Chapter 51
Aragorn's Plan
The next day brought a council held by Gandalf. Gimli was sat at the steward's throne and Aragorn stood in the middle of the hall. I stood beside Legolas and Eomer and Alejandro was in the Houses of Healing with Eowyn.
"Frodo has passed beyond my sight." Gandalf said.
"If Sauron had the ring we would know it."
"It is only a matter of time. His defeat at Helms Deep has showed him one thing, he knows the heir of Elendil had come forth. Men are not as quick as he supposed. There is courage still and strength enough to challenge him. Sauron fears this, he will raise Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a king return. He has suffered a defeat yes, but behind the walls of Mordor out enemy is regrouping."
"Let him stay there. Let him rot! Why should we care?" Gimli asked.
"Because a whole hell of a lot of orcs are between Frodo, Sam and Mount Doom."
Alejandro walked into the room with Eowyn.
"Frodo won't stand a chance with all of them in there." He said.
I sighed and Legolas put his hands on my shoulders.
"I have sent him to his doom." Gandalf whispered.
Aragorn turned and looked at him.
"No, there is still hope for Frodo. He needs time and safe passage across the fields of Gorgoth. We can give him that."
"How?" Gimli and Alejandro asked.
"Draw out Sauron's armies. Empty his lands, then we gather our full strength and march on the Black Gate."
Gimli choked on his pipe and Alejandro's jaw dropped.
"We cannot achieve victory through strength of arms." said Eomer.
"Not for ourselves. But we can give Frodo a chance if we keep Sauron's eye fixed upon us." Aragorn explained.
"A diversion."
I smiled and Legolas stroked my shoulder with his thumb.
"Sauron will suspect a trap, he will not take the bait."
Aragorn had a sort of smile on his face.
"Oh I think he will."
I frowned a bit but let it go. I saw Eomer looking at my brother. I smiled and looked at him.
"He loves her Eomer. He risked his life to save her and he would give his life for her."
"She is the only family I have left. I just….."
"I know, believe me I know. I feel the same. Alejandro is my little brother. I do not want him to fall in love with anyone, but we cannot choose who we fall in love with. I approve of his choice. My brother is a good elf, he would never let her down."
He looked me in the eye.
"Would you swear to that."
I smiled and nodded.
"As would I." said Legolas.
I smiled more and leaned against him. Eomer looked at Alejandro and Eowyn and then nodded. He walked over to my brother and I saw Eowyn smile. Legolas and I walked away and he went to see Tauriel. I went to our room and stood on the balcony. I felt tired and so I changed and crawled into bed. I heard Legolas come in later. He walked out onto the balcony and the moonlight seemed to make him glow. I smiled and propped myself up on my elbow.
"~I thought you were asleep.~" he said.
I smiled more and chuckled.
"~As if I could sleep with you standing there. All sexy and what not.~"
He laughed and walked over and sat down next to me. I touched his face and took off his shirt. He leaned forward to kiss me but I stopped him.
"I am far too tired for that tonight mi amor."
He smiled and snaked his arm around me.
"I am still going to kiss you." he whispered.
I closed my eyes as he leaned forward. He pressed his lips to mine and I wanted to melt in his arms. He pulled back a little and stroked my cheek.
"Tomorrow we leave for the Black Gate. I know if I ask you to remain behind you will not. Just promise me that you will be safe."
I smiled and kissed him quickly.
"I will promise if you do. Or do I have to remind you of Helms Deep?"
I touched the small scar that the wound had left. He took my hand and rested his forehead against mine.
"I swear I will be careful. Not just for your sake but for the sake of our future son as well."
I smiled again and kissed him one more time.
"You get some rest. I already got enough."
He nodded and kissed my cheek before lying down. I got up and walked outside. I heard someone in the throne room and went in. I saw my uncle.
"Long have you hunted me! Long have I eluded you, but no more." he held up his sword. "Behold the sword of Elendil!"
He held the sword up there for a few seconds before he jumped back. I heard something smash to the ground.
"Uncle Aragorn!?"
I ran forward and there were tears in his eyes.
"Uncle what happened?" I asked.
He looked at me.
"Aunt Arwen…."
At first I did not understand, then my eyes went wide.
"No….it cannot be true. Sauron must have tricked you. Aunt Arwen is strong and it takes more than even Sauron to kill her. She is alive! I know she is!" I said.
He looked down and so did I. The shattering I heard had been the Evenstar. I sighed and touched the chain.
"Can you restore it?" he asked.
I looked at him and smiled a bit.
"No, but I know someone who might be able to." I said.
I took the Evenstar and uncle to my brother. What I did not expect to find was Eowyn sleeping in his bed with him. I raised my brow and whistled loudly. They both jumped up and I narrowed my eyes at my brother.
"¿Hizo algo?" (Did you do anything?)
"No!"
"Porque usted sabe lo que sucede cuando usted lo hace." (Because you know what happens when you do.)
He nodded and I held out the Evenstar.
"You can fix it."
He seemed unsure.
"I can fix wounds but I don't know about this."
"Try. For Uncle Aragorn."
He nodded and held his hands over the pieces. He closed his eyes and that familiar glow surrounded my hand and the Evenstar slowly pieced itself back together. I smiled and when he finished I held it out to our uncle.
"Good as new."
He smiled and put it back around his neck.
"Hannon le."
I hugged him and he hugged Alejandro as well.
"You are both magnificent people and I am proud to call you niece and nephew." he said.
I smiled and kissed his cheek.
"And we are proud to call you uncle." I said.
