Daughters of Rivendell
Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings.
Chapter 15 - Army of the dead
In Dunharrow Théoden and his entourage ride through the camp. ,,Make way for the king. Make way! The king is here. My lord. Hail to you, sire." Théoden turns to look to Grimbold. ,,Grimbold, how many?" ,,I bring five hundred Men from the Westfold, my lord." Another soldier speaks up. ,,We have three hundred more from Fenmarch, Théoden King." ,,Where are the riders from Snowbourn?" Asks Théoden. ,,None have come, my lord." Soldier says sadly. Later Théoden and Aragorn look down on the troops from above. ,,Six thousand spears. Less than half of what I'd hoped for." Aragorn shakes his head. ,,Six thousand will not be enough to break the lines of Mordor." ,,More will come." Théoden says hopefully. ,,Every hour lost hastens Gondor's defeat. We have till dawn, then we must ride." Théoden nods. Nearby, a horse begins rearing and neighing. ,,The horses are restless and the men are quiet." Legolas says and Kaya adds. ,,I feel like something is watching me." Éomer nods. ,,They grow nervous in the shadow of the mountain." Gimli points to the road into the mountain. ,,That road there, where does that lead?" ,,It is the road to the Dimholt, the door under the mountain." Legolas explains and Éomer says. ,,None who venture there ever return. That mountain is evil." Aragorn watches the Dimholt road from behind a rock and sees something like green smoke forming into faces. His face is worried. Kaya notices and sees it too. Gimli then calls both of them to look for some food. Éowyn and Merry are inside a tent. She dresses him in the armor of the Rohirrim. ,,There. A true esquire of Rohan." Éowyn says. ,,I'm ready!" Merry draws his blade and almost cuts Éowyn. She laughs. ,,Sorry. It isn't all that dangerous. It's not even sharp." Éowyn grabs the blade. ,,Well, that's no good. You won't kill many Orcs with a blunt blade. Come on." Merry runs out of the tent, wielding the sword, and Éowyn follows. Éomer and Gamling are sitting in front of a small campfire. ,,To the smithy. Go!" She says to Merry as he runs. ,,You should not encourage him." Says Éomer. ,,You should not doubt him." Retorts Éowyn. ,,I do not doubt his heart, only the reach of his arm." Éowyn glares at her brother. ,,Why should Merry be left behind? He has as much cause to go to war as you. Why can he not fight for those he loves?" Éomer shakes his head. ,,You know as little of war as that Hobbit. When the fear takes him and the blood and the screams and the horror of battle take hold, do you think he would stand and fight? He would flee. And he would be right to do so. War is the province of Men, Éowyn." Éowyn turns around angry. Two figures come closer to the encampment and they inform the guards to look for lady Kaya and lord Aragorn. Kaya is in her tent when a soldier comes inside. ,,My lady? There is someone who wants to see you." Kaya nods and says. ,,He can come in." The figure goes inside while the soldier leaves. ,,Since when did I became a man sister?" The figure asks as Kaya turns around. The person removes her hood and reveals face of Kaedra. Kaya runs to her sister and hugs her. ,,Kaedra what in the Valar´s name are you doing here?" Kaedra smiled at her. ,,I came with lord Elrond he reforged the Narsil into Andúril and plans to give it to Aragorn." Kaedra informs as Kaya smiles. ,,But what are you doing here? Isn´t it safer in Rivendell?" ,,I had to see you. There is something I need to tell you. You know that Arwen was supposed to go to the Undying Lands right?" Kaya nods. ,,Ada and Elrond wanted me to come with her." Kaya stares at her sister with shock but before she can speak Kaedra continues. ,,We went to the halfway of the journey until we saw a vision of our children. I had twins Kaya! I couldn´t leave Legolas and you behind. So me and Arwen went back. But she had fallen ill and her fate is now tied to the Ring´s." Kaya again stares in shock. ,,Arwen is dying?" Kaedra sadly nods. ,,Don´t worry there is hope Kaedra. We can win this. I know we can." Kaedra smiles and says. ,,Kaya ada wants you to go home. He says it´s too dangerous." Kaya shakes her head. ,,It´s too late for that. Sauron knows I exist, he doesn´t need to know about you too." Kaedra looks at her sister. ,,What are you talking about?" ,,It was him who killed our mother. He cursed her. He thought we died with her. Kaedra we have magic! I control element of air and you have earth with healing." Kaedra stares at Kaya. ,,How did you learn this?" Kaya looks to the ground. ,,It´s complicated. But it means I have to stay until the end." ,,Kaya I cannot return without you." ,,You will have too. There is no way I´m leaving Fro... my friends behind." Kaya almost said that she didn´t want to leave Frodo behind, she thought her sister didn´t notice it. But she did. ,,Wait did you just almost say Frodo?" Kaya stares to the ground. Kaedra comes to conclusion that her sister has fallen in love. ,,You love him don´t you?" Kaya nods as she still stares to the ground. ,,Oh for Valar´s sake Kaya. Ada will never allow this. He is a mortal." Kaya looks up from the ground with a angry look. ,,I don´t care what father thinks. I choose a mortal life! I would give my life for his!" ,,You don´t know him for that long!" Kaedra retorts. ,,It took you sixty years to realize that you love Legolas, so don´t try to give me a lecture!" Kaya is now angry as is Kaedra. ,,Are you mad!? Does he even know that you love him?" Kaya nods. ,,Kaya, why couldn´t it be some Elf?" ,,So now I have to be like you? I always stood in your shadow, you were always better and on this journey I was finally myself. Nobody told me what to do. I don´t need someone to control my life. I write my own destiny!" Kaedra stared on her sister with a hurt look. Kaya shakes her head and says. ,,Go see Legolas and then go to Rivendell." She then leaves her tent. Kaedra stares at her sister´s retreating form and after a while her eyes cannot hold the tears on the way. Later Legolas enters the tent and sees Kaedra. ,,Kaedra?" She looks up with her eyes red. He kneels next to her and takes her face into his hands. ,,What happened?" ,,I was told that I am a bad sister." Legolas hugs her and she returns is with ease. ,,Does Kaya really love the ring-bearer?" Kaedra asks. ,,She does Kaedra. She does. I heard her even calling his name in her sleep." Legolas stands up and asks. ,,Shall we go for a walks before you leave, mellamin ?" Kaedra nods with a sad smile and nods. Kaya left angry and sad. She felt bad about what she said but it was true. She was tired of people trying to control her life. The journey with the fellowship changed her for better. She was with Arroch , when she felt a presence behind her. She turned around and saw Éomer. ,,If I may be so bold, my lady, do you wish some company?" Kaya shook her head. ,,I don´t want to be rude my lord, but I really wish to be alone." Éomer nodded but spoke anyway. ,,What happened that left you so sad?" ,,Family trouble." Kaya responded. Suddenly Gimli raced towards them. ,,Kaya! Aragorn is going to the mountain!" Kaya turned to Gimli with a shock and asked. ,,Alone?" Gimli nods. ,,Gimli, go for Legolas and then we go after Aragorn." Gimli nods and runs to find Legolas. Kaya turns to Éomer and says. ,,We will return." Éomer takes her hand and kisses it. ,,Until then my lady." Kaya is slightly uncomfortable but shakes it off quickly and saddles Arroch and goes to find Aragorn. Gimli quickly found Legolas along with Kaedra. ,,Sorry to interrupt this romantic walk, but Legolas, Aragorn wants to leave to the mountain alone. Kaya told me to fetch you and Firefoot." Legolas nods and turns to Kaedra. ,,I apologize for our time is short. I love you Kaedra. We will see again. Somehow that vision has to come true." Kaedra nods and they kiss while Gimli goes to fetch Firefoot (Gimli´s and Legolas´ horse). Kaedra told Legolas everything that happened in Rivendell and about that vision. Legolas left her and she went back to the horses she arrived with. Meanwhile all this happened at the same time as Aragorn enters Théoden's tent. Théoden stands in front of a hooded figure. Théoden leaves and Aragorn slowly approaches, and the figure stands up and removes the hood, revealing Elrond. Aragorn bows. ,,My lord Elrond." ,,I come on behalf of one whom I love. Arwen is dying. She will not long survive the evil that now spreads from Mordor. The light of the Evenstar is failing. As Sauron's power grows, her strength wanes. Arwen's life is now tied to the fate of the Ring. The Shadow is upon us, Aragorn. The end has come." ,,It will not be our end, but his." Aragorn reassures. ,,You ride to war, but not to victory. Sauron's armies march on Minas Tirith, this you know. But in secret he sends another force which will attack from the river. A fleet of Corsair ships sails from the south. They'll be in the city in two days. You're outnumbered, Aragorn. You need more Men." Aragorn shakes his head. ,,There are none." ,,There are those who dwell in the mountain." ,,Murderers… traitors! You would call upon them to fight? They believe in nothing! They answer to no one!" ,,They will answer to the King of Gondor!" Elrond sweeps aside his cloak and pulls out the reforged sword. He presents it to Aragorn. ,, Andúril, Flame of the West, forged from the shards of Narsil." ,,Sauron will not have forgotten the Sword of Elendil." Aragorn say as he looks at the sword before him, and quickly draws Andúril from the sheath. The blade that was broken shall return to Minas Tirith." He stares in awe. ,,The man who can wield the power of this sword can summon to him an army more deadly than any that walks this earth. Put aside the Ranger. Become who you were born to be. Take the Dimholt road. Ónen i-Estel Edain." (I give hope to Men) And Aragorn responds with. ,,Ú-chebin estel anim." (I keep none for myself.) Later while others are already getting ready Aragorn is preparing to leave. Éowyn comes and confronts him. ,,Why are you doing this? The war lies to the east. You cannot leave on the eve of battle. You cannot abandon the men." ,,Éowyn.." He starts but she cuts hi off. ,,We need you here." ,,Why have you come?" Aragorn asks sadly. ,,Do you not know?" ,,It is but a shadow and a thought that you love. I cannot give you what you seek." Éowyn backs away in disbelief and shock. Aragorn gazes at her for a moment before he walks towards her. ,,I have wished you joy since first I saw you." He turns and leads Brego away, and Éowyn stands there in tears, overwhelmed and heartbroken. Aragorn jumps on Brego and starts to ride towards the mountain. Before he can enter he is stopped by a voice. ,,Just where do you think you're off to?" Aragorn shakes his head. ,,Not this time. This time you must stay, Gimli." Legolas arrives with Firefoot and says. ,,Have you learned nothing of the stubbornness of Dwarves?" Kaya arrives shortly after. ,,There is no way that you are going there alone." Gimli nods. ,,You might as well accept it. We're going with you, laddie." Aragorn smiles. All four of them are leaving through the camp to the mountain. Soldiers are confused by this. ,,What's happening? Where are they going? I don't understand. Lord Aragorn! Why do they leave on the eve of battle?" ,,They leave because there is no hope." Théoden shakes his head. ,,They leave because they must." ,,Too few have come. We cannot defeat the armies of Mordor." Gamling argues. ,,No, we cannot. But we will meet them in battle nonetheless." Théoden looks towards the entrance to the mountain. At the dawn Éowyn stands alone with her arms crossed, looking into the distance, her face perfectly still in deep thought. The sun rises. Théoden approaches. ,,I have left instruction. The people are to follow your rule in my stead. Take up my seat in the Golden Hall. Long may you defend Edoras if the battle goes ill." Éowyn stares at him blankly. ,,What other duty would you have me do, my lord?" He turns to her and takes her hands. ,,Duty? No. I would have you smile again." Éowyn forces a tiny smile onto her face.,, Not grieve for those whose time has come." He cups Éowyn's head in his hands and brings her forehead to his. ,,You shall live to see these days renewed. No more despair." Aragorn, Kaya, Legolas and Gimli ride on the road to the Dimholt. Sharp grey rocks surround them on a narrow path. ,,What kind of an army would linger in such a place?" Asks Gimli. ,,One that is cursed." Kaya replies as Legolas continues to explain. ,,Long ago, the Men of the Mountain swore an oath to the last King of Gondor, to come to his aid, to fight. But when the time came, when Gondor's need was dire, they fled, vanishing into the darkness of the mountain. And so Isildur cursed them, never to rest until they had fulfilled their pledge. Who shall call them from the great twilight? The forgotten people. The heir of him to whom the oath they swore. From the north shall he come. Need shall drive him. He shall pass the door to the Paths of the Dead." At the end of the path, a small opening is crafted into a rock. Primitive paintings are above it. ,,I have a bad feeling about this." Kaya says as she leads Arroch. ,,The very warmth of my blood seems stolen away." Gimli says and Legolas looks at the entrance. ,,The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead. And the Dead keep it. The way is shut." Aragorn has Andúril in his hand. The sheath is attached to Brego's saddle. The horses are nervous. They slowly approach the opening. The horses go crazy as a blast of air comes out of the tunnel. Aragorn, Kaya and Legolas lose hold of the reins, and the horses gallop off. ,,Brego!" Aragorn calls after his horse. Aragorn turns and looks back at the tunnel into the mountain. ,,I do not fear death!" He walks quickly and firmly into the darkness behind the opening. Kaya doesn´t wait and continues shortly after him with her sword drawn. Legolas hesitates another second, then follows them. ,,Well, this is a thing unheard-of. Elves will go underground where a Dwarf dare not! Oh! Oh, I'd never hear the end of it!" He stamps his feet a few times, finally finds his courage and follows his companions.
Haste is in the Dunharrow camp. Fires are put out quickly, Men jump on horses. Théoden leaves his tent with Éomer. ,,We must ride light and swift. It is a long road ahead. And man and beast must reach the end with the strength to fight." Merry stands with his white pony. Théoden passes him on horse. ,,Little Hobbits do not belong in war, Master Meriadoc." Merry shakes his head. ,,All my friends have gone to battle. I would be ashamed to be left behind." ,,It's a three-day gallop to Minas Tirith, and none of my Riders can bear you as a burden." ,,I want to fight!" Merry says determinately. ,,I will say no more." With that Théoden left on a horse in lead. Merry is left standing, lost and ashamed, watching the Riders pass him by. As one Rider approaches him, he reaches out with his arm, grabs the Hobbit and pulls him on his horse. ,,Ride with me." She whispers. It was Éowyn. She puts an arm around him. Merry smiles happily and proudly. ,,My Lady!" He whispers. And Rohirrim leave to Gondor with Éomer and Théoden in lead.
Back in the mountain Aragorn, Kaya, Legolas and Gimli rush through the mountain. Aragorn has a metal torch. ,,What is it? What do you see?" Asks Gimli Legolas. ,,I see shapes of men. And of horses." ,,Where?" Gimli says as he looks around. ,,Pale banners like shreds of cloud. Spears rise like winter-thickets through a shroud of mist. The Dead are following. They have been summoned." Legolas explains. ,,The Dead? Summoned? I knew that. Very good. Very good! Legolas!" He runs towards a path where he thinks Legolas went. Mists surround them as they walk. Gimli tries to blow away the mists. Kaya suddenly feels something on the ground and looks there. ,,Do not look down." They hear cracks and Gimli looks down, seeing the skulls of the Dead. They walk into a giant hall and see a green figure appear. ,,Who enters my domain?" Asks a figure. ,,One who will have your allegiance." ,,The Dead do not suffer the living to pass." ,,You will suffer me." Aragorn argues. The King of the Dead laughs. The Dead appear and surround Legolas, Kaya, Aragorn, and Gimli. ,,The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead. And the Dead keep it. The way is shut. Now you must die." Legolas releases an arrow. It goes through the one aimed at as if through thin air. ,,I summon you to fulfill your oath." Aragorn says as the King of the Dead answers. ,,None but the King of Gondor may command me." Aragorn lifts Andúril. The King of the Dead attacks him with a sword. Aragorn parries and then grabs the King by his throat. ,,That line was broken." ,,It has been remade." He releases the King, and addresses The Dead surrounding him. ,,Fight for us, and regain your honor." He walks through the crowd of ghosts. ,,What say you?" The Dead shuffle about and look uncertain. Kaya then decides to speak up. ,,Don´t you want to be free of this pain? Finally join your fore fathers in peace?" The King of the Dead looks to her and asks. ,,Who are you?" ,,I am Kaya of Rivendell, daughter of Edea." The King seems surprised but doesn´t comment on it. ,,What say you?" She asks as Gimli looks to both her and Aragorn. ,, You waste your time, Aragorn, Kaya! They had no honor in life, they have none now in death." Aragorn looks to the King. ,,I am Isildur's heir. Fight for me, and I will hold your oaths fulfilled!" The Dead watch Aragorn, unable to decide. ,, What say you?! You have my word! Fight, and I will release you from this living death!" The Dead begin to disappear. ,,What say you?!" ,,Stand, you traitors!" Gimli shouts. The mists begin to blow away and the ground begins to shake. The whole place begins to burst out with skulls everywhere. Aragorn yells. ,,Out!" And the whole group tries to get out as fast as they can but the skulls fall on them unmercifully. They finally get out when they run out of a small opening in the cave. Aragorn's face begins to sadden as he sees the black ships of the Corsairs on the river. He falls to his knees. Legolas puts his arm around him. Kaya however stares back at the cave and then she hears a noise that comes from the cave. ,,Aragorn!" She yells. Aragorn turns around to see the King of the Dead. ,,We fight, Aragorn son of Arathorn." The King looks towards Kaya and nods at her. She returns it.
Back at Minas Tirith, Orcs and siege towers getting even closer. ,,Open the gate! Quick!" Soldiers yell. The gate is opened and an unconscious Faramir is dragged in by a horse, his body struck with arrows. Faramir is carried up to the top of Minas Tirith. Denethor runs into the courtyard with shouting Faramir´s name. The soldiers lay Faramir down beside the White Tree. ,,Say not that he has fallen!" Denethor shouted at the soldiers. ,,They were outnumbered. None survived." He explains. Pippin watches from afar. The catapults fire. On the walls of Minas Tirith, Men duck from what is flying in amongst them – the heads of Faramir's soldiers. Meanwhile, Denethor leans over Faramir's body. ,,My sons are spent." Denethor stumbles away from the litter that bore Faramir, torn with grief. Pippin runs to Faramir's side. ,,My line has ended." Denethor shouts as Pippin touches Faramir's brow. ,,He's alive!" He shouts but no-one listens to him. ,,The House of Stewards has failed!" ,,He needs medicine, my lord!" Denethor ignores Pippin and continues to stumble towards the walls. Pippin still tries to call to him but he ignores him. Denethor reaches the walls. His eyes grow wide as he looks upon the massive army that stands at his gates. His mind breaks and he goes insane. ,,Rohan has deserted us. Théoden's betrayed me. Abandon your posts! Flee! Flee for your lives!" The Gondorian soldiers look about uncertainly and in fear. Gandalf whacks Denethor in the forehead with his staff, then in the stomach, and the steward falls down in shock. ,,Prepare for battle!" Gandalf shouts as jumps on Shadowfax. He rides towards the outer defenses. ,,Hurry, men! To the wall! Defend the wall!" Soldiers and civilians rush about in fear and confusion. ,,Return to your posts!" He reaches the outer wall, and sees the oncoming army. ,,Send these foul beasts into the abyss." The Gondorian soldiers begin hurling large rocks and pieces of buildings towards the Orcs with trebuchets. The battle begins.
A/N: To be continued. Next chapter battle of Pellenor fields.
