Chapter 10: Felt like it
"They're leaving."
"Seems like it."
Vanille glanced carefully at her friend from the corner of her eyes. Fang stood still watching from Vanille's window as the Company sets off to some quest… to war, if more accurately put. "Don't you want to catch up?" Vanille asked.
Fang scoffed. "Now why would we do that?"
Vanille glared at her friend. "Fang, there is war. We have to help them. Otherwise, there wouldn't be anything to protect."
"Look Vanille, don't you think we had enough war on our own to last a lifetime? Aren't you tired of fighting? This might be our world now but there is no guarantee we'd be really helpful. Besides," Fang frowned, "we can't just go barging like you have your Medic role up and kicking. Our bleeding won't stop now that we're back human. I can't always call on Bahamut with me fainting every now and then."
"But," Vanille stopped as she tried processing what just Fang said. "You fainted?"
Fang turned away. "The last two nights I took Elrond out for a ride with Bahamut. The Eidolon disappeared when we took off from the cliff."
"What?" Vanille gasped.
"A good few hundred feet above the ground," Fang recounted. "I fainted of course, that's why Bahamut dematerialized. I was lucky I had Elrond with me."
Vanille frowned, clearly not getting Elrond's presence any helpful at the past situation. "But you both fell… how?"
"I… I swore silence on that," Fang said, shrugging helplessly. "Must be some sort of elf thing. Anyway, that's the point. We're back human."
Vanille wanted to argue back she wasn't completely human still but that would be ruining the whole charade she's keeping. She felt frustrated getting herself a Focus and clearly not enjoying any of it perks that it should have as the curse's consolation. She stole another glance at her friend. She sighed heavily and closed her eyes.
All the while Fang spent her night outside, Vanille contemplated hard on her room. She understand Middle earth's situation more than her friend. Fang haven't read Arda's history, its thousand year old war with the Enemy. Like Lindzei's Cocoon, Sauron corrupted many victims. The free people are like the people of Gran Pulse, oppressed and reduced bit by bit. Fang didn't know that but Vanille did.
"I'm going," Vanille said clearly and with determination in her voice.
"Where?" Fang asked.
"To Aragorn's aid," she answered back. She turned full face and held her head high. "I'm going to help them."
Fang's eyes flashed dangerously. "You will not, missy. That's downright suicide."
"Our Focus before is suicide," Vanille countered back, "what's different from here? It's both to protect what I hold dear."
"Damn it Vanille! You think your death will go about changing this world? One step on the battlefield and you're dead the next second."
"I can fight Fang! I'm not paralyzed."
"You might as well be when there are thousands of orcs aiming at your head."
"You're a coward Fang!" Vanille shouted angrily. "I know what's at stake! I know I'll probably die there. But that's better than staying here and going crazy knowing war is there and you're not helping your friends to keep living."
The silence was toxic inside the room. Fang's back was on Vanille. The older woman didn't reply.
In truth, Fang wanted to punch Vanille right in the face. How dare she call her a coward? Fang, a pride of a dragoon heritage, is a coward, huh? How… she didn't want to face it. Not with her friend in front of her. Fang, the warrior, is afraid of Vanille's death. It was the one thing that could bring her to her knees. That she might not see her friend's smile again was simply horrifying.
Fang heard Vanille's footsteps left the room. She was alone now. Will she really leave?
Vanille went down to the kitchen and found the place empty. She slumped to the nearest chair and let out a heavy groan. This day could not get any stressful. If her memory told her the truth, she actually shouted at Fang. And her friend shouted back. If Vanille were anywhere near her early puberty, she would probably cry. Right now, she felt so exhausted. When was the last time they had a real argument? Did they even have a real argument? Fang had always been like a big sister to her and somewhat a surrogate mother when both of them were made orphan a long time ago.
She wasn't altogether sure how long she looked blankly at nowhere.
"Keep my love safe, the world protected… let my favor from the Valar be given to those in battle… tree un-withered, flower immortal… star of Earendil, give light in the darkest night."
The song continued, stopping Vanille in her brooding. The voice belonged to Arwen and Vanille was more than stunned at such clarity and resonance in her voice. It was like listening to the cool water on a silent night or a slow song from an evening bird. It was a voice Vanille was quite sure any mortal will fell in love. It came directly from above her and she followed it, hypnotized by the Evenstar's beautiful voice.
Vanille found her in her room. Arwen stopped stinging then and was now humming softly to herself. She was knitting something carefully. Upon Vanille's closer inspection, she inwardly gasped. Whatever Arwen was sewing, she was sewing it with metal. The thread gleamed like silver and reflected perfectly in the sunlight. She was dazed at the ethereal work that she didn't notice Arwen stop and looking at her with a hint of amusement. "Is it not a sight to behold? Mithril, metal more powerful than any that bends to what the master wills."
"What are you hemming?"
"A flag of the King," Arwen replied, stretching the cloth and laying it complete to see. "The Numenoreans, royal men of old, had this tree as their symbol. It is the mark of both Gondor and Arnor. It is the banner King Elessar shall wield if his time shall come."
"Elessar? Who's that?"
"Aragorn," Arwen answered. She put her work down and looked distantly at the sky. "My sight is failing and mortality is claiming me. Yet not all is hidden still from me. I see the stand beside him; in bask of dawn's light; hope is given to an endless darkness. He shall turn the tides to his favor and I see the standard shining in mithril."
"But the standard is here," Vanille said confused at Arwen's words. "How could it reach Aragorn?"
Arwen looked at her, long and hard. "That is for me to know and for you to decide. Go. It shall be ready with your horse," Arwen kissed Vanille's brow and gave Vanille her blessing. Vanille left, with clear objective on her mind.
Arwen watched the young woman go.
"Are you not going to stop her?" She said. She looked at the person hiding in the corner of her chamber. "Do you not wish for her to live?"
"She'll run farther away if I restrain her more," Fang said. She went back to where she sat before, beside the door and completely hidden from any newcomer of the room. With Vanille not noticing her, she might as well be invisible as well. "I can't believe you let her."
"I can't believe you didn't," Arwen replied, her tone mimicking the Pulsian warrior. Fang looked at her weirdly. Arwen smiled back. "I could speak as I see fit that shall give the most impact to my audience."
"I want her to live Arwen, not running blindly to war again," Fang said softly, "Aren't people entitled to something like a lifetime of peaceful lives after they lent their arms at war before? I understand she wanted to protect what she holds dear now but there are a thousand others going out there as well. Aren't they enough?"
"Perhaps Lady Vanille thinks otherwise," She bowed down, and looked longingly, "If circumstances were different, I would be at Aragorn's side as well, death and war be damned."
"Circumstances?"
"I cannot leave my Ada grieving. It shall be the death for him and will be for me. I already asked so much to him. This is all I could give comfort to the impending doom I set upon myself."
Fang remained silent at Arwen's words. She recently thought about that, helped with her past conversations with the Lord of Imladris. With Arwen choosing mortality to be united truly with Aragorn, she sacrificed her family and the faith given to her. She would never see her father again, nor her mother and brothers, and her elf friends over the ages.
"Here, it is finished," Arwen said, handing over the standard to Fang. "Go Lady Fang, and give my love to Aragorn." She kissed Fang's brow. "I know you will never let anything harm Lady Vanille."
Vanille checked her belongings. She changed back into her battle clothes, her pink outfit infinitely easier to move and run when enemy encounters happen. She tied her hair back into pigtails, so as not to distract her when it gets too out of hand and partly to get in touch with her past self as a warrior of Oerba. When she settled here, she eliminated all her accessories and opted for the plain fashion of the elven people. But now they're all back, bangles, necklaces and a good chunk of odds and ends sticking at her skirt.
She last checked herself at the mirror and smiled at the image before her. It had been a very long time since she instantly recognized herself. Her hand went to her hair. Something is not right although she can't quite put it. She tied it as tightly as possible so nothing wrong there. She looked down and saw a single line from her mark sticking out. She pulled her skirt down a bit more until it covered her mark safely. She returned to her bed and sat, put on her boots, grabbed her rod and with one final look at her room in Imladris, she left.
She was on the corridor heading outside when she met Lord Elrond as he went outside his study. "Lady Vanille, will you come inside for a moment before you leave?"
Vanille went with him and both sat at the middle of the room. Vanille took the initiative to ask the obvious. "Did word already have gone out?"
"I believe my son already mentioned how the wind keeps no secrets."
Vanille looked away. "I see. I thought Elrohir was just kidding back then."
"My son Elladan is the one who jests more often. It is Elrohir that cannot lie for the life of him."
That explains a lot. "So, um… what do you want?"
"I wish to give you this, since you decided to wear your clothing," he handed her a dark green cloak, "It came from Imladris and it shall protect you from the cold. It shall also serve as a sign to our friends you are an ally to take arms with; may it give you protection in days ahead."
Vanille took the cloak. She couldn't hold her gratitude for the elf lord that she left her chair and cried in Elrond's arms. "Thank you so much." She sniffled, "Don't worry Lord Elrond, I'll make sure Arda is kept safe." She bowed low and dashed outside.
She put on the cloak and clasped the silver brooch to secure it. Feeling a bit more spirited, she now made her way to the outer perimeter. She froze in her steps when she saw Fang approaching. She unconsciously reached for her weapon.
Only, as Fang came into nearer view, Vanille noticed several important things. First was her friend sported a similar cloak of dark green. Second was that she wasn't anywhere glaring at her for outright daring to leave. Fourth was she has a horse with her. And finally–
Fang handed to her the mythril standard, "It's quite light."
Vanille was already close to tears again. "Y-you'll come?"
Fang frowned. "You think I'll let you run of and die? As if. Besides, I made a promise to protect you."
Vanille pouted incredulously. "So all this time you'll give in? I can't believe I have to go all the way of trashing myself–"
"You want to overtake them or what?" Fang saddled her horse and got on. "It'll be a long ride missy."
Vanille ran to her readied horse. She placed the standard at her side and got on. "Ready."
"Do you have any idea where is Rohan?"
"Sort of," Vanille replied. "We follow this path across the mountain ranges and–"
"Let's go!" Fang kicked the horse and of it sprinted with the wind, her laugh echoing.
"H-hey! Wait for me!" Vanille rode off swiftly as well, catching up with her friend.
The two set off for three days and two nights. They made great distance, taking the swiftest path and although inhabited by a number of beasts, Fang disposed them with her spear. They followed the mountain ranges south and headed to the open valley that would take them to Rohan at the shortest distance.
In truth, it would have taken them a good week. Only, these horses were tended by the elves so it should have taken them five days. However…
"We'll rest here. I think our horses will not hold for a daylong of hard riding." Fang stopped them when they reached the border of Eregion and in front of a river crossing the mountains and past Lorien. The horses went for a drink after they went down.
Vanille slumped to the grass. "Lunch?"
"Maybe dinner is better. We can't afford hunting animals in unknown territory. Best if we save provisions."
"True enough," Vanile considered. She looked sideways at the horses. If Fang inspected her friend closer, she'll probably notice Vanille was nervous again. "I think I'll go eat something though."
"Suit yourself. We'll probably start again after four hours or so, else we'll tire the horses more than needed." Fang went to the nearest biggest tree in the perimeter and took a nap.
Vanille wasn't really hungry. In truth, she only wanted to find a reason to get away from Fang alone with the horses. The two were resting. Vanille approached them and brushed their mane. "We can't afford to lose time," she talked to them. Her horse replied with a shrug. Vanille smiled sadly. "I know you're still tired but I'll do something about it. Just stand still." She focused her energy and switched to her Medic role. She readied the Cure spells and brought a good chunk of energy back to their beasts. She did this a couple of times until she was quite sure her horse was fully recovered and rested. She turned to Fang's horse now. "Keep this a secret from your master. Promise?" she said and did the same. Only twenty minutes passed and the horses were ready to run again. "Haste would probably be helpful too but I don't have that magic," Vanille contemplated. "Fang had that when she was a L'Cie. Oh well, time to wake Fang up."
Fang was more than surprised when they were riding again. "What kind of feeding did these elves give? Even chocobos are not this hardy." It was already their first night and already passed Eregion. According to Vanille, they were on the borders of Dunland. If they keep this up, they'll reach Isengard in the afternoon and settle at the next night already in the valley of the mountains and on Rohan territory. It will only be a matter of finding the group.
They camped and Fang gathered the firewood. After a heated debate on conserving Vanille's power, Fang finally relented to let her cast Fire. The magic did the trick and flames burst merrily at the logs gathered. They ate the first provisions and took turns watching for the night. Fang let Vanille took watch duty, knowing full well she needed sleep too. Vanille was the first watch. As Fang slid herself to sleep, she heard Vanille humming the old songs of Oerba. Fang smiled. Vanille's voice, though nothing compared to the grandeur of the elves, was definitely the most treasured voice for Fang. It was the most vivid reminder of childhood, when the two along with their friends would gather every week on a bonfire in the middle of Oerba and the people would sing and tell tales of old.
Vanille occupied herself with watching the fire dance on its stage. Her hand neared the flame as it could tolerate the heat as possible and danced with the cackle of flames. It was warm to the cold outside. Her cloak helped greatly but the exposed part was already chilling. She went closer to the fire to warm herself.
Her blank state dissolved as Fang's horse neighed anxiously. Fang didn't stir so Vanille opted to inspect alone. She readied her weapon and approached the horse. "What's wrong now?"
A sound of footsteps thrashed the grassed. Vanille went to her battle stance. Sure enough, orcs came into view. Vanille noted how these kinds were a good deal bigger and sturdier looking. The one nearest to her already took off and attacked. Vanille cast Bravera and Protectra at herself and quickly switched to her Sentinel Role. She blocked successfully and quickly switched to her Saboteur role. She began then to unleash a plethora of Deprotect, Deshell, Imperil, and Poison. Two charged in and Vanille took the beating directly. Their swords aimed at her throat were blocked by her rod. She staggered a bit and threw back. She switched to her Commando, adjusted her aim and retaliate the two orcs' attacks. They were down immediately with the Deprotect on them. Two more charged in and Vanille threw her weapon at their direction. She pulled back to capture the first assailant and gave a good damage, knocking it to the ground. She rounded her swing back to the second and attacked directly at the orc's torso. It staggered to the ground. Vanille pulled her rod once more for it to come back; four down and one to go. She switched to her Ravager role and cast two Aerora's. Other element might be more effective but they risk waking Fang up with the spectacle they make. The orc was thrown off the ground. With one last switch to her Commando role, she knocked the last assailant out.
She inspected the damage they did to her. She had a shallow cut on her arm and a bruise forming at her left ribs. She poked the bruise and found it didn't hurt that much so didn't bother to heal it. There weren't any elves in their company, making it harder for Vanille to explain her miraculous recoveries. Fang would surely find this when her watch is due after a few minutes and Vanille had to sport something.
She went back to the camp and saw Fang stirring. She sat back to the rock she was once before and waited for Fang to wake up.
Sure enough, Fang immediately picked the signs. She sighed, "You just had to horde all the fun in the world."
"I'm sure you'll have yours," Vanille grinned, "Well, good night Fang. See you in the morning."
Nothing happened during Fang's watch. The fire already died so she busied herself instead of watching the stars. Whereas Vanille sat during the hours, Fang lay beside her sleeping friend and watched the celestial bodies twinkle in the night sky. It will only be a few more hours before dawn comes. The light was already fading in their glow. She noted how it was a bit different from Imladris. Did they really travel that far?
She compared it to their trip in Bree and found it ridiculous these horses outran Bahamut's distance. So maybe the dragon's energy came from Fang now but air travel was supposed to be swifter. It was the reason why Elrohir took her and Vanille. This trip so far should have taken two days at the least.
How? The mystery behind it was very mind boggling to her. She looked at Vanille's exhausted figure. Something was off. She got up and came to her closer. They were inches apart now. Fang's eyes went to Vanille's leg and up to her cloaked covered thighs. Her sight rested on the cloth covering Vanille's now dormant L'Cie symbol. She wondered if Vanille checks it as often as she did. Her friend probably does it less often, with its location more obscure than hers. She looked away and dismissed her thoughts.
She should be thinking right now of the days to come. If they are really going to war, it's going to be messy out there. She'll probably not have the power to summon Bahamut for too long. Actually, their eidolons will probably be more of a liability. It'll hinder them from full concentration of fighting since they need to spare a part of their energy to their summons. She looked back at Vanille and closed her eyes. As long as she would be at her friend's side to protect her, they'll both be fine. They survived the five hundred years together, they'll do it again.
Dawn finally came. They made a quick breakfast before riding off again. Afternoon came and sure enough they finally reached Isengard. The sight that greeted them was a washed up tower and remains of what seemed to be a battle recently done. They took caution and this time headed around the borders. Orcs were more abundant in Isengard and the kind Vanille fought earlier that night. Although she couldn't do her spells, her Bands with Fang were more than enough to handle the guerillas. They were two dozens of them and they attacked by four's.
Vanille quickly dispatched anyone who wields a bow while Fang charged the melee fighters in combat. Fang jumped high into the air to dodge their first assault and did Highwind. Her impact as she descended made them fell back, enough time for her to stand upright properly and even insert three Blitzes to dispatch the first four groups. Six shot their arrows at her. Two made it to her radius as Vanille effectively swiped her rod at the four arrows. Fang dodged the two left and charged at the six. Four more orcs charged forward to block their long ranged companions. Fang went this time to her Sentinel role and counterattacked anyone who charged at her. She blocked every thrust and parried it with her own. She downed two before one got past her defense and successfully hitting her hard in the chest. She staggered and planted her spear on the ground to support her standing. The two charged again. Vanille came to Fang's aid and downed one fighter. With one left, Fang got up and dueled.
Another six arrows were shot. Vanille swiped them all away with her rod. When her momentum came again, she attacked the two bowmen and downed both. The remaining four aimed there arrows this time at Vanille. She went to her Sentinel Role and took minimal damage to the beating, a cut on her shoulder, and another two for her arms. When Fang finished her opponent and saw Vanille in a bit of a bind, it earned her rage and charged dangerously fast at Vanille's assailant. She killed three of them and knocked the fourth down.
"You do not mess with her," Fang spat at the corpses around her. She brought her spear at her back and rushed to Vanille to check on her. Vanille was already brushing herself and tending her minor wounds. "Can you walk?" Fang asked.
Vanille blinked at her. What kind of question was that? She only had wounds on her arms. "Um… yes?"
"Let's go, before any more comes," Fang started to walk back to the horses they left. They didn't want risking the beasts' lives and so lead the battle away. Vanille hurriedly followed behind. "Something happened in Isengard, that's for sure, and we're not dilly dallying here to find out."
"You felt it too?" Vanille said in surprise.
Fang nodded. "Something moved," her eyes narrowed and watched their surrounding critically. She didn't want to tell her friend the remaining ten orcs that assaulted them were fended off by a tree… Fang shook her head. It must be her imagination, not that she had much for a start.
They finally met their horses and continued riding. They supposed that they made it in good time since there weren't any more ambush for the rest of the day. Still, Fang was cautious, taking the back row and watching everything she could take in. There aren't any moving trees so far. They were on the opposite border of Isengard when Fang finally decided to settle camp. And as silently agreed, she went to work with their fire while Vanille was to settle their horses and bring down the provisions. Vanille muttered six cure spells to each before joining her friend.
That night, the two didn't sleep. Vanille poked the fire every now and then while Fang was out on patrol. The place was eerie and just experienced an aftermath of a violent war. The ruble and remains were apparent. Letting your guard down on an unfamiliar territory like this was downright suicide.
After eight solid hours of keeping herself awake, Vanille opted to have her slumber riding on her horse. She found out way before horses can be ridden while asleep unlike chocobos; at least, from what she knows in Imladris. Fang guided their group until they reached the valley and up to the borders of Rohan. It was already in the middle of the afternoon so they opted for a quick rest. Vanille immediately slumped to the ground and continued dozing. Fang sat and traced the grass with her fingers.
Legolas stopped his horse halfway on their journey, causing Gimli to stumble forward at the sudden halt. "What has gotten into you?" the dwarf asked annoyed. "I don't have the legs of a Man to properly balance on a horse, I remind you, and sudden breaks are–"
"Friend, what does your elf eyes see?" Aragorn rode back to them and looked on the direction Legolas was currently gawking at.
"If fatigue had not played on my vision yet Aragorn, then what my eyes see is Lady Fang sitting on the foot of the pass."
"Lady Fang?" Aragorn said bemused, loss at words for the news.
"My lord? Is anything amiss?" Halbarad caught to them in front. "The Rangers wonder why we stopped in an open area. We could be caught in cross fire should any orcs attack. Isengard is still on our borders."
Aragorn looked back at him and nodded. "Very well then, you cross that pass on the foot of the mountain."
"Pardon?"
"… and see if Lady Fang is present." Aragorn beckoned at Legolas. "We'll wait for you Halbarad at the walls of Rohan."
"Understood," Halbarad replied curtly, bowed, and sped off with his horse.
It wasn't too long when his vision caught anything and almost fell off his horse. What in Earendil's name is Fang doing here? There saddling a horse and about to ride, Fang was present, with her wild hair, and tall stance giving her identity so much. Halbarad took note her clothes were a bit different though, an addition of elven cloak from Imladris draped her frame.
Halbarad rode harder until he was sure he was now in Fang's sight. Sure enough, Fang's pose tensed at his coming. She must not have seen his face yet. She immediately got down on her horse and brought her spear. Half a league now and Halbarad slowed and paced his horse not to crash into Fang.
"Well met my lady!" Halbarad laughed. "And what is the Dragon tamer's business in the lands of Rohan?"
Fang's body relaxed as she recognized the Ranger's voice. "Halbarad? Well, hello to you too." She put down her weapon and ran to greet a familiar face. In truth, she was relieved the first person they encountered for a while is a friend. It occurred to her should they meet a Rohirric, language gap may involve and Fang for the life of her had no desire whatsoever to deal with a bunch of people suspecting her to be an enemy. Again.
"Are you alone on your venture or do I trust Lady Vanille is with you as well?" Halbarad guessed as much. The people in Imladris didn't need much to guess anyway. The two friends were almost inseparable across lands. They may not be seen always with each other but on terms of travels they were always together.
"Yeah, I'm pretty much her escort," she beckoned at their place. "She's sleeping like a log over there."
"I am truly amazed how swift you got here," Halbarad sighed. "How fares Imladris?"
"Same thing, alive and well. Oh and Arwen made a flag for Aragorn," she handed him the stand. "I figured it would be more appropriate if you give it to him since you're closer to him than me."
Halbarad admired the work. "The Lady Evenstar gives so much blessing in this stand. Is this mithril?" He touched the thread and gasped. "Such kingly gift!" He bowed low and handed it back to Fang. "This belongs to you to give to Lord Aragorn. I believe that is what the Evenstar would wish."
"Is it really that precious?" Fang raised her brow. "I thought it was just pretty when it shines with the sun."
The ranger nodded. "Indeed it is. Come, it is best if you wake Lady Vanille soon. We must head to Rohan's walls immediately! Many will be glad to see you."
"Surprised more like," Fang corrected, smirking.
Halbarad laughed. "True enough."
Fang walked over to where Vanille slept and shook her, "Time to wake up missy."
"It's still my bedtime Fang," Vanille mumbled. "Can it wait until later?"
"No, Halbarad's waiting."
Vanille rubbed her eyes at what Fang just said. "Who?" she asked weakly.
"The Ranger," Fang answered. "Come on or we'll resort tomorrow clawing every inch of Rohan finding its capital."
"I don't want that," the younger woman replied and shot up. She stretched her arms and peered at Fang's behind. Halbarad was there smiling at her, causing her eyes to grow wide and her voice to scream in delight. "Halbarad!"
"Well met Lady Vanille," Halbarad laughed in reply. "It is well you are flamboyant as ever."
"Are the others all right?" Vanille asked as she started saddling her horse and mounting.
Halbarad nodded. "They are now in Rohan's capital."
Fang mounted on her horse too and said, "Well, let's ride and make it there by night."
The three rode hard to the vast plains. To Fang, it felt like an ocean, endless and without any sign of mark. She was silently grateful Halbarad found them. The ranger seemed to know the direction they were heading even without any sign of direction. The land continued to stretch on. It was only at dusk Fang could make out the city a few leagues away.
"We're here," Fang said under her breath. She grinned madly, her whole self sensing the nostalgia of adventure once more. "Bring it!" She took off her horse faster, earning two shouts from behind from his friends.
Rohan.
The day settled and the night grew quiet. The company retired in the halls of the castle and only the sons of Elrond and the Three Company were left to watch the night sky.
"My lords?"
Aragorn turn around to greet the newcomer. "Lady Eowyn, you should retire now. You have already done so much for my company tonight."
"My lord, I came here wishing to sway you from your chosen path," Eowyn said, her eyes downcast. "Would you truly go to the Path of the Dead? No mortal have passed through and lived to tell the tale." She looked at Aragorn and pleaded. "My lord, the men needed you. You shouldn't risk your life for this. Return to my uncle's side to aid their battle for Gondor. With you by their side, there will be strength, strength to protect everyone."
Aragorn watched Eowyn and felt compassion over the woman. "My lady, I am needed more here than there. And you are too needed here to protect your forefather's land."
"There is no need to protect Rohan if all failed," Eowyn replied determined. "I want to fight because I want to protect what I hold dear. I want to fight because all that I love are there in battle. There is nothing for me here. If I can't sway you, then please take with you and join you in your ranks."
"My lady–" Aragorn's voice was drowned when loud steps echoed the hall.
"My lords and lady Eowyn, someone is by the gate," the messenger knelt quickly and announced the news, "A man and two women claiming alliance to you Lord Aragorn."
"Halbarad?" Aragorn asked.
The messenger nodded. "That is who he claims to be and the two women. My apologies Lord Aragorn but their names are foreign–"
"Fang," Legolas breathed and dashed outside. "It was not a dream then."
"Lady Fang?" Elladan approached Aragorn at his side and looked in disbelief. "What is she doing here?"
"I have not the faintest idea," Aragorn replied. "We were on our way here when Legolas said he saw the silhouette of Lady Fang. I sent Halbarad to recon the area." He frowned. "Two women? Could it be Lady Vanille joined Lady Fang as well?"
"I'd be more surprised if the young lady is left behind," Elladan commented. "Still, what is their business here?"
Not long, three newcomers entered the hall. Halbarad first bowed in the presence of his lords. "My search bore fruit two way warders in the borders of Rohan."
"Hey, we'll eventually arrive here with or without help," Fang replied dryly. "You just happen to be a shortcut."
"Well met Lady Fang as always," Elladan smiled warmly.