Disclaimer: We own Legolas posters but not Lord of the Rings.
A/N Nerwen Aldarion: Sorry for waiting so long, I caught up in my CSI fics ahh well Lady Cantara, here it is, by the way does the bad reviews go for my CSI ones as well?
A/N Tinuviel Undomiel: (grabs Bottle of Bad Reviews, and smashes it) Hahahahaha, no Bad Reviews from you Jill. Enjoy this chapter folks.
A small fire cast a warm glow beside Aragorn. He could hear Gimli snoring heavily off to the side, while Legolas was in a content dream. Aragorn couldn't see Arwen's face, though he hoped she was in a peaceful slumber. He remembered how it felt as she rode behind him on Hasufel. He couldn't help but smile at the memory.
He could see Gandalf calmly smoking a pipe near to edge of the cliff. Aragorn knew that sleep wasn't coming anytime soon, so he got up and joined him. Gandalf didn't look up.
"The veiling shadow that glowers in the East takes shape." Gandalf said, "Sauron will suffer no rival. From the summit of Barad-Dûr his Eye watches ceaselessly. But he is not so mighty yet that he is above fear. Doubt ever gnaws at him. A rumor has reached him," He turned to Aragorn now, "The heir of Numenor still lives."
He knew well of his lineage, but he did not wish to be King. He did not see why Sauron had anything to fear.
"Sauron fears you, Aragorn. He fears what you may become. And so he'll strike hard and fast at the world of men."
That's what Aragorn feared.
"He will use his puppet Saruman to destroy Rohan. War is coming. Rohan must defend itself and therein lies our first challenge, for Rohan is weak and ready to fall. The King's mind is enslaved. It's an old device of Saruman's. His hold over King Théoden is now very strong. Sauron and Saruman are tightening the noose."
That brought little encouragement to what he knew all five of them must face.
"But for all their cunning, we have one advantage."
Aragorn looked at him, curious as to what he meant.
"The Ring remains hidden, and that we should seek to destroy it has not yet entered their darkest dreams. And so the weapon of the enemy is moving towards Mordor in the hands of a hobbit. Each day brings it closer to the fires of Mount Doom. We must trust now in Frodo. Everything depends upon speed and the secrecy of his quest."
Aragorn bowed his head thinking about those two little Hobbits, alone with no one there to guide them; to keep the safe.
"Do not regret your decision to leave him. Frodo must finish this task alone."
"He's not alone," Aragorn corrected him softly.
Gandalf looked at him, surprised.
"Sam went with him."
Gandalf grinned, "Did he? Did he indeed?" Gandalf chuckled a little, glad that Sam had obeyed his orders, "Good, yes very good."
Aragorn smiled a little, fatigue coming in his eyes, "Get some sleep, old man."
Gandalf's smile widened, "Sleep should not be wasted by the old."
Aragorn just shook his head a little, and went back to his spot on the groud next to Legolas. Sleep took him at last.
Gandalf continued to look into the horizon smoking his pipe. His mind bent on what was to come, and what was occuring before his very eyes. He sensed a presence near, and a slow smile spread on his lips. "You might as well come talk to me, my dear, for I know you are awake."
Arwen smiled and sat down beside him, "I thought you would be asleep."
"As I'm sure you heard me say to Aragorn, sleep is wasted on the old."
"You're our leader, Mithrandir. You need your strength."
"Too many things trouble my mind," He said solemnly.
Arwen didn't reply. What could she say to that? So much was happening around them. With every second Sauron's power was growing.
"And what of you?" He asked, startling her, "Why do you not sleep?"
Arwen wasn't exaclty sure how to respond, "Too many thoughts keep me awake."
Gandalf smiled, "Too many thoughts of him?"
She looked up at him with wide eyes.
"Ahh, I see I was correct."
Arwen remained silent. She found no words to contradict, and no will to, either. Gandalf was right, and he knew that. It mattered not to try and hide her thoughts.
"You are feeling things, aren't you Arwen?" Gandalf asked.
"What I feel..." She said her head still down, "What I feel is so strange. When I'm with him I feel scared yet blissful. I can't explain what is happening to me."
"It scares you, does it not?"
She nodded.
"My dear, do not fear this, for what you feel now is only the beginning of what will come to you."
"What will come to me?" She said exasperated, "How can I rid myself of the way I feel towards him?"
Gandalf raised and eybrow to the statement, "You wish to douse this flame you feel?"
"He is mortal, if I let this grow into... into..." she was afraid to say the word; she feared that if she did, then it would happen.
"Into love," the wizard finished for her.
Arwen bowed her head and nodded, "If it comes to love, then death must take me."
"Do you fear death?"
"No," She said sadly, "I fear the choice I would have to make."
"And what would you choose?"
Arwen said nothing. It was possible that she did not know, or that she knew all to well.
"When it comes, Arwen, you must follow the choice of your heart," Gandalf explained, "Choose the path that is best for you and Aragorn."
Arwen nodded again, sadly.
Gandalf lifted her chin, so that their eyes could meet, "Do not be sad, for the feeling of love is like no other in this world. I know that what you decide will be for the best."
She smiled a little, hoping he was right.
"Sleep my dear, and perhaps the morrow will be clearer."
Arwen left Gandalf, and made her way back to her spot on the ground. She could only hope that all would turn out right in the end.
The five companions rode swiftly on the plains of Rohan. Edoras stood like a giant, resting on the crown of a hill. Mountains stood in the distance, and the steep walls of the cliffs surrounded much of the city. Arwen clung to Aragorn's waist as the rode harder towards Edoras. When they were close to the gate, a brilliant flag drifted down, and fell beside their horse. A white stallion trimmed in gold, before a green backdrop, was the symbol on the banner. What did this mean? Had Edoras already fallen to Saruman? Was it too late?
Many incredulous eyes, stared at them on the faces of the Rohanians. The company looked at them calmly, wondering what had cause these people to mistrust any stranger. Aragorn's gaze was caught by a young maiden clothed in white. Her golden hair billowed in the breeze. He turned his eyes for one second, and when he looked back at the hall, the girl was gone.
"You'll find more cheer in a graveyard," Gimli muttered behind Legolas. All of them silently agreed.
When they reached the foot of the stairs leading to the hall, Gandalf told them to leave the horses. Legolas reached up and plucked the dwarf off the saddle.
"I could have done it myself, you half-brained princeling," He muttered. Legolas only rolled his eyes.
Arwen was just about to climb down, when Aragorn soft voice said, "Allow me." He helped her down from the horse, and when her feet were safely on the ground, didn't let go. The stood there, her hands on his shoulders, his hands wrapped around her waist. Their eyes drinking in each other.
"Stop gazing into each other's eyes and get moving," Gimli interrupted, ruiningthe moment.
The two quickly broke free, and walked towards their friends.
Guards approached them when they reached the entrance to the hall. "Ah," Gandalf said, when he saw Hama of Rohan approach them.
"I cannot allow you before Theoden-King so heavily armed, Gandalf Grayhame. By orders of Grima Wormtongue." The name was so vile, that Arwen could sense that Grima was their next foe.
Gandalf simply nodded, and they removed their weapons. It seemed that in every sleeve and pocket, Aragorn and Legolas had some weapon. Arwen handed the guards Hadhafang, and her dagger. The guard looked at her weapons, then at her, mesmorized. Gimli grudingly gave up his precious axe.
After they were unarmed, Hama looked a Gandalf, "Your staff."
"Eh," Gandalf faked surprise, "Oh! You would not part an old man from his... walking stick." He clutched the staff. Hama shook his head slightly, resigned, and let them pass. Gandalf winked at Aragorn and Arwen, then leaned on Legolas' arm for show.
The hall was filled with shadow, as if darkness had covered the kingdom itself. A large throne stood at the end of the hall. A broken old man, who looked older than Gandalf, was seated on it. At his side sat another man, with pale features, wearing black garmentsof costly fur. The fiveassumed him to be Grima.
Grima whispered somehting to the aged King.
"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Theoden King," Gandalf boomed.
Gandalf kept his eyes on the men at the throne, while the other four noticed several guards following at their heels. Grima whispered something else to the king. "He is not welcome," Arwen heard Grima hiss.
"Why... should I... welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?" Theoden wheezed, looking at Grima.
"A just question, my liege," Grima then turned to Gandalf, "Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear." Grima left the throne, and stared at the five,"Lathspell, I name him. Ill news is an ill guest."
"Be silent!" Gandalf snarled, "Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and water to bandy crooked words with a witless worm!" He then revealed his staff.
Grima looked horrified, "His staff!" He cried backing away, "I told you to take the wizard's staff!"
A fight erupted between the guards and the four men. Arwen walked with Gandalf towards the throne. She glanced at her friends looking to see if she could help. Legolas caught her gaze a shook his head, then slammed his fist into the nose of a Rohan guard.
"Theoden, Son of Théngel," Gandlaf said, "Too long have you sat in the shadows."
Legolas thrust his fist backward, knocking out the last guard. As the four ran back towards Gandalf, Gimli knocked Grima off his feet. "I'd stay still if I were you," He sneered, putting his little foot on Grima's chest.
"Attend to me," Gandalf continued, "I release you from the spell." He reached out his hand, and closed his eyes.
Theoden laughed mockingly at Gandalf's words.
Aragorn, who was beside Arwen, looked at the king curiously.
Theoden continued to laugh, "You have no power here, Gandalf the Grey."
The King continued to laugh, but Gandalf thrust off his grey cloak with one swipe. When his white robes were revealed, Theoden shrunk back in terror.
"I will draw you, Saruman, as poison is drawn form a wound." Gandalf pointed his staff at the king, who screamed, and squirmed in his throne.
Aragorn saw the golden haired girl again. She gasped when she saw the King struggling under Gandalf's power. She tried to run to him, but Aragorn raced over, and pulled her back, "Wait," he whispered as she continued to struggle.
King Theoden stopped writhing, "If I go," came the voice of Saruman, "Theoden dies!"
"You did not kill me," Gandalf said, "And you will not kill him."
The eyes of Saruman glared at Gandalf through the king, "Rohan is mine!"
"Be gone," Gandalf stated.
Theoden leapt from the throne, lunging towards Gandalf. Gandalf raised his staff, and Theoden fell back into the throne.
The old man groaned, and the girl struggled out of Aragorn's grip. She ran to the King, and looked into his aged eyes. Right before the gathered crowd, the face of the king began to change. His hair became fuller, and the colour changedfrom grey into splendid gold, hardly streaked with grey. His eyes turned into a deep blue, and his beard shrank. The hands of time seemed to have turned backwards, turning theancientman into a middle-age king, no longer near death.
He turned to the young maiden. "I know your face," Theoden whispered, "Eowyn ... Eowyn." He turned to the five companions, his eyes on the white robed wizard, "Gandalf?"
Gandalf smiled, "Breath the free air again, my friend."
All of the Rohan guards assembled around their king, as he got to his feet. "Dark have been my dreams of late."
"Your fingers would remember their old strength better if they grasped your sword," Gandalf said.
Hama walked around Arwen, bringing the king his sword. Theoden fingered the handle a little, then slowly drew it out. Eowyn beamed. Theoden examined the blade, then his eyes fell on Grima. Grima tried to get away, but Theoden strode towards him, and grabbed the back of his collar. He dragged the pale faced man towards the exit of the hall. Theoden threw Grima out of the Hall, where he rolled down the stone steps.
Grima groaned with pain, "I have only ever served you, my lord!"
"Your leechcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!" Theoden sneered through clenched teeth.
"Send me not from your side!"
Arwen looked at Aragorn, knowing what Theoden planned to do, "We must stop him," She said hurridly. Aragorn nodded, then ran to Theoden, who had his sword raised for the killing blow.
"No, my lord," Aragorn said, grabbing the king's arm, "No, my lord. Enough blood has been spilt on his account."
Theoden lowered his sword, while Aragorn held out his hand to help Grima to his feet. Grima glared at Aragorn, and spat into his hand. He then turned and ran through the crowd, shouting,"Get out of my way!"
Aragorn wiped his hand on his tunic, then called to the people to acknowledge their leige. "Hail, Theoden-King!"
The people of Edoras sank to their knees, grateful that their king had recovered. Theoden looked around the crowd, searching for one face. "Where is Theodred, where is my son?"
"My...my lord," Ewoyn said struggling to find the right words, "Theodred, he... he is dead."
Theoden's eyes turned grave, "Dead? How?"
"He was ambushed by Orcs, my lord," Hama said.
Theoden nodded sadly, "We must bury him then," He shook his head, "My son."
He walked back into the hall, to see the body of his son.
The funeral of Theodred, son of Theoden, was held immediately. It was late in the afternoon when he was finally laid to rest. Although she knew nothing of him, Arwen had attended, along with her friends. The funeral had now ended, but the king was still at the grave, along with Gandalf.
Arwen was waiting for their friend as he comforted Theoden in his grief. Legolas and the others stood beside her as they watched the two solitary figures in the near distance. The poor king had lost his only child, now the next heir, Eomer, was hundreds of leagues away.
Arwen looked closer, as a third figure appeared. It appeared to be a horse, bearing two riders.
She tapped on Aragorn's shoulder, "Look."
It was two children, riding an old mare. The older child stayed upright in the saddle for a moment, then fell off the horse due too exhaustion.
"Legolas," Aragorn called for his friend.
The four ran towards, Gandalf and the king. Gandalf kneeled before the boy, and he opened his eyes. "Aragorn, we must bring these children to the hall immediately."
Arwen walked up to the little girl, who clutched the mane of the horse. "Hello little one," she said, "Are you all right?"
The little girl whimpered, and nodded.
"Is that your brother?" Arwen asked pointing to the boy Aragorn now carried.
The girl nodded.
"You must be hungry, let me help you off the horse, and we will find you some food." The little girl opened her arms, and allowed herself to be taken off the horse. Arwen carried the girl up to Aragorn.
"The boy is fine," Aragorn said, "Just tired."
Arwen nodded.
Theoden looked at the children, "Bring them to the hall, get them food, and whatever else they need."
The boy's eyes grew wide when he saw Theoden, "You're the king."
Theoden smiled, "That's right my lad. What's your name?"
"Eothain. My sister's name is Freda."
"Well, Eothain, you are a very brave young man."
They brought the children to the hall, and set before them steaming bowls of stew. Eowyn stood beside Freda, as the little girl whispered to her.
"They had no warning," Eowyn said at last, "They were unarmed. Now the Wildmen are moving through out the Westfold, burning as they go, every rick, cot and tree." She unraveled a blanket and set it around Freda's shoulders.
"Where's mama?" The little girl piped up.
Gandalf beckoned to the children, "This is but a taste of what Saruman will unleash. All the more potent for he is driven mad by the fear of Sauron."
Arwen stood beside Gimli, who was stuffing himslef to the brim with food. She listed calmly to what Gandalf was saying.
"Ride out and meet him head on." The wizard said, "Draw him away from your women and children. You must fight."
"You have two thousand good men riding north as we speek," Aragorn said from the table, "Eomer is loyal to you. His men will return to fight for their king."
Theoden left his throne, "They will be three hundred leagues from here by now. Eomer cannot help us." Gandalf stood, but Theoden stopped him, "I know what it is you want of me, but I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war."
Aragorn took out his pipe from his mouth, "Open war is upon you, whether you would risk it or not."
Thedoen looked scathingat Aragorn, "When last I looked, Theoden -not Aragorn -was king of Rohan."
Arwen saw the look on Aragorn's face. That statement meant so much. Aragorn could be a king, not of Rohan, but of an even greater kingdom, Gondor. She remembered what she asked him once.
"Why did you not tell me who you are?"
"Because that is who I do not wish to be."
She had seen him show in many different ways how great a king he could be if only he could accept who he is.
Gandalf looked at Theoden, "Then what is the king's decision?"
Theoden thought for along time, "We must leave Edoras." Theoden walked to his study, with Gandalf following.
Arwen looked ath the two children, and saw the fear in their eyes. They were alone, with no mother there to help them.
Freda looked at her with curosity and wonder, "Are you an angel?"
Arwen laughed, "No, I am an Elf."
Freda gasped, "An Elf! I have never see one. Mama tells stories of the Elves."
"Your mother must tell you wonderful stories."
"She does," Freda said sadly, "Where is she?"
Arwen shook her head, "I don't know."
A small tear rolled down Freda's cheek. Arwen walked over to her, and wiped it away, "Your mother is safe, I'm sure, and you have your brother." Arwen said, "He will protect you, all of us will." Freda smiled a little, and clung to Arwen tightly.
Aragorn and the others looked on with small smiles. The tender moment was so sweet, that even a stone heart would have cracked.
A plump maid came, and escorted the two children out of the hall. They were exhausted, and needed to rest.
Eowyn came up to Arwen, "Your name is Arwen, isn't it?"
Arwen smiled and nodded, "A pleasure to meet you, Lady Eowyn."
"Surely, you must wish to rest yourself?"
"I only wish to be refreshed from weeks of journeying."
Eowyn smiled, "Come, I shall have you feeling unwearied."
After bathing away all of the dirt and mud left from the weeks, Arwen was feeling much better.
Eowyn had taken her tunic to be washed, so Arwen had donned a simple kirtle to use until her clothes were dry. She was brushing her thick black hair when Eowyn returned.
"You must tell me all of your adventures," She said eagerly.
Arwen laughed, "Surely you have been on so many yourself that my owntale will bore you."
"I have never left Rohan," Eowyn said, "I scarcely leave Edoras at all. Please, tell me of your travels."
"There was ten of us that leftRivendell, my home," Arwen began. She told Eowyn everything, from the depths of Moria, to the loss of Boromir on the Anduin.
"What of your followers?"
"Legolas is my dear friend," Arwen said with a smile, "He comes from Mirkwood, his father is King Thranduil. And Gimli, the Dwarf, loves to tease Legolas and me, but he is quite kind when he chooses to be." Eowyn laughed at the statement.
"And what of Lord Aragorn?" Eowyn asked, "What is he like?"
Arwen stopped the brush halfway to her hair, "Aragorn... Aragorn" She said trying to gain composure, "He is a great swordsman. The best I have ever seen."
"He seems to be a marvelous man," Eowyn said dreamily.
"He is," Arwen continued, "Aragorn is kind, and strong. He is always there to guide you, always there to protect you."
Eowyn didn't seem to be listening, "I wonder if he is courting anyone."
Arwen gripped the brush a little too tightly, "I... I wouldn't know."
"Surely he must have said something."
"I never discussed with him about suitors," Arwen said, with a slight snap in her voice.
"Oh," Eowyn said.
Arwen put the brush down, "Excuse me, Eowyn, but I must go."
She left the room quickly, and ran down the corridors. Tears stung at her eyes, but she blinked them away. Why was she so angry at her? Eowyn had never said that she wished to court him. Yet that tone in her voice, the glow to her face suggested that she did. Why did it hurt her then?
A gruff laughter sounded nearby. Arwen turned and saw Gimli staring at her.
"Looks like that little golden haired lass has her sights on Aragorn."
"Do you always eavesdrop, Master Dwarf?"
"Only when the conversation intrests me," He said still laughing, "It looks like you, lassie, are jealous."
"Why would I be jealous, might I ask?"
"I think you can answer that one yourself."
Arwen opened her mouth to deny it, but found no words. This made Gimli laugh even harder.
"Come on, Arwen. Gandalf has left Theoden, and I want to know what that wizard has planned."
A/N: Lady Cantara, you better update soon on Middle Earth High School or we may wait to update this fic AND send YOU bad reviews HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA