"It will not be enough to find Aragorn. Merlyn is gathering his own force of Orcs, not to mention the slavery!" Eowyn vented. "His lair must also be found and wiped out!"
"You speak the truth, fair lady." Elrond nodded. "Yet time is not on our side. We have reason to believe that if not saved, Aragorn will be murdered before or during the Feast of the White Seeds. We cannot be in two places at once."
"Maybe you won't have to!" Came a familiar voice. They all looked back to see two identical black-haired elves.
"Elrohir? Elladan?" Elrond gaped. He should've known! His sons rushed to embrace him. It had been months since they'd seen him last.
"Ada. We've missed you." Elrohir smiled. "Ahh, my dear hobbit friends. Bilbo sends his regards." The hobbits all smiled.
"Mr. Lord Eomer!" Sam exclaimed. The Rohanian man stepped forward into the great room as well.
"I have brought help, scouts, and messengers." Eomer declared.
"We sure could use it!" Pippin exclaimed. Eomer smiled proudly as he went and hugged his sister.
"You look purely radiant, my sister." He said to her. Eowyn smiled.
"Eomer? Elladan? Elrohir?" Legolas beamed when he entered. "Welcome, mellyn nin! Welcome!" He cried with joy.
"Glorfindel and Erestor stayed in Rivendell, Ada. They will look after it. Arwen returned to Lorien and is keeping a great watch on the Northern Wood." Elladan explained.
"So, what is our next step?" Frodo asked. Everyone looked to Legolas and Faramir.
"Here is a map, consisting of the tunnels and old catacombs under the city." Faramir said. "We will send out scouts around Gondor and outside, across the river, to investigate any possible Orc strongholds or meeting places. The rest of us shall journey forth into the dark underground."
"There is one path, leading all the way out of the city walls," Legolas added, "yet it leads directly under the citadel structure, leagues below. If Merlyn really wants us to believe Estel is dead, what better place to keep him hostage but down there?"
"Ai." Faramir nodded. "There are dungeons down there, held for the most vile of criminals. It is dark, deep, and ultimately disparaging."
"And Merlyn? When he find and catch up to him, what then?" Merry asked seriously.
"He will be taken as our prisoner." Faramir glowered.
"I don't care how, after what he did to my people!" Eomer spoke up again. "He must pay for what he has done."
"He will." Thranduil and Gandalf said together, then glanced at each other pointedly.
"Have you not considered though, that this Merlyn may have Orcs lying in wait for us?" Elladan suggested.
"What of it?" Thranduil huffed. "Surely you are not going to let a little Orc pack stop you, Son of Elrond?" He smirked. Elladan glared. He knew Thranduil was only teasing him but now was not the time.
"Of course not." He retorted.
"We will meet that bridge when we come to it." Legolas answered for him. "That seems to matter little, if it means we can save our friend!"
"Certainty of death, small chance of success? What are we waiting for?" Gimli asked with gusto.
"What are we waiting for?" Alasse spoke dismally as she appeared.
"Alasse! You should be resting, iel nin." Thranduil said gruffly.
"Miss Alasse! Are you feeling better?" Pippin asked happily.
"Thank you, Pip." Alasse nodded.
"What are you doing here? Ada and I agreed that you should rest and regain your strength until we return with Aragorn!" Legolas exclaimed. After watching another traumatizing episode that had nearly scared her literally to death, he wanted Alasse safe.
"You both agreed, however, your sister did not." Gandalf corrected him. Thranduil rolled his eyes. Did the wizard always have to be so helpful?
"I backed them up and I am not about to alter my standing on the matter." Elrond said.
"Alasse, muinthel nin, I am sorry. But this time, you must remain behind." Legolas told her emphatically. Alasse knew all too well, further arguing would only delay things, delays they couldn't afford and would only lead to more discord that they surely did not need!
Alasse closed her eyes, and placed her fist over her chest, breathing deeply. She reached behind her and drew forth her bow staff. She held it steady, ready for battle but remained silent.
Frodo smiled warmly at her. He slowly stood up, though no one noticed him at first. He unsheathed Sting, and held it high. He met the princess's eyes. "For Aragorn." He murmured. Everyone turned to the halfling, astounded at his big, courageous heart.
"For Aragorn." Gimli nodded with a bow, holding out his ax.
Eomer, Elladan, Elrohir, and Faramir drew their weapons, as did Eowyn. "For Aragorn." They spoke in unison.
Sam, Pippin, and Merry held up their swords. "For Mr. Aragorn." They said with heartfelt pride.
Gandalf, Elrond, and Legolas brought forth their blades together in a pinnacle. "For Aragorn!" They cried.
Thranduil noticed uneasily that he was the only one in the room who had not produced his allegiance. He merely ignored his audience, until he looked at Legolas's pleading face and then he gazed into his daughter's eyes. He'd given his word that he would help her. She remained silent, giving him a chance to reveal himself. Sighing slightly, then throwing Alasse a kind, warm, fatherly look, he pulled forth his great Elvish blade. "For Aragorn." He said regally.
Alasse felt tears fill her eyes as she smiled fondly of all the souls in the room. "For Aragorn." She nodded.
Next chapter, they set out to save Aragorn! I can't wait!
