Part 11:
They were traveling on foot once more, the close confines of the forest not suitable for continued riding. Plus, the woods made the animals nervous. "Who are we looking for?" Gimli asked, his axes left behind with the horses under Legolas' advice.
"Ents," he replied shortly. Aragorn didn't mean to be rude but something was watching them and he couldn't tell where it was. Or what their intentions were.
Legolas felt the same presence and his hand tightened on his bow. His other hand reached for Gimli's shoulder, squeezing it to reassure his friend that he would stay with him. He also waited for the dwarf to make another comment, but he remained still, as if he had picked up on the undercurrents in the air.
There was a movement to their left and they whirled around, weapons at the ready. Though he didn't hold an ax, one of Legolas' short swords rested in Gimli's hand. A bright light blinded them as a figure stepped out. After a moment, the figure allowed the light to dissipate.
"It cannot be," Legolas and Gimli spoke in unison, "Gandalf?"
"Gandalf? Yes, I believe I was once called by that name," he murmured. "I fear that I do not recall much before I awoke upon the top of the mountain, though Galadriel of Lothlorien assures me that I am a good man."
"How do we know that you are who you claim to be?" Aragorn asked, suspicious.
"You do not. I only know that I feel no malice towards you or your own."
"What are you doing here if not to trick us?"
The white head tilted, thinking. "Looking for you, Aragorn. The young ones you seek are not here. The ones whose aid you wish, will not respond to you."
The trio exchanged glances, slightly lowering their arms. "Saruman."
"We must hurry to their aid if he does have them." Gimli made to leave Fangorn, pausing when the others stayed. "Well? What is it?"
"Isengard is heavily defended. It would not be wise to march off alone."
"Gandalf, Eomer is raising an army even as we speak. They should be on the move," Aragorn informed him, only slightly relaxing his guard.
The Istari's eyes met his, "if I wanted you dead, you would be. I have no need to show myself. Go on, I will meet you in three days."
"You do not journey with us?" Legolas asked softly.
"I will bring the aid you seek among the denizens of Fangorn. They will listen to me," his statement silenced any objections.
"Three days," Aragorn repeated, ignoring Gimli's muttered, 'it'll take us two to get out of this place.'
"Yes," Gandalf was calm.
Sheathing their weapons, they bid him a cautious farewell and left. Legolas let down his guard long enough to enjoy the woods. Their stay in Lothlorien had been to full of sorrow and uncertainty for him to enjoy the peace. He felt the need to recharge before the fight began once more.
Gimli, though not as understanding as Aragorn about elves, left his friend in peace. He shook his head, unable to figure out just when he stopped thinking of the elf as an enemy and started naming him dearest of his friends.
Aragorn was braced for the two to argue, even though they'd been on their best behavior over the last few days. The ranger thought that had to do with Gandalf's death. Now that they knew the truth, he expected them to go back to their normal, bickering ways. He was weary and heartsore, things were spinning out of control and the world was turned upside down. When they did not act the way he thought they would, he felt a bone deep relief.
They emerged from the dark woods two and a half days later. The horses were patiently waiting for them. "Do we wait?" Gimli voiced the question in all their minds.
Slowly, Aragorn's head shook, "he said he would meet us." A last glance behind, then they mounted and left. Aragorn pulled his horse to a stop a few hours later, "Elladan? What is it?"
They newly arrived elf urged them to continue moving and they carried on in silence before he spoke, "Rivendell is no longer strong enough to protect Arwen. She has become increasingly more ghoul like. Though she fights the touch of Sauron's poison, he is slowly stealing her strength. She sent you this."
He accepted the note and pendant,
'Elendil, Look for the White Lady of Rohan. Protect her. She alone will stop the Nazgul threat. It is prophecy. I am sorry. I no longer have strength to fight. Arwen.'
"Aragorn, I hate to ask this of you, but let her go."
Pain filled gray eyes met the dark blue of the elf's, the pendant clenched so tightly it was drawing blood. "Tell your father that I release him from his promise. I love her enough to let her go.
Elladan bowed his head, "thank you."
"But if darkness falls and we win, before they have gone, I would like to see her again."
"It will be her decision once more," he agreed before leaving them.
The trio rode on in silence, saying nothing, though Legolas handed Aragorn a clean cloth to bandage his wound. Halfway to Isengard, they were joined by Gandalf and Eomer's army, all of whom bore signs of battle. "What happened?"
"We encountered a few parties of orcs. We decimated them," Eomer replied.
"Excellent," Aragorn rode ahead of them. Gandalf joined him a few minutes later. "I let her go. What else could I do?
"You could have held Elrond to his promise."
"How could I do that? Ask her to endure that fight until our war was done? This battle will be fought for an unknown length of time. Arwen is strong but even the strength of an elf cannot last when the poison is inside and cannot be purged." He sighed.
Gandalf was puzzled, "you did what was right. Why do you doubt?"
Aragorn looked at him for a long time, finding the right words. "I took the away her right to chose. I had no more right to do that than Elrond does."
"She gave you that right when she gave you that," he indicated the pendant. "She knew she could trust you to do the right thing-even though that would cause you greater pain. It was her way of reaffirming her love for you and letting you go in peace. The lady Arwen was telling you good-bye."
Further conversation was made impossible by the wargs and ors that blocked their way. Throwing all his anger, pain, and confusion into the fray, Aragorn lost himself in the blood and turmoil surrounding them. He didn't even try to reign in his bloodlust, he wanted to share his pain with those that caused it.
"Aragorn! You must call a retreat!" Legolas called. "There are reinforcements coming that we cannot defeat."
"We cannot turn back either," he countered. "they must be pushed away."
"Drive them towards Helm's Deep, there's no way out," Eomer counseled.
Only the arrival of Narvanata and her women allowed this plan to be successful. But, upon arriving at Helm's Deep, they were trapped themselves by the wild men. Only Gandalf remained unchallenged, riding through the fighting towards Aragorn. "The Ents are on their way to Isengard," though he spoke softly, they heard him. "And, help is on its way here." Even as he spoke, a virtual rain shower of arrows flew over their heads, felling the armies with unerring accuracy.
The three commanders, under Aragorn's command, pulled out and reformed along the edges, cutting off any enemy that came their way. They also moved slowly up the embankment until they were able to press the wild men into the valley. Finally, they had them bottled up in Helm's Deep.
"We'll hold them here," Eomer offered, "Give the elves our thanks."
Aragorn nodded, following Gandalf over to them. After they spoke for a few minutes, they made their way to Isengard. It was nearing dawn of the second day when the dark shape came into view-completely surrounded by water. Only one spot remained untouched and that was only because Treebeard was keeping it free for them.
"Hello, Gandalf," Treebeard called out. "Have you come to see Saruman? Or our work?"
"You have done well, Treebeard," he praised, introducing his companions as they walked up to him. "Saruman is still within, I presume?"
Treebeard's reply was lost to Aragorn as he gazed up at the tower in shock.
Something high up had caught his eye, something that contrasted sharply with the darkness. A figure dressed in white stood framed in a window, the long blonde hair flowed freely in the breeze. Troubled eyes glanced down and met his own, the head bowed slightly in acknowledgment. "The White Lady," he breathed, ignoring Legolas' questioning look.
Gandalf's hand touched his shoulder, interrupting his study of the place. "This way," he indicated the direction they should go in. Aragorn glanced up, distraught when he couldn't see the lady anymore. Arwen had told him to find and protect her, she was the key to destroying the Nazgul.
He followed Gandalf into the tower and stayed in the background. This was the Istari's battle to fight. A flash of white on the staircase caught his attention, then disappeared into the shadows. Gray eyes narrowed, watching intently to see if it would happen again.
So intent was he that he nearly jumped when two small hands entered his own. Glancing down, he saw Merry and Pippin grinning up at him. Though bruised and a faintly hungry looking, they appeared to be all right. "How did you get free?"
Merry pointed, "she helped us."
He looked in the direction the hobbit was pointing at, there she was. Dressed in a simple, white dress but careful to remain in the shadows, was the woman he had seen. Inside, he felt something click into place and recognize her. "Are you the White Lady of the Rohirrim?"
"I am known to some as such. I prefer Eowyn," she replied scornfully.
Without question, he knew it was because of his awed reaction to her. These Rohirrim women preferred to earn their own name, he recalled Idis' face when he'd addressed her this way. Obviously, he'd have to watch how he spoke to them. They were not elf women, cool and unapproachable. They were human and wanted to be treated as equals.
To Merry and Pippin, he whispered. "Go outside and wait with Gimli." Nodding to Eowyn, they did what he told them to. Moving slowly so as not to bring attention to himself, he removed the elven cloak and passed it to her. "I am Aragorn. It isn't much but ill offer a bit more protection from Saruman's eyes than your white dress."
"My people?" she questioned, accepting it.
"Are under Eomer's care," he elaborated at her inquiring look. "They are finishing off the forces that we trapped at Helm's Deep."
She nodded, approval in her eyes.
"We must leave," Gandalf murmured. "He will not listen to reason." The Istari did not seem surprised to see Eowyn by Aragorn, nor the two hobbits waiting outside.
"He spent most of his time with that," she gestured to the palantir that Gandalf was gingerly handling. "I never thought he'd relinquish it."
"He did not. I summoned it to me," he replied with a shrug.
They left Isengard to its fate, Merry and Pippin exchanging glances when they saw the horses. Gandalf took Pippin and both rode Shadowfax, while Aragorn and Merry shared his. "I am sorry we have no horse for you alone, my lady."
"It is all right, my Brego will be here soon." She spoke with such quiet confidence, no one could quite object. Without another word, she began to walk up the incline towards the armies at Helm's Deep.
The men were quiet, following after her, surrounding and shielding her. Aragorn was torn between offering her his mount-knowing that Hasufel would reject her. And admiration for her determination. "The women of Rohan are truly remarkable."
"Indeed and with good reason, they earned their place." Gandalf agreed, moving to the front of the group. "It is a shame more do not respect it."
Once they cleared the ridge, they saw a brown horse waiting patiently. Without fear, though it had no saddle or bridle, Eowyn leapt up and set off. Even though they were far from Helm's Deep, they could see the signs of a looming cloud. The work of death had not yet terminated its business with Rohan.
/-/-/-/
"Eomer!" "Eowyn!" Twin cries of joy rang out into the cooling night, brushing off the pallor of death. "How I have missed you." It was the first time they'd seen each other since the battle had begun.
"How you have surprised me by remaining in control of yourself," she teased. They embraced, holding onto teach other tightly. "You must tell me of your travels and the news from Gondor."
"In exchange for your story. What of Saruman?"
"He yet lives." She answered, pulling back to study him.
"What?" he exploded.
"It was Gandalf's right," she asserted herself firmly. "I feel only pity for the man. He has no true understanding of what he's learned and it killed the man that he was."
His eyes narrowed, "what did he do to you?"
"Nothing," she replied. "But...Saruman was kind to me. There were things he said to me that made me feel good about myself. Yes, I realize he was using my own need for approval against me but still...I can only feel pity for him."
Elrohir watched from the side and saw her shiver. He could not tell, though, if it was from cold night air or the memories that had to be flooding through her. His brother could probably tell him. Thinking of Elladan, he wondered where his brother was. Without him, he felt lonely-especially watching the two human twins.
Making up his mind, he shook off the odd feelings and approached the duo. "Would you like to change? I do not think that outfit is quite comfortable."
"I have nothing suitable," she replied, recovering quickly from the shock of having an elf address her.
"Come, you may borrow something of mine." He forestalled any arguments with a firm, "my brother would do the same."
Eowyn glanced at Eomer uncertainly, "Elladan would. But why are you here, Elrohir?"
"I have some business to conduct with Aragorn in the place of my father. Well, my lady?"
She nodded, "thank you, Lord Elrohir."
"Just Elrohir," he bowed, "Lady Eowyn."
"Eowyn will suffice," she smiled slightly, knowing that calling her 'Lady' wasn't true anymore. Once changed, she rejoined the men and Narvanata. They conversed for a few minutes before she and her brother went off to talk privately. Together, the two talked long into the night, sheltered by the combined forces of elves and men.
"Eowyn?" Aragorn hesitantly called out, "a moment of your time?"
Rising, she made her way to him, his cloak folded in her arms. "Here," she gave it back to him, surprised when he didn't accept it. "Why?"
"You need it more than I," his reply was soft. "I have a message for you."
She looked at him, curious. "What is it?"
But he was silent, as though he didn't know what or how to say it. There was something tense about him. The message, she knew, would destroy any semblance of peace she'd managed to attain. "Aragorn, your silence is a mark of concern but I cannot reply to a message whose meaning I do not know. Have you not yet realized that we are stronger than we seem?" But her teasing was soft, gentle. "Is this about the prophecy?"
Gray eyes widened, "you know?"
"It is a common story among the Shield Maidens. But until I heard Saruman mention it, I thought that was all it was. A story. What is this all about, Aragorn? I never had the chance to look for answers."
"Do you know of the Nazgul?" He waited for her nod of affirmation. "The prophecy speaks of the one who can stop him-the White Lady of Rohan. With the aid of a half-ling," he spoke the rest, startled. It had never occurred to him that Arwen's message was incomplete until he spoke it aloud to Eowyn. But it hadn't been until he spoke those final words.
"That's why," she murmured, forgetting his presence.
"Why what?" he prodded when she said nothing more.
She faced him, "what?"
"You acted like I revealed something unexpected but known to you."
"When I met Merry, I felt compelled to say, 'I am a knight in search of a squire.' He told me, 'I am that squire.' But afterwards, we could not say why we had done so, even though it felt right."
End, Part 11.
They were traveling on foot once more, the close confines of the forest not suitable for continued riding. Plus, the woods made the animals nervous. "Who are we looking for?" Gimli asked, his axes left behind with the horses under Legolas' advice.
"Ents," he replied shortly. Aragorn didn't mean to be rude but something was watching them and he couldn't tell where it was. Or what their intentions were.
Legolas felt the same presence and his hand tightened on his bow. His other hand reached for Gimli's shoulder, squeezing it to reassure his friend that he would stay with him. He also waited for the dwarf to make another comment, but he remained still, as if he had picked up on the undercurrents in the air.
There was a movement to their left and they whirled around, weapons at the ready. Though he didn't hold an ax, one of Legolas' short swords rested in Gimli's hand. A bright light blinded them as a figure stepped out. After a moment, the figure allowed the light to dissipate.
"It cannot be," Legolas and Gimli spoke in unison, "Gandalf?"
"Gandalf? Yes, I believe I was once called by that name," he murmured. "I fear that I do not recall much before I awoke upon the top of the mountain, though Galadriel of Lothlorien assures me that I am a good man."
"How do we know that you are who you claim to be?" Aragorn asked, suspicious.
"You do not. I only know that I feel no malice towards you or your own."
"What are you doing here if not to trick us?"
The white head tilted, thinking. "Looking for you, Aragorn. The young ones you seek are not here. The ones whose aid you wish, will not respond to you."
The trio exchanged glances, slightly lowering their arms. "Saruman."
"We must hurry to their aid if he does have them." Gimli made to leave Fangorn, pausing when the others stayed. "Well? What is it?"
"Isengard is heavily defended. It would not be wise to march off alone."
"Gandalf, Eomer is raising an army even as we speak. They should be on the move," Aragorn informed him, only slightly relaxing his guard.
The Istari's eyes met his, "if I wanted you dead, you would be. I have no need to show myself. Go on, I will meet you in three days."
"You do not journey with us?" Legolas asked softly.
"I will bring the aid you seek among the denizens of Fangorn. They will listen to me," his statement silenced any objections.
"Three days," Aragorn repeated, ignoring Gimli's muttered, 'it'll take us two to get out of this place.'
"Yes," Gandalf was calm.
Sheathing their weapons, they bid him a cautious farewell and left. Legolas let down his guard long enough to enjoy the woods. Their stay in Lothlorien had been to full of sorrow and uncertainty for him to enjoy the peace. He felt the need to recharge before the fight began once more.
Gimli, though not as understanding as Aragorn about elves, left his friend in peace. He shook his head, unable to figure out just when he stopped thinking of the elf as an enemy and started naming him dearest of his friends.
Aragorn was braced for the two to argue, even though they'd been on their best behavior over the last few days. The ranger thought that had to do with Gandalf's death. Now that they knew the truth, he expected them to go back to their normal, bickering ways. He was weary and heartsore, things were spinning out of control and the world was turned upside down. When they did not act the way he thought they would, he felt a bone deep relief.
They emerged from the dark woods two and a half days later. The horses were patiently waiting for them. "Do we wait?" Gimli voiced the question in all their minds.
Slowly, Aragorn's head shook, "he said he would meet us." A last glance behind, then they mounted and left. Aragorn pulled his horse to a stop a few hours later, "Elladan? What is it?"
They newly arrived elf urged them to continue moving and they carried on in silence before he spoke, "Rivendell is no longer strong enough to protect Arwen. She has become increasingly more ghoul like. Though she fights the touch of Sauron's poison, he is slowly stealing her strength. She sent you this."
He accepted the note and pendant,
'Elendil, Look for the White Lady of Rohan. Protect her. She alone will stop the Nazgul threat. It is prophecy. I am sorry. I no longer have strength to fight. Arwen.'
"Aragorn, I hate to ask this of you, but let her go."
Pain filled gray eyes met the dark blue of the elf's, the pendant clenched so tightly it was drawing blood. "Tell your father that I release him from his promise. I love her enough to let her go.
Elladan bowed his head, "thank you."
"But if darkness falls and we win, before they have gone, I would like to see her again."
"It will be her decision once more," he agreed before leaving them.
The trio rode on in silence, saying nothing, though Legolas handed Aragorn a clean cloth to bandage his wound. Halfway to Isengard, they were joined by Gandalf and Eomer's army, all of whom bore signs of battle. "What happened?"
"We encountered a few parties of orcs. We decimated them," Eomer replied.
"Excellent," Aragorn rode ahead of them. Gandalf joined him a few minutes later. "I let her go. What else could I do?
"You could have held Elrond to his promise."
"How could I do that? Ask her to endure that fight until our war was done? This battle will be fought for an unknown length of time. Arwen is strong but even the strength of an elf cannot last when the poison is inside and cannot be purged." He sighed.
Gandalf was puzzled, "you did what was right. Why do you doubt?"
Aragorn looked at him for a long time, finding the right words. "I took the away her right to chose. I had no more right to do that than Elrond does."
"She gave you that right when she gave you that," he indicated the pendant. "She knew she could trust you to do the right thing-even though that would cause you greater pain. It was her way of reaffirming her love for you and letting you go in peace. The lady Arwen was telling you good-bye."
Further conversation was made impossible by the wargs and ors that blocked their way. Throwing all his anger, pain, and confusion into the fray, Aragorn lost himself in the blood and turmoil surrounding them. He didn't even try to reign in his bloodlust, he wanted to share his pain with those that caused it.
"Aragorn! You must call a retreat!" Legolas called. "There are reinforcements coming that we cannot defeat."
"We cannot turn back either," he countered. "they must be pushed away."
"Drive them towards Helm's Deep, there's no way out," Eomer counseled.
Only the arrival of Narvanata and her women allowed this plan to be successful. But, upon arriving at Helm's Deep, they were trapped themselves by the wild men. Only Gandalf remained unchallenged, riding through the fighting towards Aragorn. "The Ents are on their way to Isengard," though he spoke softly, they heard him. "And, help is on its way here." Even as he spoke, a virtual rain shower of arrows flew over their heads, felling the armies with unerring accuracy.
The three commanders, under Aragorn's command, pulled out and reformed along the edges, cutting off any enemy that came their way. They also moved slowly up the embankment until they were able to press the wild men into the valley. Finally, they had them bottled up in Helm's Deep.
"We'll hold them here," Eomer offered, "Give the elves our thanks."
Aragorn nodded, following Gandalf over to them. After they spoke for a few minutes, they made their way to Isengard. It was nearing dawn of the second day when the dark shape came into view-completely surrounded by water. Only one spot remained untouched and that was only because Treebeard was keeping it free for them.
"Hello, Gandalf," Treebeard called out. "Have you come to see Saruman? Or our work?"
"You have done well, Treebeard," he praised, introducing his companions as they walked up to him. "Saruman is still within, I presume?"
Treebeard's reply was lost to Aragorn as he gazed up at the tower in shock.
Something high up had caught his eye, something that contrasted sharply with the darkness. A figure dressed in white stood framed in a window, the long blonde hair flowed freely in the breeze. Troubled eyes glanced down and met his own, the head bowed slightly in acknowledgment. "The White Lady," he breathed, ignoring Legolas' questioning look.
Gandalf's hand touched his shoulder, interrupting his study of the place. "This way," he indicated the direction they should go in. Aragorn glanced up, distraught when he couldn't see the lady anymore. Arwen had told him to find and protect her, she was the key to destroying the Nazgul.
He followed Gandalf into the tower and stayed in the background. This was the Istari's battle to fight. A flash of white on the staircase caught his attention, then disappeared into the shadows. Gray eyes narrowed, watching intently to see if it would happen again.
So intent was he that he nearly jumped when two small hands entered his own. Glancing down, he saw Merry and Pippin grinning up at him. Though bruised and a faintly hungry looking, they appeared to be all right. "How did you get free?"
Merry pointed, "she helped us."
He looked in the direction the hobbit was pointing at, there she was. Dressed in a simple, white dress but careful to remain in the shadows, was the woman he had seen. Inside, he felt something click into place and recognize her. "Are you the White Lady of the Rohirrim?"
"I am known to some as such. I prefer Eowyn," she replied scornfully.
Without question, he knew it was because of his awed reaction to her. These Rohirrim women preferred to earn their own name, he recalled Idis' face when he'd addressed her this way. Obviously, he'd have to watch how he spoke to them. They were not elf women, cool and unapproachable. They were human and wanted to be treated as equals.
To Merry and Pippin, he whispered. "Go outside and wait with Gimli." Nodding to Eowyn, they did what he told them to. Moving slowly so as not to bring attention to himself, he removed the elven cloak and passed it to her. "I am Aragorn. It isn't much but ill offer a bit more protection from Saruman's eyes than your white dress."
"My people?" she questioned, accepting it.
"Are under Eomer's care," he elaborated at her inquiring look. "They are finishing off the forces that we trapped at Helm's Deep."
She nodded, approval in her eyes.
"We must leave," Gandalf murmured. "He will not listen to reason." The Istari did not seem surprised to see Eowyn by Aragorn, nor the two hobbits waiting outside.
"He spent most of his time with that," she gestured to the palantir that Gandalf was gingerly handling. "I never thought he'd relinquish it."
"He did not. I summoned it to me," he replied with a shrug.
They left Isengard to its fate, Merry and Pippin exchanging glances when they saw the horses. Gandalf took Pippin and both rode Shadowfax, while Aragorn and Merry shared his. "I am sorry we have no horse for you alone, my lady."
"It is all right, my Brego will be here soon." She spoke with such quiet confidence, no one could quite object. Without another word, she began to walk up the incline towards the armies at Helm's Deep.
The men were quiet, following after her, surrounding and shielding her. Aragorn was torn between offering her his mount-knowing that Hasufel would reject her. And admiration for her determination. "The women of Rohan are truly remarkable."
"Indeed and with good reason, they earned their place." Gandalf agreed, moving to the front of the group. "It is a shame more do not respect it."
Once they cleared the ridge, they saw a brown horse waiting patiently. Without fear, though it had no saddle or bridle, Eowyn leapt up and set off. Even though they were far from Helm's Deep, they could see the signs of a looming cloud. The work of death had not yet terminated its business with Rohan.
/-/-/-/
"Eomer!" "Eowyn!" Twin cries of joy rang out into the cooling night, brushing off the pallor of death. "How I have missed you." It was the first time they'd seen each other since the battle had begun.
"How you have surprised me by remaining in control of yourself," she teased. They embraced, holding onto teach other tightly. "You must tell me of your travels and the news from Gondor."
"In exchange for your story. What of Saruman?"
"He yet lives." She answered, pulling back to study him.
"What?" he exploded.
"It was Gandalf's right," she asserted herself firmly. "I feel only pity for the man. He has no true understanding of what he's learned and it killed the man that he was."
His eyes narrowed, "what did he do to you?"
"Nothing," she replied. "But...Saruman was kind to me. There were things he said to me that made me feel good about myself. Yes, I realize he was using my own need for approval against me but still...I can only feel pity for him."
Elrohir watched from the side and saw her shiver. He could not tell, though, if it was from cold night air or the memories that had to be flooding through her. His brother could probably tell him. Thinking of Elladan, he wondered where his brother was. Without him, he felt lonely-especially watching the two human twins.
Making up his mind, he shook off the odd feelings and approached the duo. "Would you like to change? I do not think that outfit is quite comfortable."
"I have nothing suitable," she replied, recovering quickly from the shock of having an elf address her.
"Come, you may borrow something of mine." He forestalled any arguments with a firm, "my brother would do the same."
Eowyn glanced at Eomer uncertainly, "Elladan would. But why are you here, Elrohir?"
"I have some business to conduct with Aragorn in the place of my father. Well, my lady?"
She nodded, "thank you, Lord Elrohir."
"Just Elrohir," he bowed, "Lady Eowyn."
"Eowyn will suffice," she smiled slightly, knowing that calling her 'Lady' wasn't true anymore. Once changed, she rejoined the men and Narvanata. They conversed for a few minutes before she and her brother went off to talk privately. Together, the two talked long into the night, sheltered by the combined forces of elves and men.
"Eowyn?" Aragorn hesitantly called out, "a moment of your time?"
Rising, she made her way to him, his cloak folded in her arms. "Here," she gave it back to him, surprised when he didn't accept it. "Why?"
"You need it more than I," his reply was soft. "I have a message for you."
She looked at him, curious. "What is it?"
But he was silent, as though he didn't know what or how to say it. There was something tense about him. The message, she knew, would destroy any semblance of peace she'd managed to attain. "Aragorn, your silence is a mark of concern but I cannot reply to a message whose meaning I do not know. Have you not yet realized that we are stronger than we seem?" But her teasing was soft, gentle. "Is this about the prophecy?"
Gray eyes widened, "you know?"
"It is a common story among the Shield Maidens. But until I heard Saruman mention it, I thought that was all it was. A story. What is this all about, Aragorn? I never had the chance to look for answers."
"Do you know of the Nazgul?" He waited for her nod of affirmation. "The prophecy speaks of the one who can stop him-the White Lady of Rohan. With the aid of a half-ling," he spoke the rest, startled. It had never occurred to him that Arwen's message was incomplete until he spoke it aloud to Eowyn. But it hadn't been until he spoke those final words.
"That's why," she murmured, forgetting his presence.
"Why what?" he prodded when she said nothing more.
She faced him, "what?"
"You acted like I revealed something unexpected but known to you."
"When I met Merry, I felt compelled to say, 'I am a knight in search of a squire.' He told me, 'I am that squire.' But afterwards, we could not say why we had done so, even though it felt right."
End, Part 11.