So a lot of you requested some Haldir moments and so I added a quick moment with him and Zoe. I know it might not be enough but trust me, once we get to Helms Deep there will be Haldir/Zoe moments abound!
Chapter Thirteen~
Very later that night we make camp, all of us needed rest before we push onwards. Were close to Rohan and can't wait until we have to deal with Grimma and then Helms Deep. For some reason I make my pack a bit father from everyone else, probably because I need space to figure out what I'm going to do for the rest of the way. Lying on my back staring at the stars I don't realize I'm asleep until I open my eyes and find myself in Lórien. Looking around I have to wonder what on earth I'm doing here until I see of all people, or really Elves, Haldir. What really gets me though is I see myself beside him looking blissed out holding a baby.
"No way." I mutter as I watch us—them—kiss leaving me to feel both shocked and shaking. It's only then that I hear a whispery voice in my ear say,
"And so you shall be if you choose." before the vision begins to swim away and I'm left sitting upright and panting. What the hell just happened?! I find myself this time with dawn overhead and the others wake but watching me carefully.
"Don't bother." I say to them as we pack up and head off. We're running down a hillside that is incredibly steep, my feet just barely managing to stay firmly on the ground.
"They've run as if the very whips of their masters were behind them." Legolas says quickly as I push and push myself to run. I need to keep running, I just have too. I notice Aragon has stopped and realizes he's listening to something; thundering hooves. Aragon waves us to hide behind some rocks, motioning me to cover my head with my hood as the Riders of Rohan come charging towards us. Aragon waits for them to come closer before calling out,
"Riders of Rohan...what news from the Mark?" the horsemen circle around us when we step out, completely surrounding us in a tight circle.
"What business does an Elf, a Man and a Dwarf have in the Riddermark? Speak quickly!" one soldier says then he notices me and shouts,
"And show your face man! Do not dare hide from me!" from around the corner of my hood I look to Aragon for permission as Gimli say something about the rider to tell us his name first. I watch as the rider who spoke, Eomer, dismounts his horse and comes charging over at Gimli saying hotly,
"I would cut off your head, Dwarf...if it stood but a little higher from the ground." Legolas doesn't take this well for he knots an arrow in his bow saying,
"You would die before your stroke fell." and the other riders aim their spears at Legolas but I can't stand it anymore and lower my hood to say,
"I am Zoe of Rivendell, this is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. This is Gimli, son of Gloin, and Legolas of the Woodland Realm. We are friends of Rohan and of Théoden, your king." Eomer looks shocked when he sees my face, his dark blue eyes darkening even more as he says,
"Théoden no longer recognizes friend from foe. Not even his own kin. Saruman has poisoned the mind of the king...and claimed lordship over these lands." as he speaks he takes off his helmet and holds it at his side before questioning,
"You are no Elf maiden."
"No, I am human." I reply as I shift to stand behind Aragon as Eomer turns his attention back to Aragon to say,
"My company are those loyal to Rohan. And for that, we are banished. The White Wizard is cunning .He walks here and there, they say...as an old man hooded and cloaked. And everywhere, his spies slip past our nets." I feel Aragon stiffen at this as he says honestly,
"We are no spies. We track a party of Uruk-Hai westward across the plain. They have taken two of our friend's captive." Eomer looks upset at this, turning his head away as he says softly,
"The Uruks are destroyed. We slaughtered them during the night."
"But there were two Hobbits. Did you see two Hobbits with them?" Gimli asks but since I know the answer say,
"They left none alive. They piled the carcasses and burned them." and so point to a small snaking trail of smoke that lingers in the blue skies. Everyone stares at me and it's Gimli who says,
"Dead?" I don't nod, but instead look to Eomer who says,
"I am sorry," then he whistles and up come two horses when he calls,
"Hasufel! Arod! May these horses bear you to better fortune than their former masters. Farewell." he puts his helmet back on and mounts his horse as me and Aragon take the reins of the two horses given to us and Eomer says,
"Look for your friends, but do not trust to hope. It has forsaken these lands. We ride north!" and giving one last look to me kicks his horse into a gallop as he leads his men away, the circle disbanding and charging off over the hillside. As we mount our horse; Aragon and myself on one and Legolas and Gimli on the other Aragon asks me as he helps me up,
"They are dead, you know this for curtain?" I look down at him and sigh at his forlorn face and say,
"I only know what I've seen beforehand." Aragon mounts behind me and we ride off to the smoldering Uruk-Hai pile not too far away from us, just over a ridge. The stench is horrible and I have to cover my nose as we slowdown in order for the others to search the carcass pile. I watch as they dig through the pile, Gimli even more so and sigh deeply knowing they won't find them, but will find another later on.
"We failed them." I hear Gimli say as I dismount and head over to the others just as Aragon starts tracking the two Hobbits. We follow the tracks along towards the woods and as we get closer Aragon says,
"Tracks lead away from the battle…...into Fangorn Forest." we all look up at the incredibly dark forests that lay ahead of us and I can't help but feel a twinge of fear.
"Fangorn? What madness drove them in there?" Gimli says but I can't help myself from saying under my breath,
"Not wanting to end up on the smoldering Uruk-Hai pile perhaps?" thankfully the others don't hear me as they start making their way into the woods.
"Come Zoe," I hear Legolas say and so jog to catch up to them and begin the trek into the woods. As we walk Gimli sees a trail of orc blood and says it is as he spits it out, gross. As Gimli pauses Aragon notices the tracks and looks around for more.
"The air is so close in here." I say as I stare around at the trees, knowing most likely they are listening into our conversation.
"This forest is old. Very old. Full of memory...and anger." Legolas says as he takes my shoulder to hurry me along, something isn't right to him and it makes his eyes dart around in worry. As a deep guttural sound echoes Gimli raises his axe but I tell him quietly to lower it, it's only making things worse. Legolas continues to push me gently along as he says something to Aragon, both of their eyes quickly dart around our position.
"The White Wizard approaches." Legolas says as he readies his bow and an arrow but I seeing as if I know who it is I don't bother to ready my sword.
"Do not let him speak. He will put a spell on us." Aragon says and I thankfully stop myself from rolling my eyes as Aragon says in a near whisper,
"We must be quick." suddenly there is a blast of white hot light and Gimli tosses his axe, which normally would be a kill if it wasn't deflected. Legolas fires an arrow only to have that too deflected and Aragon's sword gets red hot in his hands, only I am not affected.
"You are tracking the footsteps of two young Hobbits." the voice says calmly as I try to get closer, but Aragon holds me back with one hand as he demands,
"Where are they?"
"They passed this way the day before yesterday. They met someone they did not expect. Does that comfort you?" the voice asks simply but Aragon growls at this before shouting in a rage,
"Who are you? Show yourself!" and out from the brilliant light comes Gandalf the White, his robes as pure as Galadriel's, his staff carved elegantly in his hand.
"It cannot be." Aragon says in shock but unable to help it I rush forward and hug him tight saying to myself,
"Thank the Valar." Gandalf laughs at this, holding me equally close and as the others try to wrap their heads around this he says,
"Good to see you again Zoe." and pulling me aside says to the others,
"I fell through fire...and water. From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak I fought with the Balrog of Morgoth. Until at last I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountainside. Darkness took me and I strayed out of thought and time, stars wheeled overhead and every day was as long as a life age of the Earth. But it was not the end and I felt life in me again. I've been sent back until my task is done."
"Gandalf." Aragon says in wonder and as he nods the Wizard says,
"I am Gandalf the White. And I come back to you now at the turn of the tide."