Hello!
As always and, first of all, I want to thank all those who have read this story. You have always been a great motivation for me.
In the previous chapter, although there was not much action, there were some important events: the change in the relationship between Legolas and Lenore; The peace between Lenore and Princess Éowyn; The classes that the princess gave to Lenore, the bet that won the first one and that until now it is not known what she asked in return; The one that Be-sníwod woke up, and the conversation of Aragorn with Gim-sylfred. In this way, Aragorn has been, apart from Lenore, the first person to have a counseling-type conversation with a dragon.
But now ... the warning signs of Minas Tirith have been seen. What will happen?
On the way, they will find a news that will alarm Aragorn and that will take him to ask for a help that no one was expecting. But when the dragons know ... will they want to help them?
Your reviews are important and as always ... here we go:
Chapter 37: A desperate help for a desperate message
Just Aragorn and Gim-sylfred had seen the smoke signals coming out of Minas Tirith, when they sped off to warn the king and the Bregu.
King Théoden, faithful to his word, immediately ordered that everything be prepared to leave as soon as possible. At the time, all the dragons enlisted, led by the Bregu (including Be-sníwod who was fully recovered) and Lenore.
Out of appreciation to Aragorn, who was urged to arrive at the city as soon as possible, the dragons supported with the preparations, helping to carry the heaviest and that the army could advance faster.
All the warriors were already leaving Edoras when Aragorn noticed that many women accompanied them and wondered why. Not that he hated being accompanied by other people, but the pace of women no matter how hard they tried was less than that of the warriors. It was rare for the woman who could keep up with them, and most of the time it was because of the long, uncomfortable dresses that Rohan's women wore.
He was wondering at the reason for this, because neither Éomer nor the king seemed very concerned about it, when he saw from a distance the princess who was next to a horse loaded with various things, all covered by coarse cloths and sacks.
"Your Highness" greeted her barely standing next to her
Éowyn blushed involuntarily, but no longer had any illusions. He loved Lady Arwen, an elleth, and Lady Arwen loved him ... that would never change. However, she greeted gently.
"Lord Aragorn," she said with a slight smile and a slight bow of her head.
"I'm surprised to see you and several women accompany us"
The princess turned.
"Do not you like me to accompany you, Lord Aragorn?"
"It's not that, I'm surprised that several women go with us as we go to battle, not any battle"
"True, and precisely because it is not any battle is that we go"
Aragorn was surprised. It was not logical.
"It is a custom in Rohan that when men go to a cruel and bloody battle, the women accompany the warriors a part of the way as a farewell and to wish them good luck and to return soon to us"
Aragorn raised a surprised eyebrow. It was a new thing and he would never have imagined it, he was going to speak when suddenly he saw that beneath the sacks that covered the bundle that the princess carried on her horse, something shone ... it shone like, like, an armor or a sword.
Éowyn hastened to cover that bundle well, which caught the attention of Aragorn because the reaction of the princess had been like someone who hides something. However, he did not have much time to think about it because at that moment, a soldier approached and told him that the king wanted to talk to him.
"Your Highness" said making a slight bow with his head as a farewell
"Lord Aragorn," replied the princess in the same way.
The Ranger moved quickly away, following the soldier. The princess breathed a sigh of relief.
"That was close, very close" she thought.
"Lassie, did not you see in your dream well the battle that would take place in Minas Tirith?" Asked Gimli
"I only saw images that alone do not make much sense and the only thing I did was to describe them in my song"
"It's a shame that you could not see at all, we could make a strategy based on it. By the way, who gave you the idea of writing a song? "
Hearing the dwarf's question, Lenore paled, but she turned to feel someone take her left hand and squeeze it gently. It was Legolas who smiled at her affectionately as if encouraging her.
Lenore still found it hard to talk about that part of her past, however, Legolas was of the idea that it was necessary for her to forget it, to talk about it if necessary. Obviously, he would always be there so she could vent, but it was also necessary that she could talk to someone else if asked.
Lenore took a deep breath and returned the gentle squeeze to Legolas.
"A person, a long time ago" said "asked me why I was tired, I told him that because I could not sleep, he asked me the reason I told him about the dream and was that he gave me the idea to write about this"
"Whoever it was, he had a good idea, lassie. Without that song now we would be blind without knowing what we are going ... well, more than we are. And what did he say when you show him it, because I imagine you showed it to him or composed it later? "
"No Gimli, I showed it, but he showed no interest in it"
The dwarf made a gesture of strangeness. That was not logical, the song was very beautiful and strange, why then had not been interest?
"That's weird," he said.
He was going to ask something else when Legolas cut him off.
"I think, Gimli, that we've talked too much about that song. We all know what Lady Galadriel said and it is better to stick to it "
Gimli was a dwarf who, although grumpy and hard on the outside, was very perceptive and knew how to appreciate people. Immediately he realized that something had probably hurt Lenore and, knowing the elf, wanted to protect her.
"No doubt" he replied "if you want to talk about something else, I can propose about food. I'm hungry. We've been walking all day and that makes me hungry "
"I do not want to imagine Merry, he who loves to eat," said Lenore without letting go of Legolas's hand "surely he will be able to finish the provisions of the whole army"
"Aye, the lad has an extremely large stomach and a fierce appetite. Which, by the way ... where is he? "
"He's with Be-sníwod" answered Legolas "I think he's afraid that something bad will happen again"
"What happened to her and what she did was not anything. It's strange, but you get fond of those Bregu "
"Did you get attached to any of them, Gimli?" Lenore asked.
Gimli snorted.
"Not exactly ... well, they earn the affection," he said softly.
"If Clíf-stan hear you," Legolas said with a small smile.
Gimli shot him a dark glare, while Lenore gave a gentle and playful elbow to the elf. This one, he was surprised at first, but then he returned the blow even softer than she and then gave her a kiss on the head.
Gimli rolled his eyes
"Sweethearts" said
However, he was very happy for them because they really looked very happy and, although dwarf, he knew and recognized that the love of the elves was something very special throughout Middle-Earth. The lassie had definitely won the lottery.
Shortly after they approached them Haethcyn, since the boy was with them they stopped talking about everything related to the song, Saruman, the One Ring, and even, about Sauron. It was better to talk about any triviality, why worry the child with all this if the situation was already tense in itself?
Legolas looked tenderly at Lenore as the woman talked to the child along with Gimli. That woman was his life and honor together and seeing her well, healthy and in a good mood made him happy. All the way was beside her, holding hands.
Haethcyn saw them, mainly Gimli and Lenore, as friends. Legolas and Aragorn inspired him respect and Merry? The hobbit had not dealt with him much, but Haethcyn was sure he was a good company as well.
This orphaned child had also found a good atmosphere among the Bregu, who were well-acquainted with Lenore and Gimli, who received and treated him with more kindness than the other children of the Second Children of Ilúvatar, especially Líg-raesc.
The walk, heavy and under a blazing sun, ended towards dusk, which would be the last moment when the women and all those who accompanied the army would be with them. The next day, they would return to Edoras while the warriors would continue their way to Minas Tirith.
That night, after setting up the camp, the king, Éomer, the Fellowship, with the exception of Merry, Lenore, AÉfen-leóht, and the Bregu had counsel while the dragons surrounded the whole camp and stood guard with the soldiers.
In other circumstances they would all have been assembled in a tent, but since the dragons were also present, they had moved away from the camp long enough to be near, but at the same time at a convenient distance where no one could hear them.
They had lit a fire where they had been eating for a while, talking about some army and food issues, however, at dinner there was a tense atmosphere.
After this, they put a large table with a map of Minas Tirith and its port, its great wall that surrounded it and all its surroundings because it was necessary to put together a strategy as soon as possible.
"Sauron's army is likely to attack from the front because there is more territory suitable for them to fight," said the king.
"He could also try to encircle the whole city," said Aragorn
"It would not make much sense," said Éomer, "the orcs are far more powerful on land than in water." He turned to the Bregu who watched the map closely and listened intently, "or do you think they have the dragons attacked on that side?"
The Bregu saw each other. The leader of the Rohirrim always took them into account when dealing with dragons, it was both interesting and important to take it into account.
"It's a fact, the dragons will attack there" replied Be-sníwod
"What kind of dragons are we talking about?" Asked Théoden.
"Almost any clan," replied Clíf-stan "except for Earth Dragons, my clan's do not like to be in the water for a long time because it's not our element"
"Well, that's a relief"
"Not at all, king," replied Gim-sylfred, "most likely there are no Earth Dragons, but Water Dragons"
Théoden and Éomer looked at each other in astonishment. Dragons? In water? That was crazy! The dragons spat fire and flew, then ... how could there be in the water.
"It's true, Your Majesty" replied Lenore "my dragon and I have already faced one of them"
"But how can there be dragons in the water ?!"
"They do not spit fire, but acid. They have no problem living in the water "
Théoden and Éomer stared at each other, this was an unforeseen obstacle. They could not attack by water and attack the army of orcs.
"Lassie, but you disenchanted to the Bregu of the Water Dragon" said Gimli after a brief silence
"Yes, but we have no way to be sure AÉ-welm will be in the place of action. Maybe she's still with Frodo and Sam "
Gimli cursed under his breath.
"Well, then we do not have to be in the water," Théoden said.
"Not in all the ports and walls of that part," AÉfen-leóht said, "the Water Dragons can leave the water and be several hundred meters from the water without any problem"
"So it's we who are between two fires," Éomer said.
"It may be that a part of the army of dragons stays there to face the Water Dragon," said Aragorn, "surely there will be some who are spell bounded, even if they do not go with them orcs. Perhaps Lenore could disenchant as many as possible on that side and then we force them to go to a part of the enemy army so that we can more easily defend the great wall that surrounds the city "
Hearing this, Legolas turned sharply to Aragorn and then to Lenore. Do not! She? To be in the midst of that terrible battle? She could well die and if she died ... he could not bear it.
Lenore in response gave him a slight smile and squeezed his hand gently to encourage him and to calm him down.
The king and Éomer looked at each other discreetly. Then the gossip was true that the elf-lord and the draca-háta were more than mere friends.
At this feeling, Legolas no longer spoke, but certainly he did not agree and had to do something about it. He would talk to Lenore and / or Aragorn to remedy that matter and change the plan.
"I think it's a good choice," Lenore said. "I could take several dragons from the different clans and some of you to join me," she added, turning to the Bregu who nodded.
"Gim-sylfred would be a good idea to go with you, draca-háta, her scales protect her better than us" said Clíf-stan
"Arathorn's son needs to be at the head of the main army," the Silver Dragoness replied, "but I can leave several of my clan with her"
"Á-blícan is an option" said Líg-raesc "he and his clan sense the dragons unlike us, that can be a great help"
Lenore nodded slowly.
"We have to take into account that the Ringwraiths will also be in the middle of the battle," added Aragorn
When they heard this, the king and Éomer became pale.
"How do you know, Lord Aragorn?"
All the others, except Éomer and the king looked at each other. Was a good idea to say something about the song? There were not many options, the king would not stop asking until he knew. Only Gandalf would be able to make him give up his curiosity and that ...
"There is a ... song that reveals some events that will take place in this war," Aragorn said after seeing Lenore, who gave him a slight affirmative gesture. "There are different battles that have happened throughout all this time, "
Théoden and Éomer looked at each other in astonishment. A song? And written by whom?
"The song so far has been totally accurate," Aragorn continued, "it has spoken about the death of one of my friends, the help elves gave us at Helm Deep, the battle in the fortress, the destruction of the city of the dwarves in Moria, the return of Gandalf, the oppression of Saruman in your kingdom, the unity of different races to defeat the Dark Lord of Mordor ... there is nothing that has not said and that has not been fulfilled "
"And who wrote that song?" Asked Éomer
"I" Lenore replied
"And does not your song say whether we will win or not, Lady Lenore?" The king asked
"The song says 'and time will tell us all' "... so nothing is written"
"The truth is that it says that the Ringwratihs will be in the battle," said Aragorn "and we must be prepared for it"
"And how are we supposed to be able to face them, Lord Aragorn?" Said the king, "you know the power of them and of the Witch King!"
"Perhaps for the children of the Second Children of Ilúvatar they are too powerful," said Líg-raesc "but we can deal with them"
Although Théoden did not believe that such a thing could happen, there was some hope. After all, it had been a Bregu that had destroyed a palantir.
There was silence.
"This is going to be hell," Éomer murmured.
"Even in hell there may be hope, son of the Second Children of Ilúvatar," said Be-sníwod
The leader of the Rohirrim and even the others smiled slightly. Those dragons were truly a great moral support with their cold blood, their clear mind, and their hope that was never lost.
At that moment, they heard footsteps and saw that it was an Earth Dragon approaching.
"What is it?" Asked Clíf-stan
"Three of our brothers have caught three spies"
They all looked at each other. Who could be so clumsy as to approach such a large and well-guarded camp? Orcs were not ... or were they?
"Where are they?" Asked Clíf-stan
"At the entrance to the camp.
"Are they orcs?"
"No, they are children of the First Children of Ilúvatar"
On hearing this, Lenore, who had understood everything as the dragons had been speaking in their native tongue, said:
"Elves?"
The Earth Dragon nodded.
"What do elves do here?" Gimli asked. "There are no elvish lands"
"We'd better see who they are," Aragorn said, turning to Lenore who nodded.
"They have not said who they are?" She asked the Earth Dragon
"No, draca-háta. But if you want you can come and interrogate them "
Without thinking twice, Lenore followed the others to the entrance of the camp where a White Dragoness, an Earth Dragoness and an Ice Dragon had prisoners to three elves.
Seeing them, Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, AÉfen-leóht and Lenore were astonished. They were Lord Elrond and his two sons: Elohir and Elladan.
Aragorn turned to see Lenore. He could ask the dragons to leave their friends and brothers free, but he always gave her place to the woman as draca-háta.
"No, no problem" she told the three dragons "they are friends"
The three dragons looked for a moment threateningly at the three elves and after that they turned away.
"Brothers and friends of mine!" Exclaimed Aragorn rejoicing, "I thought I would never see you again"
Elladan and Elohir greeted him with a fraternal embrace.
"We're glad to see you one more time, brother," they said.
Lord Elrond approached and greeted the Ranger gently, yet there was something in his face that worried him.
"Come," Aragorn told them, "I introduce you the king of Rohan, Théoden; And the leader of the Rohirrim, Éomer; And the Bregu of the Middle-Earth dragons. And to you brothers, I present Lenore, her dragon AÉfen-leóht and Gimli "
Elohir and Elladan watched with a certain disdain for Gimli who cursed under his breath. Those elves were not at all friendly, probably because they had not been through what he'd been through all those months.
Lord Elrond greeted Legolas and then Lenore and her dragon. He stared at them.
"I did not think you would go ahead with them," he told them.
"We made an oath to the Fellowship of the Ring and we will keep it to the end," she said in response.
Lord Elrond nodded and greeted with a slight bow to the Black Dragon who responded in the same way.
"I want to introduce you, Lord Elrond, to the Bregu of the Middle-Earth dragons," added Lenore. She turned and looked at the dragons as if asking them if she could say their names to which the Bregu nodded slightly.
"Their names are Gim-sylfred, Clíf-stan, Líg-raesc and Be-sníwod"
Each Bregu when listening to their name slightly bowed their head as a greeting. They knew Lord Elrond by means of Lenore who had told them all their adventure in Middle-Earth
"Although I would like to meet you more, I need to speak urgently with Lord Aragorn," he said.
Upon hearing this and seeing the elf's face showing concern and seriousness, the Ranger immediately nodded and they both moved away from being out of everyone's earshot.
The king and Eomer saw each other. Those elves did not pose any danger, so they could well go to the camp.
"Come in," Théoden told them, "there is food and drink to replenish forces"
And without further ado, he walked away, followed by Éomer.
Elladan and Elohir looked at each other. It was not necessary that they eat or drink, after all the elves were not beings who needed to eat as often as a man, nevertheless, they accepted the invitation.
Lenore was about to follow them when Legolas stopped her by taking her by the hand. She turned and saw the face of her beloved elf worried because it showed fear and concern.
"What is it, fela-leóre?" She asked concerned
Legolas took her hand and carried her a few yards from the camp. Once removed he released her hand and began pacing, an unmistakable sign that something worried him greatly.
"Tell me, what's wrong, fela-leóre?" She asked concernedly and lovingly, "what's troubling you?"
"You, Melethril," he said turning to her.
Lenore made a gesture of surprise.
"I? Why?"
"I fear for your life. You will go to that battle that will be bloody and where we will face an army much more numerous that the one of Helm Deep. And if something happens to you? If they hurt you? And if... if ... if I lose you? Melethril ... "
Lenore laid a hand on his lips.
"You must not worry about me, fela-leóre, am I not the draca-háta of all the dragons of Middle-Earth? Do not I share heart with a dragon? Am I not an innate warrior? You told me yourself "
Legolas took her hand over his lips, kissed it and put it on his cheek.
"It's true, but ... I fear for your life. If they killed you, it would be for me as if they would rip my Fëa away ... I do not want to lose you, there are so many things that we have to do together ...! "
Lenore smiled at him tenderly. Yes, she also expected a lot of things to do together, but there was no chance to just get carried away by what they felt or wanted.
"Listen fela-leóre," she said. "We have no choice. The dragons will fight alongside Aragorn because he is our ally, and I will guide them. I have come out alive from both Helm Deep and Isengard ... "
"But in Isengard you were wounded"
"For my recklessness, but I assure you that I already learned my lesson. In addition, I have a reason to stay alive at all costs "
Legolas smiled. That reason was him.
"Do not worry. I also fear for you and if you die ... I would also prefer to die because I could not go on without you. You have been my anchor, my comfort and joy ... but we cannot just stick to it. We have to fight, remember? Strive for our relationship to continue as it is "
Legolas nodded and kissed the palm of her hand.
"Yes ... fight" he said "until the Dark Lord of Mordor is defeated and then you and I can live together in peace"
"That is the grand prize, fela-leóre"
The elf smiled at her tenderly. She, the chosen one of his heart, was a brave woman ready to do her part too. He could perfectly sense her fear, but the fact that she was going to fight to stay alive only for him ... made him overcome. He would also fight to stay alive for her.
He reached out, hugged her tenderly, and gave her a long kiss on the forehead. Lenore closed her eyes and took a deep breath. How she loved when he did that because she could see his Fëa brighter than the Sun itself! For a moment the two Fëa tried to reach and graze, even for a few seconds, but a snort made them turn sharply and break the charm.
"The Ranger guy has finished talking to Lord Elrond and ... wants to see us," AÉfen-leóht said.
Lenore and Legolas nodded and held hands and returned to the camp just to see the elf and Aragorn leaving a tent, both with dark and worried face.
"I have to go," said Lord Elrond at that moment, "but my sons stay to support you"
"What is it, Lord Elrond?" Lenore asked, seeing that he said nothing more.
The elf turned and realized that the woman and Legolas were holding hands and seeing this, a cloud of sadness covered his eyes, which did not go unnoticed by Lenore or Legolas.
"I am only concerned about different matters, Lady Lenore," he replied, "I wish the Válar be with you during the battle"
With that said, he left the place, but he made a discreet signal to Aragorn to follow him who followed him on the pretext that he was going to fire him until leaving the camp.
"What is it?" Aragorn asked once they left the camp
"Surely you've already noticed how Legolas and Lady Lenore look at each other, are not they? And how are they treated, is not it? "Asked the elf point-blank
Aragorn nodded.
"And have you allowed it?"
"I cannot interfere in the decisions of others" was the response of the Ranger "both love each other and I cannot prevent such a thing from happening"
"And you do not know what can happen? Arwen can choose if she decides to be immortal or not because he is half elleth half human, but Legolas ... Legolas is completely elf, for him there is no option "
"I know, but I cannot do anything, he has already made his decision and no matter how much I want to make him give up, he will not change and you know why"
Lord Elrond nodded.
"At least her joy will be more lasting than one might think," Aragorn went on. "Lenore shares a heart with a dragon so she hopes to live about 2500 years"
Lord Elrond shook his head. That would never have expected, but after a few moments his face darkened again and a cloud of sadness covered his eyes.
"But there's something you do not tell me, is not it?" Aragorn told him when he noticed this.
"Lady Galadriel has said that on the day that Legolas hears the croaking of the gulls, his heart will no longer be in the woods"
Aragorn paled. The famous sea-longing of the elves! That had not taken into account, but ... they had always moved through wooded places never near the ... sea? There was a knot in his throat. Minas Tirith was right by the sea.
"Oh Válar!" He thought in anguish.
Lord Elrond looked at him.
"There is nothing more to be done than begging the Válar to have mercy on them," he said.
He mounted his horse, waved good-bye, and went galloping. Aragorn saw him until he was lost in the darkness.
If the news that Lord Elrond had brought him especially had distressed and grieved, that prophecy of Lady Galadriel ended by ending the bad luck. What to do? What to do, oh Válar, what to do? How had he not thought of it? And apparently, Gandalf either! But now there was nothing to do but do what Lord Elrond had said: to pray to the Válar for.
"Well ... what does the Lord of Rivendell say?" Gimli asked once the Ranger returned to the camp where the others were waiting, including the Bregu.
"He's come to bring me news about Arwen," he replied in a muffled tone.
They all looked at each other in surprise. The logical thing is that he was happy rather than sad. Something was behind it.
"And what about the Evenstar?" Asked after a moment Legolas
Aragorn took a deep breath.
"Already ... she made her decision and she ... has ... started to die," Aragorn said, his eyes lowered to hide his tears.
"Decision?" Wondered Lenore
"Evenstar is half elleth half human. She can choose if she lives the rest of her days as elleth, or if she renounces her immortality and decides for her human side" Legolas explained "once the decision is made, it cannot be changed "
There was a heavy silence. That explained Aragorn's sadness.
"Fear not, son of Arathorn," said Gim-sylfred, "she has made her decision, a decision that was hers and only hers. Rejoice that the daughter of the First Children of Ilúvatar, chose a mortal life to be next to you "
"But now she cannot go to Válinor. She will now be in danger as well as all the other inhabitants of Middle-Earth! "
"Then fight for her, son of Arathorn"
Aragorn looked up and saw Legolas and Lenore standing next to each other and again lookied down. To all of them he seemed to be preoccupied with the situation with his beloved Arwen, for all but Gim-sylfred.
"Then let us hurry, so that the faster we defeat the insane Eye of Fire, you may be next to the lady of your thoughts" said the Black Dragon
"It's not going to be easy, lad," Gimli said.
"There is no worse fight than the one that is not tried"
Aragorn stopped pacing and turned his gaze to a misty mountain that was some distance from the camp.
"You're not thinking about going there, are you?" Legolas asked when he noticed this.
"We do not have many options"
"What's wrong with going there?" Lenore asked.
"Are you sure to go there, son of Arathorn?" Be-sníwod asked "it is not a place many want to go, including dragons"
"Many want to go?" Said Gimli "no one wants to go!"
"Why?" Asked AÉfen-leóht, but he had hardly asked the question when he shot his head and almost at the same time also Lenore.
"What is it, draca-háta?" Asked concerned Líg-raesc
The others looked at the Black Dragon and the woman who shared heart with him questioningly and concerned.
"Dragon" said Lenore "a dragon is coming"
Everyone looked at each other more concerned.
"Just one?" Aragorn asked.
Lenore and her dragon looked at each other.
"Yes, just one ... one ... white?"
AÉfen-leóht nodded.
"Will it be Á-blícan?" Asked Clíf-stan
At that moment, several roars were heard that immediately both the Bregu, Lenore, their dragon and Legolas understood:
"Dragon in sight!"
Everyone prepared to attack in case it was necessary, but their surprise was great when they saw that the dragon that arrived was ... Á-blícan.
Immediately the king, Éomer, the Fellowship and the Bregu gathered to know the information that brought them the White Dragon. This way they were not as blind as at first.
However, the news brought by Á-blícan was not encouraging. As White Dragon had sensed that a huge army of dragons was approaching Minas Tirith. He had not seen or sensed any Water Dragon, but all Bregu, Lenore, and the Black Dragon were certain they would not be lacking in battle.
As for the dragon army approaching along with that of the orcs, not only were there different clans, but there were also Red Dragons which greatly alarmed Théoden, the Fellowship, and the Bregu.
They had already seen them fighting and even faced them and had experienced in their own flesh the ferocity and aggressiveness of that type of dragons.
"You do not see if Red Dragons are under the spell of Saruman?" Lenore asked.
"Yes, this time most of the Red Dragons bring those horrible collars that the traitor put us"
"And of the other clans?"
"Most are also under the spell of the traitor, however, the number of those on the side of A-aglaéca-Ágend is greater than we have faced"
"Have not you seen our sister, Ed-wilm?" Asked Clíf-stan
"There is no Bregu among them" replied Á-blícan
"And the Ringwraiths?" The king asked, "have you seen the Ringwraiths?"
Á-blícan looked at him and snorted. He was not going to answer the questions of anyone other than the Bregu, Aragorn, the Black Dragon and, of course, Lenore.
Seeing this, Lenore hastened to ask the same question too.
"Yes, I have. They ride on their black horses and in front of them goes the Witch King "
"'The Ringwraiths ride in black'" quoted Gimli the song of Lenore
"And how many do you think they are, brother? How many of our brethren do you think they are? "Asked Líg-raesc
"500"
They all looked at each other and paled. This was a much larger number of dragons than any they had ever faced. Not even in Isengard had there been so many.
"Decidedly that insane wants to take that city" murmured AÉfen-leóht
"And orcs? How many orcs? "Aragorn asked.
"More than 3000"
"It is a lost cause!" Cried the king, "we go straight to death. We and all the inhabitants of Minas Tirith will die! "
"At least we must try!" Said Legolas "we cannot leave them to their fate!"
"And who can stand against such an army, elf-lord?" Replied Éomer, "not even the number of all the dragons is 500!"
"In Isengard they were more and we could defeat them" said Lenore
Aragorn returned once more his sight to that mountain that was half wrapped in the haze.
"You certainly do not expect to go there, do you, Lord Aragorn?" Said Théoden
"It is our only hope of having any hope of overcoming them"
All but Lenore and AÉfen-leóht stared. That idea did not convince them because everyone knew the history of that mountain.
"It's not convenient," Éomer said.
"We have no choice," said Aragorn, "I will go and try luck and the Válar help me"
And he went away to prepare his horse and leave as soon as possible.
The council had dissolved as soon as the Ranger was gone. Everyone knew that there would be no power to make him give up, and especially when now Aragorn knew that his beloved Arwen had already made up her mind and had begun to die.
"Ummm ... I have a question," Lenore said, "why are you so afraid of that mountain?"
"Do not you know the story, lassie?" Asked Gimli
"Do not. Remember that my dragon and I are new in this realm? "
"In short it is said that many hundreds of years ago, Gondor was in great danger. They had made an alliance with the king who lived on that mountain. When Minas Tirith was attacked, they asked their allies for help, but they refused to go and let it die alone. Fortunately for the city, it succeeded, but the king of Gondor of that time cursed the one who had abandoned him, so that their souls were locked in a cave and never go to rest unless they fully fulfill their oath towards that king or his descendants ... in this case Aragorn "
Lenore and her dragon looked at each other. This was a rather macabre story, and although none of them believed in ghosts at all, the mere sight of that mountain from a distance that seemed to have something mysterious made them think that there must be some truth behind it .
Meanwhile, Aragorn finished preparing his horse when he heard footsteps.
"What is troubling you, son of Arathorn?"
Aragorn turned and saw Gim-sylfred looking intently into his eyes. The Ranger was fully aware that perhaps the Silver Dragoness did not have the sharpness of sight that would have Líg-raesc or AÉfen-leóht, but she did have enough to clearly notice that something was not right.
"I'm worried about Arwen," he answered without seeing her as he prepared his saddle. "I cannot allow anything to happen to her, I cannot allow her to die and Middle-Earth ... now she cannot be safe in Válinor and I ..."
"I know that, son of Arathorn, though, that's not the only thing that worries you"
Aragorn pretended to be surprised, but the Silver Dragoness knew perfectly well that, being the oldest among the Bregu, she was highly experienced and observant.
He thought of pretending he did not understand, but he knew he would not be able to deceive her, and that, in fact, was precisely why Gim-sylfred had come to talk to him alone.
"It's about Legolas and Lenore," he said in a very low voice.
Gim-sylfred tilted her head between confused and surprised. Why was he worried if both the elf and the draca-háta were happy and perfectly complemented each other?
"Lord Elrond, he also brought a message from Lady Galadriel," Aragorn went on. "He did not tell Legolas why he saw Lenore and him, but ..."
Aragorn sighed.
"The prophecy says that on the day that Legolas hears the squawking of the gulls, his heart will never rest in the woods"
"And that worries you, son of Arathorn?"
Aragorn turned surprised to Gim-sylfred.
"Of course I'm worried!" He said. "I guess you know that, but all elves have the so-called sea-longing in their deepest heart. Once they have felt it, they are never going to be the same again, never again are they completely happy here in Middle-Earth. Minas Tirith is by the sea and Lenore is not immortal nor is she a dragon ... "
"Son of Arathorn, do not be distressed," Gim-sylfred interrupted, "the Goddu would never allow an elf to fall in love with a draca-háta and vice versa, and then to separate them in that cruel way"
"Perhaps, but Lady Galadriel is never wrong. Once she has said a prophecy, it is always fulfilled "
"It is true, the Ge-sipwíf has the gift of sight like no one and so far, has never been wrong, but perhaps you are the one who is wrong"
Aragorn made a gesture of surprise. Wrong? For what was the prophecy of the Lady of the Light not obvious? Once Legolas heard the squawking of the gulls would never be the same because his heart would no longer rest in the woods!
"The prophecy says that his heart would no longer rest in the woods," said Gim-sylfred "but pay attention, son of Arathorn, the heart of the son of Thranduil no longer rests in the woods but in the draca-háta"
Aragorn made a gesture of strangeness. Then that made no sense. If the elf's heart no longer rested in the woods but in Lenore ... then was the prophecy wrong? Or was his heart no longer resting in Lenore but in his sea-longing? That was too complicated and he did not have time to be pondering on it.
He took his horse and walked away from the camp, ready to leave. Gim-sylfred accompanied him and was leaving when a voice stopped him.
"And where do you think you're going, lad?"
Aragorn and Gim-sylfred turned and saw Líg-raesc, Clíf-stan, AÉfen-leóht, Gimli and Legolas.
"Are you coming with me?" He asked in amazement.
"Why not, Ranger guy? After all, we are still the Fellowship of the Ring, "said the Black Dragon
"We can take you much faster than your horses," said Líg-raesc. "Besides, my brother, he knows the forests much better than any other living being in Middle-Earth"
Aragorn smiled, grateful for the kindness of the Bregu, but then he made a gesture of strangeness.
"Where's Lenore?" He asked.
"Here I come!"
They all turned. At that moment, Lenore arrived, followed by Be-sníwod and Á-blícan.
"They will stay in charge of all the dragons while we are away," she said.
She nimbly mounted on AÉfen-leóht while Legolas, Gimli and Aragorn each imitated her on Líg-raesc, Clíf-stan and Gim-sylfred respectively.
"Do not worry, draca-háta" he said Á-blícan "we will be ready whether or not the reinforcements"
"And all that has been entrusted to us, too," Be-sníwod said with a meaningful glance and to some extent, an accomplice with Lenore, who smiled.
"May the Goddu be with you" Be-sníwod and Á-blícan said
"Are we going to fly?" Asked Gimli.
"No," said Clíf-stan "I know a route that will take us in much less time to our destination"
"How can we go faster on land than by air?" Aragorn asked.
"I know the land as no one else does," replied Clíf-stan "now, follow me. Son of Gloin, hold yourself "
Barely Gimli had time to do what he was told when the Bregu of the Earth Dragon had begun to run at an impressive speed that not even the other three dragons could reach him and still less to surpass.
After a couple of hours of running at full speed. Clíf-stan stopped abruptly, and after a few moments, with his tail ending in some sort of large ball with scales that looked like sharp thorns, made a hole so large that a dragon could easily enter.
"You have strength, lad!" Exclaimed astonished Gimli
"It is a hole already made, son of Gloin, only the Bregu of the Earth Dragon we are able to distinguish it"
He turned to the other three dragons with their horsemen who had all seen them in awe.
"This tunnel will take us in less time and without so much danger until the entrance of the cave" said "but for this it is necessary that you follow my instructions strictly because if you are not Earth Dragon you will end up dying buried alive"
"Nice thing," murmured Lenore.
"Now, first I will go; Then Líg-raesc; Gim-sylfred will follow; And in the end, AÉfen-leóht "
"Why in that order?" Asked Aragorn.
"Because I know the way, Líg-raesc will illuminate the way to Gim-sylfred and AÉfen-leóht is the one who has the best view in the darkness of all of us, will not therefore need the light of Líg-raesc"
The Bregu of the Earth Dragons paused.
"Now, follow me"
And he went into the hole followed by Líg-raesc, Gim-sylfred and AÉfen-leóht. Just the tail of the Black Dragon passed when the hole closed without leaving the slightest trace.
During what seemed like days, the four dragons were walking at a good pace, carrying their four horsemen, almost in complete darkness. Only the light emitted by the bright scales of Líg-raesc was what illuminated only enough that the Bregu of the Light Dragons and Gim-sylfred could see.
Aragorn, despite his patience, could not help but wonder of when the subterranean passage, that seemed to be endless, would end.
No one spoke, only the quick footsteps of the four dragons and their breaths were the only noise. The darkness and silence were quite overwhelming, even for Aragorn he could not wait to be out of there.
The only one who seemed quite comfortable was Gimli, and even the dwarf himself was worried because the fortunes of Minas Tirith depended on whether they arrived in time to that cave and if they got the longed for alliance.
None other than Clíf-stan would know how much time would pass when they finally saw the Bregu of the Earth Dragon with a blow from its tail, make a hole and head to the surface. Once there they felt much better, especially Legolas and AÉfen-leóht.
They looked around. The whole forest was sad and desolate, the sky was gray and a thick fog surrounded the place. The most absolute silence reigned, and yet a certain hint of magic, mystery, anger and fear was felt in the place.
When the four dragons came out, the hole closed again as if it had never been there.
Clíf-stan continued on, not hesitating for an instant. It was obvious that he knew the place perfectly, and without looking around, he continued on his way.
It was different with the other three dragons, especially the Black Dragon and Lenore no longer say. They had never been in a place like that where there was clearly something strange and different, some sorcery and pain, an atmosphere that could not be described.
Finally, after much 15 minutes of walking in the most absolute silence and fog, they came to the cave.
"Here is the place you are looking for, son of Arathorn," said Clíf-stan, stopping a couple of yards from the entrance.
Aragorn got down from Gim-sylfred and patting her neck gently, he came to see the entrance, while Legolas, Lenore and Gimli imitated him.
"Thank you for bringing us" he said turning to Clíf-stan who snorted and slightly bowed his head
They were about to enter, including AÉfen-leóht when they realized that the three Bregu were staying out.
"What is it?" Aragorn asked, "will not you come with us?"
"We cannot, son of Arathorn," replied Líg-raesc "nor you, brother"
The Black Dragon was surprised.
"Why?" Lenore asked in surprise.
"When the king and his army were cursed, the dragons of that time swore to them that those of our race would never enter this cave under penalty that the dragon that enters, that will die without any other remedy"
"But that was with the dragons of that time!" Said Gimli "surely that does not apply to you"
"No, son of Gloin, apply to all the generations of the dragons" replied Clíf-stan
AÉfen-leóht turned to Lenore.
"I think this time it will be your turn to go alone, pal" he said.
Lenore's eyes filled with tears. What would become of her without her dragon and her dragon without her?
"Do not worry," added the Black Dragon to see this "you do not go alone, there is an elf who will take care of you"
Lenore smiled and gave him a big hug before leaving.
For his part, Gimli gently patted Clif-stan's paw, while Legolas gently patted Líg-raesc's neck.
Aragorn turned to Gim-sylfred.
"I really need you to come. I need your help, "he told her.
"You have help, son of Arathorn," replied the Silver Dragoness. "Go, may the Goddu be with you. We will wait you faithfully "
Two sad news brought with him Lord Elrond, which led Aragorn to attempt an audacious plan. Will he get it?
And what is Lenore and Be-sníwod up to?
Your reviews are very important.
A-aglaéca-Ágend: name given to Sauron in the language of the dragons.
Á-blícan (white glitter): White Dragon that is the Bregu of his clan.
AÉfen-leóht (night light): Black Dragon that is the Bregu of his clan of his realm. He shares his heart with Lenore.
AÉ-welm (welling of water): Water Dragoness that is the Bregu of her clan.
Be-sníwod (covered with snow): Ice Dragoness that is the Bregu of her clan.
Bregu (chief of dragon): title that has the leaders of each clan. They're the best warriors of the clan where they belong.
Clíf-stan (rough rock): Earth Dragon that is the Bregu of his clan.
Draca-háta (leader of dragons): title that has the alpha of all the dragon race. For being a draca-háta is necessary to share heart with a dragon.
Ed-wilm (fire whirlpools): Red Dragoness that is the Bregu of her clan.
Gim-sylfred (silvered jewel): Silver Dragoness that is the Bregu of her clan.
Líg-raesc (a flash of lightning): Light Dragon that is the Bregu of his clan.