A/N:
Worry not! In this chap we get back into action.
There might be some fluff in here too but hey... You have asked for it ;)
Reviews please!
Phrases written with italics; Elvish or Athélèrn
Phrases written with bold; thoughts
"He'll never know where it is this time!" Gimli exclaimed confident, rubbing his palms together, as Shakiiya now walked back to him with Khôr. Merry was eyeing at the four jars placed on the table in curiosity, wanting to see the result of the Dwarf's small gamble. Legolas was leaning against a pillar, following the scene with great amusement.
Shakiiya stopped next to the table, looking at the Dwarf. "Is this really necessary?" she questioned, smoothing Khôr's feathers. "Haven't we done this enough many times for you to be satisfied?"
"No! This time I am certain he'll not be able to find it!" Gimli answered. Shakiiya sighed, placing the falcon on the table's edge, he twisting his head as examined the possible right jars.
"Gimli just cannot accept him to be so bright", Legolas commented while smiling. "After all Khôr has shown many signs of abnormality when it comes to animals..."
Shakiiya lifted her brows at Legolas but smiled, then turning to look at Gimli, who carefully followed the bird's movements. Khôr walking back and forth a couple of times. Until then finally he let out a shriek, as stopped to the one of the farthest left.
Shakiiya opened the lid and Khôr immediately jumped up, sticking his head inside the jar to pull out the piece of raw rabbit meat. Others now broke into amused smiles, but Gimli looked disappointed.
"How is this possible!?" he questioned in confusion. "He saw nothing, as he didn't hear anything either! How could he have known where I placed the meat?"
Khôr stopped eating, and he looked at Gimli as if somewhat insulted. Legolas smirked due the Dwarf's expression while meeting the bird's gaze. Gimli cleared his throat.
"No, I will not admit my defeat to a bird. He is very bright, I give him that Shakiiya, but I won't admit him to be wiser than any of us..."
Khôr now let out a shriek, fluttering his wings and Gimli gasped slightly, Shakiiya laughing.
"Please Gimli, you are hurting his feelings", she said, then taking the falcon back on her arm. Gimli looked sceptical.
"Feelings? What a very Elf like thought to talk of the hawk as a Human like being! But nevertheless he is just a bird!" Gimli stated.
"But very remarkable bird", Merry now cut in, as Shakiiya and Legolas were smiling amused to themselves. Merry looked into Khôr's eyes. "I have never seen such a smart bird in my life! He is more like a Human than an animal."
Shakiiya gave the bird quite hinting gaze as Khôr fluttered his wings again, now smugly. She smiled at him, shaking her head the second time. But then placing him first on her shoulder, she then suddenly tightened a leather cloth around Merry's wrist she usually wore on her own arm, next giving Khôr to him. Khôr obediently sat on the cloth, not damaging the Hobbit's skin with his claws.
"You want to take him, and go for a walk?" Shakiiya asked. "It's been a while since he was flying under the blue sky last... He will fly back to you once he is satisfied."
Merry looked excited and grinned, about to leave outside. Until then suddenly the doors of the hall were thrown in, and Aragorn's voice shouted quite urgently as he now ran inside, through the door-opening.
"The beacons of Minas Tirith! The beacons are lit!" he exclaimed, making everyone in the hall gasp for surprise as he now entered, huffing and stopped at the end of the room. His companions and Théoden with his generals staring at him in surprise.
"Gondor calls for aid!" he finished, breathless, looking straight at king Théoden. Shakiiya frowned in wonder, and exchanged a look with Legolas.
There was a moment of silence as everyone waited the king's decision, Éowyn now hurrying to the scene, stopping next to her brother. But then there was determination in Théoden's first hesitating eyes.
"And Rohan will answer!" he declared, many men now letting out a sigh. Shakiiya smiled. "Muster the rohirrim", Théoden commanded, Éomer bowing to him with a nod, until then departed after exchanging a brief look with Éowyn.
"So, I guess the walk has now been postponed?" Merry questioned, Shakiiya looking down at him. His suddenly worried expression made her smile sideways due amusement. But she nodded.
"Yes."
The emergency bell now rang in the town, as the whole city prepared to send an army to Minas Tirith. The courtyard was quickly full of soldiers, the four companions as well going to gather their belongings, and put on their necessary fighting gear.
Shakiiya was sitting on the ledge of the main stairs, tightening her jacket's straps, as Théoden walked out of the hall with Éomer.
"Assemble the army at Dunharrow, as many men as can be found. You have two days", Théoden said to his nephew, Shakiiya now giving them a glance and saw the king now meet Éomer's eyes. Putting a hand on his shoulder. "On the third, we ride for Gondor... and war."
Éomer nodded again turning, giving Shakiiya also a quick nod until hurried down. Jumping on his horse, and gave the command to prepare for departure. Immediately rohirrim followed his orders and went to their steeds, starting to make their way toward the gates in a hurry, as Théoden then waved at Shakiiya.
"Walk with me", he requested, Shakiiya then nodding as well, and followed him as he walked to the right side of the ledge.
"Gamling", Théoden called. "Make haste across the Riddermark. Summon every able-bodied man to Dunharrow", he commanded, Gamling bending his head.
"I will", he said and also left with a bow, Théoden now turning to look to the distance, but then at his assembling men on the courtyard. Shakiiya stepped next to him.
"My queen Shakiiya", Théoden then called out to her and turned, looking at Shakiiya seriously into eyes. "It has now happened as we have feared. We ride to war and death to protect what is still left to protect in this darkness..." he continued, Shakiiya nodding in consent. Théoden then became even more serious.
"Every able man to grasp a sword is vital", he stated. "So I would like to ask you this... How strong is your tribe?"
"You talk of the amount of the spears heads?" Shakiiya inquired, Théoden nodding. Shakiiya looked a little tense.
"70 strong and good women, trained to hold a sword, and born with the skill to fight. Every one worth five to ten men in battle", she answered after a brief pause.
"I then hope that it is not too unconsidered for me to ask your assistance", he remarked, now his eyes softening a bit for plead. "We need every man we can have. And in this case, even one woman or two like you more would better our position remarkably. You once vowed the strength of your people for my disposal if ever needed. Now that time has come."
They exchanged a moment of remarkable stare, Shakiiya recalling Gandalf's earlier words to her, before he had left to Minas Tirith with Pippin. She hesitated, only slightly, but then smiled a little.
"Let us see what I can do", she replied, Théoden looking already now satisfied enough without hearing any words of promise. Just like Gandalf had.
The king now smiled and left her side with a bow, leaving Shakiiya stand alone in her thoughts. Her face sank. Would she be ready to do it? Declare open war against the evil of Middle-Earth with her blood-sisters? She sighed when she now thought about this first hard decision as the queen of her tribe, suddenly realizing more than ever her position. But Shakiiya's thoughts were cut as she heard Merry's voice behind her.
She turned around and saw him stand before Théoden, offering his sword to him.
"Excuse me", he started, looking up to the king very serious, but frankly. "I have a sword. Please accept it", he offered.
Théoden was surprised at first as examined the small Hobbit, but then Shakiiya watched Merry kneel before him.
"I offer you my service, Théoden king."
Théoden then only smiled, grabbing Merry's sword hand friendly, and lifted him back on his feet. "And gladly I accept it", he consented, meeting Merry's eyes. Shakiiya smiled as did Merry delighted, Théoden then continuing.
"You shall be Meriadoc, esquire of Rohan", he added.
Shakiiya let out a low laugh as saw Merry's excited expression, him actually juggling a little for joy before hurried away. Giving Shakiiya a grin as passed her. She sent amused look after him.
"Horsemen!" Gimli scoffed down at the courtyard, sitting behind Legolas on Arod. Legolas had rather serious look on his face, as followed the rohirrim ride toward the gates of the city. "I wish I could muster an army of Dwarves, fully armed and filthy!"
Gimli was nodding to himself and giving the Elf remarkable looks. But Legolas looked grim, directing a glance toward his Dwarf companion.
"Your kinsmen may have no need to ride to war", he answered. "I fear war already marches on their own lands..."
Legolas then silenced as he saw Shakiiya walk through the crowd, going straight to Hasufel, and tied her bag to the saddle. She had put on the clothes she had used during the start of their journey after leaving her village. That hood of some kind resting on her chest, and her hair was again hold back by the leather string at the back of her head. Those thin braids falling among the bound hair made his eyes now drop down to gaze at his wrist briefly, where still that blood red knotted hair circled it. He let out a wistful sigh. But what made Legolas then suspicious when he lifted his eyes back to Shakiiya again, was that thoughtful, gloomy look taken over her features. Which now told him she was pondering something important. Something hard and challenging...
He straightened his posture, examining Shakiiya, as she now hoisted herself on the horse. Not any signs telling to outer eyes that she might've learnt to ride only a week ago or so. But was she alright?
Suddenly Éomer's voice shouted over the commotion. "Now is the hour, riders of Rohan! Oaths you have taken. Now fulfill them all, to Lord and Land!"
The assembled group of soldiers now finally got onto move, starting to ride out of the city. Shakiiya encouraged Hasufel into motion, her managing to ride out with the first group, this way getting away from Legolas who had directed Arod to go to Hasufel. But Shakiiya was gone, Legolas seeing her canter quite far ahead from him and Gimli. He did not see Aragorn.
Shakiiya rode forward with light gallop. But then her eyes hit on Merry who was sitting on a white pony, desperately trying to make it move with the other horses. Shakiiya smiled amused and hurried to the Hobbit's side after curbing her steed, exchanging a look with him. Merry seemed embarrassed.
"Need some help?" Shakiiya inquired, her smile widening due Merry's expression. but he nodded.
"Very much, thank you", he bidded, Shakiiya nodding.
She now made Hasufel take a couple of steps forward, then stopping the animal, and Shakiiya cracked her tongue a couple of times gently. Extending her palm behind her toward the pony, starting to lure it after Hasufel.
She motioned with her fingers invitingly, still cracking her tongue while did so, the pony then starting to move first slowly until then changed into a light gallop. Merry smiled thankfully, but couldn't say anything, as after a sideways smile Shakiiya continued her ride. Eventually reaching the gates where the riders now fastened the animals into a swift paced canter. They were in a hurry.
It took three day's quick ride to reach Dunharrow, where the summoning was held, and where Éomer and Gamling with the other generals were ordered to bring all the men found to join into king Théoden's army.
Finally late in the evening of the second day they had stopped, Shakiiya dismounting from Hasufel somewhat relieved. All the time during the ride she had been pondering about the war, and her tribe's complicity to it. She thought about her obligations, and what her new position as the queen of Athélèrn brought to her. What it obliged her to do, and how it bound her decisions and desires. All in all her thoughts were so heavy that they exhausted her, even she did not do much more than sat on the saddle. That is why she was only thankful for the need of rest of the Men, when they finally stopped or the night.
Shakiiya brought Hasufel with the other horses, tying him, and then left the main camp. She wandered around a bit as long as found herself a place under a couple of trees, which left a wide space open so that she could see the early stars forming to the sky. And eventually about two hours later, after every last of the men had arrived, there was a small dinner made and served to gain some strength to the next day's as hard ride as this day's.
Legolas and Gimli where sitting by campfire with Aragorn and other men, but there was no sign of Shakiiya anywhere. She had again disappeared somewhere without her companions noticing.
"Legolas, you worry too much", Argorn remarked then, waking the Elf from his thoughts. "You have been glancing around endlessly ever since we stopped. Shakiiya is alright. She just wants some time alone."
"I know", Legolas answered, looking down momentarily. "But I cannot help but just worry. She hasn't seemed to be herself, and that expression full of gloom I keep seeing on her face is the fact that concerns me."
Aragorn then thought a moment, glancing down at his plate, until extended his arms to take another one. Quickly putting something eatable on it before handed it forward to Legolas.
"Go and find her, if you are so worried", he urged, a hint of smile on his lips, as now nodded toward the plate. "And take this to her. She probably hasn't gotten anything to eat."
"I shall", Legolas agreed, now putting his own plate down and stood up. Walking away from the light of the fire into the shadows. Gimli swallowed a piece of meat before then looked at Aragorn.
"How long will those two still act like nothing has changed between them?" he questioned, meeting the ranger's gaze. He tilted his head, lifting his brows.
"I do not know. But Legolas has told me he has no intention of letting Shakiiya know of his feelings."
"What? Well, quite typical to our Elf. To keep it all to himself..."
"You are quite right, Gimli. Though there is a very well reasoned cause why Legolas has chosen to do so. And I understand him."
Gimli let his eyes fall and he let out a deep sigh, of course now having a realization due Aragorn's words. As well then understanding Legolas' train of thought. But elsewhere Legolas now walked in middle of the small quickly made tents, glancing around in search of Shakiiya.
He passed the horses, seeing Hasufel bound to the pole, and smiling slightly he went to the stallion. Him letting out a neigh as did many other horses. Legolas smoothed Hasufel's neck.
"Where is your mistress?" he questioned, looking into the horses' eyes, of course not gaining an answer. But then suddenly Khôr flew down from the tree, appearing right in front of Legolas' eyes as if summoned. Landing on the pole the horses were bound to. The Elf smiled again.
"Have you come to show me where Shakiiya is?" he asked from the bird, Khôr then twisting his neck as if nodding and then flew away. Gliding in the air low, Legolas following him until arrived to a start of a field. And as Khôr landed now on the grossy hill, Legolas indeed saw Shakiiya sit beside a tree. Leaning her back against the lumpy bark her eyes closed. He smiled yet again.
"Thank you", Legolas said to Khôr as passed him, the bird only flapping his wings.
Legolas approached his companion, but then stopped as he saw the half eaten plate laying by Shakiiya's side. So she had had something to eat after all...
Shakiiya did not move as he walked toward her. But then as Legolas' usually so light Elven steps made a small twig break, her eyes snapped open. Shakiiya directing a bit confused look at Legolas, until realized who the comer was, now smiling. Legolas returned the smile, lifting the plate he was holding.
"I brought you something to eat", he said, now sitting down as well and put the plate between them, looking amused. "But someone has beaten me to the chase it seems."
"Yes well... After we stopped, there certainly was a group of excited young men who insisted this upon me..." Shakiiya said bored, shaking her head in the end. Legolas' gaze faltered, until she then sighed. "It is just I wasn't hungry back then. I have hardly touched the food given me, and now you have gone through the trouble to bring some to me as well... Again."
Legolas met Shakiiya's eyes, but she then looked down at the plate he had brought.
"Although, now I could have something small just to maintain my energy levels..." she mused, ripped off a small piece of meat and ate it. Legolas now examined her, his smile faltering again bit by bit.
"Is something bothering your mind?" he then inquired, not being able to stop himself from asking, and Shakiiya's movements seized momentarily. Legolas continued. "I will be honest. I worry. You have looked so depressed and grim for a time now, that it made me wonder... Is there something wrong?"
"No. No, nothing is wrong", Shakiiya answered glancing at Legolas, but then her eyes moved up. "I am just tired. I am delighted for you concern, but it is with no meaning. I am alright. But since we left Edoras, I have just been weighed by such big questions that I might have seemed such. Forgive me."
"No", Legolas replied, smiling a bit. "I do not need an apology as long as you are alright, Shakiiya."
Shakiiya gave him a wide smile. But then she sighed. "You are so good to me. Always have been. I believe to even think that you understand me very well, Legolas..." she remarked, but in fact she mostly just happened to say her thoughts out loud. Not sure were they meant to stay unspoken. Legolas was surprised, as Shakiiya now looked to the sky again.
"The reason to my behavior has been simply that I have thought a lot. About myself, and my position as a queen of my blood-sisters", she revealed then. Shakiiya's eyes closed.
"I am afraid, Legolas", she confessed, surprising the Elf again momentarily, until she turned to face him. "I fear not the war, but the fact that now as a queen I have to make the decision whether to allow my tribe to fight alongside the other peoples, or keep them hidden and protect them. I am now responsible for them all, for every woman and girl. And it... makes me feel dread..."
Shakiiya then kept a break. "I never actually believed there could come a day, when I would have to take my mother's place on the throne", she said. "I am not like my mother. I cannot be. And because of that I am afraid. I am afraid that no matter what decision I make for the good of my people, it would be wrong, and I would not be able to protect them. I have the power to order them to war or peace, but what if I fail nevertheless? What if I cannot be as good queen as my mother was, and choose right?"
Legolas now saw true confusion and helplessness on Shakiiya's face, and he felt compassion. Automatically his hand now landed on Shakiiya's, her gasping and turning to look at him. Legolas looked serious, but he smiled.
"I understand very well what you go through", he said. "I have often thought the same. About whether I will take my father's place as the king some day, and what would I do if that day comes... But I have no doubt that you, Shakiiya, can be everything your mother was. Because what I have seen tells me that you can be a good and wise leader... And a caring mother as well..."
Shakiiya's brows rose for slight surprise due the Elf's last unexpected remark. But then her expression somehow softened as she now examined Legolas, who was looking straight into her eyes. She felt his consolation and was moved, her then sighing, a smile making its way on her lips. Legolas then involuntarily gasped as she suddenly placed her hands on his neck, while looked at him. Legolas examined her eyes. They were sincere.
"Hannon le, Legolas. Húrren..." Shakiiya said, smiling again. "When you say it to be possible, I believe it. I fear no more..."
Legolas said nothing, but only stared at her somewhat speechless. But then Shakiiya realized the impropriety of her behavior, and tilted her head looking apologetic.
"Forgive me. This is another custom among my tribe, so it might've inconvenienced you..." she explained, now pulling her hands away. But was surprised as Legolas suddenly seized them, their hands dropping down slowly, Legolas smoothing her knuckles slowly while hold her gaze locked in his. He smiled as always.
"No", he said again. "I do not mind."
Shakiiya stared at him once again puzzled. Of what she was doing and feeling, not being able to grasp her true self at all, as looked into those blue irises of the Elf. But before she knew it she smiled back. She examined the Elven prince for a moment more, until then lowered her gaze, turning around to lean against the tree again. She sighed again, longer.
"You made me feel so relieved", she said. "I should be thanking you. Talking to you always helps me to understand myself better. So thank you."
Legolas smiled to himself as thought a moment. "You as well", he started. "Also you often relieve me. As so many things seem so dark and threatening, you do not. No, Shakiiya you... make everything seem so much brighter even at the most hopeless moments..."
Legolas now turned to look at Shakiiya, but got surprised as now noticed her lean against the trunk her eyes indeed closed again. But her steady breathing told him she was asleep. He let out amused breath, then looking at her hands still in his, and then her sleeping face.
How long would he be able to hide it? Was it really so obvious he had heard others to note it to be? That he was in fact, in love with Shakiiya, or so he reckoned. He sighed. Well at least she had not noticed the change in his feelings...
Legolas fought against an urge to lean forward, and claim those lovely lips as his own at least in secret, as they could never be his in reality he lived in. But indeed he stopped himself, and only smiled sighing. Now getting on his feet and gently lifted Shakiiya up from the ground, carrying her toward the camp. He noticed that the other men were already sleeping soundly in their tents or under the sky. The fires had been put out, while the stars had come out.
Legolas placed Shakiiya first on the soft grass, making a quick bedside for her to sleep in, and eventually placed Shakiiya on it. She hadn't woken up, so deep in sleep she was. Lastly Legolas took her cloak out from her bag, placing it over her upper body, and then after giving her one last smile left her to sleep. Still sweeping his fingers softly over her temple. And there Shakiiya then was woken up by who else than him early in the next morning.
"It is time", Legolas said. Shakiiya sighed, not even bothering to make a bitter remark of the way she had ended up back to the camp, and only stretched under the warm cloak.
"Of course it is..."
Shakiiya gazed over the camp of Dunharrow. The fields around them were filled with many tents and brigades, managed to have been gathered together in such a short time. There were many, but still too few Shakiiya feared, when they were going against the armies of Mordor.
She rode at the front of the arriving group of Théoden, next to her companions. They were now seen.
"Make way to the king!" one soldier exclaimed, recognizing Théoden. "Make way, the king is here!"
Thédoen lifted his hand for greetings, as was welcomed delighted by his men. Shakiiya then noticed Théoden look to the right at one of his generals.
"Grimbold, how many?" he inquired.
"I bring 500 men from Westfold my Lord", Grimbold answered. Shakiiya frowned.
"We have 300 more from Fenmarch, Théoden king", one soldier added. Théoden looked thoughtful as directed a look toward the last spoken man.
"Where are the riders from Snowbourn?" he asked as rode past the men.
"None have come my Lord", was the worrisome reply. Shakiiya frowned even deeper.
It is too little, she thought to herself. The numbers are too small.
They rode through the biggest camp area, then riding all the way to the cliff spreading in front of their eyes, where king Théoden would make his encampment and observe his armies from the heights. Shakiiya guided Hasufel to the edge of the cliff looking down, eyeing now the gathered men from above herself. Soon Théoden and Aragorn joined her one by one, the king looking rather grim.
"Six thousand spears", Théoden stated. "Less than half of what I had hoped for."
"Six thousand will not be enough to break the lines of Mordor", Aragorn remarked in turn, Shakiiya glancing at him. Unfortunately she thought the same. Théoden now directed a reassuring look at Aragorn.
"More will come", he indeed reassured, turning away.
"Every hour lost hastens Gondor's defeat", Aragorn responded serious. "We have until dawn. Then we must ride."
Shakiiya watched Théoden nod, a hint of a smile still twitching his lips though the grim mood. Shakiiya then turned Hasufel around and rode forward, closer to the mountain right next to their higher encampment. But then suddenly Hasufel neighed in fear, rearing up a little. Shakiiya grabbed the reins in confusion and soothed the horse, now other neighs filling the air too, as other horses as well started to act oddly. Théoden and Aragorn turned around in wonder.
"Good, good boy", Shakiiya hushed gently and tapped Hasufel, then dismounting him and smoothed his head. Hasufel cringed. "It is alright, good boy. Calm..."
Legolas and Gimli now walked to her from a tent, also gazing at the horses questionably. Shakiiya looked at them.
"I do not know what has gotten over him", she confessed and looked at the horse again. "He has become very jumpy after we rode up here."
She exchanged a look with Legolas, who seemed thoughtful. But he then stepped forth and looked into Hasufel's fear filled eyes, until then covered them with his palm and started to sing quietly. Talking to him in soft Elvish, eventually calming the horse. Shakiiya examined the Elf in interest until then just broke into a smile. Legolas stopped humming, and next gazed around again measuring as Éomer arrived, starting to saddle his horse after nodding to the three.
"The horses are restless... and the men are quiet", Legolas mused in thoughts, but then directed a questionable look at Éomer. Éomer turned to him.
"They grow nervous in the shadow of the mountain", he answered. Éomer then gazed to his right, all the way to a small cleft leading inside the mountains. Shakiiya wrinkled her brows, taking a thoughtful step toward it. But Hasufel's reluctant twitch made her stop, her calming him again. Gimli now nodded toward the path.
"That road there... where does that lead?" he queried, looking up at Éomer in turn. Legolas had that same thoughtful look on his face again.
"It is the road to the Dimhold. The door under the mountain", he specified for Éomer. Shakiiya directed a questionable look at Legolas, as Éomer turned toward them.
"Dimhold?" Shakiiya questioned, Legolas now giving her a somewhat careful look.
"The door to the oblivion. To the Land of None living", Legolas answered. Shakiiya made a slow nod, then turning her eyes to examine the mountains, and that said ominous pathway. Éomer now continued.
"None who venture there ever return", he clarified, Shakiiya feeling shivers go along her back, as she now also sensed the threat of that place in the air due the man's words. Éomer directed one more look toward the cliffs.
"That mountain is evil."