arrangements for your safety and care before he left over Sea. He also was such a caring and selfless person that he risked his life for all Middle-earth. That has to count for something."
"I guess that's true."
Arwen stood up and looked out at the stars above, and then looked at the star that hung about her own neck. This helped her to see that her Ada was as the stars above. No matter what, there was no doubt of the stars' existence. Everyone knows they are there, even when they are not visible. Her father was just the same to her.
"I wonder if Ada was as overwhelmed as I am even now."
"What do you mean?" Belthil was yet again puzzled.
Arwen turned back around, sank down the wall, and confessed, "I feel as if it is my fault everything is amiss. I feel like it's my fault the orcs are causing havoc once again. I feel like it's my fault I can never earn the acceptance of Men or my kin. I feel the weight of all these burdens pressing on my spirit and it grieves me. I wish all these things had not come to pass."
Just as Arwen said this, she suddenly remembered the words of wisdom Gandalf gave to her Ada: "So do all who live to see such times, but that is not for them to decide. All that you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you."
After thinking about it for a minute, she resolved, "I may not be able to change the past, and I may not be able to change what is soon to pass, but I will do what I can."
Belthil smiled. "I knew that you knew the answers to these questions. Just never lose faith in your father's love."
Belthil and Arwen embraced and then Belthil left. Arwen continued to sit and gaze at the stars well into the night. She could not escape the images in her mind in the Mirror of Galadriel. They played in her mind over and over again, refusing to let her find rest. It was not until the heard someone's footsteps that she was moved from her thoughts.
"Mani nae lle umien?"1 called out Eldarion, "You have been out here all night. Are you alright, Arwen? What's the matter?"
What was she supposed to tell him? She could not tell him the truth, for she feared for his well-being if she told him about her fate. But she felt overwhelmed by everything that she was facing, so she began to feel the tears in her eyes. She tried but could not hold them back and she began to sob.
"I don't know if I can do this, Eldarion!" she cried, "I don't know how I will do this!" She buried her face in her hands.
Eldarion sat down next to her and let her crawl into his lap as she continued to sob. He did not know fully why she was so upset, but he knew she needed him. She continued to cry long and hard, and Eldarion continued to hold her and give her comfort. She finally cried herself asleep in his arms.
1 What have you been doing?
