Aragorn (12)
Something inside Aragorn began to wilt that day. But still his wife stayed strong and ordered her people. She held the safety of the people over her own son.
The stable weren't burning, but his heart was. Rivendell was so far away. It was true they might find Gandalf at an inn along Anorien, and he could call the Eagles, but it might be unlikely; it was clear trouble was brewing.
"These are a rare kind of Orc." Farimir said as the group, the five guards, the twelve (including the Mirkwood captain) Silven elves, Gimili and Legolas, and the king and queen, were mounted each on their own horse. (Excluding Gimili, of course. He was far too short, and had to ride the back of Legolas' horse). "Definitely from Haradwaien. Getting revenge on their brothers, but it takes many a year to reach here from even the nearest lands of Haradwaien."
"The Mountains of Timbar." Tauriel agreed. They knew much about the orcs.
"Does it matter where they are from?" Aragorn nearly snarled. "They attacked us, all we can do it run as far north to Rivendell and Mirkwood and hope those armies, if not the armies of Rohan, can fight and win. Mayhaps the dwarves." He tugged his horses head to one of the five stable boys. "You, go send word to Erebor, Edoras, Helm's Deep, Mirkwood, Barad-dur, Dol Guldor, Esgaroth, Bree, The Shire, and let Rivendell know we're coming. You other four, come ride with us. When you have sent the messages, flee as best as you can." The boy nodded and ran off, the other four mounted in their rags and barefeet that were best for working the stables and they set out.
Aragorn's heart went into his throat when Arwen tucked her heels gently into the horse's side, and when it started with a kick nearly fell off. But she was a great rider, and regained her balance. Everyone else went at her pace, and when she urged her horse to break neck speed, everyone else did as well
Several civilians found horses that the stable boys had set loose and mounted up and chased along with the group. A mother had two children in front of her, and they cried as their father waved bye to look for another horse. Nearly twenty had joined the party that started as 25 people when they reached the front gate.
The horses put on full speed as they rounded the White Mountains that bordered Gondor and along the Great River north to the Misty Mountains.
