Moving Forward
Faith looked over the green fields. She could feel the buzz run through the crowd. There had not been a mustering in their lifetime for many of the Rohan people.
Theoden didn't understand why the company had left. It was suicide. He hadn't doubted Aragorn was who he said. He just didn't get why they would chose to take the dark path. The Dunharrow path was a path for the dead. The way closed to those who were not dead.
Eomer had lost patience and explained, "Uncle there is a plan to attack Gondor from the south."
The King had not been privy to the conversation the evening before. Okay so now the actions of Aragorn were making more sense. "I see well we will look after the East whilst they take care of the south."
Haim was the one to voice the question, "Will it be enough?"
Theoden was resolute, "We have no choice but to succeed ... As failure is too terrible a notion to conceive."
It was true too. If Sauron ruled Middle Earth then life would be over. He would not want to live in such a world.
Faith shook off the somber mood, "There hasn't been an evil that Buffy and I have failed to beat. So he hasn't got a body ... It just makes it a challenge."
The princesses words warmed all those present. It was true that the arrival of the two foreign Ladies had galvanised everyone. They had hope where before they had despair. Eomer chuckled, "I will find you plenty of people to hit soon enough my love."
"You're a good husband."
Well what more could a Slayer Princess ask for?
Gandalf raced on across the land. He was making sure that Pippin stayed close to him. He did not want Sauron to gain any further insights into the fellowships plans. There was no point in letting him know before they had to give him a clue. Gandalf was sure he would be stewing over Buffy and Aragorn and their little show of power. The fun part was their little jaunt under the mountain would hide them from Sauron's roving eye.
Pippin was asking smart questions. "So we are going to Aragorn's home?"
Gandalf confirmed, "That is correct Master Hobbit."
Pippin was putting all the information he knew together. "Wait doesn't Boromir's Dad rule there?"
Gandalf sighed as Pippin stumbled on the first problematic point. "Yes you refer to Denethor II, son of Ecthelion. He is the 26th ruling steward."
Pippin was beginning to see the problem. "So he will have to move over when Aragorn returns?"
Gandalf chuckled hearing the doubt in the Hobbit's voice. "That is correct. When we arrive ... it would perhaps be wise not mention that we are travelling with the rightful King."
Pippin's eyes sparkled with mischief, "Who? All I know is, he is a Ranger and crazy to boot."
Gandalf spurred the horse on. "That works as an explanation. It has the advantage of being mostly true too."
The atmosphere in Dunharrow was such that the people wanted to lighten it with levity. Aragorn's second in the Dunedain had taken to asking Buffy questions. "So you're from a land far away?"
Buffy grinned, "Sure am." How else could she explain Earth? His next question made her laugh.
"Why would you bond with our crazy leader?"
Buffy looked to the head of the line enjoying the chance to stare at her partner. He was all man and best of all, all hers. She didn't even need to think about her answer. "Because he is my destiny and a good man."
There was no doubt in her mind.
He chuckled, "Well you appear to be as crazy as he is. You are not even the least bit afraid of this tunnel are you?"
Buffy shrugged not quite sure what she could say. It was the truth, she was not in the slightest bit afraid. She had died twice before coming to Middle Earth. She was not afraid of dying as she knew what came next. Her only fear was to not live before she died. "I've died twice. There is nothing to fear about what comes after. What I hate right now is there is nothing I can kill. Ghosts have no hides to kick."
That earned her an amused look from Aragorn. She shrugged unrepentant. She had said it more than once but it was worth repeating. She was a fighter - she liked targets and a weapon in her hand. She wondered how her scythe would fair against ghosts. In fairness, she had never tried. It would be intriguing if she was honest. The only part to suck was the fact she would have to get up close and personal with one before she would get her answer.
Aragorn and Legolas must be listening to the conversation as they started to chuckle. She shrugged, "It is the way I'm trained ... see evil, slay it."
The Elf paused, "That is a good motto to live life by."
Buffy snorted, "It hasn't done me too wrong."
Aragorn had only thing to say to that, "Well you if you could avoid any death stunts that would be good Melleth. I don't think my heart could take it."
Buffy smiled sweetly, "As long as you promise to do the same darling."
Gimli out right chortled at that, "Oh Laddie she knows you too well."
One of the other Dunedain spoke up, "You are just laughing and joking?"
Buffy smiled bright and cheery, "Well it beats scared and moaning, right?"
What could anyone say to that?
In all honesty, there was no response. Hence the silence. She knew that the members of the fellowship got it. The time for talk was over. There walking had led them to the middle of a cavern. If it wasn't for the dark foreboding atmosphere it would be gorgeous. It had huge stalactite formations. Plus there were glittering shimmers from the minerals running through the rocks. In the centre was a massive plinth that Buffy guessed was a meeting place.
She said one thing, "Woah."
What else could she say? There was a massive shimmering energy and you could see the ghosts of the dead. It was not just people it was the city itself.
"The way is shut!"
Aragorn whirled around to meet the speaker. He knew Buffy had yet again made it to his side without even looking. He was not too worried yet but he was glad to have the slayer by his side.
"The city is made by the dead and the dead shall keep it." The Ghost King decreed.
Aragorn knew what was going to happen. It would be all or nothing. The group was surrounded on all sides by the Army of the Dead. The one who was the King stood proud even in his ghost form in the dead centre (pun intended). "The way is shut ... so now you must die."
Buffy rolled her eyes as Legolas shot one of his arrows. She would give him points for the attempt but the dude was a ghost. She loved the way Aragorn stood tall and proud. There was no fear in her man. He was the King-to-be and he would get what he wanted. "I demand that you fulfill the oath you swore!"
The dead King still had the annoying swagger as he moved forward. His retort was, "None but the King of Gondor can demand my oath."
Buffy could act, she could but Aragorn stood calm and ready to face the King. He was, in a word, serene. It was harder when she saw the dead King swing his sword but Aragorn was ready.
Clang.
That was the only sound to reverberate around the room. Aragorn had met the swing and then pushed the other King's sword away. He further proved his point when he gripped the ghostly King by his throat. "I am the Future King!"
The ghost paled. Buffy knew it sounded daft even in her own head but it was true. The ghost stuttered, "The line was dead."
Buffy snickered, "Well now it is back again."
Aragorn looked the ghost crowd right in their eyes. He needed them to want to fight for their cause. If the ghosts were apathetic then there was no point in even beginning. "Fight and you will regain your honour."
He didn't just say this to the King of the Dead. He was addressing his statement to all the dead warriors. They were stuck here because of their inability to fulfill the oath they'd sworn. "Fight and all debts are honoured I swear this as Isildur's heir."
Buffy found she was holding her breath. She knew just how much was riding on the answer.
The Ghost King started to speak ...