Chapter 28 A New Dawn
Mariell drifted for what seemed like forever. She was aware of neither time nor feeling. Ahead of her she saw a bright white light. She was momentarily blinded and then she felt warm all over. She blinked as she saw several figures move toward her. Their image was blurry then became clear. There were several elves, some with dark hair others with fair hair. She didn't know why but she felt very safe in their presence. She gasped as they parted and her mother walked toward her. Lindela smiled at her and took her hands. "Hello, my darling daughter"
"Mother," Mariell gasped, tears running down her face.
"You've made me so proud Mariell. You did what none of your ancestors has ever been able to accomplish." Mariell heard these words and realized as she looked at the other elves, that they were her ancestors. "I'm dead," she whispered.
"No," Lindela said shaking her head. "Your time has not yet come to join us. There is still much you have to do. The battle for Helm's Deep is over, but the battle for Middle Earth is just beginning. Sauron will not take this defeat lightly. His wraith will be great. His eye now turns to Gondor"
"Gondor," Mariell gasped. "Aragorn"
"Yes," her mother said. "The pendant still protects you but it will not save Gondor. You are their queen. They will need you as will your husband"
"I will fight for them," Mariell said with determination. "I am not afraid"
"I know, my darling. You will not be alone. Your ancestors shall be with you." She leaned forward and kissed Mariell's forehead. A bright light shone and Mariell closed her eyes…
Mariell opened her eyes slowly. She saw that she was in the room she and Aragorn had been given at Edoras. Turning her head she
saw Aragorn, his head resting near her hand. Her husband's eyes were closed. A small smile formed at her mouth as she reached out
and stroked his cheek. With a start he awoke. When he saw that she was awake, a huge grin broke out across his face. He took her
hand and kissed it softly.
"You are awake," he said.
"How long was I asleep?" she asked.
"About six days"
"When did we get back here to Edoras"
"We arrived here yesterday. You slept through the entire journey. I was worried that you would never wake up. The protection spell
must have taken much from you." Mariell looked away as she remembered.
"It just all seemed so hopeless, and then suddenly I just knew what I had to do. I remember floating over the Uraks; they did not even
see me. Then I was just in a trance, the words flowing from me. Then I was back in my body, on the wall and you were with me. Then
nothing." She decided to keep what her mother had told her to herself for the time being.
"You saved us, Mariell. Rohan's people owe their lives to you." Mariell felt a tear at her eye.
"I couldn't save everyone though could I?" She saw the sadness in her husband's eyes and that was enough confirmation for her.
"How many were lost?" she asked.
"Several," Aragorn said. "Too many. Men, elves, boys. Haldir was killed"
"Oh Aragorn I'm so sorry. I know he was a friend of yours"
"Yes," he said. "He will be missed." She reached up and gently stroked his cheek.
"But we are alive," Aragorn said his tone lightening. "Everyone had been worried about you. They will be pleased to see that you are
awake." Aragorn helped her out of bed and into a robe. He led her down a long hallway to the grand hall. She clung to his arm for her
legs were a bit shaky. Those in the grand hall ceased their conversation as they entered. Mariell smiled as she saw her friends and
family. Eowyn came forward and hugged her tight.
"I'm so glad you're awake," Eowyn said. "We were all starting to worry"
"Well," Mariell said. "I assure you I am fine." Aragorn led her further and Theoden took her hand and kissed her forehead.
"My dear brave niece," Theoden said. "We owe you everything." Mariell shook her head.
"The victory was not mine alone," she said. She noticed a man behind the king. This man looked very familiar.
"Eomer," she greeted him. He came forward and took her hand. "It is good to finally meet you cousin. I'm sorry our first meeting was a
bit hostile"
"All is forgiven," Mariell said. Her grin widened as she saw Legolas. The elf met her eyes and she saw a hint of a smile cross his face.
Aragorn led her to stand in front of the elf.
"You look well, nin mellon," she said. She leaned very close and whispered in his ear.
"What was the final count?" Legolas smiled.
"Forty-three"
"You only had forty-two," Gimli protested gruffly. "The last one was already dead." Mariell chuckled to herself. The battle it seemed
had not changed the two of them at all. Mariell looked up then and saw Gandalf smiling at her. She nodded to the wizard, but then her
attention was caught by two small forms behind him. Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open in shock as she took in Merry and
Pippin.
"Mariell!" they both exclaimed, running to her. Mariell let go of Aragorn's arm and dropped to her knees, pulling them both to her.
"Merry, Pippin," she exclaimed. "I'm so glad to see you. How did you get here"
"We found these two rascals sitting a top a fence surrounding Isengard," Gimli said.
"Isengard?!" Mariell exclaimed.
"Yes," Gandalf said. "Apparently these two little hobbits assisted in the destruction of the tower. And the end of Saruman's power"
"Isengard is no more? Saruman is defeated? My goodness, so much has happened while I was asleep"
"This victory is great indeed," Gandalf said. "But the war is not over. Saruman may be defeated, but Sauron still lives"
"That is for tomorrow," Theoden declared. "Tonight we shall feast in honor of our victory and those who brought it to be."
After spending several hours catching up with Merry and Pippin, Mariell retired to her room to get ready for the feast. She slipped out
of her robe and ran a damp cloth over her body. She ran her hand over the tight scar on her belly; all that remained from where the
Urak had stabbed her through the stomach. She had other scars from the battle on her legs and arms. She heaved a sigh. Her body had
become so damaged and worn since leaving the shire. "You're beautiful," Aragorn said behind her causing her to jump. She hadn't
heard him come into the room.
"How long have you been standing there?" she asked.
"Just a few minutes."
"You should no better than to sneak up on me without making a sound. I might mistake you for an orc and stab
you." As she spoke she moved closer to him till she was in his arms.
"I was mesmerized," he said. She sighed and leaned against his shoulder.
"One more battle, one more scar," she said. Aragorn kissed the top of her head.
"Scars fade in time," he said. "You just have to let them." "Perhaps," she whispered. "I fear there are only more scars to come. Gandalf
was right, you know. It's not over yet"
"I know," he said. "But as your uncle said, that is for tomorrow. Tonight we honor those who have fallen and celebrate those that still
live. And we best get ready. Your uncle will never forgive us if we are late to the feast." Mariell sighed with pleasure as she lifted the
new green tunic Eowyn had brought her over her head. It was a relief to get out of the red tunic she'd been wearing since leaving the
shire. She pulled on a pair of clean trousers and ran a wooden comb through her hair. For the first time in a long time she felt fresh and
clean. The only thing that didn't change was the pendant around her neck. Finally ready, she took Aragorn's arm and they went to the
grand hall. The feast was already underway when they entered. Every table was filled to the brim with Rohan's people. She saw Eothain
sitting with his mother and sister and she smiled at him. The boy smiled back and gave her a little wave. Eowyn came up to both of them
and handed them each a cup. Mariell took hers gratefully and sipped at the ale, letting it burn its way down to her belly. Aragorn left her
side to go converse with Gandalf. As she and Eowyn moved through the hall, the men stopped and thumped on their tables as she
passed.
"They are paying homage to you, cousin," Eowyn explained. "For all of Rohan knows that it is you whom we owe the victory to." "The
victory is not mine alone," she said. "It belongs to all of us"
"You are too modest cousin," Eowyn said. "Aragorn has told me that it was your spell that protected them. Though I do not quite
understand how you did it"
"I'm not sure myself," Mariell confessed.
"Well whatever you did," Eowyn said. "Rohan is grateful to you. Our hope has been restored." Mariell smiled as her cousin kissed her
cheek. A commotion caught her attention and she moved through the room towards it. She could not help laughing as she saw Merry
and Pippin dancing on the table while the people cheered them on.
"You can drink your fancy ales! You can drink them by the flagon! But the only brew for the brave and truuuuuueee, comes from the
Green Dragon!" The people laughed as the hobbits sang the old drinking song of the Shire. She saw Aragorn standing next to Gandalf
and moved to his side. His arms easily wrapped around her and she leaned back against him. In his arms she felt as though no harm
could touch her. It was as though all of reality just disappeared leaving only him.
"No news of Frodo," Aragorn said softly. Her spine stiffened at the mention of her brother's name. With everything that had happened
in the last few days she had not thought of him. Now her mind filled with him and her heart twisted painfully in her chest.
"None," Gandalf said sadly.
"We still have time," Aragorn said. "Every day Frodo gets closer to Mordor."
"What makes you think Frodo is still alive?" Gandalf asked.
"He is alive," Mariell said. "I know he is." Aragorn's arms tightened around her and she drew strength from his embrace.
"Yes," Gandalf said. "Yes, he's still alive." Legolas appeared at that moment and gestured for Aragorn to come to him. Giving Mariell a
final squeeze he left them to speak to the elf.
"How are you feeling my dear?" Gandalf asked her. Mariell sighed.
"I should have gone with him, Gandalf. I shouldn't have let him go alone"
"He does not go alone. Sam is with him. Sam will let no harm fall on Frodo." "Dear Sam," Mariell whispered. It did make her feel better
knowing that Sam was with Frodo.
"It should have been me, Gandalf. Frodo should never have had to bear this burden"
"Do not regret your decision to let him go, Mariell. There are other forces at work than that of evil. Bilbo was meant to find the ring.
Which means that Frodo was also meant to have it. You, Mariell, were meant for a different path. To fight against Sauron, to save your
people. Can you truly say that everything that has transpired since leaving Frodo has been horrible?" As Mariell thought about Gandalf's
words she looked over where Aragorn was speaking to Legolas.
"No," she said. "Not all horrible." Gandalf smiled and nodded at her. Mariell's attention was diverted from her husband at that moment
when Pippin fell off the table and into her arms.
"May I have this dance?" the slightly inebriated hobbit said looking up at her.
