Chapter 21:
Aragorn and Theoden rode ahead of the army into camp, while Valea rode a little further behind with Gimli and Legolas.
"Make way for the King!" A soldier called out. "Make way, the King is here."
"Grimbold, how many?" Theoden asked.
"I bring 500 men from the Westfold, my lord."
"We have 300 more from Fenmarch, Theoden King!" Another soldier called.
"Where are the riders from Snowbourn?" Theoden demanded.
"None have come my lord."
Valéa and Legolas exchanged a concerned glance.
...
Aragorn and Theoden looked down at the armies from their high encampment. Valéa was sat on one of the logs placed around the fire, listening in on their conversation. On any other day, she probably would have refrained, but she figured there was no harm done this time.
"Six thousand spears," the King was saying, "less than half of what I had hoped for."
Aragron sighed. "Six thousand will not be enough to break the lines of Mordor."
"More will come," Theoden said with conviction, though Valéa could tell he was doubtful. She had kept her mind open ever since leaving Edoras. She figured that keeping her mind locked up was denying part of herself.
"Every hour lost hastens Gondor's defeat. We have until dawn then we must ride." Aragorn said grimly.
A neighing horse drew Valéa's attention away from the men. She turned her head and noticed how much difficulty the men were having in calming down the horses. They seemed to be nervous of something. Valéa suspected she knew what it was. Legolas and Gimli walked amongst the men, pausing by the ebony-haired elleth's side. Eomer, who was pulling his saddle off his horse's back, also paused.
"The horses are restless and the men are quiet." Legolas said.
"They grow nervous in the shadow of the mountain." Eomer said, walking over to them.
"That road there - where does that lead?" Gimli asked suspiciously.
"It is the road to the Dimholt, the door under the mountain." Valéa answered, her eyes on the mountain path.
Eomer frowned. "None who venture there ever return. That mountain is evil."
He walked away. Valéa jumped a little as she felt something strong and warm on her shoulder. She glanced up to see Legolas. "We should eat something," the platinum-blonde said to her. Valéa nodded and followed him to get herself some food, hearing Gimli call to Aragorn.
...
Valéa was sat with Gamling and Eomer, and she could hear Eowyn talking to Merry inside the tent behind the King's nephew. She smiled at the sound of laughter in Eowyn's voice as she spoke.
Merry left the tent swinging a sword to and fro, practising.
"To the smithy, go!" Eowyn pushed him gently away, and Merry ran to the blacksmith.
"You should not encourage him." Eomer suddenly said.
Eowyn narrowed her eyes at her brother. "You should not doubt him."
"I do not doubt his heart, only the reach of his arm." Eomer said, making Gamling laugh.
"Why should Merry be left behind? He has as much cause to go to war as you. Why can he not fight for those he loves?" She became very serious and, once catching herself, started to walk away.
Eomer seemed to pick up on her double meaning. "You know as little of war as that hobbit." He stood and made his way towards the blonde maiden. "When the fear takes him and the blood and the screams and the horror of battle take hold. Do you think he would stand and fight? He would flee. And he would be right to do so. War is the province of men, Eowyn."
"Do you really think so lowly of women?" Valéa asked, standing quickly and strolling up to the man. "Of those who have not fought in a battle? You were in that position once, Eomer, and yet here you are. Merry has a right to fight, and so does Eowyn, if that is truly what she desires." Valéa glared at the startled human.
Eomer, however, quickly regained control of his expression. "Eowyn is a princess. She does not belong in battle."
Valéa took a menacing step forward, so she was eye-to-eye with him. "She belongs where she belongs. You cannot determine that for her."
The fuming elleth then spun on her heel and walked away, hoping to find a tree or practice dummy to take her frustrations out on. She didn't plan on walking face first into a strong chest as it came around a corner. She blinked, then stepped back, her eyes falling on the amused gaze of her elvish companion. "Sorry," she muttered to herself.
Legolas smiled. "Don't worry about it." He paused, glancing over at Eowyn, who was stood alone, watching them curiously. "I don't think I've ever seen you quite like that before. Or heard so much passion in your voice." He admitted, smirking.
Valéa felt heat flourish in her cheeks. "You heard that?"
Legolas chuckled and indicated to the men around them, a lot of whom were sending her varied looks. Some were suspicious, others confused, others impressed. "I think you'll find most people did."
Valea laughed nervously. Merry suddenly trotted up to the two of them, a pleading look on his small face. "Everyone seems so edgy." He complained quietly, looking only at Valéa. "I was wondering... well, I thought maybe you could... sing for them. Calm them down a little."
Valéa was a little surprised by the request, but when she caught sight of Legolas looking at her, she nodded. "I suppose I can do that."
Merry grabbed her hand and dragged her to the main fire, where a large crowd of soldiers were sat, their eyes darting to and from the mountain's door. "Alright, I got her!" Merry called cheerfully to them.
Valéa chuckled. Legolas suddenly whispered to her. "May it be. Know it?"
Valéa nodded, trying to hide the shiver that went down her spine when his breath brushed against her ear. "I do. Why that song?"
Legolas smirked. "I just think it'll suit your voice, that's all."
Valéa slipped into silence, butterflies churning in her stomach. Eomer, King Theoden and Aragorn suddenly appeared. Eomer wore a frown. "What's going on?" He asked.
"Valéa's going to sing for us." Merry said brightly.
Three more pairs of eyes turned to the black-haired elleth. Aragorn's were knowing, and Valéa could see the hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "Is she really?" Theoden asked, causing Valéa's attention to shift to the King.
She smiled. "Apparently so."
"Don't let us stop you, then." Theoden returned her smile, although a little stiffly. They still didn't have an easy relationship. Something told Valéa they never really would.
Valéa steeled herself and then took a deep breath. Her voice was strong when she began.
"May it be an evening star
Shines down upon you
May it be when darkness falls
Your heart will be true
You walk a lonely road
Oh! How far you are from home."
As Valéa began the chorus, Legolas suddenly joined in, and he entwined his fingers with hers. Valéa almost stuttered, but managed to keep her voice firm.
"Mornie utulie (Darkness has come)
Believe and you will find your way
Mornie alantie (Darkness has fallen)
A promise lives within you now
May it be the shadow's call
Will fly away
May it be you journey on
To light the day
When the night is overcome
You may rise to find the sun
Mornie utulie (Darkness has come)
Believe and you will find your way
Mornie alantie (Darkness has fallen)
A promise lives within you now
A promise lives within you now."
Silence followed their final note, and the men all seemed to simultaneously wake from some kind of sleep. Even Theoden looked slightly out-of-it. Then, as the effect of elves' voices wore of, they all began cheering, whooping and clapping.
Valéa pulled her hand awkwardly out of Legolas' and gave the men a mock bow, before retiring to her tent.
She laid down on her small bed and pulled the covers up to her chin. She was asleep in mere moments.
...
The image Valéa saw before her was distorted, as if seen from someone not quite present. And then Valéa understood why. She saw her body, cold, pale, still, being carried in an open coffin through the quiet streets of Minas Tirith. Her hair was embroidered with white flowers, and there was a bouquet in her hands. The backs of her eyelids were purple. Her coffin was being carried by four Gondorian soldiers, and behind that were the Fellowship members, including, she noticed, Frodo and Sam. Was the war over?
The soldiers gently lowered her coffin into a large stone box. A tomb. A grand one, one she thought she was not worthy of. As the soldiers stepped away, the hobbits stood silently beside her. There were tears in their eyes as they each spoke caring, thankful, grief-filled words. Valéa, even watching from a distance, could barely stand it. Gimli was next, and he too had teary eyes from what she could tell, though was far more controlled. He too spoke sad words, that he wished to have known her better, to have been able to travel with her. Then came Aragorn, and Valéa could see Arwen behind him, looking saddened herself, despite the fact she had never known Valéa well. Aragorn spoke no words, instead just offered his presence. It was all that was needed.
Then came Legolas. His movements did not hold the usual elvish quality; they were stumbled, disjointed. His eyes were filled with heart-wrenching sorrow and despair. It tore at Valéa's own heart, to see him in so much pain. She knew it was dangerous. Heart-break, the loss of a friend. If not handled properly it could cost an elf their life. And something was definitely wrong. His skin was a sickly colour - far too pale. His hair had lost its ethereal shine, and instead hung limp and lifeless over his shoulders. Dark circles were present under his eyes. Even standing seemed to take a considerable amount of effort.
He muttered just one sentence. "Le melin." Then he collapsed on the ground. He was unmoving, and his eyes slid shut. Valéa heard herself cry out as Aragorn, Gimli and many others swarmed around him, panicked. But she knew it was too late. He was gone.
Valéa woke up with a start, bolting upright and sobbing her heart out. It took only a few seconds before someone came to see what was wrong. Eowyn.
"Valéa, are you alright?" She asked, deeply concerned.
Valéa nodded and more-or-less rolled out of bed. "I'm fine. Just a dream." She ran her hands down her face to discreetly wipe away her tears. She concentrated on calming herself as she talked. "Thanks for checking on me, Eowyn, but I really need to see Aragorn."
Eowyn frowned. "Aragorn? He's leaving."
Valéa was instantly alert. "Leaving?!" She ran out of her tent without another word.
...
When Valéa came across Aragorn again, he was leading Brego, his horse, away from the camp, in the direction of the Dimholt. She heard Gimli's gruff voice as she ran over to Sofia, who was ready for travelling.
"Just where do you think you're off to?" The dwarf demanded. Valéa began to pull Sofie by the reins towards the two of then.
"Not this time. This time you must stay Gimli." Aragorn said.
"Hmm..." Gimli said.
Suddenly Legolas appeared beside Valéa, and they together walked up to the other side of Aragorn, leading their horses. "Have you learnt nothing of the stubbornness of dwarves?" Legolas asked. Aragorn looked surprised to see them there.
"You might as well accept it. We're going with you laddie." Gimli said gruffly. Aragorn smiled.
The four of them mounted their horses and rode from the camp along the Dimholt road. Theoden and the soldiers saw them leaving, and Valéa could feel their eyes on the group.
This place is coming like a ghost town...
Sorry, couldn't resist. It's a great - if not somewhat creepy - song, so you should check it out. It's by the Specials.
Anyways, hope you liked this chappie. Not really sure how I got it written so fast but oh well. No complaints here. Xxx :)