Chapter 21 (rewritten)

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New Chapter, read, enjoy and review.

Taking the Nazgûl down wasn't without its consequences. Darkness has touched the heart and the soul of the young Eowyn. Her tears have dried long ago, she has passed out but not from her tears or her grief. She passed out because of the evil that has stricken her. Eomer wailed running to his sister and dropped down on his knees as he took Eowyn from Delaina's arms.

"Eowyn? What is she doing here?" He asked believing his sister to be dead.

"You must not worry for this now. Eomer, she's alive." Delaina reassured him but the new king of Rohan seemed not to hear her. "She has killed Angmar while trying to save Théoden." Delaina continued choking up a sob. Eomer looked up at Delaina sobbing earnestly. "But Théoden has not survived his wounds. Your sister can still be saved. We need to take her to the healing house."

Eomer felt grief struck him as he heard this information. His uncle was dead, his cousin was dead and his sister could be if he didn't take her to the healing house right away. He scooped up his sister in his arms and carried her away from the battlefield to the healing house.

Delaina watched him walked away from the battlefield, worrying about the young maid. She looked around her. There, on the ground, rested the corpses of the fallen soldiers of Rohan and the Orcs. The ones that were still standing knelt down next to the bodies of their friends. They paid their respects. She continued her inspection when her eyes fell on a familiar figure. He was staring at her. She could help the tired smiled that appeared on her face or the tears that gathered in her eyes. Her feet moved before she could think and he was following her example. They met halfway in a tight embrace. Relieved that they both survived this battle.

Their reunion was short lived. Aragorn was happy to reunite with her but he knew what to do to help Eowyn. So he left. Delaina insisted to remain on the field. She wanted to find Merry. They had lost him during the battle and she didn't want to leave him behind. Dead or alive, she had to find him. Alive, hopefully.

She searched everywhere on the field for the halfling. Behind the horses, the dead orcs and she saw him. Pippin was hunched over him, draping a cloak around the weakened hobbit. She rushed over to them and knelt down next to them. Pippin looked up at her with fearful eyes. She offered a small smile to the hobbit and rested her hand on Merry's forehead.

The hobbit was cold and weak. There was dried blood around his lips. Delaina turned to Pippin fearing for Merry's life.

"Pippin, run to the healing house. Tell them to prepare a bed for the esquire of Rohan." She instructed quickly. "Go! I'll bring him there." She promised.

She slid her arms behind his back and legs. She hoisted him up. She walked among the fallen riders and orcs as fast as she could. She didn't want to lose another one of her friends. She couldn't bear another loss.

Merry's eyes flickered open. "Delaina?" Merry said dazed. "I thought you lost."

"And I am glad I found you." Delaina answered.

"I said I wanted to see him one more time."

"And you did. And you will many more times after that." Delaina assured him.

"Lady Eowyn…" Merry was about to ask.

"You will see her again." Delaina walked through the broken gates of the city. The walls have cracked and crumbled, leaving gaping holes. Building has been reduced to dust. Delaina looked down at Merry and saw that his eyes were closed. "Hold on, Master Hobbit, we're almost there." Delaina begged him breathlessly.

Pippin came to her and indicated her the way. Delaina jogged up after him, barely keeping up with him. When they reached the door, a woman clad in white was waiting for them. She took Merry from her arms and disappeared inside the building with Pippin on her tail.

Delaina stood in the doorway for a moment. Looking at the beds all full of wounded and broken soldiers. The nurses rushing through the sea of beds. She leaned against the wall and sank down. Another wave of tears hit her but this time it wasn't out of grief but relief. She felt relief at seeing that there's still hope for Eowyn and Merry. She felt relief that they came out of this battle victorious and yet the war was not over yet. There was still one more battle to come. The one that will take place at the gates of Mordor.

Delaina stepped into the healing house as she suddenly felt tired. The battle of Pelinor has taken its toll on her. She just didn't feel it until now. Her eyes roamed the room in search of an empty bed or seat on which she could rest for a short moment. A nurse stopped next to her, grabbed her arm without a word and led her to an empty bed. Delaina was confused as to why she was doing this but when the woman took a fresh cloth and asked her to get rid of her chainmail. She finally understood. The dwarf has been wounded during battle and she didn't even realize it. So she did as she was asked.

A red stain has appeared on her blue shirt. The nurse rolled the sleeve to her shoulder to be able to tend to her wound. Delaina let herself relax and closed her eyes briefly. She still couldn't believe that they had won this battle. Many men have survived but there weren't enough men to fight the battle that was to come. They will need more men if they wanted to give Frodo a chance to succeed. She knew that but she wanted to enjoy this moment of peace, to rest her mind and body.

Aragorn who has been caring for Eowyn and Merry, was solicited by the people. The hands of the true King are those that heals. Aragorn has proven to them that he has the hands of a healer and the people hoped that he could help the ones they loved. Aragorn agreed to help. He helped numerous soldiers from Rohan and Gondor. Innocent children and women that have been hit during the battle. And while he didn't bother him to help his people, he couldn't help but long for a moment of peace. A moment that he would share with his friends and especially Delaina.

He saw her several hours later out of the house of healing. She was looking upon the city. She has changed out of her chainmail. She wore her blue shirt that reached her knees. Her arms were crossed. The destroyed city was sparkling thanks to the numerous lights the people of Gondor has lit. She turned her head to face him as she heard his soft footsteps. Delaina smiled as she saw him approach her.

"I told you we'll see each other again." Delaina said as he reached her.

"You did." Aragorn replied taking a hold of her face. He tilted up her head and kissed her softly on the lips. "I'm glad to see that you are well."

"And I you." Delaina retorted. Aragorn moved his hands around her waist and she snaked hers around his neck. "I wish those moments of peace could last forever."

"There's many to come once this war is over." Aragorn said brushing a strand of hair out of her face.

"I see that you have found hope again." Delaina remarked. "What happened in Dunharrow?"

Aragorn pulled away slightly and turned to look down at the city. "Lord Elrond came to find me in our camp. He gave me news that Arwen has indeed left Middle-Earth. As a parting gift she asked her father to see that I received Narsil, forged anew."

Delaina glanced at Aragorn's waist and saw the new sword that hung around his waist. The blade appeared to be considerably longer and the hilt was beautifully engraved. "Is this your new sword?"

"Anduril, Flame of the West, forged from the shards of Narsil." Aragorn answered. "It allowed me to earn the Allegiance of the men under the mountains."

"The Oathbreakers." Delaina breathed out. "My mother told me about them when I was a child. It has been said they'd only answer to the Heir of Isildur."

"And they did." Aragorn confirmed. "I freed them from their oath. They are now resting in peace."

"I'm glad Arwen thought of giving you this sword, then." Delaina smiled softly. "She gave you hope."

"Not only to me but to all men." Aragorn replied truthfully.

"I'm glad she did anyway." Aragorn looked down at her. She wore a peaceful expression.

"Rest for the night." Aragorn told her suddenly. "You seem exhausted."

"So do you." Delaina replied. "We both deserved some rest."

Before the couple went their separate ways, Gimli and Legolas joined them. Delaina was glad to reunite with them, even though she has scolded them for leaving her alone at Dunharrow.

Théoden was dead. The Witch King Angmar was dead. The battle of Pelinor was over and Gondor has been saved. The war wasn't over, yet. Their next step was Mordor. Frodo has yet to destroy the ring and the quest has yet to be fulfilled. Their journey wasn't over yet.