The Jewel of Gondor (Original Version)

by Queen Apolline

Taríen Eleniel is the wife of Boromir and the Lady of Gondor, but she is so much more than that. She is the last princess of an ancient house, an Elf-friend, and a warrior of unmatched caliber. She is strong, but can she survive the War of the Ring while pregnant? Rewritten version of the Lady of Minas Tirith. Later AU. In the process of rewriting. Again. PERMANENT HIATUS

37. Finding Aragorn

I do not own LotR or anything else in Arda.

Éowyn heard the call, "Make way for the King! Make way for Théoden! Make way for the King!" She ran to the courtyard and was by her uncle's side as he dismounted. "So few," she said softly. "So few of you have returned." "Our people are safe," Théoden said. "We have paid for it with many lives." She heard a voice say, "My lady," and she turned quickly to see Gimli, his helm in hand, walking slowly towards her. Her eyes widened. "Lord Aragorn," she asked. "Where is he?"

"He fell," Gimli said shortly, his voice pained. Éowyn felt her eyes bulge. She turned slowly to look at her uncle. He stared at her sadly. "Lady Taríen has gone to retrieve the body." "But there could be countless orcs between her and his body!" Éowyn gasped. "Aragorn called her the best swordfighter to ever walk in Arda," Gimli said. "I have never known him to lie." "Even the best fighter can be outnumbered," Éowyn replied.

---

It was late in the evening when Taríen saw a lone figure slumped over a horse. She recognized both. "Estel!" she called, spurring Stormbringer into a gallop. "Brego!" The horse turned to look at her. She slipped off Stormbringer and ran to them. She took Brego's head in her hands and kissed his brow. "You brave, brave horse. Thank you, thank you, may you be blessed by Ilúvatar and live a life worthy of your noble deed."

She moved quickly to Aragorn, who sagged into her arms. She quickly knelt, unable to bear his weight for long. "Emel," he muttered in faint recognition. "Arwen said the grace of the Valar would protect me." "I'm not technicaly a Vala," she mentioned, "but I'm the closest thing you'll get on short notice. Come, we must make haste for Helm's Deep. Can you ride alone?"

"I think so," he muttered. With help from Brego, she helped him remount. "If you feel as if you will collapse, tell me, and I'll move you to ride with me," she instructed. "However, that will not be comfortable for either of us, and I'd prefer not to. If you need to, tell me. Understand?" "Yes, Emel," he muttered, still in a daze.

She sighed and pulled some athelas leaves from one of her saddlebags. "Here," she said, thrusting them into Aragorn's hands. "Eat these. They're not as powerful in my hands as yours, but they'll still help." Aragorn chewed the leaves slowly, and she could see some color returning to his face. "Ready?" she asked. He nodded. They began to ride for Helm's Deep.